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 21
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 21
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While Mr. Kirk is a native of Chester County, Pa., born there February 28, 1819, he is a mein- ber of an old Cecil County family. His grand- father, Levi, and father, William M., were born in District No. 9, and were farmers by occu- pation, the latter, in addition, having a saw and grist mill on Big Creek. In political belief he was a Whig. He married a daughter of Elisha England, and had six children, but Elisha E. is the sole survivor. With the exception of a short time spent in Chester County, he continued to reside here until his death, which occurred in 1832. He was buried in the old cemetery at this place.
The educational advantages received by our subject were exceedingly meager, for at an early age he was obliged to become self-supporting. After the death of his father he made his home with his grandmother Kirk, who carefully trained him for a position of usefulness in the world. When nineteen he secured work as an agent on the Pennsylvania Railroad and continued in that capacity for seven years, being at different times freight and passenger agent. On his return to Cecil County he took charge of the farm owned by his grandmother, and after her death he bought the place from the other lieirs. In poli- tics he is a Republican and takes an interest in national questions, also in local affairs. Fre- quently he has been called to serve on the jury. Shortly after the opening of the Civil War in 1861, he enlisted as a member of Company E, Parnell Legion, and served at the front for al- most two years, when he was honorably dis- charged. Among the most important engage- ments in which he took part were the battles of Rappahannock and Antietam and the second battle of Bull Run. During the first-named engagement his nephew, L. K. Brown, of Wasli- ington, who was with him, was wounded by the enemy and lost a limb.
Mr. Kirk married Rebecca Hannah, daughter of James Hannah, of Lancaster County, Pa. Eleven children were born of the union, and of these six are now living, as follows: Hattie, wife of John Simpers; James, who is engaged in mining in Mexico; Harry, Eugene and Walter, mining engineers, also in Mexico; and Martha, wife of Isborn Brown: After the death of his first wife he married Isabelle Taylor, daughter of James Taylor, of District No. 9, Cecil County. The family are identified with the Quaker Church and exemplify in their lives the beautiful teach- ings of that society. The high principles which have characterized Mr. Kirk throughout his life have given him a good reputation as a man and a citizen, while his intelligence and enterprising spirit and his kindly nature give him a still higher place in the esteem of his fellow-men.
OHN B. GRAHAM. From a perusal of the life records of our prominent citizens may be gleaned much that is interesting to readers of mature years, as well as many lessons that may serve as examples to the young. Mr. Graham is one of those who have made their way to the front in his special line of trade. While during his long business life he has met with his share of reverses, he has not grown discouraged, but has worked steadily and energetically toward the fruition of his hopes. It is worthy of especial mention that, on the site where he now engages in business, members of his family have followed the same occupation for one hundred and twenty years, a record perhaps unequaled by any other family in Cecil County.
In Charlestown, where he now resides, John B. Graham was born September 5, 1822, and his entire life has been passed at his present home. It is thought that the family is of Scotch descent. His grandfather, William Graham, was born in Ches- ter County, Pa., but removed from there to Cecil County, Md., where his remaining years were spent. The father of our subject, Zachariah
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HON. JOHN S. WIRT.
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Butcher Graliam, was born in Charlestown, a short distance from the place where his son began lis earthly career. Like his fatlier, he too en- gaged in business as a cabinet-maker and under- taker, and being very handy with tools, lie was kept busy at work in his shop. In the possession of our subject are some of the tools used by his father and grandfather, but they are so different from those now in vogue that cabinet-makers of to-day cannot tell for what they should be used. In politics Z. B. Graham was a Democrat. He was a leading man of the village and held the office of magistrate for thirty years. By all who knew him he was highly regarded. Considering the limited advantages he had, he was a well-in- formed man. In religious belief he was a Presby- terian, and in that faith he passed from earth in IS54. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rebecca Lewis, was a native of Charlestown, Cecil County, and died in 1848; her maternal ancestors, the Cumminghams, were among the most prominent early settlers of the county, and two of her uncles were soldiers in the Revolu- tionary War. The parental family consisted of twelve children, and of these three are living, namely: John B., the subject of this narrative; Charles, whose home is in Baltimore; and La- fayette, a resident of Wilmington, Del.
