The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Maryland and District of Columbia Pt. 2, Part 30

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

USA > Washington DC > Washington DC > The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Maryland and District of Columbia Pt. 2 > Part 30
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paratory studies with a Mr. Bogart, four miles from Tal- lahassee, and afterwards with Rev. Mr. Barber, at Cam- bridge. At fourteen years of age he went to Princeton College, New Jersey, where he pursued the regular course. Ile left that institution in December, 1858. He then com- menced the study of law, in accordance with his father's desire, and to complete his education. While engaged in his law studies the civil war began, and eighteen months before attaining his majority he went to the South, leaving Cambridge, May 16, 1861, and enlisted in J. Lyle Clark's company, from Baltimore, two days afterward, at Rich- mond, Virginia. He served through the West Virginia campaign in Gilham's regiment, Loring's brigade. In March, 1862, he was transferred to the Army of Missis- sippi, and served as a private in the First Florida Bat- talion at Shiloh, and immediately after was promoted to a Lieutenancy. He served through the whole war, and during its continuance was under Generals Lee, Jackson, A. S. Johnson, Beauregard, Bragg, Joe Johnston, etc., and was surrendered as one of General Joe Johnston's com- mand at the close of the war, and paroled May 17, 1865. Hle reached home June 3, following, having been slightly wounded at Shiloh. Mr. Hayward now resumed his law studies, completing them with Sewell T. Milbourne and Colonel James Wallace, and was admitted to the bar. In November, 1867, he was elected State's Attorney of Dor- chester County ; re-elected in 1871, and in 1875, which office he now holds (1879). He was made a Mason in 1863, and was Master of Cambridge Lodge from 1867 to 1875, with one year's intermission, and Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Maryland in 1876, and Senior Grand Warden in 1877. Religiously, he was brought up a Protestant Episcopalian; politically, he has always been a Democrat. Mr. Hayward married, Sep- tember 20, 1866, Miss Emilie Louisa Eccleston, daughter , of Thomas E. and Dorothea A. ( Keene) Eccleston, and granddaughter of Thomas J. II. Eccleston, who served for many years in the Senate and House of Delegates of Maryland. Ile was a man of wealth, and familiarly known in his county as the " Earl of Blackwater."

E ROCHIBRUNE, GEORGE, Merchant and Farmer, of Queenstown, Queen Anne's County, was born in Caroline County, May 3, 1823. His father, Thomas De Rochbrune, a well-known and highly respected farmer, served as one of the Commissioners of Caroline County, and was in the battle near Queens- town, in the war of 1812. He lived until the month of August, 1875. His wife, Anna M. Downes, of the same county, died in 1841. Young De Rochbrune attended a district school at Hillsborough, in his native county, irreg- ularly, until he was twenty-one years of age, having been

employed a greater part of the time on his father's farm. lle then engaged a few months as a clerk at Wye Mills, and afterwards at Centreville, Queen Anne's County, until November, 1853, when he commeneed a general mercan- tile business for himself at Queenstown, where he still continues. He started on a capital of only about eight hundred dollars, all the fruit of his own labor; but, deter- mined to succeed, by careful personal attention and eco- nomical management of his resources, he has realized his most sanguine expectations. He has never borrowed any capital, has relied only upon himself, and is truly the archi- tect of his own fortunes. For a quarter of a century he has carried on his mercantile business with unvarying success, and has also during the later years conducted three farms, containing five hundred acres of land, hiring the labor, and superintending himself the general management. The first, known as " Overton," one mile from Queenstown, was purchased in 1863. Next he bought, in 1864, the tract of land known as part of the " Williams Farm," about two miles from Queenstown. In 1871 he purchased the " Reed's Creek Farm." These farms he has greatly improved in productiveness, buildings, and appearance, raising, principally, wheat, corn, and grass. Mr. De Roch- brune is a Republican, and his religious sympathies are with the Methodist Episcopal Church, though he has made no open profession. He is a man of genial and compan- ionable disposition, and has many warm friends.

