Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 19

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 19

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The lady who remained the faithful helpmate of Mr. Constable for many years prior to his death was in maidenhood Alice A. Reiley, a native of Kent County. She was the daughter of C. M. and Clementina (Beck) Reiley, who resided upon a farın in this county, and a granddaughter of John and Sophia Beck, also of this county. She was a cousin of the late Dr. Beck and is a mem- ber of an old family, of whom she is the sole sur- viving representative. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Constable removed to Chestertown, where she has since made her home. She is a member of the Episcopal Church and popular both in religious circles and in general society. Her family consists of two daughters and two sons, namely: M. Blanche, who resides with her mother; Harriet Lillian, wife of T. Arthur Skir- ven, who is connected with the South Side Rail- road, in Chicago; John Stevenson, who married Estella Stephens and resides in Baltimore; and Horace B., who attended Washington College for four years.

ILLIAM H. JACKSON, a prominent merchant and citizen of Salisbury, and brother of ex-Governor E. E. Jackson, is a member of the firm which is known far and near along the Atlantic coast under the style of Jack- son Brothers Company. They are extensive

dealers in lumber and have three large planing- mills in this place, No. 1 and 2 being used for the manufacture of box shooks, etc., while No. 3, the largest mill of the kind in the south, turns out flooring, ceiling and finishing lumber. The several mills are equipped with the latest and most improved machinery and appliances. In 1891 the firm of the Jackson Lumber Company of Alabama was organized, with our subject as president. The firm owns upwards of one hundred and forty thousand acres of timber land in that tate.

The history of the remarkable prosperity and rise in the financial world of the Jackson brothers is given at considerable length in the sketch of the eldest of the four, ex-Governor E. E. Jackson, which may be found elsewhere in this volume. William H. Jackson was born October 13, 1839, in what is now called Wicomico County, his par- ents being Hugh and Sarah (Humphreys) Jack- son. For a few years he followed farming and stock-raising, and in 1867 became a member of the old firm of E. E. Jackson & Co., dealers in grain, lumber and general merchandise in Sal- isbury. As the years passed the business grew to large proportions and in 1875 a branch rail- road and mills were established by the firm in Nansemond County, Va., and in Gates County, N. C. The firm of E. E. Jackson & Co. was dissolved in 1889 by mutual consent of the broth- ers, as the whole trade was too gigantic to be properly managed under one title. W. H. Jack- son & Son took charge of the Salisbury business and the mills and railroad in Virginia and still conduct that part of the enterprise. April 1, 1894, the new firm of Jackson Brothers Company was also formed, with William H. Jackson as presi- dent. Among the numerous other concerns in which he has borne an important part are the Salisbury Ice Company, of which he is president, the Salisbury Waterworks, in which plant he holds a similar position, and in the Salisbury Shirt Factory, newly formed, he is also presi- dent.

In 1863 Mr. Jackson was first married, the lady of his choice having been Miss Arabella Humphreys. A year or so subsequent to that event

WALTER H. THOMPSON.

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he became a permanent resident of Salisbury and thoroughly identified himself with her leading enterprises. A son and daughter were born of his first marriage, W. P. and Mary B. The son, a bright, energetic young business man of this town, is represented elsewhere in this volume. In 1880 Mr. Jackson married Miss Jennie Hum- phreys, a lady of fine attainments and a general favorite in society. They attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, Mr. Jackson being a liberal contributor to its several departments of activity, and is a trustee in the congregation. He has become wealthy through his own efforts in the strictly legitimate channels of trade, and has al- ways been noted for exemplary conduct in word and deed and for his kindness to the poor and needy. In politics he is independent.

ALTER H. THOMPSON. In past ages the history of a country was a record of wars and conquests; to-day it is the record of commercial activity, and those whose names are foremost in its annals are the leaders in busi- ness circles. The conquests now made are those of mind over matter, not man over man, and the victor is he who can successfully establish, control and operate extensive commercial interests. Mr. Thompson is unquestionably one of the strongest and most influential men whose lives have become an essential part of the history of Easton, with whose business interests he has long been identi- fied.

