Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 90

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 90

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

On the farm near Pocomoke City, October 7, 1840, occurred the birth of our subject and on the same place his boyhood years were passed. At the age of twelve he became a pupil in the schools of Pocomoke City, where he remained a student for six years. He tlien entered the store of Hargis

& Dickinson, where he clerked for three years. In the spring of 1862 he embarked in the mer- cantile business at Pocomoke City and has since been a successful business man of the place. The problems of the age receive thoughtful considera- tion from him and he favors Prohibition prin- ciples. For ten years he has been a deacon in the Baptist Church and for more than twenty years has served as superintendent of the Sunday- school. Fraternally he is a member of the Hep- tasophs, Ancient Order United Workmen and Fraternal Legion.

In 1861 Mr. Merrill married Annie Primrose, formerly a resident of Milford, Del. Seven chil- dren were born to them. Sadie P. is the widow of Edward Gibbons: Annie married W. H. Walters, D. D. S., of Pocomoke City; C. Beulah is the wife of E. I. Blaine, a druggist of this place; Minnie D. is the wife of Jolin W. Ennis, our subject's bookkeeper, and manager of the store; William J. died in boyhood and Julia in infancy; and I. Harrison is a student in Western Maryland College.

HARVEY HEARN has spent his entire life in Wicomico County and has devoted himself industriously to the cultivation of his farming property. The farm which he owns and operates is situated in Salisbury district and consists of one hundred and fourteen acres, bear- ing the usual buildings and improvements of modern estates. He is a native of this township, born near the village of Salisbury, March 31, 1839, and is a member of a family long resident in this locality. His father, Benjamin H. Hearn, was born on the farm where his son now lives, and throughout life engaged in farming, also to some extent followed the trade of a wheelwright. His death occurred in 1860.

The mother of our subject was Betsy, daughter of Thomas Vincent, of Wicomico County. She died in 1880. Of her family of eleven children, four are now living, namely: George, who makes his home in Delaware; Maria, who married Levin

791

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

S. Gordy, of North Carolina; Henrietta, the widow of Samuel Hopkins, and a resident of Pontico, this county; and B. Harvey. The last- named had very few educational advantages when he was young; in fact, his only education is that which he has gained in the school of experience. From early youth he has engaged in farming and among his neighbors is known as a hard-working, economical and energetic farmer.

In religious belief Mr. Hearn is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. December I, 1864, he married Mary E. Hearn, daughter of Thomas Hearn, of Delmar, Del. The three chil- dren born to them are Marion E., who occupies a farm near the home of his parents; Edith M .; and Lillie E., wife of Irvin Twilly, of Pontico.

ILLIAM J. BARTON is the proprietor of Hall Barton farm, a valuable and desir- able homestead, situated in the sixth dis- trict of Queen Anne's County. Here he first saw the light of day, and around many of the beauti- ful spots in this neighborhood his earliest recol- lections cluster. His father and family were well-to-do people and influential members of the community and held a position second to none in the high regard of a large circle of neighbors and friends, and in an atmosphere of love, harmony and elevated principles and ideals he grew to man's estate, well fitted for the battles that awaited him in the busy world.

Our subject is the third in the direct line of de- scent to bear the Christian name of William, his grandfather having been Willianı A., and his own father William E. The latter was a native of Caroline County (as was his father before him) and was a farmer throughout life, and a very suc- cessful one. He was a leader in the local Democ- racy, and was a magistrate for years, and also served as a member of the house of delegates at one time. He was a man of correct methods and great devotion to the church with which his lot was cast, the Methodist Episcopal South, in which he was a steward. He married Mary E.

Chance, of Caroline County, daughter of Batch- elder C. Chance, and their surviving children were as follows: William J .; B. C., of the sixth district of Queen Anne's County; Lizzie B., wife of Jacob E. Morgan, of the same district and county; and Edward A., of Philadelphia.

William J. Barton was born September 10, 1858, and attended the local schools and a private institution of learning at Hillsborough, until he was about twenty years old. Since that time he has given his entire time and attention to farming and now owns Mulbury Hill, better known as Hall Barton farm, a place of one hundred and seventy acres. He speculates in peaches and makes a specialty of growing seed potatoes and seed wheat, and also is a breeder of thorough- bred Cheshire hogs. He is quite a musician, and gives lessons in the art to a few friends. Like his father he favors the Democracy, and is a steward in the old church with which his elders were formerly identified.

