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 9
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 9
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son College at Carlisle, Pa., sharing tlie first honors of the class with Prof. James W. Marshall, and delivering the valedictory oration on coni- mencement day. Preparing himself for the legal profession, he was admitted to the bar of Mary- land in 1850. In politics he was originally a Whig and cast his first presidential vote for Gen- eral Scott in IS52. Upon the dissolution of the Whig party, he became a Democrat, and in IS56 was a delegate to the Cincinnati convention that nominated Mr. Buchanan for president. At the beginning of the Civil War he joined the Union movement and afterward was identified with the Republicans. In 1861 he was elected a member of the Maryland house of delegates, and in the summer of the following year was chosen acting adjutant-general of the state, which position gave him charge of the raising of the quota of Mary- land troops.
The connection of Mr. Creswell with the affairs of the nation began in 1863, when he was elected to represent the first district of Maryland in the Thirty-eighth Congress. During his terin he ren- dered efficient service on the committees on com- merce and invalid pensions. In 1864 he was a delegate to the Republican national convention that nominated Mr. Lincoln. Furthier honors came to liim the following year, when he was chosen by the Maryland legislature United States senator to fill the unexpired term of the recently deceased senator, Hon. Thomas H. Hicks. As in the other positions to which he had been called, he was distinguished in the senate as a man of keen intellect and wise judgment. In 1866 he was a delegate to the Philadelphia Loyalists con- vention and the next year took an active part in the border state convention held in Baltimore, also in 1868 was prominent in the councils of the Republican national convention. His position as an advanced Republican is clearly defined in his speech on the proposed thirteenth amendment to the constitution of the United States, delivered in the house of representatives January 5, 1865; in his speech in favor of manhood suffrage before the border state convention at Baltimore, Sep- tember 12, 1867; and in his address on the life and character of his friend and colleague, Henry
Winter Davis, delivered by request of the house of representatives, February 22, 1866. The friendship of Mr. Creswell for Mr. Davis was earnest and sincerc, as is shown by the fol- lowing eloquent and touching extract from his oration :- "At the portal of his tomb we may bid farewell to the faithful Christian, in the full as- surance that a blessed life awaits him beyond the grave. Serenely and trustfully, he has passed from our sight, and gone down into the dark waters." * * * "For the Christian, scholar, statesman and orator, all good men are mourners; but what shall I say of that grief which none can share, the grief of sincere friendship? Oh, my friend! comforted by the belief that you, while living, deemed me worthy to be your companion, and loaded me with the proofs of your esteem, I shall fondly treasure during my remaining years the recollection of your smile and counsel. Lost to me is the strong arm whereon I have so often leaned; but in that path which in time past we trod most joyfully together, I shall con- tinue, as God shall give me to sce my duty, with unfaltering, though perhaps with unskillful steps, right onward to the end."
This eloquent oration was probably the crown- ing act of Mr. Creswell's eloquence. It furnishes proof conclusive that he was not only an orator and a statesman, but that he was a scholar of re- fined taste and literary culture, and a Christian gentleman, possessing all the tenderest emotions and graces of a human heart.
A warm personal friend of the illustrious Gen- eral Grant, when the latter was honored by elec- tion to the presidency, Mr. Creswell was chosen a member of the cabinet, being tendered the po- sition of postmaster-general in IS69, at the begin- ning of the first administration of President Grant. This important department of the government was under his charge for five years and four months. During that period almost every branch of the service was extended to ineet the wants and convenience of the people. From June 30, 1869, to June 30, 1874, the number of postoffices was increased from twenty-six thousand four hundred and eighty-one to thirty-four thousand two hun- dred and ninety-four; the number of money-order
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.
