Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 58

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

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ON. ROBERT P. GRAHAM, state comp- troller of Maryland, is not only one of the youngest men ever elected to this office, but he also has the distinction of being the first Re- publican who has held that office since the war. He is one of the leading members of the Repub- lican party in Maryland, and in every campaign uses his influence to increase its majority in the state elections. As an organizer he has few su- periors, and the able manner in which he plans and executes the details of campaigns has brought him before the public repeatedly.

Col. Samuel A. Graham, father of our subject, was a Union soldier, holding a commission in the Purnell Legion, and after the war he continued to reside in Salisbury until his death. The wife and mother was Louisa Collier, a sister of Dr. Robert Laird Collier, the eminent Unitarian divine. She is still living and is now in her sixty- ninth year. Robert P. was born April 7, 1868, in Wicomico, where his education was begun in the Salisbury schools. Later he took the regular classical course in the Johns Hopkins University, graduating from that institution with honors. He then entered the Maryland University School of Law, from which he was graduated in 1888.

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At once after completing his professional studies he began the practice of law in Salisbury, of which place he has since been a resident. His practice in the courts of the lower part of the Eastern Shore is quite extensive, and he has so successfully conducted many important cases that he has gained considerable prominence as a lawyer.

In 1893 Mr. Graham was the Republican can- didate for mayor of Salisbury. He was nomin- nated by the Wicomico convention for state's at- torney in 1895. At the Cambridge convention, August 15, 1895, he was nominated by his party as comptroller of the state and in the ensuing elec- tion won by a handsome majority. He served as delegate-at-large from Maryland to the Repub- lican national convention of 1896. He is a stanch supporter of the party platform in its every detail. In 1895 he married Caroline Dorsey, of Balti- more, and they have one child, Margaret.

FILLMORE LANKFORD is a leading citizen and attorney-at-law in Princess Anne, Somerset County. Following the examples of his distinguished father and grandfather he has been prominent in public life, and has oc- cupied positions of responsibility and trust with credit to himself and constituents. Soon after being admitted to the bar, which event occurred when he was barely twenty-one years of age, he was appointed deputy clerk of the county court of this county, and after serving to the full satisfaction of all concerned for a term of six years, he was made clerk of the court and hield that position for two terms, or twelve years. Since the expiration of that period he has been fully engaged in carrying on his extensive and lucrative practice.

The Lankfords seem to attain a good old age as a rule; for example, our subject's grandfather . was ninety at death, and his own father is now seventy-five. The former, Benjamin, a na- tive of this county, was a large land owner, and for years was an important figure in Whig poli-

tics. This is a self-evident fact, when it is pointed out that he served for fourteen terms in the Maryland legislature and was also commis- sioner of public works for a period. Henry S., father of our subject, was a native of this county also and was brought up on a farm. In middle age he turned his attention to merchandising and was one of the prosperous business men of Balti- more for a quarter of a century or more. In 1869 he returned to this locality and has ever since been occupied in the management of a farm with good financial results. He was a member of the city council while a resident of Baltimore, and was active in Republican politics, being elected by his party friends to the house of dele- gates for one term. His wife was a Miss Mary D. Pinckard in her girlhood. She was a native of Northumberland County, Va., and died in 1893, aged sixty-two years. She left three chil- dren: H. Fillmore; Clarence P., attorney of Cris- field, Md .; and Marion D., wife of Benjamin J. Barnes, a farmer of this county.

The birth of H. F. Lankford occurred April - 21, 1856, in the city of Baltimore, and there the first thirteen years of his life were spent. He then came with his parents to this county, and has always felt that here is his home. He was educated in the higher branches at Washing- ton Academy, of Princess Anne, and in St. John's College, at Annapolis, Md. Soon after passing his nineteenth birthday anniversary he took up the study of law under the supervision of Hon. John W. Crisfield, of this place, and was ad- mitted to the bar in October, 1877. He had not practiced very long ere he was given the place of deputy clerk of the county court, as previously stated, and then was made clerk, in these two offices spending eighteen years. It may well be judged that actual familiarity with all of the rou- tine work of the courts and general experience fits him unusually well for his individual practice and he is doing remarkably well in his chosen field of effort. He owns a pretty country home called Beckford, the property adjoining the village limits. He was one of the originators of the sav- ings bank of Somerset County and is now a director in that reliable institution. He also

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helped materially in the establishment of the Princess Anne Telephone Company, and is the president of this organization. In short, he is one of the exponents of modern progress, and is always ready to do his share toward furthering local enterprises. He is generally popular, and has a kind and cheerful word for every one he knows. In his political views he is a stanch Republican.

