Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 78

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

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March 8, 1868, the doctor married Miss Nan- nie Hicks, daughter of the "war governor" of Maryland, Thomas Holliday Hicks. (See his sketch printed elsewhere in this volume. ) Mrs. Hicks is the only surviving child of the great statesman, and was reared in an atmosphere of superior refinement and intellectuality, as a casual observer must concede. Dr. and Mrs. Hicks have reasons to be proud of their four fine, prom- ising sons, who are a great credit to them. The eldest, Thomas Holliday, named in honor of his revered grandfather, is a graduate of St. John's College, and is noted for his scholarship. He was a professor of Latin and English for a time, then being appointed a paymaster in the United States navy in 1892, which post he is still occu- pying. George Luther, an athlete of state-wide reputation, and particularly expert in football matches, is assistant clinical surgeon in the Mary-

land University Hospital, and is a rising young physician. Fessenden Fairfax is a student in Columbian University (medical department), in Washington, D. C. Chaplain Galloway is a bright little lad of seven years at home with his parents.

AMES C. JOHNSON, sheriff of Wicomico County, is a stanch Democrat, and a great favorite in his party. He would, undoubt- edly, be re-elected upon the expiration of his pres- ent term of office, in the fall of 1897, were it not for the fact that the law of the state on the sub- ject is to the effect that sheriffs cannot be returned to hold the position as their own successor. He has made a very creditable record, and has given universal satisfaction to all concerned. His home has been in Salisbury for the past two years, but his chief business in life has been that of cultivat- ing his desirable farm, located in the eighth dis- trict.

A son of James H. and Sallie Johnson, both natives of Parsons district, Wicomico County, our subject was born in 1844. His grandfather, Pumell Johnson, was a sheriff in Worcester County, in years long since fled, and he was a descendant of early settlers upon the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake. The parents of James C. were people of ordinary means, but nobly strove to do their whole duty toward their children, neighbors and friends. They had four children, of whom Susan E. became the wife of George T. Parsons, a farmer and at one time sheriff of Som- erset County. Mrs. Parsons died and left no children. Theodore P., the eldest son of the Johnson family, resides in Nutters district, where he owns and operates a farm. Sarah J. married Jehu Parsons, a farmer of Somerset County. James H. Johnson, the father, departed this life in his prime, in 1856. His wife, Sallie, preceded him to the silent land about three years.

James C. Johnson was thus left an orphan by the time he was twelve years old. His education was such as was afforded by the common schools in the main, though it was his privilege to attend .

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the Salisbury Academy for six months or so. Having concluded to adopt his father's calling as a means of making his livelihood, he embarked in earnest in the enterprise upon reaching mature years. He began farming in Nutters district, and still owns a tract of one hundred and ninety- six acres there. In 1873 Mr. Johnson married Miss Margaret, daughter of Jehu Parsons and they have three children: George P., James N. and Ernest M. C.

ON. J. H. W. G. WEEDON, M. D. Promi- nent among the physicians of the second district of Queen Anne's County stands - Dr. Weedon, whose success in practice has been such as to establish him in the confidence of the people. For some time he conducted farm pur- suits in connection with medical practice, finding the one a congenial contrast to the other. How- ever, his practice increased to such an extent that he was finally obliged to relinquish his work as an agriculturist and concentrate his attention upon his professional work.

In the fourth district of Queen Anne's County Dr. Weedon was born September 1, 1836, a son of Henry and Rebecca (Legg) Weedon, who spent their lives on a farm. Of the family of six children, two died in infancy. Mary A. is the wife of Robert C. Eareckson; Rebecca is the widow of Thomas W. Trenchard; and Austin R. resides in Centreville, where he is an attorney-at- law. Upon the home farmi our subject passed the years of boyhood. His education was ob- tained in private and public schools and Centre- ville Academy, and upon leaving school he de- voted himself to farming for a short time. At twenty-two years of age he began to read medi- cine with Dr. William Denny, of Kent Island. Afterwards he entered the medical department of the University of Maryland, from which he grad- uated with the class of 1864. After the close of his medical education, he remained in Baltimore for one year as assistant resident physician to the University of Maryland Hospital. On his return

to Kent Island he engaged in medical practice in connection with farming. In 1884 he removed to Church Hill, where he has since devoted his en- tire attention to the practice of his profession.

