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 66
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 66
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The Kirkwood family was founded in America by our subject's grandfather, Robert Kirkwood, a native of Ireland, who accompanied his mother to America about 1730 and settled in Delaware, where he engaged in farming. During the Revo- lution he assisted the colonies, as did also an uncle, William Kirkwood. Perhaps one of the most eminent members of the family was our subject's cousin, Hon. Samuel J. Kirkwood, fifth
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governor of Iowa, and a native of Harford County, born December 20, 1813; he went west to Ohio in 1835 and in 1843 was admitted to the · bar there, remaining in active practice in that state until his removal to Iowa in 1855. The following year he was elected to the state senate, and in 1859, upon the Republican ticket, was elected governor of Iowa by a majority of three thonsand. In October, 1861, he was re-elected by a majority of eighteen thousand. Later he was United States senator, and in 1875 was again chosen governor, but resigned in 1877 to become United States senator, serving four years and re- signing to become secretary of the interior under President Garfield.
In the days when our subject was a boy edu- cational advantages were exceedingly limited and he attended school very little, but having a re- tentive memory and keen perceptive faculties he is a well-informed man. He has never married, being content to live the independent existence of a bachelor. Politically, like the most of his rela- tives, he is a pronounced Republican. He has served on the jury in Harford County. The confidence of those with whom he has come in contact he has won by his straightforward course of action, his self-reliance and the interest he has taken in enterprises calculated to aid in the ad- vancement of the community and its upbuilding.
ILLIAM M. AND JOHN W. BARTON. To be successful in business depends upon character as well as npon knowledge, it being a self-evident proposition that honesty is the best policy. Harford County has a fine body of men engaged in agricultural pursuits, and very prominent among the number who have the re- spect and esteem of the entire community are the twin brothers, William M. and John W. Bar- ton, whose success affords another evidence that industry, economy and integrity constitute the keynote to honorable competency. These gen- tlemen were born in District No. 4, Harford
County, February 2, 1847, to John and Mary A. (Morris) Barton, who were natives of this sec- tion also, and here were reared, educated and married. Thirteen children were born to them: Washington, Joshua, Amanda, Sophronia, Will- iam M. and John W. (twins), Elijah, Franklin, Susanna, Canada, Charles and Andrew J. (de- ceased) and James R. The paternal grandfather of these children, William H. Barton, was a na- tive of England, and in his youth came to Amer- ica to make his home, and the rest of his life was spent in Harford County. He was an industrious and intelligent farmer, and through good man- agement became the owner of a large tract of land. The maternal grandmother of our subjects came to America from the old country and lived to be ninety-six years of age.
The boyhood days of William and John Barton were spent in the healthful outdoor occupations of the farin, and they acquired a knowledge and love of the calling which have remained with them to the present time. The public schools afforded them their early educational opportuni- ties, after leaving which Joli completed his edu- cation at Stewartstown and for one year pursued his studies at Glen Rock. At the age of twenty- nine years he married Miss Anace A. Watters, who was born in York County, Pa., and they have one child, Minnie E., who is at home with her parents. Mrs. Barton's people were farmers of the Keystone State, and were well and favor- ably known in the section in which they resided. William Barton received a practical education and has remained unmarried. He and his brother John W. have always lived together and have been very successful in their farming operations, being the owners of an admirably tilled farm of three hundred and forty acres. The place is nicely improved with excellent farm buildings and a thrift and orderliness is observable which at once stamps the brothers as intelligent and energetic farmers.
The brothers are stanch Democrats in politics. William has taken considerable interest in politi- cal matters and has very successfully filled the office of justice of the peace since 1890. He has shown his approval of secret organizations by be-
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coming a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, Fawn Lodge No. 377, of Fawn Grove, Pa. John W. Barton and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church and are highly re- spected in the community where they have so long made their home. The brothers have so con- ducted themselves throughout their business career as to gain the confidence and respect of all who know them, and, being strictly honorable and possessing excellent business qualifications, they are valuable members of society.
