Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 45

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

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BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

men, but in all circles of society. In 1894, Mr. Saulsbury became the editor and proprie- tor of the Delaware publishing and printing offices in Dover, Del. He is past grand mas- ter of Union Lodge, No 7, F. and A. M., of Dover, Del., and since January, 1896, has been president of the Robbins Hose Company. Mr. Saulsbury is a member of Wesley M. E. church, and is one of the trustees of that con- gregation.

HENRY E. CAIN, Dover, Kent county, Del., son of Robert and Mary (Clark) Cain, was born near Harrington, Kent county, Del., September 3, 1867.

Henry E. Cain was an infant when his parents removed to Harrington, Del. He re- ceived a good practical education in the pub- lie schools of Harrington, and during his va- cations was employed in a factory in that place. From 1884 to 1887, Mr. Cain was en- ployed as a newsboy on the P., W. and B. R. R., serving the trains running between Harrington, Del., and Philadelphia, Pa. On August 8, 1888, he began to study telegraphy under Mr. White, telegraph operator at HIar- rington, Del., and seven months after entered the office at Laurel, Del., as night operator. Some time afterwards, Mr. Cain was trans- ferred to the office at Clayton, Del., and on March 1, 1890, was made assistant station agent at Dover, Del. He has since received an- other promotion, and as agent, has assumed en- tire control of the office in Dover. Mr. Cain's rapid advancement is due to his faithfulness and energy, which have won the confidence of his employers, and raised the former news- boy to his present responsible position. His affable manner and obliging disposition make him popular in social as well as official circles. Mr. Cain is a member of Dover Club, Dover, Del .; Kent Social Club, of Dover; the Rob- bins Hose Company of Dover; and of Lulu Temple of the Mystic Shrine, Philadelphia, Pa .; he is Past Master of Union Lodge, No. 7, A. F. and A. M.

DR. EDWARD LEWIS, Dover, Kent county, Del., son of William and Ann ( Alla- band) Lewis, was born on the homestead, near Wyoming, Kent county, Del., March 14, 1841.

In 1740, three brothers named Lewis, im- migrants from Wales, purchased land near

Wyoming, Kent county, Del. One of the brothers, however, finally settled in Virginia, where many of his descendants are now liv- ing. The old brick house on the homestead was built in 1772. Thomas Lewis, grand- father of Edward Lewis, was born on the homestead near Wyoming, Del., and spent his life in caring for the ancestral acres which he inherited. Contrary to the English custom, this homestead has descended in the line of the youngest son. Thomas Lewis was a man of powerful physique, who gloried in his strength. At a log-rolling in the neighbor- hood, he boasted of his physical powers, and in his desire to prove their superiority, chal- lenged two men to work against him. The effort resulted in an injury, from the effects et which he died while still in the prime of life. Thomas Lewis was married and had chil- dren as follows: I. William Thomas, died in youth, February 15, 1815; II. John B., wheelwright and carriage builder, a well- known merchant and land owner of Winning- ton, Del., was married to - Black, of New Castle, Del., died in Wilmington, Del., in 1892, aged eighty-one, leaving daughters, one of whom is Annie ( Mrs. - - Fletcher), of Baltimore, Md .; III. William. Thomas Lewis died at his home near Wyoming, Del., August 18, 1806.

William Lewis, father of Edward Lewis, was born on the old Lewis homestead in South Murderkill hundred, Kent county, Del., Sep- tember 23, 1800. His childhood was spent on the homestead, but after his father's death, his mother having married Mr. Wallace, Wil- liam was bound out to one of the neighbor- ing farmers, with whom he lived until he at- tained his majority. He was permitted to at- tend the public schools of the district for three winters. Ile had an alert mind, and made good use of the limited time accorded to him. By reading and observation he acquired a fund of general knowledge, and became a fluent and interesting talker. Before his father's death, Mr. Lewis had begun to learn blacksmithing. and after he attained his majority he went to Dover, Del., where he learned carpentry, but after working at that trade for two or three years, turned his attention to agricul- ture, and began farming on the Allaband place. As his father, Thomas Lewis, the youngest son, had inherited the homestead, so be in turn received the property from his

