Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 56

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

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UFUS W. DASHIELL, M. D., one of the prominent physicians of Princess Anne, Somerset County, is one of the native sons of this county, his birth having occurred in 1850. He was a lad of but eight years when his father removed to this place, and here the greater part of his life has been passed. He was a student in the old Washington Academy of Princess Anne until he was about sixteen or seventeen, when he entered St. John's College, of Annapolis, Md., intending to graduate there, but as it turned out he left in his junior year. At that time he had determined to enter the medical profession, and accordingly began to study in the office of his father, who was a fine physician. Later he went to Baltimore and pursued his studies under the direction of his father's old preceptor, Dr. Nathan R. Smith. At the same time he attended lectures in the Baltimore University, whence he obtained his degree in 1872. He at once opened an office in Wicomico County, but in a short time

entered into partnership with Dr. L. W. Morris, of this place. After the added experience of a year's work in this connection he opened an office upon his own account and continued alone until 1895, when he took as a partner Dr. James F. Dougherty.

During Grant's administration the doctor was appointed by him to serve as United States pen- sion surgeon in Princess Anne, and this position he retained until 1897. In 1893 Gov. Frank Brown appointed him to succeed Dr. Bailey on the state lunacy board and since then he has been reappointed and yet occupies the place. Fraternally he is a member of Manokin Lodge No. 106, F. & A. M., of Princess Anne. He is a member of the Episcopal Church in good stand- ing, and is a liberal contributor to worthy enter- prises. In his political relations he is a stanch Democrat. In 1877 the doctor was first married, the lady of his choice being Laura Henry, of Ber- lin, Worcester County. She died in February, 1881, leaving one child, Laura, who lives with her father. I11 1894 the doctor married Cecilia, daughter of James U. Dennis, whose sketch will be found elsewhere in this volume.

The father of our subject, Dr. Cadmus Dashiell, was born in this county, and here passed his whole life. He was a graduate of the University of Maryland, and was engaged in medical prac- tice in what is now Wicomico County for a great many years. In 1858 he came to Princess Anne, but in a few years retired from professional work on account of advancing age. Though now eighty-four years old, he enjoys life and is quite well preserved. One of his preceptors was the noted surgeon Dr. Nathan R. Smith, of Baltimore. In his early manhood he was very active in the ranks of the Whig party, and was once a candi- date for clerk of the county court, but was de- feated by two votes, his opponent having been Col. Levin Woolford. He was formerly a ves- tryman in the old Green Hill Church in Wicom- ico County, and is now a member of the local church. His father, Gen. Mathias Dashiell, was a native of Somerset (now Wicomico) County, and was on extensive land owner and had many slaves. His title was won in the war

HENRY C. NEAVITT.

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of 1812 and he was later sheriff of this county for two terms. He was the only man who ever held that office here for two successive terms. The wife of Dr .. Cadmus Dashiell was a Miss Harriet Walter before their marriage. She was born in this county and died at the age of sixty- five years, leaving five children: Margaret, widow of H. H. Robertson: Rufus W .; Francis H., a farmer of this district; Sarah, wife of Rev. O. H. Murphy, an Episcopal minister; and Julius T., a dentist of Harrisburg, Pa.

ENRY C. NEAVITT. Long and honor- able connection with the interests of a com- munity gives a man prestige and influence justly merited. Such is the case in the life of Mr. Neavitt, whose connection with the business interests of St. Michael's district, Talbot County, covers a period of more than forty years and has been of a character most honorable. In 1856 he opened a general store at Broad Creek Neck and from that year to this has been constantly en- gaged in business. In 1862 he was appointed postmaster, the first to hold that position here, and for thirty-five successive years he held the office, the place being named Neavitt in his honor. He is now the owner of two stores in this vicinity, which his sons, Oliver K. and Alvin, look after under his supervision.

At Broad Creek Neck Mr. Neavitt was born October 7, 1834, a son of Joseph E. and Annie (Hunt) Neavitt, natives respectively of Queen Anne's and Talbot Counties. The former removed to this neighborhood when a young man and purchased a farm, upon which he continued to reside until his death, when in middle age. His wife survived him, dying at about sixty-five years of age. Both were identified with the work of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They were the parents of seven children, namely : Julia Ann, Deborah E. and John A., deceased; Mary W .; Johanna and Samuel W., deceased; and H. C., of this sketch. Joseph E. Neavitt was married

in early life to a Miss Dawson, by whom he had two children, one being Mary Anne, 110w de- ceased, and the other dying in infancy.

