USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland > Part 55
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110
19
53
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ment from business until 1897, and then settled upon the farm where he now makes his home.
The marriage of Mr. Kemp in 1891 united liim with Mrs. Mattie H. Naylor, daughter of Col. William R. and Lydia L. (Carter) Hughett, natives of Maryland. One child, Samuel T., blesses the union. Mr. Kemp has never cared to actively identify himself with politics, as his tastes do not lie in that direction. However, as a public-spirited citizen, he keeps posted concern- ing the questions before the people. In political belief he favors the principles of the Democratic party.
ENRY CLAY CONNAWAY, who is serving creditably as postmaster of the town of Ber- lin, having been appointed to that position by President Mckinley in 1897, has been an en- thusiastic Republican since he received the right of franchise. He is a veteran of the late Civil war, in which he fought in defense of the Union and those principles instilled into his mind from child- hood-principles of equality, freedom and justice to all, without race limitations. He is a man of public spirit and takes an active part in whatever concerns the welfare of his community.
Born in Berlin in 1844, our subject is a son of Noah and Louisa Connaway, the latter a daughter of Peter Blizzard. The parents were both born and reared in Sussex County, Del., and after their marriage they removed to the vicinty of Berlin. However, they soon became homesick and returned to the scenes and friends of their youth in Delaware. When they were well along in years they once more came to Berlin and settled down, here to pass their declining years, and both died here. Of their family Margaret married William P. Jones, of Delaware, and is now a widow; Edward died in childhood; Annie is the wife of Bolivan Williams, of Berlin; Sophia is the wife of Joseph F. Miller, of Philadelphia.
When but seventeen years of age the patriotic impulses of the subject of this article could no longer be restrained and he tendered his service, and life, if need be, to his country. He enlisted
in 1861 in Company G, Maryland Infantry, com- manded by Capt. George S. Merrill and Col. William H. Purnell. His first duties were along the Eastern Shore, but he was finally ordered, with his company, to join General Banks. He served in the Virginia campaign and took part in the battle at Harper's Ferry. He remained at his post until late in 1862, when he returned home, and afterwards he was for some time in the government employ (army) in the states of Geor- gia, Alabama and Tennessee.
Commencing his business career with nothing but the natural talents he had inlierited and a lib- eral education, Mr. Connaway is the more entitled to credit for what he has accomplished. In the year 1866 he started out in earnest to win his own livelihood in the financial world. With the exception of the few years mentioned when he was in the government employ in one capacity or another, he has always lived near Berlin and has been considered one of her most reliable citizens. He now owns a good farm, which he personally supervises, and also has considerable property in the town of Berlin. In a fraternal way he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Since his marriage, which event occurred in 1872, Mr. Connaway has made his home in the vil- lage. His wife was formerly Miss Annie T. Quillen, her father being Thomas N. Quillen, of this place. In his honor the eldest son of our sub- ject and wife was named Thomas N., and their other children are Henry Clay, Jr., and Louisa.
ON. HENRY PAGE, chief judge of the first judicial district of Maryland, has his residence in the town of Princess Anne, Somerset County. He has been identified with the history of this place during nearly all of his professional career and has made a brilliant record for ability, thorough knowledge of the law and wise judgments. He was honored by appoint- ment to his present high office in August, 1892, and was elected by the people to the same posi- tion in November, 1893, for a period of fifteen
531
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
years. In order to accept the judgeship he re- Virginia, where he was a student until the out- signed his place in congress, to which he had break of the war. With the ardor of youth he joined a battalion, and was stationed at Harper's Ferry for some six weeks. When the battalion was disbanded at Charlottesville he yielded to his father's earnest pleading and, greatly against his own wishes, returned home. He read law with his father then for a time and was nearly two years in the office of William S. Waters, of Baltimore. He was admitted to the bar in 1864 and at the end of another year and a-half came to Princess Anné, becoming a partner of his father. In 1871 he withdrew and practiced by himself until 1884, when he and Joshua Miles formed a co-partnership which lasted up to the date of Mr. Page's being appointed to the bench. He has practiced in this and adjoining counties and has a distinguished clientage along the Eastern Shore. He is a member of the Knights of Py- thias, belonging to Shekinah Lodge No. 35, of this place. With his good wife and family he at- tends the services of the Presbyterian Church. been elected in 1891. He has been very active in the interests of the Democracy, and as early as 1867 was prominent in the councils of the state, as he was a member of the constitutional conven- tion of that year. In 1870 he was elected state's attorney, and during the fourteen years succeed- ing he won fame as a legal pleader and was marked out for yet greater responsibilities. In 1884 he was nominated for the legislature, but was defeated by four votes. This event only caused his friends to rally the more strongly to his sup- port, and in 1890 his name was proposed as a candidate for the house of representatives in con- gress, and he was nominated and duly elected. He is president of the savings bank of Somerset County, located in Princess Anne, and his influ- ence has frequently been of great benefit in the fostering of young industries and enterprises hereabout, thus more or less directly advancing the general welfare.
