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 72
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 72
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druggist for two and one-half years, having in his charge $3,000,000 in supplies. His next po- sition was with the wholesale drug house of E. C. Pike, for whom he traveled in Illinois and the northwest. In 1871, when Mr. Pike sold his patent medicine business to the Collins Drug Company, Mr. Beatty entered the employ of this concern, and for them traveled in the south and later in the southwest and west, remaining with them for nine years. The increasing feebleness of his father caused him to return to Maryland in 1880, and he then took charge of the drug business owned by his father.
Fraternally Judge Beatty is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is record- ing secretary of the lodge, in which he is the old- est member in the town. Politically he is a Democrat. For seven years he was register of voters, and since 1895 he has served as judge of the orphans' court. With many of the depart- ments of work connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church he is closely identified, and at this writing is secretary of the missionary society and secretary and librarian of the Sunday-school. October 7, 1875, he married Margaret Kelly, of St. Louis, Mo., the daughter of parents who came to this country from the Isle of Man. She died in December, 1892, leaving five children, name- ly: Arthur, who is engaged in the drug business in Philadelphia; Annie, Drew, Laura and Mar- garet.
EV. GILES BUCKNER COOKE has been rector of North Elk parish, diocese of Easton, since July IS, 1891. The church to which he ministers and whose welfare is so dear to his heart is one of the oldest in Maryland. The bricks used in the construction of the house of worship were brought from England and it is said that the Bible, prayer book and communion set were donated by Queen Anne of England. The original building was erected in 1690, and on the same site the present structure was built
After having attended the public schools for some years, the subject of this sketch entered Port Edward Institute in Washington County, N. Y., where he remained for two years. In 1861 he went to Baltimore and secured employ- ment in a retail drug store, where he remained for six years, meantime learning the business. Going to St. Louis in 1867, he took a position with the medical purveying department of the United States army, and remained there as a . in 1734. Many are the changes that have been
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made since those days, and could the old walls, now gray with age, speak in human voice, what a story they might tell of days of terror when the land was infested by the hated "redcoats;" of the early days of the government when the founda. tion of our nation was laid; of years of progress and advancement; then of darker days, when the soldiers in the blue and those in the gray met 011 many a blood-stained battlefield.
The Cooke family was first represented in America by Mordecai Cooke, who came from England in 1650 and was sheriff of Gloucester, Va., in 1698. John K. Cooke, father of our sub- ject, was a lumber merchant and a man of means. Politically he was a Democrat and a leading poli- tician of Portsmouth, Va., of which place he was at one time postmaster. He went to the Mexican War as first lieutenant of Company F, Virginia Regiment, and was made provost marshal after reaching the front. He was also in the southern army during the Civil War and served as post- master of General Lee's army, the army of northern Virginia. After the war he returned to Portsmouth and retired to private life. His deathi occurred February 6, 1887. He married Fannie Bracken, of Gloucester County, Va .; she died in 1867, leaving a son and three daughters, namely: Giles Buckner; Margaret, wife of Littleton White, of Portsmouth, Va .; Ella Mason, Mrs. J. W. Chandler, of Caroline County, Va., and Betty P., wife of J. W. Palmer, of Brunswick County, Va. 1
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The subject of this sketch was born in Ports- mouth, Va., May 13, 1838. He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1859 and after- ward taught school and read law until April, 1861, when he entered the Confederate army as a pri- vate. Afterward he was promoted successively to lieutenant, captain and major, and also served on the staff of several generals as assistant adjutant. From November, 1864, to the close of the war, he was on the staff of Gen. Robert E. Lee. The uniform which he wore while in service was given, after the surrender, to his nephew, Rev. John K. White, and the latter afterward wrote a poem, "The Old Gray Coat," that was inspired by the sight of the uniform and a recollection of the dark: war days. The poem has fifteen stanzas
and is beautiful in thought and effective in rhythmic harmony. Since the close of the war Mr. Cooke has devoted himself to the preaching of the Gospel, and by his noble Christian life, no less than by his earnest preaching, has led many to accept the Gospel of Christ. October 19, 1870, lie married Mrs. Martha F. (Mallory) Southall, who remained his devoted helpmate until her death, January 2, 1894.
