USA > Maryland > Cecil County > Portrait and biographical record of Harford and Cecil counties, Maryland. Containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties. Together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 13
USA > Maryland > Harford County > Portrait and biographical record of Harford and Cecil counties, Maryland. Containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties. Together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 13
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James F. Kenly early became familiar with the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist and assisted his father in the work of the farm until twenty-four years of age, when he was mar- ried and removed to the farm whereon he now resides, inheriting the same at his father's death. He married Miss Sarah Hanway, who was born in District No. 1, on the 21st of February, 1848, and is a sister of Hon. L. Littleton Hanway. They have nine children: Mary, Harriet, Leroy, Sarah, James F., Jessie, Julia, George W. and Marion. All are at home with the exception of Harriet, who has fitted herself for the duties of a librarian.
Mr. Kenly and his family reside on his farm of three hundred acres, where lie is carrying on general farming and stock-raising. He thor- oughly understands his business and has won the success which results from ability, industry and honorable dealing. He and his wife, also their children, hold membership in the Pres- byterian Church. Their home is noted for its hospitality, and their friends throughout the com- munity are many. Mr. Kenly gives his political support to the Republican party at national elec- tions, but at local elections where no issue is
involved votes independently of party ties. He has served as tax collector of his district, but has never been an aspirant for political honors. He belongs to Stephenson Lodge No. 135, F. & A. M., of Lapidum.
OHN WESLEY GIFFORD. Of the citizens who have added to the prosperity of Cecil County, few have attained a reputation more enviable or a position more satisfactory than the gentleman named above. Through his long asso- ciation with the agricultural interests of District No. 5 as the owner of a finely improved farm near Bay View, he has become well and favorably known. In every enterprise to which he gives his support he maintains a deep and unwavering interest, and his efforts have resulted in the pro- motion of the material welfare of the district.
The Gifford family is of English descent. The father of our subject, James Gifford, was born near Portsmouth, England, and from there emi- grated to the United States about IS21, settling in Philadelphia County, Pa., near Germantown. He engaged in farming throughout the remain- ing years of his life, although he was a black- smith by trade and had followed that occupation in the home land. After spending ten years in Philadelphia County he removed to Bucks County, and in 1855 came to Maryland, establishing his home in District No. 5, near Principio, and three miles from the present home of his son. He cast his ballot at one presidential election for General Jackson, the candidate of the Democratic party. but usually supported the men and measures brought forward by the Whig party. Fraternally he was identified with the Odd Fellows and in religious belief a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church.
Before coming to America James Gifford mar- ried Ruth Edmonds, and they became the parents of ten children, six of whom are living, viz .: Samuel, whose home is in District No. 9; Sarah, wife of Rev. James Cooke, of Iowa; Ellen, who is
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the widow of Thomas Gillespie, of Zion, Md .; John Wesley; George W., of Principio; and James, of District No. 9. The mother died October 6, 1861, and the father several years later. During the residence of his parents in Philadelphia County, Pa., our subject was born on the last day of the year 1828. He was quite small when the family removed to Bucks County and there his education was obtained in the common schools. At the age of sixteen his studies were discontin- ued, and he began to learn the trade of a carpen- ter. This, however, he did not long follow, as his time was given principally to assisting his father on the home place. In 1865 he purchased the farm where he has since resided, engaged in general farming. His right of franchise is used in favor of the Republican party. He is known for his constant championship of every measure calculated to benefit the community, and has al- ways been progressive and enterprising. His religious belief is in sympathy with the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the work of which he aids as far as possible.
January 20, 1858, Mr. Gifford was united in marriage with Catherine, daughter of Jesse Janney, of Cecil County. Unto their union were born six children, all but one of whom are living. They are named as follows: Jesse, who resides in Philadel- phia; Grant, of Avondale, Pa .; Lotta, who is with her parents; Viola, wife of A. P. Rose, of North East; and Ida, who married H. Hamilton and resides in District No. 9.
