Historical and biographical encyclopaedia of Delaware. V 2, Part 25

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Publication date: 1972
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Number of Pages: 776

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the companionship of near and congenial friends, having little fondness for the excite- ments of general society: But his sympathies were confined to no narrow circle, and he watched with deep interest all that was oc- curring in the church, the world, and the State. "In all that was done for the welfare of men he rejoiced. With all-human sufferings he sympa- thised, and with a feeling heart and liberal hand responded to the appeals of charity and sorrow." An eloquent address from which the last sentence was quoted-commemorative of his life and character, was delivered at his fun- eral by his pastor, and the warm eulogies called forth on that occasion, found a ready response in every heart. His pastor was his friend, and acquainted with him intimately. He testified to his purity and amiability of character ; his diligence in the performance of every duty as a man, a citizen and a christian. His many acts of kindness and charity, he said, were secretly done, whenever practicable, and thus in large measure escaped the observa- tion of the world. To the church he gave liberally, never forgetting that its great work could not be carried on without material aid, and most generously donated to all other benev- olent causes. Such a life could have but one source of inspiration ; his Bible was his daily companion,his creed and rule of faith and prac- tice. He also loved the house of prayer, no slight cause ever detaining him from its stated services. With his dying breath he expressed his trust in his Savior, and his departure was one full of hope and comforting assurance to his friends.

ASSETT, RICHARD, Governor of Del- aware. We give from "Reminiscences" of the late Rev. Henry Boehm the Centenarian, the following sketch. "He should ever have a prominent place in the annals of early American Methodism. At this remote period it is almost impossible to have a correct idea of the position he once occu- pied, and the influence he exerted in favor of Methodism. * *

* In its early days in America some of the loftiest families embraced it (Methodism) with joy. Among the most distinguished was Richard Bassett. He was an eminent lawyer, a judge, governor of Dela- ware, a member of the old Congress of 1787, and a senator under the new constitution. He

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was a delegate from Delaware to the conven- [ standpoint, and its subject is remembered not tion that formed the Constitution of the less for his connection with the early Metho- dists of Delaware, than for the eminent civil services he rendered his State and Country. United States, and his name is enrolled on that account with those of George Washing- ton, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris and other distinguished patriots and statesmen. Mr. Bassett was rich. He in- herited six thousand acres of land, much of it near the Bohemia River He had three homes, residing part of the time in Dover, and then in Bohemia and Wilmington. Before he was converted he was a very fashion- able man, and moved in the highest circles of society. He had his good things in this life. But when converted he was as humble and teachable as a little child. In person, he was a stout built man of medium height, and looked as if he was made for service. His countenance was full of benignity, and his eye was very expressive. He was a man of super- ior judgment, a safe counselor. I used to ask his advice, and he gave it most cheerfully, and I always found it judicious. His voice was very strong and musical, and at camp and quarterly meetings he thrilled the people. He was distingtished for benevolence, and given to hospitality. He has entertained over a hundred persons at one time. His heart was as large as his mansion. His first wife did not live long. She left an amiable daughter, who was married to the Hon. James A. Bayard, who was a commissioner to form a treaty of peace with England. With her father I visited Mrs. Bayard while her husband was absent in Europe. The governor was a Methodist of the old stamp. He admired all its peculiarities ; loved to worship in the groves, and had several camp-meetings on his own grounds. He was one of the sweetest singers of our Israel. He delighted to hear the colored people sing ; there was no sweeter music to him. He held fast his integrity to the end. I often saw him in age and feebleness extreme. Though princely rich, he lived plainly without display

