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 63
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 63
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Mr. and Mrs. Norris have an interesting family of six children: Edward W., Joseph M., Agnes E., Elva I., Nelson and George W. A history of Mrs. Norris' people may be found in the sketches
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of George N. and Thomas Wiley. Mr. Norrisis an out his well-formed plans, and his resolute pur- excellent citizen, a man of practical and intelli- pose and honorable dealing have brought to him success. gent views, and as a natural result is in good financial circumstances. He is public spirited, as were his ancestors before him, and commands universal respect.
J ONRAD P. COOK is the enterprising owner of a valuable farm of two hundred and sixty- five acres, pleasantly located three and a- half miles from Havre de Grace, in District No. 2, Harford County, and is a prominent represen- tative of the agricultural interests of this section of the state. Germany has furnished to America miany of her best citizens, who, leaving the father- land, have identified their interests with those of the Republic, becoming important factors in the business life of the communities with which they are connected. Such a one is Mr. Cook, who on the 9th day of September, 1826, was born in Nedar, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. He was reared to manhood there and during his boyhood and youth worked with his father, who was a farmer and baker. When twenty-three years of age, he determined to try his fortune in America and bidding adieu to friends and native land took passage on a sailing-vessel which did not reach the American shore until sixty-nine days later. During the voyage they encountered some severe storms.
Mr. Cook at once made his way to Baltimore, where he worked at the baker's trade for about eighteen months, and then removed to Havre de Grace, Md. He was there employed in a bakery for three months, after which he began business on his own account, establishing a bakery which he successfully conducted for about nineteen years. He enjoyed a good trade and his liberal patron- age brought to him a comfortable competence. He then purchased the farin on which he now resides and has since engaged in its cultivation in connection with stock dealing. He is a man of excellent business capacity, capable of carrying
On the 7th of April, 1852, Mr. Cook was united in marriage with Miss Catherine A. Schreitz, daughter of John and Margaret Schreitz. She was born August 25, 1829, near Frickburg, Ger- many, and came to America with her parents when three years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Cook have two children: Jolm L., a bookkeeper in Baltimore; and William F., who is with his par- ents on the home farnt.
Mr. Cook exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Demo- cratic party, and is a firm believer in its principles, but prefers to support his friends for office rather than to seek the same for himself. He belongs to Morning Star Lodge No. 20, I. O. O. F., Havre de Grace, and is a member of the Episco- pal Church. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in America, for here he has steadily worked his way upward and has secured a handsome property and the warm regard of many friends.
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M RS. MARY J. HUTCHINS. The subject of this sketch is a woman of ripe intel- ligence, large benevolence and broad synt- pathies. Since the death of her husband, which occurred June 18, 1880, at the age of sixty-seven years, she has had control of a large amount of property, and so ably and intelligently has she managed it that its value has been considerably enhanced. She was born in District No. 4, Har- ford County, Md., February 28, 1828, a daugh- ter of John and Susan (Thompson) Hawkins, who were natives of this county also, and who became the parents of eight children, four of whom are living at the present time: Mary J. (Mrs. Hutchins), Dr. John A., Edwin . and Thomas W. The paternal grandfather, Nicholas Hawkins, was born in England, but when very
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
young he took passage on board a sailing-vessel for the new world and became a loyal, law-abid- ing citizen of this country. His attention was devoted almost exclusively to farming, and in this occupation he showed great discernment and sound judgment and eventually became a very extensive land owner. When the colonists re- belled against the tyranny of England he heartily espoused their causeand was an active participant in the Revolutionary War.
Mrs. Hutchins spent her girlhood days on the fine farm owned by her parents and received such educational advantages as the common schools afforded. At the age of seventeen years she be- came the wife of John S. Hutchins, a native of District No. 4, Harford County, and a man of more than ordinary intelligence and good judg- ment, possessed of keen business instincts. His efforts to obtain a competency were crowned with financial success, and at the time of his death he was considered wealthy. He owned a large and valuable estate, well improved in every way and stocked with the various domestic animals, and all this valuable property was willed to his widow at the time of his death, the place where she lives being the homestead that had been in the Hutchins family for three generations. The entire life of Mr. Hutchins was spent as a tiller of the soil, his knowledge of the work being ob- tained on his father's farm while growing up. He secured a practical education in the common schools, which he greatly improved in later years by contact with business men and judicious read- ing. He was well informed on all topics of the times and although a stanch Democrat in politics never desired or sought office. His marriage re- sulted in the birth of twelve children: Martha J., Susan M., Ann R., Laura, Alvarda (deceased ), William B., Charles L., Gertrude, Zanie, Eliza- beth, and Estella and Maud (twins).