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HENRY STRASBAUGH, who is engaged in farining and merchandising at Creswell, District No. 1, Harford County, has been identified with business affairs since a lad of twelve years. Beginning at that time to earn his own livelihood, he had but little opportunity for obtaining an education, and the knowledge he ac- quired was principally the result of observation and the experiences of a busy life. At an early age he evinced the possession of industry, energy
and fidelity to his employers' interests, and in consequence the greatest confidence was reposed in him. For years, when quite young, he was given entire charge of different stores for the same firm, and his long connection with them speaks . volumes for his ability and trustworthy character.
The Strasbaugh family was represented among the early settlers of Pennsylvania and its mem- bers mostly followed milling pursuits. The father of our subject, Jacob Strasbaugh, was born and reared in Adams County, Pa., his birth occurring in 1805. For some time he followed the trade of a miller about ten miles from Hanover, in Adams County. In 1829 he married Dorothy, daughter of Frederick Bahn, a farmer in York County. Five children were born of their union. namely : Lucy, widow of John Kosher, formerly a mer- chant of Harrisburg, where she resides; Kate, who married Gregg Dellone, a cattle raiser and dealer in East Berlin and Abbottstown; Maria, deceased; Susie, who became the wife of Harry Fraley, a merchant of Harrisburg; and A. Henry, who was born in October, 1835.
When twelve years of age the subject of this sketch secured employment as a clerk in Balti- more County, and at fifteen he was transferred to a store at Sarah Furnace, the same county, of which he had charge for two years. Still contin- uing with the same firm, he was put in charge of a store at Ashland, and two years later was sent to Harford Furnace, Harford County. This was in 1855. Later he bought the store, which he continued to manage, at the same time keeping the books for the furnace company until 1870, when the firm sold out. He then opened a branch store in Abingdon, conducting that in addition to the store at Creswell, which he had started in 1865. In 1867 he went to the Chesapeake fur- nace in Baltimore for his brother-in-law, William F. Pannell, and remained in charge of the busi- ness until the death of the proprietor, when he was appointed administrator. This position was one that involved much labor and responsibility, and he spent four years, 1883 to 1887, in closing up the estate, which netted the heirs $55008.70. The implicit confidence reposed in him is shown by the fact that he was not limited as to time, but
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was allowed to close out the business in the man- ner that seemed to him wisest.
October 30, 1862, Mr. Strasbaugh married Isabella W., youngest daughter of the late James E. Pannell. They are the parents of one son, Harry P., who is engaged in the brokerage busi- ness in Baltimore. A lifelong Democrat, firm in his allegiance to party principles, Mr. Strasbaugh nevertheless declines the nominations which the members of his party would be glad to bestow upon him. The only exception to his decisions in this regard was in 1893, when he consented to serve as a member of the board of county commis- sioners, and of this body he has since been the president. In 1865 he became a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is now identified with the Churchville congregation, of which he has been a trustee for many years.
W ILLIAM O. MICHAEL. The family which this gentleman represents is among the oldest of Harford County, where it was founded in ante-Revolutionary days by Balchior Michael, a native of Germany. The property that he purchased was situated near Aberdeen, in District No. 2, and is still owned by members of the family. One of his sons, Jacob, entered the American service during the war for independ- ence, and rose to the rank of colonel in the army. Another son, Daniel, had a son, John C., who became the father of our subject, and spent his life as a farmer and business man of District No. 2. Besides agricultural pursuits, he engaged in the canning business, an industry that has become so profitable to Harford County residents. He did not take an active part in public affairs, but those who had any acquaintance with him knew him to be firm in his allegiance to the Democratic party. His death occurred at the old homestead in 1895, when he was sixty-nine years of age.
By his marriage to Martha, daughter of John Mitchell, of District No. 2, Mr. Michael had four children, namely: John, whose home is in Aberdeen; William O .; Lydia, wife of C. R.
Kerwin; and Oleita G., wife of Rev. Archibald Jamison, now stationed at Brunswick, Md. The widowed mother still survives, her residence being on the old home place.
