USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland > Part 85
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The early years of Henry S. Matthews were spent upon the old homestead in the third district, and his elementary education was that of the grammar and high schools of this village. When seventeen years of age he entered the store of Mitchell & Co., of which his father was a silent partner, and during the succeeding three years managed to acquire a good general idea of busi- ness principles. A Mr. Beall purchased the interest of the senior partner, and our subject was also admitted to the firm, which was styled Beall & Matthews for the next two years. De- siring to be the sole owner, he bought out Mr. Beall's share, and has since continued alone.
The drug store is well equipped with a general line of supplies usually carried in a complete establishment of the kind.
In 1883 occurred the marriage of Mr. Matthews and Susanna Harrison, and to them has been born one child, Emory, a bright and most promis- ing youth. The family are members of the Epis- copal Church, and are numbered among the best people in the village. They have a nicely ap- pointed home and enjoy many of the luxuries of life.
ATHAN J. P. TULL is well known in Somerset County, both as a merchant and
truck farmer. He is the proprietor of a general store at Marion Station, in the manage- ment of which he has shown such excellent judg- ment that he has established a reputation as a reliable, efficient business man. Besides this store, he also superintends his farm of two hun- dred acres, situated near by, and said to be the largest truck farm in the county. He makes a specialty of raising strawberries, to which forty acres have been planted. Though busy during the entire year, naturally his busiest season is when the fruits and vegetables ripen and have to be shipped to market, and at the same time his trade in the store is also unusually heavy.
Near his present place of residence Mr. Tull was born in January, 1843, the son of Nathan T. and Emeline B. (Parker) Tull, also natives of this locality. His father was a large land owner and also had a number of slaves in the days before the war. Besides farming, he carried on a large tannery at Tulls Corner. He was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he served faithfully and long as a steward and trustee. A hard-working, persevering man, of honest and energetic character, he surrounded his family with the comforts of life, and rose to a posi- tion among the prosperous men of his county. He died when fifty-seven years of age. His wife, who, like himself, was an earnest Methodist, died when fifty-eight years of age. Of their eight children six are now living, namely: Rev. Will-
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iam T. Tull, of Wilmington, Del .; Margaret J., wife of John B. Ward; Nathan J. P .; Joseph S., who resides near Tulls Corner; Annie O., wife of Isaac T. Connor, of Iowa; and John E., whose home is in Crisfield.
The boyliood years of our subject were passed on the home farm and in the country schools. At the age of seventeen he entered Williamsport (Pa.) College, where he was a student for two years, and afterward he taught school in Somer- set County for two years. At the expiration of that time lie opened a general store near Tulls Corner, where he remained for a number of years, conducting business on a small scale. From there he removed to Marion Station, where he has gradually built up an important business. In political belief he is a Democrat, active in the party. Since 1892 he has held the office of tax collector for his district and from 1891 to 1893 lie served as sheriff of the county. In 1876 he mar- ried Miss Jennie F., eldest daughter of Southey F. Miles, whose sketch appears in this work. They have four children: Miles, Harding P., Christiana M. and Edna J., aged respectively twenty, fifteen, thirteen and five.
The Methodist Protestant Church has an inter- ested worker in Mr. Tull, who was a generous contributor to the building of the new house of worship in 1895 and has otherwise assisted in the maintenance of the church and the extension of its influence. He is a financier of Charity Lodge No. 35, A. O. U. W., and one of the grand officers of the state. In the Independent Order of Heptasophs he belongs to Marion Conclave No. 70; he has held the office of deputy supreme archon for eight years and has attended all the sessions of the grand body of that order during that time.
FRANK WHITTINGTON is a well-to-do and thrifty young farmer of Brinkleys dis- trict, Somerset County. He is a son of Stephenson Whittington and was born in Law-
sons district, in this county, in 1858. His father and grandfather (the latter Southey Whittington) were also born and reared in that district and there were occupied in agricultural pursuits dur- ing their entire adult years. The grandfather died at the ripe age of four-score years, after a busy and useful career. The father of our subject is still living, but is retired from active cares and is passing his declining years in the quiet enjoyment of the competence which he acquired in his prime.
