Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 69

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

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REV. JOHN II. CALDWELL, D. D., was born in Spartansburg, S. C., in 1820, and entered the ministry in 1845, being con- neeted with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. In 1866 he left the Church South and connected himself with the Kentucky Conference, and from 1867 to 1871 he was a member of the Georgia Conference. In 1872 he came to Delaware, and joined the Wil- mington Conference, serving many churches until 1886, when he was elected President of Delaware College, Newark, Del. He finally returned to the ministry, but held no active pastorate after 1892. Dr. Caldwell died at his home in Dover, Del., March 11, after a long illness, leaving an invalid wife and seven children.

JAMES McCALLMONT, M. D., son of John McCallmont, was born at Newport, New Castle county, in 1755.

John McCallmont, a resident of Newport, was engaged in the flour business, and was an elder in the Red Clay Creek Presbyterian Church during the pastorate of Rev. Win. MeKennan. Ile died in 1776, aged sixty-five years, and was buried in the cemetery of the church of which he was a member. Dr. Me- Callmont's mother was Sarah, daughter of James Latimer. She was born in Ulster county, Ireland, and came to America when five years of age. The ancestors of the fant- ily emigrated to Ulster from Eastern Wales.

Dr. McCallmont was educated at Newark Academy. His medical preceptor was Dr. Matthew Wilson, of Lewes; while prosecut- ing his studies he lived in Dr. Wilson's fam- ily, in company with others engaged in the same occupation. In the year 1777 he was a surgeon in the United States navy, and in that year was in a naval engagement near Long Island. Later in the same year, his ship was boarded by a Spanish privateer, and his life, with that of a younger brother, was saved by his giving the Masonic sign to the Spanish of- ficer, just as they were about being forced to "walk the plank." They were then taken to a Spanish prison in the West Indies, and finally released through the influence of the United States consul. After leaving the navy, Dr. MeCalmont settled in New Castle, where he practiced his profession until his death. Dr. MeCallmont was one of the foun-

John g Hastmedme

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ders of the Delaware Medical Society; of stu- dious habits, so fond of literature that his patients, to detain him, would at times place a book in his way, in reading which he failed to note the passage of time. He was a gentle- man of fine personal appearance and robust health, very cheerful and youthful in his dis- position, and temperate and regular in his Habits. He respected religion, and was at- tached to the doctrines of the Presbyterian denomination, although he was never con- nected with the church. He died at New C'astle of bilious fever, after an illness of ten days, October 4, 1824, aged sixty-nine years, and was buried in the cemetery of the Pres- byterian Church of New Castle.

Dr. James McCallmont was twice married. Ilis first wife was Mary Monro, sister of Dr. George Monro, late of Wilmington. The children of his first marriage were Anna (Mrs. Allan Thompson); Sallie Maria, wife of Hon. Kensey Johns, Jr .; John, studied medicine, died in New Jersey at an early age; Arthur, clerk of court for many years in New Castle; James, undertook the study of medicine, but was compelled by ill health to abandon it; Su- san; George. The second wife of Dr. James McCallmont was Martha Me Mullen; their marriage took place in 1807; their children were: Matilda; George, 2; Francis, Mariana, wife of the late Dr. George MeCallmont, of Philadelphia; and one whose name is not recorded.

JOIIN DUNNING, Dover, Del., son of Sammel P. Dunning, was born in Greensboro, Caroline county, Md., March 10, 1837.

His grandfather, John Dunning, was an Englishman, who came to America and set- tled in Delaware. Samuel P. Dunning, son of the elder John Dunning, was born in Sus- sex county, Del. He was a prosperous tan- Her of Greensboro, Md., and for several years was proprietor of a hotel. He married and had eight children, one of whom was John. Samuel P. Dunning died in 1843; his widow died a few years later.

John Dunning was five years old when his father died, and several years later his mother removed to Dover, where he attended the public schools until he was sixteen. For six years he had a position as clerk in a Dover store, and in 1859 he removed to Chesapeake City, Md., where he was engaged in business

