Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 51

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

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In 1851, Dr. Charles Henry Lawton was married to Elizabeth West. They had one daughter, Ella Elizabeth.

JOIN JONES, late of Wilmington, Del., son of Joseph and Sarah Jones, was born in 1818, in Lancashire, England. Joseph Jones was a machinist of that country, who came to America in 1821, and settled first at Cedar Grove, above Philadelphia, and afterwards on the Brandywine, three miles from Wilming- ton. Mrs. Sarah Jones died about 1828, and Mr. Jones was again married; by this second union, he had three sons, one of whom is a member of the firm of Hilles & Jones, of Wil- mington. Joseph Jones died in 1867.

At the age of seventeen, John Jones began acquiring his father's business, and worked

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for him as an apprentice until he attained his majority. He next worked for the late J. M. Poole, for three years as journeyman, and for five years as foreman. The firm of Pusey & Jones was formed in 1849 by Jo-lma L. Pu- sey and John Jones, general machinists. Loth partners were thoroughly acquainted with the practical details of the business, and in the beginning of their enterprise, took part in the manual labor of the shops. This en- ergy and diligence made their success certain; the character of the work done in their shops scon gave them a most enviable reputation, and they prospered, not only to their own ad- vantage, but to that of the city. After a long and honorable career in business Mr. Jones withdrew from the firm in 1866, and for years gave his attention to the mangement of his in- terests in real estate in Wilmington, which were very extensive. Mr. Jones was a Whig until the formation of the Republican party, which he has ever since supported. For two terms, 1878-9, he was a member of the city council of Wilmington.

John Jones was married, March 4, 1841, to Ann Banning, a lady of the vicinity of Wil- mington, Del .; their only daughter died at the age of five years.

ROBERT ROBINSON PORTER, M. D., late of Wilmington, Del., son of Robert Porter, was born in that city in 1811.

To Robert Porter belongs the distinction of having been the founder of the Christian In- telligencer, and afterwards of the Delaware State Journal; he was for a long time pub- lisher and editor of the latter periodical, which was noted for its steadfast support of Whig principles. Mr. Porter was a man of much ability and decided character, and was very influential.

Robert R. Porter, after attending the best schools of Wilmington, completed his scho- lastic course at Rev. Dr. Magraw's excellent academy, at West Nottingham, Chester county, Pa. From boyhood he had cherished the intention of becoming a physician, and after the requisite preliminary readings, he matriculated in the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, obtaining his diploma in 1833. Directly after he entered the medical staff of the Philadelphia Alms- house (Blockley) Hospital, where he enjoyed

the advantage of beginning practice under the instructions of the University professors, who ranked among the most skilful physicians and surgeons in the country. He was after- wards elected resident physician of the Frank- lin Asylum for the Insane; his observations and experiences in the practice of that insti- tution furnished him with material for a num- ber of interesting papers, published in the American Medical Journal. Dr. Porter next established himself in the city of Philadel- phia; during his residence there, he assisted the celebrated Dr. Samuel Morton in the preparation of his work on Phthisis Pulmon- alis. In 1836, Dr. Porter returned to his na- tive city. Ilere his ability and his conscien- tious devotion to the duties of his profession soon brought him into high repute, and be- fore many years had passed, he was in the en- joyment of a large and lucrative practice. From the year 1841 until his death he was a member of the Delaware State Medical S,- ciety, and his eager interest in the progress of the science and art of healing imparted ani- mation to its meetings, while his uniform courtesy towards all members of the medical fraternity rendered him a welcome associate. Ile was more than once chosen to represent the State Society at meetings of the American Medical Association; in 1858, he served the former organization as president. Dr. Porter was of an ardent temperament, balanced and controlled by great equanimity. His moral character was beyond reproach. His kindness of heart was displayed not only towards his patients, but in his treatment of all whose position or circumstances appealed to his gen- erosity. Towards younger members of his profession he was delightfully considerate. Outside of professional life, he gave evidence of the same trait, especially in certain trans- actions in real estate, in which, by disposing of lots of ground on exceedingly liberal terms, he enabled many to own their homes who could not otherwise have done so.

