Historical and biographical encyclopaedia of Delaware. V 2, Part 41

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Publication date: 1972
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 776

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Delaware when he found there the material he desired in such abundance, and the people so cordial, that he finally decided to remain and establish, in Frankford, the factory of Huxford & Company, Veneer, Basket and Plaque Works, of which in the Industrial Department a full account is given. The kindness and cordiality of the Delawareans thus led the stranger to cast in his lot among them, and to open up in their midst a business that will, doubtless,long continue to prove the avenue of prosperity to many of its people. Mr. Treat is a Republican, a man of broad views ; and as a patriotic and ef- fective orator was in great demand in the cam- paigns, and as such has long been prominently and favorably known in north-east and middle States. He was trained in the Congregational church in whose doctrines he is a firm believer, and has been largely identified with the tem- perance movement. He is an able and fluent speaker, and has done much effective work in the cause .. He was married, in 1866, to Miss Frances E., daughter of Harry and Margaret Huxford, of Brooks, Maine, a near relative of ex-Senator, James W. Nesmith, of that State. They have three children ; Mabel, Gail and Gertrude.

ESLEY, ALLEN VOORHEES, M. D., late State Senator, was born in Philadelphia, June 17, 1882. Both his parents were natives of the same city. His father, Peter Lesley, of Scotch line- age, was a cabinet maker by trade, and in later years the Secretary and Treasurer of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal Company. He married Elizabeth O. Allen, a lady of En- glish descent. Allen V. Lesley was from very early life an enthusiastic student, and gained a great proficiency in the classics. He gradu- ated with distinguished honors from the University of Pennyslvania, after which he resided for a short time on a farm belonging to his father, near Delaware City. In 1841 he removed to Brooklyn, and from there to Feltonville, N. Y., for the practice of medicine and surgery. He there married, in 1844, his

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cousin, Miss Jane Lesley Voorhees, and | of Hugh Caldwell and Susanna (Packer) Cox, shortly after returned to Delaware, locating in New Castle, where he erected a beautiful residence, surrounding it with charming grounds, and entered upon a course of medical practice in which he was eminently success- ful. He excelled in social intercourse and made many friends ; but he had the misfortune to lose his wife to whom he was most fondly attached, and from that time all these pleasures and the honors that were paid him, lost their charm. He sought relief in foreign travel, his acquaintance with different languages en- abling him to visit many countries with satisfaction and profit. In the course of years he wandered over nearly every part of the globe, his abundant means affording him every opportunity to gratify his highly cultivated tastes. He was at one time State Senator from New Castle county, and was chosen speaker of that body. Early in life he became identi- fied with the Masonic Order, and was an en- thusiastic and zealous worker in its behalf. At the grand communication of the Grand Lodge of Delaware, held June 27, 1863, he was unani- mously elected Grand Master of the Order, and at the Grand Convocation of the H. R. A. Chapter of the State, he was unanimously chosen Grand High Priest. His grief continued to wear upon him, and, finally, with his habits of severe study and frequent travel, affected his health. In his pleasant home he was a long time confined, a constant sufferer from complicated disorders, from which he was released by death, Nov. 7, 1881, at the age of fifty-nine.

ARSH, JOSEPH WEST, M. D., of Lewes and Rehoboth hundred, was born in the house where he now resides Dec. 6, 1839. His father, Dr. Erasmus D. Marsh, born Sept. 13, 1807, it is supposed in the same house, studied medicine with his father, Dr. Joseph Marsh, and upon examination was licensed to practice medi- cine by the Delaware State Medical Society in 1831. For nearly forty years he was a lead- ing physician of Sussex county, loved and respected as widely as he was known. Besides his large practice he superintended the culti- vation of his home-farm of nearly 300 acres. He married, in 1830, Miss Susan B., daughter

