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 34
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 34
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Brought to Cecil County in 1855, the subject of this sketch was educated in West Nottingham, after which he was employed as clerk for a firm in Oxford for two years. In ISS2 he bought the farm which he has since cultivated and on which he has engaged in general farming and stock- raising. The place consists of one hundred and thirteen acres, all under cultivation, and im- proved with good buildings. In politics he is a Republican, believing the principles of this party best adapted to the advancement of the nation. He has had no political aspirations, and aside from serving as judge of election of this district has occupied no public office. He is a member of Zion Presbyterian Church and in fraternal re- lations he is identified with the Cecil Grange. In 1882 he married Anna Whitaker, of Cecil County, and they have an only son, P. Jenks Smith, now a student in school. Mr. Smith is now (1897) a candidate for the assembly on the Republican ticket.
JOHN SPRIGG POOLE, M. D., who practices medicine and surgery at Dublin, District No. 5, Harford County, was born in 1862, in Montgomery County, Md, of which his father, Dr. Thomas Poole, and grandfather, John Poole, were also natives. The family, which is of English extraction, was established here as early as 1637, and has since been actively and prominently identified with the growth and prosperity of the state. Dr. Thomas Poole spent his entire life in the county of his birth, and after completing his medical studies in the Maryland
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HON. MURRAY VANDIVER.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
. I'niversity at Baltimore, successfully engaged in general practice there, liis office being in Pooles- ville. He was united in marriage with Miss Eveline Hyde, of the same county, and they . became the parents of five children, but John Sprigg, of this review, and two sisters, residing in Poolesville, are the only ones now living. The father's death occurred in 1870, when in his sixty-sixth year.
Dr. Poole, whose name introduces this sketch, also attended medical lectures at the University of Maryland, from which he graduated with the degree of M. D. in the class of 1887. Coming to Harford County the following year, he located in Dublin, where he has resided ever since. The doctor was married in 1891 to Miss Georgia, daughter of Dr. Silas Scarboro, and to them have been born two children, Mary and Thomas. Both the doctor and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church.
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ON. MURRAY VANDIVER. Before re- viewing the life of a successful man it is always well to consider briefly his parentage and ancestry, in order that we may better under- stand the principles that have guided his actions and the personal characteristics that have made him a power among his fellow-men. As indicated by the name, the Vandiver family originated in Holland. However, it has had representatives in this country for more than three centuries, and its members have always been men and women of upright characters, unwavering integrity and more than ordinary ability. At different times the name has been variously spelled, Van der Weer, Vanderweer, Vanderveer, Vandeveer, Vandever and Vandiver.
The family was founded in America by Jacob Van der Weer, who came to this country about 1655, and in that year assisted in the capture of Ft. Christiana from the Swedes. This fort, which was built by the Swedes in 1638, was situ- ated on the south side of Christiana Creek, near
The Rocks, in Wilmington, Del., and around it some fifteen or twenty houses were clustered. The Dutch, after capturing the place, changed its name to Ft. Altena, and the little town laid out west of the fort was called Christianliam (now Wilmington). Jacob Van der Weer was a ser- geant in the garrison at Ft. Altena, but in 1660 he made application for his discharge, upon the ground that he wished to leave with the first vessel after the river was open. It was his plan to command a ship to be used in trading along the coast, but for some reason his plans were changed, and he remained in Delaware. April 8, 1661, he secured a deed for a tract of land in Christianham, near the fort. Three years later the English captured the fort, which they allowed to fall in ruins, and the town was abandoned. March 24, 1668, he received a patent and settled on a tract of land north of the Brandywine, where his descendants resided for many genera- tions.
At Brandywine Hundred, opposite the old Dutch fort, was a piece of land called Cooper's Island, on account of the fact that it was occu- pied by two Dutch coopers. March 2, 1682, Jacob Van der Weer obtained a warrant for this land, which comprised one hundred and forty- seven acres, and the island was afterward known as Van der Weer's Island. It appears to have been the neck of land where the railroad bridge now crosses, and the early records show that the family residence was situated near Brandywine Creek. By order of court, May 13, 1675, a ferry was established at this place, and this was in charge of Jacob Van der Weer and his descend- ants until a bridge was built near the present Eleventh Street bridge in Wilmington. In 1764 the state legislature authorized the building of a bridge higher up the Brandywine, on the site of the present Market Street bridge, and when this was completed the old bridge was ordered de- stroyed, but it continued to be used until 1767.
