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 58
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 58
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In recording events in the life of a well-known man, it is but natural to revert to those from whom he drew his origin. Jarrett Gilbert, father of our subject, was a resident of Havre de Grace, where he carried on the manufacture of shoes, and in
season also engaged in fishing. The firm of Gil- bert & Saddler, of which he was a member, has been succeeded by another firm, and the business is still conducted at the old place. In addition to other interests, lie also devoted some attention to farming. He married Sarah, daughter of George Moore, of Alexandria, Va., member of an old Virginian family. She died about 1876, and he ten years later, at the age of sixty-eight years. Of their eleven children seven are now living, namely: Jarrett W., a commission merchant of Baltimore; John, who resides in Havre de Grace; Mrs. Hettie Thompson; R. H., a grocer of Bal- timore, where he also holds office as fire commis- sioner; Mrs. Henry Dilg, of Philadelphia; Z. Tay- lor; and D. R., who occupies the old homestead.
In the city of Havre de Grace our subject was born in 1847, and in the common and private schools there he was educated. At the age of sixteen he began to superintend the home farm, remaining there until he was twenty-one, when he bought property in District No. 2, Harford County, and embarked in the canning business. In 1883 he purchased a farm near Bel Air, and here he has since engaged in general farming and fruit raising. He finds the canning business profitable, and makes of it a special feature. The demands of his business are such as to engross his entire attention, and he has therefore never identified himself with public affairs. This does not mean, however, that he has no decided opin- ions of his own. On the contrary, he has opinions and the courage of his convictions under all cir - cumstances. Believing that the sale of intoxi- cating liquors is the cause of much of the suffer- ing and poverty that darkens the world to-day, he has allied himself with the prohibition party, and by precept and example aims to abolish the liquor traffic.
Mr. Gilbert and his wife have one daughter, Ethel. In former years Mr. Gilbert was identi- fied with the Odd Fellows, but is not now a mem- ber of the lodge. In the Methodist Protestant Church he was long a member of the board of trustees. Perhaps his chief work, in religious matters, has been in the Sunday-school, over which he has long presided as superintendent.
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The fact that he has successfully officiated in this responsible position proves that lie possesses the qualities that go to make up a leader, the aptitude to intelligently convey instruction and the mag- netismi to win the confidence of those associated with him in the work.
AMES G. MCCAY. There are 110 rules for building character; there is no rule for achieving success. The man who can rise to a prominent position is he who can see and utilize the opportunities which surround the hu- man race. He who takes advantage of these and by energy and perseverance overcomes the ob- stacles in his path will ultimately reach the goal of success, and the worth of such a man to the community in which he lives is widely recog- nized. To-day among the prominent business men of Cecil County stands Mr. McCay, who is accounted one of her leading agriculturists.
He resides in District No. 7, and in this neigh- borliood was born in 1823. He is a descend- ant of John McCay, a native of Scotland, and a descendant of the Scottish nobility, who came to America about 1775, locating near Rowlands- . ville. The father, James McCay, was a native of Maryland, and served his country in the War of 1812, with the rank of major. His life was largely devoted to farming and mer- chandising, and he followed the latter occupation in Port Deposit. . His business was ably con- ducted and in his undertakings he won a well- merited success. He married Miss Mary Brough- ton, and died in 1881, on the old homestead, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. Of his family of eleven children only four are now liv- ing, namely: Henry, of District No. 7; James G., Joshua and Marcus.
James G. McCay, whose name forms the cap- tion of this article, supplemented his early edu- cation, acquired in the district schools, by a course in McGrow Academy, where he completed his studies at the age of eigliteen years. He
then entered upon his business career, and going to Baltimore, for several years he remained in that city, acquiring not only a good living, but also a valuable experience which fitted him for his own mercantile career. He began business on his own account in that city and was thus engaged for five years, after which, however, he returned to the pursuit to which he was reared, that of farming. In IS57 hie purchased what is known as the Indian Queen farm in District No. 7, Cecil County, where he has resided since 1859. He has here forty-seven acres of rich and arable land and successfully carries on general farining, the well-tilled fields yielding to the owner a golden tribute for the care and cultivation lie be- stows upon them.
