USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Sixth congressional district, Maryland V. 1 > Part 19
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In carrying out her extended plans, she has given employment to many workmen, and has dis- tributed a goodly fortune among the people of the community.
ILLIAM H. BIXLER is the owner of the principal retail harness house in Hagers- town. To assist him in his business he has all the modern improvements, including a sewing machine that is run by electricity, and he tans all the leather used in the manufacture of harness in his shop. He is young and energetic, with adetermination of will and perseverance of character that almost invariably bring success; possessing also a mind that grasps quickly every opportunity for improvement and advancement. With these qualities it is but natural that he has become the leading harness manufacturer of his city.
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Near Westminster, Carroll County, Md., Mr. Bixler was born June 12, 1861. His boyhood days were spent in alternating work on the farm with attendance at the public schools. At the age of eighteen he secured employment in West- minster as confidential clerk and cashier with George Albaugh, which position he filled satis- factorily for two years. He then engaged in the shoe business, opening a store that he carried on for three years. From Westminster he came to Hagerstown, where he engaged in the retail shoe business for some years. About 1893 he built a tannery, which he operated in connection with the shoe business for two years, and then sold the latter business, turning his attention en- tirely to the tannery. In January, 1897, he opened up a large harness shop, and has since built up a profitable business in this line.
In 1889 Mr. Bixler was united in marriage with Miss Emma L. Sadtler, of the city of Balti- more. They are the parents of three daughters, Margery, Dora and Ruth, bright and interesting children, and the delight of their parents' hearts. The family are identified with the Lutheran Church and contribute to its support. In polit-
ical belief he adheres to the Democratic party, but is not active in public affairs, However, he dis- charges every duty as a citizen, and gives his sup- port to measures for the benefit of the community. He favors every enterprise that will be of assist- ance to people and that will promote the progress of the place. His knowledge of men is of a broad character, and he is always charitable in his views. His whole manner of conducting business shows the individuality of his character, which is characterized by scrupulous integrity, a desire to grasp every improvement and an earnestness in the management of affairs. In social, business and domestic circles he shows himself to be a man of resolute purpose, stanch probity and untiring perseverance.
T. JOHN'S PARISH. The history of St. John's Church, in the city of Frederick, is the history of Catholicity in Frederick Coun- ty. All of the outlying missions and chapels are its offshoots. It brings us back to the middle of the eighteenth century, when the spiritual needs of the resident Catholics were looked after by a Jes- uit father from St. Thomas' Mission, near Port To- bacco, on the Potomac, then the centre of the Maryland mission. By that time a number of Catholics had settled in the valley. In 1750 Mr. Carroll, father of Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, had purchased the large tract of land now called . Carroll Manor, and partitioned it off into numer- ous farms. These he rented out to persons, for the most part Catholics, engaged from the lower section of the state.
In Frederick City there was resident quite a number of Catholics, and at the end of the Revo- lutionary war the number had increased consider- ably. The father in charge of this widely scat- tered flock made long excursions through what is now the District of Columbia, Montgomery and Frederick Counties, following the line of the Potomac. In 1763 the necessity of having a pas- tor in the city became evident, both on account of the number of Catholics then dwelling there, and
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the comparative facilities such a location offered for administering to the spiritual wants of those scattered through the valley and beyond. Ac- cordingly a chapel and residence were built in the same year, and Father John Williams, S. J., was sent as its pastor. The territory of the parish comprised western Maryland and the upper part of Virginia, entailing on the missionary long and perilous journeys. The residence occupied by him was a brick building of two stories and about fifty feet frontage. The second story served as the parisli chapel. This building is now the centre of the novitiate property. For forty years it was the only place of worship for the Catholics of Frederick County, and during that period the pastor had been changed four times.