In 1880 Mr. Lankford married Miss Ida A. Marshall, of this town, a lady who is extremely well educated and accomplished. They have one son, Henry, who is a bright, ambitious youth of sixteen years. Mrs. Lankford is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

ILFRED BATEMAN, clerk of the circuit court for Talbot County, is one of the rep- resentative citizens of Easton, and is prom- inent in the ranks of the Democratic party. By those who have become acquainted with him, either in society or in public life, he is esteemed for the possession of the traits that go to make a successful man. In disposition he is energetic and in character honorable. As the incumbent of the office of circuit clerk he discharges every duty with fidelity and in such a manner as to reflect credit upon his ability.

The son of the late Col. Henry E. Bateman, our subject was born January 17, 1859. Al- though a native of Washington, D. C., he has practically spent his entire life in Easton. When eighteen years of age he began to teach school at Bailey's Neck, and there he continued in charge of the school for two years. The school of which he was instructor was the same as that taught by Chief Judge Russum in his youth. Teaching, however, he did not enter upon for his life work, but merely as a stepping-stone to the legal profession. He took up the study of law, which he conducted under the preceptorship of Philip Francis Thomas. In 1881 he was admit- ted to the bar.

At once entering upon the practice of his profes-

sion, it was not long until Mr. Bateman had built up a considerable practice, and he now occupies a front place in his chosen profession. Ever since the office of examiner in chancery was created he has held the position. In politics, as already stated, he is a Democrat. At this writing he is chairman of the state central committee of Talbot County. For a time he was council to the Demo- cratic board of election supervisors. He is also council for the Farmers and Merchants' Bank and the Talbot Savings Bank.

Fraternally Mr. Bateman is a thirty-second de- gree Mason and belongs to Coats Lodge, A. F. & A. M., Talbot Chapter, R. A. M., and Chesa- peake Commandery, K. T. He is also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. For one year he was secretary and treasurer of the Talbot County Fair Association. He is identified with the work of Trinity Cathedral, and is one of its trustees. Connected with the Chesapeake Bay Yacht Club, he is a member of the board of governors. He is now in the prime of life, and many years of continued usefulness and opportunities for serving others may be predicted for him.

AMES R. JONES. After years of industri- ous effort, Mr. Jones has retired from the occupation to which his active life was de- voted. From 1847 until 1894 he made his home upon a farm in Kent County, which through his exertions was brought to a high state of cultiva- tion and improved with suitable buildings. In 1860, under his superintendence, an elegant resi- dence was built, which, with the other improve- ments, cause the place to be ranked among the finest estates in the county. On retiring from agricultural work in 1894 he came to Millington, and here he has since resided, renting his farm to tenants.

The Jones family is of Welsh extraction. The grandfather of our subject, Jesse Jones, was born in Delaware, and there spent his entire life, en- gaged in the cultivation of farming land. Our

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subject's father, Jonathan Jones, was born in Kent County, Del., and made it his home for some years. On first coming to Kent County, Md., he bought the old Cruikshank farm 110W owned by our subject, but after one year he re- turned to his former home in Delaware. A few years afterward he again came to Kent County and adjoining his former purchase he bought the farm known as the Knox and Quimby farm, com- prising altogether about five hundred acres. Stock raising and fruit growing he made his principal occupations and in both of them he at- tained a fair degree of success. His prosperity is worthy of especial mention, because it was ob- tained through his unaided exertions, by the ex- ercise of energy and industry, without the aid of those factitious circumstances that sometimes assist in achieving success. In politics he was always loyal to Democratic principles, while in religious matters he was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Six years before his death he retired from active work, turning over the management of his land to our subject. He attained an advanced age, dying at ninety-two years.

