Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 67

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

USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland > Part 67

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Henry Bell was born April 25, 1815, and was but eight years of age when he accompanied his mother to Ohio, their first stopping place for any length of time being in the village of Marion, whence they proceeded to Delaware, and from there to Green County. Here the youth, then sixteen years old, purchased a farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres, and this place he cultivated assiduously for several years. In 1840 he went to Columbus, Ohio, and engaged in the manu- facture of threshing machines, clover hullers and other kinds of farm machinery, and here he made what was then considered a large fortune. He made wise investments and owned extensive tracts of farm land and town property, and in addition to all this carried on general stores at London, Columbus, Newton and Grove City during a period of twenty years, and also was in the flour and grain business in Columbus at one time. He sold out his various Ohio en- terprises in 1864, and settling in Seaford, Del., opened a general store there, and built over twenty houses in the town. Though in the changes and vicissitudes of his commercial career he lost in the neighborhood of $100,000, he still owns several large buildings and in 1882 bought the farm of one hundred and sixty-two acres which has since been his place of abode. He re- ceived a liberal education for his day, and after leaving the public schools attended Delaware College two years. He has long been a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

May 2, 1838, Mr. Bell married Laura Bull, a native of Franklin, Ohio, and of their six chil-

dren three survive. They are named Frank, Katie and Amanda, and are all married and resi- dents of Montana. Mrs. Bell died when on a visit to Montana, and in 1864 our subject mar- ried Martha Clemments, who was born in Vir- ginia. There are six children by this union, viz .: William, Thomas H., Harry (now in Ohio), Eliner, Mollie and Charles.

ILLIS T. TAYLOR was born on the farm where he now resides, in Sharptown dis- trict, Wicomico County, near the village of Riverton. While the place is comparatively small, consisting of only seventy-six acres, yet it by no means represents his entire landed possessions, for in addition to it he is the owner of five hun- dred acres. He devotes his attention to the raising of general farm products and of small fruits, in both of which lines he has been very successful.

The Taylor family has resided in Wicomico County for several generations and is of English descent. Levi D. Taylor, our subject's father, was a son of Levi, Sr., and both were born on this same homestead. The former, who was a farmer throughout life, was a large owner of slaves and an extensive planter. Politically he was a Democrat. His death occurred in 1856. His wife, who died in 1883, was Betsey, daugh- ter of Roger Phillips, of Delaware. Nine chil- dren were born of their union, of whom the fol- lowing are living: Gillis T .; L. C., a widow re- siding in Quantico district; Sallie E., who mar- ried E. T. Bennett and lives near the old home- stead; Emma, the widow of John Howard; Mary H., widow of H. B. Howard; and George W. and William L., who reside in Riverton.

Born August 28, 1823, our subject grew to manhood upon the old homestead. On leaving school he began to work for his father, with whom he remained until the death of the latter, when he bought the interests of the other heirs and has since cultivated the home place. In 1885 and 1887, upon the Democratic ticket, he was

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elected a member of the board of county commis- sioners, and filled the place with fidelity and energy. His marriage, February 12, 1861, united him with Sophia, daughter of Benjamin Darby, of Wicomico County. Six children were born unto them, of whom four are living: Benjamin, who lives in Salisbury; Levi, at home; Thomas, who is also with his parents and assists in the cultivation of the home farm; and Martha, who married William F. Allen, of Salisbury, exten- sively engaged in raising strawberry plants.

OHN L. CARMAN is one of the most faith- ful employes of the New York, Philadelphia & Norfolk Railroad Company, having been in their service for thirty years in Crisfield, Som- erset County. He was sent here in 1868 to act in the capacity of train dispatcher, and at the end of five years he received the appointment of agent for the road at this station, in which official position he may be found to-day, though a quar- ter of a century has elapsed since he undertook the duties pertaining to the place.

