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 18
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 18
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At the place where he still lives, the subject of this article was born April 10, 1838. He was given good educational advantages, first attend- ing the schools here, later becoming a student in West Nottingliam, Md., and afterward prosecut-
Pa., for two years. On leaving school in 1858, he became assistant manager of the Durham Iron Works, in Bucks County, Pa., but after two years in that position returned to Principio Furnace, where he has since been manager of the plant. A Republican in politics, he held the office of postmaster in 1862, but with that exception has never filled local positions. In religious belief he is identified with the Episcopal Chinrch. March 4, 1862, occurred his marriage to Mary Mc- Farland, of Philadelphia, and one child, Clifford C., was born of their union. The family is highly esteemed throughout this section of the county, where the members are well known.
B ENJAMIN H. SILVER, who is engaged in farming and stock-raising in District No. 2; Harford County, was born here January II, IS57. The family of which he is a member has been identified with the history of America for many generations and dates back to Jolin Silver, who, with two brothers, emigrated from England to New York or New Jersey. The date of his emigration is unknown to the present generation. After some time his descendants removed to Har- ford County, establishing the family here. The father of our subject, Jeremialı, was a son of Ben- jamin and Effie Silver and one of their family of nine children. He was born at the family home- stead in District No. 2, Harford County, where he still resides. Agriculture has been his life occu- pation and in it he has gained commendable suc- cess, having become known as one of the prosper- ous and efficient agriculturists of the locality. Notwithstanding his advanced years, seventy- four, he is quite active and physically is hale and robust. By his marriage to Mary E. Hoopman, he had six children, of whom four are now living.
Benjamin H,, who was the third in order of birth, was reared on the home farm and received such educational advantages as the neighboring schools afforded, supplemented by a classical
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course in Lafayette College at Easton, Pa. With a natural fondness for agriculture, he chose it for his life occupation, and his thorough familiarity with every detail connected with the management of a farm has conduced to his prosperity. He continned on the homestead with his father until he was thirty-seven, when he married and settled upon an estate that he inherited from his aunt. The farm comprises one hundred acres, and is devoted to the raising of cereals and of cattle and sheep, the stock business forming an addition to Mr. Silver's income that is quite important. In politics he is a Democrat, but has never sought or desired office. In April, 1894, he married Miss Lillie M., daughter of Frank and Anna (Harper) Hopkins, and they have one son, Benjamin Stump Silver. In religious connections they are members of the Presbyterian Church.
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UGH F. SCARBOROUGH. Having been a resident of Cecil County throughout his entire life of almost seventy-two years, the name of Mr. Scarborough needs no special intro- duction to the readers of this volume. It is safe to say that few men in District No. 5 have been more closely identified with its development or have taken a more active part in its upbuilding than did he. Enterprises that tend to the public wel- fare always received his cordial support and he co-operated in measures for the advancement of local interests.
Between the dates of birth and death, Aug- ust 9, 1825, and March 19, 1897, is encompassed a lifetime of toil and earnest endeavor on the part of Mr. Scarborough. The family of which he was a member originally came from England. Joseph, his father, was born in Bucks County, Pa., whence as a young man he came to Cecil County and embarked in general farming. He was called into active service at the time the British invaded Maryland and passed through Elkton on their march of devastation during the War of 1812. In private life he was energetic, in-
dustrious and honest, always exhibiting a helpful disposition to the unfortunate and needy. He continued to make his home in this county until his death, which occurred in May, 1848. By his marriage to Rebecca Boyd, of Port Deposit, he had four children, all now deceased. His second wife, Sarah Smith, also a native of this county, bore him seven children, of whom three are living: Ann E., wife of John O'Daniel, of Oxford, Pa .; Mary S., who married William Wright, also of Oxford; and Joseph S., a resident of District No. 4, Cecil County. Politically the father was a Dem- ocrat. In religious connections he was identified with the Methodist Protestant Church.
