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 24
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 24
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up with bright, intelligent eyes, and her finely shaped head is crowned with a wealth of gray hair. Her personality is very pleasing and she has a sweetly modulated voice, expressive and animated. Her surroundings are pretty and ex- quisitely neat, comfortable and convenient, and her study is well supplied with standard works and books of reference; but few of her own pub- lications, however, are found on the shelves. She is a member of the Authors' Club of New York City.
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OHN STREETT. The life whose main events 'are herewith chronicled has been closed upon earth; the book is finished, its record com- pleted, but those who have been helped by con- tact with Mr. Streett and who remember his many noble attributes of character will welcome this memoir with especial interest. He was a pro- gressive farmer of Harford County and rose to a position in the agricultural circles of District No. 3 which many might envy. He was respected by all who knew him, and such was his integrity that his word was as good as his bond.
Of English descent, the subject of this sketch was born in District No. 5, in 1815, being the son of Maj. Thomas Streett, and grandson of Col. John Streett. Reared upon a farmn, he early turned his attention to agriculture, in which he mani- fested such a lively interest and so much industry and integrity of purpose that he easily met with success. Until thirty years of age he remained on the old homestead near Highland, but he then removed to Chestnut Spring and made his home upon a farin near Clement Mills for fourteen years. In 1858 he purchased a portion of the Francis Delight farm, and here he afterward con- tinned to reside until his death, which occurred December 25, 1895, at the age of eiglity-one years.
January 16, 1844, Mr. Streett was united in marriage to Priscilla A. Ruff, and their union was blessed with two children, Sophia Priscilla and James Ruff. Mrs. Streett, now seventy-eight
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years of age, continues to reside at the old home- stead and, notwithstanding her advanced age, is quite active and bright. Thic farin is now carried on by her son, J. Ruff, who was born in 1854 and in 1891 married Hannah Baldwin, of this county. The family hold membership in the Episcopal Church and are respected wherever known.
ILLIAM CHARLES COOPER is well known in Cecil County, and the fact that he is favorably spoken of by high and low, rich and poor, is sufficient indication of his char- acter. One of the prosperous farmers of this section, he occupies a pleasant home in District No. 5. Like many of the best residents of the county, he has spent his entire life here and is a member of one of its old families. The old home- stead where he resides was purchased by his grandfather, John Cooper, in 1754, and has been in the possession of the family ever since. John Cooper was the owner of a ship yard at Seneca Point and later carried on the same business in Baltimore until his death, which occurred in 1794.
The father of our subject, John Cooper, Jr., was born on the Cecil County farm, to the culti- vation of which his active years were given. While he never acquired wealth, he accumulated a competency and was able to surround his family with the comforts of life. He never carcd to identify himself with politics, and aside from casting a straight Democratic ticket at elections took no part in public affairs. He was a member of the Episcopal Church and in his life and char- acter endeavored to carry out the lofty teachings of that faith. His marriage united him with Jane Little, whose parents were farmers and re- spected residents of this county. She passed away in 1861, having long survived her husband, whose death occurred in 1844. They were the parents of four children, but the only survivors are Will- iam Charles and Mary Jane, the latter the wife of Benoni Cooling, of Charlestown.
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Where he now resides, William Charles Cooper was born August 12, 1833. In boyhood he alter- nated attendance at school with work on the home farm, and a little later learned the trade of a brick- layer. Leaving school when seventeen, he turned his entire attention to farming and work at liis trade. Since 1860 he has been in charge of the old homestead of one hundred and thirty acres, which is one of the fine estates of the district, containing an excellent class of buildings fitted for their varied purposes. One of the attractions of the place is a pond with carp and cat fish. The land produces large harvests and is very fertile, responding readily to cultivation.
Mr. Cooper lias never been interested in politics in the sense of office-seeking, but is well informed regarding the issues of the age, and at elections always casts a ballot in favor of Republican candi- dates. He takes an active part in everything per- taining to the welfare of the community, and, with his family, attends the Methodist Episcopal Church. In January, 1860, he married Rachael Bryson, of Elk Neck. The eleven children born of their union are named as follows: Rebecca Jane, of Baltimore; Mary Lizzie, wife of Curtis Taylor, of Blythedale, Cecil County; William H. Seward, who resides nicar his father and is a farm- er by occupation; Charles P., of Charlestown; Cecil C., who lives near the old homestead; Jolin, who resides near Baltimore; Ella and Edith (twins), George F., Bert and Herbert, all at home.