Born January 12, 1839, Mr. Carman is a na -. tive of the city of Brotherly Love. His father, John L., was also a native of Philadelphia, and there spent his entire life, his time being given to contracting and building. He was a soldier of the Mexican war and came from patriotic an- cestors. His mother, Margaret, was a daughter of that Capt. James Lee who was an officer under General Washington in the war for independence. He, too, was a carpenter and cabinet-maker in private life. On the paternal side of the house, our subject's family dates back to John and Flor- ence Carman, who were of English birth and settled on Long Island, N. Y., about 1630. The wife of John L. Carman bore the maiden name of Margaret Jacobs. She was born and grew to womanhood in Philadelphia and died in that city when her children were all young. Two of the number died in early childhood, one unnamed and the other known as Washington. Those who yet survive are: Mary, John L., Jr., Mar- garet and Ringgold.

In his youth J. L. Carman of this sketch was mainly a resident of Philadelphia, but after his mother's death he lived in New Jersey about two years and afterward remained on a farm in Penn- sylvania until 1862. In 1863 he went to Cam- den, N. J., and entered the employ of the rail- road company, and has been connected with the same corporation ever since. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Pennsylvania Infantry, as a private soldier, and served for nine months in the Army of the Potomac in Virginia. He participated in the battles of Antietam and Chancellorsville and saw much hard service, taking part in many engagements of lesser importance than those mentioned. For a number of years he was a member of Kenneley Post No. 58, G. A. R., of Crisfield. He is also identified with the Im- proved Order of Heptasophs and with the Odd Fellows' lodges of this place, and is a Master Mason of Chesapeake Lodge No. 147, A. F. & A. M., and belongs to Tangier Lodge No. 18, A. O. U. W. Politically he is a Republican. At present he is the second vice-president of the Somerset Building & Loan Association of Cris- field.

In 1863 Mr. Carman married Miss Susan J. Harple, of Chester County, Pa., and they have three children. Maggie is the wife of Dr. W. F. Hall, of Crisfield. (See his sketch elsewhere in this work. ) Mary is the wife of Frederick Sterling, a teller in the Crisfield Bank. John Ringgold, the only son, who still lives at home, is an employe of the same railroad company that his father has been so long connected with. Mr. and Mrs. Carman are members of the Baptist Church.

ENRY H. BALCH, proprietor of the Mary- land Nautical Academy, is also the founder of this institution, which through his sagac- ity and keen management has been established upon a substantial business basis. The academy lies near Easton, and almost directly across the bay from the United States Naval Academy at

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Annapolis. From it may be secured a fine view of the beautiful St. Michael's River, the shores of which are dotted with the homes of wealthy men. The ages of admission to the academy are from ten to seventeen years, and cadets are en- tered on the system of registration, their names being enrolled at any time for the next vacancy that may occur.

The academy lias a competent faculty, there being one master to about ten cadets. The reg- ular academical studies are pursued, in addition to nautical and military training, and after a four years' course here a graduate is equipped for entrance into the United States Naval Aca- demy or an appointment in the army as second lieutenant. In camp the cadets are taught to be soldiers; afloat, they are taught to be sailors, in all the word can mean, while they are also fitted for civil life. After four weeks of camp life in the spring, the cadets for six weeks in the sum- mer cruise on a suitable vessel under the com- mand of a United States naval officer.

While nautical and military training are very prominent, they are secondary to educational work, which is continued on board ship and in camp. Various forms of harmless entertainment are furnished in the way of diversion for the students, and music is especially encouraged. Cadets are taught to ride, as well as the use of tools; and prizes are given for the best workman- slip in making boats.

In the city of Baltimore H. H. Balch was born May 7, 1856. His father, Rev. Lewis P. W. Balch, son of Judge Stephen Balch, was born in Virginia, graduated from Princeton, entered the ministry of the Episcopal Church and was at one time rector of Christ Church in Baltimore. He died in Detroit, Mich., in 1875, while in charge of a church there. During the war he was strong in support of the Union and took an active part in securing the exchange of prisoners. His wife, who died in 1891, was Emily, daughter of Timothy Wiggin, a banker of London, England. They were the parents of ten children, named as follows: Lewis, who resides in Albany, N. Y .; Alfred, of New York; William, whose home is in London, England; Catherine, living in New

York; Henry H .; Adelaide, wife of Joseph Coit, of St. Paul's School, Concord, N. H .; Ellen M., who married Dr. O. W. Huntington, of Newport, R. I .; Edith C., Mrs. Clifford Twombley, of Newton, Mass .; Ernest, of New York; and Stephen Elliott, of Boston.

