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 36
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 36
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The foregoing pastors were all Jesuits, and, with: the single exception of Fr. Diderick, to the manor born in Maryland. Henceforth we meet with the names of those not Jesuits.
Rev. Charles Leander Lusson, a Recollect, or Franciscan friar, was manager of the Deer Creek estate for about two years, that is, between 1795 and 1797. He was under the directions of Father Boarman, and may have been the first priest to attend the new St. Ignatius. Next on the list appears the name of Rev. Dr. Cornelius Mahoney, whom Bishop Carroll transferred later to Albany, N. Y. He was probably in Harford during the years 1798 and 1799. Rev. W. Pasquet came probably before 1800. He remained until 1806, when he was appointed to St. Francis', Bohemia, in Cecil County, Md. Rev. Joseph Eden, or more fully, Edenschinck, was the first resident
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priest in Alexandria, Va. He came thence to the Deer Creek mission in the year 1806. He resided at Priest's Ford, where, probably, he also died December 22, 1813. His remains now rest under the sanctuary of St. Ignatius', but they may have been originally interred under the entrance of old St. Joseph's. Foi eighteen months after Father Eden's death there was no priest residing in the mission, and the Priest's Ford property was mean- while sold; but after the middle of the year 1815 the Rev. Roger Smith was appointed, who is said to have made his home with his brother, Samuel Smith, then living one mile west of St. Ignatius', where James M. Cain now resides. The stone rectory adjoining St. Ignatius' was not built till seven years later.
In this connection it may be stated that Mrs. Angus Greme's house on Tobacco Run, now the residence of Jolin Kerr, was for a time a quasi- home for the clergy. Like another Martha, she received the Master in his representatives. Father Pasquet, writing to Archbishop Carroll in 1814, speaks in glowing terms of her kindness to Fathers "Boarman, Mahoney, Eden and myself," and he says her house "has been and will always be the priest's house."
Father Roger Smith opened a new baptismal and matrimonial register on the 22d of June, 1817, which coutains the earliest parish records now on hand, all the preceding ones having dis- appeared.
St. Ignatius' Church was incorporated by a special act of legislature in 1818. The first meet- ing of the trustees took place on the 31st of May, 1819. The following are some of the names which appear on the earliest records: Capt. Henry Macatee, John Kean, Robert Boarman, Edw. F. Bussey, Clement Green, Augustus I. Greme, John Butler, Samuel Smith, Samuel Brown, Mat- thew Cain, Bennet Wheeler, George Rider, Stephen I. Raphel, Benjamin W. Boarman, Fran- cis Delmas, James Kean, and others.
Father Smith was transferred to Baltimore in 1820 and became a member of the archbishop's household, He was succeeded by Rev. Timothy O'Brien, who in the year 1822 built tlie pastoral residence, a modest stone structure adjoining tlie
church. Father O'Brien's term ended in April 1832, and his place was taken by Rev. Francis T. Todrig. The latter was succeeded by Rev. Dr. Henry B. Coskery in December, 1834. Dr. Cos- kery was afterwards for many years rector of the cathedral in Baltimore, and Vicar-General of the archdiocese. He severed his connection with St. Ignatius' in December, 1839. The pastorate of Rev. James Reid extended from the latter date to about the middle of the year 1845.
Following closely Fr. Reid cante Rev. Thomas O'Neil, who was in charge till some time in 1851. He tore away in 1848 the semi-circular sacristy in the rear of the church and built an extension. He also built St. Pat- rick's, Havre de Grace, Md. Rev. John Joseph McNally was the next pastor. His ministry be- gan toward the end of the year 1851, and closed in October, 1854. He was for many years in charge of St. Stephen's in Washington, D. C. Father Jacob A. Walter resided at St. Ignatius' from October, 1854, to July, 1858, when he con- cluded to make his residence at St. John's Church, Long Green, Baltimore County, after having built the present church to replace the old chapel which had been destroyed by fire. In his time, also (1855), St. Mary's Church, Deer Creek, was erected chiefly through the exertion of the Maca- tee family. Father Walter was for many years pastor of St. Patrick's Church, which he built in Washington, D. C. It was he that assisted the poor, guiltless Mrs. Surratt at the gallows. In July, 1858, Rev. John Gloyd succeeded Fr. Walter at St. Ignatius', just as he has more re- cently supplied his place at St. Patrick's, Wash- ington. Rev. James McDevitt took charge of St. Ignatius' in July, 1859; he was transferred about the middle of the year IS63, and had for his successor Rev. Henry Hoffman, who served the mission till the beginning of 1865. Rev. D. De Wulf was at the Hickory for only a few weeks.
