USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Sixth congressional district, Maryland V. 1 > Part 22
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present he has one of the largest florist's estab- lishments in Maryland, as about sixty thousand square feet are under glass. Three of his sons are partners with him in the business, and the firm name is H. Weber & Sons.
In 1866 the marriage of Mr. Weber and Cath- erine Schutz was solemnized in Mount Savage, Md. They are the parents of eleven children, named as follows: Mary, Henry P., William, Elizabeth, Katie, George, Annie, Edith, John, Frank and Ralph. Mary, the eldest daughter, is a successful teacher in the Oakland public school. Henry P., William and George are meni- bers of the firm of H. Weber & Sons, and are enterprising young business men. Henry P. Weber married Miss Grace Jackson and resides in a pleasant modern house upon the farm. Mr. Weber, his wife and Henry P. are all members of the Church of the Living God.
HARLES P. LEVY is an enterprising young business man and leading member of the bar of Frederick. He is one of her native sons and has passed his whole life .here, being thoroughly identified with her interests, and con- fident of the yet greater things in store for her, in the future. He has been financially connected with a number of leading enterprises here, althoughi he has scarcely passed the quarter-century mark on life's highway, and everything calculated to advance the prosperity of the city is certain of receiving his earnest support. He is a director in the First National Bank; secretary of tlie Hygeia Ice Company; a director in the Frederick City Manufacturing Company, and a stockholder in the Braddock Heights Company.
Charles V. S. Levy, the father of the young man of whom we write, was one of the most honored citizens of Frederick for a great many years, and prominent in business, social and church circles. He was held in the highest esteem by all with whom he came in contact, and
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was a man of noble character and principle, and at the same time pleasant and genial in manner. He served twenty years as city attorney of Fred- erick, and for a number of years as attorney for the board of county commissioners. He was born in Middletown, Frederick County, in the year 1844, and received his higher education in Gettys- burg College, from which institution he graduated at the head of his class, when but eighteen years of age. Three years later he entered upon the .practice of law in this city and continued actively engaged in his profession up to the time of his death, in December, 1895, or a period of some thirty years. He was always called upon when any new industry or enterprise needed backing, and he rarely failed to respond with the desired assistance, whether financial or merely of in- fluence. He was the attorney of the Middletown & Frederick Railroad, and was a director in the same; was president of the Hygeia Ice Company for years; was a director in the First National Bank and attorney for the same, and was con- nected with the Frederick City Packing Company in a similar capacity. He was one of the most prominent Masons of the state, having been hon- ored with the thirty-third degree, .as well as being a member of Boumi Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Baltimore, and for ten consecutive years served as master of Columbia Lodge No. 58, A. F. & A. M. Politically he was a stanch Democrat, and a great worker for the success of his party. He was a member of the Lutheran Church and served as superintendent of the Sun- day-school. His father, Perry J. Levy, who died in 1897, at the advanced age of eighty-four years, was a merchant in Middletown for a long period.
The mother of the subject of this article was Mary G., daughter of Rev. William D. Strobel, of the Lutheran Church. He lived in Frederick only during the war, and that on account of his sympathy with the Confederacy, and later re- turned to New York, where he had previously resided. The four brothers of our subject are all younger than he and are as follows: William S., a graduate of Johns Hopkins College, and now a student in the University of Maryland at Balti- inore; Walter V. S .; Roger S. and Arthur E.
Mary G., the elder sister, is the wife of Ernest Helfenstein, while the other sister is Elizabeth S., still at home.
Charles P. Levy was born April 21, 1873, in Frederick. His early education was acquired. in private schools, and subsequently he entered Frederick College, where he pursued the higher branches. He read law in his father's office and was admitted to the bar of this county after due examination, in November, 1895. Since that time he has conducted his practice, and has fallen heir to numerous of the old clients who had formerly been his father's. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and takes quite an interest in the fraternities, though, as yet, his time has been too fully occupied to permit of his joining many of them. Politicaly he is a Democrat, and active in the work of his party. In August, 1896, he married Roberta H. Dixon, daughter of Charles F. Dixon, who is manager of the Fred- erick City Packing Company. Mrs. Levy is a beautiful and accomplished young lady, and is a member of the Reformed Church.
