Historical and biographical encyclopaedia of Delaware. V 2, Part 47

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

USA > Delaware > Historical and biographical encyclopaedia of Delaware. V 2 > Part 47

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

ALLANDIGHAM, REV. JAMES L., D. D., LL. D., Pastor of the church at Head of Christiana, was born in New Lisbon, Ohio. An outline of his life and some account of his family will be found on page 105. His father, in addition to his ministerial labors, taught a classical school and prepared this son to enter the junior class of Jefferson College when only sixteen years of age. He graduated in two years, maintaining a high standing in a class of thirty, nearly all older than himself. His father's salary was inadequate to the support and education of seven children and he had been obliged to borrow the money to defray the expenses of his collegiate course. After graduating he engaged in teaching in order to refund this money, and also to assist in educating his three younger brothers, all of whom became professional men. The necessity thus laid upon him, he always regarded as fortunate, considering the mental discipline he acquired and also the more accurate knowledge of the classics and other branches, as ample com-

the two years that he taught in Snow Hill, he studied law with Hon. Irving Spence, and completed his studies at his home with Hon. Andrew W. Loomis, commencing the practice of his profession in his native town, and also taking a very active part in poli- tics. He was twice the candidate of his party for the office of Prosecuting Attorney, and was one of the principal speakers in sev- eral campaigns, especially in the memorable one of 1840. He had a strong predilection, a hereditary taste for politics, and highly re- garded his profession, but being converted in a revival in New Lisbon, as he himself ex- pressed it-the shadow of eternity resting upon him rendered him comparatively indif- ferent to things seen and temporal,and keenly alive to those which are unseen and eternal. He, therefore, in 1843, commenced the study of theology in New Lisbon, and to maintain himself and family, took charge of the classi- cal department of the High School. Having received a call which he felt constrained to ac- cept to the churches of White Clay Creek, Head of Christiana and Newark, he removed to the latter place, Nov. 30, 1853. As his charge was very extensive, an assistant was employed for three or four months, each sum- mer and fall. In 1860, the membership of the three churches having increased from 200 to 500, Mr. Vallandigham resigned the charge of the Newark church, as it was about to be strength- ened by the addition of the members of the New School church there, and would then be able, alone, to support a pastor. He remained in charge of the other two churches until 1875. The Presbytery had previously sent a committee to persuade them to separate, that each might have the entire services of a pastor. To this they reluctantly consented, and at a meeting of the Presbytery, held at Lewes, in April, 1875, each church presented, for him, a unanimous call. The one from the Head of Christiana was found in order and placed in his hands, and since June Ist of that year, he has been pastor of that church alone. His preaching has always been earnest, practical and instructive, and on various occasions, there have been glorious revivals. In 1854, 175 persons were received into the three churches under his care. Since he first became pastor of the three congregations, each has erected a

- -

543

BIOGRAPHICAL DEPARTMENT.

new church edifice. The wonderful degree of harmony which has prevailed among them during all these years, reflects great credit, both on the people and on him to whom they have . looked for counsel and guidance. The honor- ary degree of D. D., was conferred on Mr. Val- landigham by Delaware College, in 1874, and of LL. D., by Westminster College, Mo., in 1881. He has published the life of his brother, the Hon. C. L. Vallandigham, a volume of 570 pages, also, two editions of an address on the Evils of Intemperance. He was, at one time, assistant editor of a temperance paper, has frequently contributed to the press, and is the author of the historical sketches of the Pres- byterian churches of Delaware, published in this Cyclopedia. He still resides in Newark, and enjoys the unabated affection and confi- dence of the congregations of which he has been pastor, and the respect of the community at large.

PRUANCE, PRESLEY, was born in Kent county, a few miles west of Smyrna, Sept. 11, 1785. His father, Presley Spruance, was a substantial farmer and resided all his life in the same county. His grandfather, John Spruance, the first of the name in this State, came from Car- oline county, Md., and settled in Kent about 1730. His mother, Mary Jones, was descended from the Welsh Baptist Colonists, who settled on the Welsh Tract in New Castle county, about 1700. He attended the schools of his neighborhood until he was fifteen years old, when he was placed with Mr. Darragh, a mer- chant in Smyrna, then called Duck Creek Cross-Roads, and remained with him until he was twenty years old, and then began business with his father, under the name of P. Spru- ance & Son. This firm was succeeded, in a few years, by that of P. & E. Spruance, com- posed of the subject of this sketch and his younger brother. Enoch. The latter firm continued for more than forty years, conduct- ing an extensive business as merchants, ship- pers and landowners, and maintaining, during all that time, a high reputation for enterprise, integrity and liberality. These brothers were especially noted for their generosity to poor young men who manifested the capacity and purpose to succeed in life. Mr. Spruance al- ways, from boyhood, took a deep interest in

