USA > Washington DC > The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Maryland and District of Columbia Pt. 1 > Part 73
USA > Maryland > The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Maryland and District of Columbia Pt. 1 > Part 73
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been appointed, however, and about twenty thousand vol- umes of books had been collected before the Institute was formally opened in the presence of its founder, in October, 1866. The library was then opened to the public for the first time, and the first course of public lectures was de- livered during the following winter. Dr. Morison at once devoted himself to the collection of such a library as the founder of the Institute had clearly prescribed. It was not to be a popular library, but a library of reference, and was to contain such books as should " satisfy the researches of students who may be engaged in the pursuit of knowl- edge not ordinarily attainable in the private libraries of the country." In laying the foundations of this library the trustees had decided to spend $100,000, as fast as the books could be properly selected and purchased. The entire re- sponsibility of the selection rested upon the provost. He had lived among books and had been an extensive general reader in all departments of knowledge, but he had not the training or the technical knowledge of a librarian. To ascertain the best books in every department of human knowledge, is a very difficult task, though an interesting one. Dr. Morison gave to it all his waking hours for nearly ten years, taking his work with him in his summer vacations, visiting other libraries, seeking from all experts whom he could reach information concerning their special departments, and reading hundreds of volumes on the most varied subjects by learned men, in order to take down carefully all their important references. It was his ambi- ·tion to bring together a library that should be a credit to himself, an honor to its founder, and the pride of the city, while it should satisfy the wants of students at home and attract scholars from abroad. His labors have been crowned with a success beyond his carly expectations, and the library is now regarded by all competent scholars as one of the most valuable collections of books, if not the most valuable one of its size in the country. It contains more than sixty-five thousand volumes, and has cost more per volume than any similar collection known, in conse- quence of the valuable character of the books purchased. In addition to his charge of the library Dr. Morison has arranged the courses of popular and class lectures for each year, superintended the conservatory of music, and the en- tire interior business operations of the Institute. The in- terior of the new building, much larger than the old, with all its various conveniences for library and lecture uses, was also planned by him. For several years Dr. Morison has been one of the Governors and Visitors of St. John's College at Annapolis, and in 1871 he received from that institution the honorary degree of LL.D. He was mar- ried in 1842 to Sidney Buchanan Brown, of Baltimore, granddaughter of Dr. George Brown, the leading physi- cian in Baltimore at the beginning of the present century, and of Dr. Patrick . Allison, the first pastor of the First Presbyterian Churchf, a clergyman of the highest distinc- tion, influence, and usefulness during the Revolutionary
war, and the years that immediately followed it. They have had eight children, seven sons and one daughter. Two of the sons have died, and two have graduated at Harvard College. One son is settled as a lawyer in Bos- ton, one as a physician in Baltimore, one is studying in Germany, and one, the youngest, is preparing for Harvard University .. Dr. Morison is a member of the First Inde- pendent (Unitarian) Church, and was for twenty-seven years the Superintendent of its Sunday-school. He was also for many years one of its trustees.
G.UUFUND ICKS, HONORABLE THOMAS HOLLIDAY, Governor of Maryland and United States Senator, was the eldest son of Henry C. and Mary (Sewell) Ilicks, and was born September 2, 1798. His paternal ancestors were English, while his mother was of Scotch descent. She was a relative of General Sewell of the American army. His father was a substantial farmer, and as was the custom among the planters of his day owned slaves. Ile was a kind and conscientious master. Governor Hicks's parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They had a family of thirteen chil- dren. Their eldest son, Thomas Holliday, grew up on the family estate, four miles from East New Market, at- tending the subscription schools of his neighborhood till he was about twenty years of age. Ile early showed a strong inclination for politics, and soon after attaining his majority was made a constable, which position he held till 1824, when he was elected Sheriff of the county. After filling this office for three years he settled upon a farmi which he had purchased on the Choptank River, and while residing there was a member of the Legislature. In 1833 he removed to Vienna, in the same county, where he suc- ceeded his brother, Horace Sewell Ilicks, who had just died, in mercantile business and in running boats to Balti- more. In 1836 he was elected on the Whig ticket a mem- ber of the State Electoral College, which under the then Constitution of Maryland had the election of the State Senate and the Governor's Council. There being twenty- one Whigs and nineteen Democrats in the College, the election requiring a two-thirds vote created a dead lock, which lasted for months and nearly threw the State into anarchy. Three Democrats finally voting with the major- ity, a compromise was effected and the Senate was elected. While absent at Annapolis as a member of the College, Mr. Ilicks was elected to the Legislature, That body during the session of the following year passed measures making the Senate and Council elective by the people. In 1837 he was a member of the Governor's Council, and in 1838 Governor Vesey appointed him Register of Wills for Dorchester County. He was reappointed by successive governors till the Constitution of 1851 made the office
