Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 11

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 11

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Eber A. Daisey, Jr., attended the public schools of the district for a short time. His mother, an intelligent, well-educated woman, taught her son at home. Eber A. Daisey in-

herited his father's love for the sea and when only fourteen shipped before the mast on the coasting vessel Caroline Hall, Captain E. B. Williams. Although so young he did a man's work, and at nineteen was a deck-hand on the tug boat J. B. Woodward, plying between Philadelphia, Pa., and Florida. He was intel- ligent and observant, and at twenty-one was a thoroughly competent seaman. On attaining his majority in 1883, Mr. Daisey bought the tug S. L. Snyder, and he was captain of this boat, plying on the Delaware Bay, until 1884, when it was destroyed by fire. Captain Daisey's loss was insignificant, as he was a prudent business man, and his boat was amply insured. Mr. Daisey was afterwards captain of several other boats, among them the Wil- liam Dore, owned by Peoples & Co., of Phil- adelphia. Captain Daisey's services are con- stantly in demand, as he is a most trustworthy officer. Until 1895, Captain Daisey's home was in Philadelphia, but in that year he pur- chased his present home, a farm in West Dover hundred, where he spends the winter months. Captain Daisey is a stanch Democrat, actively interested in local politics.

Eber A. Daisey was married in 1887, to Mary L. (MeNeal) West, widow of Isaac West, who had one child, Charles, born in 1881. Mrs. Daisey's maternal ancestors were emigrants from the British Isles. Her par- ents, Wilson and Mary (Bishop) MeNeal, resided in Worcester county, Md., where their daughter, Mrs. Daisey, was born.

EUGENE RASII, P. O. Pearson's Cor- ners, Kent county, Del., son of Moses and Maria (Casson) Rash, was born at the home- stead in Kent county, Del., January 7, 1847.

Joseph Rash, grandfather of Eugene Rash, was Welsh by descent, and owned and culti- vated a large farm near Camden, Del. Af- ter the death of his first wife, Mr. Rash sold his property and purchased the homestead, a farm of 300 acres near Pearson's Corners, Kent county, Del. His second wife was Eliza- beth Hurd. Their children are: I. Margaret (Mrs. David Vincent); II. James; III. and IV. twins, Moses and Sarah ( Mrs. Jonathan Green); V. Ann (Mrs. John Townsend): VI. Mark, married Sarah Carson. Mr. Rash died at his home in 1535, aged eighty years. His son, Moses Rash, was born at the homestead near Pearson's Corners, in 18 ---. He was

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educated in the public schools, and learned farming under his father's supervision. IIe began farming for himself on a part of the homestead. For fourteen years Mr. Rash was deputy sheriff of Kent county. Hle after- wards removed to Palmyra, N. J., where he took charge of a hotel. This business proving unsatisfactory, he secured a position as col- lector and city salesman for a commercial house in Philadelphia, Pa. Mr. Rash was af- terwards engaged as a broker for William McCauley in Wilmington, Del. For four or five years he served on the city police force, and then secured a position in the United States detective service, and removed to Washington, D. C. Some time after this, his health failing, Mr. Rash retired to his farm in Kent county, Del. Moses Rash was mar- ried to Maria, daughter of Henry Casson, who was born near Pearson's Cross Roads. Their children are: I. John, died in youth; II. Mayers, died in youth; III. Sarah (Mrs. John Cohn); IV. Mona (Mrs. Blanchard Smith); V. Eugene; VI. Pennell, married Hester Looce. Mr. Rash died at his home in Kent county, Del., in 1887.

Eugene Rash was educated in the public schools of Kent county. He remained at home and learned farming, but afterwards became a dealer in lumber, forming a part- nership with his brother, Pennell Rash. He is a successful business man, is interested in local polities, and has identified himself with the Republican party.

