USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Sixth congressional district, Maryland V. 2 > Part 1
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01706 9045
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Portrait and biographical record of the 6th Congressional District Maryland
PORTRAIT AND
BIOGRAPHICAL
REGORD
OF THE SIXTH CONGRESSIONAL 6h DISTRICT
MARYLAND
v.2 -Pz. 2
Containing Portraits and Biographies of many well known Citizens of the Past and Present.
Together with Portraits and Biographies of all the Presidents of the United States.
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CHAPMAN PUBLISHING COMPANY
NEW YORK
CHICAGO
1898
563
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Allen County Public Library ninieinge) 900 Webster Street PO Box 2270 Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270 \ rive nasflisyol
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
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of Alfred Wallace, a music teacher of genius and well known in Frederick; Mollie May, Margaret E. and Carrie, all at home. C. F., the eldest son, married Miss Kate Layphert, of this city. The pleasant home of the family is located on the lot adjoining the bottling plant. They are all members of the Reformed Church.
- RANKLIN BUCHANAN SMITH, M. D., one of the most prominent physicians of Frederick County, was born in the city of Frederick, April 10, 1856, and is the son of George and Mary (Nixdorff) Smith. He is of German ancestry, being descended from John Schmid (the original spelling of the name), who emigrated from Germany in 1730, and settled up- on a large plantation in Maryland, buying land that was situated in the southwestern part of the Monocacy Valley. For this he obtained grants from Charles Calvert, Lord Baltimore, and the documents are now in the possession of Dr. F. B. Smith, the subject of this sketch. His naturali- zation papers were granted him in 1761, and are signed by Thomas Gibbling, clerk of the court.
During the war of the Revolution, John Smith . served in the colonial army. He died in 1785. His son, George, born June 12, 1776, succeeded him in the management of the estate, and was actively connected with the agricultural interests of Frederick County, also a prominent and hon- ored member of the Lutheran Church. His death occurred October 26, 1832. Next in line of de- scent was George, Jr., our subject's father, who was born in Frederick County January 31, 1807. After receiving a thorough education in the pub- lic schools, he engaged in agricultural pursuits, following that calling during the earlier years of his life, and with well-merited success. Later he dealt in farm property and other real estate. His possession of great executive ability, high integ- rity and many lovable traits of character, caused him to attain a most prominent position as a citi- zen of his county and state. For many years he
served as judge of the orphans' court, his admin- istration of its affairs giving unbounded satisfac- tion to all concerned. He was also chosen by his fellow-citizens as referee in many disputes affect- ing their interests, and in many instances was in- strumental in bringing about an amicable adjust- ment of their difficulties without recourse to the law. He was also called upon to settle many es- tates, and secured the disposition of more inter- ests of this nature than any man before or since in Frederick County. His charities were many and varied, though always given in an unosten- tatious manner. He was one of the organizers of the Frederick County Bank, and served as a director of that institution until his death. In Masonic circles he was prominent; was a member of Columbia Lodge No. 58, A. F. & A. M., and a past master of the same. Politically he was a Democrat. He was an active and progressive citizen, prominently identified with the business, social and religious life of his county. His death occurred September 14, 1871.
On the maternal side Dr. Smith is descended from Samuel Nixdorff, who with several brothers settled in Maryland shortly after the close of the war of independence. Hecame from Bethlehem, Pa., and settled in Frederick. His father, John George Nixdorff, was born at Schiefer, Silesia, Germany, February 22, 1700, and emigrated to America in 1730, settling in Bethlehem, Pa., where he died September 22, 1785. Samuel Nix- dorff (born April 18, 1745) was engaged in the manufacture of wagons, and carried on a general blacksmithing business as well. He served in the colonial army throughout the Revolutionary war. He died March 1, 1824. His death, though occurring some time after the close of the war, was due to the effects of hardships and ex- posures endured in behalf of his country. His son, Henry (born December 25, 1780), whose daughter, Mary Nixdorff, became the mother of Dr. Smith, was one of the pioneer merchants and land owners of Frederick County, and was active- ly identified with the growth and development of the varied resources of his section. During the War of 1812 he served in Schley's brigade. He died May 4, 1859.