HARLES REMBOLD. Many men on com- ing to this country from a foreign land find circumstances here so different from what they have been accustomed to that frequent miis- takes are made in choosing their occupations, and this they very often find to be the case when it is too late. Fortunate is lie who has the discern- ment to choose a congenial calling-one for which he is suited, and can adapt himself to the changed condition of affairs. In such a case he will be
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as congenially and suitably employed as is Charles Rembold, who is the capable overseer of ten thou- sand acres of land, divided up into sixteen farms, and owned by John Cadwalader, of Philadelphia. Mr. Rembold owes his nativity to Wurtemberg, Germany, where he was born March 26, 1820, a son of Henry Rembold, whose life occupation was that of a weaver. He had several brothers, and all became farmers. He was an industrious, worthy man and died when in the prime of life, in 1825. He was married to Miss Victoria Neff, also a native of Wurtemberg, who died in 1839.
The early life of Charles Rembold was like that of the average German youth, for upon at- taining a suitable age he was placed in a school where he acquired a practical and, as far as he went, a thorough education. He had sufficient discernment to perceive the advantages that were offered to young foreigners who put themselves under the protection of "Uncle Sam," and on May 24, 1847, arrived in the United States and at once made his way to Harford County, Md. He tilled various farms in this county for a number of years, and his thrift, industry and good judg- ment soon won him the notice of Mr. Cadwalader, who about 1870 tendered him his present position. This he has filled with marked ability up to the present time, and fortunately the calling has been one for which he has a natural aptitude and a decided liking. These farms he rents to different men, who work them on shares.
Mr. Rembold was married in 1848 to Miss Fredericka Pershing, a native of Baden, Ger- many, and to them ten children were given, eight of whom survive: Katie, wife of Charles Fisher, of Baltimore; Lizzie, wife of Harry Car- roll, of District No. 1; August and John, also of this district; Rebecca, who is still with her fatlier; Charles, at home; Mary, wife of Joseph Jeffrey, of Virginia; and Frank. The mother of these children has been dead about one year. Mr. Rem- bold has supported the principles of the Demo- cratic party since coming to this country, but is by no means an office seeker or a partisan. He is a Catholic. As a business man he is esteemed for his honest methods, and as a citizen for the interest he has taken in the welfare of his adopted
country. Like the great majority of Germans lte has been industrious and economical and his efforts have won him a competency and universal respect.
ILLIAM H. HAINES. In the neighbor- ing county of Harford the subject of this sketch was born June 19, 1834. Through- out his entire life, covering a period of more than threescore years, lie has been identified with the history of the northeastern part of Maryland. His home is now in Cecil County, whither he was brought by his parents when a child of one year. A resident of Charlestown, he has many friends in this village and the surrounding district, and all who know him recognize in his character the qualities of perseverance, industry and honesty that mark the best citizenship.
The Haines family originated in Scotland. The representatives in this country have inherited, from a long line of honorable, industrious fore- fathers, the heritage of a good name and the qualities of thrift and uprightness so characteristic of the Scotch people. Thomas, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Cecil County, his parents having emigrated here from Scotland. He was . reared upon a farm near Port Deposit and followed agricultural pursuits as long as his strength permitted him to engage in manual labor. During the War of 1812 he was a soldier in the American army. He attained an advanced age, dying at eighty-eight years.
The father of our subject, Samuel Haines, was born near Port Deposit, Cecil County, and made farming his chief occupation in life. He did not have the advantages in youth which fall to the lot of the children of this age, but while he lacked in learning and scholarly attainments, he was not lacking in industry and perseverance, without which success cannot be sccured. Politically an old-line Whig, he desired the public welfare, and, being a good citizen with a liberal spirit, he aided
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in all matters tending to the promotion of local interests and industries. He was identified with the Methodist Protestant Church. His death? occurred in 1880, five years before the demise of his wife, Mary Ann (Rockwell) Haines, who was a native of Harford County. They were the par- ents of eleven children, of whom four sons and one daughter are living. They are named as follows: William H .; George, residing at Prin- cipio Furnace; Ann Eliza, wife of William Culbert- son; James, who lives at Wilmington, Del .; and Frank, a traveling salesman. The boyhood years of our subject were passed at Port Deposit, where he attended the public schools. At the age of seventeen he began to learn the trade of a black- smith, but this he followed only six months, as the work was not congenial and lie preferred to enter other lines of employment. His life has been passed principally in general farm pursuits, although he has also given considerable attention to fishing and has been quite successful in that occupation.
