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 42
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 42
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The mother of our subject was born in Cecil County and was a daughter of John and Elizabeth
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McCauley, and a member of an old Scotch family that settled here in an early day. She is still living, now eighty-one years of age. Her intel- lect is as bright as in the past, and her memory, both of events far remote and those recently oc- curring, is excellent. One of her marked char- acteristics is her happy disposition, which makes her a cheerful companion and genial friend. Her brother, the late Judge James McCauley, was a man of remarkable parts, possessing literary ability and broad knowledge of public affairs. For a long time he was register of wills for Cecil County, and for thirty years held the position of chief judge of the orphans' court, his long ser- vice on this bench bringing him in contact with nearly every family in the county. He was re- tired from the bench on account of failing health and soon after died. Another brother, Daniel McCauley, was a leading citizen of Baltimore County until his decease and served on the board of county commissioners.
The subject of this article was third among five children, the others being Hannah, who re- sides in Cecil County; Elizabeth, wife of John P. Ruley, who is connected with a clothing house in Philadelphia; Thomas H. and Mary, who re- side on the old homestead. The boyhood days of our subject were spent on his father's farm. At the age of fifteen he entered West Nottingham Academy, and in 1871 graduated from Delaware College. The following year, before he had at- tained his majority, he commenced the study of law in the office of Reuben Haines, then a promi- nent member of the Cecil County bar. In 1874 he was admitted to practice, and at once became identified with politics and public affairs. How- ever, he had no political aspirations for himself, but contented himself in working for the advance- ment of the Republican party. In 1888 he was a delegate to the Republican national convention. Honoring the party, he would in turn be hon- ored by it if he cared to give up his business in- terests for public life, but such is not his desire.
January 2, 1877, Mr. Warburton married Ma- tilda McFarland, daughter of Richard McFar- . land, who, at the time of his death, was cashier of the National Bank of Elkton. Two sons and one
daughter came to bless the union. The sons, Charles E. and Henry A., are school students. The daughter, Emma, who was a singularly gifted girl and the pride of the family, was a student in the Elkton Academy, where for four successive years she secured a gold medal offered by the trustees of that institution for the highest general average in all studies. Later she entered the Woman's College, of Baltimore, where she was recognized as a young lady of rare attain- ments. Personally she was very attractive and no one looked into her bright, cultured face without being deeply impressed with the supe- riority of her intellect. Her death, which oc- curred December 9, 1896, when she was nineteen, was a deep bereavement to her parents, the only sorrow that has come to their otherwise happy life. Mr. and Mrs. Warburton reside in a pleas- ant home on North Main Street, in the finest part of Elkton.
ESSE W. HAMBLETON. Within the bounds of Cecil County no better representa- tive of the farming community can be found than the above-named gentleman, who through- out the most of his life has been identified with the work of the county, and especially of District No. 9, in which his home is located. His farm comprises one hundred and sixty-two acres and is devoted to general agriculture. It is a place which any man might be contented with owning. Even a casual observer would recognize it as the abode of people of intelligence as well as of as- sured financial standing, for everything about it indicates the qualities that make a dwelling-place a home indeed.
The Hambleton family came to Maryland from the neighboring state of Pennsylvania. The fa- ther of our subject, Joseph, and his grandfather, Samuel, were born in Chester County, and there .engaged in general farming, but in 1838 the for- mer came to Cecil County and settled at College Green. His last years were spent in District No.
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9, where he died. Politically he was a Republi- can. Interested in educational matters, he ren- dered effective service as trustee of schools. He was also the road supervisor of his district for some time. By his marriage to Mary Conard, of Lancaster County, Pa., he had eight children, but only three of these are now living: William C., of Calvert, Md .; Jesse W .; and Samuel, whose home is at Rising Sun, Md. At the time of his death, in October, 1893, he was eighty-four years of age.
