USA > Delaware > Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II > Part 5
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On January 7, 1863, Thomas Luther Fleming was married to Margaretta, daughter of Elijah and Eliza Satterfield, of Philadel- phia, Pa. Their children are: I. Mary ( Mrs. Edward L. Gilliams), of Philadelphia, Pa .; II. Thomas Willis, civil engineer, an em- ployee of the Steelton Iron Company, Steel- ton, Pa .; III. Arthur F., employed in the Transportation Department of the Reading Railroad Company; IV. Charles Harrington. Mr. Fleming is a member of the Episcopal church, in Dover, and warden of a P. E. church in Philadelphia, Pa.
WILLIAM RIDGAWAY, Dover, Del., son of Joseph and Sarah Ann (Lawber) Ridgaway, was born on the old homestead near Canterbury, Kent county, Del., April S, 1824.
Mr. Ridgaway's great-grandfather, Wil- liam Ridgaway, was one of three brothers who emigrated from England to America, some time before the Revolutionary War. The boys were stowaways, and suffered much while hidden on the vessel. William Ridga- way settled on a farm in Talbot county, Md., where he spent the remainder of his life. Mr. Ridgaway's maternal great-grandfather, Lawber, a native of Amsterdam, Hol- land, was one of the pioneers of Delaware. He settled in Kent county on the land now known as the Amsterdam farm.
Rev. James Ridgaway, son of William and Sarah Ridgaway, was born on the homestead in Talbot county, Md., in 1753. He remained on the farm, and according to the English law of primogeniture, inherited the estate. Mr. Ridgaway was afterwards ordained to the ministry of the Methodist church. He was an eloquent speaker, gifted with fine powers of delineation. At one time, during a camp meeting, Mr. Ridgaway was preaching from
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the text, "Thou shalt not kill." Among his bearers was a murderer who had escaped the penalty of his crime, but so vividly did Mr. Ilidgaway paint the awful wickedness of his act, and its eternal punishment, that the crim- inal, overpowered by his emotions, sank life- less to the ground. Rev. James Ridgaway was married, January 3, 1779, to Rose Colson, who was born in 1755. Their children were: I. William, local preacher of the M. E. church, born October 3, 1779, died in 1805; II. Joseph, born January 25, 1786; III. Rose Ann (Mrs. Hamilton), born May 5, 1788, re- moved to the west, where her sons became prominent ship builders, and during the Civil War amassed fortunes; IV. Elizabeth (Mrs. Dorgan), born November 2, 1790, has three sons, who settled in Baltimore, Md .; V. Alice (Mrs. Kemp), born November 20, 1794, has several children; VI. Henry, born July 31, 1796, died at his home near the old home- stead; VII. Sarah, deceased, born November 18, 1798. The family were members of the M. E. Church. The Rev. Mr. Ridgaway died at his charge in Chestertown, Md., in 1809; his wife died in 1800.
Joseph Ridgaway, father of William Ridg- away was born on the homestead, January 25, 1786. He grew up on the farm, working with his father and attending the schools of the dis- triet. He was a diligent student, and pre- pared himself to teach. Mr. Joseph Ridga- way was married, February 22, 1816, to Sarah Ann, daughter of Jonathan Lawber, who was born eight miles south of Dover, near Canter- bury, Del. After his marriage, he removed to Delaware, and cultivated 90 acres of land which belonged to his bride. He had no money except the small sum he had been able to save while teaching; of this there remained enly enough to buy a sow and a litter of pigs. However, the young couple were brave and self-reliant. Times were very hard; corn was a dollar and a half a bushel, and meat twenty- five cents a pound, and for the first year they lived on cider and potatoes. During the year, a negro slave owned by Mrs. Ridgaway was added to their family. Mr. Ridgaway grad- ually increased in prosperity and after some years, turned his attention to raising cattle. His son William persuaded him to buy the Buckmaster property, a farm of 250 acres with a brick dwelling, promising to help him in making the payments. The purchase was
made at a cost of $1,000; the whole of which was paid in two years. Mr. Ridgaway now be- gan to reap the reward of his industry and frugality. His experiences had been many and varied. In his early manhood he had served in the war of 1812, when the British threatened to burn St. Michael's, Md.
