Historical and biographical encyclopaedia of Delaware. V 2, Part 18

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Publication date: 1972
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 776

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Simmons. Her mother, after the death of her first husband, married Nathan Sharpless ; pre- vious to her marriage to Henry Simmons she was a Preston. She was a Public Friend, and for more than sixty years a preacher of that society. It was her son, John Simmons, who, for more than thirty years, was the head of the Locust Street Female Institute, Philadelphia. The children of Benjamin and Hannah Kent, were : Rachel, who died in her twenty-fourth year ; Henry S .; Esther, who died May 13, 1873. (She was the wife of Dr. R. C. Smedley, and was the editor and publisher of the Chil- dren's Friend, which she started in West Ches- ter in 1866, and continued to edit until her death, after which it was continued by her sis- ter, Anne F., who was the wife of Caleb H. Bradley, and died July 26, 1879.) Daniel H., whose portrait and biography are found in this volume ; Anne F., Benjamin Lundy, Lindley Coates, and John Simmons Kent. Benjamin Kent died, November 29, 1881, leaving the re- cord of an honored and usetul life. He and his wife were the staunch and unfailing friends of the slave, at a time when the cry "abolition- ist" was an epithet of scorn and reproach. They both assisted in the formation of the Clarkson Anti-Slavery Society, of Chester County, Pa., in 1831, and when they removed to Andrew's Bridge, and became the owners of the woolen mill, store, and dwelling, at that place, were instrumental in organizing the Coleraine Anti- Slavery Society. The blessings of those who were " ready to perish" as they were hunted in their escape from bondage, fell on their names. Many such were assisted in their per- ilous path to freedom by Benjamin Kent, the determined foe of the slave power, and his good wife, Hannah Kent. Their home was conducted on the rule of total abstinence from the products of slave labor, even to the renouncing of sugar, and abstaining from the purchase or use of the unpaid toil of the slave. To purity, integrity, honesty, and religious fervor, he joined a rare simplicity of character, and these traits were widely recognized while living, and tenderly remembered now that he has peacefully passed away. His wife, Hannah, did not long survive him. She died, July 4, 1882, and their remains are interred, side by side, in the burial ground of the Society of Friends at West Chester, Pa.

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Ergheyt Father & 5mm

yours truly D.F. Kent

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BIOGRAPHICAL DEPARTMENT.

381

ENT, COL. DANIEL HAWLEY, Iron and Hardware Merchant, of the

city of Wilmington, was born in Lan-

caster county, Pa., October 22, 1835.

He is the second son of Benjamin Kent,

of whom see the preceding sketch. The de- votion of his parents to the then unpopular cause of anti-slavery had been the occasion of many sacrifices, so that when their woolen mill and other property was burned at An- drew's Bridge, such was the influence of that prejudice, that Benjamin Kent failed to get the amount for which he was insured in a local company of that neighborhood. Greatly cir- cumscribed in means, he returned to Chester county, settling on a farm at West Grove. Here Daniel grew up, engaged in the employ- ments of the farm in summer and going to school in winter. He was a studious boy ; at noon while his team rested, he improved the half hour after dinner in the perusal of books. Industry and economy of time, as well as of means, wore taught him, and he patiently re- ceived the lessons which have since made him the successful man of business, and laid the foundation of a sterling character. At the age of 17 years he was placed in the family of the late venerable Thomas Garrett, of the city of Wilmington, who was an old friend of his father, for the purpose of learning the iron business. For his first year's services he re- ceived the sum of forty dollars and his board, and this amount was increased, annually, ten additional dollars, making fifty for the second, sixty for the third, and seventy for the fourth and last year of his minority, " in consequence of faithful service and general good con- duct." Finding his income insufficient to meet his needs, and enable him to contribute to his little home and other charities, always dear to his heart, he began, in the second year of his apprenticeship, to wear second-hand clothing, purchasing from those whom he knew, and thus by self-denial, made the most of his limited in- come. At the age of nineteen years, bookkeep- ing was added to his other duties in the store. He worked hard, but by studious economy, was able after his four years apprenticeship, to enter upon life with inexpensive habits. By