Eugene Rash was married to Marion, daughter of William Wheeler. Mrs. Rash was born in Kent county, Del., and was still a child when her parents removed to Berlin, Md., where she lived until the time of her marriage. The children of Eugene and Marian (Wheeler) Rash are: I. Ida (Mrs. Howard Thompson); II. Willard; III. Ed- ward; IV. Annie; V. Minnie; VI. Elizabeth; VII. Jessie.

ROBERT A. DAVIS, Slaughter, Kent county, Del., son of Robert M. and Marv J. (Abbott) Davis, was born on a farm twelve miles south of Milford, Sussex county, Del., October 21, 1845.

Mr. Davis' grandfather, Henry Davis, was a native of Sussex county, where his life was spent in farming. He served through the war of 1812. Henry Davis was married to Edith

Townsend in 1806. Their children are: I. Alexander, one of the pioneer settlers of Iowa, whither he removed with his wife and family, making the long journey in his wagon, married three times, is still living in Iowa; . II. Henry, served in the army during the Mex- ican War, was in California at the gold mines in the fifties, is an inmate in the Soldiers' Home at Norfolk, Va .; III. Nehemiah, died while visiting in North Dakota; IV. Robert M .; V. Joseph M., resides at Milford, Del. Henry Davis died at his home in Sussex coun- ty, aged fifty-three; his widow lived to be an octogenarian.

Robert M. Davis was born on the home farm in Sussex county. He attended the pub- he schools of the district, but was obliged to assist on the farm and could not always be spared, even during the short winter terms. Mr. Davis began farming for himself on a tract of land near Cedar Creek. He has now retired from active farm life, and resides at Wilmington, Del. Mr. Davis was a Whig, and afterwards identified himself with the Know Nothing party; he is now a Republican, and although he has passed his seventy-ninth birthday, is interested in all the affairs of the county. Robert M. Davis was married in 1841 to Mary J. Abbott, of Sussex county, Del. Their children are: I. Sarah E. (Mrs. Albert Argo), deceased; HI. Joseph Henry, of Wilmington, Del .; III. Robert A .; IV. Mary J. (Mrs. Lawrence Kettle- wood), of Philadelphia, Pa .; V. Eliza- beth (Mrs. George Davis), of Wilming- ton; VI. William W., contractor, Philadel- phit, Pa .; VII. Annie M. (Mrs. Clayton Smith), Wilmington, Del .; VIII. Martha E. (Mrs. Julius Smith), of Ridley Park, Pa .; IX. Arthur M., merchant, Wilmington, Del .; X. John Frank, merchant, Wilmington, Del .; XI. Laura E. (Mrs. Kettlewood), Philadel- phia, Pa. Mr. Robert M. Davis is a member of the M. E. church, as was his wife also; she died in 1882, aged fifty-nine.

Robert J. Davis received a good education in the public schools of Sussex county. He was an intelligent boy, and a diligent student. So well did he improve his opportunities that at eighteen he was qualified to teach, and for eighteen years taught successfully in the dis- triet schools of Sussex, Kent and New Castle counties. Mr. Davis lived simply and cco- nomically, and at the end of his eighteen years

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of professional service had saved a sum suť ficient to enable him to begin business for himself. In 1881, he opened a store in Blackbird, New Castle county; four years afterwards, he sold his store and removed to his present home in Slaughter, Kent county. Here he opened the general store which he still owns and directs. Mr. Davis is intelli- gent and well-read, and converses fluently upon the interesting topics of the day. His pleasant manner and obliging disposition make him a favoroite with his numerous customers. In 1885 Mr. Davis was appointed agent of the Delaware and Chesapeake station at Slaugh- ter, Del. This position he still holds. In the same year Mr. Davis was appointed postmas- ter at Slaughter, but after discharging the duties of the office for four years, he was sup- erceded by his wife, who received her ap- pointment in 1889. In 1888 Mr. Davis was elected on the Republican ticket to the state legislature and served one term, representing his constituency satisfactorily. Mr. Davis is an enterprising man, and besides his other in- terests in 1894 he established a creamery which he operated successfully at Slaughter until 1898. During this year he sold his creamery, and became engaged in the tomato packing business.

