Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 48

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 48

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ments. Mr. Hudson occupies a well-won place in the esteem of his neighbors. He has suc- (ceded as a farmer, and added to his real estate ly indefatigable labor, economy and judicious management. He has at times dealt exten- sively in live stock. In polities Mr. Hudson is independent, but for the last ten years has voted the Republican ticket.

In 1851, James S. Hudson was married to Rachel (., daughter of James Davis, of Milford hundred, Kent county, Del. Their children are: I. John W., of South Murder- kill hundred, Kent county, Del., married Maria L. Davis; II. Henry, of Milford, Del., married Josephine Maloney; III. Benjamin I .; IV. James; V. Howard, married Lena Davis; VI. William, married Sarah Richards, died in Milford, Del. Mr. Hudson is a mom- ber of the Milford Neck M. E. church.

WILBUR DICKERSON, P. O. Milford, Kent county, Del., son of Josiah and Eliza- leth (Webb) Dickerson, was born at the home- stead, in Mispillion hundred, Kent county, Del., December 16, 1856.

Moulton Dickerson, grandfather of Wilbur Dickerson, was a farmer of Kent county, Del. He married and had children: I. Nehemiah, removed to Illinois, where he died; II. Asa, married Sarah Boies, died in Milford, Del .; III. Jacob, M. D., married, and died in Illi- nois; IV. Josiah.

Mr. Dickerson's father, Josiah Dickerson, was born in Cedar Creek hundred, Sussex county, Del., was educated in the public schools of his native hundred, and remained at home, working with his father on the farm until the time of his marriage. He then rent- ed first the Wesley Clifton tract, near Staten- ville, Del., and afterwards different farms for several years; Mr. Dickerson then purchased his homestead, a farm known as the Newman tract, situated two and a half miles from Farm- ington, in Mispillion hundred, Kent county, Del. Mr. Dickerson was a Republican, inter- ested in all the affairs of the county. He was a thoughtful reader, quiet and domestic in his tastes, and found his chief pleasure in his home. He was very temperate in all his habits, never using intoxicants or tobacco in any form. He was influential in the hundred, and greatly beloved by his fellow-citizens.

Josiah Dicker-on was married to Elizabeth,

daughter of Mitchell Webb, who resided near New Market church. Their children are: 1. William Henry, farming near Harrington, Del., married Rachel 1. Wolcott; II. J. Tal- bot, a farmer of Mispillion hundred, Kent county, Del., married Mary Carey; III. Al- bert, died in early manhood; IV. J. Wesley, married Mary Eliza Wroten, died on one of the home farms; V. Caroline (Mrs. Jesse Sharp), of Cedar Neck; VI. Elizabeth (Mrs. I. J. Tonty), of Frankford, Del .; VII. Josiah, died on the home farm, aged twenty-one; VIII. Wilbur. Mr. Dickerson was a life-long member of the M. E. church, a zealous and efficient worker, sparing neither time nor money to advance the interests of true reli- gion. IIe was for many years a class-leader and licensed exhorter. He died on the home- stead, and his widow in Milford, Del., at the home of their son, Wilbur; her death occurred October 3, 1897, at the age of seventy-eight.

Wilbur Dickerson's youth and early man- hood were spent on the homestead, where he scon began to take his share of the farm work, toiling early and late. His educational ad- vantages were such as could be obtained in the public schools of the distriet in the short term of two months each winter. He worked for his parents until his marriage, and after that took care of their interests until the time of his father's death, when the estate was set- tled. For one year after his father's death, Dickerson farmed the homestead, and at the end of that time, rented the R. M. Arnold farm, near Houston, Kent county, Del. He began farming for himself under difficulties, having no resources, and being obliged to de- fer the purchase of stock and farm implements until he could earn the money to pay for them. The next year he removed to the homestead of Hezekiah Masten, and two years later to the William Tomlinson farm, near Milton, Del. Soon after this, Mr. Dickerson aban- doned farming, and purchased the livery stables of Kennedy & Morsey, at Harrington, Del. This business was so successful that at the end of five years he sold the stables and invested the proceeds in the Harrington Hotel. Nine months later, he sold the hotel, and, after resting for a year, leased the livery stable be- longing to the Lowery estate, for three years. Six months before his lease expired, Mr. Dick- erson removed to Milford, Del., formed a part-

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nership with Frank Richards, and built the large stables which he now occupies. ITis business has greatly increased, and his Establishment is handsomely equipped. Hle is prepared to accomodate both the traveling public and his local patrons. Mr. Dickerson is a Republican, highly esteemed in the com- munity.