a half interest, and every thing bade fair for a prosperous business career for young Kent. He had been greatly exercised from the breaking out of the civil war-occasioned, as he believed, in the interest of slavery-in regard to his personal duty. On the one hand, his peace principles, descending to him from antecedents of the Society of Friends, and on the other, the hatred he bore the system of human bondage, deepened by observations in boyhood of its cruelty in the case of the hunted slave. De- ciding this question in his own mind, he sold his business interests in the firm, and assisted in raising the 4th Delaware Infantry, Colonel Grimshaw. He was mustered as Captain of Co. F. In this service, the energy and execu- tive ability which have always characterized him, were conspicuously displayed. He was not only a brave officer, but, also, while sharing danger with his men, by his care and devo- tion to their interests, secured all for them which could be had by prompt and full requi- sitions, backed by the energy of personal supervision. In the many actions in which the regiment took part he passed unharm- ed until nearly the close of the war. He participated in the actions of "Bottoms Bridge," Va., June, 1863 ; "Bethesda Church," "Cold Harbor," Chickahominy," "Siege of Pe- tersburg," June, 18 to 30th July ; "Mine Ex- plosion before Petersburg," "Weldon Railroad." "Peeble's Farm," "Flower's House," "Davis's House," "Movement on Southside Railroad," under Grant and Meade, October and Novem- ber ; "Movement toward Weldon Railroad," December ; fighting, burning bridges, etc., and in other engagements, thirteen in all. In one of the actions before Petersburg one-half his regiment was killed or wounded, and in that of the Weldon Railroad his brigade captured seven stands of colors from the enemy. In the burning of the outhouses, after the main building of the "Davis House" was destroyed, of the detail accompanying him, as they ad- vanced under fire of the enemy, every man was either killed or wounded but himself. The good fortune which in many previous engage- ments had brought him through unharmed,de- serted him in the battle of "Rowanty Creek," February 6, 1865, where, after endeavoring to lead his men to a better crossing than was at first attempted, he, while in advance of his

much effort and care he succeeded, in 1860, in securing a one-fourth interest in the business of Bye, McDowell & Co., iron merchants, of Wilmington ; in 1862, he became the owner of | regiment, was a too conspicuous mark for the

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE.

enemy, and a minnie ball shattered the elbow of his right arm. This has ever since been a source of much suffering. The gallantry dis- played on this occasion, however, made him Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment. His wound was most painful and he was unfit for further duty, yet he recovered sufficiently to be present and take part on the staff of Gen. Gwinn, in the Grand Review in Washington, at the close of the war. His return to civil life was marked by his entrance into the firm of Garrett & Sons; his old friend, into whose house he was received when a lad from the country, advancing him the sum of $15,000 therefor, and the firm name was changed to Garrett, Kent & Co , hardware and iron mer- chants, Wilmington. This firm extended their business until its transactions embraced most of the southern and middle, as well as the western, states of the Union. In 1872 the firm of D. H. Kent & Co. succeeded that of Garrett, Kent & Co., and in 1878 established a branch house in Philadelphia, and in 1879 the interests were merged into a stock company. The house in Philadelphia is known as the D. H. Kent & Co., limited, 1009 Arch street, Col. Kent being chairman, and the Wilmington house as the Kent Iron and Hardware Co., of which he is the president. He is the controll- ing spirit in all their lines of business, which is conducted on a strictly cash basis and en- joys great prosperity. Col. Kent has been a director of the "Tradesman's National Bank of Conshohocken," Montgomery county, Pa., since its organization, May, 1882. He is a Re- publican in politics and a birthright member of the Society of Friends. On the 17th day of October, 1867, he was married to Miss Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Israel Pusey, of Wil- mington, whose sketch and portrait are in this volume. This estimable woman has been the founder of his quiet and happy home at Sixth and Jefferson streets, in Wilmington. They have two children, Charles I., born, October 24, 1868, and Ellen W., born, July 14, 1875.

THE BUSH FAMILY.

1688 went over to England with William of Orange, in command of a troop of horsemen. He was with the King at the battle of the Boyne, and in 1695 was appointed Commis- sioner or Comptroller of the revenue of Ire- land, and settled in Dublin, continuing in this position until his death in 1737. In 1700 he married Elizabeth Erskine, the daughter of a Scotch clergyman, and they had five children; of these, Christopher, the eldest, went to Am- sterdam, where he established himself in the West India trade. He there married and had a large family, and from him the Rev. George Bush, of New York, was descended. His brother John was interested with him and set- tled in Jamaica to take charge of the business in that Island. He was also married and had a family; his oldest son, Christopher, came to this country at the commencement of the Revolution, joined a South Carolina regi- ment as First Lieutenant, and was killed in the bloody assault on the British works around Savannah, October 9, 1779. Of this assault and the circumstances attending his death, Lossing gives a most graphic account in his "Field Book of the Revolution."

