Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 88

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

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Mr. Dudley has been twice married, his first wife having been Ann Bailey, of Delaware. She died in October, 1871, leaving three sons: James P., who is in the grain business in Balti- more; W. G., also of that city; and D. H., who lives in this vicinity. In January, 1874, Mr. Dudley married Irene Coppage, of Queen Anne's County. To them were born the following-named children: Thomas K., Mary, Nellie, Hiran, Jen-

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nie, Agnes and Jolin. The faithful wife and de- voted mother was called from her place in the liome by the death angel in August, 1894.

AMUEL C. TRIPPE, M. D., a very success- ful physician of Royal Oak, Talbot County, enjoys an extensive and lucrative practice in this place, where he has been located for the past twenty years. There is nothing more im- portant to a human being than good health, for without it wealth, the pleasures of travel, taking part in business and public affairs, or any other of the activities which give zest and object to life, are profitless and painful. The modern, up to- date man will not trifle with that choicest boon of heaven-health, nor will he attempt in his necessarily unskilled fashion to administer reme- dies. If he lias wisdom he will call in a reliable physician, one who has devoted his life and best energies to the healing art, and who must neces- sarily be much better qualified than he to deal with that delicate organism, the human body.

Dr. Trippe was born in Island Creek Neck, Talbot County, October 23, 1849. His father, William R., was also a native of this county, and was a farmer throughout his life. He was a Whig in politics, and was a collector of taxes one term. He died at the age of fifty-two years, in the faith of the Episcopal Church, with which he had been identified for years. His good wife, whose name in her maidenhood was Marian A. Chamberlain, was born and reared in this county, and was also an Episcopalian. She departed this life when she was approaching the fiftieth anniversary of her birth, and left three children to mourn her loss, viz .: John H., now a Missouri farmer; Samuel C. and Henrietta M.

Up to the time he was fourteen years old, the doctor attended the local schools, and then was duly enrolled as a student in Washington Col- lege, Chestertown, Md. When he had com- pleted a four years' course, he taught a country school about two years, and was next principal in the graded grammar schools of Easton for a simi-

lar period. In 1873 he entered the University of Maryland, and graduated therefrom in two years with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In order to gain valuable experience he practiced under the instruction of old physicians in the asylum at Bay View, Baltimore City, for some three months, subsequently going to Oxford, Md., where he opened an office and resided two years. In 1877 he located permanently here, and has prospered from the start. In 1883 he took a six weeks' course in the New York Polyclinic Institute. He is a student and peruses the best journals of medicine, thus keeping posted in mod- ern methods and discoveries in the field of his profession. In his political views lie is in favor of the Democracy, but is liberal minded and not a politician in any sense of the word. He is a member of the Episcopal Church, and contributes to the support of many worthy philanthropies.

In 1888 Dr. Trippe married Miss Mary L. Leonard, of this county, and they have had born to them three sons and two daughters. They are named as follows: Marian C., Mary L., Sam- uel C., Henry V. and William R. Mrs. Trippe is a daughter of Nicholas B. and Mary E. Leon- ard, both natives of Talbot County.

ORDECAI T. COCKEY is not only one of the honored old landmarks of Kent Island, but is a most worthy representative of a family which has been identified with the annals of this region, generation after generation. In the last century one Capt. John Cockey, grand- father of our subject, after a very busy and event- ful career on the sea, came to pass his remaining years in peace and quiet within the sound of the surf which had been his lullaby for so many years. He took up a tract of land that now is owned by the gentleman whose name stands at the beginning of this sketch, and made a good homestead of it before he died, though it was wild land when it came into his possession. Here his son John was born, one of the first white chil- dren born on the island, and here he grew to man's estate and married Frances Eareckson.

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M. T. Cockey was the youngest child of the last-mentioned, his birth having occurred in 1820, in the fourth district, and his childhood was spent near Old Point. About 1844 he removed to the farm which he has since improved and cul- tivated until it would now hardly be known for the same place which it was when he took charge of it. He erected substantial buildings and good fences, and it is now a model in every respect. In addition to this he owns a farm of one hundred and thirty-seven acres situated on the lower part of the island. He has always used his ballot in favor of the Democratic party, and lias served as county commissioner. Since he was a young man he has been a member of the Methodist Church, and has taken a leading part in religious and charitable work.

