Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 123

Author: Runk, J.M. & Co
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chambersburg, Pa.
Number of Pages: 1482

USA > Delaware > Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I > Part 123

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Terrence Riley, grandfather of Dr. Riley, was a native of Virginia. When yet a young man he went to Brooklyn, N. Y., and estab- lished there a wholesale grocery house. After- ward he removed to Washington, D. C., and engaged in the manufacture of paper boxes. His business career in that city was prosperous, and in his later years he retired to his beau- tiful country estate in his native county, Fair- fax, Va., near Mt. Vernon. Terrence Riley was twice married. His first wife was Sophia Miller. His second wife was Mary Elizabeth Beers, of Alexandria, Va. Their children are: I. Terrence Weed; H. Alexander, of Alexan- dria, Va .; III. Lydia ( Mrs. Spofford): IV. Irving, of Alexandria, Va.

Terrence Weed Riley was born in the Dis- triet of Columbia, in 1833. He received a good practical eduation, and after reaching

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manhood established a wholesale coffee and spice house, and built the first coffee roasting mill in the District of Columbia. He was progressive and far sighted, and his high sense of honor and attractive personal qualities made him very popular. Terrence Weed Riley was married to Emily A. Elgin, born in Vir- - ginia, and a lady of much culture. Their chil- dren are: I. Katherine (Mrs. William E. Thompson), of the District of Columbia; II. Terrence Gustavus; III. Minnie S., at home. Mr. Riley died January 2, 1875; his widow resides in Washington.

Terrence Gustavus Riley attended the pub- lic schools of Washington until he was seven- teen years old. He was studious and diligent. After a course in the preparatory department of Columbia College, he entered the sopho- more class; from that college he went to the University of Pennsylvania, where he was graduated from the medical department in 1888. Dr. Riley began practice in Washing- ton, and remained there until 1895, when he came to Harrington; here his skill and care- ful attention to his patients soon rendered him a popular practitioner. He is a member of the District of Columbia Medical Association.

On April 10, 1890, Dr. Terrence Gustavus Riley was married to Lois B., daughter of Eli and Mary ( Harrington) Callaway, of near Farmington, Del. Their children are: I. Gordon; II. Horace. Dr. Riley attends the Baptist church.

W. P. MeKOWN, D. D. S., IIarrington, Del., son of William A. and Sarah B. (Taylor) MeKown, was born in Smyrna, Del., June 4, 1857.

William MeKown, grandfather of W. P. MeKown, was a native of Herkimer county, N. Y., of Scotch descent, and a soldier in the war of 1812. William MeKown, his son, was born in West Winfield, Herkimer county, N. Y. When he was twenty-five years old, he went to Newark, Del., where he studied den- tistry with Dr. . E. W. Harries. After he had completed his professional training, he began practice in Smyrna, Del., and remained there until his death. He was an eminent dentist, and his success was quickly established and continuous. Dr. William A. MeKown was married to Sarah B., daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Taylor, a member of a prominent Philadelphia family. They had one child, W.

P. Dr. MeKown died September 11, 1892, aged seventy-five years; Mrs. MeKown died in Smyrna June 4, 1887, aged seventy-one.

W. P. MeKown was a pupil in the public schools of Smyrna until he was nineteen years old, and afterward matriculated at Newark College, from which institution he was grad- uated at the age of twenty-two. During his school days he had spent much of his leisure time in his father's dental office, and had av- quired much knowledge of the profession. After his graduation from Newark College, he completed his education in dentistry under his father's instructions, and in 1885, after passing a creditable examination, received a diploma as a practitioner, under the old law. Ile immediately began practice in Smyrna, and remained there until 1891, when he went to Seaford, Del., for two years, and then came to Harrington; here he has acquired an envi- able reputation as a dentist. Mr. MeKown is a successful champion of the principles of the Democratic party.

On September 12, 1894, in Seaford, Del., Dr. W. P. MeKown was married to Anna, daughter of John and Jennie (Melvin) Brad- ford, born in Accomack county, Va. Their children are: I. William P., deceased; II. Franklin Jennings, born September 11, 1896. Dr. MeKown is a consistent member of the M. E. church.

FREDERICK J. OWENS, M. D., Har- rington, Del., son of John P. and Mary (James) Owens, was born in Milford, Del., November 13, 1822.