Joseph and Sarah Ann (Lawber) Ridgaway have two children: I. Elizabeth Ann ( Mrs. William Brown), died in Kent county, Md., leaving one daughter, Sarah Elizabeth (Mrs. John Satterfield), of Dover, Del., who has four children, i. William, a merchant of Do- ver, ii. Mary, iii. Louisa, iv. James M .; II. William. Mr. Ridgaway died at his home in Kent county, February 14, 1857; his widow died in 1875. Both were members of the M. E. church. Joseph Ridgaway was very active in church work, and was an exhorter of great power. His friends frequently urged him to become a minister, but he steadily declined.
William Ridgaway was born on the home- stead in the old log cabin which was his par- ents' first home, and which he afterwards helped to pull down. He inherited his fa- ther's love of books and his brave determined character. Until he was eighteen he attended the schools of the district for two or three months each winter, spending his summers on the farm. He worked hard, toiling early and late, often hauling in the crops at ten o'clock at night. All his toil could not quench his thirst for knowledge, and after he attained his majority, he managed to spend one year at an academy in Pennington, N. J. After leaving the academy, Mr. Ridgaway removed to Evansville, Ind. Here he found employment in cutting wood for the steam boats which plied on the Ohio. He made very little money, but his stout heart never failed. Ilis bright, friendly manner won the hearts of the people with whom he boarded; and the old gentleman advised him to buy a certain tract of woodland on the edge of the town. When Mr. Ridgaway declined, saying frankly that he had not the money, his friend again urged him to buy, kindly offering to advance the re- quired sum. But Mr. Ridgaway again de- clined with thanks, saying he did not intend to stay in the west .. After a stay of cighteen months he returned to Delaware, making the long journey partly by canal, but walking most of the way. About one year after his re- turn, he received a letter from his old friend,
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saying that the land which they had talked of buying had sold for one hundred dollars per acre. It is now in the heart of Evansville. In 1846 Mr. Ridgaway entered Diekinson Col- lege, Carlisle, Pa., and was in his sophomore year when he was called home by the death of his father. Mr. Ridgaway now assumed the management of the homestead, and de- voted his energies to the cultivation of the soil. Ife is an intelligent scientitie farmer, and has not only greatly improved the homestead, but added 30 acres of adjoining land; and now owns several farms, containing in all more than 1,000 acres. In 1884 Mr. Ridgaway re- tired from active life and removed to Dover. The next year he erected his beautiful dwell- ing on Governor's Avenue. His energetic temperament, however, making inactivity irk- some to him, he has purchased five acres near Dover, which he cultivates. He is interested in public enterprises, and has so won the con- fidence and esteem of his fellow citizens, that he was for some time one of the directors of the First National Bank. Mr. Ridgaway is an active member of the Republican party. Gen- ial and affable in manner, an affectionate hus- band and father, he is greatly beloved, not only by his friends, but by all who know him. Ile is a discriminating reader, a diligent stu- dent, a firm friend of higher education, and an earnest worker for the advancement and elevation of mankind.
William Ridgaway was married July 29, 1852, to Mary Matilda Prettyman, daughter of an itinerant preacher of the M. E. church. Miss Prettyman was born in New Jersey, March 3, 1832. Their children are: I. Mary II. (Mrs. A. P. Lasher), of Pennington, N. J., born Oc- tober 8, 1853; II. Charles B., born April 6, `1855, a graduate of Dickinson College, for some years a teacher in California, now a mem- ber of the faculty of Wyoming College; III. William J., lumber merchant residing near Elizabethville, N. J., born April 25, 1859, married Estella Wood; IV. Annie Clara ( Mrs. James Hazel), of Dover, Del., born February 8, 1864. Mr. Ridgaway and his family are members of the M. E. church, in which he was a class-leader. He is deeply interested in all that concerns the welfare of the congregation, and has always been an active and efficient worker.
