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 40
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 40
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74
Upon a farin in District No. 3, W. T. Miller was reared in much the usual manner of farmer lads of his period, assisting in the labors of the fields and attending the public schools of the neighborhood when his services were not needed at home. He continued under the parental roof until he had attained his majority, and in the meantime learned the carpenter's trade, which he successfully followed for thirty years after leaving home, becoming one of the best contractors and builders in his locality. In 1847 he removed to his present farm, which comprises one hundred and twenty-five acres of valuable and fertile land, which he has placed under a high state of cultiva- . tion and improved with good and substantial buildings. In connection with the cultivation of his land, he continued carpentering until 1883, when he retired from that business.
In 1847 Mr. Miller was united in marriage with Miss Sarah J. Mccullough, by whom he had nine children, as follows: Andrew T., Jane, deceased; Jolin E., Frank, James, Hester, Saralı. Mary and Rachel. After the death of his first wife he wedded Miss Annie Whitson, and to them were born seven children, namely: William W., Annie M., George H., Charles, Philip, Elva, and Harry.
Mr. Miller has ever taken an active and prom- inent part in public affairs, and has been called upon to fill a number of important positions of honor and trust. In 1866 he was elected county treasurer, in which capacity he faithfully and sat- isfactorily served for six years, and at three differ- ent times lie was appointed clerk of the board of county commissioners. He was also notary pub- lic for one year, and refused to become a candi- date for state senator after having received the nomination, from the reason that in 1858 he was
356
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
licensed a local preacher, and, owing to the con- stitution of Maryland, he was not eligible to the office. Originally he was a Whig in politics, but since the dissolution of that party he has been a pronounced Democrat. As an earnest, conscicn- tious Christian gentleman, he is an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been a member for many years, and in which he has filled all the offices. In all places and under all circumstances he is loyal to truth, hon- or and right, justly valuing his own self-respect as infinitely more preferable than wealth, fame and position.
ILVESTER E. PENNING. A close ob- server in studying the history of the advance- ment of Harford County will find golden threads running through the web and woof of events connected with both the past and the pres- ent. These are indicative of the lives of the men whose public spirit and energy have increased the county's growth and promoted her welfare. A true representative of such men is found in the subject of this article, who for years has been one of the well-known residents of Havre de Grace, and is engaged in practice at the bar in this place. His life has been full of varied experiences and incidents. Orphaned when very young, he was compelled to become self-supporting at an age when boys are carrying on their studies in school. When, after years of arduous effort, success seemed to have rewarded his efforts in business, through fire he lost what represented the self- sacrifices of a lifetime of labor. It was not until some time after that, receiving the appointment of justice of the peace, that he began to turn his attention to the law. Since then he has built up an excellent practice in the courts of the county.
One of the native-born sons of Maryland, the city of Baltimore was the birthplace of Mr. Pen- ning, and April 24, 1841, the date of his birth. His father, John Penning, was born in Boston, Mass., where he was reared and educated. When
a young man he removed to Philadelphia, where he secured a clerkship. After a time, however, he changed his place of residence to Baltimore, where he engaged in the boot and shoe business a number of years. He was only thirty-one years of age when death terminated his career. Though he never took an active part in politics, he was in- tercsted in public affairs and always voted the Democratic ticket. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Cooke, was born in Frederick County, Md., and died at thirty years, leaving two children, Sylvester E., then a child of four years, and 'Thomas Jefferson, who became a prom- inent politician of Baltimore, and died in that city when fifty-three years of age.
