Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 18

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 18

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In the district where he now resides Mr. Shockly was born November 8, 1831, a son of Peter and Nancy (Lokey) Shockly, also natives of Worcester County. He was one of twelve

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children, of whom those besides himself now age. His son, Littleton, father of our subject, living are named as follows: Lorenzo D., Henry B., William J., Benjamin T. and Rebecca. His grandfather, William Shockly, who was also a na- tive of Worcester County and a large farmer and lumberman, was a son of William Shockly, Sr., a farmer in this, his native county. The great- great-grandfather, Richard Shockly, was a native of England and emigrated to America prior to the Revolution, in which conflict the family had its representatives on the colonial side.

The lines of work in which his ancestors en- gaged, farming and lumbering, our subject has followed throughout his active life, and has met with success financially. December 14, 1854, he married Julia A. Tilghman, a native of Wicomico County (what was at one time a part of Worcester County ), and a daughter of Joshua Tilghman. The children born of this union are named as follows: Peter S., Emily J., Joshua J. W., Uriah D. C. and Clarence L. Among the people with whom he has been associated throughout life, Mr. Shockly is regarded as a man of noble character, excellent attainments and generous heart, one who has done well in business, and who is entitled to recognition among the public-spirited men of his community.

ILLIAM S. RICHARDSON, whose home, , successful as a packer and planter of oysters and

known as the Vanderbilt farm, as it was formerly owned by Cornelius Vanderbilt, of New York, is one of the most thrifty and prosperous business men of Brinkley's district, Somerset County. He manages this place, which comprises four hundred and fifty acres, and in addition to this, is an extensive manufacturer of ice cream and is one of the largest planters and packers of oysters in this portion of the Eastern Shore.

The Richardson family is of English origin. Our subject's grandfather, William Richardson, was a native of Worcester County, and was an agriculturist there until his death, at a good old

was born and spent his whole life in Worcester County on his farm. He owned large tracts of land and was to some extent interested in the oyster fisheries in the bay. He was quite active as a Democratic politician. His death occurred when he was in his sixty-sixth year. The mother of William S. Richardson was Harriet E., daughter of Edward Scarborough, a very wealthy and prominent Virginian, who owned the beauti- ful mansion styled Scarborough Castle, located near Snow Hill. Mrs. Harriet Richardson was born in Maryland and spent her girlhood in the aforesaid castle. She is still in the possession of good health and lives in Snow Hill with her grandchildren. She had a family of eight chil- dren, only four of whom survive, viz .: Matilda, Mrs. Z. P. Duffey; Asher, who owns an im- mense ranch in Texas; William S., and Virginia, wife of F. B. Nash, of Atlantic City, N. J.

William S. Richardson was born near Snow Hill, Worcester County, in 1858, and when he was twelve years of age he went to Baltimore and for a few years was employed in a retail grocery there. At the early age of sixteen he went upon the road as a traveling salesman, for the tobacco house of Johnson & Davis. At the end of about four years of this life he located in Shelltown, Md., where he was in a mercantile business two years. In 1882 he came to his present home near Marion Station and has since given his time and attention to farming chiefly. He has been very

his ice-cream plant has a capacity of three hundred gallons per day.

In 1879 Mr. Richardson married Miss Ella Hall Long, daughter of Edwin M. Long, of Kingston. He is one of the wealthiest merchants and farmers of that section and his beautiful home adjoins that of Senator George R. Dennis. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson have seven children, viz .: Eva L., Newman C., Ruth, Pauline, Green- field, Harriet Agnes and Ella Caroline.

In his political convictions Mr. Richardson is a Democrat of the independent order, as he does not permit himself to be bound to party rule. Socially he belongs to the Junior Order of Am-

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erican Mechanics, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and to the Heptasophs. He has long been a member of the Methodist Protestant Church and for several years has been one of the board of stewards.

OHN C. SUTTON holds the position of agent at Blacks Station, Kent County, on the Baltimore & Delaware Bay Railroad, in which capacity he has been employed since 1887. As a representative of the railroad company, he is faithful to the interests of his employers, ener- getic in business transactions, keen and capable, and justly merits the confidence reposed in him. His entire life has been spent in the neighborhood of his present home and he has formed many warm friendships among the people.

