USA > Washington DC > The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Maryland and District of Columbia Pt. 1 > Part 20
USA > Maryland > The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Maryland and District of Columbia Pt. 1 > Part 20
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nor ; op. 24, Third Norse Suite, A minor ; op. 25, Fourth Norse Suite, D major; op. 26, Fifth Norse Suite, A major; op. 27, Concert-Romance, D major, for violoncello and orchestra. Much has been said in praise of Mr. Hame- rik's compositions, as well as of his influence as a musi- cian, both in the school over which he presides, and in the city in which he lives. Men like him are rare in our country, and we may well feel proud to have him in our midst.
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B ITTING, REV. CHARLES CARROLL, Doctor of Di- vinity, Pastor of Franklin Square Baptist Church, Baltimore, was born, in Philadelphia, March 31, 1830. Ilis parents were J. D. and S. W. (Buck- nell) Bitting. Mr. Bitting pursued his early studies in the public schools of his native city, graduating from the Central High School, in 1850. He devoted his spare hours to the study of pharmacy, and his proficiency in this art was rewarded by his appointment to the position of prescription clerk in a large drug store of Philadelphia. Ilis desire for a thorough collegiate education, prompted him to enter Madison University, Hamilton, New York, where he studied assiduously several years, completing the course with the class of 1853. Soon after, he was elected Principal of the Tennessee Baptist Female College, first located at Nashville, and afterwards at Murfreesboro. Having been converted at an early age, and baptized into the fellowship of Broad Street Baptist Church, Philadel- phia, by Rev. J. L. Burrows, D.D)., then the pastor, and having been ordained to the Gospel Ministry, at Murfrees- boro, in 1854, during his connection with the Female Col- lege, he performed considerable gratuitous service as a preacher, in neighborhoods destitute of the regular minis- trations of the Word. In 1855, Mr. Bitting removed to Virginia, and became Pastor of Mount Olivet and Hope- ful Baptist Churches, in Hanover County; which then ranked among the most intelligent, wealthy, and influen- tial churches of the Old Dominion. In this field, his ministry was most acceptable, and his labors crowned with marked success. In 1859, he received a call to the pasto- rate of the First Baptist Church, Alexandria, Virginia, which call he accepted, entering upon his duties in Sep- tember of that year. In this historic Virginia town, sur- rounded by a cultivated community, supported by a united and active church, Mr. Bitting had a most pleas- ant and successful carecr until the tempest of civil war broke upon the land, in 1861. During those stormy days, he had some peculiar experiences ; among which may be mentioned, his arrest by the Federal authorities, and the placing of him, and other citizens, known to be friendly to the Southern cause, upon the trains carrying men and supplies to the Union army, as hostages, for protection against the attacks of Mosby's Cavalry. In 1866, he re-
signed his charge in Alexandria, and became Correspond- ing Secretary of the Sunday-school Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, with headquarters at Greenville, South Carolina. As the field of operations embraced all of the Southern States, and all the editing of publications, books, papers, etc., devolved upon the Secretary, his duties were now difficult, onerous, and almost multitudinous, but he met the demands of his new position with great fidelity and efficiency. On the removal of the board from Green- ville to Memphis, Tennessee, he became Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Lynchburg, Virginia, in May, 1868. It was while in Lynchburg that Mr. Bitting's ability as a preacher, and success as a pastor, were con- spicuously recognized. During his ministry of four years in that mountain city, more than three hundred persons were added to his church, and a new church planted on College Hill. His removal from Lynchburg occurred in 1872, and, for about one year, he was District Secretary of the American Baptist Publication Society for the Southern States, with his office in Richmond, Virginia. It was while thus employed, that Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina, conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Divinity. In September, 1873, he resigned this position, and became pastor of the Second Baptist Church, of Vir- ginia's capital city. It was during this relation, that the Baptists of the ancient commonwealth made their famous " Memorial movement," for the endowment of Richmond College, the