Portrait from the Snow Hill Democrat Messenger, October 11, 1951.
What isn't humorous about the first name Nutter? Lifelong Maryland resident Nutter Jerome Wimbrow packed an incredible amount of activity into his near nine decades of life, being at various times a grocer, general store owner, banker, one-term state representative, and member of the Maryland state athletic commission. The son of Moses Nutter and Laura Ann (Ward) Wimbrow, Nutter Jerome Wimbrow was born in Worcester County, Maryland on October 5, 1867. His early life was spent in the Salisbury, Maryland area and at an early age entered into the grocery business in that city, continuing until his removal to Whaleyville, also in Worcester County.
Following his relocation to Whaleyville, Wimbrow founded a "large general store" that he would continue to run until several years prior to his death. In addition to that store, Wimbrow was engaged in a number of other business ventures throughout his long life, including the operation of a sawmill. Wimbrow also went into business with his brothers Robert Stansbury and Peter Ayres, and this business, the Petey Manufacturing Co., manufactured strawberry crates, and peach and tomato baskets. This business also saw the brothers have substantial lumber holdings which they later expanded "into the southern states." Wimbrow is also noted in his 1957 obituary as having operated a tomato canning plant for a time.
Nutter J. Wimbrow married in Maryland in 1892 to Sallie Mary Dale (1873-1951), to whom he was wed for nearly sixty years. The couple's lengthy union saw the births of three children, Peter Dale (1895-1954), Madge (born 1899), and Nutter Jerome Jr. (1910-1983). Of these children, Peter Dale Wimbrow would find success in radio, writing, and music, being the composer of several popular songs during the 1920s and later founded the Indian River News, which ceased publication in 1966.
Wimbrow made his first run for the Maryland House of Delegates in 1899, running on the Prohibition platform while also being endorsed by the Republicans. Though he would lose that election, he again made a legislative run in 1915 (this time as a candidate of the People's Party) and was this time successful. Serving in the 1916-18 session, Wimbrow would be named to the committees on Immigration and Ways and Means.
From the Salisbury Times, August 4, 1936.
Following his one term in the house, Wimbrow returned to his business interests in Whaleyville and engaged in banking, being a director of the Calvin B. Taylor Bank of Berlin, Maryland, and was president of the Truckers and Savings Bank of Pittsfield, retiring from that post in January 1954. He returned to public office in 1936 when he was appointed by Governor Harry Whinna Nice as a member of the Maryland State Athletic Commission, a body responsible for overseeing boxing and wrestling events in the state. Wimbrow served on the commission until 1941, being succeeded by Baltimore resident Robert Sindell.
Nutter J. Wimbrow continued to be active in the affairs of his county well into his eighties, and his 84th and 85th birthdays received front-page mention in the Snow Hill Democratic Messenger. Widowed in 1951, Nutter Jerome Wimbrow died at his son Nutter's home in Whaleyville on September 15, 1957, a few weeks shy of his 90th birthday. Both he and his wife Sallie were interred at the Dale Cemetery in Worcester County.
From the Salisbury Times.
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