Historical and biographical encyclopaedia of Delaware. V 2, Part 49

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

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UPONT DENEMOURS, PIERRE SAMUEL, Economist and Statesman, founder of the well-known Delaware family of that name, born in Paris, Dec. 14, 1739, died near Wilmington, Aug. 6, 1817. Two pamphlets on the finances, published at the age of twenty-three, gained him the acquaintance and regard of the cele- brated Quesnay. Of all the economists, DuPont did most to give currency to the doc- trines of the school. His work, De l'exportation et de l'importation des grains, (1764), caused Turgot to seek his acquaintance, and they be- came intimate friends. During the next eight years DuPont published, among other books, Physiocratie, an analysis of Quesnay's system, (1768,) and Le commerce de la campagnie des Indes, (1769); he also edited the Fournal de l'agriculture, du commerce et des finances, and from 1768, the Ephémérides du Citoyen, the organ of the school. Upon the suppression of the latter in 1772, DuPont, who had received various titles and decorations from foreign princes, was invited to Poland by King Stan- islas Augustus, and made secretary of the council of public education, and governor of his nephew, Prince Adam Czartoryski. When Turgot became comptroller general, (1774), DuPont was recalled to France, and took part in all the reform measures of that minister, particularly in financial matters, most of the principles upon which the French treasury is now conducted being derived from the meas- ures which DuPont attempted to carry out at that time. He also prepared the scheme for provincial administration recommended to the King by Turgot. Upon Turgot's disgrace, (1776), DuPont was banished from Paris, and busied himself with agricultural and literary pursuits, reappearing in print with a transla- tion of a part of Ariosto's Orlando furioso, (1781), and after Turgot's death with a memoir of his friend (1782). Recalled to public life by Vergennes, he negotiated with the English envoy, Dr. James Hutton, the treaty of 1782, jets d'histoire naturelle (1807), and wrote many

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papers for the institute of France and other learned societies of which he was a member. His plan of national education for the United States, prepared at the request of Jefferson, and published in 1812, though not carried out in the country for which it was intended, has been partly adopted in France. Upou the fall of Napoleon (1814), DuPont was secretary of the provincial government, and at the res- toration became councillor of State. On Na- poleon's return from Elba he rejoined his sons in America, where he died two years after- ward. In addition to numerous pamphlets on financial and political subjects, DuPont also published De l'origine et des progrès d'une science nouvelle (1767) ; De l'administration des chemins (1767) ; Objections et responses sur le commerce des grains et des farines (1796) ; Observation sur les effets de la liberté du com- merce des grains (1770) ; Table synoptique des principes de l'économie politique (1775) ; Idées sur les secours a donner aux pauvres malades dans une grande ville (1786) ; Notice sur la vie de M. Poivre (1786) ; Analyse historique de la législation des grains depuis 1692 (1789).

ICHTENSTEIN, MAXIMILIAN L., Merchant and Ex-President of the City Council of Wilmington, was born at Bath Homburg, near Frankfort on the Main, Germany, Oct. 11, 1829. He was the youngest of the six children of Liebmann and Amalia (Silz) Lichtenstein, who were married at the respective ages of 22 and 20 years. Liebmann Lichtenstein lived to the age of 70 years, but his wife died when her son, Maximilian was only two years old. At two and a half he was afflicted with a white swelling and was unable to walk for a number of years. He learned to do so, finally, with the aid of crutches, having for a long time previously crept to school on his hands and feet ; but his mind was active and he found abundant compensation in intellectual pleas- ures, reading every book that came in his ' way. His early education was obtained at the public school. At fifteen he graduated from the Seminary, passing the examination required before commencing to teach. At the age of fourteen, while at school, he made translations into German of the Vicar of Wakefield and the Telemaque by Fenelon.

