USA > Maryland > Genealogical and memorial encyclopedia of the state of Maryland, a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, Volume II > Part 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29
The line of descent from Robert Polk, the founder of the family in Maryland, is through his fifth son, Robert, who
424
GENEALOGICAL AND MEMORIAL
married a Miss Gillette. Their son, Captain Robert Polk, married Elizabeth Digby Peale, sister of Maryland's most famed artist, Charles Willson Peale. Captain Robert Polk commanded the sloop, "Robert Polk," and later the schooner, "Montgomery," during the Revolution, and during a desper- ate engagement between the "Montgomery" and English ves- sels in 1777 was mortally wounded.
Charles Peale Polk, son of Captain Robert and Elizabeth Digby (Peale) Polk, inherited the artistic talent of the Peales and became a celebrated artist. His son, David Peale Polk, was a distinguished officer of the United States in 1812. His wife was Letitia (Stewart) Polk, of Maryland. Their son, William Stewart Polk, of Baltimore, was an honored repre- sentative of this branch of an honored family, and to him this review is dedicated.
William Stewart Polk was born in Washington, D. C., in 1827, and died at his home in Baltimore, Maryland, Septem- ber 7, 1917. At the age of twelve years he was brought to Baltimore by his parents, and there ever afterward resided. He was a well-educated young man, his last years of training being in a Philadelphia school. His business career began in Baltimore as clerk in a large mercantile establishment. He continued in business until 1853, in which year he entered the naval service, being assigned to the United States steam frig- ate, "Saranac," as assistant paymaster, and he made a memor- able voyage to the Mediterranean, returning in 1856. Later he received an appointment to the Virginia Military Insti- tute, where he was at the outbreak of the Civil War. He was commissioned a captain of engineers by Governor Letcher, of Virginia, and served in that capacity until the close of the war.
After the war was ended he returned to Baltimore, and for half a century was actively engaged in the insurance busi- ness. He entered the underwriting field in 1866 as a member
425
GENEALOGICAL AND MEMORIAL
of the firm of John S. Selby & Company, and four years later he purchased the interests of his partner, and became sole proprietor of the agency. The business was conducted indi- vidually until 1901, in which year Fletcher Long, who had been identified with the office since 1869, and David Peale Polk, son of the senior member, who entered the office at the age of seventeen years, were admitted to partnership. The agency made its start in 1866 as representatives of the Georgia Home of Columbus and the Valley of Virginia of Westches- ter. The agency of the Liverpool, London and Globe Insur- ance Company was conferred upon this office with the incom- ing of 1868, being the only fire insurance corporation repre- sented as agents. This company was among those who promptly paid every penny of the losses encountered by the Baltimore devastation of 1904, and has done likewise when- ever involved in large conflagrations. Besides being admir- ably equipped to write fire risks up to any figure as the accred- ited representatives of the staunch corporation named, a permanent and influential clientele was controlled as brokers in all insurance lines. Health, accident, liability, plate glass, steam boiler, burglary, fidelity and surety contracts were writ- ten for the Philadelphia Casualty, a connection dating back several years. Modernly appointed offices were occupied in suite No. 110, Chamber of Commerce Building. This agency was affiliated with the Association of Fire Underwriters of Baltimore City from its earliest formation, in August, 1879. The signature of the senior Polk is the ninth of the thirty-two appended to the articles of agreement, and the rules and regu- lations adopted at that time to banish rebating and other evils from the insurance circles of the Monumental City. Mr. Polk naturally took a pride in his long and honorable professional record, during which he always enjoyed the good will and regard of his compeers and the implicit confidence of clients,
426
GENEALOGICAL .AND MEMORIAL
companies and all coming in touch with him. He was re- garded as an authority on insurance affairs and he unselfishly and cheerfully gave his fellow agents the benefit of the thor- ough knowledge attained during his long experience. For over forty years he was general agent for the Liverpool, Lon- don and Globe Insurance Company, and when, in 1905, he toured England, his Liverpool stay was signalized by an elab- orate entertainment tendered him by the English insurance companies whom he represented in Baltimore. In 1911 the firm with which he had long been connected re-organized as Hopper, Polk & Purnell, insurance agents and brokers, Mr. Polk becoming vice-president, which post he filled until his death, although active business duties had long been surren- dered to the younger men of the concern. Yet he visited his offices every day, although his health was failing for several months. When his ninetieth birthday arrived, and he passed into the ranks of the nonagenarian, he retired from his activi- ties. From his long years of intimacy with Baltimore, his par- ticipation in the great war, and his extended course of reading and study, he was a veritable mine of historical information and a much sought after authority.