December 14, 1880, Dr. Weedon married Mary R., daughter of William S. Thompson, formerly of Kent Island, but then a resident of Kent County. Her mother was Mary E. Groome, of Easton, daughter of Samuel and Deborah (Mor- ris) Groome. Dr. and Mrs. Weedon are inter- ested in the work of the Episcopal Church, which they attend and to which they contribute regu- larly. A pronounced adherent of Democratic principles, he labors for the success of his party and has in turn been honored by it. In 1877, while a resident of Kent Island, he was elected to the legislature, being a member of that body in the session of January, 1878. As a legislator he represented his constituents with ability and the utmost faithfulness.

ARRY DAVIS. The common-place duties of daily life, trivial though they may seem to the casual observer, demand for their proper fulfillment the same admirable qualities of character which in a higher degree and under other circumstances attract universal notice and approbation. However it may seem to the su- perficial mind, our rural communities furnish an excellent field for the development of the traits which go to the making of good citizens, and one purpose of this work is the preservation of the records which show the innate worth and dignity of such a life.

Prominent among the leading and representa- tive farmers of Kent County is Mr. Davis, whose home is near Still Pond, in the second district. He was born in 1851, in Sussex County, Del., in which state the family was founded by five broth- ers from Wales, who located there in 1650. The name Nehemiah Davis was borne by three gener- ations of our subject's ancestors, including his grandfather, who served as a soldier in the war of 1812. The father, Henry Davis, was born inl

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Sussex County, Del., on the old homestead farm, which was in the possession of the family for over two centuries and is now owned by Miss Rich- ards. For about two years he made his home in Middletown, was an extensive and successful farmer, and also followed surveying for some time, besides transacting considerable legal business. He was an excellent financier, was director of the National Bank of Odessa, and was a trustee of the Middletown Academy. As a stalwart Den- ocrat he took a prominent part in political affairs, being a recognized leader of the party in his com- munity, and on that ticket was elected state sen- ator, acceptably serving as such from 1874 until 1878. He held membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he served as trustee and steward for some time and in all of the varied relations of life was always found to be upright and honorable, faithfully discharging every duty that devolved upon him. He has now reached the extreme old age of ninety-six years, and has made his home with our subject in Kent County, Md., since 1892. In early manhood he married Miss Catherine Riley, a native of Delaware and a daughter of Capt. Lawrence Riley, who won his title during his service in the war of 1812. After her death he wedded a Miss Riley, sister of his present wife, and to them were born two sons: Lawrence R., the present postmaster of Odessa, Del .; and George W., a prominent citizen of Kent County, Md., who was serving as school commis- sioner at the time of his death. There were three children born of the third union, but our subject is the only one now living.

Upon the home farm Harry Davis passed the days of his boyhood and youth, and in the public schools acquired his primary education, which was supplemented by a course in Middletown Academy, Newark Academy, Pennington Sem- inary and Delaware College. Thus ably fitted for the responsible duties of life he took charge of his father's farm near Middletown in 1872 and remained on that place until 1883, when he removed to the village, where as a member of the firm of S. M. Reynolds & Co., he engaged in general merchandising for one year. Later he engaged in the stove and tin business at that

place for four years, and on selling out in 1888 came to Kent County, Md., where he purchased the old Dr. Kennard farm and took up his residence thereon the same year. It comprises three hundred acres of rich and arable land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation and improved with all the accessories and conveniences found upon a model farm of the nineteenth century.

In 1877 occurred the marriage of Mr. Davis and Miss Annie, sister of F. H. Harper, and they became the parents of four children: Walter H., Henry, Mattie and Emma. Mr. Davis uses his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democratic party but has never cared for official honors. He has held mem- bership in the Grange and Farmers' Alliance, and still belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge, in which he has filled all the chairs. In religious belief he and his family are Methodists. He is a progressive, public spirited citizen, who takes a deep and commendable interest in public affairs and does all in his power to advance the welfare of his adopted county.

