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Gc 975.2 Ag4b 1744316
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02251 7749
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/bookofmarylandme00agnu_0
THE BOOK OF MARYLAND
"MEN AND INSTITUTIONS" A WORK FOR PRESS REFERENCE
EDITORS
FELIX AGNUS, Editor-in-chief
W. W. BROWN,
Cumberland
EARLE W. OREM,
Cambridge
C. NEILL BAYLOR, Hagerstown
ROBT. E. DELAPLAINE, Frederick
E. O. DIFFENDAL, Westminster
S. E. SHANNAHAN, Easton
ALBERT M. HALL
Sykesville
L. C. QUINN, JR ..
Crisfield
PUBLISHED BY MARYLAND BIOGRAPHICAL ASSOCIATION BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 1920
840
1744316
....
Yours Truly felix Agnus
Cibi
Xeroxed
Foreward
Designed as a book of real utility to the newspaper, the artist, and those interested in Maryland affairs. THE BOOK OF MARYLAND has been prepared with a view to meet the demand of newspaper offices for a STANDARD BOOK of reference on representative men and institutions of Maryland.
Care has been taken to verify every statement made in the data herein, that it may be depended upon to be his- torically correct. The illustrations are made with a view to their satisfactory reproduction in newspaper work; and the work thus becomes a valuable addition to newspaper libraries, and other places of public interest. It also be- comes valuable historically in keeping future generations advised as to the representative men of Baltimore and the State of Maryland, their accomplishments, as well as giving data of the successful institutions.
GENERAL FELIX AGNUS.
General Felix Agnus was born in Lyons, France, May 5, 1839. His family traces its lineage back more than a thousand years. His boyhood was in Paris and his early education was at College Jolie Clair, near Montrouge.
Leaving home in 1852 he spent several years on a voyage that took him to the South Scas, St. Helena, the west coast of Africa. around Good Hope, to the east coast and Madagascar, then across the Indian Ocean, finally arriving upon the Pacific coast of South America, proceeding around Cape Horn and crossing the Atlantic and completing a ton of the world.
His military career began when Napoleon Ill waged war against Austria. He volunteered in the Third Regiment of Zouaves and was in the battle of Montebello. Afterwards he was detailed to a post in the celebrated Flying Guards under Garibaldi.
When twenty-one years old, in 1860, he came to the United States as chaser and sculptor for Tiffany's in New York. Before he had been long in his new employment the Civil War began, and moved by his military ardor and by his interest in the Union cause he enlisted as a private in Dur- yea's Fifth New York Zouaves. His career thenceforth carried him to a distinguished place in Amer- ican affairs. James G. Blaine, when Secretary of State. said of him in a speech to a public gather- ing, "He is a great Frenchman and a great American, who came to this country with the same zeal that made LaFayette's coming an honor to the land."
He was made a sergeant in the Zouaves May 9, 1861, and on September 6th of the same year was promoted to second lieutenant for saving the life of Gen. Judson Kilpatrick at Big Bethel. July 8, 1862, he was promoted to captain of the 165th New York Infantry; in November of the same year he was made a major. On March 13, 1865, be was breveled lieutenant colonel "for gallant and meritorious services at Gaines Miil." In that battle he was shot through the shoulder. He was made brigadier general of volunteers in 1865. He was in numerous fights. He led the charge at Ashland Bridge, was in the dash at Hanover Court House, was in the storming of the hills near Richmond, and at Port Hudson, where he was a major, he was selected to lead one of the divisions which was known as the "forlorn hope party." In the expedition to Sabine Pass he was on the transport Pocahontas which ran aground under the enemy's guns and which escaped by sending over- board the 120 horses. Major Agnus shot his favorite animal and his example was followed by others. At Fayetteville Major Agnus received a sabre cut in a hand-to-hand fight with a Texas horseman.
