Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 59

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 59

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John B. Mahoney was educated in the pub- lie schools of New Castle, graduating under Professor Hay, now Prefect of Girard Col- lege, Philadelphia, Pa. He was an energetic,

industrious boy, and at fourteen, having com- pleted his education, he began to earn his own living. He secured a position as errand boy, carrying water for a construction gang, re- ceiving $1.25 per day. Three years of ser- vice proved his industry and ability, and his reward was a position on a construction gang. For five years he worked with this gang and is a track walker. He was not only a reliable workman, but was intelligent, studious, and anxious to take advantage of every opportun- ity for improvement. He therefore began to study telegraphy under John Colbourne in the railroad office at New Castle, February 14, 1879. Unremitting industry enabled him to make such rapid progress that in Septem- ber of the same year the company appointed him extra operator at Clayton and other points along the line.

In 1880 Mr. Mahoney was promoted to the position of principal agent and telegraph op- erator at Porter, Del., where he remained un- til 1883, when he was transferred to Kirk- wood, Del. For sixteen years he has held this important position, giving entire satisfac- tion both to the company and to its patrons by the fidelity, punctuality, and consideration with which he has discharged the duties de- volving upon him. He is now general sta- tion agent and also the agent for the Adams Express Company, and for the Western Union Telegraph Company. Mr. Mahoney owes his rapid promotion to his sobriety, industry and courteous demeanor. He has won for himself not only popularity, but the respect and confidence of the community. He is also a successful business man, and besides his comfortable home in Kirkwood, owns a well cultivated and fertile farm in Pencader hun- dred, New Castle county. Mr. Mahoney is interested in local affairs and has identified himself with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Railroad Relief Corps, and of the I. O. II., of Summit Bridge, of which so- ciety he is secretary.

John B. Mahoney was married in New Castle, in 1885, to Mary B., daughter of Sam- uel J. MeCall, ex-Levy Court Commssioner, and proprietor of a livery establishment in Wilmington, Del. Mrs. Mahoney is a na- tive of Red Lion hundred, New Castle coun- ty. They have one child, Regina, at school. Mr. Mahoney is a member of the Roman Catholic church.

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CHARLES H. SALMON, J. P., Summit Bridge, New Castle county, Del., son of John 2, and Mary (Plummer) Salmon, was born in Pencader hundred, New Castle county, Del., February 1, 1852.

The Salmon family, which is of English ex- traction, has long resided in Pencader hun- dred. John Salmon, grandfather of Charles JI. Sahnon, was a native of New Jersey, and the son of an Englishman. While he was yet a young man, he came to Delaware, and going into Pencader hundred selected there a place for the house he was to occupy until his death. His first employment was driving the stage between Frenchtown and New Castle, and for several years he was engaged.in this work, which in that early time had so much fascin- ation about it. Afterwards he threw aside the cracking whip and taut reins and devoted all his energies to growing grain and other farm crops in Pencader hundred. He was a Democrat, but never held any office. John Salmon married Keziah, daughter of George Batten, born in Pencader hundred. Iler fa- ther established the widely known Batten's Mills. Mr. and Mrs. Salmon had children: I. George; II. Daniel; III. William; IV. Jolın, 2; V. Rachel (Mrs. Charles W. Big- ger), of Summit Bridge; VI. James; VII. Joseph. Mr. Salmon died in Pencader hun- dred in 1839, and Mrs. Salmon died near Elk- ton, Md. Both were members of the M. E. church. Mrs. Salmon was very amiable, and had many friends.