Mr. Hutchins' death occurred after a long ill- ness of three years, and was caused by cancer of the stomach. The county lost in his demise a most useful and valued citizen. He was one of her public-spirited citizens, upright and honor- able in all his business transactions, and liberal in his contributions to a worthy cause. Since his
demise his widow has conducted her large estate in a manner to reflect the greatest credit upon her good judgment and her sex, and has entirely overthrown the old idea that women are not adapted for business life. Like her husband she is generous in the use of her means and has al- ways been very charitably inclined. She has long been an active member of the Episcopal Church (as was her husband) and is a worthy Christian woman and one who commands uni- versal respect.
ATHANIEL HOLLINGSWORTH, de- ceased, was for many years an honored and valued citizen of Harford County, and one of its leading farmers. He belongs to an old and distinguished family of the Keystone State that was founded there in 1682 by Valentine Hollings- worth, of England, who came with William Penn and settled in Delaware County, locating a grant of nine hundred and eighty-six acres of land on the Brandywine and there spending his remaining .. days. He held many important official positions in those early days, being a member of the Penn- sylvania Assembly in 1695. He was still living in 1710, but we have no record of his death.
Following Valentine Hollingsworth in line of succession were Thomas, Sr., Thomas, Jr., and Nathaniel, the latter born in Westtown, Pa., in - 1755, married Abigail Green in 1783, and re- moved from Chester County, Pa., to Harford County, MId., where he became a large land ow 11- er. He had a family of ten children, of whom Nathaniel was, in 1834, united in marriage with Mary Warner, daughter of Silas and Miss Sarah Warner. The history of the Warner family in Maryland dates from 1771, when Joseph and Ruth (Hayhurst) Warner came to this state from Wrightstown, Bucks County, Pa. They were the parents of six sons, three of whom died in youth. 'Their son, Silas, was born June 14, 1766, and mar- ried, December 3, 1807, Miss Sarah Warnock, daughter of Philip Warnock, who came to this
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country from Ireland. They became the parents of seven children: Mary and Ruth, twins; Joseph, Philip, William, Edward and Jane. Joseph mar- ried Margaret Pyle, and they had three children. Philip and William kept the old homestead and carried on general farming, entertaining at their comfortable abode a great many friends at differ- ent times, and maintaining a high place in the regard of all. They, like their father, were inen of noble character and manly attributes.
During his boyhood Nathaniel Hollingsworth, of this review, came to Harford County, Md., lo- cating on Winter's Run, where he successfully followed agricultural pursuits until called to the world beyond. As a companion and helpinate on life's journey he chose Miss Mary Warner, of Darlington, Harford County, and by their mar- riage they became the parents of seven children, as follows: Silas W., Thomas, Sarah, Rebecca G., Mary, Nathaniel, deceased, and Edward. The family hold membership in the Society of Friends and are numbered among the representative and prominent citizens of this community. Mr. Hol- lingsworth departed this life in 1851, at the age of sixty years, and his wife in 1848. He was one of nature's noblemen, and the world is better for his having lived. Standing under the light and life of a character like this, and viewing the ground in which they had germinated and on which they grew, one cannot but feel that the best type of manhood is created and developed on American soil, and what one has done worth- ily another may attempt.
