USA > Washington DC > The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Maryland and District of Columbia Pt. 1 > Part 68
USA > Maryland > The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Maryland and District of Columbia Pt. 1 > Part 68
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Run, at a salary of fifty dollars per year and his board. Ile submitted this proposition to his uncle, who did not approve of it, fearing that the boy was of too tender years and might be thrown into associations whose influence for evil would result in his ruin. But the lad decided to avail himself of this offer, which, young as he was, he could see was a fa- vorable opening to relieve him from the drudgery of day labor. IT'e accordingly entered into the engagement, and continued with that firm until they retired from business and sold out to Messrs. S. and T. Janney. The new firm desiring his services he entered into an engagement with them. During this time Mr. Andrew Lyon, who for many years had been largely and successfully engaged in mer- chandising at Rock Run, Cecil County, and was also en- gaged in the same business at Havre de Grace, having had opportunity to observe the indications of business qualifica- tions in young Frieze, as well as of his integrity and moral worth, tendered him a situation as clerk in the store at Havre de Grace. As this enlarged his opportunity to gain business knowledge he accepted Mr. Lyon's offer, and, June 28, 1847, left the home of his childhood, and with all his earthly possessions tied up in a bundle, crossed the Susquehanna bridge and walked down the tow-path of the Tidewater Canal to his destination, where he at once en- tered on duty with his new employers, Lyon, Bayard & Co., of Havre de Grace. While in this situation a large and wealthy firm in another branch of business tendered young Frieze a clerkship at a much higher salary than he was then receiving; but in that situation he saw no prospect of promotion, and beside he had determined to adhere to one calling and make himself master of that, so that flattering offer was declined. Subsequently, a mer- chant of Port Deposit sought to secure his services, first as a clerk, and afterwards by the tempting offer of an interest in the business. Each of these offers, which were more remunerative than the pay he was then getting, were declined, partly from a grateful sense of the favor shown him by his employers, and because he believed that in due time he would make himself of such importance to them in their business that it would be to their interest to take him into the firm. It is worthy of note that from the age of thirteen years he never had to seek a situation, but situ- ations were repeatedly tendered him. On the death of Mr. Bayard, one of the members of the firm, Mr. Frieze was offered and accepted an interest in the business, when the style of the firm became A. & G. T. Lyon & Co., and has so continued to the present time, Mr. A. Lyon, the capitalist, and Mr. Frieze, the active business man of the firm. The house enjoys undoubted credit, and is the lead- ing mercantile firm in Havre de Grace. Mr. Frieze's per- sonal popularity, industry in his calling, and honorable dealings, have contributed much to the largely increased business of the firm. As in business, so in politics, " the place has sought the man, and not the man the place." For twenty six years he was annually elected one of the
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Town Commissioners, was elected by the people School Commissioner for the county, and, January 6, 1879, was elected the first Mayor of the city of Havre de Grace. In 1870 he consented to be a candidate on the Republican ticket for the House of Delegates, and led his ticket by a large majority. In 1872 he was a candidate of the same party for State Senator, and, though the Democratic ma- jority in the county was 1089, he was defeated by only 212 votes. During the administration of Governor Thomas Holliday Ilieks he was commissioned an aid on the Gov- ernor's staff, with the rank of Colonel. During the civil war, Colonel Frieze was an active Union man, and in various ways rendered the government good service. Ed- ucated religiously, under Methodistic influence, he has ever been an active and liberal supporter of that church, with a generous sympathy towards other denominations. When the large and fine Methodist Episcopal Church at Havre de Grace was built, he was one of the building committee, and up to the present time is one of the trus- , Ices. In the progress of the town, now city, of Ilavre de Grace, he has always taken an active part for the interest of the people, yet never forgetting the home of his child- hood, which he always speaks of with kind feeling. IIe was President of the Havre de Grace Building Associa- tion, and at its close its members testified their appreciation of his services by presenting him with a gold-headed cane. Hle was also President of the Susquehanna Building Asso- ciation, and at its close was made the recipient of a hand- some present from its members. At present he is President of the Chesapeake Building Association. As, a public speaker, Colonel Fricze possesses more than ordinary qualifications. An incident illustrative of the scriptural precept, that bread cast upon the waters shall return after many days, prompts the writer, who has known Colonel Frieze from his early youth, to introduce it herc. Before Mr. Thompson died, he sent for his nephew, and placed in his charge his effects and family. How faithfully and gratefully that trust has been kept is demonstrated by the fact, that Colonel Frieze has looked after the widow and children, all of whom have since died and been buried by him, and at the present time the widow and child of one of the sons is provided for by him. Such instances of grateful remembrance are as rare as they are praiseworthy, 'and deserve honorable mention. On November 11, 1858, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth Green, of Havre de Grace. She is a descendant of a Hessian soldier, who, after coming to America, revolted at fighting against a people who were struggling for their liberty, deserted the British army, and settled in Harford County. Their children are, George Thompson, William Sprigg, Robert Wells, and Thomas Bacon Frieze. Colonel Frieze is a man of medium stature, unassuming manners, modest deportment, and pleasing address. He has accu- mulated considerable wealth, and wears his good fortune and honors with an easy grace.