Mr. McCay was married in 1854, the lady of his choice being Miss Isabel C. Boughton, a na- tive of Cecil County. They have a family of five children, as follows: Sophia, Mary R., Flor- ence, Margaret, and Joshua P., of Elkton. Mr. McCay and his family attend the Presbyterian Church. They are people of the highest respect- ability, widely and favorably known throughout the entire county, and their circle of friends is extensive. Mr. McCay gives his support to the Democracy, and while he manifests an intelligent interest in political questions has never sought or desired official preferment. His life has been well spent in quiet but honorable pursuits and his marked characteristics are such as to com- mend him to the confidence and good-will of all.
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ILLIAM H. HARLAN, attorney-at-law, of Bel Air, was born in Darlington, Har- ford County, Md., November 14, 1850. Tracing his history, we find that his father, Reuben S. Harlan, M.D., was a physician of Harford County, a man gifted in science and skilled in his profession, one who accomplished much, notwithstanding the fact that his life was short. He had a brother, Dr. David Harlan, an officer in the United States navy, whose son,
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Henry D., is chief judge of the supreme bench of Baltimore. Dr. Harlan's father, Jeremiah Harlan, was a Quaker, with all the kindly traits and the integrity so characteristic of that sect; in early life lie removed from Pennsylvania to Maryland, settling in Harford County, where he became a prosperous farmer, and also identified himself with the measures looking toward the develop- ment of the county. The history of the family in Pennsylvania dates back to the days of Will- iam Penn.
The mother of our subject was Elizabeth Schae- fer, a native of the city of Baltimore and daugh- ter of Rev. George B. and Frances ( Hawkins) Schaefer. Mr. Schaefer was a minister in the Protestant Episcopal Church, and, as indicated by his name, of German ancestry. Mrs. Elizabeth Harlan is still living, and makes her home with her children, of whom seven are living. Esther, who married William L. Hawkins, of Louisiana, died, leaving two children. George S. is an in- surance broker in Baltimore; he is married and has several children. Frances is the wife of Ben- jainin B. Hyde, who is living in Baltimore Coun- ty. Henry, a farmer, owns and resides on the old Harlan homestead. Ellen is the wife of Ed- ward S. Maxwell, and resides in Lancaster Coun- ty, Pa. David, who was engaged in the mercan- tile business in Harford County, died in 1887. Reuben S. is unmarried and resides with his brother, William H. Hannah, the youngest of the family, is the wife of William L. Reynolds, a farmer of Harford County.
After completing the studies of the public schools, the subject of this sketch entered St. John's College, Annapolis, from which he gradu- ated in 1872. The ensuing year was spent as a tutor in the same college, after which he was for two years principal in the Bel Air Academy, and for six years superintendent of public schools. Meantime he devoted his leisure hours to the study of law, and on retiring from educational work he formed a partnership with J. Edwin Webster, with whom he has since engaged in practice. He is connected with the Harford National Bank as a stockholder and director. Other local enterprises and institutions have felt
the impetus of his influence and aid. In matters religious he is an Episcopalian, and assists his church by active service as a vestryman. When at leisure from professional and business cares, he may be found at his comfortable home, in the suburbs of Bel Air, where his happiest hours are spent in the society of his wife and children. The lady whom he married, in ISS5, was formerly Bessie Webster, and is a sister of his law partner . and a daughter of the late Col. Edwin H. Web- ster, at one time member of congress and collector of the port of Baltimore. Their family consists of three sons and three daughters, Edwin, Eliza- beth, Caroline, William, Mary and Henry.
9 HOWARD WATTERS. The entire life of this gentleman has been passed in District No. 4, Harford County, and he was born upon the farin where lie now resides, October 13, 1823, being the oldest child of Walter and Mary (Kennard) Watters. An only son, he had four sisters: Eliza K., Mary F., Martha J. and S. Catherine, of whom the two last named are de- ceased. Both the Watters and the Kennard fam- ilies are among the oldest of Harford County, in fact, they have been represented here from a period so early that the exact date of their settle- mient is not known. The Watters family came from England, the Kennards from Scotland, and their descendants possess the determination char- acteristic of the one nation and the thrift for which the other race is renowned. Rev. William Watters, a great-uncle of our subject, had the distinction of being the first American-born itiner- ant minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church in this country and was a man of much promi- nence in his day. His body lies buried in the cemetery near Alexandria, Va.
