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     HON. JACOB TOME                                                                  Tome Home

Banking
Politics
Tome Memorial Church
The Tome Mansion


Guyas Cutas
Was a pseudonym of a unknown writer in the 1870's in Port Deposit.
It is through this person that many of the written history of early Town Fathers is recorded. The following article seems to represent an intimate knowledge of Jacob Tome whom history has deemed a private man of few words.

"Mr. EDITOR:-I have selected as the subject of my second personal sketch, Ports most prominent business man, 1876

    JACOB TOME, than whom no man in Maryland is more generally known.  Few of the men whom the world calls "fortunate", began life under less encouraging circumstances. Without means, Influence, or connection, he commenced the struggle upward, undaunted by the poverty of his resources  or the scantiness of his worldly store. He was nothing more or less than a brave and courageous boy, who took the world in hand at an age when the average youth confidently relies upon the certainty of parental aid and support, but which the conditions of birth had denied him. As a young man, uneducated in the popular meaning of the word, young Tome acquired at an early age, In the real and more severe school of the world, such lessons of practical wisdom and experience, as later on in life, more than atoned for its earlier deficiencies. It was no fortuitous circumstance that made him. penniless boy at sixteen; it was no business accident or piece of extraordinary "luck" that found him a millionaire at sixty; it was no decree of blind chance that made him one of a group of helpless dependents around a pour mans fireside, with neither the, prestige of wealth nor birth. The Providence that placed him there endowed him with just the degree at ability. and the exact measure of power, to overcome the most adverse conditions of place, birth and surroundings. He was born to success. The elements of character. upon which it depended, were his inheritance. His sole one at that industry, integrity, determination, perseverance, self reliance, were qualities worth more to the friendless boy than merely material inheritances. And so they have proved. From the ranks of the dependent and obscure, they have elevated him to the plane of influence and usefulness, and have constituted him a power in business and society. as the reward of their cultivation and exercise.

YOUTH
Jacob Tome was born of German parentage, at Hanover, York County, Pennsylvania, on the 13th of August, 1810. He was-one of a large family of children supported by the daily labor of his parents. His early educational advantages were very limited, not extending beyond such occasional opportunity at was afforded by the district school, which he with others not more favorably circumstanced, attended during the Winter months.

On the death of his father, which occurred when young Tome, was sixteen years of age, he undertook the battle of life on his own account, and hired himself to a Col. Graham, a farmer in York county, with whom he remained for fifteen months. Leaving Col. Graham, he went into the employ of Jacob Musser, who owned and carried on fisheries at Stony Island, on the Susquehanna River. Here, young Tome remained about a year. In the capacity-of superintendent or overseer. Seeking to better his fortunes, he left Musser in the Spring of 1830 and went to Marietta, where he obtained employment with James Stackhouse, with whom he remained until the Spring of 1832, when he left Stackhouse and engaged with Abraham Varley in the manufacture and sale of tin-ware. Two little incidents, trifling in themselves perhaps, but still indicative of the character and determination of Mr. Tome Then a young man, are worthy of mention:

While living with Abraham Varley, young Tome noticed an advertisement for a teacher for a country school, near Elizabethtown, in Lancaster County, during the Fall and Winter months, He was duly impressed with the deficiency of his education for such a position, but determined to make application for it. and if successful in obtaining it. to qualify himself, so far as possible by diligent study for the discharge of its duties. As was the custom of that section, not only boys, but young men who labored ,as farm hands and Spring and Summer months, attended the school during the Fall and Winter sessions. On his making application for the position, In view of the youthful appearance of young Tome. He being rather slight and small in stature. The trustees had decided misgivings as to his ability to control the larger scholars, and to preserve proper discipline in the school. But Tome met this difficulty with confidence, and assured the trustees that they need have no fears, since if he failed as a disciplinarian. He would make no charge for his services. Favorably impressed with the determination of the applicant, the trustees gave him the position, and he was duly installed as a country schoolmaster.

His metal was soon put to the test. A big burly country lad was selected by the insubordinate scholars, to try the courage of the new teacher, He was older, and much Tomes superior physically The schools champion gave the pre concerted offense. The schools master took in the situation at a glance, and met the challenge of the village champ personally as well as officially, he soon put an end to the unequal contest. A pile of lap wood lay beside the old-fashioned tin-plate stove. Tome seized the stick nearest  his hand, and by a few well. directed blows, so chastised his burly pupil, that perfect order was afterwards maintained, and necessary discipline secured.

