Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 100

Author: Runk, J.M. & Co
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chambersburg, Pa.
Number of Pages: 1500

USA > Delaware > Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II > Part 100

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Robert S. Griffith was, in 1871, elected county commissioner for two years, and again in 1873, for the same length of time. Rob- ert S. Griffith was married, May 15, 1851, to Miss Mary M., daughter of Joseph and Eliza (Mayne) Middleton, of New Castle county. Joseph Middleton was a lineal de- scendant of Arthur Middleton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Mr. and Mrs. Griffith have seven children: I. Elizabeth; II. Josephine; III. Fannie; IV. Robert Middleton; V. Charles; VI. Harry; VII. Joseph Thomas.

MARK HENRY DAVIS was born May 17, 1835, in Cedar Creek hundred, son of John Campbell Davis, a miller and farmer of Sussex county. He was a member of the Levy Court and a leading Whig, and died in 1841, after a short illness. While re- turning from a distant part of the country he stopped to hear the Rev. R K. Kemp preach, and upon reaching home said to his family that he wanted Mr. Kemp to preach at his funeral. In one week after this he died, and his funeral discourse was preached by Mr. Kemp. His mother was Keturah, daughter of William Shockley. She was a Methodist and died in 1850. Mark II. Davis in early life had no opportunities of education. The death of his father left him poor, and he had a hard battle in life from the beginning. There were no schools in that part of the

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country, and he worked upon the farm from the time he could work. At the age of twen- ty-one years he could scarcely write his own name, and his knowledge of reading and aritinnetie was very limited. He found him- self without means on a small farm; yet at twenty-three years of age, married, and for a time continued upon the farm. Finding success impossible he removed to the town of Milford, where he resided for one year in very straitened circumstances.

He went to Philadelphia in 1861, and ob- tained a position in the commission house of Rodman Carter, where he remained one year. Here he obtained a good business education. For much of the year his salary was only four dollars per week.

In August, 1861, by the advice and con- sent of his employer, he engaged in the busi- ness of buying up fruit and produce, and re- ceived for his part, one-half the profits accru- ing therefrom. His purchases for twenty- eight days amounted to $29,000, and his drafts were honored to any extent. Mr. Davis was now very successful, and by economy, had saved enough money to justify entrance upon business for himself; he accordingly purchased the store of Fooks & Brother, Laurel, and engaged in the business of gen- eral merchandizing. He was not very suc- cessful as to his store, but he made money buying fruit and produce. In 1868 he pur- chased a farm of 300 acres in Prime Hook Neck, upon which he planted an orchard of 8,000 peach trees, and afterward shipped his fruit to markets in the North. In 1870 he disposed of his business in Laurel, and re- moved to Milford. In 1875, he purchased an additional farm of 100 acres, and in 1876 bought another at Jefferson's Cross Roads, upon which he set out large orchards, until he had 14,000 trees growing.

Mark II. Davis was appointed deputy col- lector of internal revenue for his district, and served with much credit in this position until the office was discontinued. Mr. Davis was united in marriage, January 6, 1858, to Miss Mary E., daughter of James M. Kane, of Cedar Creek hundred. She was well fitted to enable her lisband to achieve success in life in any direction. They had three chil- dren, viz: T. Frank Wilson; II. Eliza Gray; III. Lulu Tate Davis.

JAMES WASHINGTON ROBBINS was the son of William Robbins, and born in Granville, Washington county, N. Y., May 27, 1831. After receiving a good English education, he learned the tin business, faith- fully serving out an apprenticeship of five years. He then came to Smyrna, where he worked at his trade for four years, when he went to Dover in the employ of A. B. Rich- ardson & Co., in the stove and tin business, for a year, when that firm was dissolved and the firm of Richardson & Robibns was formed, which continued nineteen years, and ended by the death of Mr. Robbins, June 27, 1876.

Early in the history of this partnership the firm began the canning business in a small way, but in a short time it grew so rapidly under the thrifty management of the firm that the stove and tin business was discontin- ued, and all their energies were given to the canning business. As this interest grew, Mr. Robbins devoted himself largely to the out- side business connected with the establish- ment, and most ably and successfully labored for its advancement and prosperity. He was a man of large views, and most active, ener- getic and industrious, besides possessing great practical sense and superior judgment. He was affable, kind, generous and charitable, and through these qualities made many friends, and was much beloved. His death was lamented by the entire community in which he lived, and to whose prosperity he had so largely and materially contributed.

