Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 69

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

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was perfectly satisfactory to each one, and that there could be 110 occasion for misunderstandings or hard feeling upon the subject.

Born in 1819, Mr. Taylor was a son of John Tay- lor, whose wife's maiden name was De Roche- brune. When he had arrived at man's estate he chose for his companion along life's highway Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew Covey. She was a true and faithful helpmate, and assisted her hus- band in material ways to gain a start and to lay the foundations of his later prosperity. They com- menced housekeeping in a humble manner, and perhaps those early days of their married life were as happy as any that followed, for they were blessed with good health and trust in themselves and in the Providence whom they felt assured was guiding them. At the time of Mr. Taylor's demise they had accumulated over six hundred acres of land and were worth about $40,000. He possessed re- markable business and executive ability, and was considered one of the leading men of the county from a financial point of view. He took com- mendable interest in public affairs and used his franchise in behalf of the Republican party.

The children born to this worthy couple are named as follows: Robert P .; Alexine, who mar- ried James B. Patton, and left one daughter, Cora; Martha, deceased wife of Francis Nichols, of this county; Annie, Mrs. James B. Wright, of Federalsburg; Emily, Mrs. Francis Nichols; Thomas, Merrill and Walter, farmers of this county; Lizzie, Mrs. Orlando Patton, of Preston; Ida, Mrs. William Gambrill, of this county; Mary, Mrs. Peter N. Trout; and Amanda B., Mrs. Ed T. Moore, of this county.

Robert P. Taylor, eldest son of Perry D. Tay- lor, was born in Caroline County in 1848, and was reared to maturity on a farm here. He in- herited many of his father's fine talents for busi- ness and is a practical farmer. He owns a well- improved homestead in the fourth district and raises a general line of the crops commonly grown hereabouts. He is a stanch Prohibition- ist in politics and principle, and is a loyal mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

In the autumn of 1875 the marriage of R. P. Taylor and Mrs. Mary E. Charles was solemnized.

JOHN L. LEWIS.

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She is a daughter of Madison Williams and by her first union had two children, Madison and Emma Charles. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor was named in honor of his revered grand- father, Perry D.

OHN L. LEWIS. For the past six years the enterprising merchant of whom we write has been carrying on a large and paying trade in Fairlee, Kent County. He is a young man of much more than average ability and energy, and is of the determined, persevering spirit that is not easily conquered by obstacles which lie along the high road leading to assured success. He is a man of excellent business principles and his deal- ings with his patrons are always marked with fairness, perfect justice and impartiality. His friends in this vicinity are many, and all his ac- quaintances wish him well.

James Lewis, father of John L., was a native of Kent County, and was reared to agricultural pur- suits. In his early manhood he was placed in charge of a large farm in the southern part of this state, and this occupation he has always followed. He is a Democrat in politics. He was twice mar- ried, his first union being with Mary E. Ayers, of Kent County, by whom he had two children, John L. and James B. The second wife was Ella Schoon, and the children born to their marriage were named as follows: Clarence N., Nellie, William, Francis, Fannie, Clara, Albert and Eva. The family are now making their home on a well- improved farm in the sixth district, and none are more highly respected in the community than they are. Grandfather James Lewis was a native of this county, and like his ancestors, was a farmer. His father, a highly educated man, bear- ing the same Christian name, James, left his home and friends in England when arriving at matu- rity, to found a home and make a livelihood in the new world, and settled permanently in this vicinity, where his descendants reside to-day.

The birth of John L. Lewis took place upon a farm in the third district in 1859, and in rural

occupations passed inany happy, thoughtless years of childhood. Such education as he gained was that to be had in the district schools. When he was twenty-one he rented a farm in another part of this county, and continued to manage it for some eight years with very good results. As he was not far away from Fairlee, he often under- took carpentering work in the town and vicinity. In 1890 he purchased the general store of Robert R. Quail, of Fairlee, and is still engaged in run- ning the business. He carries a well-selected stock of provisions, dry goods, etc., in short, everything usually found in a store of this size and description. Being one of the local leaders in the Democracy, his friends secured him the appointment of postmaster, his first office being held under Cleveland in 1893. He met all the requirements of the position to the satisfaction of his political opponents, as well as those who sup- port the Democracy. He is treasurer of the coun- cil, of the Order of Heptasophs here, and is chap- lain of the local lodge of the Junior Order of American Mechanics. For the past eight years he has served as trustee of the Methodist Epis- copal Church.

