Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 30

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 30

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James Brayshaw attended the public schools of Howard county, Md., and com- pleted his studies at home, under the direction of a private tutor, the unsettled condition of the county during the war of the Rebel- lion preventing a course at the Uni- versity. Contrary to the custom of the family, many of whose seions have become eminent in the learned professions, Mr. Bray- shaw remained in Toward county, Md., where he devoted himself to agriculture. He was an enthusiastic member of the Patrons of HIus- bandry, and was unanimously elected Master of Annapolis Grange, a position which he held until January, 1892, when he sold his estate

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near Annapolis, Md. In 1890, Mr. Brayshaw began his medical studies under his brother, Thomas Henry Brayshaw, M. D., and ma- triculated at the Kentucky School of Medi- cine, Louisville, Ky., graduating in the class of 1893. Immediately after his graduation, Dr. Brayshaw opened an office in Cincinnati, Ohio. Ile afterwards removed to Maryland, and since 1894 has been practicing in Delmar, Del. Dr. Brayshaw is a skilful physician and surgeon; he is also a diligent student, well- read, and thoroughly at home in all depart- ments of his profession. He is a member of the State Medical Society of both Ohio and Delaware; and of Solon Conclave, No. 23, I. O. IT. In -, Dr. Brayshaw enlisted in the National Guard of Maryland, and was pres- ent in the ranks at the magnificent reception given by the department of War and of the Navy when the first steamer from Bremen, Germany, entered the port of Baltimore, Md. Mr. Brayshaw is a Democrat, and is interested in all the affairs of the county.

James Brayshaw was married, in the Church of the Ascension, Baltimore, Md., February 12, 1890, to Clarissa Hempstead Lodiviek, of Portsmouth, Ohio. Mrs. Brayshaw was a , lineal descendant of Sir John Lodivick who emigrated to Virginia at an early day. His grandson, also named John Lodivick, settled in Ohio. Clarissa Hempstead Brayshaw died August 29, 1892. On June 25, 1896, Dr. Brayshaw was married, by the Rt. Rev. Leigh- ton Coleman, Bishop of the diocese, to Agnes, only daughter of J. W. and M. C. Ellis, of Delmar, Del. They have one child, James Brayshaw. Dr. Brayshaw, following the ex- ample of his forefathers, is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church. He was bap- tized at St. Timothy's P. E. church, in Bal- timore, Md., and was confirmed at Christ P. E. church, Howard county, Md., by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Wipple. Dr. Brayshaw was for many years a vestryman in this parish.

MARTIN M. ELLIS, P. O. Delmar, Sus- sex county, Del., son of Stephen and Eliza- beth ( Elzey) Ellis, was born in Little Creek hundred, Sussex county, Del., February 5, 1824.

Owing to the absence of authentic records, there is some uncertainty concerning the early history of the Ellis family. The birth-place of Stephen Ellis, grandfather of Martin M.

Ellis, is not known. About his whole life, however, was spent on his farm in Little Creek hundred, Sussex county, Del. The children of Stephen Ellis by his first marriage are: I. George; II. Fammie; III. Elizabeth. Ilis second wife was Lallie - As nearly as can be ascertained, their children are: I. William; II. Stephen; III. Frances; IV. An- nie; V. Leah; VI. Joseph. The second son, Stephen Ellis, 2, was born in Little Creek hun- dred, Sussex county. Ilis life was spent in farming; for a short time he managed a hotel in Laurel, Del. During the War of 1812, Mr. Ellis served in the army as a fifer. He was married to Elizabeth Elzey. Mr. Ellis died November 26, 1825; his widow died No- vember 19, 1860.

Martin M. Ellis received his education in the public schools of the district. His youth was spent on the home farm, where he ac- quired a practical knowledge of agriculture, and a taste for the quiet pleasures of country life. He has devoted his time to the cultiva- tion of the soil; but has also been engaged in business as a general merchant. Mr. Ellis is a stanch Democrat, and has always sup- ported the party ticket. In 1870 he was elected state senator and represented his dis- triet acceptably.