He was born in the city. which he still makes his home, November 28, 1823, and is a son of George F. Thompson, a native of Dublin, Ireland, who was born in 1809, and came to America when in his fourteenth year, accompanied by his two brothers, James, who embarked in busi- ness in New York, and Walter, who conducted a mercantile establishment in Philadelphia. George F. Thompson also located in Philadelphia, where he learned the carriage-maker's trade, and later came to Caroline County, Md., where he married Miss Sarah R. Harrison, a native of that county,

who belonged to one of its honored old families, and whose father died when she was quite small. Subsequently Mr. Thompson came to Easton, where for many years he conducted one of the largest carriage manufactories to be found in this section of the state. He died in 1828, and his wife passed away in 1870. They were the parents of four children, of whom our subject is the only one now living. James died at the age of four years. Rebecca became the wife of William H. Sheppard and to them were born two sons and two daugh- ters. After her death Mr. Sheppard married her sister, Isabella, and one son and one daughter graced that union. Both of the parents are now deceased.

After completing his education in the Easton Academy, Mr. Thompson, of this review, began his business career as a clerk in the dry-goods store of Singleton & Talbot, with whom he remained three years without compensation, but gained a good practical knowlege of business methods which has been of great use to him in later years. He than embarked in merchandising for himself, as a partner of William N. Mullikin, but at the end of a year the connection was dis- solved and our subject carried on operations alone. He did the most extensive business ever carried on in Easton, and on the Ist of January, 1845, removed to the store building now occupied by M. B. Nichols. After being alone for several years he admitted a Mr. Kersey to partnership, and continued in business with him until his death, in 1883, and Mr. Thompson then carried on the affairs of the enterprise for two years longer, when he sold out. He was one of the or- ganizers of the Workingmen's Permanent Build- ing and Loan Association of Easton, of which he is now secretary. He held the office of vice-presi- dent until 1888, when he took that of secretary. He is also secretary, treasurer and manager of the Moreland Improvement Company, and is secretary and treasurer of the Avon Hotel Company, at the same time holding similar positions in the Spring Hill Cemetery Association and being identified with many other enterprises.

February 18, 1847, occurred the marriage of Mr. Thompson and Miss Susan A. Mills, a

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daughter of Thomas Mills, of Dorchester County, Md. Five children were born to them, but all are now deceased. They were as follows : Emily M., Susan Emma, Katie, Walter Mills and one who died in infancy. Walter Mills was prepar- ing for the ministry at Dickinson College at the time of his death, when nineteen years of age. Susan E. became the wife of Leonidas Dodson, and died when about twenty-three years old. The others died while in early childhood.

Reared in the Methodist Episcopal Church, Mr. Thompson has always adhered strictly to that faith, and lias served as steward and trustee of his church and as Sunday-school superintendent and class-leader for many years. He has also taken an active interest in civic societies, and has served as district deputy grand master of the Odd Fellows lodge from 1845 up to the present time. In early manhood he joined the Masonic order, has served as high priest of the chapter, was created a Knight Templar in Baltimore and is now a mem- ber of Chesapeake Commandery, and is a member of the Scottish Rite degree, as he is a thirty- second degree Mason. He has always been a strong temperance man and is a member of the Maryland State Temperance League. Politically he has been affiliated with the Democracy since be- coming a voter. Charitable and benevolent, he has given freely of his means in support of worthy charity, but one of his great qualities lies in his encouragement and material assistance to those who are willing to help themselves. In business affairs he is energetic, prompt and notably relia- ble, and is recognized as one of the most valued and honored citizens of Easton.

D HARLES LOWNDES, M. D., owns and oc- cupies a beautiful country estate on Miles River, Talbot County, adjoining the Anchor- age, formerly the home of his father, but now owned by Charles A. Chipley, of Philadelphia. By profession a physician, he engaged in practice for some time after graduating, being assistant surgeon in the navy from 1856 to 1861 and then

engaging in practice in Baltimore for twelve years, after which he retired from the profession and returned to Talbot County.

At Wye House, in the first district of this county, Dr. Lowndes was born October 22, 1832. He is a member of an old family in this locality. The first representative in America was Christopher Lowndes, a native of England, and an early set- tler at Georgetown, D. C. Charles Lowndes, the doctor's grandfather, was born in Georgetown; in early life he removed to Baltimore and embarked in the mercantile business. Later, on retiring from business, he went to Jefferson County, Va., where he remained upon a plantation until his death.