HON. JOHN T. MOORE was born in Lit- tle Creek hundred, April 14, 1819, son of Luther Moore, a farmer of Little Creek hun- dred, who was among the earliest friends of the Methodist Protestant church, and bore throughout a long life the character of an up- right Christian gentleman. His mother was Nancy, daughter of John Dashiell, of the well-known Dashiell family, of Maryland. She was regarded as a most exemplary Chris- tian woman by all who knew her.

Mr. Moore attended the public schools in his vicinity until sixteen years of age, when he began attending a select school in Laurel. Ilere he continued until his twentieth year,

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when he commenced an agricultural life upon the farm where he was born, which was at- tended with no small degree of success until 1847, when he removed to Laurel and en- gaged in merchandizing.

Ile became the possessor of several vessels and contracted largely for wood, grain, lum- ber, etc., which he shipped to Northern mar- kets. In 1857 Mr. Moore was appointed clerk of the Superior Court of Sussex coun- ty. by Governor P. F. Causey. After five years of official service he returned to Laurel, giving his attention to his mercantile pursuits until 1870, when he retired from active business, still retaining, however, an interest in the purchase of grain and lumber until the year 1876, when his attention was given to the management of his farms and the oversight of his vessels.

In 1874 Mr. Moore was nominated on the Democratie ticket for state senator from Sus- sex county. He was elected and served as chairman of the committee on accounts, was on the committee on enrollment, on revised statutes, and finance. His period of service expired in 1877, and for this session he served at speaker of the senate, in which office he gained by his knowledge of parliamentary law, his urbanity and fairness, a large hold upon the confidence and esteem of the mem- bers of that body. In 1840 John T. Moore was married to Sallie, daughter of Nathaniel Horsey, as well-known business man of Laurel. Their only son, Andrew W. Moore, died at the age of twenty-five years. After the death of his first wife, he married Miss Rebecca, daughter of Winder Dashiell, Esq., who also died, leaving no children.

Mr. Moore was often solicited by his party to allow his name to go before the poo- ple as a candidate for governor of the state, and in 1822 every inducement was presented by his many friends in the state, among whom were the leading men of the Demo- cratis party, but he firmly and persistently declined.

LEONARD KITTINGER, M. D., was born in Philadelphia, April 27, 1834, being the only son of Judge Henry Cress and Aun Eliza (Dixey) Kittinger. Judge Kittinger practiced law for a number of years in his

native city, when he removed to Trenton, N. J., where he was judge of the court of com- mon pleas for fifteen years, the first two terms of five years each being appointed by the governor and after the change in the Consti- tution, the last term was elected by the peo- ple.

Ile removed to Washington city in 1864, where he died in 1879, aged sixty-six years. Ile left, besides Dr. Kittinger, three daugh- ters. Originally a Democrat, he became a pronounced Republican on the breaking out of the war, and was a strong friend of Presi- dent Lincoln. IIe was a man of sterling in- tegrity and greatly respected. His father was Leonard Kittinger, a merchant of Philadel- phia. He died about 1844, aged sixty-six years. ITis first wife was Sarah Cress, of Germantown, and their only child was Henry C., and after her death he married Eliza Moore, of Moorestown, N. J., by whom he had three daughters. Ilis father was Dr. John Kittinger, who came from Germany and settled in Germantown, prior to the Revo- lutionary War. He was a large and wealthy landholder at the time of his death. Dr. Leonard Kittinger graduated at the Prince- ton Academy, N. J., after which he attended the grammar school at Edge Hill, N. J., from which he also graduated with honor. It was early his intention to become a physician, and he began the study of medicine at Trenton, but his health being delicate, he engaged in mercantile life until 1859, when he entered as a student, the office of Dr. O. B. Gau-e, professor of obstetrics and diseases of women- and children, in the Pennsylvania Homco- pathie Medical College, an institution which has since been consolidated with the Hahne- mann Medical College. Ile graduated M. D., in 1863, after a very thorough course of study, and the same year settled in Fleming- ton, Hunterdon county, N. J., remaining until April, 1866, when he removed to Wil- mington, where he devoted himself, with great success, to his profession, and by his skill and popularity, built up a large and lu- crative practice.