In 1792 Rev. John Dubois, afterward bishop of New York, assumed charge of the parish and extended his territory to Emmitsburg, and for some time he was the only priest between Balti- more and St. Louis. The members of his con- gregation came distances of twenty, forty and often sixty miles to attend mass and receive the sacra- ments; and when any of them were ill or dying the indefatigable pastor traversed the same dis- tances, often on foot, to provide for his loved ones the consolations of religion. In 1800 Fa- ther Dubois began a new chapel, a brick build- ing, eighty-two feet in length by forty-five feet in breadth, on the corner of the parish property. Much difficulty was met with in paying for it. Riger Taney, then a prominent lawyer and ment- ber of the congregation, afterward fifth chief justice of the United States, said that all thought it could never be paid for and, more, that it would never be filled with Catholics. In 1830 this chapel, being too small for the congregation, was given over to the colored people, the white members of the congregation taking possession of the new church built directly across the street, the old chapel was in 1859 incorporated into the novitiate.
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Father Dubois continued in charge of the par- ish until 1810, during which year Father Maleve, S. T., entered on the charge of the pastor. At this time the number of the faithful had greatly increased, especially in the outlying stations, and
a few years later chapels were built in several parts of the county. The church of St. John's had remained unfinished, and the roof, by reason of poor construction, was unsafe. Father Maleve immediately set about repairing the church. He had it plastered and by inserting wooden columns, the poorly made roof was rendered secure. Next in order is the building of St. Joseph's Church at Carroll Manor, in 1820. The ground for it and the little graveyard, besides the necessary funds for its construction, were the gift to Father Maleve from Charles Carroll, of Carrollton. The new church, built in 1871, is the gift to Father John Gaffney from one of Mr. Carroll's descendants. In 1821 Father Malevé began the construction of the church at Libertytown, on ground donated for the purpose by a Mr. Coale, a prominent Catholic, who, however, died before it was finished. This church was replaced by another and larger one in 1874, the gift of General Coale, the son of the first donor, at a cost of $15,000. In 1822 Father Maleve was called to his reward. Father John McElroy, S. J., who had been sent to minister to him in his last moments, was chosen his suc- cessor.
Here begins a career in the grand cause that has scarcely been equalled in any part of our country. The first move Father McElroy made was to establish a community of the Sisters of Charity in the parish. The help to be rendered by them for educational purposes was much needed. In 1824 four sisters arrived from Em- mitsburg. A small house had been built for them on what is now the property of the convent of the Visitation nuns on the east side of the church. Here the sisters opened school January 3, 1824. It was called St. John's Female Benev- olent and Frederick Free School. The stormn of opposition that the opening awakened was in- tense. The clamors were unheeded, and soon the attendance reached two hundred. In 1825 Father McElroy built a larger establishment as a school and orphan asylum. The means at hand for the work were wholly inadequate, but soon his energy had provided the necessary funds, and the work was happily completed, and thus opened the establishment known as First Frederick Free
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School. In this year the first assistant pastor of St. John's arrived in the person of Rev. P. W. Welsh, S. J. His help was much needed and he was put in charge of the parish proper. The next year the need of another father became imperative, when the church at Petersville was built.
Father McElroy now felt that the time had come to provide for the education of the male youth of the congregation. It had long been his ambition to have a school for them. They were much in want of religious and literary knowl- edge. The usual difficulties as to the raising of the funds and the means of supporting the school presented themselves; but Father Mc- Elroy was prepared. He met them and they disappeared. His zeal was contagious and his designs were the longings of his flock. The cor- nerstone of St. John's Literary Institute or College (better known, as it is, by the latter title, throughout the state) was laid August 7, 1828. Early in 1829 classes were opened. Its curric- ulum of study was that of a regular college course, and soon it was a rival of Georgetown College. It remained so for twenty-five years, until 1853. Since that time it has been only a grammar school for the youth of the city. The number of those among the students of St.
. John's in its days of glory who attained to prom- inence in the legal and medical professions, is by 110 means a small one. Some of the most distin- guished names in the state were at one time on its role. It has also given many vocations to the priesthood.