Martin M. Ellis was married in Little Creek hundred, December 13, 1848, to Rachel E., daughter of Samuel and Eleanor (Kinneken) Kenney, of Little Creek hundred. Their children are: I. Oliviana, born September 24, 1849, married Levin Hastings, a mer- chant of Delmar, Del., has four children, i. Theodore, ii. Alice, iii. Susie, iv. Channey; II. Elizabeth, born May 5, 1851, died in in- fancy; III. Amelia A. (Mrs. Edward J. Bailey), born May 23, 1853, has seven chil- dren, i. Mary E., ii. Lillian, iii. Elizabeth, iv. Ada, v. Victor, vi. Ellis, vii. Glenn; IV. Sarah Elizabeth (Mrs. Joseph Belch), born September 19, 1855, has four children, i. Nel- lie, ii. Ida, iii. Harry, iv. Polly; V. Albert B., born September 26, 1857, married Maud Phil- lips, has two children, i. Louisa, ii. Amy; VI. Fannie E. (Mrs. Frazier Elliott), born April 21, 1860, has five children, i. John M., ii. Herman, iii. Earl, iv. Blanche, v. Grace; VII. Jackson, born June 8, 1863, married Ida Nel- son, has two children, i. May, ii. Paul; VIII. Kate Matilda (Mrs. R. W. Horsey), born June 20, 1865, has six children, i. Crystal, ii. Sallie,

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iii. Andrew, iv. Helen, v. Walter, vi. Marion; IX. Samuel M., born April 26, 1868. For fifty years Mr. Ellis and his wife have been active members of the M. E. church; their children are nearly all members of the same denomination.

The parents of Mrs. Ellis, Samuel and Eleanor (Kimeken) Kenney, were natives of Little Creek hundred, where they spent their lives. Their children are: Charlotte, de- ceased; II. Sarah Ann; III. Rachel E. ( Mrs. M. M. Ellis); IV. Samuel; V. Eleanor.

FRAZIER G. ELLIOTT, Delmar, Del., son of John M. and Priscilla C. (Hastings) Elliott, was born in Little Creek hundred, Sussex county, Del., September 14, 1858.

His paternal ancestry was English. Benja- min Elliott, his grandfather, was a well-known farmer of Wicomico county, Md., where he spent his entire life. He married Mary Gordy. Their son, Jolm M. Elliott was born in Wico- mico county, Md., but resided for many years in Sussex county, Del., where he was engaged in farming and milling. He was a large land- owner, with farms in Sussex county, and in his native county in Maryland. He took much interest in polities and was prominent in the Democratic party for a number of years, until in later life he allied himself with the Prohibitionists. He was at one time Levy Court Commissioner in Little Creek hundred. John M. Elliott married Priscilla C. Hast- ings. They had six children, of whom five are living: I. Frazier G .; II. A. B., married and has six children, resides on homestead farm in Little Creek hundred; III. Adeline B. (Mrs. II. B. Gardy), has three children; IV. Charles E., of Delmar, married and has one child; V. Roland F., farmer in Little Creek hundred, has two children. Mr. El- liott was a consistent member of the M. E. church. He died in February, 1897.

Frazier G. Elliott was educated in the pub- lic schools of Sussex county, and was reared on his father's farm. When he reached the age of twenty-one he began farming and mil- ling on his own account, but after three years he left the farm and mill and went to Delmar, where he established himself in the hardware business and has since continued in the same with much success. In addition to this indus- trial business, he is president of the Bank of Dehar. Mr. Elliott is one of the foremost

business men of his community, and by his prosperous career and his strict integrity has won the confidence of his associates and ac- quaintances. He is a member of several se- cret orders, among them the I. O. II., A. O. U. W., K. of P., and Jr. O. U. A. M.

Frazier G. Elliott was married, in Little Creek hundred, September 20, 1879, to Fan- nie E., daughter of Martin M. Ellis, now of Delmar. They have children: I. Cora, died in childhood; II. John M .; III. Herman L .; IV. Earl B .; V. Glen F .; VI. Grace E. Mr. Elliott is a member of the M. E. church, and has held the offices of steward, trustee, class leader, treasurer, and superintendent of the cemetery. He has been chorister for twelve years.

