Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 103

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

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Richard G. Duckett was born near Long Green, Baltimore County, Md., November 9, 1827, and when he had arrived at suitable years he attended the Sherwood Park school in Balti- more County. When he was sixteen he obtained a clerkship, and was in different positions from that time until 1864. He then accepted a place as cashier in the Baltimore City collector's office, and was so faithful and expeditious and thor- oughly trustworthy in every respect that he was retained in that position consecutively twenty- eight years. In 1892 his health seemed in danger of breaking down and he resigned his place to come to his present home. This place he has owned for thirteen years, and the change of occu- pation and the fresh air and country living have done wonders for him already. He is a vestry- man in St. Luke's Church at Church Hill, and is a valued worker in the same.

On the twenty-sixth anniversary of his birth, November 9, 1853, Mr. Duckett married Miss Josephine A. Vickery. They have had six chil- dren, of whom Graham, Richard and Katie are

still at home. Mrs. Duckett is a daughter of Stephen Thomas Vickery and granddaughter of Captain Vickery, who was one of the first settlers of the city of Baltimore.

G WARREN MUNDY. Prominent among the business men of Cambridge is Mr. Mundy, who for almost a quarter of a cen- tury has been closely identified with the history of the city, while his name has been inseparably connected with its industrial and political inter- ests. He is a man of keen discrimination and sound judgment, and his executive ability and excellent management have brought to the en- terprise with which he is connected a high degree of success.

Mr. Mundy was born in Rahway, N. J., March IO, 1855, but during childhood was taken to Newark, that state, by his parents, Henry E. and Fannie C. (Crowell) Mundy, who spent their entire lives in New Jersey, the father dying at the age of sixty-five and the mother at the age of seventy-five. Of their eight children, five reached years of maturity, namely: J. Crowell, superin- tendent of public works in Newark, N. J .; Henry H., a lumberman of that place; William B., gen- eral superintendent of the J. S. Mundy Engine Works; Joseph S., a manufacturer of hoisting and stationary engines in Newark; and G. Warren.

In the public schools of his native city the sub- ject of this sketch began his education, and later was a student in the Newark Military Academy. At the age of eighteen he began learning the machine business, but on account of throat trouble was forced for a time to travel in Florida. Having regained his health, he returned to New- ark and soon after came to Cambridge, Md., at the request of his uncle, Ellwood Birdsall, who was financially interested in the Cambridge Manufacturing Company, which was organized by J. W. Crowell & Co., who failed. After as- sisting in re-organizing the company, Mr. Mundy was made superintendent of the machinery de- partment, as it required an expert machinist, and

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he put in all the machinery in their extensive plant, which comprises a barrel factory, sawmill, flour and hominy mills.

Mr. Mundy had previously come to Cambridge in 1872 and 1875 for the purpose of hunting, and already made many friends before locating per- manently October 26, 1877. He continued to serve as superintending machinist for the Cam- bridge Manufacturing Company until 1890, when he became an incorporator of the Cambridge Ice Company, whose capital stock was $30,000, and he was also active in reorganizing that company into the Cambridge Water Company in 1893. It has three wells three hundred and eighty-six feet deep, seven miles of mains, and is now capitalized at $63,000, and is engaged in the manufacture of ice and furnishing water to the city. Mr. Mundy is the superintendent of the Cambridge Water Company, and has been the prime mover in every enterprise calculated for the municipal im- provement of Cambridge. In connection with his brother, Joseph S. Mundy, he has become interested in the splendid water front property at Sandy Hill, now called Clinton Place, which comprises one hundred and sixty-two acres, beau- tifully located on the Choptank. In the past two years they have expended large sums of money in building up and improving the place, and it now ranks among the first homes on the Eastern Shore.

In 1881 Mr. Mundy was united in marriage to Miss Maggie K. Applegarth, of Baltimore, a daughter of William Applegarth, now deceased, and three children have been born to them, Eliza- beth, Fannie and Catharine.