July 28, 1885, Mr. Barton married Loula M., daughter of Hon. C. M. Jump, of Talbot County, and they have five children, viz .: Loula Meta, William Marvin, Mary Augusta Morgan, Will- iam Edward and Lizzie Naomi. Mrs. Barton is a lady of culture and refinement, and is a charm- ing hostess, presiding with dignity and grace over her husband's beautiful home.

OBERT J. JUMP, who for years has been one of the most successful attorneys and prominent public men of Denton, was born near Greensborough, Caroline County, in the sec- ond district, December 7, 1833. He is descended from good old Revolutionary ancestors, who were of English and Scotch lineage. In 1700 three brothers of the name crossed the ocean, one of whom settled at Bohemia Manor, Md., another in the south, and the third in Delaware. Suc- ceeding generations attained prominence in the history of their respective localities. One of the family was the pioneer in the raising of peaches in Delaware.

792

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Jolın Jump, our subject's father, was born in Delaware in 1800, and at the age of thirty years le came to Maryland, settling near Denton, where he purchased a farm of six hundred acres. His intelligence and honorable character made him one of the most prominent men of his locality. Appointed collector of taxes, he filled the position wisely. In 1844 he was chosen county sheriff, which was the last office he held. He died in 1847, while still in the prime of life. He had a brother, Robert B., who was prominent as a fruit farmer in Delaware, and who, at the time of his death, was the oldest Mason in his state.

The mother of our subject, Elizabeth Clements, was born in Delaware and traced her lineage to Scotland. Of her children, Robert J. was the only son who attained mature years, the other son, Thomas Henry, having died in boyhood. There are five daughters still living, namely: Mollie E., who resides in Wilmington, Del .; Lydia A., widow of Dr. John W. Canaway, and a resident of Wilmington; Sarah E., widow of William C. Smith, who was a farmer residing near Easton, Md .; Louisa, who lives in Camden, Del .; and Belle C., wife of Joseph E. Wilson, of Barclay, Queen Anne's County, Md., a merchant of that place.

The education obtained by our subject was such as the district schools and academies afford- ed. At the age of thirteen he became an assist- ant in the office of the clerk of the circuit court. He read law with J. E. Rochester, the leading attorney of that day, and was admitted to the bar in 1857. During the same year he was elect- ed clerk of the circuit court and held the office for six years, when he declined re-nomination, as. he wished to give his attention to the law. In 1864 he was elected comptroller of Maryland, which position he filled for three years and then declined another term. The Republican party made him their nominee for the state senate in 1869. The ensuing years were devoted to the practice of law, which he carried on successfully. In 1891 he was elected state's attorney of Caroline County. In 1896 there was a vacancy in the of- fice of register of wills, caused by the death of James B. Steele, who had occupied the office for

many years, and he was appointed to fill the va- cancy, and in 1897 was elected for the term of six years.

In 1855 Mr. Jump married Laura Cochran, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Benson) Cochran, members of prominent Delaware fami- lies, and the former for years a merchant of Cam- bridge, Md. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Jump are as follows: Elizabeth E., widow of Marion Pippin; Alexander, who died at two years; Ella, deceased, formerly the wife of J. N. Todd, an at- torney; Robert J., a clerk in New York City; and Charles C., who is city editor of the Meriden (Conn.) Record. Fraternally Mr. Jump is a Chapter Mason. He has been identified with the fraternity since 1855, and is now the oldest living past master who is a member of the lodge. In 1885-87 he was inspector of his district. In reli- gious belief he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was president of the lay conference held in Wilmington, Del., in March, 1876.

RANK D. HARRISON, one of the represent- ative farmers of the second district, Talbot County, was born on the identical home- stead which he now cultivates, on the 17th of April, 1854. . His whole life history is intimately associated with this vicinity, as he has never lived elsewhere, and from his earliest years he has enjoyed the peaceful pursuits of agriculture. About 1880 he assumed entire control and man- agement of the farm, which is one of the finest in these parts, and comprises some one hundred and ninety acres.