In IS38, shortly before the family removed to Maryland, Jesse W. Hambleton was born on the old homestead in Chester County. He was edu- cated in the district schools and early gained a knowledge of farm pursuits, which occupation he selected for liis life calling. In 1861 he enlisted as a member of Company E, Purnell Legion of Maryland Volunteer Infantry, and served for a period of thirty-eight months. Among the most important engagements in which lie took part were those at Antietam, Cold Harbor, second bat- tle of Bull Run and Weldon Railroad. He was honorably discharged from the service in 1864 and returned to liis Cecil County home, where the next few years were spent in the cultivation of the farm. Thinking that the west might offer better opportunities, in 1870 he went to Iowa and from there to Kansas, engaging in general farm work for two years. The surroundings, how- ever, were undesirable and the prospects less hopeful than he had anticipated, so in 1872 he came back to the old homestead, which he has since managed and cultivated. He has never taken an active part in politics, aside from cast- ing a straight Republican ticket at elections.
In 1861 Mr. Hambleton married Rachel Lewis, of District No. 3, member of an old family there. The four children born of their union are as fol- lows: Frank, who resides in District No. 6; Harry, who assists his father in the cultivation of the home farm; Mary E. and Carrie. Fra- ternally Mr. Hambleton is connected with Ex- celsior Lodge of Odd Fellows, in which he has passed all the chairs. He is also identified with the Junior Order of American Mechanics and Cecil Grange. For some years he lias been
steward of the Methodist Episcopal Church and at this writing is also a trustee of the congrega- tion. He and his wife are interested in all mat- ters of local importance, both of a social and pub- lic nature, and wield an influence for good throughout their community.
ICHOLAS MILBURN. In days of old a philosopher cxclaimed, "Account no man
- happy until he is dead." Ages have swept away since he uttered these words, but they still contain a lesson for all mankind. The mutations of life, the shadows of adversity, the loss of loved ones, the waiting chalice of disgrace and defeat- all these the future may bring even to the inost joyous and gay. But, when temptations have been resisted, when the life has been kept spot- less, when prosperity has not elated nor adversity rendered bitter, when every duty has been faith- fully discharged to mankind and to God, at the going out of such a life one may truly say, "How blest are the dead that die in the Lord."
The life which this biography chronicles began in Elkton June 14, 1817, and closed near Bay View April 28, 1893. After nearly seventy-six years of earth-life, the body was laid to rest in the midst of the old familiar scenes, just as nature was budding forth in all the rich beauty of spring after the chill barrenness of winter, -- fitting type of the entrance of the spirit into the splendors of
heaven. His death was not unexpected, either by himself or his friends. Realizing that the end approached, he made such preparations as were needed regarding his business affairs. He even selected the hynins to be sung at his funeral and the text for the discourse: "I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."
In view of the prominence of Mr. Milburn in the agricultural circles and public affairs of Dis- trict No. 5, Cecil County, a record of his life will be welcomed by all readers. He was a member of a family long resident in the United States and
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was a first cousin of the famous blind chaplain of the United States congress. His parents, Ben- jamin and Catherine ( Boyce) Milburn, were na- tives, respectively, of Elkton and Baltimore, and had four children, but all are now dead. The father was the son of a Revolutionary soldier, and was himself a man of loyal, patriotic spirit. By trade lie was a stone mason.
The entire life of our subject was spent in liis native county, principally engaged in agricul- tural pursuits. Prospered financially, he was able to provide his family with every comfort, and everything around his pleasant home indi- cated good taste and convenience. as well as an orderly spirit. There was always a sufficiency of the material things requisite for happiness, these having been provided by his industry through long years of toil. In 1858 he was con- verted in the old Shelemiah Church under the preaching of Rev. Mr. Helinbold, then the minister in charge of the Cecil circuit. He became connect- ed with the church that stood within what is now Bay View cemetery, but long since the building was torn down and replaced by a stately building a few rods distant. The faith which had bright- ened and blessed liis life filled his dying moments with hope, and he passed away in the glorious assurance that all was well with his soul. For many years lie was a trustee in the Methodist Protestant Church of Bay View, and his active co-operation was always given to measures for the benefit of the congregation. As every citizen should, he bore his part in matters relative to the public welfare. A Democrat in politics, he was, however, not narrow in his opinions, but con- ceded to others that liberty of thought he de- manded for himself and that is the most precious birthright of the citizens of the United States.
