USA > Washington DC > The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Maryland and District of Columbia Pt. 1 > Part 46
USA > Maryland > The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Maryland and District of Columbia Pt. 1 > Part 46
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80
FREM, PERRY C., was born in Talbot County, Mary- land, January 6, 1828. Ile is the youngest son of IIngh S. and Naney Orem, whose ancestors came from England and Scotland. At the age of sixteen he completed his education in the public schools of Baltimore, and then engaged in the grocery and commis- sion house of James Neill, on Cheapside. In 1845 he went to Cincinnati, where he maintained himself for a few
weeks by the sale of books, until he could determine upon a business career. Ile finally began to learn brushmaking, first with Jacob Wolf, of that city, and then with Theo- dore D. Bentley, of Dayton, Ohio, completing his trade with Samuel MeCubbin, of Baltimore. In 1819 Mr. Orem began business for himself in Baltimore, in which he con- tinued for a number of years. Ile was twice married, first, in February, 1850, to Mary P. Wise, of Baltimore, who died the following December. His second marriage was June 16, 1853, to Catharine Shecler, of Baltimore. They had eight children, of whom six are living; one married. Mr. Orem is the originator of the Mutual Land- lords' Association of Baltimore City, also of the South Baltimore Savings Bank, of which he is now Secretary. Ife is a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he is elder and trustee. He has been superintendent of Sunday-schools for a number of years. He is Chief of Records in the Order of Red Men, and is also a Mason and an Odd Fellow.
NOTTS, JonN W., was born in Caroline County, Maryland, January 18, 1833. Ile is of Scottish ancestry, his great-grandfather having emigrated to this country in the latter part of the seventeenth century. Ilis father, David Knotts, a farmer in the last-named county, was a man of high character, and greatly esteemed in the community. Ile long served as a Director in the Maryland and Delaware Railroad. Ile married Ann, daughter of John Snow, of the same county. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Iler death occurred when her son, John W., was only one month old. From the age of eight to eighteen years he was sent to school. He then, for five years, superintended a farm for his father, after which he commenced farming for himself at the old homestead, called " Large Range Regulated." 'In 1861 he removed to his estate in Talbot County, known as Chestnut Ridge, where he has from that time resided. Besides raising the usual farm products he has been much engaged the list ten years in fruit-growing, paying special attention to the culture of peaches, pears, and the small fruits. In all his business he has been very successful, and is now the owner of the following farms: Chestnut Ridge, one hundred and ninety-five acres ; a part of the William Tilghman farm, two hundred and forty- seven aeres; the Large Range Regulated, three hundred acres, and one hundred acres adjoining it., Ile also owns a valuable grist and saw mill on an excellent site, formerly known as the Nicholl's Mills, and with it, one hundred acres of land. Ile is a gentleman of large business capacity, attending himself to all the details, however varied. Ile takes deep interest in measures for the promo- tion of education, and is a liberal contributor to religious
203
BIOGRAPHIICAL CYCLOPEDIA.
enterprises. He has also served as one of the Directors of the Maryland and Delaware Railroad, and is a member of the l'ations of Husbandry, being now Master of Grange Number to, of Hillsborough. He has for many years been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. In 1856 Mr. Knotts was married to Ann Emily, daughter of Jesse Hubbard, of Upper Hunting Creek, Caroline County. She died August 20, 1867. Three of her chil- dren are living. Ilis second marriage was to Mary Frances, daughter of John Chaffench, by whom he has two children.