Teaching in connection with his studies till he was seventeen, he became the tutor of the three sons of the Russian Prince, Wassilchikoff, who, for two years, resided in Bath Homburg to enjoy the benefit of its mineral springs. When the family of the Prince returned to Russia he came to the United States, arriving in New York in 1849, and was a clerk for six years in the importing house of Van Blanken- stein. In 1855 he removed to Wilmington where he established himself in business, be- ginning on a small scale, but enlarging as prosperity attended him, till his is now one of the first dry goods houses in the State. His success has been the result of untiring energy, industry and careful attention to his affairs. He has always taken a deep interest in public matters. In 1864 he filled a vacancy in the Board of Education, and in 1865, and also in 1867, was elected to the same body by the Seventh Ward. In 1869, he was elected a member of the City Council, in which body he served till 1879; six years on the floor, and four years as President. The President of the Council is elected. by the whole city, and although Mr. Lichtenstein is a Republican, he was continuously elected, notwithstanding the city, after 1875, gave heavy Democratic ma- jorities. While President he took the floor only four times to speak on certain points that he wished to carry, and each time was successful. Also during the whole four years, only one ap- peal from his decision was sustained by the Council. Such was his popularity that during all those years, in the nomination for any office, he never had a competitor in his own party. In 1864 he was elected one of the managers of the Artizan Savings bank and still holds that position. He has been Secretary of five Building and Loan Associations, two of which have been very successfully run out, and since its organization, in 1877, has been President of the German American Society of Wilming- ton. Among his other accomplishments the cultivation of music has been prominent, at- taining in it no ordinary degree of excellence. On coming to Wilmington, in 1855, he con- nected himself with the choir of the Hanover street Presbyterian church, of which he has been the leader for the last twenty-five years. For over ten years he had charge of the vocal department at Wesleyan College, and not once in that time was he absent or

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late ; promptness and regularity in meet- | property being sold and divided, Mr. Martin ing all his appointments being among his marked characteristics. He was married, March 29, 1859, to Miss Sarah Pierson Graves of Wilmington, a member of the Society of Friends, on which occasion the choir, above mentioned, presented them with a handsome, illustrated quarto bible, and the church gave him a solid silver tea set, very costly and elegant. Seven children were born to them ; Amy, Harry, Lillie, Clara, Nellie, Gertrude and Robert. Harry, a lovely boy, died, Jan. 21, 1869, at the age of seven years and three months ; Clara and Robert died in infancy, and Aug. 24, 1875, Mr. Lichtenstein lost his amiable and devoted wife. He is somewhat lame from the effects of his affliction in early childhood, but is a gentleman of fine appear- ance and pleasing address. His integrity and purity of character in every business transac- tion, and in the responsible offices he has held, has never been questioned, and there is noth- ing of which he is more justly proud than his honorable record.

ARTIN, JAMES, Sheriff of New Cas- tle county, was born in Christiana hun- dred, Oct. 25, 1815. His parents were William and Fanny (Little) Martin. William Martin was born in Ireland, and came to this country at the close of the last century, landing in New Castle, and remaining in Wilmington a year. He then became a superintendent for E. I. Du- Pont, on one of his farms, devoted to sheep raising, which continued about sixteen years, after which he rented a tarm for over thirty years. Having purchased the farm at Mt. Cuba, he removed to it, where he spent the rest of his life. He died in 1852, in his 79th year. His wife died in 1862, aged 89 years. Of their nine children, five still survive : Jos- eph, a sea captain, Irene, John, James and Fanny. Mr. Martin was brought up on the farm, and received a good common school and business education at the old Hen- drick School house, at Du Pont Station. At twenty-three years of age he married Elizabeth Margaret, daughter of Benjamin Chandler, built a house on his father's farm, where he resided and took care of his parents in their declining years, his brothers all having left home. After the death of his mother, the

removed to Wilmington, where he has since been actively engaged in business. For ten years he was a butcher, and since that time he has dealt quite largely in cattle, retail and wholesale. In this he proved himself an hon- est and substantial business man, but has not accumulated a fortune. He was originally an old line Whig, was a staunch Union man, and although, past the age requiring military duty, enlisted in the Union army, and spent the first part of the war in the field, fighting for the old flag. Since the war, he has taken a deep in- terest in politics, and been a faithful and influ- ential worker for the success of the Republican party. In 1857 he was collector for Christiana hundred. In 1882 he was, by a general vote of the Republicans of New Castle county, chosen by a large majority as their candidate for sheriff, and Nov. 7th, was elected to that office, the duties of which he has just entered upon. That he will make a faithful and consci- entious officer, is believed by all who know him, and his great popularity is shown by the fact, that he was the only Republican candi- date on the ticket that was elected, in fact, the only member of the party throughout the State, elected to any office. Of his eight children, five are living. His three sons, Ben- jamin C., Joseph E., and E. I. Martin, were in the Union army, and all proved brave soldiers. Benjamin C., served one year, and died of fev- er, while a member of the first Ohio Artillery, at Pittsburg landing, April 18, 1862. The other two faithfully served three years, and are now in business in Wilmington. Two other sons, William C., and James V., and one daughter, Elizabeth, are living in Wilmington.

