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 II > Part 27
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Charles M. Caughy was a son of S. Hamilton and Alice (Prendergast) Caughy, of Baltimore, and was born June 5, 1850, and died in Richmond, Virginia, August 27, 1913. After completing advanced courses of study, he embraced journalism and became known as one of the most brilliant men of his profession. He traveled in Europe for several years as correspondent for the Baltimore "Bulletin," edited by W. Mackey Lafflin, and later founded "Every Saturday," a weekly journal published in Baltimore, devoted to literature, art and dramatic affairs, and later he became a well-known and popular lecturer on European travel. He was the author of a number of plays, one, "Love and Duty," which was very favorably received upon the Baltimore stage and elsewhere.
In 1893 he was appointed United States Consul to Mes- sina, Italy, by President Cleveland, and for fourteen years he remained there, being transferred to Malaga, Spain, just before the great earthquake, which destroyed the consulate and cost the lives of the newly-appointed Consul and his wife. He remained at Malaga two years, and was then transferred to Milan, Italy, where he remained about four years before sailing for home stricken with a disease which baffled the
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Italian specialists. A few days after reaching the home of his wife's father in Richmond, he fell and fractured his hip, this complicating his already serious condition and hastening his end. As Consul, Mr. Caughy came under the operation of the merit system, and had he lived would have risen to higher rank in the diplomatic service. He spoke several lan- guages fluently, and was very popular with all classes.
Mr. Caughy married, January 20, 1880, M. Alice Hig- gins, daughter of John M. and Kate C. Higgins, of Richmond, Virginia, the ceremony being performed in the Cathedral there by Archbishop Keanes, their wedding being the occa- sion of the first nuptial mass the Archbishop celebrated after his consecration to that high dignity. Mrs. Caughy survives her husband and is a resident of Baltimore. Their two chil- dren: Clinton Norbert, deceased, and Mary Kathleen, who married a Mr. Edwards.
JOHN HENRY KEENE
C ONTEMPORARY with the group of lawyers, Robert Goldsborough Keene, Severn T. Wallis, R. Stockett Matthews, Colonel John L. Thomas and others, who made the history of the Baltimore bar glorious, John Henry Keene added to his own fame as a lawyer prominence in Maryland politics, and through his work "Justice and Jurisprudence," dealing with problems of the negro race, gained a national and international audience. He was a grandson of Dr. Samuel Young Keene, of Talbot county, Maryland, a surgeon of the Revolution, serving from the beginning until the end of the struggle for liberty, and descended from an illustrious Eng- lish family of statesmen, ecclesiastics, and lineal descendant of Richard Keene, of Richard's Manor, on the Patuxent, who was son of Henry Keene, of Wordstown, Surrey, England. Dr. Samuel Young Keene married Sarah Goldsborough, daughter of Howes and Rebecca Goldsborough, of Talbot county, Maryland. Their son, John Henry (1) Keene, born in Tal- bot county, married Sally Dorsey Lawrence, daughter of Levin Lawrence, of the "Flying Camp of '76," and grand- daughter of "Wild Caleb" Dorsey, of Howard county. They were the parents of two sons, Robert Goldsborough, and John Henry (2) Keene, both of whom were eminent members of the Baltimore bar.
Robert Goldsborough Keene, the younger brother, at the first call of the Confederacy for men, enlisted in the First Regiment, Virginia Cavalry, but later was transferred to Com- pany A, First Regiment, Maryland Cavalry, serving with that command until the war closed. He was engaged at Second Bull Run, Gettysburg, Antietam, served through the West Virginia campaign, was in the famous charge at Greenland Gap, was courier for General Jackson in the Valley of Vir-
JAM Kurz Kane
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ginia, and fought with the Army of Northern Virginia in many of its hardest campaigns. He was taken prisoner at Luray after the burning of Chambersburg, and for several months was confined at "Camp Chase," in Ohio, finally, how- ever, was exchanged, returned to his regiment, and was in the service when the end came. After the war he resumed his law study begun under the eminent George T. Gill, and in 1867 was admitted to practice, locating in Baltimore, and there practicing for thirty years. He was a Democrat in politics, took an active part in many campaigns, but never ac- cepted office for himself. He was largely interested in real es- tate operations, and the chief promoter of that popular seaside resort, "Ocean City," on the Atlantic coast of Maryland. He had a pew at Christ Episcopal Church, was a member of the Maryland Club, the Elkridge Fox Hunting Club, and the Aheneum Club. Mr Keen married Mrs. Abbie P. Breese, daughter of George W. Patterson, of Virginia.
