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 19
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 19
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The first marriage of Mr. Dever took place in IS48, when Margaret Forsyth became his wife. She died, and all of their family, comprising eight children, have also passed away. His second wife, Mary Arnold, was a descendant of an old family of Harford County and was a daughter of Henry Arnold, who lived near Aberdeen. The nine children that came to their home were named as follows: Ella and Edwin, now deceased; Car- rie; Benjamin, who carries on the old homestead, and is an energetic, successful farmer; Mamie; David, who is also at home; Charles and Hattie, who are twins; and Addie. The family attend the Calvary Methodist Episcopal Church.
AMUEL, M. LEE was formerly well known as a practical and successful agriculturist of Harford County in District No. 3, but has now ceased active labor. He was born here in 1814, the son of William D. and Anna (Wil- son) Lee. His grandfather, Parker H., who held the rank of lieutenant in the colonial army during the Revolution, was a son of Samuel, and a grandson of James Lee, who came to this coun- try from England, about 1600, being sent liere as the representative of an English company. Capt. William D. Lee, who served as an officer during the entire period of the War of 1812, engaged in farming on the old Lee homestead and there he died in 1828, at the age of forty-five years. He and his wife were the parents of ten children,
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but the only survivors are Samuel M., John, Lycurgus and Priscilla. After the death of her husband, the widowed mother reared her children, training them for useful positions in the business and social world: in return for her care and af- fection, they tenderly ministered to her in her de- clining years and made happy her last days by their attention. She passed away at the age of ninety-three, and was buried by the side of her husband in the family cemetery.
When our subject was a boy of fourteen, his father died, and afterwards he assisted in the management of the home place, with its eight hundred acres of land. Though so young he proved industrious, efficient and reliable, and soon had in charge the entire management of the property. As a farmer lie was active and ener- getic, always anxious to do all within his power for the advancement of his own interests and those of others. Of late years he has not done so much as in his younger days, for the infirmi- ties of age render manual labor impossible; however, he continues to be interested in the cul- tivation of the place and in all new improvements. Though not desirous of taking part in public af- fairs, he has always been a man of firm convic- tions in politics, uniformly supporting the Repub- lican party. In 1844 he married Miss Cassandra Gover, who died June 8, 1867. Their family consisted of six children, Priscilla, Lydia, Cas- sandra, Laura, William and Fannie.
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ICHOLAS N. NOCK, whose devotion to his duties of citizenship and active interest in the welfare of the community with which he is connected have made him one of the valued residents of Harford County, is engaged in journalistic pursuits in Bel Air. He was born in Accomac County, Va., on the 3d of April, 1846. His grandfather, Littleton Nock, was a native of Scotland, and on crossing the Atlantic to America took up his residence in Virginia. The father,
also named Littleton, was a native of the Old Dominion, and a man of much prominence in the locality where he made his home. He was a ship owner, and also had extensive property interests, but he died during the early childhood of our subject. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Susan Dix, was a member of the promi- nent Virginia family of that name. They had three sons: Nicholas N .; Littleton H., who was engaged at the time of his death in the insurance business in southern Maryland; and John W., a farmer and carriage manufacturer at Crisfield, Md.
Mr. Nock, whose name introduces this review, came to Maryland in early life, and obtained his education in private schools at Snow Hill; and at Buckingham Academy. Before attaining his majority he responded to the call of his country and enlisted in the Union army in Coles' Mary- land Cavalry, in which he served until the close of the war, when he was mustered out as first sergeant of Company E. On many a southern battlefield he displayed his loyalty to the old flag and the cause it represented. He was with General Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley, and had many narrow escapes, at one time having his horse shot from under him.
