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 20
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 20
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William E. Whiteford was the eldest of a family of seven children born to his parents and his early life was spent in the various duties of farm life. for his father was a successful tiller of the soil. After acquiring such knowledge as the common sehools afforded, he was for two years an attend- ant of the school at Uniontown, Md., where he inade rapid advancement in his studies and ac- quired an excellent education. Upon commenc- ing the battle of life it was as a tiller of the soil and this oceupation he pursued with marked suc- eess all his life. He was possessed of business ability of a high order and all his efforts were
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crowned with success and a competency secured for himself and family, which was the result of his own unaided efforts. His attention was not wholly confined to business, however, for he found time to devote considerable attention to the polit- ical affairs of his county, and in the fall of ISSI he was elected to the office of county sheriff by . the Democratic party, of which he had always been an ardent supporter. He discharged his duties for two years with marked ability, and for two years also hield the position of tax collector of District No. 4.
Mr. Whiteford was always of a genial, social disposition and was an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias fraternities. On the 15th of October, 1894, at the age of sixty years, he was called from this life, having for many years been an earnest and consistent member of the Presbyte- rian Church and one of its trustees. Mrs. White- ford and her children are also members of that church. Her son, William M., who is an intelli- gent and well-educated gentleman, makes his home with her and oversees the home farmn. He is unmarried.
OSHUA R. GREEN, deceased, was for many years a successful farmer and dairy- man of Harford County, where he owned a well-improved estate in District No. 4. A native of Baltimore County, born in 1829, he was reared upon a farm and on reaching mature years naturally adopted for his occupation the calling with which he was most familiar. That he did not make a mistake in his choice of a vocation the subsequent years proved. As time passed by, he added to his possessions until he became the owner of more than three hundred acres, all lying in Harford County, with the exception of a small portion in Baltimore County. This land he brought under cultivation, raising upon it the various cereals to which the soil was adapted. He also gave some attention to the raising of
cattle and always kept on his place forty or more head of Jersey cows. Through his ability as a financier he was enabled to secure success in farming and the dairy business, and at the time of his death he was one of the richest farmers in the district. His contributions to charitable and religious enterprises were always generous, for liis was a liberal and large-licarted nature. In the Chestnut Grove Presbyterian Church of Balti- more County he officiated as an elder for more than thirty years. When a young man he en- listed under the standard of the Democratic party and from that time forward he never wavered in his allegiance to that organization. On the farm where so many useful years liad been passed, he died May 1, 1892, at the age of sixty-three years.
Mrs, Sarah R. Green, widow of the late Joshua R. Green, was born and reared on a farm in Baltimore County, whither her parents, Moses and Sarah (Gemmill) Rankin, had removed from their native county of York, Pa. She was next to the youngest of five children, of whom the others were named as follows: Samuel, now a large land owner and retired business man of Baltimore; Dr. Robert G., a noted physician of Baltimore; Margaret A. and Hannah J., both deceased. The Rankin and Gemmill families were prominent in York County and were farm- ers as far back as the genealogy has been traced: Sarah Rankin remained in the home of her parents until she went to the one prepared for her by her husband. She was about twenty years of age when she became the wife of Mr. Green. Seven children were born to theni, viz .: Moses I., who is unmarried and resides with his mother; Dr. Jolin S., a successful physician practicing at Long Green, Baltimore County; Mollie E., who married Rev. A. L. Hyde, of Slate Ridge, Pa., and died September 2, 1896, aged thirty-eight years, leaving two children, Rosa and Hazen; Sallie R., who married Rev. R. L. Clark, of Center, Pa., and they have one child, Robert; Robert C., who runs the home place; L. May and Joshua R., the latter a mem- ber of the class of 1899, medical department of the University of Maryland. The large farmi that Mrs. Green inherited on the death of lier
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husband she has since managed, but the work of cultivation is carried on by her sons. She is a lady of Christian character, an earnest member of the Presbyterian Church, and kind and true in every relation of life.