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father's estate. After taking charge of the homestead, Mr. Lewis abandoned his trades, except for work required on the farin, where he had a shop in which he did the work of a carpenter, blacksmith, and wheelwright. Mr. Lewis was a successful husbandman, and add- ed aere to acre until he owned several valu- able farms. Some years before his death, he retired from active life to enjoy the rest and case which were the reward of his labors. He was at first a Whig, but afterwards identifi.l himself with the Democratic party; he was actively interested in the affairs of the county, where he was highly esteemed. William Lewis was married, January 14, 1823, to Am Allaband, who was born at Allaband's Mill, West Dover hundred, Kent county, Del., September 22, 1801. Their children are: 1. Rebecca, bern November 7, 1823, died in in- fancy; II. Thomas B., carpenter and farmer, born October 14, 1824, for some time super- intendent of the almshouse, married Amelia C'atts, removed to the homestead, and died in 1890 at Camden, Del .; III. John B., wheel- wright and farmer, afterwards superinten- dent of the mechanical department in the es- tallishment of Messrs. Walton & Whann, Wilmington, Del., born July 13, 1826, mar- ried Elizabeth M. E. Bride, of Camden, Del., now deceased, resides with his son at Smyrna, Del .; IV. William A., mechanie and farmer, born April 7, 1828, died at Wyoming, Del., married Ann Jones, who died in Kent coun- tv, Del .; V. Sarah Elizabeth, widow of Wil- liam B. Harris, born April 18, 1830, resides in Philadelphia, Pa .; VI. Hannah Ann, born January 7, 1832, died February 17, 1832; VII. Joseph B., born March 24, 1833, went to Illinois, and several years later was em- ployed in a construction gang on the railroad across the Isthunis of Panama; enlisted in the Illinois Volunteers, made the south- ern campaign under General Sherman, was severely wounded at Atlanta, Ga., settled in Concord, Morgan county, Ill., where he was married to Clara Ruyan, and where he died in 1887; VIII. Caleb B., farmer and mer- chant, Chester, Pa., born June 26, 1835, was assistant overseer of the almshouse in Kent county, Del .. under Thomas Purnell, married Mary Purnell; IX. Garrett I .. , merchant and farmer, born November 30, 1836, married Annie E. Yates, of Middletown, Del., died on his farm in West Dover hundred, Kent com-

ty, Del., in June, 1876; X. Margaret Ann, born March 14, 1841, died June 23, 1854; XI. Edward; XII. Robert II., for several years a traveling agent, now farming four miles west of Dover, Del. Mr. Lewis and his wife were members of the M. E. church. Mr -. Lewis was a devout Christian, lovable, kind and gentle; she died in October, ISS3. Mr. Lewis, who was active in church work, was a class leader and an eloquent exhorter. He died on the homestead, near Wyoming, Del., February 6, 1872.

Edward Lewis grew up on his father's farm near Wyoming, Del. He attended the public schools of the district and the private school of Prof. Reynolds, at Dover, Del. During the vacations he assisted his father on the farm, and was thus enabled to pay in part for his tuition. Dr. Lewis studied dentistry under Dr. W. G. A. Bonwill, of Dover, Del., now a resident of Philadelphia, Pa., with whom he remained until 1864, when he opened an office of his own at Middletown, Del. In June, 1866, Dr. Lewis went to Laurel, Del., and formed a partnership with his brother, John B. Lewis, and Mordecai Doughton, deal- ers in lumber. In 1868 the firm failed and Dr. Lewis opened a dental office in Laurel. Some months after he removed to George- town, Del., where he practiced for two years. At the end of that time, he returned to Laurel, and until the following March, lived in a pro- perty owned by his father-in-law,

Hitch, and practiced dentistry in Laurel and in the surrounding country. In March, 1872, Dr. Lewis removed to Dover, Del., succeeding his preceptor, Dr. Bonwill, whose hon-e he occupied for four years. He afterwards ve- eupied another dwelling and office, and in 1880, Dr. Lewis completed and occupied his present home on Bradford street. He is a skilful mechanical dentist and a thorough stu- dent, acquainted with all the scientific meth- ods of dental surgery. He is a Democrat, a strong supporter of the temperance can-e, and is highly esteemed in the county, where he has a large and lucrative practice.

