USA > Maryland > Washington County > Leitersburg > History of Leitersburg District, Washington County, Md.: Including Its Original Land Tenure. > Part 27
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trict formerly owned by his father. Mr. Hoffman married in 1876 Mary C., daughter of Samuel H. and Dorothy H. (Wolf) Pryor. He is a member of the Lutheran Church and a Repub- lican in politics.
JOHN W. HOFFMAN was born near Hagerstown, Md., Decem- ber 21, 1856, the son of Matthias and Nancy (Hoffman) Hoffman. He was reared near Williamsport and at Mt. Etna and received such educational advantages as the local schools afforded. In 1880 he engaged in farming in Clearspring District, where for eleven years he operated as tenant the Potts and Roth farms. In 1891, his father having died, he returned to the home farm in Leitersburg District, and here he has since resided. In 1879 he married Emma V., daughter of Daniel and Nancy (Gehr) Rowe, and their children are Etha M .; Bruce V .; Orvil K .; Charles H .; John W .; Mary, deceased; Daniel B .; Nancy M., and Emma Ruth. Mr. Hoffman is a member of the German Baptist Church, in which he holds the office of deacon in the Antietam congrega- tion. In politics he is a Republican.
WILLIAM LOGAN was born in Leitersburg District in 1822. His educational opportunities were exceedingly limited, as he never attended school more than six months in his life. After a brief experience in merchandising at Leitersburg he was appointed col- lector of State and county taxes for Washington County in 1849, after which he was successively elected sheriff and clerk of the orphans' court and appointed postmaster of Hagerstown, in which position he died on the 30th of August, 1878. He possessed in an eminent degree the qualities of the successful politician and had a larger personal acquaintance in Washington County than any other man of his generation. In 1860 he married Mrs. Margaret Ogle nec Freaner and their children were Edward E., deceased; William; and James, deccased.
SOLOMON MIDDLEKAUFF was born in Washington County, Md., November 9, 1823, the son of Jacob Middlekauff and grandson of Leonard Middlekauff, who came from one of the southeastern enunties of Pennsylvania early in the present century and pur- chased the Bellevue tract of more than a thousand acres north of Hagerstown on the Middleburg turnpike. Part of this land, now owned by the estate of the late William T. Hamilton, passed from Leonard Middlekauff to his oldest son, Jacob, who was also suc-
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ceeded in the ownership of part of it by his son, Solomon, the subject of this sketch. Here he lived until 1876, when he pur- chased the farm in Leitersburg District now owned by Joseph M. Bell, whereon he resided until his death, April 4, 1896. In 1848 he married Mary, daughter of Daniel and Rachel (Houser) Miller, and their children were Amelia, who married John S. Watkins; Samuel; Martin L .; Daniel J., and William. Mrs. Middlekauff died on the 8th of April, 1896. In politics Mr. Middlekauff was a Democrat.
SAMUEL MIDDLEKAUFF was born near Hagerstown, Md., July 26, 1851, the son of Solomon and Mary (Miller) Middlekauff. He obtained his education principally at the schools of Hagers- town and was reared to agricultural pursuits. In 1885 he began farming individually as tenant on his father's farm, which he operated until 1897, when he leased the Wolfinger farm. In 1885 he married Helen K., daughter of Isaac G. and Catharine (Swailes) Leiter, and they are the parents of three children, Frank L .; Charles C., and Mary H. Mr. Middlekauff is a member of the Lutheran Church and in politics a Democrat.
JACOB KAHL was born near Scotland, Franklin County, Pa., the son of .Jacob Kahl, a native of Germany and a blacksmith by trade. IIe owned four hundred acres of land near Scotland. ITis family consisted of ten children, all of whom moved to the West except Jacob and Louisa, who married Jacob Neff. Jacob Kahl learned the trade of blacksmith at Chambersburg and be- came a master of his craft. He came to Leitersburg in 1845 and was employed by George Poe two years, after which he purchased from Jacob Kissell the blacksmith establishment now owned by Wilfred L. Flory. This he conducted eleven years, after which he was employed by Henry Oaks at Antietam Junction twenty years. After leaving Leitersburg he resided near that village on the Greencastle road and afterward at the present residence of his son Aurand, where he died. November 13, 1889. He married Catharine Myers, and their children were Albert; Otho; Aurand, and Olivia, deceased.
