USA > Washington DC > Eminent and representative men of Virginia and the District of Columbia in the nineteenth century. With a concise historical sketch of Virginia > Part 8
USA > Virginia > Eminent and representative men of Virginia and the District of Columbia in the nineteenth century. With a concise historical sketch of Virginia > Part 8
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65
college for about three years. Leaving offices in Japanese territory until April, college in 1856 he went to Illinois, where 1878, when he was appointed delegate to he spent one winter, and while there began to study law; he then went to De- Witt, Iowa, taught school and further studied law, and was admitted to the bar there in March, 1859. He-opened prac- tice in DeWitt, and in May, 1861, helped to organize what was afterward company B, of the First Iowa cavalry, and on the organization of the company was made second lieutenant, followed soon after by his promotion to first lieutenant, and in 1863 he was made captain and held that rank at the expiration of his three years' term of service in 1864; he then returned
the Universal Postal congress, held in Paris, in May, 1878, in the deliberations of which he took an important part, and signed its resulting universal postal treaty. Then he returned to Japan and supervised the postal service there until voluntary retirement in December, 1882. When Mr. Bryan commenced his labors in Japan, the postal service was in a state of chaos, there really being no system, and when he left Japan in January, 1883, he had established 5,000 postoffices in that country, and there were 163 vessels engaged in the mail service. Before he to DeWitt, and resumed the practice of left he had a special interview with the the law. On the day after his return he Emperor Mutsuhito, who decorated him was elected presidential elector of the with the order of the Rising Sun, and second Iowa district on the Lincoln presented him with $12,000 cash. In ticket. In the meantime he was pressed January, 1883, Mr. Bryan returned to to return to St. Louis, where he had been Washington, D. C., and in November, in 1864, acting as assistant provost mar- shal general of the department of the 1883, took charge of the Chesapeake &
Mit. ClayaD
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Missouri; he accepted the offer, returned ing a year and a half, and returned home, to St. Louis, and resumed his place, restored to health, in the spring of 1878; though a civilian, and remained there he then formed a law partnership with until the end of the war, closing up the W. W. Curtis, and has remained in affairs of the office. In the meantime he
Washington, D. C., ever since. Mr. Bur- had become acquainted with James E. dett was commander-in-chief of the Yateman, president of the Mechanics' bank of St. Louis, which had a branch at
G. A. R., elected in June, 1885, and served one year, and has served as junior vice Osceola, Mo., when the war broke out, commander-in-chief of the District of but was then demoralized, and Mr. Bur- Columbia military order of the Loyal Legion. dett went there in August, 1865, and set- tled up the bank's affairs. Mr. Burdett found a good opening in Osceola, settled there and commenced to practice law. At the request of Gov. Fletcher, how-
Mr. Burdett was married in 1865 to Mrs. Nancy E. Graham, née Dale, daughter of William Dale, of North Liberty, Mercer county, Pa. Cheney ever, Mr. Burdett accepted the office of Burdett, father of S. S. Burdett, was born state's attorney, made vacant by the resig- in Northhamptonshire, England, in 1788. He was a Baptist minister all his life, and life had been threatened by the bandits died in 1850, and his remains were in- terred at his chapel at "Sutton-in-the- Elms." He was married to Elizabeth Swinfin, a daughter of Samuel Swinfin, of the same parish, and to them were born twelve children, of whom eleven grew to maturity, and of whom four now survive as follows: William Burdett, of Avon, Ohio; Zelinda, wife of Rev. John J. Gough, of Avon, Ohio; Marian, unmar-
nation of the former incumbent, whose and guerrillas whom he was trying to prosecute. Mr. Burdett restored order, while filling this position, with a firm hand, although this circuit embraced eight counties. In 1868 the congressional convention met in the Osceola district, and Mr. Burdett was nominated and elected a member of the forty-first con- gress, and re-elected to the forty-second congress, and during the sitting of the ried, and S. S. Burdett, of Washington, forty-second Missouri was redistricted. D. C. Mr. Burdett was thereby put in a district WILLIAM H CLAGETT. with 3,000 democratic majority against him and was defeated for re-election, though he ran 1,000 ahead of his ticket. At the concluslon of the forty-second