When the war was over, and the country 110 longer needed his services, he returned to Mary- land and engaged in journalistic -work, being employed on several papers in Baltimore. In 1881 he came to Bel Air and established the Times, the only Republican paper in the county. He has made it one of the leading weekly jour- nals in the state and receives a liberal patronage. He is a forceful writer, handling fairly and squarely all the public issues, and his editorials are both instructive and interesting. Through the columns of his paper hie also supports all measures calculated to prove of public benefit and upholds every interest tending to uplift humanity. He is a pronounced advocate of the temperance canse, active in its work, and is now president of the County Temperance Alliance, and vice- president of State Temperance Alliance. He is treasurer of the Harford Historical and also of the State Editorial Association, and is a recog-
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nized leader in Republican circles. A man of of Harford County, and daughter of an English- broad general culture, he exerts a wide influence man, who crossed the Atlantic about the begin- ning of the Revolution and settled in District No. 4, this county. Thereafter hie engaged in farm work, becoming well-to-do and prominent. in behalf of education and all that will advance the general knowledge. He has left the impress of his individuality upon his adopted county and is well numbered among its prominent citizens.
Mr. Nock was united in marriage to Miss Gamma Long; a member of a prominent old Vir- ginian family, and they have three children, John Dix, Alan Page and Ivan Finney.
OHN B. GARRISON stands among the foremost of the progressive, enlightened and
1 enterprising farmers who have assisted in rebuilding the fortunes of Harford County since the war. Doubtless few men within the past few decades have done more for the development of the agricultural resources of District No. 4 than has he. His farm, which is situated near Taylor postoffice, is one of the best managed for miles around and is devoted both to raising cereals and to the dairy business. Upon it may be noticed an excellent class of buildings and all the improvements of a first class estate.
Upon the farin where he now resides the sub- ject of this article was born October 7, IS49, he and his sister, Mary A., being the only children of James B. and Mary E. (Carman) Garrison. The family is an old one in this county. His great-grandfather, Cornelius Garrison, was born in New Jersey, and from there removed to Mary- land, establishing his home in Harford County. The date of his arrival on the family homestead was November 15, 1776, and from that day to this the property has been in the possession of some member of the family. Four generations in turn have tilled the soil of its one hundred and eighty acres and have left the imprint of their energy in various valuable improvements. Our subject's grandfather, Jolin Garrison, was born on this place and here spent liis entire life, except that period when he was serving in the War of 18r2. He married Mary Birmingham, a native
At the age of twenty-six the subject of this sketch married Anna P. Curry, of District No. 4, daughter of John R. Curry, Jr., a merchant at Upper Cross Roads, and granddaughter of John B. Curry, a farmer of this county. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Garrison are named as follows: Philip M. (deceased), William M., Sannie S., Alfred S., Frank B., Elsie (deceased), Ernest B. and Mary A. While Mr. Garrison is not active. in politics, he is well informed upon public ques- tions and is an advocate of Republican principles. He attends the Methodist Church, of which Mrs. Garrison is a member.
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A. DIETRICH. The family represented by this well-known citizen of District No. I, Harford County, was founded in America by his father, C. Dietrich, a native of France, who crossed the ocean and established his home in America about 1830. Unlike many who seek a home and fortune on the shores of the new world, he was not penniless, but brought with him a modest competency inherited from his parents, who were well-to-do. Added to this small capital, he possessed what was even more important, boundless energy, shrewd judgment and force of will. With a thorough knowledge of a money-making business at his finger-ends, and an energetic temperament as a portion of his stock in trade, he settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he engaged in the manufacture of soap and candles, and was a member of the firm of Gross & Dietrich. He rapidly rose in fortune and prominence, and in time becoming identi- fied with railroad interests, was chosen president of the Dayton & Michigan Railroad.