On a farm near his present place of residence, the subject of this sketch was born in 1864. He is a son of John C. Sutton, Sr., who was born near Lynch's, Kent County, grew to manhood upon a plantation there and spent his entire life in the occupation of a farmer. Prospered in his undertakings, he became the owner of two hun- dred and fifty acres of land as well as a number of slaves. Politically he was a Democrat and was one of the local leaders of his party. He was a faithful member of the Episcopal Church and for many years held the office of senior warden. At all times he maintained a deep interest in the work of the church and its prosperity. His death occurred in 1892, when he was sixty-five years of age.

The first marriage of John C. Sutton, Sr., united him with Annie Spencer. Eight children were born of the union, of whom six are now liv- ing. They are: John C., Jr., Carrie F., Annie S., William C., B. S. and George W. The wife and mother died about 1876. The second mar- riage of Mr. Sutton united him with Elizabeth Heighe, and four children came to bless the union. Three are now living; J. Wilson, Susan E. and Gilpin,

The early years of our subject's life were spent on a farm near Blacks. He was educated in the common schools, and the information there obtained has been supplemented by thoughtful reading of newspapers and books. During youth he assisted in the cultivation of the home place. In 1887 he was appointed station agent at Blacks, in which position he has since been retained. For some years he has been one of the leaders of the Democratic party in this locality, doing all within his power to advance the success of this political organization. For some time he has been its representative to the state conventions held in Baltimore. Not only in local affairs, but in those pertaining to the state as well, he has maintained an interest, and his influence has been felt in many places. As every citizen should, he keeps interested in and informed concerning the great issues before the people of to-day, and upon all these momentous questions he has decided opinions. In religious belief he is identi- fied with the Episcopal Church.

ICHOLAS B. KIRBY. The entire life of this gentleman has been passed at his present place of residence, and he has gained a large acquaintance among the people of the county of Queen Anne's. The farm which he cultivates is the estate upon which his father settled and is one of the most valuable places in the fifth dis- trict. It comprises one hundred and sixty acres, overlooking the waters of the Eastern Bay, and bearing the improvements that mark a model farm.

Upon this farm he was born1 December 14, 1830, being a son of Samuel and Mary (Carville) Kirby. His father, who was a son of Nicholas Kirby, an Englishman, was born on Kent Island about 1781, and in boyhood learned the slip- carpenter's trade, which he followed in early manhood, building and selling boats. . He and his wife were the parents of a daughter and two sons, the younger son, John D., being'represented

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elsewhere in this volume. The daughter, Re- becca, became the wife of William H. Walters, by whom she had a daughter, now the wife of James McGuire, of Centreville.

After the death of his father the management of the farm and the support of the family fell upon our subject, and this trust he nobly discharged, caring for his mother until her death several years after that of his father. In January, 1854, he married Miss Frances, daughter of Edward Hopkins, the granddaughter of James Hopkins, one of the leading men of his day in this county. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Kirby one died in infancy, and those living are: Florence and Edward, the latter a resident of Queenstown. The wife and mother passed away in February, 1894.

The cares of business and the management of his property interests prevent Mr. Kirby from giving public matters the attention he would otherwise. However, he keeps posted concerning the issues of the age, by the perusal of news- papers and current periodicals. He gives his allegiance to the Democratic party and his vote to the candidates pledged to uphold these prin- ciples.

ON. FRANK G. WRIGHTSON, a promi- nent citizen of Bay Hundred district, Tal- bot County, represented this county as a ineniber of the house of delegates for one term, having been elected in the fall of 1893. Four years later, in 1897, he was a candidate for the responsible position of clerk of the circuit court for Talbot County, and was elected to the office. He has always been a recognized factor in local Democratic party politics since lie became a voter, and in 1886-87 was tax collector for the county, and in 1892 was appointed by the governor to serve upon the state live-stock sanitary board, of which body he was the president.

