USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland > Part 29
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dained a priest by the same prelate on All Soul's Day, November 2, 1882. During 1891 and 1892 he did considerable missionary work in Delaware, and afterwards in the diocese of Easton, where he is still laboring, and has labored without in- termission since his ordination.
Immediately after becoming a minister of the Episcopal Church Rev. Mr. Adkins was assigned to the parishes of Stepney, Spring Hill and Wicomico, having served as a deacon in charge here during the previous six months. In 1889 he was made rector of the parish of the Holy Trinity in Greensborough, Caroline County, Md., but two years later resigned. In January, 1893, he was recalled to the parishes over which he now presides. Here he feels is his true place, among the people he has known all his life, and with whom he was brought up. Fraternally he is a Mason of the Royal Arch degree, a Knight Temp- lar, a Knight of Pythias, an Odd Fellow and a Heptasoph.
February 21, 1889, the marriage of Rev. Mr. Adkins and Mary V., eldest daughter of the Rt. - Rev. William Forbes Adams, D. D., D. C. L., bishop of Easton, was solemnized by the bride's father. One child, Mary Elizabeth, was born to this union, but died shortly afterwards. A brother of the subject of this article, William H. Adkins, is written up elsewhere in this volume, and in his sketch will be found the history of the Adkins family.
ON. WILLIAM COLLINS. An attorney by profession, ill health caused Mr. Collins to retire from practice and remove to a farm, his birthplace, in Trappe district, Talbot County. Here he owns four hundred and twelve acres and is extensively engaged in raising peaches, blooded stock, as well as in other lines of general farm work. As the representative of his district in the house of delegates of Maryland, he was enabled to promote the welfare of his constitu- ents and also aided bills having for their object the prosperity of the entire state, He is one of
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the directors of the Farmers' and Merchants' Na- tional Bank of Easton, Md., and has other im- portant financial and business interests.
Mr. Collins represents the fourth generation bearing the Christian name of William. The first of these was born in England and emigrated thence to America, settling in Philadelphia, but after a short sojourn in that city removed to Talbot County, where he afterward engaged in farming in Trappe district. Next in line of de- scent was the grandfather, who was a large slave holder, an extensive planter and an active poli- tician of his day. The father was also a man of influence and solid financial standing. He was born December 29, 1816, at the family residence, a portion of which, built before the Revolution, is still standing and in use. Here he spent his entire life in farm work, dying May 24, 1887, at the age of sixty-seven.
May 16, 1847, William Collins (3d) married Leah S. Griffin, of Dorchester County, daughter of James Griffin. Five children were born of their union. The eldest, Caroline, was married February 19, 1884, to Dr. S. K. Merrick, of Bal- timore, and died June 17, 1886. William is second in order of birth. Frank A., the third child born of the marriage, is now an archi- tect residing on Long Island; he married Miss Sadie L. Peck in January, 1883. Charles M. is still at home. Rev. Henry C., the youngest of the family, went as a missionary to Ichang, China, in 1893, and has since devoted himself to Gospel work in that country.
On Frankford farm, where he now resides, our subject was born. In youth he was a student in the Trappe high school and at the age of nine- teen began to teach school, which profession he fol- lowed for one year. Returning to Talbot County, he became a student in the law office of Sena- tor Gibson, with whom he remained until he was admitted to the bar. For several years after en- tering upon legal practice, he was associated with Isaac W. Powell, of Easton, the two remaining together until the failure of Mr. Collins' health obliged him to seek an occupation that would give more outdoor exercise. He then purchased a farm joining the old homestead, the cultivation of
which he has since superintended. Interested in agricultural enterprises and matters, he has served efficiently as president of the Trappe Farmers' Alliance, and is vice president of the Talbot County Farmers' Alliance, in the organization of which he actively assisted. He was one of the organizers of the Talbot County Fair Association, in which he was a director for several years.