Wilbur Dickerson was married at Greens- boro, Md., to Nancy C., daughter of Wright Lewis, a prominent farmer residing near Greensboro. Their children are: I. Arling- ton Edward, born January 3, 1872; II. Au- gustus D., born February 14, 1890; III. Lu- la, born March 4, 1893. Mr. Dickerson has been for several years a member of the M. E. church.

THOMPSON RIGGS SMITH, Lincoln, Sussex county, Del., son of Samuel and Eliz- abeth (Riggs) Smith, was born at Hardyston, Sussex county, N. J., November 17, 1843.

Mr. Smith's grandfather, Nathan Smith, was born in Sussex county, N. J., March 17, 1777. Hle had no educational advantages and began his business life without one dollar of capital. Mr. Smith devoted himself to hus- bandry, and by industry, frugality and good

judgment became a successful farmer, owning at the time of his death property valued at

$60,000. Nathan Smith was married to Mary Fountain. They had fourteen children, among whom was Samuel, born at Hardyston, N. J., January 19, 1811. Nathan Smith died at his home in Sussex county, N. J., December 1, 1857; his wife died June 5, 1855.

Samuel Smith received his education in the public schools of his native county, and, like his father, devoted his life to husbandry. In 1854, Mr. Smith removed to Athens town- ship, Bradford county, Pa., and purchased a farm which he cultivated until the time of his death. Samuel Smith was married, in Febru- ary, 1834, to Elizabeth, daughter of Silas Riggs, of Sussex county, N. J., where Mrs. Smith was born, April 6, 1814. Their chil- dren are: I. Thompson R .; IT. Robert H., truck farmer, Kingston, Pa .; III. Losy M., farmer, Smithboro, N. J .; IV. Sarah C. (Mrs. John S. White), deceased; V. William HI., deceased; VI. Joseph B., laborer, Athens, Pa .; VII. Horace E., deceased; VIII. Angus- tine, shoe-merchant, Rome, Pa .; IX. James

O., died in infancy; X. Annie E., died in infancy; XI. Theodore, laborer, Athens, Pa. Mrs. Smith died February 28, 1898.

Thompson R. Smith was educated at Ham- burg Academy, Sussex county, N. J. At the age of eighteen, he secured a position with a lumber company at Athens, Pa. Mr. Smith enlisted in 1863 in Company K, One IInn- ched and Sixty-first New Jersey Volunteers. The regiment was with the Red River Ex- pedition under Col. Banks, and also took part in, many engagements, among which were Pleasant Hill and Mansfield. Mr. Smith served until the end of his term of enlistment, and was honorably discharged in November, 1865. In the summer of 1866, Mr. Smith purchased land in Lincoln, Del., and turned his attention to raising choice fruit. Some time after this he built a mill, and began manufacturing lum- ber of all kinds. He is a thorough business man, active, energetic and enterprising. He manufactures crates and baskets of all kinds used in shipping fruits and vegetables, and his establishment, which is in a flourishing condition, furnishes profitable employment to twenty and sometimes forty workmen. Mr. Smith also owns a valuable farm in Nanticoke hundred, Sussex county. Intelligence, pru- dence and business ability have won for him not only financial success, but the respect and confidence of the community. Mr. Smith has not identified himself with any party, but casts Lis vote for the best men and measures. He is a member of the G. A. R. of Lincoln, Del.

Thompson Riggs Smith was married in No- vember -, 1869, to Lanra A., daughter of David C. Ryder, of Cedar Creek hundred, Del. Mrs. Smith died August 12, 1897, aged sixty-one.

