Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 81

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 81

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Thomas Sellers, father of the subject of this article, was a native of the vicinity of Denton, Caroline County, and came here about 1837. From that time until his demise, in 1890, he was engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a leader in the Methodist Protestant Church, being a trustee for years, and was a member of the quarterly conference. To himself and wife, for- merly Elizabeth Evans, of Caroline County, there were born twelve children, of whom the following survive: James E., of Cabin Creek, Dorchester County; Mary Jane, wife of Robinson F. Dilla- hay, of this neighborhood; Martha, wife of John W. Gootee; T. C .; John F. and Martin T., both of this community; Ann, wife of Thomas Dunn, of this locality; and George W., a resident of this county.

The birth of our subject occurred in Fairview, Dorchester County, April 4, 1850, and when he was of suitable age he began to go to the district school during the winter season. When about nineteen he learned the carpenter's trade, and worked at that calling until he was married. In 1891 he bought his beautiful homestead, Ravens-

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wood, and has assiduously attended to its culti- vation and general improvement since.

December 23, 1886, Mr. Sellers married Ger- trude, daughter of Zion Sollaway, of this district. They have become the parents of the following- named children: Ollie M., Eva, Mary, Nellie, Thomas, Charles, Lena and Lulu (twins), Her- man, Stella and Maggie. They are bright young people, and the older ones are attending the school of this neighborhood.

AMUEL J. COOPER is a successful merchant of Sharptown, Wicomico County, where he was born November 6, 1842. He is a member of an old family of Delaware and a rel- ative of Governor Cooper, of that state. His father, John, who was a son of William Cooper, of Sussex County, Del., was born and reared there, and in early life followed the trade of a ship carpenter, but afterward turned his attention to farming. In politics he was a Republican and for many years held office as a magistrate. He aided in the organization of the Methodist Prot- estant Church of Sharptown, in which he was an official and exhorter for many years. He re- moved from Delaware to Maryland and settled in Wicomico County, in February, 1842, and here he continued to reside until 1864, when he re- turned to Delaware, and continued to reside on the old homestead until his death, which occurred in August, 1896.

The mother of our subject, Mary Elizabeth Lynch, was born in Laurel, Del., and is living, at the age of seventy-one, upon the old Cooper homestead in Delaware. She had a family of thirteen children, of whom the following survive: Samuel J .; Margaret, wife of James F. Bradley, of Sharptown district; Delilah, who married M. D. Bradley; Melvina, wife of J. W. Phillips, of Wi- comico County; Levan T., who makes his home in Delaware; Edith, the widow of James Waller, and now living with her mother; John, on the old homestead; Susan, the widow of James F. Lowe,

of Delmar, Del .; and Sallie, Mrs. Samuel K. Beach, of Delaware. When a boy our subject worked on the home farm and for a time fol- lowed the occupation of a sailor. At the age of about nineteen years he enlisted, September 28, 1861, at Church Creek, Dorchester County, Md., in the First Eastern Shore Regiment, U. S. A., Lockwood's Brigade, Twelfth Army Corps, Col. James Wallace commanding. His term of service covered thirty-seven months and five days, dur- ing a portion of which he was on guard duty. The most important engagement in which he took part was the battle of Gettysburg, when he was with the Army of the Potomac. However, the most of his service was with the Army of Virginia.

On retiring from the army, Mr. Cooper again became a sailor, and was captain of vessels on the bay until 1869. Afterward he turned his atten- tion to the building of ships and worked in one of the large ship yards of Wilmington. An accident obliged him to relinquish this occupation, and he then went to lower Delaware, where he operated a steam sawmill until 1873. Forming a partner- ship in that year with his cousin, Noah C. Cooper, he bought out R. T. Wright, at Sharptown, and founded the firm of S. J. Cooper & Co. After four years he purchased his cousin's interest and has since successfully conducted the business in his own name.

