Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 4

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

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Having been prepared for college at home and in the schools of Dover, William A. Reynolds being principal, John Reed Nich- olson became a student at Yale in 1866, grad- uating in the class of 1870. Immediately af- ter graduating, he joined Professor O. C. Marsh, the eminent paleontologist, in the first of a series of exploring and collecting expe- ditions, which have made Professor Marsh famous and resulted in the greatest additions ever made in the same space of time to our materials for the study of vertebrate life on this globe. The party of youthful explorers had escort and transportation furnished them by the government, and traversed the great plains and the Rocky Mountains from north to south, and from the eastern border of the plains to the shores of the Pacific. Mr. Nich- olson, when referring to this experience, al- ways speaks of it as one of the most delight- ful and valuable of his life. Upon his re- turn from this expedition, Mr. Nicholson was registered as a student of law with the late Chancellor Daniel M. Bates; but in Octo- ber, 1871, he entered the Columbia College Law School, where he graduated in May, 1873, and was admitted the same day to the New York Bar. He was induced to remain in New York for several years, where he be- came a member of the Bar Association of the City of New York, and entered into the club and social life of the City. Professionally, he was connected at different times during this period with the law offices of Seudder & Carter, Whitney & Betts and Martin & Smith. In October, 1876, Mr. Nicholson re- turned to his native state and county, for which he always confessed an attachment not only profound but even bigoted, and began the practice of his profession at Dover. Shortly afterwards he was made solicitor of the town of Dover, and became greatly interested in

Constitutional and public corporation law. On March 4, 1885, he was elected, in his ab- sence and without his knowledge, attorney for the Levy Court of Kent County, and very soon distinguished himself in that capacity, in a notable case which settled for the first time in Delaware in favor of the county, the important question whether an action sound- ing in tort, that is a suit for damages, can be brought against a county or against its repre- sentatives, the Levy Court. Ile continued to act as attorney for the Levy Court, mak- ing an enviable record by means of his mas- tery of the law and diligent attention to his duties, until April, 1892, when he was ap- pointed attorney general by Governor Robert J. Reynolds.

As attorney general, his reputation and in- fluence were greatly increased, and he con- tinued to devote himself with ever increasing skill and ability to the discharge of the ardu- ous duties of that responsible office until No- vember, 1895, when he resigned in order to accept the highest judicial position in the state, the office of Chancellor, to which he was appointed by Governor William T. Watson, the term being for life or good behavior. On June 10, 1897, a new State Constitution went into effect, and cut off the terms of the exist- ing judiciary; but on the same day Mr. Nicholson received his commission from Gov- ernor Ebe W. Tunnell as chancellor under the new Constitution, the term being for twelve years. During his three years' service.

as Chancellor, he has fully sustained the high standards and traditions of that honorable office, for which he seems to be peculiarly fitted by temperament and training. ITis opinions have been classic in the purity, sim- plicity and clearness of their style, as well as notable for precision of thought, soundness of judgment and solidity of professional knowledge.

John Reed Nicholson was married in June, 1884, to Miss Isabella Hayes Hager, of Lan- caster, Pa., a granddaughter of the late Judge Hayes of that City, a great-great-niece of George Ross and George Reade, of Delaware, and a great-great-granddaughter of General William Thompson, a Pennsylvania Revolu- tionary veteran, grandson of the Duke of Hamilton. The only living child of this union is a daughter, Ellen Hayes, now eleven years of age.

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In politics, Mr. Nicholson has always been a Democrat, as were all of his Delaware an- cestors, including his great-great-grandfather, Chancellor Killen, who was a political asso- ciate, as well as warm personal friend of Jef- ferson, at a time when the overwhelming ma- jority of Delawareans were Federalists. Mr. Nicholson's activity in polities has been chiefly that of a public speaker and adviser; he has never served on campaign committees. As a speaker, however, he has long been known throughout the whole state, and in every political campaign until he went upon the Bench, he gave his voice and personal in- Anonce to the service of the Democratic party with the enthusiasm born of ardent convic- tion. In the legislative session of 1897. he was solicited to allow his name to be used as a candidate for the U. S. Senate, but firmly and peremptorily refused.