September 26, 1861, occurred the marriage of Mr. Haines and Miss Hannah Jane Harris, whose parents, Wilder and Alice (McMullen) Harris, were descendants of early settlers of this district and county. The six children born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Haines have, with one excep- tion, been spared to years of maturity. They are Joe Edward, living in Philadelphia; Alice, wife of Joseph Lynch and a resident of Charlestown, Cecil County; Will, Harry and George, who are at home.
AMES A. BOULDEN. The varied wants of mankind give rise to varied occupations. In one part of the country may be found those who, within the recesses of the earth, mine the coal; in another place there are stone quar- ries, or gold fields, or wide-stretching fields of grain. But there is no place where the merchant is not needed and where the sale of household goods, groceries and articles of clothing, is not
carried on. In every community the merchant is indispensable. If he is energetic, lie may advance the commercial importance of liis local- ity; on the other hand, if he is shiftless, idle or aimless, he may immeasurably retard local prog- ress. Of Mr. Boulden it may be said that he is one of the leading business men of Chesapeake City, and his activity has been very helpful in promoting the interests of the place. Since the time when he first established himself in business here, in 1865, he has been identified with local industries, and has been especially interested in the grain and phospliate business, though he also carries in stock a full line of hardware and modern farm machinery.
'The birth of Mr. Boulden occurred in this vil- lage December 29, 1837, his parents being Levi and Elizabeth (Bennett) Boulden. His father, who was born near the village of Chesapeake City, spent his entire life in Cecil County, with the exception of two years, when he resided in Wilmington, Del. Reared upon a farm, he did not, however, make agriculture his life work, but in IS32 secured employment as collector for the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal at this place, retaining the position for six years. His life was a sad one, for ill liealth cast a gloom over his later days and rendered him unable to engage in any line of labor for a long time prior to his death. He suffered intensely with rheumatism, so se- verely, indeed, that he was confined to his bed for sixteen years before he passed away, and his death, at the age of forty-seven, brought him welcomed release from pain. His wife, also a native of Chesapeake City, is now over eighty years of age, but is in good health.
Reared upon a farm, our subject devoted the years of youth and early manhood to agricultural pursuits, but in 1865 embarked in business and has since given his entire time to the enterprise with which his name is connected. He takes an interest in all matters relating to local affairs and also keeps himself well posted regarding questions before the nation to-day. Politically his sympa- thies are with the Democratic party and he has always been firm in his allegiance to that organi- zation. For four terms he held the office of
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commissioner and he has also rendered efficient service as mayor. He has been twice married. His first wife, Mary E. Clark, of this place, died in 1864, having been the mother of two children : Alice M., who is with her father; and Harry, who died in boyhood. The present wife of Mr. Boulden was Emma Doble, of Wisconsin, a cousin of Budd Doble, the well-known horseman. They are the parents of six children, namely : Laura, wife of I. G. Griffith, Jr., of Chesapeake City; Fannie, who married William A. Stubbs ; D. Pal- mer, who is employed as a clerk for his father ; Nellie E .; Elizabeth and Carlisle, who died in infancy.
OSEPH VEAZEY WALLACE, M. D., of Chesapeake City. It has been well said that "If the virtues of strangers be so attrac- tive to us, how infinitely more should be those of our own kindred; and with what additional energy should the precepts of our parents influ- ence us when we trace the transmission of those precepts from fathier to son, through successive generations, each bearing the testimony of a useful and honorable life through their truth and excellence." This is forcibly pertinent to the ancestry of Dr. Wallace. He comes of that old Maryland stock noted for its zeal in the cause of freedom during the Revolution, for its course in danger and its principles of honor carried into even the smallest details of life. Nor were bis remote ancestors less upright; they were of the Scotch race, known the world over for thrift, probity, industry and high-minded, spotless characters.