an old and highly respectable family of New Jersey. They had eight children ; Hugh Caldwell, in the marble and slate business, Philadelphia ; Mary Ellen, wife of James M. Martin, a merchant of Cool Spring ; Emily Burton, who married Samuel Paynter, and died, July 4, 1878 ; Dr. Joseph West ; Thomas Purnell, deceased ; Theodore Wilson, merchant at Nassau; Erasmus, and William Wolf, M. D., a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, but now devoted to farming. Dr. Erasmus D. Marsh died, Sept. 7, 1866. His widow, now in her seventy-ninth year, lives with her son, Dr. Joseph W. The grandfather of the last named, Dr. Joseph Marsh, owned the old homestead, now occupied by this grandson, and lived there the later years of his life. He was the leading physician in that section of the county for many years. He was born, Jan. 15, 1781, and died, March 17, 1832. His first wife was Mary, daughter of Joseph and Eleanor West, by whom he had six children; Naomi West, who married Daniel Fisher ; Hetty Ann, who married John Fletcher ; Dr. Erasmus D. : David Gray, who married Elizabeth Hill, and now resides in Wheeling, Va .; Lydia Eleanor, who married Wolsey Burton and Joseph who married Ruth P. Cox, a sister of Mrs. Dr. Eras- mus D. Marsh. After the death of his wife Mary, June 17, 1816, Dr. Joseph Marsh married Naomi Lank, by whom he had two children, Peter and Mary. Mary married Hammond J. Lingo. Becoming again a widower, Dr. Marsh married Mrs Annie Way (nee Shankland) widow of John Burton, by whom he had three children ; James P. Wilson, John Alfred, and Sarah Ann May, now widow of Benjamin Virden. The parents of Dr. Joseph Marsh were Peter and Polly Marsh. Peter was the son of Capt. Peter Marsh who came from England with two or three brothers and set- tled in Rehoboth ; where the brothers settled is not known. Capt. Peter Marsh, his wife, Mary, and many of their descendants rest in the old family burial place at Rehoboth city. Of seventy of the graves the names are known, and there are also some old graves not known. Two family bibles that he brought with him from England are still in existence, and also a powder horn, marked "P. M. 1716." The horn is now owned by Dr. J. W. Marsh. He ac- quired a good English education at the acade-

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mies of Lewes and Georgetown, and read | farm, attending the district school at Liberty medicine one year with his father. Entering Jefferson Medical College in 1859, he gradua- ted with the class of '61, and commenced practice in partnership with his father, which continued till the death of the latter, since which time he has been the leading physician of his section, having a very large practice which extends over a wide area. He is be- side interested in farming having 35 acres with the homestead and 75 acres beside, which he cultivates, mostly devoted to cereals. He is a member of the State Medical Society, is Democratic in politics, and the family are Presbyterians. Dr. Marsh, by his skill and high character, has acquired an enviable repu- tation and is one of the most reliable and successful physicians of the State.

AY, WINFIELD SCOTT, Editor and Proprietor of The Middletown Trans- cript, was born near Port Deposit, Cecil county, Md., Nov. 14, 1847. His

father, Samuel F. Way, was in early life a farmer, and afterwards, as a daguerrian, traveled through the middle and southern States. He was prominent in the Whig party in Cecil county, but after its dissolution took little interest in politics. In 1863 he removed to Town Point,second election district of that county, and resumed farming ; in 1868 and '69 he was engaged in mercantile business. He married Lizzie Nesbitt, of Scotch-Irish de- scent, who died when this her only child was nine months old. His grandfather was James, son of John Way, a Quaker family of Chester county, Pa. James Way was a plasterer by trade, and came early in life to Cecil county, where, later, he engaged in farming, which he continued till within a few years of his death, in 1875. He was the brother of Rebecca Way Taylor, mother of the late Bayard Taylor. She is still living at an advanced age at Ken- nett Square, Pa. The wife of James Way was Rachel Barrett, and they had four children ; Caleb, Samuel F., John and Kate. Caleb and John died leaving no children. Kate married Samuel Harvey Jack, who held the office of Surveyor for Cecil county several terms. Both are now dead. Winfield S. Way was brought up by his grandfather, and worked on the