Among the men of Washington city who have achieved success in business is the subject of this mention. William H. congress Mr. Burdett returned to Mis- Clagett, son of Darius and Providence souri and resumed his practice, and re- Dorsey Clagett, is a native of Washing- ton, D. C., born March 11, 1827. He is a descendant of the first Episcopal bishop of Maryland, whose name was prominently connected with the history of the church in that state early in the eighteenth cen- tury. The Clagett family is one of the oldest in Maryland and is closely identi- mained there until 1874, when he was offered and accepted the office of com- missioner of the general land office; he then removed to Washington, D. C., and remained in that position until 1876, when his health compelled him to resign; he then made a trip around the world, tak-
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fied with its earliest history. The grand- father of William H. Clagett was Walter Clagett, a native of Maryland, who bore a conspicuous part in the war of Independ- ence and participated in many hotly con- tested battles in that memorable struggle. After the war he spent the remainder of his life on his estate in Maryland. Darius Clagett, father of the subject of this biog- raphy, was born in Montgomery county, Md., in 1790. He served with distinction in the war of 1812, and for many years tinued it with success and profit until March, 1865, establishing during that time a high reputation for integrity and fair dealing. In 1865 he abandoned mer- cantile pursuits and engaged in the real estate business on an extensive scale. This he carried on until 1888, when, hav- ing acquired a handsome fortune, he re- tired from active life. Mr. Clagett was, at one time, a member of the lower house of the District of Columbia when that district was under a territorial form of carried on an extensive mercantile busi- government, and, in 1875, he was ap- sors, of the district. He was, also, a director of the Central National bank, secretary and treasurer, and afterward pointed chairman of the board of asses-
ness in Washington and Georgetown. He was, at one time, identified with the well-known house of Riggs & Peabody, of which he afterward became proprietor. He died in 1860 and is remembered as president of the Columbia Street Rail- one of the prosperous merchants of the national capital. His wife, Providence Dorsey Clagett, was a native of Balti- more, a daughter of John Brice, and a niece of Judge Nicholas Brice of that city. Her ancestors came to this country with Lord Baltimore and were among the earliest settlers of Maryland. Many of them intermarried with the Frisbys, Carrolls, MaCubbins and other well- known families. Mrs. Clagett was a woman of rare mental gifts and great personal beauty. Of the thirteen chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Darius
road company, his election to these posi- tions attesting the confidence of the management in his ability, Mr. Clagett has been essentially, a business man, never having taken an active part in politics or sought political preferment. His record shows him to be a man pos- sessed of much more than ordinary ability and foresight, and during his long life in Washington he has gained many warm friends and the respect and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact. In 1857 Mr. Clagett married Adele, daughter of William Clare, formerly of Clagett six are now living. William H. Alabama, but at that time a resident of Clagett, their third child, spent his early Washington. They have six children - life in the city of his nativity, and re- three sons and three daughters. The ceived his education from private tutors. eldest son, Howard C., is a well-known At the early age of sixteen, as his father lawyer in Washington city, and at pres- opposed him in his desire to enter the ent United States assistant district at- navy, he left home to try his fortune on torney. Maurice J. Clagett, another grown son, is patent attorney and a resi- dent of Maryland. the sea. After four years of this life he abandoned it and entered his father's busi- ness house, where he remained one year. DR. DANIEL BOONE CLARKE, He then embarked in the mercantile busi- is a scion of one of the oldest of Mary- ness upon his own responsibility, and con- land families, being a descendant of
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Robert Clarke, who came to America |tact and foresight are utilized to their with Lord Baltimore in 1636, and was full extent. appointed surveyor-general of Maryland by that nobleman. He was also Lord Baltimore's privy counselor, as well as a member of the Maryland assembly of 1649, which assembly passed the first act tolerating the free exercise of religion. His death took place in 1664.
