USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland > Part 12
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profession. From 1881 until 1893 he resided upon a farın, which he still owns, but at present rents to tenants.
The marriage of Dr. Clark united him with Mary P. Johnson, daughter of Col. Richard Johnson, of whom mention is made in the sketch of Anthony Johnson. The three children born of the union are E. Carroll, E. Gilbert and Agnes (twins). There were also two children that died in infancy. As a Democrat, Dr. Clark has been active in shaping local politics, and in 1894, upon the regular party ticket, he was elected to the state legislature, where he rendered faithful and satisfactory service in behalf of his constituents. In 1897 he was re-elected to the state legislature. His wife is a member of the Catholic Church, while he is not identified with any denomination. He is a public-spirited citizen and takes an inter- est in any plan for the upbuilding of the town and the development of local resources.
ON. GEORGE MITCHELL RUSSUM, one of the leading attorneys of Caroline County, is a member of an old and influen- tial family of the state. He was born at Wye Mills, Talbot County, Md., January 28, 1834, to Sydenham Thorne and Sarah A. (George) Rus- sum. His father, who was born in 1790, was a native of Dorchester County, Md., but in 1827 removed from there to Wye Mills, in Talbot County, where he became a leading physician. For many years he was president of the Talbot County Medical Society and was occupying that position at the time of his death, which occurred in April, 1852, at the age of sixty-two years.
Mrs. Sarah A. Russum was a daughter of Jo- seph W. George, member of a Quaker family and a large land owner of Queen Anne County. She was third in order of birth of a large family. Her older brother, Mathias, who was the owner of large estates, became a member of the legis- lature and afterwards was elected to the state sen- ate. A Whig in politics, he became a Republi-
can upon the organization of that party. Of the large family of Sydenham T. and Sarah A. Rus- sum, only two attained mature years, George M. and Robert Polk, the last-named a merchant in Denton until the breaking out of the war, when he left home to join the Confederate army, but was taken sick and died in February, 1862.
The paternal great-grandfather of our subject married Ann, daughter of William Polk, a plant- er and large landed proprietor of Somerset County. Her uncle, John Polk, was the grand- father of James K. Polk, president of the United States. The son of Nathaniel and grandfather of our subject, Maj. Mitchell Russum, gained his title by service in the Revolutionary war; he married Elizabeth Whittington, of Somerset County.
When a boy the subject of this article attended the public schools of Queen Anne and Talbot Coun- ties. In 1848 he entered Strasburg Academy, in Lancaster County, Pa., where he studied for four years under Rev. David McCarter, but did not complete his collegiate course on account of the death of his father. On returning to Maryland he began to teach school, which occupation he followed in Talbot County for one and one-half years, meantime assisting his mother in the set- tlement of the estate and also carrying on the study of law in the office of Cook & Hopper, of Centreville. His legal readings were concluded in the law school of Yale College, from which he in 1855 was admitted to the bar.
Returning to Maryland, he again entered the office of Cook & Hopper, but after a short time commenced the practice of his profession in Den- ton, where he has since successfully carried it on. He was in the custom' service in Baltimore in 1861-62, and in September of the latter year he was appointed by President Lincoln assessor of internal revenue for the first congressional dis- trict, comprising the whole of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, which position he resigned in 1865 in favor of Thomas K. Carroll, M. D., of Dor- chester County. In 1867 Chief-Justice Chase appointed him register in bankruptcy, which of- fice he held until the repeal of the law. In 1871 he was elected state's attorney for Caroline
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County, being the first Republican elected to any office east of the Chesapeake Bay after the adop- tion of the constitution of 1867. He held the office for two terms, retiring in January, 1880. Two years afterward lie was a candidate for asso- ciate judge for the second judicial circuit. In 1866, 1884, 1890 and 1892 he was a Republican candidate for congress from the first congressional district. He was counsel for the Pennsylvania Railroad from 1886 until his appointment as chief judge of the second judicial circuit, and ex-officio associate judge of court of appeals of Maryland, succeeding Judge Robinson, deceased January 21, 1896, and was unanimously confirmed by the sen- ate (Democratic) without reference to a com- mittee.
