Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 46

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

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WILBERT MASTEN, P. O. Milford, Del., son of Hezekiah and Sarah A. (Burton) Masten, was born on the farm which is still hi- home, December 23, 1857. His father is a retired farmer of Milford. His mother died in March, 1885.

Wilbert Masten attended the Cedarfield school until he reached the age of fifteen, when his father removed to Milford, where he con- tinued studying for one year. He then went to Chester, Pa., and was engaged as clerk in provision stores, receiving his board and $5 per month. At the end of four years he re- turned to his home, where he attended school and worked with his father. After his mar- riage, Mr. Masten settled upon his father's farm; he and his brother own the adjoining 100 acres. Mr. Masten is a Democrat, and has served his party in minor offices.

Wilbert Masten was married November 2S, 1885, to Annie M., daughter of George Wolfe, of Laurel, Del. Their children are: I. Sarah E .: HI. George Wilbert, born May 9, 1892; III. Carrie L., born November 29, 1597. Mr. and Mrs. Maston are members of Lows M. E. church.

RICHARD FRANK HARRINGTON, Milford, Kent county, Del., son of Thomas and Martha (Callaway) Harrington, was born near Harrington, Kent county, Del., January 27, 1856.

Mr. Harrington's grandparents, William and Matilda Harrington, lived and died on their farm near Harrington, Del., where their son, Thomas Harrington, father of Richard F. Harrington, was born. Thomas Harring- ton is a prominent farmer of Kent county. Del., and although well advanced in years, is active and energetic. Mr. Harrington is in- terested in public affairs, and is a member of the Democratic party. He is respected and honored in the community. Thomas Har- rington was married to Martha Callaway. Their children are: I. Annie ( Mrs. Charles

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Case), of St. Jones' Neck, Del .; II. Irene; III. Benjamin, of Harrington, Del .; IV. Richard Frank; V. Peter, farming near Har- rington, married Jane Betts; VI. Samuel S., married Miss Bellinys; VII. Matilda ( Mrs. Jefferson Banning); VIII. William; IX. and X., twins, Eugenia ( Mrs. Jacob Comper), and Emma.

Richard Frank Harrington's educational advantages were limited. During the short winter term of two or three months, he at- tended the public school of the district. This school, which was situated three or four miles from his home, was poorly furnished, and the teachers not always efficient. He grew up on his father's farm, and worked for his father until he attained his majority. After this he continued to work on the home farm, but was paid for his labor, receiving for the first year ten, and afterwards fifteen dollars per month. Mr. Harrington's quiet, thrifty habits enabled him to save a small sum of money, and after working on the homestead for seven years, he rented a farm on the shore. This venture was unusually successful, and gave him $1,000 for his year's labor, which, together with the ac- cumulated savings of seven years, he invested in the farm on which he now resides. This property, purchased in 1884, contains 100 acres of fertile land, which Mr. Harrington has cultivated and improved, making it a comfortable and beautiful home. lle is a Democrat, liberal in his political views.

On January 1, 1884, Richard Frank Har- rington was married to Clara, daughter of Renben and Lydia (Frazier) Harrington. Their children are: I. E. T., born in August, 1888; II. Letha, born in April, 1891; III. Elizabeth, born in February, 1895.

BENJAMIN F. HUDSON, P. O. Milford, Kent county, Del., son of Jonas S. and Rachel ( Davis) Hudson, was born in Milford Neck, Milford hundred, Kent county, Del., Febru- ary 5, 1858.

Jonas S. Hudson, father of Benjamin F. Hudson, was born near Williams, Sussex county, Del. He enjoyed no educational ad- vantages save those afforded by the district schools, which he attended during the winter terms until he reached his sixteenth year; from that time he took his full share of farm work, learning the principles of husbandry from his father. At the age of twenty-two,