Since Father McElroy had come to St. John's he had finished and beautified the old church. In 1830 he decided to enlarge it. He consulted several builders, and they all decided it better to build a new church. The project was laid aside for some time, but in 1883 Father McElroy had on hand a sufficient sum to warrant the beginning of a new church. He chose a Mr. Telian, a prominent builder of those days, as the architect. The form of the church was settled on as that of a Latin cross; the nave to be one hundred and thirty-six feet long and forty-nine feet in width; the transept forty-nine feet in width and ninety-
four in height; length of nave to transept sixty- three feet, total height forty feet. The church of the Jesuits in Dublin was the model of ground plan. St. John's, however, surpasses its proto- type in dimensions. The cornerstone was laid on St. Joseph's day in 1833. The greatest diffi- culties attended the furtherance of the work. The necessary. funds came, however. Subscrip- . tions and legacies, together with the contributions of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and the Chesa- peake Canal, enabled the pastor to finish the building by April, 1837. On the 26th of that month the church was consecrated solemnly to the services of God. The Most Reverend Samuel Eccleston officiated at the ceremonies, assisted by eight suffragan bishops from adjoining dio- ceses. So St. John's Church was the first Cath- olic Church thus solemnly consecrated to the service of Almighty God in this part of the count- try. This noble edifice is the result of that resistless energy and invincible trust in the prov- idence of God which were the distinguishing characteristics of Father McElroy. The steeple was completed in 1854, under the pastorate of Rev. Burchard Villiger, S. J.
During the time of the construction of the new church, the novitiate of the society was moved to the residence in Frederick, which had received a large addition for the purpose. Father Mc- Elroy and those engaged in the college trans- ferred their abode to the new pastoral residence on Church street. Many remarkable conversions are scattered over Father McElroy's career, but little or no record is found of them. In 1839 Father James Ryder was acting as assistant to Father McElroy in the church and as prefect and teacher in the college. His eloquent discourses drew large Protestant audiences, and many con- versions are recorded as their fruit. In 1845 Father McElroy was summoned to Washington and in a short time we find him in the ranks of the national army in Mexico. After this he was called to Boston, Mass., and there built up a col- lege of the society and the church, which forin the crowning monuments of his career. He died at the novitiate, Frederick, September 12, 1877. His successor in St. John's was Father Thomas
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Lilly. During his term the Sisters of Charity withdrew and were replaced by the Nuns of the Visitation, who continue their charitable work of education up to the present day. In 1848 Father Lilly was called away, and Father Charles H. Stonestreet assumed charge. He made way for Father Thomas Mulledy in 1850. It was under Father Mulledy's superiorship that the college plan of St. John's was abandoned.
During the interval from 1850 to 1870 the events were the ordinary ones of a parish. The novitiate served as an hospital for the wounded of Antietam in the battle of the Monocacy during the war. Some of the pastors during that period were Fathers Villiger, Barber, DeNeceere, Blen- kinsop and McAtec. Father Sourin was superior from 1860 to 1870. After him came Fathers O'Kane, Smith, Jenkins, Ciampi, Fulmer and again Father Stonestreet, who remained for some years pastor and rector of the novitiate. During this time the pastorial resident on Church street was sold and the fathers and brothers laboring in the parish took up their abode in the novitiate. The buildings of the novitiate had now assumed large proportions. We have seen that the center was formerly the parish chapel, and the east wing the old church. These had been joined by an addition and formed the first novitiate build- ing, together with an extension to the west. The west wing was added by Father Samuel Barber in 1882. He had succeeded Father Tis- dall as rector.
The rector of the novitiate at the present time is Rev. John H. O'Rourke, S. J. He entered on the charge toward the end of the year 1891, succeeding Rev. James Ward. Under him the house has been much improved. Steam heating and electric lights have been introduced. A country house also has been erected about three miles from the city. Its situation is a beautiful one. On a knoll, commanding a beautiful view of the surrounding country, it can plainly be seen from any part of the valley for a radius of some miles.
Such is the history of St. John's Church. It is an uncommon one. It dates its origin from the first missions of the country. Nearly a century
and one-half has passed since the first time a missionory came to it and ministered to its needs and the good seed then planted has been pro- ducing since. St. John's Church is the mother of Catholicity in this county.
