USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland > Part 40
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February 6, 1873, Dr. Dudley married Miss Helen Spear, of Kent County, Md., and to them were born four children: Norman Spear, Charles Bradford, Helen Marie and Georgia Spear.
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G RANVILLE E. DICKINSON, M. D., one of the best-known physicians of Somerset County, has been situated in Fairmount ever since he started in the practice of his profession, nearly a quarter of a century ago. He is a mem- ber of the Maryland Medical Society and the American Medical Society, and in every possible manner strives to keep fully posted upon all the great discoveries in the treatment of disease. He is an earnest student and subscribes to the leading periodicals published in the interest of science as applied to the healing art.
A son of Henry J. P. and Mary A. Dickin- son, the doctor was born at Barren Creek Springs, Wicomico County, Md., in 1855. The father was a native of Pocomoke City, as was also his father before him, the latter having been James T. Dick- inson, a cabinet-maker. Henry J. P. graduated from the medical department of the University of Maryland and practiced in the southern part of the Eastern Shore during the remainder of his active life. His first marriage was with Mary, daughter of Dr. George Waller, of Barren Creek Springs, of which union our subject is the only child. After his mother's death the father mar- ried Emily F. Lambden and of their children two grew to adult years, viz .: Marietta, Mrs. Charles O. Merrill, of Philadelphia, who died in October, 1897; and Edward Henry, who died unmarried. The Dickinsons, with few exceptions, have ad- hered to the Presbyterian Church.
Granville E. Dickinson passed his boyhood days in Pocomoke City, and in the public schools of that place received his education. In 1871 he entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania and in due time graduated with the class of 1874. He at once settled in Fair- mount district, Somerset County, where he soon built up a large and remunerative practice. His
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field of work covers a large territory, and he is frequently called to take charge of patients who are a long distance from his home. He has always voted for the nominees of the Democratic party since becoming a voter. In a social way he is connected with the Improved Order of Hepta- sophs, the Red Men and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics.
In 1890 the marriage of the doctor with Miss Kate Ohlander was solemnized. Mrs. Dickinson is a daughter of Augustus and Louise J. Ohlan- der, who were natives of Sweden. They were both finely educated, and read as well as speak, several languages fluently. Believing as they did so thoroughly in the value of higher educa- tion for both sexes, they gave special advantages to their children, sending them to the best schools and colleges. Mrs. Dickinson came in for her full share of such training and gave special attention to musical studies. She was reared in the city of Montgomery, Ala., where her parents located after their arrival in America, and is very profi- cient in literature and music. The doctor is also very fond of the noble art, and their many friends are frequently delightfully entertained at their pleasant home. The only child of the doctor and his accomplished wife is a bright little girl, Mary Louise by name.
ARION T. MILLER, a member of the prominent firm of Miller Brothers, mer- chants of Rock Hall, was born in this county, in the fifth district, and received his early education in its public schools. Together with his brother Charles, he has been in business here since 1894, owning the leading mercantile estab- lishment of the place. Wide-awake, industrious young men, they have put their business on a paying basis, and in so doing have materially helped the growth of the community in which their lot is cast.
Marion Miller, who was born May 29, 1871, is one of the sons of William M. Miller, one of the prominent farmers and fruit growers of Kent
County, living in the fifth district. He was born August 31, 1836, on the farm that he now owns. His father, Michael Miller, was also a native of Kent County, where his entire life was spent. He was captain of a sloop running from the land- ing on the farm that his son William' now owns, to Baltimore, carrying grain and produce for a great many years. In later life he carried on farming in connection with running his sloop. He died in January, 1837, being about fifty-eight years of age. In politics he was a prominent Democrat, and represented his district in the leg- islature for some years. In the war of 1812 he served as quartermaster. He was a man of marked courage and enterprise, and his strong individuality left its impress on those around him. In his early days he kept the tavern at Rock Hall, and tradition says that Washington was once his guest. His wife, Harriett Legg, was also a native of Kent County, and she lived to the age of eighty-four years, being active in mind and body until a short time before her death. She and her first husband, Michael Miller, were the parents of four children, all deceased but William M., the father of Marion. For her sec- ond husband she married William Parker, and one child was born of that union, Sarah, wife of Thomas W. Eades.