Commodore Charles Lowndes, U. S. N., the father of the doctor, was a native of Georgetown, who in 1812, at the age of fifteen, entered the navy and afterward was promoted from time to time. During the Mexican war he commanded the Germantown. His last cruise was to China, in command of the Hartford. He retired in 1860, having reached the age limit of sixty-two years. Then coming to Talbot County, he returned to the Anchorage, his estate of one thousand acres bordering on the Miles River. Here he lived in re- tirement until he passed away, in December, 1885. His wife, who died two years prior to his demise, was Sarah Lloyd, daughter of Governor Ed- ward Lloyd and sister of Colonel Lloyd, of Wye House. They were the parents of four children, namely: Charles; Sarah L., who married J. W. Bennett, of Carroll County; Lloyd, of Annapolis; and Elizabeth, wife of J. A. Johnson, M. D., of Talbot County.

Educated within the classic halls of Princeton, the subject of this review graduated with the class of 1853. Two years later he graduated from the medical department of the University of Maryland. In 1856 he received an appointment as assistant surgeon in the navy and was assigned to the Mediterranean squadron, the most of the period of his service being spent in Europe. On resigning in 1861, he opened an office for practice in Baltimore, where twelve years were spent. In 1873 he returned to the home of his childhood and his property in Eastern district, where he

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has since made his home. In September, 1865, he married Catherine M., daughter of William G. Tilghman. Their oldest child and only son, Charles H. G., is an assistant surgeon in the navy, stationed in Washington. The daughters, Anna P., Sarah Scott and Mary Catherine, remain with their parents.

ILGHMAN E. KELLEY, one of the reliable and substantial citizens and energetc farm- ers of the fourth district of Caroline County, was one of the soldier boys who, under Provi- dence, helped to preserve our country as a united nation in the great civil conflict. He was in his eighteenth year when he enlisted in the Eighth Maryland Infantry at Baltimore in 1862, and was placed in Company E. His division was as- signed to the Army of the Potomac and partici- pated in the many and notable battles of the cam- paign in which they were engaged, including the Wilderness, Cold Harbor and Appomattox, when Lee surrendered. He received an honorable dis- charge at the close of the hostilities and has long been a member of Watkins' Post, G. A. R., of Federalsburg. He is an active Republican, and has rendered that party his earnest allegiance since its organization. During 1896 he served upon the board of general assessors of Caroline County and in 1891 he was elected to the position of county commissioner, serving acceptably as such for one term. He is well and favorably known along this entire Eastern Shore.

Tilghman Kelley never has known what it means to a boy to have the kind and watchful care of a loving father, as death deprived him of that parent when he was but three years of age. He was born in 1844 to Dennis and Mary (Har- rison) Kelley, natives of this county, and the lat- ter a daughter of James Harrison, also of Caroline County. He was reared upon a farm and obtained a common school education. After he had re- turned from southern battlefields he settled for a time in Queenstown, Queen Anne's County, and in 1867 came to this county and engaged in farm-

ing operations. He bought his present farm in 1885, and has transformed it into a model home- stead. He raises a general line of produce, and for many years has dealt very successfully in live stock, buying, selling and shipping to Baltimore and Philadelphia principally.

In 1868 Mr. Kelley married Miss C. I. Hollis, a daughter of Charles Hollis, of Delaware, and they have four fine, manly sons, of whom they may well be proud. The eldest, Glencoe K., has started out in life on his own account and is a thrifty young farmer of this county. He married Leona Patchett; they have two children, Edith I. and Elmer. The others are Everett C., Orlan T. and Charles H.

EMUEL P. MITCHELL, M. D., who is en- gaged in the practice of the medical profes- sion at Sharptown, Wicomico County, was born near Berlin, Worcester County, October 14, 1824. He is a son of Isaac Mitchell, who was born in the same locality, being the son of John P. Mitchell, a native of Scotland. Throughout his entire active life, Isaac Mitchell engaged in farm pursuits, and being a man of energy and good judgment he succeeded in accumulating a valuable estate, in spite of the fact that he died in 1829, when comparatively a young man. He was an active worker in the Episcopal Church and held all the offices in his congregation. His wife, who died in 1859, was Sarah, daughter of Edward Henry, of Berlin district, Worcester County. They were the parents of three children, of whom two are living, our subject and John P., of Ala- bama.

