USA > Washington DC > Washington DC > The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Maryland and District of Columbia Pt. 2 > Part 43
USA > Maryland > The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Maryland and District of Columbia Pt. 2 > Part 43
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'HIERN, COLONEL, M. P., was born September, 1807, on his father's plantation in Alleghany County, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburg. He re- ceived a good English education at Stockton's Academy in the above city. On becoming of age he commenced business ou his own account as successor to Kramer & Spear, booksellers and stationers, Pittsburg. After continuing in this business for three or four years he sold out and removed to New York city, where he entered upon the same line of business. Here he had the entire printing, binding, and supplying of stationery required by the Custom House and Post-office, under Collectors Swart- wont and Hoyt and Postmaster Coddington. Colonel O'Hern remained in that business for some ten years, when he commenced the shipping business at the beginning of the California gold excitement, under the firms of O'TIern, Kimball & Co., San Francisco; Duncan, Kimball & Co., Liverpool, England ; and O'Flern & Co., New York. From .New York he dispatched the first vessel to California. The business becoming unprofitable Colonel O'llern retired from it. Soon after, he married Mary, daughter of Major
Jolin Robinson, extensive glass manufacturer of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Mrs. O'Hern died in Baltimore in 1860, leaving one daughter, who is still living and inherited her mother's estate. In 1850 Colonel O'Hlem removed to the Cumberland coal region of Maryland and opened several of the leading mines, which he purchased, developed, and chiefly controlled. About this time he became President of the " Montague Mining and Lumbering Company," in which he purchased a large interest of 40,000 acres. Hav- ing much experience in the mining and smelting of iron ores, he, in 1863, entered into partnership with Governor Geary, of Pennsylvania, in operating the great Potomac Furnace, Loudon County, Virginia. Subsequently he opened the Mecklenburg Gold Mine at Charlotte, South Carolina, in connection with the late Hiram Walbridge, of New York. After which he opened the gold mine in Louisa County, Virginia ; also the North Carolina Copper Company, now the Consolidated Company, the latter of which proved a great success. His mining proclivities led him to take hold of other mines, which have proved more or less profitable, Colonel O'Hern never failing to develop all the value which belonged to them naturally. IIe has, perhaps, as much experience in mining as any living American. He is now in the enjoyment of a hale and vigorous old age.
HOM, J. PEMBROKE, M.D., born in Culpepper County, Virginia, March 13, 1828, was the third son of Colonel John and Abbie De Hart ( Mayo) Thom. His mother died before his recollection. His father, a native of Westmoreland County, Vir- ginia, was of Scotch parentage. IIe distinguished himself as an officer of ability and as a brave soldier in the war of 1812. After his removal to Culpepper County he became possessed of a large landed estate, and was the owner of many slaves. He was all his life a man of prominence and influence, being sheriff of the county, and for a num- ber of years a leading member of the State Senate. Ile was tall in stature, of commanding presence and benevo- lent countenance ; his features strongly marked, indicating in an eminent degree the Scotch characteristics of firmness and intelligence. On his plantation he was truly " lord of the manor ;" it was a little commonwealth or empire within itself. Not only was it the scene of order and the common activities of agricultural life, but of almost every trade and industry. There was machinery and every facility for working in wood and iron; for weaving, basketmaking, coopering, shoemaking, etc. To all these diversified in- dustries his sons were trained as a part of the family disci- pline, to familiarize them with the practical duties of life, to make them manly and self-reliant, and to give them a sympathy with the working-classes. Alexander Thom, of Scotland, the grandfather of Dr. Thom, a man of ability and learning, and distinguished for his coolness and bravery,
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was as remarkable as his son. He was a champion of the " Pretender " to the throne of England, and after the dis- astrous battle of Culloden was obliged to flee his country to save his life. Hle cune to Virginia, while a brother of his settled in New Hampshire. The latter was the ances- tor of General George Thom, now of the corps of the United States Topographical Engineers. Dr. Thom spent his childhood and youth on his father's plantation, receiv- ing his primary education in the old log schoolhouse of the neighborhood. During vacations he spent his time in the various shops, acquiring skill in the use of tools, and in becoming familiar on the plantation with every branch of agriculture. At a suitable age he was sent to the academy