AMES W. MCNABB. It being generally believed that heredity has much to do with the formation of character, and that our lives are stimulated by the immediate or indirect in- fluence of our ancestors, a short résumé of the ancestral history of the McNabb family may serve as an index to the impulses that mark the daily lives of the present representatives. The first of the name in America was Thomas McNabb, a sturdy Scotchman, whose enthusiastic devotion to his beloved native land cost him dear. Owing to his participation in the rebellion in 1716, he was banished . from the country, and came, a prisoner, to America, on the then famous ship, "Speedwell." He settled in Harford County, Md., and in 1740 acquired the title to a tract of land lying near Prospect, in District No. 5. During the Revolution his son, James, took an active part as a soldier in the colonial army, patiently bearing the hardships and privations of war, in the hope that the country might gain free- dom from England.
Practically the same characteristics are noticeable in the various generations of the family. They have been honest and honorable, interested in public affairs and leading citizens of their day, yet never seeking political honors. In physique, they have been uniformly stalwart, rugged and of commanding appearance. For generations the male representatives have been six feet or more in height, the sole exception, so far as known, being the subject of this sketch, who is less than six feet tall. His father's four brothers, John, William, James and Isaac, all stood over six feet in height; all are deceased but the father of our subject. The latter, David G., who was born on
the old homestead in 1820, has been a wheelwright and farmer, but is now living somewhat retired from business cares. His home is still on the place where he was born and which is called Mac- ton, in honor of the family. His wife, Nancy Martin, who was born in Harford County and died here in 1876, was a daughter of Luther Mar- tin, a German, who came to America in IS05.
The oldest son of David G. and Nancy McNabb is Hon. Joseph Martin McNabb, who was born on the homestead at Mactou, October 18, 1847, and received his education in the Harford Central Academy. He began active life as a school teacher, after which he held the office of county surveyor for a number of years, meantime reading law. In 1874 he was admitted to the bar and be- gan in professional practice at Bel Air and Mac- ton, in both of which places he still has offices. He is an able advocate and counselor, and justly ranks high in the legal fraternity. As a Demo- crat, he takes an active part in the politics of the county, and upon his party ticket he was clected to represent the county in the legislature in 1884 and ISS6. In religious connections he is identi- fied with the Methodist Episcopal Church. By his marriage to Miss Sarah E. Savin, he has onc son, now a student at St. John's College, All- napolis.
The other brother of our subject is I,uther H., a merchant at Macton and also a justice of the peace; and the sister is Anna M., wife of William Stamp, of Susquehanna, Pa. The subject of this sketch was born at the family home in District No. 5, February 25, 1850. He spent his early years on the farm and in attendance at public schools and Harford Central Academy. On the completion of his literary education, he taught school for a time, meanwhile devoting his leisure hours to the study of law, which he carried on under the preceptorship of the late Col. E. H. Webster. In 1876 he was admitted to the bar and the same year became surveyor of the county. For four years he was counsel to the board of county commissioners. In addition to his profes- sional duties, he takes an active part in agricul- tural affairs, and has been secretary and treasurer of the Harford County Agricultural Society since
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1890. He makes his home at Prospect, not far from his birthplace, and lias an office there, as well as in Bel Air.
The first wife of our subject was Laura, a daughter of Daniel P. Thomas. Some time after her death he was united with Hannah J. Scarboro, daugliter of a leading farmer and mem- ber of an old Harford family. They have one child, David Paul. In religious belief they are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been prominent as an official and as superintendent of the Sunday-school. A man of recognized professional ability, liberal ideas and keen intellect, always looking forward into the future for a broader evolution and wider knowl- edge, he is justly regarded as one of the most in- fluential citizens of Harford County.
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ERMAN W. HANSON has spent almost his entire life in District No. 1, Harford Coun- ty. He was born where he now resides, January 30, 1859, and is well known as one of the principal canners and packers of this locality. The place which he owns and occupies, situated near Magnolia station, consists of about one hun- dred and sixty acres, and is planted principally to tomatoes. The annual yield of this vegetable amounts to about thirty-two thousand bushels and he purchases about as much more from his neighbors, so that he is enabled to sell each year about seventeen thousand cases. He has made a science of his chosen occupation, and his suc- cess has encouraged others to embark in the busi- ness, thus tending towards the enlargement of the industries of the county and the development of its material resources.
