USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Sixth congressional district, Maryland V. 1 > Part 23
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There were eight children in the family of J. A. Garman, namely: Mary J., wife of D. P. Zimmerman, of Johnstown, Pa., one of whose children was lost in the terrible flood at that place; John H., who served in the late war and afterward removed to the west; Sarah B., Mrs. Philip Bentley, of Salix, Pa .; Jacob R. ; Georgiana, deceased; Sidney, wife of Jacob Everhart, of Johnstown; Joseph A., now a resident of Colo- rado; and William A., deceased. The father, mother, one son and one daughter died within nine months of one another. The grandfather, Joseph Garman, was born in Switzerland and emigrated to America during the early part of the nineteenth century. ' He married Mary, a sister of General Hite, of Revolutionary fame. Settling in Somerset County, Pa., lie became one of the founders of Stoyestown and the owner of large tracts of land in that neighborhood.
When less than twelve years of age, in tlie latter part of 1861, the subject of this sketch en- listed as drummer in the Fifty-fourth Pennsyl- vania Infantry and served from that time until the close of the war. In 1863 he was transferred from the Fifty-fourth Pennsylvania to the First Washington Infantry, and later was detailed as dispatch bearer for Brigadier-General Campbell. Though in active service for so long a time, he
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was never wounded but was captured three times. containing more than three hundred articles, all On his return from the war lie began to work in carefully selected. The school is the pride of the town and is said to be one of the finest and best conducted in the state. the oil fields of Pennsylvania. At the age of eighteen lie went to Philadelphia, where he secured employment with Doyle, Nicholson & Cooper. During the time spent in that city lie attended the veterinary school connected with the University of Philadelphia, and afterward he practiced in the same place. In 1872 he removed to Altoona, Pa., where lie engaged in buying and shipping horses.
June 21, 1881, he married Emma J. Vance, daugliter of Thomas and Sarah (Ludwig) Vance, and a native of Downington, Chester County, Pa. Soon after his marriage he moved to Cumberland, where he has since engaged in the livery busi- ness and as a dealer in horses. He lias had charge of the stables connected with the Cumberland coal fields. In the course of a year he usually handles three thousand or more horses. Novem- ber 4, 1894, lie passed an examination before the state board of Maryland. Though interested in politics, he is not a partisan and has never identi- fied himself with any party. His success in his business is due to his thoroughi familiarity with it and to his constant practice of honorable deal- ings with customers, who liave come to rely upon his honesty and sound judgment.
LIVER HERMAN BRUCE, principal of the high school at Western Port, is recog- nized as one of the most thorough and suc- cessful educators of the county. Coming to this place in 1875, he took charge of the public school, of which there was tlien but one teacher besides himself, while the attendance consisted of less than one hundred and fifty pupils. At this writ- ing there are eight teachers including the princi- pal, and an attendance of between four and five hundred children, occupying a building of eight rooms that was erected in 1891. In addition to the class-rooms the schoolhouse contains a library of eleven hundred volmines and a museum
The Bruce family is of Scotch origin. Joseph Bruce, father of Oliver H., was born in Balti- more, and there married Louisa Trust, who was born there, of German descent. He died in his native city in 1860, and his widow still makes that place her lione. They were the parents of one son and four daughters, those living being: Norma, wife of George A. Kirk, a retired busi- ness man of Baltimore; Josephine, widow of Mil- lard Toulson, of Baltimore; and Oliver H., who was born in Baltimore July 11, 1850. He was educated in the public schools of the city, and in youth served an apprenticeship to the trade of a harness-maker. In 1873 lie began to teach in the night schools, also acted as substitute teacher in the grantmar schools of the city. From Balti- more he came to Western Port in 1875 and during the years that have since elapsed he has given his attention to building up the schools of this place, a work in which he has been more than ordinarily successful. He has passed successfully the rigid examination necessary for securing a certificate from the state board of education and now holds one of these life certificates.
December 27, 1876, Mr. Bruce married Martha F. North, daughter of Capt. H. H. North, of the United States navy, and a resident of Baltimore. They are the parents of two sons and two daugh- ters, namely: Norris, Anna Louise, Edna F. G. and Oliver H., Jr. When old enough to vote Mr. Bruce became an adherent of the Republican party, and its principles lie continued to support for a number of years, but in 1884, having be- come convinced that the liquor traffic is the great- est nienace to the prosperity of our nation, he became a party Prohibitionist and lias since acted and voted with that party. He was nominated in 1893 for state comptroller and at the election increased ltis party vote by two thousand. Since 1887 he lias served as clerk of the town. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal denomination, and for ten years he lias been su- perintendent of the Sunday-school. He is active
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in Masonic affairs and is a past master of the lodge at Western Port. He is also identified with the Knights of Honor. For ten years past he has been associate editor of the Piedmont Herald, a newspaper published at Piedmont, W. Va., a town on the opposite side of the Potomac River front Western Port.
