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 30
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 30
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HOMAS ADY, whose long and well-spent life has been identified with the farming interests of Harford County, is one of its native sons, his birth having occurred in the Marshall District. His grandfather, William Ady, was of English descent, the family having been founded in America at an early day. The father of our subject, Samuel Ady, was born near Rock Creek Church in Harford County, and he and a brother served in the American army during the War of 1812. He learned the cooper's trade, and followed that pursuit in connection with farming. He also conducted a store for some time at Cooktown. An earnest advocate of the Whig principles, he was twice nominated by his party for the office of county sheriff. He and his family were prominent in church work, and the Adys have ever been foremost in support of all
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measures calculated to prove of public benefit. . excellent schools of that land. Emigrating to He married Miss Mary Ayres, a daughter of Thomas Ayres, of Harford County, and they became the parents of seven children, two of whom are living, Thomas and Mary.
Thomas Ady acquired his education in the school which was conducted in Rocky Spring Church, and at the age of sixteen he began work on the farm. He also learned the cooper's trade, which he followed to some extent during his early manhood. In 1859 he purchased the . farm whereon he now resides, and has since carried on agricultural pursuits. Here he makes his home, faithfully devoting his time and energies to the cultivation of his land. His sister Mary keeps house for him. His life has been well spent, and all who know him esteem him for his sterling worth. He belongs to the Episcopal Church and is a Democrat in his political views,
HARLES L. HECK. Numerous instances might be cited of men in Harford County who, by dint of persevering application and determined energy, have risen from a position of poverty to one of usefulness and influence. They furnish proofs of cheerful, honest labor, and a zealous determination to make the most of every advantage offered. Among this class of prosper- ous men, mention belongs to the gentleman with whose name we introduce this sketch, and who is known as a farmer of District No. 3.
In tracing the lineage of our subject, we find that he is a son of Philip Martin and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Heck, the former of whom was a government officer in Germany for fifty years, and died in liis native land at eighty-one years of age. The parental family consisted of six children, namely: Philipine, who died in Har- ford County; Laura; Louisa, wife of Josiah Morgan, of this county; Mary; Charles Henry, who died at the age of eighty-one years; and Charles L. The last-named was born in Ger- many in 1818, and received his education in the
the United States in 1840, lie made a sojourn of two years in Baltimore, where he was employed in the brewery business. In 1842 he located near Sandy Hook, in the northern part of District No. 3, and here he has since owned and operated an eighty-acre tract.
The marriage of Mr. Heck, in 1842, united him with Miss Cassandra E. Morgan, by whom he had four children: Elizabeth E., Philip, Martha P., and Cassandra (deceased). In his native land he was confirmed in the Lutheran Church, the doctrines of which he has since up- held. His wife is connected with the Presbyterian Church of Bel Air. In fraternal relations he is a member of Mt. Ararat Lodge No. 44, A. F. & A. M., of Bel Air, in which he has held several of the minor offices. He is one of that class of German settlers of whom our country has reason to be proud, and he is a loyal citizen of his adopted country, upholding its laws, and cherish- ing a patriotic regard for its institutions. Upon his farm he has many improvements and the best machinery, a fact that indicates his thrift and energy of character.
- HARLES A. ANDREW. Honored and respected by all, there is no man in Harford County who occupies a more enviable posi- ) tion than our subject in business circles, not alone on account of the success he has achieved, but also on account of the honorable, straightforward business policy he has ever followed. He pos- sesses untiring energy, is quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution; and his close application to business and his excellent management have brought to him the high degree of prosperity which is to-day his.
Mr. Andrew is a native of the county, his birth occurring in Darlington, in 1857, and is a son of John W. Andrew. There he was reared and ed- ucated, completing his literary studies in the
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CHRISTIAN H. WALKER.
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Darlington Academy. About 1881 he embarked in the canning business at that place, and success- fully followed the same for six years, but at the end of that time sold out to his brother Joseph, and came to Berkley, where he has since made his home. Here he also established a canning factory in 1887, and in connection with its opera- tion also engages in general farming, and in 1893 purchased the warehouse of Emlow Brothers at Berkley. He also owns another warehouse at Conowingo, Md., and is now extensively interest- ed in the hay, grain and feed business.
