Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 10

Author: Chapman Publishing Company
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: New York, Chapman pub. co.
Number of Pages: 906

USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland > Part 10

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The birth of Richard Harrison Collins took place on a farm in Spaniard's Neck, located on the bank of the Corsica River, in Queen Anne County, September 16, 1859. Until he had at- tained his seventeenth year his life flowed in the quiet channels of agricultural occupations, but he was ambitious to enter the broader field of activities, and during the year 1877 entered the printing office of the Centreville Observer, where he remained the ensuing four years, and became conversant with every detail of the business. Going to Baltimore, he held places with several printing establishments, and did likewise in Philadelphia. He was for some time in the employ of the Times, of the Quaker City, but left on account of failing healtlı. Owing to that cause he went to Florida in 1884 and soon re- cuperated. Returning, he again engaged in the printing business in Philadelphia. In 1886 he engaged in business in New York City, under the firm name of Croft, Collins & Co. A favorable opportunity of purchasing the Transcript occurred

129

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in 1888 and came beneath his notice. He con- sidered the matter carefully and as a result en- tered into partnership with Charles C .. Hopper and purchased the plant, taking charge of the paper January 1, 1889; they have since conducted the business successfully, and are increasing their circulation most gratifyingly.

September 14, 1893, the marriage of Mr. Col- lins and Elizabeth Harding Roberts was cele- brated. The lady comes from an old, influential family of North Carolina, and is a daughter of Stephen Chester Roberts, D. D. Mr. Collins and his worthy wife have had three children, but lost their infant daughter, Jane Harrison. Their oldest son, Stephen Roberts, was born January 13, 1896, and Richard Harrison, Jr., was born May 12, 1897. They are members of the Protest- ant Episcopal Church of Chestertown. Mr. Col- lins is also identified with the Heptasophis, of which the subject of this sketch is senior warden.

AMUEL MALLALIEU has been interested in the hotel and livery business in Milling- ton, Kent County, for about ten years and is thoroughly identified with the upbuilding and general welfare of this place. He has taken an important part in local politics, and is especially active in the presidential campaigns. In 1880 he was sent as a delegate to the Republican con- vention which assembled in Chicago and nomin- ated Garfield. The previous year he was himself candidate for comptroller of the state. At the present time he is officiating as city constable. His political opponents are among his best friends in many cases.

A native of England, Mr. Mallalieu was born in the town of Delph, Yorkshire, March 16, 1836. His parents were Thomas and Mary Mallalieu, whose birthplaces were in the same locality as was that of their son. The father was born Sep- tember 17, 1814, and his wife was born on the 29th of the preceding December. After a very happy married life together, of about sixty-two years, they were not long separated by death, for

the wife died about ten o'clock in the morning, and the husband at five o'clock of the same day, July 30, 1896. They had eleven children, of whom six grew to maturity. Joseph, born in Philadelphia, May 10, 1841, is a farmer in Queen Anne County, Md. James M., born May 21, 1843, in Philadelphia, died in 1887. Mary R., born October 17, 1847, in Delaware, is the wife of R. H. Adams, presiding elder of the East Dover district. Annie J., born July 2, 1849, in Delaware, is the wife of George M. Jenkins, a wealthy citizen of Trappe, Talbot County. John J., born September 23, 1852, in Queen Anne County, is a prominent attorney and real-estate man of Kearney, Neb.

Thomas Mallalieu was reared in his native shire, and was still quite young when he went into a factory to work. He was about twenty- five years old when he determined to seek a home and fortune in America. On arriving in Phila- delphia he found employment at his trade for some five or six years. About 1845 he rented a factory in Kent County, Del., in partnership with his brother John, and this enterprise they carried on with good success until 1852. In March of that year he came to this locality and rented a small woolen mill in Queen Anne County, just across the river from Millington. But a short time had elapsed before he was enabled to pur- chase the building, and this he enlarged and im- proved, putting in modern machinery in 1866. This plant was named the Unicorn Woolen Mills, and was carried on under the new management twenty years. In 1886 he retired from business, selling out his interest in the same and removed to Millington, where he quietly spent the last ten years of his life. He was a member of the . Methodist Episcopal Church and was superin- tendent of the Sunday-school about fifty years. He was also one of the trustees of Dickin- son College, of Carlisle, Pa., also of Wilming- ton Conference Academy, at Dover. He was a delegate to the Baltimore conference in 1876, and was a delegate to the Brooklyn conference in 1872. In every act of his busy, useful life he was an earnest Christian and a faithful worker. Samuel Mallalieu was a child of only four