John Henry (2) Keene, oldest son of John Henry and Sally Dorsey (Lawrence) Keene, was born at the Keene homestead on the Harford road, east of Lauraville, Mary- land, the post office being named for the estate, and died at "Glymalira," the old Carroll estate, near Glencoe, Baltimore county, Maryland, May 6, 1914, aged seventy-eight years. After preparation in private schools he entered Harvard Uni- versity for a classical course, and after its completion entered Harvard Law School, whence he was graduated LL.B., with special honors. After his return to Baltimore, he began prac- tice in association with his brother, Robert G. Keene, and to- gether they conducted a very successful law business in all State and Federal courts of the district. The Keenes were well known in and outside the profession as men of ability, honor and integrity, and worthily bore the name at an excep- tionally brilliant bar.
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After retiring from active practice, John Henry (2) Keene gave himself principally to literary pursuits, writing and publishing "Justice and Jurisprudence," a work which was devoted to a discussion of the problems confronting the negro race. That book obtained a wide circulation on both sides of the Atlantic, and brought its author a great deal of favorable comment. An ardent Democrat, and a close friend of Senator Arthur P. Gorman, he took an active part in city and State politics, principally as a writer of campaign litera- ture for committees and for the party candidates. He was an extremely forceful writer, and this political work brought him a great deal of satisfaction, not less for the real pleasure it gave him than from the many words of commendation re- ceived from the press and from individuals. He also em- ployed his able pen to further the cause of Christian Science, though never uniting with the church.
He possessed considerable landed interests, his hand- some residence at the corner of St. Paul and Preston streets finally being razed to make way for the Earl Court Apart- ments, of which he was the principal owner. For some years prior to moving to that location, he occupied the residence at No. 8 West Hamilton street, his sisters, Laura and Mary Keene, still residing there. His latest residence was "Glyma- lira," the old Carroll estate, near Glencoe. He also had another sister, Mrs. Craig, widow of the late Dr. John A. Craig, of Ravenswood, Govans, Maryland. Aside from his legal and literary prominence, Mr. Keene was one of Balti- more's most interesting figures. He dressed with a great deal of care, his clothes always imported from England, being made invariably from cloth of a design which attracted attention. His was a familiar figure on the downtown streets of the city, and nearly everybody knew the courtly, dignified gentleman, but none ever spoke of him as "Mr. Keene" or even as "John
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H. Keene," but invariably as "John Henry Keene." Horse- back riding was his favorite recreation and he often rode along Charles street, his riding clothes of English make and of striking design and color.
During Mr. Keene's legal career he developed a strong attack, and in the many famous cases with which he was connected (for the Keenes were one of the leading law firms of the city) he was an antagonist to be dreaded. After his retirement, in addition to the writings mentioned heretofore. he discussed every public movement or question of im- portance through the medium of the daily papers in much the same clear, forceful, logical style that he formerly used before the courts in behalf of his clients. He was exceedingly tenacious, and contested his argument to the end. He was opposed to the location of the statue of S. Teackle Wallis, in Mt. Vernon Square, and earnestly contended for a different site even after the statue had been erected. He frequently wrote in scatching criticism of various civic projects, and was an equally strong advocate for the man, or cause, he espoused. He was loyal in his friendship, and as a lawyer, noted for his devotion to a client's cause. His was a strong character, unmarred by anything petty or unworthy. He fought his battles in the open, and never resorted to any of the tricks of the pettifogger nor the demagogue, was a fair foe, and a trustworthy friend. His great sense of humor was most amusing, and he was a delightful conversationalist.
John Henry (2) Keene married, in middle age, Fannie Howell Cook, daughter of a wealthy New York banker.