Edward Lewis was married in 1867 to Mary E. Hitch, of Laurel, Del. They have one child, Bertha (Mrs. Charles F. IFarper), of Brooklyn, N. Y., who was born in February, 1872. Mrs. Lewis is a member of the Episco- pal church. In his sixteenth year, Dr. Lewis became a member of the M. E. church. He

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afterwards connected himself with the Episco- pal church, but twelve years after, he returned to the M. E. church, in which he has always been an active and efficient worker. He is licensed as a local preacher and has served a. steward, trustee, and superintendent of the Sunday-school. In 1890, Dr. Lewis trans- ferred his certificate of membership from the Wesley to the Amory M. E. church where, as before, he is active in all good works.

CLINTON LAFAYETTE WILLIAM- SON, Dover, Del., was born on the Williani- son homestead in Mispillion hundred, Kent county, Del., July 3, 1849.

Mr. Williamson's boyhood was passed amid the pleasant surroundings of the old family home, and under the fostering care of indul- gent, but judicious parents. His studies were pursued in the public schools of his native district, until, at the age of fifteen, he en- tered the academy at Fredericksburg, Md., from which he was graduated three years later. At home, during his vacations, he applied himself to farm work; but in the intervals of this athletic and serviceable employment, there was always some interesting and instructive volume, to the perusal of which he returned with pleasure. The youth was warmly en- couraged in his course of reading by his ex- cellent mother; both his parents had been his teachers from his early childhood.

For two years after his graduation, Mr. Williamson was a teacher in the Kent county public schools, passing much of his time with his older brothers, Doctors William T. and Charles W. Williamson. ITis cherished am- bition was to become a lawyer, and this pur- pose was confirmed by his experience as deputy sheriff of Kent county. He received the ap- pointment to that office in 1875, from his father, who was then sheriff. After the ex- piration of his father's term, Mr. Williamson became clerk to the succeeding sheriff, and during those two terms he gained much knowl- edge of the law, both as to its theories and its practical workings. In 1882, Clinton L. Wil- liamson registered as a student-at-law under the late James L. Wolcott, Esq., of Dover, but two years later was compelled by a dis- case in one of his eyes to abandon his studies. On January 5, 1885, he became chief clerk to the Delaware House of Representatives, and continued to act in that capacity for two

years, after which he resumed his legal pui- suits. Again, however, they were interrupted by trouble with his eyes, and since that time Mr. Williamson has been obliged to postpone other considerations to the preservation and improvement of the important sense of sight.

In 1586, both his parents died, and the set- tlement of their estate was entrusted to Clin- ton L. Williamson. He now owns the home- stead, and devotes a part of his time to his agricultural interests, and the remainder to the legal studies which have so long been his delight, and have served to develope and il- lustrate the steady perseverance and constancy of his disposition. Mr. Williamson is a stanch Democrat, is clever and of agreeable man- ners, and is much esteemed by his friends and neighbors.

WILLIAM STEFFY, P. O. Dover, Kent county, Del., son of John and Catherine ( Eshleman) Steffy, was born in Breeknock township, Berks county, Pa., January 21, 1834.

The Steffy family is Welsh by descent. William Steffy's grandfather, Abraham Steffy, farmer, was born in Cumru township, Berks county, Pa., and served in the war of the Rebellion, being stationed at Balti- more, Md. He was married to Elizabeth Remp, of Berks county. Their children are: T. Samuel, settled in the forests of Western Pennsylvania; II. Daniel, settled in Lancas- ter county, Pa., married ITill: III. Jacob, settled in Berks county, Pa., married Moser; IV. John; V. Joseph, settled in Berks county, married Kohl; VI. Abraham, settled in Berks county, married Harding; VII. Benjamin, settled in Ohio. Abraham Steffy died at his home in Cumru township, Berks county; his widow lived to a venerable age.

