Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 28

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

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The birth of J. K. Stevens occurred in this vil- lage March 31, 1872. From the time that he had arrived at a suitable age until he was a youth of fifteen, he was a student in the public schools of this district, after which he was enrolled in the sophomore class of St. John's College, in Annap- olis, Md. At the completion of the sophomore year he was offered a position as a deputy clerk in the office of Col. Luther H. Gadd, the clerk of Caroline County, and remained there until the expiration of the latter's term of service. His ex- perience in the position and his general popular-

ity were among the causes of his being tendered the same position under Edwin C. Fields, and he continued in the clerk's office up to the date of his admission to the bar of Caroline County, August 8, 1894. He at once established an office of his own, and is rapidly working his way into the regard of the public, as a lawyer who is thoroughly posted and grounded in the general principles of legal lore, and more particularly is well versed in the state laws and statutes. So- cially he is a great favorite, as he possesses the happy faculty of making and retaining friends readily, and has those admirable principles of character that always command respect.

AMUEL VANNORT. The public service of this gentleman, as a member of the state legislature, was of the highest value to his constituents, whose interests he made his own and whose prosperity it was his aim to promote during his legislative term. He has been one of the local leaders of the Democratic party for years, his sagacity and energy ever being at the service of the organization to which he has always adhered. However, he has had no desire for office nor any wish for prominence, and the posi- tions to which he has been chosen have come unsought. By occupation a farmer, the active years of his life were given to this calling, in which he was financially successful. Having accumulated a competency which rendered fur- ther labor unnecessary, he built a comfortable home in Chestertown and brought his family to this place, where he now resides.

The ancestral history of our subject is given in the biography of his brother, Col. William J. Van- nort, which appears on another page of this vol- ume. Samuel was born in Chestertown August 14, 1837, and received the rudiments of his edu- cation in the country schools, after which he spent two years as a student in Washington Col- lege. On finishing his studies he began the cul- tivation of a farm situated ten miles from Ches- tertown, and there he remained for twenty-five

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years, bringing tlie place to a high state of culti- vation. He still owns the property, as well as other real estate, his three farms aggregating between six and seven hundred acres. In Octo- ber, 1883, lie came to Chestertown, where he has since made his home, though still continuing the oversiglit of his farm property.

I11 1889 Mr. Vannort was elected a member of the state legislature, and during his terin he was a member of several committees, rendering efficient service in the interests of the people. He took an active interest in the Kent County Agri- cultural Society, in which he held all the offices but one. For more than forty years he has been a member of St. James' Methodist Protestant Church, and is now superintendent of the Sun- day-school, and has served in that capacity and that of assistant superintendent for about twenty -- five years, and is secretary of the quarterly con- ference. In 1865 he married Alletha A., daugh- ter of Joseph Usilton, a farmer residing near Worton. They are the parents of one daughter, Julia Claire. He has frequently represented his church in the general conference, and in every- thing connected with the church takes an active interest.

ILLIAM CAULK, M. D., a retired physi- cian, has always made his home in the sec- ond district of Talbot County, and was bor11 011 the fine homestead which he now owns and cultivates. His people have been identified with the welfare of this immediate region for several generations and have been noted for up- rightness of character and many other noble qual- ities of heart and mind. His paternal grandfa- thier held the commission of major in the war of 1812, and was an extensive land-owner and slave-holder hereabouts.

William Caulk, Sr., was born, reared to man- hood, and spent his entire life in this district, and was a most successful farmer. He was stanch in his preference for the principles advocated by the Democratic party, and in religion was an Episco- palian, and for years a vestryman in the local

church. His faithful helpmiate and devoted wife, Miss Mary E. Landin, who was also a native of this community, and who was claimed by death when she was scarcely thirty-eight years old, was, like himself, an active member of the Episcopal Church. They were the parents of three chil- dren, two daughters and one son. Carrie died at the age of twenty-seven; and Mary, the younger sister, is tlie wife of H. K. George, of St. Michael's village.