John Salmon, 2, was born in Pencader hundred in 1827. He was a pupil in the dis- triet schools, and aided his father on the farm for a number of years. He then learned plas- toring and worked at his trade in Delaware and Maryland. The last twenty years of his life he spent in Pencader hundred. He was a Democrat, but had no desire to hold public office. In 1849, John Salmon, 2, married Mary, daughter of Philip and Sarah Plum- mer, born at Bohemia Manor, Cecil county, MId. Their children were: I. Charles II .; II. Laura and III. Georgiana, twins, the former married T. II. Armstrong, of Middletown, Del., the latter, who is deceased, was the wife of George Clark, of Red Lion hundred; IV. John F., plasterer of Middletown; V. Evelyn (Mrs. James H. Kane), of Newark, Del. Mr. Salmon died on his farm in 1881, and was buried in Bethel churchyard, Cecil county,

Md. Mrs. Salmon resides in Middletown. Mr. Salmon and his family were members of the M. E. church.

Charles II. Salmon attended the public schools in Cecil county, Md., at Dover and in Pencader hundred, Del. From his father he learned plaster- ing, and gave his attention to that trade for fourteen years, principally in New Castle county. In 1885, Mr. Salmon came to Sum- mit Bridge and established himself in mer- cantile business. His capital was small, but he exercised prudence, adopted practical busi- ness ideas, and in the thirteen intervening years has made his venture profitable. He owns now, in addition to his store, a farm of 115 aeres in Pencader hundred, on which he has made many improvements and upon the cultivation of which he spends much time and labor. The various offices he has filled and the many enterprises in which he is interested demonstrate his versatility and capability. He has been a stockholder and manager of the Summit Creamery Co. since 1896, and has conducted its affairs in such a manner that large dividends have been earned; he was elected assessor of Pencader hundred and filled the office four years; was school com- missioner, and clerk to the board for three years; was register of the voters of Pencader hundred and Judge of Elections for six years; was appointed postmaster of Summit Bridge in 1885, under the first Cleveland adminis- tration, and filled the office for four years with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the patrons; was re-appointed to the office in 1893, and served the public four more years; was appointed justice of the peace of Pencader hundred by Governor Biggs in 1888, and made a record rarely equaled, in that only one appeal from his decision was taken to the higher courts in seven years; was re-appointed justice in 1895 by Governor Watson for another term of seven years; was appointed trustee of the poor of New Castle county by the Levy Court in 1894, and has been president of the board of trustees for two years. Mr. Salmon is a member and trus- tee of Summit Conclave, No. 362, I. O. H., of Pencader hundred, memberand treasurer of Buck Council, No. 18, Jr. O. U. A. M., and member of St. George's Lodge, A. O. U. W., of Red Lion hundred. Justice Sahnon is an

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unswerving Democrat, and an earnest advo- cate of the principles of his party.

On June 13, 1878, at St. George's, New Castle county, Charles H. Salmon married Belle, daughter of Daniel and Josephine Kelty, born in Pencader hundred. Her par- ents are old residents of Delaware. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Salmon are: I. IIenry E., died young; II. Jacob B .; III. Jo- sephine; IV. Charles HI. (2). Mr. Salmon and his family are members of the M. E. church.

PETER B. ALRICHS, Summit Bridge, New Castle county, Del., son of Wessel and Mary Ann (Bowers) Alrichs, was born at Glasgow, New Castle county, Del., Novem- ber 7, 1847.

The Alrichs family is descended from the first Dutch governor of the colony in Dela- ware, under whom the settlement whose centre was New Amstel, now New Castle, grew in numbers and prosperity. A sketch of Jacob Alrichs' life and services will be found in our chapter on the Governors of Delaware. Wessel Alrichs, grandfather of Peter B. Al- richs, was throughout his life a farmer of New Castle county, Del. His children were: I. William; II. Rebecca (Mrs. Samuel Pogue); III. Wessel, father of Peter B. Alrichs. Wes- sel Alrichs was born in 1800; his parents died while he was young, and he was reared by his aunt, Mrs. Peters. He learned tailor- ing, and worked at this trade for some years at Odessa, then Cantwell's Bridge. Later in life, he became a farmer of Pencader hundred, having bought a farm near Glasgow, on which he resided during the remainder of his life. Mr. Alrichs supported the Whig party.

