Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 32

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

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In June, 1886, he was re-elected by a ma- jority of over five hundred. During his see- ond term, Mr. Taylor was again chairman of the finance committee, and also of the com- mittee on parks, actively participating in the legislation that restilted in the purchase of the park grounds along the Brandywine and in the Eleventh ward. He retired from Council at the expiration of his second term, in June, 1888, declining, in the face of strong pressure, a re-nomination that would have been equivalent to a re-election. Mr. Taylor was also reading clerk of the Delaware House of Representatives, during the session of 1887.

In addition to his work on the press of Wilmington, Mr. Taylor has served as cor- respondent of leading journals of New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore. At present, in point of continuous service, he practically stands at the head of the newspaper workers of Wilmington.

JESSE K. BAYLIS, Wilmington, Del., son of Samuel B. and Sarah ( Kendall) Baylis, of Brandywine hundred, was born in Wil- mington, February 10, 1843.

Mr. Baylis received a good education in the public schools of his native city, and after leaving school learned the trade of sash mak- ing. After some years he extended the busi- ness by making it include other articles neces- sary to builders. He was the first to intro- duce the tile and mantel business into Wil- mington and was engaged in the sale of tiles, mantels and grates at 718 Market street until he became the lessee of the Wilmington Grand Opera House. It was in 1874 that Mr. Baylis assumed the management of that popular place of entertainment, which he has conducted ever since so judiciously, and with such regard for the comfort, convenience and pleasure of the publie as to give great satis- faction to the patrons of the house. During the past twenty-four years, all the leading artists of the country have appeared in the Grand Opera House, with marked success. Mr. Baylis is well known as a publie-spirited citizen, taking pleasure in any service that he can render to the interest of the commu- nity. He was for eight years a member of the Board of Education. In 1895 he was elected president of the City Council, and served one term in that capacity with faith-

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fulness and efficiency. He is treasurer of the Guardian Loan Association. Mr. Baylis is an ardent Democrat, and was the first presi- dent of Council adhering to that party for many years. He is a member of Washington Lodge, No. 1, F. and A. M .; of St. John's Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M .; and of St. John's Commandery, No. 1, Knights Templar.

- Jesse K. Baylis was married October 12, 1865, to Ellen K., daughter of Malachi P. and Catherine Mason, and granddaughter of Park Mason, an old and honored resident of Wilmington. Their children are as follows: I. Roscoe F., born February 2, 1868, edu- cated in the public schools of Wilmington, and at present a clerk in the office of the su- perintendent of the Philadelphia, Wilming- ton and Baltimore Railroad, where he has been employed since the time of his leaving school. He is a member and past master of Washington Lodge, No. 1, F. and A. M., and of St. John's Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M .; Roscoe F. Bavlis married Nina, daughter of John II. and Graham, and has two children, i. Jesse K., Jr., ii. Helen; II. Wynard L., born January 9, 1870, educated in the public schools, is at present a elerk in the freight department of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad; III. Lester K., born August 21, 1878, now en- gaged with his father in the management of the Grand Opera House.

WILLIAM WEST SMITHERS, Esq., Philadelphia, Pa., son of William Henry and Mary J. (Reed) Smithers, was born May 5, 1864, in Philadelphia, whither his parents had removed from Milton, Sussex county, Del.

Captain William Henry Smithers, eldest son of Hon. Elias Smithers, of Milford, Del., married Mary J., daughter of Joseph and Mary (Ingraham) Reed. Mr. Reed was a native of Virginia, and had settled at Milton, Del., and Mrs. Reed was a daughter of An- thony Ingraham, one of the five sons of John Ingraham, the first of the family to settle in Sussex county.

In 1865, her husband having died in Phil- adelphia, Mrs. William II. Smithers ro- turned with her three daughters and her son, William West, an infant only a year old, to her former home in Milton, Del. Here the boy attended school until 1876, when he

came with his mother to Philadelphia, and secured a position in a mercantile house for a few months. In August, 1877, his uncle, Elias P. Smithers, Esq., an attorney in Phila- delphia, took him into his office. With this unele he began the study of law, and in June, 1887, took the degree of L.L. B. as a graduate of the Law School of the University of Penn- sylvania. Mr. Smithers was the first student of the Law School to take two honors, being chosen by the Faculty to deliver the graduat- ing oration, and also receiving the first prize (known, as the Sherwood prize) for the best essay. His oration was entitled, "Diffusion of National Sentiments," and his essay had for its theme, "The Relation of Attorney and Client." The latter has since been published, and is used by Pennsylvania law students as a text-book. After graduation, Mr. Smithers remained with his unele, Elias P. Smithers, until September, 1889, when he opened his own offices. He has since enjoyed a lucrative and important general practice, meeting with particular success in jury cases. In the midst of his professional engagements, however, Mr. Smithers finds recreation and improve- ment in literary pursuits. Besides the able essay above named, he has published "The Life of John Lofland, the Milford Bard," and "A Coaching Trip Through Delaware," as well as numerous newspaper and magazine articles on a variety of topics.