Mr. Hudson left home for Philadelphia, Pa., where he shipped as mate on the steamship Pennsylvania, bound for Liverpool, England. He made but one voyage, leaving Philadel- phia, July 16, and returning in August; for the remainder of the year he was employed in one of the restaurants of the city. AAt the end of the year, he returned to Milford Neck, and remained there until January 9, 1881, when he rented Mrs. Talbot's farm. After cultivating this land for ten years, Mr. Hud- son purchased his present home, a farm of 147 aeres, then owned by Mrs. Margaret teker- man. At the time of his marriage, Mr. Ilud- son's capital was fifty dollars. By industry and economy, however, he laid by a little each vear, and during the ten years spent on the Talbot farm, had seven fine erops of peaches; this good fortune enabled him to purchase the homestead, in which he invested all his say- ings. Mr. Hudson is esteemed and honored in the community for his intelligence, good judgment, and business ability. He is a Re- publican, and has served his county in various minor offices.

Benjamin F. Hudson was married to Mary E., daughter of John R. and Naomi (Dicker- son) Maloney, of Milford hundred. Mr. Hudson is a member and trustee of Milwood M. E. church.

AARON BOYER WOODRUFF, P. O. Milford, Kent county, Del., son of James and Eliza (Boyer) Woodruff, was born in War- wick township, Bucks county, Pa., August 15, 1836.

Mr. Woodruff is of Welsh descent. His great-grandfather was the first of the family to settle in this country; he came from Wales about the time of the American Revo- lution, and was for some years a farmer in New Jersey, but removed afterward to Phila- delphia.

George Woodruff, grandfather of Aaron B. Woodruff, was born in New Jersey. One of his brothers enlisted in the U. S. Navy, and fought under Commodore Decatur. George Woodruff went to Philadelphia when he was a young man, and there engaged in manufac- turing nails, He married and had children as follows: I. Ann (Mrs. John Bennett), died in Philadelphia; IT. Sarah (Mrs. Bennett), died in Philadelphia; III. Jane, died unmarried; IV. James. George Wood-

B.7. Barier

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ruff died in Philadelphia at a comparatively years later, he purchased the homestead, con- early age.

llis only son, James Woodruff, was born in Philadelphia about 1817. When he was four years old, his father died, and not long after- wards, his mother's death also occurred. The child was taken into the home of Frederick Wampole, a farmer of Montgomery county, Pa., where he remained until he was about sixteen years of age; he then apprenticed him- self to a carpenter, and completed his trade in two years. For several years after, he was em- ployed as a house carpenter in Philadelphia. Abandoning this occupation, he conducted a store in the Quaker City for some time, and then purchased a flour mill at Newtown, Bucks county, Pa., which he operated for nine years. About 1862, Mr. Woodruff sold the mill, and coming to Milford, Del., purchased from Elijah Satterfield the farm now owned by his son, A. B. Woodruff; he cultivated that place for a quarter of a century. Mr. Woodruff was the "architect of his own for- tunes." Through the perfidy of others, his mother lost her property in Philadelphia, and he began his career entirely without capital. By integrity and industry, he secured a competence for his family and an enviable po- sition of regard and influence. He was a Re- publican. James Woodruff was married in Montgomery county to Eliza Boyer, of Lan- caster county, Pa. Their children are: I. Aaron Bover; II. Isaac, married Alice Flood, died in Philadelphia; III. Mary A. (Mrs. Adrian Van Arsdale), of Bucks county, Pa .; IV. Elizabeth, died young; V. Charles, died young; VJ. Simon, died young. Mr. James Woodruff died on his farm in 1888. He was a member of the Baptist church. Mrs. Wood- ruff, now ninety years of age, resides with her daughter, Mrs. Van Arsdale, in Bucks county.

Their eldest son, Aaron Boyer Woodruff, was educated in the public schools of Philadel- phia and Montgomery county, and in the Newtown Academy, Bucks county, from which institution he was graduated at the age of twenty-one. His opportunities for obtain- ing a good education were ample, and he took full advantage of them. After his graduation, he became a machinist, acquiring a knowledge of the business in Newtown; at this occupa- tion he was employed for several years: In 1862 he came with his father to Delaware, and devoted his energies to farming. Some

taining 175 aeres, from his father; he is still engaged in its cultivation. Mr. Woodruff is a well-informed gentleman, kindly and cour- teous, and an active and public-spirited citi- zen. Ile is assessor of Milford hundred. Mr. Woodruff's political tenets are Republican.

