USA > Washington DC > Washington DC > The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Maryland and District of Columbia Pt. 2 > Part 26
USA > Maryland > The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Maryland and District of Columbia Pt. 2 > Part 26
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ELFLEY, D. P., M.D., of Cumberland, Mary- land, was born in Salisbury, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, February 27, 1822. Ilis paternal ancestors were natives of Germany. Ilis father, Peter Welfley, was born in Frederick, Maryland, in the year 1787. Ile acquired, at an early age, his trade at Cumberland, and emigrating to Somerset County, Penn- sylvania, became one of the founders of Salisbury. Here following the occupations of potter and teacher he lived until his death, which occurred in 1867. He married Eva, the daughter of Martin Weimer, who served in the Conti- mental Army during the entire period of the Revolutionary war, and was present at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. HIe was one of the early pioneer settlers within a mile of the place on which subsequently rose the village of Salis- bury. Young Welfley received his rudimental education at his father's school, and that of Professor Stutzman, and spent some time in teaching, after which he entered upon a classical and scientific course in Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg. In the winter of 1855 he commenced the study of medicine, and after a full course graduated at thic
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University of Pennsylvania. He settled in Accident, then Alleghany County, Maryland, and at once entered upon the practice of his chosen profession with great zeal and earnestness. Hle subsequently formed a professional co partnership with Dr. M. A. R. E. Cane, ut Salisbury, his native place, and afterwards at Grantsville, Maryland. In 1873 he settled in Cumberland. His practice is a general one ; he has no specialties. He is an enthusiast in his pro- fession, in which he holds a high rank. He is progressive, but scrupulously adheres to well-established principles. He has great faith in the native resources of the system, and is persistent in his efforts to save life as long as the vital spark remains. In the sick-room his manner is kind and cheering, encouraging while there is hope, and tender and consoling where hope has fled. The affection and confidence he inspires materially assist in the restoration of his patients. He is a conscientious Christian gentleman, and commands the entire respect and esteem of the com- * munity. He adopted early in life the faith of his parents, who were members of the Lutheran Church. Dr. Welfley has acquired a considerable literary and scientific reputa- tion, having contributed to the press numerous articles on the physical sciences, especially. Of geology he is partic- ularly fond, and has written a valuable series of papers on The Origin and Formation of Coal. He has a fine library, which he greatly enjoys. Ile was married in 1857 to Mary E., second daughter of the Ilon. Richard Fairall, and has three children, one son and two daughters. Ile has three brothers living, the Ilon. B. Welfley, member of the Senate of the State of Maryland; the Rev. J. Welfley, Lutheran minister, now in Ohio; and Israel Welfley, farmer, residing near Confluence, Somerset County, Penn- sylvania.
OUSTON, JUDGE JAMES, was born, October 10, 1767, in Chestertown, Kent County, Maryland. Ile was the son of William and Susannah (Wickes) Houston. His mother was descended from Major Joseph Wickes, a memoir of whom is contained in this volume. His father was the son of James and Lidia Houston, of Kent County, Maryland. Ile received a classical education at the celebrated Public School, in Chestertown, adopted the profession of law, was admitted to the bar, March 17, 1806, rose to distinc- tion, and was appointed by President Jefferson, in 1806, United States Judge for the District of Maryland. Ile married, August 10, 1811, Augustine Chambers, daugh- ter of General Benjamin Chambers, a memoir of whom is contained in this volume. He died in June, 1820, and was the father of Augusta Chambers Houston, who was born August 15, 1812, married, November 2, 1829, Judge John B. Kecleston, and died March 5, 1878; and of Eliza- beth Forman Houston, who married, July 27, 1838, Thomas W. Patten.
