USA > Washington DC > Washington DC > The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Maryland and District of Columbia Pt. 2 > Part 71
USA > Maryland > The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Maryland and District of Columbia Pt. 2 > Part 71
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1 TRACE, HION. WILLIAM, Lawyer and Legislator, was born in Alleghany County, Maryland, in 1850. After a thorough course in the English and classics he studied law, and was admitted to the bar in Cum- berland City at the age of twenty-one. Ile devoted himself to the duties of his profession and the interests of
Irving In cleary
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his clients with so much zeal and ability that he rapidly rose to a prominent position at the bar of Cumberland, and in 1873, when only twenty-three years of age, was nominated as a Representative to the House of Delegates on the Demo- eratie ticket, and elected by a handsome majority. He took an active interest in the legislation of that session, and gained considerable popularity by his devotion to the interests of his constituents. In 1877 he was returned to the House of Delegates, in which he was at once recognized as one of its most prominent and influential and efficient members. He is a gentleman of pleasing address, and of decided legal abilities.
WENS, JOHN E., Comedian, was born in Liverpool, England, April 2, 1823. His mother was of Eng- lish birth, while his father, Owen Griffith Owens, was a native of Wales. His grandfather's name was Griffith Owens. His parents removed to the United ,9 States in 1826, and after residing ten years in Baltimore settled permanently in Philadelphia, their son receiving his education in the best schools of these cities. In his six- teenth year his father, desiring that he should study medi- cine, placed him under Dr. Samuel Jackson, a well-known druggist and physician ; but his passion for the stage had already begun to discover itself, and in a short time he made his debut at the National Theatre of that city, then under the management of the late William E. Burton, Mistaking, however, the direction of his talents, and at- · tempting to succeed in tragedy, his course was for some time anything but promising. Indeed, it was the immod- erate laughter his attempts provoked that first suggested to the keen-witted Burton the idea that he might succeed as a comic character, in which his first appearance proved a decided " hit," and the piece had a run of four weeks. At its close Mr. Owens was offered and accepted an engage- ment at the Holliday Street Theatre, Baltimore, after which he was recalled to Philadelphia by Mr. Burton. In 1846 he became joint Manager of the Baltimore Museum, of which, assuming the sole control in the succeeding year, he soon elevated to a recognized position among the first- class theatres of the country. Ile also directed or con- trolled at different periods a number of theatres in other cities. Retiring from the management of the Museum in 1852 in independent circumstances, he purchased a mag- nificent estate of several hundred acres in the immediate vicinity of Baltimore. To the care of this cstate, on which he still resides when not professionally engaged, he at- tempted for a short time to devote himself, but his restless activity and enterprise soon drove him back to more en- grossing pursuits. In June, 1852, he sailed for the third or fourth time to Europe, and, declining a flattering offer in London, made an extensive tour of the Continent and ascended Mont Blane. On his return to this country he inaugurated his celebrated Mont Blanc exhibition, a dra-
matie pictorial and descriptive entertainment, in which he found a wide field for the exercise of his unequalled powers of mimicry and his subtle sense of the humorous and ludi- crons. In New York it had a run of one hundred and fourteen nights, and frequently crowds were unable to gain admittance. From that period to the present Mr. Owens has stood at the head of his profession, " starring " it with brilliant success from New Orleans to Boston. ITis inim- itable personation of Solon Shingle is universally conceded to be one of the most perfect which has ever graced the stage of any country. There is scarcely a single character which he essays in which he does not prove his superiority over the most, if not all, of his rivals, seizing upon indi- vidual points with the conscious power of genius, and con- trasting their shades of humor with wonderful fidelity and delicacy. He is justly considered to be far above any comedian now on the American stage. In all that he does or meditates he has the fullest sympathy and fellowship of his charming wife, who accompanies him on his tours and lends the most gracious help to all the hospitalities of their lovely home. Having no children of their own, Mr. and Mrs. Owens have long since concentrated their affections on the children of Mrs. Warden, the comedian's sister, to whom they have performed the part of guardians and pro- tectors in a most generous manner.
