USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Sixth congressional district, Maryland V. 2 > Part 43
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whom he has many, he raises wheat, oats, corn, rye and other farm products, from the sale of which he receives a good income.
On a farm adjoining the one he now occupies, the subject of this sketch was born May 14, 1828. His father, John Rabbitt, who was born on the same place, followed agricultural pursuits and for some years served as a tax collector. For a time he was also deputy sheriff. In early life he took an active part in the Whig party. He was a member of the Catholic Church and a constant contributor to its maintenance until his death, in 1862, at eighty-four years of age. During the War of 1812 he served in the American army. His father, John, crossed the ocean from England and settled in Prince George County, Md., but later removed to Montgomery County, where his remaining years were passed.
Our subject's mother, Rebecca Rabbitt, was a daughter of Alexander Barrett, a farmer of Charles County, Md., who died in middle life. The family of which our subject and his sister Jane are the sole survivors, consisted of six sons and six daughters, the others being: James, a farmer; John, formerly of Washington; William Jackson, who was a farmer; Thomas, a farmer; Samuel, a carpenter; Lucinda, Mrs. Lloyd Burss; Mary, Mrs. Reuben Mullican; Jane, who is the wife of Allen Hiddens; Rebecca, Mrs. John Baker; Catherine, who married Joseph Carroll; and Ann, who was the wife of Jacob Kemp.
In the schools of the district our subject ob- tained a fair education. He remained at home until twenty-eight years of age, when he pur- chased land and began farming in his own interests. In 1855 he married Miss Christena, daughter of Alexander Lethinham, who came from Scotland to America and settled in the city of Washington. Seven children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Rabbitt, namely: Al- exander, who lives near the home farm; Edward Palmer, John, Charles and Clayton, all at home; Annie B., Mrs. E. Garrett, who died in 1898, at the age of thirty-eight; and Bessie May, who is at home. The family are identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Rabbitt has always favored the principles of the
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Republican party. He is a man of noble char- acter, with the sound common sense necessary to success in any occupation, and with the genial disposition that wins and retains friends.
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R ICHARD THOMAS RAY, commissioner of Montgomery County, and chairman of the board, was born near Bethesda, this county, December 5, 1843. He is a member of a family that has long been identified with the history of Maryland. His grandfather, Launcelot Ray, who was born in Anne Arundel County, and followed agricultural pursuits, served in the War of 1812 and died when little less than one hun- dred years of age. Two of his half-brothers were captured and scalped by the Indians and two were killed in the Revolution.
The father of our subject, William Ray, was born in Montgomery County and died here when he was in the prime of manhood, in 1849. By occupation he was a farmer, industrious, ener- getic and painstaking in his work. In religion he was a Presbyterian. He married Jane Love- less, a daughter of Basil and Charlotte Loveless, of Prince George County. Basil Loveless, who served in the militia during the War of 1812, engaged in farm pursuits in the District of Columbia and owned a farm located two miles from the present home of our subject. Mrs. Jane Ray died at the age of fifty-nine years, leaving one son and two daughters, Martha V. and Mary E., both of whom make their home with their brother.
Reared to manhood on the home farm in Bethesda District (now Wheaton District, No. 13), Mr. Ray received his education in the public schools of the county. He was a child when his father died and was then taken into the home of an uncle, with whom he remained until sixteen years of age. He then started out for himself and has since been independent. He commenced farming on the place he now owns. Here he has brought the land under good cultivation, remod-
eled the buildings and made many improvements. In addition to raising corn and wheat, he engages in the stock business, and has on his farm horses, cattle and hogs.
In 1875 Mr. Ray married Miss Mary R. Cashell, a daughter of Washington Cashell, one of the old residents of this section of the county. They are the parents of six sons and four daugh- ters, namely: William Edwin, Richard Thomas, Jr., Roland C., Francis Alexander, Thendall Irving, Robert Yewell; Georgia V., wife of Ran- dolph Fell, of Georgia; Laura E., Mary Aleen and Annie Virginia: Politically a Democrat, Mr. Ray has been registrar for six years. When the postoffice at Linden, now removed, was lo- cated on his place, he served as postmaster for two years. As trustee of the school he rendered efficient service for fifteen years. Under Gor- ernor Jackson he was appointed judge of the orphans' court. In 1893 he was elected county commissioner and at the expiration of his term, in 1897, he was elected for another term of four years. For twenty years he has been actively identified with the Episcopal Church, in which he has held the positions of warden, vestryman and treasurer.