EDWARD LIVINGSTON PALMER
BORN in the State of Maryland, Mr. Palmer from the age of fifteen years was identified with the business life of the city of Baltimore, and he never relinquished his interest until the end of his life, although he was numbered among the octogenarians of Baltimore. He was a typical Southern gentleman, lovingly referred to as of the "old school," and while holding views on slavery radically different from neigh- bors and associates, he kept through storm and sunshine the love and esteem of all. While a successful business man and a heavy contributor to the commercial greatness of his city, Mr. Palmer's life was not lived sordidly, but the obligations of home, the demands of religion and the responsibilities of citizenship were most carefully considered and scrupulously met. He was a man of most pleasing personality, which drew to him the admiration, confidence and companionship of the finest men and women. But in his home he was at his best, and home was the center of the universe to him. There, too, he was most deeply appreciated, for he was of such great modesty that it was only through personal intimacy that it was possible to really know him. A characteristic of his nature was a deep love of nature as expressed in the fields and forest. His care of fine timber amounted almost to venera- tion, and early in life he taught his children in their walks to distinguish the different trees by their bark and foliage. Cheerful and sunny in disposition, he found good in every- thing, while to the unfortunate his purse was ever open. In his home a generous hospitality was dispensed, host and hostess vieing with each other in their desire to have each guest feel that they were welcome.
In the Palmer records it is stated that the name came from the early ancestor who made the pilgrimage of the Holy Land,
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and the meaning of the palm was strength and ability to return to normal position no matter how bowed or crushed. In America this branch springs from John and Mary (Southery) Palmer, of Concord, then in Chester, now Dela- ware county, Pennsylvania. They came from England in 1682, John Palmer having been born in that country in 1660. died 1742. A photograph of the "Deed of William Penn's Agents to John Palmer, 1688" is published in the "History of the Palmer Family" (by Lewis Palmer, of Concordville). The Palmer homestead, in good preservation, was built by Moses Palmer, grandson of John Palmer, "the settler," on the site of the original house.
At this homestead in Concord, Delaware county, Penn- sylvania, Pennell Palmer, father of Edward Livingston Palmer, and a direct descendant of John and Mary (Southery) Palmer, was born 4 mo. 15, 1798. From his father he learned the hatter's trade, and remained at home until of age, then located at Alexandria, Virginia, where he married Rebecca Neal McPherson, born 8 mo. 2, 1804, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Grubb) McPherson, of Virginia. Soon after his marriage, 4 mo. 30, 1828, he returned to Concord, where two of his ten children were born. He remained in Concord two years, then purchased a farm in Howard county, Maryland, to which he removed. There eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Pennell Palmer, several of whom died in in- fancy. Later in life he bought a farm in Montgomery county, Maryland, near Sandy Spring, a Friendly settlement, and there he and his wife resided until their death. His wife. Rebecca Neal (McPherson) Palmer, died 8 mo. 6, 1867, at Sandy Spring ; he died 7 mo. 19, 1883, at the home of his son, Charles, in Baltimore, and both are buried in the graveyard of Sandy Spring Meeting. Mrs. Palmer was a direct descend- ant of the McPhersons, who came to this country early in
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1600, and could trace her ancestry back through many genera- tions of sturdy Highlanders. Her son, Edward L. Palmer, was always proud of his Scotch blood, loved the songs and poets of Scotland, and when traveling in that land eagerly sought for mementos, and was deeply interested in all tales of history concerning his mother's people, the McPhersons. She was a woman of fine mind, and reared her children carefully, encouraging them in their reading and study, and exerting a wise, broad-minded policy in their upbringing.
Edward L. Palmer, son of Pennell and Rebecca Neal (McPherson) Palmer, was born near Simpsonville, Howard county, Maryland, 8 mo. 8, 1833, and died at the home of his daughter, Eleanor (Palmer) Williams, 12 mo. 17, 1917. He remained there until he was fourteen years of age, when he went to Baltimore, Maryland. He entered the office of Crosby & Company, foreign fruit importers, of Baltimore, as a clerk, and continued his connection with that firm until it was dissolved, when he reorganized it under the name of E. L. Palmer & Company. Edward L. Palmer, in association with his brother, John M. Palmer, were importers and whole- sale dealers in foreign fruits, raisins, etc. The business was located at No. 107 West Lombard street, Baltimore, until the great fire of 1904, but immediately established themselves at No. 113-115 Cheapside, in a very substantial structure, and continued the business there. His rise from clerk to owner in so comparatively a short time was due to his own ability under the spur of the influence, encouragement, and affection of his uncle, John D. McPherson, of Washington, D. C., a distinguished lawyer, who practiced before the Supreme Court of that city, who was a loved guide to the young lad who left home at so early an age. He read and studied under his uncle's suggestion, and in this way more than made good the advantages he had been deprived of by so early leaving school.