Mr. Smithers has traveled all over this country and Canada, and spent two summers in Europe. He reads, writes and speaks the French language with fluency, and has the distinction of being one of the few lawyers at the Philadelphia bar who are able to trans- act business with Frenchmen in their own tongue. IIe is a member of the Masonic Fra- ternity, of the I. O. O. F., the Junior O. U. A. M., the I. O. R. M., the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, the Sons of Delaware, the Law Association, and both the General and the Law Alumni Associations of the Univer- sity of Pennsylvania.

On June 4, 1889, William West Smithers was married to Virginia Scott, daughter of Honore B. and Cornelia (Beynon) Lyons. They have one child, Gene, born April 3, 1890.

PETER B. AYARS, Wilmington, Del., son of Benjamin D. and Jane Ann (Elkinton)

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Ayars, was born in Bridgeport, N. J., April 17, 1842.

Hlis paternal ancestors were Scotch; the maternal, French. Noah Ayars, great-grand- father of Peter B. Ayars, was born in Ayr- shire, Scotland, and was among the passen- gers the good ship Mayflower brought to America on her second trip westward over the Atlantic. He made his first home in this country with the original settlers at Ply- mouth, Mass. Afterwards he removed to Cumberland county, N. J., and, it is said, founded the town of Bridgeton. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and his cer- tificate of discharge from the Continental army is now in possession of Peter B. Ayars, who has, also, it may be mentioned here, the certificate of the discharge of his maternal grandfather, Benjamin DuBois, from the same army of patriots.

Noah Ayars, 2, grandfather of Peter B. Ayars, and son of Noah Ayars, is supposed to have been born in Bridgeton, N. J. It is certain that he was educated there, engaged in business, died, and was buried there. He married Miss DuBois. Among their children were Robert, Joseph, Noah, 3, and Benjamin D. Noah Ayars, 3, is the only survivor of the family. He is still living in Bridgeton, at an advanced age. His wife died in Phila- delphia in 1861, and is buried in that city.

Benjamin D. Ayars, father of Peter B. Ayars, was born in Bridgeton, N. J., in Oc- tober, 1812. He attended the schools of that place and resided there during his youth. When old enough to begin a trade, he went to Philadelphia and learned carpentry, in which occupation he was engaged until his death. Benjamin D. Ayars married Jane Ann, daughter of John and Eliza Elkinton. Their children were: I. Elizabeth (Mrs. George Zane), of Bridgeport, N. J., deceased, as is her husband also, had children, i. Eliza- beth (Mrs. Andrew Henry), of Lebanon, Pa., ii. Georgiana (Mrs. Elwood Tussey), of Wil- mington, Del .; II. Benjamin, of Chester, Pa., married Elizabeth Steelman, had one child, Benjamin, 2, patentee of the "Ayars' Mail Catcher and Deliverer," died in 1895, aged twenty-four; III. John B., died in 1859, from smallpox; IV. William II. H., died in 1866; V. Peter B .; VI. Mary J. (Mrs. Stratton Mitchell), of Chester, Pa., had children, i. George HI., ii. Clinton R., iii.

Isaac M., iv. Bertha, all of Chester; VII. George W., accidentally choked to death, at the age of eighteen; VIII. Charles, died aged twenty, from cold and exposure; IX. Amanda (Mrs. Emmit F. Stidham), of Wil- mington. Mr. Stidham was at one time coroner of New Castle county, Del. Benja- min D. Ayars died in Chester, Pa., November 25, 1888; his wife in Bridgeport, N. J., in 1855, where they are both buried.

Peter B. Ayars lived in Bridgeport until he was nine years old and then came to Wil- mington, where he attended the public schools and Traverse Academy. When he reached the age of sixteen he returned to Bridgeport and learned carriage blacksmith- ing. Ile worked at his trade until the break- ing out of the Civil War, when he was among the first to offer his services for the preserva- tion of the Union.