Aaron Boyer Woodruff was married to Jane, daughter of George and Sarah Van Ars- dale, of Bucks county, Pa. Their children are: I. Adrian: II. Elizabeth. Mr. Wood- ruff attends the Baptist church.

WILLIAM JOSHUA TOWNSEND, P. O. Milford, Kent county, Del., son of Charles and Rachel (Webb) Townsend, was born near Milford, November 19, 1839.

Charles Townsend, his great-grandfather, was a substantial farmer of Mispillion hun. dred. In 1797 or '98, he purchased the farm on which his great-grandson now resides, and owned also another tract of land, his posses- sions amounting to more than 300 acres. The children of Charles Townsend were: I. Ab salom; II. William; the latter died when a young man, and was interred in the family burial-place, on the farm now owned by Wil- liam J. Townsend; he was the first person buried there. William Townsend bequeathed his farm to his nephew, Charles Townsend, 2.

Absalom Townsend, elder son of Charles Townsend, 1, was born in Mispillion hundred, between Melvin's X Roads and Marvel's X Roads, about 1765. Ile was reared in Mispil- lion hundred, and received a good education. Ilis vocation throughout life was farming, and he owned and resided on the farm in Milford hundred now in possession of George Henry Draper. For many years prior to his death, he lived with his son, Charles Townsend. His political views were those of Jefferson and Jackson. Absalom Townsend married Mary MeKnutt; they had one child, Charles. Mr. Townsend died in 1854, and was buried in the family graveyard, where his wife's remains also were interred. He was a member of the M. E. church.

Charles Townsend, 2, son of Absalom and Mary (MeKnutt) Townsend, was born on the homestead in Mispillion hundred, about 1817. His school days over, he devoted himself to farming, and when a young man, took up his residence on the farm which he had inherited from his uncle. He was a man of intelligence,

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and influential in his community. Charles Townsend, 2, married Rachel, daughter of Joshua Webb, of Cedar Creek hundred, Sus- sex county. Their children are: I. William Joshua; IT. Mary (Mrs. Charles Hollis), of Milford; III. James II., a private in the Third Regiment, Delaware Volunteer Infan- try, was killed at Petersburg, Va .; IV. Mar- garet ( Mrs. Samuel Armour), of Milford hun- dred; V. Charles B., farmer of Milford hun- dred, married Emma Melvin. Mr. Townsend died in 1852, aged thirty-five years, and was interred in the family burial place. He was an honored member of the M. E. church, and an active worker in his congregation. Mrs. Townsend died in August, 1889, at the age of seventy-six, and was buried by the side of her husband. She also was a member of the M. E. church, a devout woman, and an excel- lent mother. Her home during her widow- hood was with her son, William J. Townsend.

During his boyhood, William J. Townsend lived on the home farm, where he was born, and attended the Cedarfield school. Two years after the death of his father, he assumed the entire management of the farm. This tract was some years later divided into three portions, cach of three children receiving a farm, and the three purchasing the interest of the fourth heir. Mr. W. J. Townsend has greatly improved the portion which fell to his share, erecting a new dwelling upon it, and otherwise adding to its conveniences. Ile is a Democrat, and has held several local offices, discharging his public duties with fidelity and credit.

William Joshua Townsend was married, April 15, 1879, to Fannie, daughter of Peter and Catherine Sharp, of Milford hundred. Their children are: I. Charles II .; HI. Elmer M .; III. Wilbert C. Mr. Townsend is a member of the Houston M. E. church.

THOMAS FRANKLIN WHEATLEY, P. O. Milford, Kent county, Del., son of Henry and Serena (Meredith) Wheatley, was born near Harrington, Del., May 15, 1862.

Daniel Wheatley, his grandfather, was a native of Kent county, Del. He married and had children: I. Sarah (Mr. William Cain); II. Noah: IIT. John; TV. Henry; all now deceased. Daniel Wheatley died in Milford Neck.

