USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Sixth congressional district, Maryland V. 1 > Part 18
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Tlie proprietor of the hotel is Mr. Freeland, who, with his excellent wife, hospitably enter- tains all those who become their guests. He was born in Preston County, W. Va., in 1832, a son of John Freeland, and a grandson of Jolin and Mary Freeland, who came from Scotland to the United States, settling in Baltimore and re- maining there until death. Jolin, Jr., was born in Baltimore, but spent much of his life in West Virginia, where he engaged in farming. He attained the age of ninety-five years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Patty McCann, died at the age of seventy-eiglit years. They were the parents of fourteen children, two daughters and twelve sons, of whom five are living, viz .: Isaac, Jacob, Hiram, Abraliam and George.
In Preston County our subject passed his boy- hood years, meantime attending the district schools. When a young man lie came to Mary-
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land and settled on a farmi near Deerpark, con- tinuing to reside there until 1884, when he moved into the village. Since then he has carried on a summer hotel. In religious belief he and his family are identified with the Lutheran Church.
In 1856 Mr. Freeland married Miss Amelia Koening, by whom he has two children: Martha, who is the widow of Andrew Williamson; and Clara, wife of Joseph McCroby. Mrs. Freeland is a daughter of William Koening, who came from Saxony to America in 1831 and settled in Balti- more, but after seven years in that city removed to Lonaconing, MId., and still later established his home on a farm in Garrett County, near the present site of Deerpark. He was one of the pioneers of this section of the country, and re- mained here until his death at seventy-three years. His wife was Henrictta Houper, who was born in Germany and died in Maryland at sixty-seven years of age. They were the parents ofsix children, three of whom are living, namely: Edward K .; Louisa, wife of Albert Wilburn; and Amelia, Mrs. Freeland.
EWIS B. ROWLAND, D. D. S., who was successfully engaged in practice as a dentist at Hagerstown for many years, was born at Long Meadows, Washington County, Md., June 19, 1843. His father, Jonas, who was also a ... native of Washington County, spent his entire life upon a farm here and died at the age of fifty-four years. In politics he voted the Whig ticket, but was not active in public affairs. For years a deacon in the Dunkard Church, he was one of the principal members of that denomination, and donated the land, also contributed to the church erected on that site and known as Rowland's Church. At the time of his death he was the owner of several farms, all valuable, and repre- senting a lifetime of industry.
The doctor's grandfather, Jacob Rowland, was born near Hagerstown and was a farmer through- out life, dying on his estate at the age of about
forty-five years. It is supposed that he was a Dunkard in religious belief. His father, Jolın, was of German parentage and doubtless himself a native of Germany. The mother of the doctor bore the maiden name of Ann Gilbert and spent her entire life in Washington County, where she died in 1888, at the age of seventy-seven years. She, too, was a Dunkard in religious views. Of lier ten children four are deceased. The children are as follows: Margaret Ann, wife of Daniel M. Schaller, of Washington County; Jonas, who died at the age of forty-six; John, who died in infancy ; Lewis B .; Abraham, a farmer and also a preacher in the Dunkard Church; Samuel, who died aged seven years; Ezra, a farmer living near Hagers- town, Washington County; Daniel G., a farmer in Kansas and a prominent worker in the Dunkard Church; David W., a farmer and merchant in Missouri, also for some years a minister in the Dunkard Church, though for several years he has not engaged in ministerial work; and a child that died in infancy.
The boyhood years of our subject were passed uneventfully on the home farm and in attendance at the public schools. He was always a diligent student, anxious to learn, and the information he gained in school was supplemented by private reading. He had a fondness for the study of medicine and read whatever he could find upon the subject, but his father vehemently opposed his entrance into any profession. So he continued on the home farm, assisting in its cultivation. After his marriage he came to Hagerstown, and engaged in the sale of agricultural implements for about five years, after which he began the study of dentistry with D. W. Crowther, D.D.S., of Hagerstown. He studied for two years and then began in practice, since which time he has devoted himself to dental work, with the ex- ception of two years spent upon an orange grove in Florida. He started the grove and the work seemed successful, but a heavy frost in the win- ter of 1890-91 injured the trees. In 1896 he made another visit there, prospecting, and ex- pects liereafter to spend his winters upon his farm there.