The Wallace family was founded in America by Andrew Wallace, who was born in Scotland in 1672 and settled in Cecil County, Md., prior to the year 1700. In Johnson's History of Cecil County he is mentioned as one of the first elders in the old Presbyterian Church, at the head of Christiana Creek, which was erected in 1708. His gravestone in the cemetery adjoining the
church shows that he died "on ye 3d of March, 1751, aged 79 years. " His wife, Ellinor Wallace, who was also his cousin, departed this life "ye Sthi of Dec., 1753, aged 78 years." They had three children, Jcannette, Margaret and Joseph. The last-named was born in Cecil County, Md .. in 1713, and married Mary Black, of Delaware, by whom he had four children, Andrew, Joseph, George and Ann. April 15. 1755, he was com- missioned by "Horatio Sharpe, governor and commander-in-chief in and over the province of Maryland" to be first lieutenant of the foot company commanded by Capt. Zebulon Hollings- worth, of Cecil County; the commission is now in the possession of the subject of this sketch. Joseph Wallace died in Cecil County May 28, 1776, at the age of sixty-three. His wife, Mary, died January 7, 1794, aged seventy-four years.
Dr. George Wallace, son of Joseph Wallace, was born in Cecil County, Md., in 1752. He studied medicine under Dr. Phincas Bond, in Philadelphia, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania August 3, 1773, his diploma being signed by Dr. Thomas and Dr. Phineas Bond, two of the incorporators of the university. After his graduation he removed to Delaware to practice his profession. When war was declared against Great Britain he was commissioned first lieutenant in Capt. Joseph Caldwell's company of the southern district of Kent County. His commission, which is in possession of his grand- son, our subject, was signed by J. W. Mckinley, president of the council of safety, and bears date January 23, 1776. In answer to an inquiry from a subscriber as to the origin of the name "Blue Hens' Chickens," the Philadelphia Record made the following reply: "One of Delaware's mnost gallant fighters in the war of the Revolution was Capt. Joseph Caldwell, who was notorious for his love for cock fighting. He drilled his inen admirably, they being known throughout the armiy as Caldwell's Game Cocks. This sante Caldwell also held the peculiar theory that no cock was really game unless its mother was a blue hen. As months wore away Caldwell's men became known as Blue Hens' Chickens, a title which only increased their respect for the old
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game cock captain. The nickname became famous, and, after the war, was applied indiscrimi- lately to all natives of the Diamond State." After the close of the war Dr. George Wallace returned to Cecil County, and locating at Elkton, resumed the practice of medicine. January 27, 1787, he married Elizabeth Black, of Newcastle County, Del. The following-named children were born to them: James; Mary, who married Thomas W. Veazey, governor of Maryland 1835-37; and Joseph. He died in Elkton June 17, 1796, aged forty-four years. His widow, Elizabetlı, became the wife of Dr. Jolin Groome, August 31, 1799, and by that marriage had three children: Hon. Jolin C. Groome, fatlier of ex- Governor James Black Groome; Dr. Samuel W. 'Groome, and Eliza Jeannette, who married Capt. Mathew C. Pearce.
Dr. Joseph Wallace, son of Dr. George and father of Dr. Joseph V. Wallace, was born in Elkton, Md., February 5, 1791, and was the youngest of three children of his mother's first marriage, his brother and sister being James, born June 10, 1788; and Mary, September 17, 1789. He attended the school in Elkton and finished his education at Nottingham Academy. His medical studies were begun in the office of Philip Syng Dorsey, of Philadelphia, and in IS12 he graduated from the University of Pennsyl- vania. The faculty at that time contained Benjamin Rush, signer of the Declaration of Independence; Philip Syng Phipsic, Jolin Red- man Cox, Benjamin Smith Barton, C. Wistar and Philip Syng Dorsey. July 9, 1813, he was appointed hospital surgeon's mate by Dr. James Tilton, surgeon-general, U. S. A., and was ordered to Ft. Mifflin for duty. Having passed an examination before the army board of sur- geons he was appointed by the secretary of war, John Armstrong, acting assistant surgeon, which appointment was confirmed September 28, 1813, and he was ordered to join General Wilkinson's army on the Canada frontier. He remained with the army until the declaration of peace By Joli C. Calhoun, secretary of war, he was ap- pointed, April 21, 1818, surgeon of the Fifth
United States Infantry, which appointment being declined and a preference expressed for that of post surgeon, he was appointed by President Monroe to the post at Annapolis, Md., where he reported to Captain Read, commandant, July 23, ISIS. While stationed at Ft. McHenry, June 17, 1825, he married Elizabeth Ward, daughter of Joshua and Saralı (Veazey) Ward, and niece of Gov. Thomas W. Veazey, of Maryland. The children born to them were named as follows: George F., James, Joseph Veazey, John Charles Groome, Mary C. Ward and Laura V. After resigning from the army in 1827, Dr. Joseph Wallace returned to Elkton, where he continued to reside until liis deatlı, September 12, 1872, at the age of eighty.two. His wife was born Jant- ary 22, 1797, and died .February 3, 1876, aged seventy-nine years.