ON. R. L. THOMAS was born in Newcastle County, Del., June 30, 1809, and died in
- Elkton, Md., June 17, 1888, when lacking only a few days of being seventy-nine years of age. He was a son of Samuel and Hannah Thomas, the latter of Scotch ancestry. When he was a small child, his father engaged as manager for General Foreman on the latter's elegant estate, known as "Rose Hill," situated in Sassafras Neck, Cecil County, where the family continued to reside for some years. The earliest recollec- tions of our subject are associated with the pass- ing of the British barges, under Admiral Cock- burn, up the Sassafras River, and the burning of Georgetown, on the Kent side of the river, in May, 1813. When fifteen years of age he was apprenticed to a woolen manufacturer at Stanton, Delaware, but after three years his employer failed and he was thrown upon his own resources. During all of this time he had the benefit of only forty days' schooling, and in later years acknowi- edged himself as chiefly indebted to the home and Sunday-school for the instruction he received.
Until 1834 Mr. Thomas worked at his trade in Cecil County. In that year he established his home in North East, where he embarked in the mercantile business in 1842, and for many years remained the leading merchant of the town. Honesty in business transactions was his motto as a business man. He was persevering and ener- getic and gave close attention to cvery detail of the work. During all periods of business de- pression he maintained an unshaken credit and enjoyed the confidence of the wholesale men
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with whom he dealt as well as of the commun- ity where lie resided. Always a Democrat, he · was appointed postmaster under President Tyler and again under President Polk. As an official . he was obliging and faithful. Though he had . neither time nor inclination to be a politician, he "was nevertheless an active worker for his party and his judgment was highly respected. In 1849 and 1854 he was chosen a member of the Mary- land legislature. In the former session he took ' an active part in securing the passage of the charter for the Cecil Bank at Ft. Deposit, and was an advocate of the act providing a conven- tion for the framing of a new constitution for the . state. In 1854 he was a zealous supporter of all measures before the legislature for the promotion of temperance. As a legislator lie was esteemed for his business qualifications, his integrity and devotion to the interests of liis constituents. :
During his apprenticeship Mr. Thomas became the subject of deep religious convictions, and in 1830 he connected himself with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has since remained a useful member, always active and liberal in contributions to its benevolences. In 1830 lie married Sarah Jane, daughter of Charles and Mary Johnson, of Cecil County. She died child- less in 1838. In 1854 lie married Ruth Ann, daughter of John and Martha Jane McCracken, of North East. This lady died in 1867, leaving tlie following-named children: Martha Ruth, who married Philip Ricards; Sarah Rebecca, wife of Dr. Theodore A. Worrell; Mary Ann, Mrs. Thomas W. Harnon; Elizabeth, wife of Theo- dore Blackwell; Richard L., Emily and Ida.
OHN S. SIMCOE, of North East, was born at Carpenters Point, Cecil County, May 18, 1831, and lie is a descendant of George Sim- coe, a Scotchinan, who upon coming to America settled in Cecil County. The father of Jolin S. was William Simcoe, a farmer and a man of prominence in public affairs, having served his
district in the legislature and holding other offices of trust. For many years he was a steward in the Methodist Churchi. He married Rebecca Cazier, a native of Cecil County, and a meniber of a prominent family here; her father was one of the defenders of Baltimore during the War of 1812. The family of William and Rebecca Sim- coe consisted of thirteen children, of whom the following survive: George, of Bayview; John S .; Louise and Nicholas.
At the age of sixteen John S. Simcoe began to work upon his father's farm, and continued there until 1863, when he entered the mercantile bus- iness at North East, remaining in this business for five years. Since then he has not been en- gaged in business, but still owns a farm and con- siderable property in town. A Democrat in poli- tics, lie has been a power in local affairs, but lias never sought office for himself. In religious be- lief he is identified with the Episcopal Church and is one of its vestrymen. December 6, 1881, he married Mary Jones, of Cecil County.
AROLD WALSH, a lawyer by profession and a member of the Harford bar, is, how- ever, giving his attention principally to the management and cultivation of the old family homestead, where he was born and where he still resides. It is situated at Jerusalem Mills, Dis- trict No. 1, Harford County, and contains two hundred and fifty acres, in addition to which, Mr. Walsh has a farm of six hundred acres lying on the Gunpowder River.
