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 59
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 59
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. In 1871 Mr. Haines, in connection with other prominent citizens, agitated the establishment of a banking institution at Rising Sun, whichi resulted in successfully opening the banking house of Evans, Wood & Co. upon the Ist of August of that year. The title was changed in July, 1873, to The Rising Sun Banking Company, and in July, ISSO, was merged into the National Bank of Rising Sun. During its entire existence Mr. Haines had served as cashier of the organiza- tion, and in January, 1884, was elected president, which position he still occupies.
Mr. Haines was married in December, 1873, to Miss Ella Warner Rittenhouse, the daughter of Azariah and Mary J. Rittenhouse, of Rising Sun, and a member of a branch of the old and well- known family of that name in and around Phila- delphia. In politics Mr. Haines has been from early boyhood a zealous and unwavering Repub- lican, active and energetic in the affairs of the party, and while always refusing to take any place on the ticket, he is well and prominently known in state politics and enjoys the acquaintance and confidence of many national men in his party. He lias also from early boyhood been identified with aggressive temperance work and temperance organizations. He is prominently connected with a number of scoret societies, and is at present holding the position of Judge Advocate in the
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department of Maryland, Grand Army of the Republic. He is an extensive traveler with many and diversified interests in other states, and is known among those with whom he lives as a man of affairs, possessing untiring energy · and indomitable perseverance.
ILLIAM CHANNELL. The subject of this sketch is a well-known citizen of Har- ford County, who has improved every op- portunity for gaining knowledge and availed him- self of every chance for the betterment of his condition, and more than this cannot be said of the most successful man who has ever lived. He has lived a life of peace with his neighbors, and has done unto others as he would have had them do unto him under similar circumstances. The family of which he is an honored member is of Scotch lineage. His paternal grandfather was born in "Bonnie" Scotland, but came to America at a very early day and made a home for himself and family in Pennsylvania. Here his Scotch shrewdness manifested itself, and he became the owner of a large and valuable estate. There is a tradition in the family that he was a member of the patriot army during the Revolutionary War. His son, Isaac Channell, was reared on his vast estates, and after reaching manhood gave much attention to agriculture and also devoted many years to teaching school, in which occupation he was very successful. He wedded Miss Mary Anderson, who, like himself, was a native of the Keystone state, and in the course of time six chil- dren were born to them: Anderson; William, the subject of this biography; Deborah, Margaret, Mary A. and James.
William Channell was born in Pennsylvania November 9, 1824, and was reared upon a farm, where he did all manner of work that came to hand. When the district school in the neighbor- hood of his home was in session he attended it and acquired a useful education. When he reached the age of twenty-eight years he came to
the conclusion that "it is not good for man to live alone," and he wooed and won for his wife Miss Mary J. Herbert, who was born in Pennsylvania, and they at once established a home of their own.
Since that time Mr. Channell has devoted his attention indefatigably to tilling the soil, and the result of his efforts has been the accumulation of one hundred and fifty acres of land. He has im- proved and increased the value of this property very much by the erection of substantial and com- modious buildings, good fences, etc., and his home is one of the most pleasant and hospitable in the district. . His family consists of the follow- ing children: Sarah A., Richard, Elizabeth, Aaron B., Henrietta and Rebecca. Mrs. Chan- nell is a member of a well-known Pennsylvania family, the male members of which have long been noted as thrifty and successful farmers. Both she and her husband have been members of the Presbyterian Church for years, and are gen- erous contributors to its support; in fact, every enterprise which has for its object the betterment of mankind, finds in them liberal patrons. In his political views Mr. Channell has always been in sympathy with Democratic principles.
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EV. D. F. HAUGH, S. J., priest in charge of St. Francis Xavier's Church in District
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No. 1, Cecil County, was born in Ireland November 27, 1840. At the age of nine years he accompanied his parents to America, landing in New York City, where he spent the years of his youth in attendance upon local schools. It was his ambition to become a Jesuit priest. At the age of sixteen he matriculated in Georgetown (D. C.) College. From Georgetown he entered the Society of Jesus and taught at the college for six years. He finished his course of philosophy and theology at the Jesuit College of Woodstock, Md., where he was ordained priest.