In May, 1859, Dr. Kittinger was married to Miss Emma, only daughter of Hon. Oba- diah Howell, a prominent citizen of Trenton, N. J., and of an old and highly respectable family. They had issue; I. Leonard Ar-

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mour, M. D .; II. Charles Howe; III. George Batchelder Kittinger. Dr. Kittinger was, in 1869, elected a member of the American In- stitute of Homeopathy, was one year the phy- sician to New Castle Almshouse and Insane Asylum, and for several years physician in charge of the Home for Aged Women, a no- ble institution, conducted under the auspices of the benevolent ladies of Winningion.

WARREN KINDER was born December 4, 1800, being the eldest son of Isaac and Rhoda (Warren) Kinder. Isaac Kinder was a large land owner, and a prominent and high- ly respected citizen. He died February 17, 1855, in the eighty-second year of his age. Ilis wife was the daughter of Alexander and Sina Warren. She died July 16, 1862, in her eighty-fifth year. The parents of Isaac Kinder were Jacob and Kate Kinder, who, in 1763, on the day of their marriage, left Germany for America. Jacob Kinder died before 1800, and his wife about 1825. Their children were Jacob, a farmer, who inherited the home property, afterwards owned by his grandson; Isaac, noticed above, and Nancy, who married Stephen Warren, brother of Mrs. Isaac Kinder.

Warren Kinder attended the pay schools of his locality till about 1820, after which he attended the academy at Seaford for two win- ters. In 1825 he married, and purchased "Maple Grove," a farm of 500 acres, where he settled. Years of toil were required to clear away the oak forest and improve the estate. Mr. Kinder engaged to a considerable extent in the culture of peaches, raising the best varieties, and sending them to market so carefully that they always commanded the highest prices.

In polities he was originally a Federalist. In 1832 he was elected a member of the Levy Court on the Reform ticket, serving for one year. He then joined the Democratic party and was re-elected to the Levy Court for a term of four years. Subsequently he served two terms, making thirteen years in all, and his services were always highly satisfactory.

Ile also held many local offices. He was county treasurer in 1873-4, and was for sey- eral years vice-president of the Sussex coun-

ty Bible Society, his health compelling him finally to resign. Mr. Kinder was one of the most prominent members of Bethel Metho- dist church for over half a century. He was steward and trustee for many years, and a faithful attendant and liberal supporter of its ordinances. Warren Kinder was first married February 2, 1825, to Miss Ann M., dangh- ter of Caleb and Nancy Davis, by whom he had twelve children. Of these nine grew to maturity: I. Caleb Davis; II. Mary Frances; III. Rhoda Ann; IV. Emily Sina; V. Eliza Amanda; VI. Castelia; VII. Martha Ellen; VIII. Caroline; IX. Mary Adelaide. Mrs. Kinder died April 1, 1848, and he next mar- ried Mrs. Eliza A. Bradley, widow of Isaac Bradley, and daughter of Francis Brown. She died May 23, 1859. The third wife Was Emeline Davis, sister of the first Mrs. Kin- der, who died July 9, 1876.

HON. JOHN HICKMAN was born in Milford Neck, October 21, 1827, only son of Nathaniel and Sallie Ann (Shearer) Hick- man.

Ilis father was a shipbuilder of Milford, of wide reputation, who amassed a consider- able fortune in his calling. born March 20, 1785, and died December 26, 1836. He had three children, Nancy, John and Mary. His daughters died unmarried. John was left an orphan at nine years of age, and until fifteen years of age had his home with Captain John Hickman, an unele. During his minority his guardian was Manaen Gum, of Frank- ford. Hle received his preparation for col- lege at the academy of Newark, and in 1844 entered Delaware College, where he remained for two years. He entered on the study of medicine with Dr. John Gillis, of Whaley- ville, Md., but could not overcome his re- pugnance to the sight of blood, and abandoned it after one year. He then entered merean- tile life at Frankford, having Manaen Gum and John T. Long as partners, and with them conducted the vessel business, merchandizing and a large steam saw mill. When the part- nership ended Mr. Hickman bought large tracts of swamp lands, which he cleared and converted into fertile farms, and this work, though laborious and expensive, was a pay-

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ing investment. On the completion of the Delaware and the Junction and Breakwater Railroad, he conceived the idea of making a railroad connect with the latter at George- town, running from Frankford and making a road for the eastern section of Sussex coun- ty. and which would be an agency for the de- velopment of that portion of the state, and southwardly to Maryland and Virginia.

It is not too much to say that to Mr. Hiek- man it was owing that this railroad was car- ried through to Frankford. Upon the com- pletion of this improvement he was made the preident of the Breakwater and Frankford Railroad, and continued to hold this position until his lamented death.

