Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 26

Author: Chapman Publishing Company
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: New York, Chapman pub. co.
Number of Pages: 906

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Wilson M. has one brother, Jonathan Edward, a lawyer of Baltimore, and one sister, Annie (Tylor) Miller, of Washington, D. C. Our sub- ject received a good education and at the age of eighteen began to teach in Caroline County, where he remained for two years. Five years were similarly spent in Easton, Talbot County, and three years in Easton, N. Y., where he was principal of Marshall Seminary on the Hudson. In 1885 he retired from teaching and purchased the Easton Gazette, which he has since pub- lished. He represented the Peninsular Press Association in San Francisco in 1892, and in St. Augustine, Fla., in 1896. He has a clear-cut style and is recognized as a forcible writer on moral and religious subjects. Some of his poems have had a wide circulation and all are conspicu- ous for their literary polish. In politics he is a Republican. His tastes are decidedly those of

philosophical research, mathematics and astron- omy, biology and metaphysics. A congenial, companionable gentleman, he has hosts of friends among the most scholarly people on the Eastern Shore.

OHN G. MILLS, one of the leading and representative citizens of Cambridge, has materially advanced the interests of that city along various avenues of usefulness. He is iden- tified with the "art preservative of all arts" as editor of the Democrat and News, and is also at the head of prominent business enterprises of the city.

A native of Dorchester, Mr. Mills was born in the sixth district on the 24th of November, 1857, and is a son of William H. and Mary M. (Gootee) Mills. The father, a farmer and merchant by occupation, was born on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, but spent the greater part of his life in Maryland, where he died in 1865, and the mother continued to reside on the old Mills homestead in Dorchester County until she too was called to her final rest, in March, 1897, at the age of seven- ty-six years.

Of their eight children, John G. Mills, of this review, was the fourth son and fifth child. His boyhood and youth were passed upon the home farm, and in the public schools of his native dis- trict he acquired a good education, as he learned readily and made the most of his opportunities. Having acquired a thorough knowledge of the common English branches of learning, he began teaching school before he had attained his major- ity, and successfully followed that profession for seven years at Meekins Neck school in the sixth district of Dorchester County. In the meantime he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1881, since which time he has successfully en- gaged in practice. In the spring of 1883 he pur- chased the paper of which he has since been editor and proprietor, and under his capable man- agement it now enjoys a circulation larger than any other paper in the county, its subscribers numbering about fifteen hundred, Mr. Mills is

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well known as one of the organizers of the Cam- bridge Building and Loan Association, which was incorporated in 1894, of which he is secretary, and he is also secretary and treasurer of the Cam- bridge Gas Company, which was reorganized in July, 1897, and is now enlarging and extending its mains.

In 1887 occurred the marriage of Mr. Mills and Miss Mamie G. Winterbottom, a daughter of Harrison T. and Mary E. Winterbottom, well- known citizens of Cambridge. Her father, now deceased, was for about thirty years a magistrate in that city. To Mr. and Mrs. Mills has been born a daughter, Evelyn R. The mother is a consistent member of the Methodist Church South, and in social circles the family occupies a prominent position.

In his political proclivities Mr. Mills is a stal- wart supporter of the Democratic party and its principles, and both personally and in his edito- rial utterances he wields a potent influence in furthering the interest of its cause, his policy always being notable for the vigor, fearlessness and yet deliberative power which are eminently characteristic of the man. Enjoying a wide ac- quaintance and marked popularity in the city, he is prominently concerned in both business and social lines.

HORTON KELLEY, A. B., M. D., of Lo- cust Grove, is one of the most prominent and successful physicians and surgeons of Kent County, and his skill and ability being widely recognized, he enjoys an excellent prac- tice. One of the most exacting of all the higher lines of occupation to which a man may lend his energies is that of the physician. A most scru- pulous preliminary training is demanded, and a nicety of judgment little understood by the laity. Then, again, the profession brings its devotees in- to almost constant association with the sadder side of life, that of pain and suffering, so that a mind capable of great self-control and a heart respon- sive and sympathetic are essential attributes of

him who would assay the practice of the healing art. Thus, when professional success is attained in any instance it may be taken as certain that such measure of success has been thoroughly mer- ited.

