Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 91

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 91

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Ilukill married Susannah, daughter of An- drew and Hannah MeMurphey. Mrs. Hukill was born in Appoquinimink hundred; her fa- ther was a farmer of Scotch-Irish descent. Mr. and Mrs. Hukill had children: I. Mary C., resides with her brother Gideon E .; II. Hannah E., deceased; III. William A., of Wilmington, Del .; an auctioneer; IV. Edwin M., of Pittsburg, an oil and gas producer ; V. Rachel A., deceased; VI. John F., died in 1867; VII. Sarah V., deceased; VIII. Gideon E., 2; IX. Laura, deceased; X. George P., of Oil City, Pa. Mr. Hukill died on one of his farms in 1856, when 47 years old. He was buried in Odessa, Del. Mrs. Hukill died in Odessa in 1887, and was buried there. She was a member of the M. E. church.

Gideon E. ITukill, 2, worked on the farm in his early days and attended the public school of Blackbird, Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, Pa., and was graduated in 1866 from the United States College of Business and Fi- nance, New Haven, Conn. After the com- pletion of his commercial course he occupied clerical positions in a business house of New York and Philadelphia, where he remained two years. In 1868 he joined the big army that went to the west in search of material advancement and settled in Omaha, Neb. He was there but a short time and returned to Delaware to enter the establishment of J. B. Fenimore & Co., huber merchants of Mid- dletown. Mr. Fennimore's associate in bus- iness was John F. ITukill, a brother of Gideon E., 2, who died in 1869; Gideon E. sneceeded him in the firm. In 1875 Mr. Hukill pur- chased the interest of his partner and for the past twenty-three years has conducted the business under the name of G. E. Hukill. Mr. Hukill is an extensive dealer in lumber, coal and general building material, hardware, paints, etc. The old firm, which was estab- lished in 1866, conducted the lumber and building material business under its firm name. Mr. Hukill in 1896 extended the busi- ness by separating the hardware department from the lumber and opening a branch estab- lishment under the name of the Middletown Hardware House. In addition to managing his other business interests Mr. Hukill has erected a number of fine dwelling houses in Middletown. He is the foremost business man of the place, enterprising, of shrewd com- mercial sense, and successful and is genial and

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popular. He is a stockholder and director of the Middletown Building and Loan Associa- tion, and was, at one time, its president. Hc is a Republican but has never had a desire to hold office.

Gideon E. Hukill was married, November 23, 1870, in Middletown, to Margaret R., daughter of Joshua B. and Sarah (Collins) Fenimore, his late business associate. They had one child, Jessie, a graduate of Drew La- dies' Seminary of Carmel, N. Y. Mrs. Hu- kill died in 1874 and was buried in St. Anne's cemetery, Middletown. Mr. Hukill married, in 1888, Margaret S., daughter of Jonathan K. and Frances (Shalleross) Williams. His second wife was born near Odessa; her father is a large landowner and farmer of St. George's hundred, New Castle county, Del. Mr. and Mrs. Hukill have children: I. Emery W .; II. George R .; III. Jonathan K .; IV. an infant. Mr. Hukill is a member of the M. E. church, and is president of the Board of Trustees.

IION. WILLIAM PIERSON BIGGS, Middletown, Del., son of John and Diana (Bell) Biggs, was born on the Biggs home- stead in Pencader hundred, New Castle, Del., January 22, 1838.

John Biggs was a native of Cecil county, Md., born October 12, 1789. He was carefully educated in his native place, learned shoemaking, and exercised his calling for many years, first in Maryland, and afterwards in Pencader hundred, Del., whither he re- · moved while he was a young man. He was intelligent, laborious and thrifty, and having accumulated means sufficient to purchase a farm in Pencader hundred, he turned his at- tention to agriculture. In this business he was eminently successful, and as his capital increased, he not only improved his original purchase of land, but added to it, until he was the owner of more than six hundred acres of Delaware land, and of a tract of about the same extent in Cecil county, Md. His most precious possession, however, was the upright- ness and diligence, the faithfulness in public and private relations, which won for him es- teem and respect, wherever he was known, either personally or by reputation. Mr. Biggs was originally a supporter of the Whig party, but at the time when party lines were chang- ing, he became a Democrat, and continued