HOMAS RENSHAW, whose farm, known as "Friendship," is situated in Bethesda District, Montgomery County, was born in the neighborhood where he now resides. He is a member of a family that was long identified with the history of Pennsylvania. His father, William Renshaw, who was born in that state, removed to Maryland in early life and settled in Montgomery County, where he bought a farm and entered actively upon agricultural pursuits. The remaining years of his life were spent here, and he was recognized as one of the successful agriculturists of his locality. During the War of 1812 he enlisted in the American service and remained a soldier until the need for his assistance disappeared. In politics he was stanch in adher-
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ence to Democratic principles. At the time of his death he was sixty-five years of age. He married Mary Tumbleson, daughter of Henry Tumbleson, who owned large tracts of land in Montgomery County and engaged extensively in farm pursuits.
Our subject was one of a family of three sons and two daughters, the others being as follows: William, who occupies the old homestead; Sam- uel, a farmer living near Rockville; Elizabeth, who married John G. Bohra, a farmer; and Martha, wife of William Harvester, a farmer near Colesville. Thomas spent his early life on the farm, where he was born in November, 1823. He attended the district schools and by study and observation obtained a fair education. At the age of thirty-two he married and settled on the farm where he has since resided, a period of thirty years, on the same place. His wife is Annie, daughter of Samuel Spates, a farmer, who for- merly owned "Friendship."
Mr. and Mrs. Renshaw have two daughters: Eliza Ellen, who married Clayton Williams, a farmer near Chevy Chase; and Martha, who is the wife of Eugene Magruder, both living with
. her parents. In politics Mr. Renshaw is a Demo- crat, and in religious connections is identified with the Presbyterian Church.
EONARD WEER, JR., of Brookeville, Mont- gomery County, was a magistrate from 1890 to 1898, and in 1896 was appointed assessor of the eighth election district. He has been an able and efficient officer, winning the commenda- tion of his fellow-citizens and all concerned in the management of local affairs. He has been a zealous worker in the Democratic party, and fra- ternally is a member of Montgomery Lodge No. 195, A. F. & A. M., of Rockville.
The parents of our subject were Leonard and Margaret (Connell) Weer, natives of Carroll County. The father came from an honored old Maryland family, and several of his ancestors
were patriots of the early wars in this country. His grandfather was a hero of the war of the Revolution, and his own father fought in the War of 1812. Leonard Weer, Sr., was a mill- wright by trade, and when a young man settled in Montgomery County. Here he followed his trade, and erected numerous mills in various parts of the valleys. About 1850 he remodeled the mill which is now operated by the subject of this article, it having been built about 1794. Of his family six children survive. Agnes E. is the wife of T. C. Groomes, of Rockville. James R. is a resident of Sykesville, Carroll County, Md. Janet M. married H. R. Titlow and she died in Las Vegas, N. M. Their four children returned to Maryland, and are living with Mrs. Margaret Weer, in Baltimore. Mary J. is the wife of James Rannie, of Baltimore. Letitia E. is a teacher in the Baltimore public schools.
The birth of Leonard Weer occurred June II, 1852, in Brookeville, Md., and, with the excep- tion of perhaps six years, his whole life has been passed in this vicinity. His father was incapac- itated for business when the boy was but eleven years old, and as he was next to the eldest in the family, the burdens and responsibilities of life fell upon his shoulders at an early age. The mill property which had belonged to the father was willed to the wife and mother, and this was rented. The initial step in the business world was taken by our subject when he was in his fifteenth year. He then became a clerk of Levi T. Young, of Sligo, and remained in his employ for about a year. He had made the most of his opportunities of gaining an education, and had been a student at Brookeville for some time. Having learned the milling trade by frequently hiring out to the tenants of the home mill, he went to Burnt Mills and for two and a-half years was in charge of the mills there. Later he went to Baltimore, where he spent a year in a flour, feed and commission business, the proprietors of which were Emmart & Co. Two years after- wards he returned to Burnt Mills, and within another two years he assumed the management of the old mill which had been rebuilt by his father so long before. This mill he continued to
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operate successfully for thirteen years, or until 1891, when his numerous public duties required his entire time and attention. Commencing at the foot of the ladder leading to prosperity, he has bravely surmounted the many obstacles in his way, and has won a respected position and a competence.