The subject of this sketch has only a vague memory of his parents, for his mother died when he was four, and his father eighteen months later. He was then taken into the home of his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Sarah Cooke, who cared for him until he was able to become self- supporting. When twelve years of age, he began to learn the carriage-maker's trade, and this oc- cupation he followed for seventeen years. In 1859-60, he read law in Baltimore, but did not complete his studies, instead, resuming work at his trade, opening a carriage manufactory in Bal- timore and conducting it successfully about seven years. February 19, 1867, his place was burned, entailing a heavy loss, and forcing him to retire from the business. Shortly afterward he secured employment as traveling salesman for the Wheeler & Wilson Sewing Machine Company, in whose employ he remained from 1867 to 1878, his route covering mainly the counties of Baltimore, Har- ford and Cecil. In 1878 he took a position with the Singer Sewing Machine Company, and rep- resented this firm from that year until 1890, traveling over the same territory he had when with the other company. During this time he made his home in Havre de Grace. In 1885, upon receiving the appointment of justice of the peace, he took up the study of law, of which he had gained a rudimentary knowledge years . before. In 1893 he entered the law department of the Baltimore University School of Law, from which he graduated in 1895, although previous to
357
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
his graduation he had done considerable practic- ing. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias, Improved Order of Red Men and Independent Order of Odd Fellows; in religious belief he is connected with the Episcopal Church, and in politics he is a Democrat, loyal to party principle. In 1863 he married Miss Alice E. Markland, of Baltimore. They became the par- ents of six children, of whom four are living, namely: Elsie M., a teacher in the high school of Havre de Grace; Dr. Oliver P., a graduate of the University of Maryland, and now a practicing physician with office in Baltimore; William E., also a graduate of the Baltimore University School of Law, where he studied law at the same time with liis father; and Sarah E., who is a student in the State Normal School.
JAMES B. BAKER. As a man of sound un- derstanding, of prompt business methods and great energy, Mr. Baker has been influential in the commercial and public life of Aberdeen and Harford County. In his life may be found an illustration of the value of good principles and habits of industry. Inheriting from his father a considerable sum, this proved the nucleus to which he afterward added by intelligent super- vision of business affairs. Like other members of the family, his success has been secured in the canning industry, and he was among the first to show the possibilities of this line of business to the people here.
Through the years of the century now drawing to a close, the Baker family has been identified with the history of Harford County, its members having borne an honorable part in many of its important enterprises. Further reference to the ancestry will be found in the sketch of George A. Baker, presented upon another page of this vol- ume. James B. Baker was born upon the home farm near Aberdeen, December 24, 1845, and in his boyhood and youth was a student in the local schools, there laying the foundation to the educa-
tion lie afterward obtained through habits of close observation and reading. When about twenty- three years of age he went to Shelbyville, Ky., and with his brother, Charles W., began butch- ering, a business that he followed for three years in the same place. On his return to Aberdeen, he turned his attention to farming and the can- ning business, having a factory near Odessa, Del., but making his home in Aberdeen. He is the owner of two valuable farms near this place.
During his residence in Shelbyville, Ky., Mr. Baker was united in marriage with Miss Fannie Richardson, of that place; they have three chil- dren, Bertha, Harold and Maude. In political belief he adheres strongly to Republican prin- ciples, but has never cared to be a local leader of his party. For four years he held the office of commissioner of Aberdeen and under the admin- istration of President Grant he was given charge of the post-office at Aberdeen. In his religious connections he is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church. While he is unpretentious and rather retiring in his disposition, the people among whom he has dwelt throughout the princi- pal part of his life hold him in high regard, know- ing him to be a man of principle and integrity. Any measure that tends to the benefit of the peo- ple or the advancement of the place receives his unqualified support, and he is generous, both of time and means, in aiding it.
LBERT S. HOLLOWAY, of Darlington, is a prominent representative of the agricul- tural interests of Harford County, where he has spent his entire life, his birth occurring near Stafford, in 1845. His grandfather, Richard Holloway, was a native of England, and on con- ing to the United States located near Darlington, in Harford County, where Hugh S. Holloway, the father of our subject, was born and reared. Throughout life he followed general farming and in 1850 purchased the old Hopkins farm in the same county, where lie continued to make his
358
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
home until his death, in 1868, when in his sixty- third year. He had married Hester N. Stump, and to them were born five children: Albert S., William R., Samuel S., Eliza D., and Mary R., wife of Levi B. Kirk.