BUSH, DAVID, second son of Christoph and Elizabeth Bush, and the first of the family who came to this country, was born in Dublin, January 19, 1707. He was educated in that city, and becoming imbued with the adventurous spirit of that age, determined to try his fortune in the new country, to which he came with the consent of his parents, as soon as he reached his majority, in 1728. Landing in Philadelphia, he concluded to make Wilmington his future home. It was then but a village of a few houses; the Swedish settlement of Christinaham, being a half mile nearer the Delaware river. He, at once; identified himself with the progress and im- provement of the place, and invested the funds with which he had been liberally sup- plied by his father, in lots in the town. In 1736 we find him protesting against the build- ing of a market house on Fourth street as being too far up town to accommodate the ma- jority of the inhabitants, and advocating, in- stead, its erection on Second street. In 1740 he was one of those who petitioned the pro- prietor to grant a borough charter to the town. In 1745, and for many years there-

USH, CHRISTOPH, the first ances- tor of the Bush family, of Wilmington, of whom an account has been pre- served, was born in Kalenberg, Ger- many, in 1663. He was educated in the city of Hanover for a military life, and in after, he was a Magistrate, an office, which, in

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BIOGRAPHICAL DEPARTMENT.

not only of the peace of the town, but of its defense, as there was then constant danger of incursions by the Indians, who lived in great numbers between the Delaware and Chesa- peake bays; and seems to have been a kind of general superintendent of the colony for the proprietor, and one of the principal officers of the Government for the three counties on the Delaware. He was a stern old patriot, who believed every man should bear his share in the defense of the State, and during the next twenty years we find in the colonial records of Pennsylvania, numerous petitions sent to the Governor, by the non-combatants, complain- ing, that, because they would not comply with the militia law, "which was against their conscience," David Bush, the Magis- trate, sent them to jail, at New Castle.

We find his correspondence with Thomas Hopkinson, who, in 1745, was Governor, in reference to a ferry, which he was desirous of establishing across the Christiana river, at the site of the present Market street bridge, which was a great convenience to the people of Wilmington, as up to that time, there had been but one ferry, which crossed the river just above Fort Christina. The establishment of this ferry necessitated a causeway across the marshes, and in due time it was abolished by the building of the bridge on the same site. In 1747 England was at war with Spain, and in June, 1748, it was rumored that a Spanish man-of- war had entered the Capes of Delaware, with the intention of capturing Philadelphia. The report being confirmed, Mr. Bush at once called out the militia, and assisted by his brother Charles, who was captain of the Com- pany, rebuilt and armed the old Fort Christina for the defense of the town, and we find their letter, dated July 6, 1748, to Anthony Palmer, "Governor of Pennsylvania and the Three Counties on the Delaware," advising of their action, and asking its approval, which, of course, was heartily given. David Bush was twice married-in 1733, to Ann Broome, who died in 1743, leaving four children ; in 1746 he married Ann Thomas; and they had a family of seven children. At the breaking out of the Revolutionary war, he, with all the energy of his character, espoused the cause of his adopted country ; though himself, too far ad-

those days, was one of much more honor and vanced in years to take up arms in her de- responsibility than now. He had the charge fense, he freely offered his sons, and at the first call, three of them, Lewis, George and John, encouraged by his earnest approval, stepped forward as volunteers in the cause of national liberty and human rights. Lewis had just completed his studies for the law, at York, Pa., George was in business for himself, John had just finished his education, and was about commencing business, all giving up their fair prospects and chosen plans for life. they en- listed in Pennsylvania regiments, in which they obtained Captain's commissions.

Lewis, the eldest, was soon promoted to the rank of a Major, and was with Washington in all the active movements before the battle of Brandywine ; in that battle his regiment was under Sullivan, and in the bloody fight at Bir- mingham Meeting House, he was mortally wounded ; as the army retreated he was carried first to Chester, then to Darby, where he died, and was buried at Kingsessing Meeting House.

George joined the Sixth Regiment and was soon promoted to the rank of Major. He was also wounded at Brandywine, but recovered, and served with his regiment through the war. He was brevetted in 1779, and made paymas- ter, which office he held until 1781, when he was made Collector of the Port at Wilming- ton, and held that office for a number of years.