When Michael Miller died his son, William M., was only five months old, and he remained at home on the farm with his mother until he had reached the age of twenty-four years, when he inherited his father's farm, which he has since managed. It consists of one hundred and twenty- one acres of fine farming and fruit-growing land, and Mr. Miller has it under the highest cultiva- tion, so that it yields him a good return for the labor he has expended on it. His inclinations do not lie in the way of active public life, and so, though he is a stanch Democrat, he takes little active interest in politics, content to feel that his vote is always with his party. His marriage with Miss Mollie Maslin, of Kent County, took place January 17, 1861, and of the union were born six children, two of whom died young. The others are Jennie, Charles, Marion and Mollie.
The brothers, Charles and Marion, as stated
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before, have been engaged in business in Rock Hall since 1894. When Marion was about fifteen years of age he began clerking in a general store, where his experience later proved of value to him in starting on his own business career. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church, and in business and social life enjoys the respect of all.
AMES BROWN, one of the representative and prominent citizens of the second district of Queen Anne's County, whose farm is con- veniently located about four miles east of Chester- town, on the road between that place and Church Hill, was born on the 22d of August, 1838, at his present home. His father, John Brown, was a native of the same county, as was also the grand- father, Col. James Brown, who won his title in the war of 1812, having served with distinction all through that struggle. John Brown was a large planter and one of the leading and most influen- tial citizens of Queen Anne's County, which he represented in the legislature for one term, while for over forty years he was one of the trustees of the poor of the county and served as president of the board for several years, with credit to him- self and to the satisfaction of the public. He married Eliza G. Bonsal, by whom he had two children who reached years of maturity: James, of this review; and Emma, wife of Rev. George E. Stokes, of Baltimore County, Md. The father departed this life in 1876, at the advanced age of eighty-four years.
In Washington College, of Chestertown, Mr. Brown, of this review, completed his literary ed- ucation, and being the only son he remained on the old homestead. He is now the owner of four valuable farms, aggregating about six hundred acres of rich and arable land, and in connection with general farming is successfully engaged in fruit culture and stock raising. He has also been a director in the Centreville National Bank for three years, and is a man of sound judgment, progressive ideas and more than ordinary business ability.
On attaining to man's estate Mr. Brown was mar- ried, the lady of his choice being Miss Maria S. Page, of Waverly, N. Y., and to them were born seven children, of whom four are still living, namely: Arthur N., who lives in Davenport, Iowa, and is agent for the Northwestern Life In- surance Company; James P., a member of the Roland Park Company, of Baltimore; and Helen E. and Ernest B., at home.
In his political affiliations Mr. Brown is a Dem- ocrat, and he has always taken a deep and com- mendable interest in public affairs, giving his support to all measures calculated to promote the general welfare. He has served as trustee of the Queen Anne's County alınshouse, and after his father's death was elected to his place, being pres- ident of the board for the past four years. In the Episcopal Church of Church Hill he and his wife hold membership, and he is one of the most highly respected and esteemed citizens of his community.
ILLIAM H. NEWNAM. After many years of active identification with the farm- ing interests of Queen Anne's County, Mr. Newnam retired from the occupation to which he had devoted his entire business life, and since then he has lived in comparative retirement, enjoy- ing the freedom from care that he justly merits. He is one of the prominent residents of the second district, with the development of which he has been intimately associated and to which he has contributed both of his time and means.
Near Chesterville, in Kent County, Md., the subject of this sketch was born May 4, 1823. The first fifteen years of his life were spent on the home farm, after which he went to Easton and secured employment as clerk in a store owned by an uncle. The ensuing ten years were passed in that occupation; meantime his earnings were carefully saved, with a view to investment. From Easton he returned to Kent County, where he re- mained about a year and then went to Kent Island. Opening a mercantile store he carried on a general business among the people of the vicin-
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ity for twelve years. He met with success in the undertaking, but finally determined to sell out and return to farm work. Accordingly he dis- posed of the stock of goods and purchased a farm in the second district of Queen Anne's County, where he resumed work as an agriculturist. In 1879 he removed to his present home, where he has since lived in retirement.
