Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 57

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

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Stephenson Whittington was born in Lawson's district in 1814, and from boyhood has been en- gaged in farming on the old homestead, which was the property of his father before him. He has been very successful and was long considered one of the representative farmers of this section. He was an excellent financier and in time became one of the richest men of this locality. Though always greatly interested in the success of the Democracy, he would never accept political posi- tions, preferring to give his entire time and en- ergies to his business affairs and to his beloved family.

About 1839 Mr. Whittington married Jane, daughter of Thomas Tull, and they became the parents of nine children, viz .: Alfred, an enter- prising farmer; S. Frank, whose sketch appears upon another page of this volume; Charles S .; Joseph H .; Mrs. Nathan Conner; Emily C., Mrs. W. A. Hayman, and three deceased. Alfred chose for his helpmate along life's journey Miss Caroline Clayton, of Baltimore, and their two children are named respectively Mary and Beulah. The family attend the local Methodist Episcopal Church and are actively interested in religious and benevolent affairs hereabout. They possess the respect of all their associates and neighbors and are most worthy citizens of this community.

ON. JAMES U. DENNIS is one of the old- est attorneys of Somerset County, having been engaged in professional practice at Princess Anne for about thirty-five years. In former years he was active in the Whig party, at- tended two state conventions and was active in public affairs, having served for three terms as a member of the Maryland house of delegates and once having been a member of the state senate. He was admitted to the bar in Baltimore in 1844 and has since practiced his profession, with the exception of the time spent in traveling for the benefit of his health.

In what is now Worcester County, Md., Mr. Dennis was born September 11, 1823, and is a

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member of an old family of the Eastern Shore. His grandfather, Littleton Dennis, was a son of Littleton, Sr., a native of Worcester County and a farmer by occupation. Littleton, Jr., was born on the old homestead and was a boy during the progress of the Revolutionary war, but too young to enter the service. In early manhood he was admitted to the bar, and for years afterwards he practiced his profession in Maryland and Virginia. As a presidential elector he cast a ballot for John Adams. Among the offices he held was that of judge of the county court. Residing upon a farm he maintained a general supervision of his large plantation, and at his death left about five thousand acres of land.

The father of our subject, John U. Dennis, was born on the old homestead in 1793, and spent his entire life here. As he and a brother were the only children of their parents, he in- herited a half-interest in the estate of five thou- sand acres, and to its cultivation he gave his en- tire active life. When a boy he was given good educational advantages, for a time attending school in Philadelphia. He was well informed on general topics, a ready conversationalist and genial companion. He was a Christian, but not a member of any church. In politics he voted the Whig ticket.

Our subject's mother, Maria E. (Robertson) Dennis, was born in Somerset County and died here at thirty-eight years of age. She was a daughter of George Robertson, a farmer. At her death she left five children, of whom the eldest was George. Emerson and Frank, younger brothers of our subject, are now living in Northampton, Va., and Mary W., who married Judge E. P. Pitts, of that place, is now deceased. When a boy our subject attended the Washington Academy of Princess Anne, which was then considered one of the finest schools of Maryland. After spending three years there he entered Princeton, where he graduated in 1842. He then took up the study of law, entering the office of William W. Handy, with whom he remained two years, and then studied in Baltimore for one year.

The first wife of Mr. Dennis was Cecilia Hooe, of Alexandria, Va., who at her death left three

daughters: Eleanor H., widow of the late Robert F. Brattan, formerly member of congress from Somerset County; Maria R., who resides with her father; and Cecilia B., wife of Dr. Rufus W. Dashiell, of Princess Anne. The second wife of our subject was Mary W. Teackle before their marriage. Their son, James T., inherited a fortune at the death of his mother and is now a resident of Baltimore. Fraternally Mr. Dennis is identified with the Masons, and in religious belief is a member of the Episcopal Church.

