Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 22

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 22

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The house is one of the most attractive in this part of the district, and everything about the place bespeaks the presence of refined and cultured occupants.

In tracing the annals of R. L. Spilman, it is learned that his birth took place January 7, 1839, in Fauquier County, Va., and that the first six- teen years of his life, those years which so largely determine what the man is to become, in charac- ter and development, were quietly passed amid the influences of a happy home. He was an am- bitious youth and when he was entering his seventeenth year he went to Baltimore, and soon found employment with a responsible firm, Hodges Brothers, wholesale dry goods merchants. There he continued to work his way upward in the business world until 1859, when he was mar- ried. Soon after that important event he pro- ceeded to Millwood, Clarke County, Va., and was engaged in carrying on a mercantile enterprise there for some five years. In 1864 he located in Angusta, Ga., and during the next four years was similarly occupied, in spite of the depression resultant from the war. It was in 1868 that he eventually returned to Baltimore, where as before, he conducted a mercantile business. Two years having elapsed, he came to Taylor's Island, and for the succeeding three years taught school. In 1873 he purchased the land which is now the property of his widow, and here he was occupied in the duties which pertain to the operation of a farm up to the time of his death, which fell upon Christmas day 1894. His life had been that of an earnest Christian, and for years he had been very active in the work of the Episcopal Church, to which he belonged. He was the warden in the congregation for a time, and, being a fine singer and a natural leader, he held the post of chorister for a long period.

The marriage of Mr. Spilman and Miss Annie Hooper Pattison was solemnized December 27, 1859, in Cambridge, in which city she was born and reared. She was educated in the higher branches in Patapsco Institute, Ellicott City, Md., and is a lady of fine attainments and culture. By a strange coincidence Mr. Spilman was sum- moned from her side by the angel of death just

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two days prior to the thirty-fifth anniversary of their wedding. She is now managing the farm, which is a tract of nearly two hundred acres, with good ability, being assisted in the task by her eldest son, Henry Pattison. Nannie L., her eldest daughter, is the wife of William E. Dun- nock, of Baltimore, and the next in order of birth, Robert Lee, Jr., who is a clerk in that city, mar- ried Miss Julie E. Provost. Hattie Keen is the wife of William D. Travis, a merchant of Taylor's Island. Jeremiah P., who is a clerk in Baltimore, married Alice Brooks. Two children died in in- fancy. James C. H., who married Lulu Keen, is captain of a schooner in the Baltimore trade. Carrie is still at home. The mother is a member of the Episcopal Church, and enjoys the distinc- tion of being the oldest female member of the con- gregation yet residing here.

ON. WILLIAM S. WALKER. To those whose affections are deep the power of asso- ciation is strong. One of the characteristics of the people of Maryland is a love of their state. The tie that binds them to the place familiar to them from earliest recollection is not a fragile one, that may be broken by the slightest breeze or soft- est call from afar. This trait, so common to all the native-born sons of Maryland, is a conspicuous feature in the character of Judge Walker. His attachment for Kent County is deep-seated; his interest in Chestertown an abiding one. Local measures receive his co-operation when he is con- vinced of their wisdom. In the management of his property interests and in the discharge of his duties as judge of the orphans' court, he has shown an ability and sagacity that are invariable concomitants of success.

In Chestertown, where he still resides, Judge Walker was born January 6, 1832. He is of di- rect Scotch descent, his grandparents, John and Christiana (Graham) Walker, having been born. in Scotland, whence they emigrated to America in 1799, and made settlement in Chestertown. At that time they were members of the Episcopal

Church, but Mrs. Walker afterward became iden- tified with the Methodists. The judge's father, John W. Walker, was born in this town in 1800, and remained here until his death, which occurred at forty-four years of age. He was a man of ex- cellent education, thoroughly informed in matters pertaining to the public welfare, and actively in- terested in local enterprises. Though not an in- cumbent of any office, he was interested in politics and was an advocate of Democratic principles. He had one brother, Thomas, who was a merchant in Millington, Kent County.

The mother of Judge Walker bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Constable, and was born in Kent County, where she died in 1875. In reli- gious belief she was a devoted member of the Methodist Protestant Church. She was a daugh- ter of John and Isabella (Stevenson) Constable, the former a member of an old family here and by occupation a merchant until advancing years ren- dered active labor impracticable. In his family there were three sons, namely: John S. Constable, a farmer by occupation; William S., who was the largest farmer in the county, owning extensive tracts here; and Albert, a distinguished lawyer and at one time judge of the courts. Our subject and two sisters were the only members of the family who attained mature years. The older sis- ter, Mary Elizabeth, became the wife of Henry W. Archer, a prominent attorney of Harford County. The younger sister, Anna Isabel, mar- ried Dr. William H. Gale, of Somerset County, Md., but is now deceased.