The rudiments of his education Mr. Balch ob- tained in Baltimore. In 1866 he went to Canada and entered Bishop's College, at Lenoxville, Quebec, where he remained until graduating in 1873. He then went to New York and entered the cordage business, which lie conducted for a number of years. In December, 1894, he re- moved to Talbot County and established the Maryland Nautical Academy. For several years he was a member of that famous organization, the Hussars of New York, and was the commanding officer from 1887 to 1890, when the men were merged into Troop A and he was made a lieu- tenant. In 1884 he went to Europe as captain with a LaCrosse team and there gained many victories, winning fifteen matches out of seven- teen. Fraternally he is a Mason.

October 26, 1891, Mr. Balch married Clarissa Fleming, of Washington, D.C., daughter of Robert Fleming and cousin of Gen. Robert E. Lee. They are the parents of two children, Henry H., Jr. and Clarissa Anne.

HOMAS J. SHALLCROSS, an old-time agriculturist of large experience and a suc- cessful business man, is now numbered among the elderly residents of the second district, Kent County, by whose people he is held in that reverence and respect tacitly accorded to those whose lives have been distinguished by integrity and usefulness.

A native of the old reliable state of Pennsyl- vania, Mr. Shallcross was born on the 9th of September, 1828, in Philadelphia County, and is a son of Jacob Shallcross, who was born in the same state in 1791. The family was established in this country by three brothers, who in 1704 crossed the broad Atlantic from England and all

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located in Pennsylvania, William in Bucks Coun- ty; James in Chester County and John in Phila- delphia County. From the last-named our sub- ject is descended. His son Leonard was the father of Thomas Shallcross, our subject's grand- father, who spent his entire life in Philadelphia County, following the occupation of farming, as did also his son Jacob. On reaching manhood the last-named inarried Margaret Fox, also a native of Philadelphia County, and of the eight children born to them four are still living: Sereck, a resident of Delaware; Catherine F., wife of R. W. Cochran; Thomas J., of this review; and Frances, wife of J. K. Williams, of Delaware. The father was a consistent member of the Society of Friends, was a Whig in politics, and for some time served as overseer of the almshouse in Philadelphia. He departed this life in 1875, at the age of eighty-four years, and his faithful wife passed away in 1879, aged eighty-seven.

On the liome farm where his birth occurred Thomas J. Shallcross was reared, and was edu- cated in the public schools of Philadelphia. Until twenty-five years of age he remained under the parental roof, assisting in the labors of the farm, and in 1854 came to Kent County, Md., where he purchased a part of the Marshy Point land. He has since made that place his home and is the owner of one hundred and sixty-four acres of valuable land, which he has converted into one of the most desirable farms of the locality, its well- tilled fields and neat and thrifty appearance indi- cating the progressive spirit and industry of the owner.

In 1863 Mr. Shallcross was joined in wedlock to Miss Jennett Gooding, of Kent County, and to them have been born six children, who are still living: Thomas, who was born in 1864, and now resides in Wilmington, Del .; William G., a prac- ticing physician of Philadelphia; Jennett; Sereck; Emma and Lambert T., at home.

Since casting his first presidential vote in 1852, Mr. Shallcross has been identified with the Dem- ocracy, and has taken quite an active and promi- nent part in political matters. From 1875 until 1883 he served as judge of the orphans' court, and was president of the board of county commis-

sioners from 1889 until 1895. Fraternally he affiliates with the Odd Fellows' lodge of Galena, and the Masonic lodge of Millington, while re- ligiously he and his family are all consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has served as steward for many years. He and his wife, surrounded by loving kindred and friends, are now nearing the last milestone that marks the end of life's journey. Their rec- ord has been an honorable one, their years have been fruitful with deeds of usefulness and kind- ness, with malice toward none and friendliness toward all who have come under their influence, and they have gained the respect and honor of the whole community.

ORDON T. ATKINSON, M. D., holds a high rank among the professional and busi- ness men of Crisfield. For twenty-five years he conducted an extensive and profitable practice, but his other business interests taking much of the time which was formerly applied to his pro- fessional duties he was compelled to limit his prac- tice. In point of years of business activity he is the oldest druggist in Crisfield, where for a long time he was in partnership with Dr. Samuel A. Robinson, but is now connected with Dr. William F. Hall. Another important industry with which he is connected is the Crisfield Ice Company, which has a capital stock of $50,000 and of which he has been president for a number of years. He is the owner of two farms in Somerset County, as well as several houses in Crisfield.