Mr. Polk married Lou Ellen Anderson, of Tennessee, who survives him with two sons, Anderson and David Peale Polk, all residents of Baltimore. A daughter, Lucile, married George Brooke, and resides at Birdsboro, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia.
The following eulogy gives an intimate view of the beauty of character and charming personality of Mr. Polk, the writer being a personal friend :
On Friday, the seventh of this month, there passed to the Great Beyond, a man noted for those attributes which go to make up the true Christian gentleman, apart from the superb qualifications which gave him a marked place in the particular business sphere in which he was engaged. William
427
GENEALOGICAL AND MEMORIAL
Stewart Polk was a man sui generis. As has been stated, he was without a flaw in his dealings with man in his business career of more than half a century in this community.
But it was to the Christian character of this gentleman that special attention is called. For the said half a century he had been a devout follower of his Divine Master, holding fast to those tenets of the Christian faith which are alone satisfying to the devout believer and are so necessary to that salvation wrought out for all by Him who died that they might live.
Mr. Polk possessed the charity for all men which utterly precluded his judging any man falsely. He was modest in his personal demeanor, willing always to defer to others what he might have arrogated to himself in the decision of important matters. He was full of brotherly kindness which drew men unto him in their dealings with him, they knowing full well that every- thing would inure to the best interest of all concerned. He was a devout student of Holy Writ. It was his greatest pleasure to study the Bible, and within the period of his Christian life he had read it through word for word sixty-five times, so arranging that the last verse in Revelation would be read on his birthday. It is unquestionable as to whether a similar record can be shown. It can be very well surmised that the life of such a man was a benison to all who came closely in contact with him. His was an example which one might follow.
The loss to his family cannot be estimated as it is irreparable and too sacred a subject to suggest comment. That he will be missed by all who knew him goes without the saying, but they know in whom he believed and persuaded that He will hold him in His hands until that day when all shall be united in that blessed home for ever and ever.
In thus reviewing the life of his friend and its peaceful ending, the writer feels that the thought uppermost in his mind should be: "Let me die the death of the righteous and may my past end be like this."
GEORGE WILLIAM ABELL
FOREMOST among the journalists of the recent past, was George William Abell, who built up the "Baltimore Sun" to be one of the few representative papers of the United States. Mr. Abell has left a name in his profession greater even than that of his distinguished father, the founder of the paper, the latter having been more of a business man than a journalist, while George William Abell is regarded by many as the greatest newspaper man of his time.
Mr. Abell was born December 21, 1842, in Baltimore. He was the second son of Arunah Shepherdson and Mary (Fox-Campbell) Abell, and received his preparatory educa- tion at Dalrymple's School, whence he passed to the University of Maryland, graduating with highest honors, June 17, 1861. He took up the study of law, and on December 17, 1864, was admitted to the Baltimore bar, but, after spending two years in the office of Charles J. Gwinn, decided to make journalism rather than law the work of his life. He, therefore, entered the counting-room of the "Sun," and thence passed into the news and editorial departments. He was identified with all the improvements, developments and enterprises of the paper from the time he entered its service until the day of his death, a period of nearly thirty years. His legal studies were always of great advantage to him, and for many years he was his father's confidential attorney. After the death of Mr. A. S. Abell, and of his third son, Walter R. Abell, the A. S. Abell Company was incorporated, August 9, 1892, at which time George William Abell was elected president and manager, which offices he continued to hold for the remainder of his life.
