Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 83

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 83

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Samuel File, 3, received a subscription school education, the best obtainable in the country in his youth. He was a farmer and cooper, learning his trade with his father. For a short time he was a mate on one of his father's vessels. While a young man, he went to Lancaster county, Pa., and for some years worked at coopering there; he afterwards fol- lowed the same calling in Philadelphia, but during the spring freshets of 1852, in the Schuylkill river, his work-shop was swept away, and he lost everything. He then re- moved with his family to Wilmington, where he continued to work at the same trade for several years. He was an ardent supporter of the Democratic party, but never sought office. Samuel File, 3, was married in Wil- mington, to Margaret Ann, daughter of Daniel Morris, a farmer of Kent county, Del.,

where she was born in 1820. Their children are: I. Jane; HI. John, who died in infancy, as did Jane also; III. John, a cooper, of Dela- ware county, Pa .; IV. Samuel, 4; V. Wil- liam B., deceased; VI. James, a coach trim- mer, Aberdeen, Md .; VIL. Franklin P., coach trimmer of Wilmington, Del .; VIH. William, a currier at C. & J. Pyle's factory, Wilmington, Del .; three children besides those mentioned, died in infancy. The parents both died in Wihnington, Mr. File in Novem- ber, 1861, and Mrs. File in November, 1894. Mr. File was a faithful and respected mem- ber of the Presbyterian church of that place, and was interred in the Wilmington and Brandywine cemetery, of Wilmington, Del. Mrs. File was an equally good and devoted member of the M. E. church, and was interred in the Riverview Cemetery, of Wilming- ton, Del. They had a large circle of friends.

Their fourth child, Samuel File, was edu- cated in the public schools of Wilmington. In January, 1862, he enlisted as drummer boy in the Third Regiment, Delaware Volunteer Infantry, Company E, Col. William O. Red- den, Capt. Wm. M. Plunkett. Mr. File served for thirty-nine months, during eight of which he was division ward master in the City Point Hospital. During the rest of the time, he ac- companied his regiment as one of its stout- hearted drummers into every engagement with the enemy. For a year after his return to his home, he worked at cooperage with his brother; he was then employed by the C. & J. Pyle Company, patent leather manu- facturers, as laborer, until 1869, when he was placed in charge of their packing and shipping department. In 1887, he was appointed superintendent of their Southwark factory, and is still engaged in the duties of that re- sponsible position, exercising supervision over the employees of the factory. Mr. File is a stanch Republican. He is a member of vari- ous fraternities in Wilmington; the I. O. II., the K. M. C., and Wilmington Camp, No. 34, U. V. L., of which he has been Lt. Colonel.

Sammel File was married in 1869, at Ches- ter, Pa., to Josephine, daughter of Joseph Ginder, a machinist of Wilmington, which was her native city. Mr. Ginder was a Demo- erat and a member of the Catholic church. Mrs. File was of the same religion as her father, and died in 1882. They had one son,

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STATE OF DELAWARE

Joseph, who was born January 6, 1870, and died April 19, 1897.

Samuel File married again in 1885, Miss Eleanor Fullmer, daughter of Joseph Full- mer, who was a moulder, of Wilmington. The children of this marriage are: I. Helen; H. Samuel, Jr. Mrs. File and the family are members of the Catholic church, but Mr. File is a member of the Presbyterian church. There have been five generations of this fam- ily, represented in the wars of this country. Samuel (1), Revolutionary. Samuel (2), war of 1812. John, a brother, in the Mexican War. Samuel (4), in the war of the Re- bellion, and John, grandson of Samuel (3), in the war with Spain.

DAVID McCOY, P. O. Farnhurst, Del., son of James and Elizabeth (Morrison) Me- Coy, was born in New Castle hundred, July 6, 1841.

His grandfather Nathaniel McCoy, who was Scotch by birth, came to America when a young man, and settled on a farm in White Clay Creek hundred, which he cultivated during the remainder of his life. Ile always voted with the Democratic party, and was an active and faithful member of the Presby- terian church. Nathaniel McCoy married a lady of Scotch descent, Miss Haugh- thorn. They had two children, Robert, and Sarah. After the death of his wife Mr. McCoy married a Miss Ferguson. Their children were: I. James; II. Mary A. (Mrs. II. Rowan); III. Emeline (Mrs. James Grows); IV. George; V. Isabelle (Mrs. Eli Jones). All are now deceased. Mr. McCoy was buried in the Presbyterian cemetery at Christiana, Del.