CHARLES ALLAWAY, Dover, Del., son of John and Hannah. (Aleott) Allaway, was
born near Budd Town, Burlington county, N. J., January 23, 1827.
llis grandfather, Jacob Allaway, was Scotch by descent, a member of the Society of Friends, and spent his life in farming in Burlington county, N. J. He had a large family. Ilis son, John Allaway, father of Charles Allaway, was born in Burlington county, N. J., and devoted his life to farming in his native county. John Allaway was mar- ried to Hannah Alcott. Their children are: I. Edward, machinist and pattern maker, died in New Jersey; II. Lewis, engineer, died in Philadelphia, Pa .; III. Elias, painter at MIt. Holly, N. J .; IV. Theresa, married first to Barzillai Brannay, and afterwards to Benja- min Plummer, died at Mt. Holly, N. J .; V. Dorothy resides at Merchantville, N. J .; VI. Thomas, resided in Tabernacle, N. J., died ncar that place; VII. Hannah, widow of Sam- uel Connor, of Burlington, N. J .; VIII. Marmaduke, died at Tabernacle, N. J. John Allaway and his wife were members of the Society of Friends. He died at Tabernacle, Burlington county, N. J., in 1867; his widow died in 1870.
Charles Allaway was educated in the pub- lie schools of Burlington county, N. J. At eighteen he was apprenticed for three years to a bricklayer and plasterer. After attaining his majority, Mr. Allaway worked at his trade in New Jersey until 1852 or '58, when he re- moved to Magnolia, Kent county, Del., and be- gan business as a contractor. In January, 1865, he removed to Dover, Del., where he opened an office as builder and contractor. Mr. Allaway began business almost without money, but with energy, patience and self-re- lianee. Ile was prudent and conscientious, and was so successful that he was able to retire from active business life in 1887, and now en- joys in his comfortable home in Dover, the rest and ease which are the reward of his in- dustry and frugality. Mr. Allaway has not identified himself with any party, but is an independent voter.
Charles Allaway was married in Magnolia, Del., to Anna E. Finsthwait, of Magnolia. Their children are: I. Henry; II. Anna D .; III. Hannah (Mrs. Eugene Raughley), of Philadelphia, Pa. In his youth Mr. Allaway was instructed in the doctrines of the Society of Friends.
Henry Allaway learned printing, serving his apprenticeship with the firm of James &
.
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Webb, at Wilmington, Del. Later, abandon- ing his trade, he turned his attention to jour- nalism, in New Ilaven, Conn. Mr. Allaway afterwards removed to New York City, where he established the Journal of Finance. Dur- ing his residence in New York City, he was financial reporter for the New York Times. Mr. Allaway is now financial editor of the Times, and having sold his paper, devotes his attention to his editorial work. He is, how- ever, the owner of the New Haven Daily Palladium. He is actively interested in local affairs, and is a member of the Republican party. Henry Allaway was married to Mary Tuttle, of New Haven, Conn. Their children are: I. Annie A .; II. Elizabeth.
JOHN D. THOMPSON, Dover, Del., son of John and Elizabeth (Grayden) Thompson, was born near Dover, Kent county, Del., Au- gust 15, 1828.
Mr. Thompson's grandfather, John Thomp- son, was a native of England. In early man- hood he emigrated to America, and settled in Kent county, Del. John Thompson was mar- ried to Mary Denny, a native of Kent coun- ty, English by descent. Their son, John Thompson, father of John D. Thompson, was born in Kent county, Del. He was a mem- ber of the Whig party, and was actively inter- ested in local affairs. John Thompson was married in Kent county, to Elizabeth Gray- den. Their children are: I. Jolm D .; II. Jeffrey, a farmer of Kent county, Del .; III. Joseph, notary public, at Cheswold, Md .; IV. James, of Cheswold; V. Ayres Holmes, of New Jersey; VI. Elizabeth (Mrs. James Cook), of Kent county, Del .; VII. Mary Ann, deceased, married first to John Fennemore, of New Castle county, Del., and afterwards to Ephraim Start. Mr. Thompson died at his home in Kent county, in 1855, aged sixty-six; bis widow survived him many years.