During the whole of his life, Mr. Nichol- son has been an ardent and profound student, a seeker after knowledge for its own sake. Aside from his early interest in paleontology and the pursuit of his chosen profession, his more serious studies have been in the field of polities, in the original meaning of that much abused word, and in political economy and finance. Of a cultivated literary taste, inti- mately familiar with "the best that has been thought and said in the world," as found not only in the English, but in the French, Ger- man and Italian literatures, he has always managed to keep up the familiarity with those languages which he acquired in his younger years, and has none the less preserved his relish for the Latin and Greek. Fond of an outdoor life and all field sports, he retains the zest of carly youth in that respect, and in general seems able to avail himself of all the many sources of enjoyment at the command of one possessed of his broad and many-sided culture. Living for so many years in a com- munity where his life has been open to in- spection on every side, he has earned a repu- tation for courage, integrity and purity of motive, which has never been assailed in the most rancorons partisan contests.

WILLIAM THOMAS HUTSON, Dover, Del .. son of John and Catherine Mary (Sea- man) ITutson, was born in Galena, then Georgetown Cross Roads, Md., Mav 19, 1836.

The Hutson, or according to the original

spelling, Hudson family is one of the oldest in the state of Maryland. The name is frequent- ly found upon the roll of the pioneer settlers, and the remains of many members of the fam- ily rest in the cemetery at Beaver Dam, Md. William T. Hutson's grandfather, John Hut- son, a farmer of English descent, was born and spent his youth in Cecil county, Md. After his marriage, he removed to Queen Anne county, Md., where he spent the remainder of his life. The children of John Hutson and his wife are: I. Thomas, died in Queen Anne county, Md., in 1897; II. John; III. Eliza- beth; IV. . Mr. Hutson died at his home in Queen Anne county in 18 -. His second son, John Hutson, shoemaker, was born in Cecil county, Md., in 1800, and worked at his trade in Cecil county, Md., in Smyrna and other places in Kent county, Del., and in Newark, N. J. Returning to Dela- ware, he first spent a short time in Smyrna and then settled at Frederica, Kent county, Del. Mr. Hutson was a Jacksonian Democrat, ac- tively interested in local affairs. John Hutson was married to Catherine Mary Seaman, who was French by descent, and a native of Balti- more, Md. Their children are: I. Jacob, of Philadelphia, Pa .; II. Catharine (Mrs. Wil- liam Bareus), of Philadelphia; III. William Thomas; IV. Alexander, of Denton, Md .; V. James, of Beatrice, Neb .; VI. Sarah R. (Mrs. Richardson), of Fayette county, Ind .; and four who are deceased. Mr. ITutson and his wife were members of the M. E. church. He died at his home in Frederica, January 21, 1572: his widow died in IST7.

William Thomas Hutson was a child when his parents removed to Smyrna, Del. His educational advantages were limited to four winter terms in the public schools of Smyrna; but this time was well spent. From his boy- hood, William Hutson was a diligent student and a thoughtful reader of good books, and devoted his evenings to storing his mind with useful information. When only twelve years old, he began working in an iron foundry in Smyrna, receiving one dollar per week. Al- most the whole of this small sum was cheer- fully given to assist in the support of the fam- ily. Mr. Hutson went with his parents to Newark, N. J., and while there worked as a laborer, despising no employment by which he could earn an honest living. After serving an apprenticeship with a tinsmith, he worked

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at that trade until 1871. For two years he Was a partner in a canning establishment at Frederica, Del., and afterwards engaged in the same business in Leipsic, Del. Mr. Hut- son is now superintendent of the Levins' can- ning establishment, at Leipsic. In October, 1896, he was appointed prothonotary by Gov- ernor Watson, and has performed the duties of his office ably and conscientiously. In order to do so, Mr. IIutson removed to his present home in Dover, in February, 1897. He is much respected and esteemed, and is now en- joying the reward of his patient industry and economy. Mr. Hutson is a loyal Democrat, interested in public affairs. In 1891 he was elected to a seat in the State Legislature, and discharged his public duties with characteris- tie promptness and efficiency.

William Thomas Hutson was married in 1858 to Ann M. Fooks, of Sussex county, Del. Their only child, Charles F., married Mary H. Wilson, of Leipsic, Del. He was adjuster for the Home Fire Insurance Company of New York, a reliable efficient business man, trusted and esteemed by his employers. He died at the age of thirty-five. Mrs. Ann (Fooks) Hutson died in 1870. In 1873 Mr. Hutson was married to Emma Sutherland. They have one child, Henry Hall, aged six- teen, at school. Mr. Hutson is a member of the M. E. church, in which he is an active worker, and has been an office-bearer for many years.

JOIIN S. HERRINGTON, P. O. Dover, Del., son of Abner and Elizabeth (Satters- field) Herrington, was born in Milford hun- dred, Kent county, Del., February 4, 1825.

