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 14
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 14
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In Bucks County, Pa., Randall W. Rose was born October 3, 1845. His father, Timothy V., was a native of Humeville, that state, and was a son of John Rose, also a Pennsylvanian by birth. In 1857 the former removed to Maryland and set- tled in Cecil County, purchasing a farm in Dis- trict No. 5, and making it his home until he died. While farming was his principal occupation in
life, he was a stonemason by trade, and in his earlier days followed that calling. In the Meth- odist Protestant Church he was au active worker and a class leader. He was prominent in his lo- cality, a Republican in politics, and exerted con- siderable influence among his fellow-men. June 21, 1840, he married Margaret A. Gillingham, daugliter of J. P. Gillingham, of an old family of Bueks County. He died March 8, 1891, and his wife passed away September 26, - 1886. Their family consisted of eleven children, and all but one member of this large family still survive. They are named as follows: Elizabeth D., wife of John White, of Distriet No. 3, Cecil County; Harriet R., who married Thomas Miller, also of District No. 3; Randall W .; GeorgeG., of Dis- trict No. 5; Mary F., Mrs. Josepli Miller, of this district; Alfred D., who resides at Wilmington, Del .; J. P., who makes his home in District No. 3; H. C. and Aquilla P., of District No. 5; and Edward W., residing in Baltimore.
The early childhood years of our subjeet were passed in Bucks County, and there he was a pupil in the Flushing school. In the spring of 1857 he accompanied his parents to Cecil County, where he has since resided. Until fifteen years of age he attended the local schools in winter and assist- ed in farm work during the summer months. In youth he learned the habits of industry and per- severance that have remained with him since and have been of the greatest assistance to him. In 1890, about one year before the death of his fa- thier, he purchased the old homestead, and this he has since operated, maintaining a high order of improvements upon the place. As a citizen hie takes an intelligent interest in all publie issues of the day, and is a Republican in politics. In ad- dition to his business and agricultural enterprises, he is interested in religious movements and has devoted considerable attention to the work of the Methodist Protestant Church, of which he is a member.
December 28, 1869, occurred the marriage of Mr. Rose and Miss S. S. Alexander, whose an- cestors were among the early settlers of this county. Her father, Benjamin Alexander, was a resident of District No. 5 until his death, which
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occurred when the daughter was very young. The seven children that comprise the family of Mr. and Mrs. Rose are named as follows: Caleb V., residing in Washington, D. C .; Marion E., at home; Rufus B., William C., Lucy Jane, Fred E. and Marvin B., who are still with their parents.
ILLIAM P. TAYLOR, M. D., of Abing- don, is regarded as one of the most efficient and skilled physicians of this section of the state. His professional brethren accord to him a foremost place in their ranks, and the public attest their confidence in his ability by a liberal patronage.
'The Doctor is a native of the town which is still his home, his birth having here occurred August 2, 1851. His ancestral history is one of close connection with Maryland, although the family is probably of English lineage. His grandfather, James Taylor, and his father, William P. Taylor, both spent their entire lives here, following agri- cultural pursuits. The latter married Susan E. Norris, a daughter of Rheshea Norris, of Harford County, and they had seven children, of whom the following are living: Robert B., of Virginia; Amanda, wife of Frank C. Norris, of Baltimore; and the Doctor. William P. Taylor, Sr., was a member of the Methodist Protestant Church and a man of many excellencies of character. He died in 1879, and his wife survived until May, 1893, when she, too, passed away.
Dr. Taylor, of this review, began his education in the district schools near his home, pursuing his studies there until thirteen years of age, when he entered the Cumberland Valley Institute, of Pennsylvania. Later he matriculated in Calvert College, now known as New Windsor College, of Carroll County, Md. Determining to make the practice of medicine liis life work, his professional studies were pursued in the medical department of the Washington University of Baltimore, which he entered in 1868. He there pursued a thorough and comprehensive course, and was
graduated in 1872. He afterward spent a year in the hospitals of Baltimore, in order to stil! fur- ther perfect himself in his chosen calling, and during the following year practiced in that city. In 1874 Dr. Taylor came to Abingdon, opened an office and conducted a successful practice here until 1879, when he went to the West Indies to accept the position of surgeon for a phosphate company. Three years he remained in that place, and then returned to Abingdon, where he has since continued. His success in his profes- sion was marked and immediate. He had gained an accurate and extensive knowledge of the science of medicine and its methods of application, and as the years have passed he lias added to this by reading and study. His skill is attested by the splendid success that has crowned his efforts and accorded him a foremost place in professional circles.
