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 45
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 45
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
ON. WALTER W. PRESTON. Ever since the days when Harford County was a track- less forest, in which lurked Indians not yet accustomed to the sight of white faces or the presence of strange visitors, the Preston family has had representatives in this part of Maryland. Two hundred and fifty years have passed since the first of the name in America sought a home here, and in common with other pioneers endured the vicissitudes of life in a strange country. There have been many changes since those times. The whole country, now dotted with smiling farms and quiet villages, traversed by railroads and telegraph wires, was then a wilderness, which stretched from the ocean westward to remote and undiscovered recesses.
To narrate the history of succeeding genera- tions of the Preston family would be to give the history of Harford County, for as the county has grown and developed, the family has been pros- pered. The father of our subject, Hon. James B. Preston, is a man of prominence in the political world, and among other offices held that of repre- sentative in the state legislature for two terms. He married Mary A. Wilkes, a native of the city of Baltimore, and daughter of James Wilkes, Jr., a Scotchmian, who was one of the well-known
hardware merchants of Baltimore. She died in 1874. Our subject was born on the home farm, situated on Deer Creek, Harford County, January 14, 1863. His education commenced in the pub- lic schools, was contimed in St. John's College, - Annapolis, where he matriculated in 1877, and was further prosecuted in Princeton, from which he graduated in ISSI, with the degree of A. B. Three years later the degree of A. M. was con- ferred upon him.
Turning his attention to the study of law, Mr. Preston entered the law department of the Uni- versity of Maryland, from which he graduated in 1883, with the degree of LL .- B. Immediately afterward he opened an office in Bel Air and began to practice at the bar here. Having thoroughly studied the principles of law, his judgment on legal questions is excellent. For public speaking he is well fitted, for he posesses an excellent voice, a fine presence, and ease of motion; but in ad- dition to these gifts he has one still greater, and without which the others would be vain, viz .: a capacity for hard work. With a fine command of language, a broad fund of information and re- tentive memory; deeply read in local and general history, thoroughly informed upon the issues of the day, logical in thought and eloquent in utter- ance, his opponents in debate have found him a foeman "worthy of their steel."
In politics Mr. Preston is a member of the Democratic party, and believing in its principles, he has always zealously advocated them. He has done good service for his party in campaigns, and his speeches, delivered during pre-election times, have won votes for the men and measures he espoused. In 1888 he was elected to the Maryland legislature, and, although the youngest member of the house, he took a leading part in the deliberations of that body, and served on sev- eral committees. He was re-elected to the session of 1890, in the latter term serving as chairman of the judiciary committee and committee on claims. In I891 he was elected prosecuting attorney for Harford County, and at the expiration of his term, in 1895, the people showed their appreciation of his able services by re-electing him to the office. He is recognized as one of the most able prosecutors
391
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
the county has ever had, and all reputable citi- zens, irrespective of party, unite in praising him for what he has accomplished in the interests of law and order. Fraternally lie is connected with the Odd Fellows and Masons, and is past master of Mt. Ararat Lodge at Bel Air. In IS92 he married Lillie Pue Hall, of Harford County, and their home is one of the most attractive residences in Bel Air.
AWSON EWING is one of the extensive land owners and leading citizens of District No. 2, Harford County. He has been an active promoter of the business interests of this county, but is now practically living retired, mercly looking after his property interests. Widely and favorably known, he well deserves mention in this volume, and with pleasure we present the record of his life to our readers.
Dr. Ewing, as he is called, is a native son of Harford County, born near Hopewell Cross Roads, March 2, 1827. He is a representative of one of the old families of this section of the state. His grandfather, Joseph Ewing, who was probably born in this county, lived here for many years and reached an advanced age. William Ewing, the father, opcned his eyes to the light of day in District No. 2, and spent his entire life upon a farm, his death occurring at the age of seventy- five years. His early political support was given the Whig party, and on its dissolution he joined the ranks of the Democracy. In his church rela- tions he was a Presbyterian. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Russell, was also a representative of one of the early families of the county, and dicd in her native locality at the age of sixty-three.
