Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 47

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 47

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Samuel Wright, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was one of the early settlers of this county and died here. He was of English descent. Samuel Wright, Jr., father of our sub- ject, was also a native of this county, though his wife, Dorcas Nicholas, was from Caroline County. They were the parents of the following children: Eleanor, Nicholas, Isaac, Margaret A., Harriet, Emily, Samuel, Mary (wife of Jabez Wright) and Sarah J.

The birth of Nicholas Wright occurred in the twefth district of Dorchester County, in August, 1812, and he grew to manhood upon a farm. He has always been engaged in agricultural affairs and has been quite successful as a farmer. He has been affiliated with the Democratic party since becoming a voter, and has held a few local offices in the community.

In 1837 Mr. Wright married Mary E. Shanahan and to them were born seven children, viz .: Eliza, wife of John M. Dean, of New Market; James, who died and left one child; Margaret E.,

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Mrs. Thomas Rowins; Fannie; Thomas I., of Hurlock; Ida, wife of George Trice, of Elwood; and Emma, Mrs. Wesley Stephens.

For more than forty years Mr. Wright has resided upon the border line between Caroline and Dorchester Counties, and is well and favor- ably known in both. He is still in the perfect possession of all his mental faculties, though now eighty- five years of age. He is now practically retired from active cares and has lived for two years in Hurlock. He still owns about one hun- dred and sixty acres of land, but, as previously mentioned, has bestowed much of his resources upon his children. May they follow the worthy example he has set them, in honesty, industry and in integrity of purpose and action.

ON. GEORGE DAVIDSON is one of the most representative and wealthy citizens of Queen Anne's County, his home being upon a beautiful and desirable farm, a portion of the celebrated Carmichael estate, in the fifth district. He is influential in local politics, being a strong supporter of the Democracy, and was elected a member of the county commissioners in 1887, serving satisfactorily for two terms in that capac- ity, and retired in 1891. The following fall he was elected judge of the orphans' court, his ten- ure of office running until 1895. He was noted for his strictly impartial judgments, his able in- terpretation of the law and for his skill, prompt- ness and general executive ability.

The Davidsons are among the oldest families of Maryland and have given many noted person- ages to her history. Four generations back we find one George Davidson, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, setting sail for America, the land of liberty. He located permanently in Maryland, and his son, George, Jr., was born in Cecil County. The next in the line of descent was Philip T. Davidson, father of our subject. He, also, was a native of Cecil County, born about 1807, and grew to manhood there. He then came to Queen Anne's County, and here he was

married. He settled down upon an extensive plantation, and owned in the neighborhood of five hundred acres altogether. His wife was Miss Mary Tilghman Earle, a daughter of Judge Rich- ard Tilghman Earle, and their family numbered four children who lived to maturity, viz .: Rich- ard, a farmer of this county; George, Catherine T. and Susan Earle.

George Davidson, of whom we write, was born near the village of Centreville, in the third dis- trict of this county, March 2, 1840, and received excellent educational advantages in the public schools and in the private academy of Centre- ville. His studies completed, he turned his at- tention to merchandising in Queenstown, and thus he was employed for several years. About 1891 he removed to the farm which he has since engaged in cultivating, a place of six hundred acres. The results prove him to be a man of fine talent from a financial point of view.

While a resident of Queenstown, November 16, 1864, Judge Davidson married Marcella Blunt and to them were born two sons, Charles F., a leading physician of Queenstown (see his sketch) , and Philip T., a farmer of this district. For four- teen years after the death of their mother the judge remained a widower, but in 1884 he mar- ried Sarah D., daughter of Hon. R. B. Car- michael, and they have two children, Richard Bennett Carmichael and Mary Elizabeth. The family is identified with the Episcopal Church, Mrs. Davidson having been a life-long church- woman and the judge having been a member since about 1872.

DWIN L. GRIFFITH, postmaster of Taylor's Island, Dorchester County, was appointed to this responsible position in August, 1897. He has always been a stanch Republican, and is recognized as quite an im- portant factor in local politics. He formerly officiated in this same place as postmaster under Grant's administration, and remained at his post for a period of seven years, at the expiration of

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which time lie resigned. He was a member of the Republican State Central Committee for eight years during the 80's, and, though much against his will, he was brought forward as a candidate for the senate in 1888. From 1892 to 1893 and part of 1894 he was inspector of customs in Balti- more city, and in all tliese various positions of trust and honor he has been true to his duties and faithful to the least detail.

