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 22
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 22
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74
OSHUA HUSBAND. Harford County has been the home and scene of labor of many men who have not only led lives that should serve as an example to those who come after them, but have also been of important service to their community through various avenues of usefulness. Among them must be named Mr. Husband, who passed away in 1896, after a life of industry and rich in those rare possessions which only a high character can give. For many years he labored with all the strength of his great nature and all the earnestness of a true heart for the bettering of the world about him; and when he was called to the rest and the reward of the higher world his best monument was found in the love and respect of the community in which he lived for so many years.
Mr. Husband was born near Deer Creek, in District No. 5, Harford County, in 1807, and was a son of Joshua Husband, Sr., whose birth oc- curred in 1764, in Cecil County, Md. The grand- father, also a native of Cecil County, was born near Rising Sun, on the Actoraro Creek, while the great-grandfather, William Husband, was born on
the eastern shore prior to 1737, where lie engaged in the manufacture of iron and in milling. His son, Herman, became one of the leaders in the rebellion of North Carolina previous to the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, and the Brit- ish government offered a reward of one thousand pounds for his capture, either dead or alive.
His home at one time was in North Carolina. Members of the family have principally been en- gaged in the manufacture of iron and flint grind- ing and have become prosperous and useful citi- zens in the communities where they have lived.
Joshua Husband, Sr., the father of our subject, married Miss Margaret Jewett, and to them were born eiglit children, of whom Joshua, Jr., was the fourth son; the only one now living, Thomas J., is engaged in. the manufacture of Husband's magnesia, in Philadelphia. The father died in 1837, at the age of seventy-three years.
Throughout his entire life Joshua Husband, Jr., remained a resident of Harford County, and early became familiar with the business in which the other members of the family had been engaged. Succeeding to his father's manufactory, he suc- cessfully carried on the business until his life's labors were ended, and was numbered among the most substantial and reliable citizens of the cor1- munity.
In early manhood Mr. Husband was united in marriage to Miss Ruth W. Peunock, of Chester County, Pa., and three children blessed their union: Hannah P., William P., and Joshua, de- ceased; the latter for some time successfully carried on the business left by his father. For three generations the family has been identified with the Society of Friends, and our subject was one of its most faithful and earnest members, doing all in his power to promote the cause of Christianity and advance the welfare of his fellow-men. His polit- ical support was given to the men and measures of the Republican party.
It is but just and merited praise to say of Mr. Husband, that as a business man he ranked with the ablest, as a citizen he was honorable, prompt and true to every engagement, as a man he heid the honor and esteem of all classes of people, as a husband and father was a model worthy of all
.
-
217
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD).
imitation, unassuming in his manner, sincere in George W .; Henry Clay, of Baltimore; and Isa- his friendships, steadfast and unswerving in his belle, wife of Joseph Turner, of New York.
loyalty to the right.
EORGE W. MCCOMAS, who resides in District No. 1, Harford County, is a suc- cessful business man, who in the prosecution of the enterprises that have claimed his attention has ever manifested a strong desire to carry for- ward to the highest perfection attainable anything he undertakes. This has formed one of the im- portant elements in the success that has crowned his efforts.
Mr. McComas was born near his present home April 13, 1841, and comes of a family long promi- nently connected with the history of Maryland. His grandfather, William McComas, a native of Baltimore, was one of three brothers who at the battle of North Point, near that city, performed distinguished service in defending their country against the attack of the British and killed the British commander in that engagement. A monu- ment now stands in Baltimore in commemoration of their brave and noble service.