ROF. EDWIN C. HOOVER. By his pro- ficiency in music and thorough knowledge of the art, Professor Hoover has won a high position in the regard of music-loving people of Hagerstown. From a very early age he has been interested in music. Nothing else appealed to him so strongly. The sweet harmonies of piano or stringed instrument gratified his artistic taste, while discordant notes were equally un- pleasant in contrast. Himself the possessor of a strong, clear voice, the most critical listener fails to detect a single harsh note; all is harmonious and rhythmical.
In Wolfsville, Frederick County, Md., the sub- ject of this sketch was born April 21, 1862. His father, Gideon Hoover, a native of the same county, spent his entire life as a farmer there and met with fair success in his undertakings. Po- litically he voted the Republican ticket and in religious belief was a faithful member of the United Brethren Church, to which he contributed liberally. He died at sixty-two years of age. His wife bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Remsburg and was born near Middletown, Md .; she is still living and is now (1898) eighty years of age. Like her husband, she worships with the United Brethren denomination. In their family were four sons and four daughters.
The education of our subject, begun in the public schools, was continued for a year in Frank- lin and Marshall Academy at Lancaster, Pa. At the age of fifteen he was fully qualified to teach, but on account of his youth was refused a certificate. At the age of eighteen lie began to teach in a district school near Middletown, and
after one year was made principal of the Wolfs- ville school, where he remained until 1889. In the fall of 1890 he removed to Hagerstown and was appointed by the school commissioners as first assistant teacher in the Antietam grammar school of Hagerstown; this position he filled until September, 1893, when he was appointed to teach vocal music in the Washington County grammar schools, mecting weekly more than fif- teen hundred pupils. In 1894 he was chosen principal of the Broadway grammar school in Hagerstown, where he had eight assistants. In September, 1895, he turned his attention from teaching to music, and to that art he has since given bis entire time. When he came to Hagers- town he was made leader of the band for a year, but at the expiration of that time resigned and organized an orchestra. The support given by the city to the new movement was so meagre that the orchestra was obliged to disband.
The marriage of Professor Hoover, in 1878, united him with Miss Emma S. Hays, of Wolfs- ville. They are the parents of four children, E. Ray, G. Ralph, Maude and Ivy M. In politics our subject is a Republican. He was his party's candidate for the legislature in 1889, but was teaching at the time and did not make a canvass for the office, so was defeated, though only by a small majority. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Honor and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. A member of the Reformed Church, at an early age he began to lead the singing there and also officiated as Sunday-school superintendent. At this writing heris choir- master at St. John's Lutheran Church.
At the time the Christian Endeavor convention of Maryland was held in Hagerstown, in 1895, Professor Hoover was invited to serve as leader of song. He consented and entered at once into the spirit of the work, organizing a chorus of seventy-five voices. He had but six weeks for preparation. This brief time, however, he used in a most practical manner, training the voices into the most perfect harmony. So successful was the chorus that President Belt, of Baltimore, who had been at the head of the state union for seven years and attended all its conventions,
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said: "You have the best choir that has ever led our state convention." A local paper comment- ing upon the work, said: "Mr. Hoover is first, last and all the time a musical enthusiast. He believes in the dignity, worth and beauty of music. He knows what it can do for the comfort of heart and refinement of manners. He knows the joys of perfect harmonies and is eager for others to know it. He is a live man, quick to see the good and weak points of his voices and his bubbling life is contagious. He is a master of his craft. He knows how a thing should be done and is able to do it. No one of the chorus can forget with what clearness and patience he pointed out the nice points and proper phrasing of so many of the hymns. His inexhaustible good humor and courtesy kept the members to their work. Only because of his genial spirit did they accept the drill and determined purpose of his leadership. Nothing lialf done pleases him. He did his best and expected the chorus to do its best. He and his chorus must have their reward in the sense of improvement and the kind things that have been said of their work."
RISON WELCH, postmaster of McHenry, Garrett County, having been appointed to this office by President McKinley, is one of the honored and thoroughly respected citizens of this county. In 1888 he- was elected to the re- sponsible position of county commissioner of Garrett County, and discharged the duties that fell to his share with promptness and loyalty to the best interest of the people. He is an ardent Republican, true to the highest principles of law and good government, and as earnest a patriot in times of peace, as he was during the stormy days of the Civil war, when he donned the blue uniform and bravely fought for the Union cause.