The eldest of this excellent family, James MeCoy, was all his life a farmer. After ob- taining an education in the subscription schools, he remained on the farm with his father until, having arrived at manhood, he began farming on his own account in White Clay Creek hundred; in 1879, he bought 180 acres in New Castle hundred, on which he resided from that time until his death. He built a fine dwelling, and made other improve- ments on his land. His wife, Elizabeth Mor- rison, was born in White Clay Creek hundred. Their children are: I. Nathaniel, died young; II. Douglas, died in October, 1897: 111.

John, a minister of the Presbyterian church, Lancaster county, Pa .; IV. David; V. Wil- liam II., on the home farm; VI. J. Frank, a Pullman car conductor, Wilmington, Del. James MeCoy's political views were Demo- cratic. Ile was a member of the White Clay Creek Presbyterian church, in whose come- tery his remains and his wife's were interred; he died November 4, 1884, and Mrs. McCoy in 1888, after a united life of consistent de- votion to duty.

Hugh Morrison, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Elizabeth ( Morrison) McCoy, was Scotch by nativity. Ile came as a settler to Dela- ware in 1642, and began farming in what is now White Clay Creek hundred, where he spent his life. He was a member of the Pres- byterian church. His children were among the first white children born in that part of the state. His son Robert was also a farmer; he owned and cultivated 160 acres in the same hundred with his father, where he died. On this farm he made various improvements. Robert Morrison married Ann Douglas, of Saint George's hundred, New Castle county: their children were: I. Isaac, a physician; II. David, a soldier in the continental army; III. Robert; IV. Douglas; V. Susan; VI. Ann. All of the family died unmarried, except Douglas. Robert Morrison, a Presbyterian, as all his fathers were, was warmly patriotic, and took an active part in the Revolutionary war. He was robbed of a large number of his cattle by the British soldiers. He was killed by the falling of a log, and was interred in Mill Creek hundred, where his wife's re- mains also repose. His son, Douglas Morri- son, began keeping a hardware store in New Castle when a young man, and continued it until the death of his father, when he returned to the homestead in White Clay Creek hun- dred, and passed his life in cultivating it. He was a . Democrat. He married Elizabeth Wilson, also a representative of a Scotch family; their children were: I. George, born in 1797, was a soldier in the war of 1812, is deceased; HI. Catharine Ann (Mrs William Kelley), born in 1800, is deceased; III. David; IV. Matilda (Mrs. Capt. Heury), de- ceased; V. David, still living, at the age of ninety, at the Old Man's Home, in New Cas- tle hundred; VI. Robert, deceased; VII. Elizabeth (Mrs. James McCoy), deceased. Douglas Morrison died on the homestead in

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1849, and was buried in Mill Creek hundred. Ile was a worthy and respected man.

Ilaving been educated in the public schools of White Clay Creek hundred, David Me- C'oy continued to reside on the homestead until he reached the age of thirty-two. Ile then removed to one of the farms known as the Commons, near New Castle, where he - spent twenty years. In 1894, he was appoint- ed superintendent of the New Castle county hospital, and has since that time filled his responsible position very ably, and with fideli- ty. His wife, a genial and kind-hearted lady, is his capable assistant. Mr. McCoy was for ten years a director of the public schools of New Castle hundred. He is a member of Lafayette Lodge, St. John's Chapter, No. 14, F. & A. M., and of the Blue Lodge, of Wil- mington.

David McCoy was married, March 10, 1874, to Emma A., daughter of John and Sarah A. (MeFarland) Alrich. Mrs. McCoy was born in White Clay Creek hundred; her father was of Swiss, and her mother of Scotch- Trish descent. The children of Mr. and Mrs. McCoy are: I. Elizabeth A .; II. Frank A., attending the high school. All the family attend the Presbyterian church, of which Mr. McCoy is a trustee.

JOHN H. BLACKBURN, P. O. box 72, Wilmington, Del., son of Joseph and Edith (Jones) Blackburn, was born at Elsmere, New Castle county, July 10, 1852.

Joseph Blackburn, who was a descendant of an English family, was born in White Clay Creek hundred, where he received his school education, and grew up amid the surround- ings of farm life. He learned and for some years worked at carpentry in Wilmington, and afterwards followed the same vocation for five years in Philadelphia, then again for five years in Wilmington. Then for ten years he cultivated a farm in Saint George's hundred, after which he retired from active life, and spent his declining years in the city of Wil- mington. He was a Republican. Joseph Blackburn was married in Wilmington, to Edith, daughter of Rev. William Jones, of the M. E. church; she was a native of New Castle county. Their children are: I. Sam- uel, deceased; II. Elizabeth, widow of N. Frame; III. Joseph, deceased, was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion; IV. Sarah (Mrs.

