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 67
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 67
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Mrs. McClung was born in District No. 4, June 21, 1843, and spent her girlhood days in her par- ents' home, the time being quietly passed after the manner of the girls of that period. When twenty- one years of age she gave her hand in marriage to Robert R. McClung, a native of the same district, and presided over his home until he was called to his final rest. Mr. McClung was a , farmer by occupation, and a man of great energy and business ability. In his dealings he was ever honorable and straightforward, and his word in all business transactions was considered as good as his bond. His well-managed interests brought to him a good return, and he became the possessor of a large estate, which thus enabled him to leave his family in very comfortable circum- stanices.
In politics Mr. McClung was a stalwart sup- porter of the Democracy, and kept well informed on the issues of the day. He lield membership in the Methodist Protestant Church of Norris- ville, was prominent in its work, served as trustee, and hield official positions in the Sunday-school.
As a citizen he was true to his duties, and never withheld his support from any object that would promote the material or moral welfare of the community. He passed away November 17, ISSI, at the age of fifty-four years, and left to his family the record of a blameless life.
Mr. and Mrs. McClung had seven children, Benjamin F. W., Columbus P., Mary E., Rosa F., Samuel J., Elsie M. and Pearl R. With her children Mrs. McClung resides in Norrisville. Like her husband, she is a member of the Meth- odist Protestant Church, and is deeply interested in all that pertains to its advancement and growth. She is a lady of many excellent quali- ties, of kindly disposition and genial manner, and has the warm regard of many friends.
ON. THOMAS H. ROBINSON. That suc- cess in life is not wholly a creature of cir- cumstances, but the result of natural ability to seize upon circumstances and turn them to advantageous account, is exemplified in the life of the above-named gentleman. While he had the advantages of good birth, honorable ancestry and an excellent education; yet these have been merely factors in, not the cause of, his success. While his reputation and prosperity have been won principally through his labors as an attorney, he has also been connected with various business enterprises. As a politician he has been influen- tial in the Democratic party, both in his county and state. As a public official, he has faithfully and ably represented the people whose interests he has ever had at heart; and as a financier lie finds a field for action in his position as president of the Second National Bank of Bel Air.
Three miles from his present home in Bel Air, the subject of this article was born March 2, IS59, to the union of Dr. Samuel S. and Mary C. (Prigg) Robinson, natives, respectively, of Balti- more city and Harford County. Both represented old families of Harford County, whose members have always taken a leading part in business and
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politics. Dr. Robinson removed from Baltimore to a farin in Harford County in 1856, and there continued to reside until his death, in ISSs. He was a son of Thomas Robinson, member of the firm of T. &. S. Robinson, wholesale dry-goods merchants of Baltimore; the latter in turn was a son of Joseph Robinson, a native of Harford County.
The only son of his parents, our subject was given every advantage within the means of the family. He began to study law with Hon. Henry D. Farnandis, of Bel Air, with whom he contin- ued until he was admitted to the bar, May 11, 1882, and since that time he has been engaged in active practice. The Democratic party has in him one of its most ardent supporters. Since his entrance upon professional life he has also been closely identified with political affairs, being perhaps one of the most prominent members of his party in Harford County, and is a member of the state central committee. In 1891 he was nomi- nated by his party to represent the county in the state senate and was elected by a large majority. During his teri in that body he served on a num1- ber.of important committees, as chairman of the executive, nominations, railroads and canals committecs, and as a member of the finance committee.
In 1884 Mr. Robinson married Miss Clara C., daughter of Judge J. M. Cain, of the orphans' court. They have five children, namely: Lucile, Madeleine, Elizabeth, Thomas Hall and Clara.