D r HARLES W. WAINWRIGHT, M. D., one of the enterprising young physicians of Princess Anne, is a native of this place, his birth having occurred here May 11, 1858. He received his education in our public schools and attended Washington high school until he was seventeen, when he became a member of the junior class of Washington College, in Chester- town, Md. Two years rolled away and in 1878 he graduated from that honored old institution of learning with the honors of his class, he being chosen to deliver the valedictory address. He was but nineteen years of age at that time, and was at once tendered the position of principal of the Washington grammar school of this place. He accepted the chair and served for seven years, making a thorough and efficient teacher.

In 1885 Dr. Wainwright entered into partnership with Dr. John W. Dashiell and engaged in the drug business here. That same autumn he went to Baltimore and became a student in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, graduating in due time, in 1887, and was one of five persons who bore the honors of their class. He immediately returned to this his native town and has since been engaged in practice. He has been United States pension surgeon for several years. He is a Democrat, but has no time for political affairs beyond discharging his duty as a citizen and voter. He is a past chancellor of Shekinah Lodge No. 35, K. of P. June 21, 1893, the doctor married Estelle, daughter of the late Dr.

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Lewis W. Morris, of Princess Anne. They have a valuable farm comprising about one hundred two children, Francis North and Charles W., Jr. The doctor and his wife are both members of the Presbyterian Church. He united with the same when young and is now an elder in the congre- gation.

Edward J. Wainwright, father of the doctor, was also a native of Princess Anne. He estab- lished and conducted the Somerset Herald in his early manhood and was still the proprietor of the journal at the time of his demise, when forty-five years of age. He was an influential citizen and quite an ardent worker in the Whig party, but never held an official position. His father, Jesse Wainwright, was likewise a native of this county, and was a farmer on a large scale, owning slaves to care for his plantation. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church and died when he was nearly sixty years of age. He came from an old fainily on the Eastern Shore, the founder of it having originally landed here upon his voyage from England, his native land. The mother of the doctor, who traces her lineage back to Alex- ander Stuart, bore the girlhood name of Olivia Riggin. She was born within the present boun- daries of Wicomico County, and is now seventy- five years of age. She has long been a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church and is now living with her son, the doctor. Her eldest son, Edward B., of Philadelphia, is a printer by trade. The next son, Rev. L. C., is a minister in the Presbyterian Church of Lewis, Del. Rebecca J., the only daughter, is the wife of M. H. Wilson, of Philadelphia.

G REENSBURY W. FREENY, M. D., has been engaged in the practice of his profes- sion in the town of Pittsville, Pittsburg dis- trict of Wicomico County, for the past thirty years and enjoys an enviable reputation as a phy- sician. He owns a nice home in the town, it being supplied with many of the luxuries of life, as well as with the necessities of a modern house- hold. In addition to this he is the proprietor of

acres, it being located in Pittsburg district. He has never been concerned about the matter of occupying public office, as he has found his time pretty fully taken up. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend, and the only office of a public character which he has ever been pre- vailed upon to accept was that of school commis- sioner, for as such he served efficiently during a period of five years. Since becoming a voter he has been affiliated with the Democratic party.

The birth of Dr. Freeny occurred upon his father's farm in what is now Wicomico County, April 24, 1836. Upon that farm near Salis- bury he grew to manhood and remained with his parents until he had reached his majority. He was a student in the district schools of his neighborhood and later attended the academy at Salisbury, where he made acquaintance with the higher branches of science and the languages. He was about twenty-two when he began the study of medicine with Dr. Humphreys, of Salis- bury and a year and a-half thus occupied rolled rapidly away. He then entered the medical de- partment of the University of Maryland, from which celebrated institution of learning he was duly graduated in the year 1862. His initiatory practice was in the village of Sharptown, Som- erset County, where he was, however, located only a few months. Believing that Powellville, Wicomico County, would be a better field for work, he removed to that point and continued to live there until 1867, when he came to Pittsville. He has given his whole time and labor to his profession and is a very successful dealer with the "ills that flesh is heir to." Socially he and his wife are held in highest honor by their fellow- citizens, and he belongs to the Royal Arcanum.

The doctor's marriage with Miss Ella Bur- bage took place at the home of the bride in 1867. She was born and reared to womanhood near Wango, in Dennis district, this county, being a daughter of Samson and Margaret Burbage. The only child of Dr. Freeny and wife is Lawrence, a young man of excellent attainments and great promise. He is now studying medicine with his father and soon expects to enter the University

WILLIAM H. DEWEESE.