through the remainder of his life to be firmly attached to that party. He never sought of- fice. John Biggs was married in Pencader hundred in June, 1820, to Diana Bell, an ex- cellent and intelligent lady. She was born in the same hundred, September 4, 1800. Their children are: I. Benjamin Thomas, born October 1, 1821; H. Sewell Chambers, born September 11, 1823; HII. John W., born November 21, 1825, died young; IV. Jane Elizabeth, born January 28, 1827, was married to Rev. W. II. Brisbin, of the Phila- delphia Conference M. E. church, who died, and she afterwards married Thomas Price, of Philadelphia; Mr. Price is now deceased, and Mrs. Price resides in Denver, Col .; V. Charles W., born February 6, 1830, died young; VI. John Fletcher, born November 6, 1832; VII. Joseph, born January 1, 1834, resides in Mid- dletown, Del .; VIII. Richard, born February 20, 1836; IX. William Pierson; X. Mary Ann, born April 17, 1842, wife of Rev. Theo- dore Stevens of the Philadelphia Conference, resides at Pottstown, Pa.

The father, John Biggs, died on his farm, January 5, 1860; his wife survived him until December 14, 1877, and the remains of both repose in the burial ground of Bethel M. E. church, in Cecil county, Md. They were faithful and honored members of the Metho- dist communion; for nearly a life-time, Mr. Biggs occupied the responsible position of class-leader.

Like others of his family, William Pierson Biggs began his youthful studies in the public schools of Pencader hundred, and completed them at the academy of the New Jersey Con- ference, at Pennington, N. J. He then re- sided on the homestead, sharing the labors of his father, until he attained his majority; from that time, he farmed on his own account, remaining upon the homestead, "Locust Grove," which is at the distance of a mile and a half from Summit Bridge. In the year 1870, Mr. W. P. Biggs purchased the Me- Cracken farm, a tract of 216 acres, upon which he lived for ten years, engaged in culti- vating cercals, rearing live stock, and raising peaches. He owns other farms also, and while actively engaged in agricultural business, was particularly successful in the culture of peaches, scarcely ever having reason to regret a failure in erops. A zealous advocate of Democratie principles, Mr. Biggs has twice

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been elected on the ticket of his party to the state legislature, in 1875 and in 1889. He served as chairman of the Committee on Cor- poration, and on other important committees, and conscientiously endeavored throughout both terms to promote the best interests of his native state. In 1890, he received from his brother, Gov. Biggs, the appointment of Clerk of the Peace for New Castle county, and for five years performed the duties of his office with fidelity and efficiency. Since his retire- ment from farming in 1880, Mr. Biggs has resided in Middletown, having built a dwell- ing for himself which is one of the finest brick mansions in the city. He is a member of Union Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M., of Middle- town.

Hon. William P. Biggs was married in Pen- cader hundred, January 17, 1865, to Fannie, daughter of James and Clara C. (Peirce) Boulder. They have had these children: I. Fletcher A. P., died young; II. Bessie, died young; III. Nellie, died aged eleven years; IV. Clara M., wife of George Janvier, deputy Clerk of the Peace, of Wilmington, Del. Mr. Biggs became a member of the Methodist church in 1861.

HON. SEWELL CHAMBERS BIGGS, second son of John and Diana (Bell) Biggs, was born in Pencader hundred, New Castle county, Del., September 11, 1823. His el- der brother was the late Governor, Benjamin Thomas Biggs.

Sewell C. Biggs attended the common schools of Pencader hundred, and supplement- ed his course of studies there by a classical course at the Pennington Seminary, New Jer- sey Conference. After studying at that in- stitution for three terms, Mr. Biggs taught school in St. George's hundred, New Castle county, for three years, receiving as compen- sation $70 per quarter. He then entered into partnership with his brother, the late gov- ernor, in the cultivation of 400 acres of the home farm, which they continued for four years. The traet was then divided, Mr. S. C. Biggs taking about 180 acres, improving the land, and making his home upon it for thirty years. The Biggs brothers were among the earliest cultivators of the peach in that part of the country. Sewell C. Biggs has ren- dered various important public services; in

1856, he was elected to the state senate on the ticket of the American party, served four years, was re-elected, and served a second term, very acceptably to his constituents. While he was a member of the senate, the three Saulsbury brothers ran for the U. S. Senate, making an animated and difficult con- test. In 1872, Mr. Biggs was elected to the lower branch of the state legislature, was chosen speaker of the House, and presided with dignity, impartiality and courtesy. He has, indeed, always been noted for kindness and urbanity. He was appointed register of wills for New Castle county by Governor Ponder on October 27, 1874, for the term of five years, at the expiration of which, in 1879, Governor Hall re-appointed him for a similar term. All these publie positions Mr. Biggs has filled with ability and honor. He cast his first votes with the Whig party, but after the change in party names and platforms, he be- came a Democrat, and has ever since adhered stanchly to the political doctrines of that party.

