Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 52

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 52

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).

Father Kelly, the first teacher and the firm friend of Father Reilly, was deeply concerne.l for the future of the colored race, and soon interested his pupil in their welfare. The young philanthropists saw that under existing circumstances it would require generations to pass before African-Americans could be even partially at home among European-Ameri- cans. Then why not imitate, however, hum- bly, St. Francis Xavier? Why not go to Liberia, the headquarters of African civiliza- tion, and preach Christianity there? The young enthusiasts joined hands in a solemn agreement, that at the first favorable moment, they would devote themselves forever to the enlightenment of the African race. In 1845, Father Kelly, concluding that the time had come, wrote to Father Reilly that the Rev. Dr. Barrows would establish a mission in Li- beria, and would start as soon as he found

two companions; one, he himself, was ready, when could Father Reilly start? "At once," was the prompt reply. He loved his parish and his school; nevertheless, he would go at onee, and in less than a week had made his preparations and had written to the Bishop asking the favor of immediate permission. Never dreaming of prohibition, he had taken leave of his parishioners, and was to start the next morning, when he received the Bishop's letter, not only withholding permission, but absolutely forbidding the step. To resist such a mandate was impossible. Dr. Barrows aban- doned the project. Father Kelly, however, went out alone. His was the zeal of an apostle and the heart of a hero. After a three years' struggle against the deadly climate, he was compelled to return to America. ITis first visit was to Wilmington. Father Reilly could hardly recognize his old friend. His ruddy complexion was changed to an ashen gray ; his form was stooped, his hair white, and even a July sun failed to keep him warm. The rest of his life was spent in Jersey City, but until his strength failed, no year passed without a visit to Wilmington.

Laborare et orare was Father Reilly's motto, from which he never deviated. His only recreation was an hour or two snatched from sleep to play chess with a friend. Even in summer, when resting at the sea-shore, he never failed to return each week for confes- sion and masses. The devout servant of his Master, he never wearied in following the di- vine footsteps. The most unselfish of men, he avoided honor as eagerly as others sought it. The little he received, he received un- willingly, or it came to him unknowingly. When Delaware was made a diocese, over which Bishop Becker presided, Father Reilly was made Vicar General. Of another honor, the title of Monsignor, conferred upon him by ITis Holiness, Pins IX., in answer to a strong recommendation from the Bishop, he was never made aware, as in consequence of some delay, it did not reach America until a few days after his death. Father Reilly's minis- trations out of the pulpit were remarkable. Hle was truly a good citizen in all that the term implies, and was the faithful friend and ad- viser of his people in temporal as well as in spiritual matters. He looked closely to their investments, and in hundreds of cases took charge of their savings and by judicious fore-

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sight secured for them a good profit without the loss of a dollar. Ilis mind was practical, with good, strong common sense, but not much imagination; and while he excelled as a teacher, he never was an orator. He was, how- .ever, eminently successful as a newspaper con- troversalist; his style was vigorous, keen and not unpolished; moreover, he invariably ad- - hered closely to the matter in hand, and never put pen to paper without a complete knowledge of his subject.

On August 28, 1884, the fiftieth anniver- sary of his ordination, the congregation of his parish, and the Catholics generally, together with many sterling Protestant friends, united in celebrating his semi-centennial. All ranks, parties, and religions offered their congratula- tions, and made him the unwilling recipient of many valuable presents. In less than a year afterwards, on July 30, 1885, in the sev- enty-eighth year of his age, he died the death of the just man, passing away quietly, as a traveler who sinks calmly to rest at the close of a long, happy day.

Father Reilly, a priest for more than fifty years, was a devoted pastor, a worthy citizen and an honest man. The finger of seorn was never lifted against him; more than that, his record came up to the apostolie standard in having a good name among those who were not of the Church. After his long and ardu- ous labors, in which he never sought the wealth that perisheth; after a life consecrated to his duties, could he not say in the hour of his death: "I have kept the faith; hence- forward there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness."

ELIAS PRIMROSE SMITHERS, LL. B., Philadelphia, Pa., son of Captain Elias and Elizabeth (Primrose) Smithers, was born in South Milford, Del., July 31, 1843.

Joli Smithers, his grandfather, was a prominent farmer of Murderkill hundred, Sussex county, Del., and married a daughter of Waitman Sipple. Their children were: I. Waitman; II. Elias (both sea captains); III. Caleb, served as a member of the legis- lature, and as sheriff of Kent county, Del .; IV. Sarah (Mrs. Mason Bailey).