Wessel Alrichs was married at Odessa to Mary Ann Bowers, a native of that town. They had children: I. William, died in mid- dle age; II. Elizabeth, died an infant; III. Margaret, also died in infancy; IV. John, of Fredericksburg, Va .; V. Charles W., mer- chant; VI. Elizabeth (Mrs. John R. Gonce); VII. Samuel, merchant, has served as state senator; VIII. Rebecca, died young; IX. Mary Ann; X. Peter B. Mrs. Wessel Alrichs died at the home of her son, Samuel Alrichs, in Glasgow, Del., November 26, 1887, in her eighty-fourth year; both she and her husband are buried in the Presbyterian churchyard at that place; they were members of the Presby- terian church.

Peter Alrichs was only six years old when his father died. During the short winter ses- sions, he attended the public schools of Pen- cader hundred, and remained with his mother, assisting with the farm work, until he was eighteen. In 1864 Mr. Alrichs secured a sit- uation in New York, with his uncle, who was engaged in manufacturing extract of hemlock. In 1868 he returned to Glasgow, Del., and soon after began business for himself as a general merchant at Summit Bridge, Del. For twenty-nine years, Mr. Alrichs has been a merchant in this place, and has built up an extensive and still increasing trade. His ability, unremitting industry and enterprise, have been amply rewarded by success, while his pleasing, accommodating manner, and conscientious regard for the interests of his- customers have won him not merely popu- larity, but respect and confidence. In 1889, Mr. Alrichs was appointed postmaster of Sum- mit Bridge, under President Harrison. Mr. Alrichs has conducted the business of his of- fice so satisfactorily, both to the department and the community, that he was re-appointed by President MeKinley. A staunch Republi- can, Mr. Alrichs is an active and efficient worker for the success of the party. He is a member of Summit Bridge Conclave No. 262, I. O. H., and of Summit Bridge Council, Jr. O. U. A. M.

Peter B. Alrichs was married in Philadel- phia, December 27, 1876, to Mary E., daugh- ter of Samuel M. and Ruth (Batton) Enos, who was born in Odessa, New Castle county,. Del. Their children are: I. George E .; II. Price B .; III. Ruth C .; IV. Nevada B. Mr. Alrichs and his wife and family are members of the M. E. church.

Mrs. Alrichs' grandfather, Archibald Enos, farmer, was of French lineage, and was one of the earliest settlers of Delaware. He was married to Jane McCoombs. Their son, Sam- nel M., father of Mrs. Alrichs, was born in New Castle county, Del., March 4, 1822. Samuel Enos was educated in the public schools of New Castle county. When he had attained his majority, he removed to Read- ing, Pa., and became a plasterer, serving his apprenticeship with his unele, Thomas Me- Coombs. Mr. Enos worked for several years at his trade in Delaware and Maryland, and some years later bought a small place near Odessa, Del. Ile also dealt in live stock, and for many years bought cattle extensively, for

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shipment to the eastern markets. For some time, he was an auctioneer in Odessa. A few years ago, Mr. Enos retired from business and removed to his present home in that city, to enjoy the comfort and ease which he has fully earned by his unremitting industry and economy. He now lives in Christiana hun- dred. - Mr. Enos is a Republican, and has held various offices in the district, winning the re- spect and confidence of his fellow-citizens by prompt and conscientious discharge of his duties.

Samuel Enos was married to Ruth, daugh- ter of Henry and Elizabeth Batton, who was born in Pencader hundred, New Castle county. Their children are: I. Henry A., of Odessa; II. Elizabeth, died in youth; III. Rush A., died in youth; IV. Mary E. (Mrs. Peter B. Al- richs); V. Ruth Ella, died in youth. Mr. Enos and his wife and family are members of the M. E. church. Mrs. Enos died at her home at Odessa, in 1876, and is buried in the ceme- tery of the M. E. church. She was a devout Christian, beloved and honored in the com- munity.

