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 47
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 47
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tains a deep interest in its welfare and feels the greatest pride in its progress. He was born Feb- ruary 14, 1838. in the house where he now resides, near the county jail. The family of which he is a member is one of the oldest in Cecil County, but the date of its settlement here is not known.
The father of our subject, Andrew Alexander, was born in this county and was successfully engaged in the blacksmithing business through- out his entire life, having his shop adjoining his house. He built the fine old family residence in Elkton, and here his life was brought to a close in 1862. His wife bore the maiden name of Har- riet Aldrich and was born in Elk Neck, this county, being a member of one of Cecil's old fam- ilies. She died some years prior to the demise of her husband. Her family consisted of four sons and two daughters, one of the latter dying at the age of fifteen years, while the other, Louise, mar- ried William T. McCauley, of Ellicott City, Howard County, Md., and died in 1896. One of the sons, William, died young; another, Andrew, is a traveling salesman; and Harry was a partner of his brother, John E., at the time of his death, October 1, 1886.
Of this family John E. was the eldest. He had but little schooling, but at an early age learned the blacksmith's trade in his father's shop, continuing the business after the death of his father until 1869, when he opened a hard- ware store. As a business man he has been suc- cessful, having gained the confidence of the people and accumulated a considerable amount of this world's goods. In addition to his business enterprises, he has taken an interest in public affairs and has filled various minor offices of honor and trust, among them those of town commissioner for about ten years and trustee of the county alins house for some time. However, he is not a politician, and aside from voting the Democratic ticket is not actively connected with his party.
In 1862 Mr. Alexander married Miss Martha Robinson, of Elk Neck, daughter of Capt. Will- iam Robinson, who was master of a packet on Chesapeake Bay. Their family consists of five
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JAMES LEE.
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children: Henry T., who is connected with his father in the hardware business; Harriet J., Lydia L. and Lillie V., who are with their parents; and William A., who married Lydia Hartgrave, of Deland, Fla., and is engaged in the drug business in Chesapeake City, this coun- ty. The oldest child, Henry T., married Miss Catherine Anthony, of Vienna, Dorchester Coun- ty, and they have two children, Miriam and John.
AMES LEE. For the valor of its men and the graces of its female representatives, the Lee family has long liad a more than local reputation. Concerning the history of its found- ers in America and the place of the original settle- ment, little that is authentic can be obtained. However, it is known that they came from Eng- land and that all of the name in the United States are descendants of the three brothers who founded the family here. Several of the name rose to prominence, notably Gen. Robert E. Lee, the gallant leader of the Confederate cause. As far back as the pre-Revolutionary period the name of Lee was a synonym for valor and daunt- less courage. When the question concerning the independence of the states arose, Parker H. Lee, Sr., grandfather of our subject, was one of those who thought that the American eagle would be strong enough to use its own wings and make its own way in the world; he therefore took his place as a soldier in the American army and served creditably as a lieutenant in General Smallwood's regiment. It was his privilege to live to see the cause of liberty triumph, not only then, but later, when a second war with England arose. When death came to him, June 6, 1829, at the age of seventy-one, the country in whose service he had fought so valiantly was becoming a power felt throughout the entire world.
'The first wife of Lieutenant Lee was Elizabeth Dallam. After her death he married Mrs. Mary Munnikhuysen, née Howard, who survived him
many years, passing away in 1860, at eighty- four years of age. Their children were: Parker H., Jr., Henry Hall, Olivia Jane and James Carvil. The father of this family was buried in the family cemetery at the old homestead, and the mother was buried at Rock Springs. Parker H., Jr., was born and reared on the home farm, where he spent his entire life, engaged in farm- ing. He was identified with the Rock Presby- terian Church, in which he was an official for some years. He married Mary E. Bryarly, daughter of James Bryarly, of Virginia. They became the parents of five children, named as follows: Elizabeth M., deceased, formerly the wife of Harris Archer; Parker H., deceased; Mary, who has also passed away; James, and Bryarly, deceased. The father of these children died at the old homestead, September IS, 1896, when eighty-five years of age. He was a man well known for his piety, and his death was much regretted by his host of friends. He retained his faculties unimpaired to the last.