130

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

years when his parents brought him to this country. He remained at home and worked in a factory after he was ten years old, becoming thoroughly familiar with the business in each detail. From his eighteenth year he assumed the supervision of the mills and was general su- perintendent of the same, relieving his father from much of the responsibility. When the mills were sold in 1886 he turned his attention to his present lines of occupation. He conducts a good hotel in a manner that is pleasing to the general public, and runs a livery in conjunction with it. He is a Master Mason and at one time belonged to Eureka Lodge No. 98, F. & A. M.

February 17, 1857, our subject married Julia Ann Walls, of Millington, and five children have been born to them. Virginia is the wife of C. M. Johnson. George Henry is a resident of Paterson, N. J., and is salesman for a New York firm. William Thomas is at home and in busi- ness with his father. Elwood R. is agent for a Buffalo paper and twine manufactory; and Joshua Clifton is with another firm in New York that makes paper and twine of various descriptions.

ILLIAM A. HYLAND. Among the lead- ing industries of Galena, Kent County, is the large manufacturing establishment owned by this worthy citizen, whose mature life has been chiefly passed in this place. A man's success in the world of commerce is determined by his natural talents in part, but largely by simple energy, perseverance and will; by the hopeful quality of mind that is not easily discour- aged, and that will not "give up the ship" until absolute certainty of disaster comes. Such a sturdy, indomitable bravery is found in the man of whom we write, and we are pleased to render him this brief tribute, at least.

Henry M. Hyland, father of our subject, was born in 1800, near Rock Hall, Kent County. With the exception of one year which he spent in Baltimore, he passed his entire life in the neighborhood of his birth. He learned the black-

smith's trade, and followed it, in connection with agricultural pursuits, as a means of obtaining a livelihood. He was fairly successful in a finan- cial point of view, and was a man of genuine worth, commanding the respect of all who knew him. He was a leading member of the Episcopal Church, and died in 1851, when but fifty-one years of age. His wife, Maria Grant Hyland, was likewise a native of Kent County, and died, as she had lived, a faithful, conscientious Chris- tian .. She was the mother of eight children, whom she reared to be noble, trustworthy men and women.

Born March 24, 1833, William A. Hyland was brought up in the same locality as was his father before him. He remained under his parents' wise guidance until he was about sixteen, when he left home, to learn the trade of blacksmithing, at which he served a five years' apprenticeship. It was in January, 1855, that he first came to Galena to settle permanently. After working as a journeyman some six years, perhaps, he had by the end of this time saved up a sufficient sum of money to enable him to build a small shop on the identical ground that he still owns and has his factory upon. He first did general repairing of wagons, and blacksmithing, but later began the manufacture of plows, reapers, wagons, corn- shellers, etc., and as the trade steadily increased added more room to his shop until his present large plant was eventually evolved. He makes a specialty of the Hyland corn-shellers and Hyland field-rollers and in addition to these, handles a great many Deering binders and reap- ers, Birdsall traction engines and threshing ma- chines, etc. His patronage is very widely ex- tended, as his customers often are from a long distance. Once having dealt with him, they are always glad to favor him with their trade. Po- litically he is a strong Democrat, and served for four years as judge of the orphans' court a few years ago. Then, for four years each, he was one of the trustees of the almshouse, and was obliged to refuse further nominations on account of his years and the distance to the county seat. He is at present one of the school trustees. He has ever been on the side of progress and is a

I3I

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

man fully in touch with the spirit of the age. Thirty years he has been identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has officiated as class-leader and steward. He gives freely of his means to help onward the good cause of re- ligion, and the poor find in him a sympathizing friend.

