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 43
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 43
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the following are living: John T., a resident of District No. 5: Eliza J., who married Benjamin Flounders and lives at Cherry Hill; William H .; Rachel A., the wife of Benjamin F. McVey, residing at Wilmington, Del .; George W., living in Chester, Pa .; Stephen, who resides at Principio; Edmund, of North East; and Clinton, of Wash- ington.
The boyhood years of our subject were unevent- fully passed. For some years he was a pupil in the old Washington school, where he gained a practical education. At the age of nineteen he began for himself as a peddler, going first to Wil- mington, Del., where he spent a year. From that occupation lie drifted into the business of buy- ing rags, traveling through all parts of the country. After twelve years spent in this man- ner, in 1874 he began in the business of a cattle drover, buying cattle in the lower counties and selling them in this county. Four years of this occupation convinced him that it was less desir- able than a calling that would enable him to remain at home, and in 1878 he purchased a farm, intending to turn his attention permanently to agricultural operations. In this work he lias been prospered and it has proved very congenial to him.
In everything pertaining to the welfare and best interests of the district and county, Mr. Lynch takes an intelligent and active part, and while by no means a politician, he nevertheless adheres with firmness and fidelity to the Republi- can party. In religious convictions he is identi- fied with Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church and so far as possible, gives liis active support to all worthy benevolent and church enterprises. For thirty years he has held the office of trustee of the congregation and has also been a class leader for fourteen years. Possessing information upon every subject connected with farm work, he is considered one of the thorough agriculturists of his neighborhood.
In January, 1878, shortly before he settled at his present place of residence, Mr. Lynchi was united in marriage with Miss Emily E. Falls, daughter of J. W. Falls, the well-known and popular attorney of North East. Their family
consists of six children, named as follows: Nettie C., who resides in North East; Percival F., Anna E., Herbert W., Helen B. and Wilmer J., who are being given the best educational and social advantages that the district affords.
EORGE GILBERT has passed his life in . agricultural pursuits upon the farm in Dis- triet No. 2, Harford County, where his birth occurred July 29, 1814. The family of which lie is a member has been identified with the history of this part of Maryland for perhaps one hundred and fifty years, and has contributed to the de- velopment of its farming interests. Longevity is one of their noticeable characteristics. The grandfather of our subject, Mickey Gilbert, was a native of this county and here engaged in farm- ing until the infirmities of age rendered manual labor an impossibility. He lived to be ninety- four years of age. He was a man of religious nature and always maintained an interest in the church.
The father of our subject, Amos Gilbert, was born in District No. 2, and in youth learned the shoemaker's trade, but gave his attention mainly to agriculture. He remained a resident of this district until his death, which occurred when he was about sixty-six, and his wife, Sarah Bailey, also died the same year, 1836. In politics he was a Jacksonian Democrat, ever adhering closely to the principles of the party as laid down by one of its most famous leaders. Like his father, lie was a sincere Christian and an exemplary mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church. Heand his wife were the parents of nine children, of whom our subject was the fifth in order of birth. The first- born, Mary, died when young. Bennett, who was a farmer of District No. 2, a stanch Democrat in politics, for several years an elder in the Churchville Presbyterian Church, for a long time justice of the peace and also one of the assessors of the county, was killed by the cars at Aberdeen, Md., when sixty-five years of age. Quillar was
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a carpenter and attained the age of eighty- six years. Elizabeth married James Gilbert and is still living, being now eighty-six years of age. Amos, formerly a school teacher, later a farmer, and for many years justice of the peace, died at seventy-five years. Sarah married Hosea Barnes, of District No. 2, and is now seventy-six years old. Arabella, Mrs. Amos Barnes, lives in Ohio and is now sixty-seven years of age.