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The firm, E. L. Palmer & Company, owned and operated in partnership with others some of the clipper ships which made Baltimore famous in the days when sail power only was employed in navigating ships. Their vessels brought car- goes of fruits and nuts to Baltimore wharves, Mr. Palmer dis- tributing them through his store organization to the retail merchants of the city and section. He continued his personal, active interest in the firm until the fire of 1904, then sur- rendered the management to younger shoulders, but always retained his financial interest in the business he entered as a lad of fifteen and left a veteran of seventy-one years. He lived thirteen years after retirement at the modern mansion he built at No. 112 Elmhurst Road, Roland Park, a suburb of Balti- more, but after the death of his wife, in 1911, he resided with his son, Edward L., Jr., until increasing infirmities made it necessary that he be near his daughters. For two years he divided his time between his three daughters, the end coming at the home of one of them in Philadelphia, after some months' illness.
Mr. Palmer belonged to that distinguished class of old- time merchants who, while bearing many business obligations, were able by foresight and ability to weather all financial storms and retained the confidence of customers and banking concerns throughout a long career without a single break. He was instrumental in establishing and was president of the first cold storage company in Baltimore. Yet he was always considered conservative, and toward the close of his life a bit "old fashioned," but he held the esteem and trust of his associates, the merchants of Baltimore and elsewhere, to the very highest degree. Success was written large on all his business undertakings, and in no less a degree was his private life an unequalled success.
Reared by his parents in the Orthodox branch of the
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Society of Friends, of which his father was a member, he con- tinued in that faith all his life. He was a friend to any move- ment tending to promote the welfare of his city, and in civic affairs always upheld the cause of good government. He loved music and the arts, was fond of travel, tastes shared by his wife, and together they enjoyed the refinements of culture and education to which their means entitled them. They were united in their desires for the education of their children, and the college training was given them which Mr. Palmer had been unable to secure for himself. He was an ardent Repub- lican, and kept fully abreast with the politics of county and State.
Edward L. Palmer married, 10 mo. 25, 1859, Susan Catherine Boyd, born 10 mo. 25, 1836, died I mo. 27, 1911, daughter of Hiram and Matilda (Harbaugh) Boyd, of Adamstown, Maryland. Her Grandfather Boyd voluntarily freed his slaves long before many of his Maryland neighbors and before the agitation concerning slavery had become gen- eral. He deemed slavery a wrong, and willingly sacrificed his property investment for conscience sake. Matilda Har- baugh was of Swiss ancestry, the Swiss ancestor who first came to this country, to escape religious persecution, finding a loca- tion in a beautiful valley near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, which to this day bears the name of Harbaugh Valley. Mrs. Susan Catherine Palmer, while she attended the services of the Society of Friends for many years with her husband, was more in sympathy with the Unitarian faith, and toward the end of her life affiliated with that church. She was a con- stant help to her husband and together they trod life's path- way for fifty-two years. Their union was a perfect one, each seeking the other's happiness, and in the search finding their own deepest joy. Five children came to the Palmer home, all of whom survive the parents, as do fifteen of their sixteen
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grandchildren who came into their lives at that period when the love of little children is precious beyond price. Chil- dren: Albert G., of Sandy Spring, Maryland, a graduate Ph.D. of Hopkins University; Eleanor, married Carroll R. Williams, of Philadelphia; Mrs. T. Janney Brown, of Wash- ington, D. C .; Mrs. R. E. Robinson, of New York; Edward L. (2), the only one of the family remaining in Baltimore. He is an architect, intimately connected with suburban de- velopment, especially in the Roland Park district. The re- mains of Mr. and Mrs. Palmer were interred at Druid Ridge Cemetery, Baltimore.
GEORGE WASHINGTON SADTLER
IN the year 1800, Philip Benjamin Sadtler founded, upon
Baltimore street, in Baltimore, Maryland, the jewelry and optical business to which his grandson, George W. Sadtler, succeeded, developed so successfully, and continued its able executive head until his death in 1916, at the age of sixty- eight.
