USA > Maryland > Genealogical and memorial encyclopedia of the state of Maryland, a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, Volume I > Part 22
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cause he did not mean to be." In his conversation out of court he generally worked around to a legal question, his mind trained in that channel so thoroughly that he could not help himself. But he was a wide reader of other than law books; biography, history and mythology interested him, and he was well informed on general literature. His power of concentration was wonderful. When he read any judge's opinion he studied beyond the point decided, to learn some- thing of the character of the man who rendered the decision. He was essentially a controversialist, a lover of debate on public questions, a critic of legislators, editors, and reformers. Conservative in his own views he was opposed to men of the Roosevelt and Bryan type, saying of the latter, "His name is too much like my own for me to like him."
It was not long after Mr. Bryan's admission to the bar before he was discovered by the Democratic party organiza- tion as of superior merit, and he became one of the party leaders and counselors. He was elected counsel to the board of election supervisors, the first city attorney, city counselor, first city solicitor and was attorney general of the State of Maryland during Governor Warfield's administration, that being the last public office he held. He did not seek office, neither did he decline it, believing that it was every man's duty to stick to his party through thick and thin, and he hated a "bolter." He was chief adviser to I. Freeman Rasin when he was at the head of the party in Baltimore, and was held in high esteem by Mr. Rasin's friends, from the fact that his opinions and advice were found to be sound. Mr. Rasin did not always follow Mr. Bryan's advice, but heeded it very often to his own advantage.
About a year prior to his death, Mr. Bryan decided to enter the race for United States senator, to succeed Senator Lee, and wrote to President Wilson stating that fact. Al-
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though encouraged by his friends to make the attempt, he finally decided not to do so. Although he had many warm friends he cared little for society and always remained a bachelor. He was extremely fond of baseball and attended as many games as he possibly could and delivered the address of congratulation to the "Orioles," in October, 1894, the year they first won the championship. The death of Mr. Bryan called for expressions of regret and eulogy from the bench and bar, and the State of Maryland officially recognized the blow which had fallen upon the commonwealth through the fol- lowing resolutions, offered and adopted by both Houses of the Legislature.
Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, that in the death of Mr. Bryan the state has suffered the loss of a conscientious, able and devoted official who, as attorney-general of the State of Maryland, rendered to this commonwealth services of the highest value. An eminent and dis- tinguished lawyer, a man of the highest integrity, of great energy and in- dustry, he was ever interested in the public welfare and was always faithful to the best interests of the State.
Resolved further, that this resolution be found in the acts of the year nineteen hundred and fourteen.
As soon as Governor Goldsborough learned of the death of Mr. Bryan he ordered the national flag placed at half staff on the State House dome and to remain so displayed until after the funeral.
PUREN POURRATIO ...
Daniel Connelly
DANIEL DONNELLY
HARDLY a man now alive, then of mature years, who can recall the period of excitement which swept over this country in 1848 when gold was discovered in California in the race of the mill owned by John A. Sutter. By 1849 the news of the wonderful discovery was well disseminated throughout the United States, and in every part of the country parties were formed, bound for the land of gold, some going overland, some by the isthmus route, land and water, and others by the all water route around Cape Horn. Many of those who set out full of hope and courage perished miserably on the plains and in the mountains from exposure and hunger, or by the hand of a savage foe; many others perished at sea ; only a small proportion ever reached the mines, only a still smaller proportion ever returned, and but a very, very few returned with the gold they sought. Among the cities over which this excitement swept was Baltimore, where dwelt Daniel Donnelly, then a young man of twenty-two years, mak- ing his way upward in the world by hard work. With all the impetuosity of his youthful, ardent nature, he plunged into preparations to join the mad rush, sold all he possessed and finally on a sailing vessel set out on the long voyage "around the Horn" a veritable "soldier of fortune."