OUGLAS PERCY LE FEVRE. A well- known resident of Cumberland, Mr. LeFevre has spent ahnost his entire life in this city. He was born here December 17, 1867, and re- ceived his education primarily in Allegany County Academy, where his preparation for col- lege was so thorough that he was admitted to the. sophomore class of Lafayette College. He re- mained a student of that institution until he graduated in 1890, with the degree of C. E. Re- turning to Cumberland, he opened an office and was elected city engineer, in which capacity he has charge of some important work in this place. He designed and had charge of construction of most of the Baltimore street bridges.
Going to Johnstown, Pa., in 1892, Mr. LeFevre became first assistant city engineer under Capt. John Downey, the first engineer after the menior- able flood. They had a great deal of important
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work mider their supervision, including the re- pairing of the city lines, fixing of grades, etc. While there Mr. Le Fevre made a map of Jolis- town. In 1893 he came back to Cumberland and has since had an office in this city. Twice he has been nominated for county surveyor, and although his party was in a minority of fifteen hundred, he came within three hundred votes of being elected. He has given special attention to bridge work. In geology also he is muchi in- terested and had charge of the economic work in this section of the Maryland geological survey under Dr. William B. Clark, of Johns Hopkins University. He had paid special attention to the magnetic variation and has an elaborate dia- gram showing the variations from 1730 to the present time.
The Le Fevre family is of French-Huguenot origin. The first of the name in this country was Abraham LeFevre, who crossed the ocean and set- tled in 1707 in what is now Kingston, N. Y. Later he removed to Lancaster County, Pa., where his son, David, was born in 1719. Prior to the Revolution David came to Washington County, Md., where his son, John, was born in 1770. The latter married Cristianna Householder, a granddaughter of Maj. Otho Zwingley, a hero of the Revolution. Henry, son of John and grand- father of our subject, was born in Washington County, Md., in 1808, and married Rebecca Seyster, by whom lie had two children: William Henry, born in 1835, and Elizabeth Whiteman. Henry was a tanner by trade and had a tannery at Williamsport for many years, but in 1857 opened a drug store at Grafton, the active control of which was in the hands of his son. In 1860 he removed to Grafton, but after two years he came to Cumberland, and in 1863 established a drug store here, continuing in active business until his death in 1883. In politics he was an active Democrat, but never held office, as lie de- voted his time strictly to business matters. For many years he served as an elder in the Lutheran Church.
William Henry Le Fevre, fatlier of our sub- ject, was born in Williamsport, Md., and received his education in the subscription schools of the
day. When about eighteen years of age lie be- came interested in a drug business at Williams- port, but in 1853, after a short experience in busi- ness there, lie went to Philadelphia, where lie en- gaged in the same business for four years and also studied pharmacy, graduating from tlie Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. In the spring of 1858 he went to Grafton and established tlie first drug store there. In 1860 lie removed to Romney, where he also started the first drug store in the place. After a year he returned to Philadelphia, where he was in charge of a store until 1863, and then, coming to Cumberland, es- tablished a store here. In 1870 he opened a branch pliarmacy at Frostburg, which, however, he disposed of in 1876, and afterward gave hisat- tention to the business at Cumberland until he sold out in 1895 and retired from active work. Politically he is a Democrat and in religious belief a member of the Lutheran Church.
December 15, 1863, W. H. Le Fevre married Eleanor Maria Percy, daughter of Douglas Percy, a noted Scotch geologist, who came to this country and was among the earliest to develop the coal mines of Allegany County. This was long before any railroad was built through the coal region, and, in order to get liis coal to market, he had flat boats built, on which he loaded the coal, then floated them down the Po- tomac, and sold both coal and boats. As a geologist he had a wide reputation and was called in consultation by many eastern parties, who later became interested in the mines. Mr. and Mrs. Le Fevre had two children: William P., who was born August 23, 1865, and is en- gaged in engineering with his brother; and Douglas Percy, of this sketcli.