€ UMMER, DR. JAMES CEPHAS, was born in Loudon County, Virginia, November 10, 1833. Ilis par- ents, Washington and Martena B. ( Fox ) Hummer, were both natives of the same county. His mother, now over eighty years of age, still resides on the old homestead. Her ancestors and her husband's came to this country prior to the Revolution, the Hummers first settling in New Jersey. William, the grandfather of Dr. Hunnner, was in that war a patriot sokhier under Washington, for whom he bore the most devoted love and veneration. Af- ter the war he removed to Virginia. Washington Ilum- mer was a farmer, and for many years a Justice of the Peace. Ile raised a large family, of whom three sons and two daughters survive. Universally loved and respected, he was a man of unquestioned integrity and honor. Ile died in 1855. Dr. Hummer was educated in a popular school in Hillsboro, in his native county. The eleven young men of his class all entered the ministry in 1854, joining the Virginia Conference of the Methodist Episco- pal Church Sonth. Ile entered with great zeal upon his duties as an itinerant minister, often travelling two hundred miles and filling eighteen appointments in a single month. Sometimes he rode seventy miles and preached five sermons in two days. For the first seven years of his ministry he labored in the following circuits : Princess Anne's in 1855, Gospoit in 1856, Middlesex in 1857-58, King William in 1859, Indiana Ridge, North Carolina, in 1860-61. At this time his health gave way and he was placed on the supernumerary list for five years, though he continued to labor almost as constantly as before, especially among the poor and neglected. In 1867 he was transferred to the Baltimore Conference, and was pastor of churches in Al- exandria, Virginia, Hagerstown and Frederick, in Mary- land, but in 1873, his health became more impaired and he was removed to Baltimore, where he labored with great success as a missionary. Here the needs of suffering hu- manity greatly oppressed his heart. The destitution he niet with on every hand was very great ; multitudes were not only unable to employ physicians, but even to purchase the necessary medicines in sickness. Resolved to do what he could to assist the suffering, he provided himself with
the homeopathie remedies, and commenced their dispen- sation solely as a charity ; and that he might be of greater service, he applied himself vigorously to the study of med icine under the preceptorship of Alfred Hughes, M.D., one of the ablest physicians of that school in the city. By his advice Dr. Hummer entered upon a general practice, in 1875, continuing all his former kindness to those who were unable to pay. In 1876 he formed a partnership, which still continues, with his cousin, Dr. A. C. Fox, who had been an allopathic physician for fourteen years, and had been for the last five years in Georgia. He had for a long time carefully considered and studied the rival claims of homeopathy, and now adopted it heartily. Dr. Ilum- mer was married, June 10, 1856, to Annie A., daughter of James and A. M. Whaley, of Loudon County, Virginia. They have had four children, two of whom are living, Alice Amelia, now Mrs. Emory Cole, and Earnest Edder, five years of age. Dr. Ilummer is a popular preacher and a successful physician. He is a member of the Order of Free and Accepted Masons, and a lecturer of repute in the Order. Ile is, an Odd Fellow, and a member of all the Temperance Societies, also of the Young Men's Christian Association, taking a special interest in that branch estab. lished among the employees of the Northern Central Rail- road.
6 RIFFITHI, FESTUS, Farmer, was born in Montgom- cry County, Maryland, July 12, 1838, where he re- sided and attended various schools until he attained the age of seventeen years, when he entered the academy of the late Benjamin Hallowell, Alexandria, Virginia, remaining therein one year. Ile then went to Baltimore and entered in a clerical capacity the wholesale grocery establishment of Messrs. T. W. and G. Hopkins, where he remained until the outbreak of the civil war, when he went to Harper's Ferry, Virginia, and joined Colonel James R. Herbert's Company (Confederate troops), but was immediately transferred by Stonewall Jackson to Leesburg, Virginia, to assist in drilling and dis- ciplining the companies of the Eighth Virginia Infantry, commanded by Colonel Eppa Hunton. A few days before the battle of Manassas, Mr. Griffith was elected Second Lieutenant of Company II., of that regiment, engaging in that battle, as also in the battle of Ball's Bluff; the siege at Yorktown; battle at Williamsburg ; Seven Pines, and the seven days' fight around Richmond, being promoted to a captaincy whilst at Yorktown. In the second battle of Manassas he was wounded in the hip, and in 1864 was captured in the Valley of Virginia, remaining in captivity until the fall of that year, when he was exchanged at Sa- vannah, Georgia. Lieutenant Griffith finally surrendered at the general capitulation of Lee. After the cessation of hos- tilities he engaged in mercantile pursuits in Baltimore and
204
BIOGRAPHICAL. CYCLOPEDIA.
New York, until 1870, when he went to Texas, where he sojourned for four years, participating, during that period, very actively, in public affairs, and extensively engaging in cotton operations. In 187; be returned to Maryland, where he is now quietly engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1871 he married Miss Evvic Riggs, daughter of Elisha Riggs, a farmer of Montgomery County. Mr. Griffith has three brothers, now farming in Montgomery County, who served with distinction in the Confederate army. These are Thomas, who was a captain ; Frank, a lieutenant, and David, who served in the ranks. They were all members of Company A, First Maryland Cavalry. Their father was Thomas Griffith, native -and farmer of Montgomery County, and it is a notable fact that their ancestry extends back for at least a half dozen generations as landed pro- prietors and agriculturists of that county.