The first of the Walsh family in this country was the grandfather of our subject, Jolin Walsh, who was born in Ireland and settled in Baltimore, where he engaged in the lumber business. John Carroll Walsh, father of our subject, was born in Baltimore, and at the age of seventeen went to Ft. Madison, Iowa, where he bouglit land and remained for four years. In addition, he also purchased property in Illinois. On returning to Maryland, he bought the place in Harford Coun-
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ty where he continued to reside until December 1, 1894, the date of liis death. He was one of the leading men of his district and was active in pol- ities as a member of the Democratic party. In 1868 he was elected to the state senate, where he served so efficiently that he was re-elected at the expiration of his term. For many years he was a director of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Com- pany. He was one of the founders of the Mary- land Agricultural College, in which he was a . trustee until he died. For many years he was president of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Harford County. His membership was in the Catholic Church and to its doctrines he always faithfully adhered.
The marriage of John Carroll Walsh united him with Amanda Lee, daughter of Dr. Ralph Lee, one of the leading physicians of Washington, D. C. She is still living and is now seventy- eight years of age. Besides her son, she has a daughter, Mary Alice. Our subject received his education in the district schools and Washington ". and Lee University, at Lexington Va., from which he graduated in 1876. Politically he votes the Democratic ticket.
F EN. A. W. EVANS. A man's reputation is the property of the world. The laws of nature have forbidden isolation. Every hu- man being submits to the controlling influence of others, or as a master spirit wields a power either for good or evil on the masses of mankind. There can be 110 impropriety in justly scanning the acts of any man as they affect his public and business relations. If he is honest and eminent in his ehosen field of labor investigation will brighten his fame. Prominent among the men who have devoted the best years of their life to the service of their country is General Evans, of Elkton, Cecil County, Md.
He was born in that place July 6, 1829, and is a son of Amos A. Evans, M. D., who was born in
1785, and was a graduate of Hahnemann Medical College, and also Dr. Ruskin's College, Univer- sity of Pennsylvania. In 1817 he opened an office in Elkton, where he successfully engaged in practice until his death. From 1SOS imtil 1824 he served as ensign in the United States navy under Commodore Bubridge, was a strong Whig in politics and took quite an active and prominent part in public affairs. He died in January, IS4S. His father, John Evans, was born in 1760, and departed this life in 1823. He was one of the leading business men of Cecil County, making his home on the Big Elk. where he followed farming and also engaged in the manufacture of iron. Robert Evans, the father of John, was born in Cecil County, became a large land owner of this locality, and was quite well off at the time of his death, in 1775. He was the son of John Evans, who was probably born in Wales in 1680, and settled at Fron Hill, Newcastle County, Del., in 1725. His death occurred at Nottingham, Md., in 1738. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Mary Oliver, was born in Beverley, Mass., in 1795, was reared in Boston, and died January, 1881.
During his boyhood General Evans attended the Elkton Academy, and later entered Harvard College, where he pursued his studies until the death of his father. Entering West Point in 1848, he graduated from that institution with the class of 1852, and as a member of the United States Cavalry served for several years in Indian Territory. During 1858 and IS59 he was sta- tioned in Utah under Gen. Albert Sidney Johns- ton, was then in New Mexico until 1863, and was later in Virginia until the surrender of Lee, after which he was ordered to Texas, and subsequently to New Mexico and Arizona. Later he served in the department of the Platte, being located at dif- ferent times in Nebraska, Wyoming and Dakota. He was in active service until 1883, when he re- tired and returned to his boyhood home in Elk- ton. Members of his family have taken quite a prominent part in the political history of the state; including his brother, Alexander Evans, a well- known lawyer, who was born in 1818 and died in 1888. In early life he was a surveyor and helped
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to lay out the railroad through Elkton, and later represented his district for three terms in con- gress.
General Evans was united in marriage with Miss Susan A. Duite, of Elkton, a daughter of Aaron G. Duite, who was born in County Long- ford, Ireland, and belonged to an old and prom- inent family of that country. He accompanied his father, Ed Duite, on his emigration to the new world, and located first in Cincinnati. He became quite well-to-do and was widely and fav- orably known. The general and Mrs. Evans occupy a high position in social circles and have the respect and esteem of all who know them.