Having given liis time largely to his work as engineer, Mr. Le Fevre lias liad little opportunity to engage in politics or identify himself with pub- lic affairs, but he keeps posted concerning the issues of the age and supports tlie Democratic party. He lias inherited much of the talent of his grandfather Douglas, for whom lie was named, the two being especially alike in their fondness for geological researchies. Fraternally lie is a member of the Ancient Essenic Order and
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Lafayette Chapter of tlie Delta Upsilon Frater- nity. In religion he is connected with the Pres- byterian Church. At this writing he is employed as engineer of Allegany County, having charge of all bridge work. October 13, 1891; he mar- ried Margaret E. V., daughter of E. J. and Mary E. (Edwards) Russell. They have one child, William Douglas, born January 5, 1894.
OHN M. DAVIS, one of the most promi- nent merchants and citizens of Garrett County, was born in Somerset County, Pa., January 26, 1835, and is a son of Joseph B. and Sarah (McMillen) Davis.
The ancestors of our subject were among the early settlers of Somerset County, Pa. Joseph Barker, the great-grandfather of our subject (on the maternal side), served during the War of Independence, holding the rank of captain, and took an important part in the battle of the Brandywine. A quaint old canvas pocketbook carried by him through his service is in the possession of Mr. Davis. His daughter Elisabeth married Benjamin Davis, grandfather of our subject. He was of Welsh descent, and both passed their lives in Somerset County.
Their son, Josepli B., born in Dauphin County, Pa., in 1808, married Sarah "McMillen. The greater part of his life was spent in Somerset County, where he was engaged in buying, sell- . ing and shipping live-stock. He was also en- gaged in agricultural enterprises, and the owner of a valuable landed property in that section, and was prominently identified with its various inter- ests. In 1860 he removed to Allegheny County, . Md., settling in the vicinity of Oakland, and for some time prior to the division of the counties, served as tax collector. His death occurred September 14, 1890. His widow still survives and is enjoying good health, although in her eighty-eiglith year. To this marriage were born six children, three of whom survive: John M.,
our subject; Rev. Samuel W., of the Pittsburg conference; and Sallie, widow of the late M. L. Scott, of Oakland. Ann, deceased, was the wife of folin Harned, who is at present part owner of the old homestead.
John M. Davis acquired his early education in the public schools of his native county, later entering Allegheny College, where he remained until eigliteen years of age. Subsequently he taught school for a short time, following which he engaged in farming. In 1858 he removed to Oakland, where he purchased six hundred acres of farming land, continuing in its management until 1865. He was also engaged in dealing in live- stock, and was recognized as the most prominent dealer in this section. On conclusion of the war he purchased the general merchandising business of N. B. Harvey, and formned the firm of Bishop, Davis & Townshend. This co-partnership lasted for four years, when Mr. Bishop became sole owner, Messrs. Davis & Townshend establishing another enterprise of a like nature. In 1886 Mr. Davis, with his son Charles S. as his associ- ate, formed the present firm of J. M. Davis & Sons, and engaged in dealing in hardware and agricultural implements. By a thorough knowl- edge of the business, and enterprising and up-to- date methods, they have succeeded in building one of the largest and best paying establishinients in Garrett County, and are recognized as a tlior- ouglily reliable and progressive firm.
In 1882 Mr. Davis became interested in the establishing of Mountain Lake Park, the home of the mountain Chautauqua, and the meeting place of the international camp-meeting of the Methodist Episcopal Churchi. To his enterprise, energy and devotion, much of the success of this delightful summer home is due, and practically all of the many improvements and innovations were made under his direct supervision. The difficulties which he successfully overcame in the upbuilding of this resort were many, and his reward, in being able to see his labor crowned with well- merited success, is a fitting crown to a long and useful life spent in an earnest endcavor to better tlie lot of his fellow-men. Politically he is a stanch and energetic member of the
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COL. DAVID C. WINEBRENER.
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Republican party, though one who has never desired to accept office. He is also a Knight of Honor.
March 4, 1858, Mr. Davis married Eleanor J., daughter of Alexander Philson, of Berlin, Pa. They have a family of three sons: Charles S., of the firm of J. M. Davis & Sons; Rev. William C., a member of the Pittsburg Conference; and Jolin W., employed in his father's store. Mr. Davis has been a life-long member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, active and prominent in its affairs. He has served as superintendent of the Sunday-school for the past thirty-three years, and since 1860 as the local minister of Oakland. His family are also active members of the same body. During his service as lay preacher, Mr. Davis has married over four hundred couples, a truly remarkable record for this community.
