USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland > Part 23
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In 1760 a descendant, Nicholas, went to Nortlı Carolina and became the founder of the Virginia and Tennessee families. During the war of the Revolution Elijah Massey was an officer in the Maryland lines, and his death occurred at Fort Mifflin, where he was in command after the war. He married his cousin Hannah, and their only son, Benjamin, also married his cousin, Elizabeth Massey; they had seven children: Eben T., Col. Elijah, Benjamin Franklin, James, George W., Pamelia and Caroline. Eben, who married
REV. LEONIDAS B. BALDWIN.
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his cousin, Emily Ann Massey, of Queen Anne's County, became the father of the subject of this sketch. He was educated at Princeton College, New Jersey, and settled on his estate near Massey, where he lived and died.
Col. Elijah took a prominent part in the Civil war, serving as a member of Halleck's staff. Benjamin F., who went to Missouri about 1830, became noted as a politician and was twice state senator, also secretary of state. Several of his children have won distinction as lawyers and physicians. James was a minister of the Meth- odist Church. George W. was an attorney in Centreville, but died young. Pamelia married her cousin, Joshua Massey, and went to Alabama; some of her children became prominent citizens. J. Albert was a minister of the Protestant Epis- copal Church, and died in Rochester, N. Y. Addeson is an attorney of Memphis. Caroline died unmarried.
EV. LEONIDAS B. BALDWIN has been rector of St. Peter's Parish, in Easton, Tal- bot County, for several years past, his church being known as Christ's Church. He is a man of unusual attainments and fine executive ability, and is an earnest, logical and eloquent speaker. To his parishioners and the public in general he is giving thorough satisfaction, and his many friends in this district will be pleased to have an opportunity of perusing his history as here out- lined.
The ancestors of the above were Congregation- alists who were among the first settlers of Milford and New Haven, Conn. The little colony arrived on the shores of Massachusetts Bay in 1635, and within three or four years the settlements of New Haven and Milford were established by them. Since then the Baldwins have always been repre- sented in the annals of that region. When the people of New Haven celebrated the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of its founding, and when, a year later, there was held a similar jubilee in Milford, our subject attended the festivities. His
father, Joseph B., was born in Milford, November 29, 1802, and when he was married espoused the Protestant Episcopal faith. His wife was Cynthia Eliza, daughter of Elam Bradley. The family to which she belonged date back to the founding of the New Haven colony and were prominent in the Protestant Episcopal Church. In fact their history can be traced to one Captain Bradley, who won his title in Cromwell's army, in England. The only brother of our subject is Joseph C., president of the New York Dye Wood Company, of New York City.
L. B. Baldwin was born in New Haven, Conn., March 5, 1834, being of the seventh generation of Baldwins native to that historic city. He re- ceived preparatory training for college in Hop- kin's Grammar School, in his home place, and in 1860 he graduated from Trinity College. His theological studies were completed at Berkeley Divinity School, Middletown, Conn. In 1863 he was ordained by Bishop Williams, and in the following year was admitted to the priesthood. His first charge was St. Mark's Parish, in New Britain, Conn. ; and still later of St. James' Church, Birmingham, Conn., which position he held accept- ably many years. Next, removing to Boston, he was rector of St. Mark's for seven years, and from there went to St. James' Church, Keene, N. H. Owing to the poor health of a beloved daughter he sought a pastorate further south, and to this fact is due his occupancy of his present parish. He has been here more than five years, and has endeared himself greatly to all who know him. The church is a progressive and flourishing one, and rejoices in the possession of as complete a theological library as can be found in this region. It was willed to the church by the Rev. Dr. H. M. Mason.
In 1863 Mr. Baldwin married Annie M. Wil- lard, daughter of William D. Willard, of Middle- town, Conn. Two children, a daughter and a son, came to bless their home, but death has called them to the better land. Alice S. died in Easton, Md., during young womanliood, and Joseph Wil- lard died in New Hampshire when just upon the threshold of a busy and most promising career. In 1895, through the courtesy of his parishioners
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Mr. Baldwin was privileged to travel extensively in Europe, and upon his return, he delivered a number of most interesting and instructive lect- ures.