Henry Wheatley, youngest child of Daniel

Wheatley, was born in Kent county, April 23, 1817. He was a farmer. Henry Wheat- ley married Serena Meredith. Their children are: I. Sarah ( Mrs. Smith Fassett), of Phila- delphia, born December 19, 1844; 11. Mar- garet ( Mrs. A. C. Richards), resides near Mag- nolia, Del., born May 10, 1850; III. Albert II., born October 29, 1859, farmer, residing near Barrett's Chapel, married Cora MeCan- lov, and after her death, Miss Brown; IV. Thomas Franklin; V. Anna ( Mrs. Robert HI. Toomey), of Rising Sun, Del., born Septem- ber 5, 1864; VI. Mary ( Mrs. George Rust ), living near Middletown, Del., born June 1, 1867. Henry Wheatley died on his farmi near Milford, August 8, 1887. He attended the services of the M. E. church, with his wife, who is a member of that denomination, and who survives him.

Thomas F. Wheatley was two years old when the family removed to the farm near Milford, where he passed his boyhood, attend- ing the old Tube Mill school during three months of every winter. He completed his course there at the age of twenty. He assisted in the management of the home farm until his marriage, after which he leased the Potter farm. In 1888, he removed to the place he now occupies, which is owned by Peter Lof- land. Mr. Wheatley also cultivated the farm on which Mr. Loffand resides. He is an en- terprising and industrious young farmer, and is highly esteemed by his neighbors. His po- litical views are Democratic.

On December 23, 1883, Thomas Franklin Wheatley was married to Julia W., daughter of John M. and Maria (Martin) Lofland. Their children are: I. Jennie M., born Au- gust 24, 1885; II. Lydia, born May 11. 1891. Mr. Wheatley is a member of the Nutwood M. E. church, and a trustee of the congrega- tion. Both he and his wife are active in church work.

John M. Lofland, father of Mrs. Wheatley, was born in Milford, Del., May 24, 1812, son of John Lofland, who was born in 1780, was a tailor, and died in Milford. John M. Lof- land's occupation was the same as his father's, and he was well known in the tailoring busi- ness for many years. On May 24, 18-, he wes married to Maria Martin. Their children are: I. Joseph B., born January 8, 18-, died at the age of twenty-one years: II. Sarah Elizabeth, born October 12, 1844, died when

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two years old; III. Mary A. (Mrs. John Davis), born October 29, 1847; IV. Cathe- rine ( Mrs. Samuel Harrington), born March 31, 1849; V. John M., born September 22, 1850, married Elizabeth Ackerman; VI. Julia W. ( Mrs. Thomas F. Wheatley), born March 15, 1834; VII. Sarah Elizabeth (Mrs. James Goodman), of Rahway, N. J., born May 18, 1856; VIII. Collins T., born March 14, 1859, married Jennie Marvel, who is de- ceased. John M. Lofand died in Milford hundred in November, 1886, and his wife in December of the same year; both were buried in the Odd Fellows' cemetery at Milford. Mrs. Lofland .was a member of the M. E. church.

CHARLES PARKER TAYLOR, P. O. Milford, Kent county, Del., son of Captain John and Susan (Marshall) Taylor, was born near Snow Hill, Md., June 5, 1851.

Captain John Taylor was born August 10, 1798, also near Snow Hill, Md. Being a poor boy, and obliged to earn his own living, he attended school for only one term; but when he arrived at manhood, he devoted him- self assiduously to study, and acquired a good education. Until he was twenty years old, John Taylor was employed on a farm. Then he shipped as a deck hand on vessels sailing between Philadelphia, New York and Boston, and did not abandon the sea until he was mar- ried; after his first wife died, he resumed sailor life, and spent in all fifteen years on the water. From the position of deek hand, he was advanced to the rank of mate, and then became captain. When at last he retired per- manently from the life of a sailor, Captain Taylor engaged in farming in Worcester county, Md. There he became the owner of two farms, and cultivated them for several years, after which he sold them, and in De- cember, 1531, removed to Kent county, Del., where he first rented the Burton farm near Frederica, and later purchased the Burnt House farm, in Milford Neck. Six years later, he removed to the vicinity of Spring Mill, and resided there until his death. Captain Tay- lor was first a Whig, and afterwards became a Democrat. He was four times married: his first wife was Sarah Marshall, and their only child was Elizabeth (Mrs. William H. Beth- ards). After the death of. Mrs. Sarah Tay- lor, Captain John Taylor married Augusta Bowen; his third wife was Louisa Potter.

