Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 23

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 23

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Arthur H. Robbins began his school life in the school at Brown's Cross Roads, near his birthplace. When he was nine years old, his

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father removed to Milford Neck, and for three winters Arthur attended school in that place. When he was twelve years old the family re- moved to a farm near Frederica, where he completed his course at Warren's schoolhouse. After he was twelve, he attended school dur- ing the winter terms, and spent the summer in assisting his father on the farm. At the age of twenty-three, Mr. Robbins shipped before the mast on the Anna Reynolds, Captain James Boone, and for four years sailed on Vessels on the bay and along the coast. Re- turning to his home, he found employment with Mr. Knight, and at the end of one year rented the farm on which he had worked. Af- ter spending four years on this place he rented Mr. Talbott's farm, and nine years afterwards bought his present place, a fertile farm of 160 acres, to which he removed January 1, 1896. Mr. Robbins is an intelligent, progressive farmer, and has greatly improved his prop- erty. By scientific cultivation he has in- creased the productive power of his land, and now raises abundant crops of all the cereals. Ile is interested in all the affairs of the county, a member of the Democratic party, es- teemed and respected by his friends and neigh- bors.

Arthur H. Robbins was married, January 6, 1886, to Sarah E., daughter of Samuel and Susan (Wyatt) Coverdale, who was born in Milford hundred, Kent county, Del., April 9, 1860. Mrs. Robbins' father, Samuel Cover- dale, is a prominent farmer of South Murder- kill hundred, Kent county, Del. The children of Arthur H. and Sarah E. (Coverdale) Rob- bins are: I. Arthur Russel, born May 23, 1888; II. Oscar D., born November 6, 1891; III. Jeannette D., born October 28, 1895, died July 23, 1896. Mr. Robbins and his wife are active members of the M. E. church, at Millwood, Del.

BENJAMIN WILSON, Houston, Kent county, Del., son of Warrenton O. and Eliza- beth (Burton) Wilson, was born at Lewes, Sussex county, Del., September 18, 1850.

Warrenton O. Wilson was a native of Sus- sex county, and in his boyhood worked on a farm. After his death, which took place in the autumn of 1850, Mrs. Wilson kept her children together, and provided for them until they were able to work for themselves. She

died at her home near Lewes. At the proper age, Benjamin Wilson was sent to the com- mon school of his neighborhood. When he was ten years old, he obtained employment by the month from the farmers of the vicinity, but still attended school during the winter months. He received at first very small wages, but as his intelligence and faithfulness came to be recognized, his earnings gradually increased, until he was paid $14 per month. He was able to save a part of this sum. In 1873, relinquishing farm work, he went to James Wilson, of Kent county, to learn mill business. Here again he began with small wages. After working seven years in the grist mill, he was employed in the saw-mill, where his right foot was so severely cut by the saw as to make amputation necessary. After his recovery, he spent a year as clerk in a store in Hazlettville, Kent county, Del., and was af- terwards employed in a canning factory in Houston. In January, 1894, Mr. Wilson be- came engaged in mercantile business in Hous- ton, and has since continued in the same with encouraging success. He is a Republican.

Benjamin Wilson was married July 13, 1873, to Alice, daughter of George and Eliza- beth Magee, of Sussex county. They have one child, George A. Mr. Wilson is a member of Houston M. E. church.

WILLIAM HENRY MASON, P. O. Frederica, Kent county, Del., son of Davis Henry and Ann (Spencer) Mason, was born in Milford hundred, Kent county, Del., March 18, 1841.

AAmong the earliest settlers of New England was Captain John Mason. He probably came to America on the Mayflower. When the In- dian attacks upon the colonists became fre- quent, he was placed in command of an expe- dition to subdue the dusky sons of the soil, and accomplished his mission quickly and of- feetively. From him is descended the Mason family of which William IT. Mason is a repre- sentative. William Mason, grandfather of William Henry Mason, was born in Kent county, Del., about 1786. Hle was a farmer. During the war of 1812, he was captain of a company which was stationed at Lewes to pro- teet that place from British invasion. IIe married Sarah - -- , and had children as follows: T. Davis Henry; IT. Trusten, died in Kent county; III. Susan (Mrs. Joseph Fra-

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zier), widow, of Frederica. William Mason died in Milford Neck in 1856.