ON. WASHINGTON A. SMITH, M. D., of Taylor's Island, Parson's Creek district, Dorchester County, is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, practitioner, in years of continuous service in the healing art, in the county, and is favorably known along the Eastern Shore. He is recognized as an important factor in our local politics, and has been a stanch Republican since the war clouds of our great civil strife rolled away. He was elected to the state legislature on the Whig ticket in 1849, when a young man, and was a member of the Maryland constitutional convention of 1864. In the fall of that year he was elected to the house of delegates and served two terms in that body. In 1867 he was elected to the state senate; in 1870 he was again elected to the house of delegates, and subsequently in 1875, thus making him six terms a member of the house and one term in the senate. In 1880 he was the regular nominee of the party for con- gress from the first district of Maryland, and two years later was the nominee for the state comp- trollership. In 1896 he was the Republican candidate for presidential elector and had a ma- jority in the state of thirty-two thousand four hundred and seventy-six, leading his ticket.
He has been a member of the Republican state central committee for six years and has just been re-elected for two years more. Thus, for about half a century he has figured in the political world, though he is a politican in the best sense of the word solely. He is a man who never considers his own personal interests, but is deeply concerned in whatever affects the public welfare, holding the good of the majority as a sacred trust.
Though a man of venerable age, Mr. Smith is exceptionally well preserved, and is as active and enthusiastic as a man in the prime of life. Should he live until Christmas day of 1897, he will be
seventy-seven years of age, his birth having oc- curred December 25, 1820. Notwithstanding the fact that over half a century has passed since he located here and began his career as a medical man, he still practices among several families of his friends and old clients. He has never been one of the kind who consider the chief end and aim of life is the acquisition of a fortune; so, though he is comfortably well-off, he is not wealthy, as he might have been had he so desired. He is a native of Jefferson County, Va., and is the only survivor of a family of three sons and two daughters of Frederick and Mary E. (Cover) Smith. His elementary education was obtained in the country schools and at fourteen he entered Winchester Academy, in Winchester, Va. After several years spent in the higher studies he de- cided to adopt the medical profession as his own, and matriculated in Prof. John R. Dunbar's Medical Institute of Baltimore. Later he grad- uated from the University of Maryland in the medical department, in the class of 1844. It was then his expectation to go to Mexico, in the service of the United States, in the war impending, but he was prevented from carrying out this plan. Accordingly, he remained in Dunbar Institute for another year, attending an additional course, and then came to Taylor's Island, which has since been his home. Originally a Henry Clay Whig, he was yet in sympathy with the south, being influenced by the fact that he had slaves, representing a value of about $30,000. He is a vestryman, and has been a member of the Epis- copal Church for thirty years.
In 1847 Dr. Smith married Jane L. Travers, of this place, and her death occurred at the early age of thirty-three years. She left five children, viz .: Charles D., M. D., of Hooper's Island, this county ; Annie F., widow of Dr. Thomas J. Correll, of Baltimore; Virginia, wife of M. M. Dunnock, a farmer of this vicinity; W. Breckenridge, a student in the medical department of the Uni- versity of Maryland; and Capt. Samuel F., who died at about thirty-four years of age. The second marriage of Dr. Smith was with Mrs. Martha E. Travers, daughter of Benjamin F. Berry, of Prince George's County, Md.
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Frederick Smith, father of our subject, was also a native of Jefferson County, Va., and spent his entire life in that place, engaged in the manage- ment of his fine plantation. He was likewise a Henry Clay Whig and was a successful man in the business world. He died when about seventy- two years old, beloved and esteemed by all who had ever known him. His father, Charles Smith, was a native of the province of Lorraine, France, and was a sub-lieutenant in the French army during the Revolution there. Afterwards he crossed the Atlantic and settled in Virginia, there passing the remainder of his life. The wife of Frederick Smith bore the maiden name of Mary Cover. She was a native of Frederick County, Md., and lived to be seventy years old. Both she and her husband were members of the Lutheran Church.