DAVID HOLLAND ARGO, P. O. Argo, Sussex county, Del., son of John A. and Hes- ter (Donovan) Argo, was born in Cedar Creek hundred, March 8, 1858.

Mr. Argo's grandfather, John Argo, son of Alexander Argo, a native of Delaware, was born in Cedar Creek hundred, Sussex county. Del. His whole life was spent in farming in his native hundred. John Argo was married to Ellen Holland. Their children are: 1. John A. ; HT. AAlbert H., farmer of Cedar Creek hundred; III. Sammel F., deceased; IV.

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David, deceased. John Argo died in 1846; his wife died in 1844, aged twenty-six.

John Alexander Argo, father of David H. Argo, was born in Cedar Creek hundred, May 16, 1836. He received a limited education in the public schools of the district, and, like his father, devoted his life to the cultivation of the soil. He remained at home, working with his father until he was cighteen. For four years Mr. Argo hired as a laborer among the neighboring farmers, and having saved a small sum of money, began farming on his own account. For twenty-five years he culti- vated rented land, and by industry, frugality and good management was enabled not only to live comfortably, but to save a small sum each year. In 1883 Mr. Argo purchased his present home, a farm of 65 acres, which he has greatly improved. John A. Argo was married, May 14, 1856, to Hester, daughter of Burton Donovan, of Sussex county, Del. Their children are: I. David H .; II. Samuel B .; III. William A .; IV. John P .; V. Annie E. (Mrs. Frank Potter), of Cedar Creek hun- dred; VI. Sarah S .; VII. E. Hubbard. All the sons are farming in Cedar Creek hundred. Mr. Argo and his family are members of the M. E. church.

David Holland Argo was educated in the public schools of Cedar Creek hundred, and after serving his apprenticeship worked as a blacksmith for twelve years. In 1886 he open- ed a general store in Cedar Creek hundred, where he has built up a profitable business. Mr. Argo is an energetic and enterprising business man, and besides his store, has formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, N. J. Carey. The firm of Argo and Carey, wheel- wrights and Hacksmiths, has been well known and well patronized in the county. Mr. Ar- go has served his county in various local of- fices. From 1891 to 1896, he was postmaster, and from 1892 to 1893, clerk of the board of school commissioners.

David Holland Argo was married, January 9, 1890, to Margaret L., daughter of Miler T. Miller. Their only child, Wilson Ehyood, was born November 4, 1895. Mrs. Argo is a member of the M. E. church.

DAVID M. DONOVAN, Ellendale, Sus- sex county, Del., son of William Il. and Ara- minta (Donovan) Donovan, was born in

Broadkiln hundred, Sussex county, Del., April 26, 1857.

The Donovan family, one of the oldest fam- ilies of Delaware, is of Irish lineage. Mr. Donovan's paternal great-great-grandfather emigrated to America, and settled in the colony of Delaware, where he took up a traet of land which he cultivated until the time of his death. His son, Foster Donovan, great- grandfather of David M. Donovan, was born in Sussex county, Del. His whole life was spent in his native county, where he owned a tract of land, and devoted his life to its cultivation and improvement. Foster Dono- van was married to Priscilla Mr. Donovan and his wife are buried on the home- stead near Redden Station, Del.

Mr. Donovan's grandfather, Reuben Donovan, son of Foster and Priscilla Dono- van, was born near Redden Station, Sussex county, Del. He was a husbandman, and spent his whole life on the homestead, which he cultivated and improved, increasing the value of the land which he had received from his father. Reuben Donovan was married to Abbie Carpenter. Their only child, Foster Donovan, resides in Lin- col, Del. Mr. Donovan's second wife was Sarah J. West. Their children are: I. Eliza- beth, deceased; II. Jane, deceased; III. Sarah 1., deceased; IV. William II .; V. Asbury, deceased; VI. Thomas B., farmer, resides in Kent county, Del .; VII. David, deceased; VIII. Mary E., deceased; IX. Enos W., farmer, resides at Redden's Cross Roads, Sus- sex county; X. George M., farmer, Redden Station, Del .; XI. Reuben, farmer, Redden Station.