John joined the Third Regiment, when he was but twenty years old, and was com- missioned Captain. He was also engaged at Brandywine, but was unhurt, and served with his regiment through the war. After its close he married a lady from the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and went there to live.

William, the second son of John, just men- tioned, entered the marine service as Second Lieutenant, July 3, 1809, was promoted to First Lieutenant, March 4, 1811, and was killed on board the frigate Constitution in her fight with the Guerriere, August 19, 1812. Lossing, in his account of this celebrated fight, says, "As the ships touched, both par- ties prepared to board. The Englishman turned all hands and mustered forward, while Mr. Morris, the First Lieutenant, Mr. Alwyn, the Master, and Mr. Bush, the First Lieutenant of Marines, sprang upon the taffrail of the Consti- tion with a similar intention ; both sides now suffered by the closeness of the musketry, the English much the most ; Mr. Morris was shot

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE.

through the body, Mr. Alwyn was wounded in the shoulder, and Mr. Bush fell dead by a bul- let through the head." His death was deeply deplored by his fellow officers, his friends and acquaintances, and by all his grateful country- men. At complimentary dinners given in that year and the following to the victorious cap- tains, Hull, Decatur and Jones, the gallant Lieutenant, William Bush, was remembered in toasts eulogizing, in the poetic and feeling manner of that time, his bravery and worth. Also, meetings were held by the young men of Harrisburg and Philadelphia, in honor of his memory; and to give expression to the general sorrow and regret occasioned by his loss, Janu- ary 29, 1813, Congress ordered a silver medal to be struck and presented to his nearest male relative, in testimony of his gallantry and merit.

David, the youngest son of David Bush, was educated as a physician, and practiced medi- cine in Wilmington until his death, in 1799 in his thirty-sixth year. He had a high reputa- tion as a physician, and was a large-hearted, benevolent man. His early death was much lamented.

children, Samuel and Rebecca. In 1755 his wife died, and he, leaving his children with his brother David, sailed for the West Indies and died of yellow fever in the island of Grenada.

BUSH, SAMUEL, son of Charles and Re- becca Bush, was born in Wilmington, Decem- ber 27, 1747. He grew up in his uncle's fam- ily and received a liberal education. Between the age of seventeen and twenty-one he made several trips to the West Indies, part of the time as captain of a brig. In 1774 he estab- lished a freight line to Philadelphia, which was the first regular enterprise of the kind on the Delaware River. This business soon grew into large proportions, embracing the products of much of Lancaster and Chester counties, as well as the country immediately around Wil- mington. It has been continued in the family and is now in the hands of his grandson. Dur- ing the Revolutionary War, he was engaged in carrying supplies for the army, and at one time was so closely pursued by the British gunboats as to be forced to scuttle his vessel to prevent her being taken by the enemy. In 1775 he married Ann, daughter of Andrew MeKee, a Scotch Presbyterian, who was an early settler in Brandywine hundred, and owned a large property near Wilmington. They had a family of eleven children, of whom six were boys. Samuel Bush was identified with all the early interests of the city, and for many years was one of the most active and useful citizens ; he was very successful in his business and accumulated a large property. He took a prominent part in securing the erec- tion of the "Old Stone " Presbyterian Church at the corner of Fifth and Walnut streets, of which the eloquent Rev. Thomas Smith was pastor, and for many years was one of the officers and treasurer of the church. He was a man of strict integrity, and his reputation for honest and fair-dealing was proverbial through all the country. He died at the age of 83 years respected and lamented by all who knew him.

BUSH, CHARLES, the youngest son of Christoph and Elizabeth Bush, was born in Dublin, November 15, 1717. He was given a liberal education, and after the death of his father, in 1737, he, with his sister Ann, came to this country, and made his home in Wil- mington with his brother David. He soon became actively interested in the affairs of the colony, and in the French and Indian war, in 1742, was made Captain of the Militia, and though never called into active service, main- tained the organization and discipline of the company for a number of years. In 1747 he took an active part in the rebuilding and arm- ing of the old Fort Christina, and we find his signature, with that of his brother David, at- tached to the letter written July 6, 1747, to Governor Anthony Palmer, advising him of their action in that matter. He became en- BUSH, DAVID, eldest son of Samuel and Ann Bush, was born February Io, 1776. He was educated in Wilmington and carefully trained to habits of industry and economy. At sixteen he was placed on one of his father's gaged in the West India trade, and in 1739 married Rebecca Scott, the daughter of one of the prominent citizens and property-holders of the town, by whom he was presented with the lot of land on the corner of Second and vessels to take charge of the receipt and de- King streets, on which he built a frame house livery of freight in Philadelphia, and at nine- for his residence. This property is still in the teen was made Captain, which position he possession of his descendants. They had two held for many years. In 1804 he was made a

