Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 91

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

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lle was a member of the Old Whig party till 1860, when he became a Republican, and was a strong Union man and patriot during the war.

In his nineteenth year he united with the Methodist Church, in which he was trustee and class-leader for many years, and of which he had always been a liberal supporter and a leading member.

Jacob Kinder was married, December 20, 1832, to Mary, daughter of Wingate and Sallie ( Wilson) Cannon, of the same hundred, and had seven children. They are: I. Char- lotte Clay, wife of Samuel H. Melson, farmer, of Caroline county, Maryland; HI. Lewis Wright, married Catherine Ross; IHI. John Henry, married Maria Melson; IV. Eliza- beth, married James M. Hollis, of Greenwood; V. Stephen Warren; VI. Wesley Spry; VII. David Bates Kinder.

PROF. PANCOAST ALLEN was born in Gloucester county, N. J., November 12, 1834. His parents were Garrett G. and Rachel Allen. Ile was sent to school at an early age, attending the academy in Glass- boro, and received a good English education. At the age of sixteen years he was apprenticed to the trade of glass-blowing and worked at this business as a journeyman for several years.

Very early in life Mr. Allen manifested a great fondness for umisie. In those days the country afforded but poor facilities for a musi cal education, but he availed himself of such instruction as was given in the old fashioned singing schools of those days and embraced every opportunity to cultivate his musical taste. In the fall of 1862 he removed to Salem, N. J., where he continued to follow his trade, devoting all his leisure to the study of music. In the spring of 1865 he deter- mined to enter the Normal Academy of Music, at Genesee, Livingston county, N. Y., and after examination was admitted as a pu- pil in that institution, then under the direc- tion of the celebrated Italian voice trainer, Carlo Bassini, and the distinguished organist, John Zundel.

Mr. Allen applied himself diligently to vocal culture, and received a very compliment- ary endorsement from the president upon his leaving the academy. Immediately upon his return to Salem he was appointed master of the choir of South Street Methodist Epis- copal Church, which position he held until 1868, when he removed to Millville, N. J., and engaged in the confectionary business. After conducting this business successfully for a year he disposed of it and entered fully upon the profession of music. He was

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appointed professor of music for the public schools by the Board of Education, and also was called to the position of organist in the First Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Allen held these positions until the summer of 1570, when, at the solicitation of his friend, the late J. E. Gould, of Philadelphia, he removed to Wilmington, Delaware, and entered upon business, at No. 107 West Seventh street, where he devoted what time he could to teach- ing vocal and instrumental music. His in- creasing business demanded a more commo- dious building, and in October, 1876, he re- moved to the Masonic Temple, Market street.

In December, of the same year, he took into partnership Mr. F. G. Smith, of Brooklyn, N. Y., manufacturer of the celebrated Brad- bury Piano. The firm was known as Smith and Allen, and this partnership continued for one year, when Mr. Allen assumed full control of this extensive business, in which he has been very successful.

In 1877 Mr. Allen received a call to the position of chorister in the Delaware Avenue Baptist Church, under the pastorate of Rev. Isaac M. Haldeman. Being elected by a unanimous vote of the church, he accepted, and at once organized a large chorus choir of some forty voices. As a teacher of music, Professor Allen was very successful, and had a large munber of pupils to whom he devoted his excellent instructions. Unlike many of his profession, he gave his time and talent to the churches gratuitously, and was the first to introduce the cornet into church music in Wilmington. Professor Allen was united in marriage July, 1859, to Miss Martha, daugh- ter of Mr. Jonathan Wallen, of Millville, N. J.

HION. JOHN FLETCHER STAATS, Ex- Auditor of Delaware, was born at Fieldsboro, January 9, 1835. His father was Elias Nau- dain Staats, who was by occupation a school teacher. He was a gentleman of excellent education and unblemished character. ITis mother was Martha, daughter of John Wel- don, a farmer of Appoquinimink hundred.

After the death of Elias Naudain Staats, which occured in 1835, she married John Ly- man, and after his death became the wife of John Nandain.

Jolm F. Staats attended the school at Fields- boro until 17 years of age, when he obtained a clerkship in Odessa, with Beaston & Wat- kins, which he continued until 1834, when he went West. Upon his return he began the mercantile business, locating at Blackbird, which he conducted for two years. His busi- ness at first was a success; he sold his goods for cash only, but afterward began a credit business and lost everything.