ROBERT ELLEGOOD, M. D., Dehar, Del., son of Dr. Robert G. and Elizabeth (Cannon) Ellegood, was born in Concord, Sussex county, Del., December 25, 1860.

The family is of British origin. Captain William Ellegood emigrated from Wales about the year 1700, and settled in Lynn- haven Parish, Princess Anne county, Vir- ginia. William Ellegood, one of his descen- dants, and great-great-grandfather of Dr. Robert Ellegood, left Virginia in 1752 and settled in the vicinity of Concord, which was then in Maryland, where he became an exten- sive land-owner. He held a commission as justice under George III of England. His family consisted of four sons and one daugh- ter, as follows: I. Thomas; II. John; ILI. William; IV. Robert; V. Sarah (Mrs. Hitch). William Ellegood died in 1790. Robert Elle- good, son of William, was a farmer, cultivat- ing the portions of his father's estate which was his heritage, and, like his father, occupy- ing a position of respect and influence in the community. He married Mary B. Atkinson, of St. Mary's county, Md., and had children: I. William; II. Joshua A .; III. Thomas; IV. Sarah. Robert Ellegood died, aged fifty, in the year 1800. His second son, Joshua At- kinson Ellegood, was born in 1789. He also was prominent among his fellow-citizens, hy reason of his intelligence, sound judgment and irreproachable character. He was sue- cessful in acquiring large possessions, princi- pally in land, and for fourteen years exercised the office of justice of the peace. Joshua .1. Ellegood was married to AAnne, daughter of

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Col. Seth and Nancy (Houston) Griffith. Col. Griffith was once sheriff of Sussex county; he was a large landed proprietor, his estate including the site upon which Concord is built; Col. Griffith himself surveyed the land, and laid out the town. His daughter, Mrs. Anne Il. Ellegood, was born in 1804.

Robert Griffith Ellegood, M. D., was the eldest of the eight children of Joshua A. and Anne HI. (Griffith) Ellegood and was born March 16, 1828. He was educated in the neighborhood of Concord, and at a fine select school in Laurel, Del. His father dying in 1545, Robert G. Ellegood was obliged to re- linquish his plans for obtaining a liberal edu- cation, and devote himself to the care of the home farm, and the education of his brothers and sisters, becoming his mother's faithful and efficient helper, and himself provided means for the tuition of the younger members of the family. He began the study of medi- cine at the age of twenty-one, his preceptor being James II. Fisher, M. D. After a course of reading, he attended lectures at the Penn- sylvania Medical College, Philadelphia, Pa., and took his diploma in 1852. He returned to his native town as a practitioner, and en- joying the regard and confidence of those who had known him from childhood, he was not long in building up a practice which was among the most extensive in the state, and in acquiring a high reputation for professional skill. Hle is personally well known through- out the Peninsula, and his professional repu- tation has been extended far beyond its limits by his able contributions to current medical literature. He has been president of the county and state medical societies, and has more than once represented the state in the American Medical Association. He was elected on the Democratie ticket to the legis- lature of Delaware, and for three terms was State Auditor. Ile has taken an active and influential part in the conventions of his party. Being warmly interested in the cause of popular education, he served for thirty-five years as school commissioner. Dr. Ellegood's agricultural pursuits have not been by any means his least important interests. ITis farms, aggregating about 3,000 acres, have been judiciously and profitably managed, and have been largely devoted to the cultivation of peaches and small fruits.

Dr. Robert Griffith Ellegood was married,

July 28, 1858, in Christ Church, Broad Creek hundred, to Elizabeth, daughter of Nutter and Margaret ( Windsor) Cannon, of Sussex county, Del. Their children are: I. Joshua Atkinson, M. D., born September 18, 1859, married Marian Dashiell, of Laurel, Del., and is practicing in Wilmington; Il. Robert, M. D .; III. Seth Griffith, born May 28, 1561, married Jennie Cobb of Sing Sing, N. Y., in which city he resides, and is seere- tary of a savings bank and superintendent of water works, has one child; IV. Martha, died in infancy.