Dr. Kelley is a native of Kent County, born October 2, 1850, and is a son of John Kelley, whose birth occurred in the same county in 1795. The founder of the family in the new world was a native of Ireland, who located on Kent Island, where his son William, our subject's grandfather, was born. In 1780 the latter removed to Kent County, where he owned and operated several large tracts of land, and was one of the oldest and most prominent members of the Episcopal Church in his community. The doctor's father also followed agricultural pursuits for some years, and later conducted a general store at Still Pond, where he passed away in 1877, at the age of eighty-two years. He was a stalwart Democrat in politics, and in religious belief was a Method- ist. He wedded Miss Mary E. Jump and to them were born six children, of whom four are still liv- ing: Mrs. John T. Gale; Mrs. W. F. Wroth, a widow; Edvina, wife of J. C. Rosebery; and Dr. J. Horton.

The doctor was only seven years of age when his parents left the farm and removed to Still Pond, where he attended the public schools until the age of sixteen, when he entered Washington College, graduating from that institution in 1870. He then began the study of law under the direc- tion of Judge Wicks, of Chestertown, and after his admission to the bar in 1872 engaged in practice for a few years. On account of his father's failing health he returned home and engaged in teach- ing school in Still Pond until his father's death, when he took charge of the estate. In 1878 he entered the Jefferson Medical College of Philadel- phia, where he attended lectures for one year, and the following year was a student in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated in March, 1881, with the de- gree of M. D. The following July he located in Locust Grove and soon built up a large practice, his professional duties calling him to all parts of Kent County.

THOMAS H. HORSEY.

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In September, 1879, Dr. Kelley led to the mar- riage altar Miss Lillie Deringer, a granddaughter of the inventor of the Deringer pistol. She is a native of Delaware and a daughter of B. M. Der- inger. The doctor and his wife hold a high posi- tion in social circles and are members of the Epis- copal Church, while he is connected with the al- umni association of the University of Pennsyl- vania. He is a courteous, affable gentleman, and is popular with all classes of people.

HOMAS HOPEWELL HORSEY. The influence of a good man does not cease at death, but continues through succeeding generations, who reap the benefit of his noble life, progressive spirit and earnestness of charac- ter. Though for some years passed from among the people of Kent County, Mr. Horsey is not forgotten. His useful life still exerts a power for good among those who once knew him. He was one of the most prominent residents of Ga- lena, with the interests of which his own were intimately identified. Many local enterprises felt the impetus of his sympathy and assistance, and doubtless no one did more than he for the development of local interests.

The son of Thomas Horsey, the subject of this memoir was born in Millington, Kent County, in 1844. At the age of sixteen he secured a posi- tion as clerk in a large store in New York City. In 1861 he came to Galena with his brother-in- law, the late William T. Betton, for whom he clerked several years. About 1868 he began in business for himself, and was soon successful in building up a large trade. For some years he had a controlling interest in a store in Brooklyn, N. Y., in the successful management of which he took an active part, though he preferred that his chief interests should be retained in Galena. For several years he was a trustee of the Kent County almshouse, a director and part owner of Galena cemetery, and secretary and treasurer of the Ga- lena branch of the creamery. Without aid from others, he provided a town hall for the village

until the Odd Fellows erected their building. He was a charter member of the board of directors, Second National Bank of Chestertown, with which he was identified until his death. In politics he was a Democrat. He and his wife took an active part in the work of the Episcopal Church, in which he was a vestryman for a number of years.

October 10, 1876, Mr. Horsey married Mary E. Rasin, of St. Louis, Mo. They had four sons, Unit Rasin, Thomas H., Hanson and Pal- mer Keene, all of whom are at home. The death of Mr. Horsey occurred September 23, 1893. Afterward his widow sold the stock in the stores, but still owns the store buildings, which she rents. The death of Mr. Horsey was mourned as a pub- lic loss. Commenting upon it, the Kent News says editorially : "The announcement of the death of Thomas H. Horsey was received in Chestertown, and indeed in every section of the county where he was known, with much sorrow, as he was recognized by all as a man of sterling qualities, his triple nature of head, hand and heart having made their impress upon everything with which he came in contact. He died at his home Sunday morning, September 23, after a long and painful illness. He was forty-nine years of age. The funeral services were held at St. Andrew's Chapel, conducted by Rev. George C. Sutton, of Easton. About five hundred peo- ple attended the funeral, only about one-half of whom could get in the chapel, and the procession to Shrewsbury contained fully one hundred car- riages. In the family lot, under the great oaks, and within a few feet of Old Shrewsbury's sa- cred walls, we saw the casket lowered into a vault of snowy whiteness and adorned with richest floral tributes, while friendship's tears hallowed the soil, and breaking hearts lifted piteous prayers to the God above and over all.

