Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 39

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 39


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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John Reilly's children were: I. Ann (Mrs. Patrick McManus), widow; Mr. MeManus, who was a steamboat engineer, fell from the steamer Fulton into the Ohio River, below Louisville, Ky., and was drowned, in October, 1859; Il. Philip A., a private in Company B, Twenty-ninth Regiment, Missouri Volum- ters, died in Andersonville prison; III. Eliza- beth (Mrs. George Einwechter), of Philadel- phia; IV. Mary A. (Mrs. Leonard Voos), de- ceased; Mr. Voos died in Bollinger county, Mo., in 1867; V. John A., farmer residing in Bollinger County, Mo .; VI. William. John Reilly died in Philadelphia, May 12, 1883; Mrs. Reilly died in Missouri, July 3, 1865.


William Reilly attended school in Liver- pool, England, and in 1854, at the age of fif- teen, he came to America with his mother and learned wagon-making in his father's shop in Port Richmond, Pa. In 1856 he went to Frederica, Kent county, Del., where he worked at his trade one year. He returned to Philadelphia in the spring of 1857 and in the fall removed to Bollinger county, Mo., with his parents. In August, 1861, William Reilly responded to the call for troops for the defense of the Union, enlisting in a company organized for service against the guerrillas, who were devastating portions of Missouri. Mr. Reilly's company was consolidated with


the Twelfth Missouri Cavalry. Upon the organization of the Company he was elected lieutenant, and detailed for duty as adjutant and afterward as quartermaster with the rank of captain. In 1864 he resigned his commis- sion, removed with his parents to Cairo, Ill., for safety, and engaged there at his trade until 1865, when he went to Philadelphia. In the succeeding year he again made his home in Frederica, Del., and re-established his wagon- making business there. In 1872, he went back to Missouri, but after three years came back east to Frederica. A year later he re. moved his carriage factory to Dover, Del., and operated it there until 1889. Then he trans- ferred his business to Wilmington, and has for the past nine years built light and heavy wagons, carriages, etc., in that city. He has been a successful business man. Twice Mr. Reilly was elected a member of the city coun- cil of Dover, and as a mechanic of ability, was placed in the responsible position of chair- man of the water department. When Colonel John P. Donahoe was elected national com- mander of the Union Veteran Legion, at Washington, D. C., in 1896, he appointed Mr. Reilly adjutant general, and Mr. Reilly has worked faithfully for the advancement of the Legion. He is a member of Phil. Sheridan Post, No. 23, G. A. R., and of Encampment No. 34, Union Veteran Legion. Politically, Mr. Reilly is a Democrat. In February, 1898, Mr. Reilly was appointed assistant adjutant general of the G. A. R., department of Dela- ware.


On August 28, 1864, in Philadelphia, William Reilly married Catharine C., daugh- ter of Michael and Ann (Hughes) Reed. Their children are: I. Anna; II. William, died in childhood; III. Mary; IV. Catharine, died in childhood; V. Frank; VI. George, died in in- fancy; VII. Elizabeth. Mr. Reilly and his family attend St. Peter's R. C. church.


WILLIAM H. LUNGREN, Wilmington, Del., son of John and Eliza (Cameron) Lun- gren, was born near Newark, New Castle county, Del., October 27, 1837.


Hlis paternal ancestors were Swedes. Two brothers Lungren came to America from Smoland, Sweden, carly in colonial times, and settled in Pennsylvania. One of them, John Lungren, born May 1, 1751, died March 5, 1816, was a great-grandfather of William H.


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STATE OF DELAWARE


Lungren. His son William Lungren was born in Philadelphia, May 10, 1778, was a paper manufacturer and lived in Pennsylvania un- til his death. IIe was twice married. His first wife was Hannah James. Their children were: I. Edwin L .; II. Ferdinand L .; III. Al- fred L .; IV. Emily Anna L .; V. John Charles L .; VI. William Pallifox L .; VII. One who died unnamed; VIII. Hanson K .; IX. Gar- rett L .; X. Charles Hemphill L. Mrs. Hannah (James) Lungren died June 22, 1817. Wil- liam Lungren's second wife was Jane Dix Smith. Their children were: I. Hannah Eliza L .; II. Henrietta Josephine L .; III. Sarah Jane L .; IV. Samuel Smith L .; V. IIenry Hale Graham L.