A native of Anne Arundel County, born Oc- tober 13, 1838, near the town of Fair Haven, in the eighth district, our subject is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Sutton) Griffith. The father was a native of Calvert County, Md., and spent the greater part of his life in Anne Arundel County, where he owned large estates and a great many slaves. For many years he was also interested in conducting a store in the town of Friendship, and later he went to Baltimore, where he em- barked in a grocery and commission business. His death occurred about two years after his re- moval to the metropolis, in 1847, when he was in his forty-nintli year. He had been very success- ful in his commercial ventures, and in his political faith was a Whig. In the Methodist Episcopal Church he was a pillar, a steward and a trustee. His wife, who was also an active member of that denomination, was a daughter of Rev. Lewis Sutton, a minister in the same church. Mrs. Griffith died when but thirty-five years old, leav- ing four children, of whom Edwin L. is the eldest; Virginia is deceased; Robert C. is in busi- ness in Baltimore; and Roberta is the wife of the Hon. William E. Deal, regent of the University of San Francisco, of the city of the same name in California.

Until he was about fourteen years old Mr. Griffith remained at home with his parents, at- tending the district schools. He then entered the West River Classical Institute, where he studied for two years, at the end of which time he was enrolled in Dickinson Academy. From that celebrated institution of learning he graduated in 1857, and soon afterwards embarked in the dry- goods business in Baltimore, selling and buying on commission. But a short time passed ere he decided to return to the old homestead in Anne

Arundel County, and there he lived, engaged in rural pursuits, till 1866. That year he purchased a large farm in Taylor's Island and has since at- tended to its cultivation and improvement. In 1895 he rented the place and has since dwelt in the town.

February 10, 1864, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Griffith and Adeline, daughter of Thomas B. Travers, of this county, who lived to the good old age of seventy-five years. Mrs. Griffith is a niece of Judge Levi D. Travers. To our subject and wife there were born two children, Mary Elizabeth, who became the wife of William C. Travers, of this county, and Ada Roberta, who is at home with her parents.

ILLIAM G. SMYTH. The family repre- sented by this influential citizen of Chester- town is among the oldest of Kent County, where several successive generations have made their homes and followed various occupations. Jefferson L., his father, was a son of Richard, who was one of the largest land owners and most wealthy men of the county. The mother of our subject, who died in 1892, bore the maiden name of Martha Isabelle Greenwood, and was born in this county, of which her father, John Greenwood, was a well-known resident. In her family there were three sons and two daughters. Richard A. holds the office of constable at Fairlee, this county; Jefferson L. is principal of the Townsend (Del.) Academy, and a graduate of Washington College; Caroline Isabelle is a successful teacher in the schools of this county; Minnie M. resides with her sister Caroline I.

At the home place in Fairlee, this county, William G. Smyth was born November 3, 1869. The rudiments of his education were obtained in the public schools, after which, at the age of fif- teen, he became a student in Washington College, an institution that was founded at Chestertown in 1782. He took the entire course and gradu- ated in 1890. He had formed the intention of becoming a physician and accordingly entered

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the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Balti- more, but never completed the course, as events shaped themselves so as to turn the current of his life. He entered the teacher's profession and as an instructor proved to be capable, efficient and progressive. August 4, 1896, he was honored with the appointment, by Governor Lowndes, to the position of school examiner, in which office he has since continued. The position is one of responsibility, calling for the exercise of every faculty of mind, and the fact that he has filled it satisfactorily proves his fitness for the work.

In 1895 the marriage of William G. Smyth and Lizzie M. Corey was solemnized. Mrs. Smyth was born in this county and is a daughter of Capt. A. L. Corey. In religion she supports the doctrines of the Episcopal Church, and Mr. Smyth is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

AMUEL P. WILSON came to Mardela Springs, Wicomico County, in 1883, and has since engaged in the milling and mercan- tile business, also superintends a small farm which he owns. Having thoroughly learned the trade of a miller when a boy, he entered upon it as his life work, and has made a financial success of the occupation, which he has followed both in Delaware and Maryland. He is well known in Democratic circles, and on his party ticket he was elected tax collector in 1890 and 1891, and in 1897 was elected county commissioner.