In 1844 Mr. Cockey concluded to choose a helpmate and married Annie, daughter of Jamies Bright. She died in a few years, leaving no chil- dren. Later he was united in marriage with Miss Ida Jump, and their adopted daughter, Clara, is now the wife of Charles S. Clough, and the mother of four children, viz .: Annie C., Minnie E., Willie and Ethel V.

12 AVID CLEMENTS. We are now permitted to touch briefly upon the life history of one who was for many years actively identified with the agricultural interests of Kent County, but has now laid aside business cares to enjoy the peace and quiet which should always follow a long, useful and honorable career. His life has been one of honest and earnest endeavor and due suc- cess has not been denied him.

Mr. Clements was born in Kent County, Del., in 1817, a son of Joel and Margaret (Roe) Clem- ents, both natives of Caroline County, Md. The family was founded in America over two hundred years ago and many of its representatives are now living in the west. When a young man the father of our subject removed to Delaware, where he spent his remaining days extensively engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was the owner of about

one thousand acres of land, which is now divided into several farms, and in connection with general farming lie successfully engaged in fruit raising. As a Whig he took a very prominent and active part in political affairs and was twice honored by an election to the state legislature, in which he served with credit to himself and to the satisfac- tion of his constituents. He was a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was a devout member, did all in his power to pro- mote the cause of Christianity, and throughout almost his entire life served as class-leader and steward in his church. He passed away at the ripe old age of eighty-four years. The mother of our subject died a number of years previous, and only two of the eight children born to them are still living, the other being Margaret A., now the widow of Henry Slaughter. The father was again married, his second union being with Miss Elizabeth Kearns, by whom he had two children: J. Richard, deceased; and John Fletcher, a resi- dent of Philadelphia. The father was drafted for service in the war of 1812 but furnished a substi- tute.

The first thirty years of his life David Clements spent upon a farm near Camden, Del., and in the common schools of that state he acquired a good practical education. At the age of twenty-two he took charge of one of his father's farms, which he operated for eight years, and then, in 1844, came to Kent County, Md., making his home on Sas- safras River for six years, on the farm now occu- pied by B. J. McCauley. In the fall of 1850 he purchased the Spencer tract of land, whereon he now resides. He owns about eight hundred acres of valuable and productive land divided into three different farms, which have been placed under a high state of cultivation and improved with good and substantial buildings. He is one of the largest stock-raisers in Kent County, but now lives re- tired, leaving the active management of his farms and other business interests to his son.

In 1842 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Clements and Miss Susanna Slaughter, a cousin of Henry Slaughter, well-known here and in Bal- timore, as the founder of the Slaughter Steam- boat Line. They have a family of three children:

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Thomas; Margaret, wife of W. E. Jarrell; and Alday, who attends to his father's business affairs and also conducts a store at Crumpton. He mar- ried Miss Frances M. Merrick, by whom he has six children: Merrick, David A., Annie, Aldie, and Ruth and George, twins.

The Democratic party finds in Mr. Clements a 1110st earnest advocate and stanch supporter, and although he has never aspired to public office he has been often solicited by his friends to accept official honors, and for two terms he most credit- ably served as county commissioner. He and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church South, in which he served as trustee and steward for some time. By his upright, honorable life he has gained the confidence and respect of all with whom he has come in contact either in business or social life, and is justly entitled to prominent mention among the valued and honored citizens of Kent County.