Dr. Ewing is the only survivor of a family of five sons and two daugliters. No event of spe- cial importance occurred during his boyhood and youth, which were quietly passed upon the home farm and in attendance at the common schools,
where he acquired a good practical education. After attaining his majority he engaged in fishing and working at the cooper's trade for two years. Later he spent one summer in Pennsylvania, then taught one winter in Virginia (now West Vir- ginia), and afterward went to Olio, where he taught one term of summer school in 1854. Sub- scquently he removed to Maysville, Ky., where he engaged in teaching a district school for two and a-half years. His next place of residence was Pike County, Mo., where he followed the same profession for two years, after which lic crossed the Mississippi River to Pike County, Ill., and was numbered among the successful educa- tors of that locality from the fall of 1856 until the spring of 1862. At the expiration of that period hs turned his attention from professional to iner- cantile pursuits, and for six years conducted a store at Pleasant Hill, Pike County. On selling his property there, he opened a general mercan- tile establishment in Milton, Ill., where he re- mained until 1873, when he again sold and resumed farming near Holdeu, Johnson County, Mo. In 1875, however, he disposed of his land in the west and returned to Harford County to assume the management of two farms which had been left to himself and brother by his father.
Dr. Ewing devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits until 1885, when he rented his land and embarked in general merchandising at Hopewell Cross Roads, but after continuing business at that point for three years he placed his store in charge of his sons, took up his residence upon one of his farms and has since practically lived retired. He is now the owner of four valuable farms, de- riving therefrom a good income. He possesses excellent business ability and executive force, sound judgment and determined purpose, and by the exercise of these qualities has so con- ducted his business interests as to bring to him a handsome competence.
. In 1861 Dr. Ewing married Miss Sarah J. Shultz, who died at the age of fifty years, leaving three children: William E., a farincr of District No. 2; Solomon Russell, who is represented elsc- where in this work; and Florence, at home. In 1896 the doctor married Mrs. Elizabeth McKind-
392
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
less. His political support is given the men and measures of the Republican party, and for eight years he served as postmaster at Hopewell Cross Roads. He is a man of broad general culture, of pleasant manner and social disposition, who wins friends wherever he goes, and has the happy faculty of drawing them closer to him as. the years pass by.
ENRY C. McDOWELL. While the stock business is not the most prominent industry of Cecil County, it is at present receiving a greater proportion of the attention of the people than in former years. Among those who are con- tributing to the development of this industry, and who have in it gained a commendable degree of material success, mention should be made of Mr. McDowell. The increased interest now taken in this department of agriculture is due, to no small extent, to his energetic efforts. As a citizen he is well and favorably known in various enterprises, contributing to the growth of his district, and his influence is always given when progressive meas- ures are presented for adoption1.
Prospect Hill farm, where Mr. McDowell makes his home, consists of one hundred and nine acres of well-improved land, and is situated in District No. 5, near Principio. The visitor to the place soon notices the fine head of Jersey cattle, and is made aware of the fact that the owner is interested in the raising of fine stock, particularly cattle. However, his attention is not given exclusively to this business. As a general farmer he has been quite successful, and upon his place may be found all the cereals to which the soil and climate are adapted.
In the city of Philadelphia Mr. McDowell was born September 29, 1844. His paternal grand- father, Jauies, a native of Bucks County, Pa., and a soldier in the War of 1812, was a son of Alex- ander McDowell, who came to America from the north of Ireland, his ancestors having been among those Scotch families who sought refuge in Ire-
land during the days of religious persecution. Alexander bore arms in the Revolutionary War in defense of the principle of freedom for which the colonists struggled, and he had a brother-in- law, Samuel Smith, who was a general in the American army.