December 20, 1854, Mr. Newnam married Margaretta Harrison, daughter of Col. Samuel T. Harrison, a prominent resident of Queen Anne's County. Six children came to bless their mar- riage, of whom four are living. Martha is the wife of Ira Murphy; Harrison was at one time county commissioner from the second district; John H. resides upon a farmi in the second district; and Spencer G. is a bookkeeper in the Centreville National Bank. The second wife of Mr. New- nam, to whom he was married June 23, 1873, was Mrs. Annie H. Wright, daughter of Levi L. De Ford, of Queen Anne's. In politics a Democrat, he has been judge of elections and chairman of the board of school trustees for thirty years. In the Centreville National Bank he is interested as a director. He is a member of the Episcopal Church and has been one of the vestrymen.
D HARLES A. BUSTEED. Rising above the head of the mass are many men of sterling worth and value, who by sheer perseverance and pluck have conquered fortune, and by their own unaided efforts have risen from the ranks of the commonplace to eminence either in the pro- fessional or business world. Prominent among the latter is Mr. Busteed, who is now one of the leading business men of Centreville.
He was born on the 31st of October, 1854, at Brick Mill, three miles from Denton, in Caroline County, Md., but when only nine years of age was taken by his parents to Philadelphia, where he obtained his education in the public schools and where he continued to live until about seven- teen, when he came to Queen Anne's County, Md. After one year passed near Ruthisburg, he came
to Centreville, and entered the Observer office, be- longing to his brother, W. W. Busteed, where he soon mastered the printer's trade, at which he subsequently worked in Philadelphia until 1878. He next spent a few months in St. Cloud and Minneapolis, Minn., after which he returned to Centreville, as his brother offered him an interest in the Observer. The firm was known as W. W. Busteed & Brother until 1885, when the former sold out. Our subject was then at the head of the firm of Busteed, Roberts & Brother and was editor-in-chief of the paper until the Ist of Au- gust, 1889, when he sold his interest to William J. Price, Jr. He then engaged in the brokerage business with his brother, W. W., and William J. Price, Sr., until 1894, when the connection was dissolved. On the Ist of February, 1897, he became a member of the firm of Busteed, Price & Carter, his partners being William J. Price, Sr., and William T. Carter. Mr. Carter's health failing, July 1, 1897, he sold his interest in the business to Robert J. Catlin, the firni becoming Busteed, Price & Catlin. They now do an ex- tensive business as dealers in hardware and farm implements. Mr. Busteed has become the owner of much valuable property, including four farms in Queen Anne's County, located six, eight, four- teen and twenty miles from Centreville, respect- ively, and they aggregate twelve hundred and eighty-four acres of rich and arable land.
On the 3d of November, 1881, occurred the marriage of Mr. Busteed and Miss Molly G., daughter of Capt. John Wilkinson, and to them were born two children; one died in infancy and the other, John Wilkinson, is now eleven years of age.
Fraternally Mr. Busteed is a prominent mem- ber of Rathbone Lodge No. 118, K. of P., of Centreville, in which he has passed all the chairs, and has also held all the offices in the Odd Fel- lows Lodge. Upon the death of his father-in-law, Capt. John Wilkinson, in March, 1889, Mr. Busteed was elected to succeed him as a director of the Queen Anne's National Bank, and since that date has served continuously as a member of the finance committee. He is a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he
T. PLINY FISHER.
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is now a trustee, and takes quite an active part in church work. He has ever cheerfully given his support to those enterprises that tend to public development, and with hardly an exception, he has been connected with every interest that has promoted general welfare. His name is a synonym for honorable business dealing, and he is always mentioned as one of the invaluable citizens of Centreville.
PLINY FISHER, who occupies a position among the successful attorneys of Denton, was born in Kent County, Del., two miles from the Sussex line, May 13, 1859. His grand- father, Jabez, was a native of the same locality and a son of Richard Fisher, who was an early settler on the Eastern Shore. Richard, a son of Jabez, has his headquarters in Philadelphia and is general agent for the state of Pennsylvania for the Washington Life Insurance Company of New York; he is also president of the Sons of Delaware in Philadelphia. Another son, David W., is a farmer in Sussex County. The eldest son, James H., our subject's father, was born on the home farm in Delaware County, September 16, 1831; he devoted his entire active life to farming, but in 1889 retired from business activities and is now living quietly in Denton.