Mr. Holloway, whose name introduces this re- view, obtained a good education in the Darling- ton Academy, and upon the home farm was trained to habits of thrift and industry, so that he has become a thorough and capable business inan. At the age of eighteen he took charge of the old homestead-a valuable tract of two hun- dred acres-which under his able management has been converted into one of the most produc- tive farms of Harford County, yielding bountiful returns for the care and labor bestowed upon it.
In 1882 Mr. Holloway led to the marriage altar Miss Abbie Cook, and they now have three children: Rowland C., Margerie and Edwin. With the Society of Friends he and his family hold membership, while politically he is connec- ted with the Republican party. He is a pleasant, genial gentleman of high social qualities and is very popular, having a most extensive circle of friends and acquaintances who esteem him highly for his genuine worth. He has ever been a loyal citizen, co-operating in all that is calculated to promote the interests of county, state or country.
D APT. HENRY E. O'NEILL. To be descended from ancestors whose names are honorably associated with the annals of our country is an honor in which one may take just pride, but it is equally gratifying to the bio- graphical writer to record the deeds of those who, through active and useful careers, have preserved untarnished the good name they bear, and have even added lustre to the ancestral history.
It is therefore a pleasure to presert the life sketch of Captain O'Neill for the benefit of this and coming generations. His position in Havre de Grace is one of influence, and a narration of the events of his life and his ancestry will be of
common interest to all. First, however, it will be appropriate to dwell upon the connection of lis ancestors with the early settlement and later history of Maryland. His grandfather, John O'Neill, the first of the name in this country, crossed the Atlantic when about eighteen years of age. He was born in Ireland November 22, 1768, and it was in 1805 that he established his permanent home in Havre de Grace, where he started a nail factory, nails being then made by hand. He met with uniform success until the destruction of the town by the British, which temporarily ruined his business, but afterward he again started the factory and was again prospered as before.
In 1813 the village of Havre de Grace consisted of only a few dozen dwellings, the population not being more than four hundred. These houses stood on the shore of the Susquehanna River, and about a quarter of a mile below them a small earthwork had been thrown up, on which were mounted two or three small cannon. To man this battery there were about fifty raw militia, who were supposed to be somewhere in the neighborhood. This was the condition of things when, at break of day, May 3, 1813, a British fleet fired on the town, arousing the peaceful in- habitants from their hitherto undisturbed slum- bers. At once the greatest consternation pre- vailed. People hurried hither and thither, un- certain what course of action to pursue. Among them was John O'Neill, at that time forty-five years of age. He was second lieutenant of the company of militia of Harford County, belonging to the Forty-second Regiment. He seems to have been the only officer present on that occa- sion, at least, there is no record of any other. He was one of the few citizens who were not frightened at the unceremonious attack of the British. Going with the greatest speed possible to the little battery, he found there one of the militiamen, and they were soon joined by two or three more. The little group fired a few shots at the barges, but the bursting bombs and grape shot that rattled around them was too much for their composure, and they all fled except the lieutenant. He was left alone to man the battery
·
359
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
as best he could. With a courage that few would exhibit under such dangerous circumstances he worked one of the pieces until the enemy had al- most reached him, when the last discharge of the cannon recoiled upon him, knocking him down and severely injuring him, thus disabling him from further service. "He hobbled off amid a shower of grape shot just as the enemy entered the battery, but being unable to make any speed with his injured limb, he was soon captured and taken prisoner to one of the barges.
The news of the capture of Lieutenant O'Neill reached the capitol at Washington, and the story of his bravery was told to many prominent peo- ple, among them the president of the United States. The latter at once became interested, and going to the secretary of war directed that a message should be immediately sent to General Miller, commanding at Baltimore, ordering him to take measures without delay for the prisoner's release. A part of this communication reads as follows: "But, sir, in the event of O'Neill's execution, painful as may be the duty, it becomes unavoidable, and I am authorized and com- manded to state to your excellency that two British subjects shall be immediately executed." O'Neill was at once paroled. In 1829, when the present lighthouse was built, only a few steps from the little battery he had defended, he was appointed its keeper and held the position until the time of his death, which occurred January 26, 1838. This position, by common consent, has. descended from father to son as a sort of heir- loom, and his grandson, our subject, holds it to-day.