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Hannah Rawlings and was born in West Chester, Pa. Five children were born of her marriage, three of whom are living, namely: Henrietta, widow of John S. Hurlock, of Kent County; Joseph R .; and Sarah M., who is un- married. Our subject was born in Kent County, Del., ill 1825, and spent his boyhood years upon a farm in Delaware, receiving his education in the public schools of the neighborhood. When a young man he began to cultivate a farm owned by his father, and remained in Delaware for a few years. In 1847, however, he came to Kent County, Md., and settled upon the farm that con- tinued to be his home for forty-seven years. Meantime, as a Democrat, he became interested in public affairs. For four years he held office as a member of the board of county commission- ers. He and his family are actively identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church South, in which he officiates as steward and trustee.

In 1849 Mr. Jones was united in marriage with

Miss Lydia Rees, daughter of John R. Rees, of Delaware. They are the parents of six children, named as follows: Ella; George W. and William, who are farmers; Lucy R., Henrietta and Maggie.

ON. CALVIN B. TAYLOR, an attorney of Berlin, Worcester County, is one of the leading citizens of the place and ranks high in the estimation of all who have had any deal- ings with him, whether in a business, social or political manner. Recently his name was placed in nomination for the Maryland house of dele- gates by the Democrats of his county, he being a strong supporter of the principles of the Democ- racy, and he was elected by a large majority. In 1891 he was elected county school examiner of Worcester County, and during the five years of his service in that capacity he was also secretary of the school board and treasurer of the school funds. His private business affairs had in the meantime grown to such an extent and the work of all his duties had become so onerous that he therefore decided to resign his public position, and did so in November, 1896.

The parents of the above-named gentleman were Arthur W. and Margaret Ellen (Bowen) Taylor, who came from old and honored families of the Eastern Shore and Delaware. The mother was a daughter of Robert F. and Andasia I. Bowen. Arthur W. Taylor died in 1858, when our subject was an infant, and he was thus de- prived of a father's guiding hand and loving care. The mother, after the death of her husband, moved to the home of her father, where she resided until her death, in 1876.

The birth of C. B. Taylor occurred in 1857, in the vicinity of Berlin, on a farm situated on the bank of the Assateague River. His early life was spent in attending school and in assisting on the farm until the death of his mother. He attributes, to a great extent, whatever of suc- cess in life he has attained to the early training of his mother, she being instrumental in his being able to repeat the one hundred and seven ques-

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tions in the shorter catechism of his church by the time he was thirteen years old.

After he had mastered the elementary branches of learning taught in the public high schools of Berlin the youth entered the Western Maryland College, from which institution he graduated in 1882, standing second in the large class. He re- turned home and was soon tendered a position as principal of the Berlin high schools. He con- cluded to accept the same, and held the place to the great satisfaction of all interested in the mat- ter for seven years. During this time he took up legal studies with Edward D. Martin, a former teacher and now a resident of Baltimore, Md. In 1886 he was regularly admitted to the bar of this county and for a few years was in partner- ship with his old preceptor. Since 1892 he has conducted his practice alone and has succeeded in building up a remunerative business. In 1890 he established a bank in Berlin and is having good patronage and success.

July 21, 1886, Mr. Taylor married Miss Mat- tie Collins, of Hannibal, Mo. They are both members of the Buckingham Presbyterian Church of this place, Mr. Taylor being one of the elders in the congregation. He is past grand in tlie Odd Fellows' lodge and is a general favorite in society. He is an upright, honorable man in all his dealings with his fellow-men and richly merits the high regard which is bestowed upon him.

ON. RANDOLPH HUMPHREYS, mayor of Salisbury, is the son of Gen. Humphrey and Elizabeth (Parsons) .Humphreys, both natives of Somerset County, Md., the former. of English and the latter of Scotch-Irish descent. His father, who was born in 1799 and died in 1882, was a member of the state militia, in which he held the rank of general; the wife and mother died in 1878, at the age of sixty-two years. Of the seven children born to their union, three are living, of whom Randolph is the youngest. The other sons are Lafayette, who is connected with

the Salisbury National Bank, and Eugene W., M. D., a practicing physician and surgeon of Salisbury.