For several successive generations our subject's forefathers were seafaring men. His father, Thomas Hanson, was born in Holland and was a sailor by occupation. Coming to America in early manhood, he settled in Baltimore, and from there sailed upon the high seas. Later, however, he retired from that occupation, and purchasing a farm in District No. 1, Harford County, stocked
it with cattle and carried on a dairy business in Baltimore. He continued in that occupation un- til about six years prior to liis death, which oc- curred November 20, 1SS7, at Seneca Ridge farm. His wife, who passed away February 22, 1895, was Sophia Gunther, daughter of Frederick Gunther, who was born in Germany. They were the parents of six children, but ouly three are now living, our subjeet and liis two sisters, Dena, Mrs. William Maloney; and Lucy, Mrs. Fred Lantz, both of whom reside in District No. I.
In the Lutheran parochial schioois of Baltimore the subject of this sketch obtained his literary education. He was prepared for a business life by a course of study in Bryant & Stratton's Business College. At the age of sixteen he be- gan to carry on the dairy business in Baltimore that was owned by his father, but after a short time in that employment he took a clerkship in the city. In 1881 he came to Harford County and has since engaged in farming and the canning business. His attention is given closely to his business affairs, and he has little time or inclina- tion to enter public life. Aside from voting the Democratic ticket he takes no part in elections. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, taking an active interest in all its work and having served as its president. Fraternally he is connected with the Junior Order of American Mechanics. November 4, 18SI, he was united in marriage with Emelie, daughter of Frederick Emmord, of this district. Eight children were born of their union, and of these five are living, Amelia, Ada, Irene, Ruth and Emmord.
LLEN HOFFMAN, who was one of the heroes of the late war that valiantly aided in the preservation of the Union when rebellion would have overthrown it, was born in Waterloo, in the province of Ontario, Canada, in 1846. His ancestors, natives of Switzerland, left that coun- try during the time of war and sought a home in Pennsylvania. John Hoffman, father of our sub-
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ject, was a native of Pennsylvania, and removed to Waterloo, Canada, where he became a man of much local prominence, serving as mayor of the city and as magistrate. He died in 1878
Allen Hoffman was pursuing his education in Buffalo, N. Y., at the time of the Civil War, and though a boy of only sixteen years he left school and joined the Seventy-sixth New York Infantry, participating in the campaign in the Shenandoah Valley, where for meritorous conduct he was raised to the rank of second lieutenant. At the explosion of the mine in front of Petersburg, July 30, 1864, he was seriously wounded, and was sent to the hospital at Annapolis, where, on account of his injuries, he was honorably dis- charged. He started for his home in Canada, but was unable to travel, and for some time re- mained at Aberdeen, Harford County, Md. Be- coming deeply interested in the place and its people, he afterwards located here, where for a time he was engaged with George Walker in dealing in general merchandise. Subsequently he went to Edgewood, on the Pennsylvania Rail- road, where he conducted a hotel and was also . engaged in the caming business. In his busi- ness undertakings there he met with excellent success, and accumulated a handsome capital.
In 1884 Mr. Hoffman removed to Bel Air, where he engaged in loaning money and did an extensive business as a broker in canned goods, besides carrying on a fire and life insurance busi- ness. He was also a director of the Harford National Bank from the time of its organization, and was the promoter of many other enterprises which materially advanced the prosperity and welfare of the city. He erected one of the finest residences in Bel Air and was accounted a wealthy citizen, but in his last years lost heavily by sign- ing bonds for others. He was a man of excellent business and executive ability, reliable in all transactions, and his methods were above ques- tion.
covered from the wounds sustained in the war, and this, combined with the worry and trouble caused by the loss of his money, terminated his life. He passed away January 26, 1897. He was a prominent Mason, holding membership in Mt. Ararat Lodge of Bel Air, and his upright and honorable life exemplified the teachings of that noble and beneficent fraternity.