Mr. Biggs has been a resident of Middle- town since 1890, when he bought a handsome and convenient dwelling in that place, the home of his family for the past seven years. Ile is one of the most extensive landed pro- prietors in the city, owning 500 acres in Sus- sex county, and 800 in New Castle county. He is a director and president of the electric light and water works system of Middletown, having been appointed president for three years, and afterwards elected for five years additional. While he finds time, as well as inclination, to serve the borough with his abilities as a business man, he is still actively caring for his own agricultural interests, a prosperous and enterprising man.

At Griggstown, N. J., in May, 1854, Hon. Sewell C. Biggs was married to Caroline, daughter of Abram C. Beckman, a farmer of that place, where Mrs. Biggs was born. Their children are: I. Abram B .; II. J. Frank, law- ver, of Wilmington, Del .; Sewell C., Jr., died young; and one child that died in infancy. Mr. Biggs is a member of the M. E. church.

Abram B. Biggs, son of Sewell C. and Caroline (Beekman) Biggs, was born on the homestead, in Pencader hundred, New Castle county, Del., May 7, 1858. He was educated in the public schools, Eastman Business Col- lege, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and West Chester

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Normal School, West Chester, Pa. After completing his studies, he resumed farming with his father.

JOSEPH BIGGS, Middletown, Del., son of John and Diana (Bell) Biggs, was born on the Biggs homestead in Pencader hundred, - January 1, 1834.

Having been educated in the public schools and at Pennington Academy, N. J. Confer- ence, Joseph Biggs was for two years engaged in teaching in Pencader hundred, at a salary of seventy dollars a quarter. In 1856, at the age of twenty-two years, he undertook the cul- tivation of his father's Maryland acres, and continued to be a citizen of Cecil county, in that state, until 1882. Hle cultivated more than 400 acres of land, and was largely en- gaged in raising peaches. An enterprising and successful farmer, Mr. Biggs improved the land which he first cultivated, and added to it a purchase of 225 acres additional, also in Cecil county. In 1882, he removed to Middletown, Del., where he has since resided, and is a most active and useful citizen. IIe still superintends the management of his farms, and also of his property in real estate in the town. In 1884, he built a fine brick dwelling in Middletown, in which he resides. He was elected in 1895 to the presidency of the Citizens' National Bank of Middletown, and conducts its affairs with honor and ability. For four years he was commissioner of Cecil county, Md. Mr. Biggs has always voted with the Democratic party. He is a member of Union Lodge, No. 5, F. & A. M., of Middletown. Mr. Biggs enjoys general re- spect and esteem.

Joseph Biggs was married in Saint George's hundred, New Castle county, Del., in 1856, to Ruth A., daughter of Samuel and Nancy (MeCracken) Rothwell; her father is a far- mer of Saint George's hundred, where Mrs. Biggs was born. Their children are: I. Samuel R., who is superintendent of a rail- road in Mexico; II. Josephine; III. William P., died when two years old. Mr. Biggs is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church.

EX-GOVERNOR BENJAMIN THOM- AS BIGGS, P. O. Middletown, Del., eldest son of John and Diana (Bell) Biggs, was born in Pencader hundred, New Castle county, Del., October 1, 1821.

Ilis early education was acquired in the schools of his own neighborhood, and was sup- plemented by a course at Pennington Semi- nary, in New Jersey, an institution under the supervision of the M. E. Conference of that state. For two years after its completion, he was a teacher, and then became a student at the Wesleyan University, Middletown, Con. Having thus obtained the culture and experi- ence requisite for the development of his in- tellectual abilities, Mr. Biggs became engaged in farming, in which he always took great pleasure, and was very successful, as regards the cultivation both of cereals and of fruit. Ile owned large farms in Maryland, on which were nearly seventy thousand very prolific peach-trees.

But his warm interest in the affairs of his country, his oratorical powers, and his ability as a leader, did not admit of his devoting his life to the secluded pursuits of agriculture, however useful and congenial. While still a young man, he became active and influential in the sphere of polities. Like his father, he was at first a Whig; on the ticket of that party he was elected to the constitutional convention of 1852. In 1854, his convictions led to his acting with the Democratic party, in whose ranks he has ever since been a prominent worker. He was nominated for the national Ilouse of Representatives in 1860, and de- feated by a majority of 247; being nominated again in 1868 and in 1870, he was both times elected, serving two consecutive terms. He served one term, beginning in 1887, as gov- ernor of the state of Delaware, having been elected to that dignified and responsible office by one hundred and two out of one hundred and eighty votes in the nominating conven- tion, and by a popular majority of six thou- sand one hundred and ten. Governor Biggs was a director in the Citizens' Bank of Mid- dletown, Del., having been elected to that po- sition in 1869; in 1867, he became a director of the Queen Anne's and Kent county R. R., and in 1874, was elected its president. He was always carnestly devoted to any good cause, lending his influence and his personal exertions to the advancement of his own com- munity and of the country at large, and to the execution of many philanthropie schemes.