There were fifty-eight other Baltimoreans who joined in the California gold hunting excitement who lived to return to the city from which they started. Later they formed them- selves into the California Pioneer Society and for many years held meetings at increasingly longer intervals. One by one the members departed for another "Golden Shore," until only Elken Drey and Daniel Donnelly were left. In 1914 Elken Drey succumbed, and on August 1, 1915, at his country home, "Hilltop," Mt. Washington, Maryland, Daniel Don-
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nelly, the last survivor of that band of "Forty-niners," then a man of eighty-eight years, breathed his last, passing away honored and respected as business man, citizen and neighbor. There was a sentimental interest attached to the passing of this old pioneer, for he was a link in other chains that con- nected the far away past with the present. He saw the up- building of that great fleet of clipper ships which in their sailing qualities eclipsed the ships of all maritime nations of the world, and in their prime carried the ocean commerce between the ports of the old and new worlds, and he saw that fleet swept from the seas by the introduction and development of steam sea going vessels. He saw Baltimore grow from a small to a great city, and in that growth bore an important part. When that sterling financial institution, The Metro- politan Savings Bank, was organized, the name of Daniel Don- nelly was on the list of incorporators. One by one those names were marked "died," with the date of death, until but one name remained, Daniel Donnelly.
There was a sentiment about the business Mr. Don- nelly founded and conducted for so long which, in later years, was known as Daniel Donnelly & Son, brick manufacturers. Old methods gave way to the newer, even shapes and uses changing to meet modern conditions. After his retirement from business, in 1892, he did not cut asunder the ties which bound him to the scene of his business successes, but retained the keenest interest in all its movements.
A review of the life story of Daniel Donnelly reveals that he was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, in 1827, and that he attended school in Pennsylvania until thirteen years of age, when he started out from home to seek his fortune, Washing- ton being his objective point. He had very little money, and the journey was by stage and canal boat. After a short time spent in Washington he came to Baltimore, where he passed
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through all the hardships of a country boy in a strange city, but he was built of true pioneer material and he won a foot- hold. Life was fairly opening before him when, after nine years in Baltimore, he decided, in 1849, to relinquish all he had gained and join in the quest for gold. Selling his pos- sessions of any value, he sailed from the wharf at the foot of Broadway, in October, 1849, and after six months of seafaring, arrived at the Golden Gate opening into San Francisco bay. There was little then about the collection of small houses, tents and cabins to foreshadow the San Francisco of today, but rough as was the population, and crude as were the con- ditions, Mr. Donnelly there saw opportunity and instead of going on into the mining region, opened a small general store, his customers, the miners, who were outfitting for the mines, the transients, the Indians, and some of the permanent inhabi- tants. He made money and had accumulated a snug little fortune, when one day the settlement was destroyed by fire, and although he suffered loss in this disaster, Mr. Donnelly had sufficient means to open another store, this time at Weaver- ville, but not meeting with as great a degree of success as at San Francisco, he closed his store, then spent a few months in actual gold digging at the mines, finally returning to Bal- timore in 1854 after an absence of five years.
From that year until his retirement, Mr. Donnelly was engaged in successful business as a brick manufacturer, found- ing the business later known as Daniel Donnelly & Son, and acquired other important business interests, ranking with the leading men of his city. He was a keen, sagacious business man, careful and deliberate, but each move was a step in ad- vance, difficulties not deterring, but rather nerving him to their overcoming. He built upon the solid rock, integrity, and the spirit of fair dealing which actuated every transaction won him the unvarying confidence, esteem and personal re-
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gard of all who deal with him or knew him. He was mem- ber of the Hibernian Society of Baltimore and a devout mem- ber of the Roman Catholic church. He was one of the in- corporators of the Old Town Bank of Baltimore and for many years one of the directors of that institution. In 1856, two years after Mr. Donnelly's return from California, he married Mary H. Milholland. For forty-five years they re- sided in their home, 1418 East Chase street, Baltimore. His children were his two sons, Francis X. and Edward A. Donnelly, who succeeded their father in business, and his two daughters, Mary Agnes, wife of Joseph A. Moore, and Genevieve, wife of Thomas G. Fink. He also left surviving him five grandchildren.
WILLIAM FRANCIS CLAUTICE
IN the passing of William F. Clautice, the last member of
the well known firm, Brooks, Rogers & Company, whole- sale shoe dealers, in 1913, Baltimore lost one of its most able merchants and highly esteemed citizens, one whose integrity and honor had never been challenged during a long and suc- cessful business career. He was a native son of Baltimore, and through his wife, Alice Sweeney, connected with one of those admirable characters of the long ago, Peter Sweeney, a wholesale pork packer, and an excellent citizen, born in Ire- land, in 1820, a man of sturdy character and rugged honesty.
