USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland > Part 39
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January 14, 1866, Judge Valliant was united in marriage to Miss Mary T. Faithful, and they have become the parents of seven children, five of whom are living: William E., E. Stevens, Nellie, Mary and Thomas R. The family occu- pies a place of prominence in social circles and is connected with the Episcopal Church. Judge Valliant's sons, William E. and E. Stevens, are associated with him in business at Church Hill under the firm name of E. S. Valliant & Sons. The judge gives his political support to the men and measures of the Democratic party, and has always taken an active and prominent part in public affairs. For ten years he served as magis- trate, in 1887 was elected associate judge of the orphans' court for a term of four years, and from 1891 until 1895 was chief judge of the same court. He was a most capable and popular official, and
has proved himself in all the relations of life an earnest, honest, upright man, and a citizen of whom any community might be justly proud.
OBERT C. RICE, a successful farmer and stock-raiser of the sixth district of Caroline County, is a man of public-spirit and enter- prise, one who has deeply at heart the advance- ment and upbuilding of this section. He is a stalwart Republican and was elected by his party friends in 1896 to serve as county register, and held the position with credit to himself and to them for a term of one year. Then his name was proposed for nomination to the office of sheriff, and he was elected by a good majority.
The Rice family came to Maryland from Penn- sylvania, where they had been represented for several generations by honest, industrious, up- right people. The paternal grandfather of our subject was John Rice, who died in August, 1855. He married, in 1816, Margaretta Ickes, daughter of Nicholas Ickes, who was the owner of the land on which Ickesburgh (Perry County, Pa.) now stands. From him the place took its name. Margaretta Rice lived to attain the extreme age of ninety years, and of the eleven children born to herself and husband six survive her, viz .: Mrs. Susannah J. Boden, of Ickesburgh; D. I., of Dun- cannon, Pa .; William, of Bloomfield, Pa .; John, of Smyrna, Del .; Oliver and Mrs. Kate E. Ald- rich, of Duncannon. Robert C. Rice, of this sketch, is one of nine children, two of whom are deceased. His surviving brothers and sisters are as follows: Maggie, Luvia L., Charles J., Lila, Rebecca and George. Those who have passed to the home beyond are John and Blanche. The parents, John and Christiana (Clark) Rice, were both natives of Perry County, Pa.
The birth of Robert C. Rice occurred Decent- ber 26, 1857, upon the father's old homestead in Perry County. His boyhood was passed in the inanner common to country lads, his time being divided between work and play when he was not attending the district schools of the neighbor-
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hood. His father trained him well in all depart- ments of farm management and inculcated into his youthful mind useful lessons and upright principles of conduct, which have been of untold value to him in later years. It was in 1887 that he became a resident of this community, and about that time purchased the fine farm which lie now is engaged in operating. It is a place of about two hundred acres, situated in the sixth district, on the Choptank River, and is devoted to the raising of grain and stock. The proprie- tor lias been favored with a fair measure of pros- perity, and is sure to become very well-off in this world's goods if he continues to succeed in the future as he has done within the past few years.
On the Ist of March, 1882, Mr. Rice married Kate L. Quillin, a native of Delaware and a daughter of John Quillin, who is a resident of the eighth district, Caroline County, and is a farmer by occupation. To our worthy subject and liis estimable wife two sons and a daughter have been born, viz .: Clarence, Lillian R. and Robert J.
OUTHEY F. MILES has led an active and stirring life, but is now practically retired from business cares. He makes his home in Brinkley's district, Somerset County, occupy- ing the comfortable residence that he erected in 1897. Since a young man he has always been interested in the work of the Methodist Protestant Church and when a house of worship was erected he gave the land for the site, also contributing liberally in money to both the old and the new church. For thirty-five years he has been a trustee of the congregation and has also served as a steward.
