Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 17

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

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August, 1856, was appointed station agent for the Pennsylvania Railroad at Canterbury. In November, 1857, he was placed in charge of the Frederica Station, now called Felton, and has since continued in that position. He left the farm in 1858. Mr. Conner is highly es- teemed by the people of Kent county, and among other responsible trusts is a director of the National Bank of Smyrna. His political views are Republican. He has never held an elective office, but was once a candidate for Levy Court commissioner.

James Barrett Conner married, in 1843, Emily, daughter of John and Eliza Ann (An- derson) Bailey, of Canterbury. Their chil- dren are: I. Alice C., married first to Dr. Emil Bonwell, and after his death to William Wesley Bailey, with whom she removed to Fairburg, Neb., where Mr. Bailey died two years after; Mrs. Bailey then returned to her father's home in Delaware, where she now re- sides; II. Emma S., wife of Dr. J. W. Clifton, has one son, Alfred Lee; III. Alvin Barrett. Mrs. Conner died in Felton in 1886. Mr. Conner married as his second wife, in 1887, Annie Seward, daughter of Joseph and Eliza Bell (Sanson) Seward, of Little Creek hun- dred, Kent county. Mr. Conner is an active member of the M. E. church. He has been especially interested in Sunday school work, and for many years has been superintendent.

Alvin Barrett Conner was born in Canter- bury, September 30, 1848. He attended the public schools of Felton and Fort Edward In- stitute, Fort Edward, N. Y. In 1865 he was made assistant to the Pennsylvania railroad agent at Dover, and telegrapher at the station, having learned telegraphy from his father. From Dover he was transferred to Felton, and became operator and ticket agent of that sta- tion in March, 1867. He has been an exten- sive dealer in fruits and grains, is a director of the First National Bank of Dover and of the Delaware Fire Insurance Company. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and an ac- tive Republican.

Alvin Barrett Conner was married, Decem- ber 19, 1871, to Eliza, daughter of Dr. W. L. and Rachel W. Lafferty. Their children are: 1. Mabel B .; II. Chella W .: III. J. Barratt. Mrs. Conner is a native of Pounsylvania. Iler grandfather was one of the pioneer teamsters who carried heavy loads of freight in Cones- toga wagons over the national pike to Pitt-

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burg, and contributed one of its most pie- turesque pages to Pennsylvania's history; when he retired from "wagoning," he settled at Brownsville, Pa. Her father was born in Delaware, but went to Pittsburg with his parents while he was a boy. He studied medi- eine in Pennsylvania, began practice in Brownsville, and remained there thirty years. Dr. Lafferty afterwards purchased a farm near Canterbury, Del., where he spent the re- mainder of his life.

PHILIP MONROE MONEY, M. D., Felton, Kent county, Del., son of Henry M. and Elizabeth M. (Dickinson) Money, was born near Monroe, Salem county, N. J., May 31, 1861.

The Money family had its origin in Ger- many. The great-grandfather of Dr. P. M. Money was of German and Welsh parentage; he came to this country and settled in New Jersey. Two brothers accompanied him to America; one made his home in the state of New York, and the other, with his seven sons, went to Louisiana.

Philip Money, son of the New Jersey colon- ist, was born in Monroe, N. J. He became an extensive land-owner, purchasing land when it was cheap. Five hundred aeres which he acquired in Salem county cost him only $500. This land he cultivated, and subse- quently divided it into seven farms. Mr. Money was one of the patriarchs of the coun- ty, and attained the very unusual age of one hundred and six years. For many years he resided with his daughter, Mrs. Maria Garri- son, of Salem county, N. J., and afterwards made his home with his son, Henry M., in Harrington, Del. It was at the house of the latter that he ended his useful and profitable years in 1875. Philip Money married Susan -- , who came from Europe, and landed here after a tempestuous voyage, during which she was very ill. Their children were: I. Maria (Mrs. - Garrison), of Salem county, N. J .: II. Henry M .: III. James C., died in Harrington, Del., in 1883; other chil- dren died young. Mrs. Money died in Mon- roe, N. J., about 1865.