Davis Henry Mason, eldest child of Wil- lian and Sarah Mason, was born in Milford Neck, Kent county, Del., in 1819. After re- ceiving a common school education, he was for forty years engaged in farming. In 1884 he retired from active business, and removed to Frederica, where he resided during his declin- ing years, enjoying the repose and comfort which he had obtained by his years of diligent and honorable toil. He was much respected in the community. His political tenets were Republican. Davis Henry Mason was mar- ried to Aun Spencer, of Felton, Del. They had children as follows: I. William Henry ; II. Sarah (Mrs. William Davis), of Frederica. Mrs. Mason died in Frederica in 1888, aged sixty-nine; Mr. Mason survived her until 1896, dying in the same place. He was a member of the M. E. church, and very ac- tively interested in all branches of its work.

William Henry Mason was educated in the public schools and the academy at Frederica. After his graduation from the academy, he taught school for five years, and then engaged in farming. He cultivated for a short time a farm in South Murderkill hundred, and then removed to the place which he now occupies, where he is extensively engaged in raising grain and fruits, especially of the small va- rieties. Mr. Mason takes great interest in edu- cation, and lends his efforts cheerfully to the promotion of measures for the improvement of the hundred. He is a member of Lodge No. 22, Junior O. U. A. M., of Frederica, and of the Grange. He has held many local of- fices, and was several times a candidate for the legislature on the Republican ticket.

On January 12, 1870, William Henry Ma- son was married to Josephine, daughter of James P. and Sarah (Primrose) Cullen. Their children are: I. Clarence, in business in Phil- adelphia; H1. Harriet; III. Anna. Mr. Mason is a member of the M. E. church of Lewes, which he serves as steward and exhorter. For the past twenty years he has been superinten- dent of the Sunday school.

JEREMIAH BANNING, P. O. Fred- erica, Kent county, Del., son of William and Nancy Jane (Meredith) Banning, was born in Milford hundred, Kent county, Del., July 12, 1858.

William Banning, his father, was a native of Cedar Creek hundred, Sussex county, Del .. born in 1812. His circumstances were very limited, and he had but slender opportunities either for obtaining an education or for ac- cumulating means. He was a farmer through- out life, and was esteemed among his neigh- bors for probity and industry. William Ban- ning married Nancy Jane Meredith, of Mil- ford, Del. Their children are: I. Jane (Mrs. John Banning), of Philadelphia, has one child, Rose; II. Jeremiah; III. Anna (Mrs. Charles Emory), died in South Murderkill hundred, had children, i. Arthur, ii. George; IV. Catherine (Mrs. Albert Taylor), died in Salisbury, Md., had one child, Gertrude; V. Jolın II., farmer, of Cedar Creek hundred, Sussex county, married Mrs. Emma McCau- ley; VI. Jefferson C., farmer, of Milford hun- dred, married Matilda Harrington, has chil- dren, i. Edward, ii. Delbert; VII. George W., lied at the age of twelve years. William Ban- ning was a member of the M. E. church.