Abner Herrington, his grandfather, was a native of Mispillion hundred, Kent county, Del., and died on his farm there. His chil- dren were: I. Benjamin, who died on his farm near Harrington when in his one hun- dredth year; II. William, a farmer, died in

Kent county; III. Abner, 2; IV. Moses, lived in Farmington, Del .; V. Harriet; VI. Ruth; VII. Nimrod; VIII. David; IX. Sarah. The third son, Abner Herrington, 2, was born in Mispillion hundred. He was a farmer, and at times an auctioneer. When a young man, he leased the Mollison farm in Milford hundred; he afterward purchased a plantation in Mis- pillion hundred, but died in 1826, before re- moving to this property, at the age of about

sixty years. He was a Democrat. He married Elizabeth, daughter of William Satter field, who died in 1845. Their children were: I. Ann, died in Mispillion hundred, Kent county, Del .; IT. Sarah, married to Peter Har- rington, both deceased; III. Levi, a farmer, died in Kansas; IV. William, died in Kent county, when a boy; V. Martin, died in Dover in 1897; VI. Charles, died when a boy; VII. David, died in Pennsylvania in 1895; VIII. Elias, resides in Minnesota; IX. John S .; X. Elizabeth, died when three years old. Abner Herrington was a man of intense religious convictions and of consistent, upright life.

In his youth, John S. Herrington attended the little old country school-house, a mile and a half from his home, for about six weeks in the year. One of his teachers was William Sharp, a man of good education and a compe- tent instructor. When Mr. Herrington was old enough, he assumed the management of the farm in Mispillion hundred, succeeding his elder brothers, who had married and left home, some to go to the far west. He re- mained here until the death of his mother, in 1845, when an elder brother, Elias, undertook the direction of the farm, and he entered the store of John Williams, in Milford, as a clerk; he subsequently spent over four years at Odessa, then called Cantwell's Bridge, in New Castle county. Having heard much of the western country, Mr. Herrington determined to try his fortunes there; so accordingly, in May, 1850, he began a journey toward the frontier. He went first to Buffalo, N. Y., and after a brief stay there, continued on to Cleve- land; thence by steamer to Detroit, by cars to New Buffalo, and then to Chicago. From Chicago he was carried a short distance down the Illinois river by steamer, and then took the Central stage line across the state to Iowa. On the way his trunk dropped, unno- ticed, from the stage, and its loss was not dis- covered until several hours afterward when the stage driver returned over the route and found it twelve miles back. Mr. Herrington remained with his brother for a short time, and then went to St. Louis, where he pur- chased a small stock of merchandise and began business in a small store in Ursa, Adams coun- ty, Ill. The following April he disposed of this venture, and found he had made some by it. Then he visited another brother in the southern part of Illinois, and after a short

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stay, turned castward in May, 1851, and be- gan buying live stock in Ohio and selling at various places, principally in Pennsylvania. He always helped to drive his cattle to the markets, and frequently walked before or be- lind a big drove for several days at a time, on the trips of three hundred and twenty miles across the mountains into Central Pennsyl- vania. He had many strange experiences while thus engaged. In November, 1851, he returned to Delaware, and established himself in the mercantile business at Fork Landing, Kent county. At the same time he purchased a farm of 183 acres, on which he erected buildings, and in 1853 built himself a home there. He was elected a county commissioner in 1866, for a term of four years, and proved so acceptable to the people of Kent county that he was re-elected for a like term. He con- tinued on his farm, always improving and beautifying it, until 1882, when he removed to Dover, his eldest son taking charge of the farm. In this year he was elected sheriff of Kent county; he served his full term, and when he retired from office, resumed his trade in live stock. In the winter of 1888 Mr. Her- rington was taken ill with pneumonia, which made serions inroads upon his great strength. IIe had from his youth been noted for his powerful physical development and had per- formed many extraordinary feats. One of these was the lifting of two barrels of flour at the same time. He stands high in the regards of the people of Dover, for his genial disposi-" tion and his sterling integrity. He is a Dem- ocrat.

In 1855 John S. Herrington married Caro- line, daughter of Carey and Lydia Frazier. Their children are: I. Edward F., on the farm; II. Hugh Miller, postal clerk, of Jer- sey City; III. Annie L., at home; IV. Carrie (Mrs. John Collier): V. John S., Jr., of Princeton, N. J .: VI. Fannie S. Mr. Her- rington has never joined any church, but was baptized in the Presbyterian faith. From the year 1853 until his marriage, Mr. Herring- ton's eldest sister, Ann Herrington, presided over his household.