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David Bush

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BIOGRAPHICAL DEPARTMENT.

partner with his father, and on the retirement | was, however, for many years, a member of the of his father, in 1820, he, in company with his brother George, took the entire business, which by this time had become quite exten- sive, embracing most of the products of the lower part of Lancaster and Chester counties, which found their nearest market in Wilmington. The firm of David and George Bush was long and favorably known through all this section of the country for their enterprise and fair dealing. In 1804 he married Martha, daughter of Matthew Pot- ter, of Bridgeton, N. J. She was an active and earnest Christian woman, who,through all his long life was a true helpmeet to him. They had eight children, six sons and two daughters, of whom three sons and the two daughters still survive and are residents of Wilmington. Both David Bush and his wife were converted under the ministry of the Rev. . Dr. Read, and their lives gave abundant evi- dence of the sincerity of their professions. The following incident will illustrate his decis- ion of character and the promptness with which he acted upon his convictious. At that time large quantities of rye whiskey was dis- tilled in Chester and Lancaster counties, which was brought to Wilmington for sale and shipment, and he was a large dealer, buying it in the hogshead and shipping it to Liverpool, Amsterdam and the West Indies. About 1830 there was a temperance revival all through the country, and the Rev. E. W. Gilbert, then the pastor of the "Old Stone," preached several stirring sermons on the topic. By one of them Mr. Bush was so much impressed that he went from the church to his storehouses and at 10 · o'clock at night rolled every hogshead of whiskey into the street, knocked out the bungs aud emptied their contents into the gutter, and from that time until his death he would have nothing to do with liquor in his business, nor would he allow any of it to be used in his house. In many of his character- istics he greatly resembled his father. Him- self of the sternest integrity, he had no sym- pathy for any one attempting a dishonest or dishonorable action, and he embraced every opportunity to impress upon the minds of his children the value of an unblemished reputa- tion. Like his father, he had no ambition for civic honors or emoluments, but preferred spending his leisure hours with his family. He

'City Council and an active director in the banks, insurance and other companies of the city. He took an active interest in everything pertaining to the church ; as trustee and treas- urer he kept careful watch over its financial condition, and was ever ready to help in any good work ; his house was a home for minis- ters, and his pastor was never forgotten or neglected, but always had a share in the first fruits of his garden and farm. He was a noble- hearted, generous man ; no case of want or distress was ever brought to his notice with- out receiving his sympathy and relief. Through- out all his long life no blot stained the purity and beauty of his character, and in his eighty- second year, having done well his life's work, he calmly fell asleep.

BUSH, GEORGE, youngest son of Samuel and Ann Bush, born in 1797, was educated in Wilmington and received his business training in his father's office, and on his father's retire- ment became a member of the firm in which he continued until his death. For many years he was president of the Bank of Wilmington and Brandywine, and an active member of most of the insurance and trust companies of the city. He was a prudent and successful business man, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and died in 1863 greatly respected by all who knew him. He was married four times ; but two of his children survive him.

BUSH, CHARLES, eldest son of David and Martha Bush, was born in 1805. He was educated in Wilmington, and at the age of sixteen was sent to Baltimore, to learn the trade of a machinist. Upon coming of age he was established in business by his father, and in 1835, in partnership with Jonathan Bonney, made the first movement towards the exten- sion of the manufacturing interests of his native city, by building the large foundry and ma- chine shop at the corner of Second and Lom- bard streets. After the death of Mr. Bonney, in 1838, the firm of Bush & Lobdell was formed; they were the inventors of the double- plate railroad car-wheel, now in general use on all railroads. They built works at Second and Lombard streets, and for many years were the largest manufacturers of car wheels in the country, doing a lucrative business. Charles Bush was a very active, industrious and pru- dent business man, possessed of sterling integ-

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Historical and biographical encyclopaedia of Delaware. V 2, Part 18

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

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