HARLES A. McGAW, proprietor of the Old Eagle Hotel of Bel Air, is a wide-awake, progressive business man, and comes of a family that has long been connected with the his- tory of Harford County. He was born January 6, 1846, in the old Bush Tavern, one of the historie landmarks in this section of the state. George Washington and Andrew Jackson were both
entertained there and it was the scene of many of the most important events which form the annals of Harford County. The grandfather of our sub- ject, Robert McGaw, was a native of Scotland, and, crossing the Atlantic to America, took up his residence in Harford County many years ago. His son, Robert McGaw, Jr., was born on Red Hill, in District No. 1, and during his early life followed the miller's trade. He purchased a farm of three hundred acres where the town of Bush now stands and also bought the celebrated Bush Tavern in 1830. For twenty-five years he carried on that hotel and as its proprietor became widely known. Later in life he engaged in farming, fol- lowing that pursuit until his death. From 1848 until 1850 he filled the position of sheriff, and for years served as constable at a time when it was an honor to hold that office. He was also exten- sively engaged in fishing interests for many years, and his was a very busy and useful life. He voted with the Whig party until its dissolution and then joined the ranks of the Democracy, being regarded as one of its leaders and as a man of much personal influence. He also supported the Presbyterian Church. His death occurred in 1877, when he had reached the age of seventy-two years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Henson and was a daughter of Thomas Henson, of Harford County, died in 1878. They had five children: Matilda, who is living in Abingdon; James, of Prince George County, Md .; Thomas, who is engaged in merchandising in Baltimore; Charles A .; and Sallie J., of Abingdon.
Mr. McGaw, of this sketch, acquired his elementary education in the district schools and afterward attended the Bel Air Academy. At the age of seventeen he began farming with his father and the business relation between them continued for fifteen years. Our subject then turned his attention to the canning business, and for eleven years conducted a canning establish- ment at Bel Camp. The enterprise proved a successful one, and he did an extensive business. which yielded to him a good income. In 1889 he was elected sheriff of the county on the Demo- cratic ticket, and acceptably discharged the duties
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of that position for two years, retiring from office, as he liad entered it, with the confidence and good-will of the general public.
On his return to private life Mr. McGaw built a store in Abingdon, stocked it with general merchandise and for a year continued operations along that line. Through the succeeding three years he conducted a canning factory in Salem County, N. J., after which he resumed farming at Abingdon, and was thus occupied until May I, 1897, when he embarked in the hotel business in Bel Air. He is enterprising and progressive, keeps abreast with the times in all particulars, has a pleasant, genial manner, and, possessing these essential qualities of a good host, he will probably win success in his new undertaking. He is a member of the Order of the Golden Chain. He married Miss Ella J. Griffin, a daughter of Will- iam E. Griffin, and a representative of one of the old and prominent families of Harford County.
ENJAMIN A. AYRES. History shows that the strongest nations have been those in which agriculture has been the chief pur- suit of the majority of their people, and the strength of the American republic lies largely in this class. While the statesman forms an impor- tant part in controling the destiny of the country, it is his constituents at home, the reliable and trustworthy business men, who form her real power.
Mr. Ayres of this review is numbered among the leading agriculturists of Harford County, and comes from a family that has long been identified with the farming interests of Maryland. He was born in the district where he still lives on the 7th of April, 1841, and in the usual manner of farmer lads was reared to manhood, performing the work of field and meadow from an early age. He obtained his elementary education in the pub- lic schools and later spent one year in study in the high school of Stewartstown, Pa, He then
returned to the farm and has since engaged in tilling the soil. He now owns one hundred acres of rich and productive land, and gathers from his fields good harvests. Upon his place are sub- stantial buildings, improved machinery and all the accessories which are in harmony with the progressive spirit of the age. In addition to his farming interests, he owns stock in the Harford Creamery Company, at Bradenbaugh, and is its treasurer. He is a man of progressive ideas who began life with a definite purpose in view, worked faithfully, honestly and with a will for its accom- plishment and now enjoys a comfortable compe- tence as the reward of his labors.
When forty years of age Mr. Ayres was united in marriage with Julia Shirodes, a native of Dis- trict No. 4, Harford County. Her grandfather, Henry Shrodes, was a native of Germany, and at an early day in the history of America took up his residence in the city of Baltimore, where he followed the hatters' trade. Charles Shrodes, the father of Mrs. Ayres, was born in Baltimore, learned the stone inason's trade in early manliood and for many years followed that pursuit. On arriving at years of maturity he married Sarah J. Taylor, a native of Harford County.