Grove in winter, and in 1862 spent one term at the Newark Academy. He was a close student, improving well his few advantages, and was passionately fond of reading. In 1863 he entered, as an apprentice, the office of the Cecil Whig at Elkton, but remained only two months. At the age of seventeen he sent his first newspaper contribution to the New York Weekly Mercury. It was accepted, and he contributed regularly to the paper for six or seven years : also contributed to the New York Weekly, and Southern Home Fournal. In 1870 he purchased his father's store in Town Point and conducted it till 1877, and in 1876 was engaged in mercantile business also in Chesapeake City. In May, 1877, he went to Colorado and spent nearly five months, as correspondent of New York and Baltimore papers. In October of that year he purchased of Edward Reynolds the Middletown Tran- script which he has since successfully con- ducted. It has greatly increased, under his management, in circulation and influence, and his paragraphs and humorous sketches have been widely copied. Mr. Way has served three years as Secretary of the Peninsula Agricultural and Pomological Association of Middletown, which holds its Annual Fair at that place. He was elected Secretary of the Peninsula Press Association at its re-organiza- tion four years ago, and has been re-elected at every annual meeting since. He has served one term of two years as President of. the board of Town Commissioners, and is a director of the Mutual Loan Association of Middle- town. He was one of the organizers, and is treasurer of the Irving Lyceum of that place, the leading literary society of the state. A Democrat in politics his paper is devoted to the interests of that party. He was married, in 1874, to Kate A., daughter of Christian Pote of Philadelphia, and has one child ; Liz- zie Scott Way. Mr. Way has an acute and vigorous mind, an easy flow of language and a decidedly humorous vein that greatly enlivens his paper. His paragraphs and sketches writ- ten under the nom de plume of "The Bald Headed Editor" are eagerly watched for and enjoyed. He has taken and maintains a high social position, and is greatly respected by the community.

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UNN, EZEKIEL, Retired Merchant of Philadelphia, was born on the homestead farm,called "Great Geneva," near Cam- den, August 26, 1810. His father, Ezekiel Hunn, Sr., a prosperous farmer and a leading member of the Society of Friends, was a great abolitionist and assisted many poor fugitives from the house of bond ige. He met with many interesting experiences, well worthy of record, and which should be preserved to his honor, and as illustrative of the times and the people. His wife was Tabitha, daughter of Henry Newell of Mur- derkill Neck, a family remarkable for their beauty and noble appearance. The women were considered faultless and greatly admired. Mr. Newell was especially striking and distin- guished in appearance. Mr. Ezekiel Hunn, Sr., had four children : the farm on which his son Ezekiel now resides was owned by the grandfather of the latter, Jonathan Hunn, as early as the middle of the last century. It is a fine landed estate on St. Jones' creek and was called " Wild Cat" from the jungle wild cat that then infested it. It was the site of an ancient Indian town and burial ground, and numerous arrow-heads, axes, tomahawks, etc., are still found upon it, and the bones of the buried Indians are frequently exhumed. Mr. Hunn was sent till the age of fourteen to the Westtown Friends' boarding school near Philadelphia, and was then apprenticed to Townsend Sharpless in that city to learn mercantile business, which completing at twenty, capital was advanced to him by his guardian, Richard Cowgill, and he engaged in the wholesale silk and fancy goods business on Market street below Third. Sometime afterwards he purchased ground and erected the buildings at 109 Market and 20 North 4th St, where he was greatly prospered, and in 1846 retired from the business. He owned a portion of a silver mine near Middletown, Conn., and also invested largely in nickle and cobalt mines in the same state. He afterwards went into partnership with his father-in-law, Townsend Sharpless, but in time his health failed from too energetic and close application to business, and he retired to his farm, "Wild Cat." When he came of age he sold all his patrimony in Delaware but this, which he pre- sented by deed to the lady who afterwards became his wife. He was married in 1836, to |

Miss Lydia Jones, daughter of Townsend Sharpless, merchant of Philadelphia, the head of the world-famed house of Sharpless in the last generation, who was also a Friend and a philanthropist. The union was a very happy one. They have four children; Townsend Sharpless ; Henry, a merchant in New York ; Ezekiel Hunn Jr., a leading lawyer of Phila- delphia, and Mary, wife of George Wood, of the firm of R. D. Wood and Sons in the above city.

URDLE, WILLIAM WILSON, Capi- talist and Farmer, Indian River hun- dred, was born not far from his present residence, Feb. 6, 1822. His father, Jacob Hurdle, a butcher and farmer, was born in Virginia in 1780, and came in early manhood to Indian River hundred, where he married Valinda, daughter of Isaac and Rebecca Joseph, of one of the oldest families of Sussex. Five of their seven children grew to maturity ; Lettie, died unmarried ; Joseph Chambers, a farmer ; William Wilson ; Jacob Fisher, a farmer, and Eliza Ann, in charge of the sewing department of the Byrd Asylum near Philadelphia. Mrs. Hurdle died in July, 1842. In 1843 Mr. Hurdle married Mrs. Walker. She died in 1854. The father of Jacob was Joseph Hurdle, who came from England and settled in Virginia, where he spent his life and raised a family. Mr. William W. Hurdle grew up on his father's farm and attended the schools of the locality, but to the reading and and study of later years he owes his education, mainly. He remained at home till his mother's death in 1842, soon after which he married and commenced farming on his own account on sixty acres of land given him by his father, and his home was just across the road from where he now lives. He soon after commenced the purchase of land which he has continued till now ; he owns about 2,000 acres, 1600 of which is in one body. On this he lives and cultivates 160 acres ; the rest is in ten farms and is rented, all of it under excellent cultiva- tion. He built his commodious residence in 1857. In connection with farming, he has for many years bought and butchered cattle, and this business, which has been largely wholesale, has been profitable. By carefulness, industry and economy, he has been very successful in life and is one of the leading farmers of Sus-