of Professor Thomas Hanson, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, where most of the gentlemen's sons of that section were prepared for college. Returning home at fourteen, his mind filled with dreams of adventure, he soon formed the resolution of going to sea. Fearing opposition he kept this a secret. But his father learning of his intentions through his brother, endeavored to dissuade him from his purpose, but without effect. He finally accompanied him to Baltimore, gave him good advice, and secured him a position on a bark bound for Europe, but which sailed first to the port of Boston. His enthusiasm was so effectually dampened by this experience that he returned home, where he spent his time till he was eighteen years of age, partly in study, partly on the plantation; was for a time a clerk in a drug store, and made an extended visit to his sister, Mrs. Lucy L. Taylor, in Point Coupée, Louisiana, her husband being a wealthy planter. On the breaking out of the Mexican war he became animated with patriotic ardor and an ambition to distinguish himself in arms, and was elected First Lieutenant of a company raised in Fredericks- burg, but his father, regarding this step also with disfavor, compelled him to resign and return home. To induce him to remain and lead a quiet life, he gave him a fine farm, which only for a short time diverted his mind. He soon determined at all hazards to go to the war, and setting out for Washington alone, he called on President Polk and asked him for a commission. He was but nineteen years of age, a stranger, and without letters of introduc- tion or commendation, but his manly bearing and enthu- siasmı delighted the President, who at once gave him a commission as Second Lieutenant in one of the ten regi- ments which Congress had voted to be raised for the war. On going to the Adjutant-General to get his commission, he found him to be an old friend of his father, and he greatly facilitated his object. After assisting in recruiting his regiment, he started for the scene of action. Ilis com- pany was commanded by Captain W. B. Taliaferro. Ile was wounded near the " Puento Nationale," where, and also in the battle of Iluamantla, he conducted himself with conspicuous courage. For a long time he was stationed in the city of Mexico and in the province of Taluca. From exposure and the effects of the climate he was at-
tacked at the close of the war with yellow fever in Vera Cruz. Taken on board the returning ship, he was carried to New Orleans, and thence to Fort Hamilton, New York, his condition being critical in the extreme, and but for the unwearied care of a very dear friend he could not have survived. After his recovery he commenced the study of medicine with his brother, Dr. William Alexander Thom, an eminent physician in Northampton County, Virginia. The following year he entered the Medical Department of the university of that State, from which he took distinc- tions. He graduated from the Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, in the class of 1851, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine. The Examining Board of Sur- geons of the United States Navy being then in session, he made application for a commission, and after three days of close questioning, out of one hundred applicants, he passed second on the list, and was commissioned Assistant Sur- geon in the United States Navy, and ordered to the frigate Savannah, stationed at Norfolk, in which he sailed on a four years' cruise along the South American coast. On his return home he was granted a furlough, but before its expiration was ordered on a brig in command of Lieutenant Berrian, for deep-sea sounding preparatory to laying the Atlantic Cable. Ile had, however, made an engagement of marriage with Ella Lee, daughter of William De Courcy Wright, of Baltimore, and decided to leave the service. The ceremony was performed October 11, 1857, after which he devoted himself to agriculture, in Culpepper County, Virginia, spending his winters in Baltimore. On the breaking out of the civil war he went to Richmond and offered his services to Governor Letcher. He was offered a commission as Major in the Regular Army of Virginia, which he declined for the Captaincy of Company 1) in the First Battalion of Virginia Regulars, generally known as the Irish Battalion. His popularity is shown in the unani- mous request made by the officers that he be put in con- mand of the battalion. He was with General Loring-who has since been in the service of the Khedive of Egypt- and in Romney's expedition under Stonewall Jackson, and in all the marchings and battles of Western Virginia. Pneumonia, from exposure, nearly cost him his life, and compelled him to return home ; but before he had fully recovered he hastened back and was with Jackson at the battle of Kearnstown. He was in the thick of the fight; his hand was nearly torn to pieces, and his sword bent double with bullets. His life was saved in a remark - able manner; a minie ball struck his testament directly over his heart, cut through the volume, when it was de- flected from its course and tore across his , breast, making only a flesh wound. The concussion stopped the beating of his heart, and he was left on the field for dead. Afterwards he was found to be alive and was cared for. When suffi- ciently recovered he aided in the transportation of troops, but his health continuing in a precarious condition, a com- mission of surgeons ordered him to Mississippi. After this