In 1883 Mr. Andrew was joined in wedlock with Miss Julia A. Jackson, of Baltimore County, Md., and they now have two children, Estelle K. and Mary, both at home. With the Methodist Church the family holds membership and occu- pies a high place in social circles. In the ranks of the local Democratic organization, Mr. Andrew is a recognized leader, was the candidate of his party for high sheriff in 1891, and in 1897 his name was again placed on the ticket as the 110m- inee for county clerk. He is a prominent and honored member of Stephen Lodge, F. & A. M., of Lapidum, in which he has passed the chairs, and has also held the office of treasurer in the Odd Fellows Lodge at Darlington. For four years he lias been president of the Berkley Build- ing and Loan Association, and has been actively identified with almost every enterprise calculated to prove of public benefit or that will in any way advance the welfare of the community.
HRISTIAN H. WALKER. The chief in- dustry of the people of Harford County is agriculture, in which the principal part of the population is engaged. Directly upon the shoulders of the tillers of the soil rests the pros- perity of every other elass of men; they hold in their hands the destinies of all. Their prosperity means universal prosperity, their failure universal distress. The highest honor is due to those agri- culturists who have, through their entire lives
whether long or short, endeavored to promote the welfare of this county and increase the prosperity of its residents. To this class belongs Mr. Walker, the owner and occupant of a farm in District No. 2. He was born in this district No- vember 18, 1827, the son of Robert and Catherine (Hoopman) Walker.
A native of Ireland, Robert Walker crossed the Atlantic and settled in America when a young man. For a time he sojourned in Portland, Me. After the close of the War of 1812 he came to Harford County, where he worked on a farm and was also employed as a fisherman. Here he mnet and married a daughter of Christian Hoopman, of District No. 2, and afterward he engaged in cultivating a small farm that belonged to her. To the property he added from time to time, and upon the place he spent the remaining years of his life. When he passed away, at the age of about seventy, his landed possessions were ex- tensive and valuable. He was a member of the Methodist Protestant Church and in politics a pronounced Republican. He and his wife were the parents of twelve children.
When our subject arrived at the age of maturity he purchased a small farm in District No. 2, but after a short time sold the property and removed to Virginia, where he engaged in farming for four years. On his return to Harford County he bought the farm where he has since made his home. His marriage, June 23, 1857, united him with Cornelia A., daughter of Joseph R. and Sarah A. (Watson) Cole, natives of Ceeil County. Her father, who was reared upon a farm, in early manhood purchased a tract of land in District No. 3, and here remained until his death, which took place at the age of about fifty-six years. In poli- tics he was a Democrat. While he never attained wealth, he was fairly successful and was able to secure the comforts of life for his family. In re- ligion he was a member of the Presbyterian Church. He is survived by his wife, a most estimable lady, who is now seventy-eight years of age. Mrs. Walker was born in this eounty July 31, 1837, and has a family of six children, namely: Winfield Scott, who is a farmer residing in this district; Annie L., wife'of William J.
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Keene, of this county; Mary V., who married Theodore J. Hetrick, of this county; Sadie, Mrs. William J. Macklin, also of this county; Cor- nelia, who died at four years of age; Ella H., who is with her parents.
Avowedly Republican in his political doctrine, Mr. Walker has been honored by his party with the nomination for various local offices. At three different times he was candidate for county com- missioner, but the Democrats having a majority in the county he has always met with defeat. He and his wife are identified with the Methodist Protestant Church, in which he is now a trustee. He is deeply interested in Sunday-school work, and in the office of superintendent has been instrumental in advancing the interests of the school.
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H. REYNOLDS, who has been prominently identified with the business interests of Cecil County for many years, was born in Dis- trict No. 6, a mile and a-half northwest of Ris- ing Sun, and is a representative of one of the oldest families of this locality. He traces his an- cestry back to Henry Reynolds, who was born in England about 1655, and established the family in America. His son, Jacob Reynolds, was born in 1727, and was the father of Jonathan Reynolds, the grandfather of our subject, who was born on the old family homestead in this county, April 9, 1755. The original farm purchased by the family comprised four hundred and ninety-one acres of land near Rising Sun, a part of which property is now in possession of our subject. The grand- father was a drover and dealer in stock, and was numbered among the prominent citizens of the community.