Fraternally Judge Russum is a member of Tem- ple Lodge No. 128, A. F. & A. M .; Talbot Chapter No. 22, R. A. M .; Chesapeake Com- mandery No. 10, K. T .; Boumi Temple, A. A. O., Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Concordia Chap- ter No. 5, Order of the Eastern Star; and socially is identified with the Maryland Club and the Athenæum Club, while politically he is connected with the Young Men's Republican Club, all of Baltimore. He is a member of the Protestant Epis- copal Church and since 1871 has been senior warden of Christ Church, Denton. In 1855 he married Mary Virginia George, daughter of Dr. Enoch and Margaret (Turpin) George, of Queen Anne County, and granddaugliter of Bishop Enoch George, of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She died June 28, 1858. The second marriage of Judge Russum united him with Octavia Orme George, a sister of his first wife. He has no children living.
Judge Russum is a man of wide experience, a keen observer of men and affairs, with a mind broadened by contact with the world and a heart large in its capacity for sympathy with others. His early opportunities were good, and he had the sagacity to avail himself of them to the ut- most, storing his mind with a fund of general information that has since proved invaluable. Others, whose opportunities were as good as his, failed in the accomplishment of all that makes life noblest and best, but he, fortified by his de-
termination of character, advanced step by step until he had gained a reasonable share of worldly prosperity. As an attorney lie has attained all enviable position, while his course tlirougli life has been such as to win for him the esteeni of every acquaintance.
C ESSE H. USILTON is numbered among the progressive young farmers and enterpris- ing business men of Kent County, his fine homestead being located in the sixth district. He comes from one of the old respected families of this county, whose history has been intertwined with that of the development and march of events of this region. In all public enterprises and efforts to better the community, they have ever done their share, and thus have been factors in our advancing prosperity and civilization. None are more worthy of being represented in a work of this kind than they are, and this volume will hand down to future generations the story of their unselfish lives.
Our subject is the great-grandson of one Joseph Usilton, who was a native of Maryland, and located in Kent County upon a farm at a remote period. His son Joseph is the next in the line of descent, and after him came his son Lewin, father of Jesse H. of this sketch. They were all agriculturists and were very successful in their various business undertakings. Lewin was honored by being elected to the house of representatives twice, on the Democratic ticket, and was also county com- missioner. He married Harriet M. Smyth, a daughter of Maj. Richard Smyth, and eight chil- dren were born to them. Two of the number are deceased, and the others are : Joseph R., Jesse H., Lewin J., Mrs. C. V. Skirven, Mrs. Harry C. Willis and Mary S. The father departed this life in 1880, at the age of fifty-six years. His wife survived him several years, dying in 1894, when in her sixty-sixth year.
Jesse H. Usilton was born near his present home October 5, 1862, and has resided all his life in this county. He was reared upon the old
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homestead, and was educated in the public schools, later going to Washington College. He was a student there when his father died, and left college to attend to things on the farm. He took entire charge of the place, and in 1882 bought the old Smyth farm, where he now resides. He carries on general farming, and raises consider- able stock and fruit. His place contains some two hundred acres of valuable improved land, with a comfortable dwelling upon it and good buildings. He is a member of the Heptasophs and belongs to the grange, and in both organizations has held offices. In politics he is a Democrat.
In 1896 Mr. Usilton concluded that he would no longer live a bachelor's life, and was accord- ingly wedded to the lady of his choice, Miss Annie Willis, daughter of Thomas J. Willis, of the third district. She is well educated and possesses many amiable qualities which endear her to all with whom her lot is cast. She attends the Protestant Methodist Church, and is interested in charitable and religious work.
ENRY CLAY HENDRICKSON has re- sided in Millington, Kent County, since 1884, and is practically living retired, though he gives some attention to the manage- ment of his landed estate. He owns a part inter- est in the old family homestead and is also the owner of a farm comprising about sixty-seven acres, situated in the first district of Queen Anne County. Prospered in his undertakings, he has become well-to-do, and, though now still in the prime of life, he can relax his energies and enjoy all the comforts of life, undisturbed by heavy business cares.