In politics Mr. Mundy is a Republican, but at local elections votes independent of party ties, and he has ever taken an active and commend- able interest in public affairs. In 1888 he was elected mayor of Cambridge, and during the six years that lie most acceptably filled that office the water works were put in and many other needed improvements were made in the city. He organized the first fire company, known as the Rescue Fire Company, in 1882, was elected its first chief and served as such until 1888. Its building and engine house on Gay

street are spaciously appointed and fitted up in the most modern style, and the company is pro- vided with a first-class fire engine, a No. 4 Silsby Rotary, manufactured at Seneca Falls, N. Y .; three hose carts with twenty-five hundred feet of hose; and one hook and ladder truck. The prop- erty belonging to the company is worth $13,000 and Clement T. Mowbery is the custodian. Mr. Mundy is still a director in the Cambridge Manu- facturing Company, and in advancing his own business interests he has materially aided in the upbuilding and development of the city. He is now the oldest vestryman in Christ Episcopal Church on High street, Cambridge, having filled that position since 1879, and was a member of the building committee that erected their mag- nificent new house of worship. Fraternally he is a thirty-third-degree Mason. The career of Mr. Mundy has ever been such as to warrant the trust and confidence of the business world, for he has ever conducted all transactions on the strict- est principles of honor and integrity. His devo- tion to the public good is unquestioned and arises from a sincere interest in the welfare of his fellow- men.

ON. WILLIAM F. APPLEGARTH is one of the most successful business men of Dorchester County, being the owner of a general store at Golden Hill, also having valuable farming land in Lake district, besides other in- vestments and important holdings in mortgages. A native of Lake district, born February 11, 1842, he is a son of John E. Applegarth, who was born on the Choptank River in this county, and in boy- hood accompanied the family to Lake district, settling on a farm. When he was about twelve years of age his father died. On arriving at man's estate he embarked in farming pursuits, and followed that occupation until 1850. From that time until 1853 he served as deputy sheriff, meantime, in 1852, also holding the position of assessor. In 1854-55 he was sheriff of Dorchester County. He continued to make his home here until 1855, when he formed a partnership with a

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brother-in-law in the wholesale and retail boot and shoe business in Baltimore, where he resided from 1857 until 1859, devoting his entire atten- tion to the management of the store. On selling out in 1859 he returned to Lake district. In 1865, with his son, our subject, he engaged in the business that the latter still conducts, he hav- ing purchased his father's interest in 1881.

On again retiring from business, Mr. Apple- garth removed to Virginia and purchased a farm, which he carried on for a few years. He then purchased a residence in Martinsburg, Va., and retired from active labors. His death occurred in March, 1887, when he was seventy-three years of age. When a young man he identified him- self with the Whig party, and upon its dissolu- tion became a Democrat. In 1884 he united with the Catholic Church, of which he remained a member until his death. In business affairs he was quite successful, possessing those quali- ties of mind and heart so indispensable to the in- telligent prosecution of large interests.

The Applegarth family is of Scotch extraction. Our subject's grandfather, William, was born in Neck district, Dorchester County, and spent his entire life here engaged in farming. Had he been spared to old age, very probably he would have become wealthy, but he died when only thirty-five years of age. Politically he was a Whig. One of his brothers, Nat Applegarth, served as sheriff of the county. The mother of our subject, Ann M. Tubman, was born in Hoop- er's Island district, and spent her entire life in Dorchester County, dying here at seventy-nine years. She was a member of the Catholic Church. Twice married, by her first husband, John Keene, she had two daughters: Allie and Emily A. Of her second marriage there were born three chil- dren: William F .; Eleanor, wife of Dr. S. A. Keene; and Alpheus, who died at seven years of age.

The education of our subject was obtained in the public schools of Dorchester County and the city of Baltimore; in St. Charles College, of Charles County, Md., where he was a student for about three years; and in St. Mary's Acad- emy, at Wilmington, Del., where he spent six

months. Afterward he remained on the home farm and assisted in its cultivation until 1867, when he became principal of the school at Golden Hill, and this position he retained until 1881. Meantime he had became interested in the mer- cantile business, and in that year retired from teaching and turned his entire attention to mer- chandising and the management of his land. As a Democrat he is active in local affairs and at this writing is a member of the state central committee. He was elected to the legislature in 1893 and served in the session of 1894.

By his marriage to Miss E. A. Keene, of Par- sons Creek district, daughter of Thomas H. Keene, Mr. Applegarth had nine children, but three died young. The others are: William F., Anita, S. Ubert, E. Vivian, Harold and Cecil. The family are identified with the Roman Cath- olic Church.