The father of our subject, John O'Neill, was born and reared in Havre de Grace, and spent much of his life working at the brickmason's trade. In 1861 he was appointed keeper of the lighthouse, and continued in that capacity until his death two years later, at the age of sixty-five. His wife, Esther Mullen, was born in Fulton, N. Y., and after her husband's death, in 1863, she was appointed the keeper of the lighthouse, holding the position for eighteen years, when im- paired eyesight caused her to resign in favor of her son. She was very active until a short time
before her death, which occurred at the age of eighty-six. In religious belief she was a mem- ber of St. Jolin's Episcopal Church. In her family there were seven children, but one died in infancy. Of the others we note the following: Mary is the widow of William L. Moore, of Havre de Grace; Virginia died at the age of sixty years; Charles Z. enlisted in 1861 and was com- missioned captain of Company H, Fourth Mary- land Infantry, continuing to serve until he was killed at Spottsylvania, May 9, 1863, by a minie- ball: Indiana is the wife of John Martin, of Phila- delphia: our subject is next in order of birth: Martha died at the age of eleven years.
Born in Havre de Grace June 6, 1841, the sub- ject of this record accompanied his parents to Baltimore at nine years of age and remained there until 1861, when the family returned to his native place. While in Baltimore he learned the bricklayer's trade, and at this he was employed until September 12, 1861, the date of his enlist- ment as a private in Company D, Fifth Maryland Infantry. He soon received promotion, and in the spring of 1863 was commissioned lieutenant. September 17, 1863, he was struck five times by a minie-ball in the battle of Antietam, one ball passing through the left wrist, another through the little finger of the right hand, two through his clothing, and one, a spent ball, lodg- ing in his ankle. After being wounded he walked about twenty miles, to Frederick, filling his position of orderly sergeant. At Frederick he went to a hospital and had his wounds dressed, after which he was removed to the Baltimore Hospital, where he remained three months. On his recovery he rejoined his regiment at Harper's Ferry, as orderly sergeant. June 16, 17 and 18, 1863, he participated in the battle of Winchester, Va., where two-thirds of the regiment was cap- tured. He was imprisoned in a tobacco ware- house in Richmond, later was transferred to Belle Island, from there to Libby Prison and after two months was paroled, reporting to his command at Brandywine Springs, Del. The company was there reorganized and sent to Ft. Delaware to guard prisoners, remaining in that place from May to June, 1864. While there he was pro-
360
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
moted to the rank of lieutenant. Among the other engagements in which he took part were the siege of Petersburg, battle of Chapin's Farm, Fair Oaks, and the fall of Richmond. In June, 1365, he was discharged at Fredericksburg, and returned to Baltimore, working at his trade there until 1878, when he came to Havre de Grace and took charge of the lighthouse.
While in Baltimore Captain O'Neill was for three years employed as a letter-carrier. In his political views he is a pronounced Republican and is actively interested in public affairs. Fraternally he is connected with Admiral Rogers Post No. 28, G. A. R., at Havre de Grace. November 12, 1863, he married Miss Fannie Kirby, of Balti- morc, who died July 24, 1896, leaving three children. They are Mary B., wife of Millard F. Tydings, of Baltimore; Warren E., who is em- ployed as a printer in Havre de Grace; and Harry F., a fisherman and hunter by occupation.
WILLIAM O'NEILL. There is no occu- pation or calling for which there is more universal need than that of general merchant, and those who follow it, whether in a large city or small village, if they possess industry, perse- verance and good judgment, cannot fail to suc- ceed. In the list of prosperous inerchants of Havre de Grace we mention John W. O'Neill, who for years has carried on a large and profit- able trade at this place. In his life are visible the effects of invincible determination, coupled with sound common sense, and he justly occupies a position among the energetic business men of his native town.