Their fourth son, John Steffy, was born at the old homestead in Berks county in 1806, and when he attained his majority, began farming on his own account in Brecknock township. John Steffy was married to Catho- rine, daughter of Martin and -- (Eckert) Eshleman, of Berks county, Pa. Their chil- dren are: I. Matilda (Mrs. Benjamin Het- rick), died in Berks county; II. Lydia (Mrs. William Hill), removed from Berks county to Indiana, where she died: III. Levin, re- sides in Berks county, married Burch-

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ert; IV. William; V. Richard, married Hannah Ilill, enlisted in the Union army dur- ing the Civil War, died from the effects of wounds received in battle; VI. Elizabeth (Mrs. Jacob Gebhardt), died in Berks county; V'Il. Susan ( Mrs. William Blankenbeiler), of Berks county; VIII. Maria (Mrs. Adam Switzer), of Berks county; IX. John, resides in Berks county, married Whitman;

X. Rudolph, married - De Turk. John Steffy and his wife were members of the Re- formed church. He died at his home in Berks county, in 1863; his widow died in 1892.

William Steffy grew up on his father's farin and attended the public schools of the district, which were poorly equipped, and the teachers not always efficient. William was intelligent and industrious, and made so good a use of his opportunities that he was allowed to attend a private school at Sinking Spring, Berks county. He was a thoughtful reader and a diligent student, devoting his leisure moments and his evenings to books, besides assisting his father with the farm work. After attending the Normal School at Reading, Pa., for one term, Mr. Steffy began teaching, and for several years taught and studied during the winter, spending the summer months on the home farm. In 1858 he bought a small farm in Cumru township, Berks county. After improving this farm by ten years of careful scientifie cultivation, Mr. Steffy sold it, and purchased 126 acres of partially cleared land situated in what is now West Dover hun- dred. He immediately began improving his new home, repairing the oldl dwelling and building additions. The dwelling is now both comfortable and beautiful. Mr. Steffy is a successful farmer, interested not only in agri- cultural affairs, but in all the important ques- tions of the day. He is well-read, genial and benevolent, and has won the respect and con- tidence of his fellow-citizens. He is a mem- ber of the Democratic party.

William Steffy was married in 1857, to Catherine, daughter of George and Julia (Smith) Krick, of Berks county. Their chil- dren are: T. Nathan Augustus. of Union county, Pa., married Ella Leader; IT. Enuna, married JJ. E. Griffith, a farmer of Lake conn- ty, Ind .: TII. Elizabeth (Mrs. C. B. Pretty- man); IV. George W., farmer, of West Do- ver hundred, married Ella Caldwell; V. Ida (Mrs. Edward J. Toole), of Philadelphia, Pa .;

VI. Harriet; VII. Estella; VIII. Ada. Mr. Steffy is an carne-t Christian worker. He Was a member of the Reformed church, but how belongs to the Presbyterian church at Dover, Del.

JAMES B. CLARK, Hartley, Kent coun- ty, Del., son of Charles W. and Mary ( Ken- ton) Clark, was born near Hartley, August 20, 1860.

Charles W. Clark, wheelwright and farmer, was a native of Kent county. He was educated in the public schools of the district, served his apprenticeship at Kenton, Del., and began farming near Hartley, Del., but afterwards removed to Wrights Cross Roads, where he obtained work at his trade. This employment not proving satisfactory, Mr. Clark returned to country life, removing to his present home near Down's Chapel, Kent county, Del. Mr. Clark is a stanch Democrat, actively interested in local affairs. He is kind hearted and be- nevolent, devoted to his family and to his home. Charles W. Clark was married in Kent county, Del., to Mary, daughter of Eli and Mary (Steel) Kenton, of West Dover hundred. Their children are: I. James B .; 11. Jennie (Mrs. William Cantwell); III. Annie (Mrs. Frank Addicks); IV. Nehemiah, married Ida Walker; V. Charles N., married Mary Cook; VI. William B. married Amy Gallagher; VII. Henry A., married - Warner; VIII. Sarah (Mrs. Lewis Scotten); IX. Elizabeth.