John D. Thompson was educated in the public schools of the district. He remained at home with his father on the farm until he attained his majority. In 1851 Mr. Thomp- son removed to Smyrna, Del., where he found employment as a day laborer. In 1852 he be- gan farming in Cecil county, Md .; but at the end of two years he returned to Delaware and rented a farm in Kent county, near his old home. Mr. Thompson remained on this farm for ten years; besides cultivating the land, he
owned and managed a thrashing machine. Mr. Thompson enlisted February 26, 1862, as a private in Company C, Third Delaware Vol- unteer Infantry. The regiment was hurried to Harper's Ferry, Va., where they arrived at midnight. The next day they had a skir- mish with the Confederate troops, defeating them, and driving them into Western Vir- ginia. The regiment went into quarters at Front Royal, Va., and while encamped here, they for the second time captured the famous spy, Belle Boyd. While on duty at this camp, Mr. Thompson and some of his comrades were surrounded and captured by General Jack- son's "black horse cavalry," August 2, 1862. After three days spent in the common jail at Staunton, W. Va., the prisoners were for- warded to Libby prison, Richmond, Va. Here they were searched and all their money taken from them; this was particularly hard as they had just received their pay. After enjoying the hospitality of Libby for three weeks, they were taken to Belle Island, where worse treat- ment awaited them. In these trying circum- stances, Mr. Thompson's cheerful courage, and ready wit were invaluable; by hard work and strategy he succeeded in saving not only his own life, but also the lives of his com- panions. After an imprisonment of five weeks, he was exchanged and sent to Annapolis, Md., and after three days of rest was ordered to join his regiment at Bolivar Heights, Md., where he arrived a few days after the battle of Antietam. The regiment went into winter quarters at Frederick City, Md., and brought to this camp as prisoners, the Purnell Legion, a regiment composed of men of the state of Maryland who refused to bear arms. From the spring of 1862 to the spring of 1864 the regiment was detailed for guard duty on the Baltimore & Ohio, and Washington rail- roads. His time having expired, Mr. Thomp- son and some of his comrades re-enlisted in the same company, for three years, or until the end of the war. After its reorganization, the Third Delaware was attached to the Fifth Corps, one of the finest corps of the army of the Potomac. The regiment took part in the battles of the Weldon Railroad; Hatcher's Run; Cold Harbor; the Wilderness; and Petersburg. Mr. Thompson was one of a party who made a raid into North Carolina, over what was known as the Jerusalem Plank Road. After the battle of Petersburg, they
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followed Lee for eleven days, and were pres- ent at his surrender at Appomattox Court House. During the campaign of 1864-1865, Mr. Thompson was made a corporal, and in the last two battles he commanded the com- pany. Mr. Thompson was nmistered out at Brandywine Springs, Del., July 28, 1865. Returning to his home in Kent county, Del., he obtained employment as a house carpen- ter, and worked at that trade until 1884. Mr. Thompson is a stanch Democrat. He is a member of General Talbot Post, No. 3, G. A. R., of which he has been elected com- mander.
John D. Thompson was married in Kent county, Del., February 26, 1850, to Annie , of Kent county. Their children are: I. William B., of Kent county; II. John C., of Kent county; III. Joshua, resides in New Jersey; IV. Annie (Mrs. Lewis Williams), of Burlington county, N. J .; V. Kate (Mrs. Joseph Gray), of Wilmington, Del. Mrs. Annie Thompson died in 1881. Mr. Thomp- son was married in 1884 to Martha C. (Loos.) Kirby, widow of Humphrey Kirby. Mr. Thompson and his wife are members of the M. P. church. Mrs. Thompson was born in Franklin county, Pa. When she was a child her parents removed to Michigan. Here she grew up and married Mr. Kirby, removing with him to Toledo, Ohio, and afterwards to Macon City, Md., where Mr. Kirby dicd. After her husband's death, Mrs. Kirby re- turned to her parents in Michigan, and some time after removed to Delaware.
WILLIAM F. WILLIS, Kent county, Del., son of William and Sarah (LeCompte) Willis, was born in Denton, Caroline county, Ma., January 6, 1829.