Father Haugh spent some time in California and Colorado, and built St. Patrick's Church in South Pueblo during the period of his service
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there. In 1877 he had charge of Petersville and Libertytown, Md. In ISgo he became pastor of St. Francis Xavier's Church in Cecil County, where lie still resides. St. Francis Xavier's Church was organized about 16So, by virtue of the power in a warrant granted for Mary Ann O'Daniels and Margaret, her sister. The war- rant comprised three hundred acres, but the amount was afterward increased from time to time, and now the Jesuits own about eleven hun- dred acres of well-improved land.
The attention of Father Haugh is given to the : details of his work as priest, and he guards well the spiritual interests of his parishioners. How- ever, he finds time to be posted upon public affairs of importance and is a pronounced Republican. As he considers himself a thorough American, he regards it as an insult to be called upon to pro- claim his loyalty to our government and its insti- tutions.
ENRY C. SCHILLING. The pages of his- tory fail to disclose an older or more honor- able calling than that of the farmer, and among its most honorable votaries is Henry C. Schilling, who is a native of Germany, born June 30, 1832. The estate, of which this pro- gressive tiller of the soil is the owner, comprises `one hundred and forty-five acres advantageously located near Shawsville, and this he has put in an excellent state of cultivation. His parents, Charles L. and Louisa (Billings) Schilling, were born in Germany, and in that country were reared, educated and married. Their five children were born in that country, two of whom died and were buried there. Those who survived and came to this country were Henry C., the subject of this sketch; William H., who became a soldier in the Union army, was captured by the enemy and died in Andersonville prison in 1864, at the age of thirty years; and Caroline, who is the wife of Dr. Charles Krause, of Cedar Creek, Wis., by whom she has two children.
While in his native land, Henry C. Schilling
was placed in school, upon attaining a proper age, and there he obtained a practical education. He was an enterprising and ambitious young man, and in 1855 decided to seek his fortune in Amer- ica. Upon landing in this country he made his way to Baltimore County, Md., and it was not long ere he had obtained employment in a woolen mill, and during his connection with the same he thoroughly learned every detail of the business. In 1860 he left the east, made his way to Missouri, and in the city of St. Charles secured employ- ment at his trade, which he continued to follow for six years. With true German thrift, he saved a portion of his earnings, and when the six years had elapsed, he returned to the state of his adop- tion and purchased the woolen mill in District No. 4, Harford County, then owned by John R. Jackson. After the lapse of some time he felt that his circumstances admitted of his purchasing some real estate, and lie became the owner of his present tract of land adjoining his mill.
Mr. Schilling turns out excellent woolen fabrics from his mill, which find their way to various portions of the country, but while so successfully conducting this establishment, he has not neg- lected his agricultural interests, for every portion of his farm is carefully looked after and judici- ously tilled. He has by no means traveled in a rut in his journey through life, but he is one of those men who can have several irons in the fire and keep them all working. Although he is strictly a business man, he has always been inter- ested in political affairs, and in his views is an ardent Republican. He at one time held the office of registrar, and discharged his duties ad- mirably.
His wife, whom he married in 1857, was for- merly Miss Emma Lawton, a native of England. She was brought to this country at an early age, and like Mr. Schilling, her adopted country has become very dear to her. Five children have been born to them, as follows: Charles L. (de- ceased); Louisa J. (deceased) ; Howard L., Han- nah C. and John W. Mrs. Schilling was a de- voted wife and mother. At the time of her deatlı,. which occurred in the winter of 1896, at the age of sixty-two years, she was a worthy member of
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the Methodist Episcopal Church. In his religious belief Mr. Schilling has ever leaned toward the Lutheran faith, but he is a member of the Methi- odist Church at the present time. He has always been in sympathy with secret organizations, and has shown his approval by becoming a member of Mt. Ararat Lodge No. 44. A. F. & A. M., of Bel Air, and Lodge No. 92 of the Knights of Pythias of Shawsville. He is a self-made man, and has reason to be proud of his substantial and honorable position in life.
ICHOLAS BAKER, long one of the prom- inent farmers of Harford County, died on the 2d of April, 1896, and in his death the community lost one of its representative men and valued citizens. His life was passed in the quiet pursuits of business, but was characterized by those qualities which everywhere command re- spect. As a citizen he was true and faithful and gave liis support to all measures which he be- lieved would advance the general welfare.