denominational institution of the State. The movement was designed to commemorate the struggles of the early Baptists of Virginia, in behalf of Religious Lib- erty. Into this enterprise, Dr. Bitting threw himself with characteristic ardor, sending forth appeals in all directions, and making public addresses in almost all parts of the State; and the final gratifying result was due to the labors of no single man more than to his. In September, 1876, he accepted the unanimous call of the Franklin Square Baptist Church, Baltimore, Maryland. There he has la- bored (1878) only a little more than two years; but the large congregations that attend his ministry, and the fre- quent accessions made to the membership of his church, seem to indicate that in Baltimore he will achieve the greatest success with which the labors of his life have yet been crowned. Dr. Bitting has been most fortunate in his domestic relations. He married Miss Carrie S. Shad- dinger, of Philadelphia, December 5, 1855, and they have a family of seven children : William B., who is studying for the ministry ; Charles C., Jr., who is reading law ; Linnaeus L., who is about to commence a thorough course of lectures, in the Medical University of Maryland; Car- rie, Miriam, Ruth, Naomi; all of whom are living except . Carrie. He is connected with both the Odd Fellows and the Free Masons; and, in the latter fraternity, of which he became a member in 1851, he has filled various offices in lodges, chapters, councils, and commanderies. His political views have generally been Democratic, never Re-
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publican. Dr. Bitting has never gone extensively into authorship, though some productions of his pen have been given to the public; among which particular mention may be made of his tract on Religious Liberty and the Baptists. In 1874, the doctor made a tour of Europe, Egypt, and the Holy Land. During that tour he had the unexpected, but peculiar, pleasure of baptizing a young lady, a near relative and travelling companion, in the river Jordan, at the traditional site of the baptism of Jesus, by John ; also, a young man, who is now studying for the ministry. As a man, Dr. Bitting is distinguished by firmness and indus- try; as a Christian, by conscientiousness and earnestness ; as a public speaker, by readiness of utterance and tender- ness of appeal ; while as a pastor, his most prominent traits are great cordiality of manner, and the most watchful fidelity over the spiritual interests of his people. While he is very decided in his convictions as a Baptist, he is remarkable for kindliness of feeling toward other denom- inations, and the readiness with which he responds to any call for his services made by them.
ยท 1 ALLIDAY, ROBERT J., Florist and Seedsman, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, March 4, 1840. His father, Robert Halliday, a nurseryman of Bal- timore, is a native of Dumfries, Scotland, and emi- grated to America in 1835, since which time he has been a resident of Baltimore. Robert Halliday has de- voted his entire attention to the business of flower, tree, and plant culture, which he first learned in Edinburgh, Scotland, and in 1837, began business on his own account, at the corner of Lexington and Fremont Streets, Baltimore. In 18440, he commenced the extensive greenhouse department, now occupied by his son, corner of Dolphin Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. In ISor, he associated his son Robert J., in business with him, under the firm name of Robert Halliday & Son. After receiving a good gram- mar school education, Robert J. Halliday, at the age of fourteen, began to learn the business with his father, and gave his undivided attention to it for seven years. On at- taining his majority, he became a member of the firm. In 1865, he went to Philadelphia and engaged in the same business with John Dick, under the firm name of John Dick & Company. In 1866, he returned to Baltimore, since which time he has carried on business in that city in his own name, having a seed store and depot for cut flow- ers, northwest corner of Baltimore and Charles Streets, and the large greenhouses on the corner of Pennsylvania Ave- nue and Dolphin Street, which he operates in connection with the nursery of his father, on Liberty Road, near Bal- timore, containing about tive acres, and most of which is under cover of glass. Besides the nursery, his father cul- tivates about forty acres in trees. Mr. Ilalliday's business
has steadily increased until it is now the third or fourth largest of the kind in this country, and one of the largest south of Philadelphia. He publishes annually a large de- scriptive catalogue, and his trade extends to all parts of the country.