The only surviving member of the family, who is the subject of this notice, was born in 1847, in the house where he now resides. On the coni- pletion of his education he began to assist in the cultivation of the homestead, to the management of which he succeeded at the age of twenty-five, and he lias since had charge of the place, engag- ing in general farm work and in stock-raising. In addition to the management of this property, which comprises two hundred and twenty-six acres, he has charge of about twenty farms in Harford County, this being done in the interests of S. A. Williams and his clients. Besides other duties, he is a director in the Harford National Bank, which position he has held since its organ- ization. He is one of the best-known residents of District No. 3, and the majority of the people living here are acquainted with him. In ISS9 he married Miss Mary E. Whitaker, member of an old family of Harford County. They are identi- fied with the Episcopal Church and for some years he has held the office of vestryman. An earnest promoter of every cause which he deenis to be just and beneficial, in everything calculated to benefit the community he is a leading worker,
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and as such stands committed before the con- munity. Under his intelligent supervision his property presents an appearance of thrift and prosperity. The broad acres well tilled, the pas- tures with the grazing cattle, the substantial farm buildings, and the residence with its air of home happiness, seem always to offer the rest sought by the tired toiler at the close of the day.
Mrs. James Lee is a great-granddaughter of Col. Nathaniel Ramsey, who received his title in the Revolutionary War, having fought at Monmouth.
EDWARD SWARTZ. The ancients had a proverb "Call no man happy until he is dead." This saying owed its origin to the fact, as well known in modern times as in ages long gone by, that often men who, in middle life, were rich, influential and blessed with every com- fort heart could desire, are in later life poor, friendless and forgotten. Of those who have passed away we may truly say their lives were happy, if they were surrounded by the affection of relatives, regarded with esteem by friends and blessed with good health. The life of Mr. Swartz was not an eventful one, and was quietly passed in District No. 3, Harford County. While it was quiet, it was by no means useless or aimless, but the cultivation of his farm, the discharge of his duties as a citizen, the oversight of his varied in- terests and the provision for the needs of his family, consumed his entire time and made every day a busy one.
Near Abingdon, this district, Mr. Swartz was born October 5, 1852, being the youngest child and only son of Basil and Frances E. (Cochran) Swartz. He had three sisters, Marion, Mary and Sophia. His father was born and reared on the old homestead and engaged in the cultivation of this place until 1889, when he retired from active labors and removed to Bel Air. There his death occurred in October, 1893, at the age of cighty- two years. He and his wife were a worthy
couple, kind to all, generous to the needy, and devoted to the welfare of their children. The in- fluence of their noble lives surrounded the earliest days of our subject and continued through the years when he was better able to grasp its mean- ing.
In the country schools and in Churchville, T. Edward Swartz was a student during much of his boyhood. While he did not gain a broad classi- cal education, he acquired a general knowledge that proved very helpful to him in his subsequent life. Agriculture was his chosen occupation and in it he engaged from an early age. In 1892 he established his home upon the Rogers farm in District No. 3, and here he carried on general farming until his earth life ended. In poli- tics he was a Democrat, and by the members of the party was considered one of its faithful friends and firm adherents. To round and complete his character, religion gave its gentle, uplifting influ- ence. With an unwavering faith in the doctrines of Christianity, he aimed to live up to its beauti- ful teachings, and in his life he showed its fruits. His membership was in the Methodist Protestant Church at Bel Air, and he served the congrega- tion as steward for some time, always maintaining the deepest interest in all that would promote the cause of Christ.
January 18, 1882, occurred the marriage of Mr. Swartz and Miss Nannie C. Crossley, who was born on the eastern shore of Maryland and is a lineal descendant of the Hewitt family, of Balti- more. The four children born of their union are Edward R., James M., John R. and Clara C. When still a young man, Mr. Swartz passed from earth, February 2, 1896, and was laid to rest in Mt. Zion cemetery. His upright character and beneficent spirit find a eulogy more eloquent than any word picture could present in the esteem in which he was universally held and the regret everywhere expressed when the tidings of his death were heard. Harford County lost one of its best citizens when he passed away.
The farmi now occupied and owned by Mrs. Swartz becanie hers by inheritance from her uncle, Roland John Rogers, whose grandfather, Roland Rogers, purchased the place from one Captain
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Matthews, an Englishman. Roland Rogers (Ist) married a Miss Jarvis. Roland Rogers (2d), father of Roland John, married Catherine Rogers, and they had ten children, namely: Lilburn, Lawson, William, Elijah, Roland John, Lucinda, Jane, Catherine, Hannah E. and Anna M. Ro- land John Rogers married Miss Elizabeth Hewitt, of Baltimore. He dicd February 5, 1892, and his wife passed away February 14, 1897.
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AMES M. CASHO. Located in District No. 4 lies one of the fine farmis of Cecil County. Here Mr. Casho has resided since 1878, meanwhile bringing the property under excellent cultivation. Buildings have been erect- ed and other improvements introduced which prove his thrift and enterprise as an agriculturist. The place comprises two hundred and twenty- seven acres, upon which are raised the various cereals to which the soil is adapted. Judicious management has brought the owner a good com- petency; while he is well-to-do, he has not be- come so at the expense of others, but has ever been just in his dealings and generous to those less fortunate than himself.
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Newcastle, Del., is Mr. Casho's native county, and January 16, 1843, the date of his birth. As indicated by the name, the family is of French origin. The first to come to America was his great-grandfather, Jacob Casho, who crossed the ocean prior to the Revolution and served during the war under Lafayette He settled in Mary- . land, where Isaac Casho, our subject's grandfa- ther, was born. He also served as lieutenant in the War of 1812, under Captain Mackey. George A., son of Isaac, was born in Newcastle County, Del., and is still hving there, being now (1897) seventy-nine years of age. Through his active life he has been engaged in general farming and in trading, and has become well-to-do. He has never been active in local affairs, but always votes the Democratic ticket and takes an interest in
party matters. By his marriage to Eliza Mote, he became the father of the following-named children: James M .; Anna; George J., who re- sides in Delaware; and Margaret, who is the wife of John L. Hanna, of Baltimore.
The district schools of Newcastle County af- forded the subject of this sketch such educational advantages as he received. At the age of sixteen he left school and began to learn the trades of carpenter and millwright, which he followed for many years and in different places. In 1878 he purchased the farm in District No. 4, where he has since resided. The land is taken care of in the best possible manner and yields large harvests in return. The political questions of the age have received from him the consideration which they deserve. While favoring the general policy of the Democratic party, he is inclined to be inde- pendent, especially at the local elections, where he votes for the best man, irrespective of politics. He gives his aid to all public measures having for their object the promotion of the welfare of the people, and may be relied upon to assist in behalf of all that is morally and intellectually uplifting. He has never sought public office, though well fitted to discharge such duties satis- factorily, should he consent to enter public life. In 1879 he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Evans, daughter of Hon. John Evans, at one time a member of the legislature. They at- tend the Presbyterian Church and are also con- nected with all the activities of the congregation.
AVID E. WILSON. Prominent among the energetic, far-seeing and successful business men of Harford County is the subject of this sketch, who is successfully engaged in milling in District No. 5. In the house where he still resides, he was born in December, I822, a son of William and Rachel (Smith) Wilson. William Wilson, Sr., the grandfather, came from Scot- land, his native land, and located near Glenville, Harford County, where he devoted his remaining
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years to agricultural pursuits. His son William succeeded to the old homestead, on which he was born and reared, and in connection with its culti- vation, also engaged in milling, owning and operating the Stump Mills on Deer Creek for many years. His home was near the mill, and he was prominently identified with the improve- ment and development of this region. He departed this life in IS40, at the age of sixty years. Of his five children two are deceased, and those living arc David E., Ruth and Mary.
The common schools of Harford and Cecil · Counties furnished our subject good educational privileges, and liis business training was obtained with his father. Becoming a thorough and prac- tical miller, he has since successfully followed that vocation at his father's old mill. He was married in 1855, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Wilson, by whom he has five children, William, Gilpin, David E., Jr., Mary and Mar- garet. The family attend the Episcopal Church, and in his social relations Mr. Wilson is a mem- ber of Stephenson Lodge, F. & A. M. The thoroughness and persistency with which he applied himself while learning the trade has characterized his entire business career, and has been supplemented by careful attention to details, and by honorable, straightforward effort that has gained him a most excellent and enviable repu- tation.