The grandfather of our subject, Henry Miles, was born at the family homestead on Coulbourn's Creek and died there at the age of forty. He was a son of Henry Miles, Sr., who came to America from Scotland and settled on a land grant given him by the English government, and situated between Jones' Creek and Coul-
bourn's Creek. Our subject's father, William Henry Miles, was born at the family home and when a young man followed the water, but after- ward gave his attention to farming. His death occurred when he was eighty-five years of age. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac Coul- bourn, and who, like himself, was an earnest Methodist. It is said that he was a man of re- markable physique, active and robust to the last, and rode horseback until a very short time be- fore his death. His wife died at the age of sev- enty-two. They were the parents of eleven chil- dren, of whom four are now living: Sarah, wife of John Coulbourn; Southey F .; Luthier T., who resides at the old homestead; and John Thomas, of Brinkley's district.
The date of our subject's birth is April 27, 1822, and the place the old family homestead on Coulbourn's Creek. He was educated in the pub- lic schools. At the age of sixteen he began to work at the oyster business, which he followed until the time of the war. His sympathies were with the south and several times he was ar- rested by the Federals on account of his known opinions. He went to Virginia and for six months remained there, selling goods to the sol- diers. For five months he was a prisoner in Fort McHenry and finally was tried by court martial on a false charge.
At the close of the war Mr. Miles resumed farming and also carried on a general store at Marion Station up to 1888, since which time he has lived retired. Since youth he has been a firm Democrat, loyal to party principles. He was a candidate for sheriff in 1861, but was defeated by two votes. In 1867 he was elected sheriff and collector of the county. For four years he was captain of the oyster police force at a salary of $1,200, and in 1870 he was a candidate for the legislature. During the first administration of President Cleveland he was appointed collector of customis for the port of Crisfield, but after two years resigned in favor of his son, Alonzo L.
In October, 1846, Mr. Miles married Miss Christiana, daughter of William H. Roach. They became the parents of seven children, namely: Eliza J., wife of N. J. P. Tull; Adelia C., Mrs.
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William Whittington; Aurelia F .; William E., who died in 1896; Joshua W., ex-member of con- gress; Southey F., Jr., who resides on the old homestead; and Alonzo L., of Cambridge. The wife and mother, who died in 1885, aged sixty-one years, was a sincere Christian, a devoted member of the Methodist Protestant Church, and kind and helpful in her associations with all.
AMES M. CORKRAN, M. D., who is now successfully practicing medicine and surgery in Centreville, was born in Cambridge, Dor- chester County, Md., August 14, 1860, and is de- scended from one of the oldest families of the state. His great-great-grandfather, a native of England, secured a grant of land and named the place Churchfield Farm. There four generations of the family were born, but in the present generation the property has passed out of the possession of the family. Nathan Corkran, the great-grand- father, was a prosperous farmer and lived on the old homestead, which he operated with the aid of slaves. The grandfather, James Corkran, also a slaveholder and the owner of Churchfield Farm, served as a soldier in the Mexican war and died when only thirty-two years of age.
The doctor's father, Thomas Corkran, was born in Dorchester County, March 28, 1821, and throughout his active business life followed farm- ing. He is now living in Seaford, Del., where he settled twelve years ago. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church and has long been an active worker in its interests. " He mar- ried Hester Wright, a daughter of Kinley Wright, of Dorchester County. His father, Joseph, was a son of Abraham Wright, an officer in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Corkran is still liv- ing, and by her marriage she became the mother of twelve children: Charles W., a farmer of Mis- souri; Francis S., a graduate of Glasgow College, who became a Methodist minister and died in Missouri; Mary Elizabeth, wife of Isaac Noble, a broker and money loaner, of Preston, Md .; Rev. Lewis P., a graduate of Dover Conference Acad- emy, of Dover, Del., now a Methodist minister
located in Newcastle, Del .; Wilbur F., who was a graduate of the Dover Conference Academy and is now presiding elder of the Easton district; Thomas B., a farmer of Pennsylvania; Millard F., a graduate of the University of Maryland and now a physician in Wilmington, Del .; Fanny, wife of Arthur Hitch, a merchant of Seaford, Del .; David H., a Methodist minister at Lewes, Del., who took a special course of study in Dover Con- ference Academy and in the University of Penn- sylvania and was graduated from the Drew Theo- logical Seminary; Milton W., a hotel clerk in St. Louis; Adelaide, who is engaged in the milli- nery business in Dover, Del .; and James M., of this sketch.