IXON C. WALKER, of Urbana District, Frederick County, was born near Pikesville, Baltimore County, Md., January 7, 1864. In youth he was given excellent educational ad- vantages, and after concluding the studies of the grammar schools he entered St. James College in Hagerstown, where he carried on his studies for some time. To the opportunities afforded by travel in his native land were added the advan- tages derived from visiting foreign countries and from contact with people of many lands, the basis of a true cosmopolitan culture. He has made several trips across the ocean. In 1890 he and his wife took a pleasure trip to Europe, visiting points of interest in England, France, Germany and Switzerland.
In 1896 Mr. Walker purchased the farm in Frederick County, which he has since occupied. The property embraces two hundred acres of land, situated about five miles from the city of Frederick, on the pike running from that place to Urbana. The improvements upon the land are all of a modern type and show the possession of good taste and ample means on the part of the country life, and proud of his elegant home. At no time is he happier than when entertaining one or more of his friends at his hospitable home. He is a man of genial, companionable disposition, and therefore easily wins and steadfastly retains friends. His home is gracefully presided over by his wife, whom he married in 1889, and who was formerly Miss Georgia Hooper, of Baltimore. Politically he favors Democratic principles.
is devoted to the breeding of imported coach and trotting horses. This he does, not for the sake of the money to be derived therefrom, but for the pleasure he has in the work. He keeps no horses save those of the finest breed, not caring for the ordinary stock. He has engaged exten- sively in the buying of horses and their shipment to England, and in one season shipped several hundred to fill contracts made with both the English and French governments for army pur- poses. In every sense of the word he is a thor- ough horseman, an excellent judge of animals, keen to detect their weak as well as their good points, and able to give at a glance an accurate estimate of their value.
While he has lived in Frederick County for a short time only, Mr. Walker is already well known throughout this locality. He is one of the directors of the Frederick County Fair Asso- ciation, to the growth of which he has materially contributed. He has been identified with the humanitarian and material interests of the coun- ty, and by his recognized public spirit has con- tributed to the promotion of many enterprises calculated to benefit the people.
EAR-ADMIRAL SAMUEL PHILLIPS LEE, the eldest son of Francis Lightfoot and Jane (Fitzgerald) Lee, was born in - Sully, Fairfax County, Va., February 13, 1812. At an early age he entered the navy, and almost owner. He is a cultured gentleman, fond of his entire life was spent in the service of his country. He was appointed midshipman from Virginia November 22, 1825, and was ordered to the sloop-of-war Hornet, stationed in the West Indies. February 7, 1827, he was ordered to the battleship Delaware, and transferred to the Mediterranean as captain's aid to the frigate Java August 24, 1827. He was ordered to Nor- folk School, Va., October 16, 1830; promoted to past midshipman June 4, 1831; ordered to the If Mr. Walker may be said to have a hobby, it is his fondness for horses. Much of his time navy yard in Boston July 28, 1831; thence to the frigate Brandywine, Pacific squadron, as second
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mate and transferred to the Vincennes as acting lieutenant and additional navigator April 17, 1834; promoted to the rank of lieutenant Febru- ary 9, 1837; ordered to exploring expedition July 19, 1837; ordered to the West India squad- ron December 13, 1839; from there to the receiv- ing ship at Alexandria, Va., December 8, 1841; to coast survey April 10, 1842; and to the com. mand of the coast survey schooner, Vanderbilt, August 4, 1844. On the rith of November of that year he went to the navy yard at Pensacola, Fla., thence was ordered to command the coast survey schooner Nautilus, March 9, 1846; to the command of the Washington December 29, 1846.
On his own application to participate in the Mexican war he was present at the capture of Tobasco, and subsequently assumed command of the coast survey steamer Legare. In his opinion coast survey was an excellent school of naval practice, and he favored its return to the admin- istration of the navy department as the best school of practice for naval officers. He commanded the brig Dolphin on special service, making deep sea soundings, etc., report of which was pub- lished by congress in 1854. He was detached and ordered to duty on wind and current charts July 7, 1852. He was promoted to be commander September 14, 1855; made a member of the ex- amining board March 12, 1858; ordered to com- mand sloop-of-war Vandalia, with orders to the East Indies November 1, 1860.
