Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 26

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 26

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Elihu Eunis JJefferson, son of Ephraim and Mary S. (Hill) Jefferson was born in Little Creek hundred, Kent county, Del., November 23, 1868. ITe was educated in the public schools of the district, and learned upholster- ing, serving his apprenticeship at Middletown, Del. Elihu E. Jefferson afterwards turned his attention to husbandry and began farming for himself on a part of his father's land. He is interested in all the affairs of the county, and is a member of the K. of P. and of the Jr. O. U. A. M. Elihu Ennis Jefferson was married to Julia, daughter of William Cal- houn. Their children are: I. Leslie H .; II. William M.

HOMER M. LEWIS, Lincoln, Sussex county, Del., son of Haskell and Almira (Hol- yoke) Lewis, was born at Fairfax, Franklin county, Vt., December 7, 1842.

His grandfather, Laban Lewis, a carpenter, a native of Rhode Island, was married Sep- tember 2, 1802, to Abigail Haskell. Their children are: I. Harriet A .; II. Catharine E .; III. ITaskell; IV. Lavinia 1 .; V. Sarah 1 .; VI. Abigail L. B .; VII. Susan 1 .; VIII. Angeline; IX. Lutheria F .; X. Henry E. L. All are deceased except Angeline and Lutheria. The eldest son, Haskell Lewis, was born at Georgia, Franklin county, Vt., March 29, 1811. Mr. Haskell Lewis was a success- ful scientific farmer. In the spring of 1870. he removed to Delaware, and purchased a farm of 246 acres situated in Milford hun- dred. This land he improved and cultivated until the time of his death. Haskell Lewis was married, January 9, 1840, to Almira Hol- yoke, who was born in Vermont, September 15, 1821. Their children are: I. Jane .1. (Mrs. Eugene B. Soule), of Ripon, Wis, born November 7, 1840; IT. Homer M. Mr. Has- kell Lewis died at his home in Milford In- dred, Kent county, Del., December 23, 1886; his wife died JJuly 7, 1880.

Homer M. Lewis was educated in the pub-

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lie schools of Vermont, and remained at home working with his father on the farm. In 1870, when his father removed to Delaware, Mr. Lewis went with him, assisted him in the cultivation and the management of the pro- perty in Kent county, and at his death in- herited that part of his estate. In the autumn of 1594 Mr. Lewis rented the home farm, and removed to a property situated one mile north of Milford, Del., where he remained for three years. In December, 1897, Mr. Lewis re- moved to Lincoln, Del., and purchased the comfortable home in which he now resides. Mr. Lewis is a member of Temple Lodge, No. 9, F. & A. M., of Milford. Del., and of the P. of H.

Homer M. Lewis was married February 24, 1887, to Evangeline S., daughter of Daniel and Serena (Steere) Burr. Mr. Lewis and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church.

GEORGE EDWIN MESSICK, D. D. S., Milford, Del., son of John W. and Margaret J. (Baker) Messick, was born in Mechanics- burg, Pa., September 9, 1869. His father is a native of Millsborough, Del., and is now a practicing dental surgeon in Georgetown, Del. The mother of George Edwin Messick, was born in Mechanicsburg, Pa. She is still liv- ing.

George Edwin Messick spent his boyhood in Georgetown and attended the public schools of that place. In the fall of 1887 he entered Pennsylvania Dental College in Philadelphia, and was graduated from that institution in 1889. Ile began the practice of his profes- sion in Georgetown, Del., the same year, and remained there until August 1, 1894, when he removed to Bridgeville, Del. Nine months later he went to Milford and opened an office there, June 1, 1895, where he has been in continuous and successful practice since. Dr. Messick is a member of Franklin Lodge, No. 12, A. F. & A. M., and of Union Lodge, No. 3, T. O. O. F., Loth of Georgetown. In his political views he is Republican

On January 23, 1895, in Georgetown, Del., Dr. George Edwin Messick was married to Martha C., daughter of Charles T. and Mar- garet ( Wingate) Purnell. Mrs. Messick was born in Georgetown. They have one child, Edwin P., born October 16, 1897. Dr. and Mrs. Messick attend the M. E. church.