William Kirkley), of Wilmington; V. Wil- liam, of Philadelphia, held a Lieutenant's commission in the war of the Rebellion; VI. Theodore, deceased, also enlisted in the late war; VII. B. Frank; VIII. John H. Joseph Blackburn was a faithful and honored mem- ber of the M. E. church. He died in June 17, 1871, in Wilmington, and was interred at Mount Salem cemetery, where Mrs. Black- burn also is buried; she survived her husband until 1889.

At the age of eighteen, John H. Black- burn, having been educated in the public schools of Saint George's hundred, living on the farm, went to Wilmington, to learn car- pentry with Mr. H. F. Dure. At this he spent three years, and was then employed at his trade in Philadelphia for ten years. His next engagement made him again a resident of Wilmington, where he was employed in the car shops for ten years, in building cars. Af- ter this, he was an electrician in New York until December, 1895, when he received his present appointment, that of superintendent of the Minquadale Home for Aged Persons. In this position, he has carefully and credita- bly fulfilled his duties, being faithful to the trust committed to him by the board of man- agers, and kind and judicious in his treatment of those under his care. Mr. Blackburn has always been a Republican, but has never sought any publie office.

John II. Blackburn was married in Saint George's hundred, in December, 1878, to ('e- leste, daughter of James Padley, and a native of Delaware City. Their children are: I. Frank; II. Henry; both are farmers in Mary- land. Mrs. Celeste Blackburn died in 1886. Mr. Blackburn was again married, in 1894, to Flora Sillitoe.

GEORGE ALLEN SMITH, New Castle, Del., son of William and Martha (Talbot) Smith, was born in New Castle, May 7, 1850.

William Smith was a native of Chester county, Pa., where he received his education, learned masonry, and was engaged in brick- laying for several years. He continued in the same vocation after his removal to New C'as- tle, which took place while he was still a young man. Ife erected a number of brick dwellings in the town, three of which were his own property; besides a mun- ber of dwelling-houses and barns in

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parts of New Castle hundred. Rather late in life, he abandoned his trade for farming. Mr. Smith was well known throughout the county. Ile was a Democrat; he was elected road com- missioner for eight years, and tax collector for four terms. ITis wife, Martha (Talbot) Smith, whom he married at New Castle hundred, was born at Smyrna, Del., in 1822. Their chil- dren art: I. James Morton, of Philadelphia; II. Lydia (Mrs. J. A. Cloyd), of Wilmington; III. George Allen; IV. Leslie V., of Camden, N. J .; V. ITorrin, of Wilmington, a brick ma- son; VI. Leighton, died young. William Smith died on his farm in New Castle hun- dred in 1880, and is buried in New Castle, in the cemetery belonging to the M. E. church, of which he was a member. Mrs. Smith sur- vived until 1888 and is also interred in New Castle.

After attending the public schools of New Castle during his early years, George A. Smith became a student at St. Mary's College, in Wilmington, and was graduated in 1868. He then worked for four years with Pickes & C'ottor, tinsmiths, of Wilmington, learning their handicraft. He next turned his atten- tion to telegraphy, acquiring the art at the New Castle Marine Exchange, where he was engaged for nine years as reporter and oper- ator. This connection being ended, Mr. Smith became clerk in the store of J. S. Elia- son, New Castle, where he spent three years; then one year and a half in the store of Lan- caster & Klauder, and six years with the firm of Frazer & Bro., both of the same town. In 1890, he became foreman in the cloth room of Knowles' Mill, New Castle; in 1892, he entered the office of the mill as clerk and assistant bookkeeper; and in 1894, he was promoted to his present position, that of su- perintendent of the mill. His duties are dis- charged in such a manner as to win for him the favor not only of the proprietor of the mill, but of those in his employ; and this mill is run by the aid of 280 hands. Mr. Smith is a Democrat; he is not an office seeker, but was tax collector of New Castle in 1879-80. IIe is a member of the A. O. U. W., in which he has passed all the chairs; also of the I. O. O. F., and the I. O. R. M.

George Allen Smith was married in Phila- delphia, in February, 1874, to Louisa B. daughter of Thomas Frazer, a late merchant of Glasgow, Del., Mrs. Smith's native town.