ROBINSON, EDWARD W., was born in South King- ston, Washington County, Rhode Island, April 11, 1809. Ilis ancestors came from Northumber- land, England, early in the history of the colonies. They were linked with the old nobility of England. In the history of Rhode Island they have long been dis- tinguished for wealth, ability and public spirit. His father, Matthew Robinson, died in 1825, leaving a widow and seven children. The subject of this sketch was then in his sixteenth year. He had two elder brothers, both of whom had learned trades and settled in Providence, Rhode Island. Soon after his father's death, Mr. Robinson also went to Providence to learn the carpenter's trade, where he served four and a half years at the business. In October, 1829, he obtained release from his apprenticeship by pay- ing his master fifty dollars for the unexpired term of six months. He then left Providence for Baltimore, arriving there October 19, 1829, being then in his twenty-first year. In Baltimore he obtained temporary employment as a journeyman until the following January. On completing the work in which he was engaged in Baltimore, he went to Washington City in search of employment, but found none. While in that city he heard Webster's celebrated speech in reply to Hayne, in the United States Senate. He then returned to Baltimore, and on his way saw the site of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, which had just been graded from Ellicott's Mills, a distance of twelve miles. The next day after his arrival at Baltimore he walked to 'Ellicott's Mills and returned upon the graded track. llc saw the advertisement for contractors to lay the wood and iron track, in sections of about one mile each. Mr. Rob- inson made application to Philip E. Thomas, who was then President of the road, and was awarded the contract of laying three sections, He commenced this early in March, 1830, and completed it abont June 15, of that year. The
road was opened to Ellicott's Mills about July 1 following. Mr. Robinson then worked in Baltimore as a journeyman carpenter until October, 18;0, when he returned to Provi dence and spent the winter there. In Match, 15;1, le Way mamed to Susam P. Bowen, daughter of John Bowen, of Coventry, Rhode Island. Soon after his marriage he returned to Baltimore and settled permanently in that city. He worked at his trade as a journeyman until November, 1831, when, having saved about one thousand dollars, he built a small house on South Broadway, Baltimore, and moved into it in May, 1832. He then built a shop on the rear end of the lot and commenced to contract for house- building. At that time there was a demand for the ser- vices of a good carpenter in that part of the city, and Mr. Robinson was soon kept busily employed. In 1835 he entered into a contract with the faculty of the Washington Medical College, which had just been organized, and com- menced to build what is now known as the Church Home Building, on North Broadway, Baltimore. He built the centre building and one wing as it now stands. The fac- ulty not having sufficient means to complete the west wing Mr. Robinson was compelled to suspend operations. The undertaking proved a failure, and Mr. Robinson, through the mismanagement of the faculty, lost very heavily. Al- though his indebtedness thereby incurred was five thousand dollars in excess of his assets he was not disheartened. Ile at once sought and obtained other work, and being en- couraged by friends, whose confidence and esteem he had won by his industry and strict integrity, was not long in repairing the loss he had sustained. Within a few years he had paid all his debts, and had accumulated enough to commence leasing and building houses to sell. In 1844 he established the first sash and door factory at Baltimore, which was located in Canton, at the corner of Boston and Burk Streets. Although the carpenters and builders of that day were opposed to factory work, Mr. Robinson con- tinued to do a large and lucrative business until 1850, when his factory, with all his machinery and stock, was entirely destroyed by fare. He had but three thousand dollars insurance on the property. In January, 1851, he entered into a copartnership with Mr. Ezra Whitman for the purpose of manufacturing plows and agricultural ma- chinery. They built a large factory, planing-mill, sash and door mill, and foundry, on the block bounded by Esses, Burk, Cambridge, and Concord Streets, Canton, and at present occupied by the Baltimore Car Wheel Company. The business was carried on under the firin name of E. Whitman & Company until January, 1863, when, on account of the bad management of Mr. Whitman, Mr. Robinson was compelled to withdraw from the concern, and resort to legal process for a settlement of the affairs of the firm. Mr. Robinson's partner having used a portion of the funds of the concern in buying lands and speculating for his personal anvantage, left the business embarrassed and greatly in Mr. Robinson's debt. This gave rise to a
+
-
0
205
BIOGRAPHICAL CYCLOPEDIA.