Dr. Caulk was born April 2, 1845, and for eleven years or so lived quietly upon the old farin, a portion of his time being devoted to study of the elementary branches of learning in the local schools. His father then decided that the boy should have better advantages in an educational way than this, and sent him to Easton Academy, where he passed about twelve months. Next, he entered Media Academy, at Media, Pa., and sub- sequently attended West River Academy, from which institution he graduated. As the youth had determined to enter the medical profession we next find his name enrolled in the initial year's course of study in the medical department of the University of Maryland, and finally among those who graduated therefrom in the class of 1867, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Return- ing home the young doctor opened an office and started in practice, but had only been thus occu- pied about three years when his father died and it became necessary for him to take charge of his property and settle up his accounts. This mat- ter being somewhat complicated and his time fully consumed, he gave up his practice and has since attended solely to the management of the old home place. This farm comprises about two hun- dred and sixty acres, which has been under con- stant cultivation for three-score years or more by members of this family. In political matters the owner has followed his father's example and is af- filiated with the Democracy.

In 1878 Dr. Caulk married Miss Florence A. Turner, of Caroline County, Md., and three chil- dren have come to bless their union. William, the eldest, is a resident of Baltimore and is en- gaged in the collection business. He is a bright, energetic young man, one of those who will sure-

CHARLES F. DAVIDSON, M. D.

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ly make his way in the world. Howard R. is a student in the neighboring school, and is of great assistance to his father. Florence E. is still at home and is attending school. Mrs. Caulk is a member of the Episcopal Church, while the doc- tor is a vestryman in the church and has been for many years.

r HARLES F. DAVIDSON, M. D. Among the most brilliant and promising physicians and surgeons of the Eastern Shore this young man stands in the front ranks. He has enjoyed and profited by unusually exhaustive training in his chosen profession and is qualified by nature, as well, to occupy a high and respon- sible place. He is an enthusiastic worker and an indefatigable student, steadily striving for ad- vancement and adopting the most approved modern methods in the healing art. He fully believes that there is no line of usefulness in the world to-day which can be made niore beneficial, in every way, to his brother man, than that of the physician, who is looked up to and relied upon in every home where suffering and death surely enter, sooner or later.

The doctor comes of an old and influential family in Queen Anne's County, and was born in the village of Queenstown September 29, 1865. He now occupies a beautiful home here, where his first recollections center, and has made for himself an honored place in the regard of all who know him. His father, Judge George Davidson, a wealthy and respected man, resides in this vicinity upon his large and picturesque planta- tion, and is represented in another portion of this volume. In his youth Dr. Davidson was in- structed in the elementary branches of learning by a private tutor under the parental roof, and was thus ready for the higher studies. It was in the year 1885 that he entered the medical depart- ment of the University of Maryland, and three years later he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Medicine. For a year previous to this event he was clinical assistant in the hospital connected

with the college, and the year following his graduation he was resident physician in the same institution, continuing there two months longer, indeed, than the year.

Desiring still greater privileges in the way of study and practice, he crossed the ocean and at- tended the best universities of Berlin, Germany, during the twelve months he was abroad, and for eight months of this period was a clinical assist- ant. Upon his return to Maryland he became chief of Professor Howard's gynecological clinic in the state university, but resigned that position at the end of three months to locate in Queens- town. He has a very extensive patronage and is constantly called into consultation with promi- nent practitioners in this and surrounding counties. He is a valued member of the Medical and Chirur- gical Faculty of Maryland and belongs to the state board of health. Fraternally he is identified with the Improved Order of Heptasophs, and in politics he is a Democrat.

June 2, 1891, the marriage of Dr. Davidson and Miss Lolita, daughter of J. P. Davidson, of this place, was celebrated. She is a grand- daughter of Dr. James Davidson, and great- granddaughter of Governor William Paca, who was one of the signers of the Declaration of Inde- pendence, member of the Continental Congress, judge of the supreme court (1778-80), elected governor of Maryland in 1782, re-elected in 1786, and judge of the district court of the United States for Maryland at the time of his death, in 1799. Dr. and Mrs. Davidson have one child, James P., named in honor of his maternal grand- father. They hold membership with the Episco- pal Church, and are generous in their contribu- tions to all worthy local charities.