On May 25, 1861, Mr. Ayars enlisted in Philadelphia, in Company E, Thirty-second regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers; the regi- mental number was changed to ninety- ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers. He par- ticipated in every important engagement of the Army of the Potomac until April 6, 1865, the day of the battle of Sailor's Creek, Va. In all, he fought in fifty-four battles, always bravely and always in the forefront but not without severe injuries to himself. He was several times wounded, first at Spott- sylvania Court House, Va., May 15, 1864, when he received a bullet in his left shoulder. At the battle of Petersburg, October 28, 1864, he was wounded in the right leg, and on April 6, 1865, he lost his left arm at the battle of Sailor's Creek, Va. Mr. Ayars was a gallant soldier, fearless in the face of dan- ger and undaunted by the most imposing array of the enemy, and his services for his country were fitly rewarded by numerous promotions. He entered the army as a pri- vate and passed through all the grades of non-commissioned officers. In April, 1864, he was promoted to second lieutenant, and in June, 1864, he was commissioned first lieu- tenant of his company. On April 6, 1865, when his arm was shot off, he was acting ad- jutant of his regiment. He was discharged with the rank of captain, May 15, 1865, at the officers' hospital, Annapolis, Md., under Special Order, No. 82, which discharged all officers in the hospital at that time.

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When the war was over he went to Chester, Pa., and there learned telegraphy. In the fall of 1865 he removed to Wilmington and was employed as an operator in the railroad service of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad. He remained in said ser- vice for nine years and was then tendered a position in the Wilmington postoffice. He ac- "cepted it and was a popular and faithful at- tache of the office for a period of fourteen years. The past nine years he has held the office of deputy collector and inspector of customs at Wihnington, and has proved a ca- pable and efficient appointee. He is a mem- ber of DuPont Post, No. 2, G. A. R., of Wil- mington, and past junior vice-commander- in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Ayars is, also, supreme commander of the Legion of the Red Cross. He holds mem- bership in the State Historical Society and the Sons of the Revolution. He is a staunch Republican and an active party worker.

On May 16, 1865, in Chester, Pa., Peter B. Avars married Annie E., daughter of Har- per and Margaret J. Dunn, of Philadelphia, Pa. Mrs. Avars was born in Philadelphia, December 2, 1848. Their children are: I. Clara (Mrs. Joseph N. Warren), of Chester, has children, i. Esther, ii. Thomas N., iii. Edward, iv. Jay, v. George; II. Margaret J. (Mrs. John C. Green), of Wilmington, has children, i. John C., 2, ii. Alice .; III. Florence (Mrs. George Cox), of Wilmington; has two children, Margaret and George Ed- ward Cox; IV. Edward F. J., student in Delaware College, Newark, Del .; enlisted in the war against Spain as sergeant of Com- pany M, First Delaware Infantry, United States Volunteers, April, 1898; V. Anna D., and VI. Elizabeth, twins, the latter died in infancy; VII. Harper, died in infancy. Mr. Ayars and family are members of the Dela- ware Avenue Baptist church, of Wilmington. Mr. Ayars is superintendent of the Sunday- school and president of the New Castle Coun- ty Sunday-School Association, of Delaware.

GEORGE ROMMEL, Wilmington, Del., son of the late Gustavus and Minnie (Herbst) Rommel, was born in Dayton, Ohio, May 28, 1851.

Both of Mr. Rommel's parents were of German descent. His paternal great-grand- father, Wilhelm Rommel, served for more

than half a century in the army of the Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar. For about thirty years he enjoyed the rank of Feldherr, or general, and when past the age of active ser- vice, received the appointment of paymaster of the army. But this was not the only recog- nition of the brave and worthy general's long services, for on the fiftieth anniversary of his enrollment in the army, he was presented by the Grand Duke with a silver goblet full of gold coins. The cup is now in the posses- sion of Charles Rommel, youngest son of Gustavus Rommel. General Rommel passed his life in his native land, dying there at the age of seventy-four years. ITis long and hon- orable military career commenced in his early boyhood.

George Rommel, son of General Rommel, was also a native and a lifelong resident of Weimar, Saxony. His public services, though less brilliant, were perhaps not less valuable than those of his father, he being a Rathsherr, or member of the council of the city; but they were cut short while he was still in the prime and vigor of manhood, at fifty years of age, by the fall of a fire engine upon him, which caused his death. Besides three daughters, whose names are not known, George Rommel had two sons: I. Augustus, a jeweler, who was in business for about twenty years in New York City, where he died; and II. Gustavus, father of George Rommel, 2.