Haines Reynolds, the father, was born on the old homestead, and married Phoebe Moore, daughter of David and Sarah Moore. He made milling his life work, and also established the machine shop and foundry on Stone Run, and owned and operated a saw and grist mill on his
farmi. His business interests were extensive and were profitably managed. He died in 1865, and his wife passed away in 1861, their remains being interred in West Nottingham Friends' burying ground. They were members of the Friends' Church, and had a family of ten children, namely: Sarah, widow of John Nice; Elizabeth, David and Jacob, all deceased; Theodore: E. H .; Mary J., deceased wife of Coulton Kimball; Anna E., wife of J. P. Kirk, who is living near Liberty Grove; Phoebe, deceased wife of William Thomas; and Reuben, who has also passed away.
The boyhood and youth of E. H. Reynolds were quietly passed upon the home farm. His elementary education, acquired in the common schools, was supplemented by a course in Ken- nett's Academy, and at the age of seventeen he began teaching, which profession he followed through five winter terms. He also assisted in the work of the foundry and saw and grist mills, remaining on the old homestead until twenty-two years of age. He then rented the farm and machine shops and continued the foundry busi- ness in connection with agricultural pursuits for two years. In 1867, when his father's estate was sold, he purchased the original Reynolds home- stead, and is now the owner of ninety-eight acres of valuable land. He also engaged in superin- tending the operation of the stone quarries in West Nottingham Township, Chester County, Pa., following that business for six years. He after- ward carried on general farming until 1893, when he removed to Rising Sun, where he has since been engaged in the business of plumbing and steam heating. He is a progressive business man, whose energy and perseverance enable him to overcome all obstacles in his path and work his way upward to success.
On the 23d of February, 1859, Mr. Reynolds married Miss Lydia Lincoln, daughter of John Lincoln. Their children are: Ella, wife of Edwin M. Hunt, of Rising Sun; Maggie; S. Rosine, wife of Benjamin Stubbs; Lizzie, wife of U. Grant Brown, of West Nottingham Township, Chester County, Pa .; and Jannette, at home. Mr. Rey- nolds and his wife are members of the Society of Friends, and are highly esteemed citizens of the
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community in which they reside. In all the re- lations of life, Mr. Reynolds is true to duty and to the trust reposed in him, and fully merits the warm regard of his many friends.
ATHANIEL T. HOLLINGSWORTH. More than sixty years of residence upon a
2 farm must create an affection for the place, a fact that is doubtless understood by Mr. Hol -. lingsworth, for his entire life has been passed upon the homestead which he now occupies. Not only is this place dear to him, but the entire locality has a warmı place in his heart and he cherishes an affection for all the old landmarks with which time has made him so familiar. His landed pos- sessions consist of one hundred and twenty-five acres of land, lying in the southwestern part of District No. 3, Harford County; but he has not devoted himself exclusively to the cultivation of this tract, for, in addition, he has had extensive and profitable milling interests.
Upon the place where he still makes his home, Nathaniel T. Hollingsworth was born in 1834. He is the grandson and namesake of Nathan- iel Hollingsworth, a native of Goshen, Lan- caster County, Pa., who migrated to Harford County in 1806 and settled upon the farm now occupied by Silas W. Hollingsworth. Further reference to the family, as well as the life of our subject's father, will be found in the sketch of Joel C. Hollingsworth, presented upon another page of this volume. When a boy our subject did not have the excellent advantages enjoyed by the boys of the present generation, but such opportunities as came to him he improved to the utmost, and in that way he gained considerable information that proved of value in subsequent years. At the age of nineteen he began to work at the turning business, and later, with his brother Joel C., he became interested in the manufacture of spokes and rims, the 'two remaining together about thirteen years, when the partnership was dissolved. Afterward, for fourteen years or more,
Nathaniel gave his time entirely to the rim and saw-mill business, but in 1890 hie erected a grist- mill and four years later added a flour mill, in which various lines he is now engaged, as well as in the cultivation of his farm.