JOHN W. DAYETT, P. O. Cooch's Bridge, New Castle county, Del., son of Adam and Eliza (Hendrickson) Dayett, was born in Pencader hundred, March 10, 1837.

Ilis grandfather, Adam Dayett, Sr., was a well known citizen of New Castle county, where he was during all his life engaged in farming. He married Sarah Wiley; their only children were twins: I. Adam; II. Mary (Mrs. Thomas C. Bradley), deceased. Mr. Dayett died, and was buried in New Castle. Mrs. Dayett was married a second time, to Thomas Bradley, a farmer residing near Newark, Del .; she died on the Bradley farm, and was buried in the churchyard of the Pres- byterian church at Head of Christiana, of which she had been a member.

Adam Dayett, Jr., was born in New Castle county, June 12, 1809. Being very young when his father died, he was reared in the home of his stepfather, Mr. Bradley. When he became a young man, he began farming on his own account, on rented properties; he spent five years on a farm at Chestnut Hill, Pencader hundred, five years on MeCoomb's farm at Cooch's Bridge, fifteen years at Kirk- wood, on the Morgan farm, and two years on the Thomas Bradley farm, in the same hun-

dred. In 1853, Mr. Dayett bought the Mc- Namee farm, of 80 acres, and a grist mill, now known as Dayett's mill, which he con- ducted for thirty-five years, and then retired from business. He is now spending the even- ing of his days in well earned repose at Wil- mington, Del., being almost a nonagenarian, but enjoying the sound physical health that is best obtained by a life of moderation and industry. Mr. Dayett east his first presiden- tial vote in 1832, for the Whig candidate, and his last for the present chief magistrate of the nation, President MeKinley. He has filled the offices of school commissioner and tax collector for Pencader hundred, and has been a member of the Levy Court of New Castle. Adam Dayett, Jr., was married near Newark, Del., by Rev. Thomas Water- ton, to Eliza, daughter of Hiram and Eliza- beth (Tyson) Hendrickson; she was born at Newark, Del., January 5, 1813, and is still living, the sharer of her husband's tranquil home in Wilmington. Their children are: I. Thomas, farmer and miller, of Pencader hun- dred; II. Nathan, farmer, of White Clay Creek hundred; III. John W .; IV. Margaret (Mrs. William P. Tull), of Wilmington. Mr. Adam Dayett has for seventy years been a faithful member of the M. E. church, and has served his congregation as steward, trustee and class-leader.

Not content with scholastic training in the public schools, John W. Dayett has been all his life a reader and a close observer, and has thus gained a useful fund of practical wis- dom, and kept himself well-informed upon current topies in general. He has also been diligent in business, working early in life on his father's farm, and as apprentice in the grist mill, learning the trade from William Salmon, then miller for Adam Dayett. Hav- ing acquired a thorough knowledge of the business, he worked for his father in the ca- pacity of journeyman, and some time later entered into an agreement with his father to conduct the mill on shares. This arrangement was continued until 1888, when John W. Dayett rented the mill, and managed it suc- cessfully and profitably until 1894. He then bought the well known Cooch's mill, one of the finest in the state, situated near Cooch's Bridge, in Pencader hundred. To this mill he had added all the latest improvements, in- cluding new rollers; the mill now has a ca-

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pacity of 300 bushels per day. Mr. Dayett employs five men as helpers, but gives his whole attention, personally, to the business. This painstaking care, together with his up- right and honorable business character, and his affable manner, has won for Mr. Dayett general respect and confidence, and secured - the success of his enterprises. He has always given his support to Republican principles, and was elected, on the ticket of that party, to the office of assessor of Pencader hundred.