Their second son, Robert Ellegood, attend- ed the public schools of Concord until he had attained his thirteenth year. In 1873, he be- came a pupil at a private school in Seaford, where he remained two years. While still a youth, he was entrusted with the management of his father's extensive farming interests, which he conducted with fidelity and good judgment for about nine years, at the same time being engaged in the study of medical science. In 1884 he matriculated at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and was grad- uated in April, 1886. He took a post-grad- uate course in 1886-'87, and commenced prac- tice in connection with his father. In Feb- ruary, 1888, Dr. Robert Ellegood removed to Delmar, where he has since resided, and is in the enjoyment of a successful and substantial practice. In 1889, he engaged in the drug business, adding this enterprise to the exer- cise of the arts of medicine and surgery. Dr. Ellegood is a worthy successor of a line of an- cestry noted in every generation for probity of character, and for efficiency and success in their various walks of life. His political views are Democratie. He is a prominent Mason, a Red Man and a Knight of Pythias.

Robert Ellegood, M. D., was married in Laurel, Del., November 11, 1893, to Ida MI., daughter of Frank Bonney, M. D., and adopted daughter of George W. Horsey. Their children are: I. Joshua Horsey, born September 24, 1894; II. George Robert, born January 15, 1896. Dr. Ellegood is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church of Laurel.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN BARKER, Delmar, Sussex county, Del., son of Jos- oph Watson and Anne Matilda ( Rathel) Barker, was born near Bridgeville, Del., Feb- ruary 27, 1847.

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The Barker family is of English descent. The first representative of the name in Amer- ica, emigrated in 1665, and settled near Mid- dletown, Del. Hle afterwards removed to a farm in New Castle county, situated near Brandywine Creek, where he spent the re- mainder of his life. Joseph Watson Barker was born in 1822. He was not only a success- ful farmer, but also a mason and plasterer. Notwithstanding the cares of business, he found time to take an active interest in local polities, and served as a constable of his dis- triet for two years. Joseph Watson Barker was married in 1841, to Anne Matilda Rathel. Their children are: I. Sarah Anne; II. Benja- min F .; III. Elizabeth; IV. William HI .; V. Joseph; VI. Marian; VII. Jonathan. J. Wat- son Barker died of lockjaw, September 5, 1893, near Harrington, Del., and was buried there.

Benjamin F. Barker received his education in the public schools of the district and re- mained at home, assisting his father on the farm, until he was nineteen. In 1865 he scoured a position on the railroad as freight brakeman. Not discouraged by hard work and exposure, he performed his duty pune- tually and faithfully, and at the end of tive years received his well-merited reward, a con- ductorship in the freight department. Mr. Barker held this position for fifteen years, dis- charging his duties promptly and carefully. The company showed their appreciation of his service and their confidence in his ability by appointing hi yard master at Delmar, Del. Mr. Barker received his appointment Feb- ruary 9, 1885; he still holds this position, fill- ing it to the entire satisfaction of the com- pany. Mr. Barker is a Republican. He is a member of the C. A. R .; of the P. W. B. Re- lief Society; and of the O. U. A. M. He was also a charter member of Lafayette Lodge, No. 2, K. of P., of Wilmington, Del.

Benjamin F. Barker was married Devem- ber 31, 1874, to Sallie R. Nichols, of Wil- mington, Del. Their children are: I. Frank Leslie, born November 6, 1875, in Wilming- ton, Del., was educated in the public schools of Wilmington and Delmar, and afterwards attended Goldeys Business College, Wilming- ton. Since 1892, he has been connected with the P., W. & B. R. R. at Delmar, as weigh- master; IT. Lulu Blanche, born July 14, 1884. Mr. Barker is a member of the M. E. church.