Simon Willis, grandfather of William F. Willis, was of Scotch descent. He died in Chestertown, Md. ITis son, William Willis, was born in Chestertown, Kent county, Del. William Willis learned tailor work, and after serving his apprenticeship in Baltimore, Md., settled in Denton, Md., where he was mar- ried to Sarah LeCompte. Their children are: I. Susan, died in childhood; IT. George, died in childhood; III. Sarah J. (Mrs. Frank Willing), of Chestertown, Md .; IV. Anie (Mrs. Harding), of Clayton, Del .; V. Thomas B., of Philadelphia, Pa .; VI. Wil-
liam F. Mr. Willis died at his home in Den- ton, Md.
William F. Willis attended the public schools of Denton, Md., until he was twelve years old, when he entered the office of the Denton Journal as errand boy. He was a bright lad, and soon acquired a fair knowledge of printing. He remained in the office for six years; and at eighteen left Denton, Md., for Milford, Del., where he was employed as a journeyman on the Milford Beacon. This was the first paper published in Milford, and was first issued in 1848. Mr. Willis' dili- gence and ability were observed by his em- ployers who made him foreman of the print- ing room, a position which he held for two years. After he left the Beacon, Mr. Willis returned to Denton, but soon afterwards re- moved to Trenton, N. J., where he secured emplyment as compositor on the Trenton American. In 1852 Mr. Willis removed to Md., and for one year worked as compositor on the Baltimore American. At the end of the year, he returned to Milford, and was again employed on the Milford Beacon. In 1856 Mr. Willis went to Niles, Mich., where he secured a situation as clerk in a hotel. This employment proving unsatisfactory, af- ter spending six or eight months in the west, he returned to Milford, Del., and again worked at his trade. Mr. Willis afterwards removed to Woodstown, Salem county, N. J., and purchased an interest in the American Eagle. This investment proving unremuner- ative, Mr. Willis returned to Delaware and again engaged in printing at Milford. After remaining for some time in Milford, he again tried his fortunes in Baltimore, and later went to Princess Anne, Somerset county, Md., to take charge of the Somerset Herald, and re- tained this position until September 24, 1861.
Mr. Willis enlisted November 11, 1861, as corporal in Company K, First Eastern Shore Maryland Volunteer Infantry, for a term of three years. After its organization, the regiment was sent down the coast, and went into winter quarters at Salisbury, Md. In the spring of 1862, the regiment was de- tailed for provost duty as Drummondtown, Va. Mr. Willis was injured at Wagram, Va., while assisting in repairing a bridge which had been partly destroyed by the Confederates. Although the timbers falling upon his right leg bruised and almost disabled him, he insisted
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upon remaining at his post. Mr. Willis was promoted in 1863 at Point Rocks, Md., to the rank of sergeant. The battle of Gettysburg was the first general engagement in which the regiment took part. After that battle, they had several skinnishes in the vicinity of Har- per's Ferry, W. Va. Mr. Willis's time of service having expired, he re-enlisted as a veteran in 1864. Some time after this, through the exertions of his captain, he ob- tained a position at the headquarters of Gen- eral Wallace, in Baltimore, Md. Mr. Willis had charge of the printing required in this department, and retained his position until the close of the war. After receiving his dis- charge, he visited his sister at Crumpton, Md. Returning to Delaware, Mr. Willis set- tled at Millsborough, Sussex county, and in 1880 removed to his present home in Dover, Del., where he is engaged in printing, and also manages a general store. Mr. Willis is a stanch Republican. He is commander of General Talbot Post, No. 3, G. A. R.
William F. Willis was married in Mills- borough, Sussex county, Del., July 21, 1870, to Leah Anna, daughter of Jacob, and Sarah Jane Barton, of Sussex county. Mr. Willis is a member of the Armory M. E. church in which he is an active worker, and holds the office of steward. He is also a member of the board of trustees.
JAMES PETERSON, Dover, Del., son of James II. and Martha (Howard) Peterson, was born near Dover, December 10, 1836.