In order to meet the demands of his business for increased facilities, Mr. Cooper in 1891 tore down the old storehouse, and on its site erected a large and substantial building. At the same time he remodeled and enlarged his residence. June 17, 1892, fire destroyed both the store and dwell- ing, entailing a loss of almost $5,000, only par- tially covered by insurance. His energy is shown in the fact that he immediately began the work of rebuilding, and October 1, 1892, less than three months after the fire, he moved into his new store, where he has since engaged in the mercan- tile business. He also has an interest in several vessels that carry freight up and down the bay. In religious belief he is connected with the Meth- odist Protestant Church, in which he is a trustee, class-leader and steward. It is said that he has

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more money in church stock than anyone in the town, hie having contributed to all of the churches in the locality.

December 1, 1874, Mr. Cooper married Rachel A., daughter of Joseph Phillips, of Sussex Coun- ty, Del. She died July 8, 1886, having been the mother of five children. Of these three are living. Joseph P., an energetic young man, assists his father in the store; Lena E. and Mary E. are at home. Sallie T., twin of Mary E., died at the age of one year; and Samuel W. M. died July 24, 1886.

HOMAS J. SAUERHOFF is engaged in the marine railway business, which is one of the most important industries on the Eastern Shore. In early youth he learned the trade of ship carpenter, which he followed both in Maryland and Delaware. In 1885 he came to his present location in Sharptown district, Wicomico County, and purchased a one-fourth interest in the marine railway owned by George K. Phillips & Co., with which he has since been actively connected. Vessels of all sizes are built and repaired here, some of them of as much as three hundred tons' weight. To carry on the en- terprise thirty inen are employed.

As indicated by the name the Sauerhoff family is of German origin. It had representatives among the early settlers of Baltimore, though Henry, father of our subject, was of northern birth, being a native of New York. However, much of his active life was spent in Baltimore, where he learned the trade of a ship carpenter and was afterward employed as foreman in a num- ber of the large yards in that city. He was an expert marine railway builder and carried on that business until his death. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Ann Jeffreys, is living at the age of seventy-eight. They were the parents of eleven children, four of whom are living, namely: Thomas J., who was born in Baltimore, July 28, 1852; Kate, wife of Jacob Smith, of Bethel, Del ; Joseph H., of Cambridge; and William, a resident of Betliel Del.

Leaving school at the age of sixteen, the sub- ject of this sketch then began to work in a saw and grist mill in Oxford, Md., and later learned the trade of a slip carpenter in the same place. From Oxford he removed to Bethel, Del., where he followed his trade for eight years, and then returning to Maryland, spent a short time in Cambridge, coming from that place to Wicomico County in 1885. He is an industrious, persever- ing man, and has justly earned his present finan- cial prosperity. Though a stanch Democrat, he has been too engrossed in business matters to attend conventions or accept nomination for office. His tastes run in the line of business rather than politics. However, he is public- spirited and takes an interest in matters pertain- ing to the welfare of the people. January 13, 1879, he married Julia C., daughter of John B. Quillen, of Bethel, Del. Six children were born of their union, of whom four are living: Maggie L., Lillian, Harry W. and Charles W.

LBERT LOWE, a resident of Bay Hundred district, Talbot County, is a member of the legal profession and is a young man of marked ability. He graduated about twenty years ago from the law department of the Univer- sity of Maryland, at an early age, and was at once admitted to the bar of his native county, Talbot, and has since been engaged in practice at the county seat, Easton. He enjoys life best in the country, and therefore has his dwelling place outside of the city, where he can obtain the benefit of pure air and the many other privileges connected with it.

The birth of our subject took place November 12, 1852, in this district, and his boyhood days were passed on a farm near McDanieltown. He was educated in the schools of the neighborhood, in the academy at Locust Grove and in the one known as St. Michael's. In 1870 he graduated from Calvert College, Carroll County Md., where he had taken a thorough four years' course. He then taught school in Talbot County several

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terms with good success. During this period he took up the study of law in the office of Seth, Seth & Man11, of Baltimore, and in October, 1875, entered the law department of the University of Maryland, from which institution he was duly graduated in the class of May, 1877. He opened an office in Easton, and gave his whole time and attention to his professional duties until June, 1884, when he removed to his rural abode, near his birthplace. Since then he has carried on a farm as well as attending to his practice, and very pleasurablend profitably combines the two oc- cupations, finding in the one the mental stimulus he desires, and in the other that wholesome exercise and freedom that rarely come to a man who is entirely engrossed in his profession. He is a Democrat, but has never been an aspirant for office.