The O' Neill family has been represented among the residents of this part of Maryland for a num- ber of generations. Full reference to the genea- logical history is made in the sketch of Capt. Henry E. O'Neill, upon another page of this volume. The father of our subject, Will- iam, youngest son of John O'Neill, was born
in Havre de Grace and here spent his entire life, succeeding, on the death of his father, to the nail manufacturing business established by the latter. He was thus engaged at the time of his death, when thirty-six years of age. He was numbered among the influential citizens of the place, and was active in the ranks of the Democratic party. For a time he held the position of commissioner. His property included four slaves, who worked in his nail factory.
After the death of William O'Neill his widow, Eliza J. (Latour) O'Neill, who was a native of Lewistown, Pa., built the store now owned by our subject and here she embarked in the milli- nery business, later adding a stock of notions. After her son was old enough, he assisted her in the management of the business. She had but two children and one of these died in infancy. Her life was prolonged for fifty years after the death of her husband, and she continued active and vigorous until shortly before her death, which occurred when she was eighty-two. J. Willian was born in Havre de Grace November 15, 1845, and was an infant when his father died. His youthful years were spent in Havre de Grace, with the exception of the period when he was a student in the Maryland Agricultural College 11car Hyattsville, two years being spent in study in that institution. February 4, 1879, he mar- ried Miss Augusta Burke, of this place, but their wedded life was of brief duration, for she passed away in October of 1883.
In political belief Mr. O'Neill is firm in his allegiance to the principles for which the Demo- cratic party stands. He has never wavered in his fidelity to his party, and has ever rejoiced in its successes and deplored its defeats. Hisinterest, however, has not been that of an office seeker, but of a public-spirited, patriotic citizen. For eight years or more he has been a director of the First National Bank of Havre de Grace. In the Episcopal Church he is a member of the vestry, of which he has been the treasurer for fourteen years. Local enterprises receive his support, and all measures for the benefit of the place his hearty sympathy. He is one of the original members and a stockholder in the Havre de Grace Im-
361
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
provement Company, also a stockholder in the shoe factory here, and in addition owns a sub- stantial store building, stocked with a full line of goods suited to the needs of the people. raised upon his cight large and valuable farms. About ISSo he embarked in the canning broker- age business as a member of the firm of Baker & Morgan, well known throughout the entire coun- try at this time. He also has mercantile interests here. Fraternally he is connected with Aberdeen Lodge No. 187, F. & A. M., of Aberdeen, in religious belief holds membership in the Method- ist Episcopal Church here, and politically he is a pronounced Republican, but not active in public affairs. His marriage was solemnized in 1874, and united him with Miss Emma F. Michael, daughter of William B. Michael. They are the parents of four children, namely: P. Tevis, Frank the necessities of a business life. They have ad- . Emerson, Beulah and Austin L., who are being reared for honorable positions in the business and social world.
HARLES W. BAKER. The business men of Aberdeen are well known throughout Harford County and are highly regarded on account of their thorough-going integrity, their enterprise and their promptness in responding to vanced the financial interests of the village and brought it to a flourishing condition in trade, through their efforts not only promoting their own success, but also materially advancing the welfare of others in the locality. Of no others can this be said in a greater degree than of the Baker brothers, who have been instrumental in securing the advancement of Aberdeen along bus- iness lines. While they were assisted by their father, who was a man of means, yet their success was not due alone to liis assistance, for had they lacked energy and good judgment they could have achieved little for themselves or others. They have been pioneers in the introduction and development of the canning industry, now one of the principal lines of business in the county.
The record of the Baker family appears else- where, in the sketch of George A. Baker. The subject of this sketch was born January 14, 1848, in District No. 2, Harford County, about two miles west of Aberdeen. The early years of his life were spent upon the home farm, and his edu- cation was obtained in the public schools. When about eighteen years of age he became interested in the meat business, and this he carried on in Aberdeen about three years. Then, for a similar period, he was interested with his brother, James B., in the same business in Shelbyville, Ky. On his return to Aberdeen, he engaged in farming and the canning business. He now owns a large factory here, another at Kenton, Del., and one at Wyoming, that state, the corn for which is
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.