Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 79

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 79

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Thomas Booth, deceased, formerly of Beth- el township, Delaware county, Pa., son of

James and Lydia (Forwood) Booth, and son- in-law of Valentine Forwood, was born at Booth's Corner, Bethel township, Delaware county, Pa. He was educated in the schools of his native township, and devoted himself to agriculture, spending his whole life on his farm in Bethel township. Mr. Booth was a Republican, interested in all the affairs of the county, but never sought political preferment. Ile was honored and esteemed in the com- inunity for his Christian character, good judg- ment and business ability.

Thomas Booth was married at Booth's Corner to Martha Forwood. Mr. Booth was a consistent member of the M. E. church. He died at his home in Delaware county, Pa., in 1891, and is buried in Siloam M. E. ceme- tery. His widow resides at Talleyville, Del. Her generous disposition and hearty kindness and hospitality have won the love and esteem of her friends and neighbors.

JOSEPHI MILLER, P. O. Grubb's Store, near Wilmington, New Castle county, Del., son of George and Sarah (Taylor) Miller, was born in Christiana hundred, New Castle coun- ty, Del., August 25, 1805.

Mr. Miller's father, George Miller, was a native of Ireland. After his father's death, George, then quite young, accompanied his widowed mother and his two brothers to America. They settled in Christiana hundred, where Mr. Miller devoted himself to the cul- tivation of the soil. He afterwards removed to Brandywine hundred, in the same county, and assumed the management of the Blue Ball Tavern. Five years later, he purchased 80 acres of wild land, which, with the help of his sons, he cleared and brought under cultiva- tion. He erceted on his farm a comfortable dwelling with a barn and outbuildings, and by careful, intelligent labor made of this waste land a valuable property. Mr! Miller was a Democrat, a follower of Thomas Jefferson, highly esteemed and respected in the county. George Miller was married to Sarah Taylor, a relative of . the Springer family of New Castle county, Del., and a distant relative of the late James G. Blaine, of Maine. Their children are: I. Martin, deceased; II. James, deceased; III. Jonas, deceased; IV. Joseph; V. Iliram, de- ceased; VI. George, of Brandywine hundred; VII. Maria, widow of Robert Kirk; VIII.

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Sarah, died in youth. Mr. Miller and his wife were consistent members of the Newark Union M. E. church. He not only helped to build this church, but was always ready to contribute liberally to its support. He lived to celebrate his eighty-seventh birthday, be- loved and honored by all who knew him. He and his wife died on the farm and are buried in Newark Union cemetery.

Joseph Miller was educated in the subscrip- tion schools of Brandywine hundred. He was unable to attend school except during the short winter sessions; the summer months and all his leisure hours were devoted to assisting his father in clearing the homestead. At the age of fifteen, Mr. Miller left home to learn carpentry under William Boyd, manager of the carpenter shops of the DuPont Powder Company, and having become a skilled work- man in that department, was placed under Mr. Murphy, millwright, also in the DuPont works. For eighteen years he was employed as carpenter and millwright in the DuPont works, receiving twenty-four dollars per month. In 1838 Mr. Miller purchased the homestead, 66 acres of land known as the Gar- land tract. For the past sixty years he has devoted himself to farming, market-garden- ing, and raising fine cattle. He has made many improvements on his property, erecting a handsome dwelling, barns and outhouses. He is interested in all of the affairs of Brandy- wine hundred, and has served as supervisor of roads, and as a member of the board of school commissioners. Mr. Miller cast his first presi- dential vote in 1828, for Andrew Jackson, Democrat, and voted for his re-election in 1832. He was identified with the Democratic party until the hard cider campaign of 1840, when he voted for William Henry Harrison. Mr. Miller's land furnished the timber, and · he himself helped to construct the log cabin which was built in Brandywine hundred and taken to Baltimore, Md., during that memora- ble contest. He voted the Whig ticket from that time until 1860, when he became an active worker in the Republican ranks. He has attended eighteen presidential elections, and cast his last vote for William MeKin- ley in 1896. He has never sought political proferment. Mr. Miller is strictly temperate in all his habits, and by his industry, integ- rity and good judgment has won the confi- dence and esteem of all who know him. Ilis

long and useful life is crowned by an active and honored old age. Ninety-three well-spent years have left him in the enjoyment of all his faculties, and able to attend to all the details of his business. His mind is strong and clear, and his memory is excellent. He is an inter- esting talker, and delights in telling stories of old times, especially anecdotes of the war of 1812; that war he remembers distinctly.

