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 52
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 52
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William R. Cooley was liberally educated, pur- suing his studies in West Nottingham Academy. He remained at home until about 1869, when he went to South Dakota, where he engaged in farm- ing for one year, and in speculating in govern- ment land. In 1870, however, he returned to the old family homestead, where he lived until called. to his final rest. He owned two hundred acres of rich and arable land, and was a progressive and enterprising farmer, whose careful supervision was indicated by the neat and thrifty appearance of his place. He dealt largely in stock, buying and selling cattle on an extensive scale, and his operations in this direction were very successful. By his energy, perseverance and fine business ability lie was enabled to secure an ample com- petence, Systematic and methodical in business, his sagacity, keen discrimination and sound judg- ment made him one of tlie prosperous agricul- turists and stock dealers of his county.
On the 8th of October, 187S, Mr. Cooley was united in marriage with Miss Charlotte Russell, daughter of Edward T. Russell, who belonged to one of the old families of Cecil County. Her mother was a descendant of the Ewing family, whose identification with the interests of northern Maryland dated back to the days of the Indian wars. Mr. and Mrs. Cooley had two children, Jenzie Coulson and Marion Russell.
Mr. Cooley exercised his right of franchise in support of the Democracy, and in 1885 was elected county commissioner, acceptably and faith- fully serving in that capacity for three years. He was a member of the Farmers' Club, the Home Literary Society, and one of the leading members of the Nottingham Presbyterian Church. Cecil
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County is indebted to him for the efforts he put forth' on her behalf. Social, educational and moral interests were promoted by him, and any- thing that tended to uplift and benefit humanity sccured his hearty co-operation. He was a true citizen, a good neighbor, a faithful friend and a loving husband and father, and all who knew him deeply mourned his death.
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DWIN E. EWING, editor and proprietor .of the MMidland Journal, of Rising Sun, is con- ducting his paper with signal success and ability, and also does an extensive business in job printing. He is a native of Cecil County, born in District No. 8, in 1824, and is a worthy repre- sentative of one of the prominent pioneer families of Maryland. His great-grandfather, Joshua 'Ewing, was a native of Scotland, and on crossing the Atlantic with his brother Nathaniel, he settled in District No. S, Cecil County. He was a son of William Ewing, who spent his active life amid the beautiful hills of Scotland. Patrick Ewing, the grandfather of our subject, became one of the prominent and influential citizens of Cecil County, and for many years served as squire of Octoraro Hundred, as it was then called, now District No. 8. When the colonies resolved to throw off the yoke of British oppression he joined their ranks and was commissioned captain in the continental army.
Patrick Ewing, Jr., the father of Edwin E., was one of the representative and leading farmers of Cecil County, who took quite a prominent part in public affairs and served as county commis- sioner for some time. In politics he was a Jack- sonian Democrat. His death occurred in 1864. As a companion on life's journey he chose Miss Isabella Evans, of Lancaster County, Pa., whose father was a prominent farmer, banker and mer- chant of that county. By their marriage they became the parents of seven children: Edwin E., of this review; Theodore, who resides on the old homestead in District No. 8, Cecil County; Will-
iam P., a resident of New York; Jane Anne, of this district: Rebecca F. M. , widow of W. J. Evans, and a resident of Rising Sun; E. Caroline, twin sister of Rebecca, and the wife of J. Nelson Black. of Charlestown, District No. 5, Cecil County; and Margaret I., wife of James Evans.
The boyhood and youth of Edwin E. Ewing were spent in attending school during the winter months and in assisting in the labors of the farm during the summer scason until sixteen years of age, when he began devoting his entire attention to agricultural pursuits, remaining with his father until 1861. He then went to Elkton, where be purchased the Cecil Whig, an old-established newspaper, and carried on the printing and news- paper business for fifteen years. On selling out in 1876, he went to Topeka, Kan., where he con- ducted a grocery store for a short time and then, in partnership with Maj. J. K. Hudson, he pur- chased the Kansas Farmer, which they conducted until 1880. They also established the Daily Capital; which is still one of the best papers of that city. At the end of three years Mr. Ewing sold out his interest, and removed to Highlands, N. C., where he established the Blue Ridge En- terprise, a weekly journal. Three years later he returned to Rising Sun, Cecil County, and with his three sons purchased the Rising Sun Journal in IS85. They still conduct that paper, but have changed the name to the Midland Journal, which is published weekly, and is a bright, spicy paper. They also carry on general job printing and pub- lishing. The journal has an excellent circula- tion, a good advertising list, and the editorials show deep culture and sound common sense.
In 1863 Mr. Ewing married Miss Clara Vaughan, of Camden, N. J., a daughter of Dr. Vaughan, and one daughter blessed this union, Clara, now the wife of George Becson, of Coltiin- bus, Ohio. After the death of his first wife Mr. Ewing wedded Miss Emma McMurphy, of Elk- ton. They have three sons: Cecil, Evans and Halus, who are all in business with their father and are numbered among the steady-going and most reliable young men of Rising Sun. The family attend the Presbyterian Church. In his political affiliations Mr. Ewing is a Populist, and
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WILLIAM HOPE.
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he is an influential and prominent member of Cecil Grange, No. 3, of Rising Sun. During the Civil War he served as deputy assessor of internal revenue for his district, but he has never cared for the honors or emoluments of public office.
ILLIAM HOPE. This family was founded in America by James Hope, great-grand- father of the subject of this sketch, and a native of Scotland, whence in au early day he emigrated to this country, settling in Bucks County, Pa. In the development of a farm there, he spent a number of years. About 1771 he crossed the state line into Maryland, and estab- lished his home in Harford County, where he re- mained until death. A portion of his farm he donated to the Presbyterian Church for a building site and graveyard, and upon the lot now stands Bethel Church, a fine stone edifice, and the third house of worship that has been erected on the same site.
Thomas Hope, grandfather of our subject, was born in Bucks County, Pa., whence he came to Harford County and engaged in agricultural pur- suits. He died March 20, 1815, at the age of seventy-two, and was laid to rest in the Bethel Cemetery. Thomas Hope, Jr., our subject's father, was born in Harford County, and was a man of prominence here, which fact is proved by his continuous service as a member of thirteen sessions of the Maryland legislature. During the War of 1812 he served in the American army. Farming was his occupation, and in it he was very successful, accumulating a large property. He married Catherine Hutchins, who was born in Baltimore County, Md., and unto their union were born eight children, of whom William and Ellen are the only survivors.
Near the farm which he now owns, in District No. 4, Harford County, the subject of this sketch was born January 9, 1818. Here he was edu- cated, and here he has been content to spend his
entire life thus far. Like his forefathers, he is a farmer, and the proprietor of large landed inter- ests, his home place consisting of one hundred and thirty-four well-improved acres. In politics he has always been a Democrat of the "strictest sect," the principles and aims of his party ever being dear to his heart, and anything that seems to be an abandonment of them receives from him a most strenuous opposition. The only office he has ever held was that of state hay weigher in the city of Baltimore, to which he was appointed by Gov. Philip Thomas in 1843, serving for two years. He has never cared for official positions. It has always been characteristic of him to seek retirement rather than publicity, and for that reason he never occupied the public positions hc was so well qualified to fill. From his youth he has been a professor of the Christian religion, and in the Presbyterian Church for years has - been a member of the board of elders.
At the age of twenty-four Mr. Hope married Elizabeth E. Pocock, who was born in this district, the descendant of English ancestors who settled in America at a very early period of its history. She was a woman of many excellent qualities of head and heart, and attracted friends in every circle. In religious belief she was identified with Bethel Presbyterian Church. Her death occurred July 26, 1891, at the age of seventy-six, and was deeply mourned by him whose loving companion she had been through so many years.
OHN S. MITCHELL. Those who have en- gaged in the canning business in Harford County have found it so profitable that with- out doubt it will soon become a very important industry, adding thousands of dollars to the annual incomes of the people. The subject of this article, and his brother, E. Lewis, are among the most extensive growers and canners of sweet corn in the county, and that they have found the business remunerative is shown by their present prosperity. Their possessions aggregate about
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five hundred and fifty acres, subdivided into four farms, all of the land being excellent and under cultivation. Their home farm, situated in District No. 2, is well improved, containing all the buildings necessary to a first-class estate, and in addition a small canning factory. Here the visitor will also notice some fine trotting horses, which are being raised for the market and the turf.
The father of our subject, Evan, was a son of Parker Mitchell, who was born in Harford Connty and spent his entire life upon a farmi here. Evan was born in District No. 2 and was also an agriculturist by occupation, meet- ing with fair success in his ventures. His death occurred when he was sixty-four years of age. He was a man of considerable influence among his neighbors, who held him in the highest re- spect for his commendable traits of character. The Democratic principles received his support at the polis, but he did not take an active part in politics. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Frances Morgan, was born in Harford County and died here in 1866, when fifty-five years of age. Their family consisted of six children, named as follows: Thomas P., a farm- er of District No. 2; Hannah J., who died at eighteen years; E. Lewis, who is in partnership with our subject in farming and the canning business, and is unmarried, making his home with his brother, Jolin S .; Frances, who died at five years; and Morgan, a prominent fariner and canner residing in this district.
Born in this district in June, 1848, our sub- ject remained at home, assisting in the manage- ment of the property until the death of his fa- ther in 1872, when he and his brother, E. Lewis, purchased the interests of the other heirs in the estate. They still own the place, and from time to time have added to their possessions until they now own four good farms. In all their en- terprises they display cautious judgment, yet are not too conservative, having in their dispositions a happy medium between recklessness and business timidity. The success which they have already met is doubtless but a promise of what the future will bring to them in the management of their prop-
erty and business, and unless something unex- pected intervenes, it may safely be predicted that they will become wealthy.
In 1879 Mr. Mitchell married Sallie $., daugli- ter of Lewis Todd, of District No. 2. They are members of the Grove Presbyterian Church and take an interest in its work. Their family con- sists of two sons, Howard and Malcolm. In mat- ters political Mr. Mitchell always sympathizes with the Democratic party and votes for the men and measures it advocates. Fraternally he is connected with Aberdeen Lodge No. IS7, A. F. & A. M.
ILLIAM H. EDER. The prosperity of a place is dependent upon the growth and development of its real-estate interests, and it is therefore a matter of the highest im- portance that these should be in the hands of reliable, energetic and efficient business men, who will use their influence, not alone for selfish ends, but to secure the improvement of the city. It may safely be said of the subject of this article that he has materially assisted in improving the condition of Elkton and in promoting its real- estate interests. Through his efforts he has con- tributed to the prosperity of the village and is therefore entitled to a place among its public- spirited citizens.
On a farm situated on the Bethlehem pike, twenty-one miles from Philadelphia, in Mont- gomery County, Pa., the subject of our sketcli was born July 24, 1818. The family of which he is a member came to this country from Germany and settled in Pennsylvania, where his grandfa- ther, Mathias Eder. was a farmer, four miles from Williamsport. His several sons became scattered in different parts of the United States, and nothing is known of their descendants by the branch of the family to which our subject be- longs. One son, John, was born in Berks Coun- ty, Pa., in 1785, became a carpenter, and fol- lowed that occupation in Montgomery County
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until his death, in 1852. For many years lie was captain of militia there. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, for which services his widow was given a warrant for one hundred and sixty acres of government land.
The mother of our subject, Sarah, was a daugliter of Col. William Hines, a Revolutionary hero, and was of Irish descent. The founder of the family in America, Matthew Hines, who came to this country from Ireland in 1720, was tlie son of Lord Matthew Hines, member of the Irish parliament from 1697 to 1710. Matthew Hines first settled at Whitemarsh, where lie mar- ried Mrs. Ann Simpson, and became in time thie owner of about five hundred acres of land. His stepson, John Simpson, was the grandfather of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. Our subject's grand- father was a lieutenant in Captain Roberts' com- pany of volunteers, later became colonel in com- mand of a regiment of volunteers and as such served during the invasion of Philadelphia by the British. He died January 17, 1830, at the age of eighty. Dr. A. J. Hines, of Doylestown, Pa., is the only one of his sons now living. The mother of our subject died in 1867, at the age of eighty-one. She had three sons and an only daughter, Mary, who died at the age of eighteen years. One of the sons, Mathias, a carpenter, died in 1876; another son, John Q., now a resi- dent of Lomanda Park, near Los Angeles, Cal., was for many years in the railroad postal service between New York and Washington.
With no aids to success other than a limited education and good health, the subject of this notice began for himself when quite young. His first work was as a clerk. In1 1848 he came to Elkton, where he was engaged in the building business for twenty-one years. In 1861 he en- tered the United States railroad mail service, be- ing one of the first mail agents appointed under the new system. He continued in the service between New York and Washington continuously from 1861 to 1883, when he resigned. Since that time he has been extensively engaged in the real- estate and insurance business in Elkton. He is a member of the board of managers of the Cecil County Mutual Fire Insurance Company and a
member of the executive board. Other local en- terprises receive his assistance, among them the Elkton Cemetery Association, of which lie is a member. For thirty years he has been a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church and secretary of the board. In 1866 he was made a Mason, and is now the oldest member of Elkton Lodge. In 1852 he married Sarah, daughter of David Alexander, of Elkton. They have one son liv- ing, Fred, who lives on his father's faim and is connected with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Their daughter, Mary, married Harry H. Simpson, secretary and treasurer of the South Malleable Iron Works, of Philadelphia; in that city she died in 1891, leaving a son, Thomas Eder Simpson, who makes his home with his grandparents.
2 OBERT F. WRIGHT. There is no in- cident connected with the history of Cecil County more interesting to the people of to- day than that in which the illustrious Capt. John Smith was the central figure. Both in local and national history his name has an important place. His landing in America, his expeditions through the country, liis capture by the Indians and his . rescue from death by the Indian maiden, Poca- hontas, all possess a unique interest to him who studies the events of early days. A visitor to District No. 8 will invariably be shown the old Smithi fort farm, situated on the Lancaster and Port Deposit road, and the oldest farm in the county. Here it was that Captain Smith landed and here he established his headquarters, build- ing, to protect himself from the savages, a stone fort, the remains of which may still be seen. Later the place became a trading post for bar- ter and commerce with the Indians. In after years, when the Indians had souglit homes in the distant west far from the scenes of their former conquests and defeats, and when the ar- rival of white settlers had brought all the refine- ments of civilization, the place became a farm,
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and where once man sought the life of his fellow- man, the soil was now made to yield its increase in fruit and grain.
On this farm, with its one hundred and seventy-five acres of well-cultivated land, Robert F. Wright makes his home. He bought and settled upon the property in 1891, and has since engaged in general farming here. He is a meni- ber of an old Pennsylvania family that was founded there by his great-grandfather, a native . of Wales and a commissioned officer of the Revo- lutionary War. The grandfather, John Wright, was a native of Bucks County and attained the great age of one hundred and twelve years. Joseph, father of our subject, was born in Chester County and in youth learned the blacksmith's trade, but spent most of his life as a farmer upon his estate in Chester County. Politically a Re- publican, he was a prominent man in local affairs and wielded large influence among his neighbors. By his marriage to Marthia McDowell Ford, of Chester County, he had a family of eight cliil- dren, of whom three are living, namely: Robert F., Edward and George. His deatlı occurred in 1885, when he was seventy-seven years of age.
In Penn Township, Chester County, Pa., the subject of this sketch was born in 1833. His ed- ucation was obtained principally in New London. Academy in his native county, where he was a . student during the winter months. For two years he served an apprenticeship to the trade of wheelwright and coachmaker, and afterwards fol- lowed the carpenter's trade for a number of years, meantime working in Wilmington, Cleveland, Washington, Philadelphia and other cities. In 1862 he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Pennsylvania Infantry, under Capt. T. A. Hicks, and served for three and one- half years. Among the engagements in which he participated were those at Antietam, Hampton Roads and Harper's Ferry. At the expiration of his term of service he returned to Wilmington, where he was then employed as a carpenter. In 1891 he purchased his present home in Distriet No. 8.