At Pleasant Hill, District No. 4, the subject of this memoir was born and reared. Schools in those days were of an inferior quality and his education therefore was limited. At the age of seventeen he began to learn the trade of cooper under the supervision of his father, and this oc- cupation he followed for some time. In 1874 he purchased a farm and the grist mill at Mechan- ics Valley, and the latter he operated until 1888, when he sold the plant and retired from business. From that time until his death he lived in retire- ment. Upon the organization of the Republican party he became one of its enthusiastic supporters and continued to advocate its principles as long as he lived. He attended services at the Methodist Episcopal Church and was one of its active mem- bers, always maintaining an interest in its wel- fare. The faith which had cheered him in life sustained him in the hour when death came and he passed away in the Christian's hope of eternal life beyond the grave.
August 9, 1848, Mr. Scarborough was united in marriage with Francina Spence, a most esti- mable lady, to whose affectionate co-operation he owed much of his success in life. She was of English descent, a member of a family that has long been represented in District No. 4. Her father, Henry Spence, was one of the volunteers from this county who went to Baltimore in 1812 and 1813 to assist in defending that city against the attacks by the British forces. Seven children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Scar- borough and of these three are now living, name-
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ly: Amos H., of Wilmington, Del .; Annie, wife of Robert C. Larzelere, of District No. 4, Cecil County; and Nettie, wife of Walter A. Nowland, residing at the homestead with her mother.
The record of a useful life is of value not alone to the immediate relatives, but also to all wlio cherish the deeds of the good and the true. The life of Mr. Scarborough may well be an incentive to otliers and is worthy of emulation by those just starting out for themselves, with no capital but an unlimited amount of hope and a goodly stock of physical strength. His influence for good was felt throughout his district. All hield him in the highest esteem. He left a record of good deeds as a legacy to his children and a well- spent life as an example to the world.
OHN S. YOUNG, who has won distinctive honors at the bar of Harford County, and is numbered among the foremost attorneys of Bel Air, was born about six miles from his pres- ent home and near the village of Abingdon, June 10, 1855. His father, Col. William Young, also a native of the same county, engaged in commer- cial pursuits in early life, and served for one term as county sheriff. When about forty years of age he joined the legal fraternity and attained prominence at the bar of Harford County, being connected with much of the important litigation that was tried in its courts up to the time of his death. He won his title from service on the staff of governor.
He was a man of much prominence in public and professional circles and was numbered among the valued citizcus of Harford County. The Young family is of English origin and was found- ed in America by the great-grandfather of our subject, a native of England, who came to the United States in command of a sailing-vessel. His son, William S. Young, was born in Balti- more, and was also a sea captain. He had four sons, one of whom lost his life in the Confederate army during the Civil War.
On the maternal side John S. Young is descend- ed from an old Delaware family. His mother, Mary E. (Cochran) Young, was a sister of the founders of the Cochran & Ohle Ice Company, owners of the largest ice plant in Baltimore. Mrs. Young still makes her home in Bel Air, and lias four sons: Jolin S., of this review; and James, Charles and Harry L., who are engaged in merchandising.
In taking up the history of our subject we re- cord the life of one who is well and favorably known in Harford County, having made his home here since the days of liis infancy. He was educated in the Bel Air Academy and studied law under the direction of his father. Since his admission to the bar he has been actively engaged in prac- tice and has met with a well-merited success that has gained him prestige among the attorneys of this section of the state. He has a broad and ac- curate knowledge of the science of jurisprudence, a keen analytical mind and in the arrangement of evidence so marshals his facts as to present the strongest possible front to the adversary. He has many times won the victor's laurels in forensic combat and enjoys a large and lucrative clientage.
Mr. Young was united in marriage to Miss Mary Fulton, a daughter of James Fulton, one of the prominent business men and highly respected citizens of Bel Air. Mr. Young has never aspired to political honors, but takes an active part in political matters on behalf of his friends. Of a social, genial nature, he easily wins the friendship of those with whom he comes in contact and their regard once gained is never lost.