ILLIAM W. HOLDEN. Farming has been the principal occupation of this gen- tleman, and the energetic manner in which he has taken advantage of every method tending toward the increased value of his property has had considerable to do with his present prosperity. When he started out for himself he had no capi- tal with which to purchase lands and no influen- tial friends to assist him; but he was determined, and with hope for his pilot and industry for the captain of his life boat, he surmounted the waves of adversity and finally steered safely into "snug harbor." While he is by no means a wealthy man, yet he has sufficient to enable him to pro- vide desired comforts for his family and insure his declining years against the encroachments of poverty and want.
The farm owned and occupied by Mr. Holden is situated on Elk Neck, extending from Elk River a considerable distance to the westward. It isone of the best farmis of the southeastern por- tion of District No. 5, which in turn is one of the best districts of Cecil County. At the time of coming here he rented the property, but in the following ycars he saved a sufficient amount to
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enable him to purchase the place. It includes two hundred and fourteen acres and is devoted to general farming purposes, the various cereals and vegetables being raised to which the soil of this section is adapted.
The father of our subject was Jacob, a sou of William Holden, and a native of Cecil County, where he spent his entire life. Politically he was a Democrat, and in religious belief held member- ship in the Methodist Episcopal Church. His marriage united him with Margaret, daughter of Jesse Bolden, of this county. He died in 1859, but she survived for some years, passing away in 1881, when advanced in years. Of their children the following survive: Mary Ann, wife of William Potts, of Mechanics Valley, this district; Eliza- beth, who married Lemuel Foster and resides in District No. 3; Helen, Mrs. John Cline, of District No. 5; Jacob, whose home is in Chester, Pa .; Mitchell, residing in Conshohocken, Montgomery County, Pa .; and William W., who was born in District No. 4, Cecil County, May 7, 1835.
In the schools of the home neighborhood our subject gained a knowledge of the three R's, but the principal portion of his present knowledge has been acquired through studious observation and through reading current literature. In 1865 he began as a renter and cultivated the farm he now owns, purchasing the same as soon as his means permitted. His long experience as a farmer renders his judgment sound and his opinion upon agricultural subjects valuable. He is not a mian with any "hobbies" to ride; on the contrary, he is quiet, unobtrusive, unwilling to offend others, but desiring to live as an upright, law-abiding citizen, at peace with his fellow-men and his God. The Christian's faith has been his since boyhood, and he has long been connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he holds the office of trustee. Politically he is a Democrat.
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January 29, 1859, occurred the marriage of Mr. Holden to Miss Talitha Mahoney, daughter of William R. Mahoney, of District No. 5. Eleven children were born of the union, and it may be noted as an unusual fact that death has not entered the home, the family circle still re-
maining unbrokcu by that dread visitor. How- ever, not all of the children remain with their par- ents, as some have married and gone to homes of their own. By name the sons and daughters are as follows: Henry W., of Baltimore; Will- iam T., at home; Jolin H., who is now in Wil- mington, Del .; Theodore B., who cultivates a farin not far from that owned by his father; George, who is at the same place: Charles, at home; Harriet, who married Charles Racine and resides near the old homestead; Maggie, wife of Robert Graves, of Chester; Anna, Clementine and Sophia, who are with their parents.
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RANK E. GORRELL. Progress demands an exponent, and has ever had a medium for making known its discoveries and con- quests. Rocks and tombs may be seen in ancient lands bearing hieroglyphics and cuneiform in- scriptions. The stylus and parchment were for ages used as a means of preserving valuable rec- ords, but they were inefficient, and could be viewed by only a favored few. At length the art preservative was invented, and even the most casual, superficial student will observe that, with the introduction of the newspaper, all trades and arts received a fresh impetus, and commerce was enlarged. It is difficult to estimate the amount of our indebtedness to the printing art, or to con- ceive what would be our present condition were all our papers and magazines and books, our world of literature, to be suddenly taken away. As an eclipse of the sun to the physical world, so would this be to the intellectual world.