with his brother Charles until 1862. In 1861 he was arrested by Federal officers on account of his Southern sympathies, and confined for four months in Fort MeHlenry, Baltimore. Then he was paroled, and soon afterwards joined General Mosby's "Raiders," and re- mamed in the command of that daring leader until the close of the war. He was a fitting subordinate to Mosby in his bravery and dash and coolness under fire. He participated in many engagements, and had numerous thril- ling adventures and hairbreadth escapes. IIe assisted in the capture of a noted Federal general. During his term of service, Mr. Inuming was twice wounded, once by a sabre cut on the head, and the second time by a bul- let in the left leg, but during all that period he was off duty only twenty-four hours. The battalion to which he was attached was com- posed of Maryland and Virginia troops. IIe was superbly mounted on a blooded horse, and this animal proved his courage and en- durance by carrying Mr. Dunning away from his captors at Snickersville, Va. After the fight at Snicker's Gap, July 18, 1864, Mr. Dunning was captured while in pursuit of re- treating Union soldiers, but by making a bold dash he escaped into his own lines. When the war closed, Mr. Dunning returned to Dover, and later went to New Orleans, La., where he was clerk in a dry goods store for eighteen months. There his health failed, and he sought recovery in Texas, in which state he engaged in mercantile business for sixteen months. Unfortunately, a fire de- stroved all his possessions there, and he re- turned to Dover for a short time. He was subsequently a bookkeeper in Kentucky for two years, and then came back to Dover. He is now a real estate agent, in good business. For a short period he was engaged in the same occupation in Seaford, Del. Mr. Dunning is a member of the F. & A. M., having been initiated into the order in 1862. In politics he is a Democrat.

On August 10, 1874, John Dunning mar- ried Elizabeth Clements, of Ingleside, Queen Anne's county, Md. They have children: I. Elizabeth C., now twenty-two years old; II. Samuel P., fourteen years old. Mr. Dun- ning is a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church.

BENIALI THARP ANDERSON, of Mispillion hundred, Kent county, Del., son of

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Samuel and Mary A. (Spence) Anderson, was born on the homestead in Mispillion hundred, May 30, 1837.

Ezekiel Anderson, grandfather of Beniah T. Anderson, owned extensive tracts of land in Mispillion hundred, where he passed the greater part of his life. He was for several years justice of the peace, and was highly esteemed. He lived to celebrate his eightieth birthday.

Samuel Anderson, son of Ezekiel Ander- son, was born on the farm owned by Samuel Tharp, near Prospect, Mispillion hundred, October 20, 1807. He was educated in the schools of his native hundred and assisted his father during the summer. Mr. Anderson secured a clerkship in the hardware store of his unele, Major Laws, but soon resigned his position, and returning to the farm, devoted himself to husbandry. Mr. Anderson was a Whig, a good citizen, respected and esteemed in the community, and frequently served as a juror. Ile was also trustee of the almshouse for a number of years. Samuel Anderson was married to Mary A., daughter of Patrick Spence. Mrs. Anderson was born near Greenville, Kent county, Del., June 17, 1811. Their children are: I. Susan (Mrs. C. D. Amenken); HI. David, of Farmington, Del .; III. Beniah Tharp; IV. Clementine (Mrs. Clement Harrington); V. Mary R. ( Mrs. William T. Credick); VI. Samuel, farming in Iowa; VII. Annie (Mrs. Benja- min Cann). Mrs. Anderson has been a mem- Ler of the M. P. church from girlhood. Mr. Anderson joined the same church in 1831. Ile is a charter member of the congregation organized at Booth's schoolhouse, in Kent county, Del. IIe is active, liberal, and zeal- ous in all good works. In 1871 when the congregation decided to ereet a new church edifice, Mr. Anderson was the first to offer a liberal contribution. He died April 13, 1877. A kind, affectionate husband and an indul- gent father, Mr. Anderson has left to his chil- dren that best of legacies, the example of a consistent Christian life.

Beniah Tharp Anderson attended the Tom- ahawk school, two and a half miles from his home, from his fifth to his twentieth year. The teachers were inefficient, but Beniah was an apt scholar and made good use of his oppor- tunities. As soon as he was able, he began

workng with his father, and remained at home until he attained his majority. Mr. Anderson began farming for himself on a part of the homestead, which his father di- vided, building a house on the part farmed by his son. After renting for fifteen years, Mr. Anderson took charge of the homestead, and at his father's death, in 1877, purchased the property. He is not only a successful farmer, but has utilized some waste land by opening his brickyard. Mr. Anderson was a Whig, but afterwards identified himself with the Know-Nothing party. Ile is now a Prohi- bitionist. During the war of the Rebellion he enlisted in Company HI, Sixth Delaware Volunteers, and served for nine months.

