The land for this duplex was sold in 1883 to Robert R. Vandiver (1805-1885) and upon his death it descended through his son, Murray Vandiver (1845-1916) to his heirs. In 1920, Murray’s heirs sold it to Ambrose “Oliver” Cooley (1881-1961) and Margaret Hopkins Cooley who married in 1906 and, most likely, built this duplex home having bought the land and secured a mortgage. Margaret was the daughter of William J. Hopkins of Glenville, Maryland. In 1917 Oliver Cooley was granted a patent for a tomato peeling machine, no doubt an asset at the height of the canning industry.

In 1929, the duplex property was sold at a public sale by mortgage attorney Lee I. Hecht to J. Clarence Brown (1882-1936) and his wife, Nellie McCombs Brown (1887-1970). Nellie’s sister was Hanawalt Vesta McCombs, and their father was William Sivard McCombs (1850-1928), who was owner of the Havre de Grace Republican and held prominent positions in the city, including Mayor and City Treasurer. Nellie’s husband J. Clarence Brown died in 1936 but she continued to own this property for the next 34 years until her death in 1970. She was living in Baltimore at the time of her death so this was probably a rental property then as it is now. Nellie Brown bequeathed the property to her two children, F. Elizabeth Williams and William S. Brown who together sold it in 1972 to George and Margaret Gunn.

After four years the Gunns sold this house in 1976 before moving to South Carolina. They sold it to Norman “Norm” Standiford and Linda H. Standiford, who lived in Aberdeen. “Norm,” who was born in Havre de Grace in 1951, worked as an electrician, belonged to Rock Run United Methodist Church, and died in Harford Memorial Hospital in 2017. Norm and Linda’s son, Jeffrey Standiford, is married to Patricia Vincenti Standiford, daughter of well-known duck decoy carver Pat Vincenti and his wife, Jeanne Vincenti.

This duplex home and large lot continue to be owned by Linda H. Standiford and appears to be an investment property.

County Records
Built 1940. 1896 sq ft, 2 stories with basement, 2 baths, 8000 sq ft lot.