Orno KAHL was born in Leitersburg District, June 18, 1853. the son of Jacob and Catharine (Myers) Kahl. He attended school at Leitersburg and New Harmony and learned the trade of blacksmith under his father, after which he was employed ly
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Nathaniel Churchman at Park Hill and by John Watkins at Cearfoss. In 1880 he purchased his present property, and here he has established and conducted a successful blacksmithing busi- ness. In 1876 he married Sarah E., daughter of Henry and Ann (Cramer) Snotterly, and their children are Della; Ira S .; Bertha M .; Clyde E .; Nannie G .; Herman S. C .; Meta H., and Rea Grace. Mr. Kahl is a member of the Lutheran Church, and in politics he is a Democrat.
WILLIAM ANDERSON was born in Franklin County, Pa., in 1827. As a young man he was employed as a farm laborer at various places in his native county and in Washington County, Md. In 1861 he enlisted in Captain William Fiery's Company (Company B, First Regiment, Potomac Home Brigade), and served until the close of the war, participating in numerous en- gagements in Maryland and Virginia. At the close of the war he returned to Leitersburg District, purchased land near Bow- man's mill, and built the house in which he lived until his death, June 1, 1892. He married Christina, daughter of John and Phoebe (Burkhart) Minor, and their children were Mary; Free- land W., and Flora. Mr. Anderson was a Republican in politics.
FREELAND W. ANDERSON was born in Leitersburg District, October 15, 1854, the son of William and Christina (Minor) An- derson. He obtained his education at Martin's school. From 1874 to 1877 he was employed as a farm laborer near Springfield, Ohio, and from 1877 to 1880 in Leitersburg District. In 1880 he established a grocery and confectionery at Leitersburg, which he continued three years. From 1883 to 1891 he was employed at Waynesboro, Pa., where he resided for several years. He then returned to his native District, where he worked at farm labor until 1896, when he purchased the property of forty-five acres whereon he has since resided. In 1881 he married Margaret K., daughter of George A. and Henrietta (Cramer) Snotterly, and they are the parents of one child, Marcy B. Mr. Anderson is a Republican in politics.
JAMES SLICK was born in Carroll County, Md., in 1813, the son of John Slick. In his father's family there were three sons: James, John, and Jeremiah, of whom the two last named removed to Lanark, Ill., and one daughter, Elizabeth, who married Jona- than Baldwin. James Slick learned the milling business under
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George Buffington in his native county, whence he came to Lei- tersburg District, where he was employed as miller by John Byer and Henry Funk. Here he died, December 22, 1844. He mar- ried Mary N., daughter of Paul and Elizabeth (Reck) Haugh, and their children were Martha, wife of Daniel W. Durboraw; Emma, deceased wife of John W. Nigh, and Milton J., publisher of the Mercersburg Journal, Mercersburg, Pa. Mr. Slick was a mem- ber of the Reformed Church, and at the time of his death he was superintendent of the Sunday school at Jacobs church.
FLOYD N. WEBB was born in Cavetown District in 1818, the son of William and Mary Webb, and grandson of William Webb. He obtained a common school education and learned the trade of tinner, at which he was employed in Smithsburg until about the year 1850, when he removed to Leitersburg; here he continued in business until his death, November 10, 1863. He married Elizabeth, daughter of John and Julia Weagley, and their chil- dren were Julia; Mary E., wife of Henry Martin; John W., who was constable of Leitersburg for some years; Virginia, who mar- ried Samuel Summers; Charles F., and Lawrence T. Mr. Webb was a member of the Lutheran Church.