Joseph H., father of the above-named gentle- man, was a native of the village of St. Michael's, in this district, and there grew to maturity. When he had acquired sufficient capital he in- vested it in the tract of land now in the possession of his son. Here he spent the last years of his busy and useful life, and in time became very well-off in this world's goods. He was a man of considerable influence in this community and was one of the organizers and directors in the Easton

793

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

National Bank, being connected with that insti- tution in the last capacity for thirty-seven years, or until his death, which occurred May 16, 1888, at the good old age of seventy-one years. He was a member of the Masonic order, and was a Dem- ocrat in politics. His parents were Joseph and Mary (Harrison) Harrison, the former being the sixth Joseph in the direct line of descent in the United States, and a native of Talbot County.

The wife of Joseph H. was a Miss Mary Jane Denney, who was born in this locality. She is still in the enjoyment of good health, though now in her seventy-fourth year, and prefers to do her own housework. She was the mother of seven children, but only three of the number remain. Olivia is the wife of George W. Easter, of Vir- ginia; and Kate W. is the widow of Stephen Harrison, of St. Michael's.

The boyhood days of F. D. Harrison passed uneventfully, his time being occupied by his studies, work and play. He mastered all the difficulties of farm work when he was yet in his teens, and is now a successful business man. He has never been much concerned in questions of political bearing, but uses his franchise in behalf of the candidates of the Democracy. He is up- right and just in all his transactions, and is en- titled to the high regard in which his neighbors and friends hold him.

A ZARIAH M. KENDALL. With many of the prominent and successful enterprises of Fairlee and the surrounding country, both in the third and fifth districts, the subject of this sketch has been intimately identified and to his energy and progressive spirit much of the de- velopment of local projects is due. To the peo- ple of Kent County he is known as "West End," the popular local correspondent of the Kent News. His principal occupation has been that of contracting and building, but he has other important interests. He is surveyor for the Kent Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of which he is also the agent. In 1896 he was chosen to

fill the office of district assessor and was also register of votes for the sixth district. Educa- tional matters have been fostered by his prudent supervision, and as trustee for school No. 2 he has been instrumental in advancing the interests of this school district. Realizing the importance of a good education it has been his aim to pro- vide the children of this locality with every ad- vantage in this respect.

Mr. Kendall represents the fourth generation of his family in America, the first of the name having come to Kent County from Ireland. Horace, his grandfather, spent his entire life here. Rev. James Kendall, the father, was born in this county and in early life followed the car- penter's trade, later engaged in contracting and building and also gave some attention to the trade of wheelwright, being a member of the firm of Keiser & Kendall. For many years he was a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church and the earnestness with which he labored for the cause of Christianity proved the depth of his religious convictions. In politics a Republi- can he was his party's nominee for register of wills and was defeated by only sixteen votes by his opponent, William Stephens. This was an exceptionally creditable showing, as the Demo- cratic party usually gained large majorities. Both in church and political circles he was popu- lar. He died August 6, 1886, at the age of fifty- seven. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Eliza Legg, is still living. They were the parents of four children, namely: Azariah M .; Clara O., wife of F. H. Ward, of Fairlee; Mrs. Perpetua Moslin; and Naomi, wife of D. P. Jones, of Chestertown.

The eldest of the family was the subject of this sketch, whose birth occurred at Rock Hall in 1854. He was educated in the schools of Kent County, and at the age of twenty-one engaged in contracting and building, which business he has since followed. Fraternally he is identified with the Improved Order of Heptasoplis and Fairlee Council No. 183, Junior Order of American Mechanics, in which he is a charter member. In Salem Methodist Episcopal Church he is a stew- ard and class-leader and in 1896 served as assist-

794

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ant superintendent of the Sunday-school. In 1879 he married Agnes, daughter of Thomas B. Bordley. They are the parents of five children: Alice M .; J. Thomas; Cattie L .; and Clara P. and Julia Marie, twins. The two latter are de- ceased.

EV. JOSEPH L. MILLS, D. D. There are few parishes lying near the Chesapeake Bay better known than that of St. James' Methodist Protestant Church of Hanesville, whose efficient and popular pastor forms the sub- ject of this article. A record of his life will be of interest, not alone to his parishioners, but to the general public whose esteem he has won by the uprightness of his life and the earnestness of his character. Since accepting his present pas- torate in 1892, he has increased the membership of the church and in less than a year secured a number of improvements to the building, both exterior and interior, that cost $1,000.