James B. Clark grew up on his father's farm near Hartley, Del. He attended the public schools of the district until he was six- teen, when he was apprenticed to William Graham, blacksmith. After working for one year with Avery & Mead, at Easton, Md., he opened a "smithy" of his own at Down' Chapel, Kent county, Del .; and for ten years the forge was never without work. In 1893 Mr. Clark studied telegraphy at Henderson, Md., and after working for a time at Hender- son, and at Kenton, Del., was appointed ex- press, freight and ticket agent and telegraph operator at Hartley station. He is obliging and considerate and has discharged the duties of his office faithfully and to the entire satis- faction of the company. Mr. Clark is an aet- ive member of the Democratic party, always interested in the success of the ticket. He is

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fond of athletics, and is one of the best ball players of the neighborhood.

James B. Clark was married February 20, 1894, to Margaret B., daughter of John W. and Mary (Smith) Lafferty, of Smyrna, Kent county, Del. Mrs. Clark's parents are both deceased. James B. and Margaret ( Lafferty) Clark have one child, John N.

JAMES PEMBERTON LOFLAND, M. D., Milford, Del., son of Dr. Mark Greer and Mary E. (Fidderman) Loffand, was born in Milford, February 9, 1868.

Dr. Loffand comes of a family of physicians whose skill has been celebrated throughout Delaware. His grandfather, James Pember- ton Lolland, M. D., was born in Kent county, Del., was very eminent in his profession and practiced in Milford for more than thirty years. He married Mary Lowber, of Canter- bury, Del. They had children: I. James R .; II. Mark Greer; III. Peter L., of Milford, farmer and grain speculator; IV. Mary (Mrs. George Davis), deceased. Dr. and Mrs. Lof- land both died in Milford, Del. Their eldest son, the late Hon. James R. Loffand, was a · leader among the Republican politicians of Delaware, and was the first congressman of his party elected in this state. He was a sollier in the Civil War, and served as paymaster with the rank of major general. The pay- ment of the soldiers at Gettysburg, Pa., was one of the duties which fell to him. James R. Lofland married Sarah Brown. They had one daughter who now resides with her mother.

Mark Greer Loffand, second son of Dr. James P. and Mary (Lowher) Lofland, was a native of Milford, Del. He read medicine with Dr. Joseph Pancoast, the eminent spe- cialist, and Dr. Ellerslie Wallace, of Philadel- phia, and afterward was graduated from Jef- forsen Medical College, in that city. He prac- ticed with marked success in Milford for thirty years. Dr. Mark G. Lotand wa- twice married. His first wife was Enuna, daughter of Colonel George Davis, of Smyrna. Del. Of their children one con. George Road, is still living. He is a farmer in Kent county, Del. After the death of his first wife, Dr. Lofland was married in Milford to Mary E., daughter of Colonel H. B. Fidderman. Colo- nel Fidderman was instrumental in establish- ing the first National bank in Milford, and

was its president until his death, October 27, 1827. By this marriage, Dr. Loffand had children, as follows: 1. Henry E., born June 23, 1864, was graduated from the University of Virginia with the degree of C. E., and is now assistant engineer of construction; II. Eliza W. (Mrs. William Fell, Jr.), of Phila- delphia; III. James Pemberton; IV. Mary F. (Mrs. Lester Waterhouse), widow; V. ITelen Douglass (Mrs. Walter Lozier Hop- kius), of New York City. Dr. Loffand died in Milford.