Gustav, or Gustavus, Rommel, was born in Weimar, Saxony, January 28, 1817. He was educated in that city, and became a locksmith and whitesmith. At the age of seventeen, ac- cording to national regulations, Gustavus Rommel was examined for service in the army, but on account of a slight irregularity in his gait, was rejected by the examiners. This decision pleased the youth well, for he had already formed a strong desire to become a citizen of this western republic. In 1835, therefore, he emigrated, and spent the first five years of his life in America in various cities, where he worked at his trade, and in the manufacture of surgical instruments. About ten years after coming to the United States the diligent and thrifty young artisan was able to return on a visit of nearly a year's length to his native land, during which time he was married. Coming with his bride again to America, they first resided for two years

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in Reading, Pa., and then removed to Day- ten, Ohio, where Mr. Rommel was master mechanic of the machine shop of Thompson & Sons. The rest of his life was passed in Reading, where during most of those years he was employed as machinist by the Phila- delphia and Reading Railroad. His wife, to whom he was married in Weimar in 1846, died at the age of fifty, in Reading, March 21, 1875. Mr. Rommel survived her for almost ten years, and died February 1, 1885. Both were interred in Reading. All but one of their tive children survived them. The fam. ily is as follows: 1. Lily, born in Reading, Pa., February 16, 1847, died at the age of sixteen years; II. William, of Dayton, Ohio, born June 28, 1848; III. George; IV. Louisa ( Mrs. Henry B. Derr), born in Reading, May 30, 1853, has three children, i. Charles, ii. Howard, iii. Lily, V. Charles, born in Read- ing, April 1, 1857.

At the age of seventeen, after receiving a good education in the common schools of the city of Reading, George Rommel began an apprenticeship of three years in the machine shops of the East Pennsylvania Railroad. At the expiration of that time he went to Terre Haute, Ind., where for about two years he worked for the Vandalia Railroad Company. He then returned to Reading and engaged in mercantile business, but this enterprise being unprosperous, went again to Terre Haute, and remained there until November, 1873. From that time until January 6, 1874, he was once more a resident of Reading. He then entered the employ of the Wilmington and Reading, now Wilmington and Northern, Railroad, at Coatesville, Pa .; his services to this road have been efficient and well appre- ciated. He has been in the employ of the company for twenty-four years, and since April, 1875, has been master mechanic, fill- ing the position ably and satisfactorily. Mr. Rommel is a member of the following frater- nities: Lafayette Lodge, No. 11, F. and .1. M., Wilmington; Star of Hope Lodge, No. 199, I. O. O. F., Coatesville, Pa .; and Onon- dago Tribe, No. 83, I. O. R. M., Coatesville, Pa. Ile is a staunch Republican. In June, 1897, he was elected to the board of educa- tion from the Twelfth ward of Wilmington.

George Rommel was married in Reading, Pa., May 28, 1874, to Elizabeth A., daughter of Thomas T. and Annie (Milan) Sands.

Their children are: 1 1. George S .; II. Charles T .; III. William G. Mr. and Mrs. Rommel and their two elder sons are faithful and active members of Olivet Presbyterian church. Mr. Rommel is an elder of the church and its treasurer, besides teaching in its Sabbath-school. George S. and Charles T. Rommel are respectively librarian and as- sistant librarian of the school, and are also members of the church choir.

George S. Rommel, eldest son of George Rommel, graduated from the high school of Wilmington at the age of sixteen, receiving the prize offered by the Wilmington Morning News for superior efficiency in the studies forming the high school curriculum. After his graduation he entered the service of the Wilmington Street and Sewer Department as rodman, and performed the duties of that position intelligently and faithfully for two years. He then entered the sophomore class in civil engineering of the University of Penn- sylvania, and took the full four years' course. Being honorably graduated, he was appointed instructor in civil engineering in the same in- stitution, and still acts in that capacity, re- fleeting credit upon the University, and en- joying the approbation of the senior members of its Faculty.

PATRICK MCLOUGHLIN, 406 West Fourth street, Wilmington, Del., son of Pat- rick and Mary (MacKinley) McLoughlin, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, June 8, 1822.

His paternal and maternal ancestors were Scotch. They settled in Ireland at an early date, having been driven with many others from their native land by religious persecu- tion. But little is known of their history. Patrick MeLoughlin, Sr., was born in County Antrim and spent his life there. He was twice married, and by the two marriages had twenty-one children, most of whom died in early life. One of these children of his first wife, Eliza, is living. His second wife was Mary MeKinley. They had five children: I. William, deceased; II. John, residing in Ireland, on the homestead; III. Martha, de- ceased; IV. Patrick, Jr.

