USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Eastern Shore of Maryland > Part 98
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3 OHN R. PATTISON, attorney-at-law, of Cambridge, is local counselor of the Penn- sylvania Railroad for Wicomico and Dor- chester Counties, counselor for the board of commissioners of Dorchester County, for the Cambridge Gas Company, the Building and Loan Association of Cambridge, the Dorchester Na- tional Bank, Cambridge Manufacturing Com- pany and a number of smaller companies. Prominent in the Democratic party, he was in 1896 named as a delegate to tlie national con- vention and voted for Bryan on the third, fourth and fifth ballots. During the campaign of that year he was a member of the Democratic state campaign committee.
The father of our subject, whose name was the same as his own, was born near Cambridge, Dor- chester County, where he afterward engaged in farming. He was a brother of Rev. Robert H. Pattison, who had charges in the Methodist Episcopal Church in Maryland and Pennsylvania, and whose son, Robert E., was formerly governor of Pennsylvania. The grandfather, Samuel Pat- tison, who was born in Maryland and here spent his entire life, was a son of Jeremiah and grand- son of Jacob Pattison, whose father, James, was born in England and came to America about the middle of the seventeenth century and settled on James Island, Dorchester County, Md.
John R. Pattison, Sr., died in 1882, at the age of sixty. His wife, Mary Ann Burroughs, died in 1863, when our subject was but three years of age. She left five children: Annie T., Hattie T., Samuel S., James B. and John R. The father was a second time married, his wife being Emily
De Valin, sister of Charles De Valin, of the United States navy. By his second marriage he had two children that attained maturity: Mary Y. and Hugh De Valin. Our subject was born January 6, 1860, four miles south of Cambridge. At the age of eight he entered the public schools of Cambridge, where he remained a student until nineteen. He then began to read law with S. T. Milburn, of Cambridge, and was admitted to the bar in 1882. Previous to this he had tauglit school and afterward he continued for a time in the same occupation, being an instructor in the Cambridge Academy until the spring of 1887. Meantime lie held the offices of examiner in chancery and auditor of the court. In 1887 he was elected state's attorney on the Democratic ticket and at the expiration of his term of four years was renominated by his party, but was de- feated by Phillips Lee Goldsborough on the fusion ticket by twenty-three votes. Since that time he has not been a candidate for any office, although in the legislature of 1896 the Denio- cratic party, which was in the minority, gave him a vote of fourteen for the United States senate. In 1888 Mr. Pattison married Lillian Stapleford, and they have a son, John R., Jr.
APT. JOHN W. SELBY is a retired sea captain and a prominent citizen of the fourth district of Queen Anne's County, having made his home in Kent Island for the past seven years. His has been a very busy, useful and eventful life and some of the experiences which have come to him in the pursuit of duty were certainly uncommon and thoroughly interesting. From his twelfth year he was on the high seas and was more or less directly concerned with shipping affairs until his arrival here. He built, was master of, and finally sold a great many ves- sels, and has niade several fortunes in his day.
The captain was born in Worcester County, Md., in 1837, and there received such education as he needed, chiefly before he was in his teens. His father and grandfather were both natives of
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Virginia and came from an old family there, hailing from England a few generations ago. Among the ships commanded and owned by the captain were the schooners Sarah Ellen, S. B. Nelson and the Annie Lloyd, all plying between Snow Hill and Baltimore, and among those he built and sailed were the Eureka, Annie, Hattie Washington, etc., and these he disposed of by sale. In 1867 he retired from the more arduous duties of a captain, and settling in Sharptown, Md., engaged in ship carpentering until 1890. Since then he has lived in the fourth district and has conducted a good business in the building and contracting line and has run a sawmill besides.
Captain Selby was first married in Sharptown in 1858, and after the death of his wife he became acquainted with a Miss Taylor, to whom he was united in wedlock in 1861. £ Four children were born to them, but two died in childhood. Charles W. is a flourishing merchant of this island and John T. is engaged in business in Baltimore. Their mother was summoned to the home beyond, and some years later the captain married Mar- garet Burford. Their eldest child, Annie, is the wife of James W. Crouch, and the others are James Gordon, Hattie Washington, Mamie Ellen and Edna. Fraternally the captain is a member of the Improved Order of Heptasophs of Kent Island. Politically he is a stalwart Democrat.