B IRELY, JOHN WILLIAM, son of William and Char- lotte Birely, was born December 8, 1816, near the village of Myersville, in that section of Frede- Forick County, Maryland, called Middletown Valley. His parents' ancestors were Germans; those on his mother's side being the first settlers of a large and fertile tract of land adjacent to, and on the west side of Frederick City. His father was a papermaker, and among the first to engage in the manufacture of writing paper in West- ern Maryland. During the infancy of the subject of this sketch, his parents removed to Fredericktown, where his father died, when the boy was five years old, leaving his family, consisting of a wife and seven children, almost penniless, owing to losses sustained by indorsing for his brother, who failed in business. Through the kindness of her brother, who died a few years after her husband, his mother came into possession of a small house and a few acres of land, the produce of which, together with the small earnings of her only son, and four elder sisters, con- stituted their only means of support. As a consequence, his early education was limited. At the age of seventeen he was apprenticed to the furniture and cabinetmaker's trade, for a term of four years, paying his own board. After the expi- ration of his apprenticeship, he worked five years as a jour- neyman at the same trade. Having saved a few hundred dollars, he relinquished that trade and commenced mer- chandizing, in which he was quite successful. After twelve years of mercantile life, he was, by a unanimous vote, chosen Secretary of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Frederick County. This act was without any solicita- tion on his part. He at first declined the position, in view of his limited education, but by reason of the expressed confidence of the Board of Directors, he finally consented to accept it, and retire from his previous business, Ile served as Secretary of that company for nine years, resign- ing the position for the purpose of devoting his time to farming. He purchased a tract of land and erected buik- ings thereon suited to his taste. Hi, resignation was ac- cepted by the Board of Directors, with resolutions expres- sive of much regret. In 1866, Mr. Bircly was prevailed upon to accept the office of Cashier of the Farmers' and Mechanics' National Bank of Frederick, Maryland. That position he held for eleven years, but was compelled to re- sign on account of failing health. In this instance, also, his resignation was accepted by the directors with expres- sions of deep regret ; and resolutions to that effect were published in the several newspapers of Frederick City. As
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an evidence of his careful management of the trust reposed in him, the prosperity of that bank during those eleven years is in attestation, Its capital stock was $125,000, and the dividends paid to the stockholders in that time were $225,000. In 1859, he was elected a member of the Con- sistory and Treasurer of the German Reformed Church of Frederick. He served the congregation in these positions for fifteen years, and was instrumental in the demolition of the old stone parsonage that had stood in the time of the Revolution, and having erected in its stead the elegant Re- formed buildings and parsonage, on the corner of Market and Church Streets. Notwithstanding the erection of these buildings was opposed by many substantial members of the congregation, on the ground of an unpaid balance, which was still due upon the new church edifice, erected a few years previous, the work was commenced and completed without any pecumary aid given by the members, the in- debtedness created by their erection being gradually dimin- ished by the annual proceeds of the rentable portion of the property. To this work, Mr. Birely devoted, gratuitously, much time and labor. In this connection it is in place to say, that in the two large halls in these buildings the extra sessions of the Maryland Legislature, in 1861, were held, convened in accordance with the proclamation of Governor Hicks. Mr. Birely was one of the first to suggest, and as- sisted in the organization of the Franklin Savings Bank of Frederick, in 1856, and for several years served as one of its directors. For ten years, he was a member of the City Council of Frederick, prior to 1873. In 1871 and '72, he was elected on the part of the city a director in the Fred- erick and Pennsylvania Railroad. In 1839, he took an ac- tive part in the organization of the Junior Fire Company of Frederick City, one of the most prosperous and successful volunteer organizations of its character in the State; and prior to his resignation as an active member, in 1873, was Treasurer and President for twenty-three years. His ser- vices in these positions were rendered gratuitously. In 1848, he was elected a Trustee and Treasurer of one of the district schools of Frederick, and re-elected annually for six years. After his first election, it was discovered that his predecessor was in default, and that the school might be continued, Mr. Birely advanced out of his private funds, without interest, the necessary means, until money was re- ceived from the County School Fund, which was not until nearly a year had expired. When he retired from these positions, he handed over to his successor a surplus of sev- eral hundred dollars, after the payment of all indebtedness. These services were also performed without charge or pe- cuniary emolument to himself. Since 1861, Mr. Birely has been one of the Trustees and Treasurer of the Frederick Female Seminary, performing these duties without cost to the institution. He is also Treasurer and one of the Trustees of Montevue Hospital of Frederick County. Under au- thority of the courts, he has settled several estates, declin- ing in some cases to accept any compensation for his ser-
vices. At the age of twenty-seven, he was married to Mary R. Cramer, daughter of Philip and Mary Cramer, whose ancestors were the first settlers of a large tract of land in Frederick County, known as the Glades. They have had four children; two only are living, sons, who are now en- gaged in mercantile business in Frederick, under the name of Birely Brothers.