Their son, Henry M. Money, was born on the homestead farm near Monroe, N. J., in 1828. Ili- birth place was an old log cabin, a mile from the county road and surrounded

by dense forests. There he was reared and remained until 1873, having in the meantime improved the place greatly by the erection of a new dwelling and other buildings, and cut away many of the trees. In 1873, Mr. Money began the manufacture of mast hoops in Har- rington, Del., a business in which he is still engaged. His loyalty to the Union , was dem- onstrated by four years of service in the army during the Civil War. When the war alarm was sounded, he enlisted in Company F, Third Pennsylvania Cavalry, for three years, and at the expiration of his time re-enlisted in the same company, and was a member of it when peace was proclaimed. He was taken very ill with typhoid fever about this time, and was sent to the hospital for treatment. He is a Republican.

Henry M. Money married Elizabeth M. Dickinson, born in Woodstown, N. J .; she was a school teacher in that place. Their chil- dren are: I. Emeline (Mrs. Lorenzo Porch), died in 1885, in Clayton, N. J., had children, i. Rachel, ii. Harry, iii. Laura, iv. Archibald, v. William; II. Sarah L. (Mrs Charles P. ('rane), of Clayton, N. J .; III. Philip Mon- roe; IV. Henry E., died in 1889, aged twenty- one. Mr. Money is a member of the M. E. church and a licensed eshorter in that denom- ination. He is a close and constant student of the Bible, has memorized a great part of its contents, and quotes from the sacred pages with case and acenracy.

Philip Monroe Money was born on the homestead farm, was a pupil in the public schools of the vicinity, and concluded his edu- cational training in Harrington. When he was eighteen, he applied for a position as teacher, and continued teaching for five year -. Hle then took up the study of medicine with Dr. B. L. Lewis, of Harrington, and in 1885, having pursued the usual course, was grad- vated from Jefferson Medical College, Phila- delphia, Pa. He began the practice of his profession in Harrington, but five years later came to Felton, and has acquired an enviable rank among the physicians of this county. Politically he is a Republican.

Dr. Philip M. Money married on Octo- ber 31. 1895, Harriet, daughter of W. T. and Mary R. ( Anderson) Creadie, who was born near Felton. They have one child. Henry Paul, born October 1, 1896. Dr. Money i- a member of the M. E. church.

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STATE OF DELAWARE

THOMAS D. HUBBARD, M. D., P. O. Bowers, Kent county, Del., son of Newton and Mary (Todd) Hubbard, was born on the old homestead near Concord Church, Caro- line county, Md., AApril 10, 1828. Mr. Ilub- bard's grandfather, Edward Hubbard, a native of Caroline county, Md., spent his whole life on his farm in his native county. He had seven children: I. Newton; II. Lemmel, mar- ried Mary Rumble, lived and died in Caro- line county, Md. ; III. Wright, married, lived and died in Caroline county, Md .; IV. Jesse, married, lived and died in his native county; V. Eliza (Mrs. Saulsbury Dean), died in Dover, Del .; VI. Celia (Mrs. Levin Todd). Mr. Edward Hubbard died at his home in Caroline county, in 1830, aged sixty.

Newton Hubbard, father of Thomas D. Hubbard, was born in Caroline county, Md., removed to Delaware in 1832, and rented a farm near Felton, Kent county. After culti- vating this place for nine years, he removed to Thomas' Chapel, where he owned two farms. Mr. Hubbard was a Whig, but after- wards identified himself with the Republican party. Newton Hubbard was married in Car- oline county, Md., to Mary Todd, of that county. Their children are: I. Elizabeth (Mrs. John Clark ); II. Jane (Mrs. John D. Toshell), dereased; III. Benjamin, resides at Marydell, Md .; IV. Edward, married Hon- rietta George, resides at Wyoming, Del .: V. Thomas D.