WILLIAM REYNOLDS was born near Chewsville, Md., November 14, 1820, the son of Samuel Reynolds. After his marriage he resided in Philo, Md., one year; in 1847 he located in Leitersburg District at the present residence of Martin C. Funk, and here he was engaged in farming until his death, August 10, 1887. In 1845 he married Sarah, daughter of George and Barbara (Protz- man) Bowers, and their children were Rufus; Ellen, deceased; Remanis; Samuel II., and Ida J., wife of Martin C. Funk. Mr. Reynolds was a member of the Reformed Church and served for some years as superintendent of the Sunday school at Beard's; in politics he was a Republican.
JACOB NEEDY was born in Ringgold District, January 23, 1821, the son of Jacob and Margaret (Schutter) Needy and grandson of Henry Needy, who was a comb-maker by trade and lived near Hagerstown. Jacob Needy, Sr., was a weaver and lived at Greens- burg (Philo), dying at the age of thirty-six, June 29, 1829. Jacob Needy, the subject of this sketch, obtained a limited education at the common schools. He learned the trade of carpenter and was employed at this vocation several years, residing at Smiths-
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burg. He first located at his present residence in 1856; in 1869 he purchased it and here he has since lived. In 1845 he married Malinda, daughter of Eli and Catharine (Teatian) Gallagher, and their children are Catharine, wife of Jerome Stauch; Margaret, and Philip. Mr. Needy is a Democrat in politics.
LEVI Fox was born in Washington Township, Franklin Coun- ty, Pa., June 14, 1822, the son of Abraham and Susanna (Riddle- sperger) Fox and grandson of Christian Fox, a native of Switzer- land, who emigrated to Pennsylvania, served two years in the Revolutionary War, and is buried at Salem Reformed church. The subject of this sketch first engaged in farming in 1849 as tenant on a farm owned by his father. In 1853 he purchased from Henry H. Snively the farm on Antietam creek now owned by Isaac Needy. The farm continued in his possession until 1895. In 1847 he married Barbara A., daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth (Shelly) Hershey, and of the children born to them the following are now living: Abraham; Mandella, widow of David Mortar; John, and Ezra. Mr. Fox is a member of the German Baptist Church and in politics a Republican.
SOLOMON STEPHEY was born near Smithsburg, Md., June 14, 1824, the son of John P. and Mary A. (Protzman) Stephey and grandson of Andrew Stephey, a native of Germany and a farmer by occupation. John P. Stephey, who was also a farmer, was born on the 11th of October, 1794, and died on the 12th of No- vember, 1849. Solomon Stephey learned the trade of cooper in early manhood and was employed at this occupation forty years. He resided at Leitersburg from 1839 to 1858, when he purchased the property whereon he has since resided. In 1848 he married Catharine Oller, and their children are Mary E., wife of Joseph Barkdoll; J. William; Edward E .; Susan V .; David M .; Laura K., wife of James Barkdoll; Lewis B .; Frank F., and Annie R. All of the sons, with the exception of Lewis B., are located at Troy, Ohio. Mr. Stephey is a member of the Lutheran Church and a Republican in politics.
LEWIS M. J. LEATHER was born January 22, 1825, at Fred- erick, Md., the son of John and Susan (Leather) Leather, both of whom were natives of Frederick, where the family is still num- erously represented. His father died before he was born and he was reared among strangers, receiving a limited education. He
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was first employed in Leitersburg District by David M. Good and afterward by Christian Strite, for whom he hauled flour and whis- key. In 1851 he purchased the property now owned by Abram Minor, and erected the present improvements thereon. In 1872 he removed to the property upon which he resided at the time of his death, April 6, 1881. In 1850 he married Margaret, daugh- ter of David and Charlotte (Ridenour) Kaetzel. Mrs. Leather is a native of Strut, a small village near the post-town of Litzel- stein and not far from the city of Metz, in Lorraine, Germany. She emigrated to America in 1846 in company with her brother Christian and sister Charlotte, their brother Philip having pre- viously found his way to the United States. Mr and Mrs. Leather were the parents of the following children; Kate, who married George Flora; Mary, deceased; Christian P .; Agnes R., who mar- ried Daniel Beard; Alice, who married John Stouffer; Annie; and David, deceased. Mr. Leather was a member of the Lutheran Church and in politics a Republican.