ILLIAM D. TROY, M. D., who is one of the well-known residents of Centre- ville, Queen Anne's County, is an American citizen only by adoption, but is in thorough har- mony with American ideas, social and political, and a great admirer of American institutions.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

The doctor is one of the many thousand Canadi- ans who have left their native land to try their fortunes on "the other side," and he has had no reason to regret the step which he took in his earlier days.

Born in the Province of Ontario, the doctor is the son of an Irishman, Patrick Troy, who fol- lowed the occupation of a farmer. He and his wife, Margaret Ryan, became the parents of three children : Julia, the wife of Alonzo Benedict, a resident of County Brant, Ontario, and a justice of the peace: Jolin, a farmer, unmarried, and the sub- ject of this present notice. The father died some twenty years ago in Canada; the mother died in Ireland.

Dr. Troy obtained his early education in the public schools of his province, and then, desiring to qualify himself as a teacher, entered the nor- mal school at Toronto for training in that line. Later he entered the Baptist College at Wood- stock, in the same province, and still later To- ronto University. For seven or eight years he taught in the public and high schools of the prov- ince, but used this profession only as a stepping- stone to that of medicine. Leaving Canada in 1882, he went to Chicago, where he entered the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1884. He began practice immediately in the city, but eleven years ago threw it up and removed to Centreville, where he has since lived. Here he has built up a large practice, and by his interest in the welfare of everything pertaining to his adopted town has shown that he is entitled to the warm respect and admiration which he has won from his fellow- townsmen.

In 1891 Dr. Troy married Mrs. Annie Corinne Johnson, widow of the late Andrew Johnson and daughter of the late Hon. Mordecai Price and Catherine Turner, his second wife. Mrs. John- son had two children, A. Howard and Mary L. Though a very busy man in his profession, the doctor has identified himself with a number of societies, and takes an active interest in the work of the different lodges to which he belongs. While living in Ontario he joined the Odd Fel- lows, and is now a high officer in the society,

having passed all the chairs. He is also a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, is a Knight of Pyth- ias, and is the prelate of the lodge at the present time. He and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, though the doctor is a Baptist by profession.

Like all intelligent men of his profession, Dr. Troy is a great reader, and has carried on his lit- erary pursuits since his college days. Believing that " progress " is the watchword of the times, he is not content to remain at a standstill in his profession, and has taken pains to benefit himself by the research of the masters in his line, pos- sessing himself of every means by which he can increase his knowledge of the "divine art of healing." He is also an enthusiastic botanist. In politics, also, the doctor is a wide-awake think- er, and after due conviction has allied himself with the Democratic party.

FRANK HARPER, who has rendered ex- cellent service in the office of state's attor- ney and has gained a prominent position among the successful lawyers of Centreville and Queen Anne's County, was born December 23, 1869, in the village where he now resides. He was the son of John Myers Harper, a native of Queen Anne's County, a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and a life- long resident of Centreville, where he died at an early age. Little is known concerning the fam- ily history, though it is supposed that the first representatives in this country came direct to Maryland at an early day.

At the time of his father's death our subject was a child of two years; he was adopted by Dr. R. M. Price, a cousin of his father. For a time he was a pupil in St. Paul's parish school in Cen- treville, and in 1885 entered Centreville Acad- emy. The following year he matriculated in the Western Maryland College, from which he was graduated in 1890. While there he was editor- in-chief of the college paper. In an oratorical contest where two contestants were chosen from

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each society, he represented the Webster Literary Society of the Western Maryland College.

In the fall of 1890 Mr. Harper entered the law department of the University of Maryland and there remained for two years, when he was gradu- ated. He was admitted to the bar while in Bal- timore. In September, 1892, he began the prac- tice of his profession in Centreville, and at once became known as a skillful reasoner, logical de- bater and wise counselor. In 1895 he was elected state's attorney for a term of four years, being chosen on the Democratic ticket, though also receiving a number of Republican votes. In his responsible position he has discharged every duty with fidelity and ability. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church, and frater- nally is a member of Centreville Lodge No. 180, A. F. & A. M., of the Improved Order of Hep- tasophs and the Knights of Pythias, being an of- ficer in all of these organizations.