In this position, as in all others that he occu- pied, he was characterized by a strong mind, a
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determined will and a firm perseverance that knew no defeat. In some respects he was a man of decided and inflexible traits of mind, but 110 man questioned his honesty. In political faitli he was a Democrat in national issues, but main- tained an independent attitude in local affairs, voting for the best men, without regard to their political connections. His participation in poli- tics was confined to voting. Hc was an excellent representative of tlie progressive men in this. country who are of French birtli or parentage, and who retain the thrifty, industrious habits of that nationality. When a young man he was active in the work of the Catholic Church, but as the pressure of his business affairs became greater, he had little time to participate person- ally in religious enterprises and was obliged to limit his activities, though he always continued a generous contributor. In 1862 he retired from business, after a most successful career, and soon went to Europe, where he spent several years. Returning to this country in 1868, he purchased the Harford Furnace property, consisting of seven thousand acres, which made him the largest land owner of Harford County. His death occurred in 1884. He and his wife, Catherine, who died in 1892, were the parents of ten children, and of that number seven are living, the others besides our subject being as follows: C. W., whose home is near Baltimore; Dr. Louise, wife of Charles O'Leary, of Providence, R. I .; Josephine, who married L. A. Dochez, of Indianapolis, Ind .; Mary, wife of James Walslı, residing at Harford Furnace, Md .; Caroline, Mrs. A. J. Garesclie, of St. Louis, Mo .; and Catherine, wife of M. O. Shriver, of Baltimore.
In Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was born, the subject of this sketch attended the public schools for a time. He had the advantage of foreign travel and study, being for three years in Paris and for a similar period in Strassburg. Return- ing to the United States in 1878, he spent one year at Annapolis, Md., after which he came to Harford County and engaged in business with his father for five years. He then transferred his attention to farming and the packing business, in which we find him engaged to-day. In politics
he is independent. IIe is interested in educa- tional matters and has acceptably served as school commissioner and trustee. In religious belief lie is identified with the Catholic Church. June 3, 1891, he was united in marriage with Caroline Farislı, daughter of Edward Farish, member of a prominent old family of St. Louis, Mo. They are the parents of three children, Alexander, Mimika and Catherinc.
NELSON BLACK. A large number of farmers of Cecil County lead such quiet and unobtrusive lives that they are seldom heard of outside of their own county. In their own community they are doing excellent work, but do not care to mingle in the more public activities of politics, but devote their entire time to the cultivation of their farms and the develop- ment of the resources of their locality. Sucli men deserve more mention than is always given them, for upon their efforts depends the pros- perity of the county. If they are indifferent and idle, the county is injured; but by their activity and industry the progress of every industry and the happiness of every resident is promoted. We are glad to here present one of these capable farmers in the person of J. Nelson Black, of Dis- trict No. 5. He is prominent in social, agri- cultural and church circles, and has long been identified with all movements of importance in this part of the county. The farm which lie occupies and cultivates is situated in the western part of the district, near Principio Furnace, and is one of the best-improved estates in the neigh- borhood.
In the village of Charlestown, Cecil County, our subject was born April 15, 1851, being a son of W. W. and Catherine P. (Evans) Black. His father, who was born in the same house as he, was engaged as proprietor of a store in Charles- town for some time, but deciding to become a farmer he purchased a place some miles nortli-
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west of the village, moving there two years later. This continued to be his home until his death, which took place January 4, 1888. The property then fell into the possession of our subject and his brother, William W. A Democrat in politics, he always voted that ticket, but took 110 further interest in public matters. He was deeply inter- ested in church affairs and was a Presbyterian in belief. Of his four children two are living, J. Nelson and William W., the latter being a resi- dent of Middletown, Del. The wife and mother died July 4, 1897.
The education of our subject was begun in the cominon schools. In 1872 he entered the State Normal School at Millersville, Pa., and later took a business course in Crittenden's Com- mercial College, Philadelphia. Returning to the. home farın in 1873, he has since engaged in culti- vating its acres, and is also a dealer in a fertilizer. Politically he advocates Democratie principles, and in IS84-85 served as tax collector of District No. 5. By training and preference he is a Pres- byterian, and always takes an interest in the work of that denomination. In 1894 he became a member of Union Lodge No. 41, F. & A. M., at Elkton. His marriage took place June 17, 1891, and united him with . Mary G. Barnes, daughter. of George W. Barnes, a well-known resident of Carpenter's Point, this district. They are the parents of two daughters, Edith C. and Mary.