Jeremiah Banning, until he was ten years old, attended the country schools. Then his father died, and it became his duty, as the eldest son, to care for his widowed mother and his brothers and sisters, so far as was in his power. For them he worked faithfully during his teens. At the age of twenty-two he mar- ried and established his own household. For the first year, he rented a house from Rev. J. S. Willis, and worked as a day-laborer for seventy-five cents a day. The next year, he leased the farm of John Melvin, and a year later removed to the George Anderson farm. close by. There he remained two years, dur ing which time he received one-third of the crops, and saved a little money. Purchasing a horse with his economics, he leased the farm of Prof. Ells, near Frederica, and cultivate l it for four years for one-half of the crops. Hle began prosperously, and had fair prospects of success, when a cattle disease robbed him of nearly all his live stock. He next leased the farm of John HI. Chapman, receiving as his share one-third of the produce. For the sie- ceeding year, Mr. Chapman proposed that Mr. Banning should reside in the main farm house on his tract of land, and furnish his own st. ek for the cultivation of the place. Mr. Banning accepted the proposition, and enjoyed eight years of snecess under that arrangement. On January 1, 1896, he removed to the farm be-

Jacob Friedel

Susanale Friedel

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longing to Homer Lewis, which he still occu- pies; this farm contains 249 acres, and is very productive. Mr. Banning's crops consist of cer.als and garden vegetables. His prosperity is due to his judicious and honorable manage- ment of his business.

On December 23, 1870, Jeremiah Banning was married to Mary E., daughter of William and Rachel (Carpenter) Cullen, of Milford Neck. Their children are: I. William H .; II. Herman A .; III. Sarah Elizabeth; IV. Lu- ther J .; V. John II .; VI. Abbie Amanda; VII. Daniel; VIII. George; IX. Helena Emily. Mr. Banning's widowed mother re- sides in his home. He is a member of the M. E. church, has held many offices in his con- gregation, and is now a class-leader.

WILLIAM R. WRIGHT, P. O. Milford, Kent county, Del., son of Richard and Mary Ellen (Wright) Wright, was born in Caroline county, Md., in 1853.

The Wright family has lived in Maryland for many years. The Christian name of Wil- liam R. Wright's paternal grandfather was probably Roger. He had a family of children, one of whom was Richard. Richard Wright was born in Caroline county, Md., in 1828. Hle was a farmer, and married Mary Ellen, daughter of John and Nellie Wright, all of Maryland. Their children are: I. James, re- sides near Denton, Md .; II. Lydia Ann (Mrs. Thomas Ross); III. Mary C. (Mrs. William Horsey); IV. William R .; V. Nettie (Mrs. James Murphey); VI. Josephine (Mrs. Ed- ward Waters); VII. Frank, of Caroline county, Md .; VIII. Edward, of near Harring- ton, Del .; IX. Charles, of Caroline county, Md., whose wife died in May, 1894. The fa- ther, Richard Wright, is deceased, as is also his wife.

William R. Wright was educated in Caro- line county, Md., and resided there until he attained his majority, when he came to Mil- ford, Del., and secured employment at general work for sixteen months. Then he leased sue- cessively the John Coursey farm for three years, the Carlisle farm near Lincoln for three years, the Davis farm for one year, a farm on Prime Hook Neck for two years, and in January, 1898, the farm of 140 acres in Milford hundred which he now occupies. Here his principal harvests consist of grain and

fruits. Mr. Wright is a Democrat and a faith- ful worker for his party.

On December 28, 1875, William R. Wright was married to Sarah, daughter of William and Eliza Ann (Hurst) Robinson. Their children are: I. Lilian B .; II. Ernest; III. Wilmer; IV. Della; V. Minnie; VI. Clayton; VII. Ruth; VIII. William; LX. Sarah; X. Ethel; XI. Margaret.

WILLIAM PURNELL BESWICK, de- eeased, was born in Milford Neck, Kent county, Del., January 7th, 1827, son of Curtis Binkley and Sallie (Purnell) Beswick.

Mr. Beswick was reared on his father's farm, and received a thorough education in the district schools, his diligent application, combined with more than ordinary intellec- tual power, enabling him to enjoy the full benefit of his opportunities. His career as a teacher was begun before he had attained his majority, and continued for twenty-five years; he taught in the schools of Milford, and else- where. He resided with his father, assisting in the management of the home farm until the death of the latter, after which, as he inherited the homestead, Mr. Beswick continued the same manner of life, his time being divided between teaching and farming. Ten years af- ter his marriage, he relinquished his profes- sion, and gave his attention exclusively to farming. Mr. Beswick was an extensive, but discriminating reader; he was respected for his intellectual attainments as well as for his kindly and courteous manner, his upright character, and his beneficence, the exercise of which was limited only by the extent of his means. Ile was devoted to his home and fam- ily, and had many warmly attached friends ; he was a Republican, and served at times on the grand jury.