William Lungren died in Philadelphia, July 29, 1846, and was buried in the grave- yard of the Old Swedes' Church, Philadel- phia.


John Charles Lungren, fifth child of Wil- liam and Hannah (James) Lungren, was born in Philadelphia, June 26, 1809. He was en- gaged in the manufacture of paper in Penn- sylvania during his early years, but while yet a young man, removed to Cecil county, Md. In 1848 he returned to Delaware, settled on the Brandywine creek, and was again en- gaged in paper-making, in the Augustine Mills. Ilis later years were passed in Wil- mington. John Lungren was married, Janu- ary 14, 1830, to Eliza Cameron, who was born December 25, 1811. Their children were: I. Mary Ann (Mrs. Samuel Baldwin), of Wil- mington, had children, i. J. Frank, ii. Wil- liam Henry, iii. Samuel, iv. Delaware; II. Hannah Eliza (Mrs. Amos Brown), deceased, had children, i. Amelia (Mrs. John William- son), ji. William, deceased, iii. John, iv. Delvay, v. Mary (Mrs. Daniel P. Gookin), vi. Amos; III. Sarah Jane, died in 1853; IV. William II .; V. John T., married Mary Lewis, of Baltimore, has one daughter, Eliza- beth L. (Mrs. Ella Clark); VI. Norris L., mar- ried Sarah Boulden; VII. Robert Cloud, died in childhood; VIII. James C., died from wounds received near Petersburg, Va., dur- ing the Civil War; IX. Randolph C. John Lungren died in Wilmington, September 21, 1888; his widow died in the same city, April 15, 1892.


William H. Lungren, fourth child of John and Eliza (Cameron) Lungren, resided in Chester county, Pa., and Cecil county, Md.,


until he was ten years of age, and was a pupil in the public schools. On December 19, 1853, he entered the shops of the P., W. & B. R. R. Co., at Wilmington, as car builder's ap- prentice. This apprenticeship terminated October 27, 1858, and so capable had the young man proved himself that he was trans- ferred from the shops to the road. His duties under this appointment were to follow the P., W. & B. cars used for carrying merchandise over the B. & O. R. R. between Philadelphia and the Ohio River, with a view to securing their prompt movement. In less than a year he was promoted, September 1, 1859, to fore- man of car inspectors at the President street station, Baltimore, Md., where he remained five years; he was then again assigned to road duty, on his own application, because of fail- ing health. For the next eighteen months Mr. Lungren traveled over the road, making examinations of car equipments. By the end of this period his health was restored, and he returned to his position at President street station, and remained there until 1875. In May of that year he was appointed master car builder at the Wilmington car shops, with control of car equipments for purposes of re- pairing and rebuilding. That position he still holds, having been for forty-five years in the employ of the P., W. & B. R. R. Co.


William II. Lungren was married in Wil- mington, March 8, 1866, to Mariana, daugh- ter of James and Deborah P. (Newlin) Guth- rie, of Wilmington. Their children are: I. Frank, died in childhood; II. Lila Cameron; III. W. Harry; IV. Jessie.


JAMES II. CLARK, deputy United States marshal, Delaware City, New Castle county, Del., son of John and C. Clark, was born in Red Lion hundred, near Delaware City, New Castle county, Del., November 19, 1844.


He began his education in the public schools of his vicinity, then attended a private school in Hartsville, Pa., and finally entered Saunders' military academy, Philadelphia. After completing his course there, he re- turned to his home in Red Lion hundred and engaged in farming. He is owner and ocen- pant of the original homestead farm, which has been in the possession of the family for six generations. Mr. ('lark conducts a whole- sale and retail coal business in Delaware City. He was a member of the New Castle county


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Levy Court for two years, has always been much interested in educational matters, and was for nine years clerk of the board of school commissioners for School District No. 5, Red Lion hundred. In 1897 he was appointed a deputy United States marshal for Delaware, › and was sworn into office October 11 of that - year. IIe is a member of the A. O. U. W. of St. George's. Mr. Clark is an active Re- publican, and has rendered his party much valuable service. For thirty years he has been a member of the New Castle county commit- tee.