When William Penn assumed the government of the country in October, 1682, he immediately inaugurated proceedings looking toward the transfer of the Swedes and Dutch into English citizenship. A court was held at Newcastle Feb-
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ruary. 21, 22, 1683, at which Penn presented a form of naturalization; and upon its adoption, among those who took the oath of allegiance was Jacob Van der Weer (whose name was there spelled Vandever). May IS, 1664, he was given a warrant for another tract of land, which, to- gether with his previous purchases, was re-sur- veyed in April, `1688, and found to contain five hundred and thirty-two acres. It included what is now the village of Brandywine, and elevations known as Timber Island and Thatcher's Hook. For over one hundred and fifty years the prop- erty was in the possession of this family, but it afterward passed into the hands of many owners.
Within the limited space at our command it would be impossible to trace the history of the members of the family; suffice in to say that many of them attained prominence in Delaware and Maryland, and exerted a powerful influence in the promotion of progressive measures. At the outbreak of the War of 1812, Peter Vandiver was elected to the Delaware legislature, and dur- ing the years that followed, while acting as legis- lator, he gave his support to the government in the maintenance of the war against England. Among the family characteristics may be men- tioned industry, energy and a progressive spirit. Some of the members were agriculturists, giving especial attention to the propagation of fruit trees, and the Vandervere apple is well known as one of the best that is grown in the Middle States.
The father of our subject, Hon. Robert R. Vandiver, was born July 22, 1805, at the old Del- aware homestead, whence he removed to Harford County and became engaged as a contractor. He built the Protestant Episcopal Church at Easton, Talbot County, the Methodist Episcopal Church at Havre de Grace, the outlet lock of the Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal at Lapidum, Harford County. He superintended the dig- ging of the cut through which the Phila- delphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railway Company ran their cars to be transferred over the Susquehanna River from Havre de Grace to Perryville on their large steamer. A decided Democrat and a leader in politi-
cal affairs, in 1868 he was elected to the house of delegates, where he rendered efficient service in the interests of the people. He possessed an energetic nature and strong will, in disposition was cheerful and hopeful, and to the circle of his intimate friends lie displayed social qualities of a rare order. In business he was very successful, and his contracts were always carried out in spirit as well as letter. Comprehensive reading gave him accurate information upon all subjects. He attained the age of eighty-one and passed away in IS85.
The mother of our subject was Mary Russell, who was born in 1810, and died in January, 1886, aged seventy-six. She was of English descent and a daughter of Thomas Russell, who took part in the War of 1812. His wife was a member of the Murray family, which was among the first English settlers of Cecil County. Mrs. Vandiver was the mother of four sons and three daughters. George T., who was a soldier in the Confederate army, was a prisoner of war at Point Lookout in 1864, but was afterwards exchanged; he died a few years later. Another son, Robert R., Jr., was an attorney in Cecil and Harford Counties, and died in December, 1884. The others were Jacob, Martha, Alice and Ellen.
Born September 14, 1845, Murray Vandiver was educated in the public schools and academy at Havre de Grace and in Eastman's Business. College, Poughkeepsie, from which he graduated in December, 1864. With a predilection for the mercantile business, he decided to embark in the lumber business, and this he did at Havre de Grace in 1865. Some years were spent in that occupation, but in IS78 he joined his father in the business of shipping brick moulding sand to Baltimore, Philadelphia and other cities, tlie two continuing together until the death of the father in ISS5. . The son then continued the busi- ness on his own account until 1890.