In tracing the history of Mr. Page, perhaps it would be well to state at the beginning that his name was originally John Woodland Crisfield, Jr., he being named after his honored father, whose biography and family record will be found elsewhere in this volume. Our subject was born on the 28th of June, 1841, and, as his mother died the same day, the infant was taken to the heart and home of his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Ann Page (nee Woodland), who was a devoted foster-mother to the child. He grew up under her loving care, and remained in her home in Cambridge, Md., much of the time until her removal to Baltimore, where she died in 1876. She was the widow of Dr. Henry Page, of Rock Hall, Kent County, Md., a prom- inent physician who died in 1820, and her ear- nest desire that her grandson should bear her deceased husband's name was finally complied with, and by act of legislature his name was formally changed to Henry Page in 1848. Her only son also was named in honor of his father. The education of our subject was obtained in a boarding school which he attended for six years, at West Chester, Pa., and in the University of
It was in October, 1867, that Judge Page mar- ried Miss Virginia W. Dennis, of Worcester Coun- ty, Md. She is a daughter of John W. Dennis, and by her marriage has become the mother of five children, viz .: Julia E .; Henry Page, M. D., a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, and now a surgeon in the United States army; Louisa J., Ann and John, all at home.
A. HIMMELWRIGHT, who resides in the seventh district of Queen Anne's County, was born in Montgomery County, Pa., De- cember 17, 1824. His father died when he was quite young and the mother afterward re- moved with her family near Spinnerville, to her father's home. Our subject there worked in his grandfather's flouring mill until seventeen years of age, after which he was employed as a farm- hand until 1845, when, on the 10th of February, he enlisted in the marine corps at Philadelphia. He served in the navy yard under Maj. Edward Twiggs until August, 1845, and was then sent on
532
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
board the sloop-of-war John Adams, at the Brook- lyn navy yard, she being then ready to sail for Pensacola, Fla., to relieve the Falmouth. Later he participated in the engagements of Tampeci and Tuxpan and the bombardment of Vera Cruz. He was at Point Isabella, then went to Tobasco, and later returned to Vera Cruz, where the troops remained until the arrival of Brig .- Gen. Franklin Pierce. They afterward went to Pueblo, overtook General Scott, and proceeded to Contrereras, Charubusco and San Antonio, and participated in the battle of El Mellino del Rey. Later they proceeded to Chapultepec, and Maj. Edward Twiggs was one of the first killed in the engage- ment at that place among the troops of the marine battalion. Mr. Himmelwright was also present with his command at the time of the surrender of the City of Mexico, and remained in the land of Montezuma until April 29, 1848, when the forces were marched back to Vera Cruz and thence pro- ceeded on the ship Relief to Norfolk, Va., and from there on the steamer General Henderson to Washington. After a month spent in the cap- ital city Mr. Himmelwright was honorably dis- charged and returned to Philadelphia. He spent a few months in that city and later went to Mil- ford Square, Bucks County, Pa., where he taught school for three years.
On the expiration of that period Mr. Himmel- wright removed to Philadelphia, where he en- gaged in clerking in a clothing store for a year. Turning his attention to the grocery business, he continued operations in that line for a year, after which he was again employed as a salesman for a time. He continued in Philadelphia until 1855,. when he came to Queen Anne's County, and since the 13th of April of that year he has resided at his present place of residence. From 1867 until 1874 he was successfully engaged in school teaching, but now devotes his time and attention to agricultural pursuits. He owns one hundred acres of land in the home farm and has altogether two hundred and fifty acres, constituting a valu- able property.