By the marriage of Dr. Rowland to Barbara
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Layman one child was born, but it died in in. of the district. At the age of twenty-two he fancy. Politically he is a stanch Republican. began the study of dentistry under Dr. Tobias Schlosser, of Hagerstown, through whose help he gained a thorough knowledge of the profes- sion and was fitted to engage in practice for himself. He was granted a license to practice in 1833, and at once entered upon active work, remaining in Hagerstown for some years. His name was frequently mentioned for the nomi- nation as representative in the fall of 1897, but he made no special effort to win the support of the people, and the matter was therefore dropped. He was reared in the faith of the Dunkard Church, but does not hold membersbip in it. When we consider his lack of early advantages, we readily recognize the fact that he has accom- plished much in life, having gained a large circle of friends and a position in professional ranks not always accorded to college graduates.
0 R. JOHN A. HOLLENBERGER has been engaged in the practice of the dental profes- sion since early manhood and during much of that time has been a resident of Hagerstown, in or near which the greater part of his life has been passed. He was born in Beaver Creek District, Washington County, Md., April 19, 1847. The family of which he is a member came to this country from Germany many gener- ations ago. His father, Jolin Hollenberger, was born in the same district as his son and has de- voted himself throughout life to farm pursuits, having through industry and perseverance accu- mulated a competency. At this writing he is seventy-nine years of age, but is hale and hearty, his years resting lightly upon him. In politics lie is a Democrat, but has never taken an active part in political affairs. In religious belief he is a Dunkard.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Priscilla Harbaugh, and was born in Washington County, where she remained a resi- dent until her death, at seventy-seven years of age. Like her husband, she adhered to the Dunkard faitlı. She was the mother of six chil- dren, of whom five are living, John A. being the fourth in order of birthi. He spent the years of boyhood on the liome farm, assisting in its cultivation and attending the neighboring schools
Attracted by the favorable reports of Kansas, int September, 1887, Dr. Hollenberger removed to that state and opened an office in Wichita. For a time every industry flourished there, but after the decay of the boom money became scarce, the value of property depreciated and business and professional men alike suffered. After six years in the city, the doctor concluded it would be unwise to remain longer, and he therefore re- turned to Maryland. Since then he has been engaged in continuous practice at Hagerstown.
In ISSI Dr. Hollenberger married Ida, daugh- ter of Dr. Tobias Sclilosser, his former preceptor. They are the parents of six children, namely: Agnes, Sadie, Zazel, Ava, Lealı and Catherine, who are bright and attractive children, brighten- ing and blessing the home circle by their happy faces. Politically Dr. Hollenberger votes the Democratic ticket, but is not active in public affairs. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Mystic Cir- cle, and the Fraternal Aid Association.
ENRY C. FOLTZ, proprietor of the H. C. Foltz foundry and machine shop at Hagers- town, was born in Smithsburg, Washington County, Md., October 2, 1845. He is a son of Henry Foltz, also a native of this county, where he spent his entire life, following the occupations of tanner and farmer and meeting with fair suc- cess in his undertakings. Politically he advo- cated Whig principles until the disintegration of that party, after which he was a Republican. Identified with the Reformed Church, he was active in its work and a liberal giver to its enter-
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prises. His death occurred when he was seven- ty-five years of age. It is supposed that his father was also a native of Washington County.
Henrietta (Fishack) Foltz, the motlier of our subject, was born in Washington County and died here at seventy years of age. She was a consistent Christian and a worthy member of the Reformed Church. In her family there were five children, namely: Frederick F., who is en- gaged in the implement business at Hagerstown; William R., who died at the age of twenty-five years; Catherine; Henry C .; and Clara B., liv- ing at Smithsburg. The years of boyhood and youth our subject spent on the home farm, aiding in the cultivation of the land and during the winter months attending the public schools. At the age of eighteen he became an apprentice in a machine shop at Waynesboro. On the ex- piration of his time he came to Hagerstown and for about eleven years worked at his trade, in the employ of others. In 1877 he formed a partner- ship with Garver Brothers, under the firm name of Garver, Foltz & Co., starting a machine shop and foundry at Rock Fords, Washington County, in the fall of that year, After carrying on the business at that point for five years he came to Hagerstown and purchased his present property. In 1884 he established the Hagerstown iron works and continued the active management of the same until 1888, when his partner died and the property was sold. He then leased the prop- erty, which he has since managed successfully.