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M. STREETT, the well-known editor of the Harford Democrat, is one of the distin- guished and popular citizens of Bel Air. He was born February 8, 1838, and belongs to one of the old and honored families of Maryland, his ancestors having come from England and located here prior to the Revolutionary War. The founder of the family in the new world is de- scribed in the court records of 1774 as a planter residing near Deer Creek in Upper Harford. Our subject's parents were A. j. and Elizabeth Streett, lifelong residents of Harford County, while his grandfather was Col. John Streett, who con !- manded a regiment of Harford Cavalry in the defense of Baltimore in 1814, and for the thirteen succeeding years represented Harford County in the state legislature.
J. M. Streett, of this review, acquired his early education in the Sweet Air Academy in Baltimore County and then completed the three years' course at Princeton University, of New Jersey, from which he graduated in 1858, receiving the degree of A. M. some years following. After leaving school he took up the study of law under the di- rection of the late Otho Scott, and in 1860 was admitted to the Harford bar.
In 1866 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Streett and Miss Juliet E. Gover, the eldest daughter of the late George P. Gover, of Baiti- more. As a representative and prominent citizen of Harford County, Mr. Streett was elected to the general assembly of Maryland in 1869, and in 1871 was re-elected, serving with distinction for
In Harford County, in 1877, Mr. Hoffman was united in marriage with Miss Sallie R. Sheridan, daugliter of the late Richard C. Sheridan, and a representative of a prominent family of this sec- tion of the state. Mr. Hoffman never fully re- two terms. About this time he bought the Har-
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ford Democrat, and by the application of good business methods soon sueeeeded in plaeing it on a firm foundation. By continued good manage- ment, it has steadily grown in usefulness and popularity and to-day probably has a larger eir- culation than any newspaper in the state outside of the . eity of Baltimore. Five years ago the Democratic editors of Maryland formed a state editors' association, of which he was elected pres- ident, a distinction he continues to enjoy by virtue of as many ammual re-eleetions. Of a large brain and kindly heart, he is interesting and instruetive in conversation, courteous and genial in deport- ment, and affable and agreeable at all times. He is a fluent and foreible speaker, an attractive and correct writer and a gentleman of ripe seholarship and large information.
OHN H. WHITE. There are many citizens of Ceeil County whose unaided exertions have resulted in prosperity, and an exeellent representative of this class may be found in Mr. White. The business of which he is in charge has been built up by his industrious application, and is one of the leading industries of Northi East. In addition to the ownership of that con- cern he has a neat and comfortable home and forty acres of land, earrying on farming to some extent. His energy and determination have enabled him to overeome such obstaeles as he has met. Early years of labor and the hardships of army life during the late war combined to develop in his character sturdy traits of self- reliance, whichi lie dormant far too often.
Mr. White represents the first generation of the family that has resided in Maryland, those before him having lived in Massachusetts, to which colony the first settlers eame from England and Scotland. His grandfather, Jolin White, was born in Berry, Mass., and the father, Silas, was also a native of the same loeality, the latter being a resident of Boston throughout his entire active life. For years he engaged in the meat business,
but his leisure hours were given largely to music, of which he was very fond. It is said that he was a fine violin player. In polities he was a Republican, and held some town offices, to which lie was eleeted upon that ticket. Though not identified with any denomination, he usually at- tended the Congregational Chureli. He married Maria Hearndon, a native of Massachusetts, whose brother, Lieut .- Col. Henry Hearndon, commanded the troops that captured Jefferson Davis. Our subjeet has seen the $3,000 that was paid Colonel Hearndon for the capture.
Silas and Maria White had seven ehildren, named as follows: Lorenzo, of Boston; John H., who was born in Boston, Mareh 4, 1843; Inez, widow of William Hunt; Henry, whose home is in Lynn, Mass .; Sidney, of Ohio; Helen, Mrs. Charles Niehols; and Mrs. Mary Bissell, of Massachusetts.