On the 8th of April, 1855, Mr. Himmelwright was united in marriage to Miss Margaret A. Book. They became the parents of six children, but only
two are now living, namely: Mary L., wife of Hiram G. Tarberton, a resident of the seventh district of Queen Anne's County; and Annie G., wife of Cooper Tarberton. The other children died in infancy.
In his political views Mr. Himmelwright is a Republican and takes a deep interest in the suc- cess of his party. He belongs to the Methodist Protestant Church, and has the esteem of a large circle of warm friends. From the time when he aided his country in the war with Mexico he has been faithful and loyal to its best interests and has ever commanded the respect of business, po- litical and social acquaintances.
WESLEY BEAUCHAMP. Among the sub- stantial and progressive farmers of Fair- mount district, Somerset County, is the gentleman whose name heads this review. For the past ten years he has been occupied in the cultivation of the homestead formerly styled the Zell farm, he having purchased the property in 1887. He owns in the neigborhood of four hun- dred acres of valuable farm land and raises a gen- eral variety of crops, besides dealing to some ex- tent in live stock and fertilizer.
A native of Westover, born in July, 1859, our subject is a son of Levin H. and Margaret (White) Beauchamp. The father was born and reared in Dublin district, Somerset County, but resided in Westover the greater part of his life. He owned large tracts of land and had a number of slaves prior to the war. For a long time he was a merchant in Westover, and though a Dem- ocrat, was postmaster of the village under the administrations of Presidents Hayes and Garfield. He died at the age of eighty years, beloved and respected by all who had ever known him. He and his good wife were members of the Methodist Protestant Church, he being a trustee in the local congregation. The wife, who was a daughter of Tubman White, is still living on the old home- stead near Westover, and is now in her sixty-sev- enth year. Two of her four children have been
533
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
summoned to the home beyond, viz .: Helen and life on the Eastern Shore, was for about twelve Frances. The two sons are L. Wesley and Oliver T.
In his boyhood our subject had the advantage of being trained in business affairs by his father, who was a man of fine judgment and wide exper- ience. After leaving the public schools the youth assisted his father in his general store and was also of value as a clerk in the postoffice. When he attained his majority he left home and from that time forward devoted himself to agriculture. He is a practical farmer and has made many sub- stantial improvements upon his home place, thus greatly increasing its value and general desirabil- ity. He is identified with the Improved Order of Heptasophs and is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He was married in January, 1880, the lady of his choice having been Miss Grace Broughton, daughter of Elijah Broughton, of Kingston. They have a son and two daughters, viz .: Harriet, Charles W. and Helen. Politically he is a Democrat.
ON. A. LINCOLN DRYDEN, state senator from Somerset County, is one of the most prominent public men of his locality, and, while still quite young in years, has achieved a success and prominence that make him a con- spicuous figure among the people of the Eastern Shore. In 1895 he was nominated for the state senate and received the election by a majority of two hundred and twenty votes, much of his sup- port coming from the white and colored laboring classes. He at once entered upon the duties of his office, which he has since filled with effi- ciency, his term to run until 1900.
In Fairmount district, Somerset County, Mr. Dryden was born February 18, 1865, the son of Littleton T. and Charlotte E. (Ford) Dryden, also natives of this county. He is a descendant of one of two brothers who about 1660 emigrated from England and settled on the Eastern Shore, the subsequent home of the family. Littleton T. Dryden, who has spent the greater part of his
years deputy United States marshal, also held the position of United States commissioner of the Eastern Shore, and is now superintendent of the bureau of emigration at Baltimore. He is a man of superior ability and is still strong, mentally and physically, though now past sixty years of age.
The first ten years of our subject's life were passed in Fairmount district, after which he re- sided in Crisfield, where his father engaged in the crab and oyster business. He attended the academy here, and also the old Washington Academy, Princess Anne, and St. John's College at Annapolis. When about through the sopho- more year at St. John's, he left that institution and entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle, Pa., where he carried on his studies for two years, graduating with honors. For about a year he was engaged in the oyster business at Grand Rapids, Mich., but not liking the west, he re- turned to Maryland and to his old home at Cris- field.