Mrs. Ayres is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In his political views Mr. Ayres is a Democrat, and is deeply interested in the success of his party, although he has never sought or de- sired the honors or emoluments of public office. His attention has been given to his business, wherein close application, resolute purpose and energy have brought to him success.
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G EORGE D. WHITELOCK. While "the race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong," the invariable law of destiny accords to tireless energy, industry and ability a successful career. The truth of this statement is abundantly verified in the life of Mr. Whitelock, who is one of the prosperous general merchants of Darlington. He is a native of Harford County,
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born on Swan Creek in 1845, and a son of James Whitelock, of Darlington, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. The family is one of the oldest and most prominent in Maryland, the founder, a native of England, having crossed the Atlantic in 1650 and taken up his residence in Cecil County. John Whitelock, our subject's grandfather, followed farming in that county until 1824, when he removed to Harford County, locating near Hopewell, where he made his home until his death, at the age of seventy-three years. Of his eleven children, James was the seventh in . order of birthi, and only three are now living: James; Eveline, widow of William Brown; and A. J.
James Whitelock was born at Perryville, Cecil County, in 1822, and was therefore but two years old when taken by his parents to Harford County. In early life he engaged in milling, but now owns and operates a farm in District No. 5, Harford County. He was married in 1846 to Caroline Bowman, and to them were born nine children, but only three are now living: George D., of this review; Euphemie, wife of Charles H. Stamford; and Emma, widow of R. E. Spencer. Andrew Gorreli, a great-uncle of our subject, aided the colonies in their struggle for independence during the Revolutionary War, and lost an arin in the service.
The first two years of his life our subject passed at his father's mill on Swan Creek, but at the end of that time was taken by his parents to Cecil Coun- ty, remaining there until 1861, when he returned to Harford County. In the public schools at Rockland, he acquired a good practical education, which has fitted him for business life. On leav- ing the parental roof at the age of twenty-five, he embarked in mercantile pursuits in Avondale, where he remained for three years, but in 1876 opened a general store in Darlington, where he carries a full and complete line of dry goods, gro- ceries, etc., and by fair and honorable dealing re- ceives from the public a liberal patronage. June 4, 1879, occurred the marriage of Mr. Whitelock and Miss Annie Hopkins, a daughter of Henry W. Hopkins. They now have three children, Beulah, Mary and Marjory. In politics Mr.
Whitelock is a stanch Democrat, and in his church relations is identified with the Methodist Episcopal denomination, and is now serving as trustee of his church. For twenty-one years he has been identified with the business affairs of Darlington, and the social, educational and moral interests of the village have all been promoted by him, while anything that tends to uplift and benefit humanity secures his hearty co-operation.
ENRY G. WHEELER, a well-known resi- dent of District No. 4, Harford County, was born in this county, January 16, 1833, and is a son of Joseph A. and Henrietta (Green) Wheeler. The family of which he is a mem- ber consisted originally of nine children, named as follows: Elizabeth A., deceased; Susan; Joseph and Thomas, deceased; Bennett L .; Henry G., of this sketch; Helen, Maria and William. The grandfather, Joseph Wheeler, also a native of this county and a farmer by occupation, was a large land owner in District No. 3 and excited consid- erable influence in local enterprises, being held in high regard as a man of intelligence and ability. His father was, it is thought, a native of Ireland, but at an early day he emigrated to the United States and settled in Maryland.
After completing a common-school education, our subject began to learn the wood-worker's trade, at the age of seventeen years, and for a time was employed at Jarrettsville. From 1849 until 1869 he followed that trade, but in the year last named he turned his attention to agriculture and purchased the farm where he now resides. The place contains one hundred and eight acres of land, all of which is improved. To its culti- vation he gives his entire attention and through his labors it is made to return a fair income. In politics he is an ardent Democrat and always takes an interest in plans for the success of the party's principles. For three years he held the position of tax collector, in which office he rendered effi- cient service.