In 1862 he returned to Fieldsboro and pur- chased the estate known as the "Old Staats Homestead," where he settled. This farm consisted of 236 acres, and at the time of his purchase it contained an orchard of 1,000 peach trees, the number of which he increase.l until he had 6,000 in bearing. It proved a paying investment until 1880, when nearly all his trees were destroyed by a heavy storm. In polities Mr. Staats was a Democrat, but never a politican.

IIe was Commissioner of Public Roads for his district for four years, from 1870 to 1874. Ile was elected State Auditor by the Legis- lature in 1879, which position he filled with credit for two years. He is Secretary of the State Board of Education, having held this office for two terms. Mr. Staats was an en- terprisnig citizen and a gentleman of intelli- gence and character, a strong temperance ad- vocate, honorable in all his dealings and a man of great energy and industry. He became a member of the M. E. church, which he joined when but a lad of 12 years. He was united in marriage, March 31, 1858, to Miss Martha R., daughter of Mark Davis, a leading farmer of New Castle county. Four children have been born to this union: 1. Clarence D .; II. Martha E .; THI. Mary E .; IV. Jomm M. Staats.

JAMES HENRY GROVES, A. M., was born at Red Lion, New Castle county, Mav 17, 1837, son of Richard and Ann (Hender- son) Groves.

Richard Groves was a man of excellent Christian character, universally esteemed, an.} was all his life a member of the Methodist church, in which, for many years, he held official position. He died in the city of Wil- mington, September 18, 1879. His father was Benjamin Groves, also a farmer in Now

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Castle county. The Groves family are des- cended from Hans Graff, who emigrated from Sweden; the name having gradually change.1 to Grove and finally to Groves.

Mrs. Groves was Ann (Benson), daughter of Captain John Henderson, of Cecil county, Md., who came from Ireland at the age of seventeen. He served as an officer in the war of 1812, and was twice a member of the Mary- land Legislature. He was descended from the Starts of Scotland, the line of deseent being carefully preserved.

James Henry Groves attended the public school in his county until fifteen years of age, after which he spent one term at the Confor- ence Academy in Charlotteville, N. Y. Re- turning home he worked on the farm during the following summer, but was fully resolved to obtain an education, though aware that he must rely entirely upon his own efforts. He entered Dickinson College in 1859, but seven months later went to Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn. In the fall of 1562 he commenced teaching a public school near Kirkwood, New Castle county, and during five years, gradually rose in his profession, securing better compensation.

In 1867 Mr. Groves taught seven months in. a Friends' school in Bucks county, Penna., after which he was two years Principal of the Grammar school in Odessa. Following this he was Principal of a private school in the same place for two years, and next was Principal three years of the Friends' school before mentioned. The year following he was Principal of the Smyrna seminary.

On the passage of the school law, provid- ing for a state superintendent, Governor John P. Cochran, on April 18, 1875, appointed Mr. Groves superintendent of the free school: of the state of Delaware. Being the first to hold this office, he had to organize the edu- cational system in the state, and establish it upon a sound basis, a work requiring great labor, and long continued effort, but in which he was remarkably successful, and commend- ed himself to the people.

By his industry, talent, and generally ac- knowledged worth he rose to the highest posi- tion in the educational interests of the state. In 1879 Delaware College conferred upon him the honorary degree of Master of Arts, Mr. Groves was made a master Mason in 1869, and

was from his childhood a member of the M. E. church. He was married, October 15, 1874, to Miss Eunna F., daughter of William and Mary P. (Kitchin) Flowers.

DAVID WILSON was born in Sussex county, about 1785. He was a Friend, and was of Scotch ancestry. In his young man- hood, and soon after his first marriage, he came to Cantwell's Bridge, where between the years 1768 and 1772, he built a large brick dwelling house His first wife and the chil- dren he had by her died not long after his arrival at Odessa, and in 1769 he married Mary, daughter of Daniel and Mary ( Brinton) Corlit. They had two children: I. Rachel, afterward the wife of Samuel Thomas, for many years a successful merchant and promi- nent man of Cantwell's Bridge; II. David.

David Wilson was the founder of the grain and produce shipping business of Odessa, in which he was largely and successfully engag- ed for over fifty years. He owned a number of vessels, and did much to build up the town. He was one of the leading citizens of New Cas- tle county, a man of high character and greatly loved and respected, an affectionate husband and an indulgent father. He died in 1820. Ilis wife died about 1805.

