Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 58

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 58

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the welfare of the county and the state, and was loved and respected by his many friends. Ile was a Whig, but afterwards identified himself with the Republican party, and al- though an active worker, never sought office.

William W. Thomas was married at Smyrna, Kent county, Del., to Sarah E., daughter of James and Elizabeth (Hill) Holt, who was born near Newark, New Castle coun- ty, Del. Her parents were natives of Lan- cashire, England; her father was a wool manufacturer of New Castle county. The children of William W. and Sarah E. (Holt) Thomas are: I. Frances, died in infancy; II. Mary J., died in 1891; III. Marion V .; IV. John H., farmer; V. James C., fruit grower, . Los Angeles county, Cal .; VI. Elizabeth H., died in childhood; VII. William C., of Kan- sas; VIII. Edwin F .; IX. Anna I., died in 1879; X. Catherine V. (Mrs. E. G. Russell), of Kansas; XI. Winfield Scott, graduate of Johns Hopkins University, class of '39, prin- cipal of the high school at Petaluma, Sonoma county, Cal .; XII. Elizabeth (Mrs. Burgison Young); XIII. Henry C., died in infancy. Mrs. Thomas and the family are members of the M. E. church. Mr. Thomas died at the homestead in the spring of 1875, only a few months after his return to Delaware; he is interred in the cemetery at Salem church. His widow resides in Kansas with her son, Wil- liam C. Thomas.

Edwin E. Thomas attended the public schools of Cecil county, Md., and during the summer worked with his father on the farm, until 1875, when his parents removed to the homestead in Delaware. After assisting on the farm for a short time, he went to Wilming- ton, Del., and for two years worked in the carshops of Jackson & Sharp. Returning to Blackbird hundred, Mr. Thomas leased the farm of James Reynolds for three years. In 1886 he removed to his present home, a farm of 60 acres, which he still cultivates, raising grain and paying particular attention to the rearing of fine cattle. Mr. Thomas is intel- ligent, well-read, a student of political econ- omy, and has directed his attention particu- larly to the interests of the farmer. In 1890 he was elected on the Republican ticket of New Castle county to a seat in the State Legis- lature. During his term of office he repre- sented his constituents faithfully and effi- ciently, supporting all measures which, in his

judgment, would benefit the state; and care- fully guarding the interests of agriculture. Ile served on several important committees,. discharging his duties conscientiously. In caring for the interests of the state, Mr. Thomas has not neglected those of the com- munity. Always active and energetic, he has served as judge of elections, and as clerk of the board of school commissioners of Black- bird hundred, and by his honesty and ability has won the respect and confidence of his fel- low-citizens.

Edwin F. Thomas was married in Smyrna, Del., in 1881, to Lucy P., daughter of James- and Mary (Field) Reynolds, of Blackbird hundred. Their children are: I. Harry R., at home; II. Edith May, at home. Mrs. Thomas died in 1894, deeply mourned by her family and many friends; she is buried in the cemetery at Salem church. Mr. Thomas' sis- ter Marion makes his house her home, and. cares for him and his motherless children.

CHARLES W. JARRELL, P. O. Tay- lor's Bridge, New Castle county, Del., son of John W. and Ann Cornwell (Butler) Jarrell, was born in Appoquinimink, now Blackbird hundred, October 13, 1837.

The family is one of the oldest in Dela- ware. Mr. Jarrell's grandfather, John W. Jarrell, a native of Delaware, was educated for the ministry and was ordained in the Methodist Episcopal church. He was for sev- eral years pastor of Asbury Methodist church, in Wilmington, Del. John W. Jarrell mar- ried Elizabeth Serverson. Their children were: I. Freeborn, born September 14, 1785; II. John W., born April 16, 1788; III. Susanna F., born May 19, 1790, all deceased. Mr. Jarrell died at his home in Wilmington, Del., May 22, 1796, and is buried in that city, under the church in which he officiated. His- widow married Peter Hardup. She died in Blackbird hundred and is buried in the cem- etery of Friendship church.