On the death of his father our subject inherited the old homestead and here his whole life has been quietly, but busily, passed. A stauch Dem- ocrat, he has served as judge of elections, but has paid little attention to politics or public life further than supporting good men for office and favoring the principles proclaimed by his party. Twice married, his first wife was Ellen McComas, and his second, Henrietta Laughlin, who was born in Avondale. He is a man of warm heart and generous impulses, always ready and willing to assist the needy to the extent of his ability. His long life has been one of busy industry, and he has witnessed the growth of Harford County through the principal part of the nineteenth cent- ury. He is one of the few men who, after a long life in a community, is spoken well of by every- body; one who has sustained the character of a gentleman and who now, after eighty-six years of active life, has the satisfaction of knowing that he has wronged no man, but has endeavored in every respect to fulfill his duty to his Creator and his fellow-men.
AMES HOPPER is one of the men-of whom the number is not few-who have worked their way from poverty to independ- ence, from a humble position to a prosperous one. Now a resident of Havre de Grace, he is known as one of the honest, industrious business men of the city, and as a public-spirited citizen, inter- ested in progressive measures. The enterprise of which he is the head and in which he has been engaged for many years, is one of the important
ones of the place. He has on sale all kinds of coal and wood and also carries a full line of builders' materials, in which he has gradually established a large and profitable trade.
The family of which our subject is a member was founded in America by his ancestor, John Hopper, who with two brothers came from Eng- land early in the eighteenth century and made settlement in New Jersey. Our subject's father, Thomas Hopper, was born in Woodbury, N. J., where he was reared and educated. In youth learning the trade of a wheelwright, he worked at this occupation in New Jersey for a time, but about 1838 removed to Delaware City, Del., and there his death occurred in 1844, when he was fifty-two years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Keziah Hufsee, was born in New Jersey and died in Chesapeake City at the ad- vanced age of ninety-eight. Notwithstanding her great age, she was active and mentally vig- orous until the time of her demise. In her family there were three sons, of whom Thomas, the eldest, is deceased; and Seth, the youngest, is a resident of Baltimore. In religious belief she was identified with the Presbyterian Church and in her life bore witness of the sincerity of her faith. She was of direct Dutch descent, her father having been born in Holland, whence in youth he came to America, being sold to pay his passage to this country.
In the village of Woodbury, N. J., the subject of this notice was born December 3, 1832. When he was less than twelve years of age his father died and shortly after he came to Havre de Grace, where he made his home with an uncle in a hotel and attended school about four years. Upon the purchase of a store by his uncle, he was put to work as a clerk, and in that occupa- tion showed considerable ability. After two years he became the owner of a one-fourth inter- est in the business, and five years later purchased the store, which he continued to manage success- fully until July, 1875. He then embarked in the business which he has since conducted. As a business man he is conservative and judicious, never hasty in decision or reckless in financial ventures. Politically he lias adopted for his own
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the principles set forth in the platform of the Republican party. Elected to the city council, he served as a member for several terms, and under the old town charter held the office of commis- sioner for several years. In religious connections he and his family are identified with the Presby- terian Church.
January 31, 1861, occurred the marriage of Mr. Hopper to Miss Sallie E. Barnes, who was born in Havre de Grace May S, 1842, the daughter of Henry Barnes, of this place. She died April I, 1897. Seven children were born of their union, five of whom are deceased. Those living are Henry Barnes Hopper, who is connected with his father in the coal business, while the younger, Mabel Leslie, is at home. Henry married Miss Kate Mathews, of Havre de Grace, and they have a daughter, Helen.
.
OBERT J. WALKER. Among the farmers of Harford County Mr. Walker occupies a position of influence. While there are other estates larger than his, there are certainly few that bear such indications of thorough culti- vation and efficient management. All the modern improvements have been introduced, including a neat residence, substantial barn, and the out- buildings necessary for the shelter of stock and storage of grain. The property includes one hundred and seventy-three acres, lying in Dis- trict No. 2, in the midst of an excellent farming community.
Reference to the Walker genealogy will be found in the sketch of our subject's brother, Christopher H., presented upon another page. Robert J. was born in District No. 2, September 18, 1831, and was reared upon the home farmn, attending the public and subscription schools of the locality. At the age of twenty-two he was given by his father a farm of thirty-seven acres, which he cultivated for years, and then sold in 1874, purchasing the place that he now owns.