B BROWNING, HONORABLE RICHARD THOMAS, was born May 23, 1839, in Alleghany County, Mary- land. His father, William Browning, is a native of the same county. His grand father, Meshack Browning, was the celebrated hunter, who made a business of hunting and trapping in the Alleghany Moun- tains, whose life is published in a book entitled, Forty- four Years in the Life of a Hunter. The early life of the subject of this sketch was spent on a farm. He received a common English education in the public schools of his native county. At the age of twenty years, he left home travelling through the Western States and Territories, and settled for a short time in Missouri. About the breaking out of the war, in 1861, he returned to Maryland. He en- tered the Federal army in the fall of that year, as a private, but was promoted, from time to time, until 1865, when he was mustered out of service, in Baltimore, bearing a second lieutenant's commission. Ile was seriously wounded in Lynchburg, in 1864, and endured great suffering and pri- vation in the mountains of West Virginia, through which he was carried to Gallipolis, where he remained until his recovery, and then rejoined his regiment on the Potomac, to which line it had fallen back. In 1868, he was ap- pointed Tax Collector for Alleghany County, for the term of two years, and reappointed in 1870. After the expiration of his second term he removed to Oakland and engaged in hotel keeping. Mr. Browning took an active part in the division of Alleghany County, and the formation of Gar- rett County, the accomplishment of which is in a great measure due to his untiring energy and perseverance, and the lavish contributions of his time and money. In 1875, he was elected a Representative from Garrett County to the Maryland Legislature; being among the first delegates from the new county. Mr. Browning has always been a consistent and firm supporter of the Democratic party. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church in Oakland. lle was married in 1864 to Miss Hattie k., daughter of Jesse Twigg, Esq., of Cumberland, Maryland. Mr. Brown- ing is tall and well proportioned. In social life, he is kind and considerate, and of equable temperament. Possessing the elements of a self-made man, he deals practically with all subjects, and pursues his course with perseverance, fidel- ity, and self-reliance.
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'UMP, ORLANDO FRANKLIN, A.M., Lawyer and Author, was born at Afton, Chenango' County, New York, February 28, 18.11. His parents were Samuel C. and Abby Ann Bump, They had four children, of whom he was the second. His older brother, thatles R., died in the United States Army in 180 ;. His sister, Ella I., died in 1855. His younger brother, Jesse E., is still living. Members of his family have now in their possession documents which give the name a> " Bumpus," and the family tradition is, that their ancestors came to this country from England. In that country there is a family surnamed " Bompas." Philological analogy points to this as the correct form of the original surname. This name, with its various modifications, is not uncommon in England and in this country, and several of its possessors have been, or are, lawyers of more or less eminence. The subject of this sketch early in life mani- fested a passion for books. Reading was to him recrea- tion, and he devoted to it the hours that other children gave to play. Being of delicate constitution, his parents were frequently obliged to take his books from him, and thus compel him to find amusement in other things. He, nevertheless, managed to read every book he could find. There was no book in the district school library, the Sun- day-school library, or that could be borrowed from neigh- boring houses, with which he was not familiar. Historical works were his preference, and while yet young his mind was stored with the leading events of both ancient and modern history. He had a most retentive memory, ren- dering him an apt scholar, so that he was soon found in classes among those who were far his seniors in years. His mother died in 1854, and his father being unsuccessful in business, went to Maryland, in 1856, with the hope of im- proving his circumstances, leaving his children in charge of a housekeeper. As their finances were low and the boys of an independent spirit, Orlando and his elder brother resolved to take care of themselves. Being thus cast upon his own resources at the age of fifteen, lie sought and obtained employment among the neighboring farmers ; but, not having been trained to this kind of work, it proved very uncongenial. Taking the advice of a pet- ulant old farmer, who found him rather awkward, he re- turned to his books. With the scanty savings from his earnings in his pocket, in the fall of 1857, he entered the Delaware Literary Institute, at Franklin, Delaware County, New York. IIe found there an opportunity to work for his board, and then by teaching in the winters, and work- ing for the farmers in vacations, he managed to complete the academical course, and graduated with the highest honor, in 1861. He then went to New Ilaven, Connec- ticut, and entered Yale College in the fall of that year, lle brought with him high recommendations for talents and industry, and thus secured one of those scholarships which the munificent endowments of that institution enable it to bestow on worthy scholars, Ile graduated in 1863,
