Historical and biographical encyclopaedia of Delaware. V 2, Part 16

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Publication date: 1972
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Number of Pages: 776

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ORTER, ROBERT ROBINSON, M. D., late of Wilmington, was born in 1811. His father, Robert Porter, was one of the most influential and enterprising citizens of that city. He established The Chris- tian Intelligencer, and later The Delaware Siuie Fournal, long the staunchest Whig paper in the State. R. R. Porter obtained his early edu- cation chiefly at the celebrated school of Rev. Dr. Magraw, of West Nottingham. From early life he had almost a passion for the medi- cal profession, and with this end in view, pur- sued his studies with great assiduity, gradua- ting from the University of Pennsylvania about 1835. He was then for a time connected with the Blockley Almshouse, and still further pur- sued his researches into medical science under the first physicians of his time. Accepting next the position of Resident Physician at the Frankford Insane Asylum, he acquired there a valuable experience, and published his obser- vations in the American Medical Journal. He commenced the regular practice of his profes- sion in Philadelphia, where he assisted Dr. Samuel Morton in the preparation of his work on "Phthisis Pulmonalis." Soon after he re- moved to his native city where his skill, urban- ity and conscientious devotion to his profcs- sional duties soon secured him a large and lu- crative practice. He was progressive in his character and always in the van of those in- ferested in the wider and fuller development of medical science, while his course towards his professional colleagues was marked by a scrupulously high sense of honor, liberality and I only daughter of the late Judge Willard Hall.

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE.

Dr. Porter died April 14, 1876. His health had united with the M. E. church in 1850, and has been failing for two years, still his death was been a trustee of St. Paul's, at Odessa, since sudden, and the shock to his friends and the 1867. He devotes his influence and means to community was great. Sorrow for the loss of the cause of christianity, and enjoys the warm one so generally loved and esteemed, so ready esteem of his neighbors and the community. always for every good word and work, and He was united in marriage to Miss Hannah M., who had filled up the measure of his days daughter of Matthew Crist, December 4, 1851. They have had five children : Belle J., Cathe- rine C., Harry, a most promising young man, who died May 3, 1876, in his twentieth year ; Rachel, and May Appleton. with usefulness and honor, found free expres- sion through the press and in every gathering. His name and the record of his life are a legacy of great worth, not only to his family, but to his native city and state.

PPLETON, HENRY HOFFECKER Farmer, near Odessa, was born in Thor- oughfare Neck, New Castle county, January 13, 1829. His father, John Appleton, was a successful farmer, and one of the pioneer peach growers of Delaware. His farms near Odessa, contain some very fine orchards. He married, in 1824, Rachel, daugh- ter of Martin Hoffecker, of Smyrna. (See sketch of John Appleton.) The grandfather, of the subject of this sketch, was also named John Appleton. He was a farmer and resident of Thoroughfare Neck, where, as a local preacher of the M. E. church, he had large influence and was widely known. He is still remembered by some of the old residents of the vicinity as a man of strong character and great originality. Henry H. Appleton at- . tended the Academy at Odessa, until seven- teen years of age, and afterwards spent two years at the New Jersey Conference Seminary. In 1853 he began farming on the " Buck " farm, situated between Summit Bridge and Mt. Pleas- ant, where he remained twelve years, and in 1864 removed to " Stony Brook," a farm loca- ted two miles south of Odessa, containing 240 acres on which he still resides. Mr. Appleton has a fine orchard of 8,000 peach trees, which he has found profitable, but devotes the most of his farm to grain, and has been a very suc- cessful agriculturist. In politics he is a Repub- lican, and has acted with that party since its organization. His father's family were devoted to the old Whig party. He was a strong Union man during the war, and in 1860 was elected a member of the State Legislature, proving himself a wise and safe legislator dur- ing that critical period. In early life he was active in political matters, but since 1866 has taken but little part in public affairs. He