In youth the subject of this sketch gave promise of the same traits of character that have distin- guished him in later life. He was a inanly boy, of steady habits, energetic, active and industri- ous. His youthful years were uneventfully passed
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upon the old homestead, work upon which was alternated with attendance at the neighboring schools. While much of his time has been given to agriculture, he has not followed it exclusively, as he also has a general store on his place. His homestead comprises four hundred and twenty- five acres, upon which have been placed first-class improvements, with all the buildings to be seen upon a model farm. He has never identified him- self with any political organization, but is inde- pendent in his views, supporting those whom he deems best fitted for office, no matter what their party affiliations may be. Like many of his fam- ily, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his contributions to religious work have been generous. At this writing he and his sister, George Rigdon, and his aunts, Sarah E. and Esther Y. Watters, are erecting a substantial stone house of worship, to be used by the Method- ists here, and known as the William Watters Memorial, in memory of William Watters. He has always been a man of public spirit, and is well informed, keeping posted upon all that is being done in the fields of science, politics and public affairs.
OEL C. HOLLINGSWORTH is a represen- tative of one of the old families of Fallston precinct, District No. 3, Harford County. His paternal grandfather, Nathaniel Hollings- worth, a descendant of English ancestry, was born in Pennsylvania and after his marriage re- moved to Maryland, where he purchased a large tract of land in Harford County, and erected the residence now occupied by Silas and Thomas Hollingsworth. The remainder of his life was devoted to agricultural pursuits here. His son, Eli, father of our subject, was born in Goshen, Pa., and was quite young when he came to Har- ford County. On the death of his father, the property was divided among the eight children, and a portion of the home place fell to his share,
as well as the water right. For a time he devoted his attention largely to running a saw mill, but afterward added a grist mill, operating the two, also cultivating some farm land, during his entire active life. By his marriage to Edith Carter, of this county, he had three children, namely: Joel C., the eldest of the family, born December 26, 1831; Nathaniel, who is the present proprietor of the grist mill; and Jeremiah, who died in boyhood. The father passed away at the old homestead in 1879, aged eighty-six years, and his wife died in 1874, aged seventy years.
Reared on the home farm, at the age of four- teen years the subject of this sketch began to assist his father in the mill, and soon acquired a . thorough knowledge of its workings. Up to the present he has continued to be interested in manu- facturing. In 1879 he built the first carriage wheel, and now owns a fine plant, the operating power for which is furnished by Winter's Run and is equivalent to fifty-horse power. He is thoroughly informed regarding the business in which he is engaged and by managing it effi- ciently he has become the possessor of a compe- tence. In 1856 he married Hanna C., daughter of Amor Carter, of Chester County, Pa. Their family consisted of four children, three now liv- ing, namely: Barclay E., Harrie J., and Maggie B., who is the wife of William F. Stubbs, son of Vincent Stubbs, of Delta, Pa. The two sons are connected with the father in the manufacture of spokes, wheels and rims. The oldest son, Curtis A., who died at the age of twenty- five years, was of a literary bent of mind, and before his health failed him he was assistant superintendent of the Institute for the Blind in Baltimore. The family are identified with the Society of Friends, with the exception of Harrie, who is a member of the Dis- ciples' Church. All are stanch Prohibitionists, both by voice and ballot, believing the govern- ment should not be a legal partner in any bus- iness that destroys both body and soul.
Coming as he does from good old Quaker stock, Mr. Hollingsworth inherited all the physical and intellectual vigor of his ancestors, along with the prudence and good judgment that have always dis- tinguished the sect. He has thius been quick to
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perceive and grasp at an opportunity for profit- able investment. His code of morals is of the Quaker type, impelling him always to a just con- sideration of the rights of all with whom he is brought into contact, and to a conscientious regard for and observance of all the proprieties of life. Thus he has won many friendships, which grow stronger with more intimate acquaintance.