Ilis paternal grandfather was William II. Owens, who was born in Dorchester county, Md., and was a farmer. He married Jane, daughter of John Polk, known as "Great John Polk," on account of his being a prominent man. He resided at Sussex county, Del. He was distantly related to President James K. Polk. Jane (Polk) Owens, at the time of her marriage, owned in her own right the greater portion of St. Johnstown, Del., which it is believed she inherited from her father. Wil- liam II. and Jane (Polk) Owens had children: I. John P .: II. Eleanor (Mrs. Samuel Red- din); III. Ketura (Mrs. --- Travis), died in Louisiana, from the effects of a fall from a horse; IV. Elizabeth; V. William, died in early manhood. Mr. and Mrs. William II. Owens died in St. Johnstown, Del. They

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were devout Christians, and Mrs. Owens was a member of the Presbyterian church. David Owens, a brother of William II. Owens, was for a time a successful merchant at Milford, Del., but suffered business reverses and re- moved to Baltimore, Md. There he re-en- gaged in mercantile pursuits, and acquired a large trade. Subsequently he returned to Mil- ford and paid all his indebtedness. Ile was a local preacher in the M. E. church.

Isaiah James, maternal grandfather of Dr. Frederick J. Owens was born in England. While yet a young man he came to America, and settled in Accomack county, Va. His three brothers accompanied him to America but after a short time they separated. Isaiah went northward, and was one of the first to make his home in Milford, Del. Here he en- gaged extensively in tanning and in the gen- eral merchandise business. He became wealthy. Isaiah James married Mary Rus- sell, of Sussex county, Del. Their only sur- viving child was Mary (Mrs. John P. Owens), to whom Mr. James left his fortune. Isaiah James died in Milford at the age of thirty- seven years. He was a member of the Society of Friends.

John P. Owens, M. D., father of Dr. Fred- erick J. Owens, was born in St. Johnstown, Sussex county, Del., in 1787. He attended subscription schools, and later the Latin school in Milford, Del., of which a P. E. rector was principal. Among his schoolmates were Drs. Lofland and Burton, the latter afterwards governor of Delaware. Young Owens was a boy who did not brook restraint unless from his parents. It is told of him that once being offended because a teacher reprimanded him, he discussed the affair with his schoolfellows and then went home and told the housekeeper of his troubles and his resentment. She ad- vised him to return to the school room before his mother should arrive at home and use her slipper upon him; he took the advice, but it cost him an effort to put himself under the control of the teacher again. After complet- ing his studies, he decided upon a medical career, and began reading medicine with Dr. James Sudler, of Milford. Afterwards he at- tended the medical department of the Univer- sity of Pennsylvania, and was graduated about 1810. He began practicing in Milford, and met with much success during many years. Afterward he practiced in Frederica, again in

Milford. then in Philadelphia and a third time in Milford. Having exchanged his property in the latter place for a farm, he resided upon it for a number of years, engaged for a part of the time in teaching school. Dr. Owens was possessed of much wealth in his earlier years, but lost it through over-confidence in some of his acquaintances. About 1810 John I'. Owens married Mary, daughter of Isaiah and Mary (Russell) James, of Sussex county, Del. They had children: I. William Henry, deceased; II. Isaiah, died young; III. John, deceased; IV. Edwin, deceased; V. Mary Jane, deceased; VI. Frederic J .; VII. Isaiah, 2; VIII. Franklin O .; IX. Elizabeth Dashiell (Mrs. Josiah Martin); X. Sarah M. (Mrs. Howard), of Burlington, Iowa; XI. Harriet, and XII. Maria, twins, deceased. Mr. Owens died in Milford, in April, 1844. His wife was carefully educated and of strong personality. She attended the home schools in her girlhood, and was afterwards a pupil at Lewes. Her father bequeathed her a fortune, and the state chancellor enrolled her as a pupil in Mrs. Mallon's select school for young ladies in Philadelphia. This school was patronized by the wealthiest people of that period; among the fellow pupils of Miss James were the daughters of General Cadwalader and Gen- eral Patterson. There Miss James completed her education, for which the chancellor paid Miss Mallon $1,800. Miss James became particularly proficient in French, music and painting, and when in later years she estab- lished a select school for young ladies in Mil- ford, she had many pupils, her income amounting to $1,000 per year. Mrs. Owens was a devoted wife and mother, and gave much of her time to the education of her children.