ARSHALL, GEORGE WILLIAM, M. D., of Milford, was born in George- town, Aug, 31, 1854, son of Dr. Wil- liam Marshall, whose sketch has been given. He was educated at the George- town academy and at the Milford Colleg- iate Institution at Milford, and in 1874 gradu- ated A. B. from Delaware college. He then took a full course at Jefferson Medical college, Philadelphia, graduating M. D. in 1876. Re- turning to Milford he at once commenced the practice of his profession, in which his ability and inherited gifts were soon apparent. . Though so short a time has elapsed since his

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graduation and settlement in life, he has won John Townsend, containing 172 acres, one a very considerable reputation, and the high hundred of which are in peaches. It is one of regards of his professional brethren and of the the best farms in that hundred, finely located community. Dr. Marshall is the proprietor of and improved, and is under a high state of a drug store in Milford. He is one of the cultivation, Mr. Townsend being one of the most active members of the State Medical So- most practical and successful agriculturists ciety, of which he is secretary, as well as a and fruit growers in the county. For over valued contributor to various medical journals. twenty years he superintended the sales of his He takes a deep interest in everything that father's large fruit interest, which in 1866 ag- pertains to the welfare and prosperity of the gregated over 100,000 baskets, and to his sa- town and State; secretary of the Board of gacity and business ability, his father's pros- Education for the consolidated schools of | perity was largely due. He is a Democrat in Milford, a trustee of the Presbyterian church, and very active in the public and social affairs of the town. In politics he is a Republican,

politics, and takes an active interest in public affairs, but has never allowed his name to be used for official position, though twice he was and an active and influential worker for the : urged to accept the nomination for the legis- success of his party. He organized the "Tor- bert Guards," a military organization under the State laws, of which he is surgeon with the rank of Major. Dr. Marshall was married in 1878 to Miss Mary L., daughter of Andrew and Rosa (Matthewson) Donnell, of Newark ; their children are Andrew Donnell, William, and an infant son.

OWNSEND, COL. RICHARD, Farm- er and Fruit Grower, of Townsend, was born in Appoquinimink hundred, Dec. 3, 1839. A sketch of his father, Sam- uel Townsend, has been given. He attended the common schools of his native place, and at sixteen became a student in the academy at New Castle, for about a year, and for a time in one of the best schools in Wilmington. He remained with and assisted his father till he attained his majority, when he established himself in the fruit trade in Philadelphia, but remained only one year, when, believing New York to be a better place for the business, he removed it to that city and connected himself with the house of Garom, Vermilyea & Co., fruit commission merchants, during the summer season. He also conduct- ed a mercantile interest at Townsend, till 1868, when he engaged in farming on one of his father's farms, in Appoquinimink hundred, known as the Hall farm, and was largely and successfully engaged in peach growing. This he continued for six years, when, on account of increasing business in New York, he relin- quished farming for four years. In 1876 he bought the farm on which he now resides, and which was the property of his uncle, the late

lature on the temperance ticket, having been very prominent in his section as a temperance man. He is a member of the official staff of Gov. John W. Hall, with the rank of Colonel. He united in 1867 with the M. E. church, in which he has held every official position, and is the founder of that church at Townsend, and a trustee of the Wilmington Conference Academy at Dover. Mr. Townsend was mar- ried in 1863, to Miss Sallie A., daughter of James T. Carter, of Philadelphia. They have four children : James Carter, a member of the M. E. church since the age of twelve, Frederick, Henrietta, and Richard, who was born, Jan. 22, 1880.

ORROW, JAMES, Merchant of Wil- mington, was born in County Down, Ireland, Feb. 24, 1819. His elder brother, William, having come to the United States in 1832, he followed hin three years later, and was in his store until placed with the late Dell Noblitt as an apprentice to learn the cabinet making busi- ness. He had enjoyed ordinary educational advantages in his own country, and, from the time of his arrival in Wilmington, continued to study in the intervals of his other occupa- tions, attending the academy of Rev. Samuel M. Bayley. The time specified in his inden- tures having expired he engaged, in 1840, in cabinet making on his own account, but relin- quished it in 1844 and entered the grocery business on the same site he now occupies. Here, for more than forty years, he has pursued a career of quiet and uninterrupted prosperity, and his business has gradually grown from