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Mr. Baker was born in District No. 2, Harford County, January 27, ISIO, a son of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Cole) Baker. His father, who was born in the same district, was a farmer and mer- chant, carrying on a store in connection with his agricultural pursuits. He served in the War of 1812 in defense of liis native land, and died on the gtlı of February, 1845, when about sixty years of age. His wife, who was also a native of Harford County, had reached the ripe old age of eighty- three years when called to her final rest.
Nicholas Baker, of this review, spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his parents' home, and while acquiring his education in the public schools he received a liberal training in farm work by assisting in the development and cultiva- tion of the old homestead. He also clerked in his father's store at times, and was thus trained to habits of industry which characterized his entire business life. On attaining liis majority, he joined James Everett in the establishment of a
small chair and furniture factory, operating the same for several years. About 1839 he purchased the farm whereon his widow now resides, and there spent the remainder of his life, giving the greater part of his time to agricultural pursuits, while also engaging in the manufacture of chairs and furniture materials on a small scale. In later life he added to his business another industry, that of canning vegetables, and for several years he successfully conducted that enterprise, adding considerable to his income thereby. He was a man of determined purpose, good business ability and executive force, and carried forward to suc- cessful completion whatever he undertook.
On the 2d of November, 1837, Mr. Baker was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Carsins, a sister of William Carsins. She died February 27, 1853, leaving six children, namely: Eliza- betli, wife of George Everist, of District No. 2, Harford County; John C., a resident of Dover, Del .; Charles H., who died at the age of thirty- three years; Mary J., who married, but died at the age of twenty-eight years; Sarah F., who died at the age of thirty; and George H., who also died when about thirty years of age. On the 4th of March, 1855, Mr. Baker was again mar- ried, his second union being with Mary B. Green- land, who was born in District No. 2, July 10, 1819. By this marriage there were two children: Edmund, who died at the age of twelve years, and Winfield L., who is now at home engaged in the operation of the farm, and in the canning business.
Mr. Baker was a stalwart advocate of Repub- lican principles, and was a prominent and active worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he held membership from the age of seven- teen years. He belonged to the congregation which built the first church in Harford County. It was a log structure, primitive in style, and was the second Methodist Church in the state. He served as church trustee, steward and class leader, and did all in his power to promote the cause of Christianity. . His life was in harmony with his profession and commanded the confi- dence and esteem of all. In his business he was fairly successful, and his property was all ac-
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quired through his own honorable and industri- ous efforts. He passed away April 2, 1896, and was laid to rest in Barr cemetery, near Aberdeen. His widow and three children are members of the church. . They reside on the old family home- stead and have the warm regard of all who know them.
Ẅ ILLIAM W. VIRDIN, M. D. There are few homes in Harford County more beautiful than Brightwater. Its location is pictur- esque and attractive. On the east, within a short distance, flow the tranquil waters of the Susquehanna; and in every other direction stretch the fine farming lands of District No. 2. Here for many years Dr. Virdin resided, busily engaged in professional work, but a paralytic stroke in 1896 obliged him to relinquish his practice, and he lived in retirement from that time until his death, which occurred May 20, 1897. He was one of the most highly respected physicians of the county, and his skill in diagnosis and treat- ment of disease brought him the confidence of all.
Born in Baltimore August 11, 1829, the sub- ject of this sketch was a son of Capt. William W. and Emily J. (Ash) Virdin, natives, respectively, of Caroline County and Baltimore, Md. His father, when fourteen years of age, went from his native county to Baltimore, where lie resided for some time. He commanded the "Governor Walcott," which was among the first steamers that sailed from the port at Baltimore; in 1836 he resigned that command and entered the employ of the Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad Company, as captain of the steamboat that carried the cars across the Susquehanna River from Havre de Grace to Perryville. Re- tiring from this position in 1851, he took up his permanent home in Baltimore, where he died at the age of sixty-eight. Politically lie was an old-line Whig and a supporter of the Union. Successful in financial matters, he left an estate valued at $100,000, which was inherited by his
only child, our subject, but the bulk of the prop- erty was lost in the vicissitudes of war. Our subject's mother died when only twenty-two years of age.