In 1881 Mr. Lewis married Miss Ruth Quail, of this place, and they have five children at home. They are named in order of birth: James R., Hattie, Agnes Q., Raymond and Walter. Grace R. and Howard L. died in infancy.

D LARENCE E. COLLINS, D. D. S., is en- gaged in the practice of dentistry in Cris- field, Somerset County, and is also a mem- ber of the firm of Ward & Collins, who are doing a paying drug business in this place. He is an energetic young man and possesses that self- reliance and courage in the face of difficulties that ultimately win success in spite of adverse circumstances. Moreover, he is a man of princi- ple and true merit, and is very popular with the best class of society in this town.

The father of Dr. Collins is Jacob A. Collins, a native of Laurel, Del. He has been actively oc-

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cupied in various business undertakings there, principally though in running a lumber yard and operating a fruit farm. In politics he long ago espoused the platform of the Democracy, but has considered his duty done when he cast his regu- lar vote at elections. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and takes great interest in its prosperity and growth. His father was Levi Collins, a native of the same locality and a farmer by occupation. Jacob Collins mar- ried Julia Hitch, who was born and reared in the same neighborhood as himself. They became the parents of five children, three sons and two daughters. The devoted wife and loving mother was called upon to leave her earthly home when she was forty-two years of age. She had long been a consistent Christian and an earnest mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church and was ready to obey the summons of the angel of death.

Clarence E. Collins was born January 16, 1871, in Laurel, Del., and in his boyhood was a pupil in the public schools of his home town. Later he entered Conference Academy at Dover, Del., and at the end of three and a. half years graduated, in 1891. He then taught school in Seaford, Del., during one six months' term, when, being offered a position as assistant superintend- ent of the Crisfield Academy, he came to this place and completed the year in that capacity. His next move was to take a clerkship with the gentleman who is now his partner in the drug store owned by him, and after a time pursued a course of study and took lectures from the National Institute of Pharmacy of Chicago. He graduated from that institution in 1895, and upon his immediate return to Crisfield became a mem- ber of the firm of Ward & Collins, as the style now goes. The following October he entered the University of Maryland, graduating from the dental department in the class of '97. Soon after- wards he opened his dental office here and is now getting well established in practice.

Thoughi not a politician in the ordinary accept- ance of the term, Dr. Collins is quite active in the support of his friends who happen to be upon the Democratic ticket. Socially he is a member of the Junior Order of American Mechanics and

of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. When he was a youth of about seventeen he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has always since been quite active in its work. He enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know him and is entirely worthy of such esteem.

AMES H. CULLIN, a very popular young man of Asbury district, Somerset County, is the proprietor of a general store here and keeps a full line of dry goods, groceries and mis- cellaneous supplies for the accommodation of his numerous customers hereabout. He is an active Democrat and his many warm friends in this com- munity brought forward his name as a candidate for nomination for the house of delegates in 1897. He is a successful man of business and is par- ticular in his efforts to meet the wants of his cus- tomers.

The father of our subject is Jacob J. Cullin, a native of this district, wherein he still resides, his occupation in life being that of a farmer. Though he is also affiliated with the Democracy, he does not take an active part in politics, as he prefers to give his entire time and attention to the management of his homestead. His good wife was a Miss Mary A. Nelson prior to their mar- riage, and was also born and brought up in this immediate locality. They are the parents of four children, of whom James H. is the third in the order of birth.

As the whole life of James H. Cullin has been passed in Asbury district, he is thoroughly con- cerned in whatever makes for its welfare and does all in his power to advance its best interests. He was born May 1, 1859, and when he was old enough entered the public schools. He continued his efforts to obtain an education until he was sixteen or seventeen years old, when he started in the business of dredging for oysters along the rivers and bays near at hand. Thus he was em- ployed for several years, after which he bought and sold oysters in wholesale quantities until 1888. Since then he has conducted his mercan-

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tile business here and has built up a paying trade. He is a member of Somerset Lodge No. 28, I. O. O. F., of Crisfield and of the Junior Order of American Mechanics.

