Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 102

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 102

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After attending it for two years, at four- teen years of age he entered the school of Theodore Hyatt. This school was then con- ducted in the old First Presbyterian church building at Tenth and Market streets, and now occupied by the State Historical Society. Here his continuance was a brief one, amount- ing to twelve months only, when, already be- ginning to feel the responsibility of prepar- ing for a mode of life which would meet his needs, as a boy without the adventitious aids of fortune, and secure the knowledge of a bus-

iness to pave the way to a decent competence upon reaching manhood, he apprenticed him- self to the hardware business in a store in Wil- mington, where he faithfully performed his allotted duties until he reached the age of twenty-one years. He now obtained a situa- tion as clerk and book-keeper at the iron works at Tenth and Church streets, then known as the Wilmington Plate Iron Rolling Mills, and in course of time he became a member of the firm.

Such are the external facts told in the sim- plest form of words, but the history of the young man clerk and book-keeper in those years can be readily suggested to us. How, with business capabilities of the highest order, with a character formed under the care of the church from a period before his manhood was reached, and with habits and tastes suited to the exigencies of his business and duties, he passed step by step upward to influence, means and honor. In 1865 he joined with other members of the St. Paul's church in the organization of Grace Methodist Episcopal church, Ninth and West streets, now one of the most impasing and beautiful in the coun- try. Mr. Hastings served as a member of its board of trustees, and has long been a teacher in its Sunday school. He served as president of the Wihnington Board of Trade in 1974, and was one of its delegates to the convention of merchants and manufacturers held in Washington, D. C., in 1876.

Until his nomination for Congress, in July, 1852, he had never been a candidate for office of any kind, and only when convinced that his acceptance would forward the success of the principles he has so long advocated, would he accept such nomination. Washing- ton Hastings was united in marriage Septem- ber 20, 1864, to Mi- Catharine, daughter of the late Samuel MeCaulley, E-q.

MAJOR JOHN JJONES was born in Ap- poquinimink hundred. May 7. 1790. His pa- rents were Griffith and Phoebe (Ottley) Jones, Griffith Jones was a soldier in the revolution, and a prisoner on board the Roe Buck. Ilis father and grandfather both bore the name of Griffith Jones, and, like himself, were farmers.

The first Griffith Jones and Michael Offley,

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BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

the grandfather of Mrs. Jones, came over with William Penn, in 1682, the first being from Wales and the other from England. Griffith Jones was one of the members of Penn's first legislature, and some time afterwards settled in Appoquinimnk, south of Blackbird ereck.

Michael Offley settled soon after his arrival near the same place. His freat-grandson, Major Jones, lost both his parents when he was quite young, his father dying in Septem- ber, 1797, and he had few opportunities of education, but was observant and thoughtful, and possessed always a retentive memory and uncommon powers of mind. The practical knowledge that he acquired, even in youth, was remarkable. He lived with a farmer till his twentieth year, when he went to Phila- delphia and apprenticed himself to a brick mason for three years. There he often work- eil at night to obtain money to purchase books, which he carefully studied. In 1814, during the last war with Great Britain, he was for three months a volunteer in defence of Phila- delphia.

Ile worked two years at his trade in Mari- etta, l'a., then went to St. Louis, remaining five years, when he visited St. Domingo, Washington, New York and other places, re- turning to Delaware in 1825, where he had much to do with founding Delaware city, and building Fort Delaware. A superior work- man, and full of resource and energy, and much liked by every one, he made considera- ble money, but met with frequent losses, and finally, in 1834, purchased the farm called "Wheatland," Bohemia Manor, where he lived for twenty-three years. Here he was a man of much note, and was a leader n every enterprise, having for it- object the general good. This was the key-note of his life, and that he had been able to accomplish some- thing for others was cause of thankfulmes in his dying hours.