Politically a Democrat, Mr. Collins is promi- nent in his party. In 1887 he was nominated for the house of delegates, but suffered defeat with the entire Democratic ticket. Two years later he again made the race, this time successfully, and in 1891-93 he was re-elected to the legislature. During his terms of office he was chairman of the committee on agriculture and the author of many bills passed in the interests of the farmer. A turn in the political tide caused his defeat with the entire Democratic ticket in 1895. His service in the interests of his fellow-citizens has been of a most helpful nature, and both as a public offi- cial and as a private citizen he has been instru- mental in securing the successful consummation of many beneficial plans. Fraternally a Mason, he is a member of Coats Lodge No. 102, of Easton, Md., and of the Royal Arch Masons. An Episcopalian in religious belief, he holds office as vestryman and registrar in St. Paul's Church, Whitemarsh Parish, diocese of Easton. Mr. Col- lins is also a member of the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.
HARLES B. CATOR, a young man who re- joices in a host of friends in the community in which he dwells, is an energetic, industri- ous farmer of the fourth district of Dorchester County. He operates the old homestead of three hundred acres located in the vicinity of the town of Taylor's Island, which farm was formerly the property of his revered father. Ever since his earliest recollections he was apparently destined to lead the life of an agriculturist, for his father having died he was taught to assist with the management of the farm, and was earnest in his
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desire to take as much responsibility as possible from the over-burdened shoulders of his fond and faithful mother. Thus she came to place great trust and reliance in him, and he proved worthy of such confidence.
Capt. William W., father of our subject, was a native of this immediate locality, born in Febru- ary, 1818, and always thought of Taylor's Island as home, while away upon his distant voyages. He was a mere boy when he went on board a vessel engaged in trade along Chesapeake Bay. For a number of years he was a common sailor, and at last was promoted to be master of a ship. Several years he was captain on a schooner run- ning to the West Indies, but as he passed the prime of life he concluded to leave his previous calling and settle down to the comforts of home and the companionship of his family. He was noted for his great bravery and courage in the midst of the highest gales, and seemingly never knew what fear was. He was fairly successful from a finan- cial standpoint and owned several slaves, as this was before the war, in addition to considerable real estate. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Mary A. Travers, her father having been Thomas Travers, who was well known in this district. She was a life-long mem- ber of the Episcopal Church, and died strong in the faith, April 15, 1891.
Charles B. Cator is one of five surviving chil- dren, the others being: Thomas B., a resident of Cambridge, Md .; Samuel B., an employe of the postoffice department in Baltimore; Ella W., who resides at home with her brother; and William W., a resident of Baltimore. One child, Ida, died in infancy. Charles B. was born on the 15th of January 1863, and was con- sequently but three years old when his father died, at the age of forty-eight, in the year 1866. He attended the district schools in his early years during the winter season, and has added to the rudimentary education thus acquired by private study and extended reading. When just enter- ing his teens he did nearly as much work as most full-grown men, and upon his mother's death he took entire charge of the farm, which he is managing to the satisfaction of the other heirs.
In his political convictions he sides with the Democracy, but has no desire to hold official posi- tions.
December 2, 1891, Mr. Cator married Miss Valerie, daughter of John W. Mace, a prominent citizen of this county. They have a bright little son to whom they have given the name of the genial philosopher, Benjamin Franklin.
EORGE W. RAUGHLEY. There are few of the residents of Caroline County who are more widely known on the Eastern Shore than the gentleman who forms the subject of this review. The owner of a valuable estate in the sixth district, he gives much of his attention to the cultivation and improvement of his property. He is also well known as a leading Democrat of his community, and adheres to the principles for which his party stands. In 1889 he was elected to the state legislature, and during his term of service ably represented his constituents, win- ning well-deserved praise for himself.
A native of Kent County, Del., born Febru- ary 22, 1838, our subject is a son of John and Ary A. (Wilson) Raughley, also natives of that county. He was one of seven children, of whom himself and two brothers, Shadrack and James T., survive. Shadrack read law under Willard Saulsbury and was admitted to the bar at Dover, Del., in 1867, but never engaged extensively in professional practice; he is a bachelor and makes his home with our subject. James T., the other brother, is a traveling salesman for a law book firm, with whom he has been connected for ten years. Robert Raughley, a half-brother, is a son by John Raughley and his first wife. He is retired and lives in Dover, Del. He was a farmer and a member of the legislature of that state, and held the position of clerk of the superior court of Kent County, Del.