The modern journalist, he who endeavors to make his paper a medium, not alone for the prop- agation of local itemis, but a storehouse of broad general information, may be justly called a public benefactor. The good that he does is of a per- manent nature and important in its bearing upon mankind. Of Mr. Gorrell it may be said that his ideal of journalism is high. It is ever his aim to produce a paper that will be attractive in
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appearance, perfect in typographical form, inter- esting locally and with a fund of general informa- tion that will be helpful to all. March 16, 1894, he bought an old, established paper, the Aegis and Intelligencer, at Bel Air, and has since been pro- prietor and editor, conducting it as a Democratic paper, and the organ of this party in the county. . Mr. Gorrell was born at Upper Cross Roads, Harford County, October 6, 1867, the son of Theodore and Margaret ( Bullock) Gorrell. His paternal grandfather came from Scotland and lo- cated at Level, formerly Hopewell Cross Roads, in Harford County. Theodore Gorrell was in early life engaged in farming in Harford County, but in 1871 removed to Brooklyn, N. Y., where he carried on a mercantile business for some years. Returning to Maryland, he spent his closing years in Churchville. In politics he was a Republican, and during the war supported the Union. For sixteen years he served as a justice of the peace. His wife, who was born in Dela- ware County, Pa., bore him eight children, name- ly: Hiram D., of Brooklyn; Henry C., also of that city; M. Alice, wife of Charles L. Gorrell, of Baltimore; Joseph W., who lives in Brooklyn; Lida, wife of A. C. Barton; Charles E., of Balti- more; George P., who is in the United States government employ at Quebec; and Frank E. The father died at Churchville, June 2, 1882, at the age of sixty-five. His wife is still living and makes her home with her son in Bel Air.
In the public schools of Harford County and in Bel Air Academy, our subject obtained his education. For a few years he taught at Church- ville and in Bel Air Academy. In 1885 he commenced to read law with Archer & Van Bibber, of Bel Air, and after three years was admitted to the bar of Harford County, October 6, 1888, after which he practiced law for six years in Bel Air. With a fondness for newspaper work, and a journalistic bent of mind, he determined to enter that field, and in 1894 bought the paper with which his name has since been identified. .In 1893 he was elected town commissioner, and was re-elected iu 1894, 1896 and 1897, serving as chairman of the board for three years. From 1890 to 1894 he was a notary public. He was
interested in the organization of the National Guard of Bel Air, and one of the first projectors of the movement. Fraternally he is connected with Mt. Ararat Lodge of Masons, in which he is past master. He is also connected with Tri- umph Lodge, No. 16, I. O. O. F., in which he has been one of the trustees.
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ILLIAM F. REASIN, who follows farm- ing and stock-raising in District No. 2, Harford County, was born on the farm which he now owns, October 14, 1848, and comes of one of the prominent and honored families of this section of the state. His grandfather, Duty Reasin, was a native of Kent County, Md., and when a young man removed to Bush River Neck, Harford County, where he followed the carpen- ter's trade, He married a Miss Johnes, and they became parents of seven children, namely: James F .; Samuel W., who followed merchandis- ing; William; Wesley; Mary, who became the wife of a Mr. Bradbury, who went to Africa and died there of yellow fever: Martha; and Amanda, who was the wife of Alexander Adams, a mer- chant of Havre de Grace. All of this family are now deceased.
James F. Reasin, father of our subject, was born at Bush River Neck, and reared on a farm. When a young man he went to Glenville, where he worked as a blacksmith and wheelwright until about 1861, when he sold his shop and devoted his time to the management of the farm, which he had purchased a few years previous, and which is now the property of our subject. He there spent his remaining days engaged in agricultural pursuits and in cattle feeding. His business was well and wisely conducted and was therefore quite profitable. He died in 1889, at the age of sixty-six years. In politics lie was a stanch Democrat, recognized as one of the lead- ers of the party in this county, and twice served as county commissioner. He was an active mein- ber of the Presbyterian Church, served as trustee,
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was a member of the building committee and gave about $1,000 toward the erection of the Harmony Church. A true Christian man, he won the confidence and respect of all who knew him and the world is better for his having lived. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Matilda Courtney, was born in District No. 2, in 1808, and was a daughter of George Courtney. Her first husband was William Maxwell, who died, leaving three daughters. By her second mar- riage she had one daughter, Amanda V., widow of B. Hopkins, of Aberdeen, Md. Mrs. Reasin was a member of the Presbyterian Church.