When a boy our subject was a student in the schools of Berlin, Md., and Flushing, N. Y. In 1844 he entered Yale College, spending a year in that famous institution, after which he came to Berlin and commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Hillard Pitts. After a short time with that gentleman he matriculated in the medical department of the Maryland University, from which he graduated in 1847. At once returning

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to Berlin, he opened an office and began the practice of his profession. In1 1855 he removed to Selma, Ala., where he spent eleven years in active and successful practice. From there he went back to Berlin and in 1877 settled in Selby- ville, Sussex County, Del., coming from that place in 1885 to liis present location at Sharp- town, Wicomico County.

November 29, 1877, Dr. Mitchell married Lot- tie, daughter of Benjamin Ravell, of Berlin, Md. They are the parents of four children, Lemuel L., Sidney J., Marion R. and Sallie P.

APT. WILLIAM T. BARKLEY, a mem- ber of the well-known firm of W. T. Barkley & Co., of Cambridge, Dorchester County, is one of the leading citizens of this place, and is among the foremost in the great industry of packing and shipping oysters. He is certainly an excellent financier and business man, and has built up an immense trade through the exercise of wise methods, energy and enterprise. He is, moreover, interested in several other local con- cerns, of which further mention will be made later in this article, and is a man of great public spirit. He believes in fostering and materially assisting infant industries and schemes having for their object the good and convenience of the people of his own community, thus manifesting true patriotic enthusiasm.

A native of Hooper's Island, Dorchester Coun- ty, the captain is a son of William Washington and Margaret (Travers) Barkley, both likewise of this county. The Barkleys are of English ancestry. William W. was for nineteen years a carrier of the mail upon Hooper's Island, and was very well known in all parts of the district. He died in 1881, when in his seventieth year, be- loved and esteemed by multitudes of acquaint- ances and friends, for he was a man of intrinsic worth. The father of Margaret Travers, Ben- jamin by name, was a very prominent man in his locality in Hooper's Island, and once represented his community in the state legislature. Mrs.

Margaret Barkley now makes her home with our subject and is over seventy-five years old. She has two children, the other, a daughter, being Rebecca, widow of Fabricius Leland.

The birth of William T. Barkley occurred Oc- tober 28, 1851, and in his youth he attended the district schools. When he was about eight- een he started out in a small way in business as a "tonger" and from that went on the dredg- ing boats and in time became owner of the Bugeye, a small oyster smack. The firm with which he is now identified owns twenty ships, in- cluding one three-masted schooner, Venus, be- sides a number of freight and dredging boats. For three years he was engaged in building ves- sels in the Cambridge docks. It was in 1884 that he went into partnership with Janies Wool- ford, and together they did business for a year, Mr. Barkley then buying out the interest of the other gentleman. He was then alone for a few years and in 1896 became associated with Noalı Web- ster. A new packing house was built, substan- tially of brick, at the end of the long pier at the foot of Mill street and has every convenience for the handling of oysters. The building stands upon piles, is 130 x 30 feet in dimensions and sixteen feet high, and, located far out in the river, the oyster dredges can be unloaded at tlie very doors. The capacity of the plant is one thousand gallons of oysters daily. Altogether the firm does a business of over $30,000 a year.

Realizing the promising future before Cam- bridge, in view of her exceptionally favorable location upon the Choptank River and its being the terminus of the railroad, the firm, under the style of Webster & Barkley, started another enter- prise a few years ago. They constructed a pier, extending about a thousand feet out into the river, and at the extreme end of this erected a dancing pavilion, 100x30 feet, and this is largely patronized by the residents and excursionists. A bathing pavilion, with all conveniences, was fitted up on the pier, and near by are boat houses for the ac- commodation of boating, sailing and fishing parties. The pier is but a short distance from the landing of the Baltimore, Chesapeake & At- lantic Railway Company, and steamers are able

HON. MARION DE KALB SMITH.

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to land their passengers direct upon the pier of a civil engineer, and was brought up in the Webster & Barkley, as the depth of water here is enough for the largest excursion steamers that ply these waters. Mr. Barkley was one of the enterprising citizens that organized the Cam- bridge Ice Company about seven years ago, and there is no better equipped ice manufacturing plant in the state.