Thomas D. Hubbard was four year- old when his parents removed to Delaware. He attended the public schools of Kent county, and assisted his father on the home farm. Bo- ing a diligent student, he made such good use of his advantages that his father permitted him to remain at school one year after he had attained his majority. Thomas Hubbard at length determined to study medicine. Real- izing that he could expect no assistance from his father, ho resolutely set himself to over- come the difficulties that confronted him. By patient economy he managed to buy good medical works, which he studied at home. At the age of twenty-three he began reading with Dr. Jump, and completed his course at the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, graduating in the class of 1554. After an ex- tended tour through the southern states Dr. Thomas D. Hubbard opened an office in Haz- lettville, Del. His skill as a physician and

surgeon was soon known and appreciated. Ile continued to practice in Hazlettville until 1883, when he retired to Bowers. There he has erected a beautiful dwelling at a cost of $8,000. Dr. Hubbard has also built a large and convenient house on an adjoining farm, which is his property. He now owns two farms, each containing 550 acres of arable land. His force of character, professional skill, and agrecable manner, have won the re- spect and confidence of his fellow-citizens. Dr. Hubbard is a man of fine physic, tall and well proportioned; his full white beard adds dignity to his appearance. Ile is a stanch Republican.

Thomas D. Hubbard was married in 1891 to Rose B., daughter of Matthew and Ellen (Pritchett) Cox, of West Dover hundred. Mrs. Hubbard is a consistent member of the M. E. church.

THOMAS BOONE COURSEY, P. O. Frederica, Kent county, Del., son of Thomas and Mary (Boone) Coursey, was born at Cam- den, Del., December 14, 1806.

As the name indicates, the Coursey, or rather De Coursey, family is of French line- age. The founders of the American branch of the family emigrated to the United States in carly colonial times, and settled in Caroline county, Md.

Thomas Coursey, carpenter and builder, fa- ther of Thomas Boone Coursey, was born in 1766, in Caroline county, Md. When a young man, he went to Kent county, Del., where he purchased a farm, and devoted a part of his time to its cultivation, without, however, abandoning his trade at which he worked un. til the time of his death. Mr. Coursey had two brothers, James Coursey, who had several children, and Henry Coursey, who was a justice of the peace. Thomas Coursey was married three times. The name of his first wife is not recorded. His second marriage was in Camden, Del., to Mary, daughter of Moses Boone, a lineal descendant of Daniel Boone. and a native of Caroline county, Md. The children of Thomas and Mary ( Boone) Cour- Hey are: I. Nancy ( Mrs. Vincent. Offley, de- ceased, resided near Millington, Md .; II. Mary (Mrs. John Warner), died in Camden, Del. : 111. Henry, grew up in Camden, Del., mar- Find first, at Greensborough, Md., to Jane

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Coursey, afterwards to a lady of Lexington, Ky., and after her death removed to Texas, where he married a third time, has several children. Mrs. Mary (Boone) Coursey died at Camden, Del., in 1806. Mr. Coursey's third wife was Margaret (Offley) Vincent, a widow. Their only child, Sarah Ann, died in infancy. Mr. Coursey died at his home in Camden, Del., in 1838, aged twenty-two.

