Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 38

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

USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland > Part 38

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In matters relating to politics, Mr. Jones was for many years a stanch adherent of Democratic principles, always voting the party ticket. How- ever, within recent years his attention has been called to the ruin wrought by the sale of intoxi- cating liquors and he has become an ardent Pro- hibitionist. For many years he has served as a member of the county school board, in which position he has materially assisted in the ad- vancement of the schools of the county.

ILLIAM H. CECIL. With the political affairs of Queen Anne's County probably none of its citizens is more closely identi- fied than Mr. Cecil, of the sixth district. He is a politician in the best sense of that ofttimes abused word. From boyhood he has been inter- ested in matters relating to the welfare of the people and the prosperity of the county, and he has kept himself well posted concerning the issues before the people to-day. After having held other offices with fidelity, in 1893 he was elected clerk of Queen Anne's County for a term of six years, and is the present incumbent of that re- sponsible position.

The Cecil family is among the best known on the Eastern Shore. It was founded in America by Martin Cecil, a native of England, who settled

in Caroline County and fought with the patriots in the Revolution. His son, John, took part in the war of 1812 and was wounded in one of the battles. The latter's son, Martin, who was the father of our subject, was born in Caroline County, from which he removed to Queen Anne's County, settling upon a farm. He married Mary, daughter of Peter Pingfield, of Caroline County. His death occurred in 1878 and his wife passed away in 1890. They were the par- ents of eight children, of whom the following survive: Thomas, whose home is in the third district of Queen Anne's County; Catherine, the widow of Captain Riggins, of Centreville; Will- iam H .; Charles, of Queenstown; Susan, who is the wife of W. H. Cahill, of Prices, Queen Anne's County; and Walter.

Upon his father's farm near Bridgetown, Caro- line County, William H. Cecil was born January 8, 1840. He attended the public school during the winter months when he was a boy and in the summer worked for his father. In early manhood he turned his attention to agriculture, which has been his occupation in life. In 1877 he purchased the Royester farm of three hundred and sixty acres, lying in the northern part of the sixth district, and here he has since engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and also gives some attention to the operation of the sawmill he owns.

The principles of the Democratic party receive the stanch support of Mr. Cecil. Upon that ticket he was elected tax collector for the dis- trict, holding the office for two years. In 1880 he was chosen county commissioner, which posi- tion he held for six consecutive years, and then, after an interval of two years, was again elected for another term. In 1893 he was nominated and elected county clerk, where he has since ren- dered satisfactory service. He selected as his deputy Lemuel Dumbracco, formerly county clerk, who has had an experience of twenty years in the office, of which he has general charge. Mr. Cecil is a genial, energetic man, quick to grasp a situation or opportunity, keen in business transactions, and honorable in every dealing.

The first wife of Mr. Cecil, Marietta Hand, widow of William H. Holland, a native of

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Queen Anne's County, died in 1880, and of her nine children but two are living, namely: Henry, a resident of Queenstown; and Bessie, who is at home. His present wife, whom he married December 16, 1890, bore the maiden name of Mary Anne Downs, and they are the parents of one son, William.

RANCIS A. BARTLETT, whose postoffice address is the village of Carmichael, Queen Anne's County, is the proprietor of a valu- able farm in the fifth district, not far distant from tlie picturesque Little Wye River. For nearly half a century he has been a faithful member of tlie Methodist Episcopal Church at Wye Mills, and his standing is deservedly high among the citizens of this community. He has not made the acquisition of wealth his main object in life, as too many do nowadays, but desires first to do his whole duty toward God and his fellow-men.

Born in Caroline County, Md., on New Year's Day, 1828, our subject is a son of Elisha and Sarah (Price) Bartlett. Their other children were Mary, now the widow of John W. Plum- mer, of Talbot County; Rheuelma, wife of J. K. Skinner, of Wye Mills, and Rebecca and Matthew, who both died unmarried. The Bartletts were among the earliest families to settle permanently on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and the birth of Daniel, grandfather of our subject, occurred in Caroline County, Md. From generation to gen- eration they have been, as a class, given to the quiet pursuits of a pastoral life, and have been noted for their honor, industry and strict integ- rity.