Dr. Corkran spent his early life on the farm and pursued his studies in Dover Conference Academy until 1884, when he matriculated in the medical department of the University of Maryland. He took a three years' course in that institution and graduated in 1887, after which he came to Centre- ville, where he has since made his home. He is quite successful in his practice and now has a large and lucrative patronage, resulting from a comprehensive understanding of the science of medicine and the successful application of its principles to the needs of suffering humanity.
June 11, 1890, was solemnized the marriage of Dr. Corkran and Miss Laura S. Emory, a daugh- ter of Addison Emory, of Centreville. They have one child, Margaret Spencer, five years of age. The doctor is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and attends the Methodist Episcopal Church.
ILLIAM C. POWELL, one of Snow Hill's most promising young men, bears the proud distinction of being president of the Maryland State Pharmaceutical Association, an honor that has been rarely, if ever, accorded to one of his years. However, his exceptional abil- ity as a practical and technical pharmacist is well recognized and those who are competent judges in the matter state that no better choice of a presi- dent of the society could have been made,
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Less than twenty-four years ago the birth of William C. Powell took place in this city. His parents, Zadok and Sallie Powell, have long been numbered among thie most influential citizens of Snow Hill. The date of our subject's birth is June 24, 1874. He received a liberal education in the public schools of this place and graduated from the higli school here in 1892. With the exception of a period of nine months, when he was employed as assistant teller in the First Na- tional Bank of Snow Hill, he has been associated with the drug business since his boyhood; at first at little unimportant affairs around the store and later serving a regular apprenticeship in the pharmacy of P. D. Cottingham & Co., which firm is comprised of his uncle and father, respect- ively. At length he entered the Maryland Col- lege of Pharmacy and after taking the prescribed course of lectures and study was graduated with a degree in 1895. Since that time he has been connected with the drug firm just mentioned. He was chosen as president of the State Phar- maceutical Association at the convention of that distinguished organization in Ocean City, Md., July 17, 1897. Socially Mr. Powell is a general favorite, and his genial, cheerful disposition readily makes friends for liin1.
C APT. JAMES M. ROBERTS, a native of the Eastern Shore and long identified with the best interests of this section of the state of Maryland, is now numbered among the best agriculturists of Wicomico County, his postoffice address being Capitola. He owns an excellent homestead in the southern part of Tyaskin dis- trict, it containing over two hundred and fifty acres, most of which is suitable for the raising of cereals and various other crops. In addition to managing the place he runs a general store and has also made a small fortune in his dealing in oysters. He has handled as high as sixty thou- sand bushels of the succulent edible in a season.
The captain was born August 12, 1838, in this county, his parents being William and Caroline
(Kennerly) Roberts, both likewise natives of the Eastern Shore. He was the eldest of their four children, the others having been, respectively, Benjamin O., George Thomas and Margaret J. Grandfather Benjamin Roberts was born in Somerset County, and was a successful farmer. The captain's father also followed agricultural pursuits up to the time of his early death, which occurred when he was scarcely thirty-three years of age.
Capt. J. M. Roberts was born and brought up on a farm, receiving a district-school education.
. He was but fifteen when the desire to try the life of a sailor became so strong within his youthful breast that he shipped on board a boat which ran from Washington to Richmond, Va., and three years afterwards we find him promoted to the post of master. Thus, a young man of less than twenty years, he had had such confidence reposed in his skill and integrity that he was in command of a valuable ship making the danger- ous coast trip from Richmond to the nation's capital, and he continued to make these voyages until 1864.
July 17, 1860, Captain Roberts inarried Olivia A. White, a native of the Eastern Shore. They have had seven children: William S., Clara, Lee J., Loretta, Olivia A., Henry W. and John B. The four older children are married and are good, substantial citizens. Olivia is a graduate of a leading institution of learning, where she became proficient in drawing, and is now teaching school in Tyaskin district. Lee J. is a merchant in Oxford, Md. Henry W. is unmarried and assists his father in his general store. John B. is taking a commercial course in a business college in Wil- mington, Del., with the expectation of graduat- ing in 1898. Mrs. Roberts is a daughter of Sam- uel and Betsy M. (Wainwright) White, natives of this part of the state. Of their seven children three are deceased, and those remaining are Margaret E., Mrs. Roberts, Emily and Isaac. Grandfather James White was born on the East- ern Shore, and his wife was Miss Elizabeth Hick- man before their marriage. Grandfather Joshua Wainwright was an old settler of this side of the bay and was a farmer by occupation. Mrs. Rob-
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erts is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is a lady whom every body loves and admires for her sweet Christian character.