HOMAS ATKINSON COUNCELL, M. D., one of the most promising young physicians and surgeons of Talbot County and pro- prietor of the Moreland pharmacy at Easton, was born in this place November 11, 1872, the son of William H. and Eugenia A. Councell. He is a nephew of the late Thomas Atkinson and Mrs. Marion Emerson, of Talbot County. Through his father's maternal ancestors he is a descendant of the Murphy famiily that settled in Maryland in 1784. On the maternal side he is descended from the Harrisons of Virginia and the Atkinsons of North Carolina. His father, who was one of the most distinguished citizens of Easton in his day, was for sixteen years postmaster at this place. Prominent in the local leadership of the Republican party he advanced the interests of that organization by his brilliant ability and suc- cessful management. In 1881 he was elected to represent his district in the house of delegates. At other times he was chosen to occupy different positions of trust and responsibility. For thirty- three years he was editor of the Easton Gazette,

which under his capable management became one of the leading organs of the Republican party in this locality. Fraternally he was identified with the Odd Fellows and Masons, in the work of which orders he took an interest. When he passed away in 1890 many tributes of respect were paid to his memory by those who had been associated with him and who had learned to place the greatest confidence in his honor and ability.

The subject of this sketch was educated in the schools of Easton, from which he was graduated in 1890. Later he entered the College of Physi- cians and Surgeons in Baltimore, from which he was graduated in 1894, upon the completion of a four years' course of study. For one year he was resident physician of the Baltimore City Hospital and the Maryland Hospital for Insane. He then returned to Easton, where he has a lucrative and growing practice. He is proprietor of the Moreland pharmacy and has bright prospects for financial success. His talents in surgery are of a high order and in this capacity he has been called upon to assist in operations of a delicate and dangerous nature. He is identified with the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland, the Maryland Public Health Association, is health officer of Talbot County and United States pen- sion surgeon. Fraternally he is prominent in Masonic circles, being a Knight Templar and a member of the Mystic Shrine. He is also asso- ciated with the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. Fond of outdoor sports he is a crack shot, an ardent cyclist and very fond of a fine horse. In 1895 he married Miss May Collier, of North Carolina. They had one child, Thomas Atkinson, who died in infancy.

W ILLIAM T. NICHOLSON is an enter- prising and progressive farmer living in the sixth district of Kent County. He has spent his entire life in this county, and is one of its respected and valued citizens. He was born in the district which is still his home, No- vember 25, 1853, and remained under the parental

JAMES H. HOLMES.

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roof until he had attained his majority. He worked in the fields and meadows, conned his lessons in the public schools of the neighborhood and enjoyed the pleasures of the playground in the usual manner of other farmer boys.

When he had attained to man's estate Mr. Nicholson started out in life for himself by rent- ing a farm in the third district. There he re- sided for six years, then removed to a farm in the sixth district, where he remained four years, after which he removed to the farm which is now his home. It has been his place of residence for sixteen years, and its thrifty appearance well indicates his progressive and enterprising efforts. The farm belongs to his father-in-law and com- prises four hundred acres of rich land which Mr. Nicholson has placed under a high state of culti- vation, thus deriving therefrom a good income in return for his labor. He is progressive in his methods, practical in his work and at all times thoroughly in touch with the spirit of advance- ment.

Mr. Nicholson was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Lusby, daughter of Josiah Lusby, and their home is graced by the presence of three children, a son and two daughters, Albert Earl, Julia and Daisy. Mr. Nicholson and his family attend the Methodist Protestant Church. He is a stanch advocate of Democratic principles and takes quite an active part in local politics. His life has been well spent and all who know him entertain for him the highest regard.

AMES H. HOLMES, deceased, was one of the foremost citizens of the fourth district of Caroline County, and at the time of his death, which occurred in 1895, was a very wealthy man. There is a certain fascination in perusing the liis- tory of one who has risen from poverty and the lowly walks of life to a position of affluence and influence in the community wherein his lot is cast. America furnishes us with more examples of this kind, probably, than does any other country, and truly she offers better advantages to

the masses of her struggling poor than foreign lands do to their sons and daughters. At the best, however, it is a gigantic struggle in these days to amass a fortune, and doubtless the aver- age man is better off if he is satisfied with a competence. To some men is given not only ambition to succeed beyond their fellows, but the good judgment and executive ability that are eventually rewarded with a golden harvest. Such a man was Mr. Holmes; a man far above the ordinary in many essential respects, and a man who was deeply concerned in everything tending toward the advancement of his own neighbor- hood.