suit at law, which was not settled umil 1866, the large factory and foundry at Canton being closed in the mean- time. During the continuance of the partnership, Mr. Robinson also carried on an extensive building busi. ness in his own name, but the profits of which acemed to the firm. Being thus provided with all the woodwork necessary for carrying on the business, on the dissolu- tion of the partnership, he resumed house building, to which he thereafter devoted his entire time. In 1853 he bought a shop with steam-power, at the corner of Car- oline and Aliceanna streets, where he continued until 1866. During that time he built many large warehouses and other buildings. In 1866 the suit against Whitman was decided in Mr. Robinson's favor, and he obtained possession of his factory at Canton. Having the machinery and facilities for carrying on the business of manufacturing agricultural implements, he started the firm of Mont- gomery, Slade & Company in that business. He rented them the room, and furnished them with most of the capi- tal, in consideration of division of the profits, and their devoting their entire time to the business. Mr. Robinson continued to engage solely in fulfilling building contracts, Ile gave George A. Cunningham an interest in the shop- work of the planing mills. From 1866 until 1870, these three branches of business rapidly increased and yielded a handsome profit. In 1869 he formed a partnership with William J. Cochran for the purpose of manufacturing car- wheels. This business was carried on successfully until March, 1870, when their factory was destroyed by fire. It was immediately rebuilt, however, and the business con- tinned with Mr. Cochran and William Hyson, the latter gentleman having been made a member of the firm, Hav- ing lost the machinery for manufacturing carpenter's work and agricultural implements, Mr. Robinson severed his connection with his partners in those branches of business, and built a new foundry, much larger than the old one. The car-wheel works were kept in operation successfully until 1873, when Mr. Hyson withdrew from the firm. Mr. Robinson had the financial management from the begin- ning, and had over sixty thousand dollars invested therein. In 187; he and Mr. Cochran dissolved partnership and united with W. S. G. Baker and others in the forma- tion of the Baltimore Car-Wheel Company, of which Mr. Baker is president. Mr. Cochran and two other original stockholders soon afterward sold out their interest to Mr. Robinson, Messrs. W. S. G. and Charles Baker, and William G. Harrison, who continue to carry on the business at the present time. The company has made additions to the foundry, making it one of the largest for the manufacture of car wheels in the country. Mr. Robin son soon afterward built another sash and door factory and planing mill, at the corner of Essex and Burk Streets, where most of his building materials are now manufac- Inred. His career as a builder extends over forty-six years, during which time he has probably constructed more
buildings than any one man in Baltimore. He has built many city and country dwellings, churches, banks, and other structures, He built for Johns Hopkins all his ware- houses and other buildings, and did all his repairing from 18to motd his death. Mi. Hopkins, just before his death, requested Francis T. King, President of the Board of Trustees of the Johns Hopkins Hospital, to employ Mr. Robinson to build the hospital. Mr. Robinson accordingly commenced the work by removing the old buildings and disposing of the materials composing them. The entire superintendency of the work was intrusted to him, and he would have continued in that capacity had not ill health compelled him to resign the position. He therefore recommended a younger man as his successor. Among the buildings erected in Baltimore by Mr. Robinson, in addi- tion to those already mentioned, are the Seventh Baptist Church, the Universalist Church, East Baltimore Street, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Depot at Camden Station, the old office of the Baltimore American, the Rialto Building, the Farmers' and Planters' Bank, the Franklin Bank, the Second National Bank, the German American Bank, and several other large buildings of a similar character. Ifis work has always given satisfaction, and in all his transactions he has been guided by a high sense of honor. Ile never made a promise to pay, either written or verbal, that he did not meet at the time appointed, or give a satisfactory reason for his inability to do so. He has been Director of the Second National Bank of Baltimore since 1842, and is a Director of the Maryland Fire Insurance Com- pany. He is-a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having joined Washington Lodge in 1832. He is an active and prominent member of the East Baltimore Universalist Church, and throughout his life has been a liberal contributor to various charitable and benevolent enterprises. His first wife having died, he married, Sep- tember 6, 1842, Julia Ann, daughter of Captain Andrew Bates, of New York. He has one child and one grand- child living.
PORTER, GOSSE. ONNO, was born in the city of Am- sterdam, Holland, February 8, 1St8, where he spent his early youth, and received the best educa- tion that the schools of his native city could furnish. Ile developed a talent and proclivity for commercial life when quite young, entering into the tobacco business in Amsterdam when only eighteen years of age, the firm of which he was a member being established id Jannary, 1850. In i8.jo he visited America, where he remained from April to December of that year. He visited this country again in March, 1842, returning to his native land in October, 1843. In February, 1844, he returned to Amer- ica, and remained here until November, 18.15. In 1846 he. settled finally in Baltimore, and formed a copartnership,
27
206
BIOGRAPHICAL CYCLOPEDIA.