K IRWAN, CAPTAIN JOUN IL., was born April 1, 1824, near Princess Ann, Somerset County, Mary- land. He was one of nine children, two of whom, now deceased, William and Jacob, were well-known and highly respected as sea-captains. Their father, Captain Elliott Kirwan, was a native of Dorchester County, Maryland. Hle was of Irish descent ; served in the militia during the war of 1812; was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for over half a century, and manifested a deep interest in the temperance canse. Tem- perance Nutter, their mother, was the daughter of an Eng- lish sea-captain. John's early advantages for an education were extremely limited. He assisted on his father's farm until the age of twelve years, when he abandoned the farm and entered in the capacity of a cabin-boy on a schooner. Up to the age of eighteen he was engaged on sailing packets plying between Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Rich- mond. In 1842 he took command of the aschooner, Wil- liam Applegarth, as its Captain. During the year 1844 he accepted the position of Quartermaster on the steamers Jewess and Herald, of the Bay Line, and in the next year was appointed second officer of the Herald. In 1846 he became Mate of the steamer Cambridge, running between Baltimore and the Eastern and Western shores of the Chesa-

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peake. In 1850, then in his twenty-sixth year, he was given the command of the steamer Osiris, running on the same route as the Cambridge. He served on that steamer until 1859, when he accepted the Captaincy of the steamer Kent, of the " Individual Enterprise Line," now the " Maryland Steamboat Company," running five steamers to the Eastern and Western shores. He has remained in the service of that company ever since, having had com- mand of several of their steamers; but for the last eleven years has commanded their favorite vessel, " Samuel J. Pentz." There is, perhaps, no better pilot on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Captain Kirwan is a gentleman of fine physique, unimpeachable moral character, pleasing address, and one more devoted to his calling cannot be found. His care for the safety of his passengers is demonstrated by the fact that an accident has never occurred to one in all the years he has been chief in command. This is the more remarkable in view of the thousands who have patronized the " Pentz" on her annual summer excursions down the bay. He is widely and favorably known as a steamboat Captain, and is also highly esteemed as a most worthy citizen of Baltimore. He has been for twenty-seven years a member of the Masonie fraternity, and is a Past Master. In the cause of temperance he has always taken a lively interest. Politically, he has been an old-line Whig, a supporter of the Federal Government during the war, and is now a Conservative Democrat. Religiously, he is liberal in his views, and generally at- tends worship in the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife was Priscilla Applegarth, daughter of Nathaniel Ap- plegarth, Esq., Ex-Sheriff of Dorchester County. They have three children, two sons and a daughter.

Y.HOWELL, SR., LEMUEL, Capitalist, was born in St. Martin's, Worcester County, Maryland, in 1793. He enjoyed but very limited educational advan- tages, and at the carly age of ten years was employed as supercargo on board his father's vessel, then trading to Philadelphia and New York, in which employ- ment he continued for two years. Ile then entered his father's store, and on the death of the latter, assumed the entire control thereof. He was a large boy for his age, and in his fifteenth year travelled on horseback to Phila- delphia to purchase his first bill of goods. In addition to the large stock of goods in the store, he inherited land from his father, in all amounting to a few thousand dollars in value, which through great energy, pluck, and untiring assidnity, he augmented to a fortune of seven hundred thousand dollars, and became the owner of between five and six thousand acres of land in his native county. These accumulations were the results of wise investments, ac- quired by an industry that never flagged, and a prescience

that enabled him to appreciate and avail himself of favor- able opportunities as they arose. Despite his meagre edu- rational advantages Mr. Showell mastered a practical knowl- edge of the laws of trade, and had a well-informed mind, as well as manners which rendered him at ease in the best society. He was careful and economical in his busi- ness, yet large-hearted and liberal to his family and friends. lle dispensed his hospitality in the old-time Maryland style, and never seemed happier than when indulging it. He had large shipping interests, and traded in grain and lunrber from Synepuxent Bay to New York and Phila- delphia, for forty years. He died in 1859, on the estate inherited from his father, and left the most extensive real and personal property ever administered upon in Worces- ter County. Mr. Showell was a remarkable man, and one whose carcer furnishes an illustration of the value of in- dustry and devotion to business, as essentials to success.