Born in Caroline County, October 17, 1816, our subject was reared to maturity in this locality, and received a district-school education. He developed large tracts of land, transforming them into valuable farms, and his own place is one of the best in the district. He was very liberal in his support of what he deemed worthy enterprises and philanthropies and held several local offices of responsibility and trust. Religiously he was identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a regular contributor to the maintenance of the same. In his political proclivities he was a Republican.

The first wife of Mr. Holmes was a Mrs. Trice before their marriage, and she lived but a few years and left no children. In 1842 Mr. Holmes wedded the lady who survives him, and who was indeed a faithful helpmate, companion and friend as long as he lived. Her maiden name was Anah R. Billitor, her parents being James and Mary (Robinson) Billitor. The latter was a daugh- ter of John Robinson, who came from one of the old, influential families of Maryland. James was a son of John Billitor, who was born in Caroline County, and was also a representative of an old Maryland family. Thus it will be seen that Mrs. Holmes has the blood of the genuine old found- ers of this beautiful commonwealth in her veins.

One of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Holmes died in infancy. Their only daughter living, Annie K. H. Burnite, is a widow and resides in Easton, Md. Mary A., deceased, became the wife of Thomas Barrow, and after his

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death married . William Hughes, of Talbot County. Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of William Taylor, of Easton. Mrs. Holmes is a sweet Christian lady, one who is universally esteemed. Her greatest pleasure comes from the distribution of the fortune which she assisted her husband to amass, in worthy charities and in religious work.

OBERT W. CLUFF. For nearly three- score and ten years, the entire span of his life, this worthy citizen of Dublin district, Somerset County, has dwelt upon the pretty homestead known as Chestnut Ridge. He has been a very prosperous agriculturist and has taken an active part in all local enterprises tend- ing toward the advancement of the community in which his lot has been cast. Though he has never been an aspirant for public honors, he once served acceptably as judge of the orphans' court, and in his political views has been a Democrat since his early manhood, when he was a Whig.

The father of our subject, Edward W. Cluff, was a native of Dublin district, his birth having taken place upon this same Chestnut Ridge farm now owned by Robert W. He was engaged in raising a general line of crops and was achieving success when death suddenly claimed hin, at the age of thirty-four years. He was a Whig in political faith. He had married Sallie, daughter of William Marshall, and three children were born of their union, but two are now deceased. Mrs. Cluff was a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church and died when in her fifty-second year. The father of Edward W. Cluff bore the Christian name of Robert, and he likewise was born and passed his whole life upon the old homestead, Chestnut Ridge. His death oc- curred at the age of sixty-five years. He was a Whig and was a member of the Episcopal Church. His father was one Jonathan Cluff, of Scotch descent.

farming. He took entire charge of the old farm when he was twenty-three, and has since been occupied in raising cereals and market vegetables chiefly. He owns some five hundred and forty acres of improved land and has good buildings upon the place. In 1857 he married Miss Irene Broughton, daughter of William S. Broughton, who was formerly one of the leading men of this county. He was a farmer, and for several years was in the undertaking business. His death oc- curred when he was fifty-two years of age. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Colbourn, survived him a few years, dying when in her sixty-ninth or seventieth year. Twelve children graced the union of Mr. and Mrs. Cluff, and those living are as follows: Elizabeth, Edward, Robert L., Harry, Annie B., Irene, John C. and Mary E. Robert (the first of the name among these children), Thomas J., Fredric B. and Winifred N. are deceased, one having died at the age of eight years and another when but five years old. The sons have all gone from the home nest, with the exception of John C., who is of great assistance to his father in the management of the farm. The family attend the Episcopal Church, and contribute towards religious and charitable enterprises.

OHN H. HESSEY, M. D. The family of which this well-known physician of Hanes- ville is a representative is among the oldest of Cecil County and its members have been promi- nent in the public life and business affairs of the Eastern Shore. The exact date of the arrival of its founder in America is not known, but the records show that he came from Germany. Suc- ceeding generations bore an active part in developing the resources of soil and in extending the value of commerce, so that to them, together with the representatives of other pioneer families, much of the local progress is due.