CMANUS, FELIX R., M.D., was born in Baltimore, May 30, 1807. His parents, leaving Ireland, their native land, for America in 1798, landed in Baltimore, where all their children, twelve in number, were born. His father having brought with him large quantities of Irish linen, began the dry- goods business and became one of the earliest merchants of the then Baltimoretown. Ile carried on this business for more than twenty years, until his health became so im- paired that he was compelled to give it up. Ile then bought a large amount of real estate. This purchase prov- ing unprofitable stripped him of all his means and induced him to make a voyage to the old country to try to make a sale of it. This attempt failing, he returned, to this country, suffered the loss of his entire purchase, and became finan- cially very much reduced. Some time after his return he secured the supervision of the Baltimore Fish House. This brought him in a comfortable support for his family. He died in 1832, aged about seventy-three years. Ile was a man of sterling integrity. Felix R., the fifth son, in ac- cordance with the earnest desire of his father that his chil- dren should have a liberal education, was sent to George- town College, in the District of Columbia, to obtain a more thorough knowledge of the classics and higher branches of mathematics. But shortly after his father's real estate purchase, a financial erisis occurred throughout the country, and Felix, for the want of the necessary means, had to give up his studies before he had ended his college course. Coming home and finding his people quite poor, he tried for some time in vain to find employment. After many weary and futile attempts he finally obtained employment in a printing office at a dollar and a half a week, and soon became very expert. His education and abilities being known he was employed after a few months as a composi- tor and proof-reader. Ilis father being away in Europe, and the whole family being almost entirely dependent on him for support, he also gathered together a number of the sons of merchants and taught a night school, giving special in- struction in writing and arithmetic. After his father re- turned from Europe and obtained a position that enabled him to support his family, Felix turned his attention to the medical profession. In 1827, when twenty years of age, he entered the hospital of the University of Maryland, then called the Baltimore Infirmary, under the pupilage of the distinguished professors Davidge, Potter, Baker, Ilall, De Butts, McDowell, and Nathan R. Smith. Ile received his diploma as Doctor of Medicine from these gentlemen by the hand of Roger B. Taney, then Provost of the University. April 6, 1829, Dr. McManus located in his native city, where he has ever since been engaged in the practice of his profession. On April 15, 1833, he married Julia Ann, daughter of Frederick A. Shulze, a farmer of Berks County, Pennsylvania, and niece of Hon. John Andrew Shulze, Governor of Pennsylvania. He has five children, one son and four daughters. His son, Frederick
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A. McManus, has for years been a practicing physician in Baltimore. After Dr. McManus had been in the practice of his profession for about eight and a half years, his at- tention was turned to the subject of homeopathy, and after a thorough investigation, being convinced of the truth of the new science, its simplicity and great effectiveness as a remedial agent, he became a convert to it. Accordingly, in 1837, he began the practice of homeopathy, being the first homeopathie physician in Maryland. Although the change from allopathy to homoeopathy was made in the face of much opposition and many discouragements, his professional career has since been one of uninterrupted success. Dr. McManus has contributed many valuable ar- ticles to the medical journals. Ile has been President of the American Institute of Homeopathy, and for twenty years Chairman of its Board of Censors, which position he still holds. For more than forty years he has practiced the science of homoeopathy. Being now in the fiftieth year of his doctorate, he is one of the oldest physicians and one of the oldest residents of Baltimore. He has al- ways been devoted to his profession, and has never re- gretted the change which he made in it. Ile is thankful to God for the great success which has attended his labors. It has been one of the greatest pleasures of his life to help others in their distress. Many are gone and many yet live who have felt the benign influence of his life. He has been a friend in need and in deed. His professional knowledge and skill, and his integrity, kindness and gener- osity have caused him to be universally esteemed.