The branches taught in the school were the ordinary lessons in reading, writing, spelling and arithmetic. The young teacher had been installed in his position but a few days, when he discovered-that some of his pupils were as far if not further advanced in arithmetic than himself. To meet this difficulty, and to keep from, his scholars any suspicion of his deficiency, on a Saturday afternoon, that being a holiday, he walked twenty four miles to a distant town. and procured key to. the arithmetic, to be prepared for this emergency on the opening of his school on Monday morning.

I refer to these two incidents, to illustrate the determination and perseverance that characterized Mr. Tome at that youthful period of his life. After having finished his engagement as school teacher satisfactorily to the trustees, in the Spring of 1833 he came to Port Deposit, and was employed, for a short time at Boggs Hotel. having determined to fit himself for business pursuits, he left. Port Deposit in the following December and went to. Philadelphia. where he studied book-keeping during the Win­ter. On time 23rd of March, 1834, he returned to Port Deposit, and engaged as clerk with Messrs. Downey & Montgomery.

Then lumber dealers, doing business extensively on the old bank wharf. He remained with Downey & Montgomery, devoting himself industriously to business, and exhibiting a rare facility in the acquirement of business knowledge until March, 1835. During this period his activity, industry and business capacity had attracted the attention of David Rinehart, a wealthy banker and lumber merchant of Marietta, Pennsylvania, who usually was in the habit of visiting Port Deposit in the Spring and Fall lumber season., to make sale of Lumber, and transact business with the manufacturers and dealers, with whom he had extensive transactions. In the Spring of this year (1835) Mr. Rinehart proposed a business connection with Mr. Tome, which was accepted by the latter, Mr. Rinehart furnishing $5,000 cash capital, against Tomes services, and the firm of Tome & Rinehart, lumber dealers, commenced business. From 1835 to 1851, this firm had uninterrupted business success, and did the largest business in timber, lumber and shingles that was done on the Susquehanna River by anyone firm. On the dissolution of this partnership by the death of Mr. Rhinehart in 1851, after all the profits that each had drawn from time to time out of the business, the capital invested at the time of the dissolution was ever $100,000. Mr. Edwin .J. Rhinehart, son of David Rhinehart, who, some time previous to the death of his father, had been clerking for the firm of Tome & Rinehart, succeeded to his fathers interest in the business, and the style of the firm was continued is Tome & Rinehart.

This partnership was dissolved in 1853, each partner continuing in the lumber business. In the spring of 1855 Mr. Tome formed a co. partnership with Messrs. John and Thomas Bond, styling the firm Bond Brother & Co., who continue the lumber business originally built up by Jacob Tome, as the active partner of the firm of Tome & Rinehart. The firm of Bond Brother & Co. of which Mr. Tome is the capitalist. In addition to an extensive lumber business done by them at Port Deposit, also owns about twenty thousand acres of timber lands in Pennsylvania, as well as ten thousand acres of similar lands in the State of Michigan. Beside the firm just referred to. Mr. Tome is also largely engaged in the grain. fertilizer and agricultural trade in Port Deposit with his nephew by marriage. Mr. Joseph Reynolds, under the firm of J. Tome & Co. In the year 1849, Mr. Tome formed a business connection with the Messrs. Taylor and John S. Gettings, of Baltimore. who were the owners of the steamer Portsmouth, Plying between Port Deposit and that city, and afterwards purchased the steamers. Lancaster and Junniata of .the opposition line and consolidated the two companies, running the three steamers for passengers and freight, and towing canal boats from the Susquehanna and Tide Water Canal. This, line proved a success, and is still in operation with two side-wheel steamers and three tugs. In the year 1865, this Company, with Capt. Mason I. Weems. organized time Baltimore and Fredericksburg Steamboat Co., running two steamers, the Winnonah and ,Matilda, and continued to run this line until the year 1874, when, after the ,death of Capt. Weems, the Company transferred their interests in the line to his heirs. who now control it. In the course of his extended business transactions, Mr. Tome has become a large property holder. In addition to the numerous dwellings, store houses, wharf and warehouse properties held by him, in Port Deposit, he is also owner of twelve thousand acres of timber land in Porter county, Pennsylvania, in addition to the timber lands held by the firm of Bond Brother & Co. he also owns four or five valuable farms in Cecil county, and farm of three hundred acres in Carol County. It would take a separate letter, to enumerate all the business enterprises in which Mr. Tome is engaged, but only such as are generally known. Since 1840, Mr. Tome has been continuously President of the Baltimore and Susquehanna Steam Company, and is a stockholder and director in the Conowingo Bridge Company. He is a stockholder and director in the Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore  Railroad Company, and a large stockholder in the Delaware Railroad Company, he is also largely Interested In the Port Deposit and Columbia Railroad, in which he is a director, and in Susquehanna, and Tide Water Canal Company, and is the second largest holder of stock in the Ridley Park Association, whose lands are located on the line of the Phila., Wil. & BaIt. Road, near Chester, Pennsylvania. Through his enterprise in connection with Messrs. .J. J.Heckart, Robt. R. Vandiver, and Edwin Wilmer, the outlet lock on the Susquehanna and Tide Water Canal at Bells Ferry, or Lapidum, was constructed, thus enabling canal boats to reach Port Deposit without being compelled to go first to Havre de Grace.

