Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 86

Author: Runk, J.M. & Co
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chambersburg, Pa.
Number of Pages: 1482

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after their marriage, they visited their native island, and passed some time very agreeably among relatives and friends. Mr. Flinn is a Democrat; while interested in the concerns of his adopted country, he prefers his own busi- ness to the cares and uncertainties of public office.

In Wilmington, in 1854, James Flinn was married by the Rev. Father Donahoe to Isa- bella, daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Whitaker) Parker. Mrs. Flinn was born in County Kildare, Ireland, and was an only child. Her mother died when Isabella was but three weeks old; her father, who was a stone mason, also died in his native country; both were members of the Catholic church. Miss Parker came to America in 1851, on the ship Mary Pleasant, landing at Philadelphia; from that city she came to Wilmington, where she had friends, and where she subse- quently met and was married to Mr. Flinn. Their children are: I. Jennie, wife of Henry Steck, foreman of Vance's bakery, Philadel- phia, has children, i. Harry, ii. Walter, iii. George; II. Margaret, wife of Dennis Me- Guire, machinist in the R. R. shops at Wil- mington, has one child, James; III. Isabella, wife of Alfred Lewis, market gardener of Christiana, Del., has children, i. Mabel, ii. Grace, iii. Alfred; IV. John, machinist of Baltimore; V. James, died at the age of eleven years, was a dutiful and promising child. The Flinn family are members of the R. C. church at Wilmington.

JOSEPII LEFEVRE, P. O. New Castle, Del., son of James and Hannah M. (Myers) Le Fevre, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Feb- ruary 22, 1835.

It was about the year 1620, only thirteen years after the first permanent settlement had been made by the English on the James River, in Virginia, that the first representa- tive of the LeFevre family came to the region in which the city of New Castle now stands. This was Jacques, or James LeFevre, born of an old and honorable Huguenot family, in the north of France. He was a lieutenant in the French army; but during the persecutions of that unhappy time, which robbed France of so many of her most valuable citizens, James Le- Fevre and two of his brothers were compelled to exile themselves from their country. The brothers Hypolite and Jean, or John LeFevre,

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STATE OF DELAWARE

took refuge in England, while James became one of the pioneer settlers of Delaware, then a part of the province of Pennsylvania. Here he passed the rest of his life, in the tranquil labors of farming and grape culture; here he died, and his remains were buried in the cem- etery belonging to the Emanuel Church, then a parish of the established Church of Eng- land; he was one of the earliest members of that congregation. This gentleman was the great-great-grandfather, and one of his chil- dren, James LeFevre, 2, was the great grand- father of Joseph LeFevre. James LeFevre 2, whose occupation was wood working, lived and died in the town of New Castle, was a member of the same church with his father, and was interred in the same churchyard.

His son, James LeFevre, 3, was born in New Castle in 1705. He passed his whole life there, devoting it almost entirely to mer- cantile pursuits. He was a prominent citizen, and was active in the struggle of America for freedom, being commissioned as lieutenant in the continental army. He died in New Cas- tle, January 18, 1787, and was buried in the graveyard of Emanuel church; the monument which marks his resting-place stands near the door of the church. James Le Fevre, 3, mar- ried Miss Jaquet, who was, like himself, of French ancestry, and was a native of Wil- mington. Their children were: I. Susan, born July 5, 1773; II. Elizabeth, born Sep- tember 4, 1775; III. Christiana, born Febru- ary 7, 1777; IV. James, born August 3, 1779; V. Ingebor, born June 5, 1782, died July 27, 1817. The honored mother of this family was a member with her husband of Emanuel P. E. church, in which cemetery she also was laid to rest.

Their fourth child and only son, James LeFevre, 4, received a fair education for the time in which he lived, became the father's assistant in the store, and for some years gave his attention to mercantile business in New Castle. Ile afterward sailed as supercargo to Central and South America, returning to New Castle before the war of 1812, during which he was lieutenant in a Pennsylvania regiment. Mr. LeFevre resided in Philadel- phia after the war, and was agent for the Frenchtown R. R., and for the steamboat line connected with that road, consisting of the boats named Robert Morris, Ohio and New Philadelphia; in this position he continued