The doctor's father, John H. Hessey, was born in Cecil County, and has spent his entire life

Robert W. Cluff was born in 1830, and when he was a mere lad had mastered the details of upon a farm near Cecilton, the cultivation of

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which he still superintends. In politics a Demo- crat, he held the office of tax collector of the first district for some time and in other positions of responsibility faithfully subserved the interests of his fellow-citizens. By his marriage to Laura · Morgan, member of an old family of the same county, he became the father of seven children, but all are deceased excepting two: John H .; and Ella, wife of Henry Boulden, of Cecil County. The parents are still living and are in the enjoy- ment of excellent health for their years.

Near Cecilton, on the home farm, the subject of this article was born in 1853, and there he was reared to manhood. His primary education was obtained in the local schools, after which he became a student in Washington College at Ches- tertown and remained a pupil in that old institu- tion until his graduation in 1876. In the fall of the same year he entered the College of Physi- cians and Surgeons in Baltimore, from which he graduated in March, 1878, with the degree of M. D. At once after completing his studies he opened an office in Fairlee, where he engaged in practice for three years. In 1881 he removed to Hanesville, where he has since resided, in the meantime building up a valuable practice. He is the only physician within a range of six miles, and that fact, together with his acknowledged skill as a physician, renders his position in the community one of importance. In addition to the management of professional duties, he has given some attention to the fruit business and upon the farm which he owns he has raised peaches and pears. While this has been merely a "side issue," not the real business of his life, yet he has found it pleasant and profitable, and has the greatest faith in the Eastern Shore as a fruit-raising country. It has never been his desire to hold office or thrust himself conspicu- ously before the people, and aside from voting the Democratic ticket at elections, he has never taken any part in politics.

The marriage of Dr. Hessey, in 1886, united him with Emma Nicholson, an estimable lady re- siding in Kent County, of which her father, Robert, and brother, John P. Nicholson, have been prominent residents. The four children

born of this union are named Sarah, Franklin, John and Emma Morgan. The family attend services at the Methodist Protestant Church and bear a part in many of the activities and benev- olences of that denomination.

HOMAS C. WEST, cashier of the Denton National Bank, was born in the first dis- trict of Caroline County, Md., near the village of Marydell, November 28, 1838. His father, Simeon West, a native of Caroline County, born in 1813, engaged in the occupation of a farmer and was financially prospered. A man of sincere religious convictions, he took a leading part in the work of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he served as trustee and class- leader. His death occurred in 1893, when he was eighty years of age. His mother was the widow of Capt. Thomas Clendening, who died in 1848.

Three times married, our subject's father had five sons by his first wife, who was Margaret A. Irons, a native of Kent County, Del., and a daughter of Titus and Mariam Irons. She died in 1854. Her oldest son, Titus Irons West, resides in Camden, N. J., as does also the second son, William M., who is a veteran of the Civil war; the third son, S. Leslie West, M. D., is a gradu- ate of Jefferson Medical College and a physician of considerable prominence in Philadelphia; Prof. Charles H. West, the fourth son, is principal of a school at Lincoln, Il1.

In the local public schools and a select school at Templeville, Md., our subject received his education. In 1860 lie was employed as teacher at Bee Tree, Md., and the following year was a student in the West River Classical Institute, Anne Arundel County, Md. For the four ensuing years he was principal of the academy at Friend- ship, Anne Arundel County, Md. On his return to Caroline County he embarked in the mercan- tile business at Marydell, but soon resumed work as an instructor, and for two years had charge of the school at Cold Spring, Caroline County, Md.

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For a similar period he taught at Oakland, same county. He then became principal of the Den- ton Academy, in which capacity he continued for eight years. In 1880-81 he was with the hardware house of D. C. Avery & Co., of Easton, Md., but resigned this position to accept that of teller of the Denton National Bank on its organi- zation, September 6, 1881. He remained as teller for some years, but since May 15, 1888, lie has been cashier. The sound financial standing of the bank is due in no small degree to his sagacious financiering and to the wisdom which he exercises in the discharge of the duties of his department.

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Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 88

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