The name of Rev. Patrick Francis O'Con- nor will be always associated with St. Ignatius' Church. Father O'Connor was appointed the 26th of March, 1865. A man of wonderful energy, he set to work at once, building an imposing belfry to the church. He next began the erection
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of the fine new parsonage, and almost at the same time, a similar one at St. Mary's, Deer Creek (Clermont Mills). He also built St. Francis' Church, Abingdon. He severed his connection with St. Ignatius' October 19, 1873, and retired to Baltimore, whence lie was some time after trans- ferred to Mt. Savage, Md., where, worn out with good works, he went to his reward in the spring of 1894.
Rev. Joseph A. Gallen attended St. Ignatius' from St. Mary's, Deer Creek, after the departure of Father O'Connor in 1873; later, however, in October, 1876, he became pastor, which position he held until April, 1878. On the 21st day of that same month and year Rev. Franeis M. Fowler relieved Fr. Gallen of his charge. Of all tlie pastors in charge of this mission, with the excep- tion, perhaps, of Rev. Benedict Neale, Father Fowler held the responsible office longest. Through his efforts mnuch good was accomplished and a new spirit infused into the flock. He made several additions to the eliurch, notably the com- modius and well-furnished sacristy. He enlarged the dimensions of the clioir, purchased a superb organ and procured the services of Prof. John Mahoney. He resigned his office in favor of the present pastor. Rev. J. Alphonse Frederick took up the work of his predecessor on the Ist of February, 1894.
The plot on which St. Ignatius' was ereeted contained originally not more than three acres of land. Whether it was donated or purchased is now uncertain. To this plot were added, by pur- chase, in 1852, about two more acres; in 1873, partly by purchase, five. additional acres; and finally, by gift from the pastor, in 1895, an ad- joining lot with ice-pond and embracing about one and a-quarter of an acre.
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In the cemetery, thie liallowed God's acre, but for too many years much neglected, lie the re- mains of whole generations of the faithful await- ing the call of the final trump. Some of the bodies were removed from former resting places and interred here under the shadow of the cross. A few graves are hid from view by later additions to the church edifice, and among these are the tonibs of Col. Ignatius Wheeler and his wife, nee,
Henrietta Maria Neale, and of some of their chil- dren. Stately shaft and lowly head-stone record for our remembrance and emulation such old, cherislied naines as Wheeler, Macatee, Boarmani, Brown, Greme, Delmas, Qninlan, Scott, Kean, Lochary, Cain, Ady, Richardson, Rider, and a host of others not less honorable. May their rest be peaceful in the Lord, and may their awakening be glorious.
7 D. CARTER, deceased. It is an important public duty to honor and perpetuate, as far as
A is possible the memory of an eminent citizen, one who, by liis blameless and lionorable life and distinguished carecr, reflected credit not only on liis city and state, but also upon the whole country. Through such memorials as this at hand the individual and the character of his ser- vices are kept in remembrance, and the impor- tance of those services acknowledged. His exam- ple, in whatever field his work may have been done, thus speaks as an object lesson to those who come after him, and thougli dead lie still speaks. Long after all recollection of liis personality shall have faded from the minds of men, the less per- ishable record may tell the story of his life and commend his example for imitation.
Mr. Carter was born March 15, 1826, in Dis- trict No. 3, Cecil County, where his entire life was passed. Upon that farin, his father, Robert Car- ter, had located at a very early day, being one of the pioneers of Cecil County, where he erected the Cecil Paper Mills, which he owned and operated for many years. He was twice married, his first union being with Lydia Lewis, and for his second wife he chose Mary Reynolds.
Upon the home farm our subject was reared to habits of industry, and in the schools of Newark and Strousburg, he acquired a good practical edu- cation. On laying aside liis text books, he entered a paper mill, where he soon mastered the business in its various departments, and on returning home he took charge of the Cecil Paper Mills, which he
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successfully operated throughout the remainder of his life. An enterprising, industrious and capable business man, he accumulated considerable prop- erty, and was numbered among the most sub- stantial and prosperous mien of the community.
