Milford chronicle., 1910-06-17
MAGNOLIA.

The land upon which this town is situ-
ated was first taken under patent of Joshua
Barkstead about the year 1855. Later it
was sold to a man named Darvel who
mortgaged it. At the foreclosure Of the
mortgage in 1894 it was sold at sheriff
sale and bought by William Rodney, one
of the members Of Penn's Council and
( grandfather Of Caesar Rodney, the Signer.
The town is located where the road
I leading from Canterbury to Barkers
Landing crosses the State road. The first
building erected here was the brick man
sion OF Matthew Lowber, built two years
before the Revolution and seventy years
before the beginning Of the village.
About the year lS4l or 1912, Henry W.
McIlvaine and his brother McIlroy, came
from Sussex County and located in this
vicinity. They we're young men Of much
natural ability, having but little ready
cash but were possessed Of that other in
despensible requisite-a large fund Of en-.
ergy and perseverance.
Henry W. McIlvsine was born leader
OF men and a representative man in the
community. He became prominent in
social and political circles aud was elected
a member of the Legislature in 1916. He
and his brother bought large tracts of land
in and around where the town is now To-
Gated. This land, except the tracts of
timber, at the time of their purchase was
almost without value, on account OF its
worn out condition, but this enterprise
was soon manifested in the improvement
they made,
As early as 1S45 three other brothers
joined the pioneers and there were five
instead of two in the colony. A store
house was built, a wagon-shOp and smithy
erected and business was begun in earn
est. A school was opened and the neucleus
Of the town was formed.
About the year 1850 Henry W. Nc
Ilvaine withdrew his energy and trans
fered it to kits Hammock, but the other
brothers remained. Meanwhile the village
had received momentum sufficient to keep
it progressive. Many houses were erected
some of which we're large and imposing.
When the village was begun the little
hamlet called Florence, better known as
Barker's Landing, on the St. Jones River,
set up a sharp rivalry for the prospective
town. This was kept up actively for a
while, but the young blood that focused
around the White Store, as it was then
called, finally won. Among the business
men Of the town may be mentioned the
names Of Moses S. Van Burkalow and
William 5 Prouse.
The first carpenters to locate in the VIII
lage were Wesley White and his brother
Thomas, who. built many Of the houses
in the early history Of the town. In later
years Samuel Minner has constructed
many of the palatial residences that
adorned the place.
The inhabitants Of Magnolia are an in
dustrious thorough. going people full Of
enterprise and perseverance, assets that
are valuable to any community. Although
deprived of direct railroad facilities, it
has an excellent water communication
with the outside world, that approaches
within a mile of the town, giving it the
advantage OF easy shipments and cheap
freights. In the event OF a trolley line
from Dover to Milford Magnolia would be
fortunately situated and greatly benefited
by such an enterprise.
The citizens of Magnolia we're ever a
church going people, but having no sane
tuary in the village, at fret they worshiped
in a modest unpretending little chapel
called Banning's, mile and half away
on the Dover road. This continued to be
the place of worship until 1866, when they
became sufficiently strong, numerically
and financially, to build one Of their own.
In large grove Of forest trees-a pic
turesque spot on the northern border Of
the town-they builded a commodious
church edifce, which still continues the
place Of worship, During all these years
the church has usually been supplied with
ministers worthy of their calling. Among
whom may be mentioned the Revs. w.
F. Dawson, W. H. Guthrie, S. n. Pill
chard, I. G. Fosnocht and II. B. Kelso.
II has also been signally favored with a
strong, active lay membership.
The people of Magnolia may justly be
commended for the interest taken in the
public schools they have provided a
comnodious school building of modern
style and equipment, ample to accOmmo-
date the children that attend. Likewise
it has usually been supplied with teachers
Of tact and ability.
All things considered this pretty little
town is not excelled by any other Of its
number Of inhabitants in Kent County.
l R. JESTER.