The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Maryland and District of Columbia Pt. 2, Part 3

Author: National Biographical Publishing Co. 4n
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Baltimore : National Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 802

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B BRADLEY, HONORABLE STEPHEN J., of Queen Anne's County, Maryland, was born in Caroline County, December 17, 1808, His father, John Bradley, a farmer, died in Tuckahoe Neck, Caroline County, in 1820. Ilis mother was Rebecca, daughter of Benjamin Jump, of the same county. She was a devoted Christian, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and an exemplary wife and mother. She died in 1818, when her son Stephen was only ten years of age. Ile commenced attending school the year previous. His opportunities of education were equal to those enjoyed by the other farmers' sons of that time and locality, but would be considered very poor at the present day. In 1826 he left school and engaged as a clerk in the store of Captain Thomas Auld, the former master of Frederick Douglas. He was afterward a short time a clerk in Hillsboro. At the age of nineteen he com- menced an independent life as a farmer, to which occupa- tion he has from that time devoted himself. The farm he cultivated, known as the Bradley Farm, had already been

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in the family for four generations, its earliest possessor having been Charles Bradley, who came from England in the latter part of the seventeenth century. He was accom. panied by his brother Stephen, who settled in Annapolis, and was, in his time, a well known attorney-at law. h 1834 Mr. Bradley removed to Queen Anne's County, settling near Hillsboro, and in 1842 removed to the estate on which he now resides. It is known as " Cottage Hill," and is situated a mile and a half south of Sudlersville. In 1848 he was nominated and elected by the Whig party as Sheriff of the county, in which office he served three years. In 1853 he was elected on the same ticket to the General Assembly, and served two years. He was nominated for State Senator on the American ticket in 1857, his opponent being ex-Governor Grayson. Mr. Bradley was the only one of his party elected, the Democrats carrying their candi- dates for the Lower Ilouse. In 1867 he was nominated and elected on the Democratic ticket to the State Constitu- tional Convention. The public life of Mr. Bradley ex- tended over a period of twenty years. In 1872 he was nominated, but declined to serve, as a member of the Orphans' Court of his county. Since 1827 he has been a member of the Methodist Church ; he now belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church South. On June 29, 1828, he was married to Maria F., daughter of Daniel Baynard, of Caroline County. At her death she left five children, one of whom, Rebecca Ann, died in 1848. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Bradley married her sister, Elizabeth, by whom he has two daughters living. Ile is a man of Sterling character and fine abilities, greatly respected and esteemed in the community in which he lives.

AVIS, WILLIAM HENRY, M.D., son of John and Mary ( Whitelock) . Davis, was born in the city of Baltimore, September 22, 1810, Ilis father, an eminent civil engineer, was born in England in 1770. Towards the last of the century he emi- grated to the United States and settled in Philadelphia. Having lost his first wife he married, about the year 1800, Miss Mary Whitelock, of Frankford, now a part of that eity. Of their children four sons and three daughters grew to maturity. In his professional capacity as civil en- gineer Mr. Davis was identified with the Fairmount Water 'Works. Early in the present century he removed his family to Maryland, and was for a number of years en- gaged in the construction of the Baltimore and Cumber- land Turnpike. He macadamized that famous public road from Hagerstown to Boontown, it being the first work of the kind in the United States. At his death he had at- tained the great age of ninety-five years. His son William Henry received his early education at the Ilagerstown " Academy. He passed through the full course at Dickin-

son College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and graduated M.D. . from the University of Maryland in 1834, since which time he has devoted himself to his profession in the city of Bal- timore, giving up his practice only quite recently. He was married, in 1836, to Miss Lydia Poultney. They have no children. Dr. Davis is without question one of the repre- sentative professional men of Baltimore. At his birth the population of the city was only about ten thousand. He has witnessed its wonderful growth in numbers, prosperity, and power, and growing up with it has been identified with it all his life. For nearly half a century he has been one of its leading professional men, faithfully, ably, and honorably maintaining the dignity of his high calling. Shunning notoriety, he has quietly pursued his way, yet respected by all as a profound student, a trusted and skil- ful physician, and a conscientious and high-minded gentle- man. He enjoyed in his day a very extensive and lucra- tive practice, and now in his ripening age, serene and hale, he enjoys the fruit of his labors, and the continued respect and affection of his many friends.

HAW, ANDREW BRUCE, Manufacturer and Capital- ist, son of Major William and Patsy Elliott ( Burns) Shaw, was born at Moscow Mills, near Barton, Alleghany County, Maryland, November 4, 1837.