JOSEPH VAN CLEVE TITUS, P. O. Milford, Kent county, Del., son of David and Phebe Ann (Van Cleve) Titus, was born at the homestead near Trenton, Mercer county, N. J., January 4, 1829.

The different branches of the Titus family in America are descended from Robert Titus, a native of Hertfordshire, England, who with his wife Hannah - , and their son, Con- tent Titus, emigrated to America, in 1735, sail- ing in the Hopewell, Captain Benedict, bound for Boston, Mass. He settled in or near Bos- ton, where his son, Content Titus, 1, grew un and was married. Robert Titus, 2, son of Content Titus, 1, was born in Massachusetts. In 17- he removed to Delaware and set- tled in New Castle county, where his son, Content Titus, 2, was born. Content Titus, 2, married Elizabeth Moore. Their son, John Titus, who married Rebecca - -, was the father of Sammel Titus. Samuel Titus was married to - Johnson.

Benjamin Titus, son of Samuel and

(Johnson) Titus, grandfather of Joseph Van Cleve Titus, was born in Hopewell township, Mercer county, N. J. He was a successful farmer, and in early manhood a distiller, but after his union with the church, he promptly closed his distillery, considering that to be en- gaged in that business was not consistent with his duty as a Christian. Benjamin Titus was married to Anna Lee. Their children are: I. Randolph, married , died in New Jersey; II. F-, married Mary Drake, died in Hopewell township, Mercer county, N. J .; III. Liscomb R., married Ida Schenck, died in Trenton, N. J .; IV. David; V. and VI. twins, Mary (Mrs. Williamson Updyke), and Eliza (Mrs. Lewis Drake); VII. Nathan- iel, married Emeline Johnson, died in Hope- well township; VIII. Andrew, of Trenton, N. J., married to -Potts, and after her death to Julia Phillips; IX. Lonisa (Mrs. Bayard Drake), died in Hopewell township, N. J .; X. Wesley, merchant, married

daughter of Joseph Titus, was a member of the Presbyterian church, an active worker in the Sunday-school, and at the time of his death its superintendent, was taken ill during a ses- sion of the school and died immediately: XI. Sarah, died in youth: XII. Benja- inin Titus died at his home in Mercer county, N. J., in 1844; his widow died several years later.

Thomas Cook

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David Titus, the father of Joseph Van Cleve Titus, was born at the homestead in Hope- well township, Mercer county, N. J., May 31, 1806. Ile became a blacksmith and founder, and afterwards a miller; was a successful business man and a good citizen. David Titus was married to Phebe Van Cleve, of Mercer county, N. J., who was born February 10, 1810. Their children are: I. Joseph Van Cleve; HI. Charity ( Mrs. Thomas H. West), born in 1832, died in Princeton, N. J .; III. Andrew R., commission merchant, of New York City, N. Y., married Jennie Cunning- ham; IV. James L., of New York City, in partnership with his brother, Andrew Titus, married Harriet Pratt, of New Jersey. David Titus died at his home in Hopewell town- ship, Mercer county, N. J., in 1850; his widow died at the home of their son, James L. Titus, in New York city, in 1894, aged eighty-four years.

Joseph Van Cleve Titus attended the pub- lie schools of Mercer county, N. J., during the winter terms. He grew up on the homestead, and as soon as he was old enough, began to assist his father. At sixteen he left school and took his full share of the farm labor. In 1845 his parents removed to his grandfather's farm; Joseph went with them, and continued to work on that farm until a year or two after his father's death, when the home farm was sold. Mr. Titus remained in Mercer county, N. J., until 1868, when he removed to Dela- ware, and purchased the farm on which he now resides. It contains 165 acres, and is known as the Hudson place, situated in Cedar Creek hundred, Sussex county. He began at once to improve the property, repairing the old house which was the only building on the place, and planting a large peach orchard. While in New Jersey, Mr. Titus dealt in tim- ber; this he continued to do in Delaware, and for several years he bought tracts of woodland, cutting down and selling the timber. He is a business man of intelligence and ability. Ilis orchard, which is now in its prime, is very productive, and has proved an excellent in- vestment. He is a stanch Republican.