Robert A. Davis was married at Kenton, Del., in 1869, to Sarah A. Jones, of Kenton. In 1884 they were afflicted by the loss of two loving children, Dora and Willie. Their chil- dren are: I. Florence (Mrs. S. II. Cham- bers), of Cheswold, Del .; II. Robert M., clerk in a commission house in New York; III. Thomas Henry; IV. John Frank; V. Mary Ada; VI. Blanche; VII. Roger A .; VIII. Edith.

HION. JAMES WILLIAMS, Slaughter, Kent county, Del., son of James and Elizabeth ( Wallace) Williams, was born in Kent county, Del., February 20, 1830.

Mr. Williams' father, James Williams, farmer, was a native of Delaware. He was twice married; the only child by his first mar- riage was Sarah Ann (Mrs. Griffin Moore), who died in Kent county, Del. James Wil- liams' second wife was Elizabeth Wallace. They had two children, twins: I. James; II. Thomas, married first to Miss Hutchens, and after her death to Miss Hindsley. James Wil-

liams, Sr., died at his home in North Murder- kill hundred, Kent county, Del.

James Williams, 2, was born on the prop- erty then owned by John Clayton, now by Kent county, for the use of Kent county alms- house. James Wlliams never knew a father's care, his father having died before his birth. His uncle, Joseph Wallace, took the child to his home and cared for him as his own son. James Williams' educational advantages were very limited; he was able to attend the dis- trict school only two and a half or at most three months during the winter. He was, however, a diligent student, and improved his opportunities, putting a double value upon every moment spent over his books. When he was seventeen his mother died, and James was left entirely to the care of his uncle, with whom he remained until he attained his ma- jority. Without a dollar in his pocket, but richly endowed with good habits, energy and health, James Williams started to make his way in the world. He had learned farming with his uncle and hired as a laborer on the farm of John J. Voshell, near Hazlettville, Del. Here he remained for three years, re- ceiving as his assistance proved more valuable, seven, eight, and finally nine dollars per month, board and lodging. Mr. Williams then worked for a year with Mr. Cox; the following year rented a farm from Mr. Voshell. By un- remitting industry and economy Mr. Wil- liams had been able to save some money as a hired laborer, and the same manner of living made him more successful while renting, so that after farming for some time on leased land, he was able to purchase a home of his own. In 1872, he bought 200 acres of the Cox farm, situated on Tappohanna Marsh, and afterwards purchased another farm of 184 acres, both of which he still owns. . After a long and useful life on the farm, Mr. Williams sold his live stock, and removed to Slaughter, Del., where he enjoys the rest and ease which reward him for his toils. He is a Democrat, interested in all the affairs of the county. For four years he served as com- missioner of the Levy Court, and in 1882 was elected to a seat in the state legislature. His honorable and upright life commands the re- spect and confidence of the community.

Hon. James Williams was married to Jo- hannah, daughter of Moses and Sarah (Sew- ard) Ford, of West Dover hundred. Their

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children are: I. Sarah (Mrs. John W. Vir- two years he was a section hand on the Dela- din); 11. Henry, married Katherine Marvel; III. Martin F., of Wihnington, Del., married Lydia Lord; IV. Lona (Mrs. George P. Scot- ten), of West Dover hundred; V. Unity ( Mrs. Ambrose Marvel), of West Dover hundred.

JOSEPH POOR, Hartley, Kent county, Del., son of William Poor, was born near Slaughter, Del., June 15, 1842.

William Poor, a native of Kent county, Del., was born and spent his youth on a farm. Ile was an industrious and thrifty farmer. William Poor was married in his twenty-second year, and had one son, Joseph. In the prime of life Mr. William Poor was killed by a stroke of lightning. His widow married Thomas M. Harrington, and has chil- dren: I. Ruth Ann; II. Nathan; III. Philip F .: IV. Sarah E .; V. Mary 1 .; VI. Henrietta.