M M. RASIN is the popular and cheerful proprietor of a general country store at Melitota, third district, Kent County. He is very well known in these parts, for he was born and grew to maturity here, and his interests have always been identical with those of most of his life-long associates and friends. A young man, of undaunted will and force of character, not readily discouraged, industrious and pains- taking, he will surely win the victory in the bat- tle of life.
The original ancestor of the Rasin family in America settled in Kent County several genera- tions ago, having immigrated from Ireland. Philip, grandfather of our subject, and his brother Will- iam laid their lives and services at the feet of liberty during the continental struggle for inde- pendence, and the last-mentioned rose to the rank of captain. They were all farmers and were shrewd, active, progressive business men. De- lany, father of M. M. Rasin, always lived in the borders of Kent County with the sole exception of two years spent in Queen Anne's County. He met with good success in his financial ventures, and was a practical farmer. He died in 1887, upon the seventy-fourth anniversary of his birth.
His wife was Mary E. Beck before their marriage, and nine children were born to them, all but three of the number still living.
M. M. Rasin was born in this county in 1855, and is the eldest surviving son in his parents' family. He received such education as could be obtained in the country schools of his boyhood days and remained dutifully under the parental roof until he had reached his majority. During this period he had mastered every detail of agri- cultural work, and when the time came for him to manage a farın of his own he was amply equipped by long experience. It was in 1877 that he first took entire charge of a farm for him- self, the place being situated near this village, and here he continued to dwell for a number of years. In 1892 he bought out Mr. Wood, who owned a general store, and since then has carried on the business. He keeps a full line of provi- sions, dry goods, etc., and supplies his many pat- rons with new, fresh stock, renewing it from time to time. He is a Democrat politically, and was collector for the third district during the term of 1885 and 1886.
In 1882 Mr. Rasin married Alphonzo Parks, daughter of A. R. Parks, formerly a respected citizen of the third district and postmaster at Still Pond, now deceased. They have three in- teresting children, two bright little boys named Merritt and Parks, and a sweet little daughter, Minnie, who is the sunshine of the household.
ENJAMIN R. DURDING, ex-postinaster of Rock Hall, is a very active worker in the cause of the Democracy, and was appointed postmaster of Rock Hall, Kent County, in July, 1893. He served in this capacity until Septem- ber 28, 1897, and gave general satisfaction to all classes of our citizens. Prompt and faithful in the minutest detail of his department, he en- deavored to please his political opponents, as well as his adherents, and certainly succeeded be- yond his expectations. In every good word and work started with a view of benefiting this com-
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munity, he is to be found in the first ranks. As a public man and in the domestic circle, he is to be admired for his genuine worth and noble qualities.
John T. Durding, father of our subject, was bor11 01 East Neck Island, Kent County, and was reared to agricultural life. He remained with his parents until he was nearly twenty-one, helping to run the old farm, and giving his father all of his time save what was required in gain- ing an education. About 1848 he went to Balti- more, and there became financially concerned in a manufacturing venture, and was connected with this enterprise as long as he lived. In this fac- tory all sorts of implements and tools were made, and an extensive trade had been built up, when, at the age of fifty years, the proprietor was sum- moned to his final rest. A hero of the war of 1812, he was one of the sharpshooters who par- ticipated in the battle of North Point and the de- fense of Baltimore. His parents were old and most highly respected citizens in their home neighborhood, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The wife of John T. Durding was a native of Bal- timore and died in the full moon of early woman- hood, being but thirty years old when she was forced to leave her home and four little children. They have all since passed away, save B. R. and Mary Ann, a sister.
The birth of our subject occurred June 1, 1830, in Baltimore, and in that metropolis he spent the first ten years of his career. At that time he came to the home of his paternal grandparents, on this side of the Chesapeake, and remained with them about five years, while he attended school here. Then returning to his native place, he learned the ship-joiners' trade, and worked at it for a time. In 1851 he settled in Rock Hall, and has since then been occupied in general carpen- tering and house-building in this locality. Marks of his handiwork are to be seen all around the village, and his work has always been most satis- factory.