EL The ancestors of the family emigrated from England to America early in the seventeenth century. Ilis father served with distinction in the war of 1812. He was an extensive landowner in George Creek Valley, and realized large sums of money for his coal lands, as the coal de- posits and industrial interests of that region were devel- oped. In his younger years he travelled extensively, and in 1825, before steam navigation of the ocean, he un- dertook a trip to Europe, and was shipwrecked off the coast of Ireland. For many days the survivors were ex- posed to the inclemencies of the weather in an open boat, and pressed by starvation, were at the point of drawing lots that one man might give up his life for food for the rest, when a sail was hailed and a ship appeared to their relief. Ile kept a diary, giving a full and graphic account of his travels and experiences, which is in the possession of his son Andrew. The latter was of a studious disposi- tion, devoted to his books, and, favored with abundant time and means, improved well his opportunities. Otherwise his educational facilities were not superior, being con- fined to the district school of his native place, and one course at the Iligh School at Fairmount, West Vir- ginia. While his father lived he was closely occupied in transacting for him the business growing out of the care of his property. His father had given leaschold titles to a great portion of his land in George Creek Valley, that had been laid off in town lots. The rents of these leases were

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payable mostly in monthly instalments, and brought a handsome revenue to his father. They are still a source of income to the heirs. On the death of his father, in 1867, Mr. Andrew Shaw administered on the estate, and in the sale of the property purchased the homestead at Mos- cow, which he has greatly improved, having built a new and handsome brick dwelling house and barn. Ile has also erected on the place a large steam saw and planing mill, and in connection with it engaged in the manufacture of house-building material. Ile has built the principal part of the village of Moscow, consisting of between thirty and forty houses. He has also in operation a large flouring and grist mill, which is doing a profitable business. Mr. Shaw has done a great deal to develop the industrial interests of his section, the trade of which is principally in coal. He has travelled considerably through the States and Terri- tories, principally for his own gratification and to add to his mental stores. In 1873 he was initiated into the Ma- sonic fraternity, in Barton Lodge. He has never made a religious profession, and is not sectarian in his views. His political faith is that of the Republican party. He was married, September 15, 1868, to Mary Martha, daughter of Theodore W. Dawson, Springfield, Ohio. They have now two sons and two daughters. Mr. Shaw is a man of fine personal appearance, and pleasing address. Both in his social and business relations he is affable and courteous, and his uniform kindness of manner and many generous deeds win for him unbounded confidence and regard.

SOLOINSON, SAMUEL. M., Coal Merchant, was born in New Castle County, Delaware, October 28, 1815. Ilis paternal grandfather was a native of Dublin, Ireland, and his maternal, of Scotland. His parents were William and Sarah Johnson. At the age of `twenty-two years Mr. Johnson removed to Baltimore, where he engaged in the hewing of timber for the Balti- more and Ohio Railroad, and subsequently in the laying of the track for that road between Baltimore and Cumber- land. He was afterwards in the employment of the Annap- olis and Elkridge Railroad Company, also that of the Phil- adelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore Railroad Company, in each as Superintendent of track-laying. After several years' service rendered the latter company, much of which time was spent in connection with coal transportation, Mr. Johnson engaged in the coal and lighter business, erecting at Canton a coal pier for the shipment of coal, shortly after which he removed to Locust Point and erected an- other coal pier. He was the first shipper of bituminous coal from the city of Baltimore. Mr. Johnson was iden- tified with the George's Creek Coal Company, as Super- intendent. In 1863, with Charles J. Baker, he purchased

the coal pier owned by Dobbin & Warfield, and conducted . his business, in connection with steam harbor tags, until the time of his death. He was ranked among the most extensive and prominent coal dealers in the city, and dur- ing his long business career was never known to give a note, his operations being exclusively upon a cash basis. During his life of active, laborious business, he accumu- lated considerable property. Mr. Johnson was of the Presbyterian faith, and was an Elder of the Broadway Church for several years. Until the time of his death he contributed liberally to the support of the above church. HIe was a member of the Masonic fraternity, as also of the order of Odd Fellows. In political sentiment he was a Whig, of the Henry Clay school, and during the late civil war was an unfaltering Union man. He married, June 18, 1848, Miss Henrietta M. Waters, daughter of William Waters, of Somerset County, Maryland. His wife was connected by blood with the Presbyterian stock which settled in Maryland in the early part of the eighteenth century. He died, December 24, 1878, survived by his wife and one son, W. W. Johnson, his successor in the extensive coal business of S. M. Johnson & Son. Mr. Johnson was a man of great force of character, indomi- table energy and the strictest integrity, and his death was universally regretted by all who knew him.