The literary education of our subject was ob- tained principally in Washington College, and in Princeton, where he matriculated in the fall of 1849, graduating in 1851, with the degree of A. B. Afterward he engaged in farming and is still the owner of a valuable estate. In 1884 he was elected, against his will, to the position of judge of the orphans' court, and though reluc- tant to accept, he was prevailed upon to do so, and served so satisfactorily that he was re-elected. In the local councils of the Democratic party he is in- fluential. He has been identified with the Episco- pal Church all his life. He attends the various local and general conventions of his denomina-

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tion, and has been trustee of tlie Episcopal fund for tlie diocese of the Eastern Shore. He is one of the board of directors of Washington College, in the work of which he is deeply interested.

In1 1855 Judge Walker married Mary Rebecca Ricaud, daughter of James B. and Ann Elizabetli (Gordon) Ricaud, of Chestertown, her father having been judge of the circuit court of this dis- trict. They are the parents of three children. The eldest, Anna E., is the wife of Walter H. Beck, of St. Louis, Mo., and they have two chil- dren, Walter H. and Mary R. The only son of Judge Walker is William S., Jr., who married Jennie Hines, and is engaged in business in St. Louis. The youngest child is Cornelia Ricaud, who resides with her parents.

F EORGE F. BACON. Among the leading and influential farmers of the third district of Kent County who thoroughly under- stand their business and pursue the avocation of their chosen calling in the methodical and work- manlike manner, is the subject of this biography. He was born in 1866 upon the farm where he still makes his home and early became familiar with all the duties which fall to the lot of the agri- culturist. In 1887 he purchased the old home- stead, which comprises one hundred and five acres of valuable and productive land, and is now suc- cessfully engaged in general farming.

His father, Charles Bacon, was a native of New Jersey and of English descent. During early life he was a sailor and for a number of years was engaged in the coasting trade along the Chesapeake Bay, but in 1866 came to Kent County, Md., where he purchased the farm now owned and occupied by our subject, and then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He married Rachel Mulford, and to them were born four children: Charles, now a resident of Tol- chester, Md .; Mary, the widow of John Wal- raven, of Camden, N. J .; Alexander, a farmer of the third district, Kent County; and George F., the youngest. For many years the father was a

consistent member of the Methodist Protestant Church, took an active part in its work, and died in that faith in 1887, at the age of sixty-six years.

Amid rural scenes George F. Bacon was reared to manhood on the old homestead, and acquired his education in the public schools of the neigh- borhood. At the age of twenty-three he took charge of the farm, which he has since success- fully operated. I11 1882 he was joined in wed- lock with Miss Alice, daughter of John Miller, of Kent County, and to them have been born two children, Ellen and Arthur.

In his political affiliations, Mr. Bacon is an un- swerving Democrat, while socially he has for some time affiliated with the Heptasophs Order, with which he has been officially connected. With his wife he holds membership in the Meth- odist Protestant Church. Both as a business man and true citizen he is highly esteemed by all with whom he comes in contact, and his friends are many throughout the county.

OHN E. WILSON. To those who devote themselves assiduously to their chosen occu- pation, success is the almost invariable re-

sult. Already a goodly degree of prosperity has come to Mr. Wilson in his legal work, and un- doubtedly future years will bring him added honors and increased success. While he has practiced his profession for a comparatively brief period only, he has nevertheless displayed the possession of acute powers and broad professional knowl- edge, and is regarded as one of the rising lawyers of Centreville.

The father of our subject, John E. Wilson, was born in Christiana, Del., and received an educa- tion in the public schools and Elkton (Md.) Academy. Entering the legal profession, he de- voted the most of his active life to work as an at- torney, and in Elkton and vicinity gained con- siderable prominence. In 1890 he was a candidate for congress, but suffered defeat with the remain- der of the ticket. His death occurred in 1892.

JAMES B. BRIGHT.