EV. WILLIAM A. WISE, of North East, was born in Newcastle, Del., November 5, 1862, and is the son of James M. and Eliza Wise. His father, who was a resident of Cecil County prior to going to Delaware, has for years held the position of assistant freiglit agent of the Pennsylvania Railroad at Newcastle. Politically he is a Republican. Active in church work, he serves as local preacher in the Methodist Epis- copal denomination, and is steward and class leader in his church and superintendent of the Sunday-school. His wife died November 17, 1894, leaving seven children: Arthur M., Will- iam A., John S., Loomis O., Sallie R., Thomas D. and Lizzie.
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Until fourteen years of age William A. Wise attended the common schools of Newcastle, after which he was a student in a private school in New Orleans, La., and later completed his educa- tion and took a theological course in Newark, Del., under a private tutor, finishing in 1883. He was licensed to preach by the Newcastle quarterly conference, and by the same body was recommended to the Wilmington annual confer- ence, where he was received on trial. In March, 1884, he was assigned to King's Wood Church in the city of Wilmington, Del., of which he was
the first regular pastor, and which he served in 1884-85. His next charge was at Redlion, in Newcastle County, where he remained during 1886-87. The two ensuing years were speut at Cape Charles, Northampton County, Va., after which he served for one year in a circuit in Wor- cester County, Md. When he was assigned to Cape Charles, the church had but sixteen mem- bers, and although there were only twenty-four when he left, yet during his pastorage a church costing $3,350 was built and paid for.
In 1891-92 Mr. Wise had charge of the church at Pocomoke City, Md. He was ordained a deacon at Elkton, in March, 1886, and two years later was ordained an elder by Bishop C. D. Foss, in Wilmington, Del. While holding a pastorate in Wilmington, in 1893-94, the present large granite church, corner of Woodlawn and Lan- caster Avenue, was built at a cost of $25,000. In the spring of 1895 he came to North East, where he has since won many friends, who have been attracted to him by his earnestness, perseverance and tireless energy in the Lord's work.
April 5, 1888, Mr. Wise married Fannie, daughter of Jesse and Sarah Sherwood, of New- castle, Del. They are the parents of three chil- dren, Edna M., Allen D. and Harold J. Fra- ternally Mr. Wise belongs to Crescent Lodge No. 178, A. F. & A. M., at Pocomoke City, Md., and is also identified with the Heptasophs.
OHN P. WILSON, of District No. 9, Cecil County, was born in Newcastle County, Del., in 1836, and is the son of Samuel D. and Mary (Pearson) Wilson, both natives of Dela- ware. The Wilson family was founded in America by four brothers who came here from England and made settlement in Delaware on the historic Brandywine. Three of them were Jacob, John and Samuel; the name of the fourth is un- known. They were sons of Christopher Wilson, of England. Samuel D., son of Jacob Wilson, removed from Delaware to Cecil County, Md., in
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1842 and continued to reside here until his death, which occurred at the age of sixty-two years. Politically he was a Democrat. His seven chil- dren are still living, namely: Sarah; William and Amos, who live in this county; John P .; Martha, widow of H. B. Cameron; Thomas J., and Ross W., of Chester County, Pa.
At the age of seventeen our subject discon- tinued his studies in the common schools and began to learn tlie carpenter's trade, which he followed for six years. Afterward he became interested in farming and this occupation he has since followed, being at this time the owner of one hundred and sixty acres devoted to dairying purposes and the raising of cereals and vege- tables. Politically he is a Republican and always rejoices when the party scores a grand victory .. By lis marriage to Louisa B. Bates, he has two children, namely: Charles, who resides in Wash- ington, D. C .; and Saralı. In religious connec- tions he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he was ruling elder for twenty years and for fifteen years superintendent of the Sunday- school.