ILSON, THOMAS HOWARD, of Lebanon, Del. was born in Lewisburg Penna., January 1, 1840. His father was William Wilson, a farmer of Union county, Pa., who died in 1856 at the age of forty-seven years. His mother was Maria, daughter of Henry Hummel, Esq., of Easton, Pa. She is still living in her sixty- sixth year. The subject of this sketch was educated in his native town, attending Lewis- burg University until eighteen, when he be- gan as a machinist to learn thai business at Hazleton, Pa. He continued until his twenty- first year when he went to Richmond, Va., as en- gineer on the Richmond and Danville Railroad, in which position he was at the breaking out of the war. He then came north and after one year entered the Commissary Department of the U. S. Service, in which he continued until the close of the war, serving with the Army of the Potomac. Upon his return home he settled in Chester, Pennsylvania, and engaged in in the lumber business for three years, when he removed to North Carolina and engaged in the same business, remaining there for two years, when, in consequence of poor health he returned north. He came to Lebanon, Del., in 1869, and with John S. Collins, engaged in the business of canning fruits, under the firm- name of J. S. Collins & Co. In 1871 Mr. Wil- son purchased the farm upon which he now resides, but still continued in business with Mr. Collins until 1875. This business was not a success, owing to the destruction of their buildings and entire stock by fire, which partially disabled them. Mr. Wilson with- drew from the firm in 1875 and built his resi- dence and necessary outbuildings, as there were no buildings upon the land at the time it was purchased. He has seventy-two acres devoted to the culture of fruits; peaches, apples,

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LO anie Corbeil

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BIOGRAPHICAL DEPARTMENT.

cherries, strawberries, raspberries, and black | Spruance of Delaware, U. S. Senator ; and berries. He is largely engaged in stock rais- ing, being the largest breeder and shipper of thoroughbred stock in the state. His farm is known as the "Sassafras Stock Farm," and he has been very successful in this specialty. He ships large numbers of his Plymouth Rock chick- ens to all parts of the country, and his tho- roughbred stock is much sought after by the farmers of his vicinity and beyond state lim- its. He thinks the best method to make the lands of Delaware more remunerative is to combine stock-breeding with fruit-growing. Mr. Wilson has spared neither pains nor money in securing the best foundation stock from re- liable parties, and making it an inflexible rule to allow nothing to leave his farm that is not as represented ; thus enabling purchasers to buy with as much certainty by correspondence as though they had seen the purchases before they made them. He was the first person to give his attention to improved dairying and dairy implements in his section of the coun- try, and is deserving of much credit for the benefit he has conferred on the general com- munity. He is a Republican in politics, and is a devoted friend to that party. He has been a member of the Presbyterian Church for ten years. He was made a Mason in 1865. He is a man of honor and fidelity, enjoying the con- fidence of the community and the respect of his many friends. He was united in marriage to Miss Mary S., daughter of Levi and Catherine (Speaker) Sterner, of Lewisburg, Pa.

ORBIT, DANIEL, late of Odessa, was born on the banks of the Schuylkill, near Philadelphia, October 2, 1796. He was the son of William Corbit, who was born in the same locality November 10, 1745. William Corbit was a merchant, tanner and farmer. He married first Mary Pennell, and had one child, Pennell Corbit, who married the daughter of Gov. Clark. The second wife of William Corbit was Sarah Fisher, a relative of Hon. John M. Clayton, and of Judge Geo. P. Fisher. They had one child, William F. Corbit, a prominent and wealthy merchant of Odessa. The third wife of William Corbit was Mary, daughter of John Cowgill, known in history as the Martyr Quaker of Little Creek, near Dover. By her he had five children : John C .; Mary ; Thomas; Sarah, who married Pressley

Daniel, the subject of our sketch. William Corbit died August 1, 1817. His parents were Daniel and Mary (Brinton) Corbit. The first American ancestor of the family was Daniel Corbit, a Scotch Quaker, who came to this country about the year 1700, and settled on Appoquinimink creek. William Corbit re- moved with his family to Cantwell's Bridge, now Odessa, when his son Daniel was five years old, and resided in a large and impos- ing brick mansion, which is still standing in excellent condition. It was built by the father of William Corbit in 1773, and was the home of Daniel Corbit - and his family through life. His widow died there in 1880. Daniel Corbit was educated in Smyrna, at a very excellent school of the Society of Friends. At the age of sixteen he became a clerk in the store of William F. Corbit, his elder brother, and at twenty-one purchased the tan-yard at Cantwell's Bridge, an industry which had been in operation since 1765, and which he conducted with great success, till about 1850. Shortly before that time he commenced investing his capital in real estate, to the im- provement of which he devoted himself after closing his business at the above date. He was among the earliest and most successful peach growers of that section. During all his life he was practically the lawyer of the town. Possessed of a clear mind and sound judg- ment, he wrote all the legal papers, deeds, wills, mortgages, required. He was for many years a director of the old Bank at Smyrna. In politics he was first a Federalist, next a Whig, and finally a Republican; and was very prominent in local and in public affairs. He was several times a member of the State Legislature, and was a member of the Consti- tutional Convention of 1852. Several times the attempt was made to nominate him for Governor, but this he peremptorily refused to allow. He was a man of the highest charac- ter. All his manner and appearance indicated the native nobility of his nature, and impressed all who met him. He was very benevolent, and as a strict Friend, might well be chosen as a representative of the highest type of that order of christians. He was married in 1833, to Eliza, daughter of Andrew Naudain, and sister of Arnold Naudain, U. S. Senator. She was a member of the M. E. Church, a lady