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He married Hannah D. Broomall, a native of Clearfield County, Pa., who now resides near Elkton, Md. In her family there are five sons and four daughters. Winter L., a practic- ing civil engineer, is in Central America, where he is connected with the establishment of govern- ment boundary lines; Everett B., likewise a civil engineer, resides in Lambertville, N. J., where lie is connected with the Pennsylvania Railroad; Harry C. resides with his mother at home; Fred- erick is also at home; Bertha is a trained nurse in Philadelphia; Laurine, Mary M. and Hannah C. are at home.

In Elkton, where he was born November 21, 1872, our subject passed his early years. He re- ceived his education in the Elkton Academy, Delaware College, and the law department of the University of Maryland, and in December, 1893, was admitted to the bar, after which he practiced in his native town until February, 1896, and since the latter date has been in Centreville. Interest- ed in public affairs, he is a pronounced Repub- lican, and in November, 1897, was the Republican candidate for the state legislature from Queen Anne's County.

AMES BENJAMIN BRIGHT, of Kent Is- land. Among those who first settled on the Eastern Shore of Maryland was James Bright, probably a native of England, and an emigrant to America in boyhood. Establishing his home on Kent Island, he here married and reared a family comprising ten children. Of these James, the oldest male heir, grew to manhood on the home estate and received his education in the local schools. Selecting agriculture as his occu- pation, he began the cultivation of a farm on the island, and such was his enterprise that, though beginning poor, he became in time the owner of large landed estates. Unfortunately, however, the Civil war brought him losses, but he con- tinued to hold his real-estate possessions. He was considered one of the most progressive men of the Eastern Shore and when in life's prime

probably accomplished as much for his home neighborhood as any resident there. His death occurred in 1875.

By the marriage of James Bright and Susanna Eareckson the following-named children were born: Martha S., Mrs. Richard Cray, of Kent Island; Sarah E .; John Eareckson, who is de- ceased; Mary E .; Annie, wife of James P. Nor- man, a resident of Kent Island; James Benjamin; and Laura, wife of R. R. Kelly, of Baltimore. The subject of this sketch was born on Kent Is- land September 22, 1844, and here he grew to man- hood and received his education in the common schools. Agriculture has been his life work, and he personally superintends and manages most of his property, which includes more than twelve hundred acres.

The happy married life of Mr. Bright began in 1872 with his marriage to Catherine Thomas and ended with the death of his wife February 28, 1897. She was a daughter of Samuel W. Thomas, a prominent farmer of Queen Anne's County, and a granddaughter of Kensey Harrison, a promi- nent attorney of Centreville, now deceased. In character she was noble and true, kind to those in need, and especially devoted to the welfare of her husband, to whom her death was a deep be- reavement. Side by side with him she worked for the good of the church and the promotion of religious enterprises, the two holding active mem- bership in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The seven children of Mr. and Mrs. Bright are named as follows: Benjamin Harrison; Maggie A., wife of Arthur Cockey, of Kent Island; James Thomas, a graduate of Dover Academy and of the Maryland Law School and a rising young at- torney of Centreville; Katherine F., Mary O., Loleta E. and Charles M. Mr. Bright owns a beautiful country home near the village of Kent Island. A man of unquestioned ability, he has managed his large financial interests with skill. He is a large stockholder and a director in the Queen Anne's Bank of Centreville, Md. In local politics he maintains a constant interest, and in the work of the Democratic party has been ac- tive. For two years he has held the position of county commissioner, and he also acted as a mem -

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ber of the Democratic state central committee front Queen Anne's County for four years. Witli many of the worthy interests of Kent Island and Queen Anne's County he lias been intimately identified, and is justly numbered among the leading inen of liis locality. Well and favorably known, lis opinions upon all matters are respect- ed and lie is trusted by his fellow-citizens.

THOMAS HOLLAND, JR., member of the drug firm of Tucker & Holland, of Centre- ville, was born in Ruthsburg, Queen Anne's County, October 3, 1870. He is a member of a family that has been identified with the history of Queen Anne's County for a number of generations, their connection with this locality having been in every way creditable to themselves. Through their enterprise in matters pertaining to the pub- lic welfare, improvements were introduced, land was placed under cultivation and the condition of the people ameliorated.