EEDON, AUSTIN RANDOLPH, Attorney-at-law, Centreville, Queen Anne's County, Maryland, was born on Kent Island, May 16, 1840. Ilis father, Henry Weedon, a farmer on that island, departed this life in 1867. His mother, Sarah Rebecca (Legg) Weedon, also died in that year. She was a lady greatly esteemed, an earnest Christian woman, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church from her fourteenth year. The health of her son Randolph did not permit him to attend school until after he was seven years of age. Possessing an eager and aspiring mind, he was earnest in the improvement of every opportunity for the acquirement of knowledge, and having tlioroughly quali- fied himself, he commenced teaching, in 1860, in the im- mediate vicinity of his home. Already for years it had been his ambition to enter upon the legal profession, and after six years spent in teaching, he was enabled to com- mence the study of law in the office of the late P. B. Hop- per, then a well-known member of the Centreville bar. He was admitted to practice in the January term of 1870. In 1875 Mr. Wheedon was appointed Attorney for the County Commissioners, which office he still holds, and is also Attorney for the Town Commissioners of Centreville. In politics he has always been a Democrat, and is greatly interested in the endeavor to secure for his party a fair and honorable success. Ile was clected in 1877 a member of the Democratic State Nominating Convention, and assisted in making Thomas J. Keating Comptroller of the State. lle served also as a member of the First Congressional District Nominating Convention at Easton, Talbot County, which placed the Ilon. Daniel M. Henry, of Dorchester, before the Democratic party as its candidate for Congress for the second term. Mr. Henry was elected and is still a member of Congress. In 1876 Mr. Wheedon was selected

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by his fellow citizens of the town and of Queen Anne's County to deliver the Centennial Address on the Fourth of July. His address on that occasion elicited general commendation, exhibited great research and scholarly ability, and was eloquently delivered. While a reverent believer in the cardinal doctrines of the New Testament and the Protestant faith, Mr. Wheedon is attached to no sect. He was united in marriage, January 9, 1877, to Mrs. Martha J. Roberts, sister of Hon. Thomas J. Keating, and has one child. He has achieved success by the force of his own talents, intellect, and worth. He is well known, highly respected, and influential throughout his county.

ILLIAMS, REV. J. W. M., D.D., Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Baltimore, was born in Portsmouth, Virginia, April 7, 1820. He is the son of Edward and Catharine (Owen) Williams. His parents were noted for their sterling piety and active interest in all good works. The subject of this sketch united with the Baptist Church in Portsmouth under the pastoral care of Rev. Thomas Hume, in September, 1837. His early studies were pursued in the academy of his native town. In 1838 he entered the Richmond Semi- nary (now College) to study for the ministry. He was graduated at the Columbian College, District of Columbia (now University) in 1843. This institution in 1866 con- ferred on him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. At both of these institutions, while pursuing his studies, he was actively engaged in Sunday-school and missionary work. His first effort to preach was to a colored congre- gation in Norfolk, Virginia. It was a failure, but tlie cause of future success, as it taught him the valuable lesson, never to attempt to preach without thorough prep- aration. During a portion of his college term he had charge of the Preparatory Department, which aided him to defray the expenses of his education, as he was dependent upon his own resources. After graduating he supplied the Cumberland Street Baptist Church, Norfolk, Virginia, about one year. Here his labors were greatly blessed, many being added to the church, and here he was ordained to the Gospel ministry. He was now able to gratify his desire for a more extended course of theological study, and went to " Newton Theological Seminary," near Boston, Massa- chusetts. Returning to Virginia he labored as missionary in Jerusalem, Southampton County, and at Smithfield, Isle of Wight County. His efforts here were greatly blessed. While on this field he was instrumental in the erection of two eligible houses of worship. On December 22, 1846, he was married to Miss Corinthia V. J. Read, of Northampton County, East Shore, Virginia. She is the daughter of the late Dr. Calvin 11. Read of that county, who was great-grandson of Colonel Edmund Scarburgh,