The Wrightson family is a very old one in Maryland and dates back to 1650 here. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Francis Wrightson, a native of this district. He was a

wealthy man, owning large tracts of land and numerous slaves. He was well and favorably known in all parts of the county, and for many years was justice of the peace. Up to the time of Jackson he was a Federalist in his political faith. His deatlı occurred at the age of fifty-six years, October 24, 1825. He was a son of Jamies W., a farmer, and grandson of Francis Wrightson.

William L. Wrightson, father of our subject, was born on a Clay Neck farm, December 1I, 1813, and there spent his boyhood, receiving a general education. At the age of sixteen he be- gan serving an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, at which he worked four years, and then started out upon his own independent career. He was occupied in his chosen vocation for over twenty-one years, and in1 1872 bought the place called Sherwood's farm, some two hundred and fifty acres, on which is one of the finest residences in this section. In former years he was a Whig, but later became affiliated with the Democracy. In 1857 he was appointed as a magistrate, serving for two years, and in 1861 was elected high sheriff of Talbot County. He died December 4, 1897, and had he lived a week longer would have reached his eighty-fourth birthday anniversary. He was noted for his remarkable memory and could give the dates and a correct account of any- thing that had transpired within his lifetime and had come under his observation. He was justly esteemed one of the best natural historians within the county, and recalled many interesting incidents of the people and events of his early days. His wife was a Miss Mary E. German, of Baltimore, and their marriage was solemnized October 4, 1849. She died May 1, 1885, and left five children to mourn her loss. Dr. James T. is a physician of Newark, N. J. Mary is the wife of Capt. H. Thompson. Joshua G. still remains upon the old home place and looks after affairs there. Sarah D. is the widow of Frank E. Caulk.

Born October 28, 1850, Frank G. Wrightson is the eldest child of his parents. From boyhood he learned to discharge the duties of the farm with quickness and ability, and learned many useful and practical lessons. He has always lived with- in the boundaries of this district, save when he

HON. LEVI D. TRAVERS.

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was attending Calvert College, where he com- pleted his education. For the greater part of his mnature life he has followed the tilling of the soil, the sole exception being for a few months in 1873, when he was engaged in the lumber busi- ness in Lancaster County, Va. He is one of the rising young men of the county, and his honesty of purpose and straightforwardness of character make him deservedly popular.

November 28, 1877, Mr. Wrightson married Annie R. Dawson, by whom he has had eight children. In order of birth they are as follows: Minnie Lowe, Helen Dawson, Frank G., Jr., William V., Madge S., George D., Anna Marie and James T.

ON. LEVI D. TRAVERS. There are few of the interests of Dorchester County with which the name of Judge Travers has not been associated. A life-long resident of Parsons Creek district, he has many warm friends among the people with whom he has so long dwelt. In financial matters he has been especially fortu- nate and is now well-to-do. His property hold- ings include a large number of lots and buildings in Cambridge, also about four thousand acres on Taylor's Island and vicinity. He assisted in the founding of the Cambridge National Bank and has been one of its directors for the past sixteen years.

Judge Travers is a descendant of the English branch of the Travers family, who were of the aristocracy. The founder of the American line came to this country very early in the eighteenth century. The great-great-grandfather of the judge, Henry Travers, came from England as a school teacher and educator and became one of Lord Baltimore's county justices; was several times a member of the colonial legislature of Maryland between 1750 and 1760, and was also a colonel of Maryland militia antecedent to the American Revolution. He married, either here or in Eng- land, Elizabeth Smith, and lived to an advanced age. His son, also named Henry, married Jane

Brohawn. Owing to the intermarriage of his Travers ancestors with the Geoghegan, Le Compte, Dove and Spedden families, our subject is slightly of Irish, French and Scotch extraction.

His grandfather, John C. Travers, was a native of Taylor's Island, where he spent his entire life, carrying on an extensive business as a planter, vessel builder and owner, and proprietor of a mer- cantile store. In the public life of the community he was an active factor. He died when sixty-two years of age. His wife, Mary (Dove) Travers, was a woman of beautiful character, gentle and refined, yet possessing pluck and energy. During the war of 1812, when one of their vessels was captured by the British fleet, she boarded the British admiral's boat and persuaded him to surrender to her the boat he had captured. In her family were two sons, our subject's father and William D., the latter of whom was a merchant, planter and slave holder on Taylor's Island. The grandfather be- longed to the local militia and during the war of 1812 assisted in capturing one of the British boats.