He was one of the first to introduce the drill in sowing, and machinery in mowing and reaping; to test the value of lime; and offered freely his money, his land, and his co-opera- tion to secure railroad transit through the state. Hle was one of the club of twelve far- mers, meeting monthly from house to house, out of which grew the New Castle Agricul- tural Society. In 1856 he was made a life member of the National Agricultural Society and was afterwards vice president.

He ever took the deepest interest in educa- tion, and it was through his influence that a large donation of land was obtained from gov- ernment for an agricultural college. He was one of the first to propose the grant of land by congress for the several states for agricultural colleges, and the measure was carried through largely by personal efforts.

In 1857 he left "Wheatland" for Middle- town, where he resided the remainder of his life, spending most of his time in making sta- tistical reports on the tariff, making diagrams, ete. He was long regarded as having no su- perior as a statistical writer. As a publie man he was intimately associated with heads of de- partments at Washington, as well as the most prominent senators and representatives in con- gress. At the beginning of the late rebellion, the patriotism that had aroused him to activ- ity in his youthful days, was no less conspicu- cus, despite his seventy-one winters. It was a matter of pride with him and with his friends that he was the first man to cross Mason and Dixon's line to defend the capital of the nation from threatened invasion. On the perilous night of April 16, 1861, he helped to guard the White House, and, as sentinel at the outer front gate, walked from ten o'clock in the (vening till three in the morning without once sitting down, or leaning against anything for rest.

The block furnished for the national mon- ument at Washington, by Delawere, was, in fact, furnished by Major Jones, who secured it at his own expense, and superintended the placing it in position, that Delaware, in com- ing generations, might not be charged with not doing her part. Always watchful for the interests of all about him, the school house, the church, and whatever affected the welfare of the people, received his careful attention.

He was identified with the Forest Presbyte- rian church of Middletown, from the begin- ning of its present organization ; was chairman of its building committee, and first president of its board of trustees, and was one of the most prominent and useful citizens of the place, foremost in every good work.

Major Jones was marred in 1826 to Lydia Craven, who survived him. They had three children: 1. Thomas Jefferson; HI. John A .; III. Lydia A. Major Jones departed this life August 29, 1869, in his eightieth year.

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STATE OF DELAWARE

MAHLN MOON CHILD was born in Le Raysville, Jefferson county, N. Y., March 19, 1835. Ilis father, Moses child, a farmer in good circumstances, was a prominent men- ber of the orthodox Friends, a man most amiable, conscientious and faithful. He died February 2, 1867. His wife, Nancy (Bur- dick ) Child, was a most exemplary and lively christian wife and mother. She died in 1859 at the age of fifty-five. They had seven children: I. Amos; II. Lydia; III. Jame -; IV. Amos; V. Hannah; VI. Moses; VII Mah- lon.

Joseph Child, a friend, a man of the excel- lence of character, was one of the first set- tlers of the John Brown tract in Jefferson county, N. Y., making the journey thither in 1804, when his youngest son, Moses, was six- teen years of age. They went in wagons from Bucks county, Pa., and from Utica made their own roads eighty miles into the wilderness; Utica being their nearest postoffice. Joseph Child married Hannah Burgess and had four children: I. Daniel; II. Samuel; III. Joseph, Jr .; IV. Moses. They all lived near together on their own farms, and were prosperous. Their father, an original abolitionist, care- fully trained them in the same faith. Ile died in his seventy-fourth year, and his wife in her seventy-fifth year.

The father of Joseph was Henry Child, a native and resident of Plumstead, Bucks county, Pa., son of Henry Child, Sr., who came to this country with William Penn and settled in Bucks county. He had several children, all of whom remained Friend; through life, and some removed to Maryland.

Mahlon M. Child was instructed by a priv- ate tutor, and when eleven years old attended the Frineds' school near Poughkeepsie. At sixteen he left home and made his own way in: the world. He taught school for two years after which he was for three years purser on the steamer John .1. Morgan plying between Philadelphia and Bristol. September 3, 1856, he came to Wilmington. For two years he was a clerk at Tatnall & Lea's Hour mill-, and three years with Ferris & Garret, plumb- ers. In 1861 he went into the dry goods bus- ness in partnership with Granville Worrell, under the name of Worrell & Child, which was very successful until 1867, when suppos-

ing he had consumption, he sold his interest to his partner. Mahlon M. Child was mar- ried in October, 1856, to Mary W., daughter of Charles and Agnes ( Knight) Burton, of Bucks county, Pa.