In 1854 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Car- ter and Miss Eliza Levis, who was born in Elkton District, Cecil County. Her father, Norris Levis, the first of the family to locate in the county, and her grandfather, Joshua Levis, owned and opera- ted the first paper mill established in the United States. This was conducted in Delaware County, Pa., where he and his son were both born.
Eight children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Carter, namely: Harry L., a paper manu -- at Farmington. In 1843 hie removed to what is facturer of Overbrook, Pa .; Mary, wife of H. M. Brown, of Chestertown, Md .: Annie; Robert D., a paper manufacturer of Wanaque, N. J .; Emily, wife of Henry L. Patterson, of Philadelphia, Pa .; Daisy, wife of Eugene Kitterlinus; Charles, at home; and Helen, who is attending Dresden Mus- ical College.
Mr. Carter, who was a consistent member of the Methodist Church, was called to his final rest in September, 1893, his death being caused from heart disease. His political support was given the men and measures of the Republican party, and he took an active and prominent part in promoting those enterprises calculated to benefit the community or advance the general welfare. Whether in public or private life he was always a courteous genial gentleman, well deserving the high regard in which he was held.
M ERRITT S. McNAMEE. The liome of Mr. McNamee is situated in District No. 8, Cecil County, near the village of Rock Springs, and consists of seventy acres. The place invariably attracts the attention of tlie traveler through this section of the country, and with its surroundings, its stretch of meadowland and cultivated fields, presents a pleasant picture to the eye. Judging from his wise management
and prudent investments, the owner well deserves the position lie is accorded among the leading agri- culturists of the district.
The McNamee family is of Irish origin. Francis, grandfather of our subject, was born in Ireland and received an excellent education, being a student for the orders of priestliood. However, his plans were entirely changed, and instead of entering upon professional work, he was married and came to America. Here lie followed the trade of a shoemaker. The fathier of our subject, Frederick McNamee, was a weaver by trade, and this occupation hie followed in his younger days in the employ of David Caldwell, now District No. S, and liere hie engaged in gen- eral farming the remainder of his life. Politically he advocated Democratic principles. By his mar- riage to Sarah A. Hollowell, of Chester County, Pa., he had a family of five children that are now living. They are named as follows: Merritt S., of this sketch; William A., a resident of District No. 5; Stephen D .; Elizabeth, wife of Jolin Kirk- wood, of North East; and Cornelia J., who re- sides in District No. 8. The father died in 1879, at the age of sixty-eight years, and the mother about 1894.
During the residence of his parents at Farm- ington, District No. 6, the subject of this sketch was born September 8, 1836. He was educated in the common schools and Millersville Normal School, from which he graduated at the age of twenty-four years. Qualified both by training and natural talents for the arduous work of a school teacher, he began in the profession, in which he met with considerable success, winning the friendship of both pupils and parents. He was in charge of schools in Lancaster County un- til 1865, when he returned to Cecil County and settled near Rock Springs. However, he con- tinned to teach until 1880, when he retired from the profession and turned liis attention entirely to agricultural work. He is now engaged in culti- vating his farm of seventy acres, which contains a good set of frame buildings, substantial fences, live stock, modern machinery and all the ap- pliances of a country estate. Politically a Demo-
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crat, he was tax collector for the district two Addie V.and Charles S .. Jr. They have been given years, judge of the orphans' court eight months and county commissioner one term (1890-92).
When a young man Mr. McNamee established domestic ties and has since had the assistance and co-operation of his wife in every undertaking. She was Martha J. Kcetley, of Lancaster County, Pa. Three children were born of their union, one of whom is deceased, and the others, Cecil and Berenice, are at home. Fraternally a Mason, Mr. McNamee is connected with Harmony Lodge at Port Deposit. In former years he was identi- fied with the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias lodges at Rising Sun, and passed all the chairs in both organizations. Cecil Grange numbers him among its active members. Believing in the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church, he and his family assist in the work of that denomina- tion.
HARLES SCOTT ELLISON was born in Delaware, December 27, 1842, and is de- scended from Scotch ancestors, who came to America in a very early day. His parents, Jonathan L. and Susan D. (Scott) Ellison, were natives, respectively, of New Jersey and Delaware, and had a family of ten children, all natives of Delaware, namely: Harry C., L. Frank, Charles S., -Susan B., Sallie, James T., Emma L., Clay- ton L., Lizzie B. and Nellie. The paternal grandfather, Lewis Ellison, was born in New Jersey and throughout active life engaged in farming.
