Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 41

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

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George L. Bryan was reared to mature years in Queen Anne's County and was twenty-six years of age when he decided to seek a helpmate to share with him his joys and sorrows as no one but a good wife can. The lady of his choice, to whom he was married in 1863, was Mary H., daughter of John Charles and granddaughter of Dr. Thomas Smyth Willson, from one of the oldest families of Kent County, Md. They began their wedded life together upon a farm of one hundred and forty acres, the one still owned and cultivated by our subject, and here, in course of time, lie erected substantial buildings. His family com-

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prises the following-named children: Kate B., Mary C., Charles, Elizabeth; Oscar, deceased; George H., Daniel Carroll; Florence, deceased; James B., Edna A. and Leon O. They are very bright, intelligent young people who are sure to make honored places for themselves in the busy world. Mr. Bryan supports the Democracy like his namesake in the late exciting presidential campaign, but has never sought public office.

AMUEL CHASE DE KRAFFT, M. D. For- tunate is he who has back of him an ances- try honorable and distinguished, and happy is he if his lines of life are cast in harmony there- with. Our subject is blessed in this respect, for he springs from three very prominent families of the new world, and is himself one of the most eminent and successful physicians and surgeons of the Eastern Shore.

The doctor was born October 19, 1848, in Washington, D. C., and is a son of Lieut. Samuel Clase and Mary Eleanor (de Krafft) Barney. The mother, who was left an orphan at the age of five years, was the only child of Edward de Krafft, a government printer and a noted editor of Washington, D. C. While residing in the District of Columbia, at the age of twenty years, the doctor had his name changed from Barney to de Krafft, owing to the conditions of a certain be- quest of a relative on the maternal side.

William Barney, the progenitor of the family in America, crossed the Atlantic to this country with his uncle, when a lad of fourteen years, to seek a fortune in the colonies, his parents having previously died. He arrived in Baltimore when that city contained but twelve houses, and on at- taining to man's estate married Frances Holland, a native of England. One of their fourteen chil- dren was Commodore Joshua Barney, who was born in Baltimore July 6, 1759. At the age of ten years the latter left school, as he had deter- mined to follow the sea, much against the wishes of his parents. When only fourteen he com- manded a vessel as captain, and became one of

the most prominent officers in the United States navy. The Memoirs of Commodore Joshua Bar- ney were published by Gray & Brown, in Boston, in 1832, and edited by Mrs. Mary Barney, our subject's grandmother, who was one of the three daughters of Judge Samuel Chase, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and later an associ- ate justice of the supreme court of the United States. The commodore's eldest son, Maj. Will- iam Bedford Barney, was the doctor's grand- father. His father, Lieut. Samuel Chase Barney, was a naval officer in the Mexican and Seminole wars, entering the service at the age of fourteen, and retiring in 1854 on account of the loss of hear- ing, contracted while thus engaged. The doctor's mother and Rear-admiral J. C. P. de Krafft, of the United States navy, were cousins.

Dr. de Krafft is the first in order of birth in a family of two sons and two daughters, the others being as follows: Hebe Barney, deceased wife of James Haynes, of New York, by whom she had two children, Hebe and Emily; Edward Barney, a lawyer of New York City; and Clayonia Bar- ney, wife of Theodore K. Vogel, of Philadelphia.

The doctor began his education in the primary schools of Washington, but in 1855 was taken by his parents to Paris, France, where he remained and attended a private school until 1861, when thirteen years of age. Returning to Washing- ton, he entered the Georgetown College of Georgetown, D. C., where he prosecuted his studies for a year, and then attended Peter White's school until 1862. He then came with the family to Cambridge, Md., here becoming a pupil under Rev. Dr. Barber, who was his tutor until 1864. The following year he entered the Pennsylvania Military Academy at West Chester, Pa., and after completing his scientific course was graduated from that institution with the class of 1867.

When about twenty years of age Dr. de Krafft began his business career as a clerk in Clark's drug store, in Washington, D. C., where he re- mained for one year, and then matriculated at the Columbia Medical College, where he attended one course of lectures. Later he attended the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, where he

WILLIAM P. JACKSON.