IIon. Benjamin T. Biggs was married, May 18, 1853, to Mary S. Beckman, of Griggs- town, N. J. Of their five children, the fol-

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lowing are living: I. John, a graduate of Princeton University, studied law with Vie- tor DuPont, Esq., of Wilmington, was admit- ted to the bar in November, 1879, was first deputy attorney-general, afterward attorney- general of Delaware; II. Jennie, graduated from the Wesleyan Female College, Wilming- ton,-Del., in the class of 1876; III. Willard, a graduate of Fort Edward College, New York, resides in Middletown, is interested in peach culture, and manages the real estate of his father. Ex-Governor Biggs was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Middle- town.

CHARLES E. FERRIS, Middletown, New Castle county, Del., son of D. Brainerd and Sarah B. (Frazer) Ferris, was born in Penca- der hundred, New Castle county, Del., April 28, 1866.

Jacob Ferris, grandfather of Charles E. Ferris, a descendant of one of the oldest fami- lies in Delaware, was born in Pencader hun- dred, New Castle county. Mr. Ferris was a farmer and land-owner in his native hundred; a good citizen, and prominent in the county. For many years he held the office of justice of the peace in Peneader hundred, discharg- ing his duties promptly and efficiently. He was also state treasurer for one term. Mr. Ferris was a Whig, actively interested in local poli- ties. Jacob Ferris was married to Susan A. Whann. Their children are: I. William W., cashier of the Bank of Delaware City; II. Charles E., M. D .; III. Susan; IV. D. Brainerd. Mr. Ferris and his wife were mem- bers of the Presbyterian church. Both died at the farm in Pencader hundred and are buried in the cemetery of the Presbyterian church.

Mr. Ferris' father, D. Brainerd Ferris, was born on the homestead in Pencader hundred in 1833. He attended the public schools of the district and completed his course at New- ark Academy. Mr. Ferris devoted his atten- tion to husbandry and for many years culti- vated the homestead, a fertile farm of 230 acres. Ile afterwards removed to Wilming- ton, Del., where he remained for two years. In 1889 Mr. Ferris was appointed head nurse at Farnhurst. He still holds this responsible position, fulfilling his arduous duties to the satisfaction of his employers, who have to-ti-

fied their confidence in him and their apprecia- tion of his services by retaining him in office. Mr. Ferris is a stanch Republican, and has served his district in the State Legislature, at- tending to his duties punctually and efficient- ly. D. Brainerd Ferris was married in Pen- cader hundred, New Castle county, to Sarah B., daughter of John II. Frazer, a farmer of Pencader hundred, where his daughter, Mrs. Ferris, was born. Their children are: I. Laura, wife of C. R. Jakes, M. D., of Wyom- ing, Pa., deceased; II. Annie, died in youth; III. Sue W., married Dr. G. W. Ward, of Westminster, Md .; IV. Charles E .; V. Frederick, died in youth; VI. Catherine, trained nurse at the Johns Hopkins hospital, Baltimore, Md .; VII. D. Brainerd, Jr., Wil- mington, Del. Mrs. Ferris died at her home in New Castle county, and is buried in the cemetery of Pencader Presbyterian church.

Charles E. Ferris attended the public schools of Pencader hundred, and was for two years a student in Delaware College, at New- ark, Del. Having completed his school course, he entered the office of the P., W. & B. R. R., at Kirkwood, Del., to study teleg- raphy under J. B. Mahoney. Mr. Ferris soon became an expert operator, and was employed by the company at Kirkwood, and afterward at Clayton, Del. In 1890 he received the appointment of ticket agent and telegraph operator for the P., W. & B. R. R., at Laurel, Del. During the three years that he spent in this position, Mr. Ferris gave general sat- isfaction by the prompt and efficient manner in which he served the company and its pat- rons. In 1893 Mr. Ferris was appointed to his present office, that of ticket agent and operator at Middletown, Del. His pleasant, courteous manner and thorough knowledge of business make him a favorite in the commu- nity, where he is well known and respected. Mr. Ferris is a Democrat. He is a member of Hope Lodge, No. 4, F. & A. M., of Laurel, Del.