The subject of this sketch was born in Cin- cinnati, Ohio, April 12, 1830, and was five years of age when his father returned to Elkton. He was educated in private schools here, and in October, 1850, began the study of medicine in the office of his uncle, Dr. James R. Ward, in Clearspring, Washington County, Md. In the fall of 1851 he entered the University of Mary- land, in the city of Baltimore, where he attended two full courses of lectures, graduating Marchi 8, 1853. Returning to Washington County, he en- gaged in practice with his former preceptor until March, 1854, when he came back to Cecil County and opened an office at Chesapeake City Marchi 13. Here he has since engaged in general prac- tice and in the management of the property interests he has gradually established. In poli- tics he is a Democrat, but has never held office. At this writing he is a member of the board of examining surgeons for pensions at Elkton and a member of the Society of the Sons of the Ameri- can Revolution. April 25, 1867, he married Cornelia C. Price, daughter of John R. and Mary A. (Lum) Price. Mary E. Wallace, their daughter, was born May 15, 1868, and November 5, 1891, was married to Rev. Frank Edwin Williams, pastor of Boundary Avenue Presby- terian Church, Baltimore; they have three chil-
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dren, Wallace, Frank Edwin and Fletcher Price. Veazey Ward Wallace, only son of the doctor, was born February 10, 1870, and died May 25, . 1878, aged eight years, three months and fifteen days.
OHN W. ANDREW, who has been identi- fied with the interests of the people of Dar- lington since 1849, was born in 1820 in the eastern part of District No. 3, near Hall's Cross Roads, being the son of William H. and Nancy (McVay) Andrew, also natives of Harford Coun- ty. On the maternal side he is of direct Irish descent, his grandfather, John McVay, having been a native of the Emerald Isle. For genera- tions his paternal aucestors have been identified with the history of Maryland, and particularly with the agricultural interests of Baltimore and Harford Counties. His grandfather, Abram, spent his life near Aberdeen, and his great-grand- father, Abram Andrew, lived near Baltimore. In early years William H. Andrew followed the cooper's trade, but later he returned to the place where he was born and there he engaged in farm- ing until he passed from earth, in 1877, at the age of eiglity-nine. His wife died at the age of sixty-eight. They were the parents of eight children, but only two are living, John W. and Benjamin F., the latter a resident of Barton, Allegany County, Md.
At the family home near Aberdeen the subject of this sketch was reared and his education was obtained in the neighboring common schools. At the age of sixteen he went to Perryman and learned the blacksmith's trade under Joseph E. Taylor, following this occupation for thirty-five years afterward, the most of the time in Darling- ton. After coming here in 1849, he was for seven years in partnership with Samuel Harper, but at the expiration of that time they divided the busi- ness and each carried on his own shop under the same roof. In 1865, after years of hard work at the trade, Mr. Andrew engaged in farming near the village, being connected with Samuel H.
Mathews for eight years, and later, in 1875, he re- tired from active work, since which time he has lived quietly in the village, enjoying the comforts inade possible by years of continuous application.
In politics a Democrat, Mr. Andrew for some years officiated as magistrate for the district and. also held the position of road supervisor, filling . both in a manner satisfactory to all. Fraternally he is connected with Mt. Pisgah Lodge of Odd Fellows, and in religious belief he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has held office as steward and class leader. His marriage, which occurred in 1843, united hin with Miss Mary E. Keene, member of an old family of Harford County, and daughter of Quila Keene. They became the parents of eight chil- dren, namely: Georgia K., wife of Rev. W. E. Miller; Hannah E., who married P. F. Forwood; William H., deceased at the age of thirty-five; Quila; Mary, deceased; Rev. J. Robert, of Mid- dletown, Va .; Joseph F., who resides near Dar- lington; and Charles A., who lives at Burkley- ville.
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