134 History of Pocomoke City,
Prof. Smith was his preceptor until he graduated at the University School of Medicine, in the City of Baltimore, in 1S69. In 1870, he commenced the practice of medi- cine in New Town, he remained here one year and removed to Millsboro, Sussex County, Delaware. He there practiced in partnership with G. F. Burton for one year, when the partnership was dissolved. He then practiced alone for three years, during which time he was married to Miss Virginia C. Burton, of that place. After remaining in Delaware during the time aforesaid Dr. Truitt again returned to New Town where he engaged in the practice of medicine until within a few years past, since which time he has devoted his time, exclusively, to Dental Surgery. Dr. Truitt is the only graduated physician, in Pocomoke City, who devotes himself, exclusively, to Dental Surgery in which he is a proficient.
He is a vestryman in the Protestant Episcopal Church in Pocomoke City and is a good citizen and worthy of patronage. Dr. Julius T. Hall was born on the old homestead near New Town, Worcester County, Md., on the 20th day of July, 1849- Soon afterwards his father, Zadock J. Hall •moved to town where he raised his family. Julius received his education from the schools of the town, completing it in the High School.
In 1867, he took charge of a school at Swansgut or Remson, where he remained for 18 months. In the fall of 1869, he took charge of Pitt's Creek School. In 1870, he accepted a position as teacher in the Pocomoke High School where he remained until 1874. He then ac- cepted the position of assistant superintendant of Baltimore
Formerly New Town. 135
House ol Refuge, after remaining there some time, he accepted the principalship of Jacksonville Academy near Crisfield, Somerset county, Md. This was his largest and most flourishing school ; he taught it for over three years and during the time he read medicine. In 1877, he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, in the University of Maryland.
He attended two full courses of lectures and graduated in 1879. He forthwith opened an office in Pocomoke City where he has since been prac- ticing his profession. In October, 1879, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary C. Thomas, of Norfork Virginia. Dr. Hall is a young man yet; he is a member of the Baptist Church in Pocomoke City ; he is studious, indus- trious and is highly respected, both as a physician and citizen. Having a good mind and physicial constitution,. he has flattering prospects of a useful life and will, no doubt, be ranked among the first physicians of his day.
Dr. Wallace W. Freeman was born in Nashville, Tenn.,. on the 13th day of April, I855. He was educated in the public schools of Memphis, Tenn., and Camden, New Jersey. He commenced the study of dentistry in Pocomoke City in the fall of 1879, and attended two sessions of lectures at the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, where, in 18S2, he graduated and received his degree of D. D. S., after which he opened an office in Pocomoke City, where he is at present practicing his profession. He is studious and closely applies himself to business and is ambitious to excel in his profession. He may always be
136 History of Pocomoke City,
found at his office, where he is prepared to give entire satisfaction in dental surgery. Dr. Freeman is a member of the Baptist Church in Pocomoke City- He has a high sense of moral obliga- tion and is a thorough temperance man. If these qualifications betoken a bright future in his profession, he will reach it. Dr. John H. King was born in Princess Anne, Somerset County, Md., on the 29th day of August, 1857.
He was educated at the High School of Pocomoke City. After leaving school, he entered the drug store of E. Fontaine as clerk, and had six years experience in the drug business, during which time he had read medicine under Dr. S. S. Ouinn. After this he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons in the City of Baltimore, at which he attended two full courses of lectures and grad- uated in March, 1882. He at once returned to Pocomoke City and commenced the practice of medicine, associating himself in partnership with Dr. S- S. Cfuinn. Dr. King is a young man of considerable promise ; he has a good mind and an ambition to excel in his profession, which knows no flagging.
He is sound on the temperance ques- tion and is a supporter of moral reforms, and as a physician, it is already said of him, " he is becoming quite popular.
" I have no doubt but that he will hold a place in the front ranks of his proiession with honor. In summing up the history of the medical fraternity of Pocomoke City, I will say we have eight physicians and
Formerly New Town. 137
surgeons, all in the prime of life, their ages ranging from 25 to 54 years, all men of families except two, all belong- to church except two, and they are church-goers and are professedly temperance men. When I think ol former years when it was an exception for a physician to belong to church or to be professedly a temperance man, I am constrained to pronounce a eulogy upon the men who compose the medical fraternity of Pocomoke City, as being worthy of all praise for the noble stand which they have taken in support of Christianity and moral reform.
I think Pocomoke City can challenge any town on the Eastern Shore of 1,500 inhabitants to produce such a brotherhood of physicians.
138 History of Pocomoke City, CHAPTER XX. LAWYERS.
In 1867, Alpheus Sidney Stevens commenced the practice of law in New Town ; previous to this time we never had a resident lawyer in the place. He was born in Somerset County, Md., on the 15th day of December, 1840. He was a regular descendant of Col. William Stevens, of colonial fame. His father, who is still living at or near the age of 75 years, is no doubt the great great grandson of Col. Wm. Stevens. This declaration could be corroborated by such a statement of facts were it necessary, as would leave but little room for cavil.
Alpheus Sidney Stevens was a self-made man. He only went to school two years, fifteen months of that time he went to a country school, which he afterward said was time thrown away. The remaining nine months was occupied at New Town Academy, during which time he made some advancement, enough at least to inspire a thirst for knowledge, which never abated during his life.
At 15 years of age he engaged as clerk in a store and continued in that capacity for three years. At 18 years of age he obtained a first grade certificate from the School Board of Somerset County to teach school, and he
Formerly New Town. 139
engaged in that occupation for three years more, at which time he was 21 years old. He then commenced merchan- dising in Pocomoke City and was a successful merchant for six years. On the 3d day of November, 1863, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Truitt. During his mercantile life he read law and in 1867 was admitted to the bar of Worcester County, after passing one of the finest examinations. He practiced law for four years. His was a mind of no ordinary cast ; indeed, he was a genius.