The Wilson family is of Irish origin, but has been represented in Delaware for a number of generations. The father of our subject, James, and his grandfather, George Wilson, were born in Kent County, that state, where the former was ZEKIEL MARSH FORMAN. Exactly op- posite Annapolis stands Centreville, the ven- erable county-seat of Queen Anne's, with a history that extends back to a very early period in the settlement of America, and combining in picturesque effect the conservatism of age with the progressive spirit of modern times. Among its families are some that for several successive a merchant and miller of Frederica for many years, also an active Democrat and tax collector several times. He was a successful business inan and liberal in his contributions to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was a member, also generous in his gifts to charitable enterprises. He died in December, 1885. His first wife was Sarah Wilson, who died in 1856, leaving three generations have been prominent in public affairs

children: William E., of Caroline County; Samuel P .; and Annie E., wife of Richard W. Lord, of Harrington, Del. After the death of his first wife he married Susan T., daughter of George W. Wilson, of Sussex County, Del. She is now sixty-nine years of age and resides in Frederica, Del. Of the second marriage there were six children, three now living: Susan, who resides with her mother; Clara, wife of Harry Dodson, of Clayton, Del .; and Frank, whose home is in Sea- ford, Del.

In Frederica, Kent County, Del., where he was born January 2, 1856, our subject passed the days of boyhood and youth. On leaving school he entered his father's flour mill, where he learned the business. In 1876 he went to Ruthsburg, Queen Anne's County, Md., where he spent three years in the milling business; then return- ing home, he remained with his father for two years. The three ensuing years were spent near Laurel, Del., after which he spent one year in Laurel. In 1883 he moved to his present place of residence in Wicomico County, and has since been an active business man of Mardela Springs. Fraternally he is connected with the Improved Order of Red Men, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is recording secretary of the Ameri- can Mechanics. He has held various official po- sitions in the Methodist Protestant Church, of which he is a member. November 19, 1878, he married Miss Jennie, daughter of John Satterfield, of Kent County, Md., and they became the par- ents of two children, one of whom survives, Norman S.

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and have taken an active part in local history. To this class belongs the Forman family. Eze- kiel Forman, a man of means, and nephew of General Forman of Cecil County, spent his en- tire life on the Eastern Shore, bearing a share ill the development of its industries. He had a so11, Ezekiel T. M. Forman, who was born in Ches- tertown, Md., in 1821, and was educated ill Washington College. Removing to Queen Anne's County, lie engaged in farming, but after a time settled in Centreville, where he followed business pursuits during the remainder of his life. For a time he served as justice of the peace. In re- ligious opinions he favored the doctrines of the Protestant Episcopal Church. His death oc- curred very suddenly, June 27, 1875. He had a brother, William H., who was the father of the well-known business men, Frederick W., Richard Carmichael, James Cranston and William H., of Baltimore, and of Laura Forman Grimes.

The mother of our subject, F. Maria, was a daughter of Peregrine and Harriet (Tilghman) Tilghman, and was born on the farm known as Tilghman's Recovery, in Queen Anne's County. She had four sons and two daughters, namely: Peregrine T., whose sketch appears on another page; Henry, William H., Ezekiel M., Harriet of Baltimore, and Araminta. Our subject was born in Centreville January 15, 1859, and re- ceived his education in the local schools. How- ever he had but few advantages in youth, for at the age of thirteen he began to earn his own livelihood. For eight years he was in the drug store of John T. Wooters, of Centreville, after which he bought an interest in the store of W. J. Hopper, remaining with him until 1888. Since then he has been alone in business.

Mr. Forman aided in the incorporation of the Maryland State Pharmaceutical Association, of which he has been president. For two years he was a member of the Centreville board of com- missioners. The Centreville National Bank num- bers him among its directors. A member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, he has been one of its vestrymen since 1885 and also served upon its building committee. His opinions are in accord with the principles of the Democratic party, and

he always votes that ticket. In fraternal rela- tions he is a member of the Improved Order of Heptasophs and the Royal Arcanum. April 28, 1881, he married Miss S. Catherine Earl, and they are the parents of three children, Peregrine, Ezekiel and Mary Earl.