In Dublin district, Somerset County, Dr. At- kinson was born December 28, 1846. His father, Levin Atkinson, was born and reared on a farm in Atkinson district, Worcester County. When a young man he came to Somerset County to re- side on a farm he had inherited from his great- uncle, Col. Levin Pallett, who was one of the richest men on the Eastern Shore and was a son- in-law of Parson Sloan, a wealthy English clergyman of the Episcopal Church here. Here he continued to reside until about sixty-three

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years of age. He then removed to Pocomoke City, where lie made his home and conducted a tannery until his death, in 1877, at sixty-nine years. In politics he supported Democratic prin- ciples. He favored the Union, notwithstanding the fact that he owned many slaves and a large plantation. For many years he was an official in the Methodist Protestant Church. He was inter- ested in educational work and at one time was county commissioner of schools.

The grandfather of our subject, Maj. John F. Atkinson, was born in Worcester County and re- ceived his education in Washington Academy. He followed various avocations, being farmer, surveyor and builder and operator of water mills. Of hunting and the various athletic sports he was quite fond. The greater part of his life was spent on his home farm, and there he died when thirty-seven years of age. The title by which he was known, that of major, was given him during the period of his service in the militia. He was a son of John Atkinson, a native of England, and for years a farmer, miller and lumberman of Maryland. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Comfort E. Quinton, was born in Worcester County, Md., and died at the home of her son, the doctor, in Crisfield, when sixty-seven years of age. She was an active mem- ber of the Methodist Protestant Church. Her father, John Quinton, a farmer, dying when she was a child, she was taken into the home of an uncle, William Quinton, who was a prominent man and the founder of the Methodist Protestant Church at Nasewango, Worcester County, Md. (near Snow Hill). Of her marriage four children were born, namely: Sallie, who married Dr. S. S. Quinn, of Pocomoke City, and died there at twenty-six years; Mary, who died at seventeen years; Gordon T .; and Susan, wife of Stephen McCready, of Crisfield.

When a boy our subject attended the local schools. At the age of seventeen he entered Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa., where he re- inained until the close of his sophomore year. In the fall of 1867 he matriculated in the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated in 1869. He then began the practice of his profession at Cris-

field and has remained here since. He took an active part in securing the incorporation of Cris- field as a city and was one of its first commission- ers, filling that position for fifteen years. He married Julia F., daughter of William H. Roach, of Hopewell, Somerset County.

On the Democratic ticket Dr. Atkinson was nominated for the state senate in 1895, but was defeated with the balance of the ticket, owing to the fact that the heavy colored vote of the county was given to the Republicans. For seventeen years he has been a member of the county school board. For five years, when the United States marine hospital was located here, he was assist- ant surgeon, holding the position until the insti- tution was abolished and the patients removed to Baltimore. With his wife he holds membership in the Methodist Protestant Church, in which he is an officer and Sunday-school teacher.

OHN BOON DUKES, a farmer of Caroline County, his postoffice address being Denton, came of an old and prominent family in these parts. He was born upon the place he now makes his home and has always resided here with the exception of the seven years when his mother and family lived in the neighboring town of Denton, during which time he and his brothers attended school. He is a stanch supporter of the Democracy, and was tax collector here in 1884 and 1885 and general assessor of the county in 1896.

The grandfather of the above-named gentleman was Levi Dukes, a native of Caroline County, born in 1772 and died in 1824. His son, Capt. James Dukes, father of our subject, was also born in this county, and was a captain in the state militia. He was very prosperous and owned over two thousand acres of land and about one hundred and fifty slaves. This land, which was well improved, was all in the vicinity of Denton. He also owned the vessels in which he shipped his products to the city of Baltimore. His death oc- curred in 1842, at the age of forty-two years. He was twice married, his first wife being Sarah Rhodes, a native of Caroline County, and of their

CAPT. W. H. HADDAWAY.