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of remarkably lovely character, great intelli-| gence and fine culture. Their children were John Cowgill Corbit ; Louisa A., now wife of Captain Charles Corbit of St. Georges, a dis- tant cousin ; Daniel, who died at the age of four years ; Dr. William Brinton Corbit, long in the Surgeon General's department in Wash- ington, and who died in July, 1882, and Daniel Wheeler Corbit. Mrs. Corbit died in Decem- ber, 1844. In April, 1847, Mr. Corbit married his cousin, Mary Corbit, daughter of David Wilson, a prominent and successful merchant of Odessa, of whom see notice in this volume. Mary, wife of E. Tatnall Warner, of Wilming- ton, was the only child of this marriage. Mrs. Mary Corbit was a lady of striking sweetness and amiabillty of character. Her great be- nevolence, and her kindness and delicate con- sideration even for strangers, made her univer- sally beloved. Well-read and possessing a mind of an uncommon order, she was a most fitting companion for her husband. Mr. Cor- bit died in May, 1877, and his widow followed him, March 21, 1880.

ORBIT, DANIEL WHEELER, of Odessa, was born, March 7, 1843. His father was Daniel Corbit, of whom see sketch in this volume. His mother was Miss Eliza Naudain, daughter of Andrew Naudain and sister of Hon. Arnold Naudain, United States Senator from Dela- ware. Daniel W. Corbit was the fourth son, and at the age of twelve years was sent to the Friends' Boarding School at West Town, then under the supervision of Samuel Alsop. After spending three years at this school he passed one year at the Friends' School in Wilmington, Del., and another year in Delaware City, pre- paratory to entering college. In 1860 he en- tered the sophomore class of the Haverford Friends' College, where he remained until his promotion to the senior class, and was then called home to attend to duties devolving upon him in consequence of the absence of his brother-in-law, Captain Charles Corbit, who had joined the army for the suppression of the rebellion. Mr. Corbit immediately gave his attention to agricultural pursuits, devoting much time and many acres of land to peach- growing, making this business a success. In politics he has been à decided Republican, firmly believing that the best good of the

country can be insured only by the permanent ascendency of the Republican party. In 1875 Mr. Corbit joined the Presbyterian Church, of which his wife was a member, and is acting as trustee and treasurer of Drawyer's Church. He was united in marriage on the 13th of Oc- tober, 1870, to Miss Mary C. Higgins, daughter of Anthony M. Higgins, of New Castle county. Two daughters, Sally Clark and Louisa Nau- dain, have been born to them of their mar- riage.

OWNSEND, GEORGE LYBRAND, ex-Legislator and a Farmer of Appo- quinimick hundred, was born on the 2nd day of January, 1841. His father was Sylvester D. Townsend, a farmer of New Castle hundred, who was born, October 5, 1801, and died, April 6, 1872. He was a man of great integrity, and was a Commissioner of the Levy Court from 1864 until 1868. His mother was Abigail, daughter of Thomas and Abigail Layman, of Chester County, Pa. She was born, January 4, 1812, and was married to Mr. Townsend, June 25, 1838. She was an active member of the M. E. church, a lady of great moral worth, and died March 10, 1862. The Townsends were of English origin, and probably emigrated to this country in the early part of the last century. The subject of this sketch is the only representative of his father's family. He attended the schools of his neighborhood until the age of 17 years, when he was sent to the Delaware Military Academy at Wilmington, under the care of Col. Theodore Hyatt. Owing to illness his studies were frequently interrupted, and after two years he was compelled to abandon them. He returned home and assisted his father in farming until he gained his majority, at which time he began agricultural life on his own ac- count upon a farm in Pencader hundred, near Summit Bridge, which he now owns, and con- tains about 200 acres. He has a fine orchard of 5,000 peach trees upon this estate. After eight years he came to reside upon a farm belonging to his father-in-law, the late Rev. Levi Scott, D. D., Senior Bishop of the M. E. church, and has been employed in growing cereals and cul- tivating fruits. This farm contains a growing orchard of about 16,000 peach trees and other fruits in abundance. Mr. Townsend has been a successful farmer, and his intelligence and