Shortly after his return from the war Mr. Wright established a home of his own, choosing
as his wife Miss Mary E. Porter, an estimable lady, whose worth of character rendered her a fitting representative of one of the oldest families of Maryland. Her father, Robert Porter, was a descendant of a hero of the Revolution. She be- came the wife of Mr. Wright in 1866 and re- mained his efficient helpmate, sharing in his labors and rejoicing in his successes, until she passed away, June S, 1893. In the midst of the scenes familiar to her in life and associated with all she held most dear, she was laid to rest, mourned by many friends.
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JON. HENRY ROBINSON TORBERT, proprietor of the Cecil Whig, was born in Elkton, July 17, 1834. He is a member of a family formerly residents of Delaware, but for many years identified with the history of Cecil County. His grandfather, Rev. William Torbert, was a prominent Methodist minister of his day and belonged to the Philadelphia general confer- ence, holding pastorates in Pennsylvania, Dela- ware and on the eastern shore of Maryland, where he was well and favorably known. One of his most noticeable traits was his enthusiasm in be- half of the Methodist religion. The denomination had in him one of its most earnest and eloquent exponents. He gave his time, his life, to the promotion of the cause, deeming no sacrifice too great that would advance the welfare of the church. To such men as he, the Methodist Church owes its wonderful prosperity of the pres- ent day.
The father of our subject, William Torbert, was born in Delaware, but in early life came to Elkton, of which place he became the leading merchant, and occupied an influential position among the citizens of the village a half-century ago. He imbibed much of his father's enthusiasm for the advancement of Methodism, and to him the church in Elkton is indebted more than to any other member. For forty years he was its most active worker, the one to whom all turned for
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counsel, and whose advice was sought iu every enterprise inaugurated by the congregation. For an equally loug period he was superintendent of the Sunday-school. He was a man of irreproach- able character, integrity and sincerity, and no man was more esteemed than he by the people of Elkton and the surrounding country.
In June, 1832, William Torbert married Ada- line Matilda, granddaughter of William Silver, of Christiana, Del. They had four sons, of whom our subject was the eldest. One of them, W. F. Asbury, was, a man of ability and of broad intel- lect. At the outbreak of the war he joined the Second Delaware Infantry in the cause of the Union and was soon promoted to be major on the staff of General French, with whom he served during the whole peninsular campaign under General McClellan. In May, 1864, he was trans- ferred to the navy department as acting assistant paymaster and was attached to the iron-clad "Lehigii," of the South Atlantic blockade squad- ron, from that time to the close of the war. He became assistant paymaster in July, 1866, during which year he was on special duty at Pensa- cola. In September, 1868, he was commissioned paymaster and was on duty on the supply steamer "Massachusetts," on the steam sloop "Wampa- naag," on special duty on the practice ship "'Savannah," and in 1870 was assigned to thie "Idaho," at Yokahoma, Japan, where he remained until 1873. After his return from Japan he was assigned as paymaster of the receiving ship "Po- tomac," at the Philadelphia navy yard. During his service there he died, October 4, 1874, from congestion of the brain. His death was greatly lamented by his fellow-officers, who held him in the highest esteem. Another brother of our sub- ject, John, entered the army as a private in Anderson's Cavalry of Philadelphia and was pro- moted to be lieutenant on the staff of. liis cousin, Gen. A. T. A. Torbert, and served until the close of the war. The fourth son, Edwin J., died at Germantown, Pa., in October, 1886.
The early education of our subject was obtained in Elkton Academy, and in 1851 he entered Dick- inson College, Carlisle, Pa., where he graduated in June, 1855, carrying off the honors of the class.
He studied law in Elkton, and was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1857. Endowed by nature with more than ordinary advantages in personal appearance, voice and manner, he was a striking figure when he entered the bar of his native place, and had he continued in this profession no doubt he would have attained prominence at the bar, but hie relinquished it temporarily to devote his time to the business interests of his father. In 1862 hie resumed the practice and the following year was elected state's attorney, which office he filled with much credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. In January, 1866, he resigned to accept, at the hands of Judge Jolin H. Price, an appointment as clerk of the circuit court, death having caused a vacancy in that office. He re- mained in the position until the next general election, in 1867.
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