WILLIAM ALEXANDER JACOBS was born in Sussex county, Del., February 15, 1821, son of Thomas and Eliza Jacobs. He attended the schools of his vicinity in winter, until he was nineteen years of age. Ile remained with his father until he gained his majority, when he began the pursuit of agriculture upon his own account, on a farm known as "Danville," which he inherited from his father, contain- ing 268 acres. In 1860 he planted an orchard of 200 peach trees, and in 1870 increased the quantity to 1,000 trees. They paid very well for a number of years, but Mr. Jacobs found that raising grain was the most. profita- lle and he gave his attention to that kind of agriculture. He became a Democrat and ser- ved as Inspector of Elections for his district many times.

Mr. Jacobs joined the order of Grangers in 1877, and was chaplain of "Sunnyside"

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Grange, No. 7, at Bridgeville, Del. He was united in marriage, November, 1848 to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Peter and Sallie Can- non, of Sussex county. Of this marriage there are the following children: I. George C .; II. William HI .; ILI. Sallie (Mrs. John Wiley); IV. Mary; V. Caroline; VI. Belle; VII. Lizzie; VIII. Ella; IX. Alexander.

GEORGE M. FISHER, was born in Bal- timore, Md., February 23, 1845. His father, William Fisher, a farmer of Queen Anne's county, Md., was related to the Fisher family of Delaware, all of whom are descended from three brothers who are supposed to have come to America with William Penn. William Fisher, the father, died at the age of 70 years in 1879. George Fisher's mother was Sarah R., daughter of George Smith, of Queen Anne county, Md. She died in 1869, aged 55 years.

George M. Fisher was the eldest of a family of eleven. Ile attended school in the winter until he was twelve years of age, and at four- teen engaged as clerk in the town of Centre- ville. He continued to follow this occupa- tion at various places until he became clerk for J. T. Jakes, of Wyoming, with whom he remained until 1867, when he went to Eastman's Business College, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., from which institution he was graduat- ed and returned to Delaware. Mr. Fisher then engaged as traveling salesman for W. & II. R. Riegel, of Philadelphia, with whom he continued until 1868, at which time he re- turned to Wyoming, and began the mercantile business with J. T. Jakes, under the firm name of Jakes & Co. This partnership continued for ten years, when Mr. Fisher retired and began in 1878 to buy and sell fruit and grain on commission, occupying the large buildings of the Railroad Company. He made this business a success by his honorable dealing and close attention. George M. Fisher was married to Miss Maggie, daughter of William P. Lindale, of Wyoming, January 11, 1870.

ABSALOM ILALLOCK CAREY was born in Orange county, New York, July 30,

1831. Ilis father, Absalom Carey, a farmer, was born in the same place in 1802. In January, 1832, he moved to Chemung coun- ty, in the same State, in which place his son grew to maturity. Absalom Carey was mar- ried, in 1827, to Elizabeth, daughter of Zebu- lon and Bethiah (Booth) Hallock. Zebulon Hallock was born in 1767, and his wife in 1765. Ilis father, also named Zebulon HIal- lock, was born in 1727, and his wife Elizabeth, 1745.

The Halloeks were originally from Eng- land and among the early settlers of New England. General Hallock was from this stock. The paternal grandfather of Absalom Il. Carey, who also bore the name of Absalom, was a native of Orange county, N. Y., from which place he removed to Chemung, where he died at the age of eighty. He was a lineal descendant of Sir Robert Carey of England, as was also the father of Alice and Phoebe Carey the celebrated poetesses.

Absalom HI. Carey attended the common schools, and for two years the academy at Factoryville. In 1848 he went to work in a nursery, and was shortly made collector and financial agent of the business.

In 1851 he visited the Western States in the interests of his employers, and purchased land in La Crosse, Wisconsin, with a view to establish a nursery there, It on his way back he was captivated with the wonderful ac- counts, then just received, of gold discoveries in Australia, and embarked with three hun- dred and sixty-four others, on the second ship that sailed from New York for the Australian gold fields. Arriving in Melbourne, August 10, 1852, he spent a few months in mining at Ballarat, after which he opened a board- ing house at the mines which succeeded well.

The next year he, with another man, built the United States Hotel, then the largest and finest on the gold field, in which they pros- pered; but in 1855 it was burned, and all that he had made in the three years was swept away. Greatest kindness, however, was shown them; friends helped them most gener- ously, and the house was rebuilt. This en- terprise Mr. Carey considered the greatest success of his life, and the personal regard and consideration then evinced toward him was a source of great pride and pleasure with him.

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But his health failed after three years more of hard work and confinement, and for two year's he turned his attention to buying and exporting wool to England. During all this time he had still much to do with mining, and upon the discovery of gold in New Zealand, he disposed of his business and went to that island. Here he erected the Commercial Hotel and American Bowling Saloon, and made money rapidly.