The interest that Mr. Tome has always taken in the business of the town of Port Deposit, led its citizens to show their appreciation of it, by electing him to the office Town Commissioner for more than twenty years, during which time be was frequently President of the Board.

POLITICS
Until the commencement of the war Mr. Tome bad been too much engaged in business, and in time management of his private affairs, to be allured by the inducements of political preferment, He had no time, and possibly no taste for politics, but when the union of the States was threatened, he was ready to spend time and money in its defense and maintenance. In recognition of his firm Union principles, as well as of his superior business qualifications, he was elected by the Union party of Cecil county to the Senate of Maryland, in the Fall of 1863, taking his seat In January following. At this session of 1864, Archibald Sterling, Esq., of Baltimore, the present United States District Attorney for Maryland, was Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Senate, on which committee Mr. Tome held the second place, Wm. J. Jones, Esq., of this county, being a leading member of the house, and Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means. These three gentlemen took the lead in the financial legislation of the session, and which bore very clearly the marks of Mr. Tomes ability as a financier. Although. it was his first session in the Legislature, he displayed a thoroughness of knowledge which few of the oldest members had acquired. He quickly perceived the fact that the sinking fund, which had been organized In the early history of the States financial embarrassment, bad outlived the day of its usefulness, and that the practice of reissuing to the credit of this fund, every bond of the State which was redeemed was cumbersome and objectionable and would in time, create a fund useless for all practical purposes, and which was calculated to excite the cupidity of those .who might have designs upon the public treasury. Mr. Jones embodied this policy In an act passed at that session By this act the State was relieved of the necessity of providing interest .on about four and one half millions of dollars, the State tax was thereby reduced to five cents on the hundred dollars, while the financial condition of the State remained sound and healthy. This legislation, as well as other no less important to the State, established a very enviable reputation for Mr. Tome while in the Senate. and in which he remained until 1867. The business or legislation developed the fact, that be was more than a practical or merely business financier, that he. had studied, and mastered the theory of finance, and his. senatorial colleagues, as well as the business men of the house, found in him a valuable and useful member, whose opinions carried unusual weight. his strict personal integrity, and unwavering opposition to every thing in the shape of legislative corruption, were universally acknowledged, and it was only necessary for him to suspect, that improper means were being used to secure the passage of a measure, to beget his active opposition to It. Although not by practice a speaker, yet Mr. Tome while in the Senate, always expressed his views on important measures, in a very direct amid forcible manner, and was remarkable for the clearness of his statements, and the soundness of his judgment, always commanding marked attention both. in committee, and in the Senate Chamber. This was particularly exhibited In one instanced related to me by a member of the Senate of 1864. A proposition was pending before the Senate, to direct the investment of surplus revenue for the sinking fund in United States bonds, instead of State stock. Mr. Tome, as most of the members of the Senate, had great confidence in these bonds. and the loyal sentiment of the majority of the body consent a strong feeling for measure. It was about to pass, when Mr. Tome, who had considered the subject very carefully, rose, and spoke about five minutes, stating his points so clearly and strikingly, that the opinion of the Senate was gained at once and the measure to compel such investment overwhelmingly defeated and the act passed making it only allowable to do so. A leading member of the Senate remarked afterwards to Mr. Tome, that "I always knew you had capital good sense, but I had no idea you could speak so admirably. Your remarks were as logical as a syllogism and the demonstration as clear as a mathematical one." While in the Senate, Mr. Tomes business judgment in relation to, the railroad bridge at Perryville, served a good purpose. In 1853, the Legislature had granted a charter to the Philadelphia, Wilmington. & Baltimore. Railroad Company to build a bridge across the Susquehanna river .at Perryville. For five years, Mr. Tome, with others, had resisted the passage of this bill, and time "bridge fights" had become notorious as early as 1847, in which year the champion members of the Legislature who opposed the ,project, were Hiram McCullough, in time Senate, and James Henry Jamar, in time House of Delegates. The railroad company finally succeeded, by proposing to build a branch road from Perryville to Port Deposit, and putting two draws, and a side track for general travel over time bridge. In 1864, while Mr. Tome was in the Senate a bill was passed to dispense with time eastern draw of time bridge, and also the general travel way, but by Mr. Tomes influence, the bill before its passage was so amended, as to compel the railroad company to raise the height of the bridge sufficiently to allow tugs and small vessels to pass under it, and also to compel the company to keep a steam tug in attendance at the bridge for the purpose of towing vessels through the draw. In the Fall of 1864, the reform State Convention having met the same year he was again nominated and reelected to the Senate At this time he was appointed Chairman of the Committee on finance, and of the Committee on Chesapeake Bay and its Tributaries, and served on the Committees on Engrossed hula Bills and Insolvent Laws. After Mr. Tome retirement from the Senate, in 1867, he took no part in political matters, until in 1871, when he was unanimously nominated by the Union Republican party of the State, as Governor of Maryland. He was defeated by Wm. Pinkney Whyte, present United States Senator from Maryland, although he carried his own county by a majority of about 150 against a considerable standing Democratic majority.