John W. Jarrell was a native of New Cas- tle county, and received his education in the public schools of the district. He chose his father's occupation, and owned and culti- vated a farm in Appoquinimink, now Black- bird hundred. Mr. Jarrell's first wife was Sarah Hart. Their children are: I. John, deceased; II. Eliza, deceased ; III. Martha. Mrs. Jarrell died and was buried in the cem-

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etery of Friendship church. His second wife was Elizabeth Staats; their only child died in infancy. Mrs. Elizabeth (Staats) Jarrell died at her home in Blackbird hundred, and was interred in Friendship cemetery. Mr. Jarrell's third wife was Dorcas Thompson; their only child, James, died in youth. Mrs. Doreas (Thompson) Jarrell, is buried " in Friendship cemetery. Mr. Jarrell's

fourth wife was Ann (Cornwell ) Butler, daughter of John and Sarah (Feni- more) Cornwell, of New Castle county, and widow of John Butler. Their children are: I. Fannie B., deceased; II. William H., died in Indiana; III. Susan, died in Indiana; IV. Charles W. Mr. John W. Jarrell died in 1850; his wife in Indiana, in 1860. She and her family were members of the M. E. church.

The children of John and Ann (Cornwell) Butler are: I. George W., an inmate of a Soldier's Home in Virginia; II. and IIT. Charlotte and Mary, twins, the latter deceas- ed; IV. Sarah A. (Mrs. William Taylor).

Charles W. Jarrell received his education in the Walker school in Blackbird hundred. Ile remained at home, working on the farm, until his father's death. In 1852 he went. with his mother to Indiana, where he found employment as a laborer. After his mother's death, Mr. Jarrell returned to Delaware, and learned carpentry with his brother, John Jarrell. At the end of three years he aban- doned his trade and returned to farm labor. In 1869 Mr. Jarrell began farming on his own account, on rented land, spending one year on the Ginn tract, a farm of 200 acres; nine years on the Gardner tract, a farm of 100 acres; and seven years on the Gardner farm of 200 acres. In 1886 he bought his present home, a farm of 97 acres, formerly owned by Capt. T. J. Cooper. Mr. Jarrell is a practi- cal and progressive farmer; he has improved his property, and without neglecting the or- dinary grain crops, has devoted some atten- tion to raising fine cattle, in which depart-

near Taylor's Bridge, Appoquinimink hun- dred, and is a sister of Isaac, Abraham, and James Staats, of Blackbird hundred. Their only child died in infancy. Mrs. Sarah Jar- rell died in 1870, and is buried in the ceme- tery at Friendship church. Mr. Jarrell was married in 1872, to his sister-in-law, Emily Staats. Their children are: I. Annie J., of Philadelphia; II. Ella, of Philadelphia; III. Harvey 1)., at home; IV. Florence, at home; V. Ira, died in youth. Mr. Jarrell is a mem- ber of the M. E. church, in which he is an ac- tive worker, and holds the office of class- leader and trustee.

CHARLES SHREFFLER, P. O. Clay- ton, Kent county, Del., son of Joseph and Catharine (Mitchel) ShretHler, was born in Rockland township, Venango county, Pa., September 14, 1842.

The Shreffler family is of German descent and its members are widely scattered in the counties of Pennsylvania. Mr. Shreffler's great-grandparents were natives of Germany, who sought a home for their children in the land of freedom. Their son, Charles, Mr. Shreffler's grandfather, was born during their voyage across the Atlantic. Charles Shreffler grew up in Central Pennsylvania. He re- ceived a good education in the subscription schools of the district, in which German only was used, and learned cabinet making. Hc settled in Centre county, Pa., where he found employment at his trade until the time of his death. Charles'Shreffler was married in Cen- tre county to Miss Martz. Their children are: I. Daniel; II. Samuel; III. Charles; IV. Catharine (Mrs. Weaver); V. Sophia (Mrs. Stover); VI. Joseph; VII. Mary, died in youth. Mr. Shreffler and his family were members of the Evangelical church. He and his wife died at their home and are buried in Centre county, Pa.