Captain Elias Smithers, second son of John Smithers, was at one time a member of the leg- islature, and was a Whig and an anti-slavery

man, of very pronounced opinions. He was a sea captain, sailing from Milford, Del., and other ports, and continued to lead a sea-far- ing life until 1860, when he fixed his resi- dence permanently in the city of Philadel- phia. Captain Smithers was twice married; his first wife was Catherine, daughter of John Primrose. Their only child, Captain- William H. Smithers, of Milton, Del., died in 1864. After the death of Mrs. Catherine Smithers, Captain Elias Smithers married Elizabeth, daughter of Elias and Amelia (Manlove) Primrose; of their children, those who lived to mature age are: I. Emna; II. John P., of Southern California, formerly connected with the San Francisco Bulletin and Chronicle; III. Elias P .; IV. Hettie A. (Mrs. George W. Staats); V. Theodore, of Philadelphia. Captain Smithers died in Philadelphia in 1871, in his seventy-fourth year.

Residing during his childhood in North Milford, Elias P. Smithers received his edu- cation .in the academy of that town; an apt and diligent pupil, he attained considerable proficiency, especially in the study of lan- guages, making rapid progress in Latin, Greek and French. He was seventeen years of age when, in 1860, the family removed to Phila- delphia. He had united with the Methodist Episcopal church, and his talents were re- garded by his friends as indicative of his fit- ness for the ministry. His own inclinations also pointed in the same direction; but cir- cumstances shaped his course to other ends. Taking a course at the Crittenden Commer- cial College, Mr. Smithers was graduated in 1860, and for about three years was a con- veyancer in Philadelphia. The Church, however, had not relaxed her hold upon him, and in 1866 he was licensed as a local preacher, and recommended to the Confer- ence of Philadelphia for a charge. Ilis health being somewhat impaired at that time, Mr. Smithers declined the charge, although ho accepted the license. Meanwhile, he had become interested in the study of law, and now entered the Law Department of the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in 1869, with the degree of LL. B., and in the same year was admitted to the bar. Since that time, Mr. Smithers has devoted himself assiduously to his pro-

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STATE OF DELAWARE

fession, in which he has been very success- ful, and has achieved an enviable reputa- tion.

In 1873, Mr. Smithers was appointed by Gen. II. T. Collis to the office of assistant city solicitor, and was continued in the same position by the appointment of William Nel- son West until April, 1881, when the de- mands of his private business compelled him to resign. Ilis name has, on different occa- sions, been suggested for the appointment of judge of the Orphans' and other Courts. Mr. Smithers was a candidate for the City Council on the Reform ticket, in 1881, and received a heavy vote. In 1893 he was nominated for the Common Council, on the Republican ticket, and elected and thereafter re-elected success- ively for five additional terms. He became one of the most influential members of the City Councils of Philadelphia, and filled the position of chairman of the Committee on Law of Common Council, and of the joint committees on Highways and Finance, the latter being the most important position in the Councils. In 1894 he was nominated, by the Republican Party, for Register of Wills of Philadelphia county, and was elected by over 80,000 votes, the largest majority ever given for that office. In January, 1898, on the expiration of his term as Register of Wills, Mr. Smithers resumed the practice of law in Philadelphia. He is a strong Repub- lican, active and influential in the councils of his party. IIe is also prominent in legal circles, his high reputation for fairness and integrity having won for him a popularity still more desirable than his reputation for ability. Ile is a member of the Masonic Order.

Elias Primrose Smithers was married, July 6, 1870, to Anna L., daughter of Thomas T. and Margaret (MeLaughlin) Mason, of Philadelphia. Mr. Smithers is a member of Grace M. E. church, and was for many years Trustee of Union M. E. church and superintendent of its Sunday-school.

JOSEPH EUGENE HENDRICKSON, Philadelphia, Pa., son of Peregrine and Mar- garet (Hill) Hendrickson, was born in Cecil county, Md., March 20, 1850.

Mr. Hendrickson's grandfather, Peregrine Hendrickson, farmer, was a resident of New Castle county, Del. For many years he held

the office of justice of the peace in Middle- town, Del., discharging his duties promptly and efficiently. Peregrine Hendrickson had two children, twins; one, Peregrine, survived. Mr. Hendrickson and his wife were devout members of the P. E. church. For many years he was a vestryman of St. Anne's church near Middletown. Ile died in 1851, and is buried in St. Anne's churchyard.