until 1841, when he retired from active life. He was the owner of several houses in Phila- delphia, in one of which he lived during his declining years. James LeFevre, 4, was mar- ried in Philadelphia to Hannah M. Myers, who was born in Trenton, N. J. Their chil- dren are: I. James, born August 7, 1816, died in Montgomery county, Pa., in 1886; II. John B., born December 4, 1817, is deceased; 1II. Elizabeth, born May 24, 1819, on the same day with Queen Victoria, married Jos- eph D. Stewart, M. D., of Philadelphia, and her son, James Stewart, was born on the same day with the Prince of Wales, and was killed at the battle of Malvern Hill, July 1, 1862; IV. Ingebor (Mrs. John Trump), of Philadel- phia, born May 19, 1821; V. Gustavus HI., born in 1830, died in 1882; VI. William, born in 1832, died in 1838; VII. Joseph, born on Washington's birthday, 1835; VIII. Mary (Mrs. Shinell), of St. Mary's county, Md., born July 9, 1839. Both parents were mem- bers of Christ Church, Philadelphia, and their remains were interred in the old cemetery be- longing to that historie church, at Fifth and Arch streets, Philadelphia. Mrs. Le Fevre was a woman of noble and benevolent spirit and enjoyed the affection and respect of a large circle of friends. Mr. LeFevre, al- though he did not seek public office, always took an active and leading part in the affairs of the community in which he lived. Besides his city property, he owned tracts of land in New Castle hundred.

Having been well educated in the public schools of Philadelphia and at a classical school in the same city, Joseph LeFevre ob- tained a position as clerk in a hardware store; in this employment, however, he spent but a short time, for, with the restless craving for change common to active and intelligent boys, he determined to try a sea-faring life. He ac- cordingly shipped before the mast on board the barque Saragossa, sailing from Philadel- phia to the Gulf of Mexico, to New Orleans and Havana. Nineteen months' trial of this occupation proved satisfying, and after his re- turn to his native city, Mr. LeFevre found a position there as conductor on a street rail- way car, one of the second line in point of time in the city. In 1861, he left the railway company's employ to enlist as private in Com- pany B, Fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Col. Wieksome, Capt. W. J. Robinson. He

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BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

was stationed for three months at Washing- ton, D. C., doing guard duty, and at the end of that time was mustered out. Mr. Le Fevre then removed to his father's farm in New Castle hundred, and became engaged in mar- ket gardening. In 1864, he again left his wife and little family for the defence of his country, enlisting in the Second Delaware Cavalry, known as the Milligan Independent Regiment, and was stationed for two months at Westminster, Md., his regiment acting as scouts. Mr. LeFevre was mustered out with his regiment, August 15, 1864, with the rank of corporal. He then returned to his farm, where he has ever since given his attention to market gardening. He has made many im- provements on his land, which are not only judicious, but tasteful and beautiful. ITis fine frame dwelling was erected in 1894; he has also built a barn at a cost of $3,000. Mr. LeFevre has attended the Wihnington mar- ket for the past thirty-five years; he is well- known, and universally respected for his sen- sible and honorable business methods. Mr. LeFevre is a Democrat, but cast his vote for President Lincoln for his second term; he is a gold standard man; he does not seek office, but has served as school trustee, and as clerk of the board. He is a member of Phil Sheridan Post, No. 21, G. A. R .; he also belongs to St. John's Lodge, F. & A. M.

Joseph LeFevre was married in Philadel- phia, in October, 1864, to Caroline, daughter of Benjamin and Catherine (Lotland) Sykes; Mr. Sykes is English by nativity, and is pro- prietor and manager of the well-known Green Tree hotel, in Philadelphia. Mrs. LeFevre is a native of that city. The children of this marriage are: I. Gustavus, born in Philadel- phia, resides with his father; II. James, born in Philadelphia, died in New Castle hundred, October 12, 1864; III. Ingebor, died October 14, 1865; IV. Nancy M., born in New Castle hundred, resides at home; V. Caroline, also at home; VI. Marion Josephine, died in early womanhood, in 1892; VII. Benjamin S., at home; VIII. Edith, at home; IX. Elizabeth Stewart, attending school in Wilmington. The younger members of the family are gen- ial and intelligent, and their home is the cen- tre of a pleasant circle of acquaintances.

GEORGE MOORE, P. O. New Castle, New Castle county, Del., was born on the

farm on which he now resides in New Castle county, Del., December 17, 1859.