Joseph Shreffler was born in Centre coun- ty in 1815. He received a good education ment he is very successful. Mr. Jarrell was . in German, and could also read and write a member of the Republican party, but his principles have led him to identify himself with the Prohibitionists. He is a firm advo- cate of the temperance cause, and never uses liquor or any intoxicants. English. After serving an apprenticeship in tailoring, he removed to Rockland township, Venango county, Pa., and devoted his atten- tion to his trade. Mr. Shreffler cast his first vote for a Whig candidate, but afterwards Charles W. Jarrell was married in Febru- ary, 1869, to Sarah J., daughter of Isaac Staats, of Blackbird hundred. She was born became a Republican. He was married in Rockland township, to Catherine Mitchel, a native of Union county, Pa. Of their twelve

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children, three died in infancy. Those who reached maturity are: I. William, deceased; II. Charles; III. Sophia (Mrs. Simon Wise), of Clarion county, Pa .; IV. Rebecca (Mrs. Hamson Mong), of Clarion county; V. Jos- eph, of Rockland township, Venango county, Pa .; VI. Mary (Mrs. George Shreffler); VII. Jane (Mrs. John Shreffler), deceased; VIII. John, of Clarion county, Pa .; IX. Andrew, of Franklin City, Venango county, Pa. . Joseph ShretHer and his family are members of the Evangelical church. He died in 1881, at his home in Venango county, where his widow still resides.

Charles Shreffler's educational advantages were very limited. Until he was fourteen he attended the public schools of Rockland township; but the winter terms were very short, and he was obliged to work during the summer. Charles was a bright lad, quick to see and imitate, yet patient to overcome diffi- culties. These qualities enabled him to learn shoe-making without serving an apprentice- ship. He worked for one year in his native county, and having mastered the details of his trade, was employed as a journeyman. In 1862, Mr. Shreffler removed to Clarion con- ty where he worked at shoemaking for sixteen years. At this time, failing health obliged him to abandon his trade. His industry and frugality had, however, enabled him to save a small sum of money, and finding that land was cheaper in Delaware than in Pennsyl- vania he resolved to try his fortunes in the Diamond State. Therefore in 1883 he pur- chased the farm of James Powell, situated in Blackbird hundred, New Castle. county, and established his family in their present home. Mr. Shrettler has been very successful; he is industrious and enterprising, and, not content with general farming, has spent over $1,000 in improvements, planting apple and peach orchards. He also pays great attention to his cattle, and his live stock is of fine quality and in excellent condition. Mr. Shreffler enlisted, February 9, 1864, at Franklin, Venango county, Pa., in the Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, Company A, Col. Speer, Capt. Ring- land, and was sent at once to Camp Copeland, at Pittsburg, Pa., and thence to Williams- burg, Va. During his term of service he took part in thirteen engagements and was in the hospital at Point of Rocks for six weeks. At the close of the war, he was mustered out at

Manchester, Va. Mr. Shreffler is an active worker in the Republican ranks, and greatly deplores the want of unity in the party. Hle has served his county as school commissioner for several terms, and has won the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens. Mr. ShretHer is a member of Hancock Post, No. 29, G. .. R., Smyrna, Del .; of the I. O. O. F .; and of the Grange of Clarion county, Pa.

Charles Shreffler was married in 1868, in Clarion county, Pa., to Lavinia J., daughter of J. M. and Eliza (Barlett) Best, of Clarion county, Pa. Their children are: I. Frances, widow of John Lorah; II. Orpha (Mrs. J. C. Pryor); of Blackbird hundred, New Castle county; III. Elizabeth (Mrs. William Her- boek), of Kent county, Md .; IV. Mertie; V. Alice, died in youth; VI. Addie; VII. Es- tella; VIII. Pruna. Mr. Shreffler and his family attend the M. E. church.

