Thomas Edward Hambleton (1829-1906)

He was born in New Windsor, Carroll Co., Maryland, graduating from St. Mary's College (1849) after which he became involved with manufacturing agricultural implements before entering the dry goods business with his brother. On the outbreak of Civil War, he removed to Richmond, Virginia, where he and several others organized the Richmond Importing & Exporting Company, running the blockades. For that purpose he had a steamer Dare built in Glasgow, Scotland. On his way back to America he was pursued by five warships, and, finding escape impossible, he beached the vessel at Debedue Beach, South Carolina, and blew her up, with the crew and officers escaping in small boats. After the war he returned to Baltimore and with his brother founded a banking house under the name of Hambleton & Co. He was one of the organizers of the Consolidated Gas Company of Baltimore and the Baltimore Warehouse Company, and was for many years the President of the Baltimore Traction Company.