PETER K. HARTER was born near Beard's church in Chewsville District, Washington County, Md., June 26, 1826, the son of David Harter. His mother's family name was Koontz. The Harter family is of German origin; its emigrant ancestors origin- ally settled in Pennsylvania, whence David Harter removed to Washington County; here he was engaged in farming and died at Greensburg. Peter K. Harter was also a farmer by occupation. and resided in his native county all his life with the exception of one year, which he spent in the West. For twenty-three years he operated as tenant the farm of Abraham Strite, afterward owned by Henry M. Jacobs. He then purchased the property now embraced in the farm of his son-in-law, Edward M. White. and here he resided until his death, December 30, 1894. He mar- ried Mary, daughter of George and Catharine (Ziegler) Poe, and their children were George A., president of Delaware College. Newark, Del .; James P., secretary of the National Building and Loan Association, Hagerstown: David, deceased; Anna E., de- ceased; Mary C., wife of Edward M. White, and Harvey, deceased. Mr. Harter was a member of the Lutheran Church and an officer in the congregation at Leitersburg. In politics he was a Re- publican.
GEORGE A. IIARTER, M. A., Ph. D., was born in Leitersburg
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District, November 7, 1853, the son of Peter K. and Mary (Poe) Harter. He was reared in his native District and attended the local schools, after which he was for a brief period a student at the National Normal University, Lebanon, Ohio. He was then en- gaged in teaching several years. In September, 1874, he entered St. John's College, Annapolis, Md., from which he was graduated in 1878 with the degree of B. A. Immediately after graduation he was appointed tutor in mathematics and Latin at that insti- tution and continued in this position until 1880, when he ac- cepted the principalship of the Leitersburg Grammar School. He was elected principal of the Washington County High School in 1881; this position he resigned in 1885 to accept the professor- ship of mathematics and modern languages in Delaware College, Newark, Del. In 1888 he was made professor of mathematics and physics in that institution; in 1896 he was elected President of the College by the board of trustees and has since performed the duties of this responsible position with ability and success. He received the graduate degree of M. A. from his alma mater in 1880 and that of Ph. D. in 1892. In 1882 Professor Harter married Ellen S., daughter of Rev. James J. and Catharine B. (Simpson) Graff, of Annapolis, Md., and they are the parents of one child, Elinor. The Professor is a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
JAMES P. HARTER was born in Leitersburg District, October 27, 1856, the son of Peter K. and Mary (Poe) Harter. He ob- tained a common school education and engaged in teaching in 1873, continuing in this profession eight years. He taught two years at New Harmony in Leitersburg District, two years in the intermediate department of the Leitersburg schools, one year at Funkstown, and three years at Mt. Union in Leitersburg District. In 1881 he accepted the position of assistant postmaster in the Hagerstown postoffice under Mrs. William Logan, who was post- mistress at that time, and was retained in a similar capacity by her successors, William S. Schwartz and William P. Lane. After ten years of service in this position he was commissioned post- master of Hagerstown on the 1st of April, 1891, and served the full term of four years. In 1895 he became manager of the Herald Publishing Company and editor of the Herald and Torch-Light and Morning Herald, the official Republican papers of Washing-
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ton County. In September, 1897, he retired from journalism to accept the secretaryship of the National Building and Loan Asso- ciation. Mr. Harter is a Republican in politics and takes an ac- tive interest in the affairs of his party. In 1888 he married Alice, daughter of Jacob and Amelia (Smith) Heyser of Chambersburg, Pa., and their children are James; Mary, and Alice. Mr. Harter is a member of the Reformed Church.