William Henry Donovan, father of David M. Donovan, was born at Redden Station in what was then Georgetown hundred, August 15, 1829. He received a good education in the public schools of Broadkiln hundred, and learned practical farming on the homestead under his father's careful supervision. With the exception of eight months in 1850, which were spent before the mast, Mr. Donovan's whole life was devoted to the cultivation of the soil. In 1858 he retired from active life and removed to his present comfortable home in Milford, Del., where he enjoys the rest which is the reward of a life of industry and frugality. From 1871 to 1876 Mr. Donovan

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was recorder of deeds in Sussex county. Wil- liam II. Donovan was married, October 16, 1851, to Araminta, daughter of Elisha Dono- van. Their children are: I. Amanda (Mrs. M. B. West), of Oakland, Cal .; II. Sarah 1. ( Mrs. Il. F. Mordecai), of Baltimore, Md .; III. David M .; IV. Araniinta C .; V. Mary HI. The last two reside with their brother, David M., at Ellendale, Del. Mrs. Donovan died at her home in Sussex county, May 25, 1551. Mr. Donovan was married, May 23, 1883, to his sister-in-law, Mary M., daughter of Elisha Donovan. Mrs. Donovan died Feb- ruary 18, 1890.

David M. Donovan received his education in the public schools of Sussex county, Del. Ile remained at home, working on the home- stead until he was twenty-three. In 1880 Mr. Donovan entered the telegraph office at Ellen- (lale to study telegraphy under J. A. Ellegood. Intelligence and close application enabled him to make such rapid progress that within the year he received the appointment of assistant operator. In 1881 he was sent to Rehoboth, Del., where he remained until November, 1882, when he received his present position. Mr. Donovan is prompt and efficient, di-charg- ing his official duties to the entire satisfaction of the company and its patrons. He holds the offices of station agent and telegraph oper- ator of the Del., Md. and Va. R. R., and agent of the Adams Express Company at El- lendale, Del.

SAMUEL EDWIN REED, Ellendale, Sussex county, Del., son of Elias B. and Rachel T. (Betts) Reed, was born in Broad- kiln hundred, Sussex county, Del., January 80, 1855.

Mr. Reed's paternal great-grandfather, a native of England, emigrated to America early in the history of the colonies. Donovan Reed, farmer, grandfather of Samuel E. Reed, was a native of Sussex county, Del., and served his country in the war of 1812. He was mar- ried to Leah, daughter of Elias Baker. Their children are: I. Nancy (Mrs. Peter Milby) ; II. James B .; TII. Susan M. (Mrs. David Roach); IN. Elias B.

Mr. Reed's father, Elias B. Reed, was born in Broadkiln hundred, Sussex county, Del., November 25, 1824. He was a farmer, but was afterwards engaged in manufacturing

hmmaber at Ellendale, Del. Elias Reed was married to Rachel T. Betts. Their children are: I. George, died in infancy; II. John II., mine operator at Leadville, Col .; III. Eliza A. (Mrs. James HI. Jester), of Ellen- date, Del .; IV. Joseph E., chief engineer in the police patrol service, Philadelphia, Pa .; V. Sammel E .; VI. Leah J. (Mrs. Web-ter Wall), Lewes, Del .; VH. David II., a part- ner in the firm of S. E. Reed & Brother at Ellendale, Del .; VIII. George B. M., fire- man on a tug-boat plying on the Delaware; IX. Fannie W. (Mrs. Albert Coverdale), Wil- mington, Del. Elias B. Reed died at his home in Sussex county, Del .; his widow has attained the age of seventy-four and resides at Ellen- dale, Del.