When Duryea's regiment, the Old Fifth New York, was so cut to pieces that its extinction was threatened, Agnus, on a leave of absence, went to New York and secured four companies of recruits. He then rejoined his regiment, which had been ordered to the James River to report to General Grant. Agnus' regiment was detailed for the defense of Washington, and when it marched down Pennsyl- vania Avenue it was reviewed by President Lincoln and Agnus-then a colonel-was greeted by the President and complimented on his troops. Following this was service in the Valley of Virginia, where he joined Sheridan and participated in his brilliant campaign. He was attached to the Nineteenth Corps and was a personal witness of "Sheridan's Ride." When Sheridan started with his cavalry to join Grant in front of Richmond he was instructed to send his best regiment to guard the Confederate prisoners at Fort Delaware. The One Hundred and Sixty-fifth, with Agnus as colonel. received that compliment. The regiment remained at Fort Delaware three months and was then ordered to Savannah, Ga. Here Colonel Agnus received his brevet as brigadier general. He was then 26 years old, the youngest of his rank in the army. During the war Agnus received eleven wounds, two of them severe. The wound at Gaines Mill was a shot that shattered his right shoulder. He was brought to Baltimore. Charles C. and Edington Fulton, of the Baltimore American. found him prostrated in the cabin of the steamer. Mr. C. C. Fulton had him taken to his home, where he was tenderly nursed by Miss Annie E. Fulton. The young officer recovered and returned to his con- mand. He fought on to the end of the war and then when peace came and with his brevet of brigadier general he hastened to Baltimore and married his gentle nurse. He resigned his commission August 22, 1865, after having served for a time as inspector general commissioned to dismantle old Confed- erate forts in South Carolina. Georgia and Florida.
(Continued on page 152)
Page Nine
ALBERT C. RITCHIE. Governor of Maryland, Baltimore City.
Albert C. Ritchie was born August 29. 1876. His father was Judge Albert Ritchie, one of the most distinguished jurists and citizens of Maryland. His mother before her marriage was Miss Elizabeth Caskie Cabell, of Richmond, Va. Mr. Ritchie received his early education in private schools in Baltimore, and graduated from the Johns Hopkins University, with the degree of A. B .. and from the University of Maryland Law School, with the degree of LL. B. In 1920, he received the degree of LL. D. from the University of Maryland and from St. John's College.
Upon his graduation Mr. Ritchie began the practice of law in Baltimore City with the firm of Steele, Sommes. Carey and Bond, of which firm he became a member in 1900. In March, 1903, he was appointed Assistant City Solicitor of Baltimore City. On July 1. 1910, he resigned.
In November. 1903. Mr. Ritchie formed a law partnership with Stuart S. Janney, under the firm name of Ritchie and Janney, which firm later became Ritchie, Janney & Griswold, and still later Ritchie, Janney & Stuart. Mr. Ritchie was a member of this firm until his election as Governor.
In 1907 he was appointed Professor of Law at the University of Maryland Law School, and served in this capacity until his election as Governor.
On July 1, 1910, Mr. Ritchie became Assistant General Counsel to the Public Service Commission. This is the position popularly known as People's Counsel, and it was in this capacity that Mr. Ritchie represented the people of Baltimore in his noteworthy fight for cheaper gas and electricity, which resulted in reducing the price of gas from 90 to 80 cents per 1.000 cubic feet, and the price of electricity from 10 to 81 cents per K. W. H. On February 16, 1913. Mr. Ritchie resigned to devote all of his time to private practice.
In November. 1915. Mr. Ritchie was elected on the Democratic ticket Attorney-General of Maryland by a majority of 25,000.
Mr. Ritchie served as Attorney-General from December 20. 1915, to December 20. 1919. He organized the first State Law Department of Maryland, which took over the legal work of all of the State Departments except the Public Service Commission.
Mr. Ritchie was one of the Maryland delegates-at-large to the Democratic National Convention in St. Louis in June. 1916, which nominated Woodrow Wilson for his second term, and was also delegate-at-large to the San Francisco Convention in 1920.
On June 3. 19IS, Mr. Ritchie was appointed General Counsel to the United States War Industries Board, serving In this capacity until December, 1918, when the Board was dissolved. He secured a leave of absence from his duties ns Attorney-General, and moved to Washington, in order to devote his entire time to war work.
In September, 1919. Mr. Ritchie was nominated without opposition as the Democratic candidate for Governor of Maryland, and on November 4, 1919, he was elected to that office.