Dr. Porter was a good citizen, thoroughly alive to the interests of the city which was his home, and active in promoting them. For years he was a member of the city council, and chairman of its Committee on Finance, discharging the duties of that rather arduous position with fidelity and efficiency. At the formation of the Delaware Historical Society,

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he was enrolled among its members, and proved to be one of the most enthusiastic aud serviceable, freely expending time, labor and means in order to place the association upon a permanent basis. He was well versed in liter- ature, as well as in history; he owned a well- selected library, which supplied him with re- creation in those intervals of repose which a physician in full practice is able to call his own. But Dr. Porter was not only a stu- dent, a physician, a man of business; his gen- ial disposition, refined tastes and rare conver- ational powers made him a welcome guest in social life, while he on his part took great pleasure in society, so long as his health per- mitted it.

Dr. Robert Robinson Porter was married ir 1841, to Lucinda II., only daughter of the late Hon. Willard and (Killen) Hall. Mrs. Porter died in 1869, and on April 14, 1876, Dr. Porter followed her to the grave. For two years before his death, his health had been infirin, yet his departure was sudden; his loss was universally mourned. Dr. Porter's family were devoutly attached to the Presby- terian church, and he was for many years a faithful member of the Hanover Street church. For his patients he had not only medical aid at hand, but Christian sympathy and counsel.

HON. JOSHUA MARIS, Wilmington, Del., son of C'aleb and Ruth ( Bennett) Maris, was born April 7, 1832, in Willistown town- ship, Chester county, Pa.

Not long after William Penn first came to his province, the Maris family, who were English Friends, followed, and settled in Chester county. The grandfather of Joshua Maris was a farmer of that county, named Caleb Maris, who owned four farms. He married Ann Fawkes, and they had eleven children; the ninth was Caleb Mari-, 2. Both parents lived to a patriarchal age, and both died in 1838, Caleb Maris being ninety- four years old, and his wife ninety. Their sen, Caleb Maris, was a miller. He was hon- trable, just and kindly, a man of sincere Fiety, and influential in the Society and among his neighbors in general. He married Inth Bennett: their children were: I. Jacob Bennett; HI. Phebe, wife of Edward Pray, loth died, leaving one daughter; III. Joshua;

IV. Thomas, died aged sixteen years; V. Bar- clay, died in 1853; VI. George C., a convey- ameer, of Wihnington. Caleb Maris, 2, died in September, 1838, aged fifty, and his wife in 1864, aged sixty-eight years.

Being only six years old at the time of his father's death, Joshua Maris did not enjoy the most ample educational advantages. Part of his boyhood was passed in the home of a rela- tive, and part in that of a stranger. In 1818, he was apprenticed by his guardians to a cal,- inet-maker. At twenty years of age, the term of his indenture having expired, he wisely de- termined to acquire a more thorough educa- tion than had as yet fallen to his share. Ile accordingly prepared for college at the acad- emy in Newark, Del., in the schools of Wil- mington, and under private tuition. In 1854. he entered the Freshman class of Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa .; but a variety of cir- cumstances intervened to prevent his pursu- ing his studies beyond the first year. Obey- ing what appeared to be the voice of duty, Mr. Maris left college, and for a year devoted binself to teaching. He began the study of law with the late Chancellor Daniel M. Bates, in 1856, was admitted to the bar in 1859, and immediately began practice in the city of Wilmington. From the first, he was successful; his counsel was soon recognized as the outcome of a cahn, clear and dispassionate judgment, and was sought in ditheult cases as being eminently safe and reliable.

The carly political preferences of Mr. Maris were for the Whig party. But in his carly manhood came that era of change when new party line- and names took the place of the old, and he gave hi- adherence first to the American, and afterwards to the Republican party. He was elected clerk to the city coun- cil in 1859, '60 and '61, and declined a fourth term, preferring to give his attention more ex- elusively to the practice of his profession. He was elected mayor of Wilmington in 1863, by a majority of 447, and re-elected, after a term of a year, by a majority of 495. Re-nom- ination for a third term being offered to him, he declined it, again on account of the claims of his personal affairs. In 1871, Mr. Maris was elected, again by a large majority, to the office of president of the City Council. His duties in connection with this position hay- ing been discharged with the same ability