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of Maryland, as did his father before him. The family are members in good standing of the local Methodist Protestant Church, and are liberal in their support of various religious and benevolent enterprises.

WILLIAM H. DEWEESE, state's attorney of Caroline County, was born near Burrs- ville, this county, May 9, 1870. He is a descendant of a French-Huguenot family that has had representatives in America since the days when the Huguenots were driven exiles from France. Two brothers and a sister crossed the Atlantic together, one of the brothers settling on the Eastern Shore, while the other brother and the sister went to Pennsylvania.

Hon. William H. Deweese, our subject's father, was born in Delaware, whence he removed to Maryland in 1856 and settled upon a farm in Caroline County. In politics a Democrat, he was elected to the legislature in 1872 and in that responsible position rendered efficient service. He died September 20, 1887. His wife, who died in 1877, bore the maiden name of Hester A. Smith and was a daughter of James H. Smith, who was elected to represent Kent County, Del., in the state senate, but died during his term of service. She has one brother, James A., who resides in Dover, and another, Robert H., who is a wealthy resident of Harrington, Del. She has two sons, the younger of whom, Dr. C. S. De- weese, graduated from Jefferson Medical College in April, 1895, and the following year took a post-graduate course in the medical department of the Johns Hopkins University; he is now resident physician in Spring Grove asylum.

The primary education of our subject was ob- tained in the Camp Grove district school. In 1887 he was a student in Denton Academy. The fol- lowing year he entered the normal school in West Chester, Pa., but was obliged to leave school for a time and teach in order to secure the funds : necessary to complete his studies. After finish- ing his literary education he entered the Dickin-

son School of Law, at Carlisle, Pa., from which he graduated in June, 1893. In April of the saine year he was admitted to the bar in Caroline County. On graduating with the degree of LL. B. he was admitted to the bar of Pennsylvania, and at once entered upon professional practice in Denton. In December, 1893, he was appointed attorney to the board of county commissioners. Upon the Democratic ticket, in 1895, he was nominated state's attorney and at the election re- ceived a majority of nineteen votes over the Re- publican candidate, Robert J. Jump.

Deceniber 20, 1893, Mr. Deweese married Nat- tilla P. Owens, of Harrington, Del., daughter of Dr. F. J. Owens, of that place. They were the parents of two children but both died in infancy. While he is not identified with any denomination, Mr. Deweese inclines to the Methodist faith, his mother having been connected with the Meth- odist Protestant, and his father with the Meth- odist Episcopal denomination. In fraternal rela- tions he is a member of Chesapeake Commandery No. 10, K. T., of Easton, and is influential in Masonic circles.

ETER D. COTTINGHAM, deceased, and formerly the proprietor of a drug store in Snow Hill, was born near this place August 18, 1821, being a son of Jonathan and Elizabeth Cottingham. His grandfather, it is said, founded the family in America, having come from Eng- land and settled in Worcester County prior to the Revolutionary war. Peter D., one of four chil- dren that attained maturity, received his educa- tion principally in Snow Hill Academy and at the age of twenty-five settled permanently in this place. At first he held a position as clerk in a dry-goods store, but subsequent to 1849 was en- gaged in the drug business for himself. In com- mon with other merchants here, he was burned out in 1893, and afterwards built a substantial store building, 33x73 feet in dimensions.

In 1853 Mr. Cottingham married Miss Eliza- beth Parker, who was born in Worcester County

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and died here in 1888. The two children born of the union, Annie and Priscie, are at home. In religion Mr. Cottingham was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and one of its trus- tees. He was a director in the First National Bank. A stanchi Democrat and interested in poli- tics, he however never sought any of the emol- uments or honors of office, but was content to discharge, unostentatiously and quietly, the du- ties that fall to every public-spirited citizen. He was summoned to his reward October 5, 1897. His loss is a severe one to the community and his memory will long be tenderly cherished by his hosts of friends and associates.