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Franklin Buchanan Smith received his primary and college-preparatory education in Frederick Academy. Later he entered Princeton College, from which he graduated with the degree of A. B., in 1876. Three years later the same institu- tion bestowed upon him the honorary degree of A. M. During the latter years of his college life he had evinced a decided preference for the medi- cal profession, and had begun his studies along this line some little time previous to his gradua- tion. In the fall of 1876 he entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, and two years later graduated with the degree of M. D., securing the added honor of the prize for anatomy, there being but two other prizes offered that year. Subsequent to the close of his medi- cal education, he served as substitute resident physician in the Blockley and Presbyterian hos- pitals of Philadelphia, the practice covering a period of some six months.
In the fall of 1878 he located permanently at his old home, Frederick, and established his present practice. A careful and thorough stu- dent, who possesses in a marked degree the char- acteristics necessary to success in his chosen pro- fession, he has succeeded in building up a large and remunerative practice, and is recognized as one of the county's prominent practitioners. From 1886 to 1895 he served as health officer, and was instru- mental in securing the adoption of many meas- ures beneficial to the public health, as well as several sanitary improvements. For several years he has been a member of the American Medical Association, the Medical and Chirurgi- cal Faculty of Maryland, the Frederick County Medical Society and the Association of Surgeons of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. For ten years he served as a member of the United States Pen- sion Board for Frederick County, was local sur- geon for the Pennsylvania Railroad from 1880 to 1883, and since 1890 has held a similar position with the Baltimore & Ohio road. From 1890 to 1898 he was attendant physician and surgeon to Montevue Hospital, and is now serving on the state board of medical examiners. In the admin- istration of the duties of these several positions he has received the commendation of all, and has
fulfilled every obligation with promptitude and marked ability.
Dr. Smith is prominent in Masonic circles, be- ing a member of Columbia Lodge No. 58, A. F. & A. M .; Enoch Chapter, R. A. M .; and Jacques DeMolay Commandery, K. T., of Frederick. Aside from his professional interests, he is a pro- gressive and enterprising citizen, ever ready with time and means to assist any enterprise cal- culated to advance the welfare of the community. He is treasurer of the proposed Frederick, Thur- mont & Northern Electric Railway, and has other interests of a like nature.
October 29, 1879, Dr. Smith married Charlotte, daughter of Col. George R. Dennis, a prominent and influential citizen of Frederick. She died January 21, 1889, leaving three children: F. Buchanan, Jr., Alice McPherson and Charlotte Patterson, who through their mother are lineal descendants of Thomas Johnson, Maryland's first governor. The second marriage of Dr. Smith took place September 21, 1892, and united him with Anne Grahame Dennis, a sister of his first wife. Dr. and Mrs. Smith are prominent in so- cial and religious circles of the city, and their refined hospitality is much sought by their large circle of friends.
L. RITTER, D. D. S., came to Frostburg and opened the dental apartments he now occupies, in April, 1893. He has a central and pleasant location on the ground floor, on Broadway, near Union, his rooms being known as the Frostburg dental parlors. In addition to the regular course of study which he took in order to prepare himself for his profession, he has also taken a special course under Prof. J. W. Smith, of Baltimore, in difficult dental opera- tions and crown and bridge work, so that he is well prepared to do satisfactory work and please the most critical. His rooms are filled with the latest and most approved appliances for the proper prosecution of the work. To secure the
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painless extraction of teeth he uses an improved tical work gained by study with his brother local anasthetic that is the most successful and satisfactory yet originated.
In Edenburg, Shenandoah County, Va., the subject of this sketch was born February 29, 1868. He is a descendant of one of the oldest families of the Shenandoah Valley, one that has always been prominently identified with the growth and development of that section. I. H. Ritter, the doctor's father, was engaged in the hotel business in Edenburg, and also for years carried on a farm in Shenandoah County. In political faith he was an unswerving ally of the among the most prominent in western Maryland. Democratic party. By his marriage to Amanda Grandstaff four sons were born who are now living. They are: Dr. P. P. Ritter, of Meyers- dale, Pa .; J. A., who also resides in that place; W. G., who is engaged in farming in Virginia; and I. L., of this sketch.