DWIN P. JANVIER, deceased, was born in Newcastle, Del., in 1827, and traced his an- cestry back to Peter Janvier, who was born in France in the latter part of the seventeenth century, during the reign of Louis XIV., and when a young man, crossed the broad Atlantic to America and took up his residence in Newcastle, Del. His son Thomas was the grandfather of our subject. His father, George Janvier, was born and reared in Newcastle and successfully followed the occupation of farmer throughout life. He married Miss Catherine Paynter and to them were born ten children, but only two are now living: Mary, wife of Philip White, of Phil- adelphia; and Thomas, of Lansdowne, Md. The father died in Newcastle.

Edwin P. Janvier, who was the oldest of the family, passed the days of his boyhood and youth in his native state and was educated in Newark

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College. He began the study of medicine but gave it up on account of poor health. In 1852 he came to Kent County, Md., where he purchased of Lewis Withered the farm known as the Draton place, and to agricultural pursuits he devoted the remainder of his life.

Mr. Janvier was first married to Miss Elizabeth Haman, of Delaware, by whom he had two chil- dren, one now living and wife of Dr. W. L. S. Murray, of Wilmington, Del. By a second mar- riage, with Miss Margaret Newnan, of Baltimore, there were five children, two sons and three daughters. The sons are deceased; the daugh- ters are living and married.

In 1868 Mr. Janvier was united in marriage to Miss Margaret, daughter of Dr. William and Margaret (Sutton) Gemmill, both natives of Del- aware, in whose family were nine children, but Mrs. Janvier is the only one now living. After the death of his first wife Dr. Gemmill married Jane Baker, of Pennsylvania, and to them were born two children: Frederick, now a resident of Baltimore; and Alice, who makes her home with Mrs. Janvier. The father was for many years a prominent physician and surgeon of Kent County, Md., and also engaged in farming to some ex- tent. He was a conscientious, earnest Christian gentleman and one of the first promoters of the I. U. Church. He died in 1866, at the age of sixty- seven years. His father, Captain Gemmill, was a native of Scotland, but for many years made his home in Newcastle, Del., where he followed the occupation of farming.

For many years Mr. Janvier labored with all the strength of a great nature and all the earnest- ness of a true heart for the bettering of the world about him, and when he was called to the rest and reward of the higher world his best monu- ment was found in the love and respect of the community in which he lived for so many years. As a temperance worker he was always promi- nent and was one of the first promoters of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Kent County. For many years he was also an active and influential member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, was an exhorter and was a local preacher in the Still Pond Church. He was

always a member of the official board, and served as steward and superintendent of the Sunday- school for a long time. Fraternally he was also officially connected with the Grange of Kent County. He enjoyed the popularity which comes to those generous spirits who have a hearty shake of the hand for all those with whom they come in contact from day to day, and who seem to throw around them in consequence so much of the sun- shine of life.

AMES T. IRELAND. The third district of Kent County has a number of finely im- proved farms, the appearance of which indi- cates the thrift of the owners, and in the list of these valuable homesteads we place the one owned and operated by Mr. Ireland. It occupies an advan- tageous location, commanding a wide sweep of farm lands and bay. Upon it in season may be noticed various cereals such as are adapted to the soil, also large crops of peaches and other fruits. The buildings are neat, the fences in good repair, and an air of prosperity pervades the entire place. In addition to this, Mr. Ireland owns two farms in the same district, his possessions aggregating eight hundred acres, and he has also, since 1896, carried on a general mercantile store, his various business interests requiring his close and undi- vided attention.

The Ireland family is of English extraction. Charles T., father of our subject, was born in Kent County, and engaged in farming and nier- chandising in Chestertown, also for several terins taught school in a number of the districts of this county. He married Sarah Hudson and they be- came the parents of six children, five of whom are living: Sarah, wife of Samuel Todd; John C .; Mary, who is the widow of Amor Campbell; Henrietta and James T. Both the father and mother died at the age of sixty-five, the former in 1877 and the latter in 1874.