COTT, IRVING M., Machinist, San Francisco, Cali- fornia, was born, December 25, 1837, at Hebron Mills, Baltimore County, Maryland. He is the son of John and Elizabeth Littig Scott (see biog- raphy of John Scott). His primary education was obtained at the public schools in the country, after which he attended " Milton Academy," John Emerson Lamb, Principal. He then took instruction in drawing at the Mechanics' Institute, Baltimore city. Having a taste for mechanical art he decided to become a machinist, and for this purpose engaged to work with Obed Hussey, and sub- sequently with Murray & Hazelhurst at their extensive works on Federal Hill, Baltimore city. While thus em- ployed, on the recommendation of his employers he went to San Francisco, California, with Peter Donahue, in 1860, to superintend a machine establishment in that city. His intelligence, skill, and energy were soon manifested, and secured him a partnership in the firm of Prescott, Scott & Co., Union Iron Works, in San Francisco. Mr. Scott has been the General Superintendent of these works for about twenty years. He is now one-third owner. This firm employs about six hundred men, and flo a business of two millions of dollars annually. Mr. Scott is conceded to be the best mechanical engineer on the Pacific Coast, and is an accepted authority on metallurgical machinery. Ile, in connection with James G. Fair and William HI. l'atton, designed all the principal hoisting, pumping, milling, and
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refining machinery of the Comstock Lode. He is Presi- dent of the Mechanics' Institute, having been twice elected to that position. Ile delivered an address at the opening of its last exhibition, which the press of San Francisco commended; and called special attention to the philosophi- cal truths worthy of consideration tersely expressed in the following words of the address: "The nation's in- terests will be safe with the mechanics, who have been taught to take the crude materials and shape them into a harmonious whole ; taught to construct, taught to build up, taught to accomplish ; trained to direct their energics in one direction for a common purpose; for they will take this discipline with them into the council chambers, and prove that the strength of the republic rests with the producers." Though the managing head of an extensive business establishment, Mr. Scott's tastes have led him to cultivate literature, science, and the arts. For three terms he was elected President of the " Howard Literary So- ciety," and of the " Addison Literary Society" two terms. Ile is President of the " Art Association," having been elected twice; is one of the regents of the "University of California," and one of the perpetual trustces of the " Free Library of San Francisco." As might have been expected such a man could hardly avoid being drawn into public life. For three terms he has been elected President of the " Young Men's Republican Club." Ile was nomi- nated for the State Senate, and led the Republican ticket, but was defeated by the " Dolly Vardens." IIe was also nominated for the Constitutional Convention, but was de- feated by the " Kcarney " element. Ile has since been prominently mentioned as a Republican candidate for Gov- ernor of California. Mr. Scott is a fluent and forcible speaker, and always commands the respect and attention of his audiences. The estimate in which he is held by his fellow-citizens as a man of intelligence and discretion has been evidenced in several marked instances. He was one of the Committee of One Hundred to protect the in- terest of San Francisco from the exactions of the railroad companies. Ile was a member of the Committee of Safety during the riots of 1877, and was one of the Executive Committee who did the work of organization and quelling the disturbances without bloodshed. He has twice been a member of the Taxpayers' Convention to nominate city officers irrespective of party. His active benevolence finds many worthy objects, especially in the " Boys' and Girls' Aid Society of San Francisco," of which he was one of the founders and a liberal supporter. His paternal ancestors were of the Society of Friends. His father and brother George are now preachers of that Society. His mother is a Methodist, as were her ancestors. He is an active and inthiential member of the First Congregational Church of San Francisco, of which the Rev. Dr. Stone is pastor. In 1863 Mr. Scott married Laura, daughter of John R. Ilorde, of Covington, Kentucky. Their children are Alice, Webb, and Lawrence. Mr. Scott's generosity extends not
only to his family and family connections, but many others have found in him a friend ever ready to aid the deserv- ing and assist those who manfully struggle against ad- verse circumstances. His imposing mansion on Ricon- hill, No. 507 Harrison Street, is a model of good taste and luxury, elegant without display, and perfect in all its ap- pointments. Mr. Scott is in the full vigor of mature man- hood, and gives promise of still greater prominence and usefulness yet to come.