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MBROSE COOLEY. The office of sheriff is one that was at one time filled by ex-Presi- dent Cleveland and is a position that de- mands the exercise of great circumspection, per- sonai courage and a general and apt intelligence. Harford County is fortunate in its choice of its present incumbent, Ambrose Cooley, who adds to strict integrity the other qualities es-
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sential to thorough discharge of the responsi- bilities connected with the station. All his life has been spent in Harford County, for on a farm in the vicinity of the Susquehanna River he first saw the light, December 24, IS42, and in the same locality his father, Daniel M. Cooley, and his grandfather, John Cooley, were also born, the former in 1790 and the latter ini 1757. Daniel M. Cooley was engaged in farming throughout life, but when the War of 1812 opened he left his plow to take up arms in defense of his coun- try, and while in the service held the rank of quartermaster. After a well-spent life he died in 1867. The patriotic spirit of John Cooley as- serted itself during the Revolution and he saw some hard service in the colonial army. He died in 1809. Daniel M. Cooley was united in marriage withi Miss Harriet Wiles, a native of Harford County, and a daughter of William Wiles, who was born on the ocean while his par- ents were en route to this country from Wales.
From this worthy ancestry comes the subject of his sketch, whose early life was spent like that of the average farmer's boy, in odd work about the farm and in attending the district schools in the vicinity of his home. As he grew to man- hood he decided to follow the calling to which he had been reared and which was that of his fa- ther and grandfather before him, and through good management and industry he in time be- came the owner of a good farm, which he tills in an intelligent manner and with satisfactory re- sults. Like others in the county he has given considerable attention to canning vegetables, and in this way utilizes all that he himself raises, also large quantities besides.
Although Mr. Cooley has always exercised his right of suffrage and has always shown the ut- most interest in the welfare of his country, he has never cared to hold official position, and the office of sheriff is the only one he has ever filled, with the exception of that of tax collector, which position he filled during 1876 and 1877. He is serving his first term and thus far has discharged his duties in a very satisfactory manner to all concerned. He is past master in the Masonic fraternity and is quite prominent in the work of
the order. He was married in IS71 to Miss Clara A. Hughes, a sister of ex-Sheriff Hughes, and to them a family of twelve children was born, of whom eight are now living. Mr. Cooley is a very unostentatious man, but a valuable citizen, and one who possesses in a higher degree the esteem of the public, politics not considered, it would be hard to find. He has achieved his suc- cesses through labor and by strictly honorable methods and they are tlicrefore the more esti- mable.
B EV. E. D. FINNEY. "Man lives not unto himself alone" was said by one who was wise and good, and there is nothing in the world that presents a more inspiring spectacle than a man who devotes his life to the good of others, is ready to succor the needy and distressed, and upon whom the cries of the orphaned and the sor- rows of the widowed are not lost. Such a man is Rev. E. D. Finney, who has devoted the greater part of his life to the saving of souls and who has made the world better for having lived in it. He was born at Churchville, Harford County, Md., September 12, IS25, the second son of Rev. William Finney, who was for half a cen- tury pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Church- ville and one of the best known ministers of his day. He was universally beloved for his con- sistent Christian life, and the work that he per- formed in the interests of Christianity was Her- culean.
Dr. John M. Finney, a brother of Rev. E. D. Finney, practiced the healing art at Churchville for half a century, having been a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, and died June 25, 1896, after a long life spent in the interests of suf- fering humanity. Another brother, William Finney, was taken with the "gold fever" of 1849, went to California and died there. Charles McL., another brother, also went to the "El- dorado of the West" in that year, but finally re- turned to his eastern home and is now a resident of Churchville. George J. Finney is the present
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WILLIAM A. SMITH.
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clerk of the Board of County Commissioners of Harford County, and like the other members of the family is a useful, enterprising and public- spirited citizen.