William F. Clautice was a son of George and Catherine (Fitzgerald) Clautice of Baltimore, and grandson of Peter and Mrs. (Adelsberger) Clautice. Catherine Fitzgerald was a daughter of John and Mary (Drake) Fitzgerald. She mar- ried George Clautice, May 23, 1826, and they are the parents of Emily Clautice, married John A. Irvin; Alexina Clautice, married James Donnelly; Catherine Victoria, married Thomas Hill; George; Mary Elizabeth; Edward, and Wil- liam Francis Clautice. Mary (Drake) Fitzgerald, who mar- ried John Fitzgerald, June 2, 1795, died October 22, 1850, aged seventy-six years, daughter of Francis Drake, who came from Devonshire, England, and married about 1775, Ann Slowey, who came from Ireland. Francis and Ann (Slowey) Drake were the parents of: Mary, who married John Fitz- gerald; Elizabeth, married in 1800; Thomas Fletcher; Wil- liam Francis, married June 7, 1800, Catherine Leckler.
William Francis Clautice was born in Baltimore, No- vember 24, 1838, died in his native city, July 12, 1913. He was educated in St. Mary's Seminary, Knapp's Institute, and Loyala College, beginning business life upon completing his studies at the last named institution. He began his business
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career as office boy with Brooks, Rogers & Company, whole- sale shoe dealers, a firm located in Baltimore, on Baltimore street, between Howard and Eutaw streets, for seventy-seven years. He proved his adaptability and business ability very quickly, and being active, and in earnest, gained quick and continued promotions, his record showing that during his long and active business career he was never connected with but that one firm. He at one time had charge of the firm's branch office, at Zanesville, Ohio, which was discontinued during the time of the Civil War, when Mr. Clautice returned to Balti- more. In 1867, he was admitted to a partnership, and for many years his duty was as a salesman in the mountain towns of Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia. He became well known to the mountaineers, gained their respect and confi- dence to a remarkable degree, his visits being looked forward to by the natives with even a greater degree of interest than by the merchants to whom he sold goods. In time, Chauncey Brooks the senior partner, was called to his reward, and later David Rogers closed his earthly career, leaving Mr. Clautice, the last of the trio, who had so long conducted the business. The junior, then the senior and only owner, continued the business until 1906, then the weight of years prevailed, and he retired, spending the last seven years of his life in contented ease. He was a member of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, and at the time of his death, the oldest member of that parish. He was also a member of the Young Catholic Friends' Society.
Mr. Clautice married, November 17, 1870, Alice Sweeney, daughter of Peter Sweeney (q. v.). They were the parents of William S., married Elizabeth Kroeger; Ed- ward C .; Emily Maude; Alice Jenkins; Mary Loretta; George J., married Janet Harwood Wellmore; Francis Al- bert, married Jamima Disney, and Dr. Charles P. Clautice.
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PETER SWEENEY
A YOUNG man of twenty when he left England, and came to Baltimore, Peter Sweeney, in the land of his adoption, proved his ability as business man, and in Baltimore took an active part in many movements designed to advance the in- terests of the city. Peter Sweeney was born in Ireland, in 1820, but when a lad, was taken by his parents to England, and there was educated. In 1840, he came to the United States, coming of course on a sailing vessel, the passage being unusually long and tedious. He landed in New York City, there entering the employ of Charles Taylor, a pork packer, from whom he acquired a thorough knowledge of the busi- ness. Having possession of the requisite capital after a few years in business, he left New York, and established a whole- sale pork packing house in Baltimore, his plant located on then, Louisiana avenue, now, Lexington street, on the site now occupied by Jacob C. Schafer Company. He prospered abundantly, his business being a most extensive one, and he the leading man of his business in the city. He executed large contracts with the English Government, shipping large quantities of meat to England, and to the British Army in Russia.
During the Civil War Mr. Sweeney warmly sympathized with the South and aided the Confederate cause all in his power without actually taking part in the conflict. Just after the war was declared, one Sunday morning while walking along Fayette street on his way to the postoffice, Mr. Sweeney was pointed out as a "Southern Sympathizer." This was in the days of the "Bloody Tubs," the "Rip Raps," and the "Plug Uglies," therefore a crowd quickly gathered, ripe for anything. Bricks were thrown from the piles around the old Court House, then being torn down to make way for the new
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City Hall, Mr. Sweeney taking refuge in Barnum's Hotel. As he was going up the steps one of the gang kicked at him, but Mr. Sweeney caught the rowdy's foot and sent him sprawl- ing. In the hotel his injuries were given care by the ladies who knew him, and two hours later, he left the hotel to be immediately arrested upon a warrant sworn out by the man who had come to grief at his hands. Influential friends soon secured his release and the affair blew over. On one election day, when going to Perkins drug store on Howard street, near Franklin, to cast his vote, a ruffian sneaked behind to stal- him, but a friend interfered with a knockout blow which gave Mr. Sweeney time to escape to the drug store. But these were war times and when the conflict was over all was well again and the wounds of war soon healed.