While sharing fully with his brother, Edwin F. Abell, other serious manifold responsibilities pertaining to his father's large estate, the more active and immediate manage-
429
GENEALOGICAL AND MEMORIAL
ment of the "Sun," by mutual agreement between the brothers, devolved upon George William Abell. He brought to his office not only experience acquired under his father's instruc- tion, but the most generous enthusiasm and the noblest and loftiest conception of the mission of a great newspaper, and the duty to the public of the editor and publisher of such a paper. He upheld the high standard set by his father, ever excluding from the columns of his journal news of a sensa- tional or impure character. Realizing the power and influ- ence of the "Sun," he held his high office as a trust, bringing to the discharge of his duties all the results of his ripe and varied experience and his careful observation, together with the manifold resources of his cultured and judicial mind, wielding an influence all the more potent for the reason that it was moral no less than political, and exercised for the public weal rather than for personal ends.
Mr. Abell was greatly admired and beloved by the men with whom he was associated in the management of the "Sun." Each day he conferred briefly with heads of departments, after which he withdrew from the office for the day. He had the reputation, well deserved, of transacting an enormous amount of business in a short time, possessing that power which is more of a gift than an acquisition-the ability to do two or three things at once, and do them all well.
Mr. Abell was a loyal and loving son to Baltimore and to Maryland, having deeply at heart what he conceived to be the best interests of both. His opinions might differ from those of others, but the very earnestness with which he de- fended his own views proceeded from the sincerity of the convictions that they were right. He was absolutely without malice or any feeling of personal hostility toward those from whom he differed, and whose conduct in public affairs he felt it his duty to criticise and oppose. He was distinguished
430
GENEALOGICAL AND MEMORIAL
throughout his career for public spirit, devotion to principle, courage and unselfishness. It was in consequence of his liberal disposition, and at his suggestion, that "The Sun Almanac" was first issued in 1876, and he encouraged and stimulated every step in its subsequent publication, realizing that it was an exceedingly useful and practical compilation, and satisfied a public want. It was his desire to make the book not merely a chronicle of the year, but, through its agency, to foster interest in and appreciation of the history of the State, and to make widely known the varied resources and advantages of Maryland.
Mr. Abell married, November 29, 1871, Jane Frances, daughter of George W. Webb, and three children were born to them: Charles Shepherdson; Jennie M., wife of Francis Theodore Homer, of Baltimore; and Annie, who died in childhood.
In 1888 Mr. Abell visited Europe with his family, and was to have gone abroad again three days before his death, which occurred after a brief illness, May 1, 1894, at his home in Baltimore. The removal of this gifted and lovable man while in the prime of life was mourned with deepest sin- cerity by both high and low. It is not a matter of marvel that his memory is enshrined in the hearts of all who knew him, and remains as a blessed benediction to those who were his friends and associates while he was still an active factor in the affairs of the world.
The loss which Baltimore sustained by the removal of such a man is well-nigh incalculable, but his "works follow him." A monument reared by his own genius commemorates him-the great journal of which he was, for so many years, the heart and soul, which he might also be said to have created -still addresses its vast and constantly increasing audiences. "The pen is mightier than the sword." If any doubt this, let him consider the life and work of George William Abell.
WILLIAM JOHN WITZENBACHER
THE useful life of Judge William Witzenbacher terminated
while in the full prime of his splendid powers and he seemingly had every right to look forward to years of even greater usefulness. He was German in his love of intelligent and massed organization, but over all he was an American to the core, true to his native city, State and land. He was one of the best-known men in Hagerstown, as there his years, fifty- four, were spent. His clear analytical mind had for many years grappled with the legal troubles of his many friends and not with their legal troubles alone, but their business prob- lems, their political ambitions, and their social aspirations. He had advised, counseled, entreated, commanded and repri- manded, as occasion required, both as lawyer and friend, a large proportion of the leading men of the city. He was well informed upon many subjects beyond the ken of most men, for he was not satisfied with superficial knowledge, but delved deep into any subject he approached. If there was anything in his mentality which differed from the attitude of the gen- eral lawyer, it was his passion for differentiation, classification and painstaking dissection of causes and trial cases. This marked his legal career and distinguished him as one, more of the adviser and consultant than the attorney. Yet at the bar he was convincing, and his presentation to the court was strong, fair and convincing, his argument revealing the vast amount of labor he had expended in the preparation of his case. Loyalty to his clients, loyalty to friends and to every obligation, distinguished him, and the friends of half a cen- tury named him "an honest man," and at his death a city mourned.