ABRAM S. REEDER, P. O. Clayton, Kent county, Del., son of Abram and Jane (Mott) Reeder, was born in Deerfield town- ship, Portage county, Ohio, January 8, 1842.

Mr. Reeder's grandparents were of English descent, and were among the pioneer settlers of Ohio. His father, Abram Reeder, a native of Ohio, owned and cultivated a farm of 100 acres in Deerfield township, Portage county. Besides general farming, Mr. Reeder dealt in live stock, and owned and managed a fax. mill. During the Civil War, he was wagon master in the quartermaster's department; and his death was caused by the exposure he endured while in the service. Mr. Reeder was a Whig, but afterwards became a mem- ber of the Republican party. His first wife was Rebecca Ferrah. Their only child was Mary (Mrs. J. Sawyer), deceased. Mrs. Re- becca Reeder died in Portage county, Ohio. Abram Reeder's second wife, Jane Mott, was of English deseent, and a member of one of the oldest families of Portage county. Their children are : I. Elizabeth (Mrs. Baldwin): II. Harretta (Mrs. John Barrow), of Ohio; III. Clara, married Henry Robb, a farmer of Portage county; IV. Cora, widow of Mr. M. Oswald; V. Annie, widow of J. D. Pe- terson; VI. Abram S .; VII. Daniel, killed in the oil fields. Mr. Reeder was a moralist; his wife was a member of the Presbyterian church. Both died and are buried in Deer- field township.

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Abram S. Reeder attended the public schools of Deerfield township, and the graded schools of Alliance, Ohio. He joined the quartermaster's department, June 16, 1861, and during the Civil War drove an ammuni- tion team. After spending two and a half years with the army, Mr. Reeder returned to Deerfield township, Portage county, Ohio, and for three years farmed the homestead. In 1867 he went to Iowa, but after eleven years removed to Clarion county, Pa., and became interested in the oil fields. He was fairly suc- cessful and dealt in oil for years. In 1882 Mr. Reeder removed to Delaware, and bought a tract of unimproved land in Blackbird hun- dred, New Castle county. By intelligence, energy and enterprise, he has turned a barren waste into a fertile productive vineyard, and has given much attention to the cultivation of strawberries, raspberries and small fruits, in- creasing the yield and at the same time im- proving the quality. His 4,000 vines produce over fifteen tons of grapes annually, and his fruit is so fine, that it finds a ready market in Philadelphia, New York, Boston, and the cities of the Eastern and Atlantic states. Mr. Reeder is a member of the Republican party, affable in manner, liberal in his views, and deeply interested in everything that will ben- efit the state and promote industrial growth.

Abram S. Reeder was married in Gustavus township, Trumbull county, Ohio, to Mary J., daughter of the late James and Jane (Dun- lap) Shaw. Their adopted daughter, Rosa (Mrs. H. C. Smith), resides in Green Spring, Blackbird hundred, New Castle county, Del. Mrs. Reeder is well educated, friendly in manner, interesting in conversation, and ha; proved herself a veritable helpmate to her genial and enterprising husband. After her parents' death, Miss Shaw found a home in the family of Mr. Reeder's uncle, where Abram Reeder learned to know and appre- ciate her worth. Mr. Reeder and his wife are members of the M. E. church, at Clayton, Del.

Mrs. Reeder's father, James Shaw, a native of England, was married to Jane Dunlap, who was born in Scotland. A few years after their marriage they emigrated to America and set- tled in New York City. Of their six children, three died in youth. Those surviving are: I. Mary J. (Mrs. Abram S. Reeder); TI. John, of Iowa; III. James, of Iowa. Mr. Shaw was

a marble-cutter and granite polisher; his last work was done on the National Capitol at Washington, D. C .; he died in New York City in 1837, and is buried in Greenwood cemetery; his wife died in Brooklyn, in 1856, and is also buried in Greenwood cemetery.