James Pemberton Lofland obtained his primary education in the public schools of Milford and the Episcopal High school of Vir- ginia, at Alexandria. Afterward he took a conise in Delaware College, Newark, Del., and then entered the University of Pennsyl- vania in Philadelphia, where he was a student in the medical department. From the Univer- sity he went to the office of Professor W. II. Pancoast, and read medicine under the pre- ceptorship of that well-known physician and surgeon. Subsequently he matriculatetd at the Medico-Chirurgical College, in Philadel- phia, and was graduated in 1897. He imme- diately began the practice of his profession in Milford. Dr. Loffand is a member of the State Medical Society. In polities he is a Democrat.

On November 1, 1894, in Philadelphia, Dr. James Pemberton Loffand was married to Delema, daughter of Dr. J. B. Waples, of Georgetown, Del. Dr. and Mrs. Lofand at- tend the P. E. church.

WILLIAM V. SIPPLE, Milford, Del., son of Thomas and Mary (Virden) Sipple, was born in Milford, October 22, 1847.

The Sipple family helped to make Dela- ware history many years ago. Long before the Revolutionary War, its representatives assisted in clearing and cultivating the rich soil of Kent county, and its members are to- day among the most respected of the common- wealth. There were formerly two branches of the family in Kent county, which in 1814 wore united in the grandparents of William V. Sipple. The first Sipple in Delaware of whom there is record was Caleb, paternal great-great-grandfather of William V. Sipple. Ilis wife's name was Sarah. They had a son, Thomas, born September 8, 1760, married January 25, 1785, to Jemima, daughter of

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Jonathan and Elizabeth Molleston. She died January 19, 1796, leaving a son, Caleb, born May 22, 1791, the grandfather of William V. Sipple.

Caleb Sipple married, December 22, 1814, Lavinia Sipple, born October 11, 1792, daugh- ter of Sylvia and Sarah (Coppage) Sipple, who were married August 6, 1791. Caleb and Lavinia Sipple had children: 1. Thomas, born February 3, 1816, died December 23, 1858; II. James D., born July 31, 1820; III. John, born January 22, 1823; IV. Rebecca. Caleb Sipple died October 8, 1829, aged thirty-right years, four months and seventeen days; La- vinia Sipple died February 13, 1846, aged fifty-three years, four months and three days.

Thomas Sipple, father of William V. Sipple, was born on the homestead farm in Milford hundred, Kent county, about nine miles north of Milford. He was employed on the farm until he was eighteen years old, when he chose a sea-faring life, and the remainder of his days were spent on board a vessel. IIe was a good sailor and a thrifty business man ; he commanded and was part owner of several vessels that sailed between New York City and Milford for a number of years. On De- cember 23, 1833, his ship went to the bottom along the coast of New Jersey and Captain Sipple perished with it. Thomas Sipple mar- ried Mary Virden; their children are: I. Lavinia (Mrs. Aaron Bell), of Milford: II. Thomas, of Colorado; III. William V .; IV. Sarah, died in childhood; V. Albert, died in infancy.

William V. Sipple was educated in the pub- lie schools of Milford, and in that town learned marble cutting, which has ever since been his occupation -- a period of more than thirty years. In 1869 he established his prosent marble, granite and slate yards in Milford and has made them popular and profitable. Mr. Sipple has taken an active part in public af- fairs. Ile ha- served as president of the town commeil, and of the I. O. O. F. Cemetery Board. He is a member of Crystal Fount Lodge, No. 10. T. O. O. F .; also of the I. O. II., and A. O. U. W., of Milford. His politi- val affiliation- are with the Republican party.

William V. Sipple was married in Milford to Ruth A., daughter of David II. and Mary E. Holland, born in Cedar Creek hundred, Sussex county. Mr. and Mrs. Holland are natives of Sussex county. The children of

Mr. and Mrs. W. V. Sipple are: I. Mary Ida; II. Elizabeth G., deceased; III. William V., Jr .; IV. David H .; V. Thomas; VI. Ruth A .; VII. A child who died in infancy; VIII. Joseph, died in infancy: IX. George M. Mr. Sipple is a member and trustee of the M. E. church.

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 45

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