On February 2, 1865, in Delaware City, James II. Clark was married to Sarah, daugh- ter of George G. Cleaver, Sr., and Jane (Deal) Cleaver, of Delaware City. Their chil- dren are: I. Courtland S .; II. John C .; III. Jennie C .; IV. William D. Mr. Clark is a trustee of St. George's Presbyterian church.


JOHN F. DALEY, Wilmington, Del., son of Patrick and Catharine (Hayes) Daley, was born in Bellefonte, Pa., May 15, 1862.


His ancestors were of Irish extraction. Martin Daley, his grandfather, was born in County Galway, Ireland, and came to this country about 1830, settling in Bellefonte, Centre county, Pa. A short time after he removed to Delaware, selecting as his place of residence DuPont's Banks, in Christiana hundred, New Castle county. Here he lived until his death, which was caused by a sun- stroke. His children were: I. Patrick; II. ('atharine (Mrs. Thomas Connor); III. Mar- tin; IV. Mary (Mrs. William Kelly); V. Bridget (Mrs. John Curry); VI. Margaret (Mrs. Louis Gallagher).


Patrick Daley was born in the city of Gal- way, Ireland, and when a young man accom- panied his parents to America. Ile resided for a brief period in New York, then spent a number of years in New Castle county, Del., ant afterwards removed to Bellefonte, Pa. There he was actively engaged in the iron mills until 1863, when he returned to Dela- ware, and took up his residence with his par- ents at DuPont's Banks. He entered the employ of the DuPont Powder Company, and was retained there, on account of his ef- ficiency, for thirty years. After this long period of constant labor, Mr. Daley retired from active work, and for the past thirteen


years has resided in Wilmington. On May 14, 1854, Patrick Daley married Catharine Hayes. Their children are: I. Margaret (Mrs. James Gill); 11. Mary (Mrs. John Gill); III. Annie; IV. Catharine, died in infancy; V. John F .; VI. Catharine; VII. James, died in childhood; VIII. Ellen (Mrs. Bernard Mc- Laughlin); IX. William, died in childhood; X. Jennie; XI. William, died in childhood.


John F. Daley received his education in the public and parochial schools of Christiana hundred, New Castle county, Del. When he had completed his studies, he engaged in the grocery business and continued in it until February, 1894, when he retired from mer- cantile pursuits. On April 28th of the same year he was appointed a justice of the peace for Wilmington, and on November 26th fol- lowing was commissioned a notary public. Both appointments were made by Governor Robert J. Reynolds. As a public official Mr. Daley has proven himself very capable, ac- curate in his rendering of the law and just in his decisions. Mr. Daley is a member of the Catholic Benevolent Legion and of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He is a staunch Democrat and has rendered good service to his party.


On June 3, 1891, at St. James' Protectory, Reybold, New Castle county, John F. Daley married Margaret A., daughter of ex-Sheriff Thomas Ford, of New Castle county, and Mary (Bunce) Ford. Their children are: I. Thomas F .; II. Joseph; III. John F .; IV. Catharine; V. Alice, deceased; VI. F. Wal- ter. Mr. Daley and family are members of St. Paul's R. C. church.


JOHN CANNON SHORT, United States Marshal, Wilmington, Del., son of Gillet G. and Ann (Prettyman) Short, was born in Nanticoke hundred, Sussex county, Del., Sep- tember 29, 1829.


Ilis ancestors were of English stock. In the early settlement of Delaware four brothers bearing the name of Short took a prominent part. They came here from Virginia and set- tled in Kent and Sussex counties. One of them, Daniel, great-grandfather of John Can- non Short, selected for his home a tract of fifty acres of what was then the government land, and is now included in Nanticoke hundred, Sussex county. This property is still in the


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possession of his descendants. Daniel Short was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death. One of his- sons was John.