The Susquehanna Bridge and Bank Company Building later the Tome Bank

BANKING
Of all Mr. Tomes business enterprises, perhaps none have developed more unusual business talents than his banking operations. For a number of years, he was private banker for the business men of Port Deposit. In May, 1850, be, with others, having procured a charter for his Cecil Bank at Port Deposit, opened it with a capital of only $25.000. Its officers were J. Tome, President and Allen Anderson, Cashier, Mr. Tome owning the principal portion of the stock. Banks were not then in very good repute in that town and vicinity. The Susquehanna Bridge & Banking Company, and the Susquehanna Bank, had failed, both located in Port Deposit. The Elkton Branch of the old Maryland Bank. and the Havre de Grace Bank, had also gone under, both near by, so that banking in that locality was rather in disrepute with the people. Beside, this new bank had but $25,000 capital paid in, and was owned and controlled by one man. Very naturally very many persons refused to take the paper of the Cecil Bank, and it was at a discount of from 2 to 3 percent in the cities. Mr. Tome, determining that It should stand on its own merits, and win its way to public confidence and favor. made no provision for its redemption at par in the cities. Many of the customers of the bank were lumbermen from the Upper Susquehanna river counties, who found trouble in using its notes, in consequence of some of the banks in their vicinities refusing to take them on deposit. Mr. Tome, with his usual sagacity and promptness of action, selected the bank most important for his purpose and employed agents in the cities to buy up the notes of this particular Pennsylvania Bank. When he had secured such amount as he deemed sufficient he went to the town in which the bank was located, where he arrived after night. As soon as the bank had opened In the morning, he appeared at its counter, carpet bag in hand. Presenting a small package of its paper, he asked for coin in exchange. This amount received, he drew forth a larger package and demanded gold. This done, he again drew forth a still larger package, and again asked for coin. This being paid him, a still larger package of paper was presented for redemption. The Cashier felt he was getting on the "ragged edge" of things, and desired to know Mr. Tomes name and address, and how much more of their, paper he had for redemption. Mr. Tome made himself known, and avowed his design to compel an arrangement, by which the notes of the Cecil Bank would be received by that bank on deposit. The President was sent for, and after consultation, an amicable understanding was reached between the two bank Presidents.

The Tome Mansion
The capital of the Cecil Bank increased yearly, until $100,000 were paid in, and in 1864, it had a surplus of $100.000. It then became a National Bank, and $100,000 more capital was paid in, making its present capital $300,000. Its present officers are Jacob Tome, President, and Robt. C. Hopkins, Cashier. The Cecil Bank was opened in the banking house of the old Susquehanna Bridge & Banking Company, and continued there until that building was sold by John Glenn and S. Teackle Wallis, trustees, and purchased by Edwin Wilmer, as a residence. The bank was then moved to the basement of the house of the Cashier, Allen Anderson, and was continued there until Mr. Tomes new dwelling and banking house were completed, when the bank was removed to its present location. This building was remodeled In 1869, and was finally completed in 1872. In solidity of construction, in beauty of proportion, and ornamental surroundings, it is not excelled by any residence in the State.