Any sketch of Mr. Vandiver would be inconi- plete were there no mention made of his public life, for that forms one of the most important chapters in his history. He was but a young man when he entered polities as a champion of Democratic principles, and from that time to this
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- he has been known as a firm advocate of Jeffer- sonian doctrines. Honoring the party, he was in turn honored by it. The first position of promi- nence to which he was called was that of meni- bership upon the Harford County Democratic executive committee in 1873. In 1875 he was elected to the house of delegates, where he was a member of various important committees, discharging every duty with such ability and faithfulness that he was re-elected to the assembly of 1877. During his terms in the house he in- troduced a number of measures of benefit to his constituents, among them a bill incorporating Havre de Grace as a city, which became a law, greatly to the subsequent benefit of this place. He also secured an appropriation from the state to erect hay and cattle scales liere, and authority to permit the commissioners of Harford County to fund the school debt of the county. During the session he was frequently chosen temporary speaker and made an honorable record as presid- ing officer. In ISSo he was again elected to the house of delegates, where, as before, he often served as temporary speaker and on important committees, besides being chairman of the com- mittee on claims. His party chose him again as their nominee in 1881, but disruptions and divis- ions caused his defeat, together with that of Hon. Herman Stump, Democratic candidate from Harford County for the state senate.
Realizing that his services were too valuable to be dispensed with, the Democratic party afterward brought Mr. Vandiver into frequent prominence. In 1885 his fellow-citizens, on that ticket, chose him to serve as mayor of Havre de Grace, and the following year he was re-elected. During his administrations many reforms were instituted and improvements were introduced, including a new sewerage system and the pavement of the streets. The qualities that had made him suc- cessful in other positions brought him the com- mendation of all in the discharge of his duties as mayor, and he retired from office with an en- viable record. In 1891 he was again elected to the legislature, and unanimously chosen speaker of the house, where his service was as able as be- fore. From 1887 to 1892, he was secretary and
treasurer of the Democratic state executive comll- mittee, and secretary and treasurer of the Dem- ocratic state central committee. A high and merited honor was bestowed upon him under the second administration of Grover Cleveland, in June, 1893, when he was appointed collector of internal revenue for Maryland, his district includ- ing not only this state, but Delaware, the District of Columbia, and the counties of Accomac aud Northampton, Va. He took the oath of office July 1, 1893, and has since discharged the re- sponsible duties of the position with the diligence and fidelity that have marked his every act, busi- ness or official. In 1892 he was delegate to the Chicago convention, and voted for A. P. Gorman for president. Four years later he was delegate- at-large to the Chicago convention that nomi- nated Bryan.
At Philadelphia, June 23, 1886, occurred the marriage of Mr. Vandiver and Miss Annie Clay- ton, who was born in Tamaqua, Pa. Two children comprise their family, Robert M. and Dorothy. Mrs. Vandiver is a daughter of Henry Clayton, a civil engineer and lessee and operator of the Little Schuylkill (now the Philadelphia & Reading) Railroad, but who died at thirty- two years. Fraternally Mr. Vandiver is a mem- ber of Susquehanna Lodge No. 130, A. F.& A. M. In addition to other interests he is a director in the First National Bank of Havre de Grace, the Commonwealth Bank of Baltimore, and director and one of the organizers of the Commonwealth Savings Bank and the American Banking & Trust Company of Baltimore, a director in the Harford Agricultural Society for six years, director in the Havre de Grace Improvement Company and Havre de Grace Water Company, trustee of the Maryland Agricultural College, colonel on Gov. Robert McLane's staff, and custodian of the United States post-office and court house buildings in Baltimore. August 12, 1897, he sent his resignation as collector of in- ternal revenue, to President Mckinley, to accept the chairmanship of the Democratic state central committee, which he assumed August 12, 1897, and called the committee together to meet at Carrollton Hotel, noon, Wednesday, August IS,
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1897, to map out the campaign of 1897 for the state of Maryland. He was one of the sub- committee of the state of Maryland for the cen- tennial of 1876, also one of the World's Fair managers of the state of Maryland at the World's Fair in 1893.
The public life of Mr. Vandiver has been of such a character as to place him among the emi- nent men of Maryland. While acting as legis- lator, his acts were marked by prudence and economy, as well as energy and a progressive spirit, and a due regard for the will of his con- stituents. As mayor of Havre de Grace lie was in sympathy with the local plans for improve- ment. As collector of internal revenue he was reliable and efficient, true to the administration he represented. In all offices of public trust lie has been characterized by energy, integrity, business-like methods, and judicious actions, and the sequel of his success shows how, with these qualities, it is possible for a young man to attain a position of prominence and influence in this free land of ours.