Levi D. Travers, father of our subject, was born on Taylor's Island, of which he became the most prominent resident, being a successful mer- chant, large planter and money loaner. He spent his entire life on the farm where he was born, and here he died when forty-six years of age. His wife, Prudence, was a daughter of Robert Spedden and Elizabeth (née Taylor), the former of Scotch extraction and for years a suc- cessful farmer in the northern part of Dorchester County. Mrs. Travers was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and was a woman of kind and benevolent character. She died when forty-one years of age, leaving seven children, of whom our subject was the eldest. Martha Jane, the second in the family, became the wife of Rev. John F. Chaplain, D. D., formerly of Talbot Coun- ty, but now deceased. Julia Ann married Rev. Benjamin Douglas Dashiell, a distinguished min- ister of the Methodist Episcopal Church South for thirty years and one of the leading members and presiding elder of the Texas conference at the tinie of his death in 1883. His grandfather Douglas was once owner of Frederick Douglas,

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who took his name from his master's family. His son, Levi D. Dashiell, is now speaker in the Texas state legislature. Sophia S., Mrs. William Keene, died at fifty-two years and left several children. Eliza E. is the wife of Thomas H. Keene, of Par- sons Creek district. Frances A. married Dr. Ben- jamin L. Smith, also of this district; William M., who died at the age of forty-six, was not only a successful merchant, but also one of the leading public men of Dorchester County, but while wield- ing large influence in political circles, he would never accept office for himself.

The birth of the subject of this sketch occurred on Taylor's Island November 21, 1828. His edu- cational advantages were excellent, for lie at- tended the best schools of the county and Balti- more City, as well as Dickinson College in Car- lisle, Pa. His early ambition directed his studies toward preparation for the ministry, but having a large estate to superintend, he decided that it would be best not to enter the itinerant service. However, he accepted a local preacher's license, which did not prevent his oversight of his prop- erty. He is connected with the Methodist Epis- copal Church South, and is deeply interested in its work.

Judge Travers married Eliza Jane, the daugli- ter of his uncle, William D. Travers. They be- came the parents of seven children, but four of these died in childhood. Levi Dickinson, the only surviving son, is a farmer on Taylor's Island, and married Miss Aline F. Richardson, daughter of James Richardson, of Dorchester County. Manie Eugenia is the wife of Dr. Jacob L. Noble, of Preston, Caroline County; and Augusta Williams is the wife of Rev. Daniel B. Pretty- man, a minister of the Methodist Church, now engaged in farming and the mercantile business at Taylor's Island.

DWARD LUSBY, an intelligent and pro- gressive farmer living in the fourth district of Kent County, was born December 6, 1864, on the farm he now owns. His father, John Lusby, was also a native of Kent County, and spent his entire life here. He started on his business career empty handed, but by his indus- try and enterprise continually improved his finan- cial condition and won prosperity, owning two good farms at the time of his death. He was a man of indomitable energy and perseverance, and though failure twice overtook him he resumed his labors with renewed courage and ultimately reached the goal of success. He took quite an active interest in politics and was a stanch advo- cate of the Democracy. His wife bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Massilon, and was a native of Kent County. She died when about forty-five

Twice our subject was elected judge of the orphans' court, and was appointed by Governor Carroll to fill a vacancy that occurred in the office of the chief justice. I11 1877 he was appointed one of three commissioners of public schools, and from 1880 to 1895 he served as president of the board. At the legislative session of 1877 he was elected a chaplain of the senate. In 1893 he was elected a member of the legislature and his name was presented as a candidate for speaker, but he years of age, leaving a family of five children, was defeated. While in the house he was clair- namely: William and Clay, who are engaged in agricultural pursuits in Kent County; Edward, of this review; Herbert, who is engaged in farm- ing in Kent County; and Ella E., who completes the family. man of the temperance committee, also of the committee on labor, and was a member of the committees on education and federal relations. He leads a busy life and manages the estate with care and profit. He also serves others as administra- Edward Lusby, whose name introduces this sketch, remained on the old homestead until after his father's death, and then purchased the interest of the other heirs. It was his playground in boy- hood and has been the scene of his struggles and successes in manhood. He owns here three hun- tor and trustee in chancery and for insolvent debts. For several years he was president of a fire insurance company of his county, and is now, and has been for nearly ten years, a director in the Peninsula Mutual Life Insurance Company.