Frederick J. Owens received his educa- tion from his mother and in the select and public schools, completing his studies when he was twenty-one years old. During the six years of the family's residence on a farm, he was manager for his father. When he left the farm he secured a clerkship in Atkins Brothers store, in Milford. A year later he entered the employ of Curry & Davis. He was not, however, satis- fied with Milford. He wanted a broader field, and armed with letters of introduction, went to Philadelphia with only $5.00 in his pockets, but with an carnest determination to make his own way, and that as rapidly as possible. He

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walked from end to end of Market street, en- deavoring to obtain a position, and finally se- cured a clerkship in a wholesale and retail store. After spending some time very profit- ably in the city, Mr. Owens removed to Wil- mington, Del., where he was a clerk for a year. For the next two and a half years he was en- gaged in teaching in public schools in Mil- ford; he then conducted a select school in Mil- ford for a year. With a P. E. rector he en- deavored unsuccessfully to establish a select school in Lewes. Then he was principal of a school in Seaford, Del., where one of his pupils was the late Congressman Edward Mar- tin, of Delaware. He afterwards taught in various places, and read medicine with his father and with Dr. Joseph B. Sudler and Dr. James R. Mitchell, attended lectures at the Philadelphia College of Medicine, and was graduated in 1853. He practiced very ac- ceptably in Frankfort and Gumboro, Del., and in May, 1857, settled in Harrington.

On May 8, 1863, Dr. Owens was commis- sioned by Governor Cannon as assistant sur- geon in the First Regiment, Delaware Volun- teer Infantry. Ile served at the battle of Gettysburg, the engagement at Auburn, Octo- ber 14, 1863, at Bristow Station, Va., on the same day, and at Mine Run, in December, 1863. Ile returned home on a thirty days' furlough, but was almost immediately ordered to Wilmington to examine men for re-enlist- ment. The regiment to which he was assigned went into winter quarters at Brandywine Springs, and Dr. Owens suffered much from cold and exposure. In the spring of 1864 he went with the regiment to the front, and was a participant in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Reams' Station, Cold Harbor and Petersburg. Then he was appointed to the examining board with headquarters at Carlisle, Pa., and later was placed in charge of the Sixteenth Regiment Veteran Reserves at Philipsburg, Pa., and remained in the ser- vice until November, 1865, when he was dis- charged.

Dr. Owens resumed practice at Milford, re- moved a year later to Vernon, Del., and fi- nally in 1883 to Harrington, where he erected his present residence. He is a member of the Delaware State Medical Society, and of Cap- tain P. C. Carter Post, No. 19, G. 1. R., of Harrington. In his political views he is a Republican.

On December 8, 1861, Dr. Frederick J. Owens was married to Margaret G., daughter of Nathaniel C. and Matilda (Russell) Powell, born in Mispillion hundred, Kent county, Del., April 23, 1841. They have children: 1. Frederick R., born October 28, 1862, became a school teacher, studied law at Denton and afterwards at Dover under Henry Johnson, Esq., and was admitted to the bar in Denton, practiced four years in Baltimore, and is now associated with his brother-in-law, William II. Dewees, in the practice of medicine in Denton; II. Natilla (Mrs. William H. De- wees). Dr. Owens is a member of the Bap- tist church.

Nathaniel C. Powell, father of Mrs. Owens, was born in Maryland. When he was two years old he removed with his parents to the vicinity of Harrington. He was well-edu- cated, and achieved prominence in business and political circles. For two sessions he served in the legislature; he was highly es- teemed both as a public official and as a pri- vate citizen. He was first a Whig and after- ward a Republican. Mr. Powell was twice married. Ilis first wife died in 1867, aged fifty-six years. They had children: I. Pu- laski N., a veteran of the Civil War; II. Mar- garet G. (Mrs. Frederick J. Owens; III. Wil- liam, died in infancy. After the death of his first wife Mr. Powell married Sarah Calloway, of Harrington.

The grandfather of Mrs. Owens was George Powell. He was born in Maryland, and was a farmer. He married Mary Hall, also a native of Maryland. They had children: I. Wil- liam II., a prominent politician, married Su- san Short, died in Harrington; IT. Nathaniel C .; III. Elizabeth (Mrs. Jones), died in Har- rington; IV. John, married Catherine Daw- son, resides in Philadelphia; V. James B. R., was a member of the legislature, married Mary A. Reddin, died in Farmington, Del. His widow resides in Kansas City, Mo. Mr. Powell and his wife died near Harrington.

GEORGE MIFFLIN DALLAS HAR- RINGTON, Harrington, Del., son of Wil- liam D. and Sarah (Downham) Harrington, was born near Felton, Kent county, Del .. January 14, 1847.

The history of Mr. Harrington's paternal ancestry is given in the sketch of his brother, Jonathan S. Harrington, of Viola. His ma-

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ternal ancestors were members of the old and well known Downham family of Delaware.