The Hendrickson family is of remote German extraction, but has had representatives in this country since an early period in its history. The great-grandfather of our subject, Augustine Hendrickson, was a native of Maryland, born probably in Cecil County. His son, Peregrine, grew to manhood in his native county of Cecil, and when a young man engaged in the printing
business, but afterwards carried on a general store at Warwick. In later years he resided upon a farm in Cecil County. The last five years of his life were spent in retirement at Middletown, Del., where he died at sixty-eight years of age. In religious belief he was connected with the Episcopal Church. He was prominent in local affairs and for seventeen years held the office of magistrate.
The father of our subject, Peregrine Hendrick- son, Jr., was born in Cecil County in 1820 and spent his early years upon a farm near Warwick. For his life work he chose farm pursuits, and by the exercise of judgment and industry he ac- quired the ownership of a large farm and some slaves. For four years he resided upon a farm in Delaware, but went back to Cecil County, where he remained upon a rented farm for some years. In 1875 he came to Kent County and purchased a tract of two hundred and thirty acres near Millington, where he continued to reside until his death, July 18, 1880. In 1851 he had purchased three hundred and seventy acres near Chestertown. Politically he affiliated with the Democratic party. He was an Episcopalian and for thirty years officiated as a vestryman in his church. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Margaret Hill, was a daughter of Jacob Hill. She was born in Kent County, Del., and now, at the age of seventy, resides in Millington, where she has many warm friends. Her religious faith is the same as was her husband's. Her five sons are all living: Victor, a farmer of the seventh district, Kent County; Augustine, a farmer in the first district of Kent County; Joseph E., a commission merchant of Philadelphia; John P., who is also a resident of Philadelphia; and Henry Clay.
During the residence of the family in Cecil County our subject was born July 20, 1853. He was educated in the public schools and Middle- town Academy and, having added to his knowl- edge by observation and reading of current literature,; he is a well-informed man. He ac- companied his father to Kent County in 1875 and upon the death of the latter, in 1880, he and his brother, Augustine, purchased the homestead,
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where he continued to reside until 1884. Since ocrat in politics. Mrs. Johnson was a Miss that time he has made his home in Millington. A Democrat in politics, he is, however, not active in the party. In religious belief he adheres to the doctrines of the Episcopal Church.
NTHONY H. JOHNSON. Numbered among the successful farmers of the first district, Kent County, is he of whom this article is penned. Ranking high in the estima- tion of his many friends and associates, as he does, and noted for his correct business methods and uprightness of character, we are glad to make room for his history among those of the repre- sentative men of the Eastern Shore. Some sixteen years ago he settled upon his present homestead and has since added materially to its value and general attractiveness. He is practical and pro- gressive, and is doing well from a financial stand- point.
Col. Richard C. Johnson, father of our sub- ject, was a native of Smyrna, Del., and was there reared upon a farm until his twelfth or thir- teenth year. His father dying about that time, the boy began clerking in a store, and was thus employed until he had arrived at his majority. He was industrious and saved considerable money during this period, and now concluded to invest it in a business of his own. Going to Mississippi, he started upon a commercial career, but the con- ditions of trade there were so different, payments so uncertain, and there was such a lack of enter- prise that he ultimately failed in his venture, though he made a brave struggle for eight years. Returning to Kent County somewhat discour- aged, as he could not be blamed for feeling, he settled upon a part of his father's old estate, which had fallen to him by inheritance. The place was located near Massey, and, engaged in quiet country pursuits, he spent the rest of his life happily, dying in his seventy-eighth year. Prior to his marriage he was a Protestant, but as his wife was a devoted Catholic her influence induced him to join her church. He was a Dem-
Agnes R. Malsberger, from an old Pennsylvania German family who settled in this county many years ago. She was summoned to the home be- yond when sixty-seven years of age, and left two sons and two daughters to mourn her loss. Mary P. is the wife of Dr. E. G. Clark, of Millington, Md .; Catherine M. is unmarried. Anthony H. is the next in order of birth. Stonewall Jackson is a farmer of this district.
A. H. Johnson was born upon his father's farm in the first district of Kent County, September 4, 1856. His elementary education was supple- mented by a course of study in Rock Hill College, at Ellicott City, near Baltimore. When he was approaching his twentieth year he rented his parents' old farm and cultivated it four years or so. In 18.81 he moved to the fine place which he now owns and carries on, and which comprises two hundred and thirty-six acres. He follows his father's footsteps in matters of political mo- ment, being a Democrat.