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was graduated in 1874. The year previous he had completed the prescribed course and was graduated from the Cincinnati College of Pharm- acy. Thus, well equipped for his chosen profes- sion he opened an office in that city, but in 1877 returned to Cambridge, where he has since suc- cessfully engaged in practice, enjoying a large and lucrative patronage.

Dr. de Krafft married Miss Sarah A. Parks, of Maryland, a daughter of John Parks, of Cincin- nati, and they now have one child, Mary Lilley. In religious belief the doctor is an Episcopalian, and in his social relations he is a Mason. He comes honestly by his principles of Republican- ism, as his ancestors were all Federals and old- line Whigs, and to some extent he too has been interested in the naval service by his connection with the United States Marine Hospital. In 1887 he was made Third Battalion surgeon with the rank of major; and in 1893 First Regiment assist- ant surgeon, with the rank of captain. He is also president of the state board of health and belongs to the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Mary- land. Since August 9, 1889, he has been pension agent here. Always affable and pleasant in man- ner, he wins friends wherever he goes, and his popularity has made him a great favorite in all circles. He has that true love for his profession without which there is no success, and holds and merits a place among the representative physicians of the state.

ILLIAM P. JACKSON, a son of William H. Jackson, who is one of the wealthiest business men on the Eastern Shore, and a resident of Salisbury, has unquestionably in- herited the fine commercial abilities and superior judgment which have made the senior Jackson notable. He is interested in many of the leading industries and enterprises of this place finan- cially, and is public spirited and popular among our citizens. For a young man scarcely thirty

years of age he has manifested unusual diligence and attention to business, and has already achieved success that many a man of twice his years might well envy.

W. P. Jackson is a stockholder, also secretary and treasurer, in the Jackson Brothers Company, manufacturers of box-shooks in their large milis here, Nos. 1 and 2, and finishing, flooring and ceiling lumber, made in mill No. 3. He is vice- president of Salisbury National Bank, which has a capitalization of $50,000 and is one of the sub- stantial institutions of the state. Of the Salis- bury Shirt Company, which was organized in 1897 and is the largest establishment of the kind outside of Baltimore, he is the vice-president. The large and finely equipped building is con- structed of brick, and here fifteen hundred dozen shirts can be turned out every week, ready to pass into the hands of the private citizen. (For further particulars in regard to this new enter- prise see sketch of George Pooley, manager of the same, which appears in this work.) Mr. Jackson owns an interest in several of the great lumber companies in the south, with which his father is extensively interested. (See sketch of William H. Jackson. )

A native of Salisbury, William P. Jackson was born here in January, 1868, and was educated in the public schools of the town, and completed his studies in the higher branches in the Conference Academy of Dover, Del. He would have re- miained within those classic lialls some time longer, but his health would not permit and he returned home. Soon afterwards he embarked in business and rapidly won a position of influ- ence among his fellow-citizens. In politics he is an independent Democrat.

February 12, 1890, Mr. Jackson married Miss Sallie McCombs, a young lady favorably es- teemed in the leading social circles of Havre de Grace, Md. They have a very pretty home, fur- nished in good taste, with many of the evidences of the culture and refinement of the occupants. Two bright little ones have come to grace their hearthstone, a daughter, Belle McCombs, and a son, William Newton. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church of Salisbury, Mr.

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Jackson being one of the trustees of the same. He possesses the confidence and respect of all who know him, whether in a business or social way, and has the faculty of readily making and retaining friends.

ASHINGTON BEAUCHAMP has been a citizen of Marion Station, Somerset County, for about eleven years, during which time lie has conducted a general store here. In addition to this he also carries on a small farm and takes especial pride in the fine market vegetables which he raises in his garden. His name is an old and honored one in the annals of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and though his life has been a quiet and compara- tively uneventful one, it has had an influence for good wlierever he has gone. In all his business and social dealings with his fellows he has mani- fested uprightness of heart and action and has won for himself the esteem of all with whom he has come into contact.