In Angu-t, 1864, he sold out and started for home by the way of Sidney, New South Wales. Reaching San Francisco, he traveled some- time in California, and bought an interest in the celebrated silver mine, "Yellow Jacket." Ile arrived in New York by the way of the Isthmus, July 30, 1865, landing at the same wharf from which he had embarked, in March, 1852. Finding that the climate of his native state was too severe, he removed to Delaware, and purchased the farm on which he afterward resided, and which he greatly improved and enriched. In 1865 he bought another large farm, which was also devoted largely to fruit.

Mr. Carey was made a Mason in 1862, in Queenstown, New Zealand, and in 1560, had become a member of the Ancient Order of Foresters. When he left the above country he was Past Chief Ranger, the highest office in the order. He brought with him a certifi- cate, munerously signed, attesting the high esteem in which he was held as a member, and also a citizen. Absalom II. Carey mar- ried at Ballarat, January 6, 1855, Miss Do- rette Ilahn, a native of Hanover, Germany. They had eleven children. The three eldest, one son and two daughters, born in Australia, died in New Zealand, of diptheria, in March, 1861, Wilhelmina, Clutha and Matalana Elizabeth, were born in Queenstown. The others born in Delaware, are Albert, Marian- na Dorette, Charles Otto, Fanny Julianna, Edith Eliza, and Robert Absalom.

Mr. and Mrs. Carey united with the Baptist Church, in Wyoming, in 1872, and in 1875 Mr. Carey was elected a deacon.

CAPT. RICHARD E. SMITHI was born in Wilmington, October 28, 1828. ITis father was John Smith, a member of Captain David C. Wilson's Company of Wilmington,

and served in the war of 1812, and died in 1840, aged 45 years. Ilis mother was Mi-s Anna Maria, daughter of Richard and Anne Bradshaw. Anna Bradshaw was the daugh- ter of William Short, who served in the Con- tinental Army, and distinguished himself for brave conduct in the battle of Brandywine.

The father of John was Thomas Smith, who married Miss Hannah Kirk.

Capt. Richard E. Smith after attendance upon school, at 16 years of age learned the trade of coach and ornamental painting. Hle married in August, 1855, Miss Emeline Brown of Woodstown, New Jersey. Ile con- tinned to work at his trade until 1857, when, his health failing, upon the recommendation of his physician, he traveled through several of the western States,

On his return he located in Middletown, New Castle County.

When the Rebellion commenced and Fort Sumpter was fired on in April of 1861, his patriotic feelings were aroused, and he took a decided and uncompromising stand for the Government. Ile was the first man in his community to hoist the stars and stripes.

In the autumn of 1861, he commenced to recruit volunteers for the Goverment. In April, 1862, was mustered into the three years' service as first Lieutenant in the 3rd Regiment of Delaware Volunteers (Infantry). Ile served in all the campaigns in which his regiment was engaged, until 1864, when he received an appointment on the staff of Gen- cral E. B. Tyler. On the 15th of September of that year, so great was his appreciation of the services rendered by him, that the General addressed a letter to Gov. William Cannon, of Delaware asking that he interest himself to secure his promotion to a higher rank. This letter is dated as above from Headquarters of First Separate Brigade and was accompanied by a letter from Colonel Crane, Chief Com- missary of Subsistence, eighth army corps, urging the claims of Lieutenant Smith to the rank of Captain and Commissary of Subsist- (']R.C.

Such has been the service rendered by him during the trying times of the rebel raids, as to enlist the hearty efforts of his superior offi- cers in his behalf as a testimonial of their ap- preciation. At the battle of Monoracy he served as volunteer aid on the staff of Gen-

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eral Lew Wallace. He rejoined his regiment in November, 1864, then lying in front of Petersburg, and at the close of the war was mustered out, April 2, 1865.

Captain Smith on his return to civil pur- suits became active in political affairs as an outspoken Republican. He was sent as a delegate to the soldiers and sailors' conven- tion held in Chicago, which nominated Gen- eral Grant for President. He served also as delegate to the National Republican Conven- tion of 1872, held in Philadelphia.

HON. OUTERBRIDGE HORSEY, a native of Delaware, was born in 1777. After completing his classical education, he studied law under James A. Bayard, and rose to emi- nence in his profession. He was for many years Attorney General of the State, and was a Senator in Congress, from Delaware, from 1×10 to 1821. He died at Needwood, Mary- land, June 9, 1842.