9 INEHART, WILLIAM IL., Sculptor, was born at the Homestead, near Union Bridge, Carroll County, Maryland, September 13, 1825. Ile was the third of eight sons, of Israel and Mary Rinehart. His carlier years were spent upon his father's farm, when old enough, in winter attending school, and in sum- mer in assisting in such outdoor duties as might be re- quired of him at home. His educational advantages were the best the county then afforded. He was continued at school until he had nearly completed his eighteenth year, when he was placed behind the plough. Learning that a stonecutter in the neighborhood needed an assistant, young Rinehart deserted the plough for the chisel. Devoting himself from the very first assiduously to his work, and calling to his aid that great patience and untiring energy of which, from his earliest childhood, he seemed possessed, he accustomed his eye to precision of line and form, and his hand to dexterity. Ile has said that " here was laid the practical foundation upon which he was enabled after- wards to excel." Such care and attention had he given to the work assigned him that, in eighteen months, he far excelled his employer, and with the consent of his father,
he left, in 1844, his country home for Baltimore, and se- cured an apprenticeship at the marble yard of Messrs. Baughman & Bevan. He now devoted himself with re- newed energy to his work during the day, and spent his evenings iu drawing and in acquiring useful knowledge. His faithfulness and energy soon won for him the esteem of his employers, who raised him to the post of foreman, and recognizing his genius, built for him a studio upon their own premises. Many of his productions of this period are still in possession of his friends in Baltimore. So at- tached had he now become to his art that he determined to visit Italy and prosecute his studies there. In 1855 he sailed for Florence. There his love for sculpture was fully tested, for, though subject to many discouragements and privations, poverty not the least among them, he pursued his studies with the greatest enthusiasm. He returned to America in 1857, bringing, as the result of his labors, two bass-reliefs in marble, " Night and Morning," sufficient to stamp the genius of the sculptor. He opened a studio in Baltimore, and executed there many busts, a fountain figure for the General Post-office at Washington, and two figures " Indian and Backwoodsman " to support the clock in the House of Representatives at Washington. In 1858 he re- turned to Italy and settled in Rome. From his studio now came forth " Hero and Leander," " Indian Girl," " St. Cecilia," and " Sleeping Babes," besides statues of the " Woman of Samaria," " Angel of Resurrection and Jesus," and the one in bronze, " Love reconciled with Death," which adorns the lot in Greenmount Cemetery of his ever faithful and cherished friend, Mrs. William T. Walters. The statue stands above the grave of Mrs. Walters. Crawford had died about this time, and his unfinished work, the doors of the Capitol at Washington, were given by the widow to Rinchart to complete. He revisited America in 1866, remaining, however, but a short time. Again in 1872 he returned home, bringing with him his his- toric statue, ordered by the State of Maryland, of the late Chief Justice Taney, which he set in position, and un- veiled December 10 of the same year, in front of the State- house, Annapolis. Not only was the resemblance to the original pronounced perfect, but there was portrayed, as well, a fine ideal of justice, dignity, and wisdom. He had with him too, at this time, " Antigone," and the figure that, with pardonable pride, he pronounced his master- piece, " Clytie." This statue was purchased by a liberal patron of art, Mr. John W. McCoy, of Baltimore, and pre- sented by him to the Peabody Institute of Baltimore, to be kept ou free exhibition for the public benefit. In the early spring of 1873 Rinchart again set sail for Italy, bearing with him more orders for works than three years of active labors could complete. Hle shortly after sent to America, partly to Baltimore, a number of busts, including many of distinguished persons. He also sent his ideal statues, " Atalanta and Endymion." Among the other prominent works of Kinchart may be mentioned a life-size statue in
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Troy ( N. V.) Cemetery, and a group of " Latona and her Children," the infants " Diana and Apollo." His desire to fulfil engagements held him longer in Rome in summer than usual, and malarial influences asserted themselves upon a system already weakened by cold. He was sent by his physicians to Switzerland; but disease had already accomplished its work, and he was taken back to Kome, October 12, 1874, where he died the 28th of the same month. His remains were interred in the Protestant Ceme- tery at Rome, and re-buried in Greenmount Cemetery, Baltimore, January 2, 1875. Hle retained possession of all his faculties up to the last moment, thinking, speaking of, and providing for friends and loved ones. He never mar- ried. In appearance he was stout and compactly built. Ile was kind and gentle in disposition, warm-hearted and sin- cere. Ilis conceptions differ widely from each other, each individual and distinct, yet each speaks out the striking originality, patient labor, tenderness, and power of a truly poetic genius.