After her death, he married Susan Marshall ; their children are: I. John, died in Milford Neck about 1868, aged nineteen years; Il. Mary, married Benjamin Murphy, and after his death, Curtis Will, she died in Murderkill hundred; III. William, died in Wilmington, Del .; IV. Margaret (Mrs. Angelo Miller), of Pennsylvania; V. Emily (Mrs.

Davis), died in Lincoln, Neb .; VI. Charles Parker, and VII. George B., twins, the latter a farmer in Brown's Neck; VIII. Isabel ( Mrs. Richardson); IX. Alice (Mrs. P. Postles). Captain Taylor died on his farm near Spring Mill, December 18, 1877; Mrs. Susan Taylor died about 1860. Captain Tay- lor and his family were members of the M. E. church.

Charles Parker Taylor was born on a farm near Snow Hill, Md., but when a few months old was brought by his father to Delaware. Hle received his education in the public school. He assisted in the cultivation of the home farm until his father's death, and after- ward became a tenant of Paris T. Carlisle, in Milford Neck, occupying the farm at that place for four years. For thirteen years after that time he resided on the New Wharf farm, and removed thence to the place on which he now lives. In politics, he is a Democrat.

On February 27, 1876, Charles Parker Taylor was married to Catherine, daughter of David and Maria Coffin, of Worcester county, Md. Their children are: I. Mary C .; II. Ethel M .; III. Anna B .; IV. Charles E .; V. Lena O .; VI. Lilian Virginia; VII. Her- bert, deceased. Mr. Taylor is a member of the Milford M. E. church.

GARRETT L. HYNSON, P. O. Milford, Kent county, Del., son of Rev. Matthew M. and Ann (Beswick) Hynson, was born July 20, 1829.

The members of the IIynson family are in- fInential citizens of Kent county, Del. Henry ITvuson, grandfather of Garrett L. Hynson, was a native of Maryland, where he spent his whole life. He was married to Sarah - --: their children are: I. Henry, married Jane Griffith, nicce of Benjamin Potter, settled in Milford, Del., where he died leaving five children, i. Maria, died in girlhood, in Mil- ford, Del., ii. Frank, a sailor, doccased, iii. and iv. daughters who removed to Covington, Ky., v. Sarah Ann (Mrs. -- - O'Donnell), died leaving one son who was a chaplain in the

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Union army during the War of the Rebellion; II. Matthew; III. (Mrs. Molyneux), removed to Philadelphia, Pa., but afterwards returned to Milford, where she died. Mr. Henry Hynson and his wife died at their home in Maryland.

Rev. Matthew Hynson, father of Garrett 1. Hynson, was born in Maryland in 1792, was a distinguished clergyman of the Baptist church, and one of the most eloquent preachers in Milford hundred. He was baptized at Spring Creek. Mr. Hynson was an author of merit and wrote many poems, most of which, unfortunately, were lost. In his youth he learned tanning with Jonathan Emerson, at Frederica, Del. Matthew Hynson was married, in Upper Kent county, Del., by the Rev. Mr. Jones, to Mary Killen. They had several children, all of whom died in infancy. Mr. Hynson's second wife was Ann Beswick, whom he met while preaching in Milford distriet. Their children are: I. Garrett L .; II. George B., a retired carpenter and builder, resides in Philadelphia, Pa., where he married Wilhelmina Kennedy, has two children, i. Annie, ii. Helen; III. An- nie (Mrs. George Plowman), of Philadelphia, Pa., has seven children, i. Georgia (Mrs. John Myers), has three children, Georgia, Beatrice, and Louisa, ii. Mary, married El- wood Weston, M. D., of Philadelphia, Pa., has one child, Albert, iii. Albert, iv. Rush, v. Garrett HI., vi. Amanda, married Dr. Ryder, has one child, vii. Bemond, married

Matthew Hynson died at Milford, in 1834; his widow died in 1856, aged fifty-seven.