EWBERRY A. S. KEYSER, M. D. An able physician in general practice, Dr. Key- ser is a model physician. His cheerful con- fidence in the sick chamber is often as potent as his medicines, and he has been and still is a student in his profession, ever grasping after new truths in science. He keeps thoroughly posted in his profession, his diagnoses being quickly made and very rarely incorrect, while his kind- ness and consideration at all times cannot fail to be recognized and appreciated. He was born in the city of Baltimore, January 16, 1860, a son of Charles M. Keyser, also a native of Baltimore.
The paternal grandfather was Derrick Keyser, a native of Germantown, Pa., whose ancestors came to this country from Amsterdam, Holland, in 16SS, and settled at Germantown. They were Dunk- ards in religious belief, which body is opposed to warfare, but this did not stand in the way during the Revolution, for some of the members of the family took an active part in the struggle of the colonists for independence, and also in the War of ISI2.
Charles M. Keyser was a man of more than ordinary intellect and force of character, and con- sequently became prominent in political affairs in his state. He was a member of the upper house of the legislature for two years, and throughout life was interested in the organization and prog- ress of charitable institutions. He was one of the organizers and the second president of the Baltimore House of Refuge, holding the latter position twenty years, and also that of director. He was captain of the Eutaw Infantry, the finest company in Baltimore before the war, commanded them during the '4os, and was frequently called out to quell mobs at that place. His chief calling in life was that of wholesale dealer and importer of queensware, which, under his management, proved both important and profitable.
Mr. Keyser was married twice, first to a Mrs. Monroe, whose maiden name was Armstrong, and next to a daughter of William Wilson, of Balti- inore. He died in 1874 and his widow in 1892. He was the father of the following children: Anna, wife of James R. Edmonds, cashier of the Bank of Commerce, Baltimore; Martha, who died after her marriage to Joshua Levering; Margaret, who also married Mr. Levering, the Prohibition candidate for president during the campaign of 1896; Wilson, cashier of the Commercial and Farmers' National Bank of Baltimore; Charles M., of Baltimore; Grace K., now Mrs. Frank E. McIntire, of Philadelphia; and Mary, the de- ceased wife of Charles A. Keyser, of Los Angeles, Cal.
Dr. Newberry A. S. Keyser, another child of the above couple, first attended the Friends' high school of Baltimore, later the Johns Hopkins Uni- versity, and finally the University of Maryland.
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He received his degree of M. D. in 1883, and at once entered upon the practice of his profession at Baltimore, remaining there until 1890, when he came to his present location. Althoughi hie has resided here a comparatively short time, his practice is large and has been so from the first. He married Louise, daughter of Dr. Altvater, of Baltimore County, but in December, 1894, was called upon to mourn her deatlı. She left two children, Allen Dirck and Mary Louise. One of Dr. Keyser's uncles, George Keyser, was a very prominent man of Baltimore, and was interested in military affairs, being major of engineers in the regular army during the War of 1812, so it may be seen that the doctor comes of fighting stock, notwithstanding the fact that his people were Dunkards.
UDGE JAMES MCCAULEY was for many years one of the most important factors in the business, political, educational and moral life of Cecil County. His name is inseparably inter- woven with its history, and the part which he took in its substantial development classes him among those to whom the county will ever be in- debted for the broad foundation, upon which will be raised the superstructure of its future pros- perity.
Judge McCauley was born August 23, 1809, in the old stone house known as Lowry's, which stood on a tract of land near Mechanics Valley. It was an old historic place, having been erected during the Revolutionary War by Jethro Baker, one of whose daughters, Francina Baker, became the wife of Daniel McCauley, and the mother of Elizabeth McCauley. The latter married her cousin, John McCauley, and the judge was one of their children. The family has throughout the existence of the Republic been prominent in af- fairs in Cecil County.