Page Eleren
OK
MARYLAND BY GENERAL FELIX AGNUS
FTER the Civil War I was invited to join a gold-seeking expedition to Montgomery county. Most persons will smile at this and yet if they will look up the records they will find that Maryland has always been listed among the gold producing States. Gold crops out on the Appalachian chain as far north as Vermont and as far south as the Carolinas. In Maryland the outcropping is in Montgomery county. Up to June 30, 1873, the total yield of gold in Maryland, as reported by the United States authorities, was $258.53 in a world total of over eight hundred millions, but why hold back because the sum was small? There was gold in Maryland and we were called upon to explore, invest and develop. It was a lively party of very agreeable friends and we had a good time even if we did not find much gold. Later from time to time Marylanders have put money in the Montgomery county prospects but the whole total produced from the gold mines in Maryland has amounted to only a few thousand dollars.
Now the point of interest is that Cecilius Calvert got from the crown the very remarkable charter making him owner and practically king of Maryland on two conditions; first, that he send every year to the King of England two Indian arrows, and, second, that he give to the King of England one-fifth of the gold and silver he found in the new colony. No silver was ever mined in Maryland and the only gold was that small quantity in Montgomery county discovered long after Americans ceased sending anything in the way of tribute to the King of England.
And Maryland has found more and better wealth than if she had possessed a dozen gold mines. Her soil and waters produce more cash returns and these yields are further and more equitably dis- tributed, so that we can say in all truth that no State can show a higher average of wellbeing. For centuries the Maryland people have lived well and there has been a large surplus to help others to live well. This is the State not of gold perhaps but certainly of the golden mean. Its temperate climate and abundant food and delightful society and pleasant neighbors make it the most com- fortable and attractive of all the States. One result is that for generations visitors and writers have showered compliments upon Maryland. From the first discoverers to the latest magazinists Maryland is spoken of as the favored land and the glowing adjectives of Captain John Smith are endorsed and used over and over again.
Recently the master of the National Grange visited us and saw our farms. "You have a great State in little Maryland," he said.
At a meeting of the farmers of Maryland, Bishop John Gardner Murray prayed: "Especially do we thank Thee that Thou hast cast our lot within the border of this State of Maryland, a land whose waters are full of good, a land whose hills are full of fuel, a land whose forests and fields are full of flowers and beauty; a land of brooks, of waters flowing from valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley; of vines and fig trees and pomegranates; a land of love; of oil and honey; a land in which we feed without scarceness because of the plentitude of its products; a land whose stones are iron and out of whose hills we dig brass."
Maryland is the compact State. It has everything within reach. All towns are neighbors. Every farm is close to market. With a complete highway system, railroads, electric lines, hundreds of miles of bayline and over a thousand miles of rivers the Marylander can step from his front gate into a car or a boat, make his journey and be home the same day. The Marylander can leave the mountains in the morning and eat his dinner by the sea and travel the whole distance in Maryland. The products of Maryland's 48,000 farms and its fisheries and factories have for a ready and profitable outlet the fourteen million urban population within four hundred miles of the center of the State.
In world history it has been the fortune of Maryland to play a part far larger than might be indicated by her size and population. Her area is less than one per cent. of America and she has only one and a third million of the one hundred and five millions that make the American nation. and yet on almost every page of the national expansion and upbringing Maryland is conspicuous. Of American colonies she was first in religious toleration. She did more than her share in the War of Independence. In 1812 the commerce of the Chesapeake kept the young nation going. In the industrial expansion of the first half of the nineteenth century she furnished the first railroad, the first telegraph and scores of innovations of importance in the new life of the world. In the Civil War Maryland was on both fronts of the conflict. In the busy period following the sixties Maryland was
Page Tirelre
busy in the industrial awakening, and it now seems that fate was preparing her for the unusual and remarkable role which she played in the great War of 1917, for in Maryland were over eighty war operations that touched every part of the tremendous problem of a world struggle, the creation and development of huge military camps, the building of ships, the making and testing of ammunition and the collection and shipping of food for millions of soldiers. We should remember, too, that Maryland provided the site for the capitol of the nation and we may add the proud fact that while other States have not been able to find anthems Maryland men wrote, "Maryland, My Maryland," and "The Star Spangled Banner."
The range and value of Maryland's achievements show better than any detailed history the fine stimulus and spirit of the Maryland people. We have been hearing much about ideals, particularly about the need of ideals to raise the common thought of mankind and guide the world along higher paths. The best inspiration is that born of a fruitful past and Marylanders may look back over their history with a pride that is a satisfaction in itself and also a profound and moving influence to urge them to higher endeavor in any emergency that may confront them or their nation. There is another fine thought: all this record gives the Marylander a keen sense of personal contact with the best the world has done and is doing.