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limited proportions to its present status. As his sons have grown up they have been given places in the business, and in 1873, the eldest, William E. Morrow, was admitted to a part- nership under the firm name of James Morrow and Son. The building they now occupy, four stories in height, extends through the married, June 13, 1844, to Miss Nancy P. whole square from Market street to Shipley, and was built and arranged with special reference to the requirements of their business and the accommodation of their large trade. Mr. Morrow has, since 1869, been President of the Wilmington Mills Manufacturing Company, and for many years a director of the National Bank of Wilmington and Brandywine. He is a ruling elder in West Presbyterian church, and was married, in 1847, to Miss Bethia Ferris, daughter of William D. Eves of New London, Chester county, Pa. Their children are William E. Morrow, already mentioned and is now married ; R. D. Morrow ; James C. Morrow, of the Wilmington Mills Manufactur- ing Company, jute works ; and Lewis B. Mor- row, who, as also his two eldest brothers, is in partnership with his father.

HITELEY, WILLIAM G., Lawyer, ex-Prothonotary of the Superior Court in and for New Castle county, member of the 35th and 36th Congress, and Mayor of the city of Wilmington, from 1875 to 1878, was born near Newark, Aug. 7. 1819. His parents, Henry and Catherine Whiteley, were both from Maryland, his father from Caroline county, and his mother from Dorchester. His father was Collector of Cus- toms for the Delaware District from 1829 to 1841. William G. Whiteley was educated at Delaware College, and at Princeton, gradua- ting from the latter in the class of 1838. The same year he commenced the study of law in the office of the Hon. James A. Bayard, and in 1841 was admitted to the bar. He prac- ticed his profession in Wilmington, till the winter of 1852 when he was appointed Pro- thonotary which necessitated his removal to New Castle. In 1856, a few months before his term of office as Prothonotary expired, he was nominated by the Democratic party of the State as their candidate for Congress and was elected. Two years later he was again elected, his second term expiring March 4, 1861. He then resumed the practice of law, returning

after the war to Wilmington, where he has since followed his profession. Mr. Whiteley is very active in politics and a leading member of the Democratic party ; he is an able speaker and lawyer, and one of the most prominent members of the bar in Delaware. He was

daughter of the late Dr. William Elmer, o Bridgeton, N. J., and Margaret P. Elmer, his wife. The two elder children, Mary Elmer and Elizabeth Eugenia, are deceased ; those remaining-are Margaret Potter, wife of Lewis P. Bush, Jr ; Henry, William and Charles E. E. Whiteley. 6

OOD, JOHN, late a member of the Harlan & Hollingsworth Company, Wilmington, was born in Delaware county, Pa., Nov. 29, 1824; son of Amos and Mary (Slaughter) Wood. The family were English Friends and among the early settlers of Pennsylvania. John Wood had a good common school education, and at sixteen became an apprentice with his uncle, Edward Hinckson, to learn the carpen - ter's trade. At the age of twenty he came to Wilmington and worked at his trade in the city and vicinity for two or three years. About 1847 he entered the employ of Messrs. Harlan & Hollingsworth as a journeyman ship-joiner, and after a time became the head of that de- partment, After the death of Mr. Hollings- worth he obtained an interest in the company, but continued faithfully at his post at the head of his department until the closing day of 1876, when he retired. During the whole time he was connected with that company, a period of nearly thirty years, he was never absent from his place but once to the extent of a week, and his faithful and unremitting services were invaluable. In time his well earned means enabled him to purchase land in the city and to build houses, and his investments were very fortunate, and finally made him in- dependent. In 1861 he built his pleasant resi- dence on West street just above Sixth. The Harlan & Hollingsworth Co. employ a large number of hands (about 1,200,) forming a com- munity among themselves, and Mr. Wood was very popular among them. While he never relaxed for a moment the strict rules of the company, he was most kind and considerate toward his men, and all looked upon him as a