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and faithfulness which had always character- ized his services, he was re-elected by a majori- ty of 830, which was between three and four hundred votes larger than that given him for the term that had expired. In 182, he was chosen to represent New Castle county in the state legislature, and in that body was chair- man of the Joint Committee from the House for the revision and codification of the laws of the state, besides serving on the committees on Education and on Ways and Means. In connection with building and loam associa- tions, in which he takes the interest natural to a far-sighted and thoughtful citizen, Mr. Maris has served in every office, holding these various positions sometimes in as many as seven organizations at the same time. A num- ber of these associations owe their existence to his efforts. Mr. Maris is a member of the Masonic order. In the I. O. O. F. he has held the highest positions, and has several times represented the Grand Lodge of Dela- ware in that of the United States. He has also held the highest offices in the I. O. R. M. and the O. U. A. M.

Joshua Maris was married, Jannary 12, 1870, to Martha A., daughter of David and Harriet I. Howell, of Yardleyville, Pa. Their children are: I. Bertha II .; II. Dela H .; III. Ehna Howell. Mr. Maris was a "birthright Friend," but in 1873, he became a member of St. Andrew's P. E. church, of which Mrs. Maris also is a communicant.

IION. ELI SAULSBURY, late of , Del., fourth son of William and Margaret (Smith) Saulsbury, was born in Kent coun- ty, Del., December 29, 1817.

The educational advantages afforded him during his boyhood were limited, not from want of appreciation of the value of mental training, either upon the part of his father or himself, but because the assistance of the boys of the family was absolutely needed in farm labors, which often prevented their at- tranlance, even in winter. Eli Saulsbury, how- ever, availed himself to the utmost of all his opportunities during his youth, and in later life added to his stores of knowledge by reading. He was no reader of writting and vicious "literature," even as a child; and from this fact it resulted that he was in no small degree versed in legal

knowledge, long before he asked admi -- sion to the bar. Still it was not until 1857 that, having passed through a regular course of reading with his brother, Hon. Willard Saulsbury, he was admitted to practice. He was well received, had a good practice from his first start, and was carly ranked among the leading lawyers of Delaware. On Deceni- ber 17, 1873, Mr. Santsbury was admitted to practice in the Superior Court of the United States.

Hon. Eli Saulsbury always maintained Democratie views, and had much influence in shaping the opinions of others, on account of his own decided convictions, and his forcible and logical manner of presenting them. He was a member of the Delaware state legisla- ture during the sessions of 1853-54, and sue- ceeded his brother, Hon. W. Saulsbury, in the national senate, taking his seat March 4, 1871; he was re-elected in 1876. Mr. Sauls- bury joined the M. E. church in 1838, and was for many years an office-bearer.

ISRAEL PUSEY, late of Wilmington, Del., was born in London Grove township, Chester county, Pa., August 21, 1811.

Until 1838, Mr. Pusey was in the business of tanning and currying, at his native place. At that date he bought a property at Fourth and Orange streets, Wilmington, Del., where he carried on the same business successfully until 1845. Ile became interested in the firin of Scott & Marr, morocco manufactur- ers, the firm name being, at a somewhat later date, changed to Pusey, Scott & Co. Mr. Pusey's superior qualifications for business and Mr. Scott'sexperience in the manufacture of morocco formed a combination which en- sured prosperity, and soon placed the firm innong the leading ones in the trade. They removed in 1866 from their place of business at Third and Tatnall streets to a new and spacious factory at Third and Madison streets, well fitted up with all the appliances nece -- sary for their increasing trade. Mr. Pusty became a special partner in the iron business of D. H. Kent & Co., in 1872, and two years later retired from the morocco business: but he continued his interest in the iron firm throughout his life. As a business man, Israel Pusey was quiet in manner, strict in punctuality and attention to details, prudent,

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and always honorable in his dealings. He firm basis the present flourishing manufac- was a man of admirable character, whose high principles were manifest in all his trans- actions. Ile was of a retiring disposition, but ever charitable and kindly; those best ac- quainted with him esteemed him the most highly.

Israel Pusey was married, December 29, 1886, to Mary Ann, daughter of Levi Hayes, of Chester county, Pa. He died in Wilming- ton, at the age of sixty-eight, on May 7, 1879. Mrs. Pusey survived him, with their three daughters: I. Mary E., wife of Col. D. H. Kent; II. S. Ellen (Mrs. W. Y. Warner); III. Emeline K., widow of Samuel Middle- ton. Mr. Pusey was a Friend, interested in the concerns of the Society, and faithful in his attendance at meetings.