Politically the captain is an ardent Democrat and has served his own district in the capacity of road commissioner, judge of elections, and has also been assessor of Wicomico County during one term. Fraternally he is identified with but one society, the Odd Fellows, his membership being with Bivalve Lodge No 104.
3 OHN R. H. EMBERT owns and carries on a fine homestead of about one hundred and forty acres, situated in the fifth district of Queen Anne's County. He is a native of this county, his birth having occurred on Kent Island March 13, 1838. His ancestors have been con- nected with the history of this section of the Eastern Shore generation after generation, and have been noted for traits of patriotisni, good citi- zenship and a commendable devotion to the best interests of the community in which they dwelt.
The supposition is that the Emberts originated in Scotland, though it is not positively proven. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a na- tive of this county. His own parents were Will- iam J. and Annie (Bryan) Embert, both likewise born in this region, and both now deceased. They had a large family, of whom but three survive, viz .: Thomas A., William J. and John R. H.
When he was quiet young the parents of J. R. H. Embert died, and from his fourteenth year he was obliged to make his own way in the world as best he might. His principal occupation has been that of agriculture and he has acquired a fair com- petency for his remaining years. Four years he was engaged in the mercantile business. In 1870 he chose as his helpmate and sharer of life's joys and sorrows Cecilia, daughter of John Kemp and Elizabeth (Bryan) Griffin. The former was a son of Capt. Gwynbury Griffin, whose pride, a fine sailing vessel, was captured by the British during the war of 1812. He was a native of St. Mary's County, Md., but his father was born in Scotland,
Tlie captain at his death left a family of three sons and four daughters: Thomas, William, John, Lydia, Sarah, Julia and Mary, but as none of his sons had sons to grow up and perpetuate the sur- name, this branch of the Griffins has died out.
Soon after their marriage Mr. Embert and wife settled upon the beautiful homestead in the fifth district where they may still be found. Two sons, Valentine and Cyril, died in infancy, and their only surviving child, John Griffin, is an enter- prising young man of twenty-two years. The family is identified with the Catholic Church, as their forefathers were for generations back. Mr. Embert and his son are supporters of the Democ- racy. They are successful and thoroughly prac- tical business men and are held in the greatest respect by their friends and neighbors.
APT. GOODMAN W. BRAMBLE, who has been a captain upon sailing vessels run- ning from ports along the Eastern Shore to Baltimore, New York City and other points, is now commanding officer of the Julia Hamilton, a police boat, and is himself the owner of three sailing vessels which ply the bay, carrying cargoes of grain and other merchandise from one shore to the other. He is a very successful man and is thoroughly reliable and trustworthy. In 1877 he purchased the Sweet Prospect farm, in the ninth district of Dorchester County, and has ever since made this his home and headquarters. The homestead is a good one, comprising one hundred and fifty-eight acres, well adapted for general products. He was born in Strait dis- trict, of this county, in 1837, and is a son of Moses Bramble, also a native of that locality. He resided in that neighborhood all his lifetime engaged in farming and oyster-fishing. He was known throughout that section as Captain Bram- ble, and was part owner in a freighting vessel which ran from there to Baltimore. In politics he was first a Whig and later a Republican, and never held any kind of public office. He was considered quite a character along the shore, and
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was loved and respected by all wlio came in con- tact with him in any capacity. He was a miem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and lived to attain his three-score and ten years. His father, Matthew Bramble, was likewise a life-long resident of the same section of the county, and owned a good farm there. His father, in turn, was a native of England, but settled in Maryland prior to 1776, and his home was in what is yet called Straits' Desert, in the southern part of this county.
Capt. Moses Bramble married Adeline Willie, who died at the age of fifty-four years, leaving several children. They are as follows; Capt. Marcellus A., whose home is where his ancestors lived, near Straits' Desert; G. W .; Axie, wife of H. Huffman; Prediman, a resident of Strait; Melvina, Mrs. William Todd; and Elisha, of Strait. The mother was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a most worthy Christian woman.