Beniah Tharp Anderson was married, in 1857, to Mary Jane, daughter of Stephen and IIester Ann (Taylor) Redden. Their children are: I. Laura B. (Mrs. W. W. Collison); II. Ezekiel, of Milford, Del .; III. George L., of Philadelphia, Pa .; IV. Mary A. (Mrs. George Nums), resides near Milford, Del .; V. Charles II., of Newark, Del .; VI. Beniah, a farmer, of Mispillion hundred. Mrs. Mary Jane Anderson died at the home- stead in 1877. Mr. Anderson's second wife was Ann C., daughter of Joseph and Susan (Mason) Frazier. Their children are: I. Nora ( Mrs. Lawrence Morris); II. Caroline; III. Samuel; IV. Susan; V. Elizabeth. Mr. Anderson has been a member of the M. P. church for forty years, and has held the of- fices of Sunday-school superintendent and class-leader.

JAMES II. VANE, P. O. Dover, Del., son of William G. and Mary (Denny) Vane, was born in Duck Creek hundred, Kent county, Del., February 4, 1843.

William G. Vane came to Delaware in 1806, in his fourth year, with an unele, who afterward went to another part of Delaware, and was never afterwards seen by his nephew. After he reached manhood, Mr. Vane eu- gaged in farming on his own account, leasing, It never owning the lands he cultivated. He died January 2, 1851, leaving a widow and nine children, all young.

James II. Vane was the sixth child, and was but seven years old when his father died. He attended the district school until he was

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fourteen, and with his brothers and sisters, as- sisted his mother to the extent of his ability in doing the work on the farm. In 1859 the devoted mother died, and the children went to different homes. James H. Vane lived with his unele, James Young, for two years, and worked almost the entire time on the farm. He had no opportunity to obtain much educational training here, and he left his un- cle's house and began tinsmithing. After a year spent at that employment, he enlisted, in 1862, in Company F., Sixth Regiment, Dela- ware Volunteer Infantry, for nine months. The greater part of this time he was stationed on the Peninsula. At the expiration of his time of service he was discharged. In June, 1864, he was drafted, but did not respond. Instead, he re-enlisted, in July of that year, in his former Company, in the Sixth Dela- ware Infantry. When his term of thirty days was ended, he again enlisted, September 3, 1864, for one hundred days. He served one hundred and forty-six days, and was honor- ably discharged. His principal duty during this time was the guarding of prisoners at Fort Delaware. He returned home ill, and did not recover his health for some time. When able to resume work, Mr. Vane en- gaged in blacksmithing, and continued at this occupation for seven years, in Leipsie and Dover. He removed to the latter place in 1866. In 1872 he took up photography and has carried on that business with success. Ile is a Republican, and a member of the A. T. A. Torbert Post, No. 3, G. A. R.

James II. Vane was married in 1875, to Lydia Pierce, of Caroline county, Md. They have two children: I. Mary P .; II. Harry. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

IIENRY L. SMITH, of Duck Creek hun- dred, Kent county, Del., son of Joseph J. and Eliza (LeCompte) Smith, was born on his father's estate in West Dover hundred, Kent county, September 5, 1839.

He attended the district schools in the same neighborhood until 1861. The family being in limited circumstances, he was early com- pelled to secure work. He was thrifty, and saved a great part of his earnings. After leaving school he began an apprenticeship as house carpenter and wheelwright in West

Dover hundred, but before completing it went to Mississippi, and worked at his trade, first in that state and afterwards in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and in Toledo, Ohio. Mr. Smith returned home in December, 1866, and procured employment as a journeyman wheelwright in Hazlettsville, West Dover hundred. There he remained until 1887, when he abandoned his trade for an agricul- tural life, and began farming near Centre church. He leased farms for several years, and settled in Duck Creek hundred, on his present tract, in January, 1895. In past years Mr. Smith was a well known and popu- lar teacher of vocal music. He has been very active in politics, as a member of the Demo- cratie party, and has been elected to a number of offices. Ile has been tax collector and in- spector of elections. He is much interested in school matters, and the cause of education has no firmer or better informed friend in his district. In 1897 Mr. Smith served on the grand jury.

Ilenry L. Smith was married to Flora A. Fox, who was reared in the state of New York. Their children are: I. Cleveland, a farmer of Duck Creek hundred: II. Lyman, at home. Mrs. Flora A. Smith died, in 1883, on the farm now owned by Mr. Smith, near the Ahnshouse. Mr. Smith married as his second wife Ella Moore, of West Dover hun- dred. Mr. Smith is a member and steward of the Raymond M. E. church, and but recently resigned the position of superintendent of the Sunday school. He is chorister of the church.