Mr. Lowe is a member of the Matapeake Tribe No. 76, Red Men, of Easton, and is past sachem of the same; and he has the honor of being the oldest past chancellor of Star of the East Lodge No. 106, K. of P, of the same city. He also belongs to Wittman Conclave No. 409, Improved Order of Heptasophs. He was reared in the faith of the Methodist Protestant Church, and though he attends the services frequently, he is not a member of the local congregation. February 8, 1882, Mr. Lowe married Mary F., daughter of Francis A. and Ellen J. Wrightson, who are represented on another page of this work. To our subject and wife there have been born four children: Reba, Seth, Mary Graham and Carroll.

William Webb Lowe, father of the subject of this article, was born near Easton September 7, 1804, and always lived in this county, his energies being given to farming and ship build- ing. He was the owner of large estates, and resided in the vicinity of McDanieltown. He had several slaves before the war, and conducted very large enterprises successfully. From 1849 to 1852 he was a sheriff of this county, having been elected on the Democratic ticket, and for two terms prior to this served in the state house of delegates. In his day he was one of the most influential men of the county, and was always greatly interested in whatever effected the welfare

of his home locality, or the state in general. June 2, 1829, he married Mary Anne, daughter of Francis and Mary Anne (Lowe) Wrightson, and to them were born the following children: Sarah Elizabeth, March 19, 1830, died in July, 1830; Francis Wrightson, June 17, 1831, died May 7, 1894; Ann Catherine, August 1, 1833, died August 12, 1834; an infant, born August 5, 1835, died when a few hours old; Col. James Marion, born May 23, 1837, of St. Michael's, is reviewed elsewhere in this volume; an infant, born February 21, 1839, died July 12, 1839; another infant, born June 1, 1840, died unnamed on the 18th of the next month; William E., born May 23, 1841, is a resident of McDanieltown; and John Thomas, born April 15, 1843, lives near McDanieltown. The mother of these children died September 4, 1846, aged thirty-eight years, and two years later the father married a sister of his first wife, Rebecca Ann Wrightson. She was born July 3, 1821, and died July 2, 1866. There were six children by this union: Joseph Lowe, born September 22, 1849, died February 8, 1850; Enoch L., born December 15, 1850, died February 26, 1855; Albert Lowe is the subject of this article; Mary Roseline, born August 29, 1854, died August 30, 1855; Wilber Fisk, born October 21, 1856, died May 9, 1858. An infant died unnamed. The father died January 20, 1863, aged fifty-eight years and a-half. He was a son of Wrightson and Susannah ( Haddaway) Lowe. The former was born near Bay Side, this district, July 9, 1773, and died May 13, 1848, and the latter, by whom he had eight children, was the daughter of William Webb Haddaway.

ILLIAM DALE, president of the First National Bank of Pocomoke City, has re- sided here since 1871, and is intimately connected with many of the enterprises for the advancement of local interests, having as a public- spirited citizen taken an active part in the pronto- tion of laudable undertakings. He is one of the large land owners of Worcester County, having in his possession about eight farms, aggregating

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eighteen hundred acres. There is probably 110 line of activity in which he has been more inter- ested than in educational work, and this interest has found expression in his efforts to advance the standard of education in his community. From 1871 until 1888 he was a member of the county board of school commissioners, and for fifteen years he was a member of the state board of edu- cation.

In Snow Hill, Worcester County, Mr. Dale was born on New Year's day, of 1824, being the son of John and Elizabeth (Johnson) Dale, who spent their lives as residents upon a farm. He was the only son of his parents, and had two sis- ters: Sarah A., who died in infancy; and Eliza- beth, Mrs. L. P. Bowland, deceased. When a boy our subject was a student in subscription schools. At the age of eighteen he entered the theological seminary at Franklin, Md., where he completed the regular course, graduating in 1845. He was ordained to the ministry in Easton, Md., where he held a pastorate for two years. After- ward for five years he was pastor of the Method- ist Protestant Church in Chestertown, Md., and from there went to Cambridge, where he was stationed four years. Returning to Chestertown he was pastor there for three years, and at the expiration of that time retired from the ministry on account of continued poor health. During the period of his ministry he aided in securing the erection of three church buildings.