on the 1st of May of that year, with the late F. B. Grof, under the firm name of Grof & Gorter, for the transaction of a general commission and shipping business. That firm continued until 1855, when it was dissolved, and Mr. Gor- ter then carried on the business of purchasing and shipping tobacco on his own account, which he continued success- fully until his death, which occurred in Baltimore, Thurs- day night, February 20, 1879. December 4, 1849, he was appointed Belgian Cousul at the port of Baltimore, and January 15, 1877, had conferred upon him the distinction of Chevalier de P Ordre de Leopold by royal decree. August 12, 1847, Mr. Gorter married Miss Mary Ann Polk, a daughter of the late Colouel James Polk, a distinguished citizen of Baltimore, and formerly Naval Officer of this port. He had six children, four sons, Gosse Onno, Albert Lu- cius, James Polk, and Nathan Ryno Smith; and two daughters, Margarethe Elizabeth and Maria Alida. Mr. Gorter's family is one of the best and most honorable of Friesland, where his forefathers, for over a century, ranked among the leading tobacco merchants and manufacturers. His father was engaged in the tobacco business in Amster- dam, under the firm name of O. G. Gorter & Company, from 1793 until 1820, the time of his death. Few men have pursned a longer or more successful business career than Mr. Gorter, and none maintained a higher character for business and personal integrity. He was faithful in the discharge of every obligation required of him. He led a quiet, unobtrusive life, carefully avoiding all political excitement or preferment, devoting himself to his commer- cial interests, his family, and the social amenities of a chosen circle of friends and acquaintances.
SURNELL, JAMES B. K., M.D., was born January 13, 1829, near Snow Hill, Worcester County, Maryland. His father, William U. Purnell, was a farmer of Worcester County, and a member of the legal profession. He served two terms in the Maryland House of Delegates, and was twice elected to the State Senate, first, by electors, in 1836, and second, by the people, in 1838. Dr. Purnell's mother was Ellen 11. Purnell, daughter of Judge Robins, an able lawyer, and one of the largest landowners in Worcester County. After receiving an English and classical education in the schools of his native county, Dr. Purnell commenced the study of medicine in 1847, and attended two sessions (1848 9, and 18.49-50), in the Medical Department of the University of Maryland, from which institution he gradu- ated in 1850. Hle also attended lectures in the Jefferson Medical College and University of Pennsylvania, in the winter of 1852-3, and again in the University of Maryland in the winter of 1853-4, and spent some time in the Liter- ary and Medical Departinents of the New York University.
In 1857 he went to Richmond, Virginia, and entered upon the practice of his profession, where he remained six months. In 1858 he went to London, and gave special attention to diseases of the eye at the Royal London Ophthalmic Hospital, and also, for four months, attended St. Bartholomew's Hospital, King's College Hospital, and University College. In the autumn of 1858 he went to Edinburgh, Scotland, and at once entered the University of Edinburgh, paying special attention to natural philoso- phy, and devoting some time to other branches. By way of review, he received instruction from private teachers in Latin, Greek, and French. He also attended the chemical laboratory of the " School of Arts and Surgeons' Hall," where he devoted considerable time to analytical chemis- try. In 1859 he went to Paris, where he remained about seven months, and visited the various colleges constituting the University of Paris, matriculating in the medical de- partment. While there, he did much practical work in 'anatomy, operative surgery on the cadaver, and micros- copy, and attended daily the hospitals, anatomical museums, etc. While thus engaged, he had special ad- vantages, on account of his connection with the Hopital d' lacouchements. In 1859 he returned to the United States, and early in 1860 resumed practice in Snow Hill, Maryland, at times giving much attention to diseases of the eye. Ile is the author of various papers, chiefly ou medical subjects, and in 1878 published a book on chemi- cal analysis. He has been for many years a member of the Medico-Chirurgical Society of Maryland, and was for several years a member of the board of examiners of that faculty. . This society was incorporated in 1799. He has been a life member of the Maryland Bible Society since 1854. Although very popular in his county, he has never sought any political office, and never held a remun- crative public office, except the position of physician to the alorshouse, which is not properly a political office. Ile is a member of the Episcopal Church of Snow Hill, of which he has served as vestryman and warden. He has been an advocate for free seats in churches, and has been gratified in seeing his views on this subject carried into effect in his own church. Politically, he was a Whig until the dissolution of that party, since which time he has been identified with the Democratic party. In iSoz he married Miss Elizabeth K., daughter of Lambert P. Ayres, Esq., of Worcester County. Two children were the issue of this marriage, neither of whom are living. Dr. Purnell has been a very successful physician. Owing to ill health, he is not at present actively engaged in his profession. He is an influential, public-spirited citizen, highly esteemed by all who know him, wielding a powerful influence in his county, being considered a safe adviser in everything relat- ing to the well-being of society, and his extensive learn- ing and familiarity with life, both at home and abroad, qualifies him to fill any position that he may be called upon to take.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.