Born in the neighborhood of Friendsville, Garrett (then Allegany) County, in 1844, our subject is the son of Abraham Welch, likewise a native of that locality, and a life-long resident
there. He was a blacksmith by trade and carried on a shop, in addition to managing a farm. He was a Democrat in political faith, and served as a road supervisor for some time, but was not much of a politician or office seeker. He was born in 1814, and died in 1884, having filled out the allotted years of man, threescore and ten. His father, Jacob Welch, also a blacksmith by trade, lived upon the homestead, located about one mile from Friendsville. He was of Irish descent, his ancestors having emigrated from their native isle to Allegany County in the early days of its history. The wife of Abraham Welch, Elizabeth, daughter of Adam Sembowers, of this county, died in 1866, and of her thirteen children two are deceased. The others are: Priscilla, Mrs. Isaac Myers; William; Hamilton; Albert H .; Mary, Mrs. Joseph B. Meece; Joseph; Brison; Alpheus; Phoebe, Mrs. Hinebaugh; Thomas B. and Samuel K.
The boyhood of Brison Welch passed quietly and swiftly on the old farm, and a portion of eacli year he attended the common schools. At the age of fifteen he began learning his father's trade, and was still living at home when the war of the Rebellion broke out. Though but a youth, he was anxious to enlist and did so, as soon as lie could arrange matters. He became a private of Company D, Third Maryland Infantry, in Sep- tember, 1862, and served for three years, or until the close of the war. He participated in various important campaigns and many battles, and was so fortunate as to escape injury, though he was captured at Harper's Ferry in 1862, and released upon parole. Upon his return home he found employment in a sawmill, and for ten years worked at teaming or anything lie could find to do whereby lie might earn an honest livelihood. In 1875 he bought the old Collins farm, near Johnstown, Garrett County, and there he colt- tinued to make his liome until 1892, when he came to his present residence, in McHenry. He still owns about three hundred acres of land, de- vided into two good farms, and superintends them himself. His success is certainly well merited, as he came out of tlie war without any available means, but his brave and industrious
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heart and hands soon won a competence. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, being identified with Sherman Post No. 11, and for several years having been senior vice-com- mander of the same.
In 1869 Mr. Welch married Susan E. Specht, daughter of Samuel and Susan Specht, of this place. Seven children grace the marriage of this worthy couple, their names in order of birth being as follows: Alice, Mrs. Upton Cup- pett; Rebecca Catherine, Mrs. Howard Brenna- inan; George W., Mary Martha, Rosanna, Cora L. and Samuel H. For the past fifteen years Mr. Welch has hield membership with the Metli- odist Episcopal Church, and has been one of the stewards for years. He is always to be found on the side of progress and righteousness, educa- tion and temperance.
ILLIAM C. STOUFFER, a worthy and highly respected citizen of Hagerstown, is a well-known contractor and builder, hav- ing erected some of the finest residences and busi- ness blocks in this city and vicinity. He stands second to none in his trade, and is noted for the honest, straightforward manner that he always has in carrying out hiscontracts. There is an am- ple field for chicanery and overreaching in his line of labor, as too many persons have found to their sorrow, when having a house or store build- ing constructed, and they are usually entirely at the mercy of the dishonest contractor, who is able to supply poor quality of lumber and finish- ing while the whole appears to be just as agreed upon between them. Time, however, tells the story, and warped floors, shrinking doors and windows and other unpleasant manifestations of poor, unseasoned timber and equally poor work- manship canse the victims to lose a little more of their faith in mankind. No such complaint lias ever been justly made in regard to the work of
our subject, for he always endeavors to carry out to the last detail the instructions and contracts he is under.
Our subject is one of nine children, five of whom are still living, whose parents were Elias and Rachel (Robinson) Stouffer. The father was a carpenter and millwright by occupation, and was a genius as a mechanic. He constructed a machine for hulling clover that is so effective in working and general style, that it was sent to the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, to be placed on exhibition. He lived to a good old age, dying when in his eighty-first year. As a neighbor, citizen, husband and father, there was nothing to be desired in him, for he was true and loyal in all of life's relations, and well merited the love that was freely bestowed upon him. Both lie and his devoted wife were members of the Lutheran Church. She departed this life in I851, when she was forty-five. Her father, William Robin- son, died in Cincinnati, Ohio, about 1832, well along in years, and her mother died in 1854, in middle life.