HOMAS H. WILEY, an enterprising and progressive farmer of District No. 4, Har- ford County, is highly respected through- out the community, and the record of his life can- not fail to prove of interest to our readers. Hc was born in District No. 4, on the 22d of March, 1828, and is descended from good old Revolu- tionary stock. The ancestry of the family can be traced back to Ircland, where the great-grand- father, David Wiley, first opened his eyes to the
light of day. The new world, with its many op. portunities and possibilities proved to him an irresistible attraction and he therefore bade adieu to the land of his birth and sought a home be- yond the Atlantic. Locating in Chester County, Pa., he there followed farming for many years and founded a family which was for several gen- erations associated with that region. His son, Matthew Wiley, was born in Chester County, and learned the miller's trade, which he followed in connection with agricultural pursuits. He was among those who aided in casting aside the yoke of British tyranny and as a colonial soldier val- iantly fought for American independence. He adhered to the Presbyterian faith, and at his death, which occurred at the advanced age of eighty- eight years, he was laid to rest in Bethel churchyard, near the present home of our sub- ject. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rebecca Nelson, was a native of Harford County, also a member of the Presbyterian Church, and when called to the home beyond was laid to rest by the side of her husband, near the old meeting house where she worshiped.
The parents of our subject, John and Eliza- beth (Hutchins) Wiley, were both natives of Harford County, and here they reared their fam- ily of ten children, of whom six are yet living, as follows: Thomas H., Hannah E., Mary A., Caroline M., Zana Idelett and Richard N. To the common schools near his home Thomas H. Wiley is indebted for his educational privileges. He remained with his parents during his boyhood and youth and assisted his father in the cultiva- tion of the old homestead. At the age of twenty - six years he was united in marriage with Rebec- ca Wiley, who was born in the same district as her husband. They became the parents of nine children, who in order of birthi are as follows: Thomas H., Richard H., Harry F., Charles L., Caroline B., Robert L., Franklin M., Elizabeth A. and Rebecca J. The mother of this family passed away in 1890, at the age of sixty-one years, and was buried in Bethel cemetery. She was long a faithful member of the Bethel Presby- terian Church, and was beloved by all who knew her.
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Although Mr. Wiley has devoted the greater part of his life to agricultural pursuits, he was for a time engaged in business in Baltimore, whither he removed in 1856. There he engaged in running an onibus line for nine years. O11 the expiration of that period he returned to Har- ford County, in 1865, and purchased one hundred and nineteen acres of land, constituting the farm on which he now resides. It is called Brown's Clioice, and is a very valuable and desirable prop- erty, the excellent buildings and substantial innl- provements indicating the careful supervision of the owner. Mr. Wiley's political affiliations are with the Democracy. Fraternally he is connect- ed with Home Secret Lodge No. 92, K. P., of Shawsville. He is an active and influential mem- ber of the Bethel Presbyterian Church, and for many years has served as one of its trustees.
ELSON O. MERRYMAN. Personal popu- larity, it cannot be denied, results largely from industry, perseverance and close atten- tion to business, which one displays in the man- agement of any particular line of trade; and in the case of Mr. Merryman this is certainly true, for he has adhered so closely to farming and helped in so many ways to advance all worthy enterprises in this community that he is classed among the representative men of Harford County. On starting out for himself, he very naturally preferred the occupation to which he had been reared, rather than to attempt something foreign, and in agricultural pursuits he has continued up to the present time. That he has been successful cannot be questioned for a moment, when a glance is cast over his well-improved place in District No. 4. Careful and painstaking in the cultiva- tion of his land and thorough in everything con- nected with its management, it is, perhaps, not to be wondered at that he is meeting with suc- cess.
In the district where he now resides Nelson O. Merryman was born May 6, 1850, the son of Nel-
son and Sarah (Davis) Merryman, natives, re- speetively, of the county and city of Baltimore. He was one of seven children, the others being Joseph D., Henry S., Margaret E., John R., Eleanora and Sarah J. His great-grandfather was a native of England, and established the family in America, coming to this country and settling upon a farm in Baltimore County. The grandfather, Josepli, was a native of Baltimore County. The youthful years of our subject were uneventfully passed, in the routine of farmi work and the acquirement of a common-school educa- tion. At the age of twenty-six he married Miss S. Alice Gemmill, a native of Pennsylvania. The six children born of the union are named as fol- lows: Howard D. and Bertie J., both deceased; Walter G., C. Marvin, Mary E. and Sarah A., the latter deceased. Mr. Merryman stands well in the estimation of his neighbors and is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which his family also belongs. He is a great temperance worker, in theory and practice oppos- ing the saloon, and carries this principle into politics, giving his support to the Prohibition party.