A son of William W. Beauchamp, our subject was born in Princess Anne district, this county, in February, 1848. His father was a life-long resident of that locality and was for years the best carpenter in those parts. He worked at that trade and erected many houses and other buildings in his prime, but subsequently turned his attention to farming. His home was near the town of Princess Anne, and there his death oc- curred at the advanced age of eighty-four years. He was twice married. By his union with Miss Adams he had one child, now deceased. To himself and second wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Handy, seven children were born. Five of the number survive, viz .: William T., Washington, Stephen J .; Susan, Mrs. W. T. Davis; and Elizabeth, widow of Samuel Brough- ton. The mother, who is a daughter of Levin Handy, is still living and makes her home with her children.

The first twenty-six years in the life of Wash- ington Beauchamp were passed upon a farm, his

energies being devoted to the raising of a general line of cereals, etc. He then learned the carpen- ter's trade, which he followed successfully for fourteen years. In 1886 he opened his store in Marion Station. Politically he is an ardent Dem- ocrat, and socially is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and has passed the chairs in the local lodge. He was married in 1882, Miss Mollie E. Horsey being the lady of his choice. She is a daughter of John C. Horsey of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Beauchamp are members of the Episcopal Church, the former be- ing a vestryman and quite a worker in the con- gregation.

OHN H. VAN GESEL. In spite of the adversities he has met, Mr. Van Gesel has at- tained a success that speaks well for his energy and capabilities. He is known as a prosperous business man of Denton, with whose various in- dustries he has been closely connected. He owns and occupies a comfortable residence here, and is also the owner of fifteen other houses, which he rents, and also a livery stable and hotel. Proba- bly the most important enterprise which he as- sisted was the securing of the railroad through Caroline County, to aid which project he went to the Delaware legislature and through every hon- orable means possible sought to secure the road for this county.

The parents of our subject, John and Priscilla (Furby) Van Gesel, were natives of Delaware, where the latter died in 1887. The fatlier spent his early years as a stage contractor, running all the stages on the line of the present railroad; later he settled upon a farm, and there his death occurred in 1860, when he was still in the prime of life. Of his family of eight children four are still living. W. T., who was educated in New- ark College, was for a time engaged in railroad- ing, but is now a magistrate in Harrington, Del. Asbury also lives in Harrington, as does Anna M.

On a farm near Smyrna, Del., where he was born March 20, 1837, the subject of this sketch spent his boyhood years. After completing the

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public school studies he opened a store at Clark's Corners (now Harrington), where he was the first merchant. During the trying days of the war he made and lost a fortune. After the war was over he traded his property in Delaware for a stock of goods in Denton, where he made a new start. Six years later he traded the store for real estate in Caroline County. He has also dealt in cattle and horses.

In 1866 Mr. Van Gesel married Mary M. Macklen, of Georgetown, Del., daughter of Charles Macklen, of Sussex County. They have one child, Clara, who married William H: An- derson and is the mother of a son, Eugene. The family are identified with the Episcopal Church.

APT. STEPHEN W. DOLBEY, who cast in his fortune with the citizens of the Eastern Shore some forty-four or forty- five years ago, resides in Tyaskin district, Wicomico County. For ten years after his arrival here he was chiefly interested in boating and the oyster business and made a comfortable little fortune in that manner. He now owns over six hundred acres of land, which represents the work of years. He has truly been the architect of his own wealth and high standing in the community, for he com- menced life a poor lad, and by energy and well- applied industry became well-to-do.

The captain is a native of Connecticut, his birth having occurred there March 9, 1832. His parents, Stephen and Anna (Lyons) Dolbey, were also born in Connecticut and had a family of nine children. Only four of the number sur- vive, Samuel, Stephen W., Sarah and Irenous. The father of Stephen Dolbey, Sr., was a native of England, who came to America a long time prior to the war of the Revolution, and was so far weaned from his mother country at the time of the colonial struggle for independence that he bore arms against the British government. His son, father of the captain, inherited his stanch loyalty to America to such a degree that he too fought the British in the war of 1812. He fol-

lowed agricultural pursuits in the Nutmeg State and was much respected by a large circle of friends and neighbors.