Mrs. Benjamin F. Barker is a daughter of Daniel and Mary Ann (Clark) Nichols. Dan- iel Nichols, a resident of Harrington, was a fireman on the old Frenchtown Railroad, run- ning from New Castle to Frenchtown, the first railroad in Delaware. After his marriage to Mary Ann Clark, he returned to Harrington, where he died in the prime of life, aged forty- eight years. He was a stanch Republican, and strongly opposed to slavery.

The Clark family is among the oldest in Delaware; they at one time owned all the land, where the town of Harrington is now situated; at that time it was called Clark's Cor- ner. Mary Ann (Clark) Nichols was a daugh- ter of Zadoe and Henrietta Clark, who were also residents of Harrington. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Nichols are as follows: I. William E., of Wilmington, Del., married first Mary Cooper of Felton, who died in 1870, without issue; his second wife was Eliz- abeth Marshall, of Cecil county, Md .; they have two daughters, i. Mary Gertrude, ii. Elsie; II. Mary Elizabeth (Mrs. John W. Laird), of Crisfield, has sons, i. Levi W., ii. William E .; III. Lydia Ann (Mrs. Edward II. Melson), of Newport, Del .; IV. Matthew, died in early manhood; V. Nehemiah, died in childhood; VI. Daniel, died in infancy; VII. Jennie (Mrs. William T. Gallagher), of New- port, has one daughter; VIII. Sallie R. (Mrs. Benjamin F. Barker). Daniel Nichols died in August, 1862, and Mr. Nichols, October 24, 1870; their remains are interred in the old family burial ground at Harrington, Del.

WILLIAM C. C. KNOWLES, Laurel, Sussex county, Del., son of David and Eme- line ( Marvel) Knowles, was born at Shadriteh, Little Creek hundred, Kent county, Del., Feb- ruary 1, 1854.

The paternal ancestors of Mr. Knowles were of Scotch-Irish descent. At an early period in the history of Delaware, three mem- bers of this family emigrated to America from England. One of the three went to the west and settled in Ohio. Of the two who re- mained in Delaware, one was the great-great- grand father of William C. C. Knowles, and the founder of the Knowles family in this state. Mr. Knowles' grandfather, Marvel Knowles, was born in Little Creek hundred, Sussex county. He was a blacksmith, and was

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considered one of the most skilful workmen of his day. He married Hettie Waller; their children are: I. David; II. Robert, of Sca- ford, Del .; III. James, residing in Maryland; IV. Rebecca, widow of the late Joseph Corne- lius, of Delmar, Del. Mr. Knowles' father, David Knowles, was a farmer of Sussex county, Del. Mr. David Knowles died aged thirty-six; his widow Emeline ( Marvel) Knowles is still living.

William C. C. Knowles was three years old when his father died. After her husband's death Mrs. Knowles removed to Maryland. William was therefore educated in the public schools of that state. When he was eighteen, Mr. Knowles returned to Laurel, Del., and after serving an apprenticeship with E. B. Riggin, carriage builder, began business in Laurel. Industrious and skilful, Mr. Knowles soon became known as a prompt and reliable business man, whose financial success was assured. He was, however, too energetic and enterprising to confine himself entirely to carriage building; and in 1897 erected a suit- able building and opened the Laurel Shirt Factory. The factory was opened in March, and in five months the business had increased so rapidly as to demand Mr. Knowles's con- stant attention. He has, therefore, abandoned carriage-building, and devotes his whole time to the factory, which promises to become one of the most successful in the state. He now furnishes work to sixty employees, and is able to make five hundred dozen shirts per week. Mr. Knowles has been a resident of Laurel for twenty-five years; he is a thoroughly prac- tical business man, whose ability and integrity are well known and appreciated by his fellow- citizens. He is a Democrat, and has served as a member of the town council, of which he was for some time president. Mr. Knowles is also a member of Charity Lodge, No. 27, I. O. O. F .; of Rosakatum Tribe, I. O. R. M .; and of the I. O. H.

William C. C. Knowles was married in Laurel, Del., December 26, 1877, to Lavinia J., daughter of William and Sarah E. Calla- way, of Little Creek hundred. Mrs. Knowles' parents reside in Laurel, Sussex county, Del. Mr. Knowles is a member of the M. P. church.