For nine years Mr. Dale resided upon a farm at Rock Hall, Kent County, Md., where he en- gaged in general agricultural pursuits. From there he removed to a farm situated near Poco- moke City, where he remained until his removal to this place in 1871. In political belief he has always favored Democratic doctrines, but has not been active as a partisan. In fraternal relations he is identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows. His marriage in 1849 united him with Miss Mary Jones, of Kent County, this state. Three children were born of their union: Charles D., a farmer residing in Pocomoke City; John A., a physician engaged in practice at Princess Anne; and Ellen, who is the wife of William McMaster and resides in Princess Anne.

The First National Bank was established in 1890 and has since occupied a building that was erected in 1889. It carries on business in a way indicative of the ability of the men who stand at its head, and its finances are upon a substantial basis. By the honorable manner in which every transaction is conducted and by the recognized ability of its officials, the bank has gained a place among the solid financial institutions of the city and state.

UDGE SAMUEL CHASE, one of the fifty- six signers of the Declaration of Independ- ence, was born in Wicomico (then Somer- set) County, Md., April 17, 1741. He was the son of Rev. Thomas Chase, who emigrated from England to America and settled on the Eastern Shore, being for some time pastor of Stepney parish, which at that day embraced Somerset County. The lady whom he married resided on a farm on the south side of Wicomico River, two miles above Green Hill, where still stands the parish church, built in 1733.

Soon after the death of the judge's mother, which occurred in 1743, the father removed to Baltimore, then a small village, destitute of good schools. He became pastor of St. Paul's parish in Baltimore, and also devoted considerable time to the education of his son, whom he guided through the classics and sciences, making of him an accomplished scholar. At the age of eighteen the youth entered upon the study of law, which he carried on under the direction of John Ham- mond and John Hall of Annapolis. At the age of twenty-two he was admitted to practice in the county and state courts. Locating in Annapolis, he soon gained a reputation as a logical lawyer and able advocate. Patriotism was one of his princi- pal characteristics. He loved his country most dearly. In action he was fearless, when once convinced that the course upon which he entered was right.

As a member of the continental congress, as a foreign minister, as a circuit and supreme judge, the career of Judge Chase are alike worthy and

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successful. He was one of those who believed in our country's independence, and his signature to the Declaration of Independence witnesses his fearless mind and stanch convictions. He is remembered in the annals of the nation as one of her bravest statesmen and most ardent patriots, and Wicomico and Somerset Counties have just reason to be proud of being the native home of such a man.

AMES N. CUMMINGS, of Tilghman's Island, Bay Hundred district, Talbot County, is one of the most enterprising young men in this locality. He has owned several sailing- vessels at different times, and has engaged in shipping grain and oysters to Baltimore. He also went into partnership with W. F. May a few years ago, buying and operating oyster dredges, and they have become the largest oyster dealers of this place. Moreover, they do an extensive business in seed, or plant oysters, for which there is a constant and increasing demand.

Nicholas, father of James N. Cummings, was a native of Talbot County, and spent his entire life within its boundaries. In early manhood he came to Tilghman's Island and purchased a farm. From that time until his death, at the age of fifty-six years, he followed agriculture and the oyster business in connection, and was quite suc- cessful from, a financial point of view. He was a very popular man in the neighborhood and his genial, cheerful manner led the people among whom he passed his life to familiarly and affection- ately dub him "Uncle Nick." He was very active in the Methodist Episcopal Church and was called upon to serve as a class-leader and exhorter fre- quently. In political affairs he was a Republican. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Anne Sherwood, was from this locality, and was also a great worker in the Methodist Church. She died when about fifty-six years of age, leaving three children: Caroline, now the widow of Robert Runnell; James N. and Charles A.

The birth of J. N. Cummings occurred on this

island August 19, 1853, and he remained with his mother until she was claimed by death. At that time he was about twenty-five years old and he soon afterwards shipped as a sailor on Chesa- peake Bay. His next venture was to invest what funds he had on hand in a small sailing-vessel, which carried cargoes of grain and oysters. Little by little his trade increased, and success came to reward his efforts. He is an enthusiastic Repub- lican, and in 1897 was the candidate for the office of sheriff of the county. He is identified with the Improved Order of Red Men in a fraternal way, and religiously is a member of the Method- ist Episcopal Church, and is a steward in the congregation.