ON. EDWARD T. ROE is serving in the responsible position of judge of the orphans' court, having been elected thereto in 1895 for a term of four years. He was formerly a Tal- bot County commissioner and filled the office most acceptably and with great credit to himself and constituents during his two years' term. In the field of politics he is a recognized leader in the Republican party, and is a man who possesses strong convictions of what is best and right, and, moreover, lives up to them. His handsome home stands upon his fine farin in the fourth district, it being styled Woodland farm. He has always been fond of a rural life, and thoroughly enjoys the many advantages that are his as a result.

The judge's father, Edward Roe, was also a native of this district and followed farming throughout his career. He was a prominent man in the neighborhood, and at the time of his demise owned a large estate, this being about 1846. He held a local office corresponding to the modern one of magistrate and was active in the promotion of everything which he believed to be for the good of his fellows. His first marriage was with Ann Gregory, of this district, and of their six children only J. A., of Easton, and Mrs. Catherine M. Pratt, of the same city, survive. The second wife, whose death occurred in 1893, was Hester Ann Pierson, a native of this district.

She became the mother of six children, but four of the number have been called to the better land, and those who remain are Edward T. and Hettie V., Mrs. James H. Patchett, of Easton.

E. T. Roe was born near his present home December 31, 1838, and attended the district schools until he was about fourteen, when he went into business on his own account to make his live- liliood as best he might. That he has succeeded and has accomplished his purpose of acquiring a competence is shown by the fact that he now owns two valuable farms, one of one hundred and sixty-two acres, near Chapel, and the other of seventy acres. The latter, which he purchased in 1879, was a part of the old Poplar Level farm, originally. The old Nabb farm came into his pos- session in 1865.

November 10, 1865, Mr. Roe and Mrs. Anna Shehan, of Delaware, were united in marriage. They became the parents of two children, Mag- gie and William E. The first-mentioned died in 1867 and the latter is a resident of the fourth district and operates Judge Roe's other farm.

ON. JOHN WOODLAND CRISFIELD, father of Judge Henry Page, whose history appears in another part of this volume, was born in 1808, in Kent County, Md., and received his higher education in Washington College, of Chestertown, Md. After having read law for a time he was admitted to the bar, and was located in Cambridge, Md., for a few years, but from 1831 until two years prior to his death he was engaged in active practice in Somerset County, Md. He died February 12, 1897, at the age of eighty-nine years. Few members of the legal profession on the Eastern Shore were more able or more thoroughly master of all of the intricacies of the law than he, and certainly not many were more justly esteemed by one and all.

In his early life, J. W. Crisfield was active as a Whig, and about 1833 was a member of the legislature, and was a congressman in 1849 and 1850 and again in 1861 and 1862. He was once

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a candidate for the position of circuit judge Of their family of five children, all are deceased (about 1851), but was defeated by three votes. save he of whom we write. Henry Hobbs came to America in his early manhood and settled in Maryland, where he was married. He died when his son Saulsbury was an infant. The latter was born and brought up on a farm, and has always made agriculture his main business in life. From the age of eight until he was seventeen he worked for neighbors, earning his own board and clothes, and at the end of that period commenced to learn the carpenter's trade. Having mastered this in every detail, he continued to work at the busi- ness for eleven years, and managed to lay aside a goodly sum for the future. When the war came on he virtually retired from the political field and devoted his time to his large practice. Though he never joined the Re- publican party, he was in sympathy with the Union side, and was opposed to secession. When in his prime he was an eloquent debator at the bar, and commanded the respect of his adversa- ries. When the old Eastern Shore Railroad was projected he was one of its leading promoters, and was its president for many years, as he had contributed materially to carry out the building of the same. The town of Crisfield was named in his honor. In his last years he was identified with the Presbyterian Church.

The grandfather of our subject was Arthur Crisfield, an English gentleman, who came to America and settled in Kent County, Md. His son John was born in that county and spent his whole life upon a farm, dying when in the prime of manhood. Hon. J. W. Crisfield married Julia Ethelinde Page in 1836. She was a native of Kent County, Md., and survived her marriage but a few years. She was the mother of two sons, Judge Henry Page, previously mentioned, and Arthur, who was born in 1839 and is now in the congressional library in Washington, D. C.