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elective. To that Constitutional Convention he was elect- ed, though filling the above office. Mr. Mitchell, who had been elected Register of Wills under the new Consti- tution, dying in 1855, Mr. Hicks was appointed to the position by the Orphans' Court. He filled that office in all about seventeen years, holding it until, in 1857, he was nominated and elected Governor of Maryland, by the American party, for four years from January 1, 1858. It was during this period that he won his great reputation, He had before enjoyed a local celebrity, but now he ac- quired a national fame. His administration covered the most momentous period in the history of the State. He was first conspicuous in putting down the dangerous and criminal classes, known as Plug Uglies, who at that time dominated the city of Baltimore, and controlled every elec- tion. In the efforts of the more respectable portion of the community to regain the ascendency several of the ring- leaders were brought to trial and convicted of murder ; bribery, and every conceivable influence was brought to bear on Governor Hicks to induce him to pardon these offenders, but he remained firm, and they were executed. With the same steadiness of purpose he met the first shock and alarm of civil war, when the State appeared to be thrown into irretrievable confusion, and many of the leading families were determined to carry Maryland into secession. In that dark hour, almost alone, his life threatened, the Union men hunted and terrified, he stood like a rock amid the storm and maintained his integrity and loyalty untarnished to the end. So firm and unyield- ing was he in all matters of principle as to receive the sobriquet of "Old Casar; " yet he was one of the most tender-hearted, generous, and lovable of men. Many a time, at the entreaties of their friends, he visited President Lincoln to sue for the release of sick and wounded Con- federate prisoners of war, and for his friends he could not do enough. He was untiring in his efforts to aid the Union canse, and to support the General Government in suppressing the rebellion, and threw the whole weight of his influence with the loyal people of the State to secure enlistments into the Federal Army, and to afford aid and good cheer to the Maryland soldier. At the close of his gubernatorial term he was, in 1863, appointed United States Senator, by Governor Bradford, to fill the unexpired term of Honorable James Alfred Pierce. That appoint- ment was ratified by an election of great unanimity by the Legislature at the next session in 1864. He was now thoroughly identified with the Republican party ; a recog- mized leader in its councils, and a member of the Union League. Although a slave-owner he voted for the Con- stitution of 1864, and for the abolition of slavery. In the autumn of 1863, he had the misfortune to seriously sprain his ankle. Erysipelas setting in, the amputation of his leg became necessary to save his life. He died, February 13, 1865, from the effects of a stroke of apoplexy, at the height of his fame, influence, and usefulness. Governor
Hicks was three times married ; first, to Ann Thompson, of Dorchester County. Ilis second wife was Leah Raleigh, also of the same county. After her death he married Mrs. Jane Wilcox, the widow of his consin Henry Wilcox. Of the large number of children of these marriages only two are now living, Nannie, wife of Dr. George 1 .. Hicks, of Dorchester County, and B. Chaplain Hicks, by his last marriage, now residing in Baltimore.
ERNON, GEORGE W. F., Surveyor of Customs, Port of Baltimore, was born June 14, 1843, at Freder- ick City, Maryland. Ile is the fourth son and eighth child of Professor Nathaniel and Charlotte A. Vernon. A brief account of the Vernon family is given in his father's sketch in this book. In his child- hood Colonel Vernon developed those traits of character that have been characteristic of his subsequent career. Ile indulged only in such games and sports as required energy and perseverance, in which he always obtained recognition as a leader. At the age of eighteen he entered the Federal Army as Second Lieutenant in Company A, Cole's Cavalry, Battalion P. HI. B. Cavalry, Maryland Volunteers, at Fred- erick, Maryland, August 10, 1861. That command was raised under authority from Hon. Simon Cameron, Secre- tary of War, by request of Hon. Francis Thomas, member of Congress from Western Maryland, after the Governor of Maryland had refused the President's call for troops to suppress the Rebellion. Colonel Vernon had thoroughly inibibed the political faith of his father, an old Federalist and Jackson Democrat, who believed "that the central power was paramount, and that the idea of a State with- drawing from the Union, peaceably or otherwise, was ab- surd, and would lead to utter disintegration and anarchy." Ile, therefore, enthusiastically indorsed the Union cause, taking an active part in Union meetings, and addressing his fellow-citizens from the rostrum. He took great pains to thoroughly comprehend the tactics of his new calling, and having once secured the confidence of his command he never lost it. At the time of Stonewall Jackson's move- ment upon Bath, Virginia, and Hancock, Maryland, in the winter of 1861, Lieutenant Vernon, then at Williamsport, Maryland, was hurried forward with his company in a snow- storm and an all-night march to the scene of action, which they reached before daylight, and aided materially in foil- ing the enemy's designs, The winter scouts in Virginia in 1861-2 and its training, had put the command in good con- dition for active work in the spring of 1862. Upon the advance of General Banks's column up the Shenandoah Valley, Cole's Cavalry was given the post of honor in the advance of General A. S. Williams's Brigade, who occu- pied the extreme right of the line. The first blood shed during this campaign was in a cavalry skirmish at Bunker Ilill, Virginia, and for the part taken by Lientenant Vernon