SEIBERT DAVIS, M. D., carries on a general medical practice and is also propri- ctor of a drug business in Boonsboro, where he has resided since 1891. He is a member of the Washington County Medical Society, the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland and the American Medical Society, and takes a deep interest in all the advances made in the profession, utilizing in his own practice such of tlie modern discoveries as he deems practicable. A native of Maryland, he was born in Wolfsville, Frederick County, in 1854. His father, William E. Davis, M. D., was born in Boonsboro in 1830 and spent his youthful years in this place, where he obtained his literary education. In 1851 he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with the degree of M. D., and then began prac- tice in Wolfsville, where he remained for two years. In 1855 he came back to his native place and here carried on a general practice until his death. In politics he adhered to the Know- Nothing party during its existence, and in cam- paigns his services as a stump speaker were in constant demand. His death occurred in 1858, when he was twenty-eight years of age.
The marriage of Dr. William E. Davis united him with Henrietta E. Smith, of Boonsboro, by whom he had four children, namely: Katie A., wife of Dr. J. Seibert Boak, a dentist in West Virginia; S. Seibert, of this sketch; Dr. William E., of Baltimore; and Theodore, who resides in Boulder, Colo. After the death of Dr. Davis his widow became the wife of G. W. Hicks, and now resides in Faribault, Minn., where Mr. Hicks died.
When a boy our subject attended the public school in Boonsboro and Mercersburg ( Pa. ) Col-
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lege. In 1873 he began to read medicine under Dr. J. M. Gaines, of Boonsboro. The following year he attended the University of Virginia, and in the spring of 1875 graduated from the medical department with the degree of M. D. He at once began to practice at Boonsboro, where he remained for ten years, and afterward carried on practice in Keedysville for five years. In 1885 he went to Minneapolis, Minn., where he re- mained for some years; and while there, in 1890-91, he took a special course in surgery in the University of Minnesota. In 1891 he re- turned to Maryland and has since built up a large practice in Boonsboro. Politically he is a Republican, and fraternally is identified with Antietam Lodge No. 197, A. F. & A. M. In religious belief he is a member of the Reformed Church, and contributes to the support of that denomination.
April 18, 1876, the doctor married Miss Eva May Nicodemus, daughter of J. L. and Eveline C. (Smith) Nicodemus, of Washington, and Frederick Counties, of Md., respectively.
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EPTHA E. PITSNOGLE, M. D., a promi- nent physician of Hagerstown, was born in Bedington, Berkeley County, W. Va., Janu- : ary 11, 1863. He is of direct German descent, his grandfather, Adam Pitsnogle, having emi- grated from Germany to the United States in early manhood, and settled in Maryland near the Pennsylvania line, but later removing to West Virginia and established his home near Little Georgetown, During the War of 1812 he enlisted in the American service and participated in a number of engagements with the British. He married a Miss Miller, who was born in Maryland. His death occurred when he was about fifty-three years of age.
Levi Pitsnogle, father of the doctor, was born and reared at Little Georgetown, Berkeley County, W. Va., and spent his entire life in farmi pursuits and stockraising. He was suc-
cessful and at his death left a valuable estate. He was stanch in his allegiance to the Union canse and strongly opposed the system of slav- ery, which opinion he emphasized by the pur- chase and freedom of a slave. In religion he was identified with the Episcopal Church. He died in Berkeley County at seventy-three years of age. His wife, who was Matilda Long, was born near Greencastle, Pa., and at an early age accom- panied her parents to Washington County, Md. She died at the age of sixty-nine. Of her four- teen children twelve attained maturity and eleven are still living.
During boyhood our subject attended the coun- try schools near his home. At the age of seven- teen he entered the West Virginia State Normal School, where he carried on liis studies until his graduation three years later. He then spent a year at home, after which he went to Missouri and secured a position as deputy postmaster at Windsor, Henry County, where he remained for one year. In 1885 he entered the medical depart- ment of the University of Maryland at Baltimore, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1888, with the degree of M. D. During the va- cations of the previous years he had practiced as an assistant in his native town and thus gained valuable experience in professional work. On leaving college he opened an office at Sharps- burg, Md., and engaged in practice there for three years, at the expiration of which time he came to Hagerstown, and has since been in con- tinuous practice here. Failing health induced him to leave Sharpsburg, as overwork and long drives in the country, sometimes in very inclem- ent weather, had materially affected his health, and he came to Hagerstown, thinking that a city practice would cause less exposure and be less wearing to his constitution. In this hope he was not disappointed, as he lias steadily gained strength since coming here.