public affairs, and was deservedly popular. In 1822, he was elected to the House of Repre- sentatives of Delaware. In 1825, he was elected to the Senate of the same State, and continued a member of the same until 1831, when he was elected a member of the Con- vention which framed the present State Con- stitution. He was again elected to the Senate in 1834, and to the House of Representatives in 1838. In 1840, he was again called to do public duty in the State Senate, and continued a member of the same until 1847. During his twenty-one years of service in the State Leg- islature, he was, for about ten years, Speaker of the Senate. In 1847, he was chosen United States Senator, and held that position for the full term of six years. While a member of the State Senate, in 1829, he took a very active and important part in the passage of the "Act for the establishment of free schools," and in after-life he considered this the most useful and lasting public service in his long career of twenty-eight years as a legislator. Follow- jing the traditions of his family, he began life a Jefferson Democrat, but upon the division of parties in 1828, he attached himself to the Administration, or Adams party, and after- wards, on its formation, to the Whig party, of which he was a leading spirit in his county and State. His instincts and convictions were always strongly against slavery, and led him to advocate the Wilmot Proviso, and oppose the extension of the slave holding interests. Although, then an old man, and retired from public life, he was one of the very few in his county, who in 1860 voted for Abraham Lin- coln. While fully realizing the necessity of using force in the suppression of the rebellion, civil war was to him a dire calamity. When the announcement was made to him that the rebel batteries had opened fire upon Fort Sump- ter, he exclaimed, as tears filled his eyes, and his whole frame trembled with emotion, "I never expected to live to see this day." Few men have left behind them a reputation more worthy of emulation. Great industry, quick perception, retentive memory, love of books, and varied experience as a merchant and leg- islator, supplied in him, to a great extent, the deficiencies of early training, although he never ceased to regret that he had been denied the opportunity of a liberal education. His great and accurate knowledge of public affairs, both

544

HISTORY OF DELAWARE.

State and national, his sound, clear judgment, nent chemist, Lavoisier, at that time superin- inflexible integrity, steady courage and devot- tendent of the Royal manufactories and depots ed patriotism, made him a useful and honored of gun-powder and saltpetre, (Régie royale des public servant, and inspired the fullest confi- dence of his fellow citizens In 1830 Mr. Spruance married Sarah Corbit, daughter of William Corbit, of Cantwell's Bridge, now Odessa. The children of this marriage were Mary J., who died in infancy, Horace who died in Oct. 1882, and William C. and Sarah C., who now reside in Wilmington. Mr. Spruance died at his residence in Smyrna, Feb. 13, 1863.

UPONT, ELEUTHERE IRÉNÉE, youngest son of Pierre-Samuel duPont de Nemours, and of Nicole-Charlotte- Marie-Louise Le Dee de Rencourt, was born in Paris, France, June 24, 1771. His god-father was the celebrated Turgot, who selected on account of their meaning, his somewhat unusual baptismal names. The traits of character which specially marked Irénée duPont's whole career were displayed in early life. Simple and frugal in his tastes, generous and ardent in his impulses, the mis- fortunes of others ever elicited his warmest sympathy. To these qualities he united great energy of purpose and untiring industry. It seemed to be the height of his ambition to be a worthy, useful and valuable member of so- ciety. His carly years were passed at Bois-des- Fossés, his father's estate near the village of - Chevannes in the Gatinais, (now Department of Seine et Marne). Though taking the keenest interest in country pursuits, and having the - reputation of being the most courageous boy in the neigborhood, study was never ne- glected. His tastes were for the exact sciences, chemistry and botany being his favorite studies. In 1784, he had the misfortune to lose his mother, a model of every domestic virtue, but the affectionate care of his surviv- ing parent supplied, as far as possible, the va- cant place. During the following year he was extremely anxious to join La Pérouse's expi- dition round the world, then being fitted out ; but his father, though able to have placed him advantageously with that intrepid, but unfor- tunate navigator, would not agree to so early a separation, and the son acquiesced. He was soon, however, to leave the home of his child- hood: an intimate friend of his father, the emi-

