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 51
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 51
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The first representative of the Grier family who made settlement in the United States was James Grier, son of John, and father of our subject. From his native country, Ireland, he crossed the ocean to this country and established his home in
Chester County, Pa., where he afterward engaged in farming, and also carried on a pottery near Oxford, Pa. His death occurred on the home farm in Chester County when he was eighty-two years of age. Twice married, his first wife, who was in maidenhood Elizabeth Patterson, bore him five children, as follows: Eliza and J. Patterson, deceased; Mrs. Helen Johnson, of Saratoga, N. Y .; Caroline, deceased; and James A., who was born February 26, 1817, and was bereft of a mother's care a few days afterward, his mother passing away March 4. The second marriage of James Grier united him with Martha Hindman, and they had the following children: Melinda, wife of Jolin Hooker; Franklin, deceased; Mary Ann; Martha, who is married and lives in Illinois; William, also a resident of Illinois; and Thomas, formerly of Martin's Ferry, Va., but now de- ceased.
In his native place, Chester County, Pa., the subject of this biography was reared and edu- cated. At the age of sixteen be began an ap- prenticeship to the trade of a carpenter in Phila- delphia, and at the expiration of his term of three years he continued in that city, following his trade for two years. He then went to Baltimore County, settling near Towson, where he was sim- ilarly employed a number of years. Later he removed to Washington, where he remained about twenty-five years, being there during the entire period of the war. In 1861 he built for Barnett Clark the house where he now resides, which is the property of John P. Grier, and hither he re- moved from Washington in 1894.
Mr. Grier married Mary Jane Thomas, of Har- ford County. Nine children were born of their union, namely: Sultina, wife of J. T. Harkins; Mortimer, deceased; James, who makes his home in Winchester, Va .; John P., a prosperous farni- er, with whom our subject resides; Ralph, who resides in Washington; Mary, who married Edgar Tuchton; Lorenzo, of Chestnut Hill; Elmore, residing in this district; and Emantos, now in Colorado. Fraternally Mr. Grier is connected with Mt. Ararat Lodge of Masons, at Bel Air, and in the days before the war he was associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but
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has not continued his membership. An active worker in the Methodist Protestant Church, he has been superintendent and a teacher in the Sunday-school for some time, and maintains a deep interest in every department of church work. His duties of citizenship have always been faitlı- fully performed.
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BEL MEARNS. . Cecil County lost one of its best citizens when Abel Mearns died here in 1848. His life had been replete with useful deeds, deeds which have benefited his fellow-men and materially . added to the resources of the county in whose advancement he took such pride. As lie was not an old man when he died, he might reasonably have anticipated many more years of activity and years in which to enjoy the fruits of his constant labors. Born in District No. 9, where his entire life was passed, he had no factitious aids for advancement, but at an early age became inured to habits of industry and frugality. He learned, too, that there is no royal road to wealth in the United States, but he had the advantage of becoming imbued with the thought that men may become the architects of their own fortunes. With such an incentive to success, he labored diligently and perseveringly in the cultivation of his property and the man- agement of his financial interests.
The son of Andrew Mearns, a native of Ireland and a farmer of Cecil County, the subject of this memoir was reared on the home farm and was early anxious to assist in its cultivation. The estate purchased by his father was very large, but subsequent division among the heirs has materially reduced the acreage of the old home- stead, which now contains one hundred and thirty-two acres. ' As soon as he reached man- hood he began farming for himself and as he was energetic he accumulated a competency in his chosen occupation. In politics he was a Demo- crat, but not active.
ing wife and devoted children forming the house- hold to which he could always turn for sympathy amid discouragements and with whom he could rejoice in prosperity. His wife, Mary, was a daughter of Robert Cameron, and eleven children were born to them, nine of whom attained mature years, and six are living, as follows: Frances, Vianna and Semilia, who reside at the old home- stead; Josephine, who lives in Wilmington, Del .; Andrew F. and Robert A., who are farmers of District No. 9. The most of the children are con- nected with the Presbyterian Church.
Personally Mr. Mearns was a man of com- panionable nature, genial and kind in his inter- course with all. He was ever ready to respond to the calls of his fellow-men in any way that he could be of assistance. This district continued to be his home until his death, at the age of fifty - one years, and he was always interested in any measure that tended to enlarge the local resources. His life was not an exciting or eventful one, but was marked by simple acts of kindness and by strict integrity of character. He was less a man of words than of actions, and when he spoke it was for a purpose and with the firmness of con- victions formed after careful study. He is affec- tionately remembered by the many who held him in the highest esteem.
AFAYETTE BRADLEY, who resides in District No. 6, Cecil County, is one of the highly esteemed citizens of the community, and devotes his energies to general farming. He is a native of the neighboring state of Pennsyl- . vania, his birth having occured in Chester County, near the town of West Chester, in 1824. He there lived until four years of age, when, on the deatlı of his father, he was taken to Cochranville, the same county, and was there reared on a farm, early becoming familiar with all the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. His education
Mr. Mearns was happiest in his home, a lov- was acquired in both the common and subscrip-
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tion schools, and reading, experience and obser- vation in later years have made him a well-in- formed man. He remained with the family on the farmn until twenty-one years of age, and then followed farming and butchering on his own ac- count. In 1869 he removed to Rowlandsville, where for the long period of twenty-two years he served as station agent, discharging his duties with promptness and ability, and to the satisfac- tion of all concerned. On the expiration of that period he purchased his present farming property in District No. 6, and since 1891 has continuously made his home tliereon.
Mr. Bradley was united in marriage with Miss Nancy J. Smith, and their union has been blessed with a family of five children: Ira, who has charge of the station at Rowlandsville; Sarah C., Alfonso, Emma and Lizzie. Prompted by a spirit of patriotism, Mr. Bradley entered the Union ser- vice during the Civil War, enlisting in 1864 as a private of the Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, in which he served for one year. He was a brave and loyal soldier, and is alike true to his duties of citizenship in days of peace as he was in the time of war, when he followed the old flag on southern battlefields. His long service as station agent at Rowlandsville made him widely known in Cecil County, and his sterling worth gained him the high regard of all with whom he came in contact.
E. BROMWELL, M. D. Prominent among the professional men and leading citizens of Cecil County is this gentleman, whose name is found high on the rolls of the leading medical practitioners of northern Maryland. Those sterling qualities of character which everywhere command respect have brought to him the highest regard, and he has made an untarnished record and tin- spotted reputation as a business man.
The doctor was born on a farm which is still his home, in District No. 7, Cecil County, Febru- ary 28, 1827, and is a son of William Bromwell, a native of Philadelphia, who spent the greater
part of his life in Baltimore. The grandfather, also named William, resided for many years in Cecil County. The father was long engaged in the lumber business in Baltimore and in 1825 came to Cecil County, where he purchased the old homestead now owned by the doctor. He died in 1827, at the age of forty-nine, and his wife passed away in 1858, aged sixty-six years. They were the parents of eight children, namely: George, Thomas, Martha, Mary, Beulah, Deb- orah, Samuel and Robert.
Dr. Broniwell, the only survivor of this family, was reared on a farm and acquired his primary education in the common schools, after which he attended the West Nottingham Academy. When eighteen years of age he began teaching, and for eighteen months followed that profession. In the meantime he commenced reading medicine under the direction of Dr. Henry B. Broughton, and in 1848 entered the medical department of the University of Maryland, where, on the com- pletion of a thorough course, he graduated in the class of 1850. In the winter of 1851 he pursued a post-graduate course in the same institution, and throughout his career he has been a close student of liis profession, gaining by his extensive reading and study a comprehensive and accurate knowl- edge of the science of medicine. From the begin- ning he has enjoyed a large practice, and his skill and ability have gained him high rank among his professional brethren. He has always made his home upon his farm, which comprises seventy- five acres of rich and arable land, and personally superintends its cultivation.
Dr. Bromwell was married in 1860 to Miss Josephine Evans, daughter of Levi H. Evans. They had three children. Mary, the eldest, died at the age of ten years. William is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University, in which he also took a post-graduate course with the degree of Ph. D., and is now a professor of chemistry. Florence is a graduate of Mrs. Carey's College and Southern Home School of Baltimore. The doctor's home is noted for its hospitality, and forms the center of a cultured society circle. He is a member of the Cecil County Medical Society. In politics he is a Democrat, and on that ticket
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was elected county commissioner in 1873. In all places and under all circumstances he is loyal to truth, honor and right, justly valuing his own self-respect as infinitely more to be preferred than wealth, fame and position. In those finer traits of character which combine to form that which we term friendship he is royally endowed.
LI S. SENTMAN. Strong hands, a clear head, tireless energy, and a correct idea of the importance of economy and honesty to the young man who seeks financial success, con- stituted the sum total of Mr. Sentman's capital at the beginning of his business career. The pros- perity which he has gained demonstrates and emphasizes the value of such endowments. He is now the owner of a well-improved farm in Dis- trict No. 7, Cecil County, where he makes his home; also several houses in Perryville, this county, and considerable real estate. In addition, he has gained a reputation as one of the most re- liable contractors in northern Maryland. Thor- oughly familiar with the carpenter's trade and reliable and honest in even the smallest details, his services are sought not only in this county, but elsewhere. Among thie contracts he has had may be mentioned those for several large business blocks and residences in Philadelphia, a factory at Marion, Ind., the remodeling of the opera house at Havre de Grace, and the building of the schoolhouse at the same place, the latter costing $20,000; Isaac Hecht's new hotel; also architect and builder of New Myer's store, and some of the principal stores and dwelling houses of Har- ford and Cecil Counties.
The birth of Eli S. Sentman occurred near New London, Chester County, Pa., April 25, 1833, his parents being Michael and Catherine (McMillan) Sentman, natives, respectively, of Berks and Chester Counties. His father, when quite small, accompanied his parents to Chester County, where he engaged in farming until 1838, and then came
to Cecil County. Here he operated as a renter until he died, at eighty-two years. During the War of 1812 he served in the defense of Balti- more, and was there at the time Ross was killed. Politically he was a stanch Democrat. His father, Lawrence Sentman, was born in Lorraine, Ger- inany, whence at the age of eighteen he came to America with a brother and settled in Berks County, purchasing a farm there. The remainder of his life was given to farm work, with the ex- ception of the eight years that he served in the colonial army under Capt. Alexander. He was present at the battle of Brandywine and at other struggles that made the Revolutionary War not- able. IIis death occurred when he was fifty-six years of age.
The mother of our subject was a daughter of John McCauley, a native of Dublin, Ireland, who emigrated to America and settled in Pennsylvania just six weeks before his daughter was born. She died at the age of eighty-four, and was survived by her entire family of nine children, the youngest of whom was then thirty-five years of age. John, the eldest, died when seventy; Lawrence was sixty-five when he passed away; Adelia, Mrs. George Peterson, was about sixty-three at the time of her death. Mary Ellen married Jona- than Sentman; Robert attained threescore and ten years; Margaret A. is the wife of John Ewing; Evan G. owns and occupies a farm at Principio, Cecil County; Eli S. is the next to the youngest of the family; Phineas B. resides in District No. 7, Cecil County.
When eighteen years of age our subject began to learn the carpenter's trade and served an ap- prenticeship of three years, after which he entered the employ of the Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad Company, and was foreman for them about two years. Since that time he has engaged in contracting. April 18, 1855, he married Sophia Jackson, of Cecil County. They have seven children, namely: Robert Newton, an employe of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Com- pany; Norman M., a carpenter, employed as fore- man for his father; Alderman B., by trade a ship joiner and car builder; Laura M., wife of William Blackson; Victor, a carpenter, connected with his
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father in business; Alexander J., who is engincer on the Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad; and Charles Arthur, a painter by occu- pation.
While Mr. Sentman has been conservative in business matters, yet he is not too much so, but is quick to see an advantage to be gained by in- vestment. All his business transactions are char- acterized by the strictest integrity and the most sernpulous honesty. A Democrat in politics, he was commissioner of Cecil County in 1884-85, but with that exception has refused public office. Fraternally he is identified with Harmony Lodge No .: 53, A. F. & A. M., at Port Deposit. Per- sonally he is a man of prepossessing appearance, with a face so free from the usual indications of age that few would suppose him to be as old as he really is. In all respects he is an exemplary citizen. Simple in his tastes and devoted to his interesting family, he finds liis greatest happiness in the quietude of his home circle. He is a thor- ough master of his business and interested in any- thing looking toward its advancement.
TEPHEN ATKINSON. For many years Mr. Atkinson has enjoyed a reputation as a substantial farmer and progressive citizen. In that part of Cecil County where he makes his home he is well and favorably known, and his long experience in agricultural affairs renders his judgment sound and his advice valuable. While his farm is not as large as many others in the county, it is so well improved that it brings the owner a fair income. " The eighty-five acres com- prising the place are situated in District No. 5, and, during the years they have been in the pos- session of the present proprietor, have been placed under first-class cultivation.
Alexander Atkinson, father of our subject, was born and reared in Ireland, whence in young manhood he emigrated to the United States and settled in Cecil County. His education was a good one, and he utilized it in his work as a
school teacher, having charge of a school near Rising Sun. The broad information he possessed upon all topics of general interest rendered him a most companionable man, and his friends were many in this locality. The family of which he was a member ranked among the influential people in Ireland and a vast fortune in that country came to them, his share in the property being considerable. He was preparing to return to his native land to prove his claim to the estate, but was taken ill and soon afterward died, this being about 1825. Later the family attempted to secure the property, but every effort was futile .. He was a man of sincere Christian belief and held membership in the Methodist Church. By his marriage to Elizabeth Mahoney he had eiglit children, but Stephen alone survives.
At the home farm in District No. 5, Cecil County, the subject of this sketch was born July 17, 1820. During boyhood years he attended school in the winter months, when work on the farm was impossible, but his summers were de- voted to tilling the soil and harvesting the grain. Inheriting from his father a fondness for books and a desire for knowledge, he took advantage of every opportunity for increasing his fund of in- formation, and is now well posted upon topics of historical and scientific nature. At the age of eighteen he secured employment as a farm hand, and saved his earnings until he had a sufficient amount to enable him to purchase property for himself. About 1855 he bought the place where he has since engaged in general farming. He has never mingled in public affairs and aside from voting the Democratic ticket has taken no part in local elections. In the Methodist Protestant Church he has been class leader and trustee for many years.
June 23, 1842, occurred the marriage of Mr. Atkinson and Hannah Maria, daughter of William Ramsey, of Bay View, Cecil County. Ot the children that were born to this union, all but two are living. They are named as fol- lows: Theresa, wife of Oliver Logan, a resident of District No. 5; William, who makes his home at Porter's Bridge, in District No. 8; Wesley, living in Pennsylvania; Martha Jane, wife of
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John D. Barrett, of Port Deposit; Norris M., who lives near the old homestead; Benjamin T., living near his father's place; Ida; Emma, wife of I. Corsett, of North East; and Thompson R., who resides at Childs Station, this county. Those de- ceased are Stephen Jolm and Millard R.
ILLIAM H. BOOTH was born May 18, 1853, in District No. 2, Cecil County, in what is called Back Creek Neck, near Chesapeake City. The family of which he is a member originated in England, the first of the name in this country being his grandparents. In 1829 they crossed the Atlantic, accompanied by eleven children, two others remaining in Eng- land, the oldest son, James, and a daugliter. James spent his entire life in his native land, where he died, unmarried, at the age of ninety; the sister also died, unmarried, when about ninety years old. Of the eleven children that came to the United States, Jolin was the oldest, and he engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred near Leeds; Henry was a farmer in Chester County, Pa .; Charles was a miller and made his home in Chester, Pa .; William owned and cultivated a farm in Harford County, Md .; Mary Ann, who was twice married, was first the wife of Moses Whitworth, and afterward married David Fulton, .dying near Leeds; Adam was a commission merchant in Baltimore, and was killed during the riots at the breaking out of the Civil War; George went to Pittsburg, Pa., where his descendants now live; Richard, who went to Cali- fornia in 1849, was reported to have made a for- tune, but all trace of his whereabouts was lost; of Isaac, too, nothing is now known. The father of this family was a weaver in England, where he invented, and put in operation, in a crude way, the first power mill for weaving cloth. Instead of being regarded as a public benefactor, he was persecuted by all the weavers of his locality, and his buildings were burned down, this doubtless being one of the reasons that led him to emigrate
to America. He continued weaving after liis set- tlement in the United States, until advancing years rendered constant labor impossible. He died at the age of eiglity-seven, and his wife, Elizabeth (Carter) Bootli, when eighty-five.