Henry C. Neavitt was quite small when his. father died, and he afterward continued to reside on the farm with his mother, attending the pub- lic schools. At the age of twenty-one he turned his attention from farm work to a clerkship in a store in St. Michael's, where three years were spent. In 1856 he opened the store of which he has since been the proprietor. Politically Mr. Neavitt has always adhered to Democratic prin- ciples and has voted the party ticket at all elec- tions.

By the marriage of our subject and Miss Mary A. Neavitt, of Baltimore, four children were born, namely: William Henry, who is employed as bookkeeper with the Wheeler & Wilson Manu- facturing Company of Baltimore; Albert Arnold, who died at five years; Oliver K. and Alvin, who are interested in the mercantile business with their father. Mrs. Neavitt is a daughter of Will- iam C. and Margaret (Kennard) Neavitt, natives of Queen Anne's County, Md. Another daugh- ter, S. C., married B. H. Kennard, of the coun- ty just mentioned.

HARLES COCKEY, M. D. Since 1866 Dr. Cockey has engaged in the practice of his profession in Queenstown, Queen Anne's County, with the exception of the years 1873-74, when he resided at Kent Island. In addition to a general medical practice he has had important business interests, and associated with his son, B. E. Cockey, he has carried on a drug store in his home town. He has also held the office of health officer. In his various relations with others as physician, business man, citizen and friend, he has proved himself trustworthy and capable. His position is therefore among the best men of the county.

The Cockey family is among the oldest on Kent Island. There occurred the birth of our subject's father, Edward Cockey, of whom men-

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tion is made in the sketch of M. T. Cockey, upon another page in this volume. Edward Cockey grew to manhood upon the island, where he de- voted himself to agricultural pursuits throughout lıis entire life, and at liis death he left intact the large estate that had been accumulated through liis industry and enterprise. He married Susan, daughter of Henry Legg, and six children blessed their union, namely: Peter, who died leaving an only daughter, now the wife of W. T. Stevens, of Kent Island; Charles; William H., who died leaving a wife and one daughter; James H., who is engaged in farming on the island; and John and Mordecai, deceased.

Educated in the academy at Centreville, with the exception of the time spent there, our subject passed his early boyhood days on the farm on Kent Island, where he was born July 22, 1842. When a young man he entered the medical de- partment of the University of Maryland, from which he graduated with the class of 1866. In the same year he came to Queenstown, in which village he now has a beautiful home. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and in politics affiliates with the Democrats. With his family he holds membership with the Episcopal Church. In December, 1868, he married Elizabeth, daugh- ter Dr. R. W. Eareckson, of Kent Island. Their only son, Benjamin Earickson Cockey, married Harriet Magness, of Baltimore, and they have one child, Harriet E.

AMUEL EDWARD WHITMAN. One of the prominent representatives of the journal- istic profession is the gentleman whose name heads this brief notice, the well-known editor of the Star-Democrat of Easton. He was born April 8, 1855, in Bradford County, Pa., a son of Frederick S. and Jane M. (Van Saun) Whitman. The paternal grandfather, John Whitman, was a native of Wernsheim, Wurtemberg, Germany, and in 1806 came to America, locating in Lititz,

Lancaster County, Pa., where with his father and brother he started a pottery, it being one of the first ever established in this country. Later he removed to Dauphin County, Pa., and while residing there enlisted in the United States army for service in the war of 1812. There he con- tracted a disease which terminated his life in 1826. He had come to the new world with his father, brother and two sisters, as their property liad all been confiscated during the revolution in their native land. Besides the father of our subject he had two older sons, George and John, one a merchant and the other a painter, but both are now deceased.