January 7, 1847, Mr. Milburn married Amy A. Ramsey, whose father, William Ramsey, was of Irish descent. Her grandfather came from Ire- land to the United States and settled in Chester County, Pa., where he resided until his deatlı. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Martha Mevay, was of Scotch descent, and was a member of a wealthy family of Cecil County. She was reared in this district, and owns a valuable farm
of ninety-seven acres here. Four children were born of her marriage, but two are deceased. Mattie J. is the wife of I. T. Rogers, and lives near the old homestead: A. Virginia married Levi Plank, of Chester County, Pa. One of the prin- cipal characteristics of Mr. Milburn was liis gen- erosity to others. In his personal expenses he was careful and economical, but he loved to sur- round his family with comforts, and he was very kind to the needy and distressed. He was a man of moral worth and pure character, and in all posi- tions, under all circumstances, a gentleman. .
ON. WILLIAM B. BAKER, M. C. No resi- dent of Aberdeen has pursued a more hon- orable course in life or been of greater value as a citizen than the subject of this article, who is the present representative of the second district of Maryland in congress. As one of the influential men of Harford County, he has been largely in- strumental in advancing the material, educational and commercial interests of this part of the state, and few have done more than he in building up the village of Aberdeen. In public life he has been prominent and popular; in financial circles, as president of the First National Bank of Aber- deen, discriminating, judicious and wise; and as a business man, shrewd and far sighted.
A record of the life of one so influential will possess general interest. A member of an old family of Harford County, reference to whom will be found in thie sketch of George A. Baker, the subject of this sketchi was born July 22, 1840, on the old homestead, three miles from Aberdeen, in District No. 2. His education was obtained in the public and private schools of the neighbor- hood and he remained at home with his parents until thirty-two years of age. In 1872, with his brother, Charles W., he built a large canning factory in this district, and continued to operate it until the fall of 1876, when the factory was de- stroyed by fire. He sold the property and then pur- chased a large farm, comprising two hundred and
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eighty acres, one and one-half miles from the village of Aberdeen, and here he built a canning factory, the management of which he superin- tended for some years.
The connection of Mr. Baker with politics be- gan when he was quite young. In 1875 he was the Republican candidate for the house of dele- gates and at the election ran ahead of his ticket, but was defeated with the remainder of the ticket, the county being then strongly Democratic. In ISSI he was again a candidate for the position and was elected, serving one term. At the following election, in 1883, he was defeated by a small ma- jority. The Republicans, in 1889, placed him in nomination for the state senate, but he was de- feated, though by only five hundred and fifty votes. In 1893 he was again the candidate on the Republican ticket and was elected, but after one year of service he resigned in consequence of his election as congressman from the second dis- trict of Maryland. To this responsible position he was elected by a majority of one hundred and ninety-one, with the distinction of being the first Republican ever chosen to that office from the dis- trict. As a member of the Fifty-fourth Congress, he ably represented his constituents, whose wel- fare he ever had in mind, and was a member of the committee on agriculture. That the people were pleased with his service is proved by his re- election in 1896, when he carried the district by a majority of about five thousand three hundred and sixty-seven, having a majority in every county and ward in the district. This fact, without any comment, shows the high order of his service and the regard in which he is held by the people.
With important public duties on hand, it might be supposed that Mr. Baker would lose interest in the village where, since 1894, he has made his home; but not so. No one takes a greater inter- est in the welfare of Aberdeen than he, and if the place should ever gain a position among the com- mercial centers of the state, it would be largely due to the efforts of himself and his relatives. He aided in the organization of the First National Bank of Aberdeen, of which he has been president since the first, and his ability in banking is no less than in other lines of activity. Since the
organization of the First National Bank of Havre de Grace, in which he aided, he has been one of its directors, and he is a heavy stockholder, both in it and in the bank here. Another local enter- prise which he has assisted is the Harford County Telephone Company, of which he is president. Among his possessions are four large farms in this district. Fraternally he is connected with Blen- heim Lodge No. 102, I. O. O. F., at Aberdeen, and has been its secretary for twenty-four years; he is also a member of Aberdeen Lodge No. 187, F. & A. M. In 1868 he married Miss Alevia Wells, of Aberdeen, who died sixteen months later. His second marriage, which took place in 1872, was to Miss Mary C. Hollis, and they are the parents of two daughters and a son, namely: Jessie M .; Hollis R., a student in Westminster College; and Nettie F. The family are members of the Methodist Church, with the exception of Mr. Baker, who, however, is an attendant at the sanie.