JONATHAN LONGFELLOW, P. O. Whiteleysburg, Kent county, Del., son of Jonathan and Esther (Griffin) Longfellow, was born near Baptist Branch, South Murder- kill hundred, Kent county, Del., June 17, 1817.

Jonathan Longfellow, father of Jonathan Longfellow, Jr., was a native of Kent county, Del. During the war of 1812 he was drafted, but, being unable to go to war, sent a substi- tute. Jonathan Longfellow was married to Esther Griffin. Their children are: I. Nancy (Mrs. Hurson Cohee), died in Kent county, Del .; II. Elizabeth (Mrs. Isaac Kemwill), died in Columbia county, Ind .; III. Mary (Mrs. James Hurd), died in Kent county, Del .; IV. James, died near his birthplace in

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Kent county, Del .; V. Rebecca (Mrs. Daniel Gooden), died in Willow Grove, Del .; VI. Jonathan. Mr. Longfellow died at his home in Kent county, Del., in 1819, aged forty; his widow lived to be an octogenarian.

Jonathan Longfellow was two years old when his father died. His mother's energy and patience enabled her to keep her family together at the homestead. Jonathan, there- fore, grew up on the farm, and as soon as he was old enough to work, began to assist his mother, with whom he remained until his marriage. During the winter months he at- tended the subscription, and afterwards the public schools of the hundred. Mr. Longfel- low began farming for himself on land which he received from his wife's relatives. This land was valued at $160; on it was a small log house, in which he and his wife lived un- til they had saved enough to buy another farm. He was an energetic, progressive hus- bandman, and has added acre to acre until he now owns eleven farms. Thirteen years ago, Mr. Longfellow retired from active farm life, and removed to his present home at White- leysville, Del. He has always voted the Democratie ticket. Mr. Longfellow is highly Esteemed for his energy and good judgment. Although he has passed his eighty-first birth- day, his health is good and his step firm. He is interested in public affairs, fond of reading, genial, hospitable, and talks intelligently on all the topics of the day. Mr. Longfellow's memory is excellent, and he tells many inter- esting stories of old times, among these he of- ten speaks of the hard times during the ad- ministration of President John Quincy Adams, when corn sold for twenty-five cents per bushel.

Jonathan Longfellow was married March 8, 1836, to Amy, daughter of William Cub- bage. Mrs. Amy Longfellow died July 3, 1854; of their eight children only two sur- vived her: I. James; II. Amy Ellen (Mrs. Wadman Hopkins), deceased. Mr. Longfel- low was married, September 21, 1854, to Sa- rah Elizabeth Conner. Their children are: I. Thomas Henry: II. Laura V. ( Mrs. John Green), died in Philadelphia, Pa .; III. Ida Belle (Mrs. Henry Hughes), of Kenton, Del .; IV. Annie Florence (Mrs. George Dill); V. Marl Elizabeth (Mrs. James Thorley); VI. Ernest; VII. Ella; VIII. George, died aged fifteen. Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Longfellow

died July 29, 1882. Mr. Longfellow was married, January 9, 1883, to his third wife, Mary A. Horney. Mr. Longfellow and his wife attend the Baptist church.

GEORGE W. CHURCHMAN, for over thirty years the most prominent lumber mer- chant in the state of Delaware, was born at Darby, Pa., May 12, 1811, and died in Wil- mington, February 24, 1871. He was of the sixth generation in direct line of descent from John Churchman, a native of Sussex, Eng- land, who, in 1692, at the age of seventeen years, emigrated to America and settled in Pennsylvania. The distinguished mathe- matician and philosopher, John Churchman, born 1753, died 1805, was a descendant of the same John Churchman. His brother, George Churchman, was a noted minister of the So- ciety of Friends, and was the first person to make a complete map of the peninsula com- prising Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

George W. Churchman grew to manhood at Darby, Pa. He was the second son of Ca- leb and Martha Churchman. Their other children were: John S., Frances, Ann, Re- becca, Henry L., Sarah, and Martha. Their father was a farmer and cattle dealer; he also owned a bark-mill at Darby, and was a neigh- bor and intimate associate of Stephen Gi- rard.

Early in life, George W. Churchman ac- quired many of the excellent business meth- ods of that great financier. After leaving school, he was in business at Darby with his father, until he reached the age of twenty-one years. In 1832 he purchased the historie saw and grist-mill property at Naaman's Creek, now the site of Claymont, and the same year removed to Delaware and took charge of his mills. He manufactured lumber, and also bought in much of the grain from the sur- rounding country and ground it into four for the trade. Prospering in all his business op- erations, he soon enlarged and improved the entire mill property, making it the most com- plete industry of the kind in the state.

