Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 15

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 15

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 boyhood days of Charles C. Hopper were spent upon his grandfather's farm. Having re- ceived the elements of an education in the public schools, he entered the Western Maryland Col- lege. For three years he pursued the higher branches of study. Going to Baltimore, he en- gaged in clerking some twelve months, after which he operated the old Hopper homestead a year and a-half. Having decided to enter the legal profes- sion, he next matriculated in the law department of the University of Maryland and was duly ad- mitted to the bar of Baltimore city and Baltimore county in 1889. The following New Year's day he commenced publishing the Transcript, which, in company with R. H. Collins, he had pur- chased. The paper is Democratic in politics and has a constantly increasing circulation.

In October, 1894, occurred the marriage of Mr. Hopper and Miss E. M. T. Pearson, of Chester- town. Mr. and Mrs. Hopper have a bright little daughter, Katherine Baird, who is the sunshine of their home. The parents hold membership with the Emanuel Protestant Episcopal Church, and are quite prominent in all religious and char- itable enterprises.

ILLIAM S. MAXWELL, M. D., of Still Pond, Kent County, comes fromn an old, honored family in these parts. Following his father's example, he has divided his time and attention between agricultural and professional duties, finding in one calling what is lacking in the other. He is very successful, and enjoys widespread practice in this and neighboring towns and the country at large. Thoroughly versed in theory and experience, he commands the clientage of those who have become ac- quainted with his merits.

The doctor was born near his present residence April 25, 1851, being a son of M. A. Maxwell, a native of Pennsylvania. The latter was born and reared upon a farm near Pleasant Grove, in Lancaster County. The Maxwells, as the name implies, are of old Celtic stock, and were Scotch

170

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

or Irish in remoter times. The doctor's father came to Kent County from the Keystone State in 1845, and settled upon a farm in the second dis- trict. He carried on general farming in connec- tion with his medical practice for years here, and until shortly before his death, which event oc- curred in 1885, when he was in his sixty-sixth year. Thus for just forty years he had been identified with the upbuilding. and settlement of this region, and during this long period was an active worker in every movement of progress in- stituted for the benefit of the community. He was beloved for his kind and unostentatious life and his genuine nobleness of character. In his political preferences he adhered to the Democracy, and was a great admirer of the Jacksonian prin- ciples. He married Anna M. Price, and their only child is the subject of this article. Mrs. Maxwell was born in 1822, and is still enjoying good health. The doctor is making his home with his mother, who devotes himself to her in a most filial manner.

The early education of our subject was ob- tained in the common and high schools of Kent County. Subsequently he graduated from the medical department of the University of Maryland and at once returned home and began practicing under the instruction and wise direction of his father. Gradually he worked into a large prac- tice and is now considered one of the best mem- bers of his profession in the county. An experi- ence of about a quarter of a century in a chosen field of labor must of necessity bring sure reward to a conscientious, painstaking man in almost any line of earnest endeavor, and such is the case with the doctor. He succeeded to the entire practice of his father. The father left his wife a valuable and well-improved farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres. In matters of political import the doctor votes for the candidates of the Democratic party, and favors a silver standard. He is a member of the Medical and Chirurgical Society of Kent County, and takes the leading medical journals of the day.

In 1876 Dr. Maxwell and Annie Baker were united in marriage in Kennedyville. She is a native of Kent County, and is a sister of James

H. Baker, a well-known citizen of Chestertown. The doctor and wife are members of the Presby- terian Church, and are actively concerned in lo- cal benevolences. He is not connected with se- cret societies, with the exception of the Knights of Pythias.

A LFRED GREEN. Very prominent among the industries of Centreville is the establish- ment owned and conducted by Mr. Green. In his store he carries a full stock of dry goods, notions, boots and shoes. By reason of the su- periority of his goods and their satisfactory prices, his house has attracted a large trade from the surrounding country. As a business man he is prompt and energetic, noted for his keen judg- ment and shrewd discernment, and his name throughout Queen Anne's County is a synonym for industry and commercial honor and integrity. The growth of the business is commensurate with the ability and enterprise of the proprietor.