KENNEDY WILSON, M. D., a practicing physician of Tilghman's Island, Talbot Coun- ty, was born in Boonsborough, Washing- ton County, Md., March 29, 1859. He is a mem- ber of an English family that made settlement in Virginia during the early days of the history of the Old Dominion. His grandfather, John Wil- son, was a successful business man of Winchester, Va., where for many years he was proprietor of a mercantile store, becoming the possessor of a com- petency through his energetic and judicious man- agement of business affairs.

The father of our subject, Henry Beatty Wil- son, M. D., was born in Winchester, Va., where his early life was spent. For thirty years he was a practicing physician at Boonsborough, where he died in 1883, at fifty-three years of age. In re- ligious belief he was an Episcopalian and for a number of years served his church as vestryman. He married Ellen E. Kennedy, who was born in Washington County and still resides there. She was the only daughter of George Scott Keunedy, a large land owner and miller of Boonsborough. The family of Dr. and Mrs. Wilson consisted of twelve children, of whom ten are living, namely: S. Kennedy; Henry Beatty, M. D., who is pro- fessor in a medical college in Omaha; Katie, wife of John Overington, of Philadelphia; Walter Dun- can, who is engaged in the wholesale drug busi- ness in Omaha; Mary Louise, residing in Boons- borough with her mother; John A., who is en- gaged in the mercantile business in Cincinnati; George Rochester, in the treasury department of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in Philadel- phia; Edith Jennings, Agnes and Joseph C., at home.

After completing the high school course in

GEORGE A. DEAKYNE.

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Boonsborough, our subject entered the medical de- partment of the University of Maryland, from which he graduated in 1879, with the degree of M. D. One year was spent as assistant in the Mary- land hospital, after which he returned to Boons- borough and practiced with his father until the death of the latter, whom he succeeded. In 1895 he came to Tilghman's Island, where he has since built up a large practice. Politically he is a Dem- ocrat. While residing in Boonsborough he was trustee of the public schools. He is a member of the Episcopal Church and has been vestryman for a number of years. He is identified with Tilghman's Conclave No. 212, I. O. H., and re- tains membership in LeGrange Lodge No. 36, I. O. O. F., at Boonsborough, in which he is past noble grand.

In 1881 Dr. Wilson married Miss Cora V. Nicodemus, of Washington County. They are the parents of six children, namely: Luther Roy; Frank Kennedy; Ethel May, who died at nine months; Harry Eugene, John Nicodemus and Margaret. The doctor owns a farm containing one hundred and thirty-four acres of land in Washington County, upon which is an orchard of six thousand peach trees. His father-in-law, John L. Nicodemus, is one of the most prominent and wealthy men of western Maryland, owns large tracts of land in Washington County, is presi- dent of the People's National Bank at Hagers- town, vice-president of the Second National Bank and president of the ice factory and stocking fac- tory.

G EORGE A. DEAKYNE, treasurer of Caro- line County, was born in Newcastle Conn- ty, Del., September 11, 1857. He is a member of an old Delaware family. His grand- father, John Deakyne, married a Miss Green- wood, of Kent County, and afterward went to California during the gold excitement of 1849, but was never heard of afterwards. The father of our subject, George A. Deakyne, was born near Chestertown, Kent County, Md., March 13, 1819. For more than ten years he engaged in

the mercantile business in Delaware, after which he settled upon a farm in Newcastle County, re- maining there until two years before his death. He then removed to Clayton, Del., where he died in March, 1895. In religious belief he was iden- tified with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Fraternally he was an Odd Fellow, and passed the chairs in the lodge, besides being a member of the grand lodge. He married Elmira Redden, a native of Sussex County, Del., and daughter of Stephen Redden. She is still living and makes her home in Clayton, Del.

The family of George A. Deakyne, Sr., con- sisted of five sons and five daughters, namely: George A., the eldest; Willard D., a farmer in Kent County, Del .; Walter G., residing in Queen Anne's County, Md .; Clarence, who is with his parents; Veronica, who married Judge E. M. Phillips, of Tunkhannock, Pa .; Mary C., wife of Frank Gootee, of Smyrna, Del .; Rachel G., who married Reuben Warren, proprietor of a hotel at Clayton; Elva and Addie, school teachers in Newcastle, Del .; and Eugene, at home. The early boyhood years of the subject of this sketch were spent upon a farm, where he remained until eighteen years of age. His edu- cation was obtained mainly in the public schools of Smyrna, Del. When eighteen lie went to Philadelphia, where he spent three years as clerk in a commission house. He then came to Den- ton and in 1882 entered the county clerk's office as deputy under Col. Luther H. Gadd. In the fall of 1889 he was elected county treasurer, to which position he was re-elected in the fall of 1893. He has filled the position with efficiency and in such a manner as to win the commenda- tion of all.