The grandfather of our subject, William Hol- land, was born in Queen Anne's County in 1798, and engaged in the cultivation of a farm here until his death, which occurred in 1865. Our subject's father, Dr. J. Thomas Holland, was born near Church Hill, in this county, October 26, 1834, and in 1862 graduated from the medical depart- ment of the University of Maryland, before which he taught school for six years, earning the money with which to defray his expenses while in college. For thirty-five years he was engaged in the prac- tice of his profession in Ruthsburg, where he was known as a skillful, accurate physician. He built up a large practice, and would have become wealthy had it not been for the generosity of his nature and his kindness in giving professional service gratuitously to those in need. In 1896, having retired from active practice, he removed to Baltimore, where he is now living in retirement. A member of the Methodist Protestant Church, he was superintendent of the Sunday-school for six years, and one of its teachers for some time.

Early in life Dr. Holland was a stanch Demo-

crat, but the observations of later years induced a change in his sentiments. Noticing the evils wrought by the use of intoxicants, he opposed their licensed sale, and in 1881 allied himself with the Prohibition party. He at once became prom- inent in that organization and was recognized as one of its local leaders. In 1891 he was its candidate for the position of state senator and made a creditable race, polling many votes even among those of other parties. He wrote frequently for the press, sometimes upon the temperance ques- tion and sometimes upon matters pertaining to agriculture, in which he was also interested. While residing in Queen Anne's County, he made his home upon a farm of fifty acres. In 1868 he was made a Mason, and has since adhered to the lofty principles for which that order stands. His sense of honor and duty is very high. To him the responsibilities of life are very serious, so that when confronted with an important duty he throws his whole soul into its discharge. Par- ticularly has this been true of his professional career. As a physician he has ever been on the alert to grasp the latest developments in the science and his skill has been widely recognized. With most successful professional men, their per- sonal affairs engross their attention so entirely that they have little time and less inclination for public matters. The duties of citizenship are neglected by them. It is to the credit of Dr. Holland that, in the midst of professional respon- sibilities, he has always shown an intelligent in- terest in public affairs, and has endeavored to per- form his every duty as a citizen.

Dr. Holland married Priscilla Atwell, who was born in Anne Arundel County, at West River, in 1840, being a descendant of English ancestry. She was a daughter of Joseph Atwell, who died upon his farm in Queen Anne's County in 1864, leaving a son, George W. Atwell, who is engaged in farming on Kent Island, and five daughters: Mrs. James Scott, of Baltimore; Mrs. W. H. H. Hopkins, of Kent Island; Mrs. J. O. Lowery, of Baltimore; Mrs. Alfred Tucker, Sr., of Centreville; and Mrs. J. Thomas Holland, of Baltimore. Dr. and Mrs. Holland have three sons, the youngest of whom, George W., resides

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upon and cultivates the old home place. The eld- est, Joseph W., graduated from the medical de- partment of the University of Maryland, and is now assistant resident physician to the Maryland University Hospital in Baltimore. The only daughter, Annie R., is a student in the state normal school.

Reared upon a farm and educated in the local schools, our subject took up the study of phar- macy under Charles H. Walters, and in 1892, after eighteen months of training for the business, he formed his present partnership with Alfred Tuck- er, Sr. He gives his attention almost wholly to business affairs and has started out with a deter- mination to succeed. He is a steward in the Methodist Protestant Church, an officer in the order of Knights of Pythias, and a prominent figure in the social functions of Centreville.

ILLIAM MAXWELL WATTS, principal of the Still Pond schools, is a native of Kent County, his birth occurring on a farm near Still Pond in 1874. His grandfather, George Watts, was also born in Kent County, where he spent the greater part of his life as a carpenter and builder in Chestertown and Still Pond. The family is of English extraction and is probably descended from Isaac Watts. The grandfather served all through the war of 1812 as a member of Judge Chambers' company, and took part in the battle of Caulksfield, where Sir Peter Parker was killed. He died in 1830, at the age of forty-two. The children born of his first mar- riage, to Miss Greenwood, are all now deceased. After her death he married Mary Spry, of Milling- ton, Md., and William, father of our subject, is the only one of the five children born of this union that still survives.

William Watts, Sr., was born in Chestertown in 1820, but was reared and educated in Balti- more, where, at the age of thirteen, he began learn- ing the tailor's trade with Holtzman & Hunt, whom he accompanied on their removal to Bains- ville, Ohio, working at his trade in that place

for four years. On his return to Maryland he was similarly employed in Chestertown and Still . Pond until 1849, when he opened a general store in the latter place, which he successfully con- ducted for sixteen years, selling out in 1866. The following year he removed to the Brook farm, which he had purchased in 1862, and has since made that place his home, while devoting his time and attention to farming and fruit-raising, making a specialty of peaches. Upon his farm he has about five thousand trees, and in 1876 exhibited the finest peaches at the Philadelphia Centennial. . He has about two hundred acres of land and is engaged in stock-raising and dairying to some extent.