In the public schools and Cedar Hill Seminary at Edenburg our subject received his education. He prepared for work as a teacher by attending the normal at Meyersdale, and after his grad- uation he taught for one year. So well was he adapted to the work and so successful as an instructor, that the board of education offered every inducement to him to continue teaching, but he had a taste for dentistry and was deter- mined to fit himself for the profession. With this purpose in view he entered the office of Dr. P. P. Ritter, his eldest brother, and there acquired a thorough knowledge of the rudiments of the work, becoming familiar with the me- chanical part of the profession and the operations of lesser importance. Desiring to perfect him- self in the higher branches of the profession, he took a two years' course in the Baltimore Col- lege of Dental Surgery, from which he graduated with the degree of D. D. S. in 1892.
Returning to Meyersdale he formed a partner- ship with his brother, and the two continued together for one year. In April, 1893, he came to Frostburg, where he has since engaged in practice. By his recognized skill in the profession he has established a reputation for reliable work. His previous experience and study have been most helpful to him. His knowledge of prac-
enabled him to more fully appreciate and under- stand the work in the college, and assisted him in his practice at the clinics. He is still a student of the profession, desiring to keep pace with every improvement made therein and intro- ducing into his practice such as he deems prac- tical. In matters of politics he votes the Demo- cratic ticket, but has never identified himself closely with the local work of the party, prefer- ring to concentrate his attention exclusively upon his profession, in which he is recognized as
OHN H. PARROTT, superintendent of the American Coal Company at Lonaconing, is a native of Virginia, and was born in Fau- quier County in 1849. He is a grandson of Augustin Parrott, who came to America in the boat that brought hither the father of George Washington. Settling in the Old Dominion, he first made his home in Westmoreland County, but later removed to Mathews County, where his son, John H. Parrott, Sr., was born in 1809. The latter was educated in Hanover Academy and the University of Virginia. His active life was devoted to merchandising at Petersburg, Richmond and Alexandria, Va., and the manage- ment of his plantation in Fauquier County, Va. Though not active in public affairs, he was firm in his opinions and always voted the Democratic ticket. In youth he became a member of the Presbyterian Church, and from the age of twenty- three until his death, at seventy-five years, he served as an elder.
In 1832 John H. Parrott, Sr., was united in marriage with Elizabeth E., daughter of Capt. Elias and Sarah B. (Fitzhugh) Edmunds. Her father, who was a man of powerful physique and great strength, served as an officer in the War of 1812, and one of the treasured family relics is the uniform and sword that he wore while in the service, His wife was a daughter of Colonel Fitz-
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hugh, of Prospect Hill. The old Fitzhugh burying ground at Prospect Hill, with its tomb- stones all in a good state of preservation, is now in the possession of descendants of the family. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Parrott consisted of eight children. Sarah, the eldest, died in in- fancy; Ann, the second-born, is also deceased; Augusta and Helen reside in Alexandria; Eliza- beth married William A. Sinoot, of Alexandria, and died in 1869; Roberta Wallace became the wife of Robert Harper, of Leesburg; the subject of this sketch was next in order of birth, while the youngest son was William Temple, deceased. The youngest son was named after the celebrated Temple family of London, through whom, by marriage with the Fleets (after whom Fleet street in London is named), the Parrotts are de- scended.
The subject of this narrative was the recipient of excellent educational advantages. For a time he was a student in Alexandria Academy, after which he studied pharmacy and graduated under Dr. Richard H. Stabler. He then took a course in mathematics at the University of Virginia, from which he graduated in 1865. March 9, 1866, he entered the service of the American Coal Com- pany at Alexandria, Va. Since that time he has been continuously in the employ of the company. In 1874 he was made agent and assistant to the general superintendent. Ten years later he went to New York as general agent for the company, and in 1888 came to Lonaconing as assistant superintendent, becoming superintendent in 1891. Under his supervision there are over five hundred men, and the annual output of the mines under his charge averages a half million tons of coal.
Though his name has often been mentioned in connection with some public position, Mr. Parrott has steadily refused to accept any office. He usually votes the Democratic ticket, but is in- clined to be independent in his views. In relig- ious belief he is identified with the Protestant Episcopal Church. He is a lover of fine dogs and owns several of the noted St. Bernard breed. He is a member of the American Kennel Club of the United States and the St. Bernard Club of America.