The mother of our subject, Sarah Emily Smith, was born in Caroline County, Md., but when a child went to Delaware with her father, Martin Smith, who was a farmer, at one time a tax col- lector for his district, also one of the organizers of the Methodist Protestant Church in liis home neighborhood. She had two brothers: Thomas J., ex-postmaster of Harrington, Del., appointed under Cleveland's first administration, and still a resident at that place; and Martin Bates, who resides on the old homestead in Delaware. Miss Smith became the wife of James H. Fisher April 21, 1858, and unto their union were born the following-named children: T. Pliny; George A., who resides in New York; J. Ira, now in Phila- delphia; and Maude, wife of T. Fred Johnson,
purser of the steamer Easton, plying between Baltimore and Hillsborough.
In 1864, when a child of five years, our subject inet with a serious accident while on a visit to his grandfather, Martin Smith. His right hand was caught in a cane mill and was so badly crushed as to render amputation necessary. He received his education in the schools of Kent County, Del., and the Farmington Collegiate Institute of that state. Afterward he taught school for ten years. In 1885-86 he was principal of the Hills- borough Academy. Meantime his leisure hours were devoted to the study of law with Chief Judge George M. Russum. In April, 1886, he was admitted to the bar at Denton and has since car- ried on a large and profitable practice. At this writing he is auditor of the circuit court and one of the examiners of students. Formerly he affil- iated with the Republicans, but his temperance sentiments led him to ally himself with the Pro- hibitionists, and upon the latter ticket he was nominated for congress. At the time of entering upon practice, he was junior member of the firm of Bryant & Fisher, the senior member being Col. Joshua W. Bryant, now of Baltimore.
February 27, 1889, Mr. Fisher married Ella, only daughter of William E. Saulsbury, a farmer of Tuckahoe Neck. They are the parents of a daughter, Anna, born April 5, 1892, and named for a deceased sister of Mrs. Fisher. A member of the Methodist Protestant Church, Mr. Fisher has taken an active part in religious work and is one of the trustees of the congregation. Fra- ternally he is identified with the Heptasophs and has held the various offices of the lodge.
OSEPH DOWNEY. Among the leading merchants of the village of Rock Hall, in the fifth district of Kent County, is Joseph Downey, a native of the village, his birth having occurred near the site of his present store. He was born June 13, 1852, and is the son of William S. and Ann E. Downey. The former,
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who for many years followed the business of an attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which oysterman, was also born in this county. He Mr. Downey has been recording steward for several years.
was quite prosperous in his business, owning a small schooner, but the same year in which he died he bought a farm, intending to give up the oyster business. Deatlı, however, cut short his career at the early age of thirty-eight years. He was a stanch Republican, and was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, being one of the trustees at the time the church was built here in 1854. For some time he led the singing. He was one of the pioneers among the Republicans in this district, as during the war the Democrats were in the vast majority in this section of the country. His wife, whose maiden name was Ann E. Scoon, was a native of Kent County, this district, and also died at an early age, passing away when she had reached the age of forty-three years. She and her husband were the parents of seven children, five sons and two daughters, as follows: Mary E., Joseph, William T., George E., John W., Marion and Alice D.
Joseph, the eldest son of this family, remained at home after his father's death, assisting his mother in the cultivation of the farm. In the winter months he attended the public schools, and thus continued until the age of eighteen, when he engaged as a clerk in a general store in his native village. A year later, he had started a mercantile business for himself on borrowed cap- ital, and since then has continuously been engaged in that line. In 1889 he removed to Chestertown and opened a store and cannery there, at the same time running his store in Rock Hall. In 1895 he sold his store and canning factory in Chester- town and concentrated his attention on his busi- ness in this place. This action was the result of business reverses met with in the former town, and like an honorable man he turned over his Chestertown business to his creditors and started the world afresh.