OSHUA G. LUCKEY. Harford County has among its citizens many men of more than average ability and intelligence, who are doing a great work for its advancement. Promi- nent among these is the subject of our sketch, a well-known resident and enterprising farmier of District No. 4. He owns and operates one hun- dred and sixty acres of valuable land, which he has placed under a highi state of cultivation and improved with all the accessories and conveniences of a model farmi. It is pleasantly located near the postoffice of Black Horse and is one of the desir- able farins of the neighborhood.
In the district where he now resides Mr. Luckey was born November 4, IS26, the eldest child of James and Martha (Guyton) Luckey, also natives of this district. He had two brothers
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and a sister, namely: Dr. John B., deceased; Elizabeth and Prof. George J. The family is an old and honored one and has given to this coun- - try brave soldiers in times of war and public- spirited citizens in times of peace. Our subject's grandmother was related to President Buchanan's ancestors, and one of her sons was a soldier in the Revolution. His grandfather, Rev. George Luckey, was born in June, 1750, at Fagg's Manor, Chester County, Pa., and was reared under the ministry of Rev. Samuel Blair and under the literary instruction of Professor Ross, author of the Latin grammar. After teaching for a time in Virginia, where he boarded with James Madison's father, he entered Princeton College and carried on his studies there until his gradu- - ation, in 1772. He was a classmate of Aaron Burr and Rev. John McMillan, the father of Presbyterianism in western Pennsylvania. For · years afterward he was president of a classical academy, in which were educated many men who later attained prominence. In addition to educational work he was engaged in preaching the Gospel and was a well-known minister. He died December 23, 1823, at the age of seventy- three, and was buried in the Bethel cemetery. His father, a native of Ireland, emigrated to America at an early day and settled in Pennsyl- vania, where he operated a farm.
On the farm where he now lives, our subject passed his early boyhood years. He received his education in the private schools of his neighbor- hood. Agriculture has been his life work, and both in general farming and in stock-raising he has met with success. In political belief he allies himself with the Democratic party and always supports the principles of this political organ- · ization. For more than thirty years he has held the office of magistrate and still serves in this capacity, in addition to which he has been asses- sor of the county, and for one terin served as county commissioner. While not connected with any denomination, he is a believer in Christianity and usually attends services at the Bethel Pres- byterian Church, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. At the age of twenty-five he married Mary Lytle, a native of
Baltimore County and of Irish descent. Thirteen children were born of the union, nine of whom are now living, namely: Octavia A., Jamies B., Edward T., Ella, Lne, Lanra, Bessie. Jennie and Clara, all of whom are married, excepting Laura and Bessie.
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LIVER T. ROGERS. The legal profession has many able representatives in Harford County, men who have combined native gifts of a high order with thorough study of the best authorities in the law, and who, by reason of these two qualifications, have gained a fair measure of success. In the list of well-known attorneys we place the name of Mr. Rogers, of Havre de Grace, who, in addition to the man- agement of his practice, has held the office of justice of the peace since May of 1896. He is a man of excellent education, a concise, logical reasoner, and is thoroughly informed regarding every legal point or technicality of his cases. In all his transactions he is exact and accurate, never failing to bestow painstaking care even upon seemingly unimportant items.
In the city where he now resides the subject of this article was born in 1859, upon the day dear to all Americans as the anniversary of national independence. His father, George W. Rogers, was born in Cecil County, Md., and was reared upon a farm there, making it his home until about thirty years of age. He then came to Havre de Grace and worked at the trade of a shoemaker in this place. Though now (1897), seventy-four years of age, he still follows his chosen occupation and is quite active for one so advanced in life. In political belief he is a thorough Republican, but has never sought office nor cared for public prominence. His wife, Caroline (Metzger) Rogers, was born in Havre de Grace and is now sixty-three years of age. Since girl- hood she has been identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church and one of its consistent members.