Joseph Miller was married, in 1827, in Brandywine hundred, to Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph Robinson. Of their three children, two died in infancy; the third, Sarah ( Mrs. Josephi Beeson), of Litchfield, Ill., died in 1898. Mrs. Miller died in 1832, and is buried in Newark Union cemetery. In 1834, Mr. Miller was married to Sarah, daughter of Ebenezer and Elizabeth (Rodmand) Garland. Mrs. Miller's father was a carpenter, and was a native of Brandywine hundred. The chil- dren of Joseph and Sarah (Garland) Miller are: I. Mary Elizabeth, married Amor G. Forwood, both deceased; II. Rebecca T., de- ceased; III. Maria, at home; IV. Beulah W., deceased; V. Josephine, married to the Rev. Thomas B. Hunter, of Hockessin, Del .; VI. Garland, died in youth; VII. Francina, de- ceased; VIII. , died in infancy. Mrs. Sarah Miller died in 1848, and is buried in Newark Union cemetery. Mr. Miller was married in 1853 at Marcus Hook, Pa., to Re- becca, daughter of John M. Turner, formerly mayor of Wilmington, Del. They have two children: I. Margaret; II. Joseph, both died in youth. For forty-five years Mr. Miller and his wife have enjoyed all the happiness which is found in a well-ordered Christian home. Mrs. Miller's gentle, refined manner and cor- dial hospitality have made her a general favor- ite. For sixty years Mr. Miller has been a member of the M. E. church; he is active in all good works, and contributes liberally to every benevolent enterprise. Ile assisted in the organization of the Sunday-school at New- ark Union church, Brandywine hundred, and labored faithfully for its success. He is be- loved and honored in the county for his long and useful life and his ripe Christian char- acter.

CLARK WEBSTER, P. O. Wilmington, New Castle county, Del., son of Clark and Elizabeth (Abbott) Webster, was born at Sunny Slope, the farm on which he now resides,

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BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

in Brandywine hundred, New Castle county, Del., November 16, 1834.

Thomas Webster, grandfather of Clark Webster, a representative of one of the oldest families in Brandywine hundred, was born in that hundred, where he owned and cultivated a farm of 100 acres, now the home of his „ grandson, Clark Webster. He spent his whole life on this farm, which he greatly improved; his fields yielded rich harvests, and his cattle were always of the best breeds and in excel- lent condition. Mr. Webster was a Whig, in- terested in public affairs, but not an office- seeker. Thomas Webster married Margaret Clark, a native of Delaware. Their children are: I. Margaret (Mrs. Robert Johnson); II. Sarah (Mrs. William Hanby); III. Eliza- beth (Mrs. Benjamin Hanby), of Brandywine hundred; IV. Jane (Mrs. James Murphy), of New Jersey; V. Isabella (Mrs. John Jordan); VI. Thomas, died aged nineteen; VII. Clark; VIII. Mary (Mrs. Owen Zebley). Mr. Web- sfer and his wife were members of the Bethel M. E. church. Both died at the homestead, and are buried in the cemetery at Bethel M. E. church.