David McDowell, father of our subject, was born in Bucks County, Pa. Like his ancestors he was a man of intense loyalty to the country, and possessed undaunted courage. At the opening of the war with Mexico he raised a company of men in Philadelphia and took them to New Jersey, where they enlisted for service, he being selected as their captain. He remained at the front until the war was ended, and afterward, in 1849, went to California, where he witnessed all the excite- ment connected with the discovery of gold and endured the hardships associated with the depri- vation of the comforts to which lie had been ac- customed. While making his home in Philadel- phia he engaged in the mercantile business, but after going to the far west he became chief of the Sacramento fire department of Sacramento and was otherwise connected with public affairs in that city. His death, which occurred in January of 1857, resulted from a cold contracted while trying to subdue a fire. Politically he voted the Whig ticket, and in religious belief was a Presby- terian. His wife, who died when quite young, was Susan, daughter of Samuel Runner, of Phil- adelphia; their only child was the subject of this sketch.
The patriotism so characteristic of the family was imbedded in the spirit of H. C. McDowell. After the completion of his education, which was obtained in the public schools of Bucks County and a boarding-school at Carversville, Pa., he enlisted in the Union army when but eighteen years of age. In February, 1864, his name was enrolled in the Third Pennsylvania Heavy Artil- lery at Philadelphia. For a year he was engaged principally on gunboat service on the James River, and in November, 1865, he was honorably dis- charged from the army. He then came to Cecil County and began as a farmer. Purchasing a place in Distriet No. 9, he began its cultivation, and to keep house for him brought his grand-
393
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
motlier, who had reared him and cared for him in childhood. After five years, in the spring of 1871, he went to the oil regions of Pennsylvania, but in 1874 returned to Cecil County and resumed farming. In the fall of 1893 he purchased Pros- pect Hill farm, where he has since engaged in farming and cattle raising. He is a member of the Grange, and in religious belief is identified with the Presbyterian Church. Politically he has always voted the Democratic ticket, as he be- lieves in free trade and the free coinage of silver.
The marriage of Mr. McDowell occurred May 21, 1873, and united liim with Mary J., daughter of Benjamin Gifford, of Cecil County. They be- came the parents of six children, of whom all but one are living. They are David, Laura B., Thomas K., James N. and H. Clayton, all intel- ligent and well educated. The pleasant person- ality and genial manner of Mr. McDowell have brought him the respect of others. He enjoys the reputation for uprightness and strength of char- acter that distinguislies the residents of Cecil County, and not alone for these admirable quali- ties is he known, but also for the attributes that make him a congenial and welcome companion.
G EORGE I. SMITH. For solid worth and reliability, no resident of Cecil County is deserving of more honorable mention than the gentleman with whose name this sketch is introduced, and who has made a good record as a citizen and a farmer. It is now more than thirty years since he came to District No. 4 and purchased one hundred acres, constituting one of the oldest farms in the county. Here he has since engaged in general farming and in the dairy business. He and his wife are a genial, kindly couple, and by their warm hospitality render their home pleasant and comfortable to the many friends whom they welcome within its walls from time to time.
The family of which our subject is a member was first represented in America by his grandfa-
ther, Jolin, who came from Ireland and settled in Chester County, Pa. The father, William, was reared there, and in youth learned the trade of a stone mason and contractor. He was among the first contractors on the Frenchtown Railroad, built about 1830. In addition he followed agri- cultural pursuits through much of his life. In 1832 he removed with his family to Delaware, where he was afterward prominently identified with public affairs. Elected to represent his dis- trict in the state legislature, he was re-elected at the expiration of his first terni, and so satisfactory was his service that he was further honored by election to tlie position of state senator. At one time he was a member of Governor Thorpe's staff. In fact, his closing years were spent entire- ly in the public service. His death occurred at his home in Delaware when he was sixty-nine years of age.
The mother of our subject was Mary DeHaven, a native of Chester County, Pa., and a daughter of Jesse DeHaven, who was a descendant of an old family of that locality. They became the parents of ten children, and of these all but one are still living. They are named as follows: Sarah, George I., Mary J., wife of William Arm- strong; William H., postmaster at Newark, Del. ; Jacob R., whose home is in Philadelphia; James P., of Cecil County; Dr. Samuel, of Ohio; Eliz- abeth, who married John W. Kennedy, and re- sides in Chester County, Pa:, and Winfield S., of Fair Hill, Cecil County. Our subject, who was next to the eldest member of the family, was born in Chester County, Pa., August 1, 1826, and received his education in the common schools of Delaware, to which state he accompanied thie other members of the family when he was a boy of six years. On completing his studies he be- gan to assist actively in the management of the home farin in Delaware, also having charge of his father's property in Pennsylvania for a time. In 1865 he removed from Delaware to District No. 4, Cecil County, and bought the farm which he still owns and operates.