The educational privileges of Judge McCauley were limited to instruction in the three branches, reading, writing and arithmetic, taught in
Maffit's schoolliouse. Later he had ten lessons on English grammar. His studious nature over- came the lack of educational privileges and he was ranked among the well-informed men of the district. He became an expert surveyor and, unaided, constructed a compass and chain which he used in his work. The section of the country in which he lived was thickly wooded with fine oak timber, and the manufacture of barrels was a leading industry there. Hc learned, and for a short time followed, the cooper's trade, but his tastes lay in the direction of mathematics and were put to a practical test in surveying. After attaining his majority in 1830, he was for a time with the corps of engineers employed on the con- struction of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad at Sykesville, Md. In 1833 he began the manu- facture of portable threshing machines, personally attending to all the wood and iron work except the iron turnings and the castings.
In 1841 Mr. McCauley was appointed county surveyor by Governor Pratt, and as there was a large number of land cases unsettled at that time, he was engaged for several years in locating dis- puted boundary lines. In 1857 he was elected register of wills, and held that office for six years, his term extending into the exciting period of the Civil War. His business interests were ever prosecuted with vigor and energy and he carried forward to successful completion whatever he undertook. His official duties were discharged with the same fidelity and ability, and in public office he won the commendation of all concerned. When the south seceded he ardently espoused the cause of his native land and was a prominent figure in the meeting held in Elkton, early in the conflict, when the resolution was adopted that Cecil County should stand by the Union if all the rest of the state scceded. He gave to the service his son, Lieut. John McCauley, who did consider- able recruiting service, and on the battlefield displayed his valor and his loyalty to the Union cause.
Honored and respected by all, Judge McCauley was chosen a member of the house of delegates of Maryland and served as chairman of the com- mittee on education, which reported the new
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school law of 1865, one of the most important ineasures for the advancement of education cver adopted in the state. For a number of years he had taken an active part in the organization of public schools in Cecil County, and in 1851 was a member of the committee which framed the school law for the county. From 1834 he was a tireless worker in the cause of temperance and while in the legislature was a leader in securing a law closing drinking houses on election day. In the special session of the legislature in 1866 he made the first motion to exempt mortgages from tax- ation. In 1868 lie was appointed school com- missioner for the third district, and served as president of the board of school commissioners until December of that year, when he was ap- pointed by the governor as chief judge of the orphans' court, serving out an unexpired term of nearly three years. He was afterward clected judge for six consecutive terms of four years each, his last term expiring in November, 1895.
Judge McCauley was married November 27, 1834, to Miss Sarah Beard, who died in 1846, leaving five children: Elizabeth, widow of Richard G. Reese; Mary, her twin sister, and the wife of R. T. Crouch; John; Rachel; and Hannah Louise, who married J. T. Vates. In 1849 Judge Mc- Cauley married Miss Melicent R. Price, who was a daughter of Jacob Price and who died in April, '1890, leaving three children, Helen A., James J. and Hattie S. James J. married Miss Etheland Gallagher, and they, with their two children, Elsie R. and Jay Hayes, reside in District No. 3. Miss Helen A. McCauley is a graduate of the Maryland State Normal School, and was prin- cipal of the Leeds school for several years, but is now conducting a private class in Latin. She has made a specialty of botany and has prepared a collection of the plants of Cecil County, contain- ing over five hundred specimens, properly clas- sified. Her intellectual attainments are of a high order. She is a member of the Methodist Protest- ant Church and has been superintendent of the Sunday-school for three years.
Rev. James Andrew MeCauley, D. D., LL. D., ex-president of Dickinson College in Pennsyl- vania, was a first cousin of Judge McCauley. He
was born in Mechanics Valley, Cecil County, October 7, 1822, and died December 12, 1896. For sixteen years he was president of Dickinson College, and his death was deeply mourned by all who knew him.
Judge McCauley was a man of deep religious feeling, a very active member of the Methodist Protestant Church at Leeds, and in 1885 he was instrumental in securing the erection of a new house of worship. Through his efforts largely, in 1895 a monument was erected in the Leeds cemetery to the memory of Miss Sarah Wilson, who in 1816 organized the first Sunday-school in Cecil County. When a young man he com- menced to write poetry, and during the last half- century of his life contributed many articles in prose and a number of poems to the newspapers of the county. July 4, 1876, he delivered the centennial oration at Elkton, Md., which received the commendation of the press and all who heard it. He held friendship inviolable, home ties sacred, was trne to every trust committed to his care, and over his life record there falls no shadow of wrong. He passed away January 25, 1897, and the memory of his useful life remains as a bene- diction to all who knew him.
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