History of Odessa, (New Castle County) Delaware United States of America

Our database does not include an historic photo for Odessa, (New Castle County) Delaware, do you have one you would like to contribute? Contact Us!

Biographies:

James Wilkinson Dale, author, was born at Cantwell's Bridge, now Odessa, Del., Oct. 16, 1812; son of Dr. Richard Colgate and Margaret (Fitzgerald) Dale; and brother of Dr. Thomas Fitzgerald Dale (1808-1872). His paternal ancestors came from England and were among the early settlers of Maryland. His father was high sheriff of New Castle county, Del., 1803-66, and a surgeon in the U.S. army during the war of 1812. James was brought up in the home of his maternal grandfather, Thomas Fitzgerald of Philadelphia, and was graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1831 as valedictorian. He began to study law, but gave it up and entered Andover theological seminary, where he studied one year, 1832-33. He then entered Princeton theological seminary, where he spent one year, and returning to Andover was graduated there in 1835. He was licensed to preach, April 16, 1835, and was agent for the A.B.C.F.M., 1835-37, and assistant pastor of the Fifth Presbyterian church, Philadelphia, Pa., 1836-37. He was ordained by the Andover association at Dracut, Mass., Aug. 29, 1837, and was regular supply of several Presbyterian churches in Philadelphia, 1837-38. He was graduated in medicine from the University of Pennsylvania in 1838, intending to go as a missionary to India. He was agent for the Pennsylvania Bible society, 1838-45; pastor at Ridley and Middletown, Pa., 1846-58; at Media, Pa., 1858-71; and at Wayne, Pa. 1871-76. He was an advocate of temperance and it was through his efforts that in 1850 the charter of the town of Media, Pa., passed the legislature, having included in it a clause prohibiting the sale of liquor as a beverage in that town. He was married, May 14, 1844, to Mary Goldsborough, daughter of Andrew and Rebecca (Rodgers) Gray, and their son, James Wilkinson, born Feb. 23, 1856, was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania B.S. in 1879, and became a civil and mining engineer at Media, Pa. Their youngest daughter, Annie G. Dale, became a missionary in Persia. He received the degree of D.D. from Hampden-Sidney college in 1867 and from the University of Pennsylvania in 1868. His published works include: Classic Baptism (1867); Judaic Baptism (1869); Johannic Baptism (1871); Christic and Patristic Baptism (1874); articles on Baptism in Schaff's Encyclopaedia, and numerous tracts and magazine articles. A memoir by the Rev. Dr. James Roborts was printed in 1886. He died in Media, Pa., April 19, 1881.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Charles Brown Lore, representative, was born in Odessa, Del., March 16, 1831; son of Eldad and Priscilla (Henderson) Lore. He was prepared for college in Middletown academy, Del., and was graduated at Dickinson in 1852. He studied law under Judge John K. Findlay of Philadelphia and Chancellor D. M. Bates of Wilmington, Del., was admitted to the bar in 1861, and settled in practice in Wilmington, Del. He was clerk of the Delaware house of representatives in 1857; commissioner of the draft for New Castle county for filling the quota of soldiers under the President's call in 1862, and attorney-general of the state, 1869-74. He was married, July 7, 1862, to Rebecca A., daughter of Josiah Bates of Mt. Holly, N.J. He was a Democratic presidential elector in 1881 and again in 1893, and a representative from the state at large in the 48th and 49th congresses. 1883-87, he was appointed chief justice of the state of Delaware in 1893, and re-appointed in 1897, for the term ending in 1909. He received the degree of LL.D. from Dickinson college in 1894 and from Delaware college in 1896.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor