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 57
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 57
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Born and reared on the farm which is still his home, Mr. Kirk acquired his education in the common schools, and when twenty-one years of age began teaching, a profession which he fol- lowed until 1846, when he embarked in merchan- dising in Rising Sun with his eldest brother and Basil Haines. He continued in that line until 1850, when he sold his store. In 1852 he became a partner in the firm of Haines, Kirk & Stubbs. In 1857 he embarked in the hardware business, which he successfully continued until 1876. Since that time he has lived retired. He is a man of resourceful ability, of untiring energy and sound judgment, and carries forward to success- ful completion whatever he undertakes. In 1871 he was instrumental in organizing the National Bank of Rising Sun, and for the past ten years has served as its vice president, while from its es- tablishment he lias been a stockholder and direc- tor.
On the 21st of March, 1851, Mr. Kirk married Miss Hannah Mount, by whom he had one son, Mount E., the well-known hardware merchant of Rising Sun. After the death of his first wife he . was again married, in March, 1887, his second union being with Mrs. Mary J. Warner.
In 1848 Mr. Kirk was appointed postmaster of Rising Sun. He has long been one of the most prominent citizens of Cecil County, and in 1864 was honored by an election to the state legisla- ture, where he discharged his duties with marked ability. He was appointed school commissioner in 1886, serving for eight years, and in 1897 was re-appointed to fill out the unexpired term of F. S. Everist. His official duties have been marked by the exercise of good business judgment, abso- lute fidelity to the trust reposed in him and by courtesy to all with whom he has thus been brought in contact. He votes with the Republi- can party. To the Methodist Episcopal Church he has been a liberal contributor and withholds
his support from no interest calculated to prove of public benefit. His well-spent life has won him the unqualified regard of all, and his name is high on the roll of Cecil County's eminent citizens.
AMES H. QUINBY. The subject of this sketch has passed away, but this record shows that a man of Christian character, such as he possessed, is not soon forgotten. He was of English descent, his grandfather having emi- grated from England some time during the eight- eenth century and established a home in Morris County, N. J. There he was born in 1826, and there his early boyhood days were uneventfully passed, in school studies and farm work. During the Civil War he acted as private secretary to Col. John Smith. By occupation he was an agri- culturist, and for twenty-five years prior to his death he resided upon a farm in District No. 3, Harford County, where he raised various cereals and carried on an extensive dairy business.
In 1856 occurred the marriage of James H. Quinby and Nancy B. Farrand, daughter of Sam- uel Farrand, a well-known real-estate owner of Morris County. Eleven children were born of their union and of that number five are now living. namely: Amie K., of Morris County, N. J., wife of C. W. Wingfield, of Richmond, Va .; Eliza- betli; Carrie S., who married B. F. Howell; James H .; and Bertha A., Mrs. Thomas H. Hanway. Since the death of her husband, which occurred August 26, 1892, at the age of sixty-six, the widowed mother has made her home with her son, James H., Jr.
By the people of his community, Mr. Quinby is remembered as one of its solid citizens, a man of sterling character, and upright in his dealings with his fellow-men. Thoroughly absorbed in his farming interests, he never sought the honors of office or the responsibilities of public life. His ventures were crowned with success, and the re- sults of his keen judgment and great energy
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netted him a competence. A man of strong con- victions, and an earnest, public-spirited citizen, he hield the regard of all his acquaintances.
James H. Quinby, Jr., was educated at St. John's College, Anapolis, and was a member of the class of 18S7, with which he would have graduated had not the death of his two brothers made it necessary for him to return home and take charge of the farm. In 1895 he purchased the old homestead, which contains one hundred and fifty acres, and here lie has since engaged in farming and the dairy business. In 1891 he was united in marriage with Emma H., daughter of Dr. A. S. Baldwin, of Baltimore County. They have one son, named James A. They are identi- fied with the Presbyterian Church, of Bel Air, in which his father was a trustee for many years.
AMES W. GLADDEN, the founder of the postoffice and station of The Rocks, is a prominent farmer and successful business man of District No. 5, Harford County. He is a descendant of Scotch-Irish ancestors, men and women of worth of character and firmness of con- victions, a race that has had its influence upon the history of our nation. The first of the family in this country was his great-grandfather, who came to America in a very early day. The grandfather, William Gladden, was a native of York County, Pa., whence he removed to Har- ford County during the latter part of the eighteenth century. During the War of 1812 he served in the American army, and participated in a number of engagements with the enemy.
The father of our subject, Jacob Gladden, was born on the farm where James W. now lives, and here his life was actively passed in the cultiva- tion of his land. By his marriage to Jane Wil- son, who was born in this county, he had eight children, but only two are living, James W. and Hannahı J., Mrs. Archibald Wilson, of this dis- trict. The occupation followed by the Gladden
family, as far back as the record can be traced, has been that of agriculture. On the farin where he now resides, the subject of this sketch was born February 23, 1835. Here he was reared to a knowledge of fari work and an understanding of all its details. He has made agriculture his vocation and in it has gained prosperity. How- ever, he has had other interests and at different times has engaged in otlier enterprises. As men- tioned, lie founded and built what is called The Rocks postoffice, and from the rental of the pop- ular pic-nic grounds there, which he owned, he received considerable money. For three years he ran the Glen store and sawmill.
At the age of thirty-eight Mr. Gladden inar- ried Blanche Richardson, of this county. Eight children were born of their union, namely: Harry R., S. Walter, James W., William, Bertram, Margaret J., Anna E. and Harriet. The Glad- den estate comprises two hundred and twenty acres, bearing good improvements, and devoted to general farming. The owner is a man of marked enterprise and executive ability, and in his business relations his energetic character and practical sagacity find abundant room for exer- cise. Throughout his life he has kept his powers of observation on the alert and has a fund of in- formation that is quite valuable. He takes an active interest in politics and is a Democrat, first, last and all the time.
HEODORE EWING has been the proprie- tor of the Ewing homestead in Cecil County since 1869, and as a result of industry, pru- dence and frugality, has brought under excellent cultivation what is now one of the best farms in District No. 8. His landed possessions aggregate two hundred and fifty acres of land, with suitable farin buildings, some live stock, and the other appurtenances of a country estate. In: his young- er years he was a carpenter and for a long time followed that occupation, but since turning his
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attention to agriculture he has done no carpen- tering except such as is necessary in the conduct of his homestead.
The Ewings of Maryland are all descendants of Joshna Ewing, who was born in the north of Scotland, on the Dundee River, and from there crossed the ocean to America, making settlement in 1680 upon the place now occupied by Theo- dore. Little else is known of him save his name and the date of his emigration. However, it may safely be supposed that he was a man of courage and enterprise, fitted by nature to brave the hard- ships and inconveniences of life in a new country, . in whose forests savages still lurked and wild animals roamed. Patrick, son of Joshua, had a son also named Patrick, who was the father of our subject. He was born on the old homestead, which he occupied throughout his entire life, en- gaging in its cultivation. Here his death oc- curred in 1869, when he was seventy-six years of age. By his marriage to Isabel Evans, of Penn- sylvania, he had a family of seven children, named as follows: Edwin E., Theodore, William P., Jane Anna, Rebecca, Elizabeth and Margaret.
This old homestead was the birthplace of our subject, and he was born in 1826. When quite young he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for eigliteen years in different parts of the south, especially in Georgia and Alabama. On the death of liis father in 1869, he returned to Cecil County and has since carried on the home farm, which has been in the possession of the fam- ily since 1680. In 1858 he was united in mar- riage with Miss Elizabeth Matherson, who, like himself, is an earnest Christian and in sympathy with the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church. Their two daughters and one son are named as follows: Arabella, wife of William T. Frier; Georgia, who married Michael Mckinney; and Albert, who remains on the home farm, to the possession of which he will succeed, thus re- taining the property in the Ewing name. While living in Georgia, Mr. Ewing was identified with the lodge of Odd Fellows at Augusta. Heis well and favorably known, not only as a representa- tive of one of the oldest families of this section, but as a man who honors the name he bears, one
who has unselfishly administered to the comfort of a large number of people, and who counts among his close friends the best people of the district. When he was young he did not have the educational advantages that Cecil County now offers its young people: the knowledge he pos- sesses has been acquired by experience in the school of life and by contact with men in business affairs. To him and such as he, Cecil County owes much, for their labors have brought about the present encouraging condition of farming af- fairs and the enlargement of local industries.
HOMAS B. DALLAM. We are glad to present to the many friends of the late Thomas B. Dallam this sketch of his life, outlining the principal events in his career. A man of genial nature and conscientious character, he died when the shadows of life's brief day were beginning to fall toward the west and when the sun was sweeping in its orbit to the twilight's horizon. A loved and loving husband, his pass- ing away, even though the quiet and happy close of a busy life, was a deep bereavement to his wife, who had ever been his affectionate helpmate and who by his death was left alone.
Many of the traits that seemed mnost admirable in the character of Mr. Dallam were his by inher- itance, for he was a member of an old and honored Quaker family, and personally always held allegiance to the Society of Friends. His birth occurred in Baltimore in 1819, and his an- cestors had been for several generations identified with the history of that city. There occurred the birth of his father, William, who was for many years a merchant in that place, and the residents of the city during the early part of the present century were quite well acquainted with him.
The family being well-to-do, the subject of this sketch was given excellent advantages in an edu- cational way. He attended private schools in
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JOHN FLETCHER PRICE.
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Baltimore, and Newark, Del., and also prosecuted his studies for a time in the Friends' school at Westtown. When a iad he came to Harford County, and in early manhood he settled upon the farm now owned by Janics Andrews, making it his home for some time, and keeping "bachelor's hall." However, this kind of life was not entirely congenial, and he determined to change it for one happier and more agreeable. At the age of forty-five he chosc as his wife Miss Ellen Hopkins, daughter of John W. Hopkins, and a most cstimable lady, who brightened the declining years of his life by hier care and atten- tion. He continued to reside there until his death, which occurred in ISSI, at the age of sixty-two ..
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OHN FLETCHER PRICE, formerly super- intendent of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, was one of Cecil County's most dis- tinguished men. Personally he was genial, affable, and whole-souled, in intellect discrimi- nating, in mental acumen keen and far-reaching, with a natural faculty for business pursuits. The long period of his connection with the canal com- pany as assistant superintendent, and later as superintendent, proved the confidence reposed in him, a confidence that he never abuscd. His was not a life of stirring events, but was characterized by the quict discharge of daily duties as business man and as citizen.
The Price family was founded in this country about 1726, their first home being in Delaware, where succeeding generations resided, engaged mostly in agricultural pursuits. Mr. Price was born in that state October 4, 1837, the son of John R. and Mary Price. His maternal grand- mother bore the name of Hester Allinan, and was the descendant of an old and aristocratic English family, whose first representatives in America cante to this country from England in 1630. Mr. Price was given an excellent education in the seminary at Pottstown, Pa. In :862 he was ap-
pointed assistant superintendent of the Chiesa- peake and Delaware Canal, and in IS77 was promoted to the position of general superintend- ent, which had previously been held by his father. In that capacity he continued to serve until his death, May 27, 1896, at the age of about fifty-nine years. Interested in public affairs, he was well posted concerning the issues of the age and always supported Democratic principles.
The lady who for years was the devoted wife of Mr. Price and who now survives him, bore the maiden name of Mary C. Clayton, and was born in Delaware April 20, 1855. She was given a good education at home, where she studied under a governess, and remained with her parents until she left their home for that of her husband. Like him, she.is an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has many warm friends among the best people of Cecil County, where she .. makes her home in District No. 2.
The Clayton family was founded in America by Joshua Clayton, who accompanied William Penn to this country in 1682. His two sons were John and Joshua. The former, who was an in- fluential public man, served as high sheriff. justice, captain of Kent County militia, and member of assembly. He and his wife, Grace, had a son, James, who in turn had three sons, Dr. Joshua, John and James. James had a son, John M., who married Sally Ann Fisher, a descend- ant of Thomas Fisher, private secretary to Will- iam Penn. John M. Clayton was a brilliant lawyer, politician and statesman, served as United States senator, held the office of chief justice of Delaware, and was secretary of state under Presi- dent Taylor. Both of his sons, Charles and James, died when young and were buried in Dover, Del.
John, son of James Clayton, was also prominent in public life, being justice in 1777, member of assembly 1777-83, member of council 1782, high sheriff 1785, judge of court of appeals 1788, and judge of orphans' court 1788-92. Dr. Joshua, the eldest son of James Clayton, and direct pro- genitor of Mrs. Price, held many distinguished public offices, the most important being that of first governor of Delaware, under the constitution
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of 1789-96. He was also state treasurer, judge of court of appeals, member of the colonial con- gress, president of the council and United States senator. While ministering to the needs of yellow fever patients in Philadelphia he died, August II, 1798, at the age of fifty-four years, and was buried in Cecil County, Md.
The three sons of Dr. Joshua Clayton were Thomas, Dr. James Lawson and Capt. Richard Clayton. The two last-named left numerous de- scendants, some of whom have gained promi- nence. The first-named was an eminent lawyer of Delaware, where liis large talents brought him many positions of trust and high honor. He was attorney-general, congressman, United States sen- ator and chief justice of Delaware. He had a son, Col. Joshua, and two daughters, Elizabeth and Jeanette. Elizabeth married Maj. N. Young, for many years in the United States army, com- manding brigades in the Mexican war and against the Indians, also at one time state treas- urer of Delaware. Jeanette married Robert Frame, a distinguished lawyer, and attorney-general for Delaware for a number of years. Col. Joshua Clayton, of Thomas, father of Mrs. Price, was a well-known lawyer and land owner of Delaware. Reference to his history appears upon another page, in the sketcli of Charles S. Ellison.
LEMENT G. BUTLER, who is engaged in the milling business in District No. 3, Har- ford County, traces his lineage to Irish an- cestors who settled in this county at a period very early in its history. His grandfather, Clement Butler, won the title of colonel by his meritorious service in the Mexican War, and was a resident throughout life of District No. 4, where he owned a farmi near Clermont Mills, on Deer Creek. Of his four children, the oldest, Thomas, was our subject's father and was a native of District No. 4, where in early manhood he bought a planta- tion and a few slaves. Farming was his life work,
but he did not engage in it to the neglect of his duties as a citizen. He was always willing to help forward any progressive measure. In politics he was a strong Democrat, prominent in the party councils in this locality. For a long time he held the office of justice of the peace and for two years lie was county commissioner.
The marriage of Thomas Butler united him with Cordelia, a daughter of James Streett, and six children were born of their union, namely: Maggie, who resides at the old liome place; Clem- ent G., of this sketch; James S., whose home is in Delta, Pa .; J. Thomas, who lives at The Rocks, District No. 4; May; and Harry, who is traveling salesman for a tobacco firm in Balti- more. The father of this family died at his home in May, 1893, aged seventy-two. His wife still remains on the old home farm, and is now about seventy years of age, but is quite hearty for one so far advanced in life.
Born at The Rocks, on Deer Creek, Harford County, in 1852, the subject of this sketch received a public-school education, and at the age of eight- een began to cultivate his father's farm, where he remained some years. Then entering Preston's mill at The Rocks, he began to learn the milling business, and spent four years in the one place, afterward working for a similar period at Rocks Run. In 1879 he bought the grinding mill owned by M. L. Mitchell, on Winter's Run, and this he has since operated. The mill is run by water power, of about eighteen-horse power. It is never operated to its fullest capacity, thirty barrels a day, but is usually run steadily at fifteen barrels per day.
For Mr. Butler there is no party but the Dem- ocratic party, and as long as strength of mind and body is vouchsafed him he will cast his vote for the men and measures of that organization, because in it he sees the principles that will best advance the prosperity of the people. For his uprightness of character and recognized intelligence, he would often have been chosen as the incumbent of some official position, but he has had no ambition in that direction. However, at one time he con- sented to serve as trustee of the public schools of his district, and in that capacity was instiu-
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mental in advancing the welfare of the common schools. In 1879 he married Laura L. Nagle, daughter of Emanuel Nagle, of one of the old families of the county. They have an only child, Thomas: In religious belief they belong to the Presbyterian Church of Bel Air, which they at- tend regularly, and in which they are regarded as earnest and loyal members.