In 1838 he became interested in the de- velopment of the lumber interests of Central Pennsylvania, purchased large tracts of tim- berland in Cameron and Clearfield counties,

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in that state, and at once began operations. Hle spent much time in the lumber regions, superintending the work of felling the trees, hewing the logs into square timber and form- ing the rafts which were conveyed down the Susquehanna. Ile was very successful in this business and soon made a fortime, all of which was lost by a freshet on the Susque- hanna, the entire product of one year having floated down the river. Much of his valuable timber lands were as yet uneleared, and his credit was good. Ile went diligently to work, and within a very few years recovered from his disaster. Continuing with great success in the business, at the time of his death, he owned pine and hemlock timber lands in Cen- tral Pennsylvania to the value of two hundred thousand dollars. The preparation of this timber for the market was an exceedingly in- teresting and profitable business, and in the early years of George W. Churchman's carcer was one of the chief industries of Pennsyl- vania. The timber was brought from the mountain districts down the small streams in rafts to Lock Haven, then the greatest lumber market in the United States. From this point they were floated in charge of pilots, down the Susquehanna to Marietta, where new pilots took charge and safely steered them through the dangerous rapids of the river to Peach Bottom. From thence other men piloted them to Port Deposit, the place of delivery, and the head of tide-water on the Susque- banna. From this point the rafts were towed down the Chesapeake Bay, up Elk River into Back Creek, where they were made into "lockings" of sufficient size and length to readily pass through the Delaware and Chesa- peake C'anal and its locks, to Delaware ('ity and thence up the river. Nearly all rafts were sold by their owners at Lock Haven or Marietta, both of which were lively business towns, during the rafting season of the early spring months of each year. George W. Churchman prepared thousands of rafts on his lands in Pennsylvania, and sold them to the trade in New York, Philadelphia, Wil- mington and elsewhere. The rafts sold in New York were towed up the Delaware to Bordentown, and thence taken through the Delaware and Raritan Canal to their place of destination. A large amount of his own timber he conveyed in rafts to his saw-mill on

Naaman's Creek, where he manufactured them into lumber on orders from nearly all the leading ship-builders and manufacturing establishments in Wilmington and the sur- rounding country. He also soll square tim- ber and lumber to the Philadelphia and Ches- ter market.

Mr. Churchman's extensive business opera- tions brought him into close relation and inti- maey with a great many prominent business men of Pennsylvania, Delaware and Mary- land, and he was everywhere known as an up- right man, of the highest honor and most sterling integrity. His indomitable energy, rare tact and comprehensive knowledge of the lumber trade made him one of the most prom- inent business men of his day in Delaware. In 1867 he moved to Wilmington, though he continued his interest in his timber trade un- til his death. He was one of the organizers, and became a director of the Mechanics' Bank of Wilmington, and was one of the promoters in the establishment of the First National Bank of Wilmington, to the development of which institution he lent his best influence.

In politics, George W. Churchman was or- iginally a stanch Whig, and later was the founder of the Know-Nothing party in Brandywine hundred. When the Republi- can party was organized, he became an earnest advocate of its policy and principles, and con- tinued a member of that party through the re- mainder of his life.

The lottery business, which had long been conducted in Delaware, contained many fea- tures obnoxious to the citizens of the state. Mr. Churchman was one of the foremost in advocating the passage of the law to abolish it. In November, 1858, with that object in view, he became a candidate for the Legisla- ture to represent Brandywine hundred, with the avowed purpose of attempting to secure the passage of the required legislation. A bill was introduced, and during the same ses- sion was passed, accomplishing the object de- sired. The efforts of Mr. Churchman in this work were appreciated by the people, and in 1860 he was re-elected to the same office and served as a member of the Legislature of Del- aware during the first two years of the Civil War.

Ile was a member of the Society of Friends, and inherited the strong traits and marked

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characteristics of that religious people. With all his neighbors and associates, of all politi- cal parties or religious sects, he was univer- sally popular and very highly esteemed. Es- pecially was this the case in Brandywine hun- dren, where he spent most of his useful life. Ile was instrumental in securing the establish- ment of a post-office and railway station at Naaman's Creek, now Claymont and erected nearly all the first houses in the vil- lage.

George W. Churchman was married Jan- uary 31, 1838, to Ann Eliza Shull, of Dela- ware county Pa. Their children were: Ca- leb, Frederick 1., William II., George, Maria S. and Charles.

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 69

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