In 1882 Mr. Cullin married Miss Arintha J. Sterling, of this locality, and two bright little daughters have come to grace their happy home, their names being respectively Mamie A. and Maggie. The young couple have hosts of friends in their community and are held in high estima- tion by all who know them.

OBERT F. DUER, attorney-at-law, is en- gaged in the practice of his profession at Princess Anne, where he has built up a val- uable and increasing clientage and gained a repu- tation as a rising young lawyer. His service as secretary to the late congressman, Hon. Robert F. Brattan, prepared him for active participation in public affairs and gave him that knowledge of men and of public questions so indispensable to young men of this generation. In addition to his legal work, he is secretary, treasurer and di- rector of the Journal Publishing Company, which was organized in 1896; and is also a director of the People's Bank of Somerset County at Prin- cess Anne.

In the place where he still resides, the subject of this article was born August 23, 1871. He is a son of Edward F. Duer, a native of Somerset County, who was for about forty years a success- ful and well-known merchant of Princess Anne. From this place he removed to Baltimore and en- gaged in business. At this writing he is sixty- four years of age and is living in retirement from business affairs. Politically a Republican, he was at one time active in the councils of the par- ty, and was once the representative of his county in the legislature; at another time he was his party's candidate for the state senate and was de- feated by only a small majority. During the period of his residence in Princess Anne, he was postmaster for eight years. He married Virginia W. White, a native of Princess Anne and an es-

timable lady, whose co-operation in every under- taking aided him in the securing of success. She is a member of the Episcopal Church. Five sons and one daughter were born of their union, namely: Edward P., who is engaged in the hat manufacturing business in Baltimore; Bruce W., Virginia R., Robert F., Henry L. and Howard S.

When a boy our subject attended the public schools of Princess Anne and afterward for five years he was a student in Washington College at Chestertown, graduating from that institution in 1891. For two years after his graduation he was deputy clerk of the circuit court of Somerset County, and meantime pursued the reading of law under the preceptorship of Hon. Robert F. Brattan, of Princess Anne. He was admitted to the bar in 1893, and was afterward secretary to Congressman Brattan until the latter's death, which occurred in 1894. He then opened an office in his native village, where he has since been in continuous practice. Fraternally he is connected with the Heptasophs and Red Men, and politically favors the principles for which the Republican party stands.

HARLES H. ROSE, M. D., who has engaged in the practice of the medical profession at Cordova, Talbot County, since September, 1856, is a representative of a French-Huguenot family, for some generations residents of the Isle of Guernsey. This beautiful island is about thirty miles in circumference and lies, like a star, upon the bay fifty miles from England. Its situation and appearance are picturesque; to the eye of the traveler it presents a scene of beauty, with its neat cottages surrounded by large orchards, and with its guernsey lilies growing luxuriantly. Here Dr. John Rose, father of our subject, was born and reared, and from this place he came to America in 1817, settling in Maryland. A man of superior moral attributes, he exercised great influence upon others and was a leader of men. After coming to this country he identified himself with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which

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lie became a lay preacher, but at the same time continued to practice liis profession. His useful life was brought to a close in 1874, when lie was seventy-three years of age.

The maternal great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch was Daniel Curtis, a native of Lon- don, England, who settled in Baltimore in 1742. Under King George III. he held the office of colo- nial justice and high sheriff. He attained the age of nearly one hundred years. One of his daughters became the wife of General Lasourd, of the French army, and one of his sons was the late William Curtis, of My Lady's Manor, Baltimore County. Another daughter became the wife of Richard Bennett, of Elkton, Cecil County, and their daughter Harriet married Dr. Jolın Rose.

