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 23
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 23
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
Prior to leaving Saxony, Mr. Heatzig was united in marriage with Eleanor Stein, who died
in Elkton in 1891, about the time he met with his losses by fire. They were the parents of eight children, three of whom are living: Charles A., who is in partnership with his father; Laura, who is married and lives in Elkton; and Emma, who remains at home and brightens her father's declining years by her devotion to his welfare. Mr. Heatzig was reared in the Lutheran faith, but is now a member of the Presbyterian Church and a contributor to its good works. Upon com- ing to this country he made a study of our gov- ernment and its institutions, and was led, as a result, to identify himself with the Democratic party. In the campaign of 1896, when the Dem- ocrats were divided upon the financial question, he strongly advocated the free coinage of silver and voted for William J. Bryan for president. While the ticket was not successful, he is hope- ful that in coming years there will be a change of sentiment and the cause of silver will yet win. He never loses an opportunity to advance the welfare of his adopted home, favoring at all times such enterprises as will promote the progress of Elkton.
When thirteen years of age our subject was orphaned by the death of his father, John Heat- zig, who was a cabinet-maker by trade. One of the sons of the latter, Adolph, remained in his native country and amassed a fortune of millions as a speculator in lumber, large quantities of which he furnished the government in 1866, during the Austro-Prussian War. At that time the secre- tary of war for Prussia came to him to purchase lumber for fortifications, stating that if he refused to supply it he (the secretary of war) would fell all the trees in Grosse Garten, the finest park in all Saxony and the pride of every resident in Dresden. Mr. Heatzig sold him the lumber, thus saving the beautiful park and at the same time clearing the snug sum of half a million in the transaction. He was the owner of several fine villas in the vicinity of Dresden and his private mansion adjoined the castle of the King of Sax- ony, with whom he was on the most intimate terms. On one occasion the king came to him in person and offered to knight him for his services to the country, but he refused to accept
1
225
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
the honor, as he did not care to sacrifice his fortune in order that he might write "Van" before his name. He was one of the leading and wealthy citizens of Dresden, where he died in IS78. He had a sister, Dr. Neumann, a widow, who is a noted specialist of Dresden. Our sub- ject has made two trips to liis native land. In 1873, accompanied by his family, he returned to the old home and was the guest of his brother, remaining there for one and a-half years, during which time his son, Charles, attended school in Dresden.
RCHER HAYS JARRETT. The natural advantages of this section attracted at an early day a superior class of settlers, thrifty, industrious, progressive and law-abiding, whose influence gave permanent direction to the devel- opment of the locality. Among the worthy pio- neers of Harford County the Jarrett family hold a prominent place, and in their honor the village of Jarrettsville was named.
At that place the subject of this sketch first opened his eyes to the light of day in the home of his parents, William Bosley and Mary Virginia (Cairnes) Jarrett, who were born, reared and married in Harford County, and were numbered among its most valued and honored citizens. (A more extended mention of this worthy couple can be found in the sketch of Dr. Jarrett, of Jarretts- ville, on another page of this volume.) Five children constituted their family, namely: Archer Hays, of this review; James Henry, a successful merchant of Jarrettsville; Ida Virginia, wife of Jesse Clinton Taylor, a manufacturer of and deal- er in granite and marble at the same place; Sallie Leona, at home; and William Hope, who is also engaged in the inarble business in Jarrettsville.
In his native village A. H. Jarrett passed the . days of his boyhood and youth, acquiring a good practical education in the public schools, which has well fitted him for the responsible duties of business life. He has now for some time been a resident of Baltimore, his home being at No. 516
North Charles Street, and he is serving as head clerk in the New York Clothing House, Nos. 102 and 104 East Baltimore Street. Mr. Jarrett was united in marriage to Miss Margaret McMaster, of Cecil County, a daughter of Robert and Caro- line E. (Gwinn) McMaster. Her mother was born in Port Deposit, Md., and belonged to one of the oldest and most prominent families of that section of the state. Mr. McMaster, who has now been dead about twenty eight years, devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits, and always made his home in Cecil County.