Thomas Boone Coursey, youngest son of Thomas and Mary (Boone) Coursey, was an infant when his mother died. He grew up on the homestead in Kent county, and, as there were no public schools in the neighbor- hood, was educated in a private school. At fifteen Mr. Coursey learned carpentry, and worked at his trade for several years, devot- ing his leisure to reading and study. He is a skilful mechanic, and was often employed upon work requiring taste and delicacy of touch. He has in his possession an office desk, a beautiful piece of workmanship, made in his eighty-ninth year. The wood used for this desk was obtained from trees the seeds of which Mr. Coursey had himself planted. He felled the trees, worked out the lumber and, having finished the desk, invented a lock for the drawers. From childhood, Mr. Coursey has been interested in forestry, and frequently planted nuts and seeds; a chestnut of his planting, which was felled recently, measured thirty-one inches in diameter. In 1838, Mr. Coursey became interested in the Wyoming Mills, situated near Camden, Del. In 1839 or 1840, he purchased the property on which he now resides, known as the Spring Mills, consisting of a grist and bark mill, both de- cidedly out of repair, and 200 acres of land, for all of which he paid $4,000. He imme- diately began repairing the mills and was soon running the grist mill, often grinding wheat far into the night. In 1838, Mr. Coursey had built some carding machinery, which he re- moved to Spring Mills where he carded the wool for all the neighboring farmers until cloth factories were established. Besides his interest in machinery, Mr. Coursey devoted a large share of his time and attention to study- ing the needs and capabilities of different soils, considering the man who made two blades of grass grow where only one grew before as a publie benefactor. On this subject he both spoke and wrote, giving his neighbors the ben- efit of his study and experiment. Mr. Conr-

sey was the first man in that region to use guano as a fertilizer. Hearing Dr. Emerson speak of its effect upon worn out land, he or- dered Peruvian guano from Philadelphia, Pa .; failing to obtain this, he secured some Icabo guano. This fertilizer so improved his land, which formerly produced no wheat and very little corn, that it now yields on an average seventy-five bushels of corn, and twenty bush- els of wheat per acre. In 1870, he planted two thousand peach trees, which are now in full bearing and have amply repaid the invest- ment. Mr. Coursey was a Democrat, but his convictions have made him a strict Prohibi- tionist. IIe, however, acted with the Ameri- can and with the People's Union party, and firmly supported all of President Lincoln's measures. Ile was a favorite in political cir- cles, and, in 1870, accepted the nomination for governor from the Republicans of the state; although that party was a minority, the canvass fully revealed Mr. Coursey's popu- larity.

Thomas Boone Coursey was married, Jan- uary 26, 1832, to Sarah A., daughter of Wil- liam and Ruth Wilson, of Kent county, Del. Mrs. Coursey was a devout Christian, always ready to relieve suffering or destitution. Mr. Coursey, also, was the poor man's friend. The door of their pleasant, hospitable home was never closed to the needy who often re- ceived flour from his mill when there was no work to be found. The children of Thomas Boone and Sarah A. ( Wilson) Coursey are: I. Mary Elizabeth ( Mrs. John Harrington), died at Felton, Del., leaving two children, i. Sarah (Mrs. Amos G. Turner), ii. Annie H., mar- ried Prof. Charles S. Conwell, resides near Rising Sun, Del .; II. Ruth Ann, married Dr. Dawson, of Baltimore, Md., died at the home- stead in 1895; III. Sarah; IV. Margaret, died in childhood, in 1844; V. Thomas Henry, died in 1844; and three who died in infancy. Mrs. Coursey died December 13, 1871, aged sixty-one. Mr. Coursey and his wife are mem- bers of the M. E. church. Since 1838 he has been active in church work. He was Con- ference steward of the Philadelphia Annual Conference, and since the organization of the Wilmington Conference has been a member of its Board of Stewards. He was also a del- egate to the General Conference of the M. E. church which was convened at Cincinnati, Ohio, in May, 1880.

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STATE OF DELAWARE

JOHN PENNELL EMERSON, P. O. Canterbury, Del., son of Vincent and Mary (Anderson) Emerson, was born in West Do- ver hundred, Kent county, Del., January 1, 1822.

Vincent Emerson was a farmer in West Do- ver hundred for a number of years, and after- wards removed to South Murderkill hundred, and settled on the Lamb farm near Pratt's Branch schoolhouse. HIe was married to Mary, daughter of Andrew and Nancy An- derson, of Kent county, Del. They had chil- dren: 1. Ann, deceased; II. Mary, died in childhood; III. Emily, died young; IV. John Pennell. Mr. Emerson died about 1830, and his widow afterwards married Samuel Coving- ton; the only child of this marriage was Han- nah Ann Covington, who died in childhood.