John Short was born in Nanticoke hundred and never removed from his farm. He mar- ried a Miss Gillet. Their children were: I. Elizabeth; II. Alla; III. Ellen; IV. Daniel; V. Gillet G .; VI. John.


Gillet G. Short, fifth child of John and -(Gillet ) Short, was born on the homestead farm, and spent his entire life there, excepting a short period during the war of 1812, when he served in the army with the rank of colo- nel, and was stationed with his regiment at Lewes, Del. Gillet G. Short married Ann, daughter of Burton and Mary Prettyman, and had children: I. John Hill, died in child- hood; II. Elizabeth P. (Mrs. Nicholas O. Smith), deceased; III. Mary Ann (Mrs. Wil- liam Swain), deceased; IV. Alfred, of Ellen- dale, Sussex county, married Margaret Hat- ton; V. Daniel B., deceased, married Matilda Melson; VI. William, of Sussex county, mar- ried first to Rebecca Ann Jones, the second time to Mary Brittingham; VII. Hester Jane (Mrs. William P. Day), deceased; VIII. Gil- let M., married Nancy McCauley, both de- ceased; IX. Sina, widow of John McCauley, of Wilmington; X. John Cannon; XI. Perry, died in infancy.


John Cannon Short, tenth child of Gillet G. and Ann (Prettyman) Short, received the limited common school education usually given to farmers' sons at that time. He was born on the homestead place, and resided there until October, 1897. On October 14, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, Sixth Dela- ware Volunteer Infantry, for the war of the Rebellion, and served nine months as a pri- vate. On September 2, 1863, he re-enlisted in the Ninth Regiment, Delaware Volunteers, and was made second lieutenant. Soon after he was promoted to a first lieutenancy, and con- tinued in that capacity for one hundred and forty-five days; at the end of that period his term of quistment expired. Mr. Short was formerly a pronounced Whig, but upon the disintegration of that party he turned to the newly-formed Republican organization, and has for years been one of his party's counsel- ors and tireless workers. On October 11, 1897, he was appointed a United States Mar- shal for the District of Delaware. He is a member of Col. Layton Post, No. 18, G. A. R., of Georgetown, Del.


Jolin Cannon Short was married, in Nanti- coke hundred, November 22, 1853, to Sarah, daughter of John and Lovey Day. Mrs. Short was born in Nanticoke hundred. Their children are: I. Martin G., of Lewes, Del., married Catharine Morris; II. Albert P., of Philadelphia, married Lydia MeCauley; III. Lina (Mrs. Joseph Macklin), of Wilmington; IV. Eher C., deceased; V. Norris S., of Nan- ticoke hundred, married Mary Phillips; VI. Lilly O., deceased; VII. Annie L .; VIII. John, deceased; IX. Lilly E. J., teacher in public schools; X. Henry C .; XI. William D., deceased; XII. Mary Alice. Mr. Short and family attend the M. E. church, of which the former has been a member for forty years, for the greater part of the time serving as a stew- ard and a trustee.


WILLIAM II. PIERSON, Wilmington, Del., son of Joseph and Olive (Day) Pierson, was born in Wilmington, August 26, 1838.


Ilis ancestors came from England. Abra- ham, Thomas, Henry and John Pierson left their homes there and sought here that relief from persecution on account of their religious views which they could not obtain in the land of their birth. The descendants of those worthy pioneers have proved to be good and useful citizens. As a family, the Piersons are intellectual and well educated; many of them have graduated from colleges, and have filled posts of honor; others, with fewer educational advantages, have still served their country and their generation faithfully and well. Un- demonstrative in manner, inheriting their share of English reserve, they are straightfor- ward and honorable, independent in thought and action, faithful in all the relations of life, and reverent to the religion of their fathers.


Various suggestions have been made as to the origin of the family name. Some quote "The rays of the sun pierce," etc .; but the members of the family, more plausibly, think that it signifies "Peter's son," and that it originated from either the French Pierre or the Danish Pier. Of five ways of writing the name-Pierson, Pearson, Person, Piersons and Parsons -- Pierson is considered the near- est approach to the original patronymic.