Captain Dolbey was reared and educated in his native state and was initiated into the various departments of farm work when he was still a little lad. In 1853 he came to Maryland and has never since cared to live elsewhere, as he likes our people and state. Success long since crowned his unremitting toil, and besides bringing up his large family, giving them a great many luxuries as well as necessities of life and good educations, he has laid aside a competence for old age. He is an Odd Fellow and a Mason, and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias. In the Methodist Episcopal Church he holds the love of all the other members and has acted in the capacity of trustee and steward. Though never an office- seeker he discharges his obligations as a voter, his preference being for the Democracy.

Upon the 12th of February, 1855, the mar- riage of the captain and Henrietta Simpkins was solemnized in this district, of which she is a na- tive. Nine children came to bless their union, they in the order of birth being as follows: Sarah C., Betsy Ann, William, John, Stephen, Hattie, Lula, Samuel, and one who died in infancy before receiving a name.

ICHARD BENNETT WILLSON. Among the honored pioneers and representative citizens of the fifth district of Kent County stands the gentleman who forms the subject of the present notice.

Mr. Willson has reached the good old age of eighty years, having been born December 10, 1817. His birth occurred in Queen Anne's Coun- ty, in the southern portion of the state, and there also his father, Thomas Willson, was born, on the same farm on which his son first saw the light of day. Here the father was reared, re- maining until 1819, when he came to Kent Coun- ty to read medicine with Dr. Anderson, of Ches-

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tertown. After leaving the doctor, he attended Jefferson College at Philadelphia, Pa., and after his graduation from this institution returned to Queen Anne's County, where hie practiced with his father for a time. Here he was married, but shortly after removed to this county, purchasing the farm that Richard Bennett now owns, which liad previously belonged to the father of his wife. Here he spent the remainder of his days, dying in October, 1859, at the age of eighty-five years. He practiced medicine until a short time before liis death, and at one time was surgeon in the state militia. In religion he was a Catholic, being a member of the church of his denomina- tion in Queen Anne's County.

Thomas Bennett, father of the last-named and grandfather of Richard B., was also a native of Queen Anne's County, and was a practicing phy- sician. He received his education in Edinburgh, Scotland, and carried on his profession in his na- tive county the greater part of his life. Longevity appears to be a characteristic of the race, for he also reached a hale old age. His father, Thomas, was a native of Scotland. He also was a physi- cian, and came to America in the train of Lord Baltimore, about 1632.

The mother of our subject, Maria Smyth, was a native of Kent County, a daughter of Thomas Kent, also a native of Kent County, a merchant and farmer, who carried on his business in Chestertown. Gresham Smyth, the maternal great-grandfather of Richard Bennett, was a large importer in the last-named town.

Mrs. Maria Willson died in middle life. She left a large family of children, ten in all, all of whom are deceased with the exception of Richard Ben- nett. The latter remained at home with his par- ents until he had reached the age of about seven- teen years, receiving his early education in the public schools. He started his business career as a clerk in a store at Baltimore, where he re- mained for a few months, leaving there to go to Vicksburg, Miss., where he found employment in the same line. He held this position for three or four years, when he decided to return home and assist his father in the management of the

farm. On the death of his father he purchased the old homestead from the heirs, and has since made his home on it.

October 3, 1842, at the age of twenty-five, Mr. Willson married Miss Ann M. Young, daughter of Benjamin Young, of Kent County, who lived near the head of the Sassafras River on a planta- tion. In later life he removed to Prince George County, where he died at the age of fifty years. His father, Notley Young, was born in England and came to America with his father, Benjamin, a person of considerable means and influence, who built a large mansion in Washington, one of the famous houses of its day. He owned at one time the whole southern portion of the Dis- trict of Columbia, and numbered among his friends the Father of his Country, George Wash- ington. Mrs. Willson's mother was, previous to her marriage, Miss Charlotta Manning, of Prince George's County, Md.

Mrs. Willson was born in the year 1819, in Charles County, this state. Her marriage has resulted in the birth of twelve children, viz .: Dr. Thomas B., whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; William, who died young; Milford M., a farmer residing in this district; Horace A., a merchant at Eadesville, now deceased, this dis- trict; Notley O .; who assists his father on the farm; Julia R., wife of James C. Ringgold, of this district; Peter C., a clerk in the treasury de- partment at Washington, D. C .; Paul Alex- ander, a farmer residing in this district, and four who died young.