William Hope Jarrett led to the marriage altar Miss Mary Virginia Streett, who is a daughter of Samuel and Mary Ellen (Miller) Streett, the for- mer of English and the latter of English and German descent. Her father is engaged in the hotel business. These brothers are men of much force of character, strong individuality, and their pleasant social manners have won them a host of friends who recognize their truc worth. They have figured quite prominently in local affairs and their popularity is well deserved.
AMES CORNER ROBINSON. From an early period in its history, Harford County has been fortunate in its representative men, those who, thrown upon their own resources early in life, have displayed the metal that was in them; and to such sterling characters the county is indebted for its development and prosperity. Among this class was James C. Robinson, of District No. 3, a man of sterling worth, and one who during the whole course of his career com- manded the esteem of his fellow-men. Strictly a farmer, he was one of the most industrious of his class, and through his industry and perseverance he accumulated a competency, and at his demise left his family comfortably provided for.
The son of Edwin and Mary (Corner) Robin- son, of Baltimore, the subject of this sketch was born in that city in 1836, and was the eldest of four children, the others being Mary; Hannah,
226
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
widow of Samuel Richardson; and Edwin, de- ceased. The father died in Baltimore, at the age of forty, and the mother died at the same place .. The first of the family to locate in Harford Coun- ty was James C., who removed here in 1862 and settled on the farm in District No. 3, now occu- pied by his family. Here he carried on general agricultural pursuits the remainder of his life. Having received a good education in the common schools, he had the inclination and ability to turn his knowledge to good account, and with energy worked his way to a position of influence among the farmers of the district. He cared little for public life and nothing for official positions, but, had he chosen, he could have held local offices creditably to himself and satisfactorily to those who honored him with a public trust.
In 1865 Mr. Robinson married Susan Beaman, of Churchville, and three children came to bless their union, namely: Mary, wife of Robert Pres- ton; Emily B. and Nannie H., accomplislied young ladies, who, with their mother, hold a prominent position in society, and are active in the work of the Presbyterian Church at Faliston. Mr. Robinson passed away in March, 1897, aged sixty-one years. His life had been well and worthily passed and in death he was mourned.
HENRY BREUNINGER. There is no ele- ment which has entered into our composite national fabric which has been of more prac- tical strength, value and utility than that fur- nished by the sturdy, persevering and honorable sons of Germany, and in the progress of our Union this element has played an important part. Intensely practical and ever having a clear compre- hension of the ethics of life, the German contin- gent has wielded a powerful influence, and this service cannot be held in light estimation by those who appreciate true civilization and true advance- ment.
Prominent among the German-American citi-
zens of Harford County is Mr. Breuninger, of Castleton, whose birth occurred in the Father- land in I818. His grandfather, Henry Breun- inger, a jeweler by trade, spent his entire life in Germany; and his father, Jacob F. Breuninger, only came to America on a visit. The latter was also a jeweler and was a highly respected citizen of his locality. He died in Germany in 1856, aged seventy-four years; and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Dora Kraut, died in 1860. Their children were Frederick, now deceased; J. Henry, of this sketch; and William, a jeweler of Washington, D. C.
In the schools of his native land, J. Henry Breuninger secured a good practical education, and remained in the old world until 1847, when he crossed the broad Atlantic for the purpose of trying his fortune in America, where he believed that better opportunities were furnished enterpris- ing and industrious young men. Having learned the tanner's trade, he followed it for three years in Baltimore County, Md., after his arrival here, but in 1850 took up his residence in Harford County, where he worked for George P. Cook in his tannery at Cooksville on Deer Creek for the same length of time. The following four years were spent in the employ of James D. Wiley & Son, at Peach Bottom, Pa., and for seven years he was with John Moore at Bel Air, Md.
Having accumulated some capital, Mr. Breun- inger, in 1864, purchased a place in the wilder- ness on a small stream, and there established a tannery, which he has since successfully con- ducted. He has not confined his attention strictly to the tanning business, but has engaged in the manufacture of all kinds of leather, including some very fine qualities, and has devoted some attention to farming. His tannery is located in what is now called Lafayette Valley and he lias taken a prominent and active part in the upbuild- ing and improvement of the locality where he has made his home for over a third of a century.