Henry G. McComas, father of our subject, was ' born in Baltimore, and for many years followed the sea. being captain of a vessel. In 1840 he purchased the farm upon which our subject now resides and made it his summer home until 1857, when he retired from the sea and located perina- nently on this place. During the excitement over the discovery of gold in California, he went around Cape Horn in the "George Washing- ton." a one-hundred-ton vessel, loaded with boots and shoes. This is the smallest vessel that ever rounded the Horn and the feat was considered a very daring one. Captain Mc- Comas married Miss Keziah Cunningham, a daughter of George K. Cunningham, a native of Ireland. He was not long permitted to enjoy his home in Harford County, for he passed away in 1858. His wife, however, still survives him at the age of eighty-five. Their children are
George W. McComas attended the public schools of Baltimore until fourteen years of age and then came with the family to the farm whereon he has since made his home. His earlier years were devoted to general farming, but for the past sixteen years he has been exten- sively engaged in canning corn and tomatoes, which business has proved a profitable undertak- ing. In business affairs he is energetic, prompt and notably reliable, and tireless energy and honesty of purpose have brought to him a well- merited success.
On the 3d of December, 1874, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. McComas and Miss Virginia G. Norris, a daughter of Cardiff Norris, of Bel Air. They have four children: H. G., C. N., George W. and Nona Mary. The family attend the Methodist Church, and occupy an enviable position in social circles. In his political affilia- tions Mr. McComas is a Democrat.
EORGE W. CRAIG. This name will be recognized by many of our readers as that of a gentleman who has borne an important part in the advancement of the business interests of Cecil County, and who has been a potent factor in municipal affairs in the village of North East. For a number of years he has held the office of president of the Green Hill Fire Brick Company, which was organized by his father, William Craig, in 1876, and in which for a long time he has been a stockholder and director, succeeding his father to the presidency on the death of the latter.
The exact date of the establishment of the Craig family in Cecil County is not known, though it was probably in colonial days. The first of the name in this country came here from England. William Craig was born in Dis- trict No. 5, this eounty, and here spent his entire life, engaged principally in agricultural pursuits.
218
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
For years prior to his death, which occurred in IS93, he was president of the Green Hill Fire Brick Company, organized by himself and others. In early life he was a Whig and became a Repub- lican upon the organization of that party. For several years he was supervisor of roads; where he rendered effective service in the opening and improving of roads in the district. In religious belief he was connected with the Episcopal Church. He was a man of progressive ideas and endeavored to give his children the best possible educational advantages, that they might be fitted for the duties of life. His wife, Elizabeth J., was a daughter of Henry Baker, whose ancestors were prominent in Revolutionary times and were among the founders of the Episcopal Church at this place. She is still living, at the age of seven- ty-seven, and is active and energetic for one of her years. In her family there were five sons and three daughters, of whom the following sur- vive: George W .; Anna L., wife of James N. Cameron, of this county; Ella M. and Henrietta C., who are with their mother; Philip; Christo- pher, of Philadelphia; and Merryman D., whose home is in Perryville, this state.
At the parental liome in District No. 5, Cecil County, George W. Craig was born February 22, 1846. When a boy he attended school during the winter months and worked on the home farm in the summer. When his father started in the fire-brick business, in 1876, he became an assist- ant in the work and learned to make stove linings and fire brick. He held considerable stock in the enterprise and was a director of the company for some years,. succeeding his father as president in 1893. In addition to his interest in this busi- ness, he owns a farin and has some stock in the Stevenson Wrench Factory. In his political affil- iations he is a Republican, zealous in everything pertaining to the welfare of the party, but not an office seeker. He is not a member of any secret society or church, but contributes to the Methi- odist Church, which his family attends. Of re- cent years he has been connected with the Mutual Guarantee Building and Loan Association of Richmond, Va. March 4, 18So, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth A. Sentman,
of this county, and they are the parents of six children now living: Martha Washington, Laura E., William Evan, George Ferris, Aldridge B. and Bessie Pauline.
DIG
ASHINGTON FOSTER. In giving honor to whom honor is due in the development of Cecil County, mention should certainly be made of Mr. Foster, who has labored long as a farmer and has shown himself to be a man of energy and industrious habits. He has been a lifelong resident of this county and is now ell- gaged in cultivating a farm in District No. 5. He forms one of the class of men who have ren- dered excellent service in bringing a portion of the district to a state of cultivation, and is highly re- garded as a practical man and useful citizen. At all times he lias striven to advance the interests of the community in which he makes his home.