S. F. Whittington is one of the nine children who were born to Stephenson and Jane (Tull) Whittington. Of this number but six survive, S. F. being the fifth in order of birth of those liv- ing. The others are Eliza, wife of N. T. Con- nor; Joseph H .; Charles S .; Emma C., wife of W. H. Hayman; and Alfred A., who is now superintending the old home place. The mother of these children was born in this district and was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She died when in her seventy-seventh year, and her memory will ever be cherished by a host of sincere friends in this community.
The boyhood of the subject of this article was passed in the usual manner of country lads, and by the time that he had arrived at his majority he was a thorough and practical master of the de- tails of farming. He received a fair general edu- cation in the district schools, and is to-day a man of wide information and broad understand- ing. When he was twenty-two years old he purchased the place known as the Cahoon farm, near Tulls Corner, and here he has since made his home. He has put up several new buildings and has made many substantial improvements, thus adding greatly to the beauty and value of the place. The farm comprises one hundred and forty acres, and is well adapted for the raising of various kinds of grain, vegetables, etc. Mr. Whittington is a member of the Heptasophs and is a very active worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Heis a member of the official board of the church, has been a steward and trustee and is superintendent of the Sunday-school. Since be- coming a voter he has cast his ballot in favor of the principles and nominees of the Republican party. July 29, 1884, he married Sallie Adams,
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daughter of Samuel T. Adams, of this district, and they have two bright, promising sons, Austin L. and Norman T.
x D HARLES E. HENDERSON, general man- ager of the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company, and second vice-presi- dent of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Com- pany, has his office and city residence in Phila- delphia, but spends a portion of each year at his beautiful country home, The Rest, in Easton district, Talbot County. The estate comprises one hundred acres, situated on the Miles River, but a short distance from the city of Easton, and was formerly the country seat of Admiral Buchan- an, but was purchased by the present owner in 1892.
The first representative of the Henderson family in America was Alexander Henderson, a native of Glasgow, Scotland. His son, Richard, was the father of John, a native of Montgomery County, Md., and the latter had a son, Richard, also a native of that county, born in 1801. The last- named, who was a farmer by occupation, and a man of upright, noble character, married Eliza- beth Ann Beall English, a daughter of David English, a banker of Washington, D. C. Rich- ard Henderson died in 1860 and his wife passed away twenty-seven years later. They were the parents of the following children: Sarah T., widow of William T. Daugherty, an attorney of Jefferson County, W. Va .; John, deceased, who was a successful civil engineer, was chief engin- eer in charge of construction of the Delaware & Chesapeake Railroad, and built a road in Cuba; David, who resides in Jefferson County, W. Va .; Janet, wife of John Hilleary, of Roanoke, Va .; Arianna, a missionary in Brazil; Elizabeth, wife of Dr. John W. Hilleary, of Frederick County, Md .; Richard, who occupies the old homestead in Jefferson County, W. Va .; Charles E .; Minnie, who lives in Roanoke, Va .; George, residing in Kensington, Pa .; and Norman F., whose home is in the state of Washington.
At the family home in Jefferson County, W. Va., the subject of this sketch was born Septem- ber 25, 1844. When a youth he attended school in Georgetown, D. C. He studied medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in 1869. Afterward he was resident physician in Bayview Hospital, Baltimore, for a year, and then opened an office in Martinsburg, W. Va , where he practiced for a year. Believing however, that a business life would be more con- genial, he retired from professional work and went to Fort Scott, Kan., where he secured a po- sition as clerk to the railroad agent. Four months later he went to Kansas City as clerk to the general freight and passenger agent of the Missouri River, Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad, in whose office he remained for three years. He was then made chief clerk to the general superintendent of the same road, and when the superintendent was made receiver of the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston Railroad, Mr. Henderson was given charge of the land department of the same road, at the same time remaining in the position of chief clerk to the superintendent. Nine years were spent in that way, after which for a year he was inspector of new routes for the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad, and was also confi- dential agent for the buying up of the stock and bonds of lines acquired by this company. His next appointment was that of general freight and passenger agent of the Atchison & Nebraska Railroad, with which he remained until the road was sold to the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy. Immediately after the sale, as auditor and cash- ier he entered the service of the Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western Railroad, then was as- sistant general manager of the road for six months, general manager for eight years and receiver for one year. Upon the re-organization of the road he was general manager for one year, and during the same time was manager of the Ohio Southern Road, receiver of the Danville, Albany & Ohio River Railroad, and agent for the purchasers of the Cincinnati, Dayton & Ironton Railroad.