Peregrine Hendrickson, father of Joseph E. Hendrickson, was born in New Castle county, Del., March 3, 1820. Ile spent his life in the cultivation of the soil, for some time renting land in St. George's hundred, New Castle county, Del. In 1849 Mr. HIen- driekson removed to a farm in Cecil county, Md., where he remained until 1875, when he purchased a home in Kent county, Md. Peregrine Hendrickson was married to Mar- garet Hill. They had ten children, five of whom died in childhood. Those living are: I. Victor, born May 1, 1845, resides in Kent county, Md .; II. Augustine, born April 6, 1847, living in Kent county, Md .; III. Joseph E .; IV. John P., born July 17, 1851, resides in Philadelphia, Pa .; V. Henry Clay, born July 20, 1853, living in Kent county, Md. Mr. Hendrickson was a consistent member of St. Anne's P. E. church, at Middletown, Del., and like his father, was a vestryman in that church for many years. He died at his home in Kent county, Md., July 18, 1880; his widow resides at the homestead in Mil- lington, Kent county, Md.

Joseph Hendrickson spent his boyhood on his father's farm in Cecil county, Md. IIo received his education at the Middletown Academy, Middletown, Del. For some time after his scholastic course was ended, he was a salesman in a general store, but was oblig- ed by ill health to abandon that occupation. IIe then taught school in Maryland until 1875, when he became a resident of Philadel- phia. Here he has spent twenty-four years as a commission merchant, and is well known as an active, enterprising and successful business man. He formerly handled all kinds of country produce, but for several years has confined his attention to the hauling of live stock, the business being continued under the old firm name of J. E. Hendrickson & Co., which was established in 1876, and has never been changed. The firm ranks among the most extensive dealers in its line of business.

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in the city. Mr. Ilendrickson has also been for some years the general manager of the Philadelphia Market Company, situated at Thirtieth and Market Sts. The Company owns an entire block at that point, and han- dles all the perishable goods delivered by the Pennsylvania Railroad Co. Its cold storage facilities are abundant, and the enterprise and energy of Mr. Hendrickson are daily inereas- ing the extent of the business in that line. Mr. Hendrickson is a member of the Produce Exchange; of Pennsylvania Lodge, F. & A. M .; and of the Philadelphia branch of the Sons of Delaware.

Joseph E. Hendrickson was married in Philadelphia, April 14, 1885, to Anna A. Ruoff, who died July 4, 1894. IIe was again married, Philadelphia, February 4, 1897, to Margaret M. Shriver. He has no children.

WILLIAM S. HILLES, ESQ., Wilming- ton, Del., was born May 5, 1865, in Philadel- phia, Pa., son of John S. and Sarah T. IIilles. He began his education at a small private school kept by a Mrs. Graham in Philadel- phia. From there he went to the William Penn Charter School in the same city, and afterward attended the Rugby Academy. After preparing for college under Prof. Rey- nolds, Mr. Hilles entered Haverford College, Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in 1885. He immediately thereafter began the study of law in the office of Benjamin Nields, was admitted to the bar in September, 1888, and has since been actively engaged in his profession.

William S. Hilles was married October 29, 1898, to Florence, daughter of the late Hon. Thomas F. and Louisa (Lee) Bayard. He is a Republican.

COLEN FERGUSON, register in chan- cery and clerk of the Orphans' Court of New Castle county, Del., P. O. Wilmington, Del., son of Bassett and Susan T. (Weldon) Ferguson, was born in Appoquinimink hun- dred, New Castle county, Del., October 25, 1835.

His paternal ancestors were Scotch, and were among the original settlers of Kent county, Maryland. Tradition has it that one member of the family (Colin by name) was one of the first ordained rectors of the Pro- testant Episcopal church in Maryland. The

record of the early history of the family has not been preserved, however, and little au- thentic information concerning the callings and the work of these Scotch immigrants and their innnediate descendants is now to be obtained.

Bassett Ferguson was born in New Market (now called Chesterville), Kent county, Md., in January, 1802. When but a youth he came to Delaware, and made this state his home for the remainder of his life. Ile was educated in the common schools of Kent coun- ty, Del., and made the best possible use of the few educational advantages afforded by those schools at that time. Ilis school days over, he learned milling with Richard Hold- ing, of Duck Creek hundred, Kent county. After the usual period spent in acquiring his trade, he engaged in milling on his own ac- count, but abandoned this after a time for mercantile business, in Kent county. About 1832 le removed to New Castle county and settled in the village of Blackbird, continu- ing mercantile pursuits there. Subsequently he conducted a hotel, but in 1845 purchased a farm in Appoquinimink hundred, New Castle county, on which he lived until his death. He was an active and influential worker in local polities as a Democrat; and his efforts for party success and his ability were rewarded by frequent election to pub- lie offices. IIe filled several elective posi- tions in the hundred, and in the fall of 1850 was chosen state senator on the Democratic ticket. Ilis name is an honored one in Dela- ware. His integrity and his high character in all his relations with his fellowmen won for him general esteem, and his consistent and practical promotion of all enterprises tending to advance the welfare of his county and state placed him among the most conspi- cuous of the industrial and philanthropic benefactors of the commonwealth. Bassett Ferguson was married in Duck Creek hun- dred, Kent county, in May, 1831, to Susan T. Weldon, who was born in Appoquinimink hundred, September 16, 1813. She was the daughter of William and Martha Weldon, early settlers of New Castle county. Bassett and Susan T. Ferguson had twelve children, five of whom died in infancy. Martha A., who married Dr. John A. Moore, of Fulton, Kent county, died in August, 1890, having had three children, i. Lily (Mrs. T. C. Roe, of Kent