While at the Cape of Good Hope he learned of the outbreak of the Civil war. He brought his ship back to the United States without orders, and was at once assigned to blockade off Charles- ton, S. C. January 20, 1862, he was ordered to command the sloop-of-war Oneida, and to report to Admiral Farragut. In the expedition against New Orleans he commanded the advance division below the forts, Jackson and St. Philip. When the gunboats took part in the bombardment to draw the fire from the bomb vessels, the Oneida was at one time engaged alone with the forts. In the action of the passage of the forts, being piloted by her captain from the forecastle, the Oneida was one of the three ships first to en- counter the enemy's fleet, and relieved the Varuna
by driving off the two rams, capturing the com- mand of Governor Moore. The Oneida partici- pated in the capture of the "Chalmette" batteries -below New Orleans. For a time he commanded the advance division to Vicksburg and was second in line in the fleet fights there.
July 16, 1862, he was promoted to be captain; September 2, 1862, was made acting rear-admiral and ordered to the command of the North Atlan- tic biockading squadron, engaged in blockading the coasts of Virginia and North Carolina, and co-operating with the armies to protect Norfolk and Washington and support army operations on the inland waters of North Carolina and Virginia against Richmond. New Orleans, Mobile, Port Royal and Charleston were subject to inside blockade and attack; Wilmington was not, with its two difficult entrances forty miles apart, pro- tected by Cape Fear shoals and convenient to the depots of Confederate supplies-Bermuda, Nas- sau and Halifax. Lee's system of steam block- ade, original with him, was adopted by his suc- cessor, and will continue to prove effective. The blockade was the primary cause of the subjection of the south and made its defeat only a question of time. There were ninety-one expeditions, and fifty-four steamers were captured or destroyed during his command. His arduous duties in blockade command were discharged with intelli- gence and fidelity.
October 21, 1864, Admiral Lee was ordered to command the Mississippi squadron. When he took command Hood's army was moving to at- tack Thomas before the latter could concentrate. He at once stationed the ships on the Mississippi to prevent Kirby Smith's forces from joining Hood. He sent two ironclads to Nashville to support Thomas and followed in the Cincinnati, but was stopped by low water on Harpeth Shoals. When the river was passable, three days later, Lee hurried up the Tennessee to cut off Hood's escape at Duck River. Squadron operations forced Hood to cross six miles up, at the head of Little Muscle Shoals. Thomas telegraphed Ice. "Your efficient co-operation on the Tennessee River has contributed largely to the demoraliza- tion of Hood's army. It gives me great pleasure
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to tender to you, your officers and men, my hearty thanks for your cordial co-operation dur- ing the operations of the last thirty days." The defeat of Hood's army virtually ended the war, and Grant, on learning of the battle, promptly arranged with Sherman at Savannah not to ship his army north by sea, but to operate from his location. Savannah was soon evacuated. Charles- ton was also evacuated, as was Fort Fisher after a slight resistance. Secretary Wells wrote of Rear- Admiral Lee that he "is so correct and accurate a business man that I know he would wish him- self to close up the final affairs of the squadron he has commanded with so much ability and with such indefatigable industry." This work was given to him and was nobly accomplished. He was detached from the Mississippi squadron Au- gust 14, 1865, the vessels were laid up or sent to other squadrons, and officers and men discharged or transferred.
July 25, 1866, Admiral Lee was made a com- modore in rank. As president of the examining board, he met with other members of the board in Philadelphia August 7, 1866, and April 17, 1868. He was president of the court-martial board in New York May 29, 1868, and president of the board of examiners February 13, 1869. He was ordered to examine Atlantic navy yards, and was author of the report suggesting their improvement. October 13, 1869, he was ordered in charge of the signal service board at Washing- ton, and was promoted to be rear-admiral April 12, 1870; ordered to special duty at the navy department June 27, 1870; ordered to command of the North Atlantic squadron August 9, 1870; detached August 15, 1872; and retired February 13, 1873.