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At the age of twenty-one years Mr. Wheeler everything is kept in excellent repair. The fine married Miss Mary A. Cairnes, who was born and condition of the place is due to the efforts of the energetie owner, who is resolved to make the farm one of the best in the district, and if he con- tinues to improve it as much in the future as he has in the past, there is no doubt but that he will succeed. Some of the land is devoted to cereals, and the remainder to pasturage for stock.
reared in this district and is a sister of George A. Cairnes, mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Nine children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler, and of these six are living, namely: . Virginia; William A., who is engaged in the mercantile business at Pylesville, Harford Coun- ty; H. Elizabeth, Mary, Anna L. and James A. Mrs. Wheeler is a member of Bethel Presbyterian Church, in the work of which our subject assists, though not a member of the congregation.
ENRY C. JENKINS is a member of a family that has been identified with the history of Maryland since the days of Lord Baltimore, his great-great-grandfather, William Jenkins, a na- tive of Wales, having come to America in 1634 in company with the famous proprietor of the colony, and made settlement in St. Mary County, where he became an extensive land owner. The great- grandfather, Ignatius Jenkins, was born in Mary- land and here engaged in farm pursuits, as did also the grandfather, Oswald Jenkins. The father of our subject, Ignatius W. Jenkins, was born in Baltimore County, but spent much of his active life as a farmer in Harford County, where he married Anna M. Brown. The three children born of their union are Samuel O., who is unmar- ried and resides with his younger brother; Henry C. and Mary J. Henry C. was born in Baltimore County, August 30, 1850, and was reared upon a farm. At the age of fifteen he entered the college at Ellicott City, where he carried on his studies for two years.
Farming has been Mr. Jenkins' life occupation and of it he has made a success. His property lies in District No. 5, Harford County, and con- sists of two hundred and twenty acres of land as choice as can be found in the precinct. On the property, in which he takes justifiable pride, are farm buildings and substantial improvements, and , history.
At the age of thirty-two, Mr. Jenkins married Catherine. L. Jenkins, who was born in Adams County, Pa., a member of an old family, promi- nent in the agricultural circles of that section. Seven children were born of the union, but three died in infancy, and the others are Jane R., Mary J., Ignatius W. and Catherine C., all at home. The family attend the Catholic Church, and at the time of the erection of St. Mary's Church Mr. Jenkins was a member of the building committee. In politics he is a firm adherent of the principles of the Democratic party, and loyally supports its principles and measures, firmly upholding its doctrines upon all occasions and under all circum- stances.
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NEELY HENDERSON. One of the well- known residents of District No. 4, Harford County, is the subject of this sketch, who has spent his entire life here and is ranked among the skillful veterinary surgeons and large land owners of this section. His early training led bim to adopt farming as his vocation, while his natural inclinations were along the line of veteri- nary surgery. Not being able to gain the knowl- edge desired by education, he "pieked it up" here and there, and the fact that he is now well informed in his chosen specialty, proves that he is an energetie man, with considerable force of char- aeter. He is a son of Thomas Henderson, one of the prominent old residents of Black Horse and a mian whose life has been filled with deeds of helpfulness and kindly acts. To his sketch upon another page the reader is referred for the family
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The subject of this sketch was born on the ing that the soil here, if properly cultivated, will home farm, September 13, 1849. In boyhood he bring returns as satisfactory as in any other part of the Union. had many opportunities for acquiring an educa- tion, but on account of ill health it was impossible to take advantage of theni. He established domes- tic tics at the age of twenty-three, when he married Miss R. Ann Patterson, a native of District No. 4, and of Welsh descent. The five children born of their nnion are named as follows: Ross C., Ell- wood S., Alice C., Mary E. and Martha P. The family reside on the well-improved farm of two hundred acres owned by Mr. Henderson, who, in addition to its cultivation, has an extensive prac- tice as a veterinary surgeon. In his youth he was disciplined in a hard school, but it taught him habits of self reliance, which have been of service to him in every subsequent step in life. Whatever success he may have achieved is the result of energy and hard work. He is known for his sound common sense, for his judgment as a business inan and for his honesty and integrity. Together with his family he holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church and attends its services. He is a trustee of the Black Horse schools and has held other local offices of trust.
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