HON. RICHARD FERGUSON, deceas- ed, of Blackbird, New Castle county, Del., son of Bassett and Susan T. (Weldon) Fer- guson, was born on the old Ferguson home- stead near Blackbird, New Castle county, Del., May 11, 1832.

Bassett Ferguson, farmer and merchant, was of Scotch descent. He was one of the first merchants in Blackbird, where he after- wards managed a hotel, and at the same time filled the office of post master, using one of the rooms of the hotel as a post office. Mr Ferguson was of quiet and unassuming mau- ner, of sound judgment, and a benevolent dis- position. His fellow-citizens testified their respect and confidence by electing him to rep- resent his county in the General Assembly of the state. Two of his sons were afterwards honored as members of the same body. Bas- sett Ferguson was married to Susan T. Wel- don. Their children are: I. Richard; II. Martha, married T. A. Moore, M. D., of Fel- ton, Del .; III. Colen; IV. Susan (Mrs. Chas. B. Satterfield), Blackbird, Del .; V. Mary El- len, married Mortimer Ricords, a farmer of Blackbird hundred; VI. Temperance, mar- ried Richard Brockson, merchant, Blackbird, Del .; VIII. Benjamin B., M. D., engaged in the pharmaceutical department of the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania. Mr. Ferguson and his wife were members of the M. E. church. IIe died in November, 1853. His widow was married to Vincent O. Hill, of Blackbird hun- dred.

Colen Ferguson, brother of Richard Fer- guson, was born at Blackbird, Del., October 25, 1835. He attended the public schools of the district, and for one year studied at the New Jersey Conference Seminary. "After spending two years in the store of Crouch & Davis, at Odessa, Mr. Ferguson returned to the homestead. He is an intelligent farmer, and observer of the needs and growths of spe- cial grains. His peach orchards, on which he has bestowed careful attention, contain thou- sands of trees, and each year amply repay him for the care and investment. Mr. Ferguson is

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actively interested in the educational agencies of the neighborhood, and is one of the direc- tors of the district school. He is a member of the Democratic party and was elected to rep- resent his county in the State Legislature, an honor entirely unsought. He resides on the homestead, a fertile farm of 200 acres. Colen Ferguson was married, June 3, 1868, to Cor- delia, daughter of Joseph A. Lord, of Odessa, Delaware.

Richard Ferguson attended the public schools of the district, but his opportunities were so limited that he might be called self- educated. He was a thoughtful reader and a diligent student, not only of history, but of current events, and intelligent and instructive in conversation. Mr. Ferguson remained at home, working with his father on the farm, and for years devoted his whole time to hus- bandry. In 1852, when only twenty years old, he was appointed postmaster of Black- bird, being the youngest postmaster in the United States. Mr. Ferguson received from Governor Burton the appointment of justice of the peace, in Blackbird, and for seven years discharged the duties of his office promptly and efficiently. Mr. Ferguson was a Demo- crat, an active worker, interested in all that concerns the welfare of the state. In 1857 he was elected to the State Legislature to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Hon. Bay- man Deakyne. Possessing marked ability and judgment, and being an eloquent speaker and debater, Mr. Ferguson also brought to his publie duties the patient and conscientious attention which had made him successful in private life. He was a member of several im- portant committees, and his course was so satisfactory both to his constituency and to the public that he was re-elected in 1888. During this term, Mr. Ferguson was chairman of the Committees on Elections and on the Adulteration of Foods, and a member of the Committees on Crime and Punishments, Printing, and the Enrolling Bill. In 1890 Mr. Ferguson removed to Middletown, New Castle county, where he opened a flour and feed store. In 1891 he received from Gover- nor Biggs the appointment of justice of the peace of St. George's hundred, New Castle county. He filled this office for seven years. His knowledge of law and equity proved invaluable, and his judgments were almost invariably sustained by the higher

courts. Mr. Ferguson's kindness and sym- pathy won for him many friends, who relied upon him as their trusted adviser and helper. For seven years he was trustee, and for two years treasurer of the poor, receiving both ap- pointments from the Levy Court.