MARSHALL HAINES, who is an attor- ney-at-law, of Elkton, was born near Rising Sun, Cecil County, Md., December 10, 1846. His father, Eli Haines, who was born in the satne neighborhood in 1811, was one of the first manufacturers of stone and earthenware in the country, and owned a pottery located a mile east of the village of Rising Sun. He did an exten- sive business in that line, his ware being sold in all parts of the United States. At the time of his ยท death, in 1855, he was the owner of a pottery at North East, Cecil County. For the management of large business interests he was admirably fitted, both by nature and training. He cared little for political matters and held no public office except that of county commissioner. He had a brother, Samuel, who was a farmer and served both as county and school commissioner.
Eli Haines, Sr., grandfather of our subject, was a native of Cecil County and a member of the Society of Friends; he was a man of ability, and had he lived to middle life or old age would doubtless have become prominent, but he died when young. His father, Job Haines, was an influential resident of this locality both before and after the Revolution and was acquainted with all the prominent men of his day. In I7SI, at his home near Rising Sun (the property now owned by Edwin M. Hunt), he entertained the illustrious Lafayette, who was one of his warm friends. He was a member of the Maryland legislature at the time of General Washington's death, and as a representative of the state at- tended the funeral of that eminent man.
The Haines family is one of the oldest in Cecil County, its residence here dating back many years. In 1682, while Richard and Mar- garet Haines were en route from Northampton County, England, to America on the ship "Amity," their son, Joseph, was born. Shortly afterward, and before the ship cast anchor in this country, Richard died. The widowed mother settled in Burlington County, N. J., where Joseph grew to manhood. In 1714 he removed from there to the western part of Nottinghami Town- ship, Cecil County, which, however, at that time was within the bounds of Chester County, Pa. He soon became prominent and was called to fill public positions, among others serving as justice of the peace for Chester County. His oldest brother had preceded the family to America about 1679 and obtained for his father a grant of land in West Jersey; or it is possible that the father himself had been in America, and, securing posses- sion of large traets of land, returned to his native country and then sent his eldest son, John, to America to look after the property until he him- self could arrange to bring his family over. The papers for this original grant of land are still in the possession of the family. Joseph Haines had a large family, Job being his sixth child, and Job . had nineteen children, of whom Eli, our subject's grandfather, was the sixth, and the latter in turn had six children, of whom Eli, Jr., was the youngest.
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The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Hannal Marshall and was born in Chester County, Pa., near Brandywine. Her father, Humphrey Marshall, was a native of Chester County and a member of one of its oldest families. He was a member of the Society of Friends and lived up to the lofty teachings up- held by that organization. L. Marshall Haines was one of seven children, of whom only three at- tained years of maturity. Rachel A. married Isaiah Buddy, of. Philadelphia, where she died. Samuel E. is a dentist in Philadelphia. When he was but a child our subject was left an orphan and was taken into the home of an uncle, Absa- lom Roman, father of Dr. Samuel T. Roman, but after three years he went to live with another uncle, Samuel Haines, near Rising Sun. His primary education was obtained in the district schools near Rising Sun, after which he entered the Pennsylvania State Normal School, near Lancaster. During his course of study there, in 1864, while still in his teens, he entered the Union army, enlisting in Company C, Eighth Pennsylvania Calvary, and joining the army of the Potomac. He served with his regiment in Virginia until August, 1865, when, peace having been declared, he was mustered out and returned to the normal school.