The happy home of Mr. Durding has been presided over many years by his faithful wife, who joined her fortunes to his in July, 1850. She was formerly Martha H. Stephens, born in this
district July 16, 1833, and here grew to maturity. Ten children were born to this worthy couple, in order as follows : John and Amanda, deceased; James M .; William P .; Andrew Jackson Lee; Elinora; Thomas B., who is represented in another part of this volume; Howard R., Annie and Mill- ard, all deceased. Mrs. Durding is a lady whom to know is to love, and for years she has been a consistent member of the Methodist Church.
HARLES SAULSBURY. There are few men living on the Eastern Shore whose ca- reer has extended over a longer period in the annals of Talbot County, and yet whose minds and bodily faculties are more vigorous than is the case with the gentleman whose name heads this review. He was left an orphan at an early age, and his life was thenceforth one of hard work and hardship during his youth. In spite of the many obstacles which lay along his path- way, he was of a brave heart and of a disposition that would not succumb to temporary defeat, and thus he became what he is to-day, a man of in- fluence and competence.
A native of Caroline County, Md., Charles Saulsbury's birthplace was near Anthony's Mills, and not far distant from the town of Denton. The event took place December 7, 1812, and the first eight years of his life were passed beneath his father's roof. His parents having died, he was bound out to a man in Delaware, with whom he remained three years. Returning then to Caro- line County, and but eleven years old as yet, he found a friend in one John Clarke, and was reared in his family. He learned the details of farming and dwelt in his native county until 1863, when he became a permanent resident of this district. In 1881 he purchased the farm upon which he now lives, and which is a finely-cultivated tract of three hundred acres, all in one body. The home is located on the Boonesboro road, about four miles from the town of Trappe. In con- sideration of the fact that whatever he possesses
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HON. ALBERT W. SISK.
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has been the result of his own labor and toil, the proprietor may be very justly entitled to the honor of having been a self-made man.
In 1835 Mr. Saulsbury married Sophia Rowe, by whom he had two children, Lizzie the only one.surviving. In 1843 he was united in mar- riage with Sarah Collins, and their five children were named as follows: John; Abraham; Georg- iana, wife of J. M. Davis; Richard W. and James. The last-mentioned died when in his twenty- second year, when his future was most promising, and his loss is still deeply felt in the home circle. For sixty years Mr. Saulsbury has been an active member of the Reformed Church, and has served in official capacities. He has led an upright, strictly just life, striving to do his whole duty toward God and man, and when he is summoned to his reward his memory will continue to be cherished by generations who follow in his foot- steps and pattern after him.
ON. ALBERT W. SISK is one of the most influential and progressive business men of Caroline County and in 1893 was elected to serve in the legislature of Maryland, and partici- pated in the councils of the state during the ses- sion of 1894. He is an ardent supporter of the Democracy, but has found little time to hold public office of late years, as his financial interests re- quire his constant attention. He is the only broker in canned goods on the peninsula, and with his home and headquarters at Preston, he tran- sacts a business amounting to nearly a quarter of a million dollars per annum. He buys, sells and ships all kinds of canned vegetables and fruit and has personally built up an immense trade.
Albert W. Sisk is the youngest of a family of five children, and was born in the vicinity of Preston June 11, 1860. He was afforded liberal school advantages and was educated in the higher branches in Preston Academy, after which he
taught with success for about three years. He then established himself in business here and has been one of our chief merchants since. He and the members of his family are identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, as have been his forefathers for generations. He was married in 1884 to Miss Sallie, daughter of J. B. and Henri- etta (Kelly) Fletcher, who is a faithful and loving helpmate, and presides over their beautiful and cultured home with true womanly dignity.
In tracing the history of the Sisks it is found that the first of the name in this country of whom record has been kept was one Joseph Sisk, whose son David was born in October, 1753. He mar- ried Elizabeth Foster August 14, 1796, and of their children Joseph F., who was the grandfather of our subject, was born August 2, 1797. He was united in marriage with Susan Elliott January 6, 1820. Their family numbered the following chil- dren: Thomas F., who was born in 1820 and died in infancy; Elizabeth, born in 1822; David F., who was born 1823 and died while young ; Will- iam, our subject's father, born in March, 1825; Francis A., born in 1827; Mary A., in 1829; David (the second of the name), in 1831, and Susanna, in 1834.