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a sca-voyage was recommended, and running the blockade at Charleston in 1863, he went to Italy via England. Ile was examined in Paris by the famous Dr. Ricord. Many Confederates were in that city, and Dr. Thom was held in reserve by Commodore Manry to accompany an expedition that was preparing to capture Boston and New York. His wife had died in 1861. In 1864 he became engaged to Miss Catharine G. Reynolds, of Kentucky, whom he met in Italy. They were married in the same year in the Cathe- dral at Leamington, England. In 1866 he returned to Baltimore, where he has since resided, and become thor- oughly identified with its interests. In the fall of 1877 he was elected a member of the City Council, and was one of its most active and useful members. Dr. Thom is not a politician. In 1850 he was a Delegate to the State Con- vention at Richmond, Virginia, which nominated Ilenry A. Wise as a delegate to the National Convention of that year, this being his only political experience. He is an Episcopalian, which has been the faith of his fathers for generations, and is a vestryman in Christ Church, Balti- more. He has four sons; the two eldest by his first wife. William H. De Courcy W. Thom is now at the Univer- sity of Virginia, and editor of the University Magazine. His second son, Pembroke Lee Thom, is at the high school near Alexandria, where he carried off the first prize in 1877 as essayist and debater. His younger sons are N. R. Mayo Thom and J. Pembroke Thom, Jr. Dr. Thom is a gentleman of dignified and imposing presence, thor- oughly cultured, and respected and honored by those who know him most intimately.
EBSTER, EDWIN HANSON, is of English descent. llis ancestors were among the earliest settlers in Maryland, and became owners of large landed estates at the head of Bush River in Harford County. Ilis great-grandfather, Samuel Webster, held a commission from the Crown as Inspector of To- bacco at Joppa, then a place of commercial importance. His grandfather, Richard Webster, was a Methodist min- ister contemporaneous with John Wesley. lle was the second minister of that denomination born in America. Rev. Henry Boehm in his Reminiscences speaks of him as "a fine specimen of the early Methodist minister. He was a perfect Christian gentleman." Ilis father, Henry Webster, was an intelligent and successful farmer, and resided near Churchville, Ilarford County. Mr. Webster's mother, Martha Hanson, a daughter of Benjamin Hanson, of Kent County, Maryland, was descended from a long line of Ilansons, who early settled in the Province of Maryland. The children of llenry and Martha ( llanson) Webster are John W., who married Priscilla Smithson, of Harford; Dr. Richard II .; George S .; Benjamin F .; Edwin II. (the subject of this sketch); William, who
married Ann Stump, of Cecil County ; Elizabeth ; Ann M .; Phebe S., who married Joshua Rutledge, of Harford County ; and Sarah F., who married Thomas J. Keatinge, of Queen Anne's County, Maryland (now Comptroller of the State). Edwin II. was born, March 31, 1829, at the homestead near Churchville. He received his primary education at the academy at that place, afterward attended New London Academy, Chester County, Pennsylvania. At the age of fifteen, he entered Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and was graduated in 1847. After leaving college, he taught a classical school near his father's residence for about eighteen months; then en- tered as a student of law in the office of Otho Scott at Bel Air. While reading law, and before his admission to the bar, he was, in 1851, nominated by the Whig party for State's Attorney of his county. After his nomination, as 10 court would be held in the county prior to the elec- tion, Mr. Webster made application and was admitted to the bar in Baltimore city. In this political contest his opponent was Major William H. Dallam, a young man of great personal popularity and influential family connec- tions. Mr. Webster was defeated by a majority of ten votes, his party associates on the Whig ticket being also defeated. It is worthy of note that Mr. Webster and Mr. Dallam so conducted the campaign as to cement rather than sunder the ties of friendship, and have been on most intimate and cordial relations ever since. Mr. Webster entered on the practice of law in association with Mr. Stevenson Archer, and for four years devoted himself assiduously to his profession. In 1855 he was the candidate of the Ameri- can party for State Senator, and was elected by a majority of over one thousand. His opponent was Colonel Ramsey Mellenry. It was arranged that joint party meetings should be held, and the candidates each address the meet- ings. The first of these was held at the court house in Bel Air. After Colonel Mellenry had spoken, he pro- pounded to Mr. Webster