Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 68

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 68

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A native of what was then Somerset, but is now Wicomico County, our subject was born May 14, 1840. His father, William Alexander Kennerly, was likewise a native of the same locality. He was a very active, ambitious man in a commercial way, and owned large tracts of land which he farmed, and a marine railway, steam sawmill and several vessels which he employed in carrying his lumber, etc., to Baltimore, Philadelphia and Washington. He made and lost several goodly fortunes and was too generous and trusting toward his friends, some of whom were the cause of his losing large sums by going upon their bonds. He died when about fifty-six years of age. His faithful wife, formerly Elennor Wilson, survived him but three years, dying at the age of fifty-eight years. She was reared in the same neighborhood as was her husband and was a consistent member of the Episcopal Church. She was the mother of four children, of whom James W, is now a bailiff

in Salisbury, Wicomico County; Octavia E. is the widow of Warren Messick, of this county; and William L. is living in Harrington, Del.

Samuel W. Kennerly remained at home with his parents and was in business with his father up to the time of the senior's death, in 1872. The young man then came to Crisfield and was here connected with the lumber trade for some three years, at the expiration of which time he went upon his sailing-vessel, the Northampton, in the Bay trade. Two years passed in this man- ner and he then sold the ship and soon started upon his career as a public servant. For an un- interrupted period of nine years he faithfully dis- charged his duties to his fellow-citizens in his official capacities, and then took a position as a traveling salesman for a New York medical com- pany. He visited various parts of New York State, New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia, and finally went as far west as Lincoln, Neb. Thus he has seen much of this country, and in spite of that fact, returned to his native shores, more pleased with them than ever, and determined to pass the rest of his life here. Socially he is iden- tified with the Knights of Pythias of Crisfield.

OL. JOSEPH WICKES, for many years prior to 1850 deputy attorney-general of Maryland for Kent and Cecil Counties, was born in Kent County, the son of Joseph and Mary (Piner ) Wickes. The founder of the family in America, Maj. Joseph Wickes, emigrated from England in the year 1650, when thirty years of age, and settled on Kent Island, then a part of Kent County, in the province of Maryland. The following year he was appointed judge of Kent County court and by successive appointments he remained in the position until 1656, when he was made presiding judge of the court. A few years subsequently, when the affairs of the province had been brought to the verge of ruin by the Puritans, he was chosen a burgess to represent Kent County in the assembly, which was begun and held at St. Leonard's on the 27th of April,

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1658. The records show that in 1678 he was again the presiding judge of the Kent County court. In the year 1656 he married Marie Hart- well. His son Joseph, by a former marriage, was also a prominent character. He was one of the signers of the Address of the Protestants of Kent County to the King of England, denying and denouncing the charges made by John Coade against the Catholics of the province, in his attempt to stir up an insurrection.

The genealogy of the family from the time of Maj. Joseph Wickes, the first settler, to the present time, is in the possession of the living representatives and it is unnecessary to give it here. Joseph Wickes, who married Mary Piner, died in 1822, at the age of sixty-three years, and his wife died the following year at the age of fifty- nine years. He left four children: Thomas, Joseph, Simon Alexander and Sarah P. The second son, Joseph, who forms the subject of this review, was born September 2, 1788. He gradu- ated from Washington College at Chestertown and immediately afterward began the study of law in the office of James. Houston, who was subsequently appointed judge of the United States district court. Admitted to the bar in 1810, he at once began the practice of his profession in Chestertown, the county seat of Kent, and soon acquired a lucrative practice. At the battle of Caulksfield, in the summer of 1814, during the second war with England, he was lieutenant of the company commanded by Captain Chambers, and participated in that engagement. Subse- quently he was commissioned colonel of a regi- ment of the state militia, which commission he held for many years. Prior to the adoption of the Constitution of 1851 he was deputy attorney- general of Maryland for Kent and Cecil Counties, holding this office until about 1850, when he retired from the practice of his profession.