Joseph Van Cleve was married in Mercer county, N. J., March 27, 1850, to Caroline Hunt, of Mercer county. Their children are: I. David, married Etta MeKnight, was acci- dently drowned at Mispillion Light House, September 2, 1880; II. George H., resides

with his brother, Joseph Van Cleve Titus, married - Dawson, has two children, i. Joseph Van C., ii. Helen Lee; III. Catherine Ann, died aged eight years; IV. Elmer, died in infancy; V. Jennie C .; VI. Harriet Pratt, died in infancy; VII. Clarence, died aged four years. Mr. Titus is a member of the Pres- byterian church at Milford, Del .; his wife, who died March 23, 1896, also held her mem- bership in that congregation.

JONATHAN H. THURSTON, Lincoln, Kent county, Del., son of Joseph and Lucy B. (Davis) Thurston, was born in Paxton, Wor- cester county, Mass., October 11, 1829.

Joseph Thurston, who was a descendant of the Puritan settlers of New England, was a prominent farmer of Worcester county, and a member of the Congregational church in the town of Paxton, Mass. Ile was identified with the best interests of the town, served on its board of selectmen, and was county surveyor; an honorable representative of the thrifty and substantial yeomanry of the Old Bay State. Mr. Thurston, after farming for a number of years, disposed of his farm, exchanging it for property in the city of Worcester. While on a visit to Leicester, Mass., he became ill, and died there October 30, 1857, at the age of sixty years, four months, twenty-three days. Joseph Thurston married Lucy B., daughter of Dr. David and Patty Davis, also of Wor- cester county. Mrs. Thurston attained to the venerable age of ninety-six, and died in Lei- cester, January 11, 1898.

Their son, Jonathan II. Thurston, lived on the farm with his parents until he was eigh- teen years old, attending the common schools and afterward the Leicester academy, in those days a noted institution of learning. Soon after reaching his eighteenth year, he became clerk in a general store in Leicester, Mass., of which a few years later he was proprietor; he carried on business there for thirteen years and a half. Some years before he left Leices- ter, he admitted his brother, Lyman D. Thurs- ton, to partnership. The post-office was in their store and the brothers shared between them the work of both office and store. Jonathan IF. Thurston at length sold his interest in the mercantile business to his brother, and in 1865, left Leicester for New York City. Lyman D. Thurston still

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BIOGRAPHIICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

conducts the old stand, having been merchant and postmaster for about thirty-six years. In New York, Mr. J. H. Thurston for two years kept a grocery store, but finding that the busi- ness did not suit him, he soll his establish- ment, and became general manager and pay- master for Waterhouse Brothers, maunfac- turers of woolen goods, whose mills were at Passaie, N. J. During most of his term of engagements with the Messrs. Waterhouse, Mr. Thurston resided in Passaic. In 1876, having purchased a farm in Cedar Creek hun- dred, Sussex county, Del., he removed thither, and until within the last few years, has been engaged in general farming. The farm meas- ures 250 acres, and had upon it, when Mr. Thurston first occupied it, sixteen thousand peach trees, which he has removed. On ac- count of impaired health, he has relinquished active work, and now rents his place. Mr. Thurston is a Republican, of decided convic- tions. In Leicester, he was actively interested in local affairs, and took pleasure in being use- ful to the community. He was a member of the fire company for ten years; for a long time, he made one of the board of selretmen, and ovenpied that office at the time when the Rebellion broke out. In Passaic, he repre- sented the Second Ward in Council for two years. He is a gentleman of fine appearance, fluent in conversation, and an agreeable com- panion.