G. M. D. Harrington was born on the old Virden farm, a mile north of Felton, where he lived until he was thirteen years old; his parents then removed to Canterbury. He was educated in the public schools and in Fort Ed- ward, Academy. At the age of fifteen he se- cured employment on the farm of James Pos- tles, and remained there nearly a year. On March 16, 1864, he enlisted in Com- pany G, First Regiment, Delaware Cavalry. On July 3, of the follow- ing year the regiment was disbanded and young Harrington returned to his home and assisted in the support of his mother, his father having died. During 1866 and a part of 1867, he served an apprenticeship in the jewelry store of Burgess Lescallett, and in the spring of the latter year engaged in the jewelry business for himself in Frederica, con- tinning in the same until 1880, when he dis- posed of it with the purpose of going west with a brother who resided near Viola. This project was abandoned, and he returned to his trade, pursuing which he traveled through the country, carrying on his business in various places until 1883, when he established himself in Wilmington. Five years afterward, he went to Felton, and after conducting a store there in 1888 and 1889, came in 1890 to Harrington, where he has since remained, enjoying a profitable trade as a jeweler. He is an enterprising citizen and an esteemed resi- dent of the town. In politics Mr. Harring- ton is a stanch Republican.

On May 30, 1893, George M. D. Harring- ton was married to Nora May, daughter of Captain Joseph and Caroline (Morgan) Taylor. Mrs. Harrington was born at Seaford, Del. Mr. Harrington is a member of the M. E. church.

WILLIAM C. QUILLEN, Harrington, Del., son of John and Sarah Ann (Frazier) Quillen, was born near Milford, Kent county, Del., March 28, 1838.

The Quillen family is of Irish descent, and has resided in America for more than a cen- tury, the earliest settler having crossed the Atlantic before the Revolutionary war. Wil- liam Quillen, grandfather of William C. Quil- len, was born in the vicinity of Douglass Mills, Kent county, Del. He was a farmer, and for

many years lived four miles from Milford, in Milford hundred. He was prominent in his community; in politics he was a Federalist. William Quillen married twice; by his first marriage they had one son, Robert, who was for many years a school teacher in Kent coun- ty, and died in Milford hundred. After the death of his first wife, William Quillen mar- ried Sarah Calloway, who was born and reared near Harrington. They had one son, John. Mr. Quillen died at the age of thirty-four years. Ile was a member of the M. E. church. Mrs. Sarah Quillen lived to be ninety-six years old, and died on the homestead farm.

John Quillen was born about 1811, near Spring Mills, Kent county, now owned by T. B. Coursey. When he was a few months old his parents removed to Milford hundred. He received a fair education in the district schools, and taught school for several terms. On the death of his father he inherited the homestead property, on which he resided until his death. He was an industrious farmer and shrewd business man, and acquired a large fortune for his day. Mr. Quillen was an ardent supporter of the principles of the Whig and afterward of the Republican party. John Quillen was married to Sarah Ann Fra- zier, of Milford hundred. They had chil- dren: I. Phoebe (Mrs. Zadoe Postles), died on the old homestead; II. William C .; III. Sarah (Mrs. J. W. Hammond), resides on the homestead; IV. Lydia, deceased; V. James, married Susan Brown. Mr. Quillen died in 1886; his wife died in 1884. Hle was a member of the M. E. church.

William C. Quillen was born and reared on the homestead farm. During the winter months he attended the Cedarfield school; in summer he worked on the farm. When he was twenty-three years old, he began farm- ing for himself on a leased traet of land in Milford hundred. He continued there for six years, and then conducted a general store in Vernon, Kent county, for five years. Dispos- ing of his stock of goods, he removed to Lewes and resided in that city for a year. In 1874 Mr. Quillen came to Harrington, and pur- chasing a building here established himself in the general merchandise business. Sub- sequently he engaged in a commission and phosphate enterprise with W. T. Sharp. This partnership continued four years, and in March, 1888, Mr. Quillen returned to his

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former stand and has since conducted a gen- eral business there. Mr. Quillen has always been much interested in the education of the youth of his hundred, and his efforts have ma- terially aidod in the improvement of the schools. He is a Republican

On December 26, 1861, William C. Quil- len was married to Sarah A. Sharp, of Milford "hundred, who died June, 1863. On De- cember 15, 1867, Mr. Quillen married Sarah T. Cain of Mispillion hundred, Kent county. Their children are: I. Minnie, at home; II. Wilbert, died aged nineteen; III. Delema, at home; IV. Emile B., at home; V. Sarah Ann, at home.

WILLIAM WAPLES DAY, M. D., son of Dr. Asbury Mitchell and Catherine (Waples) Day, was born in Farmington, June 11, 1865.