The grandfather of our subject, Shadrack Raughley, was a farmer of Virginia, to which state his father, Henry Raughley, came from his native land of England, settling at Harrisonburg
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in colonial days prior to the outbreak of the Rev- olution. Bringing considerable capital with him to this country, he became the owner of thou- sands of acres of land in the Old Dominion and was one of the leading men of his community. About 1849 John Raughley bought the farm1 110W owned by our subject, and three years later he established his home here, where he remained until his death in 1855. He was a life-long farmer and held no public office except that of register of wills in Dover, Del., which he occupied for five years.
Almost the entire life of our subject has been passed at his present home. He has always fol- lowed agriculture and owns four hundred and twenty acres of land as fine as the county con- tains, the improvements upon which have been made by his energetic efforts. He is well-to-do and contributes of his means to projects for the benefit of his community.
ILLARD DICKINSON is a leading young business man of Greensborough, Caroline County, where he has been established for the past five years. Though he is not an old resident of this particular community his name and family have been very prominent and well known since the early days of Maryland all along the Eastern Shore, and we are sure that a short history of them will prove acceptable to the many warm friends of our subject. One Samuel Dickinson left his home in England and brought material for a substantial mansion, which was erected upon the banks of Dickinson Bay, in Tal- bot County, about 1676. He held extensive grants of land, some three thousand acres lying along Choptank river, and these deeds of prop- erty bear date of 1634. The great-grandfather of our subject was another Samuel, in the direct line of descent, and was born on the ancestral estates called Croseadore. Gen. Solomon Dick- inson, the grandfather, was also a native of Tal- bot County, and grew to manhood at Croseadore.
He won his title for distinguished service in the war with Mexico, and was a man of most excel- lent qualities.
Willard Dickinson is a son of Dr. Samuel P. and Catherine R. (Willard) Dickinson, natives of Talbot County and Massachusetts, respectively. The father grew to manhood at his birthplace, and graduated from the military academy at West Point, and about 1836 from the medical depart- ment of the University of Maryland. He located in Trappe, Md., and in the course of a few years had become one of the most renowned and suc- cessful physicians of the entire Eastern Shore. His elder daughter, Maria W., is the wife of John Aiken, of Greenfield, Mass .; and Laura D., the younger daughter, is a resident of Baltimore. From time immemorial the Dickinsons have been allied with the Democracy, and the doctor repre- sented the county in the state constitutional con- vention in 1851.
The birth of Willard Dickinson occurred in the village of Trappe, Talbot County, in 1854, and there the first seventeen years of his life were passed. Going then to Pittsfield, Mass., he learned the details of pharmacy and later was located several years in Baltimore in the drug business. It was in 1892 that he settled here in Greensborough and opened a fine drug store. He is courteous and obliging to all and is a general favorite among his fellow-citizens. He and his estimable wife are identified with the Episcopal Church and are always ready to lend a helping hand to those who are unhappy or needy.
In August, 1882, Mr. Dickinson married Miss Karlie, daughter of Charles Schnauffer. She was born and reared in the city of Baltimore and is a lady of superior culture and educational at- tainments. To this worthy couple a bright little boy was born, now nearly four years of age. Mrs. Dickinson's father was exiled from Ger- many, his native land, in 1848, on account of his political attitude toward the government. He was a journalist of no mean repute and estab- lished the Baltimore Wecker, which he managed for many years successfully. He was known far and wide among the people of his nationality as a truly remarkable linguist and scholar, speak-
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ing, as he did, seven languages with facility. His wife, also, was very notable as a writer of articles in the German language, and all of the family have been exceptionally accomplished in various ways.
KYLE COLLEY, M. D. The world in- stinctively pays deference to the man whose success has been worthily achieved, who has acquired a high reputation in his chosen calling and whose social prominence is not less the re- sult of an irreproachable life than of recognized natural gifts. It is pleasing indeed to write the biography of a man of this character, such as Dr. Colley is known to be. He is now successfully engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Sudlersville; and his wife, who is a lady of cul- ture and refinement, has recently opened a dental office in that place, having graduated with honor at the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery 011 the Ist of April, 1897.