Mr. Webster's father, Clark Webster, was born at the homestead and educated in the subscription schools of his native hundred. Ilis life was devoted to agriculture, and was spent on the homestead which he inherited. Mr. Webster was very successful in general farming and in raising fine cattle. He not only increased the value of his patrimony, but secured a competence which enabled him to retire from the cares of active farm life. Ile built for himself a comfortable home on the farm, and there, for twenty years, enjoyed the rest and ease which were the reward of his years of toil and economy. He was a Whig, and afterwards identified himself with the Re- publican party; although he was interested in public affairs, he never desired political preferment. Clark Webster was married to Elizabeth, daughter of John Abbott, a well- known citizen of Brandywine hundred. Their children are: I. Margaret (Mrs. Hiram Lodge), deceased; IT. Thomas, died in youth; III. Rebecca A., deceased; IV. Mary, de- ceased; V. John, deceased; VI. Isaac, de- ceased; VIT. Sara, widow of Reece Baldwin; VIII. and IX. twins, Martha and Elizabeth, widow of Lewis Bird; X. Jane An (Mrs. James A. Perkins), deceased: XI. Clark, 2.

Mr. Webster and his wife were consistent members of the M. E. church, in which he was a steward, and one of the board of trus- tees. He died at the homestead in 1874, his wife died in 1860; both are interred in the cemetery at Bethel M. E. church.

Clark Webster, 2, received his education in the public schools of Brandywine hundred. He inherited the homestead, where he spent his whole life, devoting himself to husbandry. When his father retired from active farm life, Mr. Webster took charge of Sunny Slope, where he now resides. Besides general farm- ing, he has an extensive dairy, and pays par- ticular attention to live stock; his cattle are all blooded animals, and are kept in excellent condition. Mr. Webster has not only im- proved the homestead, but has added acre to acre until he now owns several farms besides the one on which he resides, all of which are cultivated by his sons. Mr. Webster is a Re- publican, and has served his hundred as road commissioner and as a member of the board of school commissioners. He belongs to the Patrons of Husbandry.

On February 3, 1859, Clark Webster was married, in Concord township, Delaware county, Pa., to Rebecca A., daughter of Dut- ton and Margaret (Zebley) Pyle, who were prominent members of the M. E. church, and the descendants'of old families of Delaware county, Pa., where their daughter, Mrs. Clark Webster, was born. Their children are: I. Thomas, farmer of Concord township, Dela- ware county, Pa., married Ella Barlow; II. George W., whose farm, on which he resides, adjoins his father's, married Laura, daughter of Curtis M. Talley, of Brandywine hundred, New Castle county, Del .; III. William, cul- tivating one of his father's farms, married Charlotte Edwards; IV. Elizabeth, died in youth; V. C. Edward, farmer, married Sarah Talley; VI. Dutton P .; VII. Clark 1. Mr. Webster and his wife are members of the M. E. church. He is highly esteemed and honored in the community, where his pleas- ant, hospitable home is ever open to a large circle of friends. Mrs. Webster's gentle kind- ness and intelligent conversation make her a general favorite. All of their children have received a liberal education.

GEORGE L. MILLER, P. O. Wilming- ton, Del., son of George and Sarah (Taylor)

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Miller, was born at the Blue Ball hotel, in Brandywine hundred, New Castle county, Del., November 11, 1811.

George L. Miller was educated in the sub- scription schools of the district. He remained at home, attending school during the winter months and helping his father to clear and improve the homestead. At the age of eighteen he entered the DuPont works, study- ing under William Murphy, millwright, and having served his apprenticeship, worked at his trade in the same establishment for twen- ty years. In 1848 Mr. Miller abandoned his trade and purchased his present home, a farm of 68 acres, then owned by his brother, Jonas Miller. Here he has lived for the past fifty years, devoting his time to farming, market gardening, and raising fine cattle. He has made many improvements, erecting a house and barn and beautifying his property. Mr. Miller cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson in 1832, but voted for the Whig candidate, William Henry Harrison, in 1840, and in 1860 identified himself with the Republican party. He has not desired political prefer- ment and has never accepted any office except that of road commissioner, which he held for several terms. Mr. Miller is strictly temper- ate in all his habits, never using tobacco or in- toxicants in any form. He is an efficient busi- ness man, active and energetic, and a good citizen. With the exception of his brother, Joseph Miller, he is the oldest inhabitant of Brandywine hundred, and, although he has passed his eighty-seventh birthday, he enjoys firm health, and is able to attend to all the details of his business. He is esteemed and honored in the community for his good judg- ment and upright character, and beloved for his kind disposition, which makes him a friend to all in need.