Born in Salisbury April 7, 1853, the subject of this sketch was a student in the grammar and high schools of his native town until the age of sixteen, when he commenced to work in the luni- ber yard and the saw and planing mill owned by his father. Upon the death of his father he became a member of the firm of Humphreys & Tilghman by purchasing his father's share. Besides dealing in lumber and grain, and doing a large business in sawing and planing lumber, this firm also engaged in merchandising, so that Mr. Humphreys gained an accurate knowledge of business in many of its forms. From boy hood he has also been extensively interested in farm- ing.

In 1894, by mutual agreement, after a long and successful career, the firm of Humphreys & Tilghman was dissolved. Since the dissolution Mr. Humphreys has given his attention to the manufacture of fertilizers, which is done in Balti- more. He is also interested in the Toadvine Lumber Company, of North Carolina, one of the largest enterprises of its kind in the south. Since the organization of the board of trade in Salisbury he has been its president, and his serv- ice of nearly ten years in this position has been most helpful to the town. Politically he is a Democrat, devoted to party interests. However, he has many warm friends among the members of other parties, for he has always shown himself less a partisan than a patriot. In 1894 he was elected mayor of Salisbury and two years later he was again called to serve in this position. Dur- ing his administration the city hall has been erected, a handsome brick structure that is an ornament to the town. He is a member of the Salisbury fire department and is interested in every movement that has for its design the im- provement of the city where he resides. He has those sterling qualities of heart and intellect that bring him the friendship of the people and the high esteem of his intimate associates.

In 1889 Mr. Humphreys married Elizabeth, daughter of John Buckner Debman, of North

G. W. GOLDSBOROUGH, M. D.

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Carolina. They are the parents of two daughters, Florine and Mary. In religious belief Mr. Humphreys is an Episcopalian and at this writing is register of the parish where he resides. Personally he is a perfect type of physical man- hood, large and handsome and well proportioned; and in disposition he is kind, accommodating and generous.

G RIFFIN W. GOLDSBOROUGH, M. D., of Greensborough, was born at Old Town, Caroline County, Md., November 20, 1820, the fourth son of Thomas H. and Maria (Thomas) Goldsborough. The history of the family can be traced back to Goldsborough hall, York County, England, 1057. His father, who was a lawyer and planter of Old Town, was the son of Thomas and Katherine (Fauntleroy) Goldsborough, a grandson of Nicholas and Sarah (Turbutt) Golds- borough, and a great-grandson of Nicholas and Ann Goldsborough. The last-named Nicholas, who purchased Old Town January 15, 1701, was the second son of Nicholas Goldsborough, who came to America from York County, England, in 1670, and settled on Kent Island, Md. His mother was Miss Margaret Howes, of Berks County, England.

The subject of this sketch received his primary education in a private school about two miles from Old Town and later studied under Rev. Henry Spencer, president of a literary institution at the Glebe of St. Michael's, Talbot County. He also attended the Brookville Academy, Montgomery County, and completed his general education in the University of Maryland. He first studied medicine under Dr. Albert White and then, re- turning to the University of Maryland and enter- ing the medical department, continued his studies under the direction of Drs. Potter and Hall. He graduated in medicine in 1858. He has prac- ticed medicine in St. Louis, Mo., Seaford, Del., and Greensborough, Md., near Old Town, where he now resides and where he enjoys a large and lucrative practice. In 1859 and again in 1875, he was elected to the lower house of the general

assembly of Maryland, and in 1885 was elected to the senate or upper house of the general assembly, where he served for four years. During the ex- citing times of 1860-64, he took an active part in the political life of the state and was prominent among the citizens favoring the Confederacy. During the last session of the first term in the lower house he went to Harper's Ferry, Va., where he had an interview with Gen. A. J. (better known as "Stonewall") Jackson, and made ar- rangements with him to enter the Confederate army at the close of the legislative session. How- ever, the session was broken up by order of the Federal government, and many of its members arrested. Dr. Goldsborough being a member of the committee on federal relations (S. T. Wal- lace, chairman), became particularly obnoxious to the Federal government owing to the reports that were made to the legislature condemning many ofthe acts of the government in the course it pursued toward the Confederacy. He and several other members of the committee were arrested and confined in Fort Delaware, where he was de- tained for six months, and then released on a parole not to bear arms. In 1858, when arrange- nients were being perfected to build the Maryland & Delaware Railroad (now the Delaware & Chesapeake Railway), the stockholders of the corporation elected him a director of the railroad at a meeting held in Easton, Md. He served in this capacity until 1868, when he was elected treasurer, secretary and superintendent of the company, retaining the latter office until 1873.