The home of Mr. Parrott is one of the most attractive residences in Lonaconing. He was first married April 20, 1877, to Catherine E. Uhler, of Alexandria, Va., and one child, now deceased, was born of their union, the wife and mother passing away February 29, 1888. The second marriage of Mr. Parrott took place June 19, 1895, which united him with Josephine Crom- well, daughter of Dr. Benjamin Cromwell, of Eckhart Mines, Allegany County. One daugh- ter, Elizabeth Carter, blesses their union.
Socially Mr. Parrott possesses qualities of a high order. Liberally educated, a fine conversa- tionalist, of polite and agreeable manners, he is at home in the most select circles of society. He is a man of culture and refinement, with the broad outlook of mind that comes only after travel and study. In impulse he is generous, in temperament sanguine, a man with whom it is a privilege to meet and converse.
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ANIEL E. FISHER, of Cumberland, has been employed on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad since he was twenty-one years of age. After one year of service as brakeman and almost seven years as fireman he was promoted to the position of engineer on the main line. For two years he ran engine No. 284, pulling a local passenger train from Martinsburg to Grafton. His next engine was No. 622, which he ran for one year, and then for ten years he had engine No .- 618. Later he was given his present run between Cumberland, Md., and Grafton, W. Va., having engine No. 1342, on the mail and express service. This engine, which was a ten-wheeler, was man- ufactured at the Baltimore Locomotive Works for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and was placed on exhibition at the World's Fair in 1893. The first to operate it was Mr. Fisher, who used it for eighteen months. When it was sent to another division, he took No. 1303, and one year later was given No. 1317, a new engine of seventy-one tons, which he was the first to operate and which
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is one of the most powerful engines on the road. On the regular run he averages between thirty- five hundred and four thousand miles per month.
Born in Allegany County, Md., September 5, 1849, Mr. Fisher is a son of John D. and Mar- garet S. (Cresap) Fisher. His grandfather, John Fisher, was a native of Maryland and spent the most of his life on a farm within three miles of Cumberland, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits. John D. Fisher bought the old Cresap farm, located six miles east of Cumberland, and there he engaged in tilling the soil until his death. He was a man of sterling character, re- spected by all, but in disposition was rather retiring and took no part in public affairs. For fifty years he was connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church as an officer, being trustee, steward and class-leader. In politics he was a stanch follower of the principles enunciated by Thomas Jefferson.
In the family of John D. Fisher there were nine daughters and four sons. Two of these died in childhood, John W., at the age of six, and Amanda when three years of age. The others are named as follows: Daniel E .; Ellen, wife of John Knight, who occupies a farm near our sub- ject; Sanford, who is engaged in the mercantile business in Cumberland; Emma, Mrs. Oliver S. Wilson, deceased; Richard, who occupies the homestead; Sarah, wife of Conda Castile, of Bed- ford County, Pa .; Victoria, who married Peter Donahoe, of Bedford County; Martha, wife of Michael Donahoe, of Allegany County; Maude, deceased wife of Thomas Robison, of Bedford County; Maggie, wife of Charles Metz, who is bookkeeper in the Second National Bank of Cumberland; and Rebecca, who is unmarried.
Since the age of twenty-one years the subject of this sketch has been a railroad man. He has the reputation of being one of the most efficient and reliable engineers on the road. During his twenty-seven years of railroad life he has never had a serious accident, and his painstaking serv- ice is appreciated by both the railroad company and the traveling public. He holds the principal office, that of chief engineer, in the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Cumberland Division
No. 437, and was elected to represent his division in the international convention at St. Louis in May, 1898. Politically he is a Democrat. In the Center Street Methodist Episcopal Church of Cumberland he was for six years a class-leader and is now a trustee. Fraternally he is con- nected with Ohr Lodge No. 131, A. F. & A. M., Salem Chapter No. 18, R. A. M., and Anti- och Commandery No. 6, K. T., of Cumberland.
November 23, 1875, Mr. Fisher married Per- melia, daughter of John and Emma Garner, of Cumberland. They are the parents of two sons and two daughters: Clara B., George M., Lulu M. and Robert Lee (the latter a namesake of General Lee), all of whom have received educa- tional advantages in the schools of this city.