6) RLANDO W. BENJAMIN. Now in the prime of life, Mr. Benjamin has attained con- siderable influence in the community where he resides, a fact that is easily accounted for by his strong principles, his active interest in the welfare of all around him, and his good judgment as a business man. His ancestors were numbered among the pioneers of Cecil County, to whom great honor is due for the manner in which they bore hardships, and the toils which they under- went in preparing for later generations a beautiful
country with all the blessings of civilization. It would be strange, indeed, if the descendant of such ancestors should not possess the qualities which would bring him a high place in the regard of his fellow-men.
Now engaged in the mercantile business at Leslie, Mr. Benjamin was born on the old home- stead near this village, February 18, 1852. The family has been connected with American history since colonial days. He is a great-grandson of Joseph Benjamin, who was born and reared in England, but ran away from home in order to come to America, and here took a valiant part with the patriots in the Revolutionary War. In Charlestown, Cecil County, where he established a permanent home, his son, George, was born and reared, and there he spent his life as a farmer. Joseph, son of the latter and father of our subject, was born in Charlestown, but when very young removed to the place now occupied by our subject, and here he carried on general farmning. In ad- dition, he took a part in local enterprises for the advancement of the community. During the war he was employed as a wagon master. For fifteen years he held the office of magistrate. The in- dustry which he exhibited met with its reward and he became one of the prosperous farmers of the district. Not only so, but he also secured the esteem of his neighbors, who found that his Christianity was real and sincere, for in his daily actions he endeavored to live faithful to the doc- trines of his church, the Methodist Episcopal. He died October 13, 1895.
The mother of our subject was Mary A. Johnson, daughter of Jethro Johnson, a well- known resident of District No. 5, Cecil County. She is a most estimable lady, beloved by all who know her. Of her marriage fourteen children were born, and of these the following survive: Charles A., who makes his home at Leslie; Emeline A., wife of George W. Phillips, of Cali- fornia; Indiana, Mrs. A.J. Kelly, of Newark, Del .: James E. W., who resides at Harper's Ferry; Orlando W .; Anna S., who married W. B. Minor and lives in Baltimore; Zella A., who is the wife of Jolin Whitehead and resides in Leslie: Sarah, Mrs. John McNamara, of Zion, Cecil County;
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Minnie, who is the wife of Walter B. Logan, of place his father, Joseph, had removed from New Leslie; and Joseph, residing in Baltimore. In their various communities the sons and daughters are highly respected, and the majority of them have been prospered finaneially.
The years of our subject's boyhood were passed on the home farm and in attendance at the local schools. At the age of twenty he seeured employ- ment in a woolen factory, where he learned the trade. Later he resumed farming and engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1886. He then built a store building in Leslie, purehased a stoek of goods and embarked in general mereliandising. This enterprise he has since conducted with fair suecess, in addition to which he owns a farmi and superintends its management. He has offiei- ated as a trustee in the Methodist Protestant Church, and politieally is a staneh Republican, taking an intelligent interest in the political issues of the age.
ENRY WOOLSEY. One of the many pleas- ing characteristies of the people of Maryland is their loving remembranee of the dead. Those who onee were in their midst, assisting in the development of business, professional or agri- cultural interests, but who have passed away from the seenes of former usefulness, are not forgotten, but eherished with an affeetion that years do not weaken or age dim. It has been a long time sinee Mr. Woolsey departed this life, for his death occurred in 1867. To the present generation he is known only by name, but those of his former associates wlio survive dwell often in thought and conversation upon the many kindly deeds that gave eharacter to liis eareer.
The life of Mr. Woolsey covered a period very important in the history of the United States. When he was born, in 1787, the country had not recovered from the effects of the protracted war with England; when he died, the people were still suffering from the effects of the Civil War. He was born on a farm near Bel Air, to which
Jersey, establishing his permanent home there. The latter was a soldier in the Revolution and a man who cherished the deepest love for his country,
During the opening years of the nineteenth · century, advantages were few, especially in an educational way. Mr. Woolsey had very limited opportunities for obtaining an education, but he was an observing, thoughtful man and gained a broad fund of knowledge most helpful to him in life's activities. He continued to reside on the old homestead in District No. 3, cultivating its one hundred and fifty aeres and acquiring a eon- petency through industry and honesty. On this
place he died at the age of eighty years. By his marriage to Rebecea Cochron, who died in 1877, he had ten children, namely: Catherine, Sophia, Jason M., William, Elizabeth, Henry, James, Harriet, Sarah and Rebecca. The sons William and Jason purehased the old Hall's Rich Neck farm about 1845, and on that place remained until their death, cultivating the three hundred aeres that constituted the estate. Here the youngest daughter, Rebeeea, makes her home. Of the once large family she alone survives. In memory of her parents, and with a spirit of filial devotion to them, she gives these faets for publieation in a volume containing a record of the lives and deeds of many prominent men of Harford and Ceeil. Counties.