AMUEL A. S. KYLE. During the years that Mr. Kyle resided in Harford County he inade many warm friends among its best citizens. After having been long connected with a business firm in Baltimore, in 1878 he purchased the Booth place, near Bel Air, and here he con- tinued to reside until he passed away, in 1893. The place is well improved and constitutes an at- tractive country home. The residence, built by the Booth family in 1855, is substantial, roomy and comfortable; and the other farm buildings are also well adapted to their various purposes. The two hundred and fifty acres comprising the place are divided and subdivided into fields of conveni- ent size, for the raising of grain and the pastur- age of stock, and all the improvements of a first-class estate have been introduced.
The Kyle family is one of the large number of American families that trace their ancestry to Scotch-Irish progenitors. During the time of the religious persecution in Scotland, some of them fled to Ireland in order to seek a refuge for them- selves and their families. They were people of prominence and it is said that not a few were ministers. The succeeding generations remained residents of the island that lies like a beautiful green emerald in the setting of the mighty At- lantic. The Covenanter faith, implanted in the hearts of those who lived in Scotland, was the re- ligion of their descendants in Ireland, most of whom held membership in the Presbyterian
Church. The subject of this sketchi was born in Ireland, being the son of George Kyle, a lieuten- ant in the royal navy. At the age of fourteen he came, alone, to the United States, and joined his uncle, Adam Kyle, who was a merchant in Balti- more, and a member of the firm of Dinsmore & Kyle, established in 1805. With this concern he remained for forty-six years, retiring at the age of sixty.
The first marriage of Mr. Kyle, occurring when he was twenty-eight, united him with Miss Fen- dall, who died, childless, in 1876. Three years afterward he was united in marriage with Ella V. Harwood, daughter of C. W. Harwood, of Har- ford County. Two children, Grace and Annie, blessed this union. In religious belief Mr. Kyle was an Episcopalian, always interested in church work, and for some years before his death he was a member of the vestry of Holy Trinity Church. A man of upright character, he is remembered with affection by his family and, indeed, by all with whom business or social relations brought him into contact. Since his death his estate has been superintended by Mrs. Kyle, who is a lady of considerable business ability, and is also an admirable housekeeper, one who looks well to the ways of her house- hold, providing bountifully for its inmates and for those friends or strangers who may happen to cross the threshold of her comfortable home.
ILTON E. SMITH. Success in any walk of life is an indication of earnest endeavor and persevering effort, and these character- istics are possessed by Mr. Smith, who has for many years been honorably and prominently con- nected with the agricultural and educational interests of Harford County. He resides in District No. 4, his birth occurring August 19, 1853, on the farm which is still his home. The Smith family of which he is a representative had its origin in England, and was established in America
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in colonial days. The great-grandfather of our sub- ject was a soldier of the Revolution. The grand- father, Isaac Smith, was a native of New York, and in his business career followed both mer- chandising and farming. In the Empire State Buell J. Smith was born, and after attaining to years of maturity married Miss Sarah Field, a native of Connecticut, who belongs to the same family as Cyrus Field. She is a member of the " Baptist Church, and at the age of eighty years is living with her son, Milton. She had nine children, namely: Ellen A., Florence A., F. Eva, H. Melville, J. Egbert, Milton E., A. Augusta, Emma L. and C. Adelle.
Milton E. Smith spent the days of his youth on the farm which is still his home, and the work of " the place soon became familiar to him. A broad and liberal education fitted him for life's practical and responsible duties. He attended the Stew- artstown Academy for three terms, and is a grad- uate of the Maryland University of Law of the class of 1891. He has never practiced that pro- fession, but his knowledge of jurisprudence aids him in successfully conducting his business inter- ests. He is prominently identified with the schools of Baltimore and Harford Counties, and for seventeen years has been numbered among their successful teachers. He has the ability to impart readily and clearly to others the knowl- edge that he has acquired, his methods are pro- gressive, and the schools of which he has had charge have made substantial advancement. In connection with his professional duties he also owns and superintends the management of his farm of one hundred and fourteen acres, which is under a high state of cultivation and well im- proved with all modern accessories and conven- iences.