When our subject was young the schools were inferior to those of the present day, both as to quantity and quality of instruction; but then, as now, one who was studious and anxious to learn could gain considerable knowledge, no matter how discouraging the environments. He attend- ed the neighboring schools and from the text books then used stored in his mind a valuable fund of information for future use. After leaving school he assisted his father in the work of a cabinet-maker and also built bridges and sailing Scows. In 1854 he succeeded his father in the management of the business, whichi lie has since conducted, besides dealing in sand and clay, sell- ing fish, and building boats. During the war, in 1864-65, he held the office of county collector. He keeps well posted regarding public issues, and favors protection of home industries. Though not a member of any denomination, he inclines to
the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which liis wife is identified. In addition to the business of which he is sole owner, he owns considerable property in town and also seventy acres of farm- ing land. Twice married, his first wife, Eliza- beth Cooper, bore him one child, John C., who is with his father. His second wife was Caroline Richardson, daughter of Henry Richardson, and member of an old family of the county. Two children blessed their union, namely: Helen, wife of George Matting, of Wilmington, Del .; and William H., also of Wihnington.
ON. JOHN S. WIRT. To write the his- tory of Cecil County and omit the name of John S. Wirt would be to do injustice to a man of rare intelligence, extended information and broad culture, with clear and concise opinions upon all important questions, one whose public life of usefulness has covered all his years since early manhood, and one whose voice has been heard, directly or indirectly, upon almost every public issue. As the representative of his dis- trict in the state senate, he secured the complete confidence of his constituents and the respect of his co-laborers who, like himself, were striving to promote the interests of the people of Maryland. During the more than twenty years in which he has followed the profession of an attorney-at-law, he has proved his ability to cope with the most intricate questions and grasp the often overlooked technical points of the law.
In considering the life of a man who has at- tained prominence, it is always appropriate to dwell upon his ancestry, for the character is moulded by the influence of preceding genera- tions. The family of which Mr. Wirt is a mem- ber is among the oldest and most highly respected of Maryland. ' His great-grandfather, Thomas Wirt, was a member of the United States navy during the Revolutionary War and took an act- ive part in the stirring events of that day. Next in line of descent was Samuel, born on Bohemia
6
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Manor, which his forefathers had assisted in founding, and married to Francina Bayard, a relative of Thomas Bayard, United States senator from Delaware and one of the most prominent public men of the age. Dr. Jolin W. Wirt, fa- ther of our subject, was born in ISos on Bohemia Manor, and was quite young when his father died; his educational advantages were excellent, and he was a graduate both of Delaware College and the medical department of the University of Maryland. However, he never entered upon active professional work, but settled upon the old homestead, in the quiet life of a farmer. His death occurred in 1855. A portion of the original tract of Bohemia Manor is now in the posses- sion of the subject of this sketch.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Margaret Savin Biddle, and was a daugh- ter of Peregrine Biddle and an aunt of Hon. George Biddle, in whose sketch will be found further mention of the Biddle family. She was born April 7, 1818, and died February 15, IS96. Her family consisted of three sons: William Bayard, Jolin S., and Henry Biddle, of whom mention is made in this volume. The eldest son, William Bayard, was born July 27, 1849, grad- uated from Washington College and in early life went to Chicago, where he became clerk in the United States circuit court. He continued to ad- vance until he was chosen chief clerk at a very large salary. He was one of the brightest lights connected with the courts in Chicago and had the confidence of the entire legal fraternity of that city. Chief Justice Fuller and many other illustrious men were numbered among his warm personal friends. At the time of his death, March 4, 1896, no man had brighter prospects than he, and his untimely death was a public loss.