The boyhood days of E. D. Finney were spent in his native village, and after the usual prepara- tion in the common schools, entered La Fayette College, Pennsylvania, later Washington and Lee University of Lexington, Va., from which he was graduated. He was fitted for the ministry in Princeton Theological Seminary and soon after, in 1852, went South to Mississippi, where he taught school and preached until after the close of the great Civil War, when he returned to his native county and for twenty-five years thereafter was pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Bel Air, during which time he did noble work in the interests of the Christian cause, and during his pastorate the new church building was erected. At the end of the above mentioned time he resigned and since that time has lived a quiet and retired life.
Rev. Finney has been twice married, first to Miss Amma L. Parker, of Long Island, who died leaving two sons: Rev. William Parker Finney, a Presbyterian minister of New Jersey, and John M. T., assistant surgeon in Johns Hopkins Hos- pital of Baltimore. The second marriage was to Miss Elizabeth McCormick, of Bel Air, by whom he became the father of two children, both of whom died. The life of this worthy man has been full of good and charitable deeds and he is now enjoying a serene and peaceful old age.
ILLIAM A. SMITH. The lands of Har- ford County afford such excellent pasturage that it is not surprising that the stock busi- ness should be a special feature of agricultural operations here. Among those who have en- gaged in it with success is Mr. Smith, the well- known farmer and stockman of District No. 2. He is the owner of about three hundred acres of
valuable land, upon which he engages in raising stock and also the various cereals to which the soil is adapted.
In the district where he now resides, Mr. Smith was born September 2, 1861, the son of James and Harriet E. (Jewens) Smith, also natives of Harford County. The former, who has been very successful in life, accumulated his fortune chiefly through his operations as a farmer and stockman. Though now eighty years of age, he is quite hearty and in full possession of his facul- ties. He has not been active in politics, and, aside from voting the Democratic ticket, never identified himself with campaigns or election affairs. Now to some extent retired from active business duties, he has turned over to his son, William A., the management of his large and im- portant interests, while he himself enjoys the leisure he has justly earned as the fruits of former labor. Little is known concerning his ancestral history, except that his father, James, was born in Massachusetts and in young manhood removed from there to Harford County. The mother of our subject is still living and is hale and hearty for one of her age, sixty-five. There are only two children in her family, her son and a daughter, Annie F., the latter being the wife of John M. Michael, who is engaged in farming and the can- ning business in this district.
The early life of Mr. Smith, the subject of this sketch, did not differ materially from that of the average Maryland boy of the present generation. Born at the opening of the Civil War, his earliest recollections are of the exciting scenes and times that marked the '6os. As soon as old enoughi he was sent to school, it being the desire of his par- ents that he should have a good education. After- ward he attended school with reasonable regular- · ity a portion of each year for some years. While the family were well-to-do, they were too wise to rear him in idleness, but he was expected to con- tribute to his own support as soon as lie became physically able to perform any kind of manual labor, and probably the most important part of his education was his manual training. He is not one of those who have gained success in spite of poverty and reverses, for his life has been
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singularly free from adversity and its blighting influences. He did not have the humble origin, the hard experiences or the early privations that fall to the lot of some; but on the other hand, few enjoying his advantages have turned them to such excellent account. He had a fair start in life, and the wisdom, energy and perseverance with which he has pushed his way along furnish an example for others. He continues to make his home with his parents, and their declining years are brightened by his filial devotion.
TAYLOR JANNEY. Undoubtedly no fam- ily now residing within the limits of Cecil County has contributed to the prosperity and development of District No. 5 to a greater extent than has that of which Mr. Janney is an honored and able representative. Coming hither from England many generations ago, they la- bored, not alone for personal advancement, but also for the welfare of the community, and their services entitle them to honorable mention in this volume.