By the marriage of Mr. Foltz to Annie Miller, of Hagerstown, seven children were born, viz :: Clara Etta; Katie, wife of Calvin Dorner; Sallie, Emma, Lulu, Robert and Grace, all of whom are at home except the married daughter. The fam- ily worship at the Reformed Church, to the sup- port of which Mr. Foltz is a regular contributor. The machine shop and foundry of which he is proprietor is the largest in the city; a specialty is made of repairing, in which line there is steady work. As a friend of Republican principles, he has given his hearty support to the men and measures advocated by his party. In 1893 lie was nominated as a candidate for county commis- sioner, against his wishes, but his friends insisted
upon presenting his name, and he finally con- sented that they should do so. However, lie did not make a canvass for the position, preferring to give his time and attention to his business affairs, but was elected by a handsome majority.
ENRY A. BESTER, a well-known florist and market gardener of Hagerstown, was born at College of St. James, Washington County, October 17, 1847. His father, William, (who spelled the family name Bestard) was a na- tive of Hesse-Cassel, and there grew to manhood, meanwhile learning the gardener's trade. Short- ly after attaining his majority he came to Ameri- ca and settled in Florida, and after a short so- journ in that part of the country, he came to Hagerstown. Here, in 1847, he began in the florist's business upon a small scale, and contin- ued in this work until his death, in September, 1858, at the age of fifty-seven years. As a busi- ness man he was fairly successful. In politics he was a Whig, and during the existence of the Know-Nothing party he advocated its principles. A Lutheran in religious belief, he assisted in the founding of the Second Lutheran Reformed Church, and in it held membership during his remaining years. His wife, Elizabeth, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and is still living.
Under the instruction of liis father, our subject in childhood obtained a thorough knowledge of the florist's business. About 1877 he embarked in the business for liimself, and he has since car- ried on a market garden and a greenhouse, selling vegetables and flowers to the people of this city. In 1875 he married Miss Catherine Garmen, of this city. They have four children, Henry A., Jr., Frederick, Clara and Edward.
The political questions of the age have received from Mr. Bester the serious considerations they nierit, and he has firm convictions upon all sub- jects of importance. In political belief he is an earnest advocate of the Democratic party, and al- ways gives his support to the nominees of that
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party. He has served as a member of the county central committee. Fraternally he is identified with the encampment of Odd Fellows and Im- proved Order of Red Men, while in religious be- lief he is connected with St. John's Lutheran Church. He gives his aid to all measures having for their object the promotion of the welfare of the people, and may be relied upon to lend liis influence in behalf of all that is just, uplifting and beneficial.
AROLD BAUGHMAN MILLER, M. D., PH. G., came to Cumberland in IS90, and has since been engaged in active professional practice here. For the better care of his patients, both here and those who come from a distance, he has built a hospital, a substantial, three-story, brick building, and in it every attention is be- stowed upon the sick, whose restoration to health is quickened by careful nursing and skillful medical treatment. In his practice he makes a specialty of surgery and gynecology, and in both departments of therapeutics he has been more than ordinarily successful. Besides his private practice, he is surgeon for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad at this point. Industrious and active, allowing nothing to interfere with his chosen vocation, he is indefatigable in answering the calls made upon him. He possesses the sturdy traits of character indicative of Teutonic lineage, and the genealogical record shows that he is of - German descent, but the family has been repre- sented in America since the latter part of the seventeenth century.