Reared on a farm in Delaware, Charles Scott Ellison was a student in the academy at Newark for three terms, and thus gained the foundation of the knowledge to which he afterward added by reading and observation. In 1868 he came to Maryland, and one year later married Adelaide Young Clayton, who was born in Delaware, grew to womanhood upon a farm there' and for one term was a student in the academy at Wilming. ton. The five children born of their union are named as follows: Mary C., Edgar L., L. Frank,
every advantage and under careful parental traili- ing are being fitted for useful and honorable posi- tions in the business and social world. In reli- gious connections Mr. and Mrs. Ellison are iden- tified with the Methodist Episcopal Church and contribute to religions enterprises as their means permit. Politically he is a Republican, ever loyal to the principles of the party.
The farm upon which Mr. and Mrs. Ellison reside is situated in District No. 2 and has been in continuous possession of the Clayton family ever since it was given to an ancestor by patent from the Duke of York. This is one of the old- est families of the Middle States and was founded in America by Joshua Clayton, who came to America with William Penn in 1682 and whose body was interred in a cemetery in Kent County, Del. John, son of Joshua, was high sheriff 1752-57, justice 1754, captain of Kent County militia 1756, member of assembly 1759, and was buried in Delaware. James, son of John, had a son, Dr. Joshua Clayton, who was one of the most prominent men of his day. He was the first mayor of Bohemia, Baltimore, Md., 1776, state treasurer 1786, judge of court of appeals 1788, member of colonial congress 1778-83, first governor of Delaware under the constitution of 1789-96, president of council 1789-93, United States senator 1798, and in all the public issues of the eventful period in which he lived was inost conspicuous. He died while doctoring yellow fever patients in Philadelphia August 11, 1798, being then in his fifty-fourth year; his body was buried in Bethel churchyard in Cecil County, Md.
Thomas, son of Dr. Joshua Clayton, was scarcely less prominent than his distinguished father. He became an attorney and was re- garded as one of the finest lawyers of Delaware. In ISIo he was chosen attorney-general of the state, and two years later was elected to represent his district in congress. In 1824 he became a United States senator and four years later was appointed chief justice of Delaware. He was buried in Dover, Del. Col. Joshua Clayton of 'Thomas, son of Thomas Clayton, was born Au-
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JOHN SAPPINGTON, M. D.
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gust 2, 1802, and died February 12, ISSS. In early life he was a lawyer at Dover, but later settled npon his farm, "Choptank on the Hill" near Middletown, Del., and had the reputation of being the largest land owner in the state. His title was gained through his service as colonel of the Eighth Delaware Regiment. Among the public positions which he held were those of secretary of legation, Brazil, and Argentine Re- public, 1823, and charge d'affaires, 1825. Twice married, his first wife was his cousin, Lydia A. Clayton, who died in 1849, leaving him three sons: Thomas and Henry, who died in 1896, and Richard, a resident of Middletown, Del. His second wife, Martha E. Lockwood, died in 1887, their union having resulted in the birth of the following-named children: Adelaide Young, Mrs. Ellison; Macomb, of Philadelphia; Edgar, who died young; Dr. Joshua, a physician of Phila- delphia; Mary W., widow of J. Fletcher Price, superintendent of the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal; Elizabeth, who resides in New York; Eugene Y., who died in 1887; and Fannie, wife of Nathaniel J. Williams, whose home is in Mid- dletown, Del.
ON. JOHN SAPPINGTON, M. D., ex-state senator, is an influential citizen of Darling- ton, where he was born in October, 1847. - The family of which he is a member has been represented in Harford County for many years. They were the founders of the station at Sap- pington, named in their honor. It is a note- worthy fact that he represents the fourtli genera- tion, in direct line, that has been connected with the medical profession and won distinction in that honorable vocation. The first of these was Mark Sappington, M. D., a native of England, but from early manhood a resident of Maryland, where he wielded a large influence among the people of his day. He was one of the men who went on board the ship "Peggy Stewart," at Annapolis, Md.,
and told Captain Stewart what he might expect in case he revealed the parties who caused him to burn the tea brought over by that ship.