The subject of this review spent his boyhood in an uneventful manner, his education being confined to such instruction as he could obtain in the common schools. When he was fifteen he determined to no longer resist the attractions of "life on the ocean wave," a fancy that had been cherished in his heart from almost his first recol- lections. During the quarter of a century that followed he passed the greater part of his time upon the ocean, and had his home near his birth- place, but for the past twenty years has lived at his present home, and has been more or less con- cerned in agricultural pursuits. In 1895 he was made captain of the police boat Julia Hamilton, and is still holding this position. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order, having attained the third degree, and is associated with the lodge at Cambridge. He is a Republican and always takes great interest in the prosperity of his party.
In 1877 he married Lulu Langrell, who left three children when death summoned her to her reward. Eva is the wife of Arthur Stewart. Otto has since been called to the better land. Alice, the youngest, is at home. The lady who now bears the name of our subject was formerly
Sarah J. Asplen, and their marriage occurred August 5, 1879. Six children have been born to them, viz .: Ida, Lulu, Ernest, Frederick, Benja- min Harrison and an infant son. Mrs. Bramble attends the Methodist Episcopal Church.
OHN T. JUMP is one of the old and honored residents of the sixth district, Queen Anne's County, his memory of its history covering several decades. He has been a witness of vast changes and improvements in this section of the state, and has done not a little to aid in its present prosperity. The family of which he is a most worthy representative came to America from England prior to the war of the Revolution and have since been associated with Maryland. Our subject has avoided rather than sought public office of any kind, but was once magistrate four years, resigning at the end of that time. He is a Democrat in politics, but chooses to use his private judgment upon the questions which come up, regardless of party lines.
The birth of John T. Jump occurred in this district December 10, 1826, his parents being Allerby and Elizabeth (Pratt) Jump, natives of Caroline and Queen Anne's Counties respectively. The father was a life-long agriculturist and was a faithful member of the Catholic Church. He died in 1849, and his wife was summoned to the home beyond in 1863. They had a family num- bering twelve, but those who survive at the date of this writing are but four. They are: Robert, of Talbot County; John T .; Indiana, wife of Samuel McCart, of Church Hill; and Julia, the widow of Frank Morgan, of the town of Queen Anne.
The educational training of our subject was gained in the local schools, which he attended during the winter months, and as much more as was convenient, not interfering with the work of the farm. He remained at home until he was twenty, at about which time his father died and he was left some property. In 1860 he bought the Brandford and Martin place and now owns
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S. C. DUDLEY, M. D.
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two hundred and ninety-six acres. He has been quite prosperous and has made a goodly compe- tence for old age. February 19, 1852, he married Ann Maria, daughter of James Turner, of this district, and their two children, Alfred and Kate, were both claimed by the angel of death. For many years he has been a trustee in the Method- ist Episcopal Church.
C. DUDLEY, M. D. It is said that the poet is born, not made; but the successful physician has to be both born and made- made by close application, earnest effort, by per- severance and resolute purpose. The abilities with which nature has endowed him must be strengthened and developed by use, and only by merit can he gain a pre-eminent position. Among the leading and successful physicians of Queen Anne's County is numbered Dr. Dudley, who now confines his attention principally to office practice and is also engaged in the drug business in Church Hill.
The doctor is a native of Queen Anne's County, his birth having occurred in the seventh district, June 17, 1843. There he was reared upon a farm until eighteen years of age, meantime ac- quiring his education in the public schools of the neighborhood. On leaving home he began to teach school, a profession that he successfully followed until 1865, but during his last three years as a teacher he also studied medicine. He then entered the medical department of the University of Maryland, where he graduated with the class of 1867. Opening an office in Sudlersville, he there engaged in practice until 1882. The year previous he was elected clerk of the courts of Queen Anne's County and entered upon his du- ties in 1882 at Centreville, where he made his home until the fall of 1887. He then came to Church Hill and started his present drug store. He is a wide-awake, enterprising business man, and by fair and honorable dealing has succeeded in building up an excellent trade. Politically he is identified with the Democratic party.
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