offiees from fourteen hundred and sixty-eight to thirty- four hundred and four; the number of postal elerks from two hundred and thirty-two to eight hundred and fifty; the number of free delivery cities from forty-eight to eighty-seven; the number of letter earriers from eleven hundred and ninety- eight to twenty hundred and forty-nine: the num- ber of mail routes from eighty-two hundred and twenty-six to ninety-seven hundred and sixty- one; the aggregate length of all routes from two hundred and sixteen thousand nine hundred and twenty-eight miles to two hundred and sixty-nine thousand and ninety-seven; the aggregate annual transportation from eighty-four million two litin- dred and twenty-four thousand three hundred and twenty-five miles to one hundred and twenty- eight million six hundred and twenty-seven thousand four hundred and seventy-six miles; the length of the railroad routes from thirty-six thousand and eighteen to sixty-seven thousand seven hundred and thirty-four miles; the total annual transportation on rail routes from thirty- four million eight hundred and eighty-six thou- sand one hundred and seventy-eight to seventy- two million four hundred and sixty thousand five hundred and forty-five miles; the number of letters exchanged with foreign eountries from thirteen million six hundred thousand to twenty-eight million five hundred and seventy-nine thousand and forty-five; the number of money orders issued from eight hundred and thirty-one thousand nine hundred and thirty-seven to four million four hun- dred and twenty thousand six hundred and thirty- three; the aggregate value of money orders issued from $16, 197,858 to $74,424,854; the number of money orders paid from eight hundred and thirty- six thousand nine hundred and forty to four mill- ion four hundred and sixteen thousand one hun- dred and fourteen; the aggregate value of money orders paid from $15,976,501 to $74,210, 156; the number of mail letters delivered by letter carriers from sixty-four million three hundred and forty- nine thousand four hundred and eighty-six to one hundred and seventy-seven million twenty-one thousand one hundred and seventy-nine; the nun- ber of local letters delivered by letter carriers from fourteen million eighty-one thousand nine hun-
dred and six to fifty-four million one hundred and thirty-seven thousand four hundred and one; and the number of letters collected by letter carriers from sixty-three million one hundred and sixty- four thousand six hundred and twenty-five to one hundred and ninety-four million one hundred and ninety-six thousand seven hundred and forty - nine.
Notwithstanding the immense increase of busi- ness shown by these comparisons, and large eon- eurrent reduction of postages and money-order charges, the cost of ocean transportation, includ- ing all subsidies, for the fiscal year ending June 30, I874, was $22,492 less than for the year ending June 30, IS68, and the total deficiency for the former year was $1, 178,058 less than for the latter. Mr. Creswell always kept within the aggregate of his appropriations. He returned to the treas- ury unexpended balanees for the years 1870-71- 72, amounting to $4,376,556, and when he retired from offiee he left on hand, after charging up all liabilities, a balance of $1.834,067. During his administration of the postoffice department many important reforms and improvements in the postal service were introduced and carried into suecessful operation, among which may be men- tioned: First, a reduction of the cost of ocean mail transportation from eight to two cents per single letter rate; and a great acceleration of speed by abandoning the contraet system as to ocean transportation and in lieu thereof awarding the mails at the redueed rate to the best and fastest steamers, appointed to sail on four days of every week, and then advertising the seleetions monthly in advance; second, the readjustment of the mail pay of railroads on an equitable basis; third, an extensive increase of railroad postoffice lines and postal elerks; fourth, a large increase of letter carriers in eities, and a free delivery for every eity in the country having a population of twenty thousand inhabitants; fifth, a thorough revision of our postal arrangements with foreign countries; sixth, the general extension of the money-order system within the United States and to foreign! countries; seventh, a complete eodification of the laws relating to the postoffice department, with a systematic classifieation of offenses against the
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postal laws; eightli, a reform in letting mail con- tracts, which eventually led to the passage of such legislation against fraudulent bidding as secured fair competition among responsible bidders; ninth, the introduction of postal cards at a postage of one ecnt each, as a means of facilitating business corre- spondcrice, and a step toward a general reduction of domestic letter postage: tentli, the absolute re- peal of the franking privilege.