November 20, 1821, Colonel Wickes married Elizabeth Caroline, daughter of Gen. Benjamin Chambers and sister of Judge E. F. Chambers. ~ entered upon active practice. He was for many years a member and com- municant of the Protestant Episcopal Church and one of the vestrymen of the church in Chester- town. He was also one of the visitors and govern-

ors of Washington College, the institution in which he was educated, and in the success of which he always displayed great interest. He never sought political preferinent, but preferred the quiet and happiness of domestic life, often expressing the opinion that the only true source of happiness was the family circle, and not the excitement and rivalry of the political arena. . A strong sense of justice pervaded his whole nature and he discharged every duty in life, private and public, in a conscientious and faithful manner. He had a courtly bearing and polished manners, and was distinguished for the deference he showed to ladies, which he considered the characteristic of every gentleman.

Colonel Wickes died January 17, 1864, leaving the following children: Joseph A., Peregrine L., and Sarah Augusta, Mrs. William H. Welsh, of Pennsylvania. Four other children died during his life, namely, Mary Elizabeth, Mrs. Benjamin F. Green, of New Hampshire; Benjamin Cham- bers; Hester Van Bibber, who had married Rev. William Payton, of Pennsylvania; and Ezekiel Chambers.

ON. JOSEPH A. WICKES, judge of the second judicial circuit and one of Ches- tertown's eminent citizens, was born there September 27, 1826, being the son of Col. Joseph and Elizabeth C. (Chambers) Wickes. He re- ceived his preparatory education in Washing- ton College, Chestertown, and afterwards entered Princeton, from which he graduated in 1845, taking one of the honors in a class of more than eighty members. He then studied medicine in the University of Maryland, from which he graduated in the spring of 1848. Under the di- rection of his father, he later studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1852, after which he

In 1848 he married Anna Maria, daughter of William C. Tilghman, and granddaughter of Richard Cook Tilghman, of the Hermitage, in Queen Anne's County, Md. She died April 2,

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1864, leaving five children, of whom three are living: Anna Tilghman, Hester Van Bibber and Caroline Barney.

The public life of Judge Wickes began very soon after his admission to tlie bar. In the sum- mer of 1852 he was nominated by the Democratic party of Maryland as one of the electors of the president and vice president of the United States. Associated with him on the electoral ticket were Robert McLean, Judge Alvey, Carroll Spence and Charles J. M. Gwinn, with whom he can- vassed the state. The Democrats were successful and the electoral vote of Maryland was cast for the candidates of that party. Desiring a wider field for the practice of his profession, in January, 1854, he removed to Cumberland, Allegany County, Md., where, although an entire stranger, he was kindly received by the people and met with grati- fying success.

In the summer of 1855, during his absence from the county and without his knowledge, the Democratic party nominated him as a candidate for the house of delegates of Maryland. It was supposed at that time that the American or Know-Nothing party (as it was called in derision ) had enough members enrolled and sworn in its secret lodges to carry the state. An active can- vass was made by the Democrats and the result was that its candidates were elected. The legis- lature assembled in Annapolis in January, 1856, and Mr. Wickes took his seat as a member of the house of delegates, of which William D. Merrick, Benjamin G. Harris and Judge Stone, also Dem- ocrats, were members. He participated in the debates and was a member of the judiciary com- mittee. After the legislature adjourned, he re- turned to Cumberland and resumed the practice of his profession, which increased rapidly. Owing to the dampness of the climate and confinement to his office, his health declined and became so much impaired that in the spring of 1858 he was compelled to relinquish a lucrative practice and abandoned his profession. He returned to Ches- tertown and passed the remainder of the year in recreation and open air exercise, hoping thereby to regain his health. This hope was realized and in 1859 he opened an office in Chestertown,

where he resumed the practice of his profession. He was successful and soon acquired an extensive and lucrative practice.

In November, 1865, he married Anne Rebecca Wickes, daughter of Col. Simon Wickes. She died October 17, 1889; her only son died in infancy, the other child, Josephine Rebecca Wickes, sur- viving her.