John W. Dayett was first married in 1858, in Pencader hundred, to Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel and Ann Wright, of that hundred. Mrs. Dayett's brother, J. Thomas Wright, is the coroner of New Castle county. The chil- dren of that marriage are: I. Elwood, a baker, of Wilmington, Del .; II. Henry L., hotel keeper, Glasgow, Del .; III. John Sherman; besides one child that died in early infancy. Mrs. Elizabeth Dayett died in 1878, and was interred in the cemetery of Salem M. E. church, in White Clay Creek hundred. Mr. Dayett's second wife was Emma, daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Vandegrift) Groves, of White Clay Creek hundred. Their children are: I. Lillie R., a pupil in the New- ark Academy; II. J. Irvin, studying at Dela- ware College. Mrs. Dayett is a lady of good taste and intelligence; and, with her husband and family, is a member of the M. E. church. Besides being a class-leader, Mr. Dayett is active in the Sunday school, which he has served as both teacher and superintendent.

EDWIN S. ARMSTRONG, Cooch's Bridge, New Castle county, Del., son of Horatio Gates and Margaret (Stroud) Arm- strong, was born near Norristown, Montgom- ery county, Pa., December 13, 1842.

The Armstrong family is one of the oldest in Pennsylvania. Early in the last century some of its representatives settled in Mont- gomery county.

Edward Armstrong, stone-mason, grand- father of Edwin S. Armstrong, was born at Bryn Mawr, Montgomery county, Pa., and was educated in the public schools of that dis- trict. Mr. Armstrong was a skilled workman and from a master-mason became a builder and contractor. Some edifices whch bear wit- ness to his elever workmanship are still to.be seen in Bryn Mawr, among them the old Bryn Mawr Baptist church. Mr. Armstrong was

an old line Whig, interested in the affairs of the county, a good citizen, highly esteemed in the community. Edward Armstrong was married to Ruth Everhardt, who was descend- ed from one of the old families of West Ches- ter, Pa. Their children are: I. John; HI. Hannah; III. Horatio G .; IV. Peter; V. Mar- garet, widow of Joseph Bailey, resides in Phil- adelphia, Pa. All are dead except Margaret, who is a nonagenarian. Mr. Armstrong and his wife were devout members of the Baptist church. Both died at Bryn Mawr and are buried there, in the cemetery of the old Bap- tist church.

Horatio Gates Armstrong, father of Ed- win S. Armstrong, was born at Bryn Mawr, Pa. He received his education in the district schools and learned papermaking. He worked at his trade in Montgomery county, Pa., until 1849, when he removed to Philadelphia, and- began business for himself, first as a retail and afterwards as a wholesale dealer in paper. In 1861 Mr. Armstrong began manufacturing paper, buying a plant at Trenton, N. J., but still retaining the establishinent in Philadel- phia. He was not only a skilled papermaker and a progressive business man, but also a thoughtful, scientific mechanic. He was very ingenious, fond of experimenting, and finally invented a machine for making paper bags, which was patented in 1858, and proved a financial success. Mr. Armstrong was an old line Whig and afterwards became a Republi- can. He was an enthusiastic admirer of Henry Clay and a stanch supporter of the party, but not an office-seeker. Mr. Arm- strong's honesty and ability won the respect and confidence of the community, while his kindness and genial manner made him a gen- eral favorite. Horatio G. Armstrong was mar- ried, in Montgomery county, Pa., to Mar- garet Stroud, a native of Norristown, Pa., who was a descendant of one of the old Welsh families of Montgomery county. Of their seven children four died in youth. Those living are: I. Thomas S., paper dealer, Cam- den, N. J .; II. Edwin S .; III. Samuel S., chief clerk, with the rank of captain, in the quartermaster's department of New Jersey. Mrs. Armstrong died in 1860, in Philadel- phia; she is buried in the cemetery of the Baptist church, at Bryn Mawr. Mr. Arm- strong's second wife was Mary Cathcart. Their children are: I. Frank P., Trenton, N.

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J .; II. Mary (Mrs. Frank Smith), of Trenton. In the latter part of his life Mr. Armstrong was a Second Adventist. He died in 1879, at his home in Trenton, N. J., where he is buried in Riverside cemetery.