After graduating, Mr. Haines taught school for a time, but in 1868 turned his attention to the study of law, which he had resolved to make his life work. His readings were carried on under . the preceptorship of Hon. William J. Jones, of Elkton, and he was admitted to the bar in June, 1870. January 1, 1872, he formcd a partnership with his former preceptor and this continued until the death of Mr. Jones in 1894, when Mr. Haines succeeded to the lucrative practice of the firm. He has twice been a candidate for state's attorney and has been the candidate of the Republican party for the house of delegates and the state senate, but the Republicans being in the minority he has failed of election. In 1893, when a candi- date for the state senate, he came within twenty- six votes of being elected, and it was claimed by some that he had fairly won, but he refused to make a contest for the seat. In July, 1897, lie was
nominated as candidate for circuit judge, to be chosen in the following fall, and should he be elected he would undoubtedly render as able service on the bench as he has at the bar. In addition to his lucrative law practice he has vari- ous other interests. He is a director in the Mutual Building & Loan Association and in the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Cecil County. Well known in Grand Army circles, he is past commander of the Elkton Post, and is also past master of the Masonic lodge of Elkton. While he has a birthright in the Society of Friends, he does not adhere to the faith as closely as did his ancestors.
In 1873 Mr. Haines married Elizabeth Jackson, of Chester County, Pa. They have two sons: Frederick Taylor Haines, a graduate of Lehigh University as a civil engineer and now a law student in his father's office; and Warren Jackson Haines, a graduate of Princeton, and now with his uncle, J. T. Jackson, in the real-estate busi- ness in Philadelphia.
The success which Mr. Haines has attained illustrates the reward of merit. He has worked long and arduously to gain the position to which his talents entitle him and in which he can exert a larger influence for the welfare of his fellow- men. He has demonstrated that there is no genius like the genius of hard work, and that no success is as lasting as that obtained through laborious efforts through the years of one's prime.
W ILLIAM BENJAMIN was born January 12, 1826, about one and one-fourth miles from Bay View, upon the farm where he now resides. Here his entire life has been spent, and amid the scenes familiar to him from earliest childhood he is passing the twilight of his useful career. A man of influence in the community, he is highly respected and is regarded as a man of sound judgment in public affairs, as well as in matters relating to the management of liis farmi.
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From his father he inherited a portion of his present possessions, which include his valuable homestead of one hundred and fifteen acres. The cultivation of this place he superintends, and also directs the investment of his capital, thus finding plenty to occupy his time and attention.
Mr. Benjamin represents the third generation of his family in the United States. His grand- fatlier, Joseph Benjamin, was the son of a rich man in England, but through a love of adventure or restlessness under parental authority (the records do not tell us which) he ran away from home, and crossing the Atlantic, settled in Mary- land, where he afterward remained. The father of our subject, George Benjamin, was born in Cecil County in April, 1780, and in early life was a farmer near Charlestown, but about 1825 re .- moved to the place where his son now lives. Politically he was a lifelong Democrat, and for years served as a magistrate, but was not a poli- tician in the ordinary usage of that word. He held membership in the Methodist Protestant Church and was influential in the congregation, as among his neighbors generally. He attained advanced years, dying on the last day of 1864, when eighty-four years of age. His marriage, which took place March 14, 1805, united him with Sarah Taylor, member of an old family of this locality. Their family consisted of twelve chil- dren. of whem the following are living: John, of Annapolis; Thomas, who lives near Bay View; Eliza Jane, wife of Washington Alexander, of Havre de Grace; Albert, of Baltimore; and Will- iam, of this sketch.
In boyhood the subject of this article alternated attendance at the district schools during winter with work on the home farm in the summer. At first he worked for his father, but afterwards became the owner of the home farm, where he has since engaged in raising the various cereals to which the soil is adapted. In political affilia- tions a Democrat, he was elected to the position of assessor in 1897 upon that ticket, and has held other minor offices, the duties of all of which he has discharged with credit to himself. For years he was a trustee in the Methodist Protestant Church, and he has also been one of its class
leaders. January 12, 1847, he was united in marriage with Sarah J. Mahoney, of District No. 5, member of a family that has resided in Cecil County for several generations. There were born to the union ten children, and of these seven' are living, namely: Lavinia A., wife of William R. Campbell, of Bay View; Henry T., whose home is in Chester, Pa .; Deborahi M., widow of William B. Tyson, of Trainor, Pa .; William W., a resident of Cecil County, living near the old homestead; Martha E., wife of Will- iam F. Thompson, of Chester, Pa .; Winfield Scott, a farmer living in District No. 5; and Jeremiah John, who makes his home in Wil- mington, Del.
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