Next in line of descent was Richard Sapping- ton, M. D., a surgeon in the Revolutionary War, and also a physician of local prominence. His son, John, our subject's father, was born near Havre de Grace in 1801. Following in the foot- steps of. his ancestors he chose medicine for his profession. After his graduation from the medi- cal department of the University of Pennsylvania in 1824, he removed to Darlington and at once began the practice that he carried on unin- terruptedly for forty-five years. He was a mem- ber of the constitutional convention that met at Annapolis in 1851. In all public affairs he bore an honorable and active part. As a citizen he was public spirited and loyal to the interests of town and county. He died at Darlington iu 1869, aged sixty-eight years.
Twice married, by his first wife, Sarah Bagley, Dr. John Sappington, Sr., had only one child, Rich- ard and he became a prominent physician of Balti- more. Though now seventy years of age, he still carries on practice in Waverly, which is within the city limits. The doctor's second wife was Mary O'Neal, and they had three children: Florence, deceased; John, M. D .; and Walter, deceased. The mother of these children died in 1885, at the age of sixty-five.
Reared in Darlington, the subject of this sketch, as a boy attended the academy here and one in Norwalk, Conn., graduating from the latter in 1865. The following year he attended the Uni- versity of Virginia, where he began the study of medicine. He then entered the Jefferson Medical College, graduating in 1868. At once he returned to the old homestead, where the happy days of boyhood had been spent, and here in useful professional labor the active years of manhood are being passed. While his profession has engrossed his close attention, yet it has not done so to the exclusion of public enterprises and local measures. He believes it to be the duty of a citizen to main- tain an interest in the questions of the age, and accordingly lie has always been a thoughtful reader and close student of the times. His polit-
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ical affiliations are with the Democratic party, which expresses his personal opinions regarding public questions. Upon that ticket he was elected to the state senate in 1885, and served for a term with credit to himself.
In 1874 Dr. Sappington married Mary Hays, and they have three sons: Walter H., a medical student; William F., who is preparing for Johns Hopkins University; and Earl Neilson, a student in the Maryland Agricultural College. Frater- nally the doctor is connected with the Stephenson Lodge of Masons, in which he has held the vari- ous chairs and is now past master. He is also a member of Deer Creek Lodge of Odd Fellows. In religious belief an Episcopalian, for some time he has officiated as vestryman and treasurer of Grace Memorial Church.
OLLIS COURTNEY, Jr. The growth and prosperity of any city or village depend almost entirely upon the efforts of a com- paratively small number of lier residents, to whose faith in the future of the place and wise judgment as to methods by which to secure a steady progress, other citizens owe the benefits that accrue to them. An important part in local enterprises for the advancement of Havre de Grace has been taken by Mr. Courtney, who is a native of this place and for many years has been agent for the Philadelphia, Wilmington & Balti- more Railroad here. In the civic positions which he has held it has always been his aim to promote local enterprises and enlarge the prosperity of the people. As a director of the cemetery associa- tion he has borne a part in fitting up a last rest- ing place for our dead. As a director in the building and loan association he has helped for- ward the building enterprises of the locality; and as a director in the water company he has aided materially in securing an adequate supply of pure water for local use. Other schemes and projects have from time to time had the advantage of his assistance and influence.
In this city the birth of our subject occurred October 14, 1842, his parents being George W. and Ellen ( Baker) Courtney. He was a name- sake of his uncle, Hollis Courtney, Sr., a wheel- wright by trade, a prominent worker in the local lodge of Odd Fellows, and a resident of Havre de Grace until his death, at the age of about ninety years. George W. Courtney was born and reared jn Harford County and having learned the blacksmith's trade, came in early manhood to Havre de Grace, where he opened a shop. In this occupation lie continued here until his death, when seventy years of age. Though not active in public affairs, he was interested in the success of the Democratic party and kept himself well posted regarding current events. His wife was born in Cecil County, and died in Harford County when about sixty-seven. Of their family of eight children, five are now living.
Educated in private schools, our subject cared less for study than for active work, and at an early age began to assist his father in the shop. About 1862 he became a member of an engineer- ing corps that built the bridge for the Philadel- phia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad across the Susquehanna River at Havre de Grace. In IS64 he was made freight agent at this point and October 1, 1874, was given the more responsible position of station agent, which he has since filled. October 30, 1860, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Lydia A. Foster, of this place, and they had an only child, George H., who died at the age of twenty-three years.
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