AULSBURY HOBBS is a retired farmer of the third district of Caroline County, and is the person after whom the village of Hobbs was named, and, in fact, was the one who was the chief mover in getting a postoffice established there. He has been the architect of his own fortunes, and from a lowly condition in a financial point of view has risen to a position of affluence. He now owns over four hundred acres of valu- able, well-improved land, and devotes his at- tention exclusively to the management of the same.

Born on the 3d of January, 1818, Mr. Hobbs is a son of Henry and Nancy (Stevens) Hobbs, na- tives of Scotland and Delaware, respectively.

December 17, 1844, Saulsbury Hobbs married Eleanor Lednum, a native of Delaware, and daughter of William and Mary (Stafford) Led- num, likewise of that state. She is the only sur- vivor of seven children. Her paternal ancestor, one Ebenezer Lednum, was born in Delaware in the last century, and was a farmer there, but his father, Thomas, was a native of England, and came to America in the seventeenth century. He at once located in Delaware, where he owned thousands of acres of land, and this property he willed to his children. Some of it is yet in the possession of his lineal descendants, and the original old will is owned by Mrs. Hobbs. Her father, William, was a soldier of the war of 1812, and her uncle, John Lednum, was a noted minis- ter in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and author of "The Rise of Methodism in America." Mrs. Hobbs is also identified with that denomi- nation. By her marriage she became the mother of seven children, of whom but two are now liv- ing, viz .: Judge Charles W., who has served ten years as judge of the orphans' court of Caroline County and in 1897 was elected to the office of clerk of the court for the same county; and Henry Clay, the agent for the Queen Anne's & Dela- ware Railroad at Hobbs.

On the 28th of December, 1854, Mr. Hobbs removed to Caroline County and purchased a farın of one hundred and eighty-four acres, and hereon he has made his home up the present time, nearly forty years. From time to time he has extended the boundaries of his place, as he

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bouglit more land, and now is the fortunate pos- sessor of four hundred and ten acres. In 1877 he was elected county commissioner and served acceptably as such for the term of two years. He is an uncompromising Republican, and is thoroughly abreast of the times in general infor- mation. He is a worthy and honored citizen, and though nearly eighty years liave passed over his head, he is youthful in heart and mind, and is greatly interested in everything which bears upon the prosperity of this community and the general public.

AMES D. NEAL is a well-to-do and success- ful agriculturist of the third district of Caro- line County, his postoffice address being Andersontown. His homestead is finely improved with good residence, barns and other buildings and is kept up in a manner that denotes the skill- ful and thrifty nature of the owner. He has given his whole time and energies to farming since he was old enough to handle the plow and is thoroughly acquainted with the best methods in vogue among progressive farmers. He takes several of the leading journals relating to the subject, and is well posted on the current events of the day besides. In all public enterprises he is interested, and in local affairs endeavors to do his share. Following his father's example, he votes for the candidates of the Democracy.

Mr. Neal is a native of Caroline County, born January 16, 1848, and is a son of Wingate and Catherine (Marine) Neal, both natives of Sus- sex County, Del. Their family comprised nine children, two of whom are deceased. The others are as follows: William J., George R., Edward W., James D., Rhoda A., Martha J. and Mary C. Wingate Neal lived to see his children grown men and women, occupying useful places in the busy world, and putting into daily practice the high principles which he had inculcated into them from their earliest recollections. He was the owner of large tracts of land, and was quite successful in business. In politics he was a Dem-

ocrat. He was permitted to live beyond the average age of man, death summoning him to the silent land when he was four-score and five years of age.

December 16, 1885, James D. Neal married Mollie R. Green, a daughter of Foster and Jane (Jump) Green, all natives of this county. She was a devoted wife and mother, and possessed those amiable qualities of disposition which en- deared her to all who knew her. She was called to her reward July 11, 1897, at tlie age of thirty- seven years, and a large circle of sincere friends deeply mourn her loss. She leaves two bright children, a son and daughter, viz .: Allie J. and James O. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which the others of the family regularly attend.

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Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 57

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