Mr. Hyland has been twice married. His first union was in 1861, with Mary C. Nordain, whose parents lived in Odessa, Del. The Rev. John Allen performed the ceremony. Mrs. Hyland had six children, who survive her, she having died April 6, 1883. They are named as follows: Harry H., a merchant of New Jersey; John Allen, book- keeper of the Mutual Reserve Fund Association of New York; Annie W., wife of Herbert Price, of Queen Anne County; Elizabeth Grant, wife of J. R. Wilson, of this place; Emma E., wife of J. R. Van Zandt, agent at Sampson's railway sta- tion; and William A., who is connected with his father in business. The second marriage of Mr. Hyland, celebrated in 1886, Rev. George W. Townsend officiating, was with Catherine Clark, of Elkton, Md., and they have one son, Chester Arthur Gorman, who is still at home. Mrs. Hyland is a lady of refinement and many amiable qualities, which greatly endear her to all.

HOMAS W. SKIRVEN. The agricultural interests of Kent County have a worthy exponent and representative in the subject of this sketch, who since 1879 has been the owner and operator of a valuable place in the sixth district. Giving his attention closely to his chosen occupation, he has succeeded in bring- ing his land under excellent cultivation, has planted orchards of fruit, built fences and the necessary structures for the storage of farm products, and by proper fertilization of the soil has made it very productive. Within the place are comprised about two hundred acres.

As far back as the record can be traced, the Skirven family has been identified with Maryland history. The father of our subject, John T., and

grandfather, Francis Skirven, were natives of Maryland, and farmers by occupation. The former was for some time captain of a cavalry company of militia. In politics he gave his support invariably to the men and measures of the Democracy, though there was little of the partisan spirit discernible in his character. He died in Kent County at the close of seventy use- ful years.

The mother of our subject was Sarah Granger Gale, a native of Kent County, a woman of estimable character and a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. When fifty-five years of age her earth life ended. She was a daughter of Thomas Gale, known to a host of acquaintances as "Uncle Tommy," who was a prosperous farmer and for many years held the office of county surveyor. She represented an old family of Maryland, her ancestors having come to this country in their own ship and provided with an abundance of capital, which they invested in St. Mary's County. At her death she left five children, namely: Thomas W .; Mary Emma, deceased wife of David W. Hanes, of Philadelphia; Martha E., wife of William H. Colesberry, also of Philadelphia; J. Walter, a farmer residing in Kent County; and Washington Gale, also a farmer, who operates land in the sixth district.

August 3, 1842, the subject of this sketch was born in the third district. He attended the dis- trict schools and continued to reside with his parents until he attained his majority. Starting out for himself at that time, he first rented a farm, and saved his earnings in order that he might purchase a place of his own. This he did in 1879, buying the farm where he now lives. In politics a Democrat, he has never been solicitous for office and his interest in politics has been of a rather quiet nature. At the age of twenty he became a member of the Methodist Protestant Church and served as assistant superintendent and librarian of the Sunday-school for several years. At present is a vesrtryman of St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church and superintendent of the cemetery connected with that church.

In 1866 Mr. Skirven was united in marriage

I32

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

with Miss Angeline S. Bard, of Brooklyn, N. Y. Six sons were born of their union, of whom Percy Granger is engaged in farming in Michigan; Thomas Arthur and Edmund Howe also removed to the west and both reside in Chicago, where the former is engaged in the railroad business and the latter is interested in the coal business; Charles Howard is operating a farm in the sixth district; and Harry and Frank are still at home.

OHN WILLIAM LATIMER, M. D., is a representative citizen of Kent County, and has been engaged in the practice of his pro- fession during a period of more than twenty years in Galena. He is widely known in the community roundabout and has the patronage of the best families. He is a student and thinker, and keeps in touch with the most progressive minds of the day. To his chosen field of en- deavor he brings great fitness, experience and genuine enthusiasm, and rarely fails to make sincere friends of his clients. As a member of the order of Heptasophs, and as a Democrat, he is popular with a large class of our citizens, who accord with his views, and he has enough of the tolerant, conservative spirit to grant to every one the same right of liberty of opinion that he re- serves to himself, and that in utmost friendliness.

Dr. Latimer comes from one of the oldest fami- lies in Maryland, his great-grandfather Latimer having been an extensive land owner here. His grandfather, John Ford Latimer, M. D., was ana- tive of Charles County, Md., and one of the first graduates of the University of Maryland. Helater was engaged in practice with Dr. Thomas I. Mar- shall, of Piscataway, Md., a great many years. He was in the war of 1812, and suffered in the defeat at the battle of Bladensburg, when the British won the victory over our troops. His father came to Maryland from England in company with two of his brothers, and settled in Charles County, while the others located in Virginia and Delaware, respectively.