Samuel E. Reed was educated in the pub- lie schools of Cedar Creek hundred, Sussex county, Del. He remained at home, working with his father on the farm, until he was twen- ty-four. In 1879 Mr. Reed purchased the mill property, which he now owns, and forming a partnership with his brother, D. II. Reed, be- gan manufacturing lumber at Ellendale, Del. IIe also owns and cultivates a farm of 50 acres, which he has devoted to raising choice fruit. He not only disposes of his own crops, but in the season deals in fruit, buying to sell in the markets of the larger cities. Mr. Reed is a Republican, a member of the Republican committee of Cedar Creek hundred. He is interested in all the affairs of the county, and for twelve years has been clerk of the board of school commissioners of his district .. Mr. Reed is a member of Toka Lodge, No. 35, I. O. R. M., of Council No. 23, Jr. O. U. A. M., and of Crystal Fount Lodge, No. 10, I. O. O. I., of Milford, Del.

Samuel Edwin Reed was married, Decem- ber 27, 1881, to Mary C., daughter of Bon- jamin E. Jester, of Ellendale, Del. Their chil- dren are: I. Bessie J .; II. Katie E. Mr. Reed and his wife belong to the M. E. church, of which Mr. Reed has been an active ment- her since 1879.

BENJAMIN F. WILLIAMS, P. O. EI- lendale, Sussex county, Del., son of Stephen and Nancy (Kersey) Williams, was born in Sussex county, Del., June 30, 1827.

Mr. Williams' grandfather, Benjamin Wil- liams, farmer, was a native of Sussex county,

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Del. He was married to Nancy Townsend. Their children are: I. Stephen; IT. Whiting- ton; III. Elizabeth. Their eldest son, Stephen Williams, was born near Seaford, Del., in 1803. His life was spent in the cultivation of the soil. Stephen Williams was married to Nancy Kersey. Their children are: I. Rachel; 11. Benjamin F .; IFI. Sarah; IV. Mary; V. John W., deceased; VI. Martha; VII. Whittington, deceased; VIII. William B. Mrs. Williams died at her home in Sussex county, in 1867; Mr. Williams died June 8, 1881.

Benjamin F. Williams was educated in the public schools of his native county. He is a progressive and successful husbandman. With the exception of a short time spent in mercantile pursuits in Kent county, Del., he has devoted his whole attention to the cultiva- tion of the soil, and has owned and cultivated farms in New Castle, Kent and Sussex coun- ties. In 1888 Mr. Williams purchased his present home, a farm of 160 acres of arable land situated two miles west of Ellendale, in Cedar Creek hundred, Sussex county, Del. Ile has greatly improved his property, increas- ing the value of the land by careful and in- telligent cultivation.

Benjamin F. Williams was married to Mar- garet J., daughter of Charlton Smith. Mr. Williams and his wife are members of the M. E. church.

SAMUEL HURT CLENDANIEL, P. O. Lincoln, Sussex county, Del., fourth son of Benjamin and Catherine (Townsend) Clen- daniel, was born on the homestead in Cedar Creek hundred, Sussex county, Del., March 20, 1830. For an account of his ance-try, which was Scottish, and of his parents, see sketch of his brother, Jehu H. Clendaniel.

did not admit of outdoor business. His grand- father's house was his home until he was twen- ty years old, when he began hiring out by the month; but at intervals, when unemployed, he was always welcome to return there. When the estate of his father, Benjamin (Jon- daniel, was settled, Sammel Il. Clondaniel and his elder brother, John II., divided the home farm between them, paying the other heits the value of their portions. He now began farming on his own account, and about this time he married, and brought his young bride to his home. Two years later, Mr. Clendaniel exchanged his farm for the one now owned by Edward Betts, and after living on that place three years, sold it to Isaac Betts, father of the present proprietor. He now removed to the farm of his father-in-law, Clement HI. Hudson; the place has since become the homestead of JJchu II. Clendaniel, who pur- chased it at Mr. Hudson's death. Up to that time, Samuel HI. Clendaniel had resided with Mr. Hudson; he now bought of his brother the property on which he still lives, a tract of 2873 acres, which he has carefully improved, building a comfortable home, ete. He is a general farmer, and also to some extent a stock-raiser. Mr. Clendaniel has in his day served his country's interests as faithfully as his own and his family's. In 1864, during the war of the Rebellion, he enlisted for the "hundred days' service," in Company G. Ninth Delaware Infantry. He was first sta- tioned at Brandywine Springs, and afterwards transferred to Fort Delaware, where his term of enlistment expired, and he was mustered ont. He is a Republican, and has held several offices in his hundred.