Let us take a look at this State, its population, its resources, its flourishing banks, its thriving industries, its water wealth, its remarkable agriculture, its transportation, and then let us dwell with especial interest and appreciation on what it did in the World War.
In the 1920 census Maryland has a population of 1,499,610. The colony began with a popu- lation of 200 in 1634. In four years it increased to 700. Then it grew as follows: 1660, 12,000; 1671, 20,000; 1701, 30,000; 1756, 154,188; 1775, about 200,000; 1782, 254,050, and then followed the census years.
Census
Pop.
Increase
Pci.
Census
Pop. 687,049
Increase 104,015
Pct.
1790.
319,728
.
1800.
341,548
21,820
6.8
1870
780,894
93.845
13.7
1810.
380,546
38,998
11.4
1880.
934,943
154,094
19 .:
1820
407,350
26,804
7.0
1890
1,012.390
107,447
11.5
1830.
447,040
39.690
9.7
1900
1,188,044
145,654
14.0
1840.
470,019
22,979
5.1
1910
1,295,340
107,302
9.0
1850.
583,034
113,015
24.0
1920
1,449,610
154,264
11.9
In Maryland almost every variety of soil, elevation and product may be found. It has three regions. The coastal plain embraces the Eastern Shore, most of which is less than 26 feet above sea level and the southern part of the Western Shore. The Piedmont Plateau includes about 2.500 square miles with an elevation of from 250 to 1,250 feet, being the greater part of Baltimore and Harford counties and the counties of Howard, Carroll, Montgomery and Frederick, in all about one- fourth the State's area. The Appalachian Region takes in Washington, Allegany and Garrett counties and comprises some of the finest mountain scenery in America, reaching these altitudes, Mt. Quirauk, Washington county, 2,400 feet; Dan's Rock, Allegany county, 2,898; Table Rock. Garrett county, 3,700. At one end of the State Pocomoke has an elevation of 8 feet. while Oakland at the other end has an elevation of 2,461 feet above the sea. From east to west Maryland stretches 240 miles. Its extreme length is 125 miles. Its total area is 12,327 square miles, of which 9,941 is land and 2,386 water.
On June 30, 1920, the State Bank Commissioner reported that the total assets of the State banks and trust companies of Maryland had reached the unprecedented figures of $405,106,729.69. and of this sum the mutual savings institutions held $133,694,111.28. These figures do not include the national banks whose resources exceed two hundred millions. We get a further understanding of the activity of our banks and the extent of our business when we regard the following figures of the Clearing House Association of Baltimore, bearing in mind of course that these include only the dealings of the membership banks of the Baltimore Association: Clearings, for the year erling December 31, 1918, $3,355,602.544; for the year ending December 31, 1919, - $1,343, 146,572- increase in one year, $987,811,028.
These figures are more than double the totals of a few years ago. They show impressively the wonderful prosperity that has come to Maryland and that reaches every part of the State. An increase of almost a billion dollars a year in the bank clearings of Baltimore was very significant.
Page Thirteen
17.8
1860.
A still better showing of Maryland's growth is found in the facts furnished by the State Tax Commission in its report for 1920. By this commission Maryland has a continuing method of review- ing existing assessments. There was a reassessment of real estate in the counties in 1918. For the levy of 1917, prior to reassessment, the assessed value of lands and improvements was $325,400,000; in 1918, $427,500,000, a gain of $102,100,000. Maryland's taxable basis for 1919, the latest given, was $1,712,141,616. In the past five years the increase in the State's basis was almost a third of a billion dollars.
The internal revenue district of Maryland includes Delaware and the District of Columbia, more than two-thirds of the population of the revenue district being in Maryland. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, the collections of this district reached a total of $120,752,547, mainly income and excess profits taxes. These figures show that the per capita wealth of the people of Maryland is far above the per capita wealth of the people of the United States. There is no land where prosperity is better distributed than in Maryland. It is the State of general wellbeing.
Maryland's resources are practically inexhaustible. After more than three centuries of develop- ment and use the natural supplies of the State exist in great productivity, and the State could easily support a population of five times its present size.