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OL. DAVID C. WINEBRENER. Occupy- ing a truly enviable position among the business men of the enterprising city of Frederick stands this worthy citizen, who has been identified with her best interests for many decades past. He is progressive and thoroughly in accord with the active, ambitious spirit of the times, and many are the infant industries and movements calculated to advance the prosperity of this community which have received his prac- tical support and influence. At this time he has- investments in numerous local concerns and cor- porations and for years has been a member of the business men's association. Since 1893 he has been the president of the Farmers' and Mechanics' National Bank here, and for a long time previously was one of its board of directors. He is president of the Frederick City Brick Works, and holds a similar office in the Improve- ment Land and Building Association. For years he was president of the Agricultural Society of Frederick County, and is now one of its directors. He is also a director in the Parkersburg branch of the Baltimore & Oliio Railroad Company.
A son of Christian and Phoebe (Cramer.) Winebrener, our subject was born in Frederick County October 12, 1834. His father was born on a farm about one mile from Walkersville in 1799 and was a farmer during the active years of his life. When advanced in years he moved to the village of Walkersville, and there he died in 1891. The first representative of the Wine- brener family in America came from the Palati- nate, a Rhenish province of Germany. Johann Cliristian Winebrener (such was his name) landed in Philadelphia in 1753 and settled near the Maryland line at Mercersburg, Pa., but after- ward moved to Hagerstown, where he died. His son, Philip, grandfather of our subject, settled at Walkersville, Frederick County. The farm he purchased is still in the possession of the family, and a copy of the coat-of-arms of the family is a prized souvenir treasured by Colonel Wine- brener.
The early education of our subject was such as was afforded by the public schools, and later it was his privilege to enter the Landon Military Academy at Urbana, Md., from which institution he graduated in 1855. Returning home lie entered into partnership with Daniel Getzen- danner, in April, 1856, and embarked in general merchandising in Frederick; this being a contin- uation of the business established by the late Christian Steiner in 1824. This firm continued business all through the trying days of the war, and grew into a large and prosperous con- cern in due course of time. In 1865 the gentle- inan of whom we write bought out his partner's interest and the style of the firmi became D. C. Winebrener & Co. The present store site was purchased in 1859. Since then many improve- ments have been made on the property and addi- tions made, as the demands of the trade increased. To-day the store and equipments are considered one of the best in the city. In 1891 the firm dis- continued the retail branch of the business and have since attended solely to the wholesale trade in groceries, dry goods and general mer- chandise.
In the cause of education Colonel Winebrener has always been greatly interested, and for a
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long period he lias been a trustee of the Frederick Female Seminary. Since 1862 he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity. In politics he has always been a stanch Republican, but has never had time for public office. October 12, 1864, he married Rebecca, daughter of the late David J. Markey, of this city. Three children were born of their union, viz .: Susan May, wife of James H. Gambrill, Jr .; Grace, wife of Charles B. Trail, who was United States consul at Mar- seilles, France, for four years; and David C., Jr., who married Eleanor Ritchie. The family at- tend All Saints' Episcopal Church.
Aside from the business in which he is partic- ularly engaged, Mr. Winebrener has other im- portant interests. He is a stockholder in the Frederick and Middletown trolley road, and a director in the extension of the Myersville and Catoctin road, also one of the incorporators of the Frederick, Thurmont and Northern Electric railroad. As a business man he is prominent, not only in Frederick, but throughout western Maryland.
AMUEL W. SOWERS, a prominent real- estate dealer and insurance agent of Hagers- town, Washington County, has his office in the substantial and centrally located building Hamilton Row. He is a young man possessed of great energy and business ability, broad and progressive views, and a mind well stored with general information. Of a frank and genial nature, he readily makes friends of all with whom he has dealings, whether in a business or social way, and his patriotism and public spirit are matters of comment. In short, lie is one of the kind of men that give character and stability to any community which has the honor to claim then as citizens.