As a young man, Dr. Goldsborough took an interest in military life. In 1850 he was captain of a cavalry company of volunteers, and he was later commissioned by the governor of Maryland adjutant-general of the Eastern Shore of Mary- land Volunteers. In August, 1841, he married Anne Reynolds, daughter of Rev. John Reynolds (Church of England), of Stoke-Newington, Lon- don, England. They were married in Philadel- phia by Rev. Dr. Clay, of the Church of England. Their children were five in number, but all died in childhood except Waslington Elwell and Anne Maria. Mrs. Goldsborougli died May 30, 1846. The second marriage of Dr. Goldsborough, Octo-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ber 5, 1851, united hint with Angelina, daughter of Hon. William M. Hardcastle, of Castle Hall. They have no children. The daughter of the doctor married William Massey, February 4, 1864; they have no children. The son, Washi- ington Elwell Goldsborough, lawyer, married, January 7, 1869, Martha Pearce, daughter of William Winder and Williamina E. C. (Golds- borough) Laird, and they became the parents of five children, viz .: Washington Laird, Winder Elwell, William Winder, Thomas Alan and Martha Laird.

LMER E. BRALY is the genial and pop- ular proprietor of Braly's Brick Hotel, a new and modern hostelry for the accommodation of the general public, in Cambridge, Dorchester County. It is one of the largest and finest hotels on the peninsula, if not upon the Eastern Shore. The structure is three stories in height and one hundred or more guests can be entertained under its hospitable roof. The host is a man of wide ex- perience in this business, and his commendable ambition to excel has been the foundation for his success. In 1897 Mr. Braly leased the Hotel Cam- bridge, another good house, but which had not been profitable under its former management, and he has instituted several marked changes for the better in the same, and now conducts the business in addition to that he already had. Both the hotels are well furnished, new and modern in every feature, and especially in the summer sea- son are taxed to the utmost to afford accommo- dation to the many who desire to avail themselves of a few days or weeks in the beautiful town and vicinity. Judging by the past year's experience, Mr. Braly will undoubtedly be led to make addi- tions to tlie hotels and increase the number of his employees.

The gentleman of whom we write is the son of Martin and Phoebe (Herbert) Braly, and was born in Hagerstown, Md., May 17, 1861. He was a student in the high school, and after his graduation in 1888 he took up the study of law

with Judge Stake, of Hagerstown. He did not find this calling to his liking, however, and he soon found a position as a hotel clerk in the Bald- win House, of his native city. When some six months or more had elapsed he accepted a position as cashier of the Riggs House, in Washington, D. C., and there he remained five years, becoming familiar with the requirements of the vocation. In 1887 he determined to enter the same field of effort upon his own account, and coming to Cam- bridge, he was manager of the Maryland Central Hotel up to the time when it was destroyed by fire in 1892. A new and well-equipped building was at once erected, and when it was completed he took charge of what has since been known as Braly's Brick Hotel. The large dining room is pleasant and attractive, and the table service is excellent, all of the delicacies of the season being furnished, and the cooking being superintended by a competent chef.

In April, 1887, Mr. Braly married Miss Mary E. Cranwell, daughter of Charles A. and Susan Cranwell, of Hagerstown, Md. They have but one child, a bright little girl, whom they have named Helen.

ILLIAM J. COLEMAN, one of the leading business men of Kent County, has shown in his successful career that he has the ability to plan wisely and execute with energy, a combina- tion which, when possessed by men in any walk of life, never fails to effect notable results. At the age of twenty-four he learned the wheel- wright's trade, which he has since successfully followed, and in 1893 he established a general store in Coleman, which he is still conducting with marked success, while his wife serves as postmistress of the place.

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Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 58

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