Mr. Sweeney was a Democrat in politics, and a devout Catholic, a member of the Cathedral congregation. He was a liberal contributor to church and charity, a founder of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, member of the Young Catholic Friends' Society, the Hibernian Society, and a member of other organizations. He married Miss Chatterton, who died in England, they the parents of: Alice Sweeney, who mar- ried William Francis Clautice (q. v.). He later married Margaret Hart, May 4, 1853, to which union was born Mary Maud, and she married William K. Miller, November 13, 1 883.
Make a chofer
WILLIAM KEALHOFER
PRIOR to the Revolution came Theobald Kealhofer, from Alsace, France, to Hagerstown, Maryland, where a son was born, who was the father of William Kealhofer of Hagerstown, Maryland, whose death, November 13, 1916, ex- tinguished the male line and left no one of the Kealhofer name in the section in which Theobald Kealhofer, the Alsatian, came. Henry Kealhofer, son of the founder, was born in Hagerstown, June 28, 1776, died there October 21, 1851. His son, George Kealhofer, was born in Hagerstown, June 4, 1803, died, November 28, 1866. A merchant in early life, George Kealhofer afterward became cashier of the Hagerstown branch of the Washington County Bank, located at Williamsport, Maryland. It is said of him that when the Confederates under General Imboden came to Hagerstown, they found that the cashier had so securely safeguarded the funds of the bank that but sixty-seven cents was found in the vaults. George Kealhofer married Mary E. Hanenkamp, daughter of Dr. Arnold Hanenkamp, a student under and a contemporary of the famous Dr. Rush of Philadelphia; they were the parents of William Kealhofer to whose memory this review of a valuable life is dedicated.
William Kealhofer was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, September 2, 1842, died in the city of his birth, November 13, 1916. His early and preparatory education was obtained in private schools and St. James College, his classical education at Franklin and Marshall College, whence he was graduated with the Bachelors degree, class of 1862. He then became a law student under the preceptorship of the eminent Judge Richard H. Alvey, and on March 22, 1865, was admitted a member of the Washington county bar. His connection with that bar was lifelong, and he rose to a commanding position, MD .- 20
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but his business interests were also large and his public service important. He was prominently mentioned as a successor to succeed to the judgeship made vacant by the death of Judge Edward Stake, but he would not allow his name to be pre- sented. For a number of years Mr. Kealhofer was city at- torney of Hagerstown, and in the early eighties assisted in drafting the city charter. In 1884, he was appointed school commissioner for Washington county, by Governor Frank Brown, and re-appointed by Governor Lloyd Loundes. In 1881, he was the Democratic candidate for the Maryland house of delegates from the Hagerstown district. This was the only excursion he ever made into political life as a candi- date, but he was ever an ardent Democrat and deeply inter- ested citizen. As a lawyer he always adhered closely to the best traditions of his profession, and his long and honorable career earned an endearing place among the men of his day whose lives added brilliant pages to the history of the Wash- ington county bar.
Mr. Kealhofer was for many years a director of the Western Maryland Railroad, director of, and attorney for, the Hagerstown Bank until his death, declining the presi- dency ; president of the Hagerstown Ice Company ; trustee of the Washington County Free Library from its foundation, and was closely identified with the social and literary life of Hagerstown. He was one of the founders and charter mem- bers of the Concocheauge Club, and for a long time its presi- dent. In religion he was a communicant of the Roman Cath- olic Church, strong in the faith and mindful of his religious obligations. He was not only learned in the law but was a wide reader, deep thinker, and a scholar of attainment. His knowledge of European history, its political and racial prob- lems of his own, was a source of amazement, not only to his friends, but to the many learned foreigners he met in his
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frequent and extended tours of European travel. His conver- sational gifts were rarely equalled, pleasure and profit attend- ing his listeners who were always closely attentive. He rarely made a statement on any subject, the truth of which he had not first verified, and never one of importance without knowing it was founded on incontrovertible facts. His disposition was lovable, his companionship charming, and all who knew him were well bound to him in real affection. Modest to an ex- treme, he seemed perfectly unconscious of his own merits and talents, but this but added to the charm of his personality. He was a good man in all that the term implies, and his memory will ever remain green.