Dr. D. B. Clarke is a son of Walter and Rachael (Boone) Clarke, was born in Washington, D. C., March 3, 1825, re- ceived his education under private tui- tion, and at the age of sixteen entered the drug store at the corner of Four-and- a-half street and Pennsylvania avenue as clerk. In 1845 he commenced the drug business on his own account, and by his affability and courtesy, rapidly gained patronage, and by his integrity retained it. In 1847 he married Miss Anna M., the accomplished daughter of William McLean Cripps. Later he began the study of medicine, and in 1857 graduated from the medical department of George- town college, but still continued the drug business, which he had made lucrative by his conscientious use of pure articles only, in the prescription department, un- til 1874, when he retired. In 1876 he was elected president of the Franklin Fire Insurance company-the first and conse- quently the oldest fire insurance company in the city -- and still retains the position. In 1877 he was elected president of the National Bank of the Republic, and to his guiding hand much of the prosperity of this corporation is due. Also is he the treasurer of the Washington National Monument society, as well as director in the Metropolitan Street Railway com- pany and in the United States Electric Light company, beside several other im- portant associations, in which his business
Dr. Clarke is a brother of Richard H. Clarke, LL. D., the celebrated law and Catholic historian, and president of the society of American authors; and of the late Father Williams Francis Clarke, at one time president of Gonzaga college. Dr. Clarke had three children, daugh- ters; the eldest, Mary Agnes, married Thomas E. Waggaman, and, dying in 1889, left three children, Daniel B. Clarke, Julianna R. and Mary Agnes. The sec- ond daughter died at the age of sixteen. The third is the wife of Alexander Porter Morse and has four children, Annie C. Margaretta WV., Edward Clarke and Wal- ter Cripps.
REV DR. P. L. CHAPPELLE.
There can probably be no better record made of this faithful servant of Christ than that given in a Washington (D. C.) newspaper, touching his translation from pastorship in that city to a bishopric in the state of New Mexico. The article is as follows:
"The appointment of Rev. Dr. P. L. Chappelle, pastor of St. Matthew's Church, as coadjutor to Archbishop Salpointe at Santa Fé, N. M., which was announced yesterday, created no surprise among the members of the parish and friends of St. Matthew's, as the appoint- ment has been expected from Pope Leo's hands for some time, and while not only the congregation over which Dr. Chap- pelle has presided for years, but Wash- ingtonians generally, regret his departure for a new field of labor, the feeling pre- vails that the appointment is a fitting recognition of the eminent services which Dr. Chappelle has rendered to the church. As the appointment comes directly from
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the head of the church at Rome, it means labored until the date of his appointment. that Dr. Chappelle is promoted to a Dr Chappelle is a prominent member of bishopric, and will ultimately succeed the board of Indian missions, and was for Archbishop Salpointe in the diocese of Santa Fé. His long service in the min- istry has fully qualified him for the prom- inent position to which he has elevated, and the appointment will give general satisfaction everywhere. many years president of the theological conferences of clergy in Baltimore, suc- ceeding Rev. J. O'Sullivan as president of the conference in Washington, when the latter divine became bishop of Mobile. His labors as the head of St. Matthew's have borne good fruit, and under his care the parish, has become one of the strongest in the Baltimore diocese.
Dr. Chappelle was born in the diocese of Mende, southern France, in 1842. When still quite young, he began classical studies at a college in Mende conducted While the newly appointed bishop will accept the office tendered him, it is not definitely decided when he will enter upon the duties of his office. Fully six weeks must elapse before the Papal bull from Rome, confirming the appointment, can arrive, and it is expected that Octo- by the priests of Piepus, his classical course being concluded in Belgium in 1858. At this time an uncle of the young man was negotiating a concordat for the Pope in Haiti, and, being appointed arch- bishop of that diocese, desired his neph- ew to come to America and enter the ber will be here before the consecration ministry. Dr. Chappelle accordingly services will take place. It is likely that Cardinal Gibbons may decide to have the came to this country in 1859, and entered St. Mary's seminary, Baltimore, where he new bishop confirmed at the celebration studided philosophy and theology, but, of the 100th anniversary of St. Mary's being too young for ordination at the seminary. Otherwise the ceremony will end of his course, taught for two years at be held at St. Matthew's prior to Dr. St. George's college. He was ordained Chappelle's departure for New Mexico." to the priesthood in 1865, taking his first mission in Montgomery county, Md. WILLIAM EVANS CLARK.