He served two terms in the state legislat- ure, and during the second was speaker. The interests of public education and the internal improvements of the state are greatly indebt- ed to his wise influence and sleepless vigi- lance and energy. His death was regarded as a public calamity, and to his family and friends an irreparable bereavement.

John Hickman was an humble and devout Christian believer, a member of the Presby- terian church, and passed from life under the inspiring hope and with the calm resignation of the true Christian. His useful and honor- able career was terminated November 21, 1877. In 1851 he was united in marriage to Angie, daughter of Stansbury Cannan, of Bridgeville, and they had six children.

CAPT. JOSHUA SCOTT VALEN- TINE was born in East Marlborough, Ches- ter county, Pa., July 28, 1811. His father, John Valentine, was a farmer in comfortable circumstances, a member of the Society of Friends. He died August 27, 1881, at the advanced age of ninety-five. His wife was Asenath, daughter of Joshua Scott, of the same township. They had four sons and three daughters, who grew to maturity: I. Joshua S .; II. Elizabeth; III. Benjamin F .; IV. Chalkley Mitchener; V. Edith; VI. Hon. John K. Valentine; VII. Annie.

The grandfather of Captain Valentine was Absalom Valentine, also a farmer, who spent his life in Londonderry township, and died in 1824, when in his eighteenth year. His wife was Mary Temple. They had eight children.

Captain Valentine attended the Friends' school in his native place during the winter season, until he was twenty years of age, af- ter which he was engaged in agriculture and teaching till 1838. He then removed to Wilmington, where he was a clerk for two years, and for two years principal of Public School No. 12. Following this he was the agent of the P., W. & B. Railroad until 1853, when he was elected to the legislature on the Whig ticket, and was a leading and popular member. He had charge of the bill for char- tering the Delaware Railroad, and introduced the first bill ever brought before the legislat- ure of Delaware to give to married women the right to hold and control all the property they possess at the time of marriage. The bill had at that time no chance of passage, but it led the way to a better state of things.

He became interested, about this time, in pushing through to a successful completion, the building of the Delaware Railroad, for which he procured large subscriptions to the stock, and was thus engaged till the road was finished, in 1856.

In 1857 he was elected city auditor of Wil- mington; in 1859, street commissioner for two years; and was kept almost constantly in office as member of the board of education, board of health and of the City Council.

Being a strong Union man he was, in May, 1862, appointed captain in the volunteer ser- vice, and helped recruit the Fourth Delaware, which was mustered into the U. S. service in September. He commanded Company K, whose hardships and perils he shared till the close of the war. They were engaged in the defense of Washington for about a year, after which the regiment joined the Army of the Potomac. It was engaged in all the battles of the Fifth Corps, to which it was attached, and made a proud record. Captain Valentine was a gallant and able officer, and on several occasions led his regiment in action. He re- ceived an honorable discharge in June, 1865.

In September, 1866, he was elected by the Republican party mayor of Wilmington, and was also twice re-elected, serving six years, and proving a very able and popular officer. A disqualifying clause in the law, passed in 1872, finally made him ineligible for further re-election. He was afterward United States commissioner and chief supervisor of elec- tions for Delaware. He was a Mason and he-

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longed to the Order of Odd Fellows, from 1844. Captain Valentine was married in October, 1835, to Miss Rachel Ann Hollings- worth, of Wilmington. They had two daugh- ters: I. Emma Louise; II. Sarah Am. The death of Captain Valentine, July 6, 1882, was very sudden and unexpected, and the shock was deeply felt throughout the com- munity. Ifis kind di-position and stanch principles had made him hosts of friends.

MATTHIAS DAY, son of John and Mary (Maxwell) Day, was born in Kent county, Md., in 1783. His mother's family was one of the most wealthy and influential in that county. His father was a Methodist clergy- man, and in 1792 moved to Kent county, Del., where he died two years later. The father of the latter, also named John Day, married Susanna Piner, and died prior to the Revolution.

The family were of English origin, and were among the earliset settlers of Kent, in Maryland. Matthias Day owned two farms and became a leading man in his locality, holding the office of county treasurer for the term of three years. Ile was in later life a Whig in pilities, and was twice elected to the legislature, serving in the years of 1827 and 1828. He was a member of, and class leader in the Methodist church.