Edwin S. Armstrong attended public school for a short time, but his opportunities were so limited that he may be called a self- educated man. He is a thoughtful reader and an intelligent observer. His studies have covered a wide range of subjects including the advanced English branches, higher mathe- maties and the classics. Music also has claimed a share of his attention. Talent and practice have made him a fair performer on the violin, his chosen instrument. Mr. Arm- strong remained at home, assisting his father until the breaking out of the war of the Re- bellion. He enlisted in September, 1862, for three years, in Company I, Sixteenth Penn- sylvania Cavalry, Colonel J. Irvin Gregg, Captain William HI. Fry. The regiment formed part of the army of the Potomac and took part in most of the battles in which that army was engaged. He was also for some time detailed for service in the quartermaster's department. Mr. Armstrong was mustered out at Washington, D. C., in July, 1865. Re- turning to his home in Philadelphia, he be- came his father's partner in the paper store, and after his father's death managed the busi- ness for two years. In 1880 Mr. Armstrong became a stock-holder in the Pennsylvania Pulp and Paper Company, at Lock Haven, Clinton county, Pa., and was elected secretary and treasurer of the company. In 1882 he retired from business, and removing to Delaware, purchased his beautiful home, situated in Peneader hundred, New Castle county. Mr. Armstrong owns several other farms in New Castle and Kent counties, Del., besides his personal property and real estate in Philadelphia. He began his business career without a dollar, but with industrious habits, and an energetic, enter- prising disposition. Economy, with prudence and good judgment in making investments, have brought him financial success and have enabled him to devote his time to literature, musie and the quiet pleasures of domestic life. His genial, unassuming manner makes him a favorite in all circles. Mr. Armstrong is a Republican, interested in local affairs, but has always declined to accept office.

Edwin S. Armstrong was married in Phila- delphia, June 5, 1868, to Miriam, daughter of Jacob Mayer, a merchant of Philadelphia. Their children are: I. Florence, married James O. G. Duffey, lawyer and author, as- sistant editor of the Philadelphia Press; II. Arthur, in the wholesale department of Straw- bridge & Clothier's store, Philadelphia, mar- ried Nettie Schlessinger, an Austrian lady; III. Allen, died aged twenty-one; IV. Miriam, a musician and skilful pianist, mar- ried Frederick A. Weihe, Ph. D., who occu- pied the chair of physics and electrical en- gineering, North Carolina College of Agri- culture and Mechanical Arts, Raleigh, N. C .; V. Edwin S., Jr., of Philadelphia; VI. Ray- mond E., of Philadelphia; VII. Howard M., a student in the State College of Delaware; VIII. Warren O., at home; IX. Eugenie V., a fair violinist, a student at Delaware State College; X. Frederick D .; XI. Ellis M .; XII. Philip E. Mrs. Armstrong is an intelligent, well-educated woman, refined in manner, and very hospitable. Some of the children have inherited their father's musical talent and the variety of instruments adds to the attraction of this delightful home. Society has little charm for Mr. Armstrong, who prefers the joys of his home to all its allurements. He has himself educated his children, preparing them for college and instructing them in his much- prized art.

J. THOMAS WRIGHT, Cooch's Bridge, New Castle county, Del., son of Samuel and Ann (McCaslin) Wright, was born on the farm on which he now resides in Pencader hundred, New Castle county, Del., January 30, 1839.

Mr. Wright's grandfather, John Wright, farmer, was born and educated in New Jer- sey. After farming for some time in his na- tive state, Mr. Wright removed to Delaware and bought 150 acres of land situated near Salem Church, White Clay Creek hundred, New Castle county. This land he cultivated and improved, raising abundant harvests. He was so successful that he was able to retire from farm labor, and removed to New Cas- tle, where he spent the last five years of hiq life. Mr. Wright was an old line Whig, in- terested in local polities and a staunch sup- porter of the party. John Wright was mar- ried in New Jersey to Miss Casperson. Their

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 59

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