Mr. Kealhofer married Elizabeth Lane Smith, who sur- vives him, daughter of Dr. Josiah F. Smith, an eminent physician of Washington county, in the long ago.
HENRY WILLIAMS
A COURTLY Maryland gentleman of that type lovingly referred to as "the Old School," Henry Williams passed his mature years in the city of Baltimore, an honored resident and exceedingly prominent in the public life of city and State, and no less prominent as a business man. His lineage was ancient and honorable. He was the son of the Rev. Henry Williams, a clergyman of the Episcopal church, and Pris- cilla Elizabeth (Chew) Williams, a grand-daughter of the Rt. Rev. John Claggett, the first Protestant Episcopal bishop of Maryland, the further line of descent being traced to Thomas Claggett, who from 1640 until 1703 was one of the honored men of Calvert county, Maryland. He was county commissioner in 1680, coroner in 1683, and in the same year was commissioned a captain of militia. His grandson, Samuel Claggett, son of Richard and Elizabeth (Dorsey) Claggett, born 1718, died 1756, was rector of Christ Church, Calvert county, Maryland, and of St. Paul's Parish, Prince Georges county, and William and Mary Parish, Charles county, Mary- land. He married Elizabeth Gantt. His son, Thomas John Claggett, born 1743, died 1816, was rector of St. James, Anne Arundel county, and All Saints, Calvert county, Maryland, 1769-76, and was consecrated the first bishop of the Protestant Episcopal church in Maryland in 1791. He was chaplain to the first Congress that met in the capitol in Washington and opened the first meeting of the Senate there with prayer. He married Mary Gantt. His daughter, Priscilla Elizabeth Claggett, born 1778, married Colonel John Hamilton Chew and was grandmother to Henry Williams. Their daughter, Priscilla Chew, married the Rev. Henry Williams. Their son was Henry Williams, to whose memory this tribute of appreciation is dedicated.
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Henry Williams was also descended on the maternal side from Colonel John Chew, born 1590, died 1668. Colonel John Chew was. a member of the House of Burgesses of Vir- ginia from Hog Island, Virginia, 1623-24, 1629; from York county, Virginia, 1642-44; Justice, York county, 1634-52; re- moved to Maryland about 1653. His son, Samuel Chew, born 1634, died 1677. He was burgess for Anne Arundel county, Maryland, in 1661; member of the Council and justice of Provincial Court, 1669-77; colonel of Anne Arundel county militia in 1675. Colonel Chew married Anne Ayers, daugh- ter of William Ayers, of Nansemond county, Virginia. His son, Samuel (2) Chew, born 1660, died 1718. He was com- missioner of the peace for Anne Arundel county, Maryland, in 1683. He married (first) Anne -, and (second) June 29, 1704, Mrs. Eliza Coale. His son, John Chew, born April 8, 1687, married Eliza Harrison, 1708. His son, Samuel (3) Chew, died in London, England, in 1749. He married Sarah Locke, born 1721, died February 1, 1791. His son, Samuel (4) Chew, born 1737, died 1790. He was commissioner of the peace for Calvert county, Maryland, 1765-73; a member of the Revolutionary Convention of 1775, and first lieutenant, Third Battalion Flying Camp, June to December of that year ; captain, Third Maryland Regiment, December 10, 1776; re- signed February, 1777. Captain Chew married (first) Sarah Weems, and (second) Priscilla Claggett, daughter of Rev. Samuel and Elizabeth (Gantt) Claggett, a descendant of Colonel Edward Claggett, of Canterbury, England, who mar- ried Margaret Adams, daughter of Sir Thomas Adams. His son, Colonel John Hamilton Chew, born September 14, 1771, died March 22, 1830. He married his cousin, Priscilla Eliza- beth Claggett, born 1778, died September 20, 1843, daughter of Rt. Rev. Thomas J. Claggett, D.D., and Mary Gantt, his wife. Thomas J. Claggett was first bishop of Maryland and
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