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friend. Here, where he was so long and ; that his dwelling house on New Market street, thoroughly known, he was warmly regarded near Brown, which sheltered his wife and and was everywhere respected. He belonged children was partially destroyed after one of to the order of Odd Fellows, and attended the his raids that stampeded a large lot of cattle M. E. Church. About 1848, he married Anne and took them to Valley Forge. He died at E. McCall, by whom he had one child, James the age of ninety-four. His grandfather, John Albert, who died at the age of eight years, Baker, died of malignant fever at thirty-seven. and Mrs. Wood died in October, 1850. In 1853 His father, Jacob G. Baker, was a carpenter he married Sallie A., daughter of Eli and in Philadelphia. Mr. Baker received an Elizabeth (Merritt) Smith of Wilmington. education in the public schools of his native They had two children ; Harry Layton and city, and at the age of sixteen became an Annie Lizzie. Mr. Wood was a kind husband and father, a man of intelligence and great moral worth, and his memory is fragrant with many recollections of kindness. and good works. He died Nov. 21, 1879, and is interred in the Wilmington and Brandywine cemetery. apprentice - to learn the trade of morocco finishing. This he completed in 1854,and came to Wilmington and engaged as a journeyman in one of the leading establishments of the city. In 1862 he became foreman of the works established in 1858, by ex-sheriff, Jacob UMMINS, WALTER, Lawyer of Wil- mington, was born at Smyrna, son of George W. and Evelina M. (Denny) Cummins. After attending the school of Rev. Dr. J. B. Clemson, at Claymont, for two years, Mr. Cummins spent three years at the preparatory school of Rev. C. W. Ever- est, at Hamden, Conn., entering Princeton college in 1865, and graduated with the class of 1868. Studying law in the office of Hon.T. F. Bayard, he was admitted to the bar at New Castle during the May term, 1872, and has since practiced his profession in Wilmington, having been for two terms City Solicitor of that city, and for several years Counsel of the Trustees of the Poor of New Castle county. In politics he is a Democrat. Richardson, now of New Castle, in partner- ship with William B. Wilkins, now of New York. The firm of Wilkins and Richardson continued until 186t, but at the time Mr. Baker became connected with the business it was under the sole control of Mr. Richardson. Mr. Baker became the proprietor of the estab- lishment in 1867. His business capacity and enterprise were conspicuous and his manufac- tory well maintained its rank among the lead- ing industries of the city. In 1873 the John G. Baker Company was organized with Mr. Baker as president, and the corporation pur- sued a career of signal success until, by a si- multaneous failure of a number of similar es- tablishments, its business was prostrated, and August 1, 1878, Mr. Baker again became the sole proprietor. Under his able management, and the revival, in time, of the general busi- AKER, JOHN G., of Wilmington, Mo- rocco Manufacturer, was born in Phila- delphia, May 30, 1833. His ancestors came from Prussia about 1704 and set- tled in Philadelphia, and afterwards in Western Pennsylvania, and were there at the time of Braddock's defeat about 1752, and with the Colonist Troops returned east and located in Philadelphia. His great grand- father, John Baker, was Color Sergeant of the 51st battalion of Pennsylvania Militia ; was in the battles of Trenton, Brandywine and Ger- mantown, wintered at Valley Forge and was noted during the occupancy of Philadelphia by the British, for his daring in annoying them in what, in modern times, was called raids on their supplies ; in fact he became so obnoxious ness interests of the country, its former standing was regained. He is ever on the alert for improvements and, everything under his hand is made to keep pace with the spirit of progress that marks the age. The original capacity of his works was only about twelve dozen of skins per day, but by successive en- largements (the building being now about eight times its former size), and the introduction of improved mechanical appliances and methods, the daily production has been increased to one hundred dozens. He employs from one hun- dred to one hundred and fifty men. His pub- lic spirit and enterprise have done much to advance the business and general interests of Wilmington. For six of the years, from 1871 to 1878, he was a member of the City Council,

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and for several years was President of the | historic and patriotic "Order of the Cincin- Riverview Cemetery Company, a much needed nati." His was, and is, a family of marked patriotism ; his only brother John, a midship- man, died from wounds received at the battle of Lake Erie ; Gov. Stockton's son, Thomas, served under Scott in the Black Hawk war, and another son, and two grandsons served from Ohio in the late War of the Rebellion. Captain Richard Stockton, promoted to that rank for his bravery, eldest of the grandsons, died of camp fever a few days after the battle of "Shiloh." Gov. Stockton married Fidelia, eldest daughter of Chancellor Johns, June 19, 1804. She died Feb. 20, 1871. Two daughters live in New Castle. and very successful enterprise east of the city. Also for several years he was the Secre- tary of the Morocco Manufacturers' National Exchange. Politically he is a staunch Repub- lican, and his earnest work during the cam- paign of 1880 did much to promote the splen- did success of his party in New Castle county. He is a member of Grace M. E church. A man of commanding presence yet of affable man- ners; his uniform courtesy, great liberality and sterling integrity, make him one of the most highly regarded and popular men of the com- munity.

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Historical and biographical encyclopaedia of Delaware. V 2, Part 49

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

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