The first efforts made by Mr. Creswell to secure a change of the law so as to exterminate fraud- ulent bidding were begun in the early part of 1870 and resulted in the act of May 5 of that year. Unfortunately, the vital provisions of the bill as proposed by him were strieken out by the sen- ate and the objectionable feature of confining the postmaster-general in making mail contracts to the line of bidders inserted, against his protest. That act proving ineffectual, Mr. Creswell again ealled attention, in his report of 1871, to the pernicious practices to which bidders sometimes resorted, and recommended a series of remedies which he afterward embodied and presented in the form of bills. The passage of these measures he urged at the ensuing and subsequent sessions of congress, especially in 1872-74, but with only partial success. Finally, however, his views were adopted and the essential power of making contracts outside the line of bidders as a last re- sort was given to the postmaster general by the act of August 11, 1876. Thus, after a prolonged contest of six years, the department was relieved from the vicious contrivance known as straw bidding, and to Mr. Creswell more than to any other person is due the credit of devising and se- euring the adoption of an adequate remedy for that evil. He was also a zealous advocate for the adoption of postal savings depositories and the postal telegraph, and presented in his reports for the years 1871, 1872 and 1873, elaborate and exhaustive arguments in favor of both those measurcs. The sequel has shown, that if liis views in relation to postal savings depositories had been adopted, many millions of dollars would have been saved to the incchanics and laborers of tlie country, and the financial condition of the gov- ernment would have been greatly strengthencd.
Although desirous of withdrawing from the eabinet at the expiration of General Grant's first term as president, Mr. Creswell accepted a reap- pointment upon urgent request, and continued in office until June 24, 1874, when lie tendered liis resignation. That this was greatly regretted by the president is shown by the following letter:
"EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., June 24, 1874.
My Dear Sir:
As I expressed to you verbally this morning when you tendered your resignation of the office of postmaster-general, it is with the deepest regret to mie that you should have felt such a course necessary. You are the last of the original men- bers of the cabinet named by me as I was enter- ing upon my present duties, and it makes me feel as if old associations were being broken up that I had hoped miglit be continued through my official life. In separating officially, I have but two hopes to express: first, that I may get a suc- cessor who will be as faithful and efficient in the performance of the duties of the office you resign; second, a personal friend that I can have the same attachment for. Your record has been satisfactory to me and I know it will so prove to the country.
Yours very truly.
(Signed) U. S. Grant."
That Mr. Creswell was one of the most influ- ential members of President Grant's cabinet will be seen by the following account of his connection with the veto of the "Inflation Bill." Although the president did not submit the bill to the con- sideration of the cabinet as a body, he did talk with the different members about it. At the close of one of the meetings the President requested General Creswell to remain. When they were alone the bill was discussed, the President saying that although he had thought much upon the sub- ject, he had been unable to come to a conclusion as to tlic true line of his duty. General Creswell urged him to veto the bill. The President rc- plied that he was inclined to do so, but the pres- sure for approval of the measure, on the ground of party necessity, was greater than lic had ever before experienced. He said that all but two members of his cabinet advised him to find reasons for signing the bill, and urged that a veto would
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imperil the prosperity of the country and perhaps reason and argument. He felt sure of the right wreck the party which had twice elected him. course, and, regardless of clamor and abuse, he would have pleasure in pursuing it. After considerable discussion the president said that his disposition of the measure would doubt- less be the most important act of his administra- tion; that in the midst of all the various conten- tions it was apparent that he must decide the mat- ter for himself, that his judgment was opposed to the bill, and he thought he would veto it, al- though the weight of official recommendation was in its favor. He said he would have to see what he could do in the way of writing a message be- fore the next cabinet meeting, and requested the
postmaster-general to come to him an hour in ad- . ices by an order in these words: "The court vance of the next meeting to see what he should produce.