Born in New Windsor, Carroll County, Md., March 27, 1834, the subject of this sketch was five years of age when he entered the public school at Westminster, Carroll County. Later he was a student in the Baltimore schools. At the age of fourteen he secured a clerkship, and three years later he began to read medicine in his fa- ther's office. He attended his first course of lectures in the Eclectic Medical Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio, and his second course in the Eclectic Med- ical College of Philadelphia, from which he graduated in 1855. In the following year he came to Talbot County, where he has since conducted a large practice.

Politically a Democrat, Dr. Rose was elected upon that ticket to the house of delegates in 1867. In 1879 he was chosen judge of the orph- ans' court and was re-elected in 1883, serving in all eight years. While in the legislature he was a member of the committee on engrossed bills, and the bill under which the public schools of the state are conducted largely engaged his attention. He has been a strong advocate of the grange movement. For twenty years he has served as vestryman and warden of the Episcopal Church. Fraternally he is a Mason. May 7, 1868, he mar- ried Julia E., daughter of James H. Ridgaway, now of Virginia, and a niece of the late Rev. H. B. Ridgaway, who was connected with the North- western University at Evanston, and was the author of many religious works. Dr. and Mrs.

Rose are the parents of five children, namely: Adela, wife of Robert C. Morgan, of Cordova; J. H .; C. D., of Baltimore; Harriet and Estelle.

D HARRY PRICE. It is about two hundred years since the family to which this well- known citizen belongs became identified with Kent County, and its various members have won for the name an enviable distinction by their intelligence and worth. This high reputa- tion is in no way diminished in this generation, and our subject, who is counted among the lead- ing agriculturists of the second district, displays in a marked degree the admirable characteristics which the name suggests.

The first of the family to come to Kent County was John Hyland Price, a native of Sassafras Neck, Cecil County, Md., and he took up his residence upon what became the old family home- stead, of Stoneton, in the second district, where he spent his remaining days. There his son Benjamin spent his entire life, successfully follow- ing the occupation of farming. . His son, William Henry Price, our subject's father, also devoted his energies to the cultivation and improvement of the place throughout life. On attaining to man's estate he was united in marriage to Miss Rachel B. Ringgold, and they became the parents of three children: Rosalie M., now the wife of C. H. Schuyler; C. Harry; and Maria E., wife of Dr. B. S. Roseberry. The father, who was a Democrat in politics, died in 1852, honored and esteemed by all who knew him.

At Stoneton, C. Harry Price first opened his eyes to the light of day in 1848, and his boyhood and youth were passed in much the usual manner of farmer lads, his education being obtained in the common schools near his home. At the age of eighteen he assumed the management of the old place, which he has since successfully oper- ated. In 1890 he also bought the Yapp farm adjoining, and now has five hundred and fifty acres of as valuable land as can be found any- where on the Eastern Shore. He is engaged in

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general farming and fruit culture and is meeting with a well-deserved success in his undertakings. In 1886 he purchased a house in Still Pond, which he remodeled and has since made his home, but still looks after his farming interests.

In 1880 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Price and Miss Mary C. Baker, a sister of James H. Baker, and to them were born three children: Grace R., Nannie M. and Henry Baker. Mr. and Mrs. Price are both members of the Presby- terian Church. Public-spirited and progressive, Mr. Price gives a liberal support to all enterprises which he believes calculated to promote the moral and intellectual or material welfare of the county and is recognized as one of its most valu- able and useful citizens. His friends are many and he is held in high regard by all who know him.

D LARENCE P. LANKFORD, an attorney- at-law, of Crisfield, Somerset County, is an enterprising young man who stands well among his professional brethren of the Eastern Shore and is esteented as a citizen of this town. His residence hiere dates from 1892 only, but he has made many sincere friends and has succeeded in building up a very good practice in the inter- vening years. He is counsel for the New York, Philadelphia & Norfolk Railroad and for the Crisfield Ice Company, of the latter being also one of the directors.