His father, George Moore, son of Henry Moore, was a native of England. When he was a child his parents emigrated to America and settled in New Castle county, Del. Mr. Moore turned his attention to the cultivation of the soil and spent almost his whole life on the DuPont place, a fine farm of 200 acres. Besides harvesting large erops of grain, and raising fine cattle, Mr. Moore owned and man- aged a profitable dairy. His cows were fine animals, and well repaid his care and liberal management. Mr. Moore was a stanch sup- porter of the principles of Democracy, inter- ested in local affairs, but not an office seeker. Ile was well-known and respected in the coun- ty. George Moore was married in New Castle to a lady of English descent. Their children are: I. Florence, died in youth; II. Harry, died in youth; III. George; IV. Robert, died in childhood; V. John, died in youth; VI. Hannah, died in childhood; VII. Emeline ; VIII. Franklin D., farmer; IX. Mary; X. Jennie. Mr. Moore, his wife and family were members of the Episcopal church. He died at his home in New Castle county, July 10, 1880, and is buried in River View cemetery, Wilmington, Del. His widow died at the homestead in 1884, and is buried beside her husband.

George Moore, 2, attended the public schools of New Castle hundred and completed his course in the public schools of New Castle. While still a child he began working on the homestead and has devoted his life to the cul- tivation of the soil. He remained at home, and after his father's death in 1880, took charge of the farm and managed it for his mother until the time of her death, when he began farming for himself. Mr. Moore is a scientific and progressive farmer, his land is well cultivated and produces abundant crops of grain, and his cattle are all in excellent con- dition. His large dairy is supplied from a herd of thirty cows, which are of the best breeds, and thrive under his careful manage- ment. Unremitting industry, honesty and frugality have made Mr. Moore a successful business man, and have earned for him the ease and comfort which he now enjoys. His genial manner has made him a general favor- ite, while his prudence and integrity have won the respect and confidence of his fellow-citi-

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STATE OF DELAWARE

zens. Mr. Moore has been a life-long worker times compelled him to relinquish the enter- in the ranks of Democracy, but he has never sought political preferment. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., of New Castle, Del.

George Moore was married in Wilmington, Del., March 31, 1891, to Mary C., daughter of Robert and Susan (Sehrolet) White, born in St. George's hundred, New Castle county, Del. Their children are: I. Ellen White ; 11. Robert White; III. Henry Burgay. Mr. Moore, his wife and family are members of the Episcopal church and attend Emanuel's church, New Castle, Del. Mrs. Moore's quiet but agreeable manner and intelligent conver- sation make their hospitable home very attrae- tive.

Mrs. Moore's father, Robert White, farmer, was born in New Castle county. His life was devoted to the cultivation of the soil. He had two brothers, William and Henry M., com- missioners of the Levy Court. Robert White was married to Sarah, daughter of Robert and Susan Schrolet, both Germans by descent and natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. White and his wife were members of the Episcopal church. Ile died in Duluth, Minn., in 1874; his widow died in 1888 at Wilmington, Del., and is bur- ied in the old Swedish burial ground in Wil- mington.

EDWARD M. CALLISTER (originally spelled Mc Allister), P. O. New Castle, Del., son of David and Mary E. (Sellitoe) MeAllis- ter, was born in Wilmington, Del., April 7, 1846.

For five years, Edward M. Callister attended the public schools of Pencader hundred; he was a close student, and during that time thor- oroughly mastered the elements of a good English education. He has since added to his stock of knowledge by reading, for which he has much taste; he is also a good writer. As a youth, he was his father's assistant on the farın; and when the family removed to Phila- delphia, he obtained employment as a driver for the Knickerbocker Ice Company, serving satisfactorily for three years. Returning to Delaware, he was engaged for a similar posi- tion with the Pusey Ice Company of Wil- mington, in which also he spent three years. In 1876, he employed his savings in stocking a grocery store in Wilmington, which he con- ducted throughout the business panic of 1876-77; at last, however, the pressure of the

prise. With $1,000 that remained to him, he began dealing in live stock, removing for that purpose to New Castle hundred, where he in- vested in stock for the Philadelphia market. After two years of success in this venture, Mr. Callister rented the farm of F. Janvier in Red Lion hundred, and cultivated it for a year. Ile next rented a farm of 300 acres, belonging to W. A. Clever, in Saint George's hundred; here he engaged in raising grain and stock on a large scale, and continued until 1884; by this time he had laid up an amount sufficient to buy the tract of 194 acres upon which he now resides, and which at that time was the property of G. C. Simpson. In 1889, Mr. Callister's briek dwelling was destroyed by fire; since that misfortune, he has erected a frame house at an expense of more than $2,000, besides making other improvements. Mr. Callister is an active and progressive man, both mentally and physically; he carries on several branches of agricultural business in a thorough and successful way, cultivating grains, raising and dealing in stock, managing a dairy, etc. The same diligence which char- acterized him as a boy at school and in his modest beginnings of business, still continues to ensure the success of his undertakings. All his efforts are well seconded by his faithful and efficient wife. Mr. Callister is a mem- ber of the Grange. He is a Democrat; al- though not specially desirous of office, he has served as school commissioner of his hundred, and as a member of the election board. In 1894, he crossed the Atlantic on a pleasure trip, visiting Liverpool, London, and other places in England, besides points in Wales and Ireland. Although so greatly occupied with business, Mr. Callister has found time to acquire much general information, and maintains his interest in current topics.