Frederick S. Whitman was born in Londonderry township, Dauphin County, Pa., November 29, 1815, and there he continued to reside until he had attained his majority. As his health was poor in early life his opportunities for securing an education were meagre, but he attended the Ger- man schools to some extent. Naturally he was an expert mathematician and bookkeeper. Throughout his active business career he engaged in merchandising, lumbering and farming. He went to New York and Maine to superintend the shipping of stone for the New York high bridge, and afterward entered the office of George Law, the contractor of the bridge, for whom he worked a short time. On leaving his employ he located in Bradford County, Pa., where he engaged in farming until 1875, when he came to Easton, Md., and until the fall of 1896 successfully followed agricultural and mercantile pursuits. While a resident of the Keystone State he was honored with a number of important official positions, in- cluding that of county auditor. He was widely and favorably known and numbered among his friends some of the most prominent men of the state, including Judge Mercur, chief justice of Pennsylvania, and Judge David Wilmot. He is still living, but his wife, who was a native of New Jersey, died March 6, 1890, leaving only one child, Samuel E., of this sketch. Another son, Walter, was drowned December 19, 1871, at the age of eleven years. Mrs. Whitman's father, Samuel Van Saun, belonged to an old Holland family which originally spelled the name Van Zandt, and

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he was a direct descendant of Annecke Jans, the original owner of the Trinity Church property in New York City.

Reared in Towanda, Pa., Samuel E. Whitman began his education in its public schools, and was later a student in the Susquehanna Collegiate Institute, where he prepared for Princeton Col- lege, which he did not enter on account of failing health. Subsequently he learned the printer's trade in the Bradford Argus and from a humble position rose to manager. On coming to Talbot County, Md., he spent a short time upon his father's farm and then entered the office of the Easton Star, of which he became a stockholder, and on its consolidation with the Easton Democrat in 1896 he continued with it as editor. Either paper had a reputation which would insure the success of the new publication, but combined they constitute a power in the newspaper world that is strongly felt. The fact that Mr. Whitman is at the head of the new enterprise is a sufficient guarantee of the continued advancement and improvement which will attend the paper.

On the 28th of August, 1877, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Whitman and Miss Anna L. Weston, of Talbot County, a daughter of William E. Weston, a lumberman belonging to one of the old and honored families of Easton. Four chil- dren were born to this union; Frederick William, who died at the age of one year; Bertram Edward, who graduated at the Easton high school in 1896 and is now in business with his father; Walter Weston, who is still attending school; and Louise, who died in September, 1896, at the age of seven years and a-half. The family all hold member- ship in the Protestant Episcopal Church, and Mr. Whitman is trustee of the Cathedral, has been lay reader of the church since April, 1886, and super- intendent of the Sunday-school since 1885, while he and his sons are also members of the choir. He has also been a delegate to several of the diocesan conventions of his church. For many years he has been a prominent and honored member of the Masonic order; is past master and the present secretary of Coats Lodge No. 102, A. F. & A. M .; high priest of Talbot Chapter No. 22, R. A. M .; and takes a leading part in

the work of Jeshua Council No. 8, R. & S. M .; and Chesapeake Commandery No. Io, K. T. He is also a member of the Royal Arcanum, of which he is secretary and past regent. He is public spirited in an eminent degree and has always done much in behalf of the general wel- fare of his community. He is quite popular and is the center of a large circle of friends and acquaintances, who honor and esteem him for his many virtues and genuine worth.

ON. EUGENE L. DUDLEY has been a leader in the ranks of the Democracy of Queen Anne's County for several years, and been called upon to occupy public offices more than once in the past decade. In 1893 he was honored by being elected to fill the position of postmaster of the house of delegates in An- napolis, Md., and two years later, in 1895, was elected a member of the state legislature. He was so thoroughly satisfactory a representative of his constituents, that when his term had expired they at once placed his name in nomination for a second term of service, and he was elected by a good majority.

E. L. Dudley was born near the village of Crumpton, Queen Anne's County, in1 1850, and is a son of James P. and Mary A. (Goodhand) Dudley. The father was a native of this county, and followed agricultural pursuits during the most of his active career. The last years of his life he was register of wills. His father was an Englishman, who came to Maryland at an early day and settled permanently in this county. The family of James Dudley and his wife, Mary, com- prised nine children, of whom our subject is the eighth in order of birth. The others are: Will- iam C., of Talbot County; Georgia, wife of James B. Hackett, of Sudlersville, Md .; Olivia, Mrs. C. G. Lynch; Mary, wife of Cornelius Comegys, of Centreville, Md .; Dr. Charles; Jennie; Hiram G .; and Martha, Mrs. Harry McPhaley.