. George L. Miller was married, May 14, 1834, to Jane, daughter of Robert Akin, an influential farmer of New London, Chester county, Pa. Mrs. Miller, who was born in Donegal, Ireland, was in early youth when her parents emigrated to America. Their children are: I. Letitia (Mrs. Samuel Sar- ing), deceased; II. Louisa, widow of Joseph P. Blackburn, of New Castle hundred, New Castle county, Del .; III. James, died in youth; IV. William A., married Emma .J. Walker, died in middle life; V. Mary (Mrs. Lewis F. Talley), of Brandywine hundred;

VI. Sarah M. (Mrs. George Watson), farm- ing the homestead; VII. George W., carpen- ter, Wilmington, Del .; VIII. Robert; IX. Frank, died in youth. Mr. Miller finds his chief pleasure in his home. For sixty years he and his estimable wife enjoyed a full meas- ure of domestic happiness. In 1884 they cele- brated their golden wedding, when all their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchil- dren gathered to do them honor. Mrs. Miller died November 6, 1895, and is buried in the Union cemetery, at Newark, Del.

JOHN TALLEY, P. O. Wilmington, New Castle county, Del., son of Thomas and Mary (Weldon) Talley, was born November 15, 1813, on the farm on which he now resides in Brandywine hundred, New Castle county, Del.

Thomas Talley, farmer and stone mason, father of John Talley, was born on a farm sit- uated on the Falk Road, in Brandywine hun- dred, where he learned his trade and worked at it for a number of years. In the first part of the present century, Mr. Talley purchased a farm of 60 acres, on which he built a house and barn. Here he spent the re- mainder of his life in cultivating and improv- ing his property. He was a Democrat, liberal in his views, and never sought or accepted any office. Thomas Talley was married to Mary Weldon, who was born in Brandywine hun- dred. Their children are: I. Eliza born March 8, 1806, died October 13, 1891; II. George W., deceased, a farmer of Brandywine hun- dred, born February 7, 1808; 1II. Alban, born March 15, 1811, died in youth; IV. John; V. Hannah, born July 25, 1816, married Jacob R. Weldon, both deceased. Mrs. Talley was a member of the Mount Pleasant M. E. church, active in all good works, and greatly beloved for her kindness and liberality. Mr. Talley was liberal in his religious views. He and his wife died at the homestead; both are buried in Union cemetery, at Newark.

John Talley's educational advantages were limited; he attended the subscription schools of Brandywine hundred, but the schools were poorly equipped and the teachers inefficient. He devoted himself to farming, and spent his whole life on the homestead, cultivating and improving his property. He is one of the most successful agriculturists in Brandywine hundred. Mr. Talley was a Democrat, but it

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the time of the Civil War, influenced by con- scientious motives, he identified himself with the Republican party and has since then voted that party's ticket. He is interested in public affairs, but has never held office. Mr. Talley is genial and hospitable, well-read and interesting in conversation. He has a fine „constitution, and is entirely unacquainted with sickness. He has never worn spectacles, and is able to read the smallest print without difficulty.

John Talley was married to Sarah, daugh- ter of Isaac Stidham, a well-known resident of Brandywine hundred, where Mrs. Talley was born. Their children are: I. Eliza Jane (Mrs. Isaac R. Staats) of Blackbird hundred, New Castle county, Del .; II. Isaac S., a farmer of Brandywine hundred, married Eliza Beeson; III. Anna Mary, married Lewis MeCrea, a farmer of Brandywine hun- dred; IV. John, farming the homestead, mar- ried Lily, daughter of William Mayne; V. Louise (Mrs. John F. Carver). Mrs. Talley was a consistent member of Mount Pleasant M. E. church. She died at the homestead, in 1893, and is buried in Union cemetery, at Newark, Del.