ELLSTON, JOSEPH BLYTH, Attorney-at-law, was born in Georgetown, South Carolina, February 8, 1833. He was the eldest son of Joseph Waties Allston, planter, an officer in the war of 1812, and a gentleman of decided influence in his State. Mr. Allston's grandfather was Benjamin All- ston, also a planter of South Carolina. The Allstons were of English descent. Their ancestors in America settled in South Carolina in the early part of the cighteenth century. Mr. Allston's mother was Mary Kerr Allan, daughter of William Allan and Sarah ( Haig) Allan. Mr. Allan was a native of Scotland, and settled in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1790, where he engaged in mercantile pur- suits. The early youth of the subject of this sketch was spent on Waccamaw Neck, Georgetown County, South Carolina, where he attended the All Saints' Academy. At the age of fourteen years he went to Charleston, and af- terwards attended a school then known as Mr. Coates's Academy. After remaining there two years, he entered the South Carolina College, at Columbia, South Carolina, where he graduated in 1851, taking high honors. Hle then commenced reading law in the office of Petigru & Lesesne, at Charleston, and was admitted to the bar at Columbia, in the spring of 1854. After graduating he made a tour of Europe, which extended over a period of two years, and on his return established himself in the practice of his profession in Charleston. In 1859 he removed to his native county to assume charge of his property, and there and in the adjacent county of Horry, he continued his legal practice. When the American civil war broke out, Mr. Allston raised a company in Georgetown County for service in the Confederate cause, which he commanded. Subsequently he was appointed, upon the recommendation of Lieutenant-General Pemberton, as Captain of Com-
pany B, First Battalion of Sharpshooters. Whilst in command of the same, he participated in the battle of Poco- taligo, where he received two wounds. He rendered service 'on Combahee, James Island, Georgetown, and in the defence of Fort Sumter, under Major Elliott. In the spring . of 1864 he accompanied the South Carolina forces to Virginia, which were placed under the command of General Beauregard. He was engaged in the battles of Walthall Junction Creek, near Petersburg, and Drury's Bluff, in which latter engagement he was severely wounded, being incapacitated for military duty, and sent home until December of that year. On his return from South Caro- lina he met his command under orders for Wilmington, North Carolina, to meet General Benjamin Butler, and was engaged in the different actions which occurred there, until he was finally captured at Town Creek, on Cape Fear River, February 20, 1865, whilst covering the rear of his brigade, and in command of his regiment. He was recommended by his commanding generals for promotion to the Coloneley of the regiment. He was incarcerated in the Old Capitol Prison at Washington, and at Fort Dela.
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ware, remaining in captivity until the close of hostilities. On his return to South Carolina he resumed the practice of his profession in Georgetown, and was elected by the State Legislature, District Judge for his county. He re- signed that position in 1867, and removed to Baltimore on account of the Reconstruction Act of Congress, where he has been practicing his profession ever since. He gives special attention to chancery and admiralty practice, and commercial law, and has tried many interesting cases. Mr. Allston married, in 1857, Miss Mary C. North, daughter of John North and Jane (Petigru) North. The issue of the marriage was five children, four of whom are living. Mr. Allston is a grandnephew of the celebrated painter, Wash- ington Allston. He is an excellent lawyer and a gentle- man of general intelligence. He stands high among his professional brethren and in the esteem of the community.