Ilis father was born in Delaware and be- came a seaman. While yet a young man, he was placed in command of a vessel as captain, and had before him a promising career; but he died in 1841, at an early age, in Kent county, Del. He was highly esteemed, was kind and charitable and a consistent member of the M. E. church. A number of years after his death, Mrs. Peterson married James Dowd.
James II. Peterson was an orphan at the age of five years. Owing to his mother's straitened circumstances, he had very limited opportunities for obtaining an education. In the time usually spent by boys in the school room, he was engaged in work, to assist in providing the needs of the family. He ro- mained with his widowed mother, contribut- ing his small earnings to their common fund,
until he was fourteen years old, when he went to his uncle, William Howard, and worked on his farm for several years. Having a strong desire to acquire a trade, he apprenticed him- self for a term of seven years to Isaac L. Crouch. In 1862 he enlisted in Company II, First Delaware Cavalry, as farrier for the regiment. At Cold Harbor, Va., in June, 1864, he was detailed to brigade headquarters and placed in charge of the smithy there. Ile was in active service two years and eleven months, and was discharged at the close of the war.
Returning then to Dover, Mr. Peterson asso- ciated with him a local blacksmith, and they opened a shop in that city. Subsequently he purchased his partner's interest, and has since conducted the buisness alone and with much success. ITe has an enviable reputation as a thorough business man and a scientific black- smith. He is a member of Talbot Post, No. 3, G. A. R., of Dover, and is a past com- mander. In politics he is a stanch Repub- lican.
On December 17, 1857, in Smyrna, Del., James Peterson was married to Ellen, daugh- ter of James Smallwood, of Smyrna. Their children have been: I. Margaret (Mrs. George Jerrold), of Wilmington, Del .; II. George, in Alabama; III. Ella (Mrs. Loud), of New Castle, Del .; IV. Minnie (Mrs. Henry Brinley), of Trenton, N. J .; V. Olivia, de- ceased; VI. Talbot, at home; VII. Walter, at home. Mr. Peterson is a member of the Second M. E. church of Dover and a class- leader.
JOHN BEIIEN, Jr., Dover, Del., son of John and Jane (Keaton) Behen, was born at Pearson's Corner, West Dover hundred, Kent county, Del., June 3, 1858.
John Behen, Sr., was born in Ireland. His father died when he was a youth, and when he was fourteen he sailed with his mother for America. He landed at Philadelphia and went thence to Wilmington, Del., where he became a wheelwright. Subsequently he en- gaged in the general merchandise business in Dover. When he entered commercial pur- suits he had only a limited amount of money, but was possessed of much energy and ability, and by thrift and keen foresight he made his way rapidly to affluence. For a time he was proprietor of a general store in Pearson's Cor-
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ner. At present he is retired and resides in Dover. In 1852, in Wilmington, John Bchen married Jane Keaton, a native of Ire- land. They had children: I. Walter, of Dover; II. John, Jr .; III. Martin, died aged twenty-four; IV. Harry A., of Wilmington, Del. Mr. Bchen is a devout member of IIoly Cross R. C. church of Dover.
After receiving his education in the public schools, John Behen, Jr., entered his father's store, when about twenty-four years old, and remained there four years. For eighteen months he was employed on the Pennsylvania railroad, and afterward, for a similar period, in the Delaware Glass Works. With a small amount of money saved from his earnings, he purchased a stock of general merchandise, and began business in the autumn of 1884, in the store in Dover now occupied by J. J. Scanlon. ITis venture was successful from the beginning. His stock of goods was small, but careful attention to business, the desire to please customers, and an inflexible purpose of selling only good articles, brought him a large trade, so that he was soon compelled to pro- eure more commodious quarters. These he obtained by erecting the large brick store and residence on the corner of Loockerman and New streets, which he now occupies. This building was completed in 1890, and in it Mr. Behen now carries on the wholesale and retail grocery business. He has, perhaps, the largest trade in Dover, and acknowledges that his success is largely due to his wife's faithful co-operation. He is liberal minded and charitable, a good business man and a progressive citizen. In politics he is a Demo- crat, firmly attached to his party.
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