Edward M. Callister was married in 1868, in Cecil county, Md., to Mary R., daughter of John R. Lyman, farmer and stock raiser. She was born in Newport, Del. Their children are: I. Calvin, at home; II. Annie R. (Mrs. William Little, of Mill Creek hundred, Del .; III. Lewis II., a student of theology, prepar- ing for the ministry of the M. E. church at Taylor's College, Indiana; IN. J. Leslie, at home; V. Warren Lce, at home; VI. Alice ; VII. John R .; VIII. David; IX. Adelaide; X. Frank; XI. and XII. Cora and Nora,

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BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

twins, who died in their infancy. Mr. Callis- ter and his family are members of the M. E. church.

CHARLES MEGGINSON, P. O. New Castle, Del., son of Richard and Mary (Hodg- son) Megginson, was born in Scarborough, Yorkshire, England, June 27, 1842.

Richard Megginson was a native of the same locality, born in 1800. After complet- ing his school education, he studied civil en- gineering, but not finding that occupation congenial, he abandoned it for farming. He spent his life in his native land, and died there in 1880. Five years after his death, his wife, Mary (Hodgson) Megginson, a native of the same place as her husband, came to this coun- try, and joined her children, residing in New Castle county; she died in Christiana hundred in 1889. The parents were both honored and consistent members of the Church of Eng- land. Their children were twelve in number; William, and six others, died in England; Robert, Richard and Elizabeth died in this country; the only survivors are John, a farmer of White Clay Creek hundred, and Charles.

Ilis school days being ended, Charles Meg- ginson assisted his father in the cultivation of his farm until the young man had reached the age of twenty. He then resolved to follow his elder brother to America, in search of larger opportunities. This was in 1862, during the war of the Rebellion. He embarked at Liver- pool, on the steamer Kangaroo, landed in New York, and came directly to New Castle county, where his brother had settled. IIere he was employed for four years on the farm of Bryan Jackson; for his labor during the first year, he received $11 per month; during the second year, $18.50 per month; and during the last two years, $25 per month. He then went West, and worked for a year on a farm in Morgan county, Ill., after which he came back to the Diamond State, fixed his residence in New Castle hundred, and invested in a threshing machine, which he operated until 1869. 'Mr. Megginson then rented a farin of 75 acres at Brandywine Springs, owned by C. J. Fell; here he spent two years, during which time he did the teaming for the mill. In 1871, he began farming the 200-acre tract of John Johns, in New Castle hundred, rais- ing grain and stock, and conducting a dairy

business. He spent six years on that farm; then two years on the Russell farm; and in 1880, he rented the Hollingsworth farm, com- prising 200 acres in New Castle hundred ; he has cultivated the same place ever since, carrying on all of the above-named branches of business with the success merited by his thorough and diligent methods of work. In 1890, Mr. Megginson, who is a Republican, was elected on the ticket of that party to the office of road commissioner. That his election was due to his personal popularity is evident from the fact that he was the first of his party chosen for that position for thirty-one years, and that no other of the same party has been elected since. He also served one term as school commissioner.

Charles Megginson was married in Mill Creek hundred in 1869, to Elizabeth, daugh- ter of Jabez and Jane ( Ward) Banks, both born in Yorkshire, England; Mr. Banks was a farmer. Mrs. Megginson was born in New Castle. Their children are: I. Frank, a farmer of New Castle hundred, married Jane Blackburn; II. Robert, bookkeeper for the Wilmington and New Castle Electric Rail- way Co .; III. Annie; IV. Richard; V. Wil- liam; VI. Edward; VII. Elmer; VIII. Bessie. Two others, Mary and Louisa, died in child- hood. Mrs. Elizabeth Megginson died in 1886 on the farm, and was interred in the cemetery of the Episcopal church of Mill Creek hundred, of which she was a member. In 1888, Mr. Megginson married Mary (Shade) Stewart, born in Lancaster, Pa .; her father was a blacksmith. She was the widow of Zachariah Stewart, of Wilmington. Mr. Megginson is a member of the M. E. church.