AMES BENSON was for many years prior to his death a prominent and influential citizen of St. Michael's, Talbot County, where his life began July 18, 1818, and was brought to a close August 23, 1890. His father, Charles Benson, who was a descendant of one of the oldest families of this county, was born in 1790, and devoted his entire active life to mercan- tile pursuits, dying in 1864. The lady whom he married, Rachel, daughter of Thomas and Eliza- beth Esgate, was a member of an old family of this section, and died here in 1842, at the age of fifty-six years. When very young she became a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and of that denomination remained a faithful member until death.
In boyhood our subject attended the public schools of the home neighborhood. At the age of sixteen he began to assist his father in the store, but the next year he went to Baltimore, where he served an apprenticeship to his uncle, Robert Benson, in the shoe business. On return- ing home he added a shoe department to his father's store and this he conducted until March, 1841. He then opened a store here for himself, and was succeeding well when, in 1843, he lost his entire property by fire. Again he started in business and again he was beginning to succeed, when the confinement to the store caused the loss of his health, and he was obliged to seek another occupation. He purchased a small farm called Elberton, two miles from St. Michael's, where in the outdoor exercise afforded by agricultural pur- suits he soon regained his strength. To the management of the farm he added the business of a general agent and collector in the village. In 1867 he purchased the estate known as Maiden Point, and there resided until 1875, when he re- turned to St. Michael's and gave his attention to the sale of fertilizers and to the insurance busi- ness and general claims collections, in which he was assisted by his son, Ottis Harper.
When fourteen years old our subject became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. From that time onward he endeavored to live in accordance with its doctrines, and his entire life was that of an exemplary Christian man. The success which he attained and the happiness he enjoyed lie attributed to the fact that he early in years entered upon a Christian life. In every position that he occupied, whether as' citizen, official, church member, husband or father, he lived in such a way as to help others and main- tain his reputation as a man of integrity and honor.
For the years 1862-63 Mr. Benson was collector of state and county taxes in Talbot County, and was similarly engaged for three years in election districts Nos. 3 and 5. In the Methodist Epis- copal Church he filled all the offices and was
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largely instrumental in securing the erection of the brick edifice which is an ornament to the town. In 1841 he married Elizabeth, daughter . of Edward and Elizabeth Harrison, of this county, her father having been a large ship-builder of Baltimore. Fourteen children were born to this union, but only four are living. The wife and mother died in February, 1861, and afterward our subject married Mary Ann, daughter of Perry Benson, of Royal Oak, this county. She now survives him, making her home with her son, Ottis Harper, who is unmarried. He was born July 4, 1866, received a good education in the public schools and a business college of Balti- more, and after the completion of his studies assisted his father in business until the death of the latter, since which time he has managed the estate. He is now the proprietor of a large and well-equipped music store in St. Michael's, and is agent for many of the standard pianos and organs of recognized worth, and also keeps a full line of other musical instruments and supplies. He is agent for the Montgomery Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and is the local treasurer for the Baltimore Building and Loan Association. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is assistant superintendent in the Sunday-school. He belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men, and Granite Lodge No. 177, A. F. & A. M., at St. Michael's.
ILLIAM G. QUIMBY, a prosperous farmer of the fourth district of Talbot County, resides in the vicinity of Wye Mills. He is a native of Delaware and is of the third success- ive generation to bear this Christian name. As an agriculturist he has met with gratifying success, and is steadily laying up a goodly fortune for the enjoyment of his later years. The farm called Willton, which he rents, is a fine tract of land, about one thousand acres in extent, and all but three hundred of this is under cultivation this season. An average crop of six thousand bushels of wheat and three thousand baskets of peaches
is raised here annually, and the farm owned by John Coppage, of Queen Anne's County, is considered one of the very best in this neighbor- hood.