The subject of this sketch is worthy of tlc name he bears. He has spent his entire life in this district and is numbered among its best known residents. His paternal ancestors have long been prominent in agricultural circles, the most of them following farm pursuits. Jesse, son of Thomas, and father of our subject, was born about one mile from the present family residence. He was reared upon a farm, and having a taste for the occupation, became an agriculturist, to which calling his life was devoted. During the . may be attributed to his sterling qualities and his existence of the Whig party he advocated its perseverance. With the exception of the amount received from his father's estate, all of his posses- sions have been secured by his unaided toil, and represent many years of unremitting labor. principles, and upon its disintegration became a supporter of the principles of the newly organized Republican party. At one time he held the office of county commissioner from this district. In Politically a Republican and intelligently post- ed upon all vital questions of the day, Mr. Janney is ever ready to do his full duty as a man and a citizen. However, he is not an office seeker, religious associations he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. A man of intense patriotic spirit, he was glad to render service as a
soldier during the War of 1812. When the Civil War broke out he was too aged and infirm to go to the front and take part in the contest, but lic was deeply interested in the results. About the time of tlie close of the war, in April, 1865, he passed from earthi.
The mother of our subject was born in Eng- land and bore the maiden name of Maria Taylor. She died in 1863, at the family homestead. Eleven children were born of her marriage, and of these the following survive: Mary, widow of Silas Carter, of Zion, this county; Catherine, who married John W. Gifford, and resides in this dis- trict; Charlotte, wife of T. W. S. Kidd, of Illi- nois; and J. Taylor, of this sketch. The last- named was born February 24, 1833, on the farm where he now lives. Spending the days of boy hood in this locality, he attended the district schools, and, reared upon his father's farm, was thor- ouglily trained to a practical knowledge of agri- culture. Day after day, through the spring, summer and autumn, he was busy sowing, plowing, reaping and harvesting, and when he could be spared, he improved the moments in the public schools of the neighborhood. From his early years he was a boy of ambition and enterprise, and carefully supplemented the limited education he received at school with the knowledge gained by observation and reading. He was an intelligent and quick-witted youth, and at maturity was self-reliant, ready to win his way to assured success. From the age of seven- teen, when he left school, he assisted in the man- agement of the homestead, and on the death of his father he bought the place. Which he has since cultivated. Both as a general farmer and stock- raiser he has been prospered. The success at- tained by him and the prosperity he now enjoys
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preferring to give his time to personal matters. In religious comections lie is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His first wife was Sarah T. England, of this county, and their two children are Annie M., wife of Russell Reed, of Bay View; and J. Kirk, who lives at Buena Vista, Va. In 1894 Mr. Janney married Char- lotte M. Reed, daugliter of Josepli T. Reed, of Bay View.
G EORGE V. DEVER. The life of this ven- erable citizen of Harford County covers al- most the entire period of the nineteenth cen- tury. Born during the progress of the second war with England, reared under the elevating influences of a free, liberty-loving country, the witness of constant and remarkable improvements, spared to see the present growth of the country now recovered from the depressing influences of the Civil War; during all these years and amid all the changes that have gone on about him, he has led the quiet and comparatively uneventful life of a farmer. In 1837 he purchased a part of the Christopher Camp farm in the southern part of District No .. 3, and here he has since resided, a period of sixty years. The property comprises two hundred and seven acres of land, upon which the various cereals are raised, and some attention is also given to stock-raising.
The Dever family came to Maryland from Pennsylvania, our subject's grandfather being the first of the name to locate in Harford County. Sainuel Dever, father of our subject, was a black- smith by trade, and in addition to work at that occupation he also carried on general farming. He died on what is now the Webster place, at the age of sixty years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Nancy Vandergrift and was a member of an old Philadelphia family, died when sixty-two years of age. They were the parents of ten children, but George V., of this once large family, alone survives. When he was a boy his
educational advantages were exceedingly limited, and the knowledge that he acquired was gained principally by observation and experience. At the age of sixteen he began to cultivate a rented farm, and afterward continued as a renter until 1837, when he purchased his present property. Ad- vancing years, with attendant infirmities, prevent him from engaging in manual labor, as in former days; but he still takes an interest in farm work and his happiest hours are spent in noting the improvements and cultivation of the old home place.
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