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dred acres of rich and arable land, which is under a high state of cultivation and improved with all the accessories and conveniences of a model farm of the nineteenth century. He carries on general farming, and the well-tilled fields and neat ap- pearance of the place indicate his careful super- vision.

Mr. Lusby was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Jacobs, a native of Kent County, and they now have three interesting children: Raymond, and Lynwood and Harry Clay, twins. Mr. and Mrs. Lusby are widely and favorably known in this locality and have a large circle of friends. He is an active and stanch supporter of the Democracy, but has never been an office seeker.

AUL JONES, M. D., stands at the head of the medical profession in Worcester Coun- ty. Not only has he been successful as a physician, but in surgery he has also won a well- merited reputation for skill. In the diagnosis of disease he is careful, accurate and painstaking, and in treatment skillful and prompt. As a citi- zen, too, he lias been actively identified with many important enterprises and has been a con- spicuous factor in the public affairs of Snow Hill, his place of residence. In the municipality of Snow Hill he is a councilman and as such has been active in introducing improvements, partic- ularly the water works, built in 1897. His in- fluence is strong among the Democrats, not only of the county, but also of the first judicial and congressional district.

At Newark, eight miles from Snow Hill, Dr. Jones was born October 24, 1851, being a son of Charles P. Jones, M. D., who is actively engaged in the practice of medicine, though now seventy- two years of age. The family moved to Snow Hill when Paul was a boy of twelve and after- ward for a number of years he attended the city schools. In young manhood he entered his fa- ther's office as a student, having decided to enter the medical profession, and later he took a course of lectures in Jefferson Medical College of Phila-

delphia, from which he graduated in 1875. Sub- sequent to his graduation, for three years he practiced with his father, and since then has been alone.

October 12, 1877, Dr. Jones went to Horn- town, Va., where he remained about eighteen months, and from there he returned to Worcester County, settling in Stockton, where in 1882 he married Miss Lillie Irwin, daughter of A. D. Irwin, then of Philadelphia, but now a resident of Snow Hill. Shortly after his marriage Dr. Jones moved to Snow Hill, and here he and his wife, with their two children, Ellen E. and Charles Irwin, have a pleasant home. He is a member of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland and takes a deep interest in all matters pertaining to the profession in which he is engaged.

TEVENSON CONSTABLE. There are few families of Kent County better known than the Constable family and few men more highly honored in its citizenship than the late Stevenson Constable. In character energetic and progressive, yet unassuming and modest, he wielded a large influence among his neighbors and especially in agricultural circles. His suc- cess as a farmer was due to the judgment he ex- ercised in even the smallest details connected with the management of his place. Believing i11 the truth of the old adage, "No pains, no gains," he labored indefatigably to secure the best im- provements and the highest cultivation of his land, and this object he attained, for his place, situated four miles from Chestertown, became known as one of the finest in this section.

The subject of this article was born in Kent County, July 11, 1839, and was a son of John S. Constable. He had one brother, William R., who is a prominent commission merchant of Bal- timore and resides in that city. Stevenson was educated in the public schools of the county, which he attended during the winter months when a boy. On arriving at manhood he em-

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barked in farming, which occupation he made his life work. In addition to the cultivation of his place, he occupied a number of public positions, including the office of county commissioner, which lie held for several years. He took an active part in politics as a member of the Democratic party and gave his influence and ballot to the support of candidates pledged to its principles. He some- times served as a judge of election. In church matters he was also influential, and as vestryman le long served the congregation of St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church. Before old age came to him, and while he still retained the pos- session of every power undimmed, he was called from earth, March 26, 1893.

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Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 18

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