In 1849 occurred the marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss Anna E. Riddell, of Newcastle County, Del. Their three children are named as follows:
394
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Mary E., who is the wife of James H. Foard; Hosea R. and George H., who reside in District No. 4. In former years Mr. Smith was identified with the Grange and the Odd Fellows, but 110 longer retains active membership in these organ- izations. He has maintained a warm interest in religious work, and as a deacon in the Presbyter. ian Church for twenty years or more, he has done all in his power to advance the cause in his local- ity. He is a man of excellent habits and ster- ling principles, is prompt and reliable in his busi- ness dealings, and as a citizen has identified him- self with local enterprises, contributing his quota to the progress of the district and county.
AMES C. CROTHERS. One of the special lines of labor in which many residents of Cecil County successfully engage is that of fishing. The fishery business has long been a prominent one, and those who have followed it have found it remunerative. If long experience in this industry brings a knowledge of its every detail, then Mr. Crothers may certainly be considered one of the best-informed men in that line that the county contains, for he has been engaged in the business since 1850. During the fishing season, from April I to May 30, he gives employment to forty men. In addition to this work, he has the super- intendence of the old homestead, a valuable place comprising two hundred and five acres and lying in District No. 9. Of it he has been the owner since the death of his father.
Upon the place where he now resides, situated two miles from the village of Calvert, J. C. Crothers was born June 5, 1829. He is a descend- ant, in the second generation, of John Crothers, a native of Ireland, who upon coming to America selected for his home the property that is still in the possession of the family. On this place was born James Crotliers, our subject's father, who was long a resident liere and identified with the best interests of the neighborhood. His life cov- ered much of the nineteenth century, during
which time he witnessed the gradual upbuilding of our national government and the development of local industries. Politically he was first a Whig and afterwards an adherent of Republican principles. For years he acted as county con- missioner, rendering able service in that capacity. He and his family were connected with the Pres- byterian Church. In every action he endeavored to be consistent and honest, doing unto others as he would be done by. When seventy-four years of age he passed away, July 7, 1873. Years before that, in 1847, he had lost by death his wife, Rachael, daughter of James Cameron, of District No. 6, this county. They had three children, of whom there survive our subject and his sister, Elizabeth B., widow of Benjamin F. Kirk, of District No. 6.
At the age ofeighteen our subject considered his schooling sufficiently good to permit him to begin the battle of life in earnest. First he worked in the employ of his father, continuing in that way until the death of the latter, when he inherited the old homestead. This place he has since cultivated, carrying on general farming pur- suits. He owns two hundred and forty five acres of land where he fishes, at Red Point, about six miles from North East. His personal affairs have called for his close attention and he has given little time to public affairs, although a pronounced Republican in sentiment. In 1877 he was elected county commissioner, and this office he held for two years. The Methodist Episcopal church represents the doctrines to which he gives alle- giance, and he is an active worker in the denom- ination. For twenty-five years he has been a trustee of the Woodlawn camp-meeting. In former days he was identified with secret organ- izations, but no longer retains his membership in these. His first wife bore the maiden name of Hannah E. Burns, and by her he had a daughter, Rachel L., now the widow of Rufus Foster, of Calvert. The only child born of his marriage to Rebecca Burns, his second wife, died when young. In 1861 he was united in marriage with Hannah Thompson, daughter of Ezekiel Thomp- son, of Theodore, this county. Eleven children were born of this union, of whom eight are living:
395
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
William J., of Leslie; Jolin E., who is a store- keeper at Calvert: Rebecca J., who married Tur- ner Cameron, and lives in Calvert; Hannah Elizabeth, Mrs. Thomas Mearns, living on the home farm; Alfred, Anna Mary, Curtis and Law- rence, who remain with their parents.