Garrett L. Hynson was educated in the public schools of his native hundred, and at twenty-one shipped before the mast and spent two years on a coasting vessel plying between Philadelphia, Pa., and the New England ports. In 1851 Mr. Hynson was made mate of the schooner James P. Fisher. This ves- sel was wrecked on the coast of New Jersey in 1852; the captain and steward were lost, but after more than eight hours in the rigging, Mr. Hynson swam ashore; he never recor- ered from the effects of this exposure. In 1856, he abandoned the sea, and began farm- ing in Milford hundred. Two years later he removed to Illinois, but returning, after two years, he again tried the sea, and as master of the schooner James S. Buckmaster, en- gaged in the coasting trade. In 1865, Mr.

a farm of 165 acres, and devoted his time to general farming and stockraising, and to the management of a large saw mill situated on the farm. In 1894 he removed to his present home, the Rulibush farm, near Milford, Del. Mr. Hynson is a Republican, and during the war of the Rebellion was a decided Union man. In 1874 he was nominated for the state legislature, but was defeated, his party being in the minority. In 1888 he was again a can- didate, and was elected to the legislature, where he served on several important connuit- tees, among them, the committees on Revised Statutes, on Roads, and on Vacant Lands. He is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, and was the first master of Excelsior Grange, No. 8, P. of II.

Garrett L. Hynson was married, January 3, 1854, to - , daughter of Shadrach Postles, of Kent county, Del., and widow of John T. Anderson, of Milford hundred. She was born in 1827. Their children are: I. Henry L., editor and proprietor of the Mil- ford News, born July 1, 1855, married Annie Lord, of Camden, Del., died in Milford, May 17, 1897, leaving chil- dren, i. Garrett L., ii. Elwood; II. Anna ( Mrs. William Morris), of Milford hun- dred, born May 26, 1857, has children, i. Anna, ii. Ellen; III. Charles P., born No- vember 23, 1859, removed to California in the autumn of 1886, hoping to re-establish his health, died at Los Angeles in April, 18SS; IV. George B., a teacher of elocution in Phil- adelphia, Pa., born April 2, 1862, studied law and was admitted to the bar in Philadelphia, married Susan Jones, of Wooster, Ohio, has one child, Matthew; V. and VI. twins, Alice and Edward Everett, born April 11, 1865; VII. Marjorie E., born May 17, 1867; VIII. Garrett P., superintendent of a publishing honse at New Haven, Conn., born January 28, 1870, married Mary Johnson, of Camden, New Jersey, has one child, Emma Dorothy. Mrs. Hynson died March 13, 1884. On Feb- ruary 14, 1888, Mr. Hynson was married to Pierey M., daughter of Carey F. and Lydia (Draper) Frazier, and widow of

Brown. Mrs. Hynson was born February 4, 1840, and was married three times. Her first husband, Morris, died leaving one child. William T., who married Anna, dangh- ter of Garrett L. Hynson by his first marriage. Iler second Imsband, Brown, also Hynson removed to the home of his boyhood, died, leaving one daughter, Sarah F. (Mrs.

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David Russell), of Sussex county, Del. Mr. Hynson and his wife are members of the M. E. church, in which he was for some time a class-leader.

WILLARD S. MALONEY, P. O. Mil- ford, Kent county, Del., son of Andrew J. and Sarah (Butler) Maloney, was born in Mil- ford Neck, Milford hundred, Kent county, Del., April 6, 1868.

He was educated in the public schools of Milford hundred, completing his studies there in 1888. Then he secured employment as a farm laborer for several years, and after- ward began farming on his own account. He first leased the Fleming farm, and afterwards the tract which he now occupies. This land belongs to the poor of Kent county, and was formerly a portion of the Potter holdings. Mr. Maloney is a Democrat, and always puts forth his best efforts to secure the election of his party's candidate.

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 46

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