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Educated in the public schools, our subject early determined to enter the legal profession, and with this object in view he read law under William M. Marine, late collector of the port of Baltimore. Upon the completion of liis studies he was ad- mitted to the bar in Baltimore County in 1885, aud during the three ensuing years he was con- nected with his former preceptor in Baltimore. From that place he came to Havre de Grace and has since been in continuous practice at this place. In addition to hiis private practice, he is acting as justice of the peace and for a number of terms has rendered efficient service as city at- torney. The Republican party contains the principles to which he pledges his adherence and which he believes will best advance the welfare of our country. While supporting the policy of that party, he has at no time sought political prominence and the positions to which he has been chosen have come to him because the people · believe that he can fill them with efficiency. He possesses an analytical mind and is well equipped for his profession. In other ways than as a law- yer he is helpful to his community, the best interests of which he ever seeks. In 1888 he was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Magowan, of Havre de Grace, and they are the parents of a daughter, Laura Annie.
EPTIMUS D. SEWELL. The family of which this gentleman was an honored repre- sentative has been identified with the history of Maryland for many generations and has been a potent factor in the development of the state's resources. The first of the name to settle in Harford County was the father of our subject, Col. Charles S. Sewell, a native of Queen Anne County, but through much of his life a resident of Harford County, where he owned thousands of acres of land. The title by which he was always called was given him in recognition of meritorious service in the War of. 1812. His fellow-citizens, recognizing his large talents and
fitness for public service, elected him to represent this district in the United States congress, and in that honored body lie was a leading member. He is remembered as one of the best citizens the county has ever had and one who, by his ability and fidelity to the people's interests, won the position for himself.
The subject of this sketch was born in District No. 1, Harford County, April 26, 1822, and died at the same place August 5, 1869, having devoted his entire active life to the cultivation and im- provement of the old homestead. In youth he attended the local schools, which being far in- ferior to those of the present day, did not assist him so much in preparing for life's activities as did his own powers of observation and his ex- perience. While he superintended the farm personally, he did not engage actively in its culti- vation, but rented out the land to others. He was thus enabled to devote muchi of his time to the consideration of public affairs and to the en- joyment of the amenities of life. In early man- hood a Whig, upon the disintegration of that party he became a Democrat and was ever after- ward loyal to the principles of that organization. It was never his desire to hold office, but he used his influence to secure the election of men who wished to serve the public as officials and whom he deemed fully competent to do so. He was the possessor of a fine voice and often sang in the choir of the Episcopal Church at Perryman, of which he was an active member and a vestryman. Fraternally he was connected with the Odd Fel- lows.
In 1850 Mr. Sewell was united in marriage with Maria L. Smith, daughter of Fielder B. Smith, and a member of an old family of Mary- land. She is still living, being now (1897) sixty-four years of age. They were the parents of eight children, the oldest of whom, Charles S., died at Milledgeville, Ga., September 7, 1884; and the second, Lucy E., who married a gentle- man of Baltimore, departed this life July 4, 1894. Catherine is the wife of M. D. Wilson, a resident of Frizellburgh, Carroll County, Md .; Mary S. resides with her mother; C. K. and William H. occupy the old homestead, of which the latter
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has had charge since he was fifteen years of age; L. Louisc is the wife of J. P. Heard, of Gaines- ville, Ga .; the youngest child, Fielder B., died in childhood. The family is highly esteemed and well known in this locality, and a station on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad is named in honor of them. C. K., who is a man well known in public affairs, held the position of tax collector in 1891-92 and again in 1897. He and his brother are agents for farm machinery and fertilizers, the utility of which has been acknowledged by those best fitted to judge. He has the energy and intelligence of his father and is a young man of great promise.