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ARRETT B. MOORE, the owner of a well-im- proved farin in District No. 3, Harford Coun- ty, was born near Bel Air in 1837. The family is of Seotchi deseent, and was founded in Maryland by his grandfather, Alexander, a native of Seot- land, who came to America and settled near Fallston, Harford County, where he devoted the remaining years of his life to the cultivation of a farm. The father of our subjeet, James Moore, was born October 30, 1801, and in youth learned the trade of a carpenter, which he followed throughout much of his life, in conjunction with
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WILLIAM E. WHITEFORD.
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the cultivation of a farm. By his marriage to Johanna Boddin, he had four sons, named as fol- lows: Ehjah, now a resident of Bel Air; Jarrett B .; Van Buren and James, deceased.
In the schools of Bel Air and Johnson's private school, the subject of this sketchi was given fair educational advantages. When he was eighteen he began to learn the trade of a earpenter, at which he worked under his father's supervision. He soon acquired a thorough knowledge of the oc- cupation and familiarity with all its details. His work being done with painstaking eare, he be- canie known as an honest, reliable and efficient workman. However, when he was twenty-nine he abandoned the occupation and bought a part of the Stony Ridge farm, where he has sinee re- sided. This place is not a large one, consisting of only about fifty-nine acres, but the land has been placed under such excellent cultivation that the results are very gratifying, and the amount of grain raised compares favorably with farms much larger. One of the special features of the place is the raising of tomatoes for eanning.
In 1865 Mr. Moore married Sarah Cole, who was born near Aberdeen, and is a daughter of James Cole. They have three children, all sons, namely: Archer, who resides at Aberdeen; Harry and Charles G., both at home. The two latter are identified with the Junior Order of American Mechanies. The family attend Smith's Chapel and are aetive workers in the interests of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
M RS. MARGARET L. WHITEFORD. From the biography of every one may be gleaned some lessons of genuine worth, and this is particularly true with regard to Mrs. Mar- garet I. Whiteford, who is an intelligent lady and a native of the district and county in which she is now living. She is the widow of the late William E. Whiteford and the daughter of James and Elizabeth (Slade) Streett, all of whom were born and reared in Harford County. To Mrs. White-
ford's parents were born three children, Geraldine, deceased: Margaret L., Mrs. Whiteford; and James P. Mr. Streett was first married, however. to Miss Margaret Miles, a native of the city of Baltimore, and to them were born four children: Aun R .; Martha J. and Jolin J., deceased; and Cordelia. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Whiteford was Col. Jolin Streett, a native and farmer-of Harford County, from which section he enlisted as a soldier in the colonial army during the Revolution. Harford County was the birth- place of James Streett also, and there he, like his immediate progenitor, was engaged in tilling the soil, in which occupation he was quite suceessful. He showed his love for his native land by enlist- ing as a soldier in the War of 1812 and through- out life upheld her laws and institutions by every means in his power.
The early life of Mrs. Whiteford was spent at the rural home of the family in this county, and until she was fourteen years of age she was an attendant of the district schools near by. She was then placed in McDermott school, a private institution of Baltimore, where she completed her education three years later. After remaining at home with her parents for two years, she was united in marriage with William E .. White- ford and they immediately afterward established a liome of their own. In course of time three children were born to them: James S., deceased; Mary E. and William M. The daughter, Mary E., is the wife of Harry W. Baldwin, a native of Baltimore County, and they have two interesting children, H. Streett and Margaret.
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