In 1846 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Breuninger and Miss Lizzie Sommer, also a native of Germany, and to them were born three sons, namely: Henry, who died in Washington while in the government employ; George, a merchant
227
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
of Castleton, Md. ; and Louis E., who is conduct- ing a government restaurant in the treasury de- partment in Washington. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in 1878, and the fol- lowing year Mr. Breuninger married Miss Josie Eckott, of Lancaster County, Pa.
In his social affiliations, Mr. Breuninger is a member of Mt. Hebron Lodge No. 516, I. O. O. F., of Delta, MId., and in his church relations is connected with the Methodist Episcopal denomi- nation. His family attend the same church, and are widely and favorably known throughout the community. Upright and honorable in business life, Mr. Breuninger has gained the confidence of all with whom he has had any dealings and has the respect and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact.
NDREW ANDERSON, who is engaged in business at North East, has been successful in the affairs of life and is in good circum- stances. His means have not been accumulated without hard work and the exercise of prudence, and those who know him feel that he has won no more than lie deserves. About 1888 he embarked in the livery business, which he has since car- ried on, and in addition he has a large trade in hardware, harness and agricultural implements, his place being stocked with a full assortment of goods to be found in his line, in the disposal of which he is thoroughly honest and reliable.
The birth of Mr. Anderson occurred in Lan- caster County, Pa., October 4, 1848, his parents being John and Sarah (Winters) Anderson, of the . same county. His father, who was a farmer by occupation, a Whig in politics and a Methodist in religious convictions, died in 1866, when in the prime of life. There were nine children in his family and six of these are living, namely: William, a resident of Chester County, Pa .; An- drew; George, who lives in New London, Pa .; Mrs. Rebecca McVey, of Harford County, Md .; Henry, living in Chester County, Pa .; and John,
of Lancaster County, that state. At the age of nine years our subject left home with a friend and for a few years afterwards he attended the schools of Lancaster County, but when seven- teen began to work for others in farming. Two years later he came to Cecil County, where he learned the coachmaker's trade and then went west to follow this occupation, but not being satisfied with the country he soon returned to North East. For some years he worked in the employ of others here, in the manufacture of car- riages, but finally embarked in business for him- self.
In public life Mr. Anderson is a man of much prominence. Numerous business enterprises en- gage his attention outside of his personal affairs. At this writing he is president of the Wakefield Fire Brick Company and president of the Steven- son Wrench Company. An enthusiastic Demo- crat in politics, in IS91 he was elected on that ticket to the office of county commissioner and for four years served as president of the board, his services in that position being most helpful and satisfactory. For four years he held the office of president of the board of town com- missioners and for a similar period he was presi- dent of the county board of health. At this writ- ing he holds the office of school trustee. A mem- ber of the local lodge of Knights of Pythias, he has been through all the chairs. In 1877 he married Mary E. Gardy, of Philadelphia, Pa., and they are the parents of a daughter, Nellie V., an accomplished and popular young lady. The family attend the Methodist Church and have many friends among the residents of the village.
ENRY B. WIRT. Of all the young alumni of St. John's few were chierislied as was the subject of this brief sketch. His gifts of intellect commanded the respect of his associates, and his noble traits of character made him dear to his intimates and a favorite in the social circle, where his presence was ever welcomed. Cut off
228
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
in the first stage of manhood, he had but laid the foundations of the success he must have attained, had he been permitted to crown his career. As a member of the great army of toilers for fame, he fell early in the fight, but as a man he was as great as he could have hoped to be, had lie lived to the limit that is wont to fall to the lot. of mortals. Honest, sincere, generous and pure, unswery- ing in his friendship, devoted to his loved ones, reverent to his elders, kindly with his inferiors and humbly striving to serve God and keep His law, lie has measured up as few do to the standard by which all that is great and admirable in manhood must be judged.