EBSTER, CAPTAIN JOHN ADAMS, late of the United States Revenue Marine, and at the time of his death the senior Captain in the service, was born September 19, 1789, in Harford County, Maryland, upon a farm which had descended from his ancestors, now Mt. Adams, situated about five miles from Bel Air. His parents were Samuel Webster and Margaret Adams, a relative of John Quincy Adams. The" progenitors of the subject of this sketch were of English birth, the descendants of Isaac Webster, who with his brothers, Richard, Michael, and John, came to this country early in the seventeenth century, and settled respectively, Michael in New England, Isaac and Richard in Maryland, and John in Virginia, where he was well known as Jolin of Roanoke. From the New England branch of the family was descended Daniel Webster, who in social cor- respondence always recognized the relationship. Captain Webster's oldest brother, Isaac, served in the Revolutionary war. When fourteen years old, from a love of adventure Captain Webster began his seafaring life by going to South America in a merchant vessel ; after which he made many trips to various foreign ports. At the beginning of the war of 1812 with Great Britain, he took an active part against the enemy, and served during the whole period. At the commencement of the war, he was appointed a Third Lieutenant by Commodore Barney, on the privateer Rossie. At the formation of the Flotilla at Baltimore, he was made Sailing . Master in the navy, and placed in charge of one of the barges, Ile was with Conunodore Barney in all his engagements. On September 10, 1814, he was detached 'by request of General Smith, and placed in charge of the six- gun battery, situated between Fort McHenry and Fort Cov-
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ington, and was the first to open fire on the British barges on the night of the 13th, during which engagement he wastwice wounded, but remained at his post until the fight ended. An exceedingly interesting description of these battles and the subsequent service in which Captain Webster was en. gaged was written by him, at the request of Brantz Mayer, for the Maryland Historical Society. Ile was afterward presented with two elegant gold-mounted swords, the one by the city of Baltimore, and the other by the State of Maryland. Congress paid him for the loss of a horse and pensioned him twenty dollars per month. On March I, 1816, by warrant under the hand of President Madison, he was appointed a Sailing Master in the navy of the United States, and served in that capacity for some time, having during his continuance in the navy, from his well-known experience and nautical skill, had assigned to him duties of a most responsible and onerous character, beyond those generally assigned to persons in like positions. On Feb- ruary 8, 1816, he was united in marriage to Rachel Biays, a daughter of Colonel Joseph Biays, who with his brother, Colonel James Biays, had served in responsible positions in the American Army during the war of the Revolution. On November 22, 1819, he was appointed by President Monroe, a Captain in the Revenue Marine, which position he held until the time of his death, which occurred at Mt. Adams, July 4, 1877. Whilst in the Revenue Service Captain Webster was detailed by the Government on vari- ous occasions to posts and duties requiring the utmost effi- ciency and discretion, seemingly outside the line of strictly Revenue Service, thus indicating the high estimation in which he was held by those in authority. The most notable of these was his appointment to take charge of a fleet of eight revenue vessels, to co-operate with the army and navy, in their operations upon the Rio Grande, and against the city of Vera Cruz, in the war with Mexico. On that occa- sion Captain Webster was honored by R. J. Walker, then Secretary of the Treasury, with a " strictly confidential " and highly complimentary letter of instructions, dated May 19, 1846, the length of which precludes its insertion here. Captain Webster lost his wife in 1869. They were the parents of eleven children, five of whom survive him, namely, Margaret, the widow of William R. Bissell, Dr. James Biays Webster, Susan A. Webster, Laura A., wife of John C. Patterson, and William S. Webster. The de- ceased children were Josephine, who was the wife of Dr. William Dallom, Captain John A. Webster, late of the Revenue Marine, Mary A., who was the wife of A. S. Dorsey, Benjamin M. Webster, Rachel Cossanded, who was the wife of General Frank A. Bond, and Isaac P. Webster. Captain Webster at the time of his death was a member of the Presbyterian Church, which he joined un- der the ministry of the Rev. William Finney, pastor of the church at Churchville. Captain Webster was of fine physique, and remarkably courteous manners. Ile was six feet in height, and at his best, weighed over two hundred
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pounds, straight, and well developed, and of commanding bearing. He was social in his habits, genial in Iris disposition, and eminently regardful of the feelings of others, He lies buried beside his wife and deceased children, in the family burying-ground, on his farm at Mt. Adams. The memory of his virtues, social qualities, and good traits, will not soon be forgotten.
50 ERR, HON. JOHN BOZMAN, was born March 5, 1809, at Easton, Talbot County, Maryland. He was the eldest son of Ilon. John Leeds and Sarah Hollyday (Chamberlaine) Kerr, and was graduated at llarvard College, Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1830. Ile was admitted to the bar at Easton, Maryland, in 1833, and was a member of the Legislature of Maryland from 1836 to 1838. Ile was the Deputy of the Attorney- General of Maryland in Talbot County from 1847 to 1849, and a member of the Thirty-first Congress of the United States from December 3, 1849, to March 3, 1851. On March 12, 1851, he was appointed by President Fillmore, Chargé d'affaires to the Republic of Nicaragua, Central America, and discharged its duties with distinguished ability until May 5, 1853. In 1854 he practiced law in Baltimore, subsequently held an office under the Attorney- General in Washington, and afterward was Deputy So- licitor of the Court of Claims. At the time of his death he was Solicitor of the Auditor of the Treasury for the Gen- eral Post-office Department. He died January 27, 1878, in Washington, D. C. Ile married, October 24, 1849, Lucy Hamilton Stevens, of Washington, D. C., the daughter of John and Cecilia Wynne (Brickle) Stevens, and had the following children : Lucy Hamilton, John Bozman, born March 20, 1853, who died in 1857, Leeds Clayborne, Ar- thur Dickens, Mark Brickell, Ilenrietta Maria, Ilalbert Stevens, Kenneth Chamberlaine, Ruth Leeds, and Sarah Covington.