William Quimby, Sr., was a native of Kent County and in his youth learned the carpenter's trade. For many years he was a very successful teacher of music in the Philadelphia public schools and later in life he led the singing in the church with which he was connected, the Methodist Epis- copal. At one time he was also engaged in teaching school, and resided in Chapel about four years. He was appointed to a clerkship in Annapolis in 1872, and died before his term of office had expired. He was a great worker in the cause of the Democracy and was a man who was esteemed for his true and upright character. He was twice married, his first union being with Mary E. Kennard, who died in 1861. His second wife bore the maiden name of Anne Orrell, and she is still living. The seven children of the . first marriage are as follows: William; John, of Queen Anne's County; Thomas, whose sketch may be found elsewhere in this volume; Sarah A., widow of George H. Tarbutton, of Skipton; James and Charles, both of Queen Anne's County; and one deceased.
The date of the birth of William G. Quimby is February 14, 1845. In the winter seasons he attended the local district schools until he was about twelve years old, when he commenced to give his father all of his time, and this continued up to his twenty-first year. He then started out on his own account, and has certainly succeeded much better than might have been expected under the circumstances. He early learned the hard lessons of self reliance, perseverance in whatever he undertook, and that sturdy applica- tion that is sure to win, sooner or later. He happily possesses good ability as a financier and business man and usually is prospered in his ventures. He is a supporter of the Democratic party, but has never aspired to official distinction.
January 10, 1872, Mr. Quimby married Ella B., daughter of James Tarbutton, of Skipton, but she was not long permitted to share his joys and sorrows, as death claimed her in May, 1874.
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The lady who now bears his name was formerly Sarah Smith, whose father, William C. Smith, is a native of Delaware. By this marriage, solemn- ized January 12, 1882, there were born five chil- dren: Frank, Alfred, Parker, and two who died in infancy.
OSEPH H. RICHARDSON is one of the respected citizens of Queen Anne's County, his home having been for the past thirteen years upon a farm in the sixth district. Though this place is a rented one, he owns a valuable homestead of one hundred and eighty acres in the sixth district in partnership with his brother. This farm is popularly known as the Klund farm and is rented to responsible tenants. Our sub- ject has been a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church for many years, and has held about all of the offices connected with the congrega- tion.
Joseph Richardson, Sr., was a man of exemplary life and sterling qualities. An earnest Christian, he carried into daily practice the principles his faith professed, and everyone who came within the range of his influence was involuntarily up- lifted and made better. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and held several offices in the same. As a citizen, neighbor and friend, as a father, husband, son and brother, he was a model, and beloved by all who were con- nected by ties of kinship. He married Mary Stevens, of Delaware, and twelve children came to bless their union. Of this large number, all but two have passed to their reward in the land beyond the river. Those who remain are Joseph H. and Mary A., wife of James T. Anthony, of this county. The father was summoned to his final rest in 1882, his wife having preceded him to the spirit world some nine years.
Born near the village of Star, Queen Anne's County, April 23, 1844, the first recollections of Joseph H. Richardson, of whom we write, were connected with farm life. He was reared to agri- cultural pursuits and while a mere boy was of
great assistance to his father upon the farm. He continued to reside under the parental roof until 1871, when he set out to make his own inde- pendent way. He was married about that time to Louisa Legg, who died in the year 1879. Later he choose for his helpmate and compan- ion along life's highway Florence McCloud, who was called from his side by the angel of death February 8, 1897, leaving three daughters, Viola, Inez and Agnes. By the first marriage were born three children: Mary, Lillie and Ray- mond.
OHN M. PERRY resides at Spring Garden, the old homestead that has been in the family for many generations. It comprises three hundred acres, situated in the third district of Queen Anne's County, and is devoted to gen- eral farming purposes. Here he has made his home since 1885, and in addition to managing the place he is interested in other enterprises. He deals in implements and owns a threshing machine, which is kept busy during the season.