'OFLAND, DR. JOHN, better known as the "Milford Bard," son of Isaac and Cynthia Lofland, Milford, was born in that town March 9th, 1798. It would be a task we do not impose on our- selves in a volume such as this, to do more than suggest a life full of vicissitudes and full of sadness, such as that of the Milford Bard. The melancholy reflection forcing itself upon us, that to a certain extent his torments and sorrows were self-inflicted, and their causes, in the popular opinion, nearly all under his own control. He was perhaps the favorite son of his mother, whose kind and gentle disposition he inherited, and her fondness found his appeals resistless, when real or fancied control of others met him, and was distasteful to his self-will. His temperament and surroundings were not favorable to the formation of a resolute character. His career in scholarship, greatly to the regret of his parents, was at a snail's pace for years. His dislike for mathematics was from the first insurmountable, nor was his love for the languages an enthusiasm. He tolerated Valpy to get rid of Euclid, yet in Composition early excelled, and in his twelfth year wrote rhymes and gave evidence of poetical possibili- ties. Whether from incompetent teachers or natural dullness,he was behind most boys of his age and opportunities, in general attainments. Our own opinion is that he was never edu- cated in any proper sense of that word, but pursued through early life the mental vagaries presenting themselves to his fancy, without aims, either as to business or character. At fourteen he was an omniverous reader of such books as fell in his way or suited his tastes ; Volney, Hume, Gibbon, Voltaire, D'Alembert and Rosseau, were the authors who,by his own showing, serve as way-marks to point out to us the mental path of his indefinite youthful career. He, however, never settled down in the scepticism of some of these authors, but professed to be saved by an examination of the Scriptures on their own merits, and by the age of seventeen years his schooldays were over, and he entered the office of his cousin,

or extravagance. * * He died in 1815, and his life-time friend, Ezekiel Cooper, preached his funeral sermon. He was buried in a vault he had prepared in a beautiful locust grove on the banks of the Bohemia river." Our readers cannot fail to appreciate the above sketch because of its simplicity and compre- counsels and influence of his mother. At the hensiveness. It is unique in a volume of this kind, because written from a purely religious

* *

yours respectfully the Milfordo Barde.

Pund ry. John Sunny Valemore.

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Dr. Jas. P. Lofland. He attended lectures for |

the age of forty-seven. He married Ann P., three years, at the University of Pennsylva- daughter of Dr. John Carey, of Bridgeville. nia, but in consequence of a huff or misunder- | The paternal grandfather of John E. Richards standing with one of the professors, gave up entering on the medical profession, and life

was also named John. He married Ann Wilson, of Maryland, and had two children, John and became to him a matter of rambling adven- Robert H. Richards. The latter was a gradu- ate of Dickinson College, and at the time of his death, in 1858, he was a student at Yale Law School. John E. Richards attended the district schools of his vicinity until seventeen, when he was sent to the Milford Academy, but owing to the death of his brother, he was

ture. During his medical studies he wrote verses, and was known by his acquaintances as" The Poet." The effusions were published in the Saturday Evening Post, and a magazine of some pretensions published in Philadelphia, called The Casket. Some of these were pub- lished under the nom de plume of "Milford compelled to return and assume the manage- Bard," and by this sobriquet he became ment of the farm. In 1855 before gaining his majority, he began farming for himself upon 212 acres of land, which he had purchased from his father's estate. He largely engaged in the culture of fruit and was very successful. After the death of his mother he bought the home farm, known as " Locust Grove," an es- tate of 358 acres, upon which he has an or- chard of 2,000 trees in full bearing, but his land is principally devoted to the growth of ce- reals. Mr. Richards is a practical farmer, and by his industry and energy has succeeded in his calling. His intelligence, integrity and general bearing have made him a leading citi- zen in the community. He served as a soldier during the late war, being a member of the Sixth Delaware Regiment. He was united in mariage, in 1857, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Lewis N. Wright, of Sussex county. Seven children have been born to them, of whom five are still living : John, Mary Hughlett, Sallie R., Lizzie C. and Lewis W. Richards. Philip, a farmer, near Bridgeville, and Charles F., a well-known lawyer of Georgetown, of whom see sketch, together with John Emory Rich- ards, are the only living representatives of a family of ten children. known He made, about this time, the ac- quaintance of Thomas Moore, the poet, when that gentleman was in Philadelphia, and al- ways recurred with affectionate delight to their intercourse. It is said too, that he also made the acquaintance of a young lady with whom he wished to unite his name and for- tunes, but his writings tell the result in fre- quent allusions of regret and disappointment. For twenty years he was the victim of the conjoined demons of opium and alcohol, and during this time produced the tales and poems by which he is now remembered. He became an honorary member of the Belle-Lettres So- ciety of Dickinson College, of that of Wash- ington College, Pa., and other societies of a like character in Delaware and Maryland. He resided for several years in Baltimore, Md. and was the object of sympathy and atten- tion. He spent the last years of his life in Wilmington, being employed on the "Blue Hen's Chicken," one of the most popular newspapers ever published in the state, then under the direction of Jeandell & Vincent. He was the principal literary contributor to its columns for several years. He died January 22, 1849, in the fifty-third year of his age, after a few days illness and was buried in St. Andrew's Church yard in Wilmington. He had mechanical and artistic talent, but it was his literary work and his misfortunes, which made the Milford Bard known and causes him still to be remembered.