Henry Biddle Wirt was born in Elkton, Cecil County, Md., April 30, 1854. In early infancy he lost his father, Dr. John W. Wirt, who, like him, passed away in early manhood. Yet, valu- able as would have been a father's care, lie was blessed with a mother, who combined the graces and powers of womanhood, and who reared him with a tenderness and control that won for her his fondest affection and guided him in the path of duty. The writer first met him in the winter of 1866-67 at the Elkton Academy and the friend- ship there forined strengthened with the years until it became as abiding as brotherhood. At the academy young Wirt ever commanded the regard of his instructors and the esteem of his companions. He won successive medals for scholarship and deportment and always stood at the head of the roll. In the spring of 1868 he re- paired to the time-honored academy at West Nott- ingham, where he gave renewed evidence of his abilities. In October, 1868, in company with the writer and others of his schoolmates at the Elkton Academy, he matriculated at St. John's, whither his brother had preceded him the pre- vious term.
Mr. Wirt entered the first preparatory class and immediately took a high rank, which steadily rose until he stood first in a class than which few stronger have ever quitted St. John's. No undergraduate ever stood higher in the esteeni of the faculty and the regard of his fellow-students. As a further evidence of his great abilities it may be noted that, while maintaining his class pre-
cedence, he stood among the first of the talented members that thien composed the Philokalian Society and was ever prepared to discuss tlie questions that arose at its sessions. He filled every office in the gift of the society and enjoyed in his senior year the crowning distinction of being chosen to represent the Philokalians in the annual public debate, which was decided in his favor. Yet, despite his close attention to his studies as a student and a Philokalian, he always found time to enjoy the delights for which the Society of the Ancient City has ever been re- nowned. At the commencement in 1873 he graduated at the head of his class, delivering the valedictory oration, which, in the judgment of his hearers, was a marvel of pathos, voicing as it did the impulses of the generous boy, whose friendships were so tender and so true.
Immediately after graduating, Mr. Wirt was appointed tutor at St. John's College by the board of visitors and governors, among whom he numbered many warm friends. This position he filled for two years to the satisfaction of his asso- ciates in the faculty and the delight of the students. None more sincerely mourned his untimely death than those whom he helped to usher upon their collegiate careers. While tutor he laid the foundations of his legal education, and on quitting St. John's, in the fall of 1875, he entered the law school of the University of Mary- land at Baltimore, where in an able class he stood first, completing the curriculum in a single year. Here, too, his manly traits and generous impulses won the regard of those around him, and he was elected president of liis class. Receiving his diploma he returned to Elkton, where, on the invitation of George W. Cruikshank, he entered into a law partnership which was satisfactory and successful. At the bar he commanded the utmost courtesy from the bench and his asso- ciates, and had lie been spared, must have risen to high distinction.
In April, 1879, Mr. Wirt was married to Miss Nellie Knight, a daughter of William Knight, Esq., an honored citizen of Cecil. Two years of blissful happiness followed this union, when the dread summons came, and lie quitted this mortal
229-230
٠
MISS MARTHA FINLEY.
٢٠٢٠
231
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
sphere for the realms of the blessed. In Feb- ruarv. iS81, he accompanied his wife on a visit to Winchester, Va. Returning through Balti- more during the intensely cold weather then pre- vailing he contracted a severe cold, which speedily developed into pneumonia and he steadily sank. Despite the fond care of his loving wife and devoted mother, he died on the Sth of February, at the early age of twenty-six years, after a brief week of suffering, but with hope unshaken in the blessed promises of God.
The years glide by, and soon his mortal form will have found its kindred dust, but his grand spirit calls to us from out the great unknown in tones of fondness as of yore, in the words of the grand old bard, whose end, crowned with earth's homage and distinctions, was calm and confident as his:
"There is no death! What seems so is transition. This life of mortal breath Is but a suburb of the life elysian, Whose portal we call death."