Mr. Smith is a member of the Baptist Church, and in politics is an ardent Republican, warnily advocating the principles of reciprocity, protec- tion and sound money. He has made a close study of the issues which divide the two great national parties and is recognized as one of the leaders in Republican ranks in his district. He is a man of strong determination and noble pur- pose, and never acts except from honest motives.
In all his varied relations in business affairs, and in social life, he has maintained a character and standing that have impressed all with his sin- cere and manly purpose to do by others as he would have them do by him.
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ON. THOMAS B. HAYWARD, M. D., is not only well known as a skillful physician of Harford County, but through his efficient supervision of his farm he has acquired a reputa- tion as an agriculturist, and through his cham- pionship of all progressive measures has become known as a public-spirited citizen. His name is inseparably associated with much that has contrib- uted to advance the material interests of district and county and to promote their welfare in a higher sense. He resides upon his large and well- improved farm, lying in the eastern part of Dis- trict No. 4, where he established his home upon first coming to the county in 1859. In the Democratic party he is one of the local leaders, and upon that ticket was chosen to represent the district in the state legislature, where he remained from 1892 to 1896.
The gencalogical record of the Hayward family shows that they came from England in an early day and settled in South Carolina, removing thence to Pennsylvania. Thomas Hayward, the doctor's grandfather, was born in South Caro- lina and engaged in farming there in early life, but later removed to Pennsylvania. Joseph J., our subject's father, was born in Philadelphia and be- came a physician, engaging in professional prac- tice in York County, Pa., for many years. He married Sarah Briarly, a native of Franklin, Pa., and nine children were born of their union, of whom the following survive: Margaret J., Maria A., Amanda N., Thomas B. and Samuel H. The doctor, who was the older of the two sons, was born in York County, Pa., May 4, 1838, and received his primary education in the schools of
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his native place, after which he was for a year a student in Dickinson College, an old institution that was founded at Carlisle, Pa., in 1783. Later . he attended Cumberland Institute for a year, but afterward returned to Dickinson College, where he was a student two years. After a short time spent in teaching school, he began preparations for his life work, the practice of medicine, at the age of nineteen. For three years he read under the preceptorship of Dr. James W. Kerr, of York, Pa., and afterward took a course of lectures in the Pennsylvania Medical College, Philadelphia, - from which he graduated in 1859, receiving the highest grade of any member of his class.
Immediately after his graduation, Dr. Hayward came to Harford County and began the practice of his profession at his present location. Soon he built up a good practice, the care of which, to- gether with the supervision of his farming prop- erty, required his entire time. In 1864 he mar- ried Helen M. Bussey, who was born in Harford County, of French descent. The ten children born of their union are named as follows: Thomas S., Francis S., Charles J. (deceased), Augustus O., Edward B., James F., Eugene H., Florence M., Helen R. and Lillian J.
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TEVENSON A. WILLIAMS. The occu- pation by which Mr. Williams is best known and the pursuit of which has sccured for him a competency and an honorable position in the world, is that of attorney-at-law. However, his energies have by no means been limited to the legal profession, but in other lines of labor he has also won commendable success. He is president of the Harford National Bank of Bel Air and has aided in placing the finances of this institution upon a solid basis amongst leading concerns of the kind in the state.
The Williams family originated in Wales and was first represented in America by John Will- iams, who settled in Harford County towards the middle of the last century. William Williams,
grandfather of our subject, was a prominent con- tractor at Ilavre de Grace, where his death oc- curred in 1848. Like other members of the fam- ily, he was known as a man of unwavering in- tegrity, excellent business ability and shrewd judgment. His son, Dr. Lewis J. Williams, who was our subject's father, was born in Harford County, in 1819, received an excellent literary and medical education, and became an eminent physician. Entering the United States navy in early ycars, his entire active life was spent in the service of the government. He died at Balti- more in 1888.
While his father was stationed in the naval hospital in Brooklyn, the subject of this article was born there, May 6, 1851, being one of three children. His sister, Mary, resides in Baltimore, while his brother, Frederick R., is an attorney, associated with him in practice at Bel Air. The mother of this family was Harriet H. Archer, who died in IS71. Her father was Stevenson Archer, late chief justice of the court of appeals of Maryland. She had three brothers, namely: James, who settled in Mississippi; Dr. John, who became a prominent physician in Louisiana; and Stevenson, who was a successful attorney and at one time a member of congress from Maryland.