John Pennell Emerson was an infant when his parents removed to South Murderkill hun- dred, and was still a youth when his father died. Ilis mother continued the management of the farm for a number of years, keeping her children with her. She afterward lived for a short time with one of her brothers. By Mrs. Emerson's second marriage, the little family was broken up. Jolın Pennell Emer- son resided with his unele, Andrew Anderson, until the death of Mr. Covington, when in re- sponse to his mother's solicitation, he returned to the old home. He remained there until his mother became housekeeper for another of her brothers, after whose death she resided during the rest of her life with her son, John Pennell. Mr. Emerson had not many oppor- tunities for acquiring an education. He was obliged to work from his boyhood, so that his entire time in the schoolroom was but two months. He learned much through observa- tion and experience. Beginning his career as a farmer by working for the farmers of the vicinity, he was soon known as a willing and capable assistant. He saved his money and after several years was able to purchase the necessary equipment for the cultivation of leased farms. The farm on which he now lives was given him by his uncle, John D. Au- derson. Mr. Emerson has been an industrious and practical grain farmer and is much re- spected in his community. In political views he is a Republican.

John Pennell Emerson married Martha W., daughter of Thomas B. Reynolds, of South Murderkill hundred. Mr. Emerson at-

tends the M. E. church, but is a believer in the religious doctrines of the Friends; his parents were members of the Society of Friends.

ARMWELL LOCKWOOD QUILLEN, P. O. Felton, Del., son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Davis) Quillen, was born in South Murder- kill hundred, Kent county, Del.

Joseph Quillen, grandfather of Armwell L. Quillen, was born in Kent county, Del., about 1782. He was reared on the farm, and fol- lowed agricultural pursuits until his death. Mr. Quillen was a genial, kindly man. He married Mary Calloway, and they had chil- dren: I. Elizabeth ( Mrs. Thomas C. Strod- ley), died in Iowa; II. William, married Mary W. Short, died in Kent county, Del .; III. Jos- eph, 2, married Hannah Vose, removed to the west; IV. Jacob; V. John, married Maria Lynch, resides in Maryland; VI. Edward, married Lydia Meredith, is a farmer in Mil- ford Neck; VII. Armwell L., married Anna Tick, and after her death Amanda Finley, is a farmer at Townsend, Del. Mr. Quillen died about 1834; his widow survived him a few years.

Jacob Quillen, father of Armwell Lock- wood Quillen, was born July 27, 1823, on the Paris T. Carlisle farm, which was leased by his father, near Frederica, Kent county. He was educated at Cedar Farm schoolhouse and the Baptist church school, concluding his studies at eighteen years of age. Mr. Quillen was early compelled to engage in work on the farm, by reason of the death of his father when he was eleven years old. But from early youth he had been ambitious. When he could barely reach the handles of the plough, he an- nounced his belief that he could guide that instrument through the soil, and expressed a wish to be allowed to test his confidence in himself. Ilis father humored him, harnessed the horse and set him to work. All that day the youngster pushed the plough and in the evening his father complimented him on the skill he had displayed. After the death of his father, his oldest brother had charge of the home farm until he married; then the second brother succeeded to the management, and when he too married, Jacob Quillen con- dueted its operation until the death of his mother. Then he began farming for himself. He was poor, and was compelled to borrow money to purchase his live stock and imple-