Joseph Latimer, father of our subject, was a

native of Piscataway, Prince George County, Md., and there spent his entire life, with the exception of the period of his service as a surgeon in the Confederate army. He was a graduate of Jeffer- son University, of this state, he having taken three courses there. After receiving his diploma in 1848 he entered upon his professional life, and was a resident of his native town until his death, which event took place in his sixty-sixth year. During the war he held a commission as surgeon under General Early and was twice captured. For about two months he was confined in the old capital prison, and was then exchanged. At another time he was the subject of a military court-martial, and came very near being shot, but escaped on account of the pressure that was brought to bear upon his judges by some of his influential friends on the Union side. He was a inan of great bravery and spirit and was well liked by all who knew him. Like his ancestors, he was fond of fox hunting, and enjoyed many a merry day with horse and hounds on his own estates. He was an intimate friend of the surgeon who set Booth's leg after the great drama that was enacted in Washington at Ford's Opera House. He fell heir to a large share of the paternal estate and slaves, and succeeded to his medical practice. His last years were passed at a place called T. B., about five miles from Piscat- away, whither he had gone to live after his return , from the southern battlefields. His former partner and friend, Dr. Dyer, had managed all their practice while he was absent, and he would not divide the practice, as he feared it would be to the detriment of Dr. Dyer. The mother of our subject was a Miss Anna A. Shipps before her marriage. She was born in Berks County, Pa., and is still living, being in her seventy-fifth year, at the home of J. W., her son. Of her eight children five died in early years. Joseph N. B. is a graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Baltimore, and stepped into his father's old practice in T. B. James Marshall, a druggist, is now living in Prince George County, Md.

Dr. J. W. Latimer was born June 6, 1852, in Piscataway, Md., and from his youth up has had

HON. THOMAS HOLLIDAY HICKS.

I35

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

what appears to be an inherent taste for the medical profession. He received a good founda- tion for his future training in the advice and example of his father, and was always a very apt student. His preliminary education being com- pleted, he entered a drug store in Washington, D. C., for a time, and was only eighteen when he determined to become a regular physician instead of a pharmacist. Going back to the old home he read and studied under his father's guidance, and subsequently graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Baltimore in the spring of 1874. Then for two years he practiced with his father, thereby gaining necessary experi- ence, and in the fall of the centennial year lo- cated here.

In 1876 Dr. Latimer married Eleanor Brewer, of South River, Anne Arundel County, Md. She was born and reared in that locality, and is a daughter of Newton and Mary E. Brewer, re- spected citizens of Anne Arundel County, Md. She is a valued worker in the Episcopal Church, and is a woman of more than ordinary ability and attainments. The doctor's mother is also identi- fied with the same church, and he is a vestry- man.

ON. THOMAS HOLLIDAY HICKS, ex- governor of Maryland and United States senator, was born near East New Market, Md., on the 2d of September 1798, the eld- est son of Henry C. and Mary (Sewell) Hicks, who were of English and Scotch descent re- spectively. His father was an extensive planter and, as was the custom of his day, owned slaves. He was kind to those under him, generous to all in need, charitable toward the erring and patri- otic in citizenship. He and his wife were identi- fied with the Methodist Episcopal Church. In their family were thirteen children.

On the family estate, four miles from East New Market, the subject of this memoir grew to man- hood, meantime attending the local subscription schools. Soon after attaining his majority he was made a deputy sheriff and continued in that

position until 1824, when he was elected sheriff of his county. Three years later he retired from office and settled upon a farm he had purchased on the Choptank River, during his residence there being elected a member of the house of delegates. In 1833 he removed to Vienna and succeeded his recently deceased brother, Horace Sewell Hicks, in the mercantile business and in running boats to Baltimore. For several years he was captain of a cavalry company of the state militia. In the year 1836, on the Whig ticket, he was elected a member of the state electoral college, which, under the old con- stitution of Maryland, had the election of the state senate and the governor's council. There being twenty-one Whigs and nineteen Democrats in the college, the election, requiring a two-thirds vote, created a deadlock and almost threw the state into anarchy. Three Democrats finally voting with the majority, a compromise was ef- fected and the senate was elected.