EROME A. DAVIS, a prosperous young agriculturist of the second district of Caro- line County, is one of the native sons of this locality and is greatly interested in whatever promises to benefit or advance its welfare. From an early age he has had to make his own way in the world, and is justly entitled to be called a self-made man, for he owes his success to his in- dividual efforts and self-reliance. He is the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land, which is in every respect desirable, and has placed some good improvements upon the home- stead. He uses his right of franchise in behalf of the Republican party and is faithful in the dis- charge of the duties which rest upon him as a loyal citizen.

Born upon the 8th of October, 1854, in Caro- line County, as previously stated, J. A. Davis is a son of Curtis and Rebecca (Price) Davis, who were likewise natives of this county, and were married here upon arriving at mature years. Our subject was reared in the cities of New York and Philadelphia, and was only ten years of age when he commenced to work for a commission firm.

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For the next thirty years or so he was interested in the same business, in one way or another, and dealt extensively in fruits and vegetables, supply- ing the large city hotels, restaurants, etc. Since lie has come to live upon his farm he has raised great quantities of grain, fruit and general pro- duce for tlie markets, and has been very success- ful indeed as an agriculturist.

February 11, 1881, Mr. Davis married Jennie E. DeRondy, a native of Hoboken, N. J. They are botlı members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are valued workers in the several departments of the local organization. They have scores of sincere friends in this neighbor- hood, and in other places where they have dwelt for any length of time.

A. MORGAN, whose postoffice address is Queen Anne, is one of the most reliable and respected citizens of the fourth district of Talbot County. He is a great worker in the interests of the Democratic party, and has held numerous important positions, the duties of which he discharged to the credit of himself and friends. That his ability and service in the party's cause are recognized was shown quite plainly when he was called upon to act as a candidate for the house of delegates, on two occasions, in 1875 and again in 1887, and though he was not elected, his personal popularity among his life-long asso- ciates and neighbors cannot be called into ques- tion. Under the administration of President Cleveland he was appointed a special agent for the department of labor. Years ago, when he was in the commencement of his business career, he held the position of state weigher of cattle in Baltimore, having received his appointment for a two years' term in 1871 at the hands of Governor Bowie.

The father of the above-named gentleman, Philip Morgan, was born near Denton, Caroline County, Md., and in later years settled upon a farm in Queen Anne's County, and not only carried on tlie place, but was engaged in mer-

chandising. In 1850 he returned to Caroline County and passed his remaining days quietly, in the enjoyment of a comfortable competence and a good farm. He died January 11, 1856, steadfast in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he had long been connected. He had held several of the offices in the congre- gation and was universally beloved. In matters of politics he was loyal to the Whig party. His wife was a Miss Anne Thawley, daughter of William Thawley, a worthy citizen of Caroline County. Mrs. Morgan departed this life in 1846, and only three of her six children now survive, viz .: Mary H., wife of C. M. Jump, of Talbot County; P. A. and Anne L., wife of L. T. Dukes, of Cordova, Talbot County.

The great-great-grandfather of our subject, Charles Morgan, was a native of Scotland, and was exiled from his country by the British government because he was a Roman Catholic in religious faith. He came to America, the land of liberty and free thought, and founded the family here, which, strange to say, exemplifies within its own ranks, within a few generations, such opposite types of religious creeds as the Roman Catholic and the Methodist Episcopal. Following the chain of descent from Charles, just mentioned, to our subject, we find next, Jacob, who was born in Talbot County, and then Charles, also born in this county, near Chapel, and finally Philip, father of P. A. The commanding officer of the famous Morgan Rifles, of the Revolutionary war, was one of the ancestors of our subject, and Gen. John H. Morgan, a celebrated Confederate officer in the Civil war, was also a relative.

The date of the birth of P. A. Morgan is April 20, 1840, and the place of this event his father's homestead in Queen Anne's County. The boy lost his fond mother when he was a child of six years, and nothing that life has brought to him of success or joy has made up to him for this great deprivation. He attended school at West River Institute, in Anne Arundel County, and upon the outbreak of the war he at once en- deavored to enter the ranks of the Confederacy, but as he was not of strong constitution, seem- ingly, he was not enlisted. The next three

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years he devoted his time and energies to school- teaching, for which he had special aptitude, so much so, in fact, that later on he was induced to assume charge of another school, and was thus employed for five years longer. For a like period of time he carried on a farm, and probably there gained that vigorous health which he has enjoyed of late years. Then followed the various public positions which he filled so acceptably, and recently he has been in the employ of Mr. Beaven, of Hillsborough. He is a vestryman in the local Episcopal Church, and lends his support to many worthy philanthropies.