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ARTIN E. RIDGELY. The family repre- sented by this prosperous farmer of Dis- trict No. 3, Harford County, originated in Enigland, but its members have been long iden- tified with American history. His grandfather, Commodore Daniel B. Ridgely, of the United States navy, was conspicuous among the Ameri- can officers during the War of 1812. Dr. Nich- olas G. Ridgely, our subject's father, was during most of his life a resident and practicing physician of Baltimore, where he built up a large practice and gained a name as a skillful and reliable phy- sician. In that city his death occurred in 1892, on the day sacred to loyal citizens as the anni- versary of American independence. His wife survives him, and makes her home with her only living son. They were the parents of six chil- dren, and at this writing, besides our subject, four of the family survive: Martha E .; Henrietta M .; Elizabeth D., wife of S. R. Reed; and Mary E.
Graduating from school at the age of nineteen, the subject of this sketch afterward removed from his native city of Baltimore to New York City, where he became interested in the banking and brokerage business. However, after one year he went back to Baltimore, firm in the opinion that it far surpassed the metropolis of the new world,
if not in population, at least in everything that goes to make a city a desirable place of residence. In 1894 he purchased the Woodside farm, near Bel Air, of which Robert Brown had previously been the owner. Bringing his mother and three unmarried sisters with him, he established his home here. . The place contains one hundred and fifty acres, upon which, through his management, first-class improvements have been made, and through the cultivation of which he has been financially prospered. When residing in Balti- more, he and the other members of the family were identified with Grace Episcopal Church. The Democratic party has a strong adherent in him, and his vote and influence are given to that party. However, he has never sought office nor identified himself with political affairs, and has lived so quietly since coming to Harford County that the great questions causing so much discus- sion in the United States do not disturb him in his rural home. Unlike many who seek notori- ety, he has always preferred the quiet discharge of personal duties to the excitement of public life. The fame of his deeds may never reach the outside world, yet, after all, no higher praise can be bestowed upon any man than to say truthfully that his life is upright, and that no one was ever wronged by him. Such may, in truth, be said of Martin E. Ridgely.
ON. WEBSTER WHITE. Although yet a young man, Mr. White has already made a success of life, both as a teacher and farm-
er. At this writing the latter occupation en- gages his attention, and he is interested in the cultivation of an eiglity-acre farm lying in Dis- trict No. 9, Cecil County. This is a portion of the old family homestead that has been in the possession of succeeding generations for many years, in fact, since an early period in the history of Maryland. Naturally he is fond of the old place, and will keep from passing into strange hands the property that his ancestors hewed out
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of the wilderness. In the supervision of the es- tate, he aims to improve the soil with each rota- tion of crops by the application of science in the husbanding of nature's boundless resources of fertility.
The family from which Mr. White descends in the paternal line is of good old English stock, well known for their good character and their in- dustry. John White, who founded the family in America, received a warrant to two hundred acres of land from Lord Baltimore. His son, Israel, had a son, Milton, who was born in 1802, in Dis- trict No. 9. The former was a blacksmith and farmer, and owned the property formerly belong- ing to his father; the latter was for a time en- : ployed in carrying the mail from Port Deposit to Perryville, also worked in a warehouse at Colum- bia, and later taught school in Chester County, - Pa., for twenty years, being an instructor in the New London Academy for a part of the time. · When forty-five years of age he settled upon the - homestead, where he spent the remainder of his · life, dying in 1892, at the age of ninety years. In political sentiment he was a stanch Repub- lican. His wife, who was Martha Caldwell, of Farmington, Md., bore him seven children, five of whom are living.
At Calvert, formerly known as Brick Meeting House, in a house that stood opposite his present home, the subject of this sketch was born in 1860. He was educated in the public schools, West Nottingham Acadenty and the Friends' se- lect school. At the age of eighteen he secured employment in the iron works at Wilmington, Del., where he was occupied as shipping clerk for one year. Then entering upon the teacher's pro- fession, he had charge of schools in Cecil and Chester Counties front 1880 to 1892, becoming known meanwhile as an efficient and successful instructor. In the latter year he bought the old homestead, and has since engaged in farming and dairying here. A Republican in politics, he was upon that ticket elected a member of the legisla- ture in 1896, serving for one term in that respon- sible position. He married Annie Ramsey, daugh- ter of John Ramsey, and they have two children, Esther and Elizabeth. Fraternally he assisted in
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