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sex county. In politics he was an old line Whig, but joined the Republican party upon its organization, and during the war exerted all his influence to save his country. He en- listed in the 6th Regiment of Delaware volun- teers, under Col. Jacob Moore, and was Cor- poral of his company. For nine months he was with the regiment guarding the P. W. & B. Railroad, and the prisoners at Fort Dela- ware. He has been very active and influential in the councils of both the Whig and Repub- lican parties and has attended nearly all the county and State conventions since before he was of age. He was once on the county ticket for assessor, and in 1880, was the census taker of Indian River hundred. Mr. Hurdle was married first in 1843 to Miss Comfort Brinton, daughter of Thomas H. Joseph of the same place. Five of their seven children grew to maturity ; Annie Elizabeth, who married Silas M. Warrington and died in 1871; Isabella Williams, married David P. Warrington, and died in 1868, leaving one child, Susan, who lives with her grandparents ; William Thomas, a farmer, and has one daughter; George Wash- ington, died in 1871, in his twentieth year, and Amanda Prudence, wife of John S. Veasey. Mrs. Hurdle died Oct. 11, 1867, and Mr. Hurdle married, June 2, 1870, Hester Emily, daughter of William W. Goslee of Indian River hundred.

unsuspicious, he had no thought that an undue advantage would be taken of his disinterested act. He continued farming until 1870, when he was elected, on the Democratic ticket, a member of Levy Court of New Castle county, for a term of four years. He was known as the working member ; quick at figures, the problems relating to taxation, the details in regard to roads, bridges and contracts he solved with facility and accuracy. From 1870 to 1875, Mr. Wilson devoted himself, exclu- sively, to the duties of his office. For the last three years he has added to his other busi- ness that of agent for the Agricultural Fire Insurance Company of New York State, and has also been general agent for the Maryland Life Insurance Company, of Baltimore, which occupies much of his time. He is one of the vice-presidents of the Irving Lyceum, of Mid- dletown, a literary society of high reputation. With his brother, John T. Wilson, he is inter- ested in the settlement of his father's estate, and the " Brick Store Landing " farm of 250 acres, they own together, it having descended to them from their mother. This, with his share of his father's estate, real and personal, places him in comfortable circumstances. For several years Mr. Wilson took an active in- terest in politics. As a speaker, he is fluent, easy and forcible, and has won considerable popularity. He is fond of music, and plays well on several instruments, especially the violin. He united with the Presbyterian church of Middletown, in 1870. In manner, he is dignified without ostentation, and his in- telligent countenance bespeaks the generous and noble qualities of his heart.

ILSON, WILLIAM NAUDAIN, In- surance Agent and ex-member of the Levy Court of New Castle county, was born on the "Foard" farm, in Cecil county, Md., being the second son of William and Rachel (Naudain) Wilson. He attended the public schools of his locality till fourteen years of age, when he became a stu- ALDEMAN, REV. ISAAC MASSEY, Pastor of Delaware Avenue Baptist church, Wilmington, was born at Con- cord, Delaware county, Pa., Feb. 13, 1845. In 1852 his father, R. J. Halde- man, removed his family to West Chester, where he conducted a large and prosperous mercantile business, and amassed a fortune. He was a birthright member of the Society of Friends, but in 1866, at the same time with his son Isaac, who was then twenty-one years of age, he united with the Baptist Church, in which he was from that time prominent. He married Miss R. A. Massey, a lady of unusual dent, for two years, in the Middletown Acad- emy, followed by another two years in the New London Academy, Chester county, Pa. Returning home he engaged in farming with his father, and three years afterward, on one of his father's farms near Middletown, known as " Homestead Hall." He here showed the enterprise and good judgment of a man of more mature years, and managed that farm with great success till 1861. About this time he was induced to allow his name to be placed on the sign of a store in the neighborhood, to assist an embarrassed merchant, but Mr. Wil- son was the loser by $2,000. Generous and piety and intelligence, a descendant of the