F. A. Bartlett passed his early years in the usual manner of farmers' boys, part of his time devoted to work and the remainder to play and school. It was in 1859 that he removed to this county, and since that date he has been identified with the cultivation of this portion of the district. He is now owner of a place of thirty acres, all under good cultivation. In his political affilia- tions he is connected with the Prohibition party,

being a strong believer in the cause of temper- ance, and desiring to see the question assume a national bearing.

In 1852 a marriage ceremony was performed in Caroline County by which the fortunes of Mr. Bartlett and Martha J. Stack were united. After her death he married Deborah Dyott, of Kent County, Md. The present wife of Mr. Bartlett was formerly L. S. Stauffer, of Pennsylvania, and the two children born of their union are Lula and Nellie, who are at home. The other chil- dren of Mr. Bartlett are as follows: Emily, wife of William F. Deford, of Caroline County, and the mother of nine children; Joseph, a resident of this county, who married Mary C. Cannon, and has eight children; Mary, wife of William D. Anthony, of Talbot County, and is the mother of five children; Hennie, who died at the age of six years; Sarah, wife of James H. Carter, of Queen Anne's County, and has four children; Rheu- elma, who died in her nineteenth year; Francis A., Jr., a farmer of Queen Anne's County, whose wife was formerly Emma A. Draper, and whose family comprises two little ones; and Martha, un- married.

ACOB L. NOBLE, M. D. Probably in 10 direction of science has greater progress been made, or more radical changes of ideas been effected, than in the medical profession during the past half a century; old methods have given place to modern ones in the treatment of disease, and the physician who would keep in touch with the revelations of the microscope, with the varied discoveries of genius and science, must be a great student and an indefatigable reader. The gentle- man of whom we write is a deep thinker and thoroughly posted in whatever pertains to his chosen field of labor, and much of his success is attributable to this fact. He has been located in Preston, Caroline County, seven years, but his reputation as an able practitioner had preceded him and he rapidly built up a large clientage.

The doctor is the eldest son of Twiford S. and Ruth H. (Leverton) Noble, and was born in

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Caroline County, January 6, 1849. His paternal grandfather, Joshua, was a native of Sussex County, Del., where he followed agricultural pursuits during his entire lifetime. The Noble family is of English descent, and for several gent- erations it has been represented in this portion of the United States. Ruth H. was a daughter of Jacob Leverton and by her marriage became the mother of two children. The second son, Rufus, is a prosperous merchant of Dorchester County. Mrs. Noble died while her boys were quite young, and the father subsequently married Caroline Davis, by whom he had the following children: Addie, who became the wife of Robert Jarrell, and resides in the northern part of this county; and Alexander, who is engaged in farming in this county. Twiford Noble was born in Sussex County, Del., about 1820, and died on the old homestead near Preston in 1882. From the time that he came to Maryland, soon after his marriage for the first time, he was actively occupied in farming, and became one of the most respected citizens of the community in which he dwelt. He was public-spirited and advanced every meas- ure which he believed was for the welfare of his fellows. He was elected and served as county commissioner of Caroline County for one or two terms and was a member of the state constitu- tional convention of 1864.

Dr. Noble grew to manhood upon his father's farm, and at the age of eighteen years he entered Bryant & Stratton's Business College in Balti- more. When he had graduated from that in- stitution he took a clerical position for a couple of years, after which he taught school for a year or two. At the expiration of this period he re- ceived an appointment to a position in the pension department and was stationed at Indianapolis about two years. Returning east he next oc- cupied the post of principal of the Preston Academy twelve months, and by this time had fully made up his mind to enter the medical pro- fession. Accordingly, after taking the prescribed course of lectures and study in the medical de- partment of the University of Maryland, he grad- uated in the class of 1876, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. His initial practice was in

Preston, under the supervision of Dr. Willis, but in 1878 we find him regularly established on his own account on Taylor's Island, in Dorchester Coun- ty, and there he remained for fourteen years. Since then he has been located in Preston, having returned to the scene of his first labors with the added experience of the intervening period, and with ripe scholarship.