Near his present place of residence, the subject of this sketchi was born January 22, 1842, to the union of Jesse and Elizabeth (Rutter) Foster. His paternal grandfather was a native of Ireland and an early settler of Cecil County. Jesse Foster was born two miles from the place where our subject now lives, and throughout his life he was interested in agricultural pursuits. In every relation of life he sustained a high character. Though not active in politics, he always voted the Democratic ticket and was interested in the success of his party. In religious belief he was connected with the Methodist Protestant Church. While still a young man, he passed away, in 1845, leav- ing his wife with a family of small children to care for and rear. She was a daughter of John Rutter, of this district, and was a lady of genuine worth of character, devoting herself, with the utmost self-sacrifice, to the welfare of her sons and daughters. When she was called from earth in 1872, she was deeply mourned by relatives and friends. Of her nine children five are now living, namely: An, wife of Washington Holt, of Eik-
-
219-220
RICHARD E. WEBSTER.
221
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ton; James, whose home is in Baltimore; John, a resident of Chesapeake City; William, who culti- vates the liome farm; and Washington.
As a student in the schools of the neighborhood, Washington Foster gained a knowledge of the three R's. His education was thorough enough to enable him to look after his business interests with sound judgment. In 1857 he began to work upon the home farm for his father, continuing successfully as a tiller of the soil, and gaining a complete knowledge of every department of the work. The Robinson farm, as the place he owns is usually called, has been his property and home since 1875, and consists of three hundred and forty acres, upon which have been erected substantial buildings. While farming has been his principal occupation, it has not been his sole means of gain- ing a livelihood. In 1861 he commenced to run a line of freight steamers between Baltimore and New York, and in that connection was engaged until 1891, when he retired from the business. Like his father, he is a Democrat in politics and in religion a member of the Methodist Protestant Church. He has never married, but finds a pleas- ant home with his brother, William T. The lat- ter was united in marriage, December 28, 1867, with Elizabetli Talley, daughter of William Talley, of this district; they are the parents of eight children, all of whom are at home, namely: William, Dora, Carrie, Raymond, Ernest, Ethel, Ellis and Edna.
12 ICHARD E. WEBSTER. In the house where he now lives Mr. Webster was born September 18, 1833. He has known 110 other home than this, and is therefore more deeply interested in its development and more affection- ately devoted to tlie old associations, than any stranger could possibly be. The place where he resides, and which descended to him from his father, is situated in District No. 3, Harford Comity, and comprises two hundred acres of land. The larger portion of the property is under culti-
vation, though some is devoted to the pasturage of the cattle, large numbers of which are liere raised and fattened for market. Some of the land is planted to fruit, for the owner is one of the many who have found the canning industry a profitable and pleasant business in which to engage.
Richard Webster, grandfather of our subject, was a farmer and miller on James Run, and spent his entire life in this locality, dying when eighty- six years of age. The fatlier of our subject, Noah Webster, was born in District No. 3, and engaged in farming on the place now owned by Richard E. A man of great energy and industry, his life was busily and usefully, but uneventfully, passed in the supervision of his interests. He died at the age of sixty-seven, and his wife when seventy-four. The latter was Susan, daugliter of Richard Mitchell, who lived near Perryman, in District No. 2. The three children that comprise the family are Richard E .; Joseph, who is en- gaged in the livery business in Baltimore; and Priscilla, widow of Charles Saddler.
The rudiments of his education our subject obtained in the common schools and afterward he was a student in Hillsboro Academy, at Leesburg, Va. On his return from school he assisted his father in conducting the home farm, to the management of which he succeeded at the age of thirty years. Since then he has engaged in its cultivation, devoting his energies to the de- velopment of its acres. He is a man who keeps himself well posted upon matters of general in- terest, and politically is a firm Republican. His father, a man of public spirit, was for two terms county commissioner, and he himself has also assisted local enterprises in every possible way. While he has never sought office, the office of road supervisor sought him, and he consented to fill the position, his service iu that capacity re- sulting beneficially to the country in the improved system of roads. Such men as he are a source of great strength to an agricultural community, and the farming interests of Harford County have been materially advanced by his instrumentality.