A native of Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pa., Dr. Miller was born October 12, 1861. He is a son of John and Lucetta M. (Culver) Miller, of whom mention is made in the sketch of David P. Miller, presented upon another page. Harold B. Miller received his primary education in the public schools. At the age of fourteen he began the study of pharmacy and medicine. In 1875 he came to Cumberland for the first time and
here read under Dr. McGill, later spending a few months in a drug store in this place. Afterwards he spent five years in a drug business in Philadel- phia, during which time he attended medical lectures in the evenings. This practical expe- rience in the drug business gave him a most excellent basis upon which to build his medical education and enabled him to more readily com- prehend the terms used in medicine. In 1883 he graduated from Philadelphia College, and the following year returned to Philadelphia, where he spent two years in the University of Pennsyl- vania. Going west to Nebraska he practiced medicine there for four years in a section of coun- try beyond the limit of the railroads, and in a neighborhood where the Indians made frequent hostile incursions. He recalls with anything but delight his experiences there, when he was far from white settlers and in daily danger of attacks by the Indians. However, the country built up rapidly, and he soon found himself busy answer- ing the calls for medical assistance. He prac- ticed both in Rushville and Nonpareil, and while there served as school director.
Returning east in 1889 Dr. Miller practiced his profession in Philadelphia and meantime took a special course in Jefferson Medical College, from which he graduated in 1890. Shortly afterward he opened an office in Cumberland and took up his permanent residence in this town. He is identified with the city, county and Tri-state medical societies. In political matters he is a stanchi advocate of the Republican party, but has never been active in public affairs, his attention being given closely to professional work.
April 7, 1885, Dr. Miller married Elizabeth W., daughter of Thomas W. and Frances G. (Leeds) Clement, of Atlantic City, N. J. Her father was for years a prominent man of Atlantic City, where he engaged in the real-estate and insurance business. In religious enterprises he was especially active and held official position in the Methodist Church constantly until his deatlı, in 1880. His widow now resides with hier daughter in Cumberland. Dr. and Mrs. Miller are identified with the Methodist Church, to the
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HON. WILLIAM COST JOHNSON.
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support of which they are liberal contributors. They are the parents of two children: Edwin Clement, born June 28, 1886, and Millie Lucile, September 25, 1889.
ON. WILLIAM COST JOHNSON, a fam- ous lawyer and prominent politician in the early part of the nineteenth century, was born in Jefferson District, Frederick County, in 1806. He received an academic education, studied law and was admitted to practice in the United States supreme court at the age of twenty- five years, in 1831. From 1833 to 1835 lie served as a member of congress and again from 1837 to 1843. He had served in the state legis- lature before entering, and also after leaving con- gress, and was a member of the Maryland consti- tutional convention of 1851. At one time he was president of the Young Men's convention, which met at the capital to nominate Henry Clay for president. He was an ardent Whig and an able political debater, a man of courage also, a quick hand with a pistol and notadverse to meet- ing an opponent on the "field of honor." He participated in several duels, among them one with William Schley, but in that instance the chal- lenge came from Schley. They met at Alexandria, Va., February 13, 1837, and exchanged one shot ; both were wounded, but neither seriously. The seconds of Mr. Johnson on that occasion were Governor Henry A. Wise of Virginia and Gov- erhor Campbell of South Carolina. The parties were reconciled on the ground and remained stanch friends from that time. Great punctilio was observed throughout the occasion, which has gone down in history as the "pattern duel."
To further show the forceful character of the man: On one occasion the house of representatives was sitting in committee of the whole, and in the temporary absence of the speaker, Hon. R. M. T. Hunter, the members had become uproarious, in fact, a howling, shouting mob. Joseph L. Til- linghast, who at the time occupied the chair, was
totally unable to quell the disturbance and hastily sent for the speaker, who came and found the uproar beyond his control. He selected to assist him Mr. Johnson, then a representative from Maryland, and whose tact and vigor had previously been tried. Johnson accepted the in- structions and the situation. Rapping sharply with the gavel, he said "The house will please be in order." This request was met with a shout of derision. He again spoke and in un- mistakable terms gave the assembly to under- stand that he intended to preserve order, and those failing to comply, whether friend or foe, would receive a hostile message the moment the committee arose. It had the desired ef- fect, and the house came to order without more ado.