BURNER, LEWIS, was born in Baltimore, June 15, 1810. His parents were William and Elizabeth (Huber) Turner, both of Baltimore. William Turner's father and brother came to Baltimore from England about the year 1795. Lewis's maternal ancestors were German. Ifis parents had five children, namely, Maria, Lewis, Charles (a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church), George W., and Elizabeth, of whom the subject of this sketeh is the only survivor. Lewis's mother died when he was eight years of age, and his father eight years afterward. In the meantime his father married again, leaving no issue by that union. Be- coming dissatisfied with his stepmother, Lewis went to his aunt, Julia Ann Beard, and made his home with her. She being very poor, he obtained' employment at fruit-picking and other services in the suburbs of the city. The limited early education he received was mainly acquired in the Sunday-schools. At eleven years of age he entered the service of Major George Keyser, who, with his brother William, kept a china and queensware store on Howard Street, with whom he remained three years. He then de- termined to learn a trade, and in pursuance of that pur- pose apprenticed himself to a Mr. Woodward, a boot and shoemaker. He continued at that business for three years and a half, becoming in that time very expert, and giving promise of unusual excellence, but his health beginning to fail he was compelled to abandon the shoemaker's beneh and seek other employment. ffe selected the butchering business, and served an apprenticeship of three years and a half with Mr. Frederick Neibling. Having become thoroughly competent, he left Baltimore, July 4, 1831, with a friend, for Lancaster, Ohio, whose mother lived in that town. Together they commenced the butchering business with highly favorable prospects, but they were both taken sick, when Mr. Turner returned to Baltimore and com- menced the same line of business in that city, March 1, 1832.
On May 3 following he married Margaret, daughter of Captain Dominick Bader, of the German Yagers, who with others was captured at Bladensburg in the war of 1812-15. Her maternal grandfather was a Methodist local preacher. Her ancestors were among the early settlers of Pennsyl- vania. They have had nine children, all of whom but one are living and comfortably settled in the world. In 1835 -Mr. Turner became a member of Whatcoat Methodist Episcopal Church in Baltimore, his wife being a member at the time. For many years he was a teacher in its Sun- day-school. More recently they have transferred their membership to Mount Vernon Church, on Monument Square. Ilis son, Lewis, Jr., coming of age, Mr. Turner transferred the butchering business to him, May 5, 1857, who has since that period conducted it very success- fully. In 1856 Mr. Turner accepted the Presidency of the Baltimore Butchers' Hide, 'Tallow, and Cattle Associa- tion, being a position of great pecuniary responsibility and intrieate labor. This trust he held for ten years, resign- ing in 1866, and subsequently, unsolicited, was appointed by Governor Oden Bowie to the office of State Weigher of Live Stock. The Governor desired to make Baltimore the great Southern Cattle Market, and he tendered this position to Mr. Turner on account of his well-accredited practieal knowledge of cattle and the cattle trade. The im- provements he made in the stoek-yards, and his satisfac- tory administration of the office, have been greatly appre- ciated by the large community engaged in this branch of trade. Mr. Turner was also the founder and President (for six years) of the Butchers' Loan and Annuity Asso- ciation, being still in successful operation, also Director for many years and Vice-President of the Baltimore City Loan and Annuity Association (formerly Real Estate and Savings Bank). He has dealt largely in real estate and- been very successful in such transactions. ' Several years ago he retired from active business. Mr. Turner's chil- dren are William, who married Mary Elizabeth Clark ; Lewis (his father's successor in the butchering business), imarried Emma Lawson; Louisa, married, first Francis W. Iloover, second, Dr. Adam I. Gosman, druggist ; Isabella, married William W. Stinchcomb, hide dealer, George- town, District of Columbia ; Laura Vinton, married James Albert Nicholson, butcher; Margaret Bryson, married John N. Matthews, grocer ; Francis Virginia, married Morris A. Thomas, banker; and Kate Lipscomb, married Joseph D. K. Horner, merchant. Mr. Turner's first child, George W., died at the age of six years.
