The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-02-26

! Mr.. EDIToR:-l have selected Mr. Cres-
well as the subject of the first of my pro
missed personal sketches, accompanying my
Because he is to the manor born. From
childhood until this time lie has resided in
Cecil county. He has been more honored
with distinguished positions, than any other
native Of Cecil ever has been, and has made
for himself reputation of which his county
and State may well be proud.
In my second letter, referred to his hon
ored ancestry for three generations. need
not therefore, recapitulate them. Mr.. Ores
well was born in Port Deposit, on the 18th
day of November, 1928, in the house in
which Joseph W. Abrahams now resides.
remember him as n bright and manly boy
in the Sunday school, and at the Academy,
of which Perry G. Buckingham, now of
Baltimore, was then the popular Principal,
and under whose instructions, young Ores
well completed his Academic studies. In
September, 1874, he left Port Deposit, and
entered the Freshman class at Dickinson
College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The Rev.
John P. Durbin, D. d., was then Presi-
dent of the College. He was succeeded by
the Rev. Robert Emory, D. D., who was
President until the beginning of Mr.. Cres-
wells senior year. DR.. Emory having been
compelled on account Of failing health to
retire from his active duties as President,
died on the 10Th of May, 1913, when DR..
VIM. H. Allen, afterwards of Girard Col
lege, was elected President pro ten, and
graduated the class of 1913, of which Mr.
Creswell was member When he entered
college, he was not as far advanced in the
languages as many of his classmates, and
for this reason labored under considerable
disadvantage, but by industry and an in
domitable purpose to succeed, he speedily
overcame this deficiency, and at the end of
the Freshman year, attained the average of
the first section of his class, in which he
ranked, and in the succeeding year, by dill
gence as a student, and his facility in &C
quiring knowledge, particularly in mathe-
MATES, he gradually distanced the most of
his competitors, until at the end of the
Sophomore year he stood at the head of his
class. This position he maintained through
out his junior and senior years, and at his
graduation he delivered the class valedc-
tory, James w. Marshall, the Assistant
Postmaster General, delivering the Latin
salutatory.
That this was no ordinary honor, will
appear by reference to the character of
the men, who composed the graduating
class of '4S at Dickinson, and who were
Mr.. Creswel's competitors for class honors.
Among these were the Rev. J. A. McCauley,
ID. D., now President of Dickinson College:
the Hon. James w. Marshall, Assistant
Postmaster General; Prof. William Bos-
well, at one time a member of the Faculty
at Dickinson College; Henry Clay Dallam,
Esq, prominent lawyer of the city of
Baltimore; William Daniel, Esq, also a
member of the Baltimore Bar, and the
well known Temperance Alliance orator;
the Rev. John Wilson, President of the
Wesleyan Female College at Wilmington,
Del; the Rev. 7. sSnowden Thomas, a :
prominent minister of the Philadelphia NJ
f. Conference; DR.. Henry NJ. Wilson, nc
a successful physician in Baltimore; Ardl-
bald Wright, Esq, prominent citize OIL
Philadelphia. Among his college asso-
ciates, were the Rev. Moncure d. CnWay'
a prominent minister, lecturer, anditerary
man, now of London; the Rev. lbnry bas'
com Ridgeway, d. d., distinguished ciei-
gyman of the New York Confidence OF the
Methodist Episcopal Church; John Gar
son, Esq, a prominent lawyer OF ba''i-
more; Col Edwin II. Webster, proml-
nent lawyer of Hartford county, Maryland
ex-member of Congress, and former ool-
lector of Customs of the Port oil bal'i-
more.
1t will be conceded, that in coiiiPe''"7
with these men, Mr.. Creswell had 1oeine"
worthy of his steel. lie graduated IN july,
1S4S, and after spending the summer az
home, in the following September en'e,'
as student at law in the ONCE VI
5no. c. Groome, then leading la"S.'
the Elktop Bar. Before he had compie'e"
his law Studies or had been admitted ~
the bar, SO manifest were his talents anu
requirements. that he was, in Hepteinoe''
1870 ro,;ro.od on the Wing ticket lor