ILLIAM WILSON. There are many citi- zens of Cecil County who are not well known beyond the limits of the community .John Reynolds; Alfred T., who assists in the where they reside, but whose honesty, enterprise and perseverance are of such a striking nature that the results, which by the possession of these characteristics they have attained, are calculated to promote the best interests of the county. The record of the lives of such deserves to be perpetu- ated for the perusal of coming generations, to whom they set an example worthy of emulation. It is therefore with pleasure that we place before the reader tlie summary, brief and imperfect though it may be, of the life of Mr. Wilson. Doubtless there are many in this county who possess greater fortunes than he, for being of a generous nature he has never become wealthy, but he has that which is better than great wealth -the esteem of all-with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.
A native of Delaware, Mr. Wilson was born in the county of Newcastle, March 8, 1832. His father, Samuel D., and grandfather, Jacob Wil- son, were also natives of Delaware, whence, in 1842, Samuel D. removed to Cecil County and settled in District No. 9. Here he purchased the old Kirk homestead, that had been built in 1797, and here he engaged in general farming during the remaining days of liis life. In political opinion he supported Democratic principles. By his mar- riage to Mary Pearson, of Pennsylvania, he had seven children, all of whom are living, naniely: Sarah, William, Amos, John P., Martha, Thomas
J. and Ross W. He died in 1864, at the age of sixty-one, and his wife when eighty-three years of age.
The education of our subject, obtained in the common schools, was completed at the age of eighteen, and afterward he gave his attention to the cultivation of the home place, of which he took charge upon his father's death. The farm is situated in District No. 9, and consists of one hundred acres of land, devoted to mixed farming. He has never identified himself with political af- fairs, and aside from voting the Democratic ticket, takes no part in elections. In 1864 he married Mary F. Taylor, of this district. They became the parents of six children, as follows: Samuel D., who carries on a creamery; Mabel, wife of cultivation of the home farm; William, Jr., Han- son Z. and Bayard G. The family are members of the Society of Friends.
ENECA POINT FARMS. On a high knoll overlooking the waters of the bay stands the spacious mansion that is one of the most com - fortable in Cecil County. Surrounding the man- sion and extending westward from the bay are the spacious and well-kept grounds, adorned with shrubs and trees. The estate originally consisted of one hundred and seventy-five acres, which stretch out like a grand old park as far as the eye can see. The place is the pride of Cecil's resi- dents. Visitors, too, are not wanting in excla- mations of admiration, and all who love nature cannot but delight in gazing upon this, a most attractive specimen of her handiwork.
It is said by those who know the history of this old place that for many years the property be- longed to James Hasson, a native of Cecil County and long a resident of District No. 5. Here, in 1837, he erected a substantial residence, and, sur- rounded by every comfort his ample means ren- dered possible, he made it his home for twenty- five years. Finally he disposed of the property
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to I. C. de Figanier, Portuguese minister to the United States, who made it his home for four years, and then sold it to Mr. Ogden, who occu- pied it as a summer residence. After two years he sold the place to twelve gentlemen, who had organized the Seneca Point Club, incorporated under the laws of the state of Maryland. The mansion, which had been the scene of so many brilliant gatherings, took on new life under their ownership. The members often visited the club house, and enjoyed a pleasant diversion from business duties, spending their time in fishing and in hunting geese and ducks. But later the members ceased to take an interest and subse- quently this property, as well as the one adjoin- ing on the south, making an acreage of upwards of four hundred, was purchased by Horace C. Diss- ton, a saw manufacturer, and who had been a member of the club. Since then he has made many improvements in the place, and frequently comes here from Philadelphia.
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TAYLOR GILBERT. Upon a farm situ- ated four miles from Bel Air, Mr. Gilbert has made his home since 1883. A man, enter- prising, industrious and of more than ordinary intelligence, lie has the true conception of rural life and agricultural pursuits, and his place bears evidence of his painstaking care. The estate of one hundred and sixty-five acres forms one of the attractive spots in the landscape of this region. The buildings are of modern style of architecture and conveniently arranged; while on every hand may be seen the numberless features which none but the systematic and thorough-going farmer can secure, but which to him are absolutely in- dispensable.
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