The marriage of our subject and Laura B. Wootters, a native of Richmond, Va., took place on May 30, 1882. They have a nice family of three promising children, all at home and named respectively: Richard Bradford, Mary Frances and Herman Clayton. They are members of the Catholic Church, as were their parents before them.
WALTER SKIRVEN. About two miles from Chestertown, in the fourth district of Kent County, lies a fertile and highly im- proved farm of two hundred and seventy-six acres, containing all the accessories of a model farm. The land is devoted to general farming and fruit raising, and under the thrifty manage- ment of the owner, Mr. Skirven, is made to pro- duce bountiful harvests. In addition to the rais- ing of cereals and fruit, he gives some attention to the buying and selling of cattle and sheep, and as a stock dealer has been quite successful in his undertakings.
Mention of the Skirven family is made in the
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sketch of Thomas W. Skirven, upon another page. J. Walter was born in Kent County Sep- tember 25, 1849. He attended the public schools in boyhood and remained at home until twenty years of age, when he rented from his father a tract of land and at once began its cultivation. On the death of his father he inherited an interest in the homestead, and there he remained, en- gaged in its cultivation, until January, 1895, when he sold the place and removed to his new purchase not far away.
June 20, 1872, Mr. Skirven married Virginia Usilton, of Kent County, and two children have been born of their union, Ada and Lewin, both at home. While he has never been active in public affairs, Mr. Skirven nevertheless has firm con- victions upon important questions, and is loyal in his allegiance to the Democratic party. For two years he served as trustee of the poor farm, but at the end of that time he resigned the position. His wife is a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and he contributes to the various enter- prises projected by that denomination. His time has been given quite closely to the supervision of his property, and it is due to this close attention, combined with judicious management, that he has been enabled to secure the substantial pros- perity he now enjoys.
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ON. HENRY R. LEWIS, one of the most influential attorneys of Denton and for two terms the representative of his district in the house of delegates, was born near Vernon, in the lower part of Kent County, Del., December 15, 1850, and is of English ancestory. The fam- ily of which he is a member has long been iden- tified with the history of Delaware. His grand- father, Hon. Stephen Lewis, was born in that state, and for several terms was a member of its legislature.
Jacob F. Lewis, our subject's father, was born in Kent County, Del., in October, 1806, and de- voted his entire active life to farm pursuits. He took an interest in public affairs and for fourteen
years held office as justice of the peace. In the work of the Methodist Episcopal Church he took a warm interest. At his old home place he passed away January 14, 1879. His wife, Rachel, was born in Delaware, of Welsh ancestry, and was a daughter of Evan Lewis, a farmer. These two Lewis families were not related to each other. Mrs. Rachel Lewis was born in 1806 and died December 28, 1878, very shortly before the demise of her husband, between whose age and her own there was but three days' difference.
Educated in the public schools and Farming- ton Academy, Henry R. Lewis afterward taught school, and while following that occupation he devoted his leisure hours to the study of law, under the preceptorship of John B. Pennington, of Dover, the attorney-general of Delaware. In 1882 he was admitted to the bar at Dover, and two years later came to Denton, where he has since carried on a general professional practice. In 1887 he was elected state's attorney of Caro- line County, and at the expiration of the terin received the renomination, but failed of election. In the fall of 1893 he was elected to the legis- lature, and his service was so efficient and satis- factory that he was again chosen to occupy this position in 1895. He was a member of the judi- ciary committee in the session of 1894, was chair- man of the committees on public buildings and library, and member of the committee on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. In the ses- sion of 1896 he was a member of the judiciary committee and the committee on ways and means and received the Democratic vote for speaker of the house. He was present at the national Democratic convention of 1896 held in Chicago and took an active part in the exciting campaign of that year. At the congressional convention when Hon. Robert Brattan was nominated for congress, he was also a candidate and received fifteen of the votes cast. His public service has been of an honorable and efficient character and justifies the belief that higher honors will be in the future bestowed upon him11.
In 1883 Mr. Lewis married Miss Martha J. Voss, daughter of James Voss, a farmer of Kent County, Del. They have one child, Anna May.