The marriage of Admiral Lee, April 27, 1843, united him with Elizabeth, daughter of Francis Preston Blair and Eliza Violet (Gist) Blair, the latter a daughter of Col. Nathaniel Gist. Fran- cis Preston Blair, editor of the Globe during Jack- son's administration, was born at Arlington, Va., April 12, 1791, and died at Silver Spring, Md., October 18, 1876, having had a long and honor- able career as lawyer, politician and statesman. His oldest son, Montgomery Blair, was born in
Franklin County, Ky., May 10, 1813, and died at Silver Spring, Md., July 27, 1883. He was a graduate of West Point, served in the Seminole war and resigned in 1836, after which he studied law, was admitted to the bar and settled in St. Louis. He was mayor of that city in 1842, and judge of the court of common pleas in 1843. In 1852 he removed to Maryland, where he at once became a prominent public man. In 1861 he was chosen postmaster-general and occupied that position during much of the Civil war. The second son, Francis Preston, Jr., was born in Lexington, Ky., February 19, 1821, and died in St. Louis, Mo., July 8, 1875. During the Civil war he enlisted as a volunteer and rose to the rank of brigadier-general. In the year 1871 he was United States senator from Missouri. Ad- miral Lee died at Silver Spring June 5, 1897: his wife, who is still living, at the age of eighty, is blind, but otherwise in good health. Admiral Lee was the only grandson of Richard Henry Lee, the mover of the Declaration of Independ- ence, who supported the Union.
LBERT B. CASTLE has been a life-long resident of Frederick County, and is one of the most highly respected farmers of Jeffer- son District. His beautiful homestead, known as Mount Pleasant, is situated upon both sides of the Frederick and Jefferson Pike, about five miles from the county seat. The commodious and comfortable house was erected in 1815, and has been kept in fine condition by those who have lived within its hospitable walls. The property formerly belonged to the maternal grandfather of our subject, John Hargett, who was a wealthy and influential man in his day hereabouts. He started out in the battle of life without money and with no friends to aid him, and by his own in- dustry and good business management accumu- lated a fortune, at the time of his death being estimated to be worth in the neighborhood of $50,000. To each of his five children he left a
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valuable farm, and this Mount Pleasant farm was bequeathed to the mother of the present owner.
George B. Castle, father of Albert B., was born in Jefferson District in 1819. He received an excellent education for the times, as after leaving the district schools he went to Gettysburg Col- lege. Upon settling down to the cares of life he engaged in agricultural pursuits, as his fore- fathers with few exceptions had done. His whole life was spent in this locality and in 1866 he was called to the silent land. In the Reformed Church he was a very active member and served as a deacon and elder for years. He was one of a family of four sons and one daughter, several of whom went out west and in that section passed their entire lives. The wife of George B. Castle was Catherine B. Hargett, daughter of the John Hargett mentioned above. Her mother bore the maiden name of Barbara Shaffer and she was twice married, her second husband being John Hargett. Their family comprised five children, of whom Catherine B. is the youngest. The others were: Samuel, formerly a farmer of this district, who died about five years ago; William, who married a Miss Thomas, and died, leaving eight children; Julia Ann; and Ann Maria, who married Daniel Culler, and died a few years ago, leaving nine children. The Hargett family originally came from Germany and settled in Pennsylvania, whence they drifted to this state.
To the union of George B. and Catherine B. Castle four children were born: Abram P. is a progressive young farmer of this locality, his home being near that carried on by our subject; Annie is married and lives in Urbana District; Barbara E. is unmarried and lives at home with her aged mother; and our subject, who has never married.
aspirant to public office and has always voted for the nominees of the Republican party. For the past twelve years he has been connected with the Frederick & Jefferson Pike Company, and for five years of this period he has been the treasurer of the same. With the exception of one year Mr. Castle has been one of the official board of the Feagaville Reformed Church since 1880. The friendship and high regard of all who know him are the portion of this sterling citizen, who is justly deserving of the confidence which is reposed in him.
AMUEL DAVID MARTIN, a member of the firm of Martin & Stover, dealers in stoves and hardware, etc., in Hagerstown, Washington County, is a native of this place, his birth having occurred here May 2, 1842. He is one of four children, whose parents were David C. and Priscilla A. (Watts) Martin, both natives of Maryland, the former of Frederick and the latter of St. Mary County. The father, who is still living and is in the possession of all his faculties, though now in his eighty-fourth year, was one of the old California '49ers and was a merchant in his active live. His first wife died in 1857, aged thirty-three years, and he subsequently married Mary Marshall, of Adams County, Pa. To them were born three sons, Luther E. being the only survivor. Mr. Martin is a member of the Lutheran Church, but the mother of our subject was an Episcopalian in religious belief. Of their chil- dren John A., the eldest, is a tinner by trade and is a resident of this place. Two children died in infancy.
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