The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-08-22

Creek hundred, Sussex county, on Septem-
Der 8. 1925. His family were originally Of
English descent on the paternal and
French on the maternal side. He is the
son OF Joseph Marvll, farmer Of limited
means, who was drowned in 1884, leaving
a widow with six children none OF them
being grown Joshua was the fourth child
He was compelled to work and he found
the farm work so pressing that he was
only able to attend school for small por-
ton OF the school year.
He remained with his mother until he
was II years old. He then hired a man to
take his place and became mariner for a
year. He then engaged In ship building
for seven years. Here he began to show
the mechanical genius to which his success
in life is largely due. In a short time he
became foreman Of the yard.
When 2S years old he established a shop
for the manufacture OF agricultural imple-
ments, which he carried on until 1866. In
1870 he invented machine for making
berry baskets and by hand power made
5000 In that year. The next year he
added steam power to his plant and made
I60O0 900 baskets with crates TO contain the
same. The business gradually grew until
he is now making 1000 900 berry and other
fruit baskets and crates to contain them,
annually.
In addition number OF the establish
rnents Of firms In other states ale using
his machinery and paying him royalty
In 1919 he married Miss Sarah Ann Sir
nan of Sussex county. He has three sons,
two of whom are associated with him in
business. He Is a member OF the Metho-
list Episcopal Church and takes great
interest in all of its work. He Is known
md respected by all the people who know
aim on account of his sterling character
and philanthropy. though he never lets his
friends know OF his good deeds If he can
lvoid 1t.
SKETCH OF JONATHAN S. WILLIS.
Jonathan Spencer Willis, the candidate
or Congress, was born In oxford, Mary
and, on April ., 1890. His people came OF
IN old English family. MIR. Willis was
he oldest of nine children. He attended
he district school at Oxford Neck until he
"as IA years old. He then spent year in
he store Of an uncle at Georgetown, d.
:. Returning home he took special course
inder private teacher. When but II
ears old he became a teacher in the dis,
riot school OF Talbot county. He con
'inued to teach school for seven years, bis
ast position being principal Of the Aca
lemy at Trappe. ........ ...
He was licensed as a local preacher OF
he NJ. L. Church when 90 years old At
he age Of "A he was admitted 10 the
Philadelphia Annual Conference and ap
lointed to Crntrevllc, Nd. He filled va
'pus important charges including Mount
Vernon. now Spring Garden NJ. L. Church
Philadelphia, which he organized and built.
10 also filled important charges in New
FORK and Connecticut. After returning to
Delaware he retired from the ministry ana
las since lived on his farm near Milford
He has been three times married.
Mr.. Willis is also well known as the
iuthor Of a number OF poems and OF q
local historical novel. lie is also widely
ihown as a lecturer. He was a candidate
or Congress at the last election against
John w. Causey, He is one Of the best
speakers in the state