OSTLES, JAMES HENRY, Farmer, of Milford hundred, was born near Fred- erica, February 23, 1825. His father, Shadrach Postles, an enterprising and successful farmer, was born in Milford, then Mispillion hundred, in 1801. He married in 1823, Mrs. Sallie Spence, by whom he had six children, four of whom are now living : James H., Ellen P., wife of Garrett L. Hynson,

ICHARDS, JOHN EMORY, Farmer, of North West Fork hundred, was born May 21, 1836, at the old Richards Zadoc, and George Law Postles. Mrs. Postles homestead in Sussex. His father was died in 1837, and Mr. Postles was again mar- John Richards, a farmer, who died at ried in 1840 to Mrs. Cynthia Voss, nee Davis.

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE.

They had one child, John Wesley Postles. | his sixty-second year. He was a man of fine Shadrach Postles died in 1857. He was the

the same place, who died in 1812, at the age of thirty-five. He married Miss Nellie Parker, of Sussex county, and three of their children grew to maturity : Shadrach, James, and Ste- phen Postles, of Camden. The Postles in Del- aware are descended from two brothers, who emigrated from England early in colonial times, and many of them have been prominent citizens of the State. They have also become very numerous in the West, especially in Ohio, and the city of Columbus; many of them are wealthy. Mr. Postles grew up on the farm, attending school in the winter, till he was eighteen, after which he taught six years with success. In 1851 he pur- chased the estate on which he has since resided, his wife having inherited a part. It consists of 136 acres, under a high state of cul- tivation, principally devoted to grain, but he has also been very successful with fruit. Mr Postles has also a farm of 100 acres near Mc- Colley's Mills, and 120 acres besides. He is devoted to his calling, and has become one of the leading farmers of Kent county. He learned civil engineering at the age of eighteen, since which time he has been the surveyor for a large section of the surrounding country. He has always kept pace, by reading and study, with the progress of the age, and is well informed on all the leading topics of the day. In politics he is a Republican, and since his boyhood has been a member of the M. E. Church. He was married in 1850,to Miss Mar- garet Lowber, daughter of Isaac and Sallie (Williams) Davis, and has seven children ; Albert Davis,a teacher by profession, who died January 18, 1881, James Bell, Francis Edward, Mary Davis, Sallie Williams, Charles and An- nie Postles.

IRD, JAMES THOMAS, Retired Far- mer, Wilmington, was born in St.George's hundred, April 1, 1796, and was the only child of Thomas and Mary (Thomas) Bird. Mrs. Bird was the daughter of James Thomas, a farmer of St. George's hun- dred and also a manufacturer of broad cloth and fine woolen goods. She died when her son was only two years old and her husband never again married. He lived till 1830, reaching

proportions and great physical strength, which eldest son of Zadoc Postles, also a farmer of |he preserved till near the time of his death. He was a farmer much in advance of his day in his ideas and methods of agriculture. He was a very generous and liberal man, too much so for his own interests ; no appeal was ever made to him in vain. He was many years a member and an elder in the St. George's Presbyterian Church. The father of Thomas was William David Bird, a farmer and a brave soldier in the Revolutionary war, in the Delaware line. He kept a hotel for some years at Mount Pleasant, in which General Washington once spent a week with him, his army being in the neighborhood. Mr. William D. Bird was in the battle of Cooch's Bridge, the battle of Brandy- wine and other engagements. He married in 1762, Ann Davies, who was born in Wales in 1734, and came to this country with her family. They settled on the Welsh tract near Buck's Tavern, now Summit Bridge. The tract patented by her father is now owned by Mr. Bird and has never been sold. It contains 220 acres. Mrs. Ann Bird saw it in its primitive state, with the bears, and different kinds of game, native to the soil. She died in 1806 : her hus- band in 1783. His father,the original emigrant from England, settled awhile in Delaware, but afterwards removed to the southern part of Virginia, all his family accompanying him with the exception of this son, William David. The old Welsh tract estate, constituted the home farm, and upon it Mr. James T. Bird spent his childhood and youth. He was a delicate child and in consequence school was attended but irregularly. At the age of eigh- teen he commenced farming on his own ac- count. He afterwards began purchasing land and now owns eight fine farms. At the age of thirty-five he removed to Newark, and in 1862 to Wilmington, where he purchased the fine residence on the corner of Seventh and West streets, which is still his home. He has been truly the architect of his own fortunes, his self-reliance, energy and character having been remarkable from his youth, and under a favor- ing providence have enabled him to accomplish much for himself and others. In politics he was an old line Whig and since the war has been a Republican. He was a strong Union man, deeming no sacrifice too great for his country. Three of his sons entered the