YON, ANDREW, Merchant and Farmer, is of Scotch- Irish descent. His great-grandfather settled on the Susquehanna River, in Cecil County, Maryland, early in the eighteenth century and engaged in farm- ing. Here his grandfather, Ungh Lyon, was born, and from his birth until his death resided, following the
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same vocation. Ile married Margaret Sterrett, and had five sons and three daughters. His son James married Maria, daughter of Captain Thomas Taylor, of Principio, Cecil County, and had two children, named William and Lydia; John married Elizabeth, danghter of Abraham Knight, of Havre de Grace, Harford County, and had one child, who died young ; Margaret Sterrett married Benja- min Vandivier, of Port Deposit, and had children ; George Taylor, merchant at Havre de Grace, married a daughter of William and Eliza Pennington, of Havre de Grace, and has children. Andrew, the subject of this sketch, was born October 29, 1798, and married in 1828, Sarah Bayard, of Havre de Grace. Andrew Lyon's son, Oliver T., married Lydia DuPon, daughter of Dr. DuPon, of Georgia. She was descended from the French Huguenots. They have three sons. Oliver resides in Sherman, Grason County, Texas, and is extensively engaged in the lumber business. John B., another son, is farming the home place, and .Leander G. is'a merchant at Port Deposit. Mr. Lyon's daughters are Rachel, Susanna, Lucy E., and Alice Mary. The latter married William Reckefus, of Elkton, and has one child, Charles llaines Reckcfus. Mr. Lyon spent his early life on the farm and performed all kinds of work pertaining thereto. He attended school during the winter months only, as was the custom of farmers' sons at that day. His educational advantages were therefore not very great ; but being ambitious to excel in whatever he under- took, he made the most of his opportunities. While thus engaged on the farm he manifested a disposition for trad- ing and business enterprises, and employed his leisure in buying and selling such commodities as he found profit- able to trade in in his immediate vicinity. When about twenty-two years of age he embarked in fishing, then an extensive and lucrative business on the Susquehanna River. This, his first business venture, netted him five hundred dollars profit, which he afterward invested in mer- chandising, with John Brown, at the upper end of Port Deposit, known as Rock Run, under the firm name of Brown & Lyon. After the death of Mr .. Brown, Mr. Lyon took Ilugh Steel into partnership, and the firm became Lyon & Steel. Subsequently Mr. Steel withdrew, and was succeeded by John Lumsden, and the firm name became Lyon & Lumsden. They continued in business together for a number of years, and then sold out to John Lyon and John Van Nort. During all these changes Mr. Lyon was the head of the mercantile house and conducted a large and prosperous business, maintaining an unshaken credit at home and in the cities where they purchased their sup- plies, Previous to Lyon & Lumsden retiring from busi- ness at Rock Run, they in connection with John B. Yarnall and John R. Bayard, under the style of Lyon, Bayard & Co., opened a store at Havre de Grace, which they conducted successfully until Mr. Lumsden withdrew to engage in business in Baltimore, and was succeeded by George Taylor, the firm name being changed to A. Lyon
& Co. The death of Mr. Bayard necessitated another change, and John Thompson Frieze became a member of the firm, under the title of Lyon, Brother & Co. Subse. quently, the death of Mr. Yarnall changed the style of the firm to A. & G. T. Lyon & Co., under which they have continued the business until the present time ; Mr. Lyon here, as at Port Deposit, being the head and managing director of the several firms, doing the largest and most profitable mercantile business of any house in Havre de Grace, maintaining all the time, during the several panies and disasters that the country has experienced in those years, undoubted standing in business circles. In 1837 they built their first warehouse, and in 1863, finding that increasing business demanded enlarged accommodations, they erected the commodious storehouse building which they have ever since occupied. In addition to his other enterprises, Mr. Lyon engaged again in fishing, about " 1849, and for five or six years prosecuted that business quite extensively and profitably. Mr. Lyon has from his birth resided on the same tract of land on which his fathers for three generations preceding him lived and died. Ile has given to his farming operations such atten- tion as to yield him handsome returns, at the same time enriching himself by merchandising. His wealth has not been acquired by a griping penuriousness ; but, on the con-
trary, he has been noted for liberality to his family and ' leniency to those indebted to him. Educated in the faith of his fathers, he is identified with the Presbyterian Church, but is liberal to other orthodox denominations. Being of a retiring disposition and devoted to his business, he has never accepted office, except the Judgeship of the Orphans' Court of his county, a position for which he was eminently qualified, and which he filled with credit to himself and advantage to others. Indeed it may be said that no judge of that court ever guarded more carefully the interests of the widows and orphans. As an evidence of the estima- tion in which Judge Lyon is held as a man of sound judg- ment in financial matters, he has been annually elected a Director in the Cecil Bank and the Cecil National Bank, from the organization of those institutions until the present tine. The writer of this sketch sat at the board with him for several years and remembers that in doubtful cases Mr. Lyon's opinions always carried weight. His counsel and advice are much sought both in Cecil and Ilarford counties. Mr: Lyon's father served in the war of 1812. In the late civil war Mr. Lyon was an unconditional Union man, and gave his son Oliver, then but nineteen years of age, to the army, who served during the war, and was pro- moted from a private to the rank of First Lieutenant in . Colonel Rogers's regiment. Mr. Lyon was orphaned in carly life, and the estate of his father being financially in- volved for all or more than its value, Mr. Lyon, by his own efforts, paid off the debt and thereby succeeded in retain- ing the old homestead and kept the family at home. The estate has been kept in the family for nearly two hundred
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years, with every prospect of descending to his posterity for several generations. Judge Lyon is tall, of athletic frame, of good physique and strong constitution. Though now over fourscore years of age, he is very active, almost daily travelling back and forth from his home in Cecil County to his place of business in Havre de Grace, and bids fair for years of usefulness yet to come.