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and his command a highly complimentary official letter from Brigadier General Williams was forwarded to Captain 11. A. Cole the next day, bearing date March 8, 1862. In all the vicissitudes of the active campaign in the Shenan- doah Valley during the spring, summer, and early autumn of 1862, Cole's Cavalry took an active part, and Second Lieutenant Vernon was promoted First Lieutenant, then Captain. In August, 1862, he was taken down with a severe attack of typhoid fever, so that he was obliged to return to his home in Frederick-some thought to die. Ilis strong will-power, however, nerved the body, and did more than medicine to insure his recovery. After the battle of Antietam the Confederate Cavalry, under General J. E. B. Stuart, made a raid into Maryland and I'ennsylvania. Captain Vernon, then convalescent, placed himself at the head of his command and harassed the raiders as they were heading towards the Virginia bank of the Potomac. Ile captured seven of them, and believes if he had been prop- erly supported the Confederate forces would have been captured or annihilated. Upon the entrance of the army under Burnside into Virginia, Cole's Cavalry was attached to the Twelfth Army Corps, which remained in the Valley of Virginia during the winter of 1862-3, where they were employed on scouting duty. In the spring of 1863 and early summer they acted in an independent capacity in clear- ing the Valley of guerilla bands. The winter of 1863 found Cole's Cavalry almost continuously in the saddle. On Jan- uary 10, 1864, while encamped on Loudon Heights, Virginia, Cole's Battalion was attacked at midnight by Moseby's Guer- illa Battalion, augmented by volunteers from Lee's army. They expected an easy victory. The attack being wholly unexpected and impetuous, Company B, which received the first onslaught, offered but feeble resistance. Captain Vernon was speedily in line with Company A, and formed a rally- ing-point for the rest of the battalion, who fought with such determined bravery that the assailants were utterly routed, leaving the dead bodies of one of their captains, two lieu- tenants, and two privates in the camp. The Federal loss was four killed and' sixteen wounded, including Captain. Vernon, who received a gunshot wound in the head. A highly congratulatory letter was received from 11. W. Ilal- leck, General-in-Chief, a few days after, by Brigadier-Gen- eral B. F. Kelly. Captain Vernon was promoted to be Major, then Lieutenant-Colonel, the battalion being aug- mented to a full regiment of twelve hundred men. The old battalion re-enlisted for the war, February 14, 1864, and returned home on a thirty days' leave of absence. They received a grand ovation by the loyal people of Fred- erick City and County. On the expiration of the thirty days all of the mounted men participated in the disastrous Sigel and successful Hunter campaigns in the Shenandoah Val- ley, where the whole regiment continued to do duty, either mounted or dismounted, until the close of the war in 1865. After being mustered out of service, Colonel Vernon returned to his home at Frederick, and commenced the
prosecution of claims, and established a brokerage busi- ness in Frederick City. Ile also exercised a general oversight of operations on his farm. Ile was successful in business and respectfully declined the tender of his in- fluence made to him by Hon. Francis Thomas, in securing for him a good position in the regular army. In the State Convention of Soldiers held at Baltimore in the autumn of 1865, he was selected as permanent Chairman, and sent as a Delegate to the National Soldiers' Convention, which assembled in Washington in December, 1865. Ile was also selected Chairman of the Soldiers' Legion for Fred- erick County. This was a semi-political organization de- signed to secure recognition for wounded soldiers in the distribution of official patronage. He took an active part in politics as a Republican, representing his county in State and National Conventions. When the breach took place between President Johnson and Congress, Colonel Vernon promptly espoused the cause of the Representatives of the people in Congress, and in a meeting called for the pur- pose of indorsing the Johnson policy of Reconstruction, called by many of the then influential leaders of the Re- publican party in Frederick County, he offered as a sub- stitute resolutions indorsing Congress, which were ulti- mately adopted. Nevertheless, after the passage of the Tenure of Office bill, March 2, 1865, he was proffered the Postmastership of Frederick City, which he accepted on condition that he would not be required to yield his politi- cal convictions. He was nominated, and being promptly confirmed, entered upon his duties April 1, 1867. Ile remained in that position until May, 1869. On his retire- ment, he received a most complimentary notice from the editor of the Frederick Citizen, the leading Democratic paper of the city. President Grant, in recognition of many and important services rendered by Colonel Vernon touching his elevation to the Presidency, directed his ap- pointment as a special agent of the United States Treasury Department Hle qualified as such, May 24, 1869. In the discharge of his office, he travelled all over the United States, and was sent to South and Central America, spend- ing over three years on the Pacific slope, in Oregon and California. Colonel Vernon married Sallie A. Todd, of San Francisco, August 18, 1873. During the Presidential campaign of 1876, he took an active part in behalf of the ' Hayes ticket throughout Maryland, and was appointed Surveyor of Customs of the Port of Baltimore, January 16, 1878, which position he now occupies.