On December 20, 1860, William Purnell Beswick was married to Susan Elizabeth, daughter of William Slaughter, who was born in Queen Anne's county, Md., and reared in West Dover hundred, Kent county, Del. Their children are: I. Sallie May (Mrs. John F. Hammond), born January 6, 1862; for sev- eral years student in Wilmington, and gradu- ated in high school of Milford, was for ten years teacher in schools of Delaware and Vir- ginia; II. Anna Purnell, born June 16, 1863, is a graduate of the high school of Milford, and of the Orthopaedic Training School for

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Nurses; III. William George, born May 8, Wisconsin. Mrs. Mary Maloney died Decem- 1865, died young; IV. John Binkley, born ber 15, 1854, aged forty-eight years, nine months, twenty-nine days. Mr. Maloney af- terwards married Ann Holland, of Milford Neck. He died on what was known as the En- nis farm in Milford hundred, in 1880, aged seventy-seven. June 11, 1867, a medical student of Jefferson College, Philadelphia, sergeant of Company B, First Regiment, Delaware Volunteers, in the Spanish-American war; V. William Pur- nell and VI. Edward Slaughter, twins, born November 26, 1868, of whom the former died at nine years of age, and the latter resides in Frederica, Del., is a graduate of Goldey's Commercial School, Wilmington, Del., mar- ried Harriet Emma Jackson, daughter of Rev. Louis II. Jackson, an Episcopal clergyman, has children, i. William Purnell, born June 22, 1892, ii. Mamie Louisa, born July 1, 1895, iii. Edward Clauson, born September 5, 1896; VII. Thomas Clausen, born October 14, 1876, passed from the public schools of Delaware into the Dental Department, University of Pennsylvania, was graduated therefrom June 20, 1898, with the standing of third in a class of more than a hundred members, and has a dental office on Market street, Philadelphia. William P. Beswick died on his farm, June 12, 1892, and was buried in the cemetery of the I. O. O. F., in Milford. Though not a member of any church, he was inclined to- wards Presbyterianism.

ANDREW J. MALONEY, P. O. Milford, Kent county, Del., son of John and Mary (Thompson) Maloney, was born in Milford hundred, Kent county, Del., February 18, 1830.

Ilis grandfather, William Maloney, resided in Sussex county, Del., and had children as follows: I. John; II. Robert; III. Thomas; IV. William; V. James; VI. Mary ( Mrs. Mor- gan Williams); VII. Elizabeth (Mrs. John Jones); VIII. Rachel (Mrs. Eli Jester). ITis ellest son, John Maloney, was born in Sussex county, in 1803. He was a farmer throughout his life. As a boy circumstances prevented his devoting much time to school duties, but he made good use of his rare opportunities. John Maloney was married to Mary Thomp- son, of Kent county, and had children: I. Sa- rah E. (Mrs. Trusten Mason), of Chester, Pa .; II. William T., married Sarah A. Dver, died in Lebanon, Del .; III. Andrew J .; IV. Su-an (Mrs. J. Wesley Kirby); V. John Robert, farmer, of Milford Neck, married Naomi Dickerson; VI. Caroline (Mes. Joseph .). Clendaniel), resides in the southern part of

Andrew J. Maloney was born on the Bes- wick farm in Milford hundred. As a boy, he resided on different farms, his father ro- moving from one rented place to another. Ile received a fair education in the public schools, which he attended a month cach winter, be- ing obliged to take a daily walk of three or four miles to the schoolhouse. He added greatly to his store of knowledge by diligent and well-selected reading after his marriage. While yet a very young man, be began work on the farm. Until he was twenty-one years old he remained with his father, he then mar- ried and leased a farm for several years. By diligence and economy Mr. Maloney accum- ulated sufficient money to purchase the Nath- aniel Hickman farm in Milford Neck, upon which he made extensive improvements, erect- ing buildings, etc. There he remained until, on January 1, 1898, he removed to the farm which he now occupies and which he pur- chased from Daniel Mitten, of Frederica. In polities Mr. Maloney has always been a Dem- ocrat.