MORRIS M. STEVENSON was born in Dover, February 26, 1840, son of James II. and Temperance A. (Morris) Stevenson. His father was a builder in his early life but he- came a merchant in 1846. He was a man of honor and uprightness, with great energy and enterprise, and enjoyed the full confidence and respect of the community. He died in 1849, at the age of thirty-eight.

The grandfather of M. Morris Stevenson, Thomas Stevenson, was born in Smyrna (thou called Duck Creek Cross Roads,) February 25, 1787. Ile was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for half a century, and for many years was a Justice of the Peace in Dover. He died in that place November 10, 1865, when in his seventy-ninth year. He was the son of James Stevenson, who came to this country from England, some- time prior to 1774, and settled at Duck Creek Cross Roads. He married Margaret Denny, February 14, 1775. He was an Episcopalian and highly esteemed as a citizen. His descend- ants have ever since been residents of the same locality, living mostly in Smyrna and Dover.

M. Morris Stevenson attended in his boy-

hood the public schools of his native place, and for three years the private school of Prof. William Sharp. At the age of fourteen he entered as a clerk the drug store of D. F. Barton, with whom he remained six years. In May, 1860, while still under age, he removed to Felton, and embarked in the drug business on his own account.

Hle was postmaster from 1866 to 1868. He connected himself with the Masonic order of his town in May, 1872.

M. Morris Stevenson was married Septem- ber 20, 1865, to Miss Lydia Walton, youngest daughter of David Walton, late of Milford. Mr. Walton was a man of remarkable Chris- tian character. He died in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson had the following children: I. Lucretia M .; II. Fannie B .; III. Grace Walton Stevenson.

ALFRED P. ROBINSON, was born in Georgetown, February 17, 1842. He received a good English education in the schools of his native place, and leaving the academy at the age of seventeen and a-half, he at once commenced reading law in his father's office. IIe was admitted to the bar in April, 1863, when he was twenty-one years of age, and be- gan the practice of his profession as his father's partner. His success was marked from the first, and after the death of his father, May 4, 1866, he continued alone the professional busi- ness of the firm.

In 1875, he was Clerk of the State Senate, and the same year was appointed Deputy At- torney General, by Ilon. John B. Pennington, then Attorney General for the State. He was a delegate to the Democratie National Conven- tion, held in Cincinnati in 1880.

IRVING GALBRAITH GRIFFITH . was born near Newark, March 13, 1833, son of Joseph and Agnes (Adams) Griffith. He was reared upon the home farm, attending school at Jones' school house, near his home, until fourteen years of age, when for two years he was sent te Newark Academy, then under the direction of Prof. William Meigs. After leaving school he assisted upon the farm for three years. At

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the age of twenty-one he went to Baltimore county, Maryland, and engaged in farming upon his own account, which he continued for three years, when he returned to Delaware. In 1857 he purchased the farm known as "Bacon Hall," formerly the property of John M. Clayton, near the village of St. Augustine, Maryland. This farm contains three hundred and ten acres of valuable land.

Politically Mr. Griffith was a Democrat, but not a partizan. He became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, having join- ed that denomination early. Irving Gal- braith Griffith was married December 15, 1858, to Miss Araminta Maria, daughter of John and Caroline (Seamans) Frazier, of Kent county, Maryland. Five children survive of this marriage, viz: I. Caroline S .; H. Joseph S .; III. Irving G., Jr .; IN. Mary M .; V. Elva S. Griffith.

HENRY M. MCMULLEN was born in New Castle county, September 25, 1831. Ilis great-grandfather, Samuel MeMullen, emi- grated from Scotland about the middle of the eighteenth century and settled near Glasgow in the province of Delaware which was then attached to Pennsylvania and known as the three lower counties on the Delaware. The grandfather of our subject, Robert MeMullen, an only son, lived and died in New Castle county, as did his only son, Samuel MeMul- len, the father of Marshal Me Mullen.

The family have been chiefly devoted to agricultural pursuits, and greatly respected in the community, never aspiring to, and rare- ly accepting, public office. Henry M. Me- Mullen was educated in the common schools of his native county. His father died in 1845, when he was only in his fifteenth year, and he was obliged to take upon himself the respon- sibility of assisting his mother in managing the affairs of the farm. He however continu- ed to attend school during the winter months, until he reached his nineteenth year, when he turned his entire attention to the farm of which he took sole charge upon attaining his majority. At the death of his mother, Mary ( Hugg) MeMullen, in 1860, he and a younger brother inherited the paternal estate.

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. II, Part 91

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