In 1866 Judge Wickes was appointed a delegate to the peace convention, which met in Phila -. delphia and over which Mr. Doolittle presided. The legislature of Maryland, at its session in January, 1867, submitted to the voters of the state the question of calling a constitutional con- vention. A large majority of the voters voted in favor of the convention, and in obedience to the provisions of the law it assembled in the city of Annapolis in May, 1867; Mr. Wickes was a mem- ber of the convention, having been elected by the voters of Kent County as a representative of that county. He was appointed chairman of the committee on the elective franchise, a member of the judiciary committee and a member of the committee on revision. The constitution adopted by the convention was ratified by the people at an election held in the succeeding fall and superseded the constitution of 1864. Under the provisions of the new constitution it was necessary to elect judges to carry into effect the judicial system. He was nominated as a candidate for the office of circuit judge of the second judicial circuit, com- posed of Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's, Caroline and Talbot Counties. With him were associated John M. Robinson and Frederick Stump and they were elected without opposition for a term of fifteen years. In the summer of 1882, before his term expired, he was again nominated for the same office, and in the fall of that year elected for another term of fifteen years. Under the con- stitution of Maryland, on account of age he would have retired from office in the fall of 1896, but the legislature, in its session in January, 1896, under the power given it by the constitution, passed a joint resolution of the two houses, extending the time until his term expired. It is well known that the judge could have been nominated for congress in the congressional district in which he

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lives in 1872, but he declined the honor. For many years he has been president of the board of governors and visitors of Washington College.

In November, 1893, Judge Wickes married Gladys, daughter of Joseph T. Robinson, grand- daughter of Dr. Porter Robinson and great- granddaughter of Maj. Beverly Robinson, of Prince William County, Va. They have two children now living: Gladys Robinson and Joseph, another son having died when an infant.

ILFORD PHILLIPS is one of the nuiner- ous business men of Cambridge interested in the industry of packing and shipping oysters. He is a young man of energy and is am- bitious to succeed, and his honest, sturdy char- acter and known integrity make him a favorite with those who are engaged in the same line of trade and with whom he comes into daily con- tact. Year by year his business has increased, owing to his well-directed efforts, until he is now one of the most extensive oyster packers of this town, which is celebrated for the great quanti- ties of this edible handled here each season. It is a fact that is well recognized, that the chief factor in the upbuilding and progress of Cam- bridge and vicinity has been her oyster fisheries near, and with the exception of Baltimore and a few other places it probably packs more oysters than does any other seaport in the whole country.

The father of the gentleman whose name heads this article was George Wesley Phillips, a man of fine physique and handsome in lineament of face. He was quite influential in his day, and was once a commissioner of Dorchester County. During the war he held the position of deputy marshal. He died at Cambridge at the age of sixty-nine years, respected and beloved by all who knew him. His father, Solomon Phillips, was a seafaring man, and he, in turn, was a son of Benjamin Phillips, who operated a mill and lived upon the upper end of Hooper's Island, in this county. The wife of George Wesley Phillips bore the girlhood name of Mary Jane Meekins.

She was born on Hooper's Island, being a daugh- ter of John Meekins, a Whig, of English descent. She is still living in the old Phillips home here, and is now in her sixty-seventh year. She has been a faithful member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church since she was a girl of fifteen, and is an estimable lady. By her marriage with Mr. Phillips she became the mother of seven children, named as follows: John H., of this village, and an oyster man by vocation; George M., also an oyster packer, of Cambridge; Milford; Victoria, who died at seven years; Edward S., sheriff of this county; Oliver G., who died in 1893, leaving a widow, formerly a Miss Thomas, of Baltimore; and Luther, a sailor of this place. (See sketches of John H. and Edward S. Phillips, which are printed upon another page of this volume.)

Milford Phillips was born April 5, 1860, on Hooper's Island, on the old Phillips farm there, and from his early years was accustomed to earn at least a share of his own livelihood. Such schooling as he obtained was mainly mastered before he was twelve years old, for after that time he worked pretty steadily with the oyster fishers upon the waters of the neighboring bays and creeks. For a year he was in partnership with his brother, John H., and for three years he conducted a mercantile business on Hooper's Island. With that exception he has always given his whole attention to the buying, shipping and selling of oysters, and is fully acquainted with the demands of the trade. In 1893 he invested some money in a livery establishment in Cam- bridge, but little of his time is given to the same, as it is managed by competent employes. Each year, during the season, there are packed under his supervision from thirty to fifty thousand bushels of oysters, or from twenty to thirty thousand gallons.