EMORY B. RIGGIN, Laurel, Sussex county, Del., son of Daniel R., and Catherine

(Cannon) Riggin, was born at Laurel, Del., January 24, 1842.

Mr. Riggin's great-grandfather, who was a native of Ireland, emigrated to America and settled in Maryland on the peninsula where he spent his life in farming. Ilis son, Major Riggin, grandfather of Emory Riggin, was a farmer of Broad Creek hundred, Sussex county, Del. At the breaking out of the war of 1812 he enlisted for the defence of his country, and was stationed at Lewistown, Del. Major Riggin was married to Jane Moore, who was of Scotch descent. Their children are: 1. Jacob M., died in Indiana in 1897; II. Daniel R .; III. Burris, died in 1869; IV. Mary, widow of Joseph Moore, of Laurel, Del .; V. Jane (Mrs. Josiah Morgan), of Laurel; VI. Purnell, died in 1887; VIL. Julia A., married John Ellegood, both de- ceased; VIII. Henrietta (Mrs. William S. Kinney), of Seaford, Del .; IX. Lorranie, wife of W. G. Elliott, of Wilmington, Del., who died at Wilmington, in 1897. The second son, Daniel R. Riggin, was born in Broad Creek hundred, in 1817. Daniel R. Riggin, attended the public schools of Broad Crock hundred, and during vacations assisted his fa- ther on the farm. He learned carpentry, but after working at his trade for some time, aban- doned it and devoted all his energies to the cultivation of the soil. He was married to Catherine Cannon, who was Scotch by de- scent. Their children are: I. Emory B .; II. Annie (Mrs. H. F. Pennewill), of Laurel, Del .; III. David E., of Jersey City, N. J., married Annie Enos, of Wilmington, Del .; IV. Martha ( Mrs. William Pennewill), of Wilmington, Del .; V. H. Harry, of Altoona, Pa .; and two who died in childhood. Mr. Riggin died at his home in Laurel, April 21, 1868.

Emory B. Riggin spent his youth in Broad Creek hundred, and received his education in the public school, of that district. He learned carriage-building at Laurel, Del., and in 1863 began working as a journeyman in Laurel, Del. In 1866 Mr. Riggin began business for himself in Laurel. His fine workmanship, promptness, and honest dealing soon brought him custom. Mr. Riggin was so successful that in 1882, besides conducting his establish- ment for carriage-building, he offered his ser- viees as an undertaker. He is a practical and enterprising man, whose agreeable manner

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and excellent business qualities have won the esteem and confidence of the community. Mr. Riggin has, however, not confined his in- terest to business; he is a friend of education and of progress in all departments. For nine years he was a member of the board of edu- cation; has served in the town council for several terms and was president of the body. He is an active worker in the ranks of the Democracy and prominent in local politics. For two years he was Justice of the Peace in Laurel. In 1896, Mr. Riggin was elected to the state legislature, and during the session of 1897 was chosen speaker. Mr. Riggin has been for thirty years a member of Charity Lodge, No. 27, I. O. O. F., and for twenty- two years of Rosakatum Tribe, No. 15, I. O. R. M .; he also belongs to Laurel Lodge, No. 14, A. O. U. W., and to Laurel Conelave, No. 308, I. O. II.

Emory B. Riggin was married at Mardella Springs, Wicomico county, Md., February 11, 1869, to Charlotte C., daughter of Captain Luther and Eleanor Kennerly. Their chil- dren are: I. Harley O .; II. Emory W., born March 4, 1871, at home; III. Fannie (Mrs. Curtis E. Davis), has two children, i. Nettie, ii. Frances; IV. Laurence B., born October 12, 1879; one child died in infancy. Mr. Riggin and his family are members of the M. P. church; for ten years he has been chairman of the board of stewards.

Harley O. Riggin was born at Laurel, Del., November 11, 1869. He was educated in the public schools of the district; and after serv- ing an apprenticeship with his father, became his partner in July, 1897.

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 30

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