In Leicester, Mass., April 16, 1851, Jona- than II. Thurston was married to Maria Louisa, daughter of Charles and Mary Whitte- more, of that town. Their children are: I. Effie G. (Mrs. Charles S. Barker), of Cedar Creek hundred; II. Inez M. (Mrs. Frank Hughes), of Passaic, N. J., whose husband is in real estate business in that city, is a well- known citizen, and active in local matters; they have a charming summer residence of Monticello Heights, N. Y .; III. Mabel Louise. Mr. Thurston has always served the interests of the church with zeal and fidelity. In Leicester, Mass., he was treasurer for two years of the Congregational church, of which denomination he was originally a member. In Passaic, N. J., he united with the North Re- formed church, and was for two years in its consistory, as deacon; and on coming to Dela- ware, he at once became a member of the Presbyterian church, and is still connected with that denomination.

FRANK D. WATSON, P. O. Milford, Kent county, Del., son of William and Ann C. (Townsend) Watson, was born at the home- stead in Sussex county, Det., January 8, 1856.

William Watson, father of Frank D. Wat- son, was born near Cedar Beach, Sussex caun- ty, Del., where his whole life was spent in the cultivation of the soil. He was an enthu- siastic farmer, who loved the quiet of rural life and found his chief delight in his home and his family. He was a Republican, a good citizen, and interested in the welfare of the community. William Watson was first mar- ried to Mary Pierce; their children were: 1. Sarah E., wife of Captain Laws, who died in 1865; II. William P. After the death of Mrs. Mary Watson, Mr. Watson married Ann (. Townsend. Their children are: 1. Elia -; II. Mary (Mrs. Roland P. Sharp); III. John Y .; IV. Frank D. Mrs. Watson died at the homestead in 1876; Mr. Watson died in 1885.

Frank D. Watson's educational advantages were limited to the brief winter terms. For a short time he attended the schools of Cedar Grove, District No. 117, but early in life be- gan work with his father, and soon took his full share of farm labor. He remained with his parents until his marriage, after which he bought the Henry Spencer farm. Seven years later he returned to the homestead, and after the death of his father, in 1885, inherited one- fourth of that farm. Mr. Watson bought out one other heir, and has added to his patrimony until he now owns a farm of 109 acres. Mr. Watson is a member of the Republican party, actively interested in local affairs.

Frank D. Watson was married, in 1881, to Mary E. Davis. Their children are: 1. Bes-ic G .; II. Frank D .; III. Joseph, M. D.

JEHU HUDSON CLENDANIEL, P. O. Lincoln, Sussex county, Del., son of Benjamin and Catherine (Townsend) Clendaniel, was born on his father's farm in Cedar Creek bun- dred, Sussex county, July 5, 1827.

Mr. Clendaniel is of Scotch descent, a rep- resentative of the "Clan Daniel" of the old country, a tribe or family claiming one Daniel as its progenitor. The pioneer of this family in America came to Delaware when its now trim and productive farms were wild, un- claimed land: he settled in Cedar Neck. His two sons. William and Benjamin Clendaniel,

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used to take their father's cattle in the win- ter season to the woods in what was known as Forest Marsh, west of the present site of El- lendale; there the stock remained during the inelement weather, sheltered by the forest from freezing winds; in summer they were driven back to the elearing on Cedar Neck, where as yet there were no farm buildings to pro- teet them. From those hardy settlers was descended the grandfather of Mr. J. H. Clen- daniel; he is remembered by the oldest resi- dents of his former neighborhood as a vener- able man, honored for his worth and ability, a substantial farmer, and for many years jus- tice of the peace. His name was George Clen- daniel, son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Clen- daniel, and he was a native of Sussex county, born March 4, 1771. He married Sally Clif- ton, who was born June 3, 1772; their chil- dren were as follows: I. Eliza (Mrs. Nathan- iel Stapleford), born October 4, 1793, died in New Castle county, Del; II. Silas, born De- cember 3, 1795, died in Sussex county, Feb- ruary 14, 1819; III. Benjamin, born March 4, 1798, died November 3, 1842; IV. Jehu, born May 14, 1800, married Eliza Harlan, of the northern part of Delaware, was for many years a merchant in Philadelphia, where he died, January 10, 1873; V. George, born February 2, 1815, married Hester Evans, died on his father's homestead. Mrs. Sally (Clif- ton) Clendaniel died July 8, 1821; some time after, Mr. Clendaniel married a widow, Mrs. Jemima (Townsend) Rickards. He died on his farm December 30, 1851, aged about eighty-three years.