In Chestertown, where he was born in 1851, the subject of this sketch received his education in the public schools. On attaining manhood he

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selected farming for his life work and in 1876 he began the cultivation of the land which he still owns. Politically he advocates the principles of the Democratic party and no man is more inter- ested than he in the success of enterprises for the benefit of district and county. In 1879 he mar- ried Catherine Worrell, of Kent County, and they have six children: James T., Page Worrell, Charles, M. Howard, Anna W. and William Bryan. Mrs. Ireland is the daughter of William Page and Catherine (Tilden) Worrell, and a granddaughter of Dr. Charles Tilden, of this county. Her sisters and brothers were named as follows: Elizabeth, who died in infancy; Eliza- betli (2d), deceased; Dr. Frederick; Charles; Mary C .; Maria L. and William, deceased.

Probably among the citizens of Kent County there is none who take a deeper interest in its welfare and the progress of its industries than does Mr. Ireland. Having spent his entire life here, he naturally cherishes for the county an affection a stranger could not feel. Here centers for him all that makes life desirable. Here hie has labored energetically and wisely in the past years, thereby building up the reputation he now enjoys as a well-to-do farmer and desirable citizen.

ON. JOHN P. NICHOLSON. During the early days of the history of the Eastern

- Shore the residents devoted themselves largely to raising cereals, but modern civilization has shown that fruit can be raised here success- fully and, therefore, many of the leading farmers divide their attention between the two general lines of horticulture and agriculture. One of the representative fruit and grain farmers of Kent County is Mr. Nicholson, who in 1876 purchased a farm in the sixth district and has since devoted himself to its cultivation.

Robert Nicholson, father of our subject, was born in Lincolnshire, England, and in his early manhood emigrated to the United States. Settling in Delaware, he married there and made the

state his liome for a number of years. Thence he removed to Kent County, Md., where he en- gaged in gardening, farming and fruit growing. An industrious, painstaking workman, he was prospered in his undertakings, and became the possessor of a valuable estate. In public affairs, too, he took an active part. One of the most im- portant enterprises in which he was interested was the building of the Kent County Railroad, at the terminus of which a station was established that was named Nicholson in his honor. Among the important positions he held was that of judge to the orphans' court of Kent County. In relig- ion he was connected with the Methodist Protest- ant Church. His death occurred when he was seventy years of age.

The mother of our subject, Sarah S. Burgess, was born in Delaware, where she was reared and married. The church of which her husband was a member was also her religious home. She sur- vived him eleven years and died May 10, 1897, at seventy-four years of age. Of her family six children were spared to mature years: John P., who was the eldest; Robert G., a prominent farmer of the third district; Sarah E., wife of George W. Hatcherson, of Chestertown; William T., who operates a farm in the sixth district; Albert S., M. D., a practicing physician of New York City; and Emma, wife of Dr. John H. Hessey, of the third district.

Near St. Georges, Del., October 7, 1844, the subject of this notice was born. However, little of his life was spent there. When five months of age his parents brought him to Kent County, Md., and here he grew to manhood upon a farm, attending the public schools and also gaining a thorough knowledge of practical farm work. When about eighteen he began for himself "1pon a rented farm, and for twelve years he operated as a renter, after which, in 1876, he purchased his present property. May 21, 1868, he married Jennie, daughter of William Skirven, but she passed away from earth December 14, 1876. His second marriage, solemnized January 15, 1880, united him with Emily Gowing, of New Hamp- shire. They are the parents of two daughters, Mabel G. and Florence F., to whom they are giv-

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ing every advantage for acquiring the education and accomplishments that will fit them for a high position in life.

Like his father Mr. Nicholson is a stanch sup- porter of the Democratic party, and has taken a leading part in local councils. In 1895 he was elected upon the regular party ticket to represent his county in the house of delegates, where he has rendered able service in behalf of his constit- uents. In religious connections he is identified with the Methodist Protestant Church, in which he holds office as trustee and steward. The pub- lic service of Mr. Nicholson in the capacity of representative in no way interferes with his pri- vate duties and he still continues the manage- ment of his farm property, although naturally the principal share of his thought and attention is devoted to the duties of his office.