Andrew J. Maloney was married to Sarah E. Butler, who was reared near Bethel church, in the vicinity of Farmington, Del. Their children are: I. Robert, died in early man- hood; II. William E., farmer, married Mary Matilda Smith, had children, i. Edward Clif- ford, died at the age of four years, ii. Cora Va- leta, at home; III. Mary (Mrs. Samuel Bickel), of Milford hundred; IV. Sarah, died it: youth; V. Angeline ( Mrs. George Davis), died in Milford hundred, leaving one chikl, Roland; VI. Alexander, died young; VII. Andrew Jackson, died young; VIII. Willarl S., married Catherine Ingram, has children, i. May, ii. Mand; IX. John T., farmer, of Milford Neck, married Sarah Evans, had one child, Margaret; X. Eugenie, died in carly womanhood: XI. Cora; XII. Carrie, died in youth.

ISAAC R. JESTER, P. O. Frederica, Kent county. Del., son of John Taylor and Mary (Richards) Jester, was born in Milford

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hundred Kent county, Del., August 4, 1836. Ile is of Scotch descent. More than a century ago, three brothers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob Jester, came to this country from Scotland, and settled in Delaware. One made his home in Sussex county, another in Kent, and the third in New Castle county. Jacob, the an- vestor of Isaac R. Jester, was the Kent county resident. One of his children, Jacob Jester, 2, was the grandfather of Isaac R. Jester. Ja- cob Jester, 2, was born in Kent county, and lived in Milford hundred during his compar- atively short life. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. He married Lina Taylor, of Kent county. Their children were: I. Sarah (Mrs. James Tomlinson), settled in Richland coun- ty, Ohio; II. John Taylor; III. Enoch, died young; IV. Isaac, 2, born in 1806, was bound out to a farmer, died in Milford hundred. Ja- cob Jester, 2, died in Milford hundred, about 1818, aged forty-nine; his widow died several years afterward.

John Taylor Jester, eldest son of Jacob and Lina (Taylor) Jester, was born in Milford Neck, Kent county, Del., October 9, 1802. He was sixteen years old when his father died and the family was left in destitute circumstances. Of his own accord he secured a home for him- self as a "bound boy," and after his indenture had expired worked on farms in the neighbor- hood. Ile spent only three months in the school room, but in early manhood, devoted himself diligently to study, and acquired a good education. When he was thirty, and had married, he began farming in a small way and continued it until his death, always on leased farms. Mr. Jester was a man of unquestioned integrity, of correct principles and of active intellect. He was especially a warm advocate of the public school system, and gave much of his time to the promotion of the welfare of Milford hundred and her people. Ile was sey- eral times elected to fill minor offices in Kent county. John Taylor Jester was married to Mary Richards, of Milford Neck. Their chil- dren are: I. Rachel C. (Mrs. William J. II. Macauley); II. Isaac R .; III. Sarah ( Mrs. Levi Satterfield), of Kent county; IV. Mary Ellen, died at the age of twenty-one; V. Siner Elizabeth ( Mrs. Elias P. James), of Dover; VI. Susan L. (Mrs. Joshua Bennett); VII. Deborah (Mrs. Stephen Fowler), died at Smyrna Landing; VIII. Rebecca, widow, re- sides at Smyrna, married first to Thomas Jos-

ter, and afterwards to Peter S. Collins; IX. Margaretta ( Mrs. George Bennett), of Milford hundred; X. Josephine ( Mrs. Win. D. Mere- dith), died in Harrington, Del .; XI. Richard Henry, died in infancy. John T. Jester died December 31, 1879, aged seventy-seven years, and was interred in the family burying- ground, on the farm now owned by William Henry Richards. He attended the M. E. church in Milford Neck, but had his own views on religious matters, and was inelined toward the belief of the Society of Friends. Ilis widow is living, at the age of eighty-two years.