Hon. Richard Ferguson was married at Blackbird, Del., in 1864, to Bathsheba HI., daughter of Thomas and Ann (Barlow) Deakyne, and sister of Thomas Deakyne of Blackbird hundred. Mrs. Ferguson was born in Blackbird hundred. Their only child died in infancy. Mr. Ferguson and his wife were members of the M. E. church. She was a benevolent Christian woman and a devout wife; she died in 1892, at Middletown, Del., and is buried in the cemetery of the M. E. church. Hon. Richard Ferguson died in Feb- ruary, 1898.

JOHN B. MAHONEY, Kirkwood, New Castle county, Del., son of John C. and Cath- erine (McCann) Mahoney, was born in New Castle, Del., August 12, 1858.

John C. Mahoney, father of John B. Ma- honey, was born in County Cork, Ireland. His parents died when he was a child, but he found a home with his uncle, Daniel Ma- honey. His educational advantages were very limited; he was, however, an intelligent boy and made good use of the time allowed him. John C. Mahoney remained with his uncle, as- sisting with the general farm work until he was twenty. In 1850 he left Ireland on a sailing vessel bound for America, and landed in New York City. He obtained employ- ment as longshoreman, working for Mr. Glid- den, the well-known stevedore. Mr. Ma- honey was industrious and reliable, qualities which command success, and which his em- ployer was quick to recognize and to reward, by making him foreman of a gang. For five years he was employed in this capacity by Mr. Glidden, unloading English railroad iron in winter, and spending the summer months be- tween New Orleans, La., and St. Louis, Mo., superintending loading and unloading of cot- ton. In 1855 Mr. Mahoney, still in the em- ploy of Mr. Glidden, removed to New Castle, Del., to superintend the unloading and bor- ing of English railroad iron for the Delaware railroad. In 1857, he was sent to Kirkwood, Del., to take charge of the packing and ship- ping of the apple crops of the Merritt Paxton

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orchards. For two successive seasons Mr. Glidden purchased the entire erop, paying $5,000 each year. These apples were sold in the markets of New York, and foreign cities. In 1859 Mr. Mahoney was employed on the Delaware railroad as construction foreman, handling wood and fruit trains. In 1861 he was made supervisor of Section No. 1 of the Delaware division of the P., W. & B. R. R. This position he has held for thirty-seven years, discharging his duties promptly and ef- fieiently, giving entire satisfaction to the company. During this time he has made his home in New Castle, Del., where he is well- known and respected. Mr. Mahoney is self- educated, well-read, interesting in conversa- tion, genial and agreeable, fond of a joke and always ready to meet jest with jest. Knowing the value of education he is deeply interested in the question of puble instruction and has amply provided for his children those advan- tages which were denied to himself. Mr. Ma- honey is a prosperous business man, owning twenty houses and building lots in New Cas- tle. He is a reliable citizen, popular in the community, and has been for some time trus- tee of the Commons of New Castle, of which body he is the oldest living member. Ile is a member of the Democratic party, and al- though actively interested in local affairs, has never sought political preferment. John C. Mahoney was married in New Castle, in 1857, to Catherine McCann, of New Castle. Mrs. Mahoney is a native of New Castle, Irish by descent; she still lives in the house and sleeps in the room in which she was born. The chil- dren of John C. and Catherine (McCann) Mahoney are: I. John B .; II. Katie P., well- educated, was for some time a teacher; III. Ellen (Mrs. George MeDaniel), died leaving two children, i. Marie, ii. IIelen, both of whom live with their grandfather; IV. Mar- garet, received a fine education; V. Regina, M. S., a talented musician, and a teacher in the public schools of Philadelphia, Pa .; VI. Anne M., assistant postmistress of New Cas- tle, Del .; VII. Cecelia I., an efficient teacher at Sunnit Bridge, Del. Mr. Mahoney and his family are devout members of the Roman Catholic church.

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 58

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