HARLES W. WILSON. There is ever in- terest attaching to the life of one whose success in life is worthily achieved by hon- orable endeavor and unfaltering perseverance. Such a life demonstrates the possibilities that are open to a young man in a land unhampered by caste or class. Almost the same opportunities surround every individual, and it is the use which one makes of these which determines his success and his standing in life. Mr. Wilson has won a position of prominence in Cecil County, for his career has gained him the respect and confidence of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
Born in Oxford, Chester County, Pa., January 7, 1837, he was reared on a farm until sixteen years of age, when he attended school at Jordan Bank Academy, Chester County, Pa., under the distinguished Dr. Evan Pugh. He also attended Hopewell Academy, under John M. Kennedy. He then began working at the carpenter's trade, a pursuit which he followed until attaining his ma- jority. He then became a student in the State
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Normal School of Pennsylvania, and afterwards engaged in teaching for four years, until he put aside all personal considerations in order to aid his country.
Mr. Wilson enlisted in August, 1862, in the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Pennsylvania Infantry, for nine months' service, and was mus- tered in at Harrisburg. The first engagement in which he participated was at Antietam, and later he took part in the battles of South Moun- tain, Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg. He was honorably discharged in May, 1863. When President Lincoln made a call for state troops, he aided in organizing a company and was elected first lieutenant of Company A, Forty - third Pennsylvania Infantry, with which he went down the Potomac, doing patrol and guard duty along the canal. After returning home he soon made his way to Rising Sun, Md., where he taught in the public schools for two terms. He then went to Washington and accepted a position in the quartermaster's department, where he remained until the close of the war. He was in Ford's Theatre the night President Lincoln was assas- sinated.
When hostilities had ceased Mr. Wilson re- moved to Rising Sun, where he has since engaged in contracting and building with excellent success. He built the bank building, the Methodist Epis- copal Church, the town hall and the fine residen- ces of Edwin Haines and George H. Fox, together with many of the other buildings of the town. He is one of the leading contractors of the county, and his high standing as a business man is unquestioned.
In 1864 Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Elizabeth Fisher, formerly of Philadelphia. They have six children living and have lost four. Those who still survive are Rhoda V., who has attended the Conservatory of Music in Boston, and is now a teacher of vocal and instrumental music; Fred C., a carpenter; Emma E., who is engaged in the millinery business in Union, S.C .; Howard .M., who is attending the Normal Insti- tute of Rising Sun; and Armenia H. and Edna, who are also in school.
Mr. Wilson is a Republican in politics and has
twice been the candidate of his party for the state legislature. For one term lie served as town commissioner. He is a member of Garfield Post No. IS, G. A. R., and is frequently called upon to deliver addresses on memorial day. He is past commander of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; has filled all of the offices, and is now financial secretary. He is a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has served as superintendent of the Sunday-school ..
AMES STEPHENSON. So many years have elapsed since the subject of this memoir laid down the burdens of life and entered into rest, that comparatively few now living ever. saw him; yet, as one of the once influential men of Harford County, as one who contributed to the upbuilding of local industries and was instru- mental in promoting local progress, his name de- serves to be perpetuated in a volume dedicated to the public-spirited men of Harford and Cecil. His life began in Cecil County when the colonies were still under English domination, and he was a boy when the patriots rose in arms to fight for the freedom there then seemed so little hope of ever gaining. When the second struggle with Great Britain began, he at once enlisted and rendered good service as captain of a militia. He witnessed the rapid development of the country in the years that followed and was permitted to assist therein. Attaining an advanced age, he died be- fore the dark clouds arose in our national sky that presaged the horrors of a civil strife.