A reunion of the family, held at the old homestead at Southwood, near Hockessin, Del., now occupied by Philip Pierson, called together two hundred and thirty-five members of the family. Among this number, which


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included representatives of four states, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware, were children, grandchildren and great-grand- children of John .Pierson, Sr., and Susan (Gamble) Pierson; of William Pierson, Joseph Pierson, Thomas Pierson, Ruth Moore, Mary Wilson, Laban, Amos and Isaac Pierson.


John Pierson, Sr., settled in Maryland in 1637, and John Pierson, Jr., followed him in 1643. Their descendants still reside in that state. Rev. Abraham Pierson found his new home in Boston, Mass., in 1689, and his pos- terity is found principally in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.


Family records show that Joseph Pierson, Sr., grandfather of William II. Pierson, was born in Pennsylvania in 1760. Settling in Wilmington, he became the owner and land- lord of the Black Bear hostelry, situated where now stands the post office. IIe also owned the old Cross Keys Inn, at the corner of Delaware avenue and Adams street. The inn-keeper's license, granted to him in 1826, is in the possession of Mr. W. II. Pierson. In those ante-railroad days, merchandise of all descriptions was transported in long, heavy, broad-wheeled Conestoga wagons, drawn by five or six horses, each animal bearing on his shoulders a brace of bells, the merry ringing of which could be heard more than a mile away. Mr. Pierson's inns were stopping places for the teamsters between Lancaster and Bal- timore. Joseph Pierson had sons: I. Thomas; II. John; III. Joseph, Jr .; IV. Wilson; V. Jacob; and one daughter, Sarah (Mrs. Joseph Pyle).


Joseph Pierson, Jr., was born in Wilming- ton, in 1807, and resided there during the greater part of his life. He was a millwright and pattern maker. In 1830 he married Olive Day, of New Jersey; their children are as follows: I. Joseph Day, born in 1832, mar- ried Eliza Stephenson, has children, i. Olive K., ii. Ulysses G .: II. John L., born in 1834, married Sarah M. Hendrickson, has children, i. Willis II. and ii. Annie W., twins, iii. Courtland C., married and has three children, iv. Elmer E., v. Edson, deceased; III. George W., born in 1836, deceased; IV. William II., born in 1838; V. Emma E. (Mrs. Thomas Holliday), born in 1840, has children, one son and one daughter; VI. George G., born in 1843, married Ellen Kelley, has children,


a son and four daughters, i. Norman, ii. Ir- ma, iii. Margaret, iv. Ellen, v.


VII. Newlin, born in 1845, married Ellen Walker; VIII. Alford M., born in 1848, mar- ried Mary Ryan, has children, i. Harry, ii. Martha; IX. Achilles, born in 1851, deceased; X. Martha E., born in 1853; XI. Charles G., born in 1855, married Susan Weldon, has children, i. Joseph P., ii. Emma G., iii. Charles G., Jr .; iv. Olive D., v. Ferris W., vi. Walter Leon, vii. Elsie May, viii. Harvey Lesley, ix. Robert.


The fourth son of this family, William H. Pierson, was educated in the schools of Wil- mington, Del. At the age of twelve years, he secured a position as salesman in a store, and at sixteen apprenticed himself to a pattern maker. He worked at his trade until 1862, when he formed a co-partnership with his brother, Joseph D. Pierson, and engaged in pattern-making. These business relations were dissolved in 1869 by the death of Joseph D. Pierson. Since 1871, Mr. Pierson has been dealing in sashes, shutters, doors, blinds, frame mouldings and other articles employed .in building. On September 2, 1852, a dis- astrous conflagration completely destroyed his warehouse and stock, but he immediately resumed business. Mr. Pierson is a member of Delaware Lodge, No. 1, I. O. O. F .; Dela- ware Encampment, I. O. O. F .; Lafayette Lodge, No. 2, K. of P .; the National Provi- dent Union of Wilmington; Industry Lodge, No. 2, A. O. U. W., of Delaware, and Eureka Lodge, No. 1, Junior O. U. A. M. He votes with the Republican party.


