Frank S. Revell
Anne Arundel County Court Clerk, 1927-1933
MSA SC 3520-13111
Biography:
Frank Southern Revell was born on April 23, 1861 in St. Margaret's. He was the son of Dr. William Theodore and Mrs. Rhoda Hodges Chairs Revell. He and his siblings, Harry May, William Theodore, Jr., Maria Priscilla, Rhoda Hodges, Edward John Worrell, Mary Elizabeth, and Sarah Agnes Nolen grew up on their family farm.1 He was also a cousin of William Martin Brady who served as Clerk of the Court twice. Revell married Miss Mary Frances (Fannie) Chaney on November 27, 1883 and together they lived on a 350-acre truck farm on Marley Creek. He worked as a farmer until the couple moved to Glen Burnie around 1923. There he worked as a foreman for a county road crew.2 Revell and his wife had one son, Frank S. Revell, Jr., and four daughters, Mrs. Rhoda Bayless, Mrs. Rida Whiddecombe, Elizabeth Thompson, and Edna May.3
Revell's first attempt at local politics was a successful campaign for County Sheriff in 1897. He served in that position until 1899. He served as Sheriff again from 1909 to 1911.4 In 1915 he served on the State Shellfish Commission. Toward the end of his time on the commission he became the leader of the Democratic Party in Anne Arundel County, a result of the1918 death of Dr. George Wells. Wells had been a tireless party leader so Revell had a tough act to follow. Revell continued working for the state, serving as a Clerk for the State Treasurer's Office under John M. Dennis and then working in the State Land Office as an under clerk.5
Revell returned to county politics in 1926 when he ran for Clerk of the Court. He won the election and was sworn in on January 3, 1927. He was re-elected again in 1930, but resigned from the office in 1933 to honor his appointment as the United States Immigration Commissioner for Maryland. In 1940 he became an Assistant U.S. Marshall and in 1941 he was a real estate advisor for the Sandy Point ferry road.6 Throughout his political career, he continued to work on behalf of the Democratic party. Like Wells, Revell was an influential leader for the party on all levels. He was quite revered by many, as evidenced by a party given in his honor in 1937 at the former Carvel Hall. There was quite a crowd and Revell was presented with the cane that once belonged to Wells.7
On October 7, 1943 Revell died from the aftereffects of a stroke which occurred a few days before. He was 82 years old. He was buried at Cedar Hill Cemetary with his wife who had died in 1930.8 The worth of his estate was estimated at $12,363, including his house and lot in Glen Burnie, a 1941 Buick automobile, and various stocks.9 Upon hearing of Revell's death, Democratic Governor Herbert R. O'Conor issued a tribute which praised him as "a sympathetic and understanding person full of energy who was able to change with the times and help the county progress."10
Biographical Profile-
Born - Frank Southern Revell born April 23, 1861 at St. Margaret's
Family - son of Dr. William Theodore and Mrs. Rhoda Hodges Chairs Revell; Harry May, James (died in infancy), William Theodore, Jr., Maria Priscilla, Rhoda Hodges, Edward John Worrell, Mary Elizabeth, Sarah Anges Nolen; grew up on family farm; Revell family one of oldest families in Annapolis (McIntire)
Education -
Occupation - farmer; owned 350-acre truck farm on Marley Creek, then moved to Glen Burnie around 1923; foreman for county road crew; member of the Elks
Married - Miss Mary Frances Chaney on November 27, 1883 (McIntire) who died in 1930
Children - four daughters: Mrs. Rhoda Bayless, Mrs. Rida Whiddecombe, Elizabeth Thompson, and Edna May (died of influenza in 1918); one son: Frank S. Revell, Jr.(McIntire/Capital)
Political Highlights -
1897-1899, Sheriff
1915-1919, State Shellfish Commission
1918, leader of Democratic Party in Anne Arundel County - selected for this position after the death of long-term leader Dr. George Wells, which he held until his death
Clerk for State Treasurer's Office
position in State Land Office
1926, elected Clerk of the Court for Anne Arundel County - sworn in January 3, 1927 (Test Book)
1930 - re-elected to the Clerk's position, but a close election versus Republican Frank A. Munroe - Revell 6966 votes to Munroe's 6761 votes; Revell resigned in 1933
1933, United States Immigration Commissioner for Maryland - served until the position was eliminated
1940, Assistant U.S. Marshal
1941, Real Estate Advisor on Sandy Point ferry road
Miscellaneous Political Notes -
Like Wells, Revell was an influential leader for the Democratic party on all levels. He was quite revered by many, as evidenced by a party given in his honor in 1937 at the former Carvel Hall. There was quite a crowd and Revell was presented with the cane that once belonged to Wells. Governor Herbert R. O'Conor issued a tribute to Revell after his death which praised him as a sympathetic and understanding person full of energy who was able to change with the times and help the county progress.
Death - October 7, 1943 from a stroke which occurred a few days previous at the age of 82; buried at Cedar Hill Cemetary with his wife; the worth of his estate was estimated at $12,363, including his house and lot in Glen Burnie, 1941 Buick automobile, and various stocks
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