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In. Ricegely U. S. Senate washington City ". 2 Dec = 1827

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public man and agriculturist. He has been an ardent Republican from the beginning, and through the late war was earnest in his attach- ment to the Union, and for all needful meas- ures to put down the rebellion. In 1874 he was the Republican candidate for the State Senate. Mr. Townsend is an active member of the M. E. church, which he joined in 1867, at Odessa, Del. He has served as trustee in the M. E. church for a number of years, and has been superintendent of the Sunday school at Odessa. He was united in marriage, Decem- ber 12, 1866, to Miss Cornelia Janes, youngest daughter of Bishop Levi Scott, D. D., of Odessa, Del. Seven children have been born of this marriage, viz .: Levi Scott, Sylvester Deputy, George Lybrand, Jr., Cornelia, Mar- tha, and William S., and Henry S., twins, now in their second year. Mr. Townsend was elected a member of the General Assembly of the State of Delaware from New Castle county' and took his seat, January 4, 1881, and served as a member of several committees with much credit.

IDGELY, HON. HENRY M., was born in Dover, August 6, 1779. His father, Dr. Charles G. Ridgely, eminent as a physi- cian and a man, died while he was a boy, and his training and education de- volved on his mother, a lady of strong sense, highly cultivated, refined, and richly endowed with intellectual gifts. Her maternal love, guided by a wise judgment and fervent piety, directed with more than ordinary care the education of her eldest son. She was Ann, the youngest daughter of William Moore, of Moore Hall, Penna., well known in the early annals of that colony, and the ancestor of some of its most eminent citizens. Mr. Ridgely was educated at Dickinson College from which he graduated with honor during the Presidency of the celebrated Dr, Nes- bitt. He pursued his legal studies at Lan- caster, Pa., under the care and direction of his relative Charles Smith, and was ad- mitted to the bar of Delaware, about 1802. It was at this time that Mr. Ridgely was de- sired by his friend, Dr. Barrett, of Dover, a gen- tleman of high standing, the grandfather of Hon. N. B. Smithers, to be the bearer of a challenge to Mr. Shields, of Wilmington, who he yet sought every opportunity to benefit

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integrity have made him very prominent as a | had grossly insulted him. Mr. Shields refused 1 to fight Dr. Barrett,but in turn challenged Mr. Ridgely as the bearer of the message. This the latter felt obliged, according to the evil sentiment of that time, to accept, and the duel was fought. Mr. Ridgely was severely wounded and his life, for a time, despaired of. He had, in his misfortune, the sympathy of the entire community, and the odium attached to his op- ponent was so great that he left Wilmington. Mr. Ridgely recovered, and November 21, 1803, was married to Sarah, daughter of John Banning, of Dover, a lady refined, intellectual and lovely, and his domestic relations were most happy. At the time of his admission to the bar, a number of Delaware's most gifted lawyers, Cæsar A. Rodney, Van Dyke, George Read, Jr., and others of a similar order of intel- lect, were at the height of their popularity, yet he rapidly made his way into a lucrative practice. His talent, candor, and great moral integrity, gave him a commanding influence. His honesty shone conspicuously, and in the path of duty he was firm and unswerving. He was made. President of the Farmers Bank at Dover, which office he held from the time of its incorporation in 1807, till a short time be- fore his death, when his failing health induced him to resign, having then held it for forty consecutive years. He was elected a Repre- sentative to the U. S. Congress from Dela- ware in 1811, re-elected by a large majority in 1813, and declined the nomination in 1815. He was appointed Secretary of State in 1817, by Governor John Clark, again, by Governor Stout, and again, by Governor Paynter in 1824 He de- voted himself, with unremitting assiduity to the duties of this office, collected all the papers belonging to it, which had been greatly scattered ; arranged them in proper order, looked up the archives of the State and thus saved much of importance and great interest to posterity. He was one of the leaders of the Federal party in his State and became an active politician. Before the people, in elec- tioneering campaigns, he was most effective, but always open and honorable, refusing to lend his assistance or listen to any unfair course for the advancement of either his party or him- self. He was elected and re-elected to the Leg- islature of his state and framed some of its most important laws. Most active in his profession,

