Neilson Poe
Encyclopedia
Judge Neilson Poe was an American
judge
for the City of Baltimore's orphan's court, (today referred to as a probate court). He was initially appointed to the court by Maryland Governor John Lee Carroll
in 1878 and elected to the position in November 1879. He held on to the position until 1883.
He also worked as the Director of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
, as well as a state director for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. He also was an editor for several newspapers, such as the Frederick Examiner, the Federal Gazette and the Baltimore Chronicle
, for which he was also the proprietor.
Neilson was also a cousin of the poet, Edgar Allan Poe
. His wife, Josephine E. Clemm was a sister of the poet's wife, Virginia Eliza Clemm Poe
. However while still family, Edgar and Neilson were rivials. At one time, Edgar referred to Neilson as "the bitterest enemy he had in the world". The reasoning behind this charge is unknown. On October 3, 1849, Edgar Allan Poe in backroom of Ryan's inn and tavern, delirious. Neilson attempted to visit Edgar in the hospital and subsequently wrote several letters containing information about his cousin's death. Soon afterwards Edgar died. Edgar's hearse and a headstone of white Italian marble, were paid for by Neilson.
He was the father of John P. Poe, Sr., the Attorney General of Maryland
from 1891 until 1895. His grandsons consisted of the seven Poe brothers, who played American football
at Princeton
between 1882 and 1901.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
for the City of Baltimore's orphan's court, (today referred to as a probate court). He was initially appointed to the court by Maryland Governor John Lee Carroll
John Lee Carroll
John Lee Carroll , a member of the United States Democratic Party, was the 37th Governor of Maryland from 1876 to 1880.-Early life:...
in 1878 and elected to the position in November 1879. He held on to the position until 1883.
He also worked as the Director of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, abbreviated as the C&O Canal, and occasionally referred to as the "Grand Old Ditch," operated from 1831 until 1924 parallel to the Potomac River in Maryland from Cumberland, Maryland to Washington, D.C. The total length of the canal is about . The elevation change of...
, as well as a state director for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. He also was an editor for several newspapers, such as the Frederick Examiner, the Federal Gazette and the Baltimore Chronicle
Baltimore Chronicle
The Baltimore Chronicle, founded as The City Dweller, is a small free, independent, "ma-and-pa" monthly alternative newspaper. It was founded by Larry Krause in April 1973 and incorporated as Schenley Press, Inc. in 1976, when the paper adopted its present name...
, for which he was also the proprietor.
Neilson was also a cousin of the poet, Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe was an American author, poet, editor and literary critic, considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story and is considered the inventor of the detective...
. His wife, Josephine E. Clemm was a sister of the poet's wife, Virginia Eliza Clemm Poe
Virginia Eliza Clemm Poe
Virginia Eliza Clemm Poe was the wife of American writer Edgar Allan Poe. The couple were first cousins and married when Virginia Clemm was 13 and Poe was 27...
. However while still family, Edgar and Neilson were rivials. At one time, Edgar referred to Neilson as "the bitterest enemy he had in the world". The reasoning behind this charge is unknown. On October 3, 1849, Edgar Allan Poe in backroom of Ryan's inn and tavern, delirious. Neilson attempted to visit Edgar in the hospital and subsequently wrote several letters containing information about his cousin's death. Soon afterwards Edgar died. Edgar's hearse and a headstone of white Italian marble, were paid for by Neilson.
He was the father of John P. Poe, Sr., the Attorney General of Maryland
Attorney General of Maryland
The Attorney General of Maryland is the chief legal officer of the State of Maryland in the United States and is elected by the people every four years with no term limits...
from 1891 until 1895. His grandsons consisted of the seven Poe brothers, who played American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
at Princeton
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
between 1882 and 1901.
See also
- Death of Edgar Allan PoeDeath of Edgar Allan PoeThe death of Edgar Allan Poe on October 7, 1849, has remained mysterious: the circumstances leading up to it are uncertain and the cause of death is disputed. On October 3, Poe was found delirious on the streets of Baltimore, Maryland, "in great distress, and ... in need of immediate assistance",...
- Poe brothers
- John P. Poe, Sr.