The subject of this sketch was born near Aberdeen in 1860, and received a practical edu- cation in the common schools and in Eaton's Busi- ness College, of Baltimore, completing his studies at the age of twenty-one. He continued to reside at the old homestead, interested in farm- ing and the canning business, but in 1890 removed to his present home near Bel Air, where he has since engaged in general farming. The place where he now resides is one of the oldest in Harford County, and consists of two hundred and eighty-three acres of land. The property is under excellent cultivation. It needs only a glance at the farm with its appurtenances to determine the character of the man, and to indi- cate the industry and perseverance with which he has labored. Giving, as he does, his entire attention to agriculture, he has little leisure for public affairs, and aside from voting the Demo- cratic ticket, takes no part in politics.
In 1890 Mr. Michael married Ida B. Gilbert, daughter of Bennett and Martha Gilbert, of District No. 2. She was reared in this county and educated in the public schools. In religious belief she is a Presbyterian, and is rearing her children, Martha Gilbert and Georgie Bell, in that faith.
EORGE SMITH WEBSTER. The farm upon which Mr. Webster resides is situated in Churchville Precinct, District No. 3, Harford County. His residence, which is com- fortable and comparatively new, stands on an eminence and is surrounded by forest and orna- mental trees. One giant, a chestnut, is so large that a ten-foot pole laid along its side about a foot and a-half above the ground, does not extend beyond the breadth of the tree. When the main trink reaches a height of about ten feet, it divides into four branches, three of which are larger than
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the average forest tree, while the fourth and small- est is at least eighteen inches in diameter.
A record of the life of Henry Webster, our subject's father, will be found in the sketch of William Webster, while the ancestral history appears under "The Webster Family," upon another page. Upon the old family homestead, now occupied by his brother William, our subject was born November 27, 1825. For some years, when a boy, he attended the academy at Church- ville, which was built by his father and Mr. Finney. From there he went to the home of his uncle in Kent County, where he attended school a couple of winters, spending the intervening summer months at home. After completing his studies, he assisted in the cultivation of the home farm until he was twenty-four, when he bought a farm of one hundred and ten acres near his father's place, and also one of one hundred and fifty acres that had belonged to the uncle for whom he was named.
After the death of his father, in October, 1872, Mr. Webster made his home in Bel Air for seven- tecn years, with his brother, Col. Edwin Webster, though he did not give up the care of his farm property, driving out each day to look after it. In 1865 he sold his one hundred and ten acre farm, but still retains the other, and since 1890 has occupied the neat residence he erected here in 1886. He is well-to-do, and not obliged to work unless he so desires, as he has a competency sufficient to provide every comfort for his declin- ing years.
ACOB E. BULL, the leading contractor in Harford County, was born within two and one- half miles of Bel Air, his present home. The family of which he is a representative was founded in America by his grandfather, John Bull, a native of England, who came to Mary- land in early manhood and settled in Harford County, where in after years he was a prosperous farmer and a large slave owner. The father of
our subject, Edmund L. Bull, was a native of Harford County, born at what was then called Bulltown. During the progress of the War of 1812, when the city of Baltimore was threatened by the British forces, he enlisted in the American service and took part in the defense of the place. When a youth he learned the trade of a carpen- ter, and after following it for a time he took up contracting, in which line he was successful and prominent. He was well known throughout the state as one of its most efficient and extensive builders. Not only did he win confidence as a business man, but as a citizen and in private life as well, for his irreproachable character and exemplary life gained for him the esteem of all with whom he came in contact. As a citizen and in social circles, his standing was high.
The mother of our subject, Margaret Gay, was born in Harford County, being a member of one of the prominent old families of the county. Her children were four in number, and the three sons, Jacob . E., Henry and Richard S. H., embarked in business life as carpenters; the daughter, Mary Susan, became the wife of John F. Forwood, a builder in the city of Baltimore, and a cousin of W. S. Forwood, of Bel Air.
Born in 1848, the subject of this notice had but a common-school education, supplemented by a brief attendance at the Bel Air Academy. When twenty years of age he commenced to learn the trade of a carpenter. In this business he has spent his entire life, and has gained the reputa- tion of being one of the leading and most suc- cessful builders and contractors in the state. The most of the fine buildings of Harford County have been erected under his supervision, among these being the Masonic Temple of Bel Air, one of the most substantial and costly struc- tures in northeastern Maryland. His reputation as a contractor extends through the state, and his business has not been limited to his native county, many of his contracts being made with parties elsewhere. In his profession his name is the synonym for ability, honesty and integri- ty. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons and Odd Fellows.