Although he made great proficiency in the pursuit of knowledge for his opportunity, yet he was called away in the morning of life before he had reached the meridian of his intellectual manhood. Had he lived, no doubt he would have been a jurist of the first order and worthy to be associated with his ancestor of colonial fame. Mr. Stevens was a member of the Presbyterian Church in New Town. On the 19th day of July, 1872, he passed away like the blasted rosebud that just began to unfold its petals to make its fragrance known.
So died Alpheus Sidney Stevens, at the age of 32 years, leaving a widow and four children to cherish his memory. Benjamin Williams, attorney at law, was admitted to the bar of Worcester County Court about the year 1871. He was a native of Calvert County, Md. but moved to Worcester County prior to his study in law. Immediately after his admission to the bar, he located in Pocomoke City and commenced practicing his profession. He continued in the practice of law for about two years and then moved to another part of the State.
140 History of Pocornoke City,
Adial P. Barnes, attorney at law, was born in Nassa- naddus. Worcester County Md., on the 10th day of September, 1848. His parents were James A. and Sarah E. Barnes. His father was quite an extensive and very successful farmer and accumulated a large amount of wealth, and is living", at ease, in Pocornoke City, at the age of three score and ten years.
Adial P. Barnes, in his early life, labored on his father's farm with the farm hands except when going to school. He attended a country school, where only the elementary principles of education were taught. In his youth, he had an ardent desire to get an education that he might be prepared to enter upon a professional life. His father, seeing the bent of his mind, sent him to the Public High School of Pocomoke City, where he was taught the higher branches of education.
After attending this school for two years he read law in the office of George W. Purnell, Esq., in Snow Hill, for one year. He then went to the University of Virginia and attended law lectures, in that institution, for two years. After which he went to the University of Maryland and took his degree in the law department of that institution, in the month of June, 1873. Upon graduating he opened a law office, in the same year, in Pocomoke City, where he followed his profession until the month of October, 1877, when he removed to Snow Hill, Md., and opened an office there, where he is still engaged in the practice of law.
Mr. Barnes is a growing lawyer and ranks well with his professional brotherhood.
Formerly New Town. 141,
He is a young man yet, and having an ambition to excel, he will, no doubt, with his application make his mark as a jurist whose talent will command a lucrative practice and secure a name to be envied. J. Lloyd Wilkinson was born in New Town on the 13th day of May, 1857. His father Rev. William Wilkinson was a Baptist minister. Mr. Wilkinson attended the High School at New Town until he was eleven years of age. After this he entered the Drug Store of Mr. C. C. Lloyd as clerk, after being in the drug store of Mr. Lloyd for several years he went to Culpepper, in Virginia, to take charge of a drug; store there.
During - the time, in which he was engaged in the drug business, he read law under Gen. J as. G. Field of Culpepper, who is at present, Attorney- General for the state of Virginia, and in 1878 he was admitted to the bar. At this period he was 21 years of age. He practiced in the courts of Madison, Green and Culpepper Counties, Va. In the winter of 1879 and 1880, he returned to Pocomoke City and in 1880 he was admitted to the Worcester bar. Mr. Wilkinson is a young man of promise, with a good mind looming up into brilliancy, and is rising in the estima- tion of all who know him, for his legal ability.
John Glenn Towsend was born in Nassawaddux, Wor- cester County, Maryland, on the 25th day of May, 1853, and resided, up to his early manhood, in the county of his birth. He received a common school education, and being of studious habits he prepared himself for a teacher
142 History of Pocomofce City,
in the public schools. He was appointed principal of the grammar school at Stockton, Worcester County, Md., which position he held some considerable time, during which he studied law and was admitted to the bar in Worcester County, in 1877. He, however, continued teaching- school for two years. Afterwards he opened a law office in Pocomoke City, where he has since practiced his profession. Mr. Towsend is the youngest son of Teagle Towsend, deceased, who was a leading man in the county, of the old Whig party.
J. Glenn Towsend is quite a young man and has, com- paratively, just entered the arena of public life as a lawyer. If a noted family record, with a good mind and studious habits, together with a good moral and religious character, is any warrant of success, he will doubtless honor his profession.
J. Shiles Crockett, attorney at law, was born in Princess Anne, Md., on the 12th day of December, 1858. He was educated partly at the Princess Anne Academy and at St. John's College, Annapolis, Md., at which latter institu- tion he graduated in 1878. He read law in the office of Col. Henry Page and was admitted to the bar of Somerset County Court in 1880. He then moved to Crisfield and practiced his profession until 1882, when he removed to Pocomoke City. Mr. Crockett is a young man with a good mind and is a graduate at college. He read law under one of the first lawyers of the State. With appli- cation he has everything in his favor to insure success in his profession.
Formerly New Town. 143
A history of the legal profession in New Town, now Pocomoke City, would be incomplete not to mention the fact that many of the lawyers, both of the Snow Hill and Princess Anne bar, have practiced law in New Town, and chief among those of the Princess Anne bar who have thus practiced are John W. Crisheld, James U. Dennis, Col. Henry Page and William McMaster. Those of the "Snow Hill bar. are Dennard Williams, Judge John R- Franklin, Walter P. Snow, Judge Ephraim K. Wilson, William H. W. Farrow, George W. Purnell George M. Upshur, William S. Wilson, Clayton J. Purnell and Adial P. Barnes. The Messrs. G, W. Purnell, G. M. Upshur, W. S. Wilson, C. J. Purnell and A. P. Barnes, have still their stated times ot visitations to Pocomoke City attend- ing to all business appertaining to the law.
NEXT; 144 History of Pocomoke City,
CHAPTER XXI. POST OFFICE.
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