When a boy Eugene L. Dudley went to the district schools of his neighborhood and there

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learned the elementary branches. Though it was not his privilege to receive the benefits of col- legiate training, as so many of the young people of this generation do, he was a natural student, and constantly widened his sphere of knowledge by reading and observation, until he became the well-informed man that lie is to-day. He has always been accustomed to country life, and is a practical farmer. He now resides upon the place long known as the old Grayson homestead. It contains two hundred and twenty-four acres, and lias a substantial frame house upon it, in a fine location1. It was formerly the home of ex- Governor Grayson, who was the first governor elected in the state of Maryland by the vote of the people. Mr. Dudley manages and attends to the cultivation of this farin, and owns an interest in another place of one hundred and sixty-seven acres, it being called the "brick-house Grayson farın."

ROF. JOHN F. COPPER, one of the suc- cessful educators of Kent County, now liv- ing in the sixth district, was born February 6, 1838, at Still Pond, this county, and is a son of Joshua Copper, also a native of Kent County, where he spent his entire life. He was a carpen- ter by trade, following that pursuit in his younger years. He afterward filled the position of stew- ard of the county almshouse for thirty-six years, and then resided with a son on a farm in the third district. In early life he gave his political support to the Whig party, and on its dissolution joined the ranks of the Democracy. He belonged to one of the early families of Maryland, and was a highly respected citizen, who died at the age of eighty-nine years. His wife, who bore the maiden nanie of Ann Woodle, was also a native of Kent County, and died at the age of forty-five years. They had a family of six children, but all are now deceased with the exception of our subject and his sister Pliœbe, now the widow of Jesse Jerome. The father was three times mar- ried. By his second union there are no surviving children. For his third wife he wedded Mrs.

Reed, and they had seven children, all living, namely: Mary, Catherine, Mintie, Samuel, Jesse and Bradford.

Professor Copper spent his boyhood days in his parents' home and attended the public schools until about nineteen years of age, when he began teaching a district school at Morgan Neck, Kent County. He was there employed for two terms, after which he spent two years at farm work. On the expiration of that period he resumed teaching at Broad Neck, Kent County, where he remained for four years. He afterwards spent one term at Quaker Neck and two terms at Lankford, and in 1865 began teaching in the neighborhood where his services are still in active demand. He has taught here for thirty-two consecutive years, and 110 higher testimonial of his efficiency and ability could be given. He is a most able instructor, imparting easily and accurately to others the knowledge that he has acquired, and many are his students who have gone out in the world to occupy useful and responsible positions.

Professor Copper married Miss Regina M. Jones, of Somerset County, Md., and they have two children: Whittier C., who is now engaged in teaching at Sassafras, Kent County; and Anna Louisa, at home. In 1871 our subject purchased a small piece of land near the schoolhouse and erected thereon a comfortable residence, in which he has since made his home.

- L OGER WOOLFORD, who comes from an old and honored family on the Eastern Shore, is the cashier of the People's Bank of Somerset County, in Princess Anne, the coun- ty-seat. He has been in the banking business for several years, and in 1889, in company with his father, Col. Levin Woolford, organized the old savings bank of this place, in which institu- tion he was the assistant cashier until 1896, when he took his present position when this bank was founded.

Col. Levin Woolford was born upon the old family estate which lies along the bank of the

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Manokin River not far distant from this town. The family dates back to one Roger Woolford who came to Maryland from England and held a large grant of land under Lord Baltimore. This tract, called Wappings, has been handed dow11 from father to son until it is now in the possession of the subject of this article. His grandfather, John Woolford, was a physician and spent his whole life on the old estate, dying when about seventy-one years of age. Col. Levin Woolford received his higher education in the old Wash- ington Academy of Princess Anne and was ad- mitted to the bar when young, but never practiced much. Before he reached his majority he be- came interested in politics, as he ran for the legis- lature on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated. In 1851 he was elected clerk of the Somerset County court and occupied that position up to 1869, when he resigned, in order to accept the office of comptroller of Maryland. He was re- elected three times and remained in that respon- sible place eight years. Next he was appointed state tax commissioner, an office which he was still holding at the time of his death. He was born in 1819 and was consequently seventy-one years old when the summons came, September 30, 1890. He always made his home upon the old farm, which was endeared to him by a thousand associations. For a long period he was an active worker and member of the Protest- ant Episcopal Church, and was a vestryman in the congregation. His wife, formerly Annie E. Waters, is still living and is a sister of Levin L. Waters, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. She is the mother of three children, Elizabeth E., Lena B. and Roger.