PHILIP LEONIDAS CANNON was born in Bridgeville, June 28, 1850. He pur- sued his preparatory studies in his natve town, and entered Dickinson College in 1806.

In 1868, in the middle of his sophomore year, his health became so seriously impaired that to his great regret he was obliged to re- linquish his studies and return home. IIe soon after took general charge of the estate and Imsiness left by his father, although the nominal head was the gentleman who held the power of attorney. The following year, the estate having been nearly settled, Mr. Cannon then only nineteen years of age, became the business head of the family, only relinquishing his trust on the return of his brother, Henry, from college. In the spring of 1870, he, with Mr. James Ward, formed a partnership, un- der the name of J. Ward & Co., and followed the same business in the store which his grand- father had built in 1816, and where both his father and grandfather had been so success- ful.

In 1873 Mr. Cannon sold out his interest in the firm, and in 1874 entered into part- nership with his brother, forming the firm of H. P. & P. L. Cannon. The following year they bought out Mr. Ward, adding his store to their other business. Philip L. Cannon married, June 25, 1874, Mi-s Hester Polk, daughter of Curtis William Jacobs, a wealthy agriculturist and business man of St. Martins, Worcester county, Md.

DANIEL G. FISHER was born November 25, 1823. His father, Alexander Fisher, a farmer of Sussex county, served in the war of 1812, and was in the action at Lowes. He was a worthy memberof the Societyof Friends, and died in 1850 in his sixty-fifth year. His wife was Mary, daughter of George Newbold, of the same county, who removed west in 1819. She was also a Friend. She died July 4, 1870, aged eighty-four years. Daniel

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BIOGRAPHIICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

G. Fisher attended the schools of his neigh- borhood till his eighteenth year, after which he taught eight years. Having thus obtained the necessary means, he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. W. L. Atlee, a distin- guished surgeon of Philadelphia. Entering in 1849, he graduated in 1852, from the University of Pennsylvania.

He then settled in Seaford, where he re- mained until 1863, when he accepted the post of surgeon of the board of enrollment for Del- aware, and was for some time in Smyrna, and afterward in Wilmington. Returning to Seaford at the close of the war he continued there the remainder of his life. His large practice extended over an area of sixteen miles. He was a skillful physician, and his kind, sympathetic disposition endeared him to many.

Dr. Fisher paid much attention to the edu- cational interests of the state and served sev- eral terms as school commissioner for his town and district. He died at Seaford in 1881, greatly regretted.

MARTIN EDWARD WALKER was born February 25, 1829, in Thoroughfare Neck, where, also, his father, Isaac Walker, a farmer, was born in 1776, and spent his life. Ile was an excellent man, a stewart for many years in the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife, Ann Brattan, of the same lo- cality was also a member, and both were de- voted christians. She died April 25, 1837, and her Imshand January 4, 1515. Her

mother, whose name was also Ann Brattan, died in 1846 at the age of eighty-one.

The family were of Irish origin and have lived in Delaware for many generations. Martin E. Walker grew up on the farm, at- tending school four miles di-tant in the winter season only. When he was fourteen his fa- ther died, after which he went but one more winter. He made his home with one of his brothers, and worked for his board and clothes until he was twenty-one.

In 1852 he became a. clerk at Summit Bridge and continued in this occupation at different stores for five years. He then com- menced a store of his own in Middletown. Steady, industrious, careful and upright, his enterprise was attended with yearly increasing success, but the confinement and care were prejudicial to his health, which in 1865 com- pletely gave way and he was compelled to dis- pose of the business.