Their only child is Alpha F., who attends school. Mr. Smith is a member of the M. E. church.

JOHN T. HAYES, P. O. Red Lion, Del., son of Thomas R. and Elizabeth (Scurry) Hayes, was born in Saint George's hundred, New Castle county, Del., May 19, 1844.

The Hayes family is of English ancestry. John Hayes, grandfather of John T. Hayes, was a native of Delaware, and owned two 'farms, comprising more than 250 acres of ara- ble land, in Saint George's hundred. He was one of the early inhabitants of that hundred, and a promoter of improvements, not only on his own property, but throughout the vicinity. Ile was a member of the M. E. church, and was active and liberal in his church relations, taking a leading part. A part of the burying ground of the church, as well as the plot upon which the house of worship is built, was his gift to the congregation. He was a class leader, and a man of much influence. His wife, also an excellent and faithful member of the church, was Miss Rutter. They were mar- ried in Saint George's hundred, where also both died and were buried, Mr. Hayes at the age of eighty-three. Their children were : I. Thomas R .; II. John; III. William; IV. Robert; V. Richard; VI. King; VII. Sarah; VIII. Mary; IX. Adeline; X. Emma; all but the last two are deceased.

Thomas R. Hayes, born in Saint George's hundred, was educated there in the subscrip- tion schools, and became a farmer. He work- ed on the homestead until he arrived at man- hood, and then for several years cultivated one of his father's farms on shares. He after- wards rented a farm at Bohemia Manor, Md., and for some years later engaged in the hotel business at Head of Sassafras, Md., in which he continued for a number of years. He was a Democrat. Being a kindly and genial man, he had a large circle of friends. Thomas R. Hayes was married in Saint George's hundred; his wife, Elizabeth Seurry, was of English descent, but born in Delaware. Their children are: I. Cuthbert, died in middle age; II. Sarah, widow of Washington Houston; II. Owen, of Phila- delphia; IV. John T .; V. Robert, deceased; VI. Theodore, of Chestertown, Md .; VII. Mary (Mrs. William Johnson), of Middle- town, deceased. Mr. Hayes spent the latter

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years of his life with one of his daughters, at her home in Chesapeake City, Md. He died there, and is buried in the same city, in Bethel cemetery. All his family attended the M. E. church.

Having begun his studies in the public schools of Saint George's hundred, John T. Hayes completed them with a three years' course at the academy in Middletown, Del. He assisted his father on the home farm until he reached the age of twenty-two, when he rented for three years a farm at Bohemia Manor. At the end of that time, he went into business as a cigar manufacturer at Mid- dletown, Del., and continued there for four years. He then returned to Bohemia Manor, and farmed for ten years; then rented a farm in New Castle hundred for three years. In 1894, he bought 40 acres of the Diehl farm, which he greatly improved, building a fine house and barn; all this cost him over three thousand dollars. On this farm he has begun the business of fruit culture, and has thus far met with very encouraging success. Mr. Hayes has always supported the Democratic party. He was for six years a school director. From 1891 to 1896, he was collector of delin- quent taxes for New Castle hundred, and was appointed tax collector of the hundred by the commissioner of Levy Court for 1897; his work in these positions has been well and faithfully performed. He formerly belonged to the K. of P., and is Past Master and Seere- tary of the Grange.

John T. Hayes was married at Middletown, in the fall of 186-, to Henrietta W., daugh- ter of James Garey, a farmer of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where she was born. Their children are: I. Annie; II. Harry, re- sides at home, married Frances Grimes; III. J. Corbit, at home, married Bessie Diehl, has one child, Eunice; IV. Lydia (Mrs. Henry P. Gray), of Red Lion, Del .; V. Catherine ( Mrs. Clayton Appleby); VI. Bertha, at home; VII. Grace; VIII. Frank; IX. Etta; all at home. Mrs. Hayes is a member of the M. E. church.

JOSEPH T. GOUGHI, P. O. Bear, Del., son of Thomas HI. and Sarah P. (Spry) Gough, was born April 12, 1864, in East Dover hun- dred, Kent county, Del.