The pretty home which the doctor owns in Preston is presided over by his estimable wife, formerly Miss Mamie E. Travers. Her father is Judge Levi D. Travers, a leading citizen of Taylor's Island. To Dr. and Mrs. Noble the following children have been born: Duncan L., Levi D., Ruth H., Mary E., Clara A., Inez, Maud, William D., Eliza J., and John W. and Jacob L., who died in infancy. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics the doctor is affiliated with the Repub- lican party and is liberal-minded and in sym- pathy with the protective idea-protection for American industries.

ON. JOSEPH E. GEORGE is one of the largest land owners in Queen Anne's Coun- ty, where he has a valuable homestead prop- erty comprising three hundred and sixteen acres and lying in the first district. In addition to this he is the owner of sixteen farms, all in this coun- ty, and all but two operated by tenants. From 1870 until 1881 he carried on a grain and fertili- zer business and also dealt in coal and in farm implements of all kinds. The prosperity that has come to him is the result of his able management of affairs and proves that he is the possessor of business ability of a superior order.

Hon. Matthias George, father of Joseph E., was born in Queen Anne's County in 1801, being the son of Joseph George, a well-known farmer and member of the Society of Friends. From his fifth year Matthias was under the care of a govern- ess until he was ten, when his father and Major Massey, of Queenstown, built a school-house and employed a teacher for their children. Here he

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completed his education. I11 1825 he commenced farmning for himself and this occupation he after- ward followed. A member of the Whig party, he was nominated by that party in 1839 and elec- ted to the general assembly, in which he served until 1845. He was then elected state senator, filling that position until 1851. In1 1862 he was elected a member of the board of county commis- sioners and served for two years. During the Civil war he favored the Union cause. In 1824 he married Martha Elliott, and the only surviving child of this union is Joseph E. In 1840 he mar- ried Clarissa, daughter of John Boone, of Caroline County. After her death he married Mrs. Lucre- tia D. Hopper, daughter of Thomas W. Hopper, of Queen Anne's County. He died in 1885, when nearly eighty-four years of age.

Born in the first district of Queen Anne's Coun- ty on January 1, 1830, our subject received his education in Sudlersville Academy and the New- ark (Del.) College. When twenty-one years of age he took charge of the farm where he had lived since seven years of age, and there he re- mained for ten years, after which he engaged in the mercantile business in Sudlersville for two and one-half years. He then purchased a farm east of Sudlersville and to the cultivation of its three hundred acres he gave his attention until 1867, when he returned to his former home, the place where his boyhood days were passed. In Decem- ber, 1855, he married Martha L., daughter of Joseph Neal, of Sussex County, Del. They be- came the parents of five children, of whom Joseph, the eldest, is deceased; Martha is the wife of William D. Rowe, a farmer and grain merchant of Barclay; John E. resides at Sudlersville and is a member of the board of county commissioners; Annie is the wife of James Merritt, Jr., a farmer of the first district; Edwin is of a roving, un- settled disposition and not engaged in any busi- ness.

In 1872 Mr. George was elected county com- missioner for a term of two years. He was chosen judge of the orphans' court to fill the vacancy caused by the death of James R. Sudler and held that office for two years. Since 1878 he has been a director of the Centreville National Bank. In

politics he is a Democrat and in religious belief has been identified with the Protestant Episcopal Church since 1873, being one of the vestrymen of St. Luke's Parish. Local enterprises receive his sympathy, and if possible his active co-operation, and as a citizen he has always been progressive and public-spirited.

GRASON SMITH, of Williamsburg, was born in Dorchester County in 1838, and has resided here during his entire life. He is a member of a family that has been identi- fied with the history of this locality for a number of generations. The first of the name to locate liere was his great-grandfather, Matthew Smith, who was a native of England and from there emigrated to America, settling in Dorchester County, where he took up several thousand acres of land, engaged extensively in the growing of tobacco and made large shipments annually to England. The next in line of descent was Mat- thew Smith, Jr., who was born in the vicinity of Finchville, in the first district, received an ex- cellent education in England and became a man of broad culture and general information. For years he successfully superintended the manage- ment of his plantation, which was large and val- uable. He held office as head surveyor of Dor- chester County for forty-two years.