George W. Sadtler was a son of George T. Sadtler, who received the business from his father, and to which he admit- ted his sons, conducting it under the firm name, G. T. Sadtler & Sons, opticians and jewelers. The business was incorporated under that name, and as its president George W. Sadtler was long the responsible head. He was a man of strong character, and aided by a natural business ability won a commanding position in the business life of his city. Upright and honor- able, he bore himself manfully under all conditions, and went to his last home unafraid and unashamed. He played well his part in the drama of life, and the curtain never fell upon a more worthy man. He came from a long line of military ancestors. His great-grandfather, Captain Frederick Reese, (who married Anna Margaret Ulrichson, of Frederick county), held a commission in both the Revolutionary and the Indian War of 1795. His grandfather, Captain John Reese (who married Mary Zacharias, of Frederick county), was in the War of 1812, being promoted for bravery. Philip Benjamin Sadtler (who married Katharine Capito Saner- wine) was captain of a company called the Baltimore Yae- gers during the War of 1812. Mr. Sadtler saw service, but his fame is founded upon his business success and the high place he attained in the jewelry and optical line, with which the Sadtler name has been connected for one hundred and sixteen years, 1800-1916, grandfather, father, and son having
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successively been the responsible heads. While the business will be continued under the old name, there is no son to suc- ceed the father, the descent now being through the female line.
George W. Sadtler, son of George T. and Sarah (Reese) Sadtler, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, February 22, 1848, and died at his home, No. 26 East Twenty-fifth street, in the same city, October 2, 1916. He was educated under the instruc- tion of the famed Dr. Dalrymple, and upon leaving school began business life as an employee of his father, who was head of the Sadtler optical business. After mastering the details of the business and acquiring expert optical knowledge, he was admitted to a partnership with his brothers, Herbert and Frank R., the firm name becoming G. T. Sadtler & Sons. In time he succeeded to the presidency of the corporation bearing the same name, and was one of the strong, influential business men of his city. He was one of the founders of the Maryland Optical Association, was chosen its first president, and until ill health compelled him to desist from all unneces- sary work he remained its executive head.
Mr. Sadtler was a member of the Maryland National Guard, holding an officer's commission in the Fifth Regi- ment. In 1877 he served with his regiment in the quelling of the riots which in August threatened life and property through the strike of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad men, a general strike prevailing all over the country. He was wounded and promoted for bravery. After his resignation, in 1879, he became a member of the Fifth Regiment, Veteran Corps, of which he was a member until his death. He was a member of Mount Moriah Lodge and the Maryland Commandery of the Masonic Order, and when the last rites of the Episcopal church had been performed his brethren of the order con- ducted the impressive Knights Templar burial service accord- ing to the ritual of the commandery. He belonged to other
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organizations, including Boumi Temple, Order of the Mystic Shrine, and the Seventeen Club, composed originally of seven- teen members, who from 1886 had met annually to dine, the number constantly diminishing until, thirty years after its founding, but five men remain.
Mr. Sadtler married, November 29, 1877, Delia Crom- well Banks, who survives him, daughter of Judge Thaddeus Banks, of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, an eminent jurist of the Pennsylvania bar, now deceased, and Delia Cromwell (Reynolds) Banks, of Maryland. Two daughters also sur- vive their father : Kathleen Cromwell, who married Dr. Hous- ton Boyd Hiatt, of Clinton, North Carolina, and Sophia P. B., who married Edwin Uhthoff Heslop, of Baltimore.
GEORGE A. POPE
A' LTHOUGH his years numbered eighty-seven, George A. Pope spent them all in Baltimore, his business life begin- ning as a clerk at the age of fifteen and terminating with retirement half a century later. Important as were his busi- ness connections and literary taste, he was best known for his long association with Sheppard Asylum, afterward the Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospital, an institution which he served as trustee thirty-six years, as president thirty-one years, and whose growth and present usefulness is largely due to his able guidance and broad vision. In fact, after his retirement from business in 1896, he gave himself unreservedly to the affairs of that institution, and continued its faithful, deeply- interested friend until the last. This was but one of his philan- thropies, however, his generous heart finding many outlets for his unfailing kindness and charity. Although he had been in failing health for several months and was bearing an unusual weight of years, he retained his mental vigor to a remarkable degree until the very last. He was one of the pioneers of the copper refining industry in Baltimore, and one of the best known of the older business men in the city.
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