a series of questions that had been previously prepared for the occasion, the answers to which it was thought would embarrass Mr. Webster and prejudice if not defeat his election. Mr. Webster answered them fully and frankly, stating among other things that he did not ostracise any man politically either because of his race or religion ; that he would vote for and support a suitable candidate, whether he be Catholic or Protestant, American or foreign born. At the second session, he was honored by an election to the P'residency of the Senate. While State Senator in 1856 he was a Presidential Elector of the American party, and contributed to carrying the State for Mr. Fillmore. In 1859 Mr. Webster was nomi- nated for Congress from the Second Congressional Dis- triet, composed of the counties of Kent, Cecil, Harford, Carroll, and a part of Baltimore County. Colonel Ramsey MeHenry, who had been his opponent in the State Sena- torial contest, was now his opponent for Congressional honors. After the nomination and before the election, the
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John Brown raid oeeurred, which provoked intense feeling and rendered the canvass an exciting and bitter one, but Mr. Webster carried his district by over 700 majority. In the Congress of 1859, in which Mr. Webster first took his seat, the memorable contest for Speaker continued for about two months. The House of Representatives con- sisted of three parties, viz., Demoerat, Republican, and American. The Ameriean party held the balance of power. Mr. Webster supported Hon. John A. Gilmor, of North Carolina. The result was finally attained by the Republicans abandoning their candidate and unitedly giving their votes to the Hon. William Pennington, of New Jersey. This with the aid of a few American votes seeured his elee- tion. In this Congress Mr. Webster was a member of the Committee on Militia, of the Special Committee of the Dedi- cation of Washington Equestrian Statue, and of other com- mittees. In 1860 Mr. Webster supported the Bell and Everett ticket. During the period of anxiety which intervened be- tween the secession of South Carolina and the outbreak of eivil war, Mr. Webster exerted his influence at home in behalf of the Union, and in Congress for paeifieation. He was aetive and vigilant in thwarting the efforts of commissioners from the seeeding States and those citizens of Maryland in sympathy with them, and was prominent among those who sustained Governor Hicks in resisting the pressure brought to bear upon him to convene the Legislature in extra ses- sion for purpose, well understood to be in harmony with the general secession movement. While advocating in Con- gress the peace policy known as the " Crittenden Compro- mise," he distinctly deelared, alluding to the position of Maryland (February 18, 1861), "She is now in the heart of the republie; there she desires to remain forever. She is not anxious to be either the northern boundary of a Southern Confederaey, or the southern boundary of a Northern Confederaey. Iler safety, interest, honor, all de- mand that she shall hold if possible her present position." On the breaking out of the war Mr. Webster deelared him- self in favor of its vigorous prosecution by the Government, and upon that issue was again nominated by the Union party and re-elected to Congress, where at the extra session of July 4, 1861, he voted men and money. He served on the Committee on Claims, and on the Pacific Railroad. The latter committee reported the original eharter of this great public work, which passed at the same Congress, Mr. Webster being its supporter in committee and in the Hlouse. He voted against the issue of " legal tender notes," upon Constitutional grounds, and also upon the conviction that the wiser finance was to raise money by the sale of bonds for specie. After being twice offered by the Presi- dent an appointment as Brigadier-General of Volunteers, which he deelined in favor of General Kenly, Mr. Web- ster tendered his military services to Governor Bradford, and in the summer of 1862, under Executive authority, re- eruited the Seventh Regiment Maryland Volunteer Infantry, to serve for three years or the war. On September 12, 1862,
the regiment marehed from Baltimore under the command of Colonel Webster, and went into active service at the front. About January 1, 1863, he took his seat in the House of Representatives for the short session, having left his regiment under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Charles E. Phelps. On the final adjournment of Congress, March 4, he assumed command of the regiment, then on Maryland Heights, and continued in command until after the Congressional eleetion in November, 1863, his regiment during the most of that time forming a part of the Army of the Potomae. In July, 1863, while in the field, Colonel Webster was renominated for Congress by the Union party of his district, and in November was re-elected, although during this entire time he had not been within the bounds of his Congressional distriet. After his cleetion, and before the meeting of Congress in Deeem- ber, thinking it to be his duty to comply with the wishes " of his constituents, as expressed in his eleetion, and know- ing that his regiment would be left in the command of a most gallant and competent offieer, Lieutenant-Colonel C. E. Phelps, he resigned his military commission, For his serviee of fifteen months, more than twelve of which were 'spent in the field, he aceepted no pay or compensa- tion, furnishing his servants and horses at his own expense. At a meeting of officers held after his resignation, resolu- tions were adopted and signed by every officer in the regi- ment, testifying their high appreciation of their late eom- mander as an officer and a gentleman, and their regret at losing him. The Thirty-eighth Congress was memorable for the proposed amendment, known as Artiele XIV of the Constitution of the United States, abolishing slavery, Colonel Webster voted for this measure, and also aided in securing the change in the Constitution of Maryland, by which slavery was abolished in his own State by State au- thority before its general abolition by the Constitution of the United States. In the summer of 1864, upon the in. vasion of Maryland by a Confederate army, Colonel Web- ster tendered his serviees to the Governor for the defence of the State, and after the withdrawal of the invading force he was appointed by Governor Bradford upon a commis- sion, with General Charles E. Phelps, Hon. Alexander Randall, and Grayson Eschelberger, Esq., to draft a mili, tary eode for the organization and government of the mili- tia of the State, and spent the greater part of the summer in this work, the result of which forms the basis of the standing orders in force at this day. In November, 1864, Colonel Webster was again, and for the fourth time, elected to Congress, upon the same ticket with Lincoln and John- son. Upon being appointed Collector of the Port of Bal- timore by President Johnson, in August, 1865, Colonel Webster resigned his seat in Congress to enter upon the duties of that office, which he held for four years. A list of Maryland appointments ready for announcement the following day, including the name of Colonel Webster for the office mentioned, was in the pocket of President Lin,
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coln at the time of the assassination. Upon his retirement from the office of Collector, Colonel Webster was presented by the importing merchants of Baltimore with a testimo- nial of his " energy, impartiality and faithfulness," and by his subordinate officers in the Custom House, with a handsome service of silver plate. Upon the occasion of this presentation, Colonel Webster vindicated the civil service theory upon which he had administered the office, retaining competent and faithful officers without regard to political sentiments. He has from that time devoted him- self exclusively to the practice of his profession at Bel Air, and to the management of his personal affairs, declining all invitations to become a candidate for office himself, al- though always ready to interest himself in behalf of personal friends. Inheriting from his ancestors a decided taste for " agricultural pursuits, he gives much attention to the culti- vation of his farm and the breeding of improved stock, and the fame of his herd of thoroughbred Jersey cattle is known beyond the limits of his county. He was married in June, 1855, to Caroline H. Earl, a widowed daughter of James McCormick, Jr., of Washington, D. C., and Eliza- beth, daughter of Dr. Philip Henderson, of Bel Air, upon part of whose lands Colonel Webster now resides. Their children living are Ida M. Webster, I. Edwin Webster, Bessie Webster, and Caroline 11. Webster.
G.JU. ROCKRILL, JAMES JACKSON, M.D., was born in Bal- timore, March 28, 1815. Ilis father, Thomas Cockrill, who was of Scotch birth, came to Amer- ica in 1794. In the war of 1812 he served as First Lieutenant in Captain Matthew McLaughlin's Ar- tillery Company, of the Third Brigade of Maryland Mi- litia. Dr. Cockrill's mother was Rebecca Veazey, daugh- ter of John Ward and Mary ( Wilmer) Veazey, who were of English descent. J. J. Cockrill's principal education was acquired at St. Mary's College, Baltimore. Ilis pro- fessional studies were pursued in the Medical Department of the University of Maryland, where he graduated in Munch, 1837. Immediately thereafter he established him. sell' in the practice of his profession in the castern section of Baltimore, and continued therein, actively and success- fully, until his death. In 1863 he was commissioned by Governor Bradford as a Medical Examiner to decide on the physical fitness of drafted men for military duty, and was subsequently appointed to proceed, with two other medical gentlemen, to Frederick City for similar duty. By authority of the Secretary of War he performed the duties of Medical Officer at the United States Military Hospital at Patterson Park, Baltimore, in 1864 and 1865. Hle also served as Chairman of the Examining Board for the dis- charge of disabled soldiers. In these positions he was faithful to his work, and his ability was recognized by the civil and military authorities. In 1842 he became a mem- .
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