In 1866 Mr. Webster was united in marriage with Sophia Norris, daughter of William B.
+
222
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Norris, of Baltimore. Their union was blessed and their home is still brightened by two children, Richard and Sophia C. The family attend the Calvary Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Webster has been steward for some years and also liolds office as one of the trustees.
ILLIAM C. KARSNER, M. D. The medical profession offers an inviting field for men of energy, decision of purpose, discriminating powers and persevering industry. To such a one the study of the science is attract- ive, and through its practice a wide realm of help- fulness is assured. In no country of the world, with the exception, perhaps, of Germany, are there to be found physicians of such energy, broad information and skill, as the United States may boast. Nor are the physicians of Maryland deficient to others in skill and intellectual acu- men; in fact, in many respects they lead the pro- fession in the east, and by their knowledge of the medical science have enlarged the usefulness of the work.
These words aptly apply to the subject of this notice, a physician of Chesapeake City. While he does not belong to the small class of men who liave gained national renown for scientific discoveries or newly attempted operations, he is a mem- ber of that larger, but equally useful, class of physicians who, in their own locality, have built up a good practice. He is skillful in the diag- nosis of cases and wise in the selection of re- medial agencies. His experience has been a varied one, including practice in almost every depart- ment of the profession, and in that manner he has gained a knowledge that is most helpful to him in his work.
A native of Cecil County, Dr. Karsner was bori at what is known as the brick meeting house, District No. 6, October 27, 1831. His father, Daniel Karsner, was born in Elkton, this county, where he was educated and where later he engaged in the mercantile business. After-
ward he was proprietor of the old Cross Keys Hotel at the brick meeting house, and still later resumed mercantile enterprises, but was obliged to retire from the business on account of failing health. In 1840 he came to Chesapeake City, and accepted the appointment of collector for the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal Company, at this place, a position that he held more than eigliteen years. His death occurred in this vil- lage at the age of eighty-eight. Though not an active partisan, he never failed to support the Democratic party, believing its principles best adapted to promote the welfare of the people. At one time he was collector of taxes for his district. In religious connections he was identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he officiated as steward and trustee for many years. At the time of the building of the first house of worship erected by that denomination in Chesa- peake City, he was one of the leading workers, and it was largely through his instrumentality that the building was erected. In the War of 1812 he served as an officer in what was called a troop of horse (cavalry), being orderly sergeant. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Eleanor F. Millechop, was born on a farmi near Elkton and died at Chesapeake City in 1871, when eigh- ty-one years of age. She was a woman of estima- ble character, a devoted Christian and an active worker in the. Methodist Episcopal Church, a faithful friend and especially kind to those who were sick or in need. Of her nine children, the sole survivors are William C. and Cornelia H., wife of Thomas J. Cleaver, of whom a sketch is presented elsewhere in this volume.
In the schools of Elkton and Chesapeake City, and in Hopewell Academy, near Oxford, Pa., the subject of this sketch received fair educational advantages. When about ninetecn lie began to read medicine under Drs. Tyndall and Trites, in Chesapeake City, and later took a course of lect- ures in Jefferson Medical College, one of the most famous institutions of the kind in the United States. From this he graduated March 9, 1853, and at once went to Kent County, Md., where he practiced his profession for two years, but was then obliged to leave on account of poor health.
-
223
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
His next location was at Warwick, Md., whence, in 1857. he came to Chesapeake City, and here he has since been in continuous practice, with the exception of about three years during the war. He was then assistant surgeon in the United States army, and had charge of three wards in the general hospital at Newark, N. J.
The marriage of Dr. Karsner united him with Saralı C. Bouchelle, of Cecil County, and they are the parents of one daughter, Elsie Eleanor, who is an accomplished musician and a popular young lady. The family are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which for a num- ber of years the doctor has been steward and trustee. In politics he is an active Democrat. In IS91 he was chosen, under Gov. Frank Brown, to serve in the position of Weigher General of Grain, of Baltimore City, and during his incum- bency of the office he went to Baltimore once or twice a month, the detail work being in charge of five assistants there. For two years he was collector of taxes for this district. Fraternally he is associated with Cecil Lodge No. 125, F. & A. M., of Chiesapeake City.