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three children only one, Capt. Levi T. Dukes, survives. He is a resident of Talbot County, his home being near the town of Cordova. The sec- ond wife of the captain was a Miss Mary Boon, of this county, and four children were born to this marriage, viz .: Rebecca E., J. Kent, I. Rey- ner and J. Boon. Mrs. James Dukes was a daugh- ter of John Boon, formerly state senator for Maryland and prominent in the politics (Whig) of this county.

J. B. Dukes was born February 3, 1840, After leaving the common schools he was a student for two years in Dickerson Seminary, at Williams- port, Pa. Aside from the years between 1876 and 1886, when he was interested in the shipping business with the late Col. W. P. Downes, of Denton, he has been exclusively concerned in agricultural affairs and is a practical farmer. He was reared in the faith of the Catholic Church and still adheres to its teachings, as do also the members of his family.

February 3,. 1864, Mr. Dukes and Maria L. Griffith were united in marriage. She was a daughter of Charles and Ann (Richardson) Grif- fith, and like them was born in Caroline County. Ann Richardson was a grandchild of Col. William Potter. Five children, a son and four daugh- ters, have graced the marriage of our subject and wife, viz .: Charles G., who is inspector in the grain department for the state of Missouri and located in Kansas City; Cora E., Maria L., Anna G. and Mabel C. The wife and mother departed this life July 25, 1895, and was buried in the Catholic Cemetery at Denton. Bishop Curtis, of the Wilmington diocese, preached the funeral sermon.

APT. W. H. HADDAWAY has a creditable record both as a soldier in the army and as the master of a coasting vessel, while as a business man he has also met with a fair degree of success. He is engaged in the oyster and fish business at Oxford, where he makes his home. Interested in public affairs, and strong in his sup-

port of the Democracy, he has rendered excellent service in behalf of his party. In 1890 he was elected president of the board of commissioners of Talbot County, serving in that capacity for two years. He assisted in the organization and establishment of the national bank here, of which he has since been a director.

On his father's farm at Broad Creek Neck, Captain Haddaway was born in 1844. The home farın was situated in the southern part of St. Michael's district, Talbot County, and conse- quently he became familiar with the sights and scenes of this locality while yet quite young. Reared on the home farm, he remained there until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he de- termined to enlist in the Union army. Septem- ber 19, 1861, his name was enrolled as a private in Company A, First Eastern Shore Infantry, and in this regiment he remained until August 27, 1862, engaged in guard duty on the Eastern Shore. May 11, 1863, he re-enlisted as a private in Company A, Eleventh Maryland Infantry, with which he fought in various skirmishes in Mary- land and also participated in Sheridan's march through the valley of Virginia, accompanying Wallace's division, Tyler's brigade, Eighth Army corps. At the expiration of his term of service he was honorably discharged, September 29, 1863.

Returning to Talbot County, our subject began life as a seafaring man, and after a short service as seaman he was made inaster of a coasting vessel. He followed the water from 1865 to 1879, being master during most of the time. In 1879 he came to Oxford and became interested in the oyster business with the firm of William T. Elliott & Co., remaining with them for two years. Afterward he was in partnership with Edwin Sinclair, and still continues in the oyster and fish business.

In 1862 Captain Haddaway married Miss Sarah C. Porter, who died in 1883, leaving four children: Charles E., Oliver S., Rose and Susan. His second marriage, which took place in 1885, united him with Miss Mary T. Houlton, and five children caine to bless their union, namely: Helen D., deceased; Alice, Ella, Annie and

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Catherine. Fraternally the captain is connected with the Oxford Lodge of Odd Fellows, in which le lias been noble grand. He is also connected with the Grand Army at Easton.

AMUEL W. KENNERLY, a well-known citizen of Crisfield, Somerset County, is tax collector of this place and is now serving his second year as deputy United States marshal. He is also engaged in conducting a real-estate and renting business, and is energetic and thor- oughly deserving of success. He has always given his undivided allegiance to the Democracy, and his first service for the public was in 1877, when he was appointed bailiff and city tax collector. He acted as such most efficiently for six years, when he resigned the place in order to accept the ap- pointment of deputy warden in the Maryland penitentiary. There he remained for a period of three years. In 1888, after an absence of nearly two years, he returned to Crisfield and was made street commissioner and the following year was again made tax collector, a position he has held continuously since with the exception of a year.

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Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 67

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