JOSEPHI BANCROFT, late of Wilming- ton, Del., son of John and Elizabeth (Wood) Bancroft, was born in Manchester, England, April 7, 1803.

The family were members of the Society of Friends. Before her marriage with John Bancroft, Elizabeth Wood had, in company with a minister of that persuasion, made a religious visit to Friends in America. John and Elizabeth Bancroft had thirteen children, of whom Joseph was the second. Until he was fourteen years of age, Joseph Bancroft attended Ackworth school, an institution under the care of the Society. Upon leaving school, he became apprentice to his uncle, Jacob Bright, father of the great British statesman, John Bright. His term of appren- ticeship was seven years, expiring in 1524, when he reached his majority. Meanwhile, the family had emigrated to America, and taken up their abode in Wilmington, Del., where Joseph now joined them; singularly enough, the night of his arrival was the first one on which his father's large family had all been gathered under one roof. John Ban- croft, with his other sons; was engaged in manufacturing flannel, and for one or two years, Joseph assisted in their factory, after which he took charge of the cotton mills at Rockford, which he purchased in 1831. His beginning- in this enterprise were small, and many difficulties were to be mer and overcome, but with moderation, patience and courage, Mr. Bancroft succeeded in establishing on a

tory. He was always on the watch for in- ventions and improvements, and careful to keep the equipments of hi- factory up to the latest and best standards. Some of the first "self-acting mules," and some of the first fy- frames used in America were introduced into his mille. In 1851, he made a voyage to Eng- land for the purpose of inspecting the cotton mills, in order to be able to bring the finish of his cloths up to the most advanced stand- ard of perfection.

In undertaking this enterprise, the young proprietor had been generously assisted by the late Thomas Janvier. When, in 1839, a freshet had carried away the mill-dam, and the stock on hand in the mill had been so damaged as to involve much pecuniary loss, Joseph Bancroft offered to give the whole pro- perty up to Mr. Janvier; instead of accept- ing this sacrifice, however, the latter renewed his assistance, and enabled Mr. Bancroft to recover his losses, and to continue in his suc- cessful career. Never was kindness more ju- diciously bestowed or more fully merited. Mr. Bancroft was one of those who repay bene- factions as Franklin taught his young friend to repay a loan, by passing them on. He was as solicitous for the welfare of his "hands" as for the work they accomplished. He paid his workmen himself in cash, not by store orders; but be encouraged them to save their carnings by allowing them interest for what- over amounts they were willing or able to leave in his hands, so that many who had come penniless into his employ left him after a few years with means of their own antii- cient to buy and stock a farm in the West. That "Bancroft never stops," became prover- bial, so few were the difficulties with work- men. and so steadily ran the mills, in time of prosperity or of panic. If the man who "makes two blades of grass grow where but one grew before" deserves to be called a pub- lie benefactor, certainly Joseph Bancroft. richly merited that honorable title: for in the place where there had been, besides his own residence, only two small dwellings, he left, when after forty-three years of proprietor- ship he died, a comfortable village having for its main point a large and finely equipped factory, doing a prosperous business, with in- dustrious and contented employees, who were

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not only cared for as to their physical well- being, but enjoyed the intellectual advantage and pleasure of a library which the generous proprietor had opened for their benefit. In 1865, Joseph Bancroft associated with him as partners his sons, William P. and Sammel Bancroft, constituting the firm of Joseph Ban- croft & Sons, under which title the business continued to be conducted after his decease.

Joseph Bancroft was married in 1829 to Sarah, daughter of William and Sarah Poole, of Wilmington; their only children were as above named: I. William Poole; II. Samuel. Mr. Bancroft adhered to the faith and cus- toms of the Society of Friends, into which he was born. When the Society was divided into the "Orthodox" and "Hicksite" branches, he allied himself with the latter; but the sepa- ration had neither the approval of his judg- ment nor the consent of his feelings, and among his many religious writings was a book, intended as an olive-branch, and entitled A Persuasive to Unity. It was believed by his friends that his concern upon this subject, and the efforts to which it led him, accele- rated the progress of his last illness. He died December 8, 1874. Joseph Bancroft was well said to have displayed "the best realization of manliness and sweetness, strength and ten- derness, the character of a true Christian gen- tleman."