Poudres et Saltpetres), had conceived a strong affection for the promising young man, and re- quested that he should go to him, promising to secure for him the reversion of this impor- tant and lucrative office. His father's consent having been given, he began his new career at the government mills at Essone, where he was sent to acquire a practical knowledge of the details of the manufacture of gun-powder. His prospects seemed now assured when the breaking out of the French Revolution changed the whole course of his life. The broad and lib- eral political views of his father were reflected in the son, who advocated, with ardor, the p. o- ject of a constitution limiting the power of the crown and sweeping away the many abuses of the past. In the interest of the moderate and law abiding party, after the voluntary disso- lution of the constituent assembly, DuPont de Nemours invested the greater part of his means in a large printing and publishing house in Paris. At its head he placed his son, Irénée, who found himself in his twenty- first year, during the most stormy period of Revolution, conducting, almost alone, a busi- ness of great importance, which of necessity was connected directly with the political com- plications of the day. On the memorable 10th of Aug., 1792, DuPont de Nemours, as strong in his opposition to popular excesses as in his advocacy of constitutional liberty, went to the palace of the Tuilleries to aid in defend- ing the King from the expected attack of the mob. Irenee accompanied him, and after Louis XVI and the royal family had taken refuge in the hall of the Legislative Assembly, succeeded,amid the scene of carnage, in saving his father's life as well as his own. The surviving defenders of the Tuilleries were marked for destruction. Though able to hide themselves for a time, father and son were finally arrested and confined in the Laforce prison. Irénée duPont had already united his lot to one (Sophie Madeleine Dalmas, born July 22, 1775, and died, Nov. 27, 1828,) no less distinguished for rare personal attractions than for energy of character, courage and wifely devotion. The despair of this beauti- ful young woman, (she was not yet eighteen,) touched the better feelings of one of the jail-

-- 1

! 1

1 -

545

BIOGRAPHICAL DEPARTMENT.

ors, when she sought admission to the | phia, his establishment was the largest of its prison in the disguise of peasant girl, and she kind in the United States. Amid the engross- ing pursuits of his business life, Irénée du Pont never, for a moment, forgot the duties he owed to his fellow men and to the community in which he lived. Foremost in every measure of local improvement, and in developing around him agricultural and industrial enter- prise, his private benevolence was not confined to pecuniary aid ; of his time-to him more precious still-he gave freely, to all to whom he could be of use. Nor did local matters, alone, occupy his attention, he served as a director in the Bank of the United States, and took part in the philanthropic labors of the American Colonization society in behalf of the African race. His ashes have long since been mingled with those of his father, brother, and wife, all of whom he survived ; but his memory, after the lapse of nearly fifty years,is still affec- tionately graven upon the hearts of the re- maining few who knew him personally, while his work still tells, and the example remains of what an upright, unselfish, and well-di- rected life may do. was able to pass in daily and minister to the the necessities of her husband and father. Their turn for the scaffold had almost come, when the fall of Robespierre ended the Reign of Terror, and opened the prison doors. Though their lives were saved, they had lost everything, and the embarrassed condition of their for- tunes made them turn their eyes towards the new world. In the latter part of 1799, the subject of this sketch, with his father and older brother, Victor, who had been in the United States in the French diplomatic and consular service during the terrible years of Revolution in his native land, sailed for America, arriving with their families at Newport, R.I., Jan. 1, 1800. Some months later, an accidental circumstance called Irénée du Pont's attention to the bad quality of the gun-powder made in the land of his adoption, and gave him the first idea of es- tablishing a set of works for its manufacture, a project deemed, by many, as little short of madness, so great was the reputation of the powder imported from England. Having de- cided upon the enterprise, he went back to France, in January, 1801, and revisited Essone, to acquaint himself with the various improve- ments in powder manufacture, which had e n made since he left the place, returning to the United States at the end of the following Au- gust, well provided with plans and models, and bringing with him some of the machinery for his future mills. It now remained to fix upon a suitable location. He examined sites near Paterson, N. J., and in Maryland and Vir- ginia. His father's friend, Thomas Jefferson, was very anxious that the new works should be built in the last named State, but there, as in Maryland, he was deterred by the institu- tion of slavery and the effects it had produced upon the character of the white race. Finally, in June, 1802, he bought a tract of land with ample water power on the Brandywine river, about four miles from Wilmington, Del., and on the 19th of the following month, arrived there with his family. The newness of the undertaking, no less than its hazardous char- acter, demanded unflagging toil and exertion. After many disappointments and losses, his energy and undaunted courage surmounted every obstacle, and at his death by cholera, Oct. 31st, 1834, while temporarily in Philadel-