JOSEPH WISHARD was born in Washington Township, Frank- lin County, Pa., October 8, 1828, the son of Jacob and Rachel (Myers) Wishard. In 1852 he engaged in farming as tenant for Joseph Gabby. In 1854 he purchased the property whereon he has since resided. It was then uncleared land, and has been re- duced to cultivation and improved by him. In 1852 he married Rebecca, daughter of Jacob and Loris (Shamhart) Holbrenner, and their children are Sarah J., wife of Banner Daywalt; Anna M., wife of David C. Hoover; Ellen M., wife of Simon Sheffler; Laura V., wife of Harry Flegel; William E., and Harry N. Mr. Wishard is a Democrat in politics and a member of the Lutheran Church.
JOHN KRINER was born in Washington Township, Franklin County, Pa., September 26, 1829, the son of Michael and Annie (Fritz) Kriner and grandson of Peter Kriner. Both his father and grandfather were weavers by occupation. The latter lived in Adams County, Pa., the greater part of his life, dying at Ca- toctin Furnace, Frederick County, MId., at the age of ninety-nine years. Michael Kriner lived at Rock Forge twenty-three years, and died in Franklin County, Pa., at the age of seventy-seven. John Kriner received a limited education and in his early man- hood was employed as a farm laborer and wood cutter. He also
worked on the construction of the Leitersburg and Waynesboro turnpike. Later he learned the trade of post-fence making, at which he was employed thirty-eight years, and during this period he constructed thousands of panels in Washington and Franklin Counties. In 1849 he married Julia Ann, daughter of Samuel and Eva (Pottorf) Feigley, and they have one child, Ann Rebecca. wife of Peter Swisher, of Page County. Ia. Mr. Kriner is a mem- her of the Lutheran Church, and in politics a Democrat.
JOSEPHIT'S GROUND was born on the 5th of July, 1830, the son of Joseph and Barbara (Reel) Ground, who resided in Washing-
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ton County near the Antietam creek and the Cavetown turnpike. Here he was reared and obtained his education at the local schools and the Hagerstown Academy. In 1846 he began his business career as clerk in the grocery store of William Knode at Hagers- town. Within a brief period Knode removed to Baltimore and engaged in the wholesale commission business, and Mr. Ground continued in his employ in that city. In April, 1849, he went to California via Cape Horn. There he spent one year, princi- pally at Mokalumne Hill, Calaveras County. In 1850 he re- turned home via the Panama Isthmus, New Orleans, the Missis- sippi and Ohio rivers, reaching his destination before his twenty- first birthday. He again went to Baltimore and entered the employ of Samuel Ormdorf & Company, wholesale grocers, first as salesman in the city and then as travelling salesman and collector in Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, and Southern Pennsylvania. He was one of the pioneer drummers of the day. In the spring of 1853 he engaged in general merchandising at Leitersburg, and here he has been in business continuously at the same location to the present time. Mr. Ground is a Democrat in politics and has been an active supporter of the organization and the principles of his party. In 1856 he was a candidate for the House of Delegates but was defeated with the entire ticket although he received a higher vote than any of his associates. Mr. Ground married Mary, daughter of Lewis Ziegler, and they are the parents of four children: Barry, who died in childhood; Maud Z .; Mary, deceased wife of Levi Z. Leiter, and Lewis J.
LEWIS J. GROUND was born at Leitersburg, September 29, 1862, the son of Josephus and Mary (Ziegler) Ground. After complet- ing the course of study at the local schools he prepared for col- lege at Swithin C. Shortlidge's Academy, Media, Pa., and entered Lafayette College, Easton, Pa., in 1881, graduating from that institution with the Class of '85. He then studied law under the preceptorship of Alexander Neill and was admitted to the Wash- ington County bar in 1887. He was secretary of the Planters' Mutual Insurance Company from 1889 to 1891, and justice of the peace from 1892 to 1896. In politics Mr. Ground is a Democrat.