-0
E. CLEMSON, M. D. The calling of a physician is not only one of the most arduous, but one of the most responsible professions in which man can engage, and he who attains a high reputation in it must necessarily be endowed with physical endurance, keen intelli- gence and excellent judgment. While the sub- ject of this sketch has not been engaged in prac- tice many years, he has already secured a high standing in professional circles, and to this he is entitled by his mental endowments, his careful culture, and his painstaking efforts to continually add to his theoretical knowledge and practical skill. As a private citizen he is highly esteemed for his public spirit, personal example, and interest in all that is beneficial to the people of the village and county where he resides. Since his gradua-
tion he has carried on practice in Elkton, of which place he is a native, born November 17, IS72.
The Clemson family is one of the oldest in the neighboring county of Lancaster, Pa. There Oliver P. Clemson, the doctor's fatlier, was born and reared, and thence, about 1865, he removed to a farm in Cecil County, where he died in 1893. He was a man of retiring disposition, but greatly respected by those to whom he was intimately known. He took an interest in all that pertained to the welfare of Cecil County, his public spirit and liberality helping forward all schemes for its improvement. He married Mrs. Sarah Louisa (Rea) Wilson, a native of Lancaster County. who, by her first marriage, had a daughter, Rachel J., now the wife of Hon. Frank R. Scott, of Elkton. Of her second union only one child was born, Harry E.
The best advantages which the schools of the state afforded were given to our subject in his boyhood and youth, and being a diligent and ambitious student he availed himself of these opportunities to the utmost. For a time he prosecuted his studies in the Elkton Academy and West Nottingham Academy, after which he was a student in Delaware College for two years, and by taking advantage of every opportunity offered by these time-honored institutions he secured a broad literary culture. With the in- tention of becoming a physician, he matriculated in the University of Maryland and in 1894 gradu- ated from its medical department. During his studies there he assisted in the University Hos- pital, and the practical experience there gained was perhaps as helpful as the theoretical knowl- edge acquired under the able professors of the institution. After his graduation he returned to his native village, where he opened an office and has since engaged in professional practice. In addition to liis private practice he held the posi- tion of coroner's physician under the Democratic administration. He is regarded as one of the rising young physicians of the county and one whose future prospects are exceedingly bright. His home is in this village, with his widowed mother. Fraternally he is connected with the
.
224
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is noble grand of the local lodge. He is also a member of the Improved Order of Red Men. As a young man of clear, well-balanced mind, with a good insight into professional matters, he is considered one of the men whose presence adds value to the citizenship of Elkton.
ILLIAM B. HEATZIG. Many of the patriotic citizens of our country have emi- grated hither from foreign lands, and among them are some of the stalwart sons of Germany. With keen intuition they have fore- seen future prosperity in America, such as could never be obtained in their native land, and com- ing across the ocean they have, almost invariably, been successful in their undertakings. A repre- sentative example of this class is the gentleman named, who is engaged in the general mercantile business in Elkton, and is one of the well-known citizens of the village. A native of Dresden, Sax- ony, born in 1822, his education was received in liis home locality prior to his fourteenth year, when he began an apprenticeship to the cabinet- maker's trade. This he followed until I854, when he was led, for political reasons, to decide to come to America. Crossing the Atlantic, he at first settled in Long Island and engaged in business at Flat Bush; but the surroundings were not entirely to his liking, and he resolved to reinove further south. Therefore, after a short time, he came to Elkton, and here he has since resided. Opening a furniture store, he gradually built up a remunerative trade and accumulated a large property, but in 1891 his store and four of his houses were destroyed by fire, entailing a heavy loss. Without allowing himself to become discouraged by this catastrophe, he at once rebuilt, erecting the substantial store building in which he and his son, as partners, are now engaged in the mercantile business.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.