It was in 1879 that Mr. Cummings married Miss Lillian Cooper, who was born and reared to womanhood upon this island. She is a cultured, amiable lady, fond of entertaining her many friends of this region and possesses many lovable qualities. She is a daughter of Robert and Mary Cooper.

ICHARD T. TURNER, JR. To secure the most satisfactory results industry must be combined with good judgment, energy with discretion. Fortified with these characteristics a man may hope to succeed in life, without them little can be expected. Doubtless it is through the exercise of these qualities that Mr. Turner has been enabled to obtain a fair degree of success in his labors as merchant and farmer. When he was a young man he took charge of his father's store in Betterton, Kent County, and here he has since continued in business, having meantime increased his stock of goods, adding fertilizers and other desirable articles. In addition to conducting the store, he superintends the management of his two farms.

The Turner family is of English extraction and has been represented in this country for many generations. Richard T. Turner, Sr., father of our subject, was a son of Joseph, and grandson of Joseplı Turner, Sr. He was born in the city of Baltimore in 1819 and remained there until thirty-

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two years of age, when he came to Betterton, which he founded, giving it the family name of his wife. Here lie continued in the grain, lum- ber and coal business, and in the management of his farms. Prior to his removal liere he had en- gaged in the hardware business in Baltimore. In politics a Republican, he was the leader of liis party in Betterton from 1860 to 1870. He died in this place in 1892, at seventy-three years of age. His wife, Elizabeth Betterton, of Baltimore, resides with her son, our subject. She has five children, namely: Rachel B .; Richard T .; Joseph, of New York; Anna, wife of Dr. Henry Chandler, of Baltimore; and William B., of Fort Worth, Tex.

While his parents lived in Baltimore our sub- ject was born there in 1845. He was six when the family came to Betterton and here he has since resided. When a boy he was a pupil in the public schools and also attended a boarding school in Pennsylvania, receiving a practical education that fitted him for the management of important business interests. By his marriage to Martha E. Birch, of Kent County, he has six children, who with himself and wife attend the meetings of the Society of Friends. In his dealings with others he is characterized by honesty and ver- acity, while in the conduct of his store he is ener- getic, progressive and discriminating, desirous of keeping in stock a complete line of such things as will meet the necessities and desires of the people. He justly ranks among the capable busi- ness men of this district.

AMUEL FRANKLIN SMITH. The suc- cess of an enterprise depends largely upon the energy and wisdom of its founder. In proportion as he is capable and determined will prosperity reward his efforts. The best business man is he who recognizes no such word as "fail," he whose dictionary contains no such word as "can't." The business career of Mr. Smith has been a long and active one, covering the period from his early youth to the present time. It has

also been a prosperous one, for he has become well-to-do as the result of his constant efforts, and his possessions, both in realty and other invest- ments, are quite valuable. For many years he lias been proprietor of a mercantile establishment in Chestertown and is one of the inost efficient merchants of the place.

The family of which our subject is a member was founded in America by his grandfather, Nathan Smith, a native of England, but an early emigrant to Maryland, where he carried on farm pursuits. During the war of 1812 he served in the American army and took part in the battle of Caulksfield as well as minor engagements. The father of our subject, Samuel A. Smith, was born in Kent County in 1805, and throughout the larger part of his life he followed the trade of a carpenter, but in old age he retired to a small farm, where he quietly passed his remaining years. During his residence in Chestertown he officiated as a trustee in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died January 20, 1870, at the age of sixty-five years. His wife, who died in 1845, bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Sappington and was born in Kent County, where her father, Samuel Sappington, then resided, but he later re- moved to Philadelphia and engaged in business in that city. In her family there were fourteen children, but Samuel Franklin was the only one of this large number who attained years of ma- turity. After her death her husband married Anna Maria Bell, by whom he had four children, three now living, namely: William A., who is engaged in the fertilizer business in Chestertown; Emma; and Lottie, wife of Henry Greenwood.

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Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 81

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