An advocate of Republican principles, Mr. Dryden has often been chosen by his party as their candidate for public offices. In 1889 he was elected to the house of delegates on the Repub- lican ticket, receiving a majority of about three hundred. After he had served in the legislature three months he accepted the position of assist- ant librarian in the navy department, which he held from 1890 until 1893. In the interests of the library, then collecting statistics regarding the Civil war, he went to Europe, visiting Hol- land, Belgium, Bohemia and other countries in an official capacity, and spending three months in searching for data needed in his work. Since his return to this country he has been general agent for the Northwestern Mutual Life Insur- ance Company of Milwaukee, Wis., in the East- ern Shore of Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. In 1894 he was nominated for congress on the sixty-second ballot, but in the election was de- feated by the Democratic candidate, Hon. Joshua W. Miles, of Princess Anne. In the interests of his party he has frequently spoken on the hust- ings, where his fluency of language and logical
534
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
reasoning have made him popular. Fraternally he is connected with the Junior Order United American Mechanics, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. As an ex- horter he has been active in the work of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He married Miss Effie C. Venable, of this place, and they are the parents of one child, Ethelyn. Mrs. Dryden is the daughter of Seth and Susan A. (Jones) Ven- able, natives of the Eastern Shore, both of whom are deceased.
RANCIS A. WRIGHTSON, who is now living retired after a useful and busy career, is one of the honored old citizens of Talbot County. He is a native of Bay Hundred district and has dwelt within its boundaries for the greater part of his life, his home having been for nearly half a century upon the farm, locally called Chance. In his early manhood he was very act- ive in the support of the Democratic party, and served most creditably as county commissioner for three terms of two years each. He has always made the welfare of others his aim in life, and not his own selfish advancement exclusively. This trait in his character, together with many another noble quality, has won him an enviable place in the affections of scores of old friends and neighbors.
The birth of Francis A. Wrightson took place eighty-five years ago, in the year 1812, at which time the whole country was in a state of great concern over the threatened war with Great Brit- ain. His parents were Francis and Mary Ann Wrightson, natives of Talbot County. (For other particulars in regard to the family see sketch of William L. Wrightson, which is printed elsewhere in this work.) Until he was about twenty-eight years of age our subject continued to devote his energies to farming, but about 1828 he went to Annapolis, Md., where he served an apprentice- ship of five years at the carpenter's trade. This occupation he worked at as a journeyman several years, and has followed it to some extent through life. In 1849 he purchased the farm wheron he
still resides, a tract of one hundred and seventy- six acres, and suitable for the raising of general crops common to this climate.
In 1848 Mr. Wrightson married Ellen J., daughter of John Graham, of St. Michael's dis- trict. Their children were as follows: Charles T., who is in the canning business in Easton; Will- iam J., of St. Michael's; Joseph G., deceased, formerly a traveling salesman; Mary F., wife of A. Lowe; Edward G., who now has charge of the management of the old farm; Ada G., wife of Frank Lowe; Mattie E., wife of Capt. Lloyd Tidings, of Baltimore; and Emma L., wife of J. E. Shannahan, of Easton, now deceased. The mother of these children was a devoted inember of the Methodist Protestant Church and was a lady of rare amiability and genuine sweetness of disposition. Mr. Wrightson is also identified with the Methodist Protestant Church.
G. Edward, son of our subject, was born in 1849 and has always been engaged in farming, with marked success. He was married in 1892 to Miss May Grace, daughter of Thomas E. Grace, and two children bless this union, namely: George E. and May Grace.
EORGE W. OWENS. This gentleman is entitled to distinction as one of the most progressive and enterprising men of Kent County, and has for a number of years been identified with the interests of Betterton. He was born in that place in 1863, and belongs to a family of English extraction that dates its resi- dence in America from the latter part of the seventeenth century. His father, George E. Owens, was a native of Baltimore, but when qnite young was brought by his parents to Kent County, where he still continues to reside. The paternal grandfather was chief engineer on the S. S. Savannah.