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United States army, with which one of them,

and also served on the Committee on Claims Colonel Charles Bird, is still connected, and and Printing. In September, 1877, he com- is stationed at Governor's Island, N. Y. He was in active service through the entire period of the war. Mr. James Thomas Bird was first married, in 1821, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Gracie Clark. They had seven children ; Thomas ; Dr. James C., Henry B., Susan, Louisa; Col. Charles, and William, who resides in Salt Lake City. Mr. Bird lost his wife iu 1840, and in 1841 married Miss Susan, daughter of Levi Clark. By her he had one child, Levi Clark Bird,now a prominent lawyer of Wilmington.

HARPLEY, HON. HARRY, Lawyer, ex-State Senator and ex-President of the City Council of Wilmington, was born, April 4, 1847. His parents were John and Mary Jane (Springer) Sharp- ley. His father was a farmer in Brandywine hundred, living on the old original estate deeded to the first settler, Adam Sharpley, in 1682, and who, about that time, came to this country from Ireland. John Sharpley was ac- cidentally killed in December, 1877, by being thrown from a wagon. His age was sixty-four years. His father, Esau Sharpley lived to be ninety-six years of age. Mr. Harry Sharpley was educated in the common schools of Brandy- wine hundred, and for two winters attended the school of Clarkson Taylor, in Wilmington. His summers were occupied with the labors of the farm. In 1867 he went to the Millersville State Normal School of Pennsylvania, remain- ing two years and graduating in 1869, from the elementary course. He then taught a year in Chester county, Penna., and returning to the school, graduated in 1871, from the scientific department, Bachelor of Science. Another year was spent in teaching in Lancaster county, and in 1872, he commenced the study of law with Hon. C. B. Lore, of Wilmington. Part of the time while pursuing his legal studies he taught school in Susquehanna county, Penna., and for a year in Delaware. He was admitted to the bar in the May term, 1876, and in the fall of that year was elected

menced the practice of law in Wilmington, in partnership with Mr. Harry C. Turner. This partnership continued till March, 1879, since which time Mr. Sharpley has practiced his profession alone. He has always been a Demo- crat in politics and has given much attention to public affairs. He was elected, in Septem- ber, 1879, President of the City Council, which position he held until June, 1882. He is a member of the Masonic Order, being a mem ber of Lafayette Lodge, No. 14, A. F. and A. M., St. Johns Chapter, No. 4, R. A. M., and St. Johns Commandery Knights Templar.

GLE, THOMAS MOORE, of Wil- mington, and ex-Sheriff of New Castle county, was born in New Castle hun - dred, July 14, 1813. His father, How- ard Ogle, was a carpenter and builder, and a leading citizen of his locality. He filled the office of Justice of the Peace for seven years, and was for four years a member of the Levy Court of New Castle county. He died in 1875, aged eighty-five years. He married, in 1812, Miss Charlotte Francis, daughter of Thomas Moore, a leading farmer of Bear Sta- tion, New Castle county. Their five children were : Thomas M., Benjamin Napoleon, John Nevin, Mary, now deceased, was married to James Draper. and after his death, to John B. Ball ; and Eliza, wife of Samuel T. Armstrong. The father of Howard was Benjamin Ogle, born in White Clay Creek hundred. He was a successful farmer and owned considerable real estate. He died about 1828, at sixty-six years of age, His wife was Hannah Simpson, and their children were : Peter, Howard and Eliza. The last named married a Mr. McLane, and after his death married Mr. Irwin and had a large family. The father of Benjamin was Thomas Ogle, who came from Eng- land about the middle of the last century, and settled in Delaware, obtaining a grant of land extending five miles between the Chris- tiana river and White Clay Creek hundred, and a portion of it extending as far as Elk on the Democratic ticket to a seat in the State river. He was twice married and had several Senate for four years, from January 1, 1877. In children. His brother Samuel came with him the Senate he was active and prominent from from England and settled in Maryland. He there became distinguished, and was at one time Lieutenant Governor of the colony under the first, and in 1879, was Chairman of Com- mittees on Revised Statutes and Education,