Roger Woolford was born in Princess Anne, October 13, 1851, and attended the public schools here until 1867, when he matriculated in the University of Virginia. Two years later he be- came a clerk in the office of the comptroller of the state (his father) in Annapolis, a position he occupied with credit to himself and satisfaction to all some eight years. He then went back to the old homestead and managed the same until 1889, when, as previously stated, he and his fa- ther organized the Savings Bank of Princess

Anne, since which time he has been connected with the banking business. He votes the Dem- ocratic ticket, but is not an active politician. Fraternally he is identified with the Heptasophs and Red Men and is connected with Manokin Lodge No. 106, F. & A. M. Following his father's example he is a member of the Episcopal Church. October 13, 1874, Mr. Woolford married Clara L. Hicks, of Virginia, and they have two daughters, Annie E. and Lena R.

ORDON TULL, a rising member of the bar of Princess Anne, Somerset County, was elected state's attorney here in 1896, being the only candidate elected on the Democratic ticket. Though he is quite a young man, he possesses recognized talent in his favorite profes- sion and enjoys a large and constantly growing practice. Judging by what he has accomplished in the past few years, it is safe to predict for him a brilliant future.

Born January 4, 1870, Gordon Tull is a son of Samuel L. Tull, a native of Tulls Corner, Somer- set County. The latter, now about seventy-four years of age, has been very successful in life, and has resided for many years at Tulls Corner, tliis county, where he has conducted a mercantile establishment and owns a good farm in the vicin- ity. He is a Democrat and has been justice of the peace for a great many years. His father, Samuel, Sr., was a native of the same locality as himself, and came from a good old family on the Eastern Shore. The mother of our subject was Miss Catherine Gunby in her girlhood, and is a sister of Dr. Hiram H. Gunby, of Tulls Corner.

Gordon Tull remained at home with his parents at his birthplace at Tulls Corner, where he re- ceived a good general education, and after leaving the public schools entered St. John's College, at Annapolis, Md. There he graduated with hon- ors in June, 1892, and in September of the same year he was offered a position as first assistant of the Princess Anne school. He was very diligent during this period, as he not only discharged all

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of his duties as a teacher to the full satisfaction of those concerned, but was so industrious as a student himself, that he had mastered the rudi- ments of law at the end of the year. He had re- ceived wise supervision in his studies at the hands of Robert F. Brattan and when he presented him- self for examination he was at once admitted to the bar. He opened an office here in the spring of 1894 and has built up a good reputation as a general practitioner. He is a member of the Junior Order of American Mechanics and of the Knights of Pythias lodges, both of this place. Personally he is very popular, and is a great favorite in the local society. He is a young man of fine principle and is a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church.

TEPHENSON WHITTINGTON is one of the oldest residents of Somerset County, as his life nearly spans the century. He has been a witness of great changes and improve- ments for the better along all lines of progress and development and has himself assisted in the grand result of to-day. He is a native of Lawson's district and has spent his whole life in this immediate neighborhood. He is now prac- tically retired from the active and arduous duties which occupied him in his early manhood and prime, and is living quietly at the home of his son Alfred, who is carrying on the old homestead. His genuine kindliness of heart and his unaffected manliness of character win him friends by the score, and by all his acquaintances he is held in high regard.

The father of our subject, Southey Whitting- ton, was also a farmer of Lawson's district, and passed his whole life here. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and very active in all good works. He was one of the official board of the congregation and was looked up to and consulted on all occasions. He married Mary Coulbourn and of their several children but two, John, of Baltimore, and our subject, survive. The father lived to attain the ripe age of four- score years.

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Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 56

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