JAMES B. TOMAN, New Castle, Del., son of Bernard and Anna (Shearer) Toman, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., January 12, 1857.

Bernard Toman was a native of County Ty- rone, Ireland, was liberally educated, and emi- grated to America in early manhood. He was fond of horses, and skillful in managing them; and he was employed in Philadelphia as superintendent of Brown's livery stables. Several years later, he went to New Orleans, La., and was for five years engaged in the same business there; he then returned to Phil- adelphia, where he held a position similar to his former one until 1857, when he removed with his family to Gloucester, Mass. Mr.

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STATE OF DELAWARE

Toman was a Democrat, and served his party actively and efficiently but sought no office. Ilis marriage took place in New Castle; his wife, Anna (Shearer) Toman, was born in Derry, Ireland, and was a daughter of Wil- liam Shearer, a well known citizen of New Castle, a weaver, and for many years proprie- tor of the Market Street Hotel in that city. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Toman are: I. Margaret, wife of James E. White, spinner in the woolen mill at New Castle; II. James B. In June, 1857, as Mr. Toman was bathing on the beach at Gloucester with his little daugh- ter, he was seized with cramps, and was drowned. Ilis faithful dog tried to drag him from the water, but in vain, Mr. Toman being of heavy build. He had been noted as an ex- pert swinner, especially among his old ac- quaintances in Philadelphia. His untimely death was much regretted. He was buried at Gloucester, Mass. Mr. Toman was a member of the Roman Catholic church.

Mrs. Toman afterwards married Michael Gallagher, a native of Galway, Ireland, where he had taught school; at the time of their mar- riage he had become a citizen of New Castle. They had children: I. Andrew, proprietor of the Starr Hotel, New Castle; II. John J., of New Castle; III. Mary ( Mrs. John Schich- ardt), of New Castle; IV. Sarah, who died young, and others that died in infancy. Mrs. Toman, afterwards Gallagher, with her fam- ily, is a member of the Catholic church.

When but little more than five months old, James B. Toman lost the care and protection of a father. At the early age of eight years, he was put to work on the farm near Downing- town, Chester county, Pa., where he received his board and a moderate supply of clothing. For two years he worked on that farm in sum- mer, and attended the public school for three months in the winter. He then returned to New Castle county, and for a short time worked on the William Penn farm, for Mr. Callinan, still paid only by his board and clothing. He next worked for about two years in Mill Creek hundred, and for the same farmer in Brandywine hundred. During all these engagements, he had opportunity for only six mouths' attendance at the schools of New Castle. Later, Mr. Toman obtained a position in Shaw's cotton mills of New Castle, beginning in the spinning department, where he was advanced to be second hand; he was

afterwards transferred to the warping depart- ment. He was for nine years employed in this establishment, and left it to assume a position in the dyeing department of Knowles' woolen mill; seven months later, he entered the grind- ing and gauging department of the Morris- Tasker iron works, where he spent three years. By this time, by hard and persevering labor, and strict economy, Mr. Toman had saved a sum of money sufficient to give him an inde- pendent start. In 1879, he undertook to build the United States hotel, one of the finest in New Castle, which he has conducted for eigh- teen years; its first cost was $7,000. Some time after, Mr. Toman formed a partnership with J. E. Toner, now of New York City; they bought a property in New Castle, on which they erected ten fine brick dwellings. Mr. Toman also built a shoe store, a butcher shop and a grocery store; he is owner of an in- terest in the grocery store. His various invest- ments in building amount to over $20,000. In 1889, Mr. Toman made a beginning in the morocco business at Wilmington, but pru- dently gave it up at the time of the panic. Ile owns a farm of 157 acres in Pencader hun- dred, on which he has made many improve- ments; he raises superior stock, and keeps a considerable number of cows for dairy pur- poses. The industry, frugality and good judg- ment which have characterized Mr. Toman's course from his unprotected boyhood through- out mature life, have not only secured his prosperity, but won for him general respect. Ile is a very able and versatile man of busi- ness, capable of conducting at one time many and various interests; his natural ability is amply proved by his having accomplished so much, in spite of his carly lack of opportuni- ties for education.

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 86

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