When less than a year of age the subject of this notice was brought by his parents to Harford County, which is the only home he remembers. His parents gave him the best educational ad- vantages the country afforded. After carrying on his studies in private schools for some years, he matriculated at Princeton, and from that cele- brated institution graduated in 1870, receiving the degrees of A. B. and A. M. from his alma mater. In 1872 he entered the law department of the University of Maryland, from which he graduated in 1873, with the degree of LL. B. At once returning to Bel Air, he opened an office and has since practiced law there. In local poli- tics, too, he has been quite prominent, wiekling an influence among other members of the Repub- lican party. This being the minority party in Harford County, his candidacy upon the ticket for various offices has been unsuccessful.
Mr. Williams in 1875 married Miss A. R.
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Streett, daughter of the late John Rush Streett of Harford County. They have four children: Elise, Harriet A., Elizabeth Rush and Lewis J. In re- ligious belief Mr. Williams is an Episcopalian. He is now in the prime of life, with many years of usefuluess before him, and undoubtedly added honors will come to him as the years go by.
AMES H. AMOS, who resides in District No. 4, Harford County, is a son of B. Scott and Sarah (Amos) Amos, all natives of this dis- trict. He is next to the youngest of five children, his sister and brothers being Martha, Zacharialı, Robert and Isaac. His father, who was a son of Robert Amos, grew to manliood upon the home farm in this district, and upon attaining mature years adopted agriculture as his vocation, and to it his entire active life was devoted. During the War of IS12 he was one of the many heroic Marylanders who enlisted to defend their state from the encroachments of the British and their country from subjection to foreign rule. Among . * the public positions which he held were those of tax collector of the district and county commis- sioner, in which latter capacity he was retained . for more than twenty years.
It was natural that, upon attaining man's estate, our subject should select for his occupa- tion that in which his forefathers had engaged . and with which he himself was most familiar. As an agriculturist, he has superintended and managed his farm in District No. 4, maintaining a high grade of improvements and building such structures as are necessary for the proper man- agement of the farm. In matters political he is a Democrat, true to the principles for which the party stands. He has been identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but is 110 longer active in the fraternity.
At the age of thirty Mr. Amos married Mary E. West, an estimable lady, who was born in this district and has spent her entire life here. She is a daughter of Stacy and Mary (Dallam ) West,
natives, respectively, of Bucks County, Pa., and District No. 5, Harford County, Md., and is the eldest of three children, the others being S. Augustus and Wilson D. Her grandfather, Thomas West, was born in Bucks County, Pa .. where he engaged in farming for some years, but in an early day he removed to Harford County and purchased a tract of more than one thousand acres of valuable land. His ancestors were of Eng- lish origin and Quakers in religion, and as a rule were agriculturists by occupation. In religious belief Mrs. Amos is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the work of which she takes an active interest, and by the members of which she is held in the highest esteem. All who know her have the highest regard for her estimable Christian character and amiability of disposition, qualities which have won for her the admiration of all with whom she has an acquaintance. The six children born of her marriage are named as follows: Mary A .; Saralı, wife of George Rigdon; Caroline E., who married Benson Gable, of York County, Pa., Eugenia; Henry S., who married Virginia W. Eusor and resides in District No. 4; and Charles D., deceased.
P EV. ALPHEUS S. MOWBRAY. This active and public-spirited man is regarded as one of the most influential citizens of Cecil County, and it is but just to chronicic in this volume some of the events that mark his life as one of usefulness. Although his material wealth is not inconsiderable, yet it is so far over- balanced by his riches of character, his ability and his virtues and the herculean efforts he has put forth to raise the standard of life and thought in the communities in which he has lived, that to mention his worldly wealth would be but a waste of time. Mr. Mowbray comes of a fine old English family who trace their ancestry back to the days of William the Conqueror. The Mowbray family tree first took root on American
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soil at the time Lord Baltimore came to this country, two Mowbray brothers accompanying him hither. They settled at Dorchester County, which has been the birthplace of nearly all the members of the family. The paternal grandfa- tler, Levin Mowbray, was born there and in that region became very well and favorably known. He was at one time an extensive merchant and owned a line of boats that plied on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. His son, William H. Mowbray, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Dorchester County, Md., but later removed to Denton, Md., where he followed the occupation of carpentering and still makes his home. His wife was Anna Sparklin, daughter of Daniel Sparklin, of Caroline County, who was for sixteen years judge of tlie county orphans' court. He was of Scotch ancestry, was active and prominent in church affairs, and a leader of public thought in his section.