William F. Reasin, the only son of James F. and Matilda Reasin, remained upon the home farm until his parents' death, and from an early age assisted in the cultivation and development of the land. His early education, acquired in the common schools, was supplemented by study in Columbia Academy, of Columbia, Pa., and in Newark Academy, of Newark, Del. On his father's death he inherited the old homestead, and in the management of his farm his time is now passed. The neat and thrifty appearance of his place indicates his progressiveness, and from the well-tilled fields he derives a good income.
Mr. Reasin married Miss Annie Hogsman, of District No. 2. He takes quite an active interest in local politics, giving his unwavering support to the Demorcatic party. Socially he is con- nected with Aberdeen Lodge No. 187, F. & A. M.
HARLES W. SIMPERS. The most reli- able information regarding the Simpers fam- ily indicates that its first representatives in America came hither from England and settled in Cecil County about two hundred years ago. From that day to this it has furnished the state with men and women of upright character and progressive spirit, whose influence has been felt in various lines of labor. Both the father of our
subject, Jesse H., and the grandfather, William, were born in District No. 5, but in 1814 they re- moved to District No. 3, where the former en- gaged in farming and fishing, and also for a time followed the cooper's trade. A leader in public affairs, he was a Whig until the disintegration of the party, after which he allied himself with the Republicans. For years he was a trustee and active worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church. His marriage united him with Jane Miller, who died in February, 1845, when her children were small. She was a daughter of Rev. Thomas Mil- ler, of an old family of District No. 3, Cecil Con- ty; one of her brothers, Thomas Miller, was sheriff of the county in 1827-28, and another bro- ther, Benjamin, was magistrate for a long term of years. Of her nine children, six are living, namely: John W., of North East; Rachael J., whose first husband was John McCauley, and the second, Jolin Cantwell; Joseph W., of North East; Jesse K., who makes his home in District No. 3; Charles W .; and Sam B., a resident of Chester County, Pa. The second marriage of Jesse H. Simpers united him with Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob Fulton, of this county; she died in 1886, and of her six children four are living, as follows: Wilmer F., of Bay View; Mary E., wife of Wil- mer Bouchelle, of District No. 3; James A., of Elkton; and Henry E., who is the postmaster at Leslie.
On the old homestead in District No. 3, Cecil County, Charles W. Simpers was born June 30, 1840, and there the years of boyhood and youth were quietly passed. At the age of eighteen he began to learn the carpenter's trade, which he afterward followed for a time, meanwhile also having charge of a farm in District No. 3. In 1862 here moved to North East, where he has since made his home, at different times following va- rious pursuits. For thirteen years he was propri- etor of a livery establishment, after which he en- gaged in fishing and the mercantile business for ten years. A Democrat in politics, he has always been active in public affairs, and in 1870-71 was tax collector for District No. 5. In 1875 he was the Democratic nominee for the office of sheriff, and was defeated by only twenty-two votes, the
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county polling six thousand votes. At this writ- ing he is one of the assessors of the county. Identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, he has been a trustee of the congregation since 1882. Fraternally he was a charter member of the Knights of Pythias, and is still connected with the order.
January 1, 1868, Mr, Simpers married Sarah C. Roberson, a refined, cultured lady, well fitted to be the companion of his intellect as well as his heart. She is a member of one of the old families of the east, and a daughter of Dr. Elijah H. Rob- erson, of Newcastle County, Del., who was a rel- ative of Gen. Robert E. Lee. The four children of Mr. and Mrs. Simpers are named as follows: Altha A., wife of Joseph J. Summerill, a law- yer of Woodbury, N. J .; Charles R., who is with his parents; Elizabeth Holliday and Gertrude Jane, deceased.