The Mills ancestry is of Dutch origin. About 1620 Lord Pieter Wouter Van Der Miller emi- grated from Holland to America and established his home in New Amsterdam, and the family finally settled in Connecticut. The first to re- move to the Eastern Shore of Maryland was Levin Mills, whose only son, John S., was born in Worcester County, and there spent his entire life engaged in business as a tanner. By his marriage to Mary A. Scott, of the same county, he had an only son, Joseph Levin. He died at the age of thirty-one, in 1844, having for four years survived his wife, who died when her son was only eleven days old.

Born in Pocomoke City, Worcester County, Md., in 1840, the subject of this article received his education in private schools and academies, but on account of poor health he was obliged to discontinue his studies at the age of sixteen. For three years le engaged in cabinet making for the sake of the exercise, but it was not his inten- tion to follow the business permanently, and he therefore devoted his leisure hours to study for the ministry under Rev. Dr. J. K. Nichols. His

first sermon was preached in a small schoolhouse near Pocomoke City. For a short time he held pastorates at Salisbury and Alexandria, Va. In March, 1860, he was received on probation into the Maryland annual conference of the Methodist Protestant Church. His first assignment was to the Queen Anne's circuit. Afterward he was trans- ferred to the Susquehanna and Talbot circuit. Iu 1862 he married Marietta Dickinson, of Pocomoke City. Two years later, on account of poor health, he temporarily retired from the ministry and for several years engaged in teaching, organizing in 1865 the first public school in Pocomoke City and officiating as principal, with his wife as as- sistant. In 1867 he assisted in securing the erec- tion of a high-school building. In November of the same year he went to Virginia and spent three years in Lynchburg and a similar period in Salisbury, Md. During his pastorate in the lat- ter place he was instrumental in the erection of a new house of worship. In 1873 he was trans- ferred to the Somerset circuit and the following year accepted a pastorate in Laurel, Del., but in 1875 resigned and went to Montgomery, Ala. During the five years of his pastorate there he rebuilt the church at a cost of $12,000. Return- ing to the Old Dominion he spent one year in Alexandria, then came back to Maryland, and was for two years in Frederick on the Jefferson circuit.

Resigning in 1883 Dr. Mills went to Washing . ton and for four years held the pastorate of the Ninth Street Church. He was then with the Hill Street Church of Newark, N. J., for two years; and with the church at Westminster, Md., for three years. In 1892 he came to the church where he has since remained. As a pastor he is exceedingly solicitous about the spiritual welfare of his flock; and their joys and sorrows he inakes his own, sympathizing with them in trouble and rejoicing with them in happiness. He is an earnest speaker, forceful and logical, and his ad- dresses are always listened to with interest by the thoughtful and the earnest. In 1878 the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama conferred upon him the degree of D. D. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Masonic and Odd Fellow's orders, and while in Alabama

795

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

served as grand worthy Chief Templar of the order of Good Templars for that state. He is the father of five children, Frank D., Joseph S., William P., John Bibb and Marie.

OHN H. HOLLAND is one of the old and respected citizens of Lawsons district, with- in the boundaries of which his whole life has been spent. Since attaining manhood he has been engaged in farming, merchandising and milling, and has been very successful. In 1866 he built a saw and grist mill here, and this has been in constant operation by him ever since. He resides in a very comfortable and pleasant home, situated but a short distance from his mill. The store that he has carried on for so many years is the same one that was formerly managed by his father for a long period.

John S. Holland, father of the gentleman of whom we write, was a native of Somerset Coun- ty, and when he had arrived at maturity he pur- chased the homestead that is now in the posses- sion of his son, John H. This place he improved and cultivated as long as he lived, and as previously mentioned, he was also proprietor of a store here. He was a Whig in politics and was a veteran of the war of 1812, having been a participant in the battle of North Point. His wife, whose maiden name was Nancy Miles, was a daughter of William Miles of this neighborhood. She survived her husband several years, dying when about fifty-five years of age. By their mar- riage four children were born, viz .: Julia Anne, John H., George and Eliza, all living at the date of this writing.