The education of our subjeet was obtained in the publie sehools of Woburn, Mass. It was abruptly terminated at the age of sixteen, when, his patriotie spirit having been fired by the out- break of the war, he ran away from home and sought for and secured admission into the army. A company was raised, of which he was made first sergeant, but when the men were mustered into the service he was rejected beeatise he lacked a few inehes of the regulation height. How- ever, this did not daunt him, and shortly after- ward he started to the front as a drummer in the Second Massachusetts Regiment of infantry, the first regiment that was mustered in for three years' service. With the others of the company he was present at Cedar Mountain, Antietam and Gettysburg, and was within one hundred yards of "Stonewall" Jackson when that illustrious general was sliot. He was also at Lookout Mountain and at Resaca, Ga., together with many other smaller engagements. Three times he was wounded, but not seriously. At the expiration of his term of service he was honora- bly diseharged.
Going to Philadelphia, the youthful war vet- eran sought to earn a livelihood in business affairs. He entered a shop wliere razor strops and morocco goods were manufactured and
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learned the business thoroughly, after which he was made foreman. In 1876 lie purchased the business and moved it to North East, where he has since conducted the enterprise. He has never cared to enter politics and has not allied himself with any party, voting for the man whom he deems best qualified for the office in question. In religious belief he is an Episcopalian. In 1872 he married Catherine E. Birmingham, member of a family that long engaged in the manufac- ture of morocco goods in Philadelphia. Five children were born of the marriage, of whom one is deceased, and the others are at home: Herbert, Irene, Anne and Rhoda.
ILLIAM ENFIELD is one of those men who are able to successfully conduct differ- ent enterprises at the same time. His in- terests are varied and some of them quite impor- tant, involving large responsibility and entailing upon him considerable work. While he learned the blacksmith's trade in youth, he followed the occupation a short time only, having turned his attention to other lines of labor. To farming he has given some attention, and in addition he has engaged in the milling business at Cooper, and for some time has also been the proprietor of a general store building in that village.
Harford County, the present home of Mr. En- field, is also his birthplace. He was born July 22, 1836, the son of Jacob and Nancy ( Howlett) Enfield, natives respectively of York County, Pa., and Harford County, Md. The family of which he is a member consisted of eight children, name- ly. William, of this sketch; Eliza, deceased; Mary ; Julia A. and Nancy, both of whom are dead; James; John S., who died in infancy; and John. The paternal grandfather was a native of Ger- many and in an early day came to America, set- tling in York County, Pa. Jacob Enfield was born on a farm in Harford County in 1811 and early became familiar with agricultural pursuits, but for some years when a young man he followed
the milling trade. About 1845 he retired from that business and purchased a farm in Harford County, to the cultivation of which he afterward gave his attention.
When a mere boy our subject became familiar with the various employments of farin life and assisted in the cultivation of the place. His edu- cation was obtained in the common schools, and by a steady course of reading he has kept himself well informed. At the age of twenty-two he be- gan to learn the blacksmith's trade, but spent only six months in that occupation, it being un- congenial. His marriage, at twenty-six years, united him to Tacy A. Weeks, a native of this district. Seven children were born of their union, namely: Alice, Elida, Willametta, Bertha, Estella, Dora (deceased) and Harry. Alice is the wife of William McNutt, proprietor of a general store at Berkley, this county. Elida is married to William Cox, a farmer of this county. Willametta is the wife of Nelson Scarborough, a farmer of this district. Berthia is a teacher and has successfully followed that profession about three years.
Harry, the only son, is in charge of the home farm, his efficient assistance being very valuable in the management of the property. Mr. En- field is in sympathy with the principles of the Christian religion and contributes to religious enterprises, being interested particularly in the Presbyterian Church, of which his wife is a mem- ber. A Democrat by early training and inclina- tions, he has continued a firm adherent of the old party and takes an interest in local politics.
LISHA ENGLAND KIRK. The home- stead owned and occupied by Mr. Kirk is one of the most desirable within the limits of Cecil County and has been brought to a high state of cultivation by the owner. It is located in District No. 9, and comprises one hundred and twenty acres, embellished with a substantial resi- dence, flanked by a barn, and having the other
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outbuildings required for tlie successful prose- cution of agriculture. In all its appointments the place indicates in a marked manner the hand of thrift and industry. While general farming is the main occupation, dairying has also been carried on to some extent, and with fair success.
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