SKETCHES OF MEMBERS OP THE SENATE. 291

firm until 1871, when Mr. Joseph B. Seth returned to Talbot
County, and has since practiced law in the courts of said county.

Mr. Seth sat in the Legislature as a Delegate for Talbot
County in the sessions of 1874, 1884, 1886, during the latter
term being Speaker of the House.

By appointment of Governor Robert M. McLane, in 1884,
Mr. Seth served as Judge-Advocate-General, with the rank of
Brigadier, and was re-appointed by Governor Lloyd, and again
commissioned by Governor Jackson. In 1890 he was appointed
Commander of the State Fishery Force, and held this position
for three years, resigning in July, 1903.

In politics he has always been a Democrat. He is a member
of the Protestant Episcopal Church and a Mason; he is also
a member of the Maryland Historical Society.

Mr. Seth was first married in 1879, his wife being Miss Sallie
Goldsborough Barnett, daughter of Alexander H. Barnett, of
Talbot County, and a granddaughter of Dr. John Barnett, a
well-known physician of that county for many years.

His wife died in August, 1881, and her only child, a son, in
September, 1881.

Mr. Seth married a-second time in June, 1892, Miss Mary S.
Walker, daughter of Rev. Albert Rhett Walker, of South Car-
olina, a granddaughter of Bishop William Boone, first Mis-
sionary Bishop to China.

Mr. Seth is devoted to athletic sports, attending baseball
games whenever convenient, and is fond of tennis and golf;
besides this he is an enthusiast in fox hunting and coon hunt-
ing. He is also a lover of the water and an admirer of the gun
and dog, being a member of the Maryland and District of Co-
lumbia Field Trial Association, and sometimes acting as judge
of their trial.

Washington County—B. ABNER BETTS, Democrat—Chews-
ville.

Mr. Betts was born January 8, 1852. At the age of twenty
he purchased a half interest in his father's store, and later
engaged in the grain and fertilizer business. In 1889 Mr.
Betts was elected a County Commissioner, being the only
Democrat elected on the ticket that year. In 1891 he was
elected a director of the Western Maryland Railroad, serving
four years. In 1895 he again received the nomination for
County Commissioner, but was defeated with the balance of
his ticket. In 1897 he was elected a member of the Legisla-
ture. In 1899 he received from his party a unanimous nomi-
nation for the State Senate, and was elected. In 1903 he was
again renominated by acclamation for the same office, and was
elected.