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The family is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Lewis has been trustee and steward, also superintendent of the Sunday-school, for ten consecutive years. Fra- ternally he is identified with the Heptasophs and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics.
ILLIAM R. KAY. Kent County rejoices in the possession of a large number of am- bitious, enterprising young farmers, and looks to them as the leaders of her advancement and hopeful future. Prominent in this band of bright, energetic agriculturists stands he of whom we write. He is the proprietor of Plum Point farm, which he purchased in 1893, and has since culti- vated. This beautifully situated homestead con- tains two hundred acres, most of which is devoted to orchards and grain. It is well improved with substantial buildings, and the pretty home upon it is the chief attraction. It is located in one of the best and most valuable parts of the third district.
Unlike the majority of our local farmers, Mr. Kay is not a native of this section or state, but was induced to settle here on account of the fertility of the soil, the picturesque beauty of the surround- ing scenery, and the cordial, hearty welcome which was accorded him upon his first visit here. He has never had occasion to regret his decision in regard to permanently locating in this neigh- borhood, and is making a financial success of the enterprise. He favors the platform and princi- ples of the Democratic party, but is in no sense of the term a politician, as he finds his whole atten- tion taken up with his personal affairs. By this, it is not meant, however, that he does not do his duty as a citizen and a patriot, for he is deeply concerned in whatever affects the general welfare.
A son of Samuel W. Kay, our subject was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1871, and is now an only child, as his brother, Clarence M., is de- ceased. The family is of English extraction. Samuel W. was a son of J. Hutchinson Kay, who was a successful hardware merchant, and was
once clerk to the mayor of Philadelphia. S. W. Kay was for years engaged in the insurance busi- ness, and won an enviable reputation for integrity and uprightness in all his transactions. He died i11 1891, and his memory is cherished in the liearts of a host of his warm friends. His widow is still a resident of the Quaker City, and was, before her marriage, a Miss Mary Webster.
The first twenty-one years in the life of Will- iam R. Kay were passed in the city of his birth. There he received the benefits of a fine education, mostly obtained at Rugby Academy, where he completed a course of instruction in the higher branches of learning, and graduated at nineteen. He is a young man of natural ability, and would certainly be well qualified to prosper in almost any position in life in which he might find him- self. He is not easily overcome by failure, but has that persistence and will-power that ultimately bring victory. In 1894 he married Eunice L. Gemmill, who is a daughter of an old and very much honored family in this county. The young couple have one bright little son, named in honor of his grandfather, Samuel W. Mr. and Mrs. Kay are members of the Episcopal Church, and are valued workers in many departments of earnest religious and charitable endeavor.
DWARD E. WOODALL. Truly has it been said that. "the farmers are the bone and sinew of the country," and that no state can long flourish when the farms are deserted and the land untilled. Time and again has his- tory repeated itself, and we find, that when agri- culture declined it was the beginning of the end of that country's importance in the onward march of progress, and, perhaps, the cause of the fall of the kingdom. America is fortunate in her vast army of industrious farmers, and owes to them, much more than to any other class, her posi- tion of pre-eminence among the nations. The gentleman of whom we write is an earnest lover of the peaceful avocation, and is a practical, en- ergetic farmer. His homestead is situated in the
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first district of Kent County, the identical place formerly the property of his respected father.
Born April 20, 1857, Edward E. is a son of Capt. Edward B. Woodall and wife, the latter of whom bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Mals- berger. The captain was a native of George- town, Md., and was master of various sailing vessels, some of which were owned by his brother, Capt. Andrew Woodall, whose sketch is printed in another part of this work. After a few years on the high seas, Capt. Edward settled upon a fine farm, the one now occupied by our subject, and here quietly passed the rest of his life, dying when in his sixty-third year. He was a Demo- crat, and in religion was a Catholic. In his own community he was held in great respect, for he was a man of sterling character and recognized ability. His wife was a native of Pennsylvania. She passed to her reward July 31, 1867, when but forty-one years of age, and left nine children to mourn the loss of a mother's care and love. They are all still living and are as follows: Jo- seph, Fannie, Edward, Elizabeth, Lillian, Augus- tus, Louisa, Howard and Adele.
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