January 22, 1857, he married Sarah R. Spencer daughter of John W. Spencer, of this district. They have three daughters, namely: Mary L., wife of George W. Wilkinson, who is engaged in farming and the canning business in this dis- trict: C. Rebecca, who married E. L. Wilkinson, a merchant, also residing in this district; and Nellie S., Mrs. Howard Carter, who lives near Oak Hill, Lancaster County, Pa.
In early life a Whig, upon the disintegration of that party Mr. Walker allied himself with the Republicans, and at the time of the Civil War was in favor of freeing the slaves. Since the close of the war he has been a Democrat, and takes an active part in party councils. In November. ISS3, he was elected county commissioner and served in that capacity until 1887, being president of the board in 1886-87. For about thirty years he has been an officer in the Methiodist Protestant Church, rendering excellent service as class leader and superintendent of the Sunday-school. He has been leader of the clioir for forty-five years, and his regularity and punctuality in attendance at all church services have proved very helpful to the work.
The father of Mrs. Walker, John W. Spencer, was born on the farm now owned by our subject, and liere he spent his whole life engaged as a farmer, fisher and cooper. At his death, which occurred when he was sixty-one years of age, he left about six hundred acres of land, being one of the largest property owners of the district. This represented the earnings of a lifetime, for he started out without capital and all he made was the result of his economy and industry. Though not a member of any denomination, he attended the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he was a Whig. His wife, Rebecca Keene, was born on the ocean, when her parents were coming to this country from England; she died in this district at seventy-seven years of age. She was an earnest Christian and a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In her family there were twelve children, but two of these died in childhood. The others were, Sophy, widow of George W. Hopkins, of this district; Jarrett, a resident of this district; John R., a farmer; Eliza-
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beth, who married George Bailey and died at fifty-two years; Eli, who died at the age of twenty-seven years; Silas L., who is interested in farming and the canning business; William T .; Sarah R .; Priscilla, widow of Thomas Robinson; and Noah, whose death occurred when he was twenty-one.
.
ENRY B. McCAV. To trace the history of a successful life, be it in the electrical world of business where competition is rife, or in the calin and peaceful pursuits which have to do with the source of all supplies (the calling forthi from the earth her benefices and goodly returns), must ever prove profitable and interesting, show- ing, as it does, the methods that have been fol- lowed to attain success and thus pointing out to others the way that they may follow. A work of this nature exercises its most important function when it enters the memoir of the life and accout- plishinents of a successful man, one who has been in the fullest sense the architect of his own for- tunes and whose virile strength has marked his entire career.
Mr. McCay eminently deserves classification among those who have thus attained prosperity." He was born in District No. 7, Cecil County, April 6, 1822. His great-grandfather, John MeCay, was a native of Scotland, and located in Maryland in colonial days. As a valiant soldier of the American army he aided the colonists in their struggle for independence. He was a large slave owner and the possessor of a handsome estate of twelve hundred acres.
The grandfather, John McCay, Jr., was a native of District No. 7, and made farming his life work. The father, James McCay, was born in Baltimore, and served in the War of 1812 as captain in the valiant Twenty-seventh Regiment of Maryland. He was joined in wedlock with Mary Broughton, and they had eleven children: Henry B., James G., John and William B., deceased; Joshua P .; Washington N. and George
B., deceased; Marcus, who is living in Richmond. Va .; Mary A., deceased; Beulalı, wife of Jolin H. Baynes; and Elma, deceased. The father of this family died when in his eighty-seventh year and was laid to rest in West Nottingham Cemetery. His wife died at the age of seventy-eight.
Henry B. McCay was born and reared in Dis- trict No. 7, and acquired his education in West Nottingham Academy. He bore his part in the cultivation and improvement of the home farm until 1852, when he removed to Baltimore, and there engaged in the wholesale liquor business for twelve years, inceting with success in his under- takings. He then returned to Cecil County, purchased eiglity acres of land, and has since carried on general farming. He has been three times married. He first wedded Caroline Bettley, and they had four children, as follows: John J., Mary, Cora B. and Elma. His second wife bore the maiden name of Annie Emmons, and died leaving one daugliter, Ella V. For his third wife he chose Maggie Pennington, and six cliil- dren have been born of their union, namely: Henry B., George P., Emily G., Laura S., Isabella C. and Eva C.