We shall see presently that its agriculture has increased in value more than 300 per cent. within the past ten years, and all its crops have increased in yields per acre as well as in the prices they bring in the markets. The increase in manufacturing has been astonishing; as most of it centers around Baltimore the details are given in the chapter on Baltimore, but we find numerous important industries in the smaller cities and towns. Canning factories on the Eastern Shore, cement works in middle Maryland and coal fields and mills in Allegany and Garrett are productive and profitable. Baltimore county has iron ores that have been worked hundreds of years and the development of its copper deposits led to the establishment of what was for years the largest copper mill in the United States, using copper from Montana. In Baltimore county was found the first chrome ore discovered in the United States. Woodstock granite quarried in Baltimore county almost a hundred years was used in the Congressional Library and the Postoffice in Washington and in many of the important buildings of Baltimore. In the Washington Monument, Washington, the Washington Monument, Baltimore, and in scores of federal buildings the famous Beaver Dam marbles have been used. In Cecil the Principio furnaces once furnished the largest output of pig and bar iron in America. At Port Deposit the granite banks rise over 200 feet and the quality of this granite for building is famous. Cecil has paper, iron, flour, phosphate, kaolin and flour-spar mills. Howard county has iron mines and is rich in marble, granite and building stones. It has modern flour and cotton mills. Carroll has cement mills and cotton and woolen factories and other mills; it has granite, marble, brownstone, iron, copper, flint and much limestone, all of which are worked with profit. Besides being the only county with gold Montgomery has rich deposits of granite and valuable water power in the Potomac. Frederick, one of the three leading counties of America, in addition to its superior agriculture, has iron and steel, lime, copper, and important manufactures of brushes and the Catoctin Furnace was in operation as far back as 1774. Washington county has great orchards on its slopes and it also has flourishing factories producing automobiles, bicycles, organs, gloves, agricultural implements, textiles, furniture, carriages, flour, cigars and thirty other articles.
A swift glance at the other counties will show how blessed is Maryland: Worcester builds ships and has basket factories; Somerest is the oyster and crab El Dorado; Wicomico makes fortunes from lumber interests; Dorchester, Caroline, Talbot and Kent and Queen Anne's have canneries. flour mills and basket factories. For years the white oak of Dorchester went into the building of good ships; St. Mary's, the original county, has valuable timber; Calvert and Charles are rich in tobacco; Anne Arundel wins returns from truck and has many industries within sight of Baltimore.
And so we come to the two most western counties which have resources that have only been touched. Allegany's 64,000 acres of coal fields produce an unequalled variety of coal that contmands special favor because of its steam-making power. Allegany has fire clay, cement, iron ore, sandstone and other minerals. Its industries include some of the best factories and mills in America, particu- larly steel and glass. Cumberland, the second Maryland city, is a veritable industrial capital, growing rapidly in population and wealth. Its new big tire plant is one of the finest in the United States.
Page Fourteen
Then Maryland's newest county, Garrett, offers opportunity and fortune in its rich deposits of coal, fire clay and other minerals, and in its great forests, and it should not be forgotten that its mnaple trees yield hundreds of thousands of pounds of sugar at a time when sugar is needed.
Here in a few words we have taken a survey of what our State has. Surely we must be impressed by it and must appreciate how fortunate is any commonwealth that can have such benefits and oppor- tunities within its boundaries.
The value of Maryland's ten leading crops increased from $31,639,251 in 1909, to $95.576,000 in 1919, or 302 per cent. These are the figures of the Extension Service of the Maryland State College of Agriculture.
Corn is the principal crop. In 1909 the yield per acre on the 617,000 acres harvested produced 17,911,000 bushels worth $11,015,000. In the ten years the yield was increased to 41 bushels per acre and the production reached 28,413,000 worth $39,778,000.
In the ten years the value of the wheat crop rose from $9,876,000 to $22,930,000; hay from $6,011,000 to $15,120,000; oats from $584,000 to $1,492.000; barley from $79,000 to $214.000; buckwheat from $99,216 to $499,000; rye from $252,000 to $685,000; white potatoes from $1, 782.000 to $6,721,000; sweet potatoes from $483,000 to $2,234,000; tobacco from $1,457,000 to $5.872,000.
These figures show the wonderful uplift that has come to the whole farm situation in Maryland but they do not tell the whole story, for Maryland in 1919 produced 1,914,000 bushels of apples worth $3,553,600; 731,000 bushels of peaches worth $1,242,700; 420,000 bushels of pears worth $546,000, and 200,000 tons of tomatoes worth $8,000,000.
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