A native of the city of Baltimore, Clarence P. Lankford was born February 8, 1864. He is a son of Henry S. and Mary D. Lankford, and brother of H. Fillmore Lankford, in whose biography will be found a sketch of the history of the family at some length. When he was a child of about four years, our subject removed with his parents to Princess Anne, Md., and there was passed his happy boyhood days. He received a good education and upon leaving the public schools entered Washington Academy, of Princess Anne, where he pursued a classical course of study and ultimately graduated from the renowned Washington College, in Chester-

town, in 1882, where he had been a pupil for four years. He had acquitted himself with such honor that he was soon tendered a position as vice-principal of the public schools of Crisfield. He accepted the place, but six months later be- came deputy clerk under his brother, H. Fillmore, in the court house. He continued in that re- sponsible position for seven years, from 1884 to 1891, putting in much of his spare time in read- ing law, and was admitted to the bar of the coun- ty in April, 1891. The same year he was a candidate for the office of state's attorney but was defeated. He has always been stanch in his alle- giance to the Republican party and has been a good worker. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias of Princess Anne.

December 12, 1894, the marriage of Mr. Lank- ford and Miss Emily Estelle Marshall was sol- emnized in Princess Anne. They have one little daughter, to whom they have given the name of Priscilla P., the quaintly sweet old Puritan name endeared by association to the people of this fair land. While in Princess Anne Mr. Lankford was a member of the Presbyterian Church.

G REENSBURY TRUITT BELL, a well- known business man of Williamsburg, Dor- chester County, is one of the native sons of this county and is deeply concerned in all things which relate to her growth and prosperity. He is a practical miller, understanding everything about the business, and in fact literally grew up in a mill. He has been a resident of this town for nearly a decade, and in 1888 erected the mill which he has since operated. He owns a con- trolling interest in the concern and personally conducts the business. The capacity of the mill is from thirty to forty barrels of flour a day, and this product finds a ready sale in this immediate locality, as the excellence of the goods is recog- nized and needs no advertising to secure con- sumers.

His grandfather, Bose Bell, was a native of the Bermuda Islands, but settled in Delaware in ma-

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ture life and was there married and reared his family. Our subject's father, William Bell, was born in Sussex County, Del., and in partnership with his brother, Joseph, was financially inter- ested in several vessels during his early man- hood. Later he engaged in a milling enterprise at Gales Town, Dorchester County, with fair success. His wife was a Miss Mary Truitt be- fore her marriage, and to them were born six children, of whom our subject is the youngest.

Greensbury Truitt Bell was born in Gales Town, in 1861, and received a liberal education in the public schools. When he desired to put into practice upon his own account the knowl- edge he had gained of milling he went into Sussex County, Del., and remained there until 1882, when he removed to Clayton, Kent Coun- ty, in the same state, and resided there about two years. Then, from 1884 to 1888, he ran a mill at Federalsburg, Md., and since the last-men- tioned date has lived here.

Mr. Bell owns a very pretty home in the village and takes commendable pride in beautifying the place. He was married in 1882 in Clayton, Del., to Miss Susan Waples, and four children came to bless their hearthstone: Susan Riley, Mary E., William Benjamin and one who died in infancy, unnamed. Mr. and Mrs. Bell are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the former be- ing also superintendent of the Sunday-school. In politics he is an ardent believer in the Prohibition party platform.

OHN M. COLSTON comes from one of the old and representative families of Dorchester County, his ancestors having resided here ever since 1740. For the most part they have been industrious tillers of the soil, and as such have added materially to the resources of the county, for the wealth and progress of any sec- tion of a country depends more upon her agricult- urists than any other class. Our subject is of English lineage and the identical tract of two

hundred and twenty-six acres which he owns and cultivates was the original grant of land upon which his ancestor settled.

John M. Colston is a son of Richard and a grandson of Levin Colston, both natives of this vicinity. They were successful farmers and were much respected by their neighbors and acquaint- ances. The grandfather departed this life in 1832, and Richard Colston died in April, 1859, when but fifty-one years of age. His wife, Annie W., was a daughter of John Mace, and by her marriage became the mother of eight chil- dren, only four of whom survive. They are: Levin J., John M .; Mary C., wife of Herbert Holt; and Richard J., of Caroline County, Md. The faithful and loving mother survived her hus- band many years, and lived to see her children good and useful members of society. She was summoned to her reward at the age of seventy- two years, March 23, 1893.

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Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 69

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