Mr. Johnson was an anti-slavery man and more than once spoke, and always with elo- quence, on the subject of releasing the slaves by a system of gradation. He was nominated for the gubernatorial chair, but was defeated by Hon. Frank Thomas, of his own district, almost a neighbor of his. He was the admiration of his state, the intimate associate of Webster, Clay, Calhoun and Crittendon, Baily Payton, Henry A. Wise and many other bright lights of his time. During his service in the legislature he had the name of his village changed from Trappe to Jefferson, in memory of the president.
OL. THOMAS JOHNSON. This name brings to the minds of the residents of Fred- erick County, or at least to the inhabitants of Jefferson and neighboring districts, memories of one who was honored and loved by all who knew him, and whose useful and happy life came to a peaceful close some twelve years ago. He was a worthy representative of a family which ranks among the first and most highly respected families in Maryland, and he was a direct de- scendant of the first governor of the state, Thomas Johnson, whose tenure of office held during the
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years of 1777 and 1778. The brother of the colonel, Hon. William Cost Johnson, for many years figured prominently in congress, was nomi- nated for the gubernatorial chair and was known far and wide for his statesmanship. Another brother, Richard, was a large land owner and died, a bachelor, in Frederick.
Born in the Catoctin Valley in 1801, Col. Thomas Johnson was a son of William and grandson of John Johnson, of Frederick County. The father, William Johnson, was the owner of large tracts of valuable farm land and of a great many slaves. He lived upon a fine old home- stead in Jefferson District, and was called to lay down the burden of life while he was still in his early manhood. For his wife he chose a Miss Cost, and five children blessed their marriage.
With his two brothers, the subject of this biography attended the boarding school in Libertytown, Frederick County, and acquired an excellent education. For some years he was an officer in a company of the Maryland State Militia, with headquarters in Jefferson, and dur- ing the Civil war he volunteered his services to the government, but was not called into active engagements. He owned several valuable and fertile farms in Jefferson District, and, as his forefathers before him had done, owned a number of slaves to till the soil and carry on the work of these homesteads. His place of residence, called Daniel's Dilligence, is one of the most pleasant and desirable country homes in the county. The farm comprises about three hundred acres of very rich, fertile land, which yields abundant harvests to the fortunate owners. For several years the colonel was a member of the Maryland legislature and in every possible manner he manifested his earnest desire to advance the interests of the peo- ple among whom his lot had been cast. In his political faith he was an old-line Whig until the war, and later in life he used his franchise in favor of the principles set forth by the Democracy. For years he was a devoted member of the Meth- odist Protestant Church, and embodied in his daily life the high and noble principles of right and honor which had been instilled into his mind in boyhood by his loving parents. He lived to a
ripe age, being in his eighty-sixth year when he was called to his reward, in 1886. He died on the farm where he was born. He had married in his early manhood Miss Catherine Cost, whose father was a farmer in the western part of New York state. Four sons and four daughters canie to bless their happy home. Jane married Jackson Adams, of Howard County, and is now living in Frederick County.
One of the daughters of the colonel, Mrs. Ellen Cuyler Wight, after more than forty years passed in the city of Washington, D. C., has re- turned to the home and scenes of her childhood, and is the owner of beautiful Glen Merry. She is a lady of fine education and attainments. When quite young she married Washington Adams, a prosperous merchant and grain dealer of Washington, and they became the parents of one son, Clinton, who has always lived with his brother and is now engaged in overseeing the homestead. He is a civil engineer and is a genius, having made numerous inventions of merit. His arduous life in the line of his pro- fession at length effected his health, but he is now deriving great benefit from the out-door life he leads. He is gradually assuming other duties and is overseer of several pikes in this section of the county.
Some time subsequent to the death of Mr. Adamıs, his widow became the wife of Gilbert Mortier Wight, an enterprising business man of Washington, D. C. He died about thirteen years ago and after living for a few years longer in her charming home in the capital Mrs. Wight de- termined to return to her girlhood home. She has taken much interest in rebuilding and re- modeling the old home, and in making extensive improvements upon every hand. The residence stands upon a high promontory overlooking the picturesque mountains and valleys of this region, and in the distance may be seen the towns of Jefferson, Brunswick and Middletown; while South Mountain and many other noted places are in view. At the same time that she is gratifying a most natural and commendable desire to beautify her home, Mrs. Wight takes pleasure in the thought that she is also benefiting others.
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