In 1861 Mr. Bull married Miss Mary Tustin
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Sunderland, of Philadelphia. Eleven children were born of their union, and of this number eight are living. Lillie T. is the wife of William Wallace, a carpenter, residing in Baltimore; Charles A. is associated with his father in the building business, and possesses the talent in this direction that has been noticeable in the family for generations; Carrie P. and Emma V., accom- plished young ladies, reside with their parents, brightening the home by their presence; Irene W. is the wife of Edward Wood, of Baltimore; William W., Alberta and Mary are at home.
ILLIAM REED. Born and died,-such is the story of the individual man; but be- tween the two words lies all that goes to make up the character of the person. The man- ner in which trials and sorrows are borne, the lessons of patience and determination to be learned, the friends made, the victories won upon life's great battlefield; these, and many more experiences, develop the character of the individ- ual. The record of the life of Mr. Reed is not greatly different from those of others in Cecil County, but who can estimate the power for good his life has been and now is? Who can tabulate in cold figures the names of those whom he has helped, those whom he has encouraged, and those who have come to him, and not in vain, for the ready sympathy and practical advice ?
A native of this county, the life-history of Mr. Reed has been interwoven with that of this locality, and naturally he is deeply interested in all movements tending toward the greater im- provement and development of local resources. In his character he combines the sturdy honesty of his Welsh maternal ancestors with the genial kindliness of his Irish progenitors. His father, William, Sr., was born in District No. 5, this county, and always followed farm pursuits, dying on his homestead in 1865. Politically an old-line Whig, he took an active part in local affairs and was always a champion of progressive measures.
As supervisor he was instrumental in securing the opening and improvement of roads. In other ways he helped forward local enterprises. He was connected with the Methodist Protestant Church, and squared his life by the teachings of the Scriptures. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Amy McVey, was a member of an old family of District No. 5, and died here in 1833. Of their family the following survive: Joseph T., of Bay View; Benjamin M., whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; Martha, widow of John T. Slicer, of Calvert, Md .; and William, of this sketch. .
Within a mile of his present place of residence our subject was born June 24, 1829, and in this neighborhood he obtained such education as he gleaned from text books. At the age of seven- teen he began to take an active part in the management of the farm, assisting his father for two years. Wishing to try some other occupa- tion, he left home in 1853 and secured employ- ment on the Pennsylvania Railroad, where he was first fireman on an engine and afterward a baggage master on the train. Six years were spent with the company, but he finally concluded that railroading was less congenial and profitable than farm work, and accordingly resumed agri- cultural pursuits. In :860 be purchased part of the farm known as the Jacobs purchase. On this tract of one hundred and thirty-seven acres he has since engaged in general farming. During the years he has spent upon the place he has succeeded in bringing the soil to a high state of cultivation and has erected farm buildings as needed.
In 1859 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Reed and Miss Margaret Matilda Ferguson, daughter of James Ferguson, and of an old Cecil County family. Eight children comprised the family, and all but two of these are still living. They are named as follows: William J., of Bay View; Elizabeth E., who married George W. Fitzgerald and resides in Bay View; Thompson R .; Benjamin M .; Virginia and Mabel V., who are at home. The family attend the Methodist Protestant Church of Bay View, and have many friends in the congregation, whose work their co-
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operation and contributions have materially pro- moted. Politically Mr. Reed believes in the principles laid down in the Republican platform and therefore votes the straight ticket. He man- ifests an interest in measures for the benefit of the district, and may be counted upon to bear his part in all of these.
H. D. PUE. Many years have come and gone since the Civil War brought its blight- ing influence upon our nation. Old enemies have been forgotten and old prejudices wiped out. Over the graves of the past the soldier in blue and the one in gray clasp hands in friend- ship, and the North and South, once separated in thought, if not in reality, again find a common meeting place in the same hopes and aspirations. Looking back and impartially scanning the deeds of men, the student of history finds that both the Federal and the Confederate earnestly supported principles they believed to be right and just; both were chivalrous and brave, willing to die in de- fense of what they believed to be right.