RANCIS NATHAN SHEPPARD, M. D. In comparison of the relative value of man- kind of the various professions and pursuits it is widely recognized that none is so important as the medical profession. From the cradle to the grave human destiny is largely in the hands of the physician. One of Kent and Queen Anne's Counties' representatives of this calling is Dr. Sheppard, whose home is in the second district of Kent County. The doctor comes of a family that was founded in this country by three brothers: Jonadab, Joseph and David Sheppard, who came from England about 1690, and settled in New Jersey. Jonadab settled in Antucsett, and his son, Nathan Sheppard, lived and died in New Jersey, whose son, Nathan Sheppard, born November 13, 1734, also a native of this state, married for the first time Prudence, second time Martha Mulford, and by this marriage had the following children: Nathan, Nathaniel, Reed, Jonadab, Cave Bowen and Ruma Austin.

Nathan Sheppard, born September 16, 1788, married Rachel Cook April 7, 1814, and spent his entire life as an agriculturist and took an active part in the work of the Baptist Church, of which he was long a leading member. He died October 15, 1859, leaving a valuable estate. His children were: Joseph Cook, Isaac Mulford, Albert Nathan, Leander William, Maria Elizabeth and Theodore Warren.

Joseph Cook Sheppard, our subject's father, was born February 21, 1815, and was also a native of Salem, N. J., where he continued to reside until 1852, when he came to Maryland and purchased a tract of about thirteen hun- dred acres of land in Queen Anne's County, upon a portion of which he laid out and founded the village of Crumpton. Through his efforts the present causeway was built, connecting the two counties, Kent and Queen Anne's, and other permanent improvements were made. He con- tinued the cultivation and improvement of his land up to the time of his death, and was recog- nized as one of the most useful and valued citizens of his community. His political support was first given the Whig party and later the Repub- lican party, but at no time did he take a very active part in politics. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Justus Bonham, also a native of New Jersey, July 13, 1836, and they became the par- ents of Justus Bonham, Francis Nathan, Joseph Henry, Maria Elizabeth and Isaac Mulford. With the Methodist Episcopal Church of Crump- ton he held membership, and died in that town- ship February 19, 1880.

Dr. Francis Nathan Sheppard, the subject of this sketch, was born November 1, 1839, on the old home farm, Salem County, N. J., and re- ceived his education at the Salem Academy and Chester Seminary, Delaware County, Pa. He was a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Dental Surgery and practiced this profession in Philadelphia for two years, where he gained con- siderable notice from the faculty for high-class work and improved methods. There in 1861 he met and married Amanda Freeman, daughter of William and Katherine Bowker. Later he studied medicine and graduated at the Univer- sity of Pennsylvania with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, in 1865. He located in Crumpton, Queen Anne's County, Md., in 1866. In con- nection with the doctor's early practice he con- ducted a drug store until 1876, when he purchased the old H. B. Slaughter homestead, known as Riverside, it being immediately adjacent to Crumpton, in Kent County, and here he has. resided for the past twenty years.

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Dr. Sheppard is a man of marked ability in his profession, and by his close attention to his prac- tice and the constant reading of the latest medical works, has kept in touch with the advance in science, thereby gaining a very enviable repu- tation. The doctor has never discriminated, answering the call of the rich and poor alike, thus endearing himself to the whole community. Apart from the doctor's professional attainments he has superintended the management of his farm of three hundred acres, where he resides, and other properties; has been a lover of out-door sports and was the president of the Hail Point Ducking Club, and was considered one of the finest duck shots of Maryland. Politically Dr. Sheppard affiliates with the Republican party and maintains his principles in this regard with the same steadfastness which has characterized him in all the relations of life. He was formerly a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge of Crumpton. By his first marriage five children were born, but only two are now living: Florence Katherine, wife of Samuel Webb Merritt, son of Rev. James Black Merritt, D. D., of Maryland; and Albert Cook, at home. In 1893 he married the second time, Mary Adelaide, daughter of Capt. R. A. Gray, of Queen Anne's County, Md., and occupies a pleasant social position among the people of the community, by whom he is re- spected for his intelligence and heartily liked for his frank, open-hearted hospitality and genial, kindly manners.

