USA > Washington DC > Washington DC > The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Maryland and District of Columbia Pt. 2 > Part 56
USA > Maryland > The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Maryland and District of Columbia Pt. 2 > Part 56
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church, Mr. Gould, being Warden and Vestryman, advised its sale and the 'erection of a new church on Hanover Street, known as St. Stephen's Church, which was largely built through his liberality. Mr. Gould was a member of the St. Andrew's Society, and always participated in its annual dinners and rennions. Ile was modest and nas- suming in his manners, and always had a pleasant word for every one. Ile was held in high respect by the com- munity. Mr. Gould was twice married, his second wife preceding him to the grave two years. He died April 16, 1859, leaving four sons and three daughters out of four- teen children who had been born unto him. His remains were followed to their last resting-place in Greenmount Cemetery by over one hundred of his tenants, and an im- mense concourse of sorrowing friends. He was an honest and upright Christian gentleman. Ilis surviving children are Alexander, Benjamin Franklin, Henry P., William Wallace, and Elizabeth. Under the management of his sons, whom he appointed as his executors, the estate of Mr. Gould is daily increasing in value.
THOMAS, JOHN CHEW, fourth son of Samuel and Mary Thomas, was born October 15, 1764. IIe married, September 18, 1788, Mary, only daugh- ter and heiress of Richard and Eliza (Rutland) Snowden, of " Fairland," Anne Arundel County, Maryland. IIe resided after his marriage at " Fairland," which place he afterwards sold for fifty thousand dollars. He was a man of high character and an active member of the Society of Friends. In early life he took an interest in politics, and was elected by the Federal party as one of their representatives in the Congress of 1799 and 1801. As a member of that House he took part in the celebrated election of President in the last-named year, which after three days of intense excitement, and thirty-five ballots, resulted in the election of Thomas Jefferson. On marrying an heiress and becoming a slaveholder, John C. Thomas lost his membership in the Society of Friends, but on Feb- rnary 12, 1812, he mannmitted his slaves to the number of over one hundred, and was received again into membership with the Society. He died at his residence in Leiperville, Pennsylvania, May 10, 1836. Seven of his fifteen children survived him.
32000 IGGS, HON. CHRISTOPHER M., Farmer and Legis- lator, was born in Frederick County, Maryland, December 14, 1825. Mr. Riggs received a com- mon-school education, and in the early part of his life worked on a farm, For the past twenty years he has been engaged both in farming and in the quarrying of slate for roofing purposes. He has served as School Trustee ever since the passage of the law creating school trustees. He was elected to the House of Delegates on " the Republican ticket in 1875, and re-elected in 1877.
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CHAROACH, HON. WILLIAM, was born in Somerset County, Maryland, May 13, 1826. Mr. Roach received a common-school education, and his boy- hood was spent on a farm. In 1816 he entered into mercantile life, and has been farming, merchandising, and speculating ever since. He is one of the most exten- sive and successful farmers of Somerset County, and has also a large vessel interest. Ile has an interest in the East- ern Shore Railroad, is one of the directors of the road on the part of the State, and is also one of the owners of the Crisfield property, situated at the eastern terminus of that road. Ile held the office of Postmaster during the admin- istrations of Pierce and Buchanan ; was County Commis- sioner of Somerset County in 1852 and 1853; served as Sheriff in 1864 and 1865; was elected to the House of Delegates on the Democratic ticket in the year 1871, and re-elected in 1877. IIc was married in 1849 to Miss Caro- line B. Gunby, daughter of William Gunby, of Somerset County, and has eight children living.
LEESON, CAPTAIN JOHN P., Lawyer, was born in Baltimore, August, 1835. He was a brother of Judge William E. Gleeson, of Baltimore. He was attached to the Fifth Maryland Regiment United States Volunteers during the civil war, and was recognized as a gallant officer. Ile was promoted for meritorious con- duct on the field of Antietam. lle was captured at the battle of Winchester, and confined in Libby Prison, Rich- mond, Virginia, where he died October, 1863. His heroic conduct in prison was such as to win the admiration of his foes, and his brothers-in-arms of the same regiment were permitted to attend his funeral. Their request that his remains should be deposited in a vault to await transmis- sion to Baltimore was granted. In November, 1863, they were exchanged for the body of Captain Stamp, of Missis- sippi, a nephew of Jefferson Davis, by special cartel with the War Department. He was buried with military honors in the Cathedral Cemetery, Baltimore. The funeral cortege was among the largest ever witnessed in Baltimore, It was attended by a large military escort, under command of General E. B. Tyler. Captain Gleeson's friends in com- memoration of his patriotic services, erected over his grave a substantial and handsome monument.
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X BASILIELL, CAPTAIN HENRY, Ship-master, was born in Somerset County, Maryland, February 9, 1769. llis parents were Thomas and Jane ( Renshaw) Dashiell. Ile was the youngest of eleven children, four of whom were sons. The family is an ancient one. They were Ungueuots or French Protestants, who
upon the revocation of the Ediet of Nantes, or in some earlier persecution, fled to England. The origin of the name is said to be a motto of the pious Huguenots-GoDa shield; the word in early times ending as well as commencing with a capital. The mune was at first D' a shield, nest Dashiel, finally Dashiell. The American head of the family was James Dashiell, who settled in Somerset County, Mary- land, about 1666. Ile purchased and resided on land at the head of the Wetipquin Creek, and which by his will- dated in 1696, admitted to probate in 1697-he devised to his son James. The records in the Land Office at Annapo- lis also show that the first James Dashiell patented lands in Somerset County in 1672, 1673, and 1696. Ile left four sons, viz., James, Thomas, George, and Robert, and one daughter, Jane. From the elder James have descended, as it is believed, all the families in the United States who bear the name Dashiell. There are other records in ref- erence to lands granted to Major George Dashiell on the Wicomico River in 1734. The family participated largely in the American Revolution, and many traditions in rela- tion to them exist in the counties of Somerset and Dor- chester. The names of Colonels Joseph and George Dashiell may be found as members of the convention which formed the Constitution of Maryland in 1776. A few years ago a number of letters were published in a Somerset County newspaper, written by the last-named gentleman during, and describing events of, the Revolu- tionary war. In 1814 a full-length portrait of the father of our country, which adorned one of the rooms of the President's house at Washington, was saved from the con- flagration caused by the British forces. Jacob Barker, as- sisted by Robert G. L. De l'eyster, carried it some distance in the country and left it with a widow lady. Six weeks afterwards Mr. Barker called in company with Miss Dashiell (so she is mentioned in the historical account as of some person well known at the time), took the picture back to Washington, and it was reinstated in the P'resi- dent's house, where it still remains. Captain Henry Dashiell went to sea at an early age, and on attaining his majority he was the commander of a ship. A small fly advertisement is still preserved, dated Ilull, England, July 27, 1795, giving notice that he is about to sail with his new American ship " Venus" for New York and Baltimore. On January 24, 1799, he was married by the Rev. Mr. Ire- land to Mary Leeke, whose family, of English origin, was also very ancient. Iler father, Nicholas Leeke, was born in London, and was a relative of the Right Ilon. George Grenville ; also of James Leeke, Earl of Scarboro, who was Prime Minister to George 1 and George, II. The arms of the family of Leeke can be traced as far back as the year 1150. Their names are 'found in the Aquilduscum, a list of the knights going to the second Crusade. The Leekes had the right to several coats of arms. In Burke's General Armory, the branch of the family from which Mrs. Dasffell descended is thus mentioned : " Lecke ( Newark-
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manned entirely by his slaves. After running her a few years he appointed George, a younger son, as clerk. Within a short period Captain Weems bought out the stockholders and also purchased the property now known as l'air Haven, on which he erected the present hotel and its adjacent buildings. The steamer " Planter " was built, in 1845, by Mason L. Weems, the most prominent of the sons, who owned and commanded her. In 1864 he built and commanded the steamer " Matilda." In 1858 the "George Weems " was built by Theodore and Augustus Weems, and commanded by the former. She was de- stroyed by fire in 1870. The steamer " Theodore Weems" was built in 1871. The Weems line of steamers were employed for awhile in the service of the civil war. Captain George Weems died at Fair Haven, March 6, 1853, and was buried in Herring Creek Churchyard among his ancestors. He had six children, Thomas, Margaret, Mason 1 .. , Gustavus, George, and Theodore Weems. Mason L. Weems married Miss Sparrow, of Calvert County, their children being Mrs. Henry Williams and Mrs. S. 11. Forbes. George married Rachel A. D. Weems. Captain Weems was remarkably kind and cheer- ful in his disposition, benevolent and public-spirited. It is said that his father bequeathed a larger amount of his property to him than to his son Gustavus, but George de- clined to receive more than an equal share. He was a sprightly and agreeable conversationalist and sympathetic in his nature. He had a great attachment for his kindred, and was fond of being with them. lle was particularly courteous in the presence of ladies, and exceptionally neat in his dress and personal appearance. His religious senti- ments were in accord with the doctrines of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
BATHIOT, AUGUSTUS, was born in the city of Bal- timore August 4, 1799. He was of French ex- traction, and a lineal descendant of Huguenot ancestry of high birth, who left France at the rev- ocation of the Edict of Nantes and settled in England, where they remamed until allowed to return to their native land and enjoy their estates, divested, how- ever, of their titulary honors. The family of the subject of this sketch retain in their possession the marriage con- tract, drawn up in form on parchment, of the nuptials of Jean Mathiot to the daughter of the Hon. Jacques Ber- nard, Mayor of Dampierre. Jean Mathiot and his wife, with many other Huguenot families, came to America about 1752, and settled in Lancaster, Lancaster County, Pennsyl- vania, over which one of his grandchildren presided as Mayor for twelve or fourteen consecutive years. The oldest son of Jean Mathiot removed from Lancaster to Baltimore about the year 1794, where he died when his gou Augustns was but twelve years of age. He left his family in com- fortable circumstances, and his children, who were old
enough to receive it, had been provided with an excellent education. Being orphaned at so early an age, Augustus during his minority applied himself closely to books and study, and availed himself of every opportunity for acquir. ing knowledge, having at a very early age developed a taste for scientific, historical, and general literary pursuits. Ilis business career was commenced in the capacity of superintendent of an extensive chair factory, which he sat- isfactorily managed for several years. During the period of the above engagement he did not neglect his mental improvement, and was a member of debating and histor- ical societies, whilst his principal associates were gentle- men of education and scientific attainments. At the age of twenty-five years he established himself in the business of manufacturing chairs and cabinet-ware, and the export- ing of the same to South America. Though sustaining financial losses during monetary crises of the country, notably that of 1837, and by a conflagration which entirely destroyed his immense establishment, involving the loss of tens of thousands of dollars, he always maintained a high credit, and assured for his house a place among the leading and most substantial cabinet establishments of the South, a position it still occupies. Mr. Mathiot was for half a century prominently identified with the Order of Odd Fellows, and at the time of his death, July 12, 1872, was the oldest member of the Order in the United States. Ile was initiated in Washington Lodge, No. I, at Balti- more, in 1821 or 1822. Ile was regarded as quite an accession to the society, as he was a young man of intelli- gence, and full of energy and ambition. He passed rapidly through all the offices, from that of Outside Guardian to the highest chair, and acquitted himself with credit in each. Ile continued to labor in the Order with unabated zeal up to his demise, taking an active interest and part in the proceedings of both the Grand and subordinate lodges. There was scarcely a meeting of his own lodge that he did not attend, and in the sessions he always showed himself to be a ready and able debater. " Hle passed into the Grand Lodge of the State in 1830; in 1831 was elected Deputy Grand Master, and by virtue of his office became Grand Master upon the resignation of that officer; was Grand Representative in the Grand Lodge of the United States, from 1836 to 1840; was elected Grand Master for a second time in 1836; was Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of the United States from 1829 to 1833, and in that capacity was the first officer who printed the minutes of that body in pamphlet form ; was Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of the United States from 1833 to 1836; was one of the, charter members of the first Grand Encampment authorized by the Grand Lodge of the United States in 1831, of which body he was second Grand Patriarch, being the immediate suc- cessor of Thomas Wildey. In the early days of the Order the lodge rooms were mostly adjacent to bars, and the members indulged in great conviviality. Mr. Mathiot m.
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troduced n resolution in the Washington Lodge that thenceforth no liquor should be used therein, and by an eloquent appeal secured its adoption. The lodges profited immensely by the change, and in a short time the Order in Baltimore largely increased in membership. It is claimed for Mr. Mathiot, and is entered on the record of his lodge, that he alone set on foot this important movement. From that day to his death he never ceased to devote his time, talents, and means to the promotion of the good cause he had inaugurated, and which may be said to have effected an entire moral revolution in the Order. He was a man of superior scholastic attainments, and on several occasions lectured before the lodges upon archaeology and antique researches, displaying a thorough familiarity with this branch of learning, which appeared to be his favorite subject, though he directed his attention very largely to natural philosophy and chemistry. His information was very extensive, and of an instructive and interesting char- acter. Mr. Mathiot was attached to the German Re- formed Church. He was a faithful and devoted husband and father, amiable and affectionate, kind and indulgent in the family circle. " As a citizen he was public-spirited, liberal, modest, and candid, pure and virtuous, upright and honorable." He was conspicuous for his benevolence and liberality. He was ever ready, as he was able, to give, and many a family whom he has aided and befriended re- members his beneficence with gratitude. He married in 1826 Miss Mary Hodges. Her paternal ancestors were of an honorable family of Kent County, Maryland, and on the side of her mother, who was a Miss Claypoole, she was a descendant of Oliver Cromwell. Mr. Mathiot left seven children, four sons and three daughters.
REVELL, JAMES, Lawyer, the son of Martin l'an- nen and Mary A. ( Hohne) Revell, was born in Annapolis, Maryland, February 6, 1831, His father was born in Fairfax County, Virginia. . He removed to Annapolis about the year 1820, follow- ing the business of merchant tailor and merchant, and was, during President Polk's administration, Postmaster of that city. He died in 1849. Mr. Revell's mother died in January, 1879, at the age of seventy-seven years. His father's remote ancestors were Irish, and came to America in the early colonial times, as also did the Hohne family, who were of German extraction, Both fought in the Rev- olutionary war for the cause of American independence. His maternal grandfather, Christopher Hohne, was an officer in the war of 1812. Mr. Revell graduated A.B. at St. John's College, Annapolis, in 1848; entered the office of Frank H. Stockett as a student of law ; taught school for a short time ; then became clerk to the Auditor, H. Hammond, Esq. From 1850 to 1856 he filled the position of Private Secretary to Governors Lowe and Ligon, during
which time, in 1854, he was admitted to the bar before Judge Brewer. In 1859 he was elected State's Attorney for Anne Arundel County for an unexpired term of two years. Hle here proved himself so able and became so popular that he was re-elected for the four succeeding terms, making a period of eighteen years in all. During these years hc prosecuted many capital cases, several of which excited a profound and widespread interest. One of the first was brought from Baltimore city on a change of venue, and was the trial of five men charged with the murder of Adam B. Chyle, a highly respected citizen. This wanton murder was committed during the prevalence of the riotous element of that time. W. H. G. Dorsey, of Baltimore, had been appointed on the part of the Po- lice Commissioners to assist Mr. Revell in the prosecution, which resulted in the conviction of two of the accused. The result of that trial exercised an immediate and most salutary effect in repressing the lawlessness which had for some years prevailed in Baltimore. The case of Hollo- han and Nicholson, who were convicted of the murder of Mrs. Lampley, the mother-in-law of the latter, excited much interest. They were executed in Baltimore, from which city the case had been brought. The trial of Nim- rod Richards, of Prince George County, for the murder of an old lady, also attracted much attention. He was con- victed and executed. One of the most celebrated cases on record is the trial of Mrs. Elizabeth G. Wharton for the murder by poison of General William S. Ketchum on June 28, 1871. Attorney-General Andrew K. Lyster as- sisted Mr. Revell in the prosecution. The attorneys for the defendant were J. Nevitt Steele and John II. Thomas, of Baltimore, and Alexander B. Hagner, of Annapolis. The trial lasted forty-three days, and resulted in the ac- quittal of Mrs. Wharton. In 1872 she was again tried at Annapolis for the poisoning of Eugene Van Ness. The same counsel were engaged on both sides, with the excep- tion that the place of Mr. Steele was supplied by the Hon. llerman Stump, of Bel Air. The jury failed to agree and were discharged ; a stet was finally entered. Mr. Revell's practice has taken a wide range since the expiration of his last term of office ; he has had many important civil cases, and defended capital cases of much interest. Besides his professional duties he has taken an active part in many en- terprises looking to the welfare and prosperity of the city. Hle is a Director in the Farmers' National Bank of Annap- olis, and its Counsel ; was for several years one of the In- spectors of Public Schools; and is now President of the Mutual Building Association of that city. He is also one of the aldermen of the city of, Annapolis. He was largely instrumental in securing the building of the bridge across the Spa Creek, and was a director in a local tele- graph company, which was afterwards merged in the Western Union. In 1875, at the organization of the An- napolis Savings Institution, Mr. Revell was made Vice- President, and the following year was elected its Presi-
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dent. He has been President of the St. Mary's Catholic Beneficial Society since its formation in 1861. Mr. Revell is and has always been warmly attached to the South. IIe advocates State's rights and a strict construction of the Constitution of the United States. In religion he is a Roman Catholic ; in politics a Democrat. He was mar- ried in 1860 to Miss E. Janie Cowan, of Annapolis, who is exceedingly popular and beloved by all.
28 ILGHMAN, HON. WILLIAM, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, was born at Fawsley, near Easton, in Talbot County, Mary- land, August 12, 1756. His father, James Tilgh- man, removing in 1762 from Maryland to Philadel- phia, became the Attorney-General for the Proprietary of Pennsylvania, a member of the Provincial Council, and Secretary of the Land Office. Being a loyalist he resigned the last-named office at the outbreak of the Revolution, and returned to his native State, residing from that time in Chestertown, Kent County. He had six sons. The American founder of the family was Richard Tilghman, surgeon, who in 1660 emigrated from Kent in England to Maryland, settling first in what is now the county of Tal- bot, and afterwards at the Hermitage in the present county of Princess Anne. His son of the same name succeeded him in the ownership of the Hermitage, and held many positions of honor under the proprietary and royal govern- ments in the Province, being a member of the Governor's Council, one of the Judges of the Provincial Court, and Chancellor and Keeper of the Great Seal of Maryland. Ile had a large family, one of his sons being James, the father of Judge Tilghman. The latter enjoyed in the city of Philadelphia the best educational advantages the coun- try then afforded, and on graduating from the University of Pennsylvania received the degrees of B.A. and A.M. Later in life the same institution conferred on him the de- gree of LL.D. Commencing the study of law in 1772, he continued it after 1776 under the direction of his father, whom he accompanied to Chestertown, in which place he first practiced his profession after his admission to the bar in 1783. He was elected from Kent County to the House of Delegates for the three years succeeding 1788, and in April of that year was a member of the con- vention which adopted the Federal Constitution, and in the General Assembly was active in framing measures to carry it into practical effect. In 1789 he was chosen one of the electors from Maryland to choose the first P'resident of the United States, and cast his vote for General Washi- ington. In 1791 he was chosen State Senator from the Eastern Shore, resigning his seat in 1793, when, having married, he removed to Philadelphia, and practiced his profession in that city. In 1801 he was appointed by President Adams Chief Justice of the United States Cir-
cuit Court, embracing the city in which he resided, which position he hekl but a short time. In 1805 he was ap- pointed Presiding Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the First District of Pennsylvania, but a few months afterwards the Governor commissioned him Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, a position he filled with distinguished ability till shortly before his death, which occurred April 30, 1827. Ile was noted for his uni- form courtesy to every one, and for his great kindness and benevolence. Ile had many slaves, all of whom he eman- cipated long before his death. Judge Tilghman was long a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania. Ile was for some time a Vice-President of the American Philosophical Society ; in 1824 became its President, and delivered a eulogium upon Dr. Caspar Wistar, which was published. He was the first President of the Athenaeum, a literary society of Philadelphia, and a Vice-President of the Society for the Promotion of Agri- culture, before which, in 1820, he delivered, by invitation, an address, which was also published.
BILDEY, THOMAS, Founder of Odd Fellowship in the United States, was born in the city of London, England, January 15, 1782, in the reign of George the Third, at the close of our Revolutionary war. Ilis early education, which was rather meagre, was acquired at a parish school, which he left at the age of fourteen years to learn a trade, that of coach-spring maker. Ile worked at his trade for several years after serving his apprenticeship, and in 1817 came to the United States, set- tling in Baltimore city early in September of that year. He married shortly prior to leaving his native land. He had been connected with the Order of Odd Fellows in England from the date of his majority, and served in every capacity therein from the humblest to the highest office. His first employment in Baltimore was as a coach-spring maker on Harrison Street; afterwards he became a coal dealer on the wharf. He next entered into the restaurant business, and after engaging for a while in market garden- ing went to farming, in the possession of ample means. The initiatory movement for the establishment of Odd Fel- lowship in this country was made by Mr. Wildey in the shape of a notice he published calling for a meeting of such Odd Fellows as might be in Baltimore to effect the above purpose. Pursuant to notice the meeting took place April 13, 1819, five persons, including Thomas Wikley, being present. Mr. Wildey informed them of his intention to establish the Society of Odd Fellowship, there being no organized arrangement to relieve the distressed or to care for the widow and orphan. A lodge was established, and was named " Washington," after the " Father of his country." It was on the twenty-sixth day of April, 1819, that Washington Lodge, Number One, of the Independent
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