In early manhood William Watts, Sr., wedded Miss Mary Jones, who died leaving one daughter who is still living, namely: Mary R., wife of J. F. Wilson. For his second wife Mr. Watts chose Miss Lavinia Palmatary, by whom he had two sons, William Maxwell, of this review, and Charles Garfield, of Chestertown. Formerly the father was a Democrat in politics, but since 186c has been a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and for several years he served as justice of the peace in the second district. For over half a century he has been an active and prominent member of the Still Pond Methodist Episcopal Church and has served as steward in the same for many years. He is one of the most highly respected and honored citizens of his community.

In the public schools near his childhood home, Professor Watts began his education, later at- tended Dover Academy, where he graduated in 1890, and then entered Dickinson College, grad- uating from that institution in 1893 with the degree of Ph. B. During that summer he at- tended Cornell University of New York, and after his graduation, in the fall of 1893, he took charge of the high school at Bedford, Pa., where he remained for one year. The next year he was obliged to give up teaching on account of his eye- sight failing, and subsequently taught private pupils until the fall of 1896, when he took charge of the schools of Melitota, remaining there until the death of Professor Starkey, when he was chosen principal of the schools of Still Pond, and

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

lias since acceptably discharged tlie duties of that responsible position. He is recognized as one of the most able educators of the county, having the power of readily imparting the knowledge he has acquired through years of constant study and devotion to liis work.

Professor Watts was married November 12, 1895, to Miss Jane F. Penny, of Schenectady, N. Y., and they now have a little son, Willian M., Jr. They are botli earnest and devoted Christian workers, holding membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Watts serves as a local minister. Socially he is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society of Dickinson College, the Knights of Pythias and the Junior Order of American Mechanics. While in Dickinson Col- lege lie was editor-in-chief of the Dickinson Weekly and Monthly Journal, and has since con- tributed many able articles in both prose and poetry to various magazines and papers. He also took a number of photographic views while at tlie World's Fair in 1893, which were published in the Western Magazine.

& HARLES HENRY BEDFORD MASSEY, M. D., deceased, was a prominent and influ- ential citizen of Kent County. His keen intellect, indomitable will power, rare judgment and good sense, made him a born leader and in- sured success in all his undertakings. From a long line of ancestors he doubtless inherited many of tlie traits of justice, integrity and kind- ness of heart which called forth the admiration of contemporaries and the emulation of posterity. He was born on the old Massey estate October 4, 1828, and attended Newark (Del.) College, when acquiring his higher education. Having finished a medical course at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, he engaged in practice for a few years, but eventually gave his whole atten- tion to the management of the estate which he inherited, it being a portion of the original home- stead which had been in the family for genera- tions. Here he passed the remainder of his busy

career, his death occurring June 11, 1891. He was interested in what transpired in the field of politics and was affiliated with the Democratic party. In 1867 lie was a member of the consti- tutional convention. In1 1855 Dr. Massey mar- ried Mary Amanda Oldham, whose parents were George W. and Susan Ann (Biddle) Oldham. Her father, who was born on Bohemia Manor, Cecil County, Md., served in the war of 1812, and followed the occupation of farmer in his native county. Her grandfather, Col. Edward Oldham, fought in many important battles of the Revolution, and belonged to the original order of The Cincinnati; his father was Col. Edward Old- ham, Sr., of Kentucky, who fought in the Indian wars. The family came from England with Lord Baltimore. Four sons and two daughters sur- vived Dr. and Mrs. Massey: George O .; Susan E., wife of Philip A. M. Brooks, of Kent County; Charles H. B .; Herman B .; Mary Ella and Eben T. The branch of the Massey family to which the doctor belonged was founded in America by one Peter Massey, who came from England in 1644. He had a brother, Hugh, who for services rendered the government in the re- bellion of 1645 was made Lord Massey, with estates in the North of Ireland. Later two other brothers crossed the Atlantic and settled in Kent County, taking up their residence on a large tract of land for which they had grants. This property, "Massey's venture," comprised about twenty thousand acres, situated in the upper part of Kent County; on this land is now located parts of Millington and Massey, and several farms of the original estate are still in the possession of direct descendants.

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Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 22

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