ON. SAMUEL W. WOOLFORD, formerly the representative of his district in the state legislature, has for a number of years been successfully engaged in the mercantile business at Woolford, Church Creek district, Dorchester County. The family of which he is a member originated in England, where Col. Roger Wool- ford was born about 1586 and whence he came to Maryland, settling in Dorchester County. He was well-to-do, his possessions including large grants of land in this and Somerset County. His

property in the latter county he gave to his son John, while the land in Dorchester County he be- queathed to his son Col. Thomas, and daugh- ter, Sarah, these three being his only children. He died in 1668.

Col. Thomas Woolford had seven sons and one daughter, namely: Roger, Stephen, Thomas, Battie, Levin, James, John and Nancy, to each of whom he gave a farm. Col. Stephen Wool- ford had three sons and seven daughters born to his marriage with Elizabeth Whiteley, sister of Colonel Whiteley, of Caroline County. His son, Stephen, married Nellie Jones, and they became the parents of three sons and four daughters: Stephen, George Whitefield, Hiram, Eliza- beth, Mary, Sallie and Charlotte. His son, George Whitefield, married Eliza B., daughter of Col. John and Mary (Edmondson) Broughan, and they had three sons and ten daughters. Their eldest son, J. S. B., married Mollie Rees, of Newark, Del., and unto their union were born five sons and one daughter. The oldest son, George Whitefield, married Eva Skinner for his first wife and after her death was united with Sallie Mace. He has three children, Mildred, Mabel and Miles.

Ellen, daughter of George Whitefield, married Charles Jones, and they had two children, but both are deceased. Mary became the wife of S. B. B. Woolford, and four children were born of their union. Stephen W. married Lydia Lowe, of Salisbury, Md., and they have two sons and four daughters. Ella is unmarried; Frank White- field passed away at the age of ten years; Eliz- abeth became Mrs. Thomas Mace. George A. Mace, son of Thomas Mace, married Phoebe Tub- man, and they have five sons and five daughters. Mary married William Willis, of Church Creek, and they have three daughters and one son. Edwin Mace married Annie Mills, and they re- side in Cambridge. Dr. John Mace married Della Briley, and they reside in Cambridge. Susie is the wife of Lewis Keene, of Golden Hill, and they have six sons and one daughter. Samuel Whitefield died in Cambridge. Eliza B. Mace is an invalid. Hannah C. Woolford mar- ried William Mace, and they had five daughters

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and two sons. Willie married Luther Martin, and their family consisted of two sons and one daughter. Sallie became the wife of George Woolford. Irving Mace is an attorney in Cam- bridge. Margaret and Nettie are unmarried; Charles and Ellen are deceased. Kate Woolford married John W. Mace, and they had five sons and three daughters. Battie resides in Pittsburg, Pa., and is single. Benjamin, Harry and John S., also single, are in Philadelphia. Valeria Mace married Charles B. Cator, and they have one son, Benjamin. Emma Woolford mar- ried Thomas Adolphus Willis, and they had two sons and four daughters. Edgar and Willie Woolford Willis are living in Vicksburg; Lillie is with her father in Cambridge, and the others are deceased.

Samuel Whitefield Woolford married Lillie Crawford, of Philadelphia, and they have three children. Lizzie V. married Ralph Rees, of Chesapeake City, Md .; Samuel Whitefield, Jr., is a law student in the University of Pennsylvania; and Lillie Crawford, his twin sister, is at home, their farm being part of the property willed by the first Woolford who came to this country, Col. Roger Woolford. Benjamin Whiteley Woolford married Emma Skinner, and they had one son, who is in the drug business in Baltimore. Al- mira Woolford married William Hurlock, of Cambridge, and they had three sons and one daughter. Willie Woolford and Ben Cator, twins, are deceased; Taney Lee and Susie V. are in school in Cambridge. Susie L. Woolford resides with her brother Samuel W., and is unmarried. Sallie and Willie are deceased.

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Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 103

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