A member of this family, so many of whose representatives have been gifted public men, John S. Wirt was born November 16, 1851, at the old homestead in Cecil County. He was but a child when his parents left the old estate and moved to Elkton, where he was orphaned by his father's death when he was only four years of age. He received his primary education in the Elkton
Academy, and in 186S entered St. John's College, Annapolis, where he graduated four years later with the degree of A. B., carrying off the highest honors of the class. In 18S2 St. John's conferred upon him the degree of M. A. In 1874 he grad- uated from the law department of the University of Maryland, standing second in his class, and with a general average of ninety-nine and one- half. For three years after graduation he en- gaged in practice in Baltimore, in partnership with Gen. L. A. Wilmer, but in IS7S he accepted a position in Chicago, where he would doubtless have remained had it not been for the death of his brother, Henry Biddle, in ISSI. This ne- cessitated his return to Elkton to look after the business interests that his brother had previously managed. Here lie at once commenced profes- sional practice. His advent into the political world was unsolicited by him. In 1884 he was a delegate to the Democratic national convention at Chicago and was a strong supporter of Grover Cleveland throughout the entire convention, be- ing one of six of the Maryland delegates that supported him on every ballot. In IS92 he was a delegate-at-large to the national convention at Chicago and again was one of six who constantly voted for Cleveland. A stanchi Democrat, he has always been an admirer of Cleveland and a firm supporter of his principles. In ISS9 he was his party's candidate for state senator and was elected by the largest majority given any candidate in his district since 1867. As a member of the senate he took an active part in public measures and commanded the attention of many of the older members of that body. It was largely due to his efforts that the Australian ballot system became a law. He took a firm stand against the gas bill, which was defeated principally through his efforts. He wrote a review of the proceed- ings of the Maryland legislature that was pub- lished in the Baltimore Sun and attracted atten- tion from people throughout the entire country, being quoted in all the leading papers of the United States. In1 1892 he was a candidate for United States senator, and was third in the race when the balloting began, but withdrew in favor of Gibson, who was elected.
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In his chosen field, the law, Mr. Wirt is a recognized authority. While in Chicago he pub- lished the general laws of the state of Illinois, relative to warehouses and railroads. Learned in the law and well equipped for his profession, he is ready to cross swords with the best and is fearless of any controversy. As a public speaker lie has been heard with pleasure upon many im- portant occasions. Perhaps the best known of his addresses was that delivered before the alumni of St. Jolin's College, in 1890, on the subject, "The Relation of Men of Liberal Education to the Civil Service Reform Movement," which was largely circulated both in the daily press and in pamphlet form. For many years he lias been vice-president of the Civil Service Reform As- sociation of Maryland, and is also vice-president of the Maryland State Bar Association, and since 1884 a trustee of St. John's College. Since his retirement from the senate he has given his atten- tion principally to his legal and property inter- ests, yet he lias often been a delegate to state, congressional and county conventions. Since ISS2 he has been counselor for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, Whitaker Iron Company, Scott Fertilizer Company, Fidelity and Deposit Com- pany of Maryland, the board of school commis- sioners, Rowland Manufacturing Company, Port Deposit Water Company, and other corporations. In religions belief he is an Episcopalian and since ISSI has been a member of the vestry of Trinity parish and since 1885 treasurer of the parish. He lias frequently been a lay delegate to the con- ventions and in 1895 was a lay delegate of the diocese of Easton to the national convention at Minneapolis. In addition to his other business enterprises, he is president of the Cecil Democrat Publishing Company and director in various local companies. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, the Knights of Pythias, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Ancient Order of United Workmen. His attractive home on East Main Street is presided over by his wife, whom he married April 28, 1886, and who was Miss Anne Rebecca, youngest daugliter of Benjamin C. and Ann J. Pearce.
From this résumé of the life of Mr. Wirt it will
be seen that lie is one of the busiest as well as one of the most influential men of Elkton. The people among whom his boyhood days were passed have watched with interest and pride his upward course and have counted his successes their own. Now in the prime of manhood, it may be safely predicted that he has before him years of usefulness in the public service, and cer- tainly, to whatever position he may be called, he will be as painstaking, as efficient and as honor- ably loyal to the interests of his fellow-citizens as he has ever been in the past.