In November, 1872, Mr. Downey married Miss Mary F. Stevens, of Baltimore, and they have nine children, two sons and seven daughters, as follows: George Richard, who is with his father in business; Annie M., Clara, Lula, Ida, Rena, Edna, Helen and an infant son. The family
The son of a Republican, it was natural that Mr. Downey should follow in his father's foot- steps, and he gave his allegiance to the Republican party until 1891, when, feeling strongly on the question of Prohibition, he voted with the Prohi- bitionists for two years, since which time he has been a Republican. As a proof of the popularity which he enjoys, it may be stated that he has at various times, and entirely without any seeking on his part, been a candidate for the following offices: sheriff, for which he has twice been nominated; register of wills, county commis- sioner and member of the house of delegates. About 1877 he was appointed postmaster of Rock Hall, and held the position for about twelve years, or until Cleveland's second election to the presi- dency. Since the age of twenty-one years he has been a member of the Knights of Pythias, being identified with Chesapeake Lodge No. 68.
A native of the town in which he lives, Mr. Downey has been known by its residents as boy and man, and the esteem in which he is held is the natural result of an honorable, upright career, in which intelligence, industry and honesty have been main factors.
ILLIAM D. SMITH. The fine farm be- longing to this gentleman in the second district of Queen Anne's County invariably attracts the eye of the passing traveler as being under the supervision of a thorough and skillful agriculturist, and a man otherwise of good busi- ness qualifications. A native son of Maryland, he was born in the first district of Kent County, April 17, 1837, and was reared in much the usual manner of farmer boys. After attending the common schools for a time he was a student in the Millington Academy, but is principally self- educated.
After attaining his majority, Mr. Smith came to the first district of Queen Anne's County,
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where he began life for himself as a farmer, and there he continued to make his home for four years. I11 1863 he purchased his present farm in the second district, where he has since resided with the exception of one year when engaged in mercantile pursuits. His home farm comprises one hundred and ninety-two acres of valuable and productive land, and he also owns another place in the sixth district, which contains two hundred and seventy-six acres. To general farming and stock-raising he devotes hisenergies and is meeting with a well-deserved success.
On the 16th of October, 1863, Mr. Smith was joined in wedlock with Miss Fanny Walls, and they have become the parents of seven children: Emma G., James H., Fanny, Cora D., William C., Henry Earl and Ethel M. Mr. Smith uses his right of franchise in support of the Democracy, and has been honored with several local offices, the duties of which he discharged in the most efficient and satisfactory manner, serving as tax collector of the second district in 1888 and 1889; county commissioner of Queen Anne's County in 1890 and 1891, and magistrate from May, 1867, until 1873. In religious belief he is a Methodist, and is a liberal supporter of all enterprises calcu- lated to promote the moral, intellectual or mate- rial welfare of his community.
G EORGE L. BRYAN is a substantial farmer and much-respected citizen of the fifth dis- trict of Queen Anne's County, in which lo- cality his ancestors for nearly a century have had their dwelling places. He is a successful farmer, and in nearly all of his financial ventures has met with gratifying results. In his early inanhood, be- fore settling down to the routine of life, he traveled extensively in the west and at one time thought seriously of the advisability of locating in the new country, but his affections still clung to the friends and scenes of his youth, and he eventually returned, to become a permanent resident here. It is needless to say that he has not seen reason for regretting his decision, for though each part of
this great country has some peculiar advantages of its own, this fair state is unsurpassed in many ways.
Valentine, paternal grandfather of George L. Bryan, was a native of Virginia and was a man of unusual ability, energy and ambition. He came to this region in the prime of early manhood, and at the time of his death, in 1848, he left an estate consisting of four thousand acres of land, part of which was situated on Wye Island, then known as Bordley's Island, and in addition to that valu- able property had at least two hundred slaves. Thus it will be seen that he was a very wealthy man for those days, and consequently much looked up to in the community. Nor did the re- gard in which he was held depend solely upon his substantial possessions, for he was actively connected with many of the leading enterprises of his time. He was very liberal with his means and furnished a large share of the money which went into the building of St. Peter's Catholic Church, at Queenstown, Md. He was a Demo- crat in politics and represented his county in the state legislature during the 40's. He was twice married and by his first union had four children: John C., William I., Elizabeth and Arthur. Later he married a Miss Ford, who became the mother of Charles J., Edward and Alfred. Charles J. was born in January, 1816, and died in Septem- ber, 1850. He married Lucretia Emory, and their eldest child, our subject, was born August 10, 1837; Charles Carroll, born in 1839, died in 1872, leaving a wife and two children, Edward K. and Lulu, all of Baltimore.
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