When General Creswell called prior to the next meeting, the president took from his desk and read a very carefully written memorandum set- ting forth the considerations which had led him reluctantly to determine to sign the bill, and asked the cabinet officer how he liked it, and if he did not think that, all things considered, he had reached the wisest conclusion. Upon being met with expressions of surprise and regret, he took from his desk another paper and read it. It was the since famous veto message. General Creswell . said with enthusiasm: "Mr. President, if you will use that, it will put the substantial sense of the country under lasting obligations to you." "No matter what it does," was the reply, "it is the only thing I can write upon the subject and sat- isfy my judgment and conscience, and I shall ad. here to it." He then explained that he had some times found that he could come to the safest con- clusions by writing for himself the strongest pos- sible paper on each side of controverted questions, and that he had worked until late into the previ- ous night applying that test to the "Inflation Bill." He said that at first he had given himself up to the thought that he would sign the bill and file with it an explanatory memorandum. He had made this as strong and logical as he could. Then he turned to the other side and set to work to write the most convincing veto message of which he was capable. The result left no doubt in his mind as to which side had the weight of
Very shortly after resigning the position of postmaster-general, Mr. Creswell was appointed counsel for the United States before the court of commissioners of Alabama claims and continued to act in that capacity until the court expired by limitation of law, December 31, 1876. At the end of his labors as counsel for the United States before the court of commissioners of Alabama claims, the judges unanimously, and of their own motion, exhibited their appreciation of his serv- desire to place upon record an expression of their sense of the value of the services of thie Hon. John A. J. Creswell in the discharge of his duties as counsel on behalf of the United States. . He has exhibited unwearied industry in the investi- gation of the facts of tlie several cases, great re- search in examination of the difficult questions of law often arising, and great ability in presenting to the court his views, both of the facts and law. With an earnest zeal to protect the rights of the government, he has yet been entirely fair and just to claimants. His uniform courtesy and kindness of manner have made his official inter- course with the members of the court peculiarly agreeable to them. It is, therefore, alike proper and just that this expression of our opinion of his ability, fidelity and integrity should be placed upon the record."
Mr. Creswell was one of the commissioners for closing up the offices of the Freedman's Sav- ings Bank & Trust Company and was president of the Citizens' National Bank of Washington. At the same time he acted as vice-president of the National Bank of Elkton.
A portion of every year he spent in the city of Washington with his family, where he devoted himself to the practice of his profession, and was often retained in important cases pending before the Supreme Court of the United States.
Though connected with the business and pro- fessional interests of Washington, he continued to make his home on the fine estate in the suburbs of Elkton, and here lie died December 23, 1891.
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The old homestead was the birthplace and is the present residence of his wife, who was Miss H. J. Richardson, and it is admired as one of the most beautiful and valuable cstates in Maryland. Mrs. Creswell is of the seventh generation in direct descent from Robert Richardson, who was the progenitor of his branch of the Richardson family of Maryland, and whose patent to two thousand acres of land was confirmed by Charles Calvert in 1668. His son William was a member of the provincial assembly as early as 1678. On the maternal side of her father's family she is de- scended from Maj. Richard Ewen, who was speaker of the general assembly, also a member of the provincial court, and one of the com- missioners who governed Maryland in 1654.
The life of Mr. Creswell furnishes an example well worthy of emulation by the young. While many others had opportunities fully equal to his, vet few of his co-laborers in youth attained the prominence and accomplished the good that he did. He left no descendants, but his example is not on that account by any means lost. In years to come the young men of Maryland will read the record of his life and by it will be inspired to greater love for and devotion to their state and country. He was a true patriot, and were he alive to-day, dictating the closing words of this life record, they would be words of encouragement, of advice to the young, urging them to guard carefully the honor of their nation and to assist in making America the fairest and best of the na- tions of earth.
The writer acknowledges indebtedness to tlie Biographical Cyclopedia of Maryland and the Dis- trict of Columbia for information concerning the life of Mr. Creswell contained therein.
FORGE W. BARNES. The years that have elapsed since the death of Mr. Barnes have not dimmed his memory in the hearts of his family or in the minds of those who were his co-laborers in life. His entire life was spent in
northeastern Maryland. Some who were his play- mates in boyhood sought homes in the remote west or went further south, but he was content to spend his entire life amid the associations familiar to his earliest recollections, for lie be- lieved this to be one of the garden spots of earth. He was born and reared in Havre de Grace, and from that place removed in 1854 to Carpenters Point, Cecil County, purchasing the property now owned and occupied by his family. The occupa- tion in which he was principally engaged was that of fishing, and it proved the source of a fair income. In matters political his affiliations were with the Democratic party, while in religion lie was a member of the Episcopal Church and in his fraternal relations belonged to the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows; he never sought office in any of these organizations, for his tastes were domestic, and he was averse to public positions. Concerning his ancestry little is known, except that his father, Richard, who was born in Havre de Grace, was of English descent.