When Dr. Virdin was a boy of eleven, he en- tered West Nottingham Academy in Cecil County, where he was a student for five years. In 1845 he entered the sophomore class at Princeton Col- lege, with the intention of completing the entire course, but after a year he decided to go to Yale, and entered the junior class of that institution. Unfortunately, in a short time he was taken ill and had to abandon all literary work, being ordered south for his health. For two years he did no reading or study of any kind, but as soon as he became strong once more, lie began to read medicine with Dr. N. B. Hill, of Hills Store, N. C., and later attended lectures at the University of Maryland, where he graduated in 1858. He at once began in professional practice, continuing at Hills Store, N. C., until the outbreak of the war. In 1861 he was commissioned assistant surgeon in the Confederate army, and the follow- ing year became surgeon for the state of North Carolina, with the rank of major of the Sixty- third Regiment, Sixteenth Brigade. At the close of the war lie was a full surgeon of the Confederate States army and was a member of the examining board. He was brigade surgeon under Brigadier- General Leaventhorp, at Kingston, N. C., and occupied General Lee's extreme right. He was present at Seven Pines and in the seven days' fight around Richmond, under special order.
When the war ended Dr. Virdin went to Balti- more, where he spent the winter. In the spring of 1866 he came to Lapidum and settled on a farm of one hundred acres that his father had purchased in 1840. Here he engaged in continu- ous practice until a paralytic stroke in the left side rendered further work an impossibility. In 1867 he assisted in the organization of the Har- ford County Medical Society, of which he was secretary for several years. For a number of terms he was president of the Cecil County Med- ical Society. He was a member of the State Medical Faculty and of the first Pan-American Medical Society, that met in Washington, D. C.
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In 1854 Dr. Virdin married Miss Kate E. L. Dun, of North Carolina. They had vine chil- dren, namely: Phenix, who died in infancy; Emily J., wife of N. E. Ford, of the editorial staff of the Baltimore Sun; Lizzie, widow of Silas W. Barnes; James C., who resides in Colo- rado; Martha Lee, wife of Rev. E. D. Fitzgerald, of Cincinnati, Ohio; Carrie M., who died at fif- teen years; Mary D., who resides at home; Joli11 Mc Coy, who died at twenty-two years; and Joseph D., a resident of Baltimore. Dr. Virdin was a member of the Presbyterian Church, to which his wife also belongs. In politics he was a Democrat, stanch and active in local affairs, but not an office seeker. He was made a Mason in North Carolina in 1855 and became a member of Balfair Lodge No. 188, and Montgomery Chapter, R. A. M., but later was identified with St. John's Chapter No. 19, R. A. M., of Baltimore.
OHN W. COOPER, Jr., M. D. Of the numerous and various professions in which men may rise to distinction, there is none known to the civilized world that claims a higher place in the esteem of all than does the science of medicine. From the earliest times down to the present there has never been a class of men in whom greater confidence has been placed and who have occupied a higher place in the respect of mankind, than does the physician. No one more fully proves the truth of this fact than Dr. Cooper, who is recognized as one of the leading and efficient physicians of Elkto1.
The Cooper family is one of the oldest in Dela- ware, and its members have been men and women of upright character and progressive spirit. Through the English records the lineage of the family is- traced directly to William Cooper, of Hallanı, England. His son, Benjamin, born in 1623, entered Merton College (now the Univer- sity of Oxford ) in April, 1641, became professor
i11 1652, and served as registrar of the college from 1659 to 1701. George, son of Benjamin, was born in 1667, entered Merton College in 1682, became professor and succeeded his father as registrar in 1701, holding that position until his death, in 1737. George (2d), son of George, was born in 1696, and entered Magdalene Col- lege, Oxford, in 1715. Two other sons of George, Benjamin and John, who were also students at the university, emigrated to Dorchester County, Md., where they patented land from King George. Benjamin died a bachelor. John married a Miss Smith, of Tuckahoo, Dorchester (now Caroline) County, and at his death left the fol- lowing children: Thomas, who at the age of twelve was sent to England as heir of his uncle George, who was childless; George, Deboralı, Ann and Richard. George's son Jolin and Ricli- ard's daughter, Sarah, married July 24, 1787, and were the great-great-grandparents of Dr. Cooper.