SITTY, C. IRVING, Attorney-at law, was born, Sep- tember 26, 1838, at Dryad Hill, West River, Anne Arundel County, Maryland. His father, George T. Ditty, of Virginia, settled on West River, Anne Arundel County, and married Harriet, daughter of " Benjamin Winterson, of that county. The fruits of this union were seven children, four of whom died in infancy : S. Annabella, married Jacob W. Bird; Edwin A. Ditty; and C. Irving, the subject of this sketch. . His father died leaving a widow and three 'small children. His mother, who was a woman of intelligence and great executive ability, reared and educated the family from a small estate left by her husband without impairing the principal. Mr. Ditty is of English descent on both parental and maternal sides. On the father's side he is a lineal descendant from Sir Jere- miah Jacob, who came to Maryland with Lord Baltimore. Captain Jacob, who served in the Revolutionary Army in Smallwood's brigade of the Maryland Line, and who wrote the Life of Cresap, and also Ex-Governor John Jeremiah Jacob, of West Virginia, were descendants of Sir Jeremiah Jacob. Mr. Ditty's father had two brothers, Samuel, who died young, leaving one son, Thomas H. Ditty, now living in Anne Arundel County ; the other brother, Dr. Thomas R. Ditty, of Westmoreland County, Virginia, married Miss l'ayne, of that county, and had one daughter, who married John Manning, of Prince George's County, Maryland. Dr. Ditty was a man of prominence, represented his county in the Legislature, and held various public positions. C. Irving Ditty received his primary education at the district schools of the county and afterwards at West River Classical In- stitute. In 1854 he entered Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and was graduated in the class of 1857. In September of the same year he entered as a student of law in the office of Ilon. Robert J. Brent, of Baltimore, and was admitted to the bar in October, 1859. Mr. Ditty was engaged in the practice of his profession until the outbreak of the late civil war, when he at once entered the Confed- erate Army as a private in the cavalry, and served until the close of the war, passing through all grades up to the rank of captain. After serving under Hunton and others at Leesburg and Romney, Ins company was ordered to join Colonel (afterwards, General) J. E. B. Stewart at Win- chester, and was engaged in the battle of Manassas,
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July, 1861, and thereafter in nearly every important battle of the Army of Northern Virginia. The first year of the war his company formed part of the First Virginia Cavalry. The second year he joined the First Maryland Cavalry Regiment, commanded by Colonel Ridgley Brown, and con. tinned with this regiment till the close of the war. After the death by wounds received in battle of Captain Augustus F. Schwartze, of Baltimore County, Captain Ditty suc- ceeded to the command of Company F of that regiment. This company was armed, mounted, and equipped by its officers. On the surrender of Lee at Appomattox Court- house the First Maryland Cavalry with a considerable part of Fitz-Lee Division, under command of General Mum- ford, broke the Federal lines and did not surrender with the rest of the army, but formed in line of battle on the Lynchburg road. Late in the afternoon the cavalry was attacked by a large force of Federal cavalry, which was promptly checked by a charge of the First Maryland. This was the last blow struck by the Army of Northern Virginia. They then retired to Lynchburg. Captain Ditty with a por- tion of the First Maryland then started to join General Johnston in North Carolina, but after a few days learned that Johnston had surrendered. During the war, at the battle at Old Church, Hanover County, Virginia, in 1864, Captain Ditty was severely wounded. After the close of the war he returned to Baltimore, and in October, 1865, re- sumed the practice of law, in which he is still engaged. In 1868 he married Sophia L., daughter of Henry Schwartze, and sister of the before-mentioned Captain Augustus F. Schwartze, of Baltimore County. Their children are Augus- ta Fredericka, Sophia Leypold, Henry Schwartze, George · Irving, and Roberta Lee. In 1872 Mr. Ditty removed to "Irvington," a property on which he has expended large sums of money in grading lots and streets, building houses, etc. This property is beautifully located near Loudon Park, a short distance from Baltimore City, accessible by railroad half-hourly. Politically Mr. Ditty came of old Whig stock, but cast his first vote for Breckenridge and Lane, because he could not affiliate with the American party, and was Southern in his sympathies. He condemned the policy, but believed in the right of secession. Hence when the war broke out he was true to his convictions and went into the field to fight for them. From 1865 to 1875 Mr Ditty took no active part in politics. He accepted the issues of the war as final, and as he conceived the leaders of the Democratic party in Maryland did not so accept them, he could not heartily support that party. On the other hand the employment of troops to sustain State governments in the South was so obnoxious to him that he could not ap- prove the policy of the Republican party. Hence he sel- dom voted, and when he did it was for individuals and not party. In 1875 the dissatisfaction in the Democratie party in Maryland culminated in the Reform movement, in which Mr, Ditty took an active part, and spoke at public Ineetings almost daily during that campaign. In 1876 the attitude