The doctor is a native of Greensborough, Caro- line County, Md., but during childhood removed to Templeville, where he was reared and obtained his elementary education in the public schools. Later he took a four years' course at St. John's College in Annapolis, and from the age of twenty to twenty-four he successfully engaged in teach- ing school in Queen Anne's County. Under the direction of Dr. J. V. Knotts he began the study of medicine, and subsequently entered the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College, where he gradu- ated in 1885. For one year he engaged in prac- tice in Templeville, Md., and then opened an office in Centreville, where he remained for five years, but since 1891 has made his home in Sud- lersville, where he soon succeeded in building up a large and lucrative practice. He is a member of the Maryland Homeopathic Medical Society, the Homeopathic Medical Society of Delaware, and the Peninsula and the American Institute of Homeopathy and of the Maryland State Homeo- pathic examining board.
Politically he is identified with the Democratic
party. Constant study and close application to the details of his profession have enabled him to reach an enviable position in the medical frater- nity, and as a citizen he is honored and esteemed by his fellow-men.
Dr. Colley was married October 11, 1894, to Miss Annie F. Whiteley, and to them have been born two children, Mary and Ethel. Mrs. Colley was born on the 20th of February, 1862, in Tem- pleville, where she obtained a good common school education, and from 1881 to 1884 she was also a successful teacher. In 1894 she entered the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery, from which institution she graduated, as previously stated. Having a thorough knowledge of her profession and displaying marked skill and ability in practice, she has already secured a liberal pat- ronage. Religiously she is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
OUIS B. KEENE is a merchant in the town of Golden Hill, in the extreme southern por- tion of the fourth district of Dorchester County. He is quite popular with all who know him, and is a recognized factor in local politics. Since arriving at his majority he has been affili- ated with tlie Democracy, and has officiated as tax collector of his district, and in 1869 was ap- pointed county assessor by Governor Lowndes. Socially he is connected with the Improved Order of Heptasophs, and with Honga Tribe of Red Men, No. 89, of Taylor's Island.
The birth of our subject occurred in the "Gar- den of Eden," but not in antediluvian times, for the event was as recent as December 10, 1859, and, in explanation, be it said, that the pretty and significant name as given above was that be- stowed upon his father's homestead. This prop- erty in the course of time came into his posses- sion, and he still owns and cultivates it. His parents were Vachel J. and Mary Ann (Meekins) Keene. Young Keene remained at home with his parents, learning to till the soil and superin- tend the varied departments of farm enterprise,
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until after their deaths. His only absence from the lionie circle was when he went away to school for two years, at the Rock Hill College, in How- ard County, Md. As his parents were quite well along in years at the time of his birth (his mother about fifty and his father ten years her senior) he took upon himself the arduous cares of the farmi management when he was in his twentieth year, though lie had formerly had much of the business upon his young shoulders. He carried on agricultural affairs solely until 1890, when he also became interested in merchandising, though he still owns the old farm of two hundred and ten acres.
February 28, 1880, Mr. Keene married Snsie L. Mace, of Church Creek district, and they have had eight children. The eldest died in infancy; Clarence A. is still at home and helps his father in the work; and those younger are Mary C., Bernard Louis, Edwin T., William Cyril, Samuel Clinton and William Jennings Mace. They are bright, active children, of whom any parent might well be proud. .
C APT. ROBERT S. EMORY. The title by which this gentleman is known came to him through his service in command of vessels running between Chestertown and Baltimore. It was in 1854 that he removed to Chestertown and became the successor of Capt. Hiram Brown, in command of the vessel General Washington, forming a partnership with Thomas Ruth under the name of Ruth & Emory. At the expiration of five or six years he sold his interest in the busi- ness to Capt. James H. Thompson, and turned his attention to other lines of work.
Now a resident of the fourth district of Kent County, Captain Emory is giving his attention to the cultivation of a farm which had been in- herited by his wife. He makes a specialty of pears, and probably raises more of this variety of fruit than anyone east of California. In his orch- ard there are about twenty thousand pear trees, many of which are in bearing condition. There
are also other kinds of fruit on the place, and in addition to this property he owns two other fruit farms in the sante district and one in Queen Anne's County.