DWARD B. STREETS. The success that has come to Mr. Streets entitles him to rank among the most capable farmers of Talbot County. Through the energy and ability with which he has conducted his affairs he has become the possessor of large and valuable landed inter- ests, his property aggregating five hundred and ninety acres. Of this amount one hundred and twenty acres are embodied within the old home- stead, sixty acres lie in another farm, and there are three farms of one hundred and sixty, one hundred and fifty, and one hundred acres re- spectively.

Near Greensborough, Caroline County, Md., the subject of this sketch was born in 1820, and there the years of his boyhood were passed. When about seventeen years of age he started out for himself, securing work on a farm, where he was employed by the month. At the age of twenty- two he removed from Caroline County to New- castle County, Del., and there engaged in the cultivation of a farm for some time. In 1856 he came to Trappe district, Talbot County, and

settled upon the property where he has since made his home. The active years of manhood have been employed in the acquirement of land and the cultivation of the same, and certainly it may be regarded as a proof of his ability that, though poor and unaided in youth, he neverthe- less gained a large and valuable property.

A man of sincere Christian belief, Mr. Streets holds membership in the Methodist Church, to the work of which he is a contributor. In all his undertakings he has had the sympathy and co- operation of his wife, whom he married in 1841 and who bore the maiden name of Catherine Casperson. The eight children born of their union are named as follows: Henrietta, Edward, Sallie, George, Dora, Maggie, Charles and Jose- phine. The wife and mother died in March, 1891.

RS. ANNIE F. SPICER, widow of Levin J. Spicer, late of Lake district, Dorchester County, resides upon a well-improved homestead, the management of which is in her own hands. She is a good business woman and has manifested unusual ability in her financial affairs for the past few years. She is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Churchi and is always to be found upon the side of the poor and afflicted, giving liberally of her means to such charities as she deems worthy of support. Her friends are legion in this community, and every one wishes her well.

The birth of Mrs. Spicer took place in Taylor's Island, this county, February 18, 1856. Her par- ents were Roger C. and Sarah (Leonard) Robinson. The father was a native of the same place and was a merchant and farmer there during his entire mature life. He was fairly successful in a business way, and owned several slaves. He died when fifty-six years of age. His father, Roger Robinson, was likewise born in Taylor's Island, and followed agricultural pursuits until his early death, when twenty-seven. His father, in turn, was known as Captain Robinson, he having won that title in the war of 1812, in which

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he did gallant service. Sarah (Leonard) Robinson was also a native of the island, and lived to be fifty-two years old. She was an active mem- ber of tlie Methodist Episcopal Church and was a lovely Christian woman. Of her children John H. is a farmer of this district; Mrs. Spicer is the next of the family; Roger C. was drowned in childhood; Levi T. is a traveling salesman of Baltimore; Frank is a blacksmith of this county; Joseph L. is a farmer of Taylor's Island; Sophia is the next; Louis A. died when young; and the others are Sallie A. and Mamie E.

The first marriage of Mrs. Spicer was sol- emmized April 3, 1876, when she became the wife of Stewart Vickers, of her own neighborhood. He was a farmer by occupation and survived their marriage but a short time, dying in Oc- tober, 1877, when nearly seventy. He was a highly respected member of the community in which he dwelt and was a pillar in the Methodist Episcopal Church. James C., the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Vickers, entered Randolph-Macon College, at Ashland, Va., about five years ago, for a seven years' course of study in the higher sciences and classics, and expects to graduate in the class of 1899. December 3, 1878, Mrs. Vickers married Levin J. Spicer, of Taylor's Island. He was judge of the orphans' court for several years, served as one of the county com- missioners for two terms and was quite prominent as a Republican and citizen. He was a very suc- cessful agriculturist, and left his family well pro- vided for at the time of his death. For a few years he was more or less interested in lumber- ing. By all who came in contact with him lie was esteemed, and his circle of intimate friends comprised most of the best people of this locality. To himself and his first wife there were born six children, of whom three survive, viz .: Linden T., now an enterprising farmer of Lake district; Mattie E .; and James T., an oysterman. Those of the second marriage now living are Annie Luda and Levin J., at honie. One died in infancy. It was in 1878 that Mrs. Spicer removed to the farm which she now carries on. Mr. Spicer was summoned to his reward August 3, 1891, when he had attained