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county), ii. John Bassett, now Assistant Sec- retary of the State, iii. Jefferson, deceased. The surviving members of this family are:

1. Richard, born May 11, 1832, a justice of the peace in Middletown, St. George's hundred, New Castle county, Del .;

II. Colen, born October 25, 1835;

III. Susan M. (Mrs. Charles B. Satter- ·field), born September 17, 1838, of Middle- town, New Castle county;

IV. Mary E. (Mrs. Mortimer Records), born May 13, 1843, of Blackbird hundred;

V. Temperance B. (wife of Richard C. Brockson, a prominent merchant of Blackbird village), born October 15, 1845;

VI. Dr. Benjamin B., born August 23. 1853, of the vicinity of Blackbird.

Colen Ferguson received his education in the district schools of New Castle county and at Pennington seminary, Mercer county, New Jersey. On the conclusion of his course at the latter institution he became a clerk in the store of Crouch & Davis, at Odessa, St. George's hundred, New Castle county, and remained with the firm two years, when he purchased the farm on which he now resides; the superintendence of this farm has always been in his hands. Like his father he has always taken an active part in the politics of his state, and has filled, most creditably, several offices in his hundred. In 1886 he was elected to the state senate, and served during the sessions of 1887 and 1889. On May 30, 1892, he was appointed register in Chancery and clerk of the Orphans' Court of New Castle county, for the term of five years, and, May 30, 1897, was re-appointed for a like period. Mr. Ferguson has always been an ardent upholder of the principles of the Democratic party and a leader in its councils in his county. As a citizen he has been helpful to his community and as a pub- lic officer he has been most efficient.

Colen Ferguson was married, at the resi- dence of his wife's father, June 3, 1868, by the Rev. George A. Phoebus, to Cordelia Lord, who was born in Odessa, Del., Decem- ber 13, 1838, and was the daughter of the late Joseph A. and Ann E. (Derrickson) Lord. Of their six children, two died in in- fancy. Those living are:

I. Ella;

II. Theodore, deputy clerk and register in Chancery;

III. Bassett, now in the First Delaware Regiment of Infantry ;

IV. Martha C .; all reside at home. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church. Colen Fergusen is a trustee and steward of the Union Methodist Episcopal church, on the state road, one mile north of Blackbird. The edifice in which the con- gregation worships was erected in 1847. Mrs. Susan ( Weldon) Ferguson, mother of Colen, is still living at the venerable age of 84 years.

FRANKLIN BROCKSON, ESQ., Wil- mington, New Castle county, Delaware, son of James and Margaret Ann (Cornelius) Brockson, was born in Blackbird Hundred, New Castle County, Del., August 6, 1865.

Mr. Brockson's ancestors, paternal and maternal, were tillers of the soil in New Cas- tle County, Del., where each of them lived during nearly all the time of their respective lives. His paternal grandparents, Richard Brockson and Letitia (Atkinson) Brockson, had four children: I. James, II. John, III. Richard, Jr., deceased, IV. Rachel, deceased.

James Brockson, eldest son of Richard and Letitia (Atkinson) Brockson, was born in 1818, in New Castle County, Del. He lived on a farm from boyhood, was a successful farmer, and in 1896 was able to retire from the labors of farm life. In that year he re- moved to his present home in Clayton, Del., where he is now enjoying well earned rest and freedom from care. James Broekson was married to Margaret Ann, daughter of Abel George and Martha D. (Weldon) Cor- nelius, on June 30, 1846. Their children are: I. Richard C., merchant, Blackbird, Del .; II. John E., farmer, resides at Blackbird Landing, New Castle County, Del .; III. Martha Letitia, died in infancy; IV. Eliza- beth Amanda (Mrs. William B. Weldon), of Appoquinimink Hundred, New Castle Coun- ty, Del .; V. George, merchant, Clayton, Del .; VI. Ellen, resides at home with her parents in Clayton, Del .; VII. William, merchant, resides at Middletown, Del .; VIII. Mary Em- ma (Mrs. J. E. Lattomus), of Blackbird Hundred, New Castle County, Del .; IX. Samuel J., farming in Kenton Hundred, Kent county, Del .; X. Franklin; XI. Clar- ence V., clerk in the store of his brother, William Brockson, at Middletown Del.