In his social relations Mr. Phillips is deserved- ly popular. He belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and to the Order of Columbus and is also an Odd Fellow. In political affairs he sides with the platform of the Republican party. He was married in 1881 to Miss Susie E. Ruark, daughter of Henry W. Ruark, of Hooper's Island. They have had seven children,

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four of whom, Hattie I., Ada, Raymond and George H., are deceased. Those living are: Calvert, Mary R. and John H. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips and their family are identified with the Zion Methodist Episcopal Church.

OHN C. HUTCHINSON, a venerable and highly respected citizen of East New Market district, Dorchester County, has spent his entire life, a period of eighty years, in this im- mediate section of the state, and has been a wit- ness of great and material changes that have come to pass, not only in the country at large, but in his own beloved state. He has been a factor in its prosperity, perhaps no less than the great statesmen who have largely settled its destiny and standing, for the honest, industrious tiller of the soil is second to none in the good that his humble, quiet life renders his state, and as has often been pointed out, the true basis of the wealth and influence of any land is in its agricult- urists.

In a family of five brothers and sisters, John C. Hutchinson was the eldest. His next younger sister, Elizabeth, is deceased, and the others are Sarah A. and Emeline; the only brother, Manlius P., is a resident of Caroline County. His paternal grandfather was a native of England, while his father, Ebenezer Hutchinson, was born in this county. He was an energetic and hard- working man, and died in the prime of life. Dur- ing the war of 1812 he enlisted in defense of his home and country, but was not called into active service against his English cousins. His wife was Miss Nancy A. Stevens prior to their being inarried.

The date of our subject's birth is March 13, 1817. He grew to manhood upon the farm where he was born, and after his father's death it fell into his hands, and he has never parted with the property. From his earliest recollections he has been interested in farming operations, and is a practical business man. For over sixty years he has been a valued member of the Methodist Epis-

copal Church, and during this long time has had deeply at heart the welfare and prosperity of the denomination. In his life he has been noted for his upright, honorable, Christian traits and for his daily practice of the religion which he pro- fesses. Since becoming a voter he has been allied with the Democratic party, but has never cared to occupy political positions.

In 1840 Mr. Hutchinson was first married, the lady of his choice being Miss Arha Wright. Their lives together extended over half a century, but in 1890 the devoted wife was summoned to the home beyond. Three years later Mr. Hutchin- son married Mrs. Louisa C. Hackett, widow of John T. Hackett, and daughter of William P. and Mary A. (Moore) Cooper, both of whom were prominent and respected citizens of old families in Delaware. By her marriage with Mr. Hackett Mrs. Hutchinson had five children, only one of whom, Hugh, a bright, promising youth, survives.

APT. WILLIAM E. JOHNSON formerly followed the water, being for ten years the owner of a line known as the Choptank Steamboat Company. On retiring from that oc- cupation, he resumed the work of an agricult- urist, in which he had previously engaged. He has since given his attention to the management of his place, which is situated in East New Mar- ket district, Dorchester County, and is one of the well-improved estates of the locality. Among the people of this section he is known as a man of strictest integrity and the highest sense of honor, with which qualities he combines a genial dispo- sition and kind heart.

The captain's father, Denwood Johnson, was born in Dorchester County, where he still carries on farm pursuits. He married Lottie, daughter of Arthur Williams, and they reared the follow- ing-named children: Susan; Mary; Sarah J., wife of Robert E. Foxwell; William E. and Ar- thur H., of Baltimore. Our subject was born in Dorchester County, November 19, 1847, and grew to manhood on the farm, receiving such educa-

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tional advantages as the neighboring schools afforded. When a young man he went on the water and within a few months was made captain of a vessel, which he sailed on the bay. Soon he became the owner of a vessel, which sailed to Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington, George- town, Norfolk, Hampton, Yorktown and Alex- andria. After having followed the water for ten consecutive years, he retired from that work and embarked in the mercantile business in East New Market. The years 1876-79 were spent in the management of his store. On selling out that business he turned his attention to farm work, and has since managed his agricultural interests. In 1883 he again became interested in steamboat- ing and ran the Choptank steamboat line for ten years, being also part owner of it.

In 1876 Captain Johnson married Miss Annie, daughter of John Baker. They became the par- ents of five children: L. Margaret, Hilda, W. Clyde, Edward B. and one that died in infancy. A Democrat in politics, Captain Johnson has rep- resented his party as delegate in the county con- ventions, and may always be relied upon to support its candidates.