S. McCREADY, a member of the firm of McCready & Nelson, of Crisfield, Somerset County, was for some thirty years engaged in the coast trade and sailed upon vessels which plied between New York, Sandy Hook and points along the Chesapeake. In 1883 he built his ma- rine railway here and has since been occupied in the construction and repairing of ships. The firm owns the largest ship yards in the place and transacts a great deal of business in the course of a year. They sell general ship supplies, etc., as well, and have built up an extensive trade in that direction.

The birth of Mr. McCready occurred Novem- ber 14, 1837, in Lawsons district, Somerset County. His father, Benjamin McCready, was a native of Worcester County, Md., but removed to the district just mentioned in early manhood, there buying a farm. The greater share of his life was spent in agricultural pursuits, though he was also interested in ship-building and super- vised the construction of many vessels that later became well known on the bay and elsewhere. During the war of 1812 he was a member of a company of home guards, and in politics he was

a Democrat, but never aspired to hold public positions. He died, respected and loved by all, when in his seventy-fourth year. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Thomas, was born in this county and lived to be eighty-eight years of age. She was a member of the Asbury Meth- odist Episcopal Church and was an earnest Chris- tian in word and deed.

G. S. McCready remained at home with his parents and eleven brothers and sisters until he was about eighteen years of age, helping his father in the work of the farm and in the ship yards. Then he concluded to try the life of a sailor and for the three decades that followed he lived most of the time upon the water. He has been very successful in his financial enterprises and is to-day a man of means and influence in his place. He is a member of Chesapeake Lodge No. 47, A. F. & A. M., of Crisfield. He also belongs to the local Methodist Protestant Church and is a trustee in the congregation.

The first wife of Mr. McCready was a Miss Love Ward, of this county. She died, leaving two sons, Edward and Robert. The former is employed in a cork factory in Chicago, while Robert is an attorney in Mathews County, Va. The second wife of our subject, a Miss Sidonia V. Somers, of this county, also left two sons at her death: John and Ira, who are with their brother Edward in the Chicago factory. In 1881 Mr. McCready married Susie, sister of Dr. Atkinson, of Crisfield. (See his sketch elsewhere in this volume. )

ON. TILGHMAN NUTTLE, who served as a member of the Maryland senate from 1857 to 1861, is a retired merchant and farmer, his home being in the third district of Caroline County. He is one of the highly re- spected old residents of this section and has been closely connected with its advancement for many decades. As a business man and financier he has been very successful, and a few years ago owned a large estate, which, however, he has since divided largely among his children, as he

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had more than lie needed for liis own use, and wished to see liis loved ones in the actual posses- sion and enjoyment of the fortune which he had made for them in his more active years.

Our subject is the only survivor of a family which comprised eight brothers and sisters, chil- dren of William and Margaret (Andrews) Nuttle, both natives of Caroline County. Grandfather William Nuttle, Sr., came to America from his birthplace in England, and was one of the founders of this county. Tilghman Nuttle was born October 7, 1816, and spent his boyhood upon a farm, early learning everything pertaining to the proper management of a homestead. In 1839 he engaged in running a general store at Andersontown, Md., and continued in this enter- prise until 1849, when he sold out and established himself in the same business at Potter's Landing, Caroline County. There he remained up to the breaking out of the war, and in 1862 he opened a general store at Andersontown and managed it for about seven years successfully. For the past thirty years or thereabouts he has been inter- ested solely in agricultural pursuits in a business way, and has been quite successful in this field of enterprise as well.

January 10; 1843, Mr. Nuttle married Elizabeth Blake, who was born and grew to womanhood in this county. After a happy life together of over a quarter of a century the faithful wife, com- panion and friend was summoned to her reward. She was forty-three years of age at the time of her death, September 5, 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Nuttle were the parents of eight children, four of whom are deceased. Those living are: William, Henry, Edward E. and Samuel. Mr. Nuttle is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is a liberal contributor to its expenses.

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Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 78

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