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James and Margaret Ann (Cornelius) Brock- son, was raised on the farm with his parents in Blackbird Hundred, New Castle County, Del., where he attended the public schools of the district. He spent about four years as clerk in a general store at Clayton, and about two years in a clothing store in Smyrna. - In the autumn of 1887, he entered the Wil- mington Conference Academy, at Dover, Del., and graduated from that institution on June 19, 1890. For two years Mr. Broek- son taught school at Port Penn, Del., resign- ing his position to accept the principalship of the public schools at Marshallton, Del., which position he acceptably filled for two years, resigning in June, 1895. In the autumn of the same year he entered the Law Department of Washington and Lee University, at Lex- ington, Va., graduated June 17, 1896, and was admitted to the Delaware Bar, in New Castle county, September 21, 1896. Mr. Brockson is a member of the M. E. Church at Clayton, Del.

PHILIP L. GARRETT, ESQ., Wilming. ton, Del., son of Samuel II. and Margaret (Pedrick) Garrett, was born in Wilmington, February 29, 1872.

His ancestry, both paternal and maternal, was English. Charles Garrett, his great- grandfather, sixth son of William Garrett, was born in Delaware county, Pa., and was all his life engaged in farming. Charles and his wife, Mary (Hibberd) Garrett, had children: I. Hannah, died unmarried; II. Philip; III. Elizabeth (Mrs. George Powell).

Their only son, Philip Garrett, was born in Delaware county, Pa., October 2, 1816. He was a machinist, and continued to reside in Delaware county until 1855, when he re- moved to Wilmington, Del. Here he enter- ed into partnership with William Ferris in the gas fitting and plumbing business, in which he was engaged until his retirement in 1879. Philip Garrett married Mary Levis, who was born in Delaware county, Pa., in September, 1817. Their children are: I. Mark, of Wilmington, born February 28, 1844, married Emma Hannum; II. Samuel, born January 21, 1850, in Delaware county. Philip Garrett was a worthy member of the Society of Friends. He died May 9, 1894; Mrs. Garrett still survives him.

Samuel Garrett was educated in the public

schools of Wilmington, and resided in that city until 1879, since which time he has cul- tivated a farm in Mill Creek hundred, New Castle county, Del. He married, May 12, 1869, Margaret Pedrick, a native of Wil- mington. Philip L. Garrett is their only son; he was born and educated in Wiling- ton, beginning his studies in the public schools, and completing them in the excel- . lent school of the Friends. In 1889, at the early age of seventeen, Mr. Garrett went to Chicago, and was there connected with an electrical company for three years and a half. In the latter part of 1893, he returned to Wilmington, and in the spring of 1594, regis tered as a student at law in the office of Henry C. Conrad, Esq. On February 3, 1898, having passed a most ereditable examination, Mr. Garrett was admitted to the bar. His political views are Republican. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and A. E.

THE GARRETT FAMILY .- This family, as may be inferred from statements in the preceding sketch, has for many generations been connected with the Society of Friends, which has imparted in so large a measure of its own staid, self-controlled and reliable character to the communities of Delaware. William Garrett, who was the first representa- tive of the family in America, emigrated from Leicestershire, England, in 1684, with his wife, Ann Garrett, and several children. Prior to leaving his English home, William Garrett and Samuel Levis, John Smith and Robert Cliffe, had negotiated with the agent of the proprietary governor, William Penn, for 1000 acres of land in Pennsylvania, to be divided among them, in equal shares. This land was in Springfield township, in what is now called Upper Darby. On their arrival in Philadelphia the four men presented a joint certificate at a meeting of Friends, held at what was then called "The Governor's house," in Philadelphia, September 4, 1684. Early in 1685, William Garrett located his share of the land in what is now Upper Darby, and at once settled there. Both Wil- liam Garrett and his wife were devout and highly esteemed members of the Society of Friends. Their children were: I. Mary ; II. Samuel ; III. Alice ; IV. Sarah ; V. Thomas ; VI. William ; VII. John ; all of whom were born in England, and came to America with their parents, except John,

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 52

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