Mr. Green was born in Kent County, Del., December 31, 1858, and is a son of Elijah B. and Mary (Fox) Green. His father, who was also a native of Kent County, removed to Queen Anne's County about 1871 and settled near Centreville, where he engaged in farming until his death, in 1878. For many years he was a trustee in the Methodist Episcopal Church. In his family there were seven sons and three daughters, of whom the following survive: Robert H., who resides upon a farm near Dover, in Kent County, Del .; Barrett, whose home is in Centreville; William F., a farmer of Queen Anne's County; Edward F., also a farmer of this county; Alfred; Joseph, who is an agriculturist by occupation; Elijah B., who owns and operates a farm in this county; and Elizabeth, wife of William T. Carter, a hard- ware merchant of Centreville.

At the time the family came to Queen Anne's County the subject of this sketch was a boy of about twelve. He received his education in the schools of Centreville and at the age of sixteen became an employe in the store of H. D. God-

171

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

win, where he remained for three years. A director in the Cambridge Water Company. On the 27th of December, 1894, was celebrated his marriage to Mrs. Mattie H. Henry, née Arkins, a native of Talbot County, Md., and they now have a little son, one year old, W. Laird, Jr.

similar period was spent with a firm in Smyrna, Del., after which he was in the employ of Hall & Godwin, of Centreville for seven years, re- signing the latter position to embark in business for himself in 1889. For some years he was in partnership with L. W. Collins, but in 1894 he purchased his partner's interest and has since continued the business alone. His success is especially commendable when the fact is consid- ered that he started in business with a capital of only $73 and from that small beginning worked his way onward to success. In fraternal relations he is a Knight of Pythias. He and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the work of which he takes an interest. In 1891 he married Miss Mary I. Hessey, of Centreville, daughter of the late John W. Hessey. They have one child, a son named Alfred Marion.

ON. W. LAIRD HENRY. America owes much of her progress and advancement to a position foremost among the nations of the world to her newspapers, and in no line has the incidental broadening out of the sphere of useful- ness been more marked than in this same line of journalism. The Eastern Shore of Maryland has enlisted in its newspaper field some of the strong- est intellects of the nation, men of broad mental grasp, cosmopolitan ideas and notable business sagacity. Prominent among the men who have given the state prestige in this direction must be placed Mr. Henry of this review. He is not alone a leader in journalism, but has also taken a promi- nent part in political and business affairs, is ex- representative to congress and the editor of the Cambridge Chronicle.

In Cambridge, where he still makes his home, Mr. Henry was born December 20, 1864, was educated in its public schools, and for a few years was interested in mercantile pursuits there, but now gives his time and attention principally to his paper, which is a bright newsy sheet and has an excellent circulation. He is, however, a

As a Democrat, Mr. Henry has taken quite an influential and prominent part in political affairs, for several years filled the position of chairman of the Democratic state central committee from Dorchester County, and was thus serving when, in 1894, he was elected to the fifty-third congress to fill out the unexpired term of Robert F. Brattan, receiving thirteen thousand nine hundred and fifty-eight votes, against twelve thousand nine hundred and fifty-five votes cast for Mr. Mallalieu, Republican; two thousand seven hundred and sixty-three votes for Mr. Anthony, Prohibitionist; and three hundred and eighty-nine votes for Mr. Tull, Populist. From December, 1894, until March, 1895, he ably represented the first district of Maryland, which comprises eight counties, naniely: Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico and Worces- ter, with a population of one hundred fifty-eight thousand two hundred and forty-six. He was suc- ceeded by Hon. Joshua W. Miles, of Princess Anne, Md. Although still quite young, Mr. Henry ranks among the most honored counselors of his party, and his opinions and advice are con- tinually sought on questions of the greatest im- portance to the city. In manner he is pleasant, genial and approachable, and all who know him esteem him highly for his genuine worth.