Samuel Inrt Clendaniel was married to Mary E., daughter of Clement C. and Ana Hudson. Their children are: I. Hester Am ( Mrs. William B. Morgan), died young: II. Mark T., of Milford, Del., married Eliza- beth Samuels: III. William C., of Lincoln, Del., married Sarah Truitt: IV. Mary E. ( Mrs. B. Passwater), died young: V. Annie E. ( Mrs. Charles Corman), of Cedar Creek Imudred: VI. N. Frederick: VII. Virginia M. Mr. Clendaniel attends the services of the M. E. church.

Mr. Clendaniel's education was such as could be obtained by attendance upon the very defective instructions given in country schools in his boyhood, during from one to three months of every winter. He was in his thir- trenth year when his father died, and was bereft of his mother within a year after. . Af- ter this double loss, the boy went to live with his grandfather, George Clendaniel, who set him to work on his farm, allowing him to go THOMAS J. DAVIS, Milford, Del., son to school when the condition of the weather of Thomas and Hester (Shockley) Davis, was

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born in Cedar Creek hundred, Sussex county, Del., January 13, 1823.

Thomas J. Davis was born on a farm near Milford, which he now owns. With the ex- ception of two years spent in and near Fred- erica, Kent county, he has always resided in Sussex county. Hle attended the public schools of the county to some purpose when a youth, being an intelligent student. After he had ceased going to the school room as a pupil, he frequented it for some years as a teacher. Agricultural pursuits, however, oc- cupied the greater part of his active life. While a teacher he studied surveying and con- veyancing and was employed in both at cer- tain times for forty years. Mr. Davis was an exceptionally successful farmer, and although now retired, is still owner of the Campbell farm and the homestead farm, comprising about 500 acres of the most fertile land in Sus- sex county ; he has possession also of 100 acres in various parts of the county. Mr. Davis was for several years notary public. He is still active, and is fortunate in the enjoyment of good health.

On November 9, 1843, in Cedar Creek hundred, Thomas J. Davis was married to Mary J., daughter of Benjamin and Celia ( Walls) Potter. Their children are: I. Rev. Robert Henry, born in Frederica, August S, 1844, married Frances Wadsworth, grand- daughter of Colonel Peleg Wadsworth, one of the famous warriors of the Revolutionary struggle, is a Congregationalist minister and was for a number of years a missionary to Japan, resides in Olivet, Mich., and has nine living children; II. William Potter, born in Sussex county, August 31, 1846, married Mary C. Draper, and has four children, isan M. I. minister and resides in Millville, N. J. ; III. Thomas, born in Sussex county, December 4, 1848, died in August, 1895, married Mary E. Bennett, who now resides, with her five daughters, at Atlantic City, N. J .; IV. Anna Y., born in Sussex county, February 13, 1851, spent eight years as missionary in Japan, resides at home; V. Mary J., born in Sussex county, January 27, 1853, died in Milford, April 2, 1882; VI. Benjamin F., Esq., born in Sussex county, January 27, 1855, married Olivia Waples, is an attorney- at-law in Missouri; VI. Sarah M. ( Mrs. George W. Hallowell), of Bethlehem, Pa.,

born December 13, 1856, was a medical practitioner before marriage; VIII. Ed- win K., born December 14, 1558, died September 9, 1860; IN. Ella F., born January 28, 1862, died in Milford, ( .- tober 1, , ISS0; X. Herman S., born in Milford August 6, 1868, is assistant pro- fessor of astronomy in Columbia College, New York City, and was sent by the United States Government to South America to wit- ness and report upon an eclipse of the sun; married Cora E. Hoffecker, of Dover, Del.

Mrs. Mary J. (Potter) Davis was born in Cedar Creek hundred, January 20, 1525. She is still active, despite her more than three score and ten years. The members of the fam- ily of Thomas J. Davis attend the Presby- terian and M. E. churches.

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 48

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