ARDCASTLE, ALEXANDER, M.D., was born at Castle Hall, Caroline County, Maryland, January 2, 1826. His father, Hon. William W. Hard- castle, a sketch of whom is contained in this vol- ume, lived to the advanced age of ninety-six years, His son Alexander from his fourth year was sent to school
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at Castle Hall school, but from his fifteenth to his twenti- eth year was instructed by a private tutor. Ile then en- tered the office of Dr. G. W. Goldsboro, of Greensborough, Caroline County. In 18.17 he entered Jefferson Medical College, and also studied in the office of Prof. Mutter, of Philadelphia, his aim being to fit himself for the post of surgeon in the United States Army. He graduated in March, 1849, with the intention of going before the Exam- ining Board, which was soon to convene in New York, but his father desired his presence at home, and his assistance in the management of his affairs at Castle Hall, and finally, in obedience to his wishes, he relinquished the prospects which to him appeared so inviting, and returned to the an- cestral estate. He there devoted himself to his practice, also to farming, and to the care of his parents while they lived. After four years his health failed, but was restored by three months of travel. Dr. Hardcastle is now the owner of seven hundred and sixty-eight acres of land, which he has divided into three farms. Since 1865 he has been largely engaged in fruit-growing, devoting himself chiefly to the cultivation of peaches, apples, pears, and cherries. In IS7S he realized handsomely from his peaches, having about thirteen thousand peach trees in bearing. Dr. Hardcastle was in early life a Whig, but now acts with the Democratic party. In 1870 he was elected on their ticket to the General Assembly, and was re-elected in 1872. He was on the Committee on Corporations in 1871, and in 1872 was on the Committee of Ways and Means. All State appropriations having to come before that committee, he united with Mon. F. Stone, of St. Mary's, and Ilon. Mr. Street, of Harford, in urging the appropriation of $50,000 for the maintenance of public schools for the colored youth of the State, believing it to be the best and cheapest police system that could be de- vised. This was the first State appropriation for the edu- cation of colored children ; by subsequent legislation it has since been increased to $100,000 annually. As a lover of peace and good order, Dr. Hardcastle has exercised great influence in his neighborhood in adjusting difficulties and settling disputes, and is generally appealed to in matters of controversy. In his profession his character and abilities have placed him in the front rank. His interest in public improvement has led him to serve as Director in the Chesa- peake and Delaware Railroad. He has won the fullest confidence and affection of the colored people by the inte- rest he has shown in their behalf. Though brought up in the Presbyterian Church, Dr. Hardcastle and his wife are now members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was married in July, 1857, to Kate, daughter of Elias and Margaret ( Millechop} Naudain, of Kent County, Delaware. Mrs. Hardcastle is niece of Dr. Arnold Naudain, who was for many years United States Senator from Delaware, and who was at one time Judge of the Court of Comnon Pleas in that State. Dr. and Mrs. Hardcastle have but one child, a son, Alexander, who is now in Princeton College.