On the place where he now resides, our subject was born November 1, 1859. The family is the same as that of which the famous Commodore Perry was a member, and it has had representa- tives in this section for one hundred years. John W., our subject's father, and John, his grand- father, were both born in the third district of Queen Anne's County, and engaged in farm pur- suits from early boyhood. At different times John W. Perry has been offered political positions, but he has almost invariably declined, though at one time he served as assessor. He married Emma C. Mackey, of Easton, Talbot County, who died in 1892. He is still living and is now about seventy-eight years of age. In their family were twelve children, of whom seven are living, namely: Annie E., wife of J. Elliott, of German- town, Pa .; Emma J., Mrs. John R. Cook, of Centreville; Lillie A., who married Theodore Tolson, of Kent Island; John M .; Elva, Ernest and Rose.
In the local schools our subject laid the founda-
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tion of his education. Afterwards he was a stu- dent in the commercial college at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., from which hie graduatad in 1887. On his return home he became interested in the agricultural implement business, and this he has since conducted. January 7, 1883, he married Miss Addie Wilkinson, daugliter of Capt. John Wilkinson, represented on another page. She died Marclt 23, 1895, leaving six children: Ella, Emma, Bessie, John, Fannie and Isabel. The second marriage of our subject, February 18, 1897, united him with Emily Josephine Staple- ford, of Cambridge, member of an old family that was connected with the Pattisons. Politically Mr. Perry votes the Democratic ticket and has been cliosen as delegate to state conventions of the party.
OHN O. MILLS has been a life-long resi- dent of Straits district, Dorchester County, as were several generations of his family before him. Following in their footsteps in the matter of occupation, he is interested in the oyster trade, and operates several boats. He has done quite an extensive business for the past seventeen years, and has, moreover, carried on general merchandising for a part of this time. He is upright and trustworthy in his financial methods, and has won the respect and high regard of all with whom he has ever had any dealings. His residence is in the town of Bishop's Head, and in everything which promises to accrue to the betterment of the place he takes a leading part.
The father of the above, William R. Mills, was born and reared in this vicinity, and in addition to being an oysterman was somewhat concerned in agriculture. He was fairly successful from a financial point of view, and was a most worthy Christian character. For years he held member- ship with the Methodist Episcopal Church and was a class-leader and exhorter, and also served as a local preacher on many occasions. In poli- tics he was affiliated with the Democracy, but was not very active in that direction, merely doing his duty as a voter. He died March 2,
1895, when in his seventy-third year. To him- self and wife, whose maiden name was Rebecca Dean, several children were born. Two of the number are deceased, and those living are: Robert P., Malachi, John O., William A., Ange- line and Susan R. The mother is now living upon the old homestend.
John O. Mills was born in this district in 1855, was educated in our public schools and thor- oughly identified with the best interests of this community. He favors the platform of the Re- publican party, but has never been desirous of holding official positions. He is a member of the Heptasophs, and has been an officer in the local lodge of the Junior Order of American Mechanics. In addition to belonging to the societies already mentioned he is connected with the Honga Tribe of Red Men. Religiously he was reared in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and ad- heres to his early teaching, being a valued mem- ber of the local congregation, as are also his wife and children. In 1883 Mr. Mills married Jennie, daughter of Z. F. and Martha J. (Bramble) Jones, well-known citizens of Bishop's Head. Five sons and daughters have been born to our subject and his estimable wife.
ON. THOMAS R. GREEN, sheriff of Caroline County, was born in Kent County, Del., December 18, 1853, and is the son of - Jonathan S. and Elizabeth (Reed) Green, also natives of that county. He was a child of two years. when his father died, and six years later he was orphaned by his mother's death. The family of which he was a member consisted of ten children, of whom he was the youngest.
After the death of his mother, our subject made his home with his brother, James, who was at one time a member of the Maryland legislature. He attended the country schools and the academy at Newark, Del. Afterward he was employed in a store at Marydell, Caroline County, that was owned by his brother, James. When he was twenty-two he and his brother embarked in the
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ROBERT DINES BRADLEY.
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phosphate business, and continued in it until Thomas R. was elected to the legislature in 1887. As a legislator he rendered efficient service on the labor committee and the committee on public buildings. In 1895 he was elected to his present office of sheriff. He is a firm advocate of Republican principles, and has been elected to the various positions he has held upon the regular party ticket.