For ten years Mr. Henderson made his home in Indianapolis, but finally, in 1891, severed his connection with the roads of that city and went
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to Philadelphia as general manager of the Phila- delphiia and Reading Coal and Iron Company, which position he still holds. December 1, 1896, he was appointed second vice-president of tlie Philadelphia & Reading Railway. Asa business mau lie is keen, far-seeing and discriminating, possessing the tact, energy and sagacity that are liecessary to success. October 22, 1879, he mar- ried Miss Ida M. Lynn, whose father, William Lynn, was at one time treasurer of Muskingum County, Ohio. They are the parents of two sons, Charles E. and William L.
G EORGE ALBERT THOMPSON has been closely associated with the development and prosperity of Dorchester County since his earliest recollections. He was born upon the homestead which he is now engaged in carrying on, it being situated in East New Market dis- trict, near the town of the same name. With the exception of three years when he was engaged in farming in another part of this county he has been a resident of this locality during his entire existence, and has been occupied in agricultural pursuits since he was able to handle a spade or hoe. He personally supervises all work and im- provements in progress upon his farm, and keeps everything up in a neat and thrifty condition.
The youngest and only survivor of a family numbering several children, Mr. Thompson was born May 24, 1843, his parents being Mitchell and Celia (Webster) Thompson, both natives of this county. The father was for years one of the leading and influential citizens of this district, and deserved great credit for the success he achieved in a financial way, as he began the bat- tle of life empty-handed. Both he and his wife were zealous members of the Methodist Protestant Church and kind and generous to the poor and afflicted. The father was a son of Thomas Thompson, and was of direct English descent.
George A. Thompson grew to manhood in the old home. His brother, Thomas, died when a young man, and another brother, James M., also
died after reaching maturity. A sister, Eliza- beth, married James R. Donoho, and she died when fifty years of age. They all attended the public school of their home district, mastering the rudiments of an education to which the knowledge acquired by observation and experi- ence and reading equipped them for the practical necessities of their future. The boys were trained in all the work of the farm, and were early initiated into the first principles of success, industry and perseverance. Their parents drilled them constantly in those things which make good citizens, neighbors and friends, and habits of thinking and action then formed became the basis of all the nobility and uprightness of their characters. At last our subject commenced his independent life as a farmer, and so well has he been prospered that he now owns a valuable tract of land of about three hundred acres. He has made substantial improvements upon the place until it is considered one of the best in this por- tion of the county. Politically he is a Democrat and has served two terms as a judge of the orphans' court with satisfaction to all concerned. He and his family are identified with the Baptist Church and are generous contributors to the ex- penses of the same.
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July 2, 1868, when about twenty-five years old, Mr. Thompson married Sarah Olivia Hearn, daughter of Burton and Charlotte (Smith ) Hearn, and to them the following children have been born: Charles M., Jasper L., Annie E., Celia, Leila, Lottie, Mattie, George, Grace and Myra. They are bright, ambitious, energetic young people of whom any parent might justly be proud and are qualified both by nature and training to occupy and grace any station of life to which they may be called.
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? OHN N. USILTON. The lives of some men teach the important lesson that in spite of early disadvantages, in spite of many obstacles, and in spite of lack of opportunity, success may be secured and prosperity attained.
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When a boy the subject of this sketch was obliged to work almost constantly, and from the age of thirteen he made his own way in the world. The advantages for obtaining an educa- tion which the children of to-day enjoy did not fall to his lot. Notwithstanding this he became an expert bookkeeper and accountant and a keen business man. During the long period of his service as justice of the peace he gave his atten- tion, with accustomed diligence, to a strict and impartial discharge of the duties imposed upon him. He was also employed both by residents and non-residents in the care and management of real estate and the collection of accounts and rents.