"In every capacity Mr. Horsey was earnest, honest, faithful and conspicuous for his zeal and ability. He was a man of gentlemanly instincts, high aims, generous to 'a fault, and large-hearted. By his straightforward integrity of life, kindli- ness of heart and sympathetic helpful spirit, he won for himself a large circle of friends. He was a loving husband, kind father and a good

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citizen; in every walk of life his death is felt to be a public loss. He was always anxious for the improvement of the town and recently told the writer that he would give the lot and a liberal subscription to erect water works for the town. At the time of the great fire in '93 we can never forget his kindness and that of his good wife toward the sufferers in providing for their neces- sities."

At the same time the following tribute appeared in the Transcript : "A man of genuine public spirit, Mr. Horsey always aided with his counsel and his purse, according to his means, all well- considered enterprises of the community, and modestly bore his full responsibility as a citizen. His faithful discharge of every public duty was an evidence of his worth as a man and a citizen, and constitutes a valid claim to the regard of his fellow-citizens, but it is well said that 'The best portion of a good man's life are his little nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.' And so it was with him. The large concourse of friends and neighbors that gathered at the church to attend the last services and follow his remains to the tomb attests more eloquently than any words could do, the respect and affection enter- tained for him while living, and give assurance that his memory will be cherished though he sleep in dust."

ON. FRANKLIN H. HARPER. The true citizen regards a "public office as a public trust," and such is the opinion which Judge Harper holds concerning his office. In his capac- ity as judge of the orphans' court, he has en- deavored to faithfully discharge every duty and meet the many responsibilities entailed by the po- sition. That he has succeeded in this effort is a fact universally recognized. He stands high among the citizens of Chestertown, whose esteem he has gained by his strict honesty in every transaction, as well as by his interest in matters pertaining to the advancement of the community. Since early manhood he has been a resident of

Kent County and has formed many warm friend- ships during the long period of his connection with its history.

In the neighboring county of Kent, in Dela- ware, the subject of this sketchi was born Novem- ber 30, 1838. He is a son of Charles Harper, a native of Delaware, and a farmer and merchant of Leipsic, that state, where he died in 1854. In religious connections he was identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He married Martha L. Hardcastle, a native of Caroline County, Md., and daughter of Robert Hardcastle. She had an only brother, Robert Everett Hardcastle, who was a very prominent man on the Eastern Shore and served as a member of the constitutional con- vention of Maryland in 1867. From an early period in the history of Maryland the Hardcastle family has had representatives here, while the Harper family is one of the old families of Dela- ware, William Harper, our subject's grandfather, having been born in that state. A son of the latter, Francis B. Harper, was a member of the legislature of Delaware, and another son, Andrew, was also quite prominent.

Educated in the common schools, the subject of this sketch began to earn his livelihood at an early age. When twenty he came to Kent County, Md., in 1858, and secured a clerkship in a store at Millington, in the first district. From there he went to Still Pond, in the second district, where he purchased a farm and also opened a general store. To the management of these en- terprises he gave his undivided attention until 1895, when he was elected judge of the orphans' court. A Republican in politics, his election was upon this ticket. He is well informed re- garding matters of public import and his opinions upon the issues of the day have been formed as the result of careful study and thought.

The family of which our subject is a member consisted, besides himself, of three brothers and one sister. One of the brothers, E. B. Harper, who was president of the Mutual Reserve Fund Life Insurance Association of New York, died July 2, 1895. Another brother, George W. Har- per, is also connected with that association. The third brother, Walter S., is unmarried and makes

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his home in Philadelphia. The sister, Mrs. Annie Davis, resides on a farmi near Still Pond.