Joseph Poor was but a child when his father died. Ile grew up on the farm, working dur- ing the summer months and attending the dis- triet schools during the winter term, complet- ing his education at seventeen. After his mother's second marriage he was not comforta- ble at home and decided to find employment elsewhere. At the age of fourteen, Joseph Poor hired as a farm laborer to the neighbor- ing farmers, receiving his board and eight dol- lars per month. Although he was only a boy he took his place in the harvest field with the men, and did a full day's work. Mr. Poor continued to work as a farm laborer until he was nineteen. In 1861, at the breaking out of the Civil War, he enlisted at Cambridge, Md., as a private in Company D, First Mary- land Volunteer Infantry. The regiment was detailed for guard duty, and spent the winter of 1861-62 on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. The regiment, under General Slocum, was af- terwards assigned to the Twelfth Corps, and under Brigadier General Lockwood took part in the battle of Gettysburg, in the division commanded by General Low Wallace. Mr. Poor was honorably discharged at the expira- tion of his term of service in 1864. Returning to Delaware, he secured a position as clerk in a store in Felton, Kent county, but soon af- terwards began farming on rented land. Af- ter spending two years in cultivating the soil, Mr. Poor obtained employment as a clerk in a hotel in Marydel, Caroline county, Mdl., and was afterwards clerk at Dixon's Tavern. For

ware and Chesapeake railroad; and in JJune, 1873, was appointed station agent at Slaugh- ter, Del. While in Slaughter, Mr. Poor also managed a general store, and employed his evenings and leisure moments in learning tele- graphy. He made such good use of his op- portunities that his diligence and skill were ob- served, and in 1882 he received his reward, the appointment as station and freight agent, and telegraph operator at Hartley, Del. While in this position he began business as a fruit shipper, in which he was so successful, that he resigned his agency, May 9, 18-, that he might devote his whole time to it. In 1892 he was appointed postmaster of Hartley, and conducted the business of the office so satisfactorily that he was re-appointed, and served until June 2, 1897. In October, 1893, Mr. Poor leased the Hartley Hotel, re- pairing and refurnishing the house. The Hartley Hotel is now well-known to travelers, and is a favorite stopping place.

Joseph Poor was married April 18, 1871, to Amanda Booker, a native of Queen Anne's county, Md. Their children are: I. Lilly May, died in youth; II. William II., born June 10, 1873.

EDWARD MASON, P. O. Dover, Del., son of Daniel and Mary Ann (Casson) Mason, was born at the old homestead in East Dover Indred, Kent county, Del., April 1, 1840.

Mr. Mason's grandfather, Isaac Mason, was of English descent, and was born in Kent county, Del. Isaac Mason married Miss Davis. Their children are: I. Elizabeth ( Mrs. James C'atts); II. Daniel; III. Ann (Mrs. David Smith); IV. Mary (Mrs. - - of Illinois. All are deceased. Mr. Mason died Emerson), in 1846, at Dover, Del., aged eighty-seven. Ilis wife died in Milford, Del., aged seventy- seven years.

Daniel Mason was born at the homestead, near Smyrna, Del., where he grew up and received his education. When he was a young man, he went with his parents to a farm ou St. Jones' Neck; and in 1829, began farming for himself on the farm on which his sou, Ed- ward, now resides, then the property of his father-in-law. Mr. Mason was a member of the Republican party, actively interested in local affairs, Daniel Mason was married in St. Jones' Neck to Mary, daughter of Myers

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Casson, of Kent county, Del. Their children are: 1. Lewis, died at the homestead; Il. Sarah, married Purnell Thompson, both de- ceased; III. Caroline, died in youth; IV. Daniel, served during the Civil War as a pri- vate in the First Delaware Cavalry, died in a hospital in Baltimore, Md .; V. Edward; V.I. Mary E. (Mrs. Nathan Bareus), deceased; VII. John P., a merchanie near Philadelphia, Pa. Mr. Mason and his wife were members of the M. E. church. He died at his home in Kent county, Del., in 1881, aged eighty-two; his wife died in 1850.