M ISS MARTHA FINLEY. That women, girls and children throughout the length and breadth of the land should be interested in Miss Martha Finley is not to be wondered at when it is known that she is the famous authoress of the "Elsie books," for while there are books and books, there are few that have, as do hers, the interesting situations, the pleasing romance, the wise religious suggestion, the pure love- making, and better than all, the pure womanly tone. But few of the people of eastern Maryland, while they know of her and have read her books, know that most of them were written in the quiet village of Elkton, Md., where her home has been for many years. Miss Finley comes of illustrious Irish ancestry. Her grandfather, Gen. Samuel Finley, was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., in 1752. He graduated from Princeton College, under his uncle, Dr. Samuel Finley, and upon
the opening of the Revolutionary War, espoused the cause of the colonists, and rose to the rank of major. He was captured at Ft. Washington and held a prisoner by the British for three years. During the War of 1812 he again entered the army, in which he distinguished himself and at- tained the rank of general. He was a warm per- sonal friend of General Washington, and served under him as receiver of public money at Chil- licothe, Ohio. His uncle, James Finley, was the first Presbyterian minister at Elkton, Md.
Miss Finley's father was Dr. James Brown Finley, who was born in Pennsylvania June 7, 1794. At the age of eighteen years he enlisted in the War of 1812, with his father, and served until the surrender of Detroit, when he was paroled and returned home. Later he was gradu- ated from Dickinson College, of Carlisle, Pa., after which he studied medicine. He was mar- ried to his first cousin, Maria Theresa Brown, who was visiting at that time at Chillicothe, Ohio, where Miss Finley was born April 26, 1828. In 1836 her parents moved to South Bend, Ind., where the father practiced medi- cine until his death in 1852. The girlhood of Miss Finley was spent in South Bend and there she received an excellent education in private schools. She then taught for a time in a private school for small children, and here she frequently entertained her little pupils with stories which were doubtless the nucleus of tales published in later years. Her first effort in a literary way was as a writer of short stories for religious papers, which were under the direction of the Presbyterian Pub- lishing Company. The manuscript of her first story was taken to the Baptist Board, was accept- ed and published, and upon its appearance was well received.
After the death of her father Miss Finley had come east and her early articles were written in New York and Philadelphia. In 1876 she made a visit to Elkton, Md., and finally decided to make this place her home. She has a beautiful residence in the most aristocratic part of the vil- lage, surrounded by extensive grounds and a neat hedge fence. In this place much of hier best work has been done. She has written more than one
7
-
232
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
hundred books, all for children (with the excep- tion of the Finley series). To anyone who has read her books her love for young girls and her strong religious feeling are most evident. No writer of the nineteenth century is better beloved. Her great aim has been to interest the little ones and in this she has succeeded far beyond her expecta- tions. While all her works have attracted wide attention her Elsie books are without doubt the most popular, the principal ones being as follows: Elsie Dinsmore; Elsie's Holidays at Roselands; Elsie's Girlliood; Elsie's Womanhood; Elsie's Motherhood; Elsie's Children; Eisie's Widow- hood; Grandmother Elsie; Elsie's New Relations; Elsie at Nantucket; The Two Elsies; Elsie's Kith and Kin; Elsie's Friends at Woodburn, and others of the Elsie series. Some of hier other works are: Signing the Contract; Wanted, a Pedigree; The Mildred Series; The Finley Series; and the Trag- edy of Wild River Valley.
It can be truly said that Miss Finley's Elsie books made her famous, although all have been well received. At one time some of the news- papers of the country made an effort to stop the publication of any more Elsie books, saying that "they had had enough of Elsie," and one editor of a large daily remarked in the columns of his paper: "For God's sake, give us something be- sides Elsie." Notwithstanding this Miss Finley "pursued the even tenor of her way" and con- tinued to write "Elsie books." She was not writ- ing to please the editors or publishers, but her little friends, and as long as they were pleased and satisfied she was content to give them Elsie in every phase. When she first began writing her publishers refused to let her get her books copy- righted and paid her only what they saw fit for · her manuscript, but when fame came to her, she determined that she, instead of the publishing houses, would copyright her books and that roy- alty must be paid her for them. Her publishers are Dodd, Meade & Co., of New York.
Miss Finley is easily accessible, and although her health is poor her work goes on. She freely discusses her early struggles for fame and fortune and is an easy, fluent and agreeable talker. She has a matronly, graceful figure, a gentle face, liglited
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.