REDERICK B. STAMBAUGH, deceased, was a wealthy farmer of the vicinity of Ridgely, Caroline County, and was president of the Farmers' Alliance Cannery of that town at the time of his death. He was a school com- missioner here for a period of six years, and took commendable interest in the cause of education and all public affairs. His was always a very busy and useful life, and it was not in an idle moment that he was claimed by the angel of

172

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

death, for he was engaged in attending to the loading of a railway car with fruit for the city market, July 16, 1897, when he was accidentally killed by being run over by a train. His fellow- citizens feel that they have, indeed, met with a general loss in this great calamity, and their sympathy has gone out toward the members of his little family.

The founder of the Stambaugh family in America was the great-grandfather of the sub- ject of this review. He was a native of Ger- many and at an early day in the annals of Penn- sylvania settled there, and in that state his son, and his son's son, the grandfather and father of Frederick B., were born and reared. They were both successful farmers, and owned exten- sive tracts of land. The father, Michael, is still living, and is a merchant in St. Clair, Pa., as well as the owner of considerable fine farm land. His wife was a Miss Margaret Berkheimer before her marriage, and is also a native of the Key- stone State. They have five living children, viz .: Sarah, Jacob B., Lemon, Della C. and Tillie.

Frederick B. was born September 16, 1848, and passed his boyhood in the manner common to country lads, a portion of his time being devoted to work and the remainder to school and play. He grew up in Bedford County, Pa., of which section he was a native, and when he had com- pleted his school days, taught for about a year. At twenty-seven he became interested in running a general store at St. Clair, Pa., and was thus occupied for some five years or more. Having heard such glowing accounts of the opportunities afforded young men of energy in the great west, he went to Clay County, Neb., and bought a farm of two hundred and fifty acres, but returned to his native state at the end of a year and a-half, in 1879. A few years later, in 1884, he located in the neighborhood of Ridgely, where he subse- quently purchased, at different times, land which aggregated a valuable farm of nearly two hun- dred acres, and gave his chief attention to the raising of fruit thenceforth, and with good finan- cial results. He was a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and in politics

was a Democrat. At the time of his death he was in the prime of his activity and usefulness, as he was in his forty-ninth year. Religiously he was connected with the Reformed Church, and was a man of high Christian character and excellent standing in the community. He was one who could be thoroughly trusted under any circumstances, for never did he betray a trust, and his word was literally as good as his bond.

April 16, 1871, F. B. Stambaugh married Francena Gallagher, who was born in Bedford County, Pa., and whose father was a merchant in Hollidaysburg, Pa. The only child of our sub- ject and wife is a bright young lady, E. Grace by name, and now a student in college. She has been afforded every advantage in an educational way, and is highly esteemed in the social circles of this place and wherever she has gone.

ON. THOMAS ALEXANDER SMITH, ex-senator of the state of Maryland, and Democratic nominee for the responsible posi- tion of comptroller of the state treasury, is a man of genuine worth and undoubted ability. He takes a deep interest in all of the important issues of the times, and keeps thoroughly posted on the same. The cause of education in particular finds in him a zealous champion, and when he was in the senate he was strongly in favor of the pas- sage of the free-book bill. For several years he was a school commissioner of Caroline County, and in every reasonable way he has endeavored to promote the high standard of our schools and teachers. He is not a politician, in the ordinary sense of the term, and lobbyists long ago found, to their regret, that he is a man of principle and possessing high ideals of public duty. He was elected to the senate in the fall of 1893, and took his place in that honorable assemblage in 1894, serving until the expiration of his term in 1896. He is a clear and forcible speaker, and distin- guished himself as such upon several occasions.

Though a native of Greenwood, Del., born there September 3, 1850, Thomas A. Smith is

173

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

virtually a native of Caroline County, as he was but six years old when he was brought here by his parents, and here he was educated. After leaving Denton Academy he taught school suc- cessfully for several years, first in his native state and later in Maryland and Michigan. He then returned to Caroline County, and for a time taught in the village schools of Ridgely, subse- quently entering into a mercantile business with a brother here. In 1876 he became local agent for the Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad, which position he is still occupying- an unusual record of fidelity, extending, as it does, over twenty-one years.