BAYARD GUEST, P. O. Bellevue, New Castle county, Del., son of Joseph B. and Maria (Wilkinson) Guest, was born in Bran- dywine hundred, New Castle county, Del., September 23, 1829.

Among the original settlers of the part of Delaware now included in Brandywine hun- dred were representatives of this family, whose members have all been useful and in- fluential citizens. Joseph B. Guest, father of Bayard Guest, was born on a farm in Brandy- wine hundred, where he spent his whole life. Here he owned a tract of land which he im- proved and cultivated until the time of his death. He was a Republican, interested in public affairs, but not an office- seeker. Joseph B. Guest was married to Maria Wilkinson, a native of New Castle county, Del. Their children are: I. Bayard; II. Henrietta (Mrs. Stephen Thompson), de- ceased; III. James IIenry, a prominent farmer of Brandywine hundred, deceased; IV. Mary; V. Alfred W., of Los Angeles, C'al .; VI. Mar- tha, married Daniel Ferguson, both deceased; VII. Joseph W., a farmer of Brandywine hundred. Mr. Guest and his wife died at the

homestead; both are buried in the Union cem- etery in Newark, Del.

Bayard Guest attended the district schools of his native hundred, and remained at home, assisting his father, until he attained his ma- jority. In 1850 he began learning bricklay- ing at Wilmington, Del., with John Flynn. After working at his trade for five years, Mr. Guest returned to Brandywine hundred, and settled on what is known as the Fairview farm, a tract of 45 acres, then owned by his father- in-law, Edward Beeson. For more than forty years, Mr. Guest made this place his home. Ile devoted himself to farming and market gardening, and made many improvements on the property, building a barn, suitable out- buildings, and a comfortable frame dwelling, which was beautifully situated, and command- ed an extensive viey of the Delaware and of the surrounding country. In 1892 he rented his farm, and since then has been living in re- tirement at his home on the banks of the Del- aware. Mr. Guest is a Republican, and has served as road commissioner for one term. So- ciety has no charms for him. He prefers the quiet of country life, and the companionship of his genial, loving wife. Both are benevo- lent and hospitable, beloved and esteemed by their friends and neighbors.

Bayard Guest was married, in 1853, in Brandywine hundred, to Mary Jane, daughter of Edward and Mary (Stedham) Beeson. They have two children: I. Eliza Jane; II. William. Both died in infancy.

Mrs. Guest's grandfather, Edward Beeson, a native of Brandywine hundred, was of Eng- lish ancestry. He owned 400 acres of land, and was prominent in the hundred as a sue- vessful farmer and a raiser of fine cattle. His whole life was spent on his farm in Brandy- wine hundred. He was interested in public affairs, and identified himself with the Whig party. Edward Beeson was married to Mary Stedham. Their children are: I. Edward; II. John; III. Henry; IV. Alice, deceased. Mr. Beeson and his wife died at the home- stead; both are buried in the Union cemetery at Newark, Del.

Edward Beeson, father of Mrs. Bayard Guest, was born on the Beeson homestead. edu- cated in the public schools of his native hun- dred, and remained with his father until he attained his majority. On leaving home, he received from his father the gift of a farm of