On the Confederate side there was 110 soldier more brave, no officer more loyal than Captain Pue, the subject of this sketch. His long and active service in the army brought him into prom- inence among Southerners, and his comrades who still survive remember with pride how gallantly he led the men and how bravely he maintained his position, even when others were retreating and the day was lost. The leaders of the Confed- eracy placed the greatest confidence in his loyalty and courage. Among his friends was Jefferson Davis, who, some years after the war closed, vis- ited him at liis beautiful home in Harford County.
The Pue family is of Scotch extraction, but has been long identified with the history of Mary- land. The records of the city of Baltimore show that Dr. Joshua Pue was the largest tax payer in the city in 1765. Our subject's father, Michael E., was the son of Caleb Pue, and was born in Elk Ridge, Howard County, Md., but at the age
of eight years accompanied the family to Harford County, settling in District No. I, near the line of No. 3. Here he engaged in farining until his deatlı, which occurred in I891. Politically he was a Whig in youth and a Democrat after the disintegration of the Whig party. In religious belief he was an Episcopalian. His wife, who also died in 1891, was Elizabeth Bull, daughter of Elisha Bull, of District No. 3, and a member of an old family of Harford County. They were the parents of six children, of whom five survive, namely: E. H. D .; Arthur, of Montana; Richard, also of Montana; Dr. Michael, residing in Delta, York County, Pa .; and Elizabeth, wife of Walter W. Preston, state's attorney of Harford County and a resident of Bel Air.
Where he now lives, the subject of this article was born April 28, 1840. In youth he attended the academy at Bel Air. He remained at home assisting his father in the management of the farm until the outbreak of the war, and his de- cided southern sympathies led him to enlist in the Confederate army. He enlisted in the Maryland Grays, of Baltimore, under the command of Capt. James Herbert. In every battle of the east- ern army under General Lee, amounting to two hundred and fifty battles and skirmishes, Captain Pue took an active part. He was eleven times wounded, once at Petersburg, and twice at Get- tysburg, the second battle of Manassas, Spottsyl- vania. battle of the Wilderness and five other places, two of the wounds being sabre cuts. In the seven days' fight before Richmond he was captured by the Federal troops, but succeeded in making his escape. His command started to join Johnston in 1865, but on learning that both that general and Lee had surrendered, they disbanded.
After the war, Captain Pue engaged in the mercantile business at Rectortown, Va., for seven years, and then returned to Harford County, where he has since occupied his beautiful country home, in District No. 2. Like his father he is a Democrat in politics and an Episcopalian in re- ligious connections. He holds the office of vestry- man in the Episcopal Church. November 12, 1879, he married Cornelia Dunn, who was born in New Orleans and is a lady of fine education.
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They have had six children, and four are now living, Michael. Clara, Elizabeth and Barthena. The father of Mrs. Pue was Rev. Ballard S. Dunn, of the Episcopal Church, member of General Polk's staff during the Civil War, and chaplain of the Louisiana Rifles. Her maternal grand- father, Tobias Sternsbury, was a general in the armny and assisted in defending Baltimore at the time it was attacked by the British, during the War of 1812. One of her uneles, Col. Smith Sternsbury, was chief engineer in the army and a colonel in Beauregard's staff. The family is of aristocratie southern lineage and its mienibers have been cultured and well edueated, as well as brave and loyal to southern institutions.
ANDALL, W. ROSE. A man's lifework is the measure of his success, and he is the most successful man who, turning his pow- ers into the channel of an honorable purpose, accomplishes the object of his endeavor. In the study of the life of every man we find some inain- spring of action, something that he lives for. The chief ambition of Mr. Rose seems to have been to make the best use of his talents and se- cure for his family the comforts of life. A farmer by training and preferenee, he has led the quiet unpretentious and industrious life of an agrieul- turist, devoting himself to the cultivation of his farm in Cecil County. This place, which is the old family homestead, lies in the northern part of District No. 5, between Mechanics Valley and Bay View. It comprises one hundred and eiglit- een acres of land, planted to various cereals and improved with substantial buildings.
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