Edward Mason attended the public schools of the district, and remained at home work- ing with his father on the farm. He en- listed August 21, 1862, in the First Dela- ware Cavalry, under Colonel Napoleon Knight. During his whole term of ser- vice, the regiment was detailed for guard duty. Mr. Mason was honorably dis- charged June 7, 1865. Returning to Kent county, Del., he began farming on his own account on the oll homestead, a tract of 121 acres of arable land on which he now resides. Mr. Mason is a successful farmer, and besides raising abundant erops of grain, pays particu- lar attention to the cultivation of choice fruits. Like his father, he is a Republican, interested in all that concerns the welfare of the com- mmmity.

Edward Mason was married in1870 to Be- linda Prettyman. Their children are: I. George; IT. Edith (Mrs. Levin Casson), re- sides near Dover, Del .; III. John; IV. Mary Ann; V. Ethel; VI. Bessie; VII. Nellie B. Mr. Mason and his wife are members of the M. E. church.

EMANUEL J. BROWN, M. D., Wyom- ing. Del., son of John G. and Elizabeth ( Wolf) Brown, was born near Lewisburg, Union county, Pa., August 10, 1856.

Ilis ancestors came from Holland. His great-grandfather and eight brothers settled in various sections of the United States. Onewent to Alabama, another to Ohio, still another to Illinois, while the great-grandfather made his first home in America near Johnstown, Pa., and afterward removed to Lewisburg, where he engaged in farming. The late Abraham W. Brown, grandfather of Emanuel J. Brown, was a native of I'nion county, Pa., and was born near Lewisburg. He was a distiller,

and was possessed of much land and other property. He retired from business when he was fifty years old. Mr. Brown married Miss Gundy, who died at the age of thirty-live. They had children: I. John G .; II. Elias; III. Catherine: IV. Elizabeth; V. Sarah ( Mrs. Schrack), a widow, residing in North Murder- kill hundred; VI. Jacob G .; VII. Abraham, who died in boyhood; all deceased, except Mrs: Schrack.

John G. Brown was born and reared on the farm near Lewisburg. He inherited the great- er part of the homestead. Hle was a man of re- tiring disposition, but much respected. In po- litical affairs he was a Democrat. John G. Brown married Elizabeth, daughter of Leon- ard and Elizabeth Wolf, of Union county, Pa. They had children: I. Abraham W., of Lewisburg, Pa., married Rosa Albert; II. Mary E. (Mrs. John Dager), of Philadelphia, widow; IHI. Margaret ( Mrs. William Schrack), of Lewisburg, Pa .; IV. Isaac W., of Lewis- burg, married Miss Stahl; V. Emma E., wife of Rev. F. W. Brown, of Walker, Centre county, Pa .; VI. Emanuel J .; VII. Solomon W., married Clara Dunkle, resides on the homestead farm at Lewisburg, Pa .; Annie G., died ummarried, in early womanhood. Two other children died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. John G. Brown are both deceased.

Emanuel J. Brown attended public schools in Union county, Pa., until he was twenty years old, and assisted his father on the farm during the vacation months. When he was twenty, he prepared for college at Bucknell Academy, Lewisburg, Pa. After completing his collegiate course, Mr. Brown matriculated, in 1882, in the medical department of the University of New York, from which he was graduated in 1884. Before attending medical lectures, he had devoted some time at home to the study of pharmacy, and after his gradu- ation in New York he opened a drug store in Wyoming, Del., beginning at the same time to practice there as a physician and surgeon. In 1889 his health failed. He closed his store and became a traveling salesan for Seabury & Johnson, wholesale dealers of New York City. A year later, having regained his health, he returned to Wyoming to resume his medical practice. In this he has met with much suc- cess. Dr. Brown is a self-made man, having paid his own tuition in pursuing his studies, and is esteemed for his energy and ability.

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Ile is a member of Camden Lodge, No. 33, Junior O. U. A. M., of Kent Lodge, No. 8, A. O. U. W., and of the State Pharmaceutical Society. He votes with the Democratic party.