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HRISTIAN SMITH. It was once said by Gibbon that every man has two educations, one which is given him, and the other and more important, that which he gives himself. The same thought was emphasized by Sir Walter Scott, who said: "The best part of a man's education is that which he gives himself." The mind has been endowed with no ambition more powerful than that of self-advancement. The self-made man carries with him his own capital- a capital unaffected by monetary crises, and an investment whose interest is not regulated by success of speculation-a possession which none can dispute and of which no one can deprive him.
As a representative of the class who have attained success in life solely through their own exertions, we mention the name and present the biography of Christian Smith, a prominent farmer and canner of District No. 1, Harford County. He is a native of this county, born in District No. 3, near Churchville, May 29, 1859, being the son of Christian and Elizabeth (Burkley) Smith,
natives of Germany. His father, who was a men- ber of an excellent family in the old country, came to America about 1850, and settled on the farm where our subject was born. By trade he was a mason, but he followed farmi pursuits through the most of his life. His death occurred in IS72. In religious belief he adhered to the faith of his forefathers, the Lutheran Church receiving his support. His wife is still living, and is now sixty-six years of age. Their six children were named as follows: Alexander, who resides near Churchville, in District No. 3; Christian; Frederick, a resident of Creswell; Anna, wife of George Walters, of Baltimore County; Emma, Mrs. William Gosweiler, who lives in District No. 3; and George, who died in boy hood.
Owing to the fact that his father's health was very poor, our subject was obliged to do far more work than falls to the lot of most boys. In planting, plowing, reaping and harvesting, his time in the summer was busily passed. Even during the winter months, work at home kept him so busy that he had little opportunity to attend school, and his knowledge has been most- ly acquired by observation and experience. When he was twenty-one his uncle, Fred Burk- ley, took him into the canning business as a partner, and he continued in that connection for four years, but in 1883, withdrawing from the partnership, he and his brother, Alexander, em- barked in the canning business on their own account. At the same time he purchased a farm at Carson's Run, District No. 2, where for seven years he engaged in farm pursuits, but especially in raising and canning fruit. With his brother, in 1886, he purchased ninety-seven acres near Harford Furnace, in District No. I, to which place he at once mnoved. In 1890, Alexander wishing to withdraw from the business, Christian bought his interest and has since conducted alone the business of packing and the occupation of farming.
The Democratic party has in Mr. Smith a stanch adherent, and the Lutheran Church a faithful member. In addition to his personal farm and canning interests, he is a director in the First
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National Bank of Aberdeen, a director in the Aberdeen Canning Company, and president of the Creswell Telephone Company. April 16, 1884, he was united in marriage with Miss Mollie Kammerer, daugliter of Jacob Kammerer, of this district. They have a comfortable home and are numbered among thie prosperous residents of tlie community.
HE STREETT FAMILY. Long residence in a community gives to a family a standing which can scarcely be otherwise acquired, especially if its members have made for them- selves good records as citizens. If intelligent and actively interested in the welfare of the people around them, they become known as public- spirited and progressive, and their labors have a lasting influence for good in their locality. Within the limits of Harford County there are a number of families who have been represented here since colonial days and who, in each genera- tion, have borne an honorable part in the upbuilding of the community. The first of the name in this country was Col. John Streett, a native of England, who came to America before the Revolutionary War and bore an active and valiant part in that historic struggle, holding the rank of colonel of his regiment. After the close of the conflict he returned to his home in Harford County, where the remainder of his life was devoted to farm work.
The Colonel's son, Maj. Thomas Streett, was born in District No. 4, Harford County, and here spent his life, with the exception of the time he was at the front in active service as an officer in the War of 1812. By occupation he was a tiller of the soil, in which calling he was very successful. The same vocation was followed by his son, Merryman, who was a native of this district, where he engaged in tilling the soil of the old homestead. Through his agricultural enterprises he became quite well-to-do, and at his
death left his family in good circumstances. As an upright, conscientious man, his opinion had weight with others. He was active in the work of the Rock Spring Church, and aided those measures that would uplift humanity and elevate society. He believed in the principles of the Democratic party and used liis influence in behalf of its candidates. At the old home, where liis busy life was passed, his eyes were closed in death November 24, 1882, at the age of sixty-seven. He is survived by his widow, Priscilla D. (Bull) Streett, a native of Baltimore and a descendant of English ancestry, and by their two daughters, Mary V. and Mattie C. Four children have passed front earth.
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