Marcus Wheeler Corwin

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

One of the fine country homes of Morris county, New Jersey, which for many years has given a distinctive character of prosperity and well ordered enterprise to the country life of this section is the old Jesse DELL farm of 153 acres near Kenvil, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Wheeler CORWIN. For many years both the Dell and Corwin families have been prominent in this section of New Jersey, and have borne honored names both as substantial farmers and good citizens.

The DELL family is of English extraction. Thomas DELL, grandfather of Phebe J. (DELL) CORWIN, was born in Morris county, New Jersey, 1759. He followed the occupations of surveying and farming, and was one of the most honored men in the community. He married Mary BERRY, who lived together for more than sixty-two years, she passing away December 31, 1848, and he February 25, 1850, aged ninety years. Among their children was Thomas, of whom further.

Thomas DELL Jr. pursued the occupation of throughout the active years of his life, was one of the leading citizens of the neighborhood, served as constable for a number of years, also as justice of the peace. He married Maria FRANCISCO, a descendant of a French ancestry, whose father was a miller by occupation. Children of Thomas and Maria DELL:

Louis B., of California, deceased;
Clarissa, wife of William BAKER;
Harriet, wife of Mahlon DICKERSON;
Anna, wife of Asbury SEARING;
Silas, of Succasunna, New Jersey;
Maria, wife of Henry BOTTOME;
Amos Vale;
John Elmer;
William Harrison, of Jersey City, New Jersey;
Henrietta, wife of Nicholas BLOWERS;
Phebe J., of whom further;
Alfred;
Mahlon;

all of these children are deceased with the exception of four: Silas, William Harrison, Henrietta, Phebe J.

Phebe J. DELL married, January 13, 1902, Marcus Wheeler CORWIN, born in Morris county, New Jersey, 1853, a descendant of an English ancestry. His great-great-grandfather emigrated to this country from England and settled on Long Island, New York. His son, William CORWIN, was a carpenter and builder, erected the first church edifice in Chester, New Jersey, where he resided; he was the owner of considerable land in and in the vicinity of Chester, also in Succasunna Plains. His son, Goldsmith CORWIN, was born at Chester, New Jersey, married and among his children was William, a native of Chester, New Jersey, engaged in agricultural pursuits, was also an expert veterinary surgeon, practicing the same for a number of years. He assisted in the work of widening the Morris canal and in building the Chester branch of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad. He was a Republican in politics, and the family were attendants of the Presbyterian church. He married Hannah DOREMUS, daughter of a merchant at Montclair, New Jersey, there being five other children in the family as follows: Philip, Edmund, Joseph Owen, Marcus, Emma. Children of William and Hannah CORWIN:

Mary, widow of Albert MARSH;
Marcus Wheeler, of whom further;
Philip

Marcus Wheeler CORWIN received a common schools education. He resided on the farm with his father until he was twenty-five years of age, then went out west, where he spent a number of years, serving for several years as superintendent of an immense ranch in North Dakota, comprising five thousand acres. He also for a time conducted a farm on his own account. Returning to Morris county, New Jersey, for a visit, he found his father very ill and remained at home. He is now one of the well known citizens and prosperous farmers of his section of the State, conducting a successful business as a general farmer, stock dealer, and he also handles considerable real estate. In politics he is an independent voter. Mr. and Mrs. CORWIN are members of the Presbyterian church, he acting in the capacity of trustee, and she for the past twenty-five years taking an active interest in the missionary society. Mr. and Mrs. CORWIN were associated with the Sunday school of the Presbyterian church and Christian Endeavor Society for more than twenty years, Mrs. CORWIN being the teacher of a class of nine young ladies for several years. Mr. CORWIN is also one of the trustees of the Friends' Meeting House at Dover. They reside on the old Jesse DELL farm, which is owned by Mrs. CORWIN.