The maternal ancestors of this family, the Hardcastles, were originally from Ireland, where they owned large tracts of land. William Hard- castle, a great-uncle, was an influential man of his time and owned Castle Hall, a fine estate in Maryland.

The marriage of Judge Harper united him with Mrs. Martha A. E. (Webb) Merritt, widow of Thomas Merritt and daughter of Joseph W. Webb, of Kent County. They are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, in which Judge Harper is a trustee and steward. Their only surviving child, Joseph W., graduated from Princeton in 1891 and is now associated with his father in business. He is one of the present school com- missioners of Kent County and as a Republican takes an active part in politics. By his marriage to Miss Lavina Baynard, he has two children, Franklin and Florence Olivia. Since 1890 the judge has been a director in the Chestertown National Bank and is the oldest living member of the board of directors of the Kent County Fire Insurance Company.

OBERT M. DAWSON, M. D., has resided upon the Bolton farm in Bay Hundred dis- trict, Talbot County, since 1877, and en- gaged in professional practice here until 1894, when he retired from medical work, and has since given his attention to the management of his realty and moneyed interests. The farm upon which he resides and to the cultivation of which a portion of his time is given, consists of one hundred and forty acres, bearing excellent im- provements and brought under a high state of cultivation.

The Dawson family originated in England. The first of the name in Maryland was Ralph, who came, it is thought, direct from England, settling at Royal Oak, Talbot County, and own- ing land there and in Queen Anne's County. The doctor's grandfather, John Dawson, was born in

Talbot County, and became one of the largest land owners in the vicinity of Royal Oak, where he resided. Maj. John Dawson, father of the doctor, was born in this county, where he spent his entire life engaged in farm pursuits. In pol- itics a Whig, he was active in the support of party principles. His plantation consisted of about five hundred acres, and upon it there were a number of slaves. His first wife was Fannie Caulk, who died childless. By his marriage to Mary Darden seven children were born. His third wife, Mary, was a daughter of John Rob- son, of an old family here. She died in 1883, having long survived her husband, who passed away in 1854, at the age of eighty-six years. Their children were named as follows: Eliza J., wife of D. L. Gold, of Washington, D. C .; Selina, deceased; Luvenia Lucretia, who married Will- iam Stewart; and Robert M. The parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which the father was steward for some time.

At Royal Oak Robert M. Dawson was born March 12, 1839. He was reared upon a farm and received his primary education in the com- mon schools, after which he attended the old Maryland Military Academy of Oxford, Md., and Fort Edward (N. Y.) Institute. In 1860 he taught school at Royal Oak. At the opening of the war he entered Company C, Maryland Line Infantry, C. S. A., and served for three years, taking part in the battles of Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Gettysburg and Lookout Mountain. He re- mained in active service through the entire war, with the exception of the year when he was a pris- oner of war at Fort Delaware and Point Lookout. Returning home in 1865, he commenced to study medicine under Dr. W. G. G. Wilson, of Easton, and later attended lectures at the Maryland Uni- versity in Baltimore. In 1869 he graduated with the degree of M. D., after which he practiced in his native town for eight years. In 1877 he came to Bay Hundred district and settled upon the farm where he has since made his home. Politically he is a Democrat, but takes no active part in public affairs.

The marriage of Dr. Dawson, in 1884, united him with Mary Kemp, daughter of John Kemp,

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who owned the farin where our subject now re- sides. This tract was granted by Lord Balti- 111ore to Edward Webb, who married a Miss Kemp. It was for years the home of John Kemp, who was an active Democrat and prominent man of his day, filling the position of judge of the orphans' court for some years and serving as judge at all elections. Twice married, his sec- ond wife, Susan, was a sister of his first, Maria Larabee. By the first marriage four children were born, while Mrs. Dawson is the only living member of the second family. Mr. Kemp died in 1869, at the age of sixty-seven, and his wife passed away in 1877, aged seventy-seven. Dr. Dawson is identified with the Episcopal Church and his wife with the Methodist Episcopal. He is connected with the Confederate Veterans ofthe Civil war. Enterprises having for their object the promotion of local interests receive his sup- port and sympathy, and he is justly numbered among the progressive citizens of his district and county.