Their son, Samuel B. Cooper, the doctor's great-grandfather, married Catherine Lowber, the only daughter of Peter Lowber and his wife, Mary Patton, and the great-granddaughter of Peter Lowber, who emigrated from Amsterdam and settled on a farm seven miles below Dover, Del., September 15, 1684. From there the fan- ily spread through Delaware and the eastern shore. The Lowbers were connected with the Gilders of Philadelphia and New York, Richard Watson Gilder being a second cousin. Through the Pattons the family is connected with Judge Wales, of Wilmington, Del., and Judge Benjamin Caton, who settled Catonsville, now Station G, Baltimore. Samuel B. Cooper and Catherine, his wife, had a son, Samuel B., Jr., the doctor's grandfather, who married Mary Cooper, daughter of Thomas Cooper, a son of Richard.
John W. Cooper, son of Samuel B., Jr., was born in Kent County, Del., in 1813, and married Susan Dill, daughter of Jolm Dill. From the age of eighteen he made his home on his share of the estate, lying in Caroline County, Md., and Kent County, Del., until his death, in March, 1891, aged seventy-three. His wife is still liv- ing at the old homestead. She was the mother
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of seven children, of whom all but one are still living. Dr. Thomas H., a graduate of the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, is a physician of Chester- town, Md .: George F. is a farmer and occupies a portion of the old homestead in Delaware; Dr. Peter Cooper, a graduate of Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia, is engaged in practice in Wilmington, Del .; James C., a graduate of the law department of the University of Pennsyl- vania, and for a time a law student with Judge Arnold, of Philadelphia, is now deceased; Mary S. is the wife of John Dill, a farmer in Delaware; and Elizabeth married Frank Dill, a brother of John Dill, they being sons of Alexander Dill, who was a large land owner in Delaware. The ances- tors of the Cooper family were identified with the Episcopal Church until the late Rev. Ezekiel Cooper embraced Methodism, since which time they have been divided between the two de- nominations.
Upon the liome farm in Kent County, Del., the subject of this notice was born February, 16, 1850, and there the years of boyhood were nneventfully passed. His literary education was acquired principally in Felton Seminary, Kent County, while his commercial studies were prose- cuted in Bryant & Stratton's Business College in Philadelphia, and his medical course taken at Hahnemann Medical College, a homeopathic in- stitution in Philadelphia, from which he gradu- ated March 25, 1884. After the completion of his medical studies he was engaged in practice with his brother in Chestertown for a year, and in 1886 came to Elkton, where he has since built up a large and lucrative practice. In addition to his private practice, he has filled tlie office of physician to the county alnishouse and asylum, physician to the county jail, and examining sur- geon of the pension bureau at Elkton. While he has given his attention principally to matters connected with his profession, he also takes an intelligent interest in public affairs and supports the principles of the Republican party, which he considers best adapted to our national prosperity. His father, who in early life was a Whig, became a Republican upon the organization of this party and was a sympathizer with the Union during the .
Civil War. While lie did not join the ranks, he rendered valuable service to his neighbors in the cause of the Union.
In ISS9 Dr. Cooper was united in marriage with Ama Wells, daughter of Joseph Wells, who at one time was the postmaster of Elkton. Two children blessed the union, but one died in infancy, the other, Helen, being now (1897) five years of age. Fraternally Dr. Cooper is connected with the Heptasophs, the Masons and the An- cient Order of United Workmen.
6 EORGE B. KERFOOT, superintendent of the Singerly paper mills of Elkton, was born in Lancaster, Pa., 1834, the son of Dr. George B. Kerfoot. His father entered the medical profession when a young man and achieved considerable success in it, having his office at Lancaster, where he died many years ago. One of his sons, William D., is a prominent and wealthy real-estate man of Chicago.
When a boy of seventeen the subject of this sketch started out in life for himself. Going to Philadelphia, he secured a clerkship and gradu- ally worked his way upward to a position of re- sponsibility. For twenty-five years he was en- gaged in the shipping and commission business in Philadelphia, and gained many friends among the merchants of that city during the long period of his residence there. The fact that he had a brother in Chicago and that his own interests there were important led him to remove to that city, where for nine years he was connected with the board of trade. From therc he went back to Philadelphia and again engaged in business. In 1887 lie came to Elkton as superintendent of the Singerly paper mills, he having been acquainted with Mr. Singerly throughout his entire life and associated with him for a long time.
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