By his first wife, Letitia Lockwood, he had four children, three by his second wife, Eliza- beth Smith, and five by his third wife, Mar- tha Baggs. Mr. Day was a truly good man and served well his day and generation. He died, greatly lamented, May 14, 1843, at the age of fifty-nine.

WILLIAM COUPER, third son of Dr. James and Hannah ( Melntire) Couper, was born in New Castle, September 9, 1809. Of a family and lineage, who next to character and religion prized a good education; he re- veived in his early years, thorough instruc- tions in the English branches.

While still very young he went to Philadel- .

phia and there entered the commission house of Perit & Cabot, engaged in the foreign trade. He remained with the firm several

years, after which he became correspanding clerk in the celebrated house of Samuel Comly, with which were connected several branch houses in the southern cities. In both of these places his capability, industry, and manly, up- right conduct, won him great respect and re- gard. Hle familiarized himself thoroughly with every detail of the business, and about the year 1855, went to Canton, China, where he engaged as corresponding clerk in the mercan- tile house of Wetmore & Company, and after- wards became a member of the firm.

In 1864 he returned to Delaware, and pur- chasing several valuable farms in New Castle county, devoted himself to agriculture the re- mainder of his life. His deecase took place November 25, 1874. Though a gentleman of culture and refinement, and successful in all his undertakings, Mr. Couper was modest and retiring in his habits and averse to all ostenta- tion. Home he loved and the companionship of near and congenial friends, having little fondness for the excitements of general so- ciety. But his sympathies were confined to no narrow circle, and he watched with deep in- terest all that was occurring in the church, the world, and the state. "In all that was done for the welfare of men he rejoiced. With all human sufferings he sympathized, and with a feeling heart and liberal hand responded to the appeals of charity and sorrow." An elo- quent addess-from which the last sentence was quoted-commemorative of his life and character, was delivered at his funeral by his pastor, and the warm eulogies called forth on that occasion, found a ready response in every heart. His pastor was his friend, and acquainted with him intimately. He testified to his purity and amiability of character; his diligence in the performance of every duty as a man, a citizen and a christian.

To the church he gave liberally, never for- getting that its great work could not be car- ried on without material aid, and most gener- ously donated to all other benevolent causes. Such a life could have but one source of in- spiration; his Bible was his daily companion, his creed and rule of faith and practice.

JOIN EMORY RICHARDS was born May 21, 1836, at the old Richards home-

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stead in Sussex county. His father was Jolm Richards, a farmer, who died at the age of forty-seven. Ile married Aun P., dangh- ter of Dr. John Carey, of Bridgeville. The paternal grandfather of John E. Richards was also named John. He married Ann Wilson, of Maryland, and had two children, John and Robert HI. Richards. The latter was a grad- nate of Dieknson College, and at the time of his death, in 1858, he was a student at Yale law school. John E. Richards attended the district schools of his vicinity until seventeen, when he was sent to the Milford academy, but owing to the death of his brother, he was com- pelled to return and assume the management of the farm.

In 1855 before gaining his majority, he began farming for himself upon 212 aeres of land, which he had purchased from his fa- ther's estate. He largely engaged in the cul- ture of fruit and was very successful. After the death of his mother he bought the home farm, known as "Locust Grove," an estate of 358 acres, upon which he had an orchard of 2,000 trees in full bearing. Mr. Richards be- came a leading citizen in the community. He served as a soldier during the civil war, being a member of the Sixth Delaware regiment.

John E. Richards was united in marriage in 1857 to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Lewis N. Wright, of Sussex county, and seven chil- dren were born to them.

JAMES HENRY POSTLES was born near Frederica, February 23, 1825. Ilis father, Shadrach Postles, an enterprising and successful farmer, was born in Milford, then Mispillion hundred, in 1801. He married in 1823, Mrs. Sallie Spencer, by whom he had six children. Mrs. Postles died in 1837, and Mr. Postles was again married in 1840 to Mrs. Cynthia Voss, nee Davis. They had one child, John Wesley Postles.

Shadrach Postles died in 1857. Hle was the oldest son of Zadoe Postles, also a farmer of the same place, who died in 1812, at the age of thirty-five. He married Miss Nellie Parker, of Sussex county, and three of their children grew to maturity: I. Shadrach; II. James; IIT. Stephen Postles.

The Postles in Delaware are descended

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 100

Author: Runk, J.M. & Co Publication date: 1899 Publisher: Chambersburg, Pa. Number of Pages: 1500

Author: Runk, J.M. & Co
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chambersburg, Pa.
Number of Pages: 1500