After two years, having sufficiently recu- perated, he decided to devote himself to an out door occupation and commenced farm- ing in Middletown. In March, 1868, he pur- chased the farm "Bell Plain," containing 260 acres, on which he settled. It was then a wil- derness, none of it under good cultivation. He soon had it cleared, and wonderfully improved the whole property.

Martin E. Walker married, May 12, 1858, Mi-s Maria, daughter of Philip D. and Pris- cilla Riley, and they have had issue: I. Hor- ace Maurice; II. Washington Irving; III. Martin Edward Walker, Jr.

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STATE OF DELAWARE

IN GOOD OLD SUSSEX COUNTY

Dedicated to the Sons of Delaware.

By GEORGE B. HYNSON.

In good old Sussex County down in little Delaware, I often say to my old wife, "I'm glad we're livin' there." The country's kind of humble like, a-stretchin' to the sea; It ain't a stylish lookin' place, and don't pertend to be; They ain't a mountain anywhere a-holdin' up its head; They ain't no rocks, but only sand a-shinin' there instead, But they's allus welcome fer ye, you can feel it in the air, In good old Sessex County, down in little Delaware.

The sweetest kind of music is the rustle of the corn, And the whipoorwills a-callin' in the early of the morn, And the bees among the clover hummin' sech a lovely tune, That a feller'd be contented with an everlastin' June, I love to watch the glowin' sun and then the summer rain, That teches up the dusty grass, and makes it smile again, With happiness fer everyone, and jest a bit to spare, In good old Sessex County, down in little Delaware.

I reckon they ain't nuthin', that a feller could compare To the red and jucy peaches that you find a-growin' there; Jest help yerself, its all the same ef you should take a few, Fer every farmer counts hisself a neighbor unto you; They say in good old Sessex, "that sense the air is free, And not a cent to pay fer it, that peaches ought to be;" So help yerself, I reckon they's a-plenty and to spare, In good old Sessex County, down in little Delaware.

I like to be in Sessex in the water-millon time, 'Cause that's the place to git 'em ef you want 'em in their prime, Some says the finest millon is the good old "Mountain Sweet," And others says the "Rattlesnake" is ruther hard to beat, But the finest water-millon you must pull at early morn, While the dew is shinin' on him, and you eat him in the corn; You take him from a neighbor, who has plenty and to spare, In good old Sessex County, down in little Delaware.

I like to hear the fellers talk around the village store, Of hosses and of politics, and why the land is pore, Of rabbit-dogs and setter pups, and social like, you know,- About your neighbors' business, and all the debts they owe; And talk about the crops of corn, and 'bout the price of wheat And how to pickle pork, ye know, to make it fit to eat; And every other livin' thing they'll be discussin' there, In good old Sessex County, down in little Delaware.

I like to see the purple grapes a-hangin from the vines; I like to hear the rabbit-dogs a-yelpin' in the pines; When the shoats are all a thrivin' and the turkeys gittin' fat, With "possum and pertaters" fer ver mouth to water at,

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The boys a-gittin' hickory-nuts, the men a-huskin' corn, The women gittin' dinner, and the gals to blow the horn, Of all the blessing' goin', they has got the biggest share, In good old Sessex County, down in little Delaware.

And 'long in winter evenins' I like to stay at home, Around the fire and warm myself, and have the neighbors come, And talk in jest a social way about the folks you know; And maybe mention one or two that's underneath the snow; And have some meller apples then and cider jest to waste, With a little drop of suthin' else to give the stuff a taste. We make it out of peaches that you find a-growin' there, In good old Sessex County, down in little Delaware.

I ain't as spry as onet I was, I guess I'm gittin' old; I'm pushed aside fer younger men, I ain't no good I'm told; My boys they all has left the farm, and gone in town to stay; They pester me to sell the place, and then to move away; But here alone with my old wife, I'm happy as I be, With all the fields, and all the flowers a-smilin' back at me, And jest a few more years, I guess and we will slumber there,- In good old Sessex County, down in little Delaware.

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STATE OF DELAWARE

NEW CASTLE COUNTY.