On November 18, 1884, Dr. Emanuel J. Brown was married to Millisia E., daughter of Jacob and Julia (Brown) Giltner, of Wil- liamsport, Pa. They are members of the German Reformed church.

CAPTAN JOHN C. DURBOROUGH, Lebanon, Kent county, Del., son of Captain David and Lydia (Cooper) Durborough, was born in Lebanon, February 14, 1832.

His father was born near Lebanon and was a sailor nearly all his life. Going to sea when a youth, he rose from one position to another until he became captain of a vessel, and was honored in his profession and out of it, be- cause of his sterling integrity. Captain Dur- borough was a Whig until that party ceased to have an existence; he then adopted the princi- ples of the Republican party. David Durbor- ough married Lydia Cooper, of Kent county. Hle died near Rising Sun, Md., at the age of eighty-two years.

Captain John C. Durborough was early left an orphan. His mother died when he was six years old and he was placed in the care of strangers. In the public schools, which he at- tended for a short time, he acquired his rudi- mentary education, and supplemented this by well selected reading, after he began to make his own way in life. When he reached the age of thirteen he became a sailor, and at twenty was captain of a coasting vessel. He continued sailing from port to port on the coast for twenty years, and then purchased an interest in a packet boat running from Leba- non to Philadelphia. This boat was called the Tabitha S. Greer, and Mr. Durborough was its captain. He was next captain and part owner of the Samuel Lockwood, the T. P. Mccauley and the Martha Burnite. Then he purchased the Eliza Ann West, but afterwards disposed of this vessel and built the schooner Stetson & Ellison. Later still he took charge of the Hannah M. Sallis and the S. II. Lerin, and finally bought an interest in the steamer Holt, of which he became captain. This boat has been remodeled and renamed the Mary M. Githerns, and Mr. Durborough has com- manded it for the past eleven years. He is a Republican in politics.

Captain John C. Durborough was married in 1856, to Susan F. Wells. They have nine children. Captain Durborough has been a member of the M. E. church for thirty-tive years, and is prominent in its work.

WILLIAM B. WHEATLY, Lebanon, Del., son of Baynard and Mary (Brown) Wheatly, was born near Dover, Kent county, Del., December 22, 1828.

The Wheatly family originally came from England and settled on the banks of the Choptank River, in Maryland. There the grandfather of William B. Wheatly lived and raised a large family. He was twice married. His second wife survived him several years. Baynard Wheatly, father of William B. Wheatly, was born near Denton, Md., a son of his father's first wife. He remained there and worked at coach-trim- ming with his father until he was nineteen years old, when he went to Kent county, Del. - Ile was then a poor boy with a limited educa- tion. His first employment in Delaware was given him by a widow lady, Mrs. Dewees, near Felton, for whom he did farm work, and con- tinued a laborer on the farm until he was mar- ried. Then he resided near Canterbury for a year, and afterwards removed to the Fisher farm, now known as the Roe farm, near Do- ver, where he remained fourteen years. After the death of his second wife he returned to Canterbury. Baynard Wheatly's first wife was Mary Brown, who was born and reared at Bonnewell's Mill, near Frederica, Kent coun- ty, Del., and died in 1845, aged thirty-three years. They had children: I. William B .; II. George F., of Leipsie, retired; III. Sarah ( Mrs. Martin Knight); IV. Elizabeth ( Mrs. John Husband); V. Baynard, 2, of Virginia, a M. E. minister; VI. Martha (Mrs. Samuel Sherwood), deceased, was the mother of six- teen children, of whom eleven are living; VII. Sydney ( Mrs. Samuel Fawcett). Baynard Wheatly's second marriage was with Mrs. Francis Conley, a widow, who died several years later. Mr. Wheatly died in Canterbury in 1856, aged fifty-six years. He was a mem- ber of the M. E. church.

William B. Wheatly was born on the farm owned by George F. Fisher, near Dover. His curation was obtained in the public schools, which, however, he could only attend during a portion of the winter sessions. He learned to

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 11

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