standing sixth in a class of one hundred and twenty. Under a rule of the college this was reduced to eighth, on account of his entering in the Junior year. As a student of mathematics he was especially apt. When a mere boy in the village school the other scholars sought his assist- ance in explaining difficult problems, because they under- stood him better than they did the teacher. Such was his proficiency in this particular branch of study that he was appointed an assistant teacher of mathematics in the academy, while still a student. In college he was acknow.l- edged leader of his class in this particular, and divided the highest prize with George W. Bidwell, of Philadel- phia. This excellence was not duc to any special mathematical faculty, but to the general strength of his analytical and reasoning powers. Mr. Bump is educated because he resolved to be so. During the six years of his academical and collegiate studies he only received about three hundred dollars from his friends and relatives to aid him in his efforts. While in the academy he contracted a few small debts, which his creditors kindly consented to let stand until he had finished his college course. Out of his first earnings he paid these and restored to the college all the money which he had received from the scholarship. In 1863, he went to Battimore and entered the office of William Daniel, Esq., as a student at law. He was ad- mitted to the bar, September 14, 1865. While studying law, he began a thorough course of reading on history, geology, political economy, philology, and social science. His fondness for history and all questions relating to social science made him always a close observer of politics: The times were stirring and a restless spirit like his could not long keep still. Accordingly, in 1866, he sent an anony- mous article to the editors of the Baltimore American, which was published in the editorial columns. A second article received the same appreciative consideration, with a request for an interview. The result was an engage- ment on the editorial staff of that journal, which continued until 1869. The arrangement, however, bound him to the writing of articles only when he sought relaxation from his legal studies. Mr. Bump has been always a Republi- can, but his participation in politics has been that of a scholar rather than that of a politician. Since 1869, his efforts in that direction have been only occasional, such as every educated man feels bound to make upon the request of his fellow-citizens. In 1867 he was appointed Register in Bankruptcy. While a law student he had been in the habit of making notes, and he pursued the practice in re- gard to decisions under the Bankrupt Law. Finding these notes useful to himself, he thought they might be useful to the profession in general, and so, in 1868, he published a work on the Law and Practice of Bankruptcy. This has proved a most successful law-book, ten editions having been called for in as many years. It has become the stand- ard authority on that subject. In attaining this position it was not without rivals; it had them from the first.
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Works were issued successively by Saunders, Brightly, Gazzam, and Blumenstiel, but none of these, save that of Gazzam, ever reached a second edition. When Mr. Brightly's work appeared, a critie, in commenting on it, look occasion to speak of Mr. Bump's book as the pro. duction of a young lawyer, without practice or experience ; but in the end the young lawyer, in his chosen field, sur- passed even the veteran writer. The excellence of Mr. Bump's work as a legal author is due to the strength of his analytical powers and his capacity for close, logical reasoning. He goes at once to the pith of a decision and states the results in clear and concise language. Ile is patient in the collection of authorities, and from these he deduces the principles of the law with due circumspection. He never writes until he is master of the subject, and then he unfolds his theory with perspicuity. Consequently, no matter how intricate and complicated the subject may be, the profession usually say that he has made it easy and simple. He now found himself engaged in a pursuit con- genial to his tastes, and he followed it zealously and assid- uously. Ile published Internal Revenue Laws, in 1870; Notes to Kerr on Fraud and Mistake, in 1871; Fraudulent Conveyances, in 1872; Patents, Trade-Marks and Copyrights, in 1877; and Notes of Constitutional Decisions, in 1878. He has now (1878) in preparation a work on Federal Procedure, and Notes on the Revised Statutes of the United States. In 1872 he was employed to assist in the preparation of the Revised Statutes of the United States, and a large part of that work is from his pen. He cdited, also, volumes twelve, thirteen and fourteen of the National Bankruptcy Reg- ister, and contributed various articles to the Central Law Journal and the Southern Law Review. By means of these efforts he became known as an author, and, in 1876, received the degree of Artium Magister from Vale College, on account of his merit and ability as a legal writer. His literary labors have been merely the fruits of . his leisure homs. With years came reputation, with rep- utation an increase of practice, until at length the duties of his office and his professional labors occupied his entire time during the day. The only opportunity that he had for study and composition was in the evening, after the professional labor for the day was over. The productions of his pen tell how well that time was improved. For his restless and inquiring mind such employment was reerea- tion and refreshment. Mr. Bump was married to Sallie E. Weathers, July 27, 1870. Ilis oldest son, Charles R., was born, December 13, 1872. His next, Arthur R., was born, November 15, 1874, and died July 3, 1875. His last, Ilerbert F., was born July 31, 1878.
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