OHN W. WEBSTER was born in Septem- ber, 1819, on the old Webster homestead, situated near Calvary, in Harford County, and he died on the Ball Hill farm in June, 1872. Much of his active life was spent in Baltimore, where he was numbered among the efficient busi- ness men of the city. In 1850, however, he pur- chased land in District No. 3, Harford County, and here he established a pleasant home, engag- ing in the cultivation of the land and in other work incident to the development of an estate. Patient application and perseverance bring their reward in due time, and by industry and thrift Mr. Webster was able to accumulate a sufficient amount of this world's goods to ease his mind with regard to the necessities of old age. How- ever, his life was not prolonged to old age, but he passed away at the age of fifty-two, while he was surrounded by a loving family and the friends who had learned to honor him for his sterling inanhood and conscientious character. He is survived by his intelligent and capable wife, who had bravely stood by his side in storm as well as sunshine, and who in every respect did her share in the accumulating of a competency and in mail- taining the reputation of the family.
The history of the Webster family appears up- 011 another page of this volume. John W., who was a son of Henry Webster, spent his child- hood days on the old homestead in District No.
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3, and upon reaching man's estate embarked in merchandising in Baltimore; but in 1850 he pur- chased a farmi near Allibone, and there he en- gaged in farm work until his death. A stanch Republican politically, President Lincoln ten- dered him the appointment of assessor for Balti- more County, which he held for four years. He and his family always affiliated with the Method- ists in religious belief. December 3, 1844, he married Priscilla Smithson, daughter of William Smithson, an old resident of District No. 3. His -widow and their six children survive him, the latter being named as follows: Henry, of New York City; John W., who lives in District No. 4; Edwin H., a well-known citizen of Bel Air; Franklin and William, of District No. 3; and Anna, wife of William H. Hines.
AMES A. FULTON, after a long and useful life in the business world, is now living re- tired in Bel Air, enjoying a rest which he richly deserves. Through his entire business career he has been looked upon as a model of integrity and honor, never making an engage- ment that he has not fulfilled, and standing to- day an example of what determination and force, combined with the highest degree of business in- tegrity, can accomplish for a man of natural ability and strength of character. He has justly won the proud American title of a self-made man, and in business and social life he has gained the confidence and regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
Mr. Fulton was born in Harford County, Sep- tember 2, 1811. His paternal grandfather was a native of Scotland, and in 1748 souglit a home in America. With the rank of lieutenant he served in the Revolution, which made this country "the land of the free," and for many years his sword was in possession of William Fulton, brother of our subject. His children were Thomas, who lived in Lancaster County, Pa .; William, of Cecil
County, Md .; David, who removed to Ohio in 1830; Philip: James, father of our subject; and John, who went to Ohio about 1812.
James Fulton, the father of our subject, was born about 1763. in Cecil County, and in 18oS removed to Harford County. He was by trade a fuller and carder. He served as an elder in the Presbyterian Church at Churchville, and all of his family were connected with the Seceder Church. He married Susan Trago, a native of Harford County, and they became the parents of four children: Joseph M., who followed car- pentering; John C., a carder and fuller, who also followed farming on the old homestead; William H., a carpenter; and James A. There were also three daughters in the family: Mary, wife of Steplien B. Hanna, the grandfather of John B. Hanna, a leading young Republican politician and merchant of Bel Air; Avarella, wife of John Barnes, an elder in the Presbyterian Church, who was the maternal grandfather of John B. Hanna; and Mrs. Margaret McCall.
James A. Fulton, of this review, received but meager educational advantages and at the early age of sixteen years started out in life for him- self by learning the trade of harness-making. After a time he removed to Wilmington, Del., where he served a four years' apprenticeship. On the expiration of that period he returned to Har- ford County, establishing a little shop in Church- ville, where he carried on business fromn 1833 until 1839. He then came to Bel Air, and for fifty-two years was prominently connected with the mercantile interests of the latter city. He was an expert in his line and his work always gave the utmost satisfaction, so that he won a large patronage, which his honorable dealing en- abled him to retain. From thetime he embarked in business in 1833 until his retirement to private life in 1891 he purchased his goods of Edward Jenkins and his successors, always maintaining the most friendly relations with that house.