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STATE OF DELAWARE

175 acres situated on the banks of the Deia- ware. Ifere Mr. Beeson spent his life, devot- ing himself entirely to agriculture. His prop- erty was well cultivated and highly improved. lle also built a large, comfortable stone dwell- ing, with a barn and outbuildings. He was a Whig, interested in public affairs, but never sought political preferment. Edward Beeson married Mary, daughter of Jacob Stedham, a well-known citizen of Brandywine hundred. Their children are: I. William, died in youth; II. John, died in youth; III. Henry, died in youth; IV. Eliza, widow of James Henry Guest, brother of Bayard Guest; V. Mary Jane (Mrs. Bayard Guest); VI. Edward, died in youth; VII. Lydia A. (Mrs. William C. Kellum), of Piasa, Ill .; VIII. Anna Maria (Mrs. M. T. Shellam), of Los Angeles, Cal. Mr. Beeson and his wife were highly esteemed by their friends and neighbors. Mr. Beeson died at the homestead in 1852, and is buried in the Union cemetery, at Newark, Del .; his widow died and was buried in Macoupin coun- ty, Ill., in 1870.

WILLIAM BIGLER LIVERMORE, Bellevue, New Castle county, Del., son of Joseph and Margaret (Bigler) Livermore, was born in Mercer county, Pa., April 10, 1840.

Joseph Livermore, his father, was for many years commissioner of the Penn- sylvania canal, and afterwards held a po- sition in the United States custom house, in New York City, N. Y. He was married to Margaret Bigler, a sister of William Bigler, governor of Pennsylvania from 1852 to 1855. Of their three children one died in youth; those surviving are: I. William B .; II. Flor- ence (Mrs. Franklin Fielding), of Clearfield county, Pa. Mr. Livermore died in New York City, N. Y., in 1860; his wife died in Harrisburg, Pa.

William B. Livermore attended the public: schools of Mercer county, Pa., and the high school at Middletown, Dauphin county, Pa., and completed his scholastic course at Emaus Institute, at Middletown, Pa. After his grad- nation, he secured a position as clerk in a store in Middletown, where he remained for two years. In 1859, Mr. Livermore was appointed page to the United States Senate, at Wash- ington, D. C. He held this position during the stormy sessions of 1859, '60 and '61, and was enabled to listen to the most eminent men

of the country, as they discussed the important questions of the day. He heard Jefferson Davis, Senator from Mississippi, afterwards president of the Southern Confederacy, make his last speech on the floor of the Senate, and on March 4th, 1861, saw the inauguration of the first Republican president, Abraham Lin- coln, the martyr. In the spring of 1861, Mr. Livermore went to Philadelphia, Pa., where he had secured a position as elerk in the drug store of Mr. Goodyear. On August 19, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Eleventh Pennsyl- vania Cavalry, Col. Harlan, Captain John Struthers, and served for three years. The corps to which the regiment belonged was sta- tioned in Southern Virginia, and was under the command of Generals Butler, Dix, and Wool. Mr. Livermore took part in several en- gagements, and was mustered out at Bermuda Hundred, August 20, 1864. Returning to Philadelphia, he resumed his duties as clerk, but constant confinement so impaired his health that he was obliged to change his occu- pation, and he obtained a position as line-man for the Western Union Telegraph Company. In 1868, while working at Frankford, Phila- delphia, he fell from a pole and broke both legs. Three months later, having recovered from the effects of this accident, Mr. Liver- more learned telegraphy, and found employ- ment in Philadelphia as an operator on the city lines; he afterwards held a similar position on the West Chester and Philadelphia Rail- road. His duties were so promptly and ef- ficiently discharged, that in 1874 he was ap- pointed an extra operator for the Pennsyl- vania Railroad Company. In 1875, he se- cured his appointment as operator for the P. W. and.B. R. R., at Edgemoor, Del., and in the same year was removed to Bellevue, where he spent five years as operator. In 1880, the company testified its appreciation of his ser- vices by making him their agent at Bellevue. In the same year, he was appointed agent for the Adams Express Company in that place. Mr. Livermore still holds these positions, dis- charging the duties devolving upon, him with characteristic promptness and fidelity. In 1882 he became postmaster of Bellevue, re- ceiving his commission from President Ar- thur. ITis genial manner, his exactness and willingness to oblige, make him a general favorite. For sixteen years he has managed the business of the office to the entire

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 79

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