ASIILAND is a thriving village, situated on Landenberg branch of the B. & O. R. R., about twelve miles from Wilmington. The country surrounding is a rich farming district. The fine water-power afforded by Red Clay creek which winds its way through this re- gion, is utilized by numerous mills and fac- tories scattered along its banks.

Some of the citizens living in and surround- ing this village are: Andrew Anderson; Ar- chibald Armstrong; John Armstrong; Ste- phen Armstrong; William Armstrong; George Boyd; A. Boyd; James Chandler; John Chandler; A. J. Cloud; George MI. Cloud; James P. Cloud; Catharine Conner; William Cray; B. F. Dilworth; James Dil- worth; Isaac Dixon; M. C. Dixon; Samuel Dixon; John Donagby; Bernard Dougherty; Harriet Dowd; Samuel Ferguson; Henry Gibson; E. F. Grady; Michael Grady; Ed- ward Graves; C. Highfield; Samuel Haines; Alfred Ingram; Henry Kane; John Kane; John H. Kane; Michael Kane; Bennett J. Klair; Chandler Lamborn; Daniel Lynch; Patrick Lynch; Isaac Mills; J. P. Masou; Peter Mason; Stephen Mitchell; Patrick Muldoon; Frank Mullen; Machael Mullen; S. Murray; Edward Plankinton; Thomas Quigley; J. D. Sharpless; Thomas Thorne; E. S. Vose; Jacob May; Edward S. May; Joseph Wilson.

AUGUSTINE is a small village on the Brandywine, near Wilmington, and is inhabit- ed principally by the employees of the Augus- tine Paper Mills. Several of the trains on the B. & O. R. R. stop at the place. Some of the citizens are: John Briggs; George Brodie; Thomas Cavanaugh; C. B. Moore; Chas. Kennedy; William A. Lindsay; Joseph Phillips.

BEAR STATION is located in the south- ern part of New Castle hundred, about ten

miles from Wilmington. The Delaware rail- road passes through the place.

Some of the citizens in and surrounding Bear Station are: George Appleby; George W. Appleby, Jr .; John Biddle; B. B. Barnes; D. H. Boyce; A. C. Brown; Eli Crossann; Edward Davis; George Deputy; Frank Diehl; John F. Diehl; William George; J. F. Hayes; Joseph T. Gough; W. R. Gough; James Grimes; John II. Henry; James Higgins; George James; John Moore; George Proud; Thomas Robinson; Thomas Slack; Martin Statleton; F. Wal- thers; D. C. Webb.

BEAVER VALLEY, a flourishing village, situated on the border line of Pennsylvania, in Brandywine hundred, about seven miles from Wilmington on the Wilmington and Northern R. R.

Some of the citizens residing in the place and surrounding country are: Lewis Bullock; Daniel Casey; H. W. Davis; William Hink- son; Mike Hanley; Elizabeth Highfield; Gilpin Highfield; Minshall Hinson; James Jenkins; Chas. MeFarland; Charles Morlin; Robert Murray; Daniel Peters; J. W. Per- kins; Huey Ramsey; Martin Sheldon; E. D. Talley; William Talley; Francis Tempest; Jacob Twaddell; John Twaddell; Alfred Twaddell; Hiram Twaddell; Charles Wig- gius; Samuel Wright.

BELLEVUE is a beautiful neighborhood on the P., W. & B. R. R., about five miles from Wilmington, in Brandywine hundred. The view of the Delaware river form this point is a very fine one.

Some of the citizens residing in this vi- cinity are: George Ayres; Henry B. Dun- can: William DuPont; Lewis Fraim; Bay- ard Guest; J. W. Guest; Mrs. J. H. Guest;

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Albert Habhardt; J. O. Larowe; William Lattomus; W. B. Livermore; James McCrea; William McCrea; J. C. Orr; Robert Orr; N. S. Orr; Allison Palmer; Louis Pfromm; Theodore B. Stubb; George W. Phillips; I. (. Pierce; Charles Service; J. C. Service; C. F. Siddon; Nicholas Spieles; Rev. Charles II. Williams; Grant Valentine.