The first wife of George W. Barnes was Sarah Jane Morgan, member of one of the most highly respected families of the farming community of Cecil County. She died in 1857. Of her two children only one survives, Perry K., who was born in Havre de Grace, March 14, 1849. In IS59 Mr. Barnes was again married, choosing as his wife Rachel L. Kirby, daughter of Zebulon S. and Eliza Kirby, of this county, but formerly of Talbot County, Md., and being connected with some of the best families of that county. She died in 1893. To this union there were born five sons and four daughters, all of whom are living, with the exception of one son, who died in infancy. They are named as follows: Mary G., wife of J. Nelson Black, of Principio Fur- nace, who has two children, Edith C. and Mary B. Black; George W., Robert L., Richard K., Eliza B., Harry R., Emily E., Frederick M. (who died in infancy) and Edith R. Barnes. Richard K. is employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and all the other members of the family are at home. The estate is mutually conducted by the family and contains the most extensive shad, rock and herring fisheries on the
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bay. The eldest son of our subject, Perry K. Barnes, married Belle E. Black, of Charlestown, and they have two children, Harry H. and Emma M. Barnes. .
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ILLIAM STEEL EVANS, prosecuting at- torney for Cecil County, was born at Ris- ing Sun December 16, 1846, and spent the years of boyhood and youth upon the liome farin. Being of an ambitious disposition, desirous of ob- taining a good education in order that he miglit be fitted for the activities of life, he became a stu- dent in the West Nottingham Academy in Cecil County, later prosecuted his studies in Newark Academy, Newark, Del., and also took a special course of studies in Lafayette College, Easton, Pa., after which he turned his attention from lit- erary to legal studies. He read uuder the super- vision of the late Henry W. Archer, of Bel Air. In February, 18;o, he was admitted to practice at the bar of Harford County, and shortly afterward removed to Cecil County, opening an office at Elkton, where he has since resided.
As a lawyer Mr. Evans is well versed in the intricacies of Blackstone. He is a man, less of brilliant, than of solid attainments, a safe coun- selor, familiar with the principles of wise states- manship and public policy. Mentally vigorous, analytical and discriminative, he reaches his con- clusions slowly, but certainly, and when once having resolved upon a course of action or theory for elucidation, is not easily swerved from his opinions. However, he is not prejudiced or un- just, but is calm in his judgment, and logical in bis reasoning. He is a Democrat by political faith and a citizen on general principles. In the advocacy of his beliefs he is firm, pronounced in his political opinions, intelligently conversant with the political issues of the age, and at all times ready to openly discuss them. The highi opinion in which he is held by others of his party is shown by his election to the responsible position of chairman of the Democratic state central com-
mittee. In 1SSy he was chosen state's attorney, and served for four years. Again, in 1895 he was elected for a second term of four years. The duties of the office lie discharges without fear or favor, and his policy is the terror of the evil doer. In addition to other duties, lie has been council to the board of county commissioners. Frater- nally he is connected with the Masonic lodge and Royal Archi Chapter, in Elkton, the Junior Order of American Mechanics, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and in religious belief he is identified with the Presbyterian Church, in which he holds the office of trustee.
April 24, IS72, Mr. Evans was united in mar- riage with Jennie, daughter of the late James Frazer, of Elkton, and sister of Dr. James H. Frazer, of Baltimore. They are the parents of eiglit children: James F., an alumnus of Prince- ton, and now engaged in practice in his father's office; Rebecca S .; John P., a student in the Bal- timore Dental College; William S., Jr .; Emily, Harry C:, Frank B. and Stanley.
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