The father of our subject, Risdon L. J. Smith, was born near Finchville, Dorchester County, and was a progressive and energetic business man, a public-spirited citizen and an exemplary Christian. By his marriage to Hester Ann Twilly, who was a native of this county, he had a family of four children, namely: W. Gra- son; Martin A., who married and at his death left two children; James M., who makes his home in Reliance, this county; and Albert H., who died unmarried.

The boyhood days of our subject were passed on the home farm in the vicinity of Finchville. After completing the studies of the common schools he began to teach, and that occupation

JOHN R. COOK.

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he followed for a number of years. In 1870 he opened a general store in Williamsburg, which he carried on until 1878, meantime continuing his farm pursuits. He is now the owner of about two hundred acres of well-improved land situ- ated near Williamsburg and bearing indications of his intelligent oversight. He is a member of the Improved Order of Heptasophs, and in politics gives his support to the Democratic party. Among the positions he has held is that of school commis- sioner. His ancestors were firm in their alle- giance to the Church of England, but he, with his family, holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The marriage of our subject and Laura V., daugliter of Ezekiel Williams, was solemnized in 1868. They are the parents of four children, two of whom are now living. Retta C. resides in Easton, and W. Harvey is engaged in business in Baltimore.

OHN R. COOK, a well-known implement dealer, is entitled to distinction as one of the most progressive and enterprising men of Queen Anne's County, and has for several years been identified with the business interests of Cen- treville. Upon the commercial activity of a com- munity depends its prosperity, and the men who are now recognized as leading citizens are those who are at the head of business enterprises. He is a man of broad capabilities who carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.

On Kent Island, Mr. Cook was born February 3, 1845, and is a son of John and Maria J. (Walker) Cook, also natives of the same place. The father was a life-long farmer and was for years a steward and trustee in the Methodist Church, of which he was a most faithful and con- sistent member. His death occurred in 1877, and his wife was called to her final rest in 1880. Of their twelve children nine are still living: Vir- ginia, wife of Charles M. Legg, of Kent Island; John R .; James, of Kent Island; Annie; Joseph B., of Kent Island; Matilda, wife of Charles Hop-

kins; Everett E .; Ida M., wife of Charles Ring- gold; and Robert F., all residents of Kent Island.

Until eighteen years of age John R. Cook pur- sued his studies in the schools on the island, and on laying aside his text-books took up the occu- pation of farming, which he successfully followed until the age of thirty-five, when he removed to Centreville and embarked in merchandising. Five years later he sold out and leased his property, but subsequently bought it back and has since carried on a repair shop and engaged in business as an implement dealer. He has built up a large and profitable trade, which is constantly increas- ing, and has gained the confidence and respect of those with whom he has come in contact.

On the 15th of April, 1880, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Cook and Emma J., widow of Jacob Legg, of Kent Island, and daughter of John W. Perry, of Centreville. They now have two children, Frank W. and John R., Jr. The parents are connected with the Methodist Protest- ant Church, and are widely and favorably known. Although Mr. Cook has always declined to be- come a candidate for office, he has taken a promi- nent and influential part in politics and for sev- eral years has served as a delegate to county, state, congressional and judicial conventions of the Democratic party. For several years he held responsible clerical positions at the state capitol at Annapolis, preferring to serve his party in that capacity rather than accept elective office. A strong mentality, an invincible courage, a most determined individuality have so entered into his make-up as to render him a natural leader of men and a director of opinion.

APT. B. FRANK LANKFORD, president of the People's Bank of Somerset County, at Princess Anne, has an attractive country home situated in the southeastern part of Prin- cess Anne district and comprising five hundred and thirty acres of well-improved land. In addition to this estate, which was his mother's birthplace and has been in possession of members

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of the Porter family during the entire century, lie owns seventeen hundred acres, divided into small tracts. The most of the property is devoted to general farming, though he devotes some atten- tion to the raising of strawberries and other small fruits. He has also carried on a lumber busi- ness.