.In 1869 Mr. Hollingsworth established a home of his own, being in that year united in marriage with Hannah S. Carter, a native of Ohio. Three children came to bless their union, but only one is now living, a son, Samuel H., who resides with his parents and assists his father in the various mill and farm interests with which the latter is connected. The family is of Quaker faith and holds membership in the Friends' Church. Mr. Hollingsworth is a man of genial and kindly disposition, one whose friendship is sought, and with whom an acquaintance always develops into a feeling of friendship and a warm personal re- gard. He is one of the substantial business men of his vicinity, and a loyal, patriotic citizen, in- terested in all measures for the advancement of county and state.
EORGE M. CHRISTIE is a prominent rep- resentative of the industrial interests of Cecil County, and belongs to that class of enter- prising, progressive citizens to whom a commu- nity always owes its prosperity and advancement. He was born in District No. 7, Cecil County, in 1844, a son of John and Sophia (Logan ) Christie. His maternal grandfather, Robert Logan, came from Ireland to America in the last decade of the eighteenth century. The paternal grandfather, James Christie, also a native of the Emerald Isle, located in New York at the time of his emigration to the new world, but afterward came to Cecil County. He served as a lieutenant in the regular army during the War of 1812, and was on the Canadian border with General Pike when that commander was killed.
John S. Christie was prominently identified with the business interests of Cecil County. For a time he engaged in milling in Harford County,
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and in 1856 built the mill which is now owned and operated by our subject. The greater part of his life was devoted to that vocation. In poli- tics he was first a Whig and then a Republican. He served as county commissioner for some time and was a very prominent and influential citizen. In 1862 he entered the Union army and became captain of Campany G, Sixth Maryland Infantry. but was compelled to resign on account of ill health. He married Sophia Logan, of Cecil Coun- ty, a niece of Hiram Mccullough, and they be- came the parents of eight children: George M .; Mary J., deceased; Robert L., of Colora; Anna, deceased; Frank S., of District No. 7; Fannie, wife of Dr. R. R. Crothers, of Colora; India S., deceased wife of William H. Moore; and Cor- nelia. The father of this family died in 1869, at the age of fifty-four years.
George M. Christie obtained his elementary education in the common schools, and later at- tended the West Nottingham Academy, where he pursued his studies until seventeen years of age. He then joined his father's company and was in the military service of his country for three years. When honorably discharged at the close of the war he held the office of quartermaster-sergeant of his regiment
In 1865 Mr. Christie returned to Cecil County, and joined his father in the milling business. He was afterward employed for some time by the firm of Hill & Alexander at Elkton, and at the age of twenty-five he took charge of his father's bus- iness, having since carried on operations along that line. The milling property was forinerly owned by Davis & Christie, but in 1895 our sub- ject became sole proprictor of the plant, which is equipped with the latest improved machinery and supplied with all accessories for turning out first- class work. He thoroughly understands the bus- iness in every particular and his straightforward dealing and courteous treatment of his patrons have secured to him a liberal patronage. Through- out the community he is recognized as one of its leading business men.
Mr. Christie was united . in marriage to Pris- cilla G. Stevenson, of Port Deposit, daugliter of Robert and Agnes Stevenson. He and his wife
attend the Methodist Church, and occupy a high position in social circles. By his ballot he sup- ports the men and measures of the Republican party. Integrity, activity and energy have been the crowning points in his career and his connec- tion with various business enterprises and indus- tries has been a decided advantage to this section of Maryland, promoting its material welfare in no uncertain manner, while at the same time bring- ing to him a handsome competence.
ILLIAM ARMSTRONG. This name will be recognized as that of a resident of Cecil County who is extensively engaged in farming. He is the possessor of one hundred and seventy-five acres of as fine land as can be found in District No. 4. Every acre is well im- proved, and its excellent condition is due entirely to his own good taste and management, The estate is supplied with improvements in the way of machinery, and the horses to be found here are second to none in the county. Considerable attention is also paid to the dairy business. One of the principal features of the place is the family residence, where home comforts and general hos- pitality abound.