FORBERT, HENRY ROBINSON, Journalist, was born at Elkton, Cecil County, Maryland, July 17, 1834. His grandfather, the Rev. William Torbert, of the Philadelphia Annual Conference of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, was an able and influ- ential minister of that denomination, and extensively known throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware, and the East- ern Shore of Maryland. His father, William Torbert, was for many years the leading merchant in Elkton. Ile has occupied many prominent local positions ; has always been an active and influential member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and to him, Methodism in that place is indebted probably more than to any other living person. For forty years he has held the position of Superintendent of the Sunday-school attached to his church. Of consis- tent religious life, irreproachable character, and unques- tioned probity, he is greatly honored and esteemed. In June, 1832, he married Adaline Matilda, a granddaughter of the Rev. William Silver, of Christiana, Delaware. Their children were Mary Amanda, who died in infancy, Henry Robinson, W. F. Asbury, John, and Edwin Janes Torbert. Henry R., the subject of this sketch, received his primary education at the Elkton Academy; in 1851 entered Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and was graduated with the honors of his class in June, 1855.

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In the antumn of the same year he commenced the study of law in the office of the late Colonel John C. Groome, and was admitted to the bar of Cecil County in the fall of 1859. Endowed by nature with more than ordinary ad- vantages in personal appearance, voice, and manner, classi- cully educated, and proficient as a student, he gave prom- ise of eminence in his profession, which he would doubt- less have attained, if he had continued uninterrupted in the prosecution of it. Losses and consequent financial embarrassments led him to relinquish for the time being the practice of law and devote himself to the business interests of his father. In 1862 he resumed the practice of his profession, and in 1863 was elected State's Attorney. This office he filled with credit to himself and advantage to the State, until January, 1866, when a vacancy having occurred by the death of the clerk of the Court, Mr. Tor- bert was induced to accept the appointment, at the hands of Judge John H. Price, and remained in that position until the next general election, in the fall of 1867. On the outbreak of the rebellion Mr. Torbert, then a Democrat, espoused the Union cause, and by his public speeches did much to rally the people of his county to the support of the Government. One of his brothers, William F. A. Torbert, an unusually popular and genial man, joined the Second Delaware Regiment, and was soon promoted to the rank of Major, on the staff of General French, with whom he served through the entire Peninsular campaign, under General Mcclellan. In May, 1864, he was trans- ferred to the navy, as an acting Assistant Paymaster, and was attached to the ironclad Lehigh of the South Atlan- tie blockading squadron from that time until the close of the war. Ile was mentioned for bravery in the attack on Fort Sumter while on the Lehigh, having acted as a special aid to Captain Badger in that engagement. He became past Assistant Paymaster in July, 1866, during which year he was on special duty at Pensacola. He was commissioned Paymaster September, 1868. He was on duty on the supply steamer Massachusetts, on the stcam sloop . Wampanoag, on special duty on the practice ship Savannah, and in 1870 was assigned to the Idaho, at Yokohama, Japan, where he remained until 1873. After his return from Japan he was assigned as Paymaster of the receiving ship Potomac, at the Navy Vard, Philadelphia, where he died from congestion of the brain, October 4, 1874, greatly lamented by his fellow-officers. Another brother, John, enlisted as a private in the Anderson Cavalry, of Philadelphia, and was afterwards promoted to a lieuten- ancy on the staff of his cousin, General A. T. A. Torbert, and served during the war. General Torbert is a graduate of West Point, of the class of 1855. He was a dashing cavalry officer, and attained the rank of Major-General of volunteers. Resigning the service at the close of the war, he married Mary, only daughter of Daniel Curry, of Mil- ford, Delaware, and located in that town, Ile was since, by appointments of President Grant, Minister to San