Charles F. Ferris was married in 1889, at St. George's, Red Lion hundred, New Castle county, to Caroline II., daughter of Leontine N. and Mary (MeCrone) Me Whorter. Mrs. Ferris, who is one of ten children, is of Scotch- Irish descent, and was born on her father's farm in Red Lion hundred. The children of Charles E. and Caroline H. ( Me Whorter) Ferris are : I. Frederick B .; IT. Leon Me-

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Whorter; III. Margaret J. Mr. Ferris and his wife are devout members of the Presby- terian church.

GEORGE LYBRAND TOWNSEND, Odessa, Del., son of Sylvester Deputy and Abigail (Layman) Townsend, was born in New Castle hundred, New Castle county, "Del., January 2, 1841.

The Townsend family is of English origin; those of the name who emigrated to this coun- try were among the earliest settlers of Dela- ware. Zadock Townsend, grandfather of George L. Townsend, was a farmer, a native of Sussex county, Del., who removed to New Castle county in 1808, and continued his ag- ricultural labors there until 1824, when he died, and was interred in the burial ground of the M. E. Church of Red Lion. He was an old line Whig; his upright character and just dealings inspired all who knew him with con- fidence and regard. Zadock Townsend was married in Sussex county to Mary, daughter of Sylvester Deputy, a well known citizen of that county, where Mrs. Townsend was born. They had children: I. Sylvester D .; II. Solo- mon; III. Zadock, Jr., all deceased. Mrs. Mary Townsend died in her native county; Mr. Townsend afterwards married Catherine Perry; their children were: I. Eliza; II. Comfort; III. Mary C .; IV. Helen; V. Rachel; VI. James C .; VII. Mrs. Nathaniel Young. After the death of Zadock Town- send, his widow married David Townsend, a cousin of her deceased husband, and removed with him to the eastern shore of Maryland, where she died.

Sylvester Deputy Townsend was born Oc- tober 5, 1801, in Sussex county, Del., received the usual common school education, and af- terwards shared his father's labors on the farm until he began business for himself by renting a farm in New Castle hundred, which he cul- tivated for several years. At last, having laid up sufficient money to purchase a farm, he bought the tract in Peneader hundred on which he passed the rest of his life. He was a diligent worker, sensible and economical, and was respected for many good qualities. In carly life Mr. Townsend was a Whig; he af- terwards became a stanch supporter of the Re- publican party; from 1864 to 1868, he was a commissioner of the Levy Court. The first wife of Sylvester D. Townsend was Mrs.

Sarah Seelby; they had but one child, Sarah, who died young. The mother died in New Castle hundred, and her remains were interred in the cemetery of the Baptist church near State Road, of which Mrs. Townsend was an esteemed member. Mr. Townsend afterwards married Abigail, daughter of Thomas and Abigail Layman, of Chester county, Pa. She was born in Montgomery county, Pa., Janu- ary 4, 1812; their marriage took place June 25, 1838. Mr. Layman had removed from Pennsylvania to White Clay Creek hundred, New Castle county, where he was engaged in farming. The children of Sylvester D. and Abigail Townsend are: I. George Lybrand; II. Zadock, who died in infancy. Mrs. Abi- gail Townsend died in March, 1862; her hus- band survived her until April 6, 1872, when he died; both were buried in the family burial place at Red Lion. They were faithful mem- bers of the M. E. church.

George L. Townsend, after attending the common schools of New Castle county until he was about seventeen years of age, became a pupil at the Delaware Military Academy, un- der the principalship of Col. Theodore IIyatt. Ill health prevented his enjoying the advan- tages of that excellent institution in full meas- ure; he persevered, however, for two years, after which he was obliged to relinquish study. Returning to his home, he worked with his father on the farm until he became of age, when he began farming on his own ac- count, cultivating the home farm, in Pencader hundred. In 1870, he removed to the farm of Bishop Scott, his father-in-law, in Appo- quinimink hundred, where he remained until 1892. Since that time, he has resided in Odessa, having purchased the mansion of the late 'Squire Tatman, of Wilmington. Mr. Townsend is the owner of three productive farms, which he has highly improved, and the cultivation of which he carefully superin- tends. The same industry and enterprise which he displays in the conduct of his per- sonal affairs, he brings to the service of any project which he thinks likely to be of advant- age to the community in which he lives. ITe was one of the promoters of the Odessa Cream- ery, is a stockholder and a director of the Com- pany, and has been its secretary and treasurer since 1889. Ile was also one of the origina- tors and stockholders of the People's National Bank of Middletown, Del., and is a director

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 91

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