JOHN W. HOPKINS, P. O. Dover, Del., son of John and Eliza (Ferby) Hopkins, was born in Duck Creek hundred, Kent county, Del., July 30, 1539.

Ilis grandfather, Robert Hopkins, was a

native of Little Creek hundred, Del. He was a farmer; and a soldier in the war of 1812. Ilis children were: I. Henry, died in Ohio; II. Robert, 2, accidentally killed; III. John; IV. Susan (Mrs. Abram Moore), deceased ; Mr. Moore after her death married her sister; V. Nancy; VI. Elizabeth, married to Robert George, of Kent county; they lived to be 93 and 94 years old respectively.

John Hopkins, third son of Robert Hop- kins, was born in Kent county, Del., in 1799. Ilis youth was spent on a farm. He received a good education for those times. Shortly af- ter his father's death he began teaching school, and he continued teaching for thirty years. Afterward he engaged in butchering, but lived a retired life for a number of years before his death. He was an exemplary cit- izen and much esteemed; he died in 1872. Both Mr. and Mrs. John Hopkins are buried in the Leipsic Methodist graveyard. Their children were: I. Robert, died in Baltimore; II. Abram, deceased; III. Joseph H., member of Delaware legislature and farmer near Dover; IV. John W .; V. Thomas, tax-collec- tor of Leipsic; VI. Annie (Mrs. Robert Bur- ton), deceased; VII. Sarah (Mrs. Frank Ab- bott); VIII. Verma Della (Mrs. John Satters- field). They were devout members of the M. E. church.

John W. Hopkins was born on a farm. While he was a child, the family removed to Leipsic, Del .; when he was twelve years old, they went to Duck Creek hundred. In the winter he attended the district schools and during the school vacations, worked on neigh- boring farms, receiving as wages $8.00 and $9.00 per month, which was considered a large amount for a boy. At the age of seven- teen, John W. Hopkins apprenticed himself to his brother, Robert M. Hopkins, a wheel- wright, with whom he remained six years, the last three years as a journeyman. Then he went to St. Louis, Mo., and secured employ- ment in a carriage factory, at $10.00 per week. He remained but a short time, on ac- count of the disturbed condition of business there, which was due to the Civil War; re- turning to Leipsie, he resumed work at his trade. In 1870 he came to Dover. During the last three years of his residence in Leipsic, Mr. Hopkins was in business on his own ac- count as wheelwright, and on his coming to Dover, he opened a shop here. He began in a

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sinall way, but gradually extended his busi- ness, and recently erected an addition to his buildings. He votes with the Prohibitionists, and has worked with enthusiasm for the suc- cess of his party. He was twice a candidate for the legislature on the Prohibition ticket.

John W. Hopkins married in 1566, Mary J., daughter of William M. Hazel, of Leipsic. Their children are: I. Franklin, a machinist, of Wilmington; II. Alfred C., associated with his father in business; III. Leonora, at home. John W. Hopkins is a member and trustee of the Armory M. E. church. He was formerly connected with the Wesley M. E. church.

DANIEL K. REEDER, Dover, Del., son of John and Sarah Reeder, was born in Blain, Perry county, Pa., September 18, 1838.

His grandfather, John Reeder, came to this country from Germany. He reared a large family, one of his sons being John, 2. Two sons went to the west. John Reeder, 2, father of Daniel K. Reeder, was born in Jackson township, Perry county, Pa. . He was a farmer, and died on his farm in Spring town- ship, Perry county, in December, 1871, aged seventy-eight years. He married Sarah -, and had children: I. John, 3; II. Susan, de- ceased; III. Solomon; IV. David; V. Mary, deceased; VI. Jacob, deceased; VII. Daniel K .; VIII. Henry; IX. George; X. William A .; XI. Sarah (Mrs. Jacob Bousum); XII. Catherine (Mrs. John Corman), deceased; XIII. a child who died in infancy. All, ex- cept Daniel K. Reeder, reside or did reside while living, in Perry county, Pa.