Probably one of the best business men
While attending to the work of his first charge Dr. Chappelle was an arduous in Washington city is William Evans student, and four years later he was pro- posed for the degree of doctor of divinity Clark, now a banker, as well as a live- stock dealer of the capital city. He was at St. Mary's and passed an examination born in Washington county, Penn., in 1835, and is a son of Abner Clark, who was also a native of Washington county, Penn., his birth having occurred in 1798, and his death in 1855. He was likewise a live stock dealer and was the pioneer of native state. William Evans Clark was
with great credit. The same year, 1869, he went to France, visiting his former home, but returned to Baltimore in 1870, and was appointed assistant to the late Father McManus, of St. John's church, where he acquired a high reputation as a that important branch of trade in his pulpit orator, later becoming pastor of St. Joseph's, where he remained until, on educated at Jefferson college, at Cannons- the death of Rev. Francis Boyle, he came burg, Penn., and was well educated. He to St. Matthew's in 1882, where he had left his alma mater about the year 1856
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and for three years made his home in |one of the oldest Italian families in the Baltimore, Md., with an uncle, who was also engaged in handling live stock. From the Monumental city he went to Fort Dodge, Iowa, where, during 1860, and part of 1861, he continued dealing in live stock and then returned to Baltimore. In April of the last named year he re- moved to Washington and opened a produce store on F street, then one of the active business thoroughfares of the city, but eighteen months later relin- quished this business to re-engage in dealing in live stock, for which he seems to have a natural ten- dency. But its scope was too limited for his business-like habits and mental abili- ties, and, while he still retains a lively interest in his live stock traffic, he has turned his attention to more advanced, or perhaps, a more speculative class of en- terprises, although live-stock dealing in itself partakes largely of the speculative.
United States - a family renowned for its classical tastes and musical accomp- lishments. The American family traces its descent to Joseph Carusi, who was born in Naples about the year 1700, and became famous from having brought out the first opera that was ever presented to the London public. His son, Gaetano Carusi, was born in Sicily about 1756, was married in Italy, came to America in 1812, and died in Washington city in 1843. He was the father of three very accomplished children, viz: Samuel, who married a Miss McLean of Baltimore, Md. (both now deceasea); Nathaniel, and Louis, who died unmarried. These three boys were all born on the island of Sicily at the foot of Mt. ÆEtna, and came to America (in 1812), locating in Wash- ington city. Nathaniel Carùsi was mar- ried, in 1831, to Mary Jane Hallaway, of Fairfax county, Va., and five children For several years he was president of the resulted from this union, viz: Jane D., National Fair association; in which posi- wife of August Petersen, of the United States coast survey; Philippa, wife of Dr. L. V. Dovilliers, of Washington; Eugene, of whom farther mention will be made; Julia, married to W. W. Reisinger, of the United States navy, and Nathaniel, an attorney-at-law, Washington. Nathaniel, the father of this family, passed away in 1875, but his life companion lingered until July, 1889, when she took her flight to rejoin him who had gone before. tion his practical knowledge of live-stock proved of much value, but is now con- nected with corporations that deal more exclusively with financial investments. He is president of the Central National bank and a director in the National Safe Deposit company, as well as vice-presi- dent of the National Life and Maturity Insurance company, vice-president of the United States Electric Light company, and president of the Washington Abattoir company. Mr. Clark was married in 1872 to Miss Fannie Wilhelm, the accom- plished daughter of the late Samuel Wil- helm, of Baltimore.
EUGENE CARUSI,
a talented and successful attorney-at-law, of Washington, D. C., is descended from
Eugene Carusi, was born in Alexandria, D. C., January 19, 1835, and educated in the schools of the district. He studied law under the late Wm. J. Stone, in Washington, D. C., and was admitted to the bar in 1857, when he located in Wash- ington, where he has since remained. Since 1878, he has been professor of the law of real and personal property and
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contracts, in the law school of the Na- tional university.
In 1860 Mr. Carusi married Frances well, daughter of Daniel and Jane Standford, a daughter of the late Dr. ( Brody ) Attwell, of St. Martin, her DeLancey. Standford, professor in the mother being a daughter of Dr. Brody, National Medical school of Washington, surgeon in
and to them were born four children, of whom one died in infancy and three grew to maturity, as follows: Eugene De- Lancey Carusi; Arthur DeSales Carusi; deceased January 19, 1886, aged twenty- years; and Charles Francis Carusi.
HON HIEROME OPIE CLAUGHTON,
now one of the oldest and most distin- guished lawyers of Washington city, was born near Kinsale, Westmoerland county, Va., in 1828. He was educated at Hal- lowell high school, Alexandria, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1851. Soon after beginning practice, he was apointed by· President Fillmore as con- sul to the Island of St. Martin, West Indies, where he remained until 1854, when he returned to Alexandria and there practiced his profession until the investment of the city by the Federal forces, when he was deprived of his right or license to practice, for refusing to take the oath to support the restored govern- ment of Virginia. He was not detained as a prisoner, however, but gave his parole and went to South America and passed away the time until 1865, when he returned to Alexandria and followed his vocation until the fall of 1875, when he was elected to the upper house of the Virginia legislature and represented the counties of Alexandria, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William in the session of 1875-76, when he resigned and moved to Washington, D. C., where he met with much success as an attorney and where he has been a professor in the law school of the National university since 1878.