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ments. One person of whom he thought he could properly make a request for the money, refused to aid him, but he secured the needed amount from Daniel Mason, and afterwards paid it to the executors of that gentleman's es- tate. In March, 1886, Mr. Quillen retired from farming, and has since resided with his children. He has always been held in high esteem by all who know him. He early began to take an interest in politics, first as a Whig, later as a Know Nothing, and afterwards as a Democrat. For personal reasons, however, he voted for Dr. Burton, Republican, for gov- ernor in 18 -. On December 22, 1846, Ja- cob Quillen was married to Elizabeth, daugh- ter of William and Celia ( Ross) Davis; their children are: I. Joseph B., died at the age of thirty-two years; II. Mary E. (Mrs. David Mills), formerly of Kent county, now of Sus- sex county; III. Thomas W., railroad em- ployee, married Ida Holster; IV. Sarah 1. (Mrs. James II. Fisher), of Philadelphia, Pa .; V. Armwell Lockwood; VI. Rachel C. (Mrs. Nathan Jones), resides near Felton; VII. Su- san, died at the age of fifteen years; VIII. John Edward, died at the age of sixteen years. Mr. Quillen has been a member of the M. E. church since his fifteenth year; in that year he was converted at a campmeeting at the Pratt Branch camp grounds. Mrs. Quillen died May 22, 1895, and was buried in the Union cemetery near Milford.

Armwell Lockwood Quilien was educated principally at Purnell's school. He remained with his father on the farm until his marriage, and then leased the Dr. Moore farm for sey- eral years, afterwards removing to the Roe farm on which he now resides. Mr. Quillen is an industrious farmer. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. and of the Grange. He is independent in his political views, but usually supports the Democratic ticket. On Febru- ary 17, 1886, Armwell Lockwood Quillen married Rachel Cullen, daughter of James C. and Sarah A. (Cullen) Mitten, of Kent county. Their children are: I. Sarah Anu; II. Mary S., died in her seventh year. Mr. Quillen is a member of the M. E. church, and is an active worker in his congregation.

James C. Mitten, father of Mrs. Quillen, was born near Milford, Kent county, Del. As a boy he worked on the farm; but when about sixteen years old, he became a sailor, and fol- lowed that occupation between Milford and

Philadelphia for several years. After mar- riage he engaged in farming, at which he con- tinned until his death. James C. Mitten mar- ried Sarah A., daughter of James P. and Sarah ( Primrose) Cullen, of Kent county. Their children are: I. Elizabeth 1. ( Mrs. Mark A. Postles), died in February, 1583, left one child, Herman M .; H. Rachel Cullen, (Mrs. Armwell Lockwood Quillen); III. James, died at the age of five years; IV. Wil- liam, died at the age of three years; V. Thomas A., agent, of Dover, Del. Mr. Mit- ten died near Felton, July 1, 1893, aged sixty- four years, four months and twenty-two days; Mrs. Mitten died March 24, 1884. They were members of the M. E. church.

GEORGE W. STEWARD, P. O. Canter- bury, Kent county Del., son of Elijah and Sarah (Gunn) Steward, was born near Phoc- mixville, Chester county, Pa., July 30, 1846.

Elijah Steward was born near Phoenixville, in 1806. His father was a farmer in moderate circumstances, who gave him such educational advantages as were then at hand for farmers' sons. The lad developed into an athlete of su- perior ability, and became locally famous as a speedy runner. He learned milling with Wil- liam Dyer, grandfather of Mrs. George W. Steward, and when he had completed his trade, leased a mill known as Mansells mill, and con- ducted it prosperously for many years. Much of his flour was delivered by Mr. Steward in Philadelphia, where it had a ready sale. When he abandoned milling, he leased a farm, com- mitted its cultivation to his children, and en- gaged in business himself as a butcher. Af- terwards he purchased a large and finely situ- ated farm in Williston township. Chester con- ty, one of the best in that section, and culti- vated it until his death. Mr. Steward was a friend of education, and not only gave his own children an excellent mental training, but carnestly endeavored to improve the schools of his township. For forty years he was a member of the board of school commission- ers. Politically he was a stanch Democrat. Elijah Steward was twice married. His first wife was Margaret Danfield; their children arc: 1. Benjamin, postmaster of Birdsboro, Berks county, Pa., married Lydia Funder- white; 11. John, married Rebecca Fumter- white, died in Chester county; III. Catharine, died at the age of twenty-four years; IV. Mary

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 17

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