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Lord Baltimore. The family have always course at St. Mary's College, Md., and gradua- been Presbyterians, and in politics, Jeffersonian ted with honor. He then commenced the Democrats. Mr. Ogle was educated in the study of medicine with Dr. Samuel Randolph, schools of Christiana, in which place he lived ; of Philadelphia, and in the autumn of 1836 en- from 1815 to 1833. In the latter year his tered the University of Pennsylvania, from father removed to Delaware City, where he which he graduated M. D., in 1839. It had lived till his death. Mr. Ogle learned the been his strong desire to engage as Surgeon trade of his father, which he followed till 1857. in the naval service of the United States, and he yielded only with great reluctance to the persuasions of his uncle, Chancellor Ridgely, to remain at home, and give his attention to other business. Thus induced he has devoted his life principally to agriculture and has be- come a large land-owner. In 1843, he became a director in the Farmers Bank of Dover, and in 1846, was elected the President. To this office he has now given thirty-six years of faithful and efficient service. The history of that bank contained in this volume was written by Dr. Ridgely. He was one of the first to subscribe towards the building of the Delaware railroad, and was one of the few persons from Dover who subscribed $48,000 towards its completion, at the first meeting held in Milford for the furtherance of this object. He was one of its first board of direc- tors from Dover until 1866. During the year preceding the notable peach suits against the Delaware railroad took place. Though so deeply interested in, and prominently identi- fied with, the road, and having large financial interests at stake, he yet believed the peach growers had been wronged, and did not hesi- tate to advance money to prosecute their claims against the corporation. In this prose- cution he was relied upon as a principal wit- ness; the result being that the suit was decided against the company, and a complete reform in its methods was insured. As might be ex- He removed to Christiana Bridge in the fall of 1841, and resided there till 1856. He has al- ways taken a deep interest in politics and has : been active in the affairs of his party. He was Tax Collector for New Castle hundred for the years 1846 and '47, and in 1849 was appointed Justice of the Peace, which office he resigned after holding it three years. In 1856 he was elected Sheriff of New Castle county, and discharged the duties of that office greatly to the satisfaction of the people and to his own credit, till November, 1858. He then re- moved to a farm in New Castle hundred, where he followed agriculture till 1867, at which time he came to Wilmington and engaged in the auction business. In 1873 he was ap- pointed, by Governor James Ponder, Recorder of Deeds for New Castle county, for the term of five years, which office he ably and success- fully administered, resuming the auction busi- ness, in which he was engaged, till 1881. He has always been popular and influential in his party, enjoying the confidence and esteem of all who know him. Mr. Ogle was married, March 17, 1836, to Miss Tabitha Nevin Stroup, daughter of Uriah and Sarah (Brown) Stroup. Hers was an old and honorable family of White Clay Creek hundred, of which place she is a native. Six children of this union are liv- ing, one son, Dr. Howard Ogle, of Wilming- ton, and five daughters : Charlotte, Virginia, Laura Gertrude, Ella Euphemia, wife of Jacob pected, Dr. Ridgely was not re-elected to the S. Clark, of the firm of Clark & Brothers, Bal- timore ; Julia Emma and Agnes Evalene, wife of Maxwell Ocheltree, of Chester, Penna. board in 1866, yet to him the town of Dover is principally indebted for the passing of the rail- road through its limits, the first route surveyed by the company, having passed the capital of

IDGELY, HENRY, M. D., President of the State three miles distant. This is only one the Farmers Bank of Dover, was born of many advantages for which his native town in that place, April 15, 1817. He is is indebted to him. In 1873 the Citizens the third president of this bank, his fa- Building and Loan Association was organized ther, Henry M. Ridgely, having been with Dr. Ridgely as its President, and a new the first, and his father-in-law, Jonathan Jen- impetus was given to the growth and improve- kins, the second. He was prepared for college ment of the place. Through the agency of at Dwight's Gymnasium, New Haven, Ct., this, the parent organization, and others after which he pursued the usual four years' springing from it, $150,000 has been loaned

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Historical and biographical encyclopaedia of Delaware. V 2, Part 25

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

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