It is a noteworthy fact that the Armstrong homestead has been held in the name of William Armstrong for a period of one hundred aud thirty years. It is a part of a tract of one thousand acres granted by William Penn to one Haley, some time early in the seventeenth century, and is undoubtedly the oldest farm in Cecil County. The first of the Armstrongs to own it was our subject's grandfather, William, and the latter's son, William, was born here and made the place his lifelong home, engaging in agricultural pur- suits. During the War of 1812 he served in the American army. He voted the Democratic ticket but never fancied public affairs or cared to enter official life. His death occurred in 1837, when he was forty-eight years of age. By his marriage to Ann Booth, of New London Township, Ches-
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ter County, he had nine children, and five of these are now living: Catherine, wife of William Holland; Mary, Mrs. Jacob D. McConnell, of Chester County, Pa .; Susan, who married Will- iamı Houston, of Chester County: James, also a resident of Chester County; and William.
On the place where he lias since lived, Mr. Armstrong, of this sketch, was born August 26, 1822. His education in the common schools was completed at the age of seventeen, and afterward he assisted in the cultivation of the farm. On the death of his father he succeeded to the owner- ship of the estate, where he has since engaged in farming, stock-raising and dairying. He has led a busy and useful life, with so many personal duties that he has never desired to enter public life, and confines his connection with politics to the casting of a Democratic vote. He is a strong advocate of the public schools, believing that education is the best foundation for good goveril- ment.
An important event in the life of Mr. Armstrong was his marriage, which took place in 1849, uniting him with Mary Smith, of Delaware. Three daughters were born of the union, one of whom, Addie G., died at the age of eighteen years. The others are Amelia E., wife of T. H. Armstrong; and Mary D., Mrs. John R. Arm- strong, all of Newcastle County, Del. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong are identified with Rock Presby- terian Church, the oldest in the state. Of this congregation he was a trustee for some years, and he has also held the office of Sunday-school super- intendent. His busy life, characterized by dili- gence and judicious management, has won for him a comfortable competence.
LEXANDER B. KAY. There are no rules for building character; there are no rules for achieving success. The man who can rise from the ranks to a position of eminence is he who can see and utilize the opportunities that
surround his path. The essential conditions of human life are ever the same: the surroundings of individuals differ but slightly: and. when one passes another on the highway to reach the goal of prosperity before others who perhaps started out before lim, it is because he has the power to use advantages which probably encompass the whole human race. For many years, Mr. Kay ranked among the most prominent business men of Cecil County, and the success that lie achieved was due entirely to his own efforts, but he is now practically living retired upon his farm in District No. 6.
A native of Scotland, he was born near the city of Edinburgh, in 1823, and was there reared. The opportunities afforded him for securing an education were very limited, and at the age of thirteen he began serving a seven years' appren- ticeship in a paper mill, where he continued to work until coming to America in 1844.
On reaching the shores of the new world, Mr. Kay located at Morristown, N. J., where lie served as manager in a paper mill for a time, and then accepted a similar position in a large inill at Greenville, S. C. At the end of two years, how- ever, he returned to Morristown and purchased a mill, which he conducted for two years. He next went to Trenton, N. J., where he became part owner in a large paper mill, but at the end of five years sold his interest and removed to Man- chester, N. H., making his home there two years, during which time he superintended the erection of a large paper mill at that place. He then established a mill at St. Johns, New Bruns- wick, which he operated for three years, and 011 selling out there returned to Morristown, N. J., where he conducted a mill on shares for one year. The following two years were spent at St. Johns, New Brunswick, where he erected another mill. but at the end of that time he embarked in mer- chandising at Morristown, N. J. Subsequently he became manager of a mill near Elwood, N. J., and continued the manufacture of paper in that state until 1873, when he accepted the position of manager of the Cecil Paper Mills, with which he was connected until 1894. He then bought his present farm, which comprises seventy acres, and
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