Descended on both sides from families long and favorably known in the community, and pos- sessing himself sterling qualities, Mr. Willson has ever enjoyed the friendship and respect of his fellow-citizens, and this has been shown in numerous ways. . In politics he is a Democrat, and served as county commissioner for two terms, and for two terms as judge of the orphans' court. In their religious faith he and his wife adhere to the Catholic religion.

Since coming into possession of the old home- stead, Mr. Willson has added to his acreage from time to time until he now owns about nine hun-

JAY WILLIAMS.

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dred acres of land, in whose cultivation and im- provement he takes a deep interest. For a man of his years he bears his age remarkably well, and still takes interest in the many things with which younger men concern themselves.

AY WILLIAMS, a successful lawyer of Salisbury, Wicomico County, laid the foun- dations of his present large practice in the fall of 1884, in this place, he having been admit- ted to the bar of this county in the preceding July. He is thoroughly posted in legal lore and has had wide and varied experience in his chosen profes- sion. For several years past he has been the legal adviser of many of the leading business firms and influential citizens of Salisbury and vi- cinity, and is thoroughly identified with the best interests of the town in every way. His law office is one of the most systematically arranged and appointed ones to be found anywhere, all of his books and documents being carefully filed or placed with reference to convenience and ready access.

Mr. Williams was born in Somerset County, Md., only three and a-half miles west of Salis- bury, upon a farm which is now within the limits of Wicomico County, June 28, 1859. He is a son of Luther M. and Eleanor W. (Wootten) Williams, who were both natives of Sussex Coun- ty, Del., and become residents of this locality about 1855. The father was a farmer by occu- pation and was a very prosperous business man. He owned three hundred and twenty-five acres of good land in Delaware, and over four hundred and twenty-five acres in this state. He was held in high regard by all with whom he had any ac- quaintance, and was an upright, conscientious Christian. His death took place at the age of seventy-two years, in 1882. The mother died some years previously, when in her fifty-third year. Of their ten children seven grew to maturity: Alonzo L., a farmer of this county ; Caroline, widow of Isaac Connoly, of Delmar, Del .; Martha J., wife of Louis A. Pollitt, who owns the old home

place in Delaware; Lucy E., wife of Hugh Ellings- worth, of Salisbury; Eliza C., deceased, formerly wife of Thomas C. Morris. James M. was an Episcopal minister, and died at Burlington, N. J., where he had been rector of Burlington College, and at the same time was pastor pro tem of St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Camden, N. J. His family are now living at Nyack on the Hudson, N. Y.

The early education of Jay Williams was ob- tained in the district schools in the vicinity of his home. He was an apt student, and prepared to enter the high school at Salisbury at the age of fourteen and graduated therefrom three years later. Then he was admitted to St. John's Col- lege, at Annapolis, Md., for a four years' classical course, and graduated in the class of 1880. Next he was enrolled as a student in the Wesleyan University of Middletown, Conn., for a post- graduate course, but was obliged to return home soon afterwards, ill with the scarlet fever. Upon his recovery he registered as a law student in the office of Hon. Thomas Humphreys, who was well and favorably known to the bench and bar of the Eastern Shore. Meanwhile, young Williams taught school in various places, Bridgeville, Del., Crisfield, Md .; Chincoteague, Va., and Port De- posit, Md., etc. At length he reached the goal to which he had so long and bravely pressed forward -his admission to the bar, which event took place in July, 1884. Immediately after, he es- tablished an office in Salisbury, and has since been located here. His practice is general and not confined to any special branch of the law; and, from the very first, he has met with remarkable success. His many years of study and prepara- tion formed a wide and liberal basis for his special profession, and cultivated in him qualities of self- reliance, research, clearness of thought and ex- pression, and superior judgment. In political affairs he is independent, and supports the men whom he considers best suited to the office.

January 30, 1890, Mr. Williams married A. Blanche Catlin, daughter of Alexander W. Cat- lin, a well-known citizen of Wicomico County. The young couple have one child, a little son, Arthur Everett, by name, They are members of

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Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 41

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