his sixty-fifth year. His loss has been felt to be a great one to the community in general, for he was a man of uprightness, integrity and liber- ality, and took deep interest in every movement which had as its object the betterment of the district and county.

ILLIAM HEPBRON is the agent for the Baltimore & Delaware Branch Railroad at Lynch's P. O., in the third district, and at the same place is carrying on business as a dealer in agricultural implements and farm machinery. Near his present place of residence he was born in 1840, a descendant of Scotch-Irish ancestors who were among the early settlers of Maryland. The farm on which Hon. William T. Hepbron resides has been in possession of the family for more than one hundred years.

The father of our subject, James, son of John Hepbron, was born in Kent County, where he grew to manhood upon a farm, trained to a knowl- edge of agricultural pursuits. Choosing farming as his occupation, he became quite successful in it, and accumulated large tracts of land as well as a large number of slaves. In the neighbor- hood where he was born he continued to reside until death called him hence. An earnest Chris- tian, he held membership in the Methodist Church, and for some years served as steward and trustee of his congregation. His death occurred in 1840, when lie was about forty-seven years of age. By his marriage to Mary Greenwood, of Kent County, he had four children, namely: Henrietta, Mrs. Carrow, of Baltimore; Joseph J. and John F., deceased; and William.

Educated in the local schools, our subject has supplemented the information obtained there by study and observation. At the age of seventeen he took charge of a farm and continued to engage in agricultural pursuits from that time until 1878, when he entered the employ of the Baltimore & Delaware Branch Railroad, and has since been stationed at Lynch's as agent. In addition he is a dealer in agricultural implements and machin-

REV. FRANKLIN BACHE ADKINS.

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ery. Though not active in politics, he never fails to vote the Democratic ticket and is a stanch sup- porter of this party.

In 1862 Mr. Hepbron married Alphonsa Rose- berry, of Kent County. They are the parents of four children: Elizabeth; Frank; Ida, wife of E. C. Bowers; and Harry, at Still Pond. The family are identified with the Methodist Protestant Church and attend the service of that denomina- tion near their home.

EV. FRANKLIN BACHE ADKINS is the rector of Stepney and Spring Hill parishes, whose rectory is in the second district of Wicomico County, and is in the diocese of Eas- ton. A man of excellent attainments and quali- fications, he is eminently fitted for his chosen work, and, being in the prime of life, possesses the energy and indefatigable zeal necessary to success. His labors in the Master's vineyard here are arduous, as he is obliged to look after the spiritual welfare of the people of seven or eight small towns in the vicinity, and hold serv- ices in each place as often as possible. Yet he thoroughly enjoys his work, and is striving ear- nestly to uplift and lead his little flocks into a higher and better life. His popularity goes with- out saying, for he is universally esteemed and beloved, both inside and outside his own denomi- nation.

A son of the late Dr. I. L. Adkins, of Easton, Md., a man noted for his nobleness of character and efforts on behalf of his fellow-men, Rev. F. B. Adkins was born near Easton, Talbot County, September 26, 1856. His education was obtained in the Easton high school, Bishop Lay's school, of Easton, and the Shenandoah Valley Academy, of Winchester, Va. In 1879 he entered Johns Hopkins University, where he took a special course of study, and then, in 1880, becoming en -. rolled at Berkeley Divinity School, in Middle- town, Conn., he remained there until 1882. He was ordered a deacon April 23, 1882, by Rt .- Rev. H. C. Lay, bishop of Easton, and was or-

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Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 28

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