A LFRED TUCKER, of Centreville, is well known as a successful educator through thirty-five years of faithful and efficient service, and his work will not be readily forgotten by the many who have been helped by him in the steep and sometimes weary path of knowledge.

He was born in Centreville, February 19, 1839, a son of Alfred Tucker, Sr., whose birth occurred on Kent Island, October 19, 1806. The paternal grandfather, Richard Tucker, was a native of Virginia, and was a soldier in the war of 1812, as was also his wife's brother, Peter Cockey. He married Susanna Cockey, of Kent Island, and they became the parents of four sons, namely: Alfred, father of our subject; George W., a druggist of Baltimore; Richard, who was a soldier in the Mexican war; and John, a mason by trade, who was quite a prominent citizen of Kent Island and died at Greensborough.

In early life Alfred Tucker, Sr., learned the brick mason's trade, which he followed until 1847,

and then removed to a farm, devoting his at- tention to agricultural pursuits throughout the remainder of his life. His death occurred Novem- ber 25, 1878. I11 1833 he had married Miss Emily F., a daughter of Capt. Thomas C. Daw- son, and a half sister of ex-Senator John F. Dawson, of Caroline County, Md. She was born in 1811, and was called to her final rest January 2, 1875. The father of our subject was a proni- inent member of the old Know-Nothing party, and was its nominee at one time for the legislature, but was defeated owing to his party being greatly in the minority. He was quite a noted stump speaker and took quite an active part in political affairs.

Our subject is one of a family of eight children, of whom one died in childhood. Dr. John T., the oldest, who was born August 6, 1836, was a graduate of the Maryland University, and became an eminent physician and popular citizen of Church Hill; Mary never married; George L., born in August, 1844, followed farming through- out life; William C., born in April, 1846, suc- cessfully engaged in farming and school teach- ing; Emily F. married Daniel Wright, of Dorchester County; Charles Edward, a farmer by occupation, died in early manhood. He had married a Miss Denney, a daughter of James Denney, of Kent Island.

Alfred Tucker was reared upon the home farm and was provided with a common school educa- tion only, but he made the most of his opportun- ities and has been a constant student throughout life. In July, 1861, he began teaching in the school where he had pursued his own studies, and successfully followed his profession at that place until his retirement from active life April 15, 1895. That he was a most successful instructor is plainly indicated by his long retention. In 1878 he inherited from his father a farm near the school house and successfully operated the same until his removal to Centreville in 1891. Here he purchased a drug store two years later with the intention of starting his son in that business, but he himself gave no attention to it. It is now operated by Tucker & Holland, his wife's nephew, Thomas H. Holland, being his active partner.

JOSEPH ALEXANDER HOLTON, M. D.

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On the 20th of November, 1866, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Tucker and Miss Susie C., daughter of Joseph and Mary Atwell, and they have became the parents of four children: Alfred, who married Clara A. Long, daughter of Lethy Long, and who is now teller in the Queen Anne's National Bank; Clarence Atwell, who graduated at the Maryland Law School, and is now engaged in the practice of his chosen profession in Balti- more; Charles E., who is also practicing law in Centreville; and Percy, bookkeeper for the firm of Wright & McKenney, hardware dealers.

Mr. Tucker served as magistrate from March 29, 1895, until May 4, 1896, to fill out the un- expired term of B. Emory, who was appointed postmaster of Centreville, but he has never cared for official honors. His political support is given the Democratic party. He is a faithful member of the Methodist Protestant Church, in which he has served as steward and class-leader, and has always been a liberal contributor to those enterprises calculated to promote the moral, in- tellectual or material welfare of the community.

1 OSEPH ALEXANDER HOLTON, M. D. The world has little use for the misanthrope. The universal truth of brotherhood is widely recognized, and that he serves God best who serves his fellow-men. There is no profession or line of business that calls for greater self-sacrifice or more devoted attention than the medical pro- fession, and the successful physician is he, who, through love for his fellow-men, gives his time and attention to the relief of human suffering. Dr. Holton is one of the ablest representatives of this noble calling, and for years has enjoyed a large and lucrative practice in Centreville and the surrounding country.

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Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 26

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