A L. DUYCKINCK. The career of him whose name heads this review illustrates mnost forcibly the possibilities that are open to a young man who possesses sterling business qual- ifications. It proves that neither wealth nor so- cial position, nor the assistance of influential friends at the outset of his career are necessary to place him on the road to success. It also proves that ambition, perseverance, steadfast pur- pose and indefatigable industry, combined with sound business principles, will be rewarded, and that true success follows individual effort only. Mr. Duyckinck has gained recognition and pres- tige as one of the influential and representative business men of Cecil County, and has advanced to honorable distinction in business circles.
The birth of our subject occurred at Laming- ton, Somerset County, N. J., March 7, 1852, but when four months old he was brought by his par- ents to Maryland, where he grew to manhood upon a farm. He was educated in the common schools and at Nottingham Academy, and re- mained with his father upon the home farm until 1873, when he entered the warehouse at Rising Sun, Cecil County, as a clerk, serving in that capacity for six months. On the 25th of March, 1874, however, he became a partner of Mr. Bris- coe, in that business, and a year later became sole proprietor. In the spring of 1876 he also purchased an interest in the warehouse at North East, and for one year was interested in the lum- ber and sawmill business at that place. In 1882 he admitted Mr. Passmore to a partnership in the business at Rising Sun, and he remained a mein- ber of the firm until his death, which occurred in
ISS9, when J. M. Starrett purchased his interest and is still connected with our subject. They do an extensive business as dealers in hay, grain, fertilizers, coal and lumber, and are numbered among the most progressive and wide-awake bus- iness men of the county. Mr. Duyckinek pur- chased a tract of land on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, where is now the village of Leslie, and made many valuable improvements, but a few years later sold his interest there to Messrs. Cro- thers and Hambleton.
In January, 1879, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Duyckinck and Miss Willemenia M. Reed, who was born near Rising Sun. They have three children: Horace, now seventeen years of age, who is attending the Cheltenham Military Academy; Emily, fourteen; and Mabel, twelve. Politically Mr. Duyckinck has always been iden- tified with the Democratic party, and religiously he is an active and prominent member of the West Nottingham Presbyterian Church, in which he has served as elder for the past five years, and trustee for twelve years. A man of unswerving integrity and lionor, one who has a perfect appre- ciation of the higher ethics of life, he has gained and retained the confidence and respect of his fel- low-men, and is distinctively one of the leading eitizens of Rising Sun, with whose interests he has so long been identified.
AMUEL A. S. KYLE. During the years that Mr. Kyle resided in Harford County lie made many warm friends among its best citizens. After having been long connected with a business fırın in Baltimore, in 1878 he pur- ehased the Booth place, near Bel Air, and liere he continued to reside until he passed away, in 1893. The place is well improved and constitutes an at- tractive country home. The residence, built by the Bootli family in 1855, is substantial, roomy and comfortable; and the other farm buildings are also well adapted to their various purposes. The two hundred and fifty acres comprising the place
1 -
396
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL, RECORD.
are divided and subdivided into fields of conveni- ent size, for the raising of grain or the pasturage of stock, and all the improvements of a first-class estate have been introduced.
The Kyle family is one of the large number of American families that trace their ancestry to Scotch-Irish progenitors. During the time of the religious persecution in Scotland, some of them fled to Ireland in order to seek a refuge for them- selves and their families. They were people of prominence in the ministry, the royal navy and the East India service. The succeeding genera- tions remained residents of the island that lies like a beautiful green emerald in the setting of the mighty Atlantic. The Covenanter faith, implant- ed in the hearts of those who lived in Scotland, was the religion of their descendants in Ireland, most of whom held membership in the Presbyte- riau Church. The subject of this sketch was born in Ireland, being the son of George Kyle, a lieutenant in the royal navy. At the age of four- teen he came, alone, to the United States, and joined his uncle, Adam Kyle, who was a mer- chant in Baltimore, and a member of the firm of Dinsmore & Kyle, established in 1805. With this concern he remained for forty-six years, retiring at the age of sixty.
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.