The father of the captain was William Emory, a native of Queen Anne's County, and a life-long agriculturist, carrying on that occupation success- fully until his death, which occurred in June, 1860, on the old homestead, near Centreville, on the Chester River. So prosperous was he in all his undertakings that lie left eight good farms at the time of his demise, and this fact is especially noteworthy inasmuch as he began without capital. Politically he affiliated with the old-line Whigs. During the war of 1812 he enlisted in the Ameri- can service, being then a youth of some seven- teen years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Raymond, was born in Delaware, a daughter of Timothy Raymond. She died when in middle age.
In Queen Anne's County Captain Emory was born April 2, 1832. When a boy he attended the common schools, and later spent four years as a student in Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa. After- ward he was employed as clerk in a wholesale drug store in Pittsburgh, Pa., and in the intervals of work studied pharmacy, receiving a diploma and remaining with the firm until he was of age. He then returned home, where the two ensuing years were spent in farm work. In1 1854 he re- moved to Chestertown, where he made his head- quarters for five years, meantime being in com- mand of a boat. January 9, 1860, he married Julia Anna, eldest daughter of Col. Edward Wilkins, and they at once settled upon the farm where he has since resided. His wife died in 1874, leaving five children, namely: Edward W., a farmer and fruit grower, who resides at Quaker Neck Wharf, in the fourth district; Mary Ella, Juliana and Belle, at home; and Robert J., a machinist and inventor, now residing in Baltimore.
The principles of the Republican party have al- ways received the co-operation and support of Captain Emory, who is loyal to every doctrine of that organization. His interest, however, has been of an indirect nature, for he has never de- sired to hold office and has never represented his
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fellow-citizens in positions of prominence, though fully competent to do so. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Masonic order of Chestertown. In religious belief he is identified with the Meth- odist Episcopal Church.
OHN K. CAULK. Among the most suc- cessful farmers of Trappe district, Talbot County, is the gentleman of whom we write, and whose entire life has been passed on the homestead now owned and cultivated by him. His birth took place here in the old family resi- dence in 1847, and in the usual peaceful routine of the country his boyhood's happy years rolled away. He attended the common schools of the district from the time that he had arrived at suit- able age, and to the information thus acquired he added much when he came to take his place in the battle of life, by the wisdom gained from ex- perience and by private study.
The parents of our subject were Joseph and Mary E. (Haddaway) Caulk, natives of St. Michael's and Bay Hundred districts, of Talbot County, respectively. The father was a son of Major Caulk, who won his title in the war of 1812 and whose birth also occurred in this region. The family has been very prominent in the up- building and advancement of Talbot County, and deserves to be remembered in the local history. Joseph Caulk was called to his final reward in 1858, at the age of forty-six years, at the close of a very useful and industrious career. His good and loving wife died in 1868, when in her fifty- fifth year.
In quite early years young John Caulk mani- fested marked love for farming and rural pursuits and his mother came to rely upon him more and more, at last giving up to him much of the care of the place. Since he was nineteen years old he has had entire charge of affairs here and at- tends to the cultivation of the three hundred and twenty-five acres which are comprised within the boundaries of the farm. This homestead has un- usual advantages from a picturesque point of
view, as well as for other reasons, in that it has over three miles of water frontage along the shores of Island Creek. Mr. Caulk raises a gen- eral line of the crops commonly grown in this section and also makes a business of keeping fine standard-bred trotting horses and Jersey cattle.
In his political faith, Mr. Caulk is a Democrat, and is strongly in favor of a silver standard. In religion his wife is an Episcopalian, and is a inem- ber of the local church of that denomination. In 1868 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary S. E., daughter of Capt. John H. Caulk, of St. Michael's district, Talbot County. They have a promising family of three sons and two daugh- ters, viz .: Joseph, John, Owen, Bessie and Sallie. They have been afforded excellent advantages, and have had the love and care of wise and af- fectionate parents.
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