Patrick McLoughlin, Jr., received his edu- cation in Ireland and was engaged there in agricultural pursuits until 1843. In that year, when he had arrived at manhood's es-

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tate, he came to America and settled in New York City. He learned gas fitting and fol- lowed that trade for eight years. In 1851 he moved to Wilmington and entered the om- ploy of the Wilmington Coal Gas Company, with which corporation he has, until recently been connected in various capacities. He is . now retired. He is an adherent of the Re- publican party. Patrick McLoughlin, Jr., was married in November, 1848, in New York City, to Mary Jane, daughter of John and Mary Hogg, natives of County Down, Ireland. Mrs. MeLoughlin was born in Dun- dee, County Down, Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. McLoughlin have children: I. Mary; II. John; III. Robert, deceased. The family attend Olivet Presbyterian church. Mrs. Mary Jane MeLoughlin died in Wilmington, April 24, 1855.

Mr. McLoughlin, in 1881, revisited his na- tive country and spent a few months with his relatives and friends, returning to his adopted home with pleasant recollections of the kind- ness of the kinsmen, who entertained him amid the scenes of his youth.

CHARLES TAYLOR, Wilmington, Del., son of Edward and Elizabeth (McBride) Tay- lor, was born in Upland, Delaware county, Pa., May 22, 1860.

His ancestors were English on his father's side, and Irish on his mother's. His father, Edward Taylor, came to America as a young man and settled in Pennsylvania. He was a weaver, and worked at his trade in Delaware county for many years, then removed to Washington, D. C., and was employed in the government printing office. He died there about 1891. His widow still resides in Wash- ington. Edward Taylor had children: I. George, died in Kansas City, Mo., at the age of twenty-two; II. Annie (Mrs. Harry Tay- lor), of Washington, D. C .; III. Sarah (Mrs. George Bailey), of Washington; IV. Charles; V. Edward, of Nebraska.

Charles Taylor acquired his education in the public schools of Delaware county, Pa., and afterward learned weaving. He went into the factory at the age of eleven, and contin- ued there until he was twenty-five. In 1885 he established himself in the hosiery business in Germantown, Pa., having as partners, Henry H. Hawthorne, Thomas West and Ambrose West. About 1890 the Messrs. West with-

drew from the firm and since that time the business has been conducted by the two re- maining partners. In 1892 they removed their plant to Wilmington and greatly en- larged it. Their mills are known as the Stand- ard Mills, and manufacture all descriptions of hosiery. Two hundred persons are em- ployed and their output finds ready markets, chiefly in the United States. The firm name is Taylor & Hawthorne. Mr. Taylor is the president. Mr. Taylor is a Republican, and a member of Lafayette Lodge, No. 14, F. and A. M.

Charles Taylor was married in Philadelphia September 13, 1882, to Mary T., daughter of John and Louisa Moore, of Chester, Pa. They have one child, Edna, born July 1, 1884. They attend the Methodist Church.

SANFORD F. SAWIN, Wilmington, Del., son of Aaron S. and Louisa (Holsizer) Sawin, was born in Phillipsburg, N. J., Jan- uary 26, 1855.

His paternal ancestors were English, his maternal German. His paternal grandfather was a blacksmith and a resident of Orange, Mass. His children were: I. Marshall, de- ceased; II. Frank; III. Aaron S., deceased; IV. Charles; V. Phebe. Mr. Sawin died in Orange, Mass.

Aaron S. Sawin was born February 28, 1829. He learned stone cutting when a young man and followed that occupation for many years. IIe resided in New Jersey during part of his life, and spent his last years in Wil- mington, Del. He married Louisa Holsizer, and had several children. Aaron S. Sawin died in Wilmington November 27, 1862. Ilis widow still resides in that city.

Sanford F. Sawin was but six years old when his parents removed to Wilmington. He was educated in the public schools and af- terward entered the car-building shops of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad Company. He acquired a thorough knowledge of his trade and worked in the shops for a number of years. In July, 1890, he was promoted to foreman of laborers in the lumber yard and at the same time became lumber inspector. On January 1, 1892, he was made foreman of the lumber mill, a po- sition which he still holds. Mr. Sawin is a member of Industry Lodge, No. 2, A. O. U. W., of Wilmington. He is a Republican.

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On June 2, 1882, in Wilmington, Sanford F. Sawin was married to Sarah A., daughter of George and Isabella (Covey) Ilume, of Wilmington. Their children are: I. Frank Il .; 11. Leonard, deceased; III. Nellie; IV. Leroy; V. George. Mr. Sawin and family at- tend the Protestant Episcopal Church.

DAVID P. CURLETT, Wilmington, Del., son of Lewis and Elizabeth (Porter) Curlett, was born in New Castle, Del., De- cember 26, 1821.

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 32

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