In what is now Perryville, Cecil County, the . subject of this article was born August 10, 1767, being a son of William and Rachel ( Barnes) Stephenson, natives, respectively, of Scotland and Maryland. His father came to America in young manhood, and settled in Harford or Cecil County, Md. During the Revolution he was proprietor of a hotel at Perryville, and soon after the conflict closed he purchased a large tract of land in Dis- trict No. 2, Harford County, a portion of which
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is still in possession of the family. He was a man of honest Christian character, energetic in business, and a hard worker. Hisdeath occurred when he was about seventy-four. His wife, who was a woman of religious nature, was one of the first Methodists of this neighborhood, and pos- sessed the zeal and fervor for which this denomi- nation is remarkable. Her six children were named as follows: George, born March IS, 1763, who was a prominent farmer of District No. 2; William, born February 12, 1765, who was a fariner and a local preacher in the Methodist Church; James; Mary, who was born March 9, 1769; Rachael, March 21, 1773; and Ann, in 1776.
The early boyhood years of our subject were spent in Perryville, and from there he accom- panied his parents to the farm in District No. 2. Inheriting a portion of that place, he added to his possessions by purchase, and owned a large tract of land at the time of his death. In addition to his land he also owned many slaves, to some of whom he gave their freedom before he died. Dur- ing the War of 1812 he served in the American army, loyally supporting the government. While not a member of any church, he was a believer in Christianity, and endeavored to lead an honest, upright Christian life, and was always generons in his contributions to religions enterprises. His death occurred in 1838, when he was about sev- enty-one years of age.
By the marriage of James Stephenson to Pris- cilla Hopkins twelve children were born. Rachel, the eldest, was born December 23, 1799, and died in December, 1818. Mary was born March 18, 1801, and died September 18, 1837. William, whose birth occurred June 16, 1802, was a colonel in the militia and a prominent man; he died Feb- ruary 13, 1884; James was born in 1804, and died in 1879; Robert, who was born July 1, 1806, was murdered by Union soldiers at Port Deposit, Sep -. tember 21, 1861; he, like the other members of the family, was strongly southern in his sympa- thies. Eliza was born July 25, 1807, 'and died in October, 1861. Ann was born March 11, 1810; Susan, June 23, 1812; George, who was born March 14, 1814, was a man of prominence in pub-
lic affairs, a member of the legislature for two tenns, and died October 24, 1878. Margaret, the only one of the family now living, was born Feb- ruary 23, 1816, in the house where she still re- sides. Hannah was born February 22, ISIS, and died in April, 1848. Miss Margaret Stephenson has spent her whole life in this place, and is highly respected as a sincere Christian and kind-hearted woman. Though now in her eighty-second year, she is active and strong, retaining to a large de- gree the possession of her faculties.
ILLIAM HI. LYNCH. If to one class of people more than another the United States owes a debt of gratitude, it is to the diligent, persevering farmers, on whom our pros- perity as a nation so largely depends. Among those who for years have followed agricultural pursuits in Cecil County may be mentioned Mr. Lynch, a well-known resident of District No. 5. His farm is not a large one, being only forty acres in extent, but every portion of it has been brought under excellent cultivation and consequently it is more productive than some farms of larger acre- age. It lies in the northern part of the district, and prior to its purchase by the present owner was known as the Elijah Falls estate.
Within one-half mile of his present residence, William H. Lynch was born September 30, 1836. He is of Irish descent, his grandfather, John, having been a native of the Emerald Isle. The father, William, was born at Principio Furnace, in this district, and for some years worked in the employ of Mr. Whitaker at the furnace, but in addition thereto conducted a farm. A Whig in early life, he became a Republican upon the or- ganization of the party and was always deeply interested in the welfare and success of that ticket. His children were reared in the faitli of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the work of which he aided. He married Lydia Baker, daughter of Nathan Baker, of Cecil County. Ten children were born of their union and of these
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