TEWART, MAJOR WILLIAM ECCLESTON, Attorney- at-law, Easton, Talbot County, Maryland, was born at Cambridge in that State, February 28, 1839. His maternal ancestors were among the first settlers of the State, and owned a large portion of Dorches- ter County. Ilis grandfather, William Washington Eccles- ton, was a relative of Archbishop Eccleston, and for many years was Register of Wills of Dorchester County. Ilis mother, in her young womanhood, was one of the cele- brated belles of the day. His father, Hon. James A. Stewart, was, when a young man, the .only Democratic lawyer in the county. When he entered upon his profes-
sional career books of reference and practice were not to be had, and he was forced to find out the practical part of law by himself. He was a candidate for office on several ocea- sions when his party was greatly in the minority, merely to keep up the organization, until finally his party was trinn- phant. Mr. Eccleston was appointed Judge of the Circuit Court, resigned, and was elected three terms to Congress, serving there with distinction for six years. Ile was then elected Chief Judge of the Circuit Court under the Constitu- tion of 1867, which made a Justice of the Court of Appeals. In 1878 the Legislature unanimously extended his time, he having then nearly reached the age of seventy. The sub- ject of this sketch attended the schools of his native town until the age of fourteen, when he was sent to Dickinson College. IIe ran away from college when nearly through the junior year, having been at the institution nearly three years. In 1859 he went to the University of Virginia, studied law there for one year, returned to Cambridge, completed his studies, and was admitted to the bar in 1860. lle soon after went to Madison, Arkansas, where, shortly after his arrival, he entered the Confederate Army as a private among strangers. lle was elected Captain, and at Island No. 10 was captured, taken to prison at Camp Chase and Johnson's Island, and was held for several months. He was exchanged at Vicksburg; then elected Major of the Fifteenth Arkansas Regiment of Infantry, and was in the battles of Jackson, Mississippi, Ilatchie River, Coldwater, and finally sent to Port Hudson, Loui- siana, where, after a gallant defence for over sixty days, the whole command was captured. Ile was then sent a prisoner successively to Johnson's Island, Point Look- out, Fort Delaware, and finally, among six hundred other officers, in August, 1864, to Morris Island, for retalia- tion, and kept under the fire of the Confederates for six weeks. From thence he was sent to Fort Pulaski, from which place he made his escape, and reached Augusta, Georgia, after a most perilous and wonderful flight. Ile was there ordered to join his command in the trans-Mis- sissippi Department, and reached Marshall, Texas, about the time of the surrender of the armies. There, without a dollar in money, he remained a short time, and then started for Mexico. Ile got as far as San Antonio, where he learned that he could obtain a parole. In September, 1865, he obtained a parole at Columbus, Texas, among the last men receiving them. Receiving transportation to New Orleans, he succeeded in reaching Madison, Arkansas, from which he had been absent more than four years. All supposing him to have been killed, his little property was gone, and for the time law offered but poor prospects for
support. Ile, however, got an inferior clerkship in the hotel, aud soon after a better position in Memphis, where he remained a month, and then returned to Cambridge, Maryland. In 1868 Major Stewart was elected to the Ilouse of Delegates from Dorchester by about eleven hun- dred majority. In October of that year he removed to
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Baltimore, practiced law there, and was elected to the Legislature from the city in 1872 and in 1874. In 1875 he resigned his seat in the Legislature, and was elected a member of the City Council in that year. He was in the Council when the City Hall was completed, and Master of Ceremonies at its dedication. He removed to Easton in July, 1876, and there entered upon the practice of his pro- fession. He was brought up in the Protestant Episcopal Church, but is liberal in his views. He has always been a Democrat. In 1872 he married Miss Margaret Douglass, daughter of Hon. Douglass Wallack, the founder and pro- prietor of the Washington Star. Her great-grandmother married Colonel Charles Simms, Aide-de-camp to General Washington. They were married in his tent at Valley Forge. Major Stewart has an active mind, is a fluent speaker, and has already acquired a large practice at the Easton bar.
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