EORGE J. FINNEY. No name is more familiarly known in Harford County than that of Finney, and it has so long been con- nected with local history that a work of this character would be incomplete without reference to some member of this old family. The enter- prising manner in which George J. Finney has conducted his affairs, combined with ability and strict probity, has but tended to enhance the respect with which the name of Finney is regarded in this county. For some time past he has been clerk of the board of commissioners of Harford County. He is a native of Churchville, Md., where his eyes first opened on the light of day August 28, 1830, his father being Rev. Will- iam Finney, for a notice of whom, see the sketch of Rev. E. D. Finney.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the local schools, and Hopewell Academy of .Chester County, Pa. After finishing his education he returned home and turned his attention to agri- cultural pursuits, of which he had acquired a thorough and practical knowledge while growing up, and to this occupation the greater portion of his time and attention have been devoted ever since. He has met with a fair degree of success and is the owner of a good farm at Churchville on which he makes his home. He has always been quite active in political matters, a stanch Democrat in his views, and in 1856-57 was a member of the board of county commissioners. He served in the capacity of treasurer, and in 1893 was elected to the position of clerk of the board, a position he has filled with marked
ability up to the present time. He has long been a member and is a trustee and treasurer of the Presbyterian Church at Churchville, to which positions he was chosen some twenty-six years ago.
On the 26th of April, 1865, Mr. Finney was united in marriage with Miss Louisa L. Webster, a daughter of Rev. Augustus Webster, of Balti- more, and a family of five children was given them: Walter, who is the cashier of the Second National Bank of Bel Air; William W., cashier of the Harford National Bank; George J., Jr., who died at the age of nineteen years; Edward, a machinist, in Philadelphia: and John C., who is attending school.
ENRY HARDING KIMBLE was born in the village of Bushington, Bucks County, Pa., October 13, 1824, and was the youngest child of John Kimble and Hannah (Carver) Kim- ble. He traced his ancestry back to the Pilgrim Fathers, who sailed from England and landed at Plymouth in 1620. His maternal grandfather, William Carver, who was born in Bucks County about 1750, was a lineal descendant of Gov. John Carver, whose name is inseparably associated with the early history of Massachusetts. John, a son of William Carver, and doubtless a namesake of his celebrated ancestor, was killed in the battle of Chippewa in the War of IS12.
The youngest of six children, the subject of this sketch was obliged to work hard from early boyhood, and attended school only during the winter months, being a student in Doylestown Academy for one term. At the age of sixteen years he began teaching public school and en- gaged in that profession for eight years, during the last two of which, he studied law in leisure hours. However, before the completion of his legal course his health failed, and he was forced to seek an occupation less confining. After his marriage, in November, 1847, to Mary, eldest daughter of Seruch Titus, a farmer of Bucks
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H. H. HAINES.
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County, he purchased a small farm lying on the Neshaminy Creek, and there he followed agricult- ural pursuits for a number of years. In 1855 (having sold his farm in Bucks County ) he pur- chased a farm near Fair Hill, Cecil County, Md., where he moved with his wife and two children, Serach and John. The place was in every re- spect a neglected one and a great deal of hard work was necessary before the buildings were in good repair and the land ready for cultivation. However, Mr. Kimble was a willing worker. He possessed untiring industry, and from morning until night was busily engaged in the various details of farm life. His own industry and energy inspired others with greater enthusiasm. His sous often remarked that he always said "come on," not "go on"' to work. While the days were spent in arduous toil, the evenings were devoted to recreation and music, and the friends who visited them in their hospitable home counted it not the least of their enjoyments when the family entertained them with vocal and instrumental music.
In 1873, having purchased a house and a piece of land at Fox Chase (now Appleton), and hav- ing erected an addition to the house, in the way of a store room, Mr. Kimble removed thither, and opened a general mercantile store, leaving his sons in charge of the farm at Fair Hill. He was one of the original incorporators of the Farm- ers and Mechanics' Mutual Insurance Company of Cecil County, and was secretary and treasurer from the time of its organization to the day of his deatlı. He was also one of the charter members of Good Iutent Grange No. 88, organized about 1875. During the last twenty years of his life lie was an active member of the Republican party. He was public spirited and highly esteemed, but though prominent in politics, never held pub- lic office. At different times he taught school in this county and his work always proved satisfac- tory to this patrons. He was noted in debating circles, and was a frequent contributor to the press of Cecil County, the greater part of liis writ- ings being prose. He was a man of varied ac- quirements. Besides attending to his mercantile affairs, he superintended his two farms at Apple-
ton and the one near Fair Hill, and satisfactorily discharged his duties in the fire insurance com- pany. He was proficient in the writing of deeds, wills, etc., and was in frequent demand as a sur- veyor.