Willianı C. Stouffer was born November 12, 1831, in this county, at Funkstown, and was reared with his brothers and sisters at their par- ents' home. One of the brothers, John R., died when forty-two years of age and the only brother surviving is Hiram W., a resident of Al- toona, Pa. The three sisters living are: Marga- ret, wife of Thomas J. Ulum of this city; Mary, Mrs. Charles Pinkney, of Funkstown; and Eliza- beth, Mrs. David Stukslager.
Having thoroughly mastered his father's trade W. C. Stouffer started out upon an independent career upon arriving at man's estate. He has put up some of the finest and most substantial dwellings in this city, and all along many of the most prominent residence streets liere may be seen specimens of his skill. Among them we might take space to mention a few, the liomes of Dr. McKee, Mr. McComas, Mr. Bloom, Mr. Douglas and the beautiful Episcopal Church, all on North Potomac street. Mr. Stouffer lias given his whole attention to his business, and has let politics strictly alone. He votes the Republi- can ticket and uses his influence inthe support of
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good candidates and principles. He is a member of the local lodge of the Odd Fellows' society and is a charter member of the Knights of Pythias. His friendly and genial disposition makes him a welcome guest wherever he goes and a pleasant addition to any circle.
November 22, 1860, Mr. Stouffer married Miss Ann Maria Miller, daugliter of a sterling citi- zen of this place, William Miller, who died in his ninetieth year. His wife lived to reach her seventy-fifth year, and both died, as they had lived, strong in the faith of the Reformed Church. Mrs. Stouffer adheres to the same denomination, while our subject is a member of the Lutheran Church. They have been blessed with eight children, viz: Harry M., who is a clerk in the store of Mr. Updegraff; Elias Howard, who is in the same business as is his father; Ellis M., who has been in the United States mail service for six years; Raymond S., who died in 1890, aged twenty-one years; Roy W .; Frank B., a dancing master; Clyde B., a successful teacher for several years past, and Eva May, of the home circle. The eldest son, Elias H., married Mary Spielman, and has two living children, Grace and Mabel, and two have been called to the better land. Ellis M. married Agnes Porter; and Roy W. chose for his wife Grace Martin.
C HARLES G. BIGGS, attorney-at-law, and a well-known citizen of Sharpsburg, was born in that town January 10, IS50, and is a son of Dr. Augustin A. and Margaret (Wagner) Biggs. His father, though a native of Carroll County, spent practically his entire life in Sharps- burg, where for fifty-three years he was actively engaged as a physician in general practice. He was one of the leading men of his community, both professionally and socially. In the local ranks of the Republican party he was a promi- nent figure, though he never held office nor sought the honors of public position. One of his
most important works was the building up of the Antietam National cemetery, the construction of which he personally conducted, being president of the board of trustees having entire charge of the matter. Hisdeathoccurred in 1889, when he was seventy-six years of age. His wife, who died in 1854, was a daughter of Benjamin Wag- ner, of Sharpsburg. They were the parents of three children, two of whom are living, Charles G. and William N.
In the private and public schools of Sharpsburg the early education of our subject was obtained, and to the knowledge thus acquired he added a course of study in Dickinson College, from which he graduated in 1870. He then began the study of law under Attorney-General Andrew K. Syester, of Hagerstown, and later attended the Columbian Law School in Washington, where he graduated in 1875, and was admitted to the bar of the su- preme court of the District of Columbia. He was admitted to practice before the courts of Washington County bar in 1876, after which he returned to the old homestead, and began the active practice of his profession, carrying on the sanie there until 1886. He then went to Hagers- town, where he was editor of the Hagerstown Herald, a daily and weekly journal. After hav- ing filled that position efficiently for eight years, in 1894 he returned to his former home and re- sumed his practice of the law. Since that time he has engaged in active practice. He owns an interest in a large fruit farm in Washington County and is interested in horticulture, being president of the Maryland Horticultural So- ciety and one of it most active workers.
Fraternally he is connected with Eureka Lodge No. 105, A. F. & A. M., in which he is past master; he is also a member of the chapter, hav- ing taken the Royal Arch degree. In politics he bas always been an ardent Republican-and has exercised a potential influence in the ranks of his party in this part of the state. The advance- ment of the town where he resides is ever near his heart and any measure that will promote its upbuilding is sure of his co-operation. Among the local offices he has held are those of burgess of the borough and trustee of the public schools.
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HON. M. J. GROVE.
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ON. MANASSES JACOB GROVE. The Grove family has been identified with the his- tory of Maryland since 1772, when the great- grandparents of our subject accompanied a party of Pennsylvania Germans to Middletown, settling on the Mancha farm near that place. Their son, Jacob, resided for many years on the Ahalt farm in Middletown Valley. A man of prominence in his