The Day family is of English descent. The first member of whom there is any record was William Day; his children were: I. Pretty- man; II. George; III. Mary; IV. Margaret. Prettyman Day was born about the beginning of the eighteenth century. It is not certain when he came to America, but it is known that he died in Delaware, December 29, 1767. He was married to Abigail Their children were: I. John; II. William; III. Nellie; IV. Mary; V. Margaret.

John Day, great-great-grandfather of Wil- liam W. Day, was born in Delaware about the middle of the eighteenth century. His chil- dren were: I. Prettyman, 2; II. Mary; III. Abbie; IV. Abigail; V. Nellie; VI. Eliza- beth; VII. Ruth. John Day died in Febru- ary, 1794; Mrs. Day died March 14, 1814.

Prettyman Day, 2, was born November 14, 1772. He married Sarah Bevens, born Febru- ary 14, 1775; their children were: I. John; II. Abbie; III. Rowland: IV. Sarah; V. Han- nah; VI. Eliza; VII. Eli; VIII. Levin B .; IX. Nancy; X. Matilda. Prettyman Day died February 15, 1848. Mrs. Day died Oc- tober 5, 1842.

Levin B. Day, granduncle of William W. Day, was married to Mary Conway. Their children were: I. Eliza A .; II. Lydia G .; III. Henry HI .; IV. John II .; V. Rowland B .; VI. Catherine; VII. William T .; VIII. Levin B., 2; IX. Mary E .; X. Emma. Levin B. Day died November 5, 1876; Mrs. Day died September 25, 1883.

Jolin Day, son of Prettyman Day, 2, and grandfather of William W. Day, was born in Sussex county, Del., March 23, 1796, and was engaged in farming there throughout his life. Ile married Mrs. Margaret Hatton, a widow, and had children: I. Emeline ( Mrs. Elias Lof- land); II. William W., married Harriet Short; III. John, 2, married Sallie A. Russell; IV. Elizabeth, married John Cannon Short, U. S. marshal at Wilmington, Del .; V. As- bury Mitchell; VI. James H., married La- vinia Isaacs; VII. Mary ( Mrs. G. K. Swain). John Day died March 23, 1872; Mrs. Day preceded him to the grave.

Asbury Mitchell Day was born near Georgetown, Del., January 23, 1830. Dur- ing his boyhood, he devoted the greater por- tion of his time to labor in the fields or about the barn, and spent only the remaining hours in the school room. But he was an ambitious student, and applied himself so diligently to his books at home that he became prepared for teaching, and had charge of a school for several terms. Then he read medicine under Dr. H. F. Willis, in Millsboro, Del., and after- ward pursued a course in the Albany Medical College, Albany, N. Y. From this institution he was graduated with the class of 1860, and practiced his profession in Farmington, Del., from that time until 1885, when his health failed, and he was compelled to retire from active duties. Subsequently he was post- master of Farmington for four years under the administration of President Harrison. He was a Republican. On March 10, 1863, Dr. Asbury Mitchell Day was married to Cather- ine A., daughter of William D. and Mary (Godwin) Waples, of Sussex county. Their children are: I. William Waples; II. Clara W. (Mrs. Willis E. Hall), widow, born March 29, 1869, resides in Winston, N. C. Dr. Day died September 4, 1896; Mrs. Day died September 21, 1883; both were active mem- bers of the M. E. church, and both were buried in the cemetery near Harrington.

William Waples Day attended the public schools in Farmington until he was fifteen years old, when he attended Conference Academy at Dover. After a year spent as a student there, he passed two years in Ritten- house Academy, Philadelphia, and then trav- eled as a salesman for a wholesale drug house of Philadelphia for twelve months. About that time his father's health failed, and Wil-

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liam W. Day returned to Farmington, to as- sume for a short time the management of his drug store. In September, 1886, he matrieu- lated at the College of Physicians and Sur- geons in Baltimore, from which he was grad- uated in March, 1888. For one year after, he occupied an office in Wilmington, and in 1889 returned to practice in Farmington. Hle is a popular and useful citizen. Dr. Day is a member of Lodge No. 24, A. O. U. W. He is a stanch Republican, and is now postmaster of Farmington, conducting the office in addition to his medical practice. He was appointed to the office March 9, 1898.

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 123

Author: Runk, J.M. & Co Publication date: 1899 Publisher: Chambersburg, Pa. Number of Pages: 1482

Author: Runk, J.M. & Co
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chambersburg, Pa.
Number of Pages: 1482