AHON, JOHN J., was born in Baltimore, Mary- land, August 13, 1851. His parents were James and Ann ( Larkin) Mahon. They both came from Ireland to Baltimore about the year 1840, and were married in this country. The subject of this sketch attended the St. Vincent School on Front Street, Baltimore, for seven years, and St. Francis . College, at Laretta, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, for three years. Graduating in 1865, he entered the printing office of Mr. Sherwood, in Baltimore, and served an ap- prenticeship of six years, but before the expiration of that time, he became actively engaged in politics, to which he finally devoted himself entirely. In 1873 he was ap- pointed finder in the State Tobacco Warehouse, but the same year he was elected Sergeant-at-Arms of the Second Branch of the City Council, and resigned the former posi- tion. IIe was re-elected in 1874, but before the expira- tion of his term of office, was tendered a position as private messenger to Mayor Kane, which he accepted. On the election of Mayor Latrobe, he handed in his resig- nation, which was declined till the first of the following month. In the canvass for city officers in the fall of 1878, he was nominated without opposition by the Ninth Ward to a seat in the First Branch of the City Council, and was elected by eleven hundred and nineteen votes, while his opponent received but ninety-six. He is the youngest member who has ever taken a seat in the Municipal Legis- lature. He is a member of the Democratic party, and is a successful leader in politics, for which he has a natural taste. Mr. Mahon is a member of the Catholic Church. lle was married, May 6, 1869, to Mary E., daughter of Owen Ward, at that time a member of the City Council, and has three children living, Mary, Maggie, and John.
CDOWELL, WILLIAM SURLES, D.D.S., son of 4 John and Elizabeth MeDowell, was born in the city of Philadelphia, June 22, 1822. Ile is of Scotch-Irish descent, and his ancestors came to this country in the middle of the last century, in order that they might enjoy that religious freedom which they were denied at home. James P. McDowell, his
grandfather, settled in Pennsylvania, and during the Rev- olutionary war was in command of a chosen company of Scotchmen, known as the "Scottish Grenadiers." At the battle of Germantown, while doing skirmish duty, they were separated from the main body of the army, and their retreat cut off by the British troops. Resolving not to be captured, they carved their way through the enemy's lines with their heavy claymores, carrying their wounded with them, and leaving none but dead comrades on the field. In this engagement, Captain McDowell was wounded so seriously that he was compelled to retire from active ser- vice, and settled in Philadelphia, where he devoted himself to mercantile life. His son, John McDowell, entered the United States Navy early in life, and during the war of 1812-15, held commission as Commander, and rendered his country good service until his capture and confinement in Dartmoor prison, England. At the close of the war he was released and returned to Philadelphia, and in 1820 he married Miss Elizabeth McGee, of Philadelphia. Owing to business misfortunes, his eldest son, the subject of this sketch, was early thrown upon his own resources, and being thus debarred from the usual school privileges, he assiduously devoted all of his leisure time to the acquisitition of knowledge, and by his own efforts, while yet a boy, secured a proper English and the elements of a classical education. Being desirous of entering the dental . profession, he took a preparatory course in medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, in 1840, under the preceptor- ship of Professor Patterson. Upon the completion of his studies, he commenced the practice of dentistry in his native city, associating himself with Dr. Charles Corfield. In June, 1850, he married Miss Elizabeth Edenborn, daughter of Philip Edenborn, of Philadelphia, and grand- daughter of the Hon. Jacob Edenborn. The same year he removed to New York, and in the latter part of 1853, owing to the ill-health of his wife, he was compelled to seek a climate more congenial to her, and removed to Bal- timore. Here he associated himself with the late Dr. C. O. Cone, and continued to assist him until the death of the latter in 1858, when he succeeded to the practice, which has largely increased in his hands. Ilis marked abilities have made for him a most enviable reputation, and have won for him the respect and esteem of his contemporaries, while his social qualities have gained for him many friends. His two sons, Charles C. and William J. McDowell, are prominent physicians in the same city.
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