BLACKBIRD is a town in Blackbird hun- dred, about six miles from Middletown, and thirty from Wilmington. Blackbird creek is about one mile distant, and being navigable, assists in making a fine market for the place. What the citizens in that locality have for sale, can be readily shipped via the railroad, or by boat.

Some of the inhabitants who reside in the vicinity of Blackbird are: R. C. Brockson; John Berth; J. E. Brockson; W. Burgess; J. E. Catts; Thomas Deakyne; Maggie Dil- worth; B. B. Ferguson; W. H. Fennimore; (. Ferguson; William Fortner; J. C. Gib- bons; George Hickey; Auley Hill; V. O. Hill; N. T. Hill; J. R. Ilobson; (. John- son; W. J. Jones; W. Keen; David Keen; John Knox; C. B. Naylor; W. Monroe; R. Powell; U. L. Reynolds; M. Rousch; George Scott; J. E. Shaw; A. Shockley; II. C. Walker; B. West; Mortimer Records; Robert Simpler; Mrs. R. Warren.

CARPENTER is an agricultural village located about three miles from Wilmington, along the line of the B. & O. R. R. Wilming- ton is the nearest plece for the citizens of Carpenter to do banking.

Some of those residing in the neighborhood of Carpenter are: David Coverdale; Alfred Hanby; Frank Hanby; J. K. Hanby; Win- field Hanby; Warren Messimer; Clarence Petite; John Prince; Thomas Pyle; C. E. Osborne.

CARCROFT is a postoffice and village about three miles from Wilmington, its near- est banking town. The B. & O. R. R. runs

through the place, which affords the people fine facilities for shipping the large quantities of produce that is raised.

Some of the inhabitants of that neighbor- hood are: J. E. Addicks; Benjamin P. Dixon; H. B. Groves; B. Hanby; Elias P. Hanby; Joseph II. Lewis; R. L. Baldwin; John B. Miller; Chas. Paschall; Franklin Paschall; Henry M. Paschall; Isaac S. Tal- ley; Cassius C. Webster; William Webster; Joseph H. Welden; Robert F. Wilson; John W. Weaber; William S. Whiteford.

CENTREVILLE is in the northern part of Christiana hundred, on one of the highest portions of Delaware, near Brandywine creek. It is about seven miles from Wilmington. The soil in the surrounding country is fertile and much marketable grain and vegetables are grown. Among the people who reside in that community are: William Armstrong; William Armour; Alfred Carpenter; Chas. W. Carpenter; H. F. Carpenter; J. L. Carp- penter; William Carpenter; Jesse Chandler; Joseph P. Chandler; P. Poulson Chandler; Thomas Carey; Frank D. Chandler; L. W. Colmery; George S. Cook; B. F. Dilworth; W. L. Dilworth; Thomas Dilworth; Ber- nard Dalton; B. F. Dalton; J. T. Dalton; Thos. Dalton; Horace Dilworth; John El- der; J. H. Harvey; J. H. Gould; Samuel Harvey; Everett Hollingsworth; Aquila Jackson; Maurice C. Jackson; John Kelly; Frederick Klair; Henry Kent; John Lutz; Robt. MeCullough; Henry MeCullough; John MeCullough; James McDonald; Jane Me Dermott; Bridget McDonald; James Mc- Guire; Elmer Mace; Robert Merrick; W. P. Seal; J. C. Smith; J. M. Stuart; George A. Willis; W. Atwood Wilson; David Woods; John Mullen; Gustave Negendank; W. S. Oaks; Lewis Potts; W. P. Seal; Thomas Strohorn; W. S. Talley; Wm. Tay- lor; Wm. Thompson; Jacob May; W. A. Wilson; John Woods; Charles Wright.

CHOATE is a village located in a fertile region near Harmony which is the nearest R. R. station. Among the many citizens in

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 102

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