PRUANCE, WILLIAM CORBIT, was born in Smyrna, April 2nd, 1831. His father, Presley Spruance, was, for twenty one years a member of the Legislature of the State of Delaware, and for six years a Senator of the United States. Wil- liam C. Spruance was prepared for College un- der the tuition of Rev.Geo. Foote at Port Penn, and afterwards at Newark Academy. He en- tered Princeton College in January, 1849, and graduated there in 1852. His legal studies were prosecuted under Chief Justice Comegys, Hon. George B. Rodney, and at the Harvard Law School, Cambridge, Mass. He was ad- mitted to the bar at New Castle, in Nov., 1855, settled there, and remained until 1871, when he removed to Wilmington, and has since resided in that city. For about three years he was Deputy Attorney General, for twelve years attorney for New Castle County, and for two years City Solicitor for Wilming- ton. In 1876 he was appointed United States Attorney for the District of Delaware, and re- signed that office in 1880. Mr. Spruance is a safe, wise and loyal counselor, and a man of sternest integrity and untiring diligence. His eminent ability, persistent energy and vigorous

546

HISTORY OF DELAWARE.

methods, have won for him success at the bar, and placed him in the front rank of the profes- sion to which he is an honor. Trained in the Whig School of politics, and firmly opposed to human slavery, be joined the Republican party at the outbreak of the rebellion, and has since been one of its most effective upholders in every important campaign. His political at- tachments proceed from his deep convictions of right and justice, and bravely as he fights for his party, he loves his native State and the Nation better, and would prefer defeat of his party to its success through unworthy means. He was married in 1858 to Maria Louisa, eldest daughter of Rev. J. B. Spotswood D. D. of New Castle. They have had eight children, of whom five are now living : Presley, John S., Arthur W., William C. and Edith.

ONES, JOHN, one of the original firm of Pusey & Jones, a well known firm in the general Machine and Vessel build- ing business of Wilmington, was born in Lancashire, England, in 1818, and was brought by his parents, who immigrated to the United States in 1821. His parents were Joseph and Sarah Jones, both. of Lanca- shire, who first settled after their arrival at Cedar Grove, above the city of Philadelphia, but removed to Delaware, where Mr. Jones followed his trade as a machinist, on the Brandywine, three miles above the city. His mother died when John was but ten years of age, and at seventeen years of age became an apprentice to learn the business of his father as a machinist, principally in cotton and woolen machinery, continuing as an apprentice until he arrived at twenty-one years of age. He then engaged as journeyman to work for the late J. M. Poole, and at the end of three years became foreman in his shops, and held this position for five years subsequently. In 1849 Joshua L. Pusey and he formed the firm of Pusey & Jones, and began at the location still occupied by the Pusey & Jones Co., the busi- ness of general machinists. They built addi- tions on the present site, and their energy and the character of the work done by them soon built up a large and successful business. They were both practical and well trained machin- ists, and took their share, in the beginning of their career, in the labors of the shop, with their own hands. Their successis a part of the his-

tory of the city, they having had a large share in making Wilmington a city of manufactures. In 1866, Mr. Jones withdrew from the firm, and the Pusey & Jones Company became an incorporated company ; Mr. Pusey, his original partner, being still in the company. By a second marriage of his father, he has three half brothers, one of whom is a member of the well-known firm of Hilles & Jones, of Wil- mington. His father, Joseph Jones, died in 1867. Mr. Jones was a Whig in politics dur- ing the existence of that party, and since its organization, has been a Republican. During the years of. 1878-9, he served, for two terms, as a member of the City Council of Wilming- ton, and is the owner of real estate in the city, to the interests of which he devotes his leisure. He was united in marriage, March 4th, 1841, to Miss Ann Banning, of the vicinity of Wil- mington, and they have had one daughter, who died in her sixth year.