COLONEL BENJAMIN NIELDS, Wil- mington, Del., son of Thomas and Eliza Nields, was born July 12, 1831, in East Marl- borough, Chester county, Pa., where his family, who were Friends of English descent, had resided since the earliest settlements were made in eastern Pennsylvania.

That neighborhood has always been re- markable for the culture of its inhabitants, and the care bestowed by them upon the edu- cation of the young; so that although early de- prived by death of both his parents, Bonja- min Nields still enjoyed such advantages that, being naturally intelligent and ambitions, he Was more than ordinarily well prepared to un- dertake legal studies at the proper age. His preceptor, John C. Patterson, Esq., of Wil- mington, with whom he began to read law in December, 1855, showed an almost paternal interest in his progress, and treated him with a kindly confidence which did much to make

the young man feel at home in the city to which he had come, an entire stranger. For the rest, his own companionable nature and courteous manner soon won him the friendly regard of many. He was admitted to the bar of Delaware at Georgetown, in April, 1859, and immediately began practice; success was not long delayed, and was hailed by his beney- olent preceptor with scarcely less satisfaction than by himself.

True to the principles inculcated by the friends and protectors of his boyhood, young Nields esponsed the anti-slavery cause, was an enthusiastic member of the Free Soil party of ante-bellum days, and worked for the elec- tion of Fremont in 1856, and with better suc- cess, for that of Lincoln, in 1860. Upon the call for three months' volunteers, in 1861, he assisted in forming a company, of which he was made first lieutenant. His regiment was kept throughout its term of service on guard duty along the P., W. &. B. R. R. In 1862, Lieutenant Nields raised the only battery of light artillery ever recruited in the state; it was composed of the flower of the youth of Delaware, representatives of the oldest and best families. Lieutenant Nields was com- missioned captain of this battery, which was mustered into the U. S. service in August, 1862, and ordered to Camp Barry, near Wash- ington. It assisted in the defence of Suffolk, Va., against Gen. Longstreet, and was after- wards sent to New York, to take part in quell- ing the draft riots. A handsome jewelled sabre, presented to Capt. Niekls upon the re- turn of his command from that city, was the testimonial of their admiration of his conduct as an officer, and of their gratitude for his watchful care for their health and comfort. Certain officers of the British army having been commissioned by their government to visit the United States, in order to examine the improvements made here in arms and ap- pliances of war, Gen. Barry, Chief of Artil- lery, U. S. A., exhibited to them the First Delaware Battery, selecting it from a number of regular and volunteer batteries then in the vicinity of Washington, as the one best exem- plifying the advance made in America in that branch of the service.

Not long after, this battery, with two others, all placed under the command of Capt. Nields, was ordered to the Department of

John DHawkins.

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the Gulf. Upon reporting to Gen. Banks, at New Orleans, in February, 1864, Capt. Nields' command was assigned to a position in the detachment about to set out on the Red river expedition, and participated in all the engagements of that unfortunate campaign. After the battle of Sabine X. Roads, Capt. Nields was placed, as Chief of Artillery on the staff of Gen. Emory, in command of all the artillery of his division, and of the siege guns. After the engagement at Cane River Cross- ing, April 23, 1864, he was commissioned lieutenant colonel, for conspicuous bravery. Hle was transferred in the autumn of that year to the Department of Arkansas, holding the position of Chief of Artillery on the staff of Gen. Joseph J. Reynolds until the following spring. In May, 1865, he was appointed with other officers to receive the surrender of the rebel troops west of the Mississippi, under the command of Gen. J. Thompson. In June of that year, Col. Nields was mustered out of the service. He was the only member of the New Castle county bar who enlisted for the three years' service.

Since the fall of 1865, Col. Nields has been steadily engaged in legal practice in Wilming- ton, and has taken that place in the ranks of his profession and the confidence of his fel- low-citizens merited by his fine abilities and devotion to the duties of his profession. He has never been willing to abandon his prac- tice for any public office, although always in- terested and active in promoting the advance- ment of the principles and policy which his judgment approves. Col. Nields is endowed with a generous and sympathetic nature, and takes pleasure in aiding every project for the encouragement of the deserving, or the relief of the unfortunate.

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 51

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