Salvador, afterwards Consul General at Havana, and recently at Paris, where he was succeeded by Mr, Fair- child. Edwin J., the other brother, is married and resides in Germantown, Pennsylvania, In 1868 Mr. Torbert was nominated for Congress, from the First Congressional Dis- triet of Maryland, embracing the eight counties of the Eastern Shore, a territory so intensely in sympathy with the South that but little hope could be entertained of the election of a Republican candidate. Ile made an active and telling canvass of his district, but the odds were tou great to be overcome. In 1870 he was again nominated for Congress with like results. In 1869 he was appointed Deputy Surveyor of the port of Baltimore, and continued in that office efficiently discharging the duties without the taint of suspicion or cause of complaint for a period of nine years. In January, 1876, Mr. Torbert purchased of E. E. Ewing, Esq., the building, stock, cte., of The Cecil Whig, and has since conducted the same, as proprietor and editor. Ilis education, talents, and literary tastes qualify him well for a journalist, and under his management the Whig is now recognized as one of the ablest county papers in the State. On December 24, 1867, he married Mary Rachel, daughter of Colonel Edwin and Ilannah Elizabeth (Megredy) Wilmer. The ceremony was performed by Bishop Levi Scott of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Torbert have two children, Victor Megredy and Florence Elizabeth Torbert. These children on the maternal side are the cighth generation of the family to the manor born of the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

TOWARD, JOHN EAGER, grandson of Colonel John Eager Howard, being the only child of his eldest son, John E. Howard, who died in carly man- hood, was born September 3, 1821. Upon the breaking out of the war with Mexico he raised a company for the Regiment of Voltigeurs. In the storm- ing of Chapultepec he was among the first to mount the walls, and was breveted Major for his gallant conduct on this occasion; being specially mentioned by General Win- field Scott in his despatch of December 13, 1847. Ile dicd August 14, 1862.

OcCOOMBS, ABRAHAM P., Editor and Proprietor of The Havre Republican, and General Manager and one of the Proprictors of the llavre Iron Company, was born in Coventry, Chester County, Pennsylvania, June 16, 1824. His grandfather, William MeCoombs, was born of Scotch parents in the city of Armagh, Ireland, in 1765, where also his wife, Elizabethi McCoombs, was born in 1769. Both emigrated

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to the United States in 1787, landing at New Castle, Dela- ware. The following year they were married and bought a small farm near Newark, in the same State, where their eldest sou, George T. MeCoombs, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born July 10, 1797. He married Ellen Prizer, of Chester County, Pennsylvania, July 19, 1823. The MeCoomb name was closely identified with Metho- dism in its early days, both in this and the mother country, and all the sons of the emigrant, George T., James, and William, were licensed preachers in that denomination. William was a distinguished member of the Philadelphia Conference for fifty years. George T. was assassinated near Allentown, Pennsylvania, in October, 1836. His son Abraham attended the public schools of his native county, and spent two terms at the Loller Academy, Ilat- boro, Montgomery County. Ilis opportunities for im- provement were few, but his natural taste inclined him to reading and general literature, and at an early age he wrote songs and essays, which were published in the Phila- delphia Weekly Ledger, Saturday Evening Post, and other papers. On leaving school he spent three years in farm work, for three years was a clerk in a store in Chester County, and for three years taught school near Reading. In this place he formed the acquaintance of Miss Maria C., daughter of Louls Schott, of Lebanon, in the same State, to whom he was married March 29, 1849; after which he was employed as Clerk and Assistant Manager at the iron works of Robeson, Brooks & Co., situated two miles above the city of Reading. Ile there remained until the spring of 1855, when he took charge as General Manager of the Sarah Furnace Company's Iron Works, belonging to the well-known firm of P. A. & S. Small, of York, Pennsyl- vania, and went to reside in the Fourth District, Harford County, Maryland. This he continued for ten years, and in 1865 took a similar position at the Ashland Iron Works, of Baltimore County, belonging to the same parties. In the spring of 1866, Mr. McCoombs, with others, organized a.stock company, known as the Havre Iron Company, and purchased the iron furnaces at Ilavre de Grace from Mr. George P. Whittaker, taking charge of them himself as General Manager, and removing to that place. In 1868, to save a claim, he bought the printing office of the Ilavre Independent, a small temperance paper which had failed, and commenced the publication of the Havre Republican, which he still owns and edits, advocating the principles of the Republican party, and at that time the election of General Grant. He organized, in 1862, a company of Militia Home Guards, of which he was commissioned Captain by Governor Bradford, October 16, 1862. In May, 1869, he was appointed Deputy Collector of the Port of Ilavre de Grace, which position he held eight years ; and was elected one of the Town Commissioners for the year 1877. Brought up strictly in the church of his parents, Mr. McCoombs held the same views until his arrival at mature age, but without having made any public profes-

sion. Afterwards his religious convictions became those of the liberal Christianity of the age. Ile has always been a liberal but decided Republican, but took issue with that party on its financial policy as early as 1872, and as this policy and the money question became more and more one of general interest and public. discussion, his opposition strengthened, till by his continuous and zealous support of the general features and theories of the Greenback Labor Party through his paper, he became one of its recognized advocates and exponents. In the fall of 1878, against his expressed wish, he was made the Congressional nominee of that party in the Second District, and polled a respectable vote, carrying his own home district by a handsome ma- jority over all opponents. Ilis eldest son is now twenty- nine years of age; is married, and engaged in the publish- ing business in New York city. Ile has two daughters, aged respectively five and eleven years.