Benjamin Clendaniel, second son of George and Sarah (Clifton) Clendaniel, was all his life a farmer. Although his education went no further than the elementary studies, vet what he had learned was so thoroughly mastered that he was distinguished among his neighbors for intelligence and practical knowl- edge, and was entrusted by them with most of their business affairs. He was a Whig. Benjamin Clendaniel married Catherine, daughter of Jeremiah and Katy (Macklin) Townsend, a native of Sussex county. Jere- miah Townsend was a son of Luke and Rachel (Lofland) Townsend, born July 10, 1767, died April 16, 1816. 'The children of Benjamin and Catherine Clendaniel are: I. Jeremiah, born January 30, 1823, died at home, Novem- ber 10, 1842; II. George Washington, born

January 1, 1825, died January 10, 1830; III. Jehu Hudson; IV. Samuel Hurt, born March 20, 1830, was a farmer of Cedar Creek hun- dred, married first Matilda Hudson, and after- ward her sister, Mary Hudson; V. Sarah Catherine, born March 22, 1832, married in Philadelphia to Joseph Brickley, after his death to Caldwell Cox, died in Gloucester, N. J., about 1888; VI. Jemima Elizabeth, born January 20, 1834, died June 10, 1834; VII. Benjamin Franklin, born July 5, 1835, died November 14, 1835; VIII. Silas Paul, born February 17, 1837, died March 5, 1837; IX. John Harlan, born June 16, 1839, married Sarah Wilkins, died at Lincoln, Del., Oeto- ber 16, 1892. Benjamin Clendaniel died on his farm in Cedar Creek hundred, November 3, 1842; he was a member of the M. E. church. His wife survived him a little less than a year, dying October 16, 1843; her age was probably about forty-two years.

Their third son, Jehu HI. Clendaniel, was but sixteen years old when his mother's death deprived him of his only remaining parent. Ilis parents had no inheritance in money to leave him. Ifis education had been acquired during the short winter sessions, at the coun- try schools; but he had made the best possible use of his opportunities, and after a year spent with his paternal grandfather, he set ont bravely to make his own way in the world, trusting to his industry and faithfulness to duty for success. He first went to New Cas- tle county, where he worked as a farm laborer, for $8 per month, and his board. Here he fell a victim to fever and ague, and was obliged to return to his grandfather's home, and re- main there until he recovered health and strength. During the next summer, he work- ed for T. P. Macauley. By November of that year, Mr. Macauley had built a vessel, of which a nephew of Mrs. Macanley's, William Smith, was captain, and Mr. Clendaniel shipped with Captain Smith as steward. In that position he remained until Christmas, when he went back to his early home, engaged board with an old widow, and once more at- tended the district school, near where Ellen- dale now stands. In the following spring, he obtained employment for a year with a farmer of that section; but the winter found him again on the school benches; always diligent and painstaking, he was ambitious to do his full share of both physical and mental labor.

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BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

For the next year, Mr. Clendaniel worked for Mrs. Dickerson, a widow, on shares; and in the next, he engaged board of Stephen War- ren, and rented a farm; this was in 1849. His only capital at beginning was a yoke of oxen. In the fall of that year, he married, and took up his residence upon a part of his father's farm, which was divided in January, 1850, be- tween Jehu HI. Clendaniel and his brother, Samuel II. Clendaniel, they two buying the shares of the other inheritors. The part of the homestead owned by Mr. J. H. Clendaniel contained 150 acres, upon which he built him- self a dwelling. He continued to reside there until he removed to his present farm, except for four years which he spent on the property of his uncle, Jehu Clendaniel, near Milford. The estate on which he now lives, which is situated near the head of Cedar Creek, was formerly known as the Clement Hudson farm. The dwelling which he occupies was built more than a hundred years ago. The farm measures about 185 acres; when Mr. Clen- daniel and his family first settled upon it, the land was very poor, but by skilful manage- ment, it has so greatly improved that larger and finer erops can be harvested to-day from ten acres of the land than could have been ob- tained at that time from one hundred.