" Surveyor-General under the King of England." Dr. Read was Representative to the House of Delegates in 1827-28, and was elected a Delegate to the Convention of Virginia in 1829, which assembled in Richmond for the purpose of revising the constitution, thus mentioned in history : " An assembly of men were drawn together, which has scarcely ever been surpassed in the United States. Much of what was venerable for years and long service ; many of those most respected for their wisdom and their eloquence ; two of the ex-Presidents (Madison and Monroe) ; the Chief Justice of the United States; several of those who had been most distinguished in Con- gress, or the State Legislature, on the bench or at the bar, were brought together for the momentous purpose of laying anew the fundamental law of the land." His colleagues were Thomas R. Joynes, Thomas M. Bayly, and Abel P. Upshur. Death prevented his taking his seat" in this convention. Upon motion of Thomas R. Joynes complimentary resolutions expressing the universal high opinion of his character were adopted. He was amiable and upright, gentle yet brave, unwavering in principle, active and faithful in fulfilling his convictions of duty. Although but thirty-six years of age when he died, his opinions have long been quoted as authority by the most distinguished men of Virginia, so far was he in advance of his day. Among his papers are found letters from the greatest statesmen committing to his discretion and wis- dom matters of vital importance to the country. His views were eminently beneficent to the lowly, and just to all. The late Governor Wise said : "Dr. Read's death was a loss to Virginia's highest interests." There was added to his rare mental gifts and noble natural traits of character, the spirit of an humble, devout follower of Jesus. In 1848 Dr. Williams accepted the pastoral care of the Baptist Church of Lynchburg, Virginia. The church was increased and strengthened under his ministry. He also exerted a great influence in the country around and beyond, where many were added to the church through his preaching. On Sabbath day, January 1, 1851 (now in carly manhood), he entered upon the duties of Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Baltimore, Maryland, where he has remained till the present time, preaching for twenty- seven years with remarkable success in one pulpit, his con- temporaries during the entire period being only three, the lamented Dr. Richard Fuller, of the Seventh Baptist Church, the venerated Dr. J. C. Backus, of the Presbyte- rian Church, and Dr. Morris, of the Lutheran Church. It is estimated that not less than two thousand persons have been received by Dr. Williams into church-fellowship, beside many led to Christ by his preaching while aiding ministers in other fields. The First Baptist Church was organized January 15, 1785, by Lewis Richards, David Shields, Jean Shields, Richard Lemmon, Alexander Mc- Kim, Thomas Coal, 'Rachel Coal, William lobby, and Eleanor Thomas. Their first house of worship was corner of

Yours Ruby

Ano. M.M. Williams

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Front and Fayette, then Wapping Street, where the "Shot Tower " now stands. The large imposing circular build- ing at the corner of Sharp and Lombard streets, they erected in 1818 at a cost of $50,000. This embarrassed the church financially, and but for the generous contribu- tions of one of its members, Mr. William Wilson, and subsequent indulgence of another member (Mr. James Wilson), the property would have passed from the hands of the denomination. It was not till 1852, under the pastorate of Dr. Williams, that the debt on the building and ground was paid. During the ninety-three years of its existence the church has had but five pastors, in- cluding the present incumbent, viz. : 1785 to 1818, Lewis Richards; Associate Pastor, 1815 to 1818, Edmund J. Reis; 1818 to 1821, Edmund Reis, Pastor ; 1821 to 1834, John Finley ; 1834 to 1850, Stephen P. Ilill. From 1851 J. W. M. , Williams. Many prominent and influential citizens of Baltimore have been and are now members of this church. It has sent out about fifty ministers of the Gospel, among whom are Rev. Spencer H. Cone, D.D., Dr. Benjamin Griffith, Secretary American Baptist Publi- cation Society of Philadelphia, and Dr. Franklin Wilson, of Baltimore. Several colonies have also gone forth from it, among which are the Seventh and Lee Street Baptist churches of this city. Dr. Williams, in conjunction with Dr. Franklin Wilson, originated the " Baptist Church Ex- tension Society," and through its agency many churches have been built during the past few years. As early as 1792 subscriptions were raised to educate young men for the ministry. In 1813 a Foreign Missionary Society (one of the first in this country) was formed, also a Bible Society and Sabbath-school. Mrs. Lucretia Clark became super- intendent of the female department of the Sabbath-school and continued in that office till her death, from 1824 to 1865 (forty years). Dr. Williams is eminently a preacher of the Gospel, never having turned aside to sensational topics or pampered to a taste for novelty. Yet that Gospel, presented in its simplicity, has had power to draw large congregations during all of these years, and some- times for months consecutively his church has been crowded to its utmost capacity, and among those converted through his ministry have been many over the age usually moved to repentance. Dr. Williams has a full, rich voice, which is entirely under his control. Ilis style is clear and concise, and he always speaks with great earnest- ness and force. After the death of the pious and dis- tinguished Dr. Johns of the Episcopal Church, he was elected to succeed him as President of the " Maryland Tract Society," which honored position he has ever since filled, with the efficiency that characterizes his work in every department. His disinterested, carnest, prayerful efforts assure success in his ministerial work. He is one of the most eloquent and popular clergymen of any de- nomination in Baltimore. IIe has been a great advocate for missions, in the broadest sense, infusing the spirit of