CORRIS, MARTIN FERDINAND, L.L.D., Lawyer, son of John and Joanna (Colbert) Morris, was born near Youghal, Ireland, December 3, 1834. His father descended from a Welsh family, who settled in the South of Ireland about three hun- dred years ago. His mother was the daughter of a country gentleman, the ancestors of both parents having been in good circumstances and possessed of landed estates. John Morris and his wife were both the younger children of large families, and removed to America as offering better prospects of success in life. The former was a man of character, good business habits, and a devoted Christian. Ile died when his son Martin Ferdinand was quite young, his widow surviving him until 1877. Young Martin F. at a suitable age was sent to Georgetown College, District of Columbia, where he received a classical education. Ile continued his studies for some time afterward at Frederick, Maryland, with the intention of entering the Catholic priest- hood, but finally decided to adopt the legal profession, and accepted the position of teacher in Georgetown College. Here he was thorough, popular, and successful, and a gen- eral favorite, retaining the position for several years, and devoting his spare hours to the study of the law. In 1863 he was admitted to the bar in Baltimore, in which city he practiced three years, when he removed to Washington, where he soon after formed 'an association with HIon. Richard T. Merrick, which is still continued. Mr. Morris was connected with the second trial of John II. Surratt. lle was elected some years since to a chair in the Law De- partment of the Georgetown University, and has delivered two courses of lectures to large classes with great accep- tance. In 1877 he received from that University the de- gree of Doctor of Laws. In his studies outside of his pro-

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fession he has a special fondness for mathematics, but the extent and minuteness of his historical knowledge is very remarkable, particularly in ancient history and literature, He is a member of the Philosophical Society of Washing. tou, the Literary Society of the same city, the Bar Asso ciation of the District of Columbia, the Philodemic So- ciety, and the Society of the Alunni of Georgetown College. In the winter of 1876-7 he delivered a course of lectures before the Carroll Institute in Washington, which were marked by great historical research and much analytical ability. Mr. Morris is very prominent as a lawyer, and is held in high regard by the members of his profession, the business men of Washington, and all who enjoy his ac- quaintance. Few men in any community are more univer- sally respected. He is of slight figure, medium height, and his face is expressive both of talent and great kindness of heart. Ile was brought up in the Catholic Church, of which he is a devoted member, and in politics is a firm believer in the Democratic principles enunciated by Thomas Jef- ferson.

€ .. BORRIS, JOHN T., of the firm of llinkley & Mor- ris, Attorneys and Counsellors at Law, Balti- more, Maryland, was born in Baltimore, June 4, 1827. His father was born in 1793, of Irish de- scent. His mother, who was of Scotch descent, was born in December, 1797. They were married in Bal- timore, May 31, 1825. They were both members of the First English Lutheran Church of Baltimore, and died in its' communion, his father in 1835, his mother in 1842. His early education was received at Long Green Academy, formerly under the control of Rev. George Morrison, where he remained as a pupil until thirteen years of age. HIe then entered the Pennsylvania College, a Lutheran in- stitution, at Gettysburg, in Pennsylvania, where he took the full course and graduated in 1844, in the eighteenth year of his age. After his graduation, he spent a year in social visitations and literary pursuits. In 1846 he commenced the study of law in the office of Edward Hinkley & Son, and two years afterwards was admitted to practice and became a partner with them, which continued until the death of Edward Hinkley. After his death the firm was continued by Edward Otis Hinkley and the sub- ject of this sketch; subsequently, Thomas J. Morris was `admitted, and they now constitute one law firm. While ' yet a young man, Mr. Morris became a member of the First Branch of the City Council of Baltimore, which position he filled for a short time, declining a re-election, and has always refused since then to accept any political office, either State or municipal. He does not like politics or political life, and has never held any office of profit, cx- cept that just named. In 1856 he was elected to a seat in

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The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Maryland and District of Columbia Pt. 2, Part 3

Author: National Biographical Publishing Co. 4n Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Baltimore : National Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 802

Author: National Biographical Publishing Co. 4n
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Baltimore : National Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 802