Mr. Fulton was married in 1838 to Miss Bridget McGonigal, who was for forty-three years a faithful companion and helpineet to him. She died in 1881, leaving three children: Mary, wife of Jolin S. Young, a lawyer of Bel Air;
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Susan, wife of Joseph P. Weisel, of Cumber- land; and John, who is engaged in the stationery business in Cumberland.
The name of Mr. Fulton is inseparably con- nected with the varied interests which go to form the history of his county. During Presi- dent Tyler's administration he was postmaster of Bel Air, during which time he had to keep a list of every letter that was received at or sent from his office, and the postage was from five to twenty-five cents, according to distance. He was a great admirer of Henry Clay and in early life was a stanch Whig, but since the dissolution of that party has been a Democrat. He was coull- ty commissioner two years, clerk of the county twelve years and justice of the peace twenty-five years, discharging his duties with a promptness and fidelity that won him high commendation. Since the organization of the Presbyterian Church in 1850 he has been one of its elders, and has been very active in promoting its work and up- building.
ILLIAM WEBSTER. We record as note- worthy, because unusual, the fact that the farm owned and occupied by Mr. Webster has been in the possession of the family for seven generations. One of his most valued souvenirs is the original grant for two hundred and sixty-five acres given by Lord Baltimore to Isaac Webster, November 14, 1747; this is printed and written on sheepskin. There is also extant, in the hands of other members of the family, grants bearing dates of 1649 and 1652. The old homestead is situated in Churchville precinct, District No. 3, Harford County. A portion of the residence has been built in mod- ern times, but the old part, which is of stone, is practically a castle, built for protection from the Indians. The walls are fully two feet thick, and in one place, where repairs were being made, it was found to be seven feet thick.
At this place William Webster was born Jan-
ary 4, 1831, and here much of his life has been spent. His father, Henry, who was a son of Richard ( Ist) by his second wife, was born here March 16, 1791, and in October, 1818, married Martha Hanson, of Kent County, Md. They became the parents of twelve children, named as follows: John Wesley; Benjamin Franklin and Phoebe, who died in childhood; Richard Henry; George Smith, whose sketch appears upon another page; Benjamin Franklin (2d), Edwin Hanson, William, M. Elizabeth, Martha An, Phoebe Smith and Sarah Frances. The only- members of this once large family that now sur- vive are George Smith, William, M. Elizabeth. and Phoebe Smith, the latter being the widow of Joshua Rutledge, and residing on Deer Creek. Henry Webster made farming his life work, and avoided politics and public office. Interested in religious affairs, upon the separation of the Methodist Protestant from the Methodist Episco- pal Church, although with the majority, he resigned all claim to Calvary Church, as he wished to avoid contention. With Mr. Finney he-built the Churchville Academy.
In spite of the fact that his family was large, Henry Webster succeeded in giving all of his children fair educational advantages. His son, William, our subject, was educated in the Churchville Academy and a private school at Christopher Camp, afterwards completing the course in Bel Air Academy. During the time of the gold excitement in California, he determined to scek his fortune in that far distant land. Accordingly, in 1851 he went to the Pacific coast, where he engaged in mining and merchandising until 1856. Having been moderately successful in his undertakings, he returned home and soon afterward assumed the control of the farmi of two hundred and sixty acres. Here he engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and was prospered as the years passed by. About ISS3 he retired from the active management of the estate and has since given his time and attention to the Mutual Fire Insurance Company in Harford County, of which he is the agent and a director. Politically he is a Democrat, but not active in public affairs. He and his family are connected
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with the Churchville Presbyterian Church, in which he has been a trustee for twenty-five years or more.
October 5, 1865, Mr. Webster married Anna J., daughter of John and Mary Aleicia (Mitchell) Stump, of Perryville, Cecil County. The six children born of their union were named as follows: Martha Hanson, who died in childhood; Mary Aleicia, who married Rev. C. D. Wilson, then of Washington County, Pa., now residing in Franklin, Ohio; Richard Henry, cashier of the bank at Aberdeen; Annie Stump, wife of Willard G. Rouse, a prominent attorney of Bel Air; Jolin Stump, who has charge of the old homestead; and Caroline Henderson, who died at the age of seven years.
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