J. ROWLAND is one of the enterprising and progressive business men of Cecil
2 County. In past ages the history of a country was the record of its wars and conquests; to-day it is the record of its commercial activity, and those whose names are foremost in its annals are the leaders in business circles. It is as a wide-awake merchant of Liberty Grove that Mr. Rowland occupies a foremost place among his fellow-townsmen. He was born in District No. 7, Cecil County, and is a son of William L. Rowland, who in his youth served an apprentice- ship to the miller's trade, and afterward followed that occupation for a brief period.
R. J. Rowland spent the days of his boyhood and youth on his father's farin, assisting in the labors of field and meadow in the summer
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months, while in the winter season he attended the public schools, acquiring there a good Eng- lish education. To his father lie gave the benefit of his services until twenty-one years of age, when he began farming on his own account. He successfully followed that pursuit until 1877, when he came to Liberty Grove and embarked in general merchandising. He carries a full and complete line of goods and has studied the vari- ous tastes of his customers, so that he knows how to select his stock to please them. Straight- forward dealing characterizes all his transactions, and his uniform courtesy has won him the good will of his many patrons.
In 1871 Mr. Rowland was united in marriage with Miss Emma Brown, now deceased, and their only child, Annie, died in infancy. In 1873 he married Emma H. Stricklen, and they have one child, Ernest, a graduate of the Baltimore Medi- cal College, who though only twenty- three years of age, is now recognized as a leading physician of Liberty Grove. Fraternally he is a Royal Arch Mason of the Port Deposit lodge.
Mr. Rowland has served as postmaster of Lib- erty Grove at different intervals, his term of service covering altogether fourteen years. In politics he is an ardent advocate of the Democracy, and affiliates with the Masons, belonging to the lodge of Bel Air. He also holds membership in the Presbyterian Church, and is a man whom to know is to honor.
ON. RICHARD DALLAM, secretary of state for Maryland. In this free country of America, precocious mentality and youthi liave not proved a bar to advancement; on the contrary they have frequently been rewarded by promotions to places of honor and trust, and al- most invariably the recipient has shown himself worthy of the confidence reposed in him. Although the subject of this sketch is young in years, he has demonstrated over and over again that upon his shoulders rests wisdom far beyond his age,
and that sound judgment and tried experience guide his actions. The name of Dallam is fre- quently mentioned in Scott's works, and the family is supposed to be of Scotch lineage. Sara Jennings married the first Duke of Marlborough, and became the intimate personal friend of Queen Anne of England, over whom she exercised great influence and greatly enhanced thie interests of lier husband, the Duke. One of her nephews came to this country many years ago, settled in the colony of Maryland and practiced law. He miet and married Elizabeth Martin, who was made famous in the old nursery rhyme of ---
"Pretty Betty Martin, tip-toe, tip-toe,
Pretty Betty Martin, tip-toe fine. . Couldn't get a husband to please her, please her, Couldn't get a husband to please her mind."
From this couple are descended the well-known Dallam family of Maryland, members of which have been prominent in the affairs of the state for generations. The Dallams have in their pos- session a dress and a ring that once belonged to Betty Martin, and these articles were on exhibi- tion at the World's Fair at Chicago in 1893. Members of the family took part in the Revolu- tionary War, and were also members of the con- stitutional convention of Maryland. The paternal grandfather was a wealthy farmer, a man of ex- cellent parts, and bore the name of Richard. His son, William H., was born at Darlington, Har- ford County, Md., in 1825, and as a successful legal practitioner made a name for himself, and . was honored with the position of state's attorney, and at one time was also clerk of the courts. At the opening of the great civil strife in this country, he was made major of the Seventh Mary- land Regiment, U. S. A .; made a brave and daring officer and supported the cause of the Union until the surrender at Appomattox. In recognition of his ability and the service he had rendered his country in her time of need, he was made deputy collector of the port of Baltimore and was dis- charging his duties at the time of his death in 1883.