The life which this article sketches began in the second district of Kent County, February 26, 1815, and closed in Chestertown June 18, 1885. In duration it covered sixty-nine years, three months and twenty-three days. When a mere child Mr. Usilton began to make his own liveli- hood, but the necessity thus forced upon him, in- stead of being detrimental, was probably the cause of the energetic and persevering disposi- tion which he afterward possessed. Through his enterprise he accumulated a valuable prop- erty, all of which was bequeathed to his wife. For years he was a trustee of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, in which he stood high. The cause of temperance had in him one of its strong and stanch advocates. Politically he espoused the principles of the Republican party.
The wife of Mr. Usilton was Sarah M. Potter, who was born near Albany, N. Y., the daughter of Amos and Ann M. Potter. Her maternal grandmother belonged to the Lake family, which was prominent and wealthy and owned a vast estate on the Hudson. She owns the old farm in Kent County, besides a farm in Broad Neck and valuable property in Chestertown. Her only son, John Gale Usilton, was educated in the mili- tary academy at Chester, Pa., where he spent three years. Afterward he went to Texas, and during the three years he remained there he met and married Miss Lucia Grover. He now re- sides on the old homestead in Kent County, where he gives his attention to farm work. He
and his wife liave two children, Herbert and Clarence.
Mr. Usilton was chosen justice of the peace, and the high character of his service was indi- cated by his re-election. However, he had re- tired to his farm before he died. He took a warm interest in matters pertaining to the welfare of the people, and was a contributor both of time and money to causes for the benefit of his fellow- citizens. The years that have elapsed since his death have not dimmed his memory in the hearts of others. His life still stands out as a synonym for integrity and enterprise and all those virtues that appeal to the minds of men. The good that he accomplished will live in years to come, and his unconscious influence will be felt in many ways that will prove of helpfulness to the people.
JAMES TULL, president of the town council of Pocomoke City, Worcester County, and one of the board of trustees of our high school, is a leading business man of the place and is actively concerned in whatever effects the progress of this community. He has been en- gaged in ship building and repairing of boats ever since he attained his majority and is a thorough master of the craft. From Christmas, 1896, to April, 1897, he ran a passenger and freight boat, the Bertie E. Tull, between Bal- timore and Snow Hill and intermediate points.
The parents of our subject are John C. and Jane Tull, natives of Maryland. E. J. Tull was born near Westover, Somerset County, January 19, 1850, on the paternal farm, and there passed his boyhood days, his education being derived from the district schools. He continued to give his time and services to his father in the manage- ment of the old homestead until he arrived at his majority, when he came to this village. He found employment in the ship yards of William J. S. Clark & Co., remaining with that firm six years. Having become a fine workman and thoroughly understanding the details of the busi- ness, he formed a partnership with Hall Brotliers
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& Co., with whom he passed the succeeding ten years. In 1884 he leased the W. J. S. Clark ship yards, located on the Pocomoke River, and has been engaged in boat building ever since. Some time ago he superintended the construction of a steamship one hundred and thirty-three feet long, twenty-four feet wide and eleven feet deep. A medal was awarded him at the Chicago World's Fair on his model of an oyster boat, which was exhibited in the Transportation building. He inakes schooners, steamers and boats of all kinds and has under him from fifteen to sixty men, as tlie work requires. At present he has under way a yacht for Thomas Dixon, Jr., of New York City. In politics he is a Prohibitionist. Socially he is a member of the Masonic order and of the Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is superintend- ent of the Sunday-school.
In 1870 Mr. Tull married Matilda McDaniels, who departed this life eight years later, leaving four children, Edward, Underwood, Bertie and Bessie. Underwood and Edward are now work- ing with their father as ship builders. In 1881 Mr. Tull married Miss Anna Ross, and to them have been born four daughters: Mattie, Cassie, Jennie and Gertrude.