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others and the public, accepting with this view the comparatively inferior office of Levy Court Commissioner, and by patient industry, re- stored the financial affairs of Kent county to an orderly condition, and to the substantial basis on which they now rest. Hearing that there was mismanagement of the finances, and discomfort in the County Almshouse, he re- quested to be made trustee of the Poor, and brought about many reforms, added greatly to the comfort of the paupers, and yet saved the county much expense. He never sought office for his own benefit, but declined distinguished positions, among them the office of Chancellor of the state in 1830, and afterward the office of Chief Justice. One of his most prominent characteristics was his attention and kindness to the young, who were drawn to him by his genial manner and the interest he took in their sports and pleasures, and he thus found many opportunities to instill into their minds the mo- tives and principles which governed his own life. Many have referred to him as first awak- ening in their minds an ambition to attain to an honorable position in life. He was always ready to give substantial aid to those who needed it. He was sent to the United States Senate in 1827, and both in that body, and in the House, was ever anxious for "home protection," and always gave his vote and influence for a pro- tective tariff. He was a pleasant speaker, gen- erally ready in debate, and had made public affairs the study of his life ; yet in the presence of Calhoun, Clay, Webster and the men of their day, his modesty made him taciturn, but though quiet, he had great influence. His unwearied industry, strict probity, clear views and sound judgment, with his calm demeanor, inspired respect and confidence, which, with those admitted to a nearer acquaintance, ripened into the warmest feelings of friendship. His con- versation in after years was enriched with many pleasant reminiscences of the distinguished men who then formed so bright a galaxy of talent in Washington. His memory was remarkably retentive, and in social life he was very agree- able and instructive. His voice was full and well modulated, and he had a fund of historic lore, always at his command, which gave him great advantage over those less accurate in their information. He was a well-formed, fine-looking man. Though living in a slave state he regarded slavery as wrong, and though he frequently

purchased slaves, he liberated them after he considered they had repaid him by their labor, the money expended in their purchase. Many of these returned to him when sick or disabled, and were taken care of till their death. Mr. Ridgely retired from the arduous duties of his profession and from public life in 1832, after which he gave much attention to his agricultural interests. January 14, 1837, his " beloved and affectionate wife," Sarah Banning, died. He married, May 17, 1842, his second wife, Sallie Ann Comegys, daughter of the late Governor, Cornelius Comegys ; she still survives him. He had no children by this second marriage. On Monday, March 23, 1846, while enjoying his usual good health, he was suddenly attacked with apolexy, but receiving immediate at- tention obtained relief. Still, from this time, his health declined, notwithstanding the resis- tance of his naturally strong constitution. He had, the following winter, several lighter at tacks, and in July, 1847, a violent illness, under which he sank rapidly. He gave suitable and most impressive advice to his children, partic- ularly enjoining upon them to be upright and honorable in life, and never, even in thought, to deviate from the paths of honesty and vir- tue. He desired that his tombstone should contain these words : "Died in the blessed hope of a glorious immortality," being a firm believer in christianity, and had taken great pains to instill its principles into the minds of his children. He was greatly attached to the Protestant Episcopal church, in which form of worship he had been brought up. He died with the calmness of a christian and with un- wavering trust, on Friday, August 6, 1847, his birthday ; aged 68 years. He was buried where many of his family rest, in the Protestant Episcopal church yard, in Dover. He left six children to survive him.

ARTIN, HUGH, M. D., Physician, of Seaford, Del., was born in that town July 1, 1830. His father was Captain Hugh Martin, a well-known citizen of Delaware. His mother was Mrs. Sophia (Willis) Martin, of Sussex county. There were ten children of this marriage, of whom six are living. The subject of this sketch was the third son and fifth child of his parents. He re- ceived his academic education in Wilmington, at the school of John Bullock, where he re-

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Historical and biographical encyclopaedia of Delaware. V 2, Part 16

Author: Publication date: 1972 Publisher: Number of Pages: 776

Author:
Publication date: 1972
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 776