Jacob Tome Mansion and Home of The Cecil Bank in 1872

Mr. Tomes next banking enterprise in Cecil, was to purchase, in 1868, of the Elkton National Bank, with a capital of $100,000, and its reorganization, with Jacob Tome, President, and Richard McFarland, Cashier. In 1868. Mr. Tome opened the Fredericksburg (Va.) Bank, with a capital of $100,000, J. Tome, President, and John M.Wallace, Cashier. Subsequently, he purchased the National Bank at Hagerstown, Md., and removed it to Washington, where. re-chartered and reorganized, it Is now the Citizens National Bank of Washington City, with a capital of $300,000, John A. J. Creswell, President; A. R. -Appleman, Vice-President. As a place of business for this bank, the building of the First National Bank, built and formerly owned by Jay Cooke, located on 15th street, opposite the Treasury Building, was purchased for $72,000.00, and $28,000.00 being expended upon it, it is now conceded to be the finest banking house in the city of Washington. Mr. Tome also a stockholder and director In the Third National, and the Marine Bank of Baltimore, and in the Lock Haven Bank, at Lock Haven, Pennsylvania.

 Tome Memorial Church

Tome Memorial Methodist Church

Tome Memorial Church
On the 6th of December. 1841, Mr. Tome was married to Miss Caroline M. Webb, of Port Deposit, a most estimable lady. The fruit of this marriage was several children. all of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Tome was a member of the. Methodist Church. and although not a member himself, yet Mr. Tome had always been uniform in his attendance there at. In 1865, he conceived the purpose of building a new church edifice and donating it to the Trustees of the M. E. Church in the town of Port Deposit

The structure was commenced and the building completed, and dedicated on the 30th of October, 1871, the dedicatory services being conducted by the Rev Bishop Simpson. At the session of the Wilmington conference, which convened at Port Deposit, on the 18th of March, 1870, the following resolutions were unanimously passed by the Conference, and ordered to be engrossed and presented to Mr. Tome: "

Wilmington Annual Conference­ Of The M. E. Church. "Whereas, This Conference has learned that the beautiful and substantial church edifice in this town now approaching completion, is designed by the Bon. Jacob Tome to be used as a Methodist Episcopal Church; and WHEREAS. It proper that the Conference should give expression to its high appreciation of so noble and appropriate, an offering. and such commendable liberality: therefore. Resolved, That the thanks of this Conference be unanimously presented to Bon. Jacob Tome. of whom it may be said be said, Be loved our people and built them a synagogue. "Resolved that the best reciprocation of this kindness that we can promise is a special remembrance of himself and family in our prayers to Almighty God. Resolved that a copy of the foregoing signed by the President and Secretary of the Conference be suitably engrossed and furnished Mr. Tome.
"Edmund S.Janes, President, "Samuel L. Gracey, Secretary.   Port Deposit, Md., March 18, 1871."

This elegant church edifice was conveyed by Mr. Tome to the Trustees, in trust, for the use of the M.E. Church, of Port Deposit. The building cost in round numbers $55,000.00, and is perhaps the handsomest church in Maryland, outside the cities. But for the facility of obtaining the granite and other material of which the church, is built, and the father fact that it was constructed under Mr. Tomes own personal supervision, such a building almost anywhere else, would have cost $75,000.00. In honor of the donor of so grand a gift, and in appreciation of the generosity that prompted It, It has been incorporated "The Tome Memorial M. E. Church" Surely, this Mount Zion is beautiful to look upon, and will be admired by future generations, and is a standing monument of the success and liberality of Jacob Tome.

Not withstanding the multiplicity and magnitude of all his varied business operations, yet Mr. Tome directs and personally supervises them all he is methodical and punctual, at each, and every place requiring his presence. Amid it all he has preserved his vigor of mind and body by regular and temperate habits. Fortune and favorable circumstances have attended him, but he is a millionaire today because he has been industrious, persevering, farseeing, systematic, economical and cautious, quick to perceive and prompt to act on business opportunities., His wealth. is increasing in geometrical ratio. He is in vigorous health and bids fair, for what all his friends wish him a long life.

Yours truly, G. C.
Guyas Cutas  MD ...Duff"