Judge Witzenbacher was a son of William and Catherine Witzenbacher, the father, born in the Odenwald region of
432
GENEALOGICAL AND MEMORIAL
Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, in 1823. He came to the United States about 1853, becoming a resident of Hagerstown, Mary- land, and there died February 8, 1886, a man of sterling char- acter and high standing in the community of which he was a part for over thirty years. William J. Witzenbacher was born in Hagerstown, December 1, 1861, and there died Feb- ruary II, 1916. He passed all grades of the public schools, completing college preparation with graduation from the Washington County High School, class of 1880. He at once entered Johns Hopkins University, pursuing a three years' classical course, receiving the usual bachelor's degree, class of 1883. He did not at once enter upon the exclusive study of law, but for three years, 1883-1886, was an instructor in the McDonough School, Baltimore county, Maryland, his law study being an added task. In 1886, that position was resigned and a course of exclusive law study begun under the preceptor- ship of the eminent Alexander Neill, upon whose motion he was examined and admitted to the Washington county bar in November, 1886. From that time until his death he was a member of the bar located in his native city, Hagerstown. He won his way to public favor, the friends of the boy rallying to the support of their comrade, and as the years proved the excellence of his qualifications to serve them legally, self interest, as well as friendship, held their loyalty. He never received more than he gave, and no act to friendly interest in his career ever went unnoticed or unrequited. In 1889, he was the Democratic candidate for the Legislature from his district, and with the entire ticket went down to defeat. In the spring of 1890, he was appointed City Attorney, a posi- tion he filled with credit for five years. The rapid growth of the city during his term of office gave rise to many intricate problems of municipal government to the solution of which he applied himself most diligently and successfully, and an
433
GENEALOGICAL AND MEMORIAL
amendment to the City Charter became a necessity, he pre- paring all the important legislation. In 1895, during the absence of Charles A. Little, Mr. Witzenbacher was appointed District Attorney ad interim. In 1889 he was appointed attorney to the Board of County Commissioners, serving two years. During his term he conducted to a successful issue the question of the tax liability prior to 1896. In 1902, he was appointed attorney to the newly created Board of Election Supervisors, a position he held for one year.
The death of Judge Edward Stake, in 1902, created a vacancy. Mr. Witzenbacher was appointed by Governor John Walter Smith to represent Washington county in the Fourth Judicial District. He performed the judicial duties pertain- ing to the office for the remainder of the term, and in 1904 was the candidate of the Democratic party for the same office. He was defeated by a small margin by the Republican candi- date, and Judge Witzenbacher returned to the private practice of his profession. Another public service rendered was in the matter of the electric bill adopted by the people after a very heated contest in 1910. He took the view that the contract into which the city officials had previously enlisted was void, and after a test of the law had been made, the Court of Ap- peals sustained his view. This was his greatest law case, for in it, not only his ability at untangling intricate questions shone, but his genius for patient reference and research, and it was Judge Witzenbacher who saved for the city the home electric plant which is of such value and profit to the city as to be a matter of civic pride. During his career he was called by his fellowmen to fill about every important position in the county which was required to be filled by a lawyer, and in each place his was loyalty true to his duty.
Judge Witzenbacher's literary tastes were pronounced, and he delighted in research and study, particularly in the KD .- 28
434
GENEALOGICAL AND MEMORIAL
field of history and literature. He was a fluent linguist and read, as well as spoke, French, Spanish, Italian and German, this opening up to the finest literature of these tongues, as well as the ancient Greek and Latin classics. His knowledge of these modern languages enabled him often to be of great service in the court room and many were the occasions when distressed foreigners blessed the man who could speak their tongue and explain their case. His literary attainment, and his devotion to his profession, co-operated in rendering him a zealous, active friend to the establishment of a law library in the local court, and far beyond the limits of his city he was recognized as a most learned and cultured gentleman. In- deed, so highly was he regarded, that a professorship in Johns Hopkins University was offered him, but was declined, he preferring the law. He remained loyal to the profession until his last illness, and in the annals of the Washington county bar no name shines with such undimmed lustre.