the Gospel into the hearts of his people, leading them to feel not only for the lost at a distance, but for those near ; and has labored not only to enlarge his own church, but to plant churches in every favorable locality. One of the strongest passions of his soul is love for children, and his influence over the young is remarkable. He was Superin- tendent of his own Sunday-school for ten years, but he is not an advocate of all pastors becoming superintendents, any more than he is an advocate of all superintendents becoming pastors. From the Bible-class of Mrs. Wil- liams, who is a close student of the Word, he has received fifty-five who gave evidence of having been regenerated during his pastorate in Baltimore. Dr. Williams has been Vice-President of the " Maryland Sunday-school Union" for several years, was one of the founders of the " Young Men's Christian Association of Baltimore," and for many years has been prominently identified with the " Maryland Baptist Union Association." His excessive labors as preacher, pastor, and officer of various societies of the city, has left him no time for authorship, yet he has written considerably for the religious press, published several ser- mons, also valuable articles on the Sunday-school work. Ilis only son, E. Calvin Williams, Esq., is a promising and very successful member of the Baltimore bar, and for several years the efficient clerk of the " Maryland Bible Union Association," and clerk of the " Southern Baptist Convention." In 1877, the vicinity of the church edifice, corner of Sharp and Lombard streets, having become a business centre, and the members residing at a great dis- tance, the church decided to sell the property and build in the northwestern part of the city ; they accordingly con- tracted with B. F. Bennet for the fine white marble edi- fice on Townsend Street near Lafayette Square. The house was dedicated the first Sabbath in January, 1878.

RATT, ENOCH, Commission Merchant, of Balti- more, was born in North Middleborough, P'ly- mouth County, Massachusetts, September 10, 1808. Ilis father, Isaac Pratt, was born in the same town, March 6, 1776. His mother, Naomi ( Keith) Pratt, was born in Bridgewater, in the same county, September II, 1785. The American head of the family was Phineas Pratt, who arrived at Plymouth, Massachusetts, in the ship Ann, in 1623, and died at Charlestown, in that State, April 19, 1680, at the age of eighty-seven years. The first ma- ternal ancestor who arrived in this country was the Rev. James Keith, from Scotland, in 1662. Hle settled at Bridge- water, where he died in 1719, at the age of seventy-six. Mr. Enoch Pratt attended in his boyhood the public schools, and the academy at Bridgewater, and at the age of fifteen engaged as a clerk in a store in Boston, serving an apprenticeship of six years. Leaving his native place he

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arrived in Baltimore, January 1, 1831, where he has ever since been engaged in business as a commission merchant. Faithful in his business, and to all the trusts committed to him, he has been honored by his fellow-citizens, and chosen to fill many offices of a charitable and reformatory nature. HIe formed a warm attachment to his adopted city, and has always given his hearty support to all measures calculated to advance her prosperity. On August 1, 1839, he married Maria Louisa Ilydz, who was born in Balti- more, September 22, 1818. Her paternal ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Massachusetts ; her maternal ancestors were Germans, and came to Baltimore when it was first settled. They have had no children.

COTT, HONORABLE THOMAS PARKIN, late Chief Judge of Supreme Court, Baltimore, was born in that city April 19, 1804, on St. Paul Street, the site occupied in part by Barnum's Hotel. Ile was the youngest son of Honorable John Scott, who was born in Chestertown, Maryland, and went to Baltimore in the latter part of the seventeenth century. Ilis mother was, before marriage, Miss Eliza Goodwin, daughter of Judge Dorsey, of ltoward County. Thomas P. began attendance upon St. Mary's College, Baltimore, in early life, and re- mained in that institution until his course was finished. After leaving college he was employed as a clerk in a ship- ping office for a short time, he then took a position for a brief period in an insurance office, after which he entered the office of his brother, John Scott, with whom he read law until his maturity. From manhood he practiced his profession, having a large but not very lucrative business. lle was Auditor of the Chancery Court for thirty-three years. In May, 1867, he was chosen Judge of the Balti- more City Court, and in October of the following year, he was elected Judge of the Supreme Court. Mr. Scott was repeatedly importmed to accept appointments and nomina- tions to office, but very rarely consented. Hle served one term in the City Council, and one or more in the State Legislature. Ile was in that body in 1861, and was arrested and confined by order of the United States authorities. While a prisoner in one of the forts, a New England clergyman expressed a desire to preach to the prisoners. The proposal was accepted on condition that they should select the text. The Judge selected Acts 25 : 27, " It scemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him." There was no service that morning in the fort. He was confined in Forts McHenry, Lafayette, and Warren, in all for a period of fourteen months, and then unconditionally released with- out trial. By birth and education he was a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church. It was his father who drew

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The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Maryland and District of Columbia Pt. 2, Part 30

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