In 1878 Mr. Smith married Ada Clayton Fra- zer, who was born in Detroit, Miclı., and they have three children, Alice Anita, Elsie S. and Thomas A., Jr. The home of the family is a pretty and comfortable one in the town of Ridge- ly, and they number many warm friends here and in the vicinity. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are liberal in their contributions to its various departments of activity.

Sylvester Smith, father of the above-named gentleman, is one of the truly self-made men of Caroline County, as he started out in life empty- handed and won a competence before he had reached his prime. He is now a wealthy man, and what is even better, he has made his fortune in strictly legitimate ways, never defrauding a neighbor or merchant, and always acting in an honorable, upright manner in all his dealings with others. He held the office of county commis- sioner two terms and was collector for two terms. For years he has been connected with the grange. Politically he is a Democrat.

The birth of Sylvester Smith occurred in Dela- ware, February 22, 1822, his parents being Thomas and Eliza (Hardesty) Smith, both like- wise natives of Delaware. They had three chil- dren, of whom one died in infancy, and Artemus is also deceased. The father of Thomas Smith, David by name, was born in Delaware, and was a farmer, but his father was an Englishman who came to America before the Revolutionary war, and bought a large tract of land in Delaware.

In 1852 Sylvester Smith purchased a large tract of land near the present town of Ridgely, in which town he resides; latterly the Chesapeake & Del- aware Railroad has been built through his farm. He now owns over three hundred acres of fine land here.

At the age of twenty-three years Mr. Smith married Sarah E. Gillett, a native of Delaware, and three children were born to them: Theopolis W., Albert G. and Thomas A. They are all married, and are substantial business men of Ridgely. The mother was a devoted Christian, and died in 1852, aged twenty-eight years. The second wife of Mr. Smith bore the maiden name of Mary Williams, and she, too, was a native of Delaware. By her marriage she became the mother of six children, two of whom died in in- fancy, and those living are: Laura, James H., Charles F. and Robert D. Laura is the wife of John Siegler, and lives in Ridgely, as do also her brothers.

13 NOCH GEORGE, M. D., graduated from the medical department of the University of Maryland in March, 1872, and since then has engaged in practice in Denton. He is well known not only here, but throughout the entire county of Caroline, having gained a reputation as a skillful, reliable practitioner, who is accurate in diagnosis and thorough in treatment. In- terested in professional work, he has had little time and no desire to identify himself with public affairs, and the only position ever held by him was that of member of the school board, in which capacity he served for eight years, being president of the board four years of that time.

On a farm, Oak Grove, near Sudlersville, Queen Anne's County, the subject of this sketch was born in June, 1850. His father, Enoch George, M. D., was a son of Rev. Enoch George, the fifth bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Virginia. The former was a graduate of the University of Maryland and engaged in practice at Sudlersville and Church Hill, where he was

174

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

favorably known as a physician and citizen. In 1851 he was elected to the state senate. He died in 1858, while still in life's prime. His wife, Catherine, was a daughter of John Boone, of Caroline County, who was state senator for many years and also judge of the orphans' court.

At the time of his father's death the subject of this review was eight years of age. His mother having died prior to that time, he was left wholly orphaned. He was taken into the home of his brother-in-law, Judge George M. Russum, at Denton, under whose supervision his education was begun. For a time he was a student in Fort Edward Institute, in Washington County, N. Y. In 1867 he entered the store of William B. Massey & Son, of Greensborough, with whom he remained for three years and ten months. He then entered the medical department of the University of Maryland in Baltimore, where he completed his theoretical study of the science of medicine.

In 1879 Dr. George married Eva M., daughter of Hon. William G. Horsey, of Denton. They have two children living, Enoch and Dawson O., and lost one at the age of seventeen months. Dr. George is connected with the alumni of the University of Maryland, also a member of the Med- ical and Chirurgical Society of Baltimore. He takes an interest in all matters pertaining to his profession. The latest developments in the science receive thoughtful attention from him, and he keeps abreast with every improvement and advance that is made. His practice is not limited to the immediate vicinity of his home, but extends into different parts of the county, where his success in treatment has brought him the confidence of all to whom he is know11.