Daniel K. Reeder spent his first eleven years in Blain, and then removed with. his par- ents to Elliottsburg, Perry county, where his father owned a large farm. Sharing in the work of the farm, he had but little opportunity for securing an education. At the age of twenty-one, he left home and learned carpen- try with an older brother. On August 21, 1861, he enlisted as first corporal in Company H, Forty-seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and immediately started with his regiment for the front. The regiment was or- dered to Fort Ethan Allen, in Virginia, near Washington, and the troops saw hard service as skirmishers until the battle of Prospect Hill, their first actual engagement. They were transferred, after January, 1862, to Florida, and captured St. John's fort and held

Key West for four or five months. Later they were stationed in Georgia, and along the At- lantie coast. During this far southern ser- vice, Mr. Reeder acted as drill-master on heavy artillery, at Fort Taylor, Fla., and also as captain of his company, although he never received a captain's commission. He partici- pated in several severe battles along the Port Royal river, and on October 2, 1862, was wounded while leading a charge. Forty-five hundred Union troops were sent against six thousand Confederates, with orders to take a bridge held by the latter. They advanced rapidly, but did not know their ground, and their right and left wings marched into marshes from which they could not at once extricate themselves. Captain Reeder and his men were in the center of the line and rushed forward over a causeway. They fought bravely, but were repulsed with a heavy loss. Captain Reeder was among those injured. Ile was pushing aside some bushes with his left arm when a Minie ball struck his left hand and ploughed its way up through his forearm, emerging above the elbow. He also received a flesh wound in the right leg, and his scalp was slightly torn by a Confederate bullet. Four days afterward his arm was an- putated at the hospital at Hilton Head, S. C. HIe begged the surgeon not to cut it off, but his protests and entreaties were not heeded, as am- putation was considered necessary to save his life. For ten days he lay at the point of death, and only his rugged constitution saved his life. Because of his loss of an arm he was dis- charged, December 22, 1862, and sent home. He had participated in seventeen skirmishes and battles. When he enlisted he weighed 198 pounds, and was the healthiest member of his company; when he was discharged he weighed 165 pounds.

Not many occupations were open to Mr. Reeder in his maimed condition and he went to Washington to procure employment from the goverment, in whose defense he had given up his arm. He obtained a position and remained in the National Capitol some time, until his father directed him to return home and complete his education. Young Reeder accordingly went back to Perry county, and pursued his studies at several academies, tak- ing also a course at the Eastman Business Col- lege, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. He then com- menord teaching in the public schools of

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Perry county, but was compelled by ill health to relinquish this work. When he recovered his strength, he canvassed the county with various articles for sale. In the spring of 1885 he went to Washington, at the request of Hon. Samuel J. Randall, and was given a position as watchman in the treasury depart- ment. He remained there three or four years; then his health again failed, and he removed to Accomack county, Va., where he rented a farm. After six years there he came to Dover in April, 1895. He purchased a small farm of 56 acres, but lived in Dover and opened a real estate office. Mr. Reeder has been a Demo- erat all his life, and is a warm personal friend of William J. Bryan, the Democratie candi- date for president in 1896.

Daniel K. Reeder was married in May, 1867, to Eliza Jane, daughter of George and Sarah J. Wetzel, of Blue Ball, Pa. They have children: I. Tyson George Weitzel, at home: II. Minnie S. (Mrs. Alfred J. Arnoldl), Washington, D. C .; III. Charles Lee, at home: IV. Daisy Trene, at home; V. Park Ma- lay, of Carmel, N. Y .; VI. Frank L., de- ceased; VII. Allice C., deceased. Mr. Reeder was formerly a member of the Reformed church.

THOMAS LUTHER FLEMING, Dover, Kent county, Del., son of Nathan and Mary (Turner) Fleming, was born on the Fleming homestead, near Milford, Milford hundred, Kent county, Del., March 12, 1839.

Thomas L. Fleming's childhood was passed amid beautiful surroundings, on the land which had been the home of his ancestors from carly colonial times. He attended the schools of Kent county, and spent his vaca- tions on the farm, assisting his father. At tif- teen, having decided to fit himself for a mer- cantile career, he obtained a situation as clerk in a store at Greensboro, Md. In 1859, after five years of training as a clerk, Mr. Fleming, being determined to seek a more lucrative po- sition, went to Philadelphia, Pa., where he was engaged as salesman for a firm dealing in boots and shoes. In 1865 he became a partner in the firm of Shumway & Co., in which he still has an interest. Mr. Fleming represented the firm as traveling salesman from 1877 until 1894, when he accepted his present position as traveling salesman for Wenner, Worth & Makin, wholesale dealers in boots and shoes,

in Philadelphia, Pa. Mr. Fleming's courteous manner and fair dealing make him a favorite with his customers; his frank kindness and readiness to oblige have won many friends. He is a successful business man and has built a beautiful home on State street, Dover. Mr. Fleming is a Democrat of the Jeffersonian type, and is actively interested in politics. He is a member of the F. and A. M .; of the Mystic Shrine, of Philadelphia; the Philadelphia Whist Club; the Kent County Social Club, of Dover, Del .: and the Sons of Delaware.

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 4

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