While in Annapolis as a member of the college Mr. Hicks was elected to the legislature, which during the next session passed measures making the senate and council elective by the people. In 1837 he was a member of the governor's council, and the following year was appointed register of wills for Dorchester County by Governor Veazey, afterward being reappointed by successive gov- ernors until the constitution of 1851 made the office elective. He was a member of that con- vention, though filling the office of representa- tive at the time.

On the death of Mr. Mitchell, in 1855, Mr. Hicks was made his successor as register of wills and filled that position altogether seventeen years, holding it until he became governor. Nominated by the American party for the posi- tion of chief executive, he received the election and began his term of service January 1, 1858. It will be remembered that his administration covered a period of vital importance in the his- tory of our country, and the efficient manner in which he discharged every duty soon brought him into national prominence. At that time Bal- timore was in the hands of a lawless element known as "Plug Uglies," who controlled every

136

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

election. Several respectable citizens, in their efforts to take political matters out of their hands, succeeded in bringing the ringleaders to trial and convicting them of murder. Every conceivable influence was brought to bear on Governor Hicks to induce him to pardon the men, but he refused and the offenders were executed.

The unchanging decision of character notice- able at this time was still further in evidence at the outbreak of the Civil war, when the whole state was thrown into confusion, families were divided in opinions, and life itself wasin constant peril. While others were terrified he stood firm and unwavering, maintaining his integrity to the end. His fixedness of purpose won for him the sobriquet of "Old Cæsar." However, while de- termined and steadfast in purpose, he was withal kind and tender-hearted. For his friends he could not do enough. But his kindness did not cease there. Often, at the entreaties of their friends, he visited President Lincoln to ask for the release of sick and wounded Confederate prisoners of war. The President had such im- plicit confidence in him his requests were always granted, feeling assured that he would only in- tercede for worthy persons. He threw the weight of his influence on the side of the Union and en- deavored to secure enlistments from his own state in the Federal army. On the 22d of July, 1862, he was appointed by President Lincoln brigadier- general of volunteers, and declined the appoint- ment July 26, 1862. On the close of his term as governor in 1863 he was appointed United States senator by Governor. Bradford to fill the unex- pired term of Hon. James Alfred Pierce. His appointment was ratified by the legislature at the session of 1864, and he actively entered upon the responsible duties of senator. The contin- uance of the war made his counsel most necessary, and he was thoroughly identified with the Union party as one of its leaders. Although the owner of slaves, he voted for the ratification of the con- stitution in 1864 and favored the abolition of slavery. In the autumn of 1863 he seriously sprained his ankle, and erysipelas setting in it was necessary to amputate his limb. He died Feburary 13, 1865, from the effects of a stroke of

apoplexy, when at the height of his fame and usefulness.

Two days later his death was announced to the senate by his late colleague, Reverdy John- son, of Maryland. In his remarks he paid this deserved tribute: "Ever courteous, kind and at- tentive, lie possessed the esteem and confidence of us all. Endowed with a sound judgment and animated by a fervent patriotism, he supported every measure that promised, in his opinion, to benefit the country in its existing emergency. In private life, too, he was always highly appreci- ated, and by those who knew him intimately loved as a brother. By the society of his county his loss especially will be long and keenly felt, and to his immediate family it will be irreparable."

Mr. Willey, of West Virginia, said among other things: "It has been my privilege to occupy a seat by the side of Governor Hicks ever since he entered this hall. I had, therefore, an oppor- tunity not only to witness his course in relation to public affairs, but also to observe more closely the spirit and principles, the heart and motive (so to speak) which seemed to prompt and control his conduct. And I declare to you, sir, that I never knew a man whose simplicity and single- ness of purpose, whose evident sincerity, purity and unselfishness of aim to promote the honor and welfare of his country, commanded more of my confidence and respect. I know not if he ever aspired to win the personal distinction and renown which men of great intellectual parts sometimes seem to seek with an ardor hardly secondary to the promotion of the national wel- fare; but to me he ever appeared to forget him- self in the higher and holier purpose of securing the public good."

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 10

Author: Chapman Publishing Company Publication date: 1898 Publisher: New York, Chapman pub. co. Number of Pages: 906

Author: Chapman Publishing Company
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: New York, Chapman pub. co.
Number of Pages: 906