January 11, 1891, Dr. Pitsnogle married Mary Ellen Edmonds, of Sharpsburg, an estimable lady and an active worker in the Lutheran Church. The doctor is a stanch Republican and has been quite active in politics since coming to Hagers- town. For two years he was a member of the
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state central committee, also of the county cent- tral committee, in both of which his assistance was valuable and his suggestions judicious. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Shield of Honor, Knights of Pythias and Knights of the Ancient Essenic Order, while in a professional line he is connected with the Washington County Medical Society. Since coming here he has built up a valuable practice and has made investments in city property, with the intention of making his permanent home in Hagerstown.
12 ANIEL P. FAHRNEY, M. D., of Hagers- town, was born near Boonsboro, Washing- ton County, Md., June 10, 1841, and was a son of Daniel Fahrney by his union with Amy Welty. His grandfather, Peter Fahrney, was a native of Lancaster County, Pa., and in early manhood removed to Maryland, settling in Wash- ington County, where he engaged in the practice of medicine until 1837. His practice extended throughout all that section of country and, in order to answer calls for medical assistance, he was obliged frequently to ride on horseback for miles across the mountains. The hardships were many and the pay small, but he won his reward in the graditude of the people and the knowledge that he had been instrumental in lessening the ills to which the human flesh is heir. His death occurred when he was seventy-three years of "'Dr. and Mrs. Fahrney are identified with the age.
Upon the farm where our subject was born occurred the birth of his father August 20, 1819, and there his entire life was passed. In 1839 he began practice as a physician, having gained a thorough knowledge of the science of medicine under the preceptorship of his father. He con- tinued to reside on the family homestead and carry on his practice until he died, at forty-seven years of age. Politically he adhered to Republi- can principles. He is survived by his wife, who is now (1898) seventy-seven years of age. They
were the parents of three children, of whom Daniel P. is the eldest. The only daughter, Annie A., died at the age of eleven years; while the youngest son, Lewis W., is a physician in Hogestown, Cumberland.
At the age of eighteen the subject of this sketch began to study medicine with his father, but after a time he entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, continuing his studies there until he graduated in 1866 with the degree of M. D. He began practice with his father and when the latter died, in February, 1867, he succeeded to the practice. He remained in the same place where his father and grand- father had labored as physicians, but in October, 1876, realizing that he could accomplish more in a larger place, he came to Hagerstown, and here he has since engaged in office practice. He has made a specialty of treating chronic cases, in which he has been remarkably successful, and has patented medicines that he uses in his prac- tice with good results.
The marriage of Daniel P. Fahrney united him with Susan M., daughter of Jacob C. Middle- kauff, of Beaver Creek, Md. They are the par- ents of seven children now living, namely: Clara A., the widow of Dr. C. A. Baldwin; Elmer Clay, a physician of Harrisburg, Pa., formerly connected with the Bellevue Medical Hospital, of New York; Mary Elizabeth, wife of Samuel M. Shafer, of Hagerstown; Annie A. C., Mrs. H. H. Straub, also of Hagerstown; Howard B., who is a printer by trade; Daniel Newton, who is his father's assistant; and Guy, who resides at home. German Baptist Church.
In politics Dr. Fahrney is a republican, and fraternally he belongsto the Royal Arcanum and Order of the Golden Eagle. His attention, how- ever, is principally given to professional work, to the exclusion of political and fraternal organiza- tions. In 1884-85 hie treated over eleven thous- and cases, and one-third of these were treated by mail, the medicines being sent by express or mail. He has patented a number of remedies, "Health Restorer," "Teething Syrup," "Peer- less Liniment," "Worm Syrup," and "Pain
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GEN. HENRY KYD DOUGLAS.
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Nocker." Through the successful treatment of chronic and intricate cases he has proved that it is possible to heal without personal interview with the patient. In fact, his success has been his best advertisement, for those whom he has healed have recommended him in the highest terms to others, and in this way his practice has become very large, almost exceeding the limits of his time. Notwithstanding the pressure of many cases demanding immediate attention, he gives to each one the most careful thought and consideration, and thus is enabled to prescribe the medicines that will most quickly repair shat- tered nerves and bring back lost health.
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