OHN STIGERS, cashier of the Hancock Bank, of Hancock, Washington County, was the prime factor in the organization of this now flourishing financial institution. In 1894 he called a meeting of citizens of the town for the purpose of organizing a bank and at this meeting an organization was effected and books were opened for stock. The bank was opened for business June 29, 1894, with E. B. Cohill as president, John Stigers as cashier and a board of seven directors chosen from among the stock- holders. A general banking business is done and the bank has proved most helpful to the business interests of the town.
The Stigers family was represented among the early settlers of New Jersey. Our subject's grandfather, John Stigers, is a native of New Jersey, but with his father, Adam, removed to Fulton County, Pa., where he engaged in farm pursuits until his death. Adam died in 1790 and was buried in Fulton County. The father of our subject, Baltus Stigers, is a native of Fulton County, but when young removed to Washington County, Md., where he engaged in agricultural pursuits, becoming the owner of several hundred acres of land. Politically he has been a life-long
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Democrat, and in younger years was a leader in the widow of Frank Everett, of Osage, Kan .; public affairs in his community. He continues Caroline, wife of E. W. Jones, a contractor and builder residing in Oneida County; and Louise, wife of Dr. J. J. Jones, of Wilmington, Del. to reside on his farm, and though ninety years of age, is remarkably active and well preserved. His wife, Catherine, was a daughter of John and Catherine (Breathed) Hunter, natives of Ireland and Maryland respectively. She attained the great age of ninety years and passed from earth May 18, 1898. She was a sister of Ranney W. Hunter, the sole survivor of the Hunter family. In her family there were three children: James H .; Alice, who died at twenty-eight years; and John, who was born near Hancock.
In private and public schools our subject ob- tained his education, to which he has added by subsequent study and observation. He acted as administrator for a number of estates and carried on general farming, cultivating the old home- stead where he still resides. Since 1894, as before stated, he has been connected with the Hancock Bank. His attention is very closely given to the details of the banking business. It is largely through his efforts that the bank has gained a place among the solid financial institu- tions of the county. Giving his time almost wholly to this work, he has little opportunity to engage actively in political affairs; however, he keeps well posted concerning the issues of the age and gives his support to the Democratic party. In religion he is identified with the Episcopal Church and for some years has acted as vestry- man in the church at Hancock.
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IMOTHY GRIFFITH, M. D., a prominent physician and surgeon at Frostburg, was born in Steuben, Oneida County, N. Y., August 1, 1861, and is a son of Griffith T. and Eleanor (Jones) Griffith. His father, of direct Welsh descent, is a son of Timothy Griffith, Sr., and was born in Oneida County, where he has spent his entire life upon a farm, engaging in agricult- ural pursuits. In the parental family there were four children, namely: Timothy; Esther, who is
Upon the home farm in Oneida County the boyhood days of our subject were uneventfully passed. His education was received in the com- mon schools and Whitestown Seminary. At the age of about twenty-one he began the study of medicine under Dr. William M. James, of Utica, Oneida County, and shortly afterward entered the medical department connected with the Uni- versity of the city of New York, from which he graduated in 1887 with the degree of M. D. Afterward, desiring to increase his fund of pro- fessional knowledge, he took a post-graduate course in the Post-Graduate College of New York, and also studied under Professor Thomp- son in the Bellevue College Hospital. Going to Utica, N. Y., in 1887, he opened an office and there practiced for a year, but in 1888 he came to Frostburg, where he has since established an enviable reputation for skill in his profession. For five years he was a member of the board of health of this place. He is a member of the Allegany County Medical Association and he served as vice-president of the same and in the George Creek Medical Association serves as treas- urer; he is also identified with the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland, The Tri-State Medical Association and the American Medical Association.
While his professional connections have en- grossed the larger part of his time, yet he has kept himself posted concerning the questions before the country and is well informed upon all the national issues. His adherence politically is given to the Republican party, and upon this ticket, in 1897, he was elected a member of the city council of Frostburg. He is also a director in the First National Bank and is now serving as treasurer of the city. Enterprises for the ad- vancement of local interests are always sure of his sympathy and assistance. Fraternally he is a charter member of Eureka Lodge No. 29, Shield of Honor, of Frostburg, in which he has been past master. He is also connected with
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