John S. Dallanı, brotlier of William H., is re- siding in Bel Air, and has reached an advanced age. He has been foremost in the public affairs of
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the county, and has served as a director of the Harford County Mutual Fire Insurance Company for half a century. His intellect is of a high order, and his influence has ever been on the side `of justice and right. Another brother, Joseph, has been with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad for more than forty years. The wife of William H. Dallam was Mary C. Maulsby, a native of Har- ford County, born in the house in which the sub- ject of this sketch now lives, and which she in- herited from her father, Hon. J. D. Maulsby, who was a member of the Harford bar. He repre- sented his county in the state legislature for twenty-nine years, and was a member of the gov- ernor's council. His son, William P. Maulsby, was colonel of the Fourth Maryland Infantry dur- ing the Civil War, and in later ycars became one of the judges of the court of appeals.
The subject of this sketch was one of four children born to his parents, the other three mem- bers of the family being sisters, only two of whom are living at the present time: Mrs. A. H. O'Brien, of Philadelphia, and Mrs. William B. Nelson, whose husband is a business man of Bal- timore but makes his home in Bel Air. In the home in which he is now living, Hon. Richard Dallam was born May 11, 1865. His education was received in Bel Air Academy, and in the law department of the University of Maryland, from which he graduated in ISS8. He at once began practicing his profession in his native village, where his ability soon won him recognition, and he received the appointment of deputy in the Baltimore custom house under Colonel Webster, with whom he served until 1889. He then re- signed his position to continue his law practice in Bel Air, and at once leaped into popularity, for he conducted his cases with skill and shrewd- ness, and his success up to the present time has remained unbroken.
Young as he is, Mr. Dallam wields a wide influence in political matters and in the interests of the Republican party. He was appointed by Governor Lowndes in 1896 to the position of sec- retary of state. That this selection was a most wise one is universally acknowledged by political friend and opponent alike, for he has discharged
his duties with distinguished ability and with a conscientious regard to the interests of the state. In his vocabulary there is no such word as "fail," and success has tended but to stimulate his brain to greater energy. He is president of the Harford County Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany, treasurer of the Bel Air Water Works Company, and is connected with various other local interests. He was married in 1892 to Miss Josephine Evans, daughter of Dr. John Evans, of Cecil County, and they have a daughter, Rebecca. Mr. and Mrs. Dallam are church members, and he is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows' fraternities. He is a man of remarkable executive talent, and with his unbroken success and his wide popularity, it is well known that he is but fairly started upon his career, and that much better and greater things await him.
OHN R. ALLEN. The credit for a share of the enterprises that help to make No. 9 one of the best districts in Cecil County belongs to Mr. Allen, who, although he has not resided here so long as many of the other citizens, has nevertheless contributed greatly to the advance- ment of local interests. His farm is conceded to be one of the best in the locality and compriscs one hundred and fifty-two acres of land. Here he may usually be found engaged actively in til- ling the soil or gathering in the large harvests. While general farming principally engages his at- tention, he also finds time to devote to stock-rais- ing and to the creamery business, in which he has been successful.
In looking up the genealogy of the Allen family, we find that our subject is a grandson of Patrick Allen, who was born in Ireland, came from therc to America at the age of eighteen years and set- tled first in Delaware, where he engaged in the manufacture of woolen cloth, but afterward he re- moved to Pennsylvania. The father of our sub- ject, Thomas C. Allen, was born in Delaware County, Pa., and followed the blacksmith's and
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machinist's trades in Burmont, that county, W. H. Spain, in the general hardware and oil where he spent all the' years of active lite. In' supplies business, where he continued for three years. Failing health caused him to retire from the business and seek more congenial pursuits. In ISSI he came to Cecil County and settled upon the William Kirk place, which is one of the oldest farms in District No. 9. In the different places where he has resided he has taken a part in local affairs and has ranked among the leading Demo- crats.
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