Born in Clear Spring District, Washington County, August 26, 1868, our subject is a son of Samuel W. and Saralı A. (Krepps) Sowers, both of whom are natives of this county, likewise. The father has devoted his life to agricultural
pursuits, and takes particular interest and pride in the fine livestock that he raises. He is a man of considerable literary talent, and articles which he writes are published from time to time in the journals of the period. He learned the milling business in his early manhood, and has con- tributed articles along this line for papers pub- lished in the interest of his brethren of the craft. He is a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, in Clear Spring, and is an official in the con- gregation. December 11, 1897, lie celebrated the sixty-second anniversary of his birth. His faith- ful wife has reached the age of fifty-six years. Her parents were farmers of this region, and her aged mother is now approaching her ninetieth birthday anniversary, her powers of mind and body being, nevertheless, wonderfully well per- served.
The father of Samuel W. Sowers was a much respected citizen of the neighborhood of Clear Spring, and died at the age of forty-five years. By trade he was a saddler, and followed that calling in connection with that of agriculture. His wife, who survived him many years, dying when about fourscore, was familiarly known as "Aunt Polly," and was loved by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. She was a sweet Christian woman, and was very active in the work of the Lutheran Church to which she be- longed.
Of the four brothers and sisters of our subject the eldest is Millard, a mechanic and pattern- maker, of natural genius for everything in this line. He resides with his parents still, and works at his trade as a journeyman. Benjamin F., the next brother, is a blacksmith of this county; and Frederick assists his father in the management of the old homestead. Daisy, the only sister, re- sides with her parents. They were all brought up in the quiet routine of farm life, and received such educational advantages as were afforded by the local schools. S. W. Sowers, of whom this sketch is written, was an apt pupil, and after leaving the ordinary schools, entered the state normal of Millersville, Pa., and subsequently taught with successful results for some six years. During the latter part of this period he acted in
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tlie capacity of principal, and was well liked wherever he went. For three years and three months Mr. Sowers was employed by the insur- ance firm of Armstrong & Co., of this city, but in April, 1897, he resigned and became connected with the companies which he now represents, the Ætna Life of Hartford, Conn., and the Magdeburg Fire Insurance Company of Germany, the Germania of New York and the Sun Insur- ance office. He is a Knight of Pythias and usually votes the Prohibition ticket.
In April, 1893, Mr. Sowers married E. Jean- nette Heller, and they have one bright little son, Lauran D. Mrs. Sowers is a daughter of Eli Heller, who was a highly esteemed citizen of Clear Spring. The mother is still living, being over threescore and ten years of age. Our sub- ject and wife are members of the Trinity Luthieran Church, and are foremost in religious and charit- able enterprises.
ACOB R. GARMAN, of Cumberland, is one of the best judges of horses to be found in all Maryland. His long experience in the business and his close study of everything per- taining thereto renders his advice valuable in veterinary surgery and in the purchase and train- ing of horses. In his stable at Cumberland may be found many standard-bred horses, shipped here from Kentucky, as well as a large number of less valuable horses, shipped from different points in the west. His sales are made largely to the wealthy classes of New York City, among his patrons there being members of the Gould and Vanderbilt families. Recently he has made large sales to southern planters. In his possession at the present time are several horses with fine records, among them Estella, 2:2514 ; Jim Clinker, 2:2114; Norwood G., by Norval, 2:3414; and Rosie G., 2:3414. Besides these animals he lias a number of young horses that have not yet been trained.
Mr. Garman is a Pennsylvanian by birtlı. He
was born in Stoyestown, Somerset County, Feb- ruary 1, 1850, the son of Joseph A. and Mary A. (Rushenbarger) Garman. His father, who was born in the same house as himself, learned the trade of a coach builder in youth and afterward became the proprietor of stage lines running from Philadelphia and Cumberland to Pittsburg; also was interested, in connection with another man, in an overland stage route to California. At the outbreak of the war he was among the first to respond to the call for volunteers for three months' service. While with his regiment in the Shenandoah Valley he was captured by the Con- federates and taken to Andersonville, where, after nine months of hardships and privations, he found release in death. Politically he was a Democrat and took an active interest in public affairs, but was averse to holding office of any kind.
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