In 1885 Mr. Kimble began the erection of a new dwelling house opposite his store property at Appleton, but before its completion his wife and his eldest son were called from earth, so that whatever pleasure he might have experienced in the new home was turned into sadness. The final blow came when, in August, 1887, his only remaining child was laid to rest in the silent tomb. August 19, 1887, just two weeks and two days after the death of his son, he died of congestion of the brain. His death was a shock to the entire community, whose best interests he had always advanced. His funeral was held on the 23d, his pastor, Rev. J. L. Vallandigham, conducting the services, which were largely attended. He was a member of Head of Christiana Presbyterian Church, and his remains were interred in the cemetery adjoining.
Thus passed from earth the genial host, the patriotic citizen, the sincere and honest friend.
H. HAINES. Prominent among the busi- ness men of Cecil County is the subject of this sketch, who for over a quarter of a century has been closely identified with the his- tory of the county, while his name is inseparably connected with its financial records. The bank- ing interests are well represented by him, for he is to-day at the head of the National Bank of Rising Sun, the leading moneyed institution of this place. He is a man of keen discrimination and sound judgment, and his executive ability and excellent management have brought to the concern with which he is connected a high degree of success. The safe conservative policy which he inaugurated comumends itself to the judgment of all, and has secured a patronage which makes the volume of business transacted over its counters
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of great importance. The success of the bank is certainly due in a large measure to him, and through it he lias promoted the welfare of the town.
Mr. Haines was born in Fulton Township, Lancaster County, Pa., November 25, 1844, up- on a beautiful farm of nearly two hundred acres known as "Hillside Home," adjoining the cele- brated "Black Barren Springs" resort on the north, and lying along the Lancaster road run- ning north from Pleasant Grove postoffice. His parents were Lewis and Saralı (Kirk) Haines, the latter a daughter of Jacob Kirk, of Kirks Mills, Lancaster County, Pa. For many genera- tions his ancestors were prominent and leading members of the Society of Friends, and were also active in the affairs that were of public interest in the community where they resided.
In this connection - may be mentioned a very unusual circumstance attending the location of Mr. Haines in Rising Sun. Within view of his residence is the original liome of his great-great- grandfather, Joseph Haines, one of the pro- genitors of the family in America, who came to this country from England with his brothers on the ship "Amity" early in 1682, and after some thirty-two years' residence in New Jersey located in Cecil County, Md., in 1714. The name in the mother country seems to have undergone many changes. At one time it was Eaune, then Ayne, next Hayne, etc. Mr. Haines is not only near the early home of his paternal ancestors, but his maternal ancestors as well. On the banks of North East Creek, in Cecil County, within three miles of his home, lived his great-great-great- grandfather, Roger Kirk, who on coming from the north of Ireland located here in 1712.
Mr. Haines received his early education in the public schools, later attended the academies at Pleasant Grove, Chestnut Level, Lancaster Coun- ty, Pa., and Concordville, Delaware County, Pa., and completed his literary training in the Penn- sylvania State Normal School at Millersville. During the Civil War he enlisted in the Union army, first as a private in Company E, Twenty- ninth Pennsylvania Volunteer Militia, in 1863, and in 1864 became a non-commissioned officer
of Company C, One Hundred and Ninety-fifth Pennsylvania Infantry.
In January, 1865, Mr. Haines left liome to re- side in Philadelphia, where he was engaged in the counting room of a wholesale drug firm, and later went to New York City to open a new set of books for the same firnt. He resigned his po- sition in order to engage in business on his own account and removed to his present home in Rising Sun, Md., to which point the railroad had just been completed. Associating himself witli his older brother, they erected a store and dwell- ing on the corner of Walnut and Main Streets, and for the next four years conducted a general mercantile business under the firm name of Haines Brothers. His brother's health having failed, they disposed of the business in IS70, and of the real estate three years later.
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