The subject of this article was born upon the old farm where he now lives, April 28, 1828, and here his boyhood was passed uneventfully. His education was that of the common schools of his day, which he attended more or less until he was about sixteen years old. He then began to fol- low the life of a boatman and oyster fisher upon the bay and small rivers of this section, being thus occupied some five or six years. His next

venture was in the mercantile line and since that time he has been interested in the management of his store here. He has always taken an active part in local affairs and is a stanch Democrat. At one time he was a candidate for county commissioner, but was defeated. In his business transactions he has been extremely successful and now owns about six hundred acres, divided into five farms, and eighteen houses in Crisfield, which he rents to responsible tenants. Thus he is considered to be one of the wealthiest men in this district, and may be proud of the fact, for his means have all been acquired in strictly legitimate channels of business enterprise and represent his own industry and unremitting labor.

For his wife Mr. Holland chose Sarah Anne Stephenson, of this locality. She died in Novem- ber, 1894, and left two children: Mamie, wife of Dr. Somers, of Crisfield, and Clara, wife of Robert Whittington. a farmer and oyster packer, of this county. Mr. Holland is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is a trustee and steward in the congregation.

D APT. THOMAS W. KENDALL, a well- known and popular sea captain, whose honie is in Centreville, Md., was born in Kent County, March 24, 1824, and is a son of Horace Kendall, also a native of that county. The paternal grandfather was born in Maryland, of English descent. By occupation the father of our subject was a farmer and fisherman, and wherever known he was held in high regard. He married Miss Nancy Woods, a daughter of Thomas Woods, of Caroline County, Md., and they became the parents of fourteen children: Thomas W., of this sketch; Mary, wife of James Urie, of Kent County; Joseph, a resident of the same county; Ellen, wife of Harry Gresham, of Kent County; Arthur, of Baltimore City; Asa, of Kent County; and Caroline, wife of William Shien, of that county. The others are all de- ceased, and the parents have also passed away, the father dying in 1874, and the mother in 1883.

796

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

The captain obtained his education in the born near Barren Creek, and of his children, schools of Kent County, where he attended until sixteen years of age, and then went to sea, enlisting in the United States navy. For two years he was in the service during the Mexican war, and was on the schooner Flirt. On his return home he became comected with the bay trade and is now the owner of a schooner which sails from Baltimore to points on the Eastern Shore. Hehas met with a well-deserved success, and is the owner of a good home in Centreville, where he is surrounded by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances who appreciate his sterling worth and many excellencies of character. He is an active and prominent member of the Methi- odist Protestant Church and has served as trustee of the same.

Captain Kendall has been three times married, his first union being with Miss Louise Vicker, who died in 1852, leaving one son, Thomas. He was again married May 16, 1855, the lady of his choice being Miss Josephine Talor, and to them were born six children, four still living: Amos, Omar, Nora and Ada. In 1890 the captain mar- ried Miss Lula Booker, who now presides over his home.

ILLIAM H. H. DASHIELL, M. D., a physician who has been long established in Quantico, Wicomico County, in the practice of his profession, is from one of the old county families, whose annals have been inter- woven with those of this region for several gener- ations. They originated in France, and among the early records of this county can be found the fact that one of the family was a magistrate and acknowledged a deed to a church under date of 1739, and that another person of the name and line had charge of the forces who defended the Wicomico River entrance and neighboring coun- . try during the war of 1812.

Arthur Dashiell, great-grandfather of the doctor, was a native of this county, and followed agricultural pursuits, as did also his son Arthur, Jr. The latter, grandfather of the doctor, was

Edwin Dashiell was the father of our subject. He was born upon a farm in the vicinity of Quantico, and was a life-long tiller of the soil. For many years he was judge of the district court and was later a magistrate. He was a man of liberal, generous disposition, and so unselfish that he always allowed his own interests to suffer, rather than those of the general public. Still, he was successful financially, and won the love and respect of all who knew him. He was a valued member of the Episcopal Church, and contributed regularly to its support. A cousin of his, Julius Dashiell, won distinction as a teacher, and was at one time professor of Latin and Greek in St. John's College, Annapolis, Md. The first wife of Edwin Dashiell was Harriet, daughter of Thomas Dashiell. She died in 1848, leaving three children: Esther A. E., who is unmarried; Henrietta, who died when about eighteen years of age; and W. H. H., of this sketch. After the death of his first wife, Edwin Dashiell married Eliza, daughter of John Robinson, of Barren Creek. Her death took place in August, 1874.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Part 90

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