Although not successful in his candidacies for office, his ptrty being the minority one, Judge Witzenbacher was a leader of the Democracy in Washington county, and retained a potent voice in party councils until the last few years of his life, when failing health warned him that he must conserve his energies. He was not a violent partisan, however, but retained an independent attitude and acted as right and duty dictated. It was truly said of him that the sincerity of that judgment, and the honesty of his purpose, was never doubted either on legal, political or private questions, and whether on or off the bench his opinions carried great weight. He had won a place for himself in State party councils, and had he lived, State political honors would surely have been his. He was exceedingly practical in his view of politics and had little patience with radical reformers. The essence of the wisdom of the ages as gathered from history was his guiding
435
GENEALOGICAL AND MEMORIAL
light in the sphere of action which embraced statesmanship. Fads and isms of all sorts failed in their appeal to him, and to the last he was the practical American, free from all that detracts from a well rounded character.
Judge Witzenbacher visited Europe some years before his death, and was particularly delighted with Rome, bringing home with him a love of all things Italian. Of all the lan- guages at his command he spoke Italian with the greatest fluency, and one of his greatest pleasures was intelligent con- versation upon ancient and modern Europe. He was always interesting, entertaining, and instructive in his talks, perhaps no other man in his community being so well informed. His private library was well filled with the best of literature, and an excursion into its foreign atmosphere was a revel of keen delight to him. As a man, he had his friends, his enemies, his associates, but had few intimates. He loved nature in all her forms and moods, and one of his favorite diversions was long strolls through the mountains and by the winding streams. He knew trees, their varieties and differences, as few laymen know them. The rocks, the hills, the valleys, plant life, flow- ers, bird life, all in nature appealed to him, and a map of the starry heavens was as familiar to him as a map of his native Maryland. But let none imagine that he was pedantic or held aloof from the enjoyments of the people. He was a frequent visitor to the moving picture theatres, and took a deep interest in all things that men care for, but his natural impulses were intellectual, and his mind was the mastering impulse of his life. As a writer put it, he was of that type of man that might be characterized as an ancient Roman of the days of the Republic, projected into a modern world. He was a member of Friendship Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons ; Hagerstown Lodge, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks; was a director of the People's National Bank ; member of the First
436
GENEALOGICAL AND MEMORIAL
Hose Company, and of Zion Reformed Church. Thus he lived, and thus he died, sincerely regretted, and wept for, by his sisters, who are the only women who know him well, for he never married. Four sisters survive him: Mrs. Charles M. Suter, of Hagerstown; Misses Catherine and Nannie Witzen- bacher, of Hagerstown, with whom he lived, and Mrs. Wil- liam Mitthe, of Columbus, Ohio. The house in which he lived and died, and yet occupied by his sisters, stands upon the same site as the house did in which he was born, and he knew no other homes.
On April 3, following the death of Judge Witzenbacher, memorial services were held in the Court Hall in his honor. Chief Judge A. Hunter Boyd presided, Judges Robert R. Henderson and M. L. Keedy also being present with many members of the Washington County Bar Association, which he had been instrumental in founding. Many beautiful trib- utes were paid the dead jurist's memory, and resolutions recit- ing his life and services were read, adopted and ordered spread upon the minutes of the court. Judge Henderson, in closing, spoke in the highest terms of Mr. Witzenbacher as a lawyer and judge, stating that he left a standard of judicial conduct to those who followed him upon the bench, and that his train- ing and mind marked him as a lawyer of unusual attainment. Chief Judge Boyd spoke of their dead comrade as a man pos- sessed of untiring energy, and with a remarkable grasp of the law; a well equipped lawyer, and an exceptional judge, his death a distinct loss to the State and the community.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.