For the past thirty years the father of our sub- ject has made his home in Betterton, and as a contractor and builder has materially aided in its growth and development. He has always taken
535
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
an active part in local politics, is a stanch sup- porter of the Republican party, and for eight years most acceptably served as postmaster of Betterton. He is a prominent and honored member of the Order of American Mechanics and also of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and for many years has been a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has served as steward, trustee and superintendent of the Sunday-school for some time. He is still living, at the age of fifty-seven years, honored and respected by all who know him.
As a companion and helpmeet on life's journey George E. Owens wedded Mary A. Browball, of Kent County, and to them have been born eight children: Florence, now the wife of William Jester; George W., of this sketch; Mary M., wife of J. W. Smith; John S., a clerk on the steamer Republic, running from Philadelphia to Cape May; Joseph R., a cabin officer on the Eicksson Line, running from Baltimore to Philadelphia; Annie, Harry and Howard.
During his boyhood and youth, George W. Owens, whose name heads this sketch, attended the common schools of Betterton, and at the age of fifteen years began learning the carpenter's trade, which he has since successfully followed. Since 1893 he has engaged in contracting and building on his own account; and among other notable buildings in Betterton he has erected the Hotel Wilmer and the Methodist Episcopal Church and steeple. On all sides may be seen evidences of his handiwork and artistic taste, and he is meeting with a well-deserved success in his chosen calling.
In 1889 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Owens and Miss Ida Reed, of Baltimore City, and they now have two interesting children, T. Guy and Howard C. Like his father, Mr. Owens is unswerving in his support of the Re- publican party, was the candidate of his party in 1891 for county commissioner, and although defeated at that time he was elected to that position in 1895. He has always taken an active part in local politics, and is proving a most capable and popular official. He is now a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in
which he holds membership, and has also served as secretary and treasurer of the Sunday-school. In all the relations of life he has been found up- right and honorable and he therefore enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know him.
AMES MARCUS WRIGHT. That a great deal may be accomplished by a young man who starts out in the battle of life empty- handed but with a strong purpose to succeed, en- ergy well applied and correct business principles, is a fact that is constantly receiving corroboration, in America especially, and we find it again exem-, plified in the history of the gentleman whose name heads this review. He has risen from a poor and humble position to one of influence and standing in the community of Federalsburg, Caroline County, entirely through the exercise of those sterling qualities with which he was naturally en- dowed. Since 1894 he has owned a store here in which may be found a general line of hardware and agricultural implements, harness, etc., and in addition to this, the best varieties of lime and phosphate upon the market.
Born upon his father's farm in Dorchester County, Md., in 1855, James M. Wright is a son of Jabez and Mary Wright. The father was like- wise a native of that county, and though he be- gan his career at the foot of the ladder, finan- cially, he eventually became well-off in this world's goods and reared his children with many advant- ages that he had not himself enjoyed in his youth. They were named as follows: Rowena, James M., Rodolph, Kennely J. and Alvin and Everett, twins, and Zed. The eldest daughter married James A. Nichols; Rodolph is a resident of Morse, Custer County, Idaho; K. J. is a mer- chant of Hurlock, Md .; Alvin is a citizen of New Haven, Conn .; and Everett is a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The boyhood of our subject passed quietly in the usual pursuits of country lads, a part of his time being given to the mastering of the three "R's" in the district schools. It was in 1888
5.36
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
that he came to this county and bought a farm near Federalsburg. The place was a desirable one, comprising one hundred and thirty acres, and he continued to improve and cultivate it for some six years, since which time he has lived in the town and has given his attention to merchan- dising, with good results.
In 1877 Mr. Wright and Amanda, daughter of James Nichols, were united in marriage in Caro- line County. Four children have been born to them, viz .: Herman, Eva, Ethel and Elsie. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, the older ones being members of the same. The paternal grandfather of Mr. Wright bore the Christian name of Kennely. He was born in Dor- chester County and was a man of much more than the average in business ability and general intel- ligence. He accumulated a comfortable fortune and reared a family of thirteen children to lives of usefulness and uprightness. He was crowned with long life and frequent instances of great lon- gevity in the family occur.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.