William Sisk was a native of this county, as is believed, and certainly lived here from early childhood. He resided for a few years in Dor- chester County, but was engaged in oper- ating his farm here in .Carolina County, near Preston, most of his mature life, and was blessed with a good measure of prosperity. December 23, 1845, William Sisk and Lucetta Dean were married in Dorchester County, and of their union five children were born. Amanda, the eldest, be- came the wife of J. W. Kerr, of this county. Susie E. is the next in order of birth. Joseph F. and Thomas J. (twins) are merchants; and Albert W. completes the family. He was a leader in all local affairs and was affiliated with the Democracy. He was a faithful member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, and was a man of genuine piety and goodness, one whom everyone loved and revered. He was summoned to his reward March 31, 1888. mourned by all who had had the privilege of knowing him.
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ILLIAM M. SLAY. No citizen of Ches- tertown is held in greater respect than he of whom we write. As a member of the local bar he ranks high, as was evident when his fellow-citizens chose him as their state's attorney. As a public officer his record is blameless and speaks volumes in his favor. He is a man of uprightness and strength of character, one whose daily life will bear the closest inspection. Such an one the thoughtful people delight to honor, and still greater things are doubtless in store for him.
Though a native of Queen Anne's County, his birth having occurred there August 5, 1847, Mr. Slay belongs to a Kent County, Del., family. His father, William Slay, was born in Delaware, in 1810, and was a farmer and merchant by occupa- tion. He resided in Maryland for a few years, and, having returned to his old home, where he stood second to none in point of popularity, was frequently called upon to fill responsible positions of trust and honor for the people. In early life he was a member of the county court and subse- quently was elected to represent his district in the Delaware legislature. His death, which occurred in April, 1885, was felt to be a public loss. His wife was a Miss Louisa Onins, who likewise was from Delaware, and a native of Kent County. She died many years ago, when her children were quite young, the year of the sad event being 1851. The eldest, John O., died in the prime of a brilliant legal career; Mary E. and Martha are living and unmarried.
The boyhood of our subject passed unevent- fully in Kent County, Del. He was educated in the local schools and in a private school of Dover. In 1865 he matriculated in Yale University, graduating from there in 1868 with honors. Coming to Chestertown he was made principal of our schools, and at the same time pursued legal studies with his brother and George Vickers. In April, 1872, he was admitted to the bar and since then has been actively engaged in general practice, his specialty being equity cases. In 1891 he was elected state's attorney, and served most acceptably for the full term of four years. Upon the expiration of that period he was again
nominated for the office, but, with the rest of his ticket of that year, was defeated by the opposi- tion candidate. The only secret society which claims him as a member is the Odd Fellows, with which fraternity he has been connected many years.
In December, 1885, the marriage of Mr. Slay and Augusta Eccleston Hynson was celebrated in this city, at the home of the lady. She is a daughter of one of our leading citizens, Richard Hynson, and was brought up in this place, re- ceiving a fine education. She is a lady of culture and versatile accomplishments and makes sincere friends wherever she goes.
RTHUR EMORY SUDLER, M. D., is one of the sons of Queen Anne's County, his birth - having occurred upon the old homestead in the first district, where he still lives. From 1860 to 1876 he was actively engaged in the practice of his profession in this community, and stands well in the estimation of all with whom he has come in contact, whether in a business or social way. The founder of the family of which he is a sterling representative was the owner of a fine tract of about a thousand acres in this county, and upon a part of the estate the village of Sud- lersville was located. They have been identified fully with every progressive movement in this region having as its object the development of our local resources, and have been noted for marked ability and talent joined to superior execu- tive force. The date of the doctor's birth was February 22, 1839. He was educated within the walls of his parental abode, private tutors train- ing him in a thorough knowledge of the sciences and languages. He was a bright, ambitious youth, and was but seventeen when he took up the study of medicine in the office of his uncle, Dr. William J. Sudler, of Sudlersville. In 1859 he graduated from the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, and at once returned home, where he opened an office and established himself in his practice. Of late years he has devoted much of
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