John Woodland CRISFIELD, Congress, MD (1806-1897)

CRISFIELD, John Woodland, a Representative from Maryland; born near Chestertown, Kent County, Md., November 8, 1806; was educated at Washington College, Chestertown; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1830 and commenced practice in Princess Anne, Somerset County; member of the State house of representatives in 1836; elected as a Whig to the Thirtieth Congress (March 4, 1847-March 3, 1849); delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1850; member of the peace conference of 1861 held in Washington, D.C., in an effort to devise means to prevent the impending war; elected as a Unionist to the Thirty-seventh Congress (March 4, 1861-March 3, 1863); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1862 to the Thirty-eighth Congress; resumed the practice of law; delegate to the Union National Convention at Philadelphia in 1866; located and founded the town of Crisfield, Somerset County, Md., in 1866; instrumental in building the Eastern Shore Railroad and served as president; died in Princess Anne, Md., on January 12, 1897; interment in Manokin Presbyterian Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present