In 1872 the captain married Amanda Ruark, from Hooper's Island. She was a daughter of W. T. Ruark, and at her death in 1880 she left four children, viz .: William Oscar, Ellen, Thomas and Clara. The lady who now bears the name of our subject was Miss Mary Louise Smith, of Baltimore, and by her marriage she has become the mother of three bright boys, George, Jesse and Le Roy. Mr. Barkley is a Master Mason and is a member of Choptank Chapter No. 66, R. A. M., of Cambridge. Since casting his first vote he has been a Republican.

ON. MARION DE KALB SMITH has made a very enviable reputation in the legal profession and as a public officer, and is a leading citizen of Chestertown, Md. His chief endeavor is always to promote the best interests of his constituents, and to faithfully discharge the full measure of his duty toward them. Such purity of motive, devoid of self-aggrandizement, should win the approval of the best element of society, and has done so in his case, for few men holding positions of trust and honor are more re- spected.

The father of the above, James Smith by name, was born in Dorchester County, Md., in 1809, and was a farmer during his active life. He came to Kent County in 1840 and died here in March, 1862. He was a Democrat and made it his boast that he never held office, though various positions were tendered him. A slave-holder and sympa- thizer with the south, he took no part in the war on either side. He was a member of the Protest- ant Episcopal Church, and was a gentleman of the "old school." His only brother, John A., was

family of his uncle, Judge John A. Smith, of North Carolina. When he had reached man's estate he went to Louisiana from his home in North Carolina, and was engaged in the con- struction of railroads there during the remainder of his life. In 1845 he died, leaving a family. The only sister, Julia, married a Mr. Carter, a farmer. She died in Caroline County, Md., at the age of eighty-four years. The mother of our subject was Anne B., a daughter of Jesse Knock. Before her marriage with James Smith she was the widow of Isaac Hines. She died in 1892, leav- ing seven children: Jesse K. and John W. Hines, born of the first marriage; and Thomas J .; Jamies J .; Julia Lucinda, now the wife of John N. Dodd, of Chestertown; Sallie M., wife of Rev. Walter R. Graham, D. D., of Westminster, Md .; and the subject of this sketch.

Marion deKalb Smith was born upon a farm near Kennedyville, Kent County, Md., October 16, 1850, and was but twelve years of age when he lost his father. The family had removed to Chestertown four years before that event and the boy received good school advantages. He gradu- ated from Washington College in 1870, and then took up the study of law with Richard Hynson. At the same time he was deputy clerk of the circuit court for Kent County under his half- brother, Jesse K. Hines. He was admitted to the bar in April, 1873, and at once started in his professional work in Chestertown. In 1883 he was elected state's attorney, serving for four years very acceptably to all. Again, in 1887, he was elected to this responsible position, and upon the expiration of his second term of four years was honored by being elected comptroller of the treasury of Maryland. Again, in 1893, he was chosen by the people of this state to fill this im- port office. In1 1895 he was for the third time nominated by acclamation to the comptrollership of the state by the Democratic State Convention. Though he was defeated in the ensuing election, he ran ahead of his ticket by about twenty-five hundred votes. He has always been an ardent supporter of the Democracy, and, besides often having represented his county in state and con-

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gressional conventions, was elected delegate-at- large from Maryland to the National Democratic Convention held in Chicago in 1896. From 1879 to 1883 lie was a member of the Democratic State Central Committee. At present he is engaged in professional practice in Chestertown.

June 5, 1878, Mr. Smithi married Miss Addie Burchinal, and two children have been born to them, Marion deKalb, Jr., and Anna Burton. Mrs. Smith is a daughter of John H. Burchinal, is a native of Maryland, and was reared to womanhood in Kent County, receiving a fine education. She presides over her happy home with grace and dignity, making sincere friends of all with whom she comes in contact. . Both she and her husband are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are active in every good work.

The great-grandfather of our subject was an Englishman by birth, and fought in the war of the Revolution, in the "Maryland Line." He was killed in battle at Camden, S. C., the same engagement in which deKalb met his death. His grandfather commanded a company of Maryland militia and was killed at the battle of Bladens- burg, near Washington, D. C., in 1814.

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Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 19

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