William H. Pierson was married in Wil- mington, November 29, 1859, to Melinda A., daughter of David and Margaret Hendrick- son, and had children: I. Harry HI., born in 1860, deceased; II. Frank W., born in 1865, married Laura Heritage; III. George G., born in 1870; IV. William Harry, born in 1875. Mrs. Melinda A. Pierson died October 29, 1884. Mr. Pierson was married the second time, January 16, 1885, to Annie E., daugh- ter of William and Maria Sharp.


ALBERT B. GILLESPIE, Wilmington, Del., son of Franklin and Eliza Jane (Eaves) Gillespie, was born in Harford county, Md., June 6, 1836.


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STATE OF DELAWARE


where he resided throughout his life. He was a farmer. Hle married Miss Evans, and had a large family, among whom were five daugh- ters, who were celebrated for their beauty; they were considered the handsomest women of their day in the state. Two of his sons, with these daughters, are as follows:


1. Thomas Jefferson, married Mary, daughter of John and Mary Eaves, resided in Cecil county, Md., and had children, i. George, who died in Cecil county, and was buried in Nottingham churchyard, was mar- ried first to Mary Frances Amstrong, of New- ark, Del., deceased, and afterwards to Jane Anna Clendenning, who survives him, ii. Thomas Braden, of Cecil county, iii. Eliza- beth, deceased, iv. Susan, deceased, v. Will- iam Eaves, of Cecil county, Md., married Mary Ewing. Thomas J. Gillespie and his wife died in C'ecil county, Md., and are buried in Nottingham churchyard;


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III. Margaret, married - Kirkwood, removed to Wheeling, W. Va., and afterwards to Ohio, where they founded the town of Kirkwood, and where both died and were buried, leaving eight daughters;


IV. Mary (Mrs. William De Shane Eaves), of New London, Chester county, Pa .;


V. Agnes, married - Evans, of New- ark, Del., where both died, and are interred at Head of Christiana church;


VI. Elizabeth, married James Hodgson, of Chester county, Pa., both deceased, and their remains are interred at Rock church;


VII. Hannah, married Andrew Kerr, of Newark, Del., had children, i. Mary, de- ceased, ii. George, of the vicinity of Newark, Del., iii. James, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr both died, and were buried at Head of Christiana church.


Franklin Gillespie was born near Newark, Del., and was for eighteen years the able and trusted manager of Harford City Tron Fur- nace. He passed the autumn of his life in Chester county, Pa., with his excellent wife, Eliza Jane ( Eaves) Gillespie, and had chil- dren, who are as follows: I. Albert B .; II. Mary F. (Mrs. Joseph Seaver), of Philadel- phia; TIT. John Eaves, M. D., who became a surgeon in the U. S. Navy, died in Philadel- phia, and was interred in the cemetery at New London, Pa .: IV. George F., of New London, Pa .; V. Jennie F., of Philadelphia. Franklin


Gillespie and his wife both died in Chester county, and their remains rest in the cemetery at New London.


At the time when the family removed to that place, Albert B. Gillespie was ten years of age; he resided at New London until ho reached his majority, being educated at the academy of that town, and afterwards assist- ing in the cultivation of the home farm. At the age of twenty-one, he became a clerk in the grocery store of James Morrow, of Wil- mington, Del., in whose employ he continued for ten years. In 1870 he went to St. Louis, Mo., from which city he returned in 1879 to Wilmington, where he began business for himself in the earliest established grocery in the city; it was opened in 1806, by Wash- ington Rice and Mr. Gillespie's grand-uncle, Thomas Braden. Under the judicious and re- liable management of its present proprietor, the business of this always prosperous estab- lishment has been largely extended. Mr. Gil- lespie enjoys the confidence of all who have business relations with him. He was formerly associated with several societies, but his con- nection with them has been severed. He is a supporter of Republican principles.




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