ILPIN, HON. EDWARD WOOD- WARD, late Chief Justice of Delaware, son of William and Ann (Dunwoody) Gilpin, was born at Wilmington, July 13, 1803, and died at Dover, April 29, 1876, His boyhood was spent in the family of his grandparents, on the Brandywine, in attending school in the neighborhood of their residence, and in Wilmington. At the age of seventeen he obtained the situation of a mer- chant's clerk, which he soon relinquished to join his father in Philadelphia, where he was placed with Mr. Fennimore, of that city, to learn the trade of a tanner and currier. At the end of a year, returning with his father to Wilmington, he continued his new trade un- der Reuben Webb, for a short period, and then entered the store of his brother, Josiah, where he was employed at the time he began the study of law, in the office of John Wales. The experience acquired in these different sit- uations by young Gilpin was of great value to him, in awakening his observations, imparting a knowledge of business affairs, and giving to his mind a practical direction. He was early impressed with the importance of application and industry in order to success, and the influence of this feeling accompanied him through life. Though lacking the advantages of what is styled a liberal education, he was not deficient in any of those solid qualifica-

---

547

BIOGRAPHICAL DEPARTMENT.

tions, which are, perhaps, more necessary to duties of that responsible office, that at the insure a successful business or professional ca- end of five years he was re-appointed by Gov- reer. He was a close and intelligent student, ernor Stockton for a second term. He was never skimming over a book, or allowing the an independent and fearless officer, believing driest or most abstruse subjects to dull his ar- in the theory that one mode of preventing the dor in the pursuit of knowledge. He soon increase of crime, is by the punishment of the exhibited evidence of what, in his judicial life, criminal, and he had that firmness of will, and was so apparent, a legal mind, which may be sterness of purpose, which are essential to an described in a word, as the natural or acquired efficient public prosecutor. After ten years of aptitude for accurately comprehending, dis- service as Attorney-General, he retired with criminating and applying legal principles. He increased professional reputation, and with the had always been studiously inclined, and, commendation of his fellow citizens, who felt knowing that he would have to rely on his that the administration of public justice had own efforts to make his way, neglected no op- not suffered in his hands. For some years af- portunity for improvement, and in preparation ter this he applied himself more exclusively to for the work that was before him. He was of private practice, and had begun to withdraw a keenly sensitive disposition, proud of his from general business when the office of Chief personal integrity, and quick to resent any Justice of the State became vacant by the res- imputation on the honesty of his motives, ignation of Judge Harrington, who had been This self-pride preserved him from many of appointed Chancellor. The eminent fitness of the follies and indiscretions of youth, and kept Mr. Gilpin for the position was immediately him in the path of an honorable and manly recognized by the members of the bar and by ambition. Admitted to the bar, Oct. 3, 1827, the public, and on the 6th day of May, 1857, he opened an office in his native town, where Governor Causey appointed him to the bench. he continued to reside during the rest of his life. A better appointment could not have been Industrious and scrupulously attentive to every made. His judicial life extended over a per- matter entrusted to his management, cautious ' iod of nearly twenty years, during which time in counsel, but prompt in executing plans, he presided over the civil and criminal courts and the court of appeals ; and while he may have been excelled in some special branch when once matured, he soon became known as a lawyer of rising ability, and it was not long before he had gained a lucrative and in- of the law, or in some rare intellectual gift or creasing clientage. While at the bar Mr. Gil- talent, yet in the symmetrical combination of pin was noted for the careful preparation ofhis all the attributes and qualities, mental and cases, and his strict attention to every detail of moral, that belong to the upright, learned and business. His advice was sought and depend- able judge, he was unsurpassed by any of his ed on as that of a sound lawyer, and of a man predecessors. He came to the bench in the of superior judgment, and of unquestioned in- full maturity of his intellect, trained and dis- tegrity. For many years he was president of ciplined by the active practice of his profes- the Union (and National) Bank of Delaware, sion, and with his mind stored with the fruits a director of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and of thirty years of study. Exact and thorough Baltimore railroad, and also, of the Delaware in the hearing and disposition of every case that railroad, and in these several capacities ren- came before him, his charges to the jury, rul- dered valuable service to the community. ings at Nisi Prius, and his more elaborate Without being an ardent partisan, he was intel- opinions in banc, all showed a uniformly con- ligently interested in general and local politics, scientious painstaking to do right. The four and held positive views on these, as on other volumes of Houston's Reports contain his subjects, but he was always conservative both charges and opinions in every important case, in opinion and action. The office of Attorney- that was tried or argued before him, and they General of the State becoming vacant by the will be found to embrace the discussion and settlement of a large number of legal ques- expiration of the term of James Rogers, Esq., Mr. Gilpin was, on the 12th of Feb. 1840, ap- tions involving varied and valuable interests. pointed by Governor Comegys to succeed The style and reason of these opinions are him ; and so acceptably did he perform the characteristic. Judge Gilpin's mind was prac-

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Historical and biographical encyclopaedia of Delaware. V 2, Part 47

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

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