As a patriotic citizen, Mr. Clendaniel is in- terested in all publie movements, and desires earnestly the true welfare and progress of his country. He has never been a seeker after office, but served two terms as assessor, and has also been on the board of school commission- ers. Ile formerly voted with the old Whig party, and has been a Republican since the election of President Lincoln. During the war of the Rebellion, he enlisted for the "hun- dred days" service in Company E, Ninth Del- aware Infantry, and was mustered out at the expiration of his term of enlistment, at Wil- mington, Del. He was some years ago a member of the I. O. O. F.

Jehn Hudson Clendaniel was married in the fall of 1849 to Elizabeth, daughter of Joshua and Amelia (Fowler) Pierce, of Cedar Creek hundred; she was born in Sussex county in 1827. Their children are: I. George B., farmer, of Cedar Creek hundred, married Julia Morrison; H. Catherine; III. Eliza ( Mrs. Robert Beardsley), of Milton, Del .; IV. Jehu Clifton, at home; V. Annie Belle, widow of George Morrison, residing with her father.

Mr. Clendaniel has been since his twentieth year a member of the M. E. church, and has been faithful in seeking its advancement. He has served his congregation as steward, trus- tee and class leader, and also been active in the Sunday-school, contributing to all church en- terprises in proportion to his means.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN WAPLES, P. O. Milford, Sussex county, Del., son of Ben- jamin F. and Susan R. (Conwell) Waples, was born at Waples' Mills, Sussex county, Del., October 15, 1849.

Ilis grandfather, John Waples, was a farm- er of Dagsborough hundred, Sussex county, where he died. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. John Waples married Sarah F. Burton; their children were: I. Benjamin Franklin; II. Mary A., wife of Captain Joseph C. Adkins, of Milton, Del.

Benjamin Franklin Waples, only son of John and Sarah F. (Burton) Waples, was born in Dagsborough hundred, and reared to farm life. At the age of eighteen, he left his home and went to the West, then the El Dorado of a country boy's visions. He remained four years in Iowa, working as a farm hand, was temperate and economical, and returned to his home, to purchase with his earnings the Smith mill and farm, now known as the Waples Mill. Mr. Waples was successful in business throughout his life, and accumulated a com- petence, so that at his death, which occurred June 9, 1861, when he was about forty-six years of age, he left his family in comfort- able circumstances. He was a stanch Demo- crat, and as a citizen was held in high esteem. Benjamin F. Waples married Susan R., daughter of John I. and Susan Conwell; their children are: I. Dr. Joseph B., of George- town, Del., married Sarah Pepper; II. Ben- jamin Franklin, 2; III. Mary E. (Mrs. Ro- bert R. Morris), of Broadkiln hundred, Sus- sex county, Del .; IV. Susan (Mrs. Greens- bury Bell), of Williamsburg, Md .; V. John C., resides on the homestead; VI. Charles G., of Milton, Del., married Margaret, daughter of William Prettyman. Some time after her husband's death, Mrs. Waples was married to Mr. M. Draper: she is still living, but is again a widow.

During his boyhood, Benjamin F. Waples, 2, attended the common schools in the vicinity of his home at Waples' Mills; his education

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was carried on in the higher departments of study at Fort Edward College, Ft. Edward, N. Y., from which institution he was graduat- ed at the age of twenty. Ile was not yet twelve years of age when his father died; he remained with his mother for several years, and after completing his collegiate course, em- barked in mercantile business at the honw- stead and continued there for five years. Then, after spending another year in the connnission business in Philadelphia, he bought the farm on which he still resides, a tract of 600 acres, in 1878, and it became his home in the same year. Mr. Waples' success in life is largely due to his own efforts, as the money bequeathed to him by his father, which was a considerable sun, was redneed to an insignificant amount by injudicious management during his minori- ty. Ile is a Democrat, faithful to the tenets of his party, and active in its service.

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 26

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