The marriage of Hon. H. O. Claughton took place in 1852, to Miss Jennie Att-
the British navy. Of the children born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Claughton four are living and are named Rodolph, Blanche ( wife of Dr. George William West ) Jennie Helena, and Lillian. The Claughton family is of very old Vir- ginia stock, their settlement in the state having taken place in the colonial days, and William Claughton, great-grand- father of Hon. H. O. Claughton, having been a member of the Virginia house of delegates in 1798-99.
LEWIS CLEPHANE.
This self-made man was born in Wash- ington city, March 13, 1825, and was edu- cated at Charles Strahan's academy in his native city. He left this school at the early age of twelve years, being filled with ambition for business activity, and entered Kennedy & Elliott's book store, of which, in a few years, he was given full charge. He next went into the grocery business on his own account, but two years later he opened a fancy notion store, which, for awhile, he conducted with profit. An offer having been made to him to enter the office of the National Era, as clerk, he at once accepted it, soon became its business manager, and held this position until 1859. The Era was established by the American Anti-Slavery society at New York, but in a short time transferred to Washington, where Dr. Gamaliel Bailey acted as its editor, John Greenleaf Whittier ( the Quaker poet ) as corresponding editor and Buell & Blanchard as printers. For this journal
Pervis Cephano
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was written the famous novel, Uncle |large real estate interests of his own Tom's Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe, needing his personal attention. He has led, indeed, a busy life, but his industry, backed by a keen foresight, has brought him an ample reward. and for it, also, were written the earlier stories of Emma D. E. N. Southworth. In the fall of 1860 Mr. Clephane withdrew from the business management of the Mr. Clephane was married, in 1862, to Miss Annie M. Collins, daughter of Simeon Collins, of West Haven, Conn., four children being the result of the union: Ella Chase, Walter Collins, Lewis Painter and Allan Ogilvie. The father of Lewis Clephane was born in Edinburg, Scotland, October 20, 1790. He bore the name of James Clephane and came of good family, the arms of which were: argent; a lion rampant gules; on its head a helmet azure; crest: a dexter hand holding a helmet proper; motto: "That I may be ready." James Clephane came to America alone, in 1817, and settled in Washington, where he carried on a print- ing establishment for many years, but re- tired from business a long time before his death, which occurred in 1881. He was married, in 1819, to Miss Ann Ogilvie, a native of Scotland, who bore her hus- band five children: Lavinia A., who died unmarried; Lewis, whose name heads this sketch; Julia A., James O., and Mary, deceased wife of Hamilton Spear. The mother of this family was taken away in 1839. Thomas Clephane, father of James and grandfather of Lewis, died in his native country, Scotland, in 1830. Era and established the National Repub- lican, in conjunction with W. J. Murtagh, with Martin Buell and William Blanchard as printers, and personally conducted that journal until 1861, when he was appointed postmaster of Washington. His connec- tion with the Republican, however, did not entirely cease until 1863, when he sold out his interest and also resigned his position as postmaster, to accept the office of collector of internal revenue for the District of Columbia, which office he held until 1868. In 1869 he was elected a member of the board of aldermen of Washington city, and the same year was appointed receiver for the Washington & Alexandria Rail- road company, acting in the latter capac- ity from January 1, 1869, until August, 1871. In September, 1870, he was elected president of the Metropolitan Paving company and held the position until 1873, his company holding a contract under the government for paving the streets of Washington. In December, 1873, he en- tered upon the duties of collector of taxes for the District of Columbia, which office he held until August, 1874. Since that time he has confined his attention to his extensive and varied private interests. CHARLES CLEAVES COLE. which, through his energy and business United States attorney for the District of Columbia, is a native of Hiram, Oxford county, Maine. He received his educa- tion at Fryeburg academy, and the Maine Wesleyan seminary, where he completed the course in May, 1862. The war of the Rebellion being then waged between the sagacity, have become multitudinous. At this time he is president of the Virginia Brick company; is a director in the Na- tional Safe Deposit company, formerly the National Savings bank, of which he was vice-president; he is also a director in the Second National bank, and has two sections of the states caused Mr. Cole
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