His maternal ancestry was Scottish, and his paternal of English descent. His father, Thomas H. Gough, was born in Talbot coun-

ty, Md., in 1825, where he grew up and re- ceived his education. Ile came when a young man to Kent county, Del., where he carried on mercantile business and farming for many years. He afterwards returned to Henderson, Md., where he continued farming, and where he still resides. He is a Republican. Thomas II. Gough married, in Caroline coun- ty, Md., Sarah P. Spry, a native of that county. Their children are: I. William S., of Tipton county, Ind .; II. Charles E., of Bal- timore, Md .; III. Alfonza (Mrs. John Wood), of Queen Anne county, Md .; IV. Laura H. (Mrs. Charles Butler), of Kent county, Del .; V. Thomas F., of New York city; VI. Lena (Mrs. David Sraght, of Breadysville, Pa .; VII. Joseph T .; VIII. Martha (Mrs. Warren Bos- sart), of Philadelphia; and four who died in infancy. The excellent mother died in ITen- derson, Md., in 1884. Mr. Gough and his family are respected members of the M. E. church.

In the public schools of IIenderson, Md., Joseph T. Gough laid the foundation of an education which he has since greatly increased and perfected by observation and reading. Soon after leaving school and while still in his boy- hood, he spent a year in acquiring practice in telegraphy, in the Pennsylvania R. R. of- fice at Henderson, and at the age of eighteen was appointed agent and operator in that of- fice; he also became agent at the same station for the Adams Express Company, and contin- ued to perform the duties of both positions efficiently for seven years. In 1889, he was transferred, in the same capacities, to Bear Station, New Castle county, Del., where he continues to the present time, a satisfactory and popular official at once with the railroad company, the express company and the pub- lic. In 1894, Mr. Gough built a store, and embarked in a general mercantile enterprise, including traffic in lumber, coal, phosphates; this undertaking proved successful, and he added the grain business, renting the R. R. company's elevator. In addition to these in- dustries, Mr. Gough was for two years post- master at Bear, having been appointed by President Cleveland. He began his business activities early in life, and without capital; thanks to his tireless industry and judicious management, he has achieved success, and, though still young, is a man of assured posi- tion. Mr. Gough is a Democrat. He is a

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member of the Masonic Lodge, at Delaware City, Del., and of the I. O. O. F., No. 42, of Bear Station, the lodge meeting in his store; and member of Grand Lodge of the State of Del. He is also a member of the fraternity of R. R. Telegraphers, a member of school board and treasurer of Red Lion Marsh Company.

Joseph T. Gough was married in East Do- ver hundred, Kent county, in 1890, to Mar- tha J., daughter of Isaac Thomas, a farmer, of English descent; Mrs. Gough was born in East Dover hundred. They have one child, Joseph Thomas, born in 1897. Mr. Gough is a member of the M. E. church.

PAUL GILLIS, Farnhurst, New Castle county, Del., son of Laughlin and Mary (Vass) Gillis, was born on Prince Edward's Island, British America, September 29, 1847.

Both his parents were natives of the same island, on which they passed their lives. Laughlin Gillis was of Scotch, and his wife of Irish descent. His occupation throughout life was farming. Their children are: I. Hugh; II. Mary (Mrs. Hiltor), a widow, of Ontario, Canada; III. Paul; IV. John, of Wisconsin; V. Margaret (Mrs. Alexander McGinnis), of P. E. I. Three children died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Laughlin Gillis both died and are in- terred on their native island.

After obtaining there a good common school education, Paul Gillis remained at home until he was seventeen years old. At that time, with a boy companion of his, he engaged as deck hand on a sailing vessel, and for two years followed the sea. They sailed from Philadelphia and other ports. Mr. Gillis then came to Delaware, and found employ- ment on the farm of Charles Walton, of New- ark, with whom he spent four years and a half. He then rented and cultivated a farm in Pencader hundred for two years, then re- moved to another, in White Clay Creek hun- dred, where he spent three years. During this time, he saved enough to buy a small farm, which he tilled for several years, rent- ing other land besides. Ilis agricultural op- erations proved abundantly successful. As he became known in and beyond his own neighborhood, his reputation for probity and business ability made him popular. He was, from the time he became a citizen of the Uni- ted States, an ardent supporter of Republican

principles. He was elected a commissioner of the Levy Court for four years, but the legis- lature of the state having abridged the term, he served only two years. In 1594, Mr. Gillis was elected on the Republican ticket to the highest county office, that of sheriff, which he filled for the entire term most faithfully and creditably. Having purchased the Randolph Peters nursery farm of 134 acres, in New Castle hundred, he is now engaged in farm- ing, making a successful specialty of fruit growing. Mr. Gillis is a member of Oriental Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Newark; of the K. of P .; and of Christiana Encampment, A. O. U. W.

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 83

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