The captain's father, Benjamin Lankford, was born in Lawsons district in 1798 and in youth learned the trade of a shipbuilder, which he after- ward followed in conjunction with farming. On the dissolution of the Whig party he became a Republican. Twelve times he was elected to the state legislature and once was chosen state senator, also served as commissioner of public works for four years. When a young man he hield the position of deputy sheriff for a time. He was an intimate friend and warm admirer of Henry Clay, whose political tenets hie always upheld. He died in 1886, at the age of eighty-eight years. His father, Benjamin, Sr., was a son of Lazarus Lankford, and was a farmer and prominent man of Somerset County, where he died about 1820.

Our subject's mother, Susan, was a daughter of John and Mary Porter; she was born in 1806 and passed away in1 1883. In religious belief she was a Presbyterian. Of her ten children seven are now living, namely: Henry S., a resident of Princess Anne district; Julia, wife of George W. Lankford; B. Frank; Sarah A., Mrs. Samuel Miles; Mary M., widow of Robert Miles; Susan, wife of Thomas W. Taylor; and Cornelia J., who inarried William T. Lankford.

On the homestead in Lawsons district, where he was born December 25, 1827, our subject spent his early years. From sixteen to twenty he served an apprenticeship to the trade of a house carpenter, after which he took up the trade of a ship carpenter. He built a vessel of his own and for ten years engaged in freighting and in the oyster business between Crisfield and Balti- more. The business increased and he became the owner of six different vessels, which he com- inanded as captain. In 1856 he bought the Porter homestead and here he has since resided," giving his attention to its cultivation, the bank-

ing business and the discharge of his duties as citizen and frequently as an official. On the organization of the Republican party he joined its ranks and has since adhered to its principles. During the war his sympathies were with the Union, though he did not go into active service himself.

In 1871 Captain Lankford was elected com- missioner of the county, and for two years was an efficient member of the board, after which, for a similar period, he was sheriff of Somerset County. He was collector of taxes for two years and in 1877 was elected clerk of the county court, serving as such for six years. For six years he was a member of the board of supervisors of elec- tions, and for twenty years he has been a mem- ber of the state central committee. At this writ- ing he is a member of the school board of Somerset County. He contributes to the maintenance of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which his family attend, and is also liberal in gifts to those in need, or to enterprises for the benefit of the peo- ple of the community. December 21, 1859, he married Amanda E., daughter of William and Sallie (Miles) Porter. They became the parents of five children: Ella, wife of George W. Lankford, of Missouri; William F .; B. Louis, U. S. N., on the steamship Massachusetts; Sallie V., wife of John M. Shields, of Petosky, Mich .; and Milton S. Mrs. Lankford died in 1877. February 16, 1882, our subject married Matilda A. Sudler. of Somerset County, daughter of Thomas and Sallie J. Sudler.

UDGE EDWIN S. VALLIANT was born in St. Michael's, Talbot County, Md., July 12, 1845, and is a son of Rigby Valliant, senior member of the firm of R. Valliant & Brother, wholesale grocers of Baltimore. Later, however, he conducted a general store in St. Michael's, and spent his last days upon a farm in Talbot County, where his death occurred in 1858. The ances- tors of our subject were originally from France, but left that country during the persecution of

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the Huguenots, going to England, whence Jean Vaillant came to America about the middle of the seventeenth century, and from the crown received the patent to a tract of land in Talbot County, Md. The old homestead of the family remained in their possession until the present generation.

During his boyhood and youth Judge Valliant was provided with excellent advantages for secur- ing an education. After attending the common schools for a time he was a student in the West River Classical Institute and other private schools, but in 1862 he laid aside his text-books to join the army, becoming a private in Company C, Second Maryland Infantry. His first engage- ment was at Winchester and was followed by the battles of Gettysburg, Weldon Railroad, Cold Harbor, and the siege of Petersburg, where he was captured in March, 1865. He was held a prisoner at Point Lookout until June 25, 1865, and at the battle of Gettysburg he was wounded in the left side by a gunshot. When the war was over he returned to his old home in Talbot County, and resumed his studies under private tutors. Coming to Church Hill in 1871, he began busi- 11ess as a dealer in fertilizers, lumber, coal, etc., and also sold wagons and carriages. He has met with a well-deserved success in his business ven- tures and is recognized as one of the most reliable and upright citizens of the place.

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Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 38

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