APT. JAMES P. SNOW. For more than twenty years Captain Snow has resided on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where he owns and occupies a well-improved farm of two

hundred and fifty acres, situated in the sixth district of Caroline County. He is a member of an old Delaware family that has been identified with the history of that state for many successive generations, and he now has in his possession, as a highly prized relic, the warranty deed for the old homestead in Delaware that has been handed down from father to son for nearly two hundred years.

In that state Captain Snow was born June I, 1818, being the son of John R. and Rachel ( Pick- ering) Snow, also natives of Delaware. He was one of two children, but the other, John R., is now deceased. His grandfather, James Snow, a farmer of Delaware, was a son of Silas Snow, who came from his native land of England to America in company with two brothers, Reuben and Elisha. Silas settled in Delaware and the others went further west. During the Revolution he enlisted in the colonial service and was taken prisoner by the British, but was afterward ex- changed. On the close of the war he returned to Delaware, where he resumed farm work.

The early years of our subject's life were passed in Delaware. During the Civil war he enlisted as a member of Company F, Sixth Del- aware Infantry, under Colonel Wilmer, and served for nine months, at the expiration of which time, in August, 1863, he was honorably discharged as captain at Smyrna, Del. The company was not called upon to participate in any engagement during the term of his service. In 1877 he came to Maryland and has since re- sided upon a farm in Caroline County. He is still active and strong and gives personal at- tention to the management of his property in- terests.

In 1848, upon the anniversary of his birth, Captain Snow married Susan Snow, who was born in Delaware and was a very distant relative. Two children were born to them, Rachel and Sallie, but both are deceased. While he has never cared for office, he is nevertheless firm in his convictions upon all subjects pertaining to the national welfare and prosperity, and has given his allegiance to the Republican party ever since its organization.

GEN. RICHARD THOMAS.

177

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

G EN. RICHARD THOMAS is justly num- bered among the honored and leading cit- zens of Easton, with whose business inter- ests he has been prominently identified for many years. His is an honorable record of a consci- entious man, who by his upright life has won the confidence of all with whom he has come in contact. Although he is now eighty-two years of age, he has the vigor of a much younger man, and in spirit and interests seems yet in his prime. There is an old age that is a benediction to all that comes in contact with it, that gives out of its rich stores of learning and experience and grows stronger intellectually and spiritually as the years pass. Such is the life of General Thomas, an encouragement to his associates and an example well worthy of emulation to the young.

The general was born December 18, 1815, at Wye Neck, Queen Anne County, Md., where the birth of his father, Richard Thomas, also oc- curred. The paternal grandfather, Col. Samuel W. Thomas, was also born at that place and be- came one of the wealthiest and most prominent citizens of that locality. He was an officer in the Continental army under General Washington, served in the Revolutionary war in the secret service department and furnished considerable money to General Washington for defraying the expenses of the army, but it was never returned to him. The Thomas family is one of the oldest in the state, it having been founded here in 1660, and for generations its members resided at Wye Neck, but are now scattered throughout Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland. The general's father served in the war of 1812 and took part in the battle near Queenstown, he being a lieutent- ant in the United States navy, and for a time had command of a prize vessel. After hostilities had ceased he engaged in merchandising at Queens- town for a few years, and then turned his atten- tion to the operation of his plantation adjoining the old homestead and lying near Wye River. At one time he owned two thousand acres of land in Talbot County. He was a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church and wherever known was held in high regard. His death oc-

curred on the 4th of May, 1816. He was twice married and by his first union had three daugh- ers, one of whom died in childhood. Margaret became the wife of Judge Hopper, of Queen Anne's County; and Frances E. married John B. Spencer, of Centreville. For his second wife Mr. Thomas chose Sarah Sparks, who was born near Centreville, in Queen Anne's County, where her father, Rev. Robert Sparks, owned an estate. He was one of the first Methodist ministers in the state and traveled over a large circuit in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware, it requir- ing six weeks to make the rounds. Mrs. Thomas died in August, 1834, when our subject was about eighteen years of age.

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 15

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