D HARLES T. RALPH, a resident of the third district of Dorchester County, is the pro- prietor of one of the best farms in this por- tion of the state. It was long known as the Cap- tain Ball farm, and is a tract of six hundred acres, adapted for the cultivation of cereals and other crops common to this region. The present owner of the place erected a substantial and pretty resi- dence here a few years ago, and has made other material improvements which add greatly to the beauty and desirability of the farm. Over a quarter of a century has passed since he bought the homestead, as it was transferred to his pos- session in 1870. In 1886 he opened a general store in the district of Vienna, and succeeded fairly well in the venture, besides having greatly accommodated numbers of his neighbors, who find it very convenient to dispose of their farm

products in exchange for necessaries. About seven years ago he commenced to run a sawmill and is still having lumber cut for the market. The store is now owned by his son, William J. Ralph.

It is supposed that William Ralph, grandfather of our subject, was a native of Scotland; but cer- tain it is that he was one of the early settlers of Sussex County, Del., in the last century. Charles Ralph, father of C. T., was also of that county, having been born and reared there, and two of his brothers, William and Thomas, were soldiers of the war of 1812. In his early life Charles Ralph learned the ship-carpenter's trade, but after following it for a few years gave himself up to rural pursuits and settled down upon a farni. He was a Whig in politics, and was connected with the Episcopal Church. He chose for a wife, Phyllis Calway, of Delaware, and of their eleven children but two now survive: C. T. and Mary. William Ellis, a brother-in-law, has reached the extreme age of ninety-five years, and is living in Sussex County, Del.

The birth of C. T. Ralph took place on the old homestead in Sussex County, January 5, 1824, and as soon as he had reached a suitable age he was sent to school in the neighborhood of his dwelling place. He learned the carpenter's trade and some time afterwards opened a wagon and carriage manufactory in Barren Creek, then in Somerset County, but now in Wicomico County. For sixteen years he remained in that place, and succeeded very well in his business undertaking. His subsequent enterprises are detailed in the opening paragraph of this sketch. He is a Demo- crat in political matters, but has never been in- duced to accept office, though often urged to do so by his friends and fellow-citizens. He is a man of upright character and excellent standing in the community in which he has dwelt so long and the several members of his family likewise are highly esteemed.

December 18, 1849, Mr. Ralph and Miss Nancy Weatherly, a representative of an old and rich family of Wicomico County, Md., were united in marriage. Her parents were James and Elizabeth (Lowe) Weatherly, the latter of Somerset Coun-

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ty. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ralph, all energetic, enterprising young people, who are a credit to their parents and an honor to the district in which they live. The eldest, William James, has charge of his father's store in Vienna; George T. and Charles S. assist in the management of the old homestead, and relieve their father of the more arduous duties; Elizabeth H. is the wife of George Bounds, of Wicomico County; Christiana married Levin B. Weatherly, of Spring Hill, Md .; and Yancey W. has a good position with the firm of George B. Kimb & Co., of Philadelphia, Pa. He has traveled for them, selling horse blankets and other furnish- ings for man's noble companion, since 1890, and possesses talent in his chosen work as a salesman.

ERRY DE ROCHEBRUNE TAYLOR. America is proud of those brave men who in this country, more frequently than in any other, rise from a condition of poverty by the strength of will and industry to a place of honor and influence in a community. A notable and worthy example of such success is afforded us in the career of the sterling old citizen whose name heads this review, and who was called from the scenes of his earthly life to the home beyond De- cember 12, 1896. He was a native of Frederick, Del., and was brought by his parents when a youth to Caroline County and passed the re- mainder of his life within its boundaries, his home being located in the fourth district. He was a conscientious Christian and for many years was identified with the Friendship Church, of the Methodist Episcopal denomination, and served in the position of steward for a long time. He desired always to live in perfect peace and har- mony with his fellow-men, and one of the last acts of his life was characteristic of the good and truly great soul that he was. He called to his bedside his children and after explaining fully to them what disposition he had deemed best to make of his extensive property interests, talked the matter over, and ascertained that everything

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Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 68

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