EV. WILLIAM FRANCIS BRAND, rector of the Episcopal Church at Emmorton, Har- ford County, was born in New Orleans, La., June 17, 1814, and is a representative of one of the old and distinguished families of that state. His grandfather, Joseph Brand, a native of Scot- land, came to America at an early day and located in Hanover County, Va., where he engaged in merchandising during the Revolutionary War. There his son William, the father of our subject, was born and reared. The latter must have gone to Louisiana previous to the year 1800, as he ar- ,rived there when that territory was still under Spanish rule, before the French liad secured pos- session. He was a prominent architect and builder, and during liis residence in Louisiana became a great friend of General Jackson, whom he greatly assisted during the War of 1812 by his knowledge of the country. Subsequently lie
established, at his own expense, a hospital for sol- diers injured in that struggle, and General Jack- son, recognizing and appreciating this, appointed his youngest son a midshipman in the United States navy. He died in 1850, in the faith of the Episcopal Churchi, of which he was a consistent member, and was a man of great influence in his community. By his marriage withi Miss Hettie Reed, of Pennsylvania, he had five children who reaclied years of maturity.
Just before the celebrated battle of New Or- leans, General Jackson attended the christening of our subject, who was also taken to see the fight, he "being in arms." As soon as he reached a sufficient age he entered the schools of Ken- tucky, where he pursued his studies until eleven, and then matriculated at the University of Vir- ginia. Subsequently he studied law in New Or- leans and was admitted to the bar, but only prac- ticed a short time. Being religiously inclined he resolved to enter the ministry of the Episcopal Church, and was ordained in 1844 as deacon. He was transferred to New York, and was later sent by Bishop Whitting to Anne Arundel County, Md., where he remained for six years.
At the end of that time Rev. Brand cante to Emmorton, where his wife's family had built for him a church, paying the entire expenses with the exception of $35, which was donated by others. It is one of the finest country churches in Maryland, the windows being of the best English glass, and the interior adorned with valuable oil paintings. It was consecrated in March, 1851, at which time it was entirely free from debt. Here Rev. Brand has since labored ear- nestly and persistently in the Master's cause, and is not only beloved by the people of his own con- gregation, but is held in the highest regard by all who know him, people coming from many miles around to attend his services.
On the 25th of May, 1842, Mr. Brand was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Hall, a daugli- ter of Henry Hall, who was a native of Carpen- ters Point, Cecil County, Md., and to them was born one son, McHenry. During the war Mr. Brand had charge of the education of two of Jef- ferson Davis' sons, and at the end of the struggle
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was visited by the Confederate president. Mr. Brand is a man of fine personal appearance, whose 'long snow-white hair adds dignity to his clear-cut features, and although he is now in his eighty- fourth year he is still quite active, being a tireless worker in the Master's vineyard.
EORGE W. JANNEY, deceased, late of District No. 9, Cecil County, was born in District No. 5, near Bayview in 1824, and was a son of Eli and Hester (Lackland) Jan- ney. His grandfather, Thomas, came to America from England in company with the great-grand- father, Thomas, Sr., and settled in District No. 5, this county. The entire life of Eli Jan- ney was passed in farm pursuits and he owned a farın in District No. 5. By his marriage he
had nine children, but only five of these are living, namely: Jesse, who occupies the old place formerly owned by his father; Rebecca E .; Hester, who is married to John Fitzgerald; Na- than L., and Rachel, wife of John White. The father died at the old homestead in 1875, aged eighty years.
Until of age our subject remained on the home farm. He then removed to a farm near Zion, purchasing the property which he afterward owned and cultivated. In politics he affiliated with the Democratic party. He served his dis- trict as tax collector for some years, and held other local offices of trust. His marriage united him with Elizabeth A. Nolan, daughter of John Nolan, and three children were born of their union, namely: Wilbur, of Bayview; Jolin, of this district; and Eli, who carries on the old honte farm of eighty-eight acres of land. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church at Bay- view.
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F THE beauties and glory of Maryland historians have written and poets sung. From the far distant days in its early settle- ment, over which time has thrown the halo of romance, to the present age of thriving cities and valuable country estates, there has been a con- stant material and commercial development, and we, who stand in the final lustrum of the nine- teenth century, may look back over the more than two hundred and fifty years of Maryland's his- tory, with the realization that her name is high in the galaxy of states and her citizens illustrious in the annals of the nation. She has given to the world men of eminence in every walk in life; gifted orators and men of public affairs, such as Luther Martin, William Wirt, Daniel Dulany and William Pinkney; poets whose names are house- hoid words throughout the entire land, such as Francis Scott Key and Edgar Allen Poe; and a host of other mnen, whose wonderful natural gifts have been heightened by every resource of science or art and by every facility for intellectual ad- vancement.
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