Isaac R. Jester had only limited opportun- ities for obtaining an education. During his minority he had the advantage of only twelve months in the schoolroom, but after that period he educated himself by careful and ex- haustive reading, often perusing his books by the light of the moon, or the blaze of a pine knot. He was always of a literary turn of mind, and his self-education was not a difficult task. He solved mathematical problems with case, and has acquired great proficiency in that branch of knowledge. When he was thirty- five years old, he knew thoroughly the funda- mental rules of mathematics, and began teach- ing at Kirby's schoolhouse; he continued in the profession most creditably until June 17, 1898. He keeps abreast of the times not only in his pedagogical work but in all departments of science and literature. When Mr. Jester was fifteen years old he began contributing to the newspapers, and has never abandoned the practice. His articles are always read with much interest by the people of his county. Mr. Jester in his youth learned carpentry under the instruction of Charles Fleetwood, of Mil- ford. He began work at this trade for the modest wages of five dollars per month. When he first engaged in carpentry, it was customary for the workmen to go to the woods to cut their frames for building, and to make doors, sashes and blinds. For many years he taught school half of the time and spent the remain- ing six months of the year at his trade. He owns a farm of 52 acres, on which he resides. On July 13, 1863, Mr. Jester enlisted at Wil- mington, in Company I, Seventh Regiment, Delaware Infantry, and served thirty-five days, when he was mustered out. Hlis regi- ment belonged to the emergency troops. In polities, Mr. Jester is a pronounced Republi-

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can, but is a conservative voter. He has been elected to various minor offices.

On April 21, 1867, Isaac R. Jester was mar- ried to Mrs. Eliza (Webb) Donovan, born Sep- tember 6, 1837. Their children are: I. Ruth Jane and II. Emily Ellen, twins, born Jan- mary 25, 1868, both died in childhood; III. George Ilenry, born July 18, 1870, a school teacher of ability; IV. Mary E., born July 16, 1873. By her former marriage, Mrs. Jester has one child, Caroline. Mr. Jester is a mem- ber of the Milford Neck M. E. church, has been a class leader for some years and still oc- cupies that position. Mrs. Jester died August 30, 1873, leaving two small children. Mr. Jester willingly took upon him the rearing and education of the children, and has remain- ed unmarried for their sake.

JOHN ROBERT MALONEY, P. O. Mil- ford, Kent county, Del., son of John and Mary (Thompson) Maloney, was born in Milford hundred, Kent county, Del., October 20, 1834.

John Robert Maloney's birthplace was the old Berwick homestead in Milford hundred. When he was a year old, his parents removed to the Revel's Landing farm, where they re- mained until he reached his eighteenth year. His education was begun in the common schools. The schoolhouse in which he spent the greater part of his time was originally a church edifice which stood on the site of the present Thompsonville. He was able to at- tend school only a few months each winter, the remainder of the time being occupied by work on the farm. And work on the farm in those days, a half-century distant, was very different from the conditions which surround the cultivation of the grain-producing acres at present. Mr. Maloney trudged through the wheat and rye fields swinging a heavy era- dle during the warmest days of the summer, and helped in the slow threshing of the grain by horse power. Gang plows and traction en- gines were unknown, and the farmer's helpers were expected to exert the full strength of their muscles from sunrise to sunset.

When he was twenty years old Mr. Ma- loney married, and a year later began farming for himself. His father gave him, as a por- tion of his outfit, a horse and a pair of oxen. Mr. Maloney leased the Hickman farm for eighteen years. When he first began its eul-

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 23

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