OUDON, JOSEPH, was the son of the Rev. Joseph C'oudon, who owned and lived upon an estate near Elkton, Cecil County, Maryland. Prior to the Revolution, necessity required that all who contem- plated entering the ministry of the Protestant Episco. pal Church should visit the mother country in order to ob- tain ordination. After our independence was established, it became imperative that means should be provided, whereby the delay and expense of crossing the ocean might be avoided ; and with that end in view, Dr. White, in October, 1786, sailed for England and obtained Episco- pal consecration. Soon after his return Bishop White held his first ordination in Christ Church, Philadelphia, on Whitmonday, May 28, 1787, and admitted Mr. Joseph Coudon and Mr. Joseph Clarkson to the order of deacons, and on the next day in the same place ordained Mr. Coudon to the priesthood. Mr. Coudon was the first to receive the rite of ordination to the priesthood at the hands of Bishop White. He at once became Rector of the Parish of St. Mary Anne's, or North Elk, which was one of the most ex- tensive within the Province of Maryland. ITis labors were not confined to the parish church at North-East, but em- braced a large scope of country, including at one time a portion of New Castle County, Delaware. During the earlier years of our Republic the duties of the pastorate were much more laborious and required far greater exposure than at present, and it was probably owing to this fact that Mr. Coudon's ministry was of short duration. He died April 13, 1792, a little less than five years after his ordination. He was buried beneath the chancel of the parish church, and a marble slab with the following inscription marks the place of interment : " In Memory of the Rev. Joseph Cou- con, Rector of St. Mary Anne's Parish. A Zealous and In- defatigable Preacher of the Gospel, who departed this life on the 13th of April, A.D. 1792, and in the 5Ist year of his age." This is one of the few old English churches upon the Eastern Shore and is still in a good state of preserva- tion, having been kept in repair chiefly by the descendants of the departed Rector. A portrait of the Rev. Joseph Cou- don by Rembrandt Peale, of Philadelphia, is in possession of the family. The picture is in every way worthy of the artist's reputation and represents a face of striking beauty and character. Mr. Coudon married Rachel Wallace, of Newport, Delaware, May 18, 1783, and May 30, 1787, the day after his father's ordination to the ministry, Joseph, the subject of this sketch was born. Deprived of a father's guidance when less than five years okl, he was left almost from infancy to the care of his mother, whose wisdom and discretion implanted in his breast those prin- ciples of honor and fair dealing which characterized his life. Ile commenced business at an early age, in the lower part of the county, but anxious for a more extended and promising field of enterprise soon moved to Port Deposit, and with John B. Howell, under the name of Coudon & Howell, conducted a profitable business in the old stone
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storehouse, which for a long time stood in the centre of the main street, and which the town authorities recently purchased and removed. During the war of 1812, three military companies were organized in the upper. part of Cecil County, under the command of Captains Patton, Gerry, and Krouse, Mr. Coudon enlisted in the former, but as it was deemed important that his store should be kept open for the convenience of the neighborhood, he was excused from military duty. When, however, the British aseended the Susquehanna and destroyed Bell's Ferry, Mr. Coudon closed his store and made haste to join his comrades and share with them in the trenches the threatened danger. At a later period he embarked in the lumber business with Captain Robert Morgan, and these gentlemen were among the most extensive dealers at that time in the town. On June 20, 1811, he married Margaret S., a daughter of Stephen and Sarah Biddle, of Sassafras Neck, and resided in the dwelling erected by him at Port Deposit, and now in the possession and occupaney of J. W. Abrahams. The issue of this marriage was one child, which died in infaney ; its mother also died in little more than twelve months from the date of her marriage. Eight years after- wards, May 25, 1820, Mr. Coudon married Ann, a daughter of John and Hannah Stump, of Cecil County. Joli Stump was the son of Henry Stump, of Harford (then Baltimore) County, and a descendant of John Stump, a Prussian, who, with his wife Mary, emigrated to this country about the year 1700, and purchased and settled upon a large tract of land in Cecil County, at the mouth of the Susquehanna River. On the maternal side Mrs. Cou- don, whose mother was also a Stump, was descended from Augustine Ilerman, of Bohemia Manor. Soon after Mr. Coudon's marriage with Miss Stump, he retired from mer- cantile business and engaged largely in agriculture upon his fine estate known as " Woodlands," near Perryville, where he passed the remainder of his life. This property is one of the largest in the county, and having both water and railroad communication with the cities, and being in a high. state of fertility, is justly considered one of the most de- sirable in Cecil County. The dwelling is situated upon an eminence north of both the railroad and the old post road, and commands a fine view of the surrounding country, the river, and the bay. The Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad passes through the land, and passen- gers rarely fail to notice the mansion half concealed by forest trees. Mr. Coudon was a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church-the church of his fathers, and ever alive to its interests, and in the capacity of vestryman ex- erted a controlling influence in all measures adopted for the welfare of the parish. Through his watchfulness and zeal the rentals of the glebe were managed to the best advan- tage, and by his own liberality a substantial stone wall was constructed upon two sides of the parish church ceme- tery, and other improvements made as circumstances re- quired. Although a consistent and uncompromising be-
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