The father of our subject, Josepli Booth, was born in Lancashire, England, April 9, 1811, and accompanied his parents to America in 1829. For many years he resided on the farm now owned and occupied by our subject, and here he engaged in farming and stock-raising. In addition, he was an extensive dealer in ice, and a large manu- facturer of ice cream. His was a busy and useful life, and he maintained his activities until he passed away, December 20, 1891. The lady whom he married was Barbara Ann Schuh, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1820, and died in ISS4. She had a brother, Emanuel, who entered the Union army as a member of the Third New Jer- sey Infantry and was killed in the two days' fight at the battle of Gettysburg, Pa .; she also had one sister, Hannah, Mrs. Michael Barry, who resided at Dobson's Mill, near Philadelphia, until her death, in 1879. Their father, Emanuel G. Schuli, was born in Germany, and at an early age accom- panied his parents to America, settling in Phila- delphiia, where he was apprenticed to Barnard McMann, the well-known seedsman, and learned the gardening business, which he afterward fol- lowed. His last days were spent in Elkton and he died here September 3, ISSo, at the age of eighty-four.
Of the eleven children of Joseph and Barbara Booth, we note the following: Hannah, born Feb- ruary 20, 1840, became the wife of William Quinn, of Philadelphia, and after his death married Rob- ert Hamilton, of the same city. John E., who enlisted in the Union army in 1863, as a member of Parnell's Cavalry of Wilmington, Del., was killed by a sharpshooter in front of Petersburg June 22, 1864. Lydia Ann is unmarried and re- sides in Elkton. Ann Elizabeth died at the age of two years. George, born October 26, 1848, married, December 15, 1881, Mrs. H. M. Mack, of Philadelphia, and they have two children liv- ing, Edgar and Sadie; his home is now in Elkton, where he has been a prominent business man.
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Isaac was born in 1850 and died in 1852. Mary Jeannette is married and has one son. Josephinc is the wife of George W. Revell, a latter in Balti- more, and they have two children, Leon L. F. and Josephine M. William H., of Elkton, in 1894 married Miss Ellen D., daugliter of the late Dan- iel Bratton and sister of W. D. Bratton, of the Cecil News; they have two children, Susan Brat- ton and Henrietta. Joseph R. and Algemine D. botlı died young.
The homestead of fifty-seven acres William H. Booth has purchased, and in addition to the cul- tivation of this property he manufactures ice cream on a large scale, making about thirty-five hundred gallons a season. Politically he is inde- pendent. The family is identified with the Pres- byterian Church.
ILLIAM R. COOLEY, deceased, was for many years a leading and influential citi- zen of Cecil County. His sterling worth, his straightforward and honorable business meth- ods and his many excellent traits of character commended hint to the confidence and respect of all, and at his death the entire community recog- nized that a most valuable citizen had passed from their midst. He belonged to one of the old and honored families of the county, and was born on the Cooley homestead in 1847. His grandfather, John Cooley, was born in the vicinity of Man- chester, N. H., and was the first of the name to locate in Maryland. He was of French lineage.
Corbin Cooley, the father of our subject, was born in Harford County, near Darlington, and in ante-bellum days was a large slave-owner and a very prominent and influential planter. One of his old slaves, Uncle George, as he is called, still lives with the family, and is now one hun- dred years of age. Corbin Cooley was united in marriage with Miss Mary Shaw, whose birth . occurred almost within the shadow of Westmin- ster Abbey, London, England. She crossed the Atlantic from England to America when seven
years of age, and by her marriage she became the mother of eight children, four of whom are now living, namely: J. P., of South Dakota; Dr. C. O., of Minnesota; Emma, wife of D. W. Hutchinson, of Downington, Pa .; and Mary, wife of R. L. Christie, of Colora. The father of this family died on the old homestead November 13, 1876, at the age of seventy-six years. He gave his political support to the Democracy and did all in his power to promote its growth and insure its success, but never held public office.
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