DANIEL N. SCHELLER was born near Upton, Pa., June 30, 1831, the son of Christian and Catharine (Newcomer) Scheller and grandson of Daniel and Elizabeth (Long) Scheller. Daniel
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Scheller, who was born in 1762 and died in 1829, removed from Lancaster to Cumberland County in 1804 and thence to Franklin County several years later. Christian Scheller was born in 1:98 and died in 1872. Daniel N. Scheller became a resident of Wash- ington County in 1844, when his father located near Cearfoss. Here he began farming in 1856. In 1862 he purchased the farm now owned by Henry Baer and resided thereon four years, when, having sold it, he again rented his father's farm near Cearfoss. He purchased the farm whereon he now resides in 1868, and in addition to this he also owns a farm in East Hagerstown District. In 1855 he married Margaret A., daughter of Jonas Rowland, and their children are Anna; 'Kate; Christian R., a practicing physician at Hagerstown; Daniel M., a grocer in that city; Samuel, and Margaret. Mr. Scheller is a member of the German Baptist Church, in which he holds the office of deacon and trustee.
WILFRED L. FLORY was born at Smithsburg, Md., April 10, 1832, the son of David and Mary A. (Lambert) Flory and grand- son of John Flory, a native of Germany and a mason by trade but a farmer by occupation; he operated for some years the Old Forge farm in Chewsville District now owned by B. F. Winger, and there he died. David Flory was a mason by trade and pursued that occupation at Smithsburg. There Wilfred Flory was brought up; his educational advantages were very limited, as he never attended school after his ninth year. He learned the trade of blacksmithing under George W. Lantz at Leitersburg in 1851- 53. From 1853 to 1865 he was employed in Frederick County, Md., and Franklin County, Pa., principally at Catoctin Furnace, Emmittsburg, Five Forks, Sabillasville, and Foxville. In 1865 he located at Leitersburg and engaged in business at his present location. In 1872 he began to give instruction in vocal music, and for some years conducted classes at various localities in Wash- ington, Frederick, and Franklin Counties. Professor Flory is a popular and successful instructor and has done much to stimulate the study of music. In 1853 he married Sarah A., daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Seiford) Lyday, and they are the parents of the following children: Henry A., deceased; M. Alice, wife of Louis McDowell; J. Lambert, deceased; Sarah K .; Elmer E., a medical student at Houston, Tex .: Annie .J., deceased; George E., a physician by profession; Lillie F., and William C., of Zanesville,
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Ohio. Mr. Flory is a member of the Lutheran Church and a Re- publican in politics.
GEORGE A. CRESSLER was born in Southampton Township, Franklin County, Pa., November 11, 1833, the son of Joseph G. and Sophia (Clippinger) Cressler, and grandson of Adam and Elizabeth (Hoover) Cressler. The parents of Adam Cressler, whose mother's maiden name was Holloway, immigrated to Penn- sylvania from Strasburg, Germany. Adam Cressler was a soldier in the War of 1812. He was a mason by trade and laid the foun- dation for the old Lutheran and Reformed church at Shippens- burg. Later in life he became a farmer. He was born on the 8th of May 1781, and died October 19, 1863; his wife was born July 12, 1786, and died on the 16th of August, 1864. Joseph Cressler, their son, was born June 14, 1809, and died March 17, 1875. His wife died April 26, 1849, in her thirty-sixth year. George A., their oldest child, was reared in his native township and in the adjacent township of the same name in Cumberland County. He obtained his education at the local schools and at the Shippensburg Academy. In 1859 he engaged in farming on the old homestead of his family. Here he continued five years, and after farming four years in Cumberland County he purchased, in partnership with David Cleaver, the Paradise farm of 410 acres and has since resided thereon. In 1859 he married Mary C., daughter of David and Mary L. (Ferree) Cleaver, and their chil- dren are David W .; Mary E .; Joseph A .; George W .; Minnie F .; Ida M., and Alberta B. Mr. Cressler is a member of the Re- formed Church, and in politics a Republican.
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