In 1883 Mr. Deakyne married Clara Horsey; daughter of William G. Horsey, vice-president of the Denton Bank. They are the parents of one child, Luther Stanley, a bright boy of ten years. Politically Mr. Deakyne is a Democrat and takes an active part in politics. In 1897 he was candidate for state comptroller, but withdrew in favor of his personal friend, Thomas A. Smith, of Ridgely, Md. Fraternally he is connected with the blue lodge of Masons, in which he is

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senior warden; lie is also a member of Talbot Chapter No. 122, R. A. M., and Choptank Com- mandery No. 10, K. T., at Easton. In partner- ship with George Redden he started the canning factory in Denton, but afterward sold out to other parties. He and his wife own several farms, but these they rent out, making their home in Denton.

C DWIN C. FIELDS, clerk of the circuit court for Caroline County and an influential citizen of Denton, was born in Newark, Newcastle County, Del., May 28, 1853. The family of which he is a member settled in New York upon coming to America. His grand- father, John Fields, who died in New York during the cholera epidemic of 1833, had three sons, one of whom, William C., was a member of con- gress from New York; another was a Methodist minister in that state; and the third, Daniel, father of our subject, was a man of prominence in public affairs. Born in New York City in 1812, he spent his early years as a merchant there, meantime having his country home at Newark, Del. Finally, in 1855, he removed to Caroline County, Md., and settled upon a farm twenty- one miles from Denton and in the vicinity of Federalsburg. He soon rose to prominence among his fellow-citizens. In politics he was a Democrat. Three times he was elected to repre- sent the people in the state senate and in 1875 he was elected president of that body. He was a member of the Unitarian Church. His death occurred in 1883. His wife, who is still living, was Harriet, daughter of Isaac Wright, a farmer and prominent citizen of Dorchester County. Mrs. Fields was born and reared in the county just mentioned, and is a most estimable lady, whom to know is to love.

The family of which our subject is a member consists of seven beside himself, he being the eldest. Helen is the wife of Joseph Douglas, of Frederick, Md. Daniel resides at the old home- stead. John W. and Herman are engaged in merchandising in partnership at Zachary, La.

William C., a druggist, resides at Pikesville, Baltimore County. Minnie is the wife of George C. Skirven, bookkeeper in the Denton National Bank. In the common and private schools of the neighborhood of his home our subject received his education. In 1884 he was employed as clerk to the committee on accounts, in the house of representatives, at Washington, of which com- mittee Hon. George W. Covington was chair- man. Under the administration of President Cleveland, in 1887, he was appointed United States Indian Agent at Fort Belknap, Mont., where he continued until President Harrison be- came the Chief Executive. In 1891 he was elected clerk of the circuit court of Caroline Coun- ty, being chosen upon the Independent ticket, though he is a Democrat in political faith. He has since filled the position, discharging its duties with efficiency and faithfulness.

In 1878 Mr. Fields married Anna, daughter of Capt. William H. Watkins, of this county. He was a delegate to the constitutional convention of this state in 1867, and later was a magistrate. The five children born of the union of our sub- ject and wife are Harry V., Roberta, Edwin Claude, Myra Rose and William Watkins. Fra- ternally Mr. Fields is a Mason, a member of Nanticoke Lodge No. 172, A. F. & A. M., and is identified with the Junior Order of American Mechanics, the Heptasophs and the Red Men. Mrs. Fields holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

ON. THOMAS ROMAIN STRONG is the fortunate owner and manager of a beauti- ful homestead on Piney Neck, situated in Lankford Bay, in the fifth district of Kent County. It would indeed be hard to find a place more finely located or more fertile and specially adapted for the purposes to which it is devoted. In the ranks of the Democracy the gentleman of whom we write is a recognized leader, and in one position or another of responsibility and trust he has been a faithful public servant for years. In

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Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 47

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