OHN S. GRIFFITH, of Easton, Md., is one of our influential, progressive business men, and. owes to his own individual efforts the high place he holds to-day in commercial circles. He is literally what is termed a self-made man, for he commenced business without capital and has steadily worked his way to the front by the exercise of industry and undaunted perseverance. Such a man deserves success, and usually obtains what he seeks in the end.
Born in Newark, Del., J. S. Griffith is a son of David B. Griffith, a native of the same state. The date of our subject's birth is December 11, 1852, and when he was scarcely a year old his parents removed to Kent County, Md. David B. was a merchant in his early career, but later devoted
himself to agricultural pursuits. About 1867 he came to Talbot County, and from that time until shortly before his death was actively occu- pied. He died in 1871, when in his forty-fifth year. For several years he served his fellow- townsmen acceptably as county commissioner. His father was a native of Wales, was a farmer by occupation, becoming very well off in this world's goods, and was a great worker in the Baptist Church. He came to America with two brothers, one of whom went to California, and left a large estate and wealth at the time of his death. Grandfather Griffith had a family of six sons and one daughter, and all of them grew up to lives of usefulness. The mother of our subject was Julia, daughter of Dr. John and Julia Sutton. The latter died when about sixty-five years of age, but Mrs. Julia Griffith is still living, and is a resi- dent of Baltimore. Of her seven children the following are living: John S., who is the eldest; Alice, the wife of A. W. Woodall, Jr., of Kent County; Ella, who married Thomas Hoppe, of Chesapeake City, Md .; Margaret, with her moth- er in Baltimore; Lizzie, married and residing in Baltimore; and David, of the same city, engaged in the commission business in partnership with his brother-in-law.
J. S. Griffith was given a good education in the schools of Easton, and in 1871 started out to make a place for himself in the world of com- merce. His first effort was as a clerk with the firm of Thompson & Kersey; and so well did he succeed, that he was in charge of the whole busi- ness inside of six months. He built up a fine, extensive trade and was considered a most valu- able man by the firm. He continued in their em- ploy for over ten years, when, in 1880, he embarked in a venture of his own, which he has since managed with great ability, having had past experience in this line. In addition to this, he has assisted various other local enterprises and is a stockholder in the telephone company here, and was one of the foremost in its establish- ment.
In 1877 Mr. Griffith married Kate E. Lynch, of Easton. Her people, William and Elizabeth Lynch, are wealthy and leading citizens in busi-
CHARLES H. FLEMING.
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ness and social affairs here. By their marriage our subject and wife had an infant daughter named in honor of her mother, but she was not left to cheer their home, as she was too pure and frail a blossom for earth. The family have a very handsome home, the abode of culture and open- hearted hospitality .. They attend the services of the Protestant Episcopal Church and Mr. Griffith is active in the Odd Fellows' society. In ques- tions of political bearing he is to be found on the side of the Democracy.
C HARLES H. FLEMING. Just after the war this respected citizen of Caroline County became a resident of the sixth district, hav- ing permanently cast in his lot with our people. To his original purchase of farm land he has con- stantly added, until he is now the fortunate pos- sessor of nearly five hundred acres. It is all well- improved and valuable property, and in addition to this he owns considerable land in the town of Hillsborough. He has niade a success of farm- ing, because of his undoubted talent for business, and on account of his unflagging industry and perseverance in whatever he sets out to accom- plish. He will not be daunted by obstacles that would make the spirit of many men quail, but overcomes them as they present themselves, and goes forth with redoubled energy to meet new difficulties.
A native of Kent County, Del., Charles H. Fleming is a son of Nathan and Mary (Turner) Fleming, and was born February 15, 1833. The parents were both natives of Kent County also, and their family numbered seven children, of whom four are now deceased. Those living are Charles H., Thomas L. and Sarah Elizabeth. The father of Nathan Fleming bore the Christian name of Benniah. He was born in Delaware, be- came an extensive landholder in Kent County, and was a hero of the war of 1812. His father, in turn, was William Fleming, who was born in Scotland, and settled upon the Atlantic seaboard in Delaware prior to the Revolutionary war, in which conflict lie participated.
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