Rev. Alpheus S. Mowbray was born in Den- ton, Caroline County, Md., December 30, 1858, and was one of the family of three sons and four daughters born to his parents. His two brothers are, like himself, Methodist ministers. Rev. W. R. received his education iu Wilmington Col- lege and is stationed at Smyrna, Del. Rev. E. T. was educated in Western Maryland College, of Westminster, Md., and is now a member of the Baltimore conference. About the time that the subject of this sketch needed assistance in se- curing an education, his father, who had pre- viously been a successful business mau, met with some severe reverses of fortune, and could, there- · fore, render him but little aid. Being a young man of determination and anxious to acquire an education, he determined to make his own way
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· through school notwithstanding ill fortune, but his -manly deportment soon attracted the atten- tion of men of prominence and won him their re- gard and interest. He was tendered, and gladly accepted, assistance by Prof. James Swann, who was an instructor in the Conference Academy of Dover, Del.
This institution young Mowbray attended un- til he was eighteen years of age, when he began teaching, and at the age of twenty entered Dickin-
son College at Carlisle, Pa., from which he re- ceived liis degree of A. M. In 1883 he joined the Methodist Episcopal Conference held at Cambridge and presided over by the famous Bishop Simpson, and was afterwards stationed at Oxford for two years. He was then at Mary- dell for the same length of time, four years at Pocomoke City, four years at Newport, Del., and in 1895 was sent to Elkton, where he has since been pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is one of the most brilliant and eloquent mem- bers of the Methodist conference.
In 1892 his scholarly attainments, energy and ability as an organizer were rewarded by the Methodist Episcopal conference and he was made secretary of that body, a position that has greatly increased his labors and responsibilities. Each year he publishes a full report of the proceedings of the conference. Mr. Mowbray is a most agree- able gentleman to meet, for he is at all times courteous and has a kind word and a smile for everyone. He is extremely popular, not only with his own church people, but with all who known him, who can but recognize his good in- tentions and his earnest desire to aid his fellows. He has devoted his life to the good of others and his uuselfishness and disinterestedness will sure- ly be rewarded. He was married in May, IS83, to Miss Stevenson, of Dover, Del., and they have one daughter and two sons: Agnes L., Edwin Stevenson and Alpheus.
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M RS. HANNAH A. McCLUNG resides in Norrisville, in a pleasant home and in the midst of many friends. She is a repre- sentative of one of the oldest families of Harford County, and one whose identification with the best interests of the locality has been as honorable as it is long. Her great-grandfather, Joseph Cathcart, was a native of Ireland, but in early life left the Emerald Isle and sought a home in America. For many years he followed farming in Harford County, and his well-directed business
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interests brought to him a handsome estate. The grandfather, William Cathcart, was born in Har- ford County, and also devoted his time and energies to agricultural pursuits. When the country became engaged in its second war with England he went to the scene of battle as a defender of the Republic.
The parents of Mrs. McClung were John P. and Eliza J. (Wiley) Catlicart, both natives of Harford County, and their family numbered six children, all daughters, namely: Hannah A., Jemima J., Mary A., Rebecca, Laura and Rebecca. The last three named are deceased. Thus coming from a family whose history is indissolubly connected with that of her native county, Mrs. McClung well deserves representa- tion in this volume. Then, too, the part which the women have borne in advancing the best interests of the community must not be over- looked. Although their labors have been of a more quiet character, they are none the less im- portant, and their influence in producing a higher and better development is felt and acknowledged by all.
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