The marriage of Mr. Green, which took place in 1884, united with him Miss Annie Smith, of Denton, daughter of James N. Smith, who was a merchant here for many years. She is identified with the Episcopal Church in relig- ious belief and in that faith is rearing her chil- dren: Elsie, Woodall and Thomas. Aside from his connection with the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, Mr. Green is not associated with any fraternal organizations. As a public official he is energetic in the discharge of duty, possessing the determined will and firmness of character that especially fit him for the position of sheriff which he holds.
OBERT DINES BRADLEY, inventor and constructing engineer and one of the most prominent men of Caroline County, has at- tained more than local fame through his success as an inventor, and is accorded a high position in the scientific world. He is a member of one of the oldest families on the Eastern Shore and through his mother traces his lineage to a French ancestor, who was the sole representative of his family to make settlement in America. Born in Federalsburg, this county, in 1842, he is a son of John and Chloe A. (Dines) Bradley. His father, who was born in Dorchester County, engaged in carpentering throughout his active life, and was known as an expert cabinet maker. In his fam- ily there were the following-named children: Sarah, wife of J. F. Hurley, of Linchester; John W., P. M., also a resident of Linchester; Hon. William S., whose home is in Hurlock, Dorches- ter County; Robert Dines; Rowena V., who mar- ried S. B. Le Count, of Vienna; and Walter M.
The foundation of his education our subject laid in the schools of Caroline County. But his studies did not cease when he left the school room. On the contrary he has been a life-long student, and as a result of his investigations he has in- vented a number of useful things. In hydraulics, electricity and gas he has been especially interest- ed, and the perfection of the latter idea has been perhaps the crowning consummation of his gen- ius. By a "cold process" he has developed from an oil of great commercial cheapness a system which is extraordinarily safe and economic, and for which he has obtained patents. It is pro- nounced by illuminating experts capable of revo- lutionizing our modern system of lighting. The flame is bright, clear and pure, and through the medium of an incandescent burner is second only to sunlight. The inventor may be justly proud of this last creation of his productive brain.
A many-sided man from whatever point of vision viewed, Mr. Bradley is well balanced and liberal. In politics he is an ardent Republican in national issues and is an eloquent pleader, using his talents generously on behalf of pure, unselfish patriotism. From principle he has always de- clined to allow his name to be used as a candi- date for official recognition in any elective posi- tion, though he has frequently been urged to accept positions of responsiblity and trust. He deeply deplores the corruption and sham patriot- ism that prevail in our loved country to-day in the great political bodies, and feels that the fun- damental principle of our government, that "all men are born free and equal," is almost, if not quite, ignored. Soon after the breaking out of the late war, Governor Hicks commissioned Mr. Bradley first lieutenant in the state militia, and later he served with the rank of captain. In 1882, congress having passed a law establishing a for- eign steam inspection service, Mr. Bradley was appointed by Secretary Folger to inaugurate the same at the port of Baltimore and continued in the office until the change of administration.
In Caroline County Mr. Bradley married Mary C. Noble, and to them have been born five chil- dren, one son and four daughters, all refined and cultured, true exponents of their parent stock. Mr.
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Bradley is still in the prime of his strength, and gives promise of a long life, which, as heretofore, lie intends to devote to the service of mankind. His laboratory has claimed the greater portion of lıis time for years, and he hopes to make yet fur- ther valuable and useful inventions, appliances and discoveries which will assist in the progress and uplifting of his fellow-men and be of univer- sal benefit. His talents have drawn to him many friends, contradicting for once at least that "a prophiet is not without honor save in his own country and in his own house." As in the field of science lie hias sought to harness and direct God's great material forces, so in theology he ever looks for God's great and eternal truths and avoids following in the wake of some petty fossil- ized theologian's worn-out ideas. To him God's truth, God's creation and God's providence, like the Divine nature, the eternal spring from which they flow, are always large. To his manner of thinking, nature is not too large a yardstick by which to measure God's love and purposes; while in the Gospel writings he plants his faith like a rock upon what the Son of Man was pleased to call "these sayings of mine."
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