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Frazers of Delaware county, originally from Scotland. Their son Isaac M., received a thorough academic education, and at the age of nineteen entered into partnership with his father, with whom he remained till he was twenty-five, and whose desire was that he should succeed him in the business. But his tastes were entirely literary ; his mother had in his infancy devoted him to the ministry, and carefully trained him with this hope in view, and from the time of his conversion and bap- tism, it was strongly impressed upon his own mind that he must preach the gospel. Return- ing from a tour through the west, he found his church in the midst of a revival, and being urged by his pastor, made his first public attempt. At its conclusion fifteen rose for prayers. His gift was quickly recognized, and he soon received a call to the Baptist Church at Brandywine, which being repeated the third time, he accepted and was ordained. The church had previously paid a salary of only $400, but offered Mr. Haldeman $1,000. During the four years he was the pastor, he baptized over two hundred converts, largely from the Quaker families who predominated in the place. He preached always to crowded houses, and had a constant revival. In the midst of these successful labors, he received an urgent call to the pastorate of Delaware Ave- nue Baptist Church of Wilmington, which was then in financial embarrassment, and greatly in need of an able and popular pastor. Believ- ing it to be his duty, he accepted the invitation, entering this new field in April, 1875. His reception was most flattering ; the church was constantly thronged, and even the Wednesday evening meetings were attended by an average of five hundred people with unabated interest. A strong Calvinist, and a firm believer in the near approach of the second coming of Christ, the unpopularity of his doctrines appeared little to affect his popularity as a preacher, which has only seemed to increase with the passage of time. He is very eloquent, his style is easy, flowing and original, and he often preaches with great power. Since his settlement in Wilmington his church has in- creased in membership from 246, to 1,145, and he has baptized 990 persons. He is the treasurer of his church, and in the first four years paid off $15,000 of the debt, that en- cumbered the society when he became its 65

pastor. He edited for several years a religious paper called "The Avenue," devoted to the interests of his church, and to his peculiar doctrinal beliefs. In 1876 he spent six months in Europe. He has had calls to other places, but it is hoped that it will be long ere the ties that bind him to his people here will be broken. He met with a great bereavement in the death of his father, April 30, 1882.

ENNINGTON, EVANS, Real Estate Broker, Wilmington, was born in Lan- caster county, Pa. Feb. 22, 1837. His

parents were Daniel and Letitia (Townsend) Pennington. Daniel Pen- nington, a wealthy farmer, was the son of John, who was the son of Thomas Penning- ton, a native of England, who, with his two brothers, came to this country about the mid- dle of the last century. He settled in Lan- caster county, his brother Isaac in New Jersey, and the other brother in Maryland. They were members of the Society of Friends, as their descendants mostly are to the present time. The subject of this sketch received a thorough English education in the public and boarding schools of Pennsylvania which he attended till he was nineteen years of age. He soon after became an apprentice to learn the milling business, and when twenty-three purchased a grist mill which he improved and sold in a short time to advantage ; and so he continued till 1872, buying mill property, im- proving it, operating it for a longer or shorter period, and disposing of it at a good advance. In these operations he realized a considerable sum of money, and in 1872 decided to devote himself to real estate, and for that purpose removed to Wilmington where he has since resided and built up a large and remunerative business. Although coming to the city a per- fect stranger he possessed the qualities that Insure success ; great activity, close attention to business, frank and cordial manners, with straightforward and fair dealing. This made him many friends and acquaintances, who were so won by his manners and methods, that an immense amount of property was soon placed in his hands,and the first year his sales amounted to upwards of $100,000. In 1878 he purchased the property at Eighth and King streets, which has since been his resi-

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dence and business head quarters. He is admirably suited to the business in which he is engaged, being naturally inclined to specu- lation. The buying and selling of various articles by which he turned many an honest penny was a strong trait even of his child- hood, Mr. Pennington is one of the sub- stantial and estimable men of Wilmington. In politics he is a Republican. He was mar- ried, March 24, 1864, to Miss Emma Gaw- throp, daughter of Allen Gawthrop of Wil- mington, but formerly of Chester county, Pa. They have three children ; Frank Newlin, Harry Gawthrop, and Mary G. Mr. Penning- ton and his wife are birth-right members of the Society of Friends.

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Historical and biographical encyclopaedia of Delaware. V 2, Part 41

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

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