of the Republican party, looking towards leaving the Southern States to manage their own State affairs without military interference, and having declared in favor of re- sumption and a sound financial policy, which Mr. Ditty considered as the then great leading issues, and regarding the Democratic party as abandoning its time- honored doc- trines in supporting paper money and advocating inflation, Mr. Ditty joined the Republican party and was laboriously active for its success in the campaign of 1876, and has con- tinued to co-operate with that party ever since. At the request of President Grant Mr. Ditty went to Louisiana in November, 1876, to witness the count of the vote of that State. In his published report he stated that while neither party had been free from blame, undisputed facts in his opinion, fairly considered, showed that that State had gone Republican by a large majority, Since 1875 Mr. Ditty has spoken and written a great deal on matters connected with . politics.
JOHNSON, REVERDY, Lawyer and Statesman, was born in Annapolis, Maryland, May 21, 1796. llis family on his father's side was of English descent, and on that of his mother French. His ancestors were among the earliest settlers in Maryland, sev- eral of them having held prominent positions under the Colonial Government. His father, John Johnson, was an eminent lawyer, who after serving in both houses of the General Assembly was successively Attorney-General, one of the judges of the Court of Appeals, and Chancellor of the State. His mother was a daughter of Reverdy Ghise- lin, who was long known as Commissioner of the Land Office at Annapolis. Reverdy Johnson received his edu- cation at St. John's College, and at the age of sixteen years commenced the reading of law under the direction of his father, and was subsequently a student in the office of the late Judge Stevens. In 1815, when only twenty years of age, he was admitted to the bar, and began practice in Prince George's County in the village of Upper Marl- borough. Shortly after he was appointed by the Attorney- General of the State his Deputy for the Judicial District, and performed the duties of that office in the most credit. able manner until November, 1817, when he removed to Baltimore and started in his career as a lawyer. He at once took an excellent position, and was soon recognizedl by lawyers and laymen as a man of unusual ability. He was the professional associate and intimate companion of Luther Martin, Robert Goodloe Harper, William Pinkney, Roger B. Taney, and William H. Winder. Soon after going to Baltimore Mr. Johnson was appointed Chief Commis- sioner of Insolvent Debtors. In 1821 he was elected to the State Senate for a term of five years, and re-elected for another term. After serving two years of the second term he resigned, and devoted himself exclusively to his
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practice from that time until 1845, when he was elected to the Senate of the United States by the Whig party. In the debates npon the question of the war with Mexico Mr. Jolinsan differed from the sentiments of his party, and was among the supporters of the Democratic administra- tion of President Polk in the advocacy of that war. In 1849 he resigned his seat in the Senate to accept the posi- tion of Attorney-General tendered him by President Tay- lor. On the accession of Mr. Fillmore he retired and re- sumed the practice of his profession. Hle was retained in almost every important cause in the courts of Maryland and in the Supreme Court. Ilis advice and services were sought from distant States, and in 1854 he was employed by an English house to argue a case involving a claim of great magnitude against the United States Government before the joint English and American Commissioners. He was associated professionally in this matter with Lord Cairns, then in the House of Commons, and a leading member of the chancery bar, and subsequently Lord Chancellor under the Disraeli administration. During his sojourn in England Mr. Johnson received much attention from the public men and members of the English bar. Returning home he unceasingly engaged in his practice, and took no active part in politics until the winter of 1860- 61. He was sent as one of the delegates from Maryland to the Peace Convention which assembled at Washington. He avowed himself a Union man, and utterly repudiated the doctrine of secession, believing it to be in violation of the letter of the Constitution, and inconsistent with the spirit and stability of our Government. Ile was conspicu- ous in the Convention by his earnest and eloquent efforts to avert the threatening calamities of civil war by measures of compromise and conciliation. When all hope of a peaceful settlement of the sectional difficulties had vanished Mr. Johnson advocated the preservation of the Union by the military power of the General Government. In 1861 he was sent from Baltimore County to the State Assembly. After the capture of New Orleans he was sent to that city by President Lincoln as Special Commissioner to revise the decisions of the military commandant, General But- ler, in regard to several important matters involving our peaceful relations with foreign governments. Hle deemed it necessary and proper to reverse all those decisions, and for the good effect of so doing he received the thanks of the administration. In the winter of 1862-63 he was elected to the United States Senate, and in March, 1863, resumed his seat in that body after an absence of fourteen years. Ile voted for the Constitutional amendment abolishing slavery. After the surrender of the Southern Army Mr. Johnson advised the immediate readmission of the seceding States and an unconditional amnesty to their people. In 1868 he was appointed Minister to the Court of St. James, and the appointment was immediately con- firmed. In England he was the recipient of attentions never before paid to an American ambassador. In the
chief commercial and manufacturing towns banquets were given him, and so general was this demonstration that Lord Clarendon, writing to a friend in America and refer- ring to the matter, expressed his belief that " Mr. Johnson was the only diplomatic representative that had ever brought out the true friendly feeling of the British people for those of the United States." Nor was it alone in his official relation that he was so cordially received. His fame as a distinguished American lawyer and jurist brought him into the most" agreeable intercourse with the justices and leading barristers of England. 'In a few months after his arrival in England Mr. Johnson succeeded in negotiat- ing a treaty between the two nations for the settlement of the questions in dispute growing out of what was known as the " Alabama Claims." The Senate, however, refused to ratify the treaty, although it was privately acknowl- edged by Mr. Sumner and other leading men to secure all that our Government had a right to ask or any reason to expect. Mr. Johnson returned from, England in June, 1869, and resumed his practice in Baltimore and Wash- ington. Throughout his professional career Mr. Johnson enjoyed uninterrupted success. In private life he was a genial, unassuming gentleman. He was one of the most conspicuous men Maryland ever produced, and at the time of his death, which occurred in 1876, ranked not only at the head of his profession but as one of the most eminent of American statesmen. For the substantial facts embraced in this sketch we are indebted to the work entitled Balti- more, Past and Present.
WILLIAMS, THOMAS H., A.B., was born near Salis- bury, Wicomico County, Maryland, April 4, 1845. Ilis father was William Williams, who married Annice Fooks in 1828. Thomas was the youngest of eight children. Ile was but six years old when his father died, and during the ensuing six years five of his brothers and sisters died. Ile received his early edu- cation at the Salishmy Academy, and in 1865 entered Vale College in the Sophomore Class, from whence he graduated in 1868, his mother having in the meantime, in 1867, died whilst he was on a visit to her. After acting as teacher in the district school for a short while he was invited to take charge of the Classical Institute at Laurel, Delaware, which he conducted for a half year. In the fall of 1871 he was elected, without solicitation on his part, to the tu- torship of the Salisbury Academy, which position he ac- cepted. A year after entering upon its duties the Academy was converted into the Wicomico County High School, and Mr. Williams was earnestly requested by the County School Commissioners to serve as the Principal thereof, which pasition he still occupies, and in which he has been eminently successful as an educator. Professor M. A. Newell, Superintendent of the State Board of Education,
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in his report for 1875, in speaking of the High Schools of Maryland remarked : " The school at Salisbury is a High School proper, so thoroughly organized and so skilfully arranged that it might serve as a model of a County Iligh School." Mr. Williams has been since 1860 a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His sentiments are in accord with the Republican party, but he has never taken any active part in politics. Before and during the civil war his principles were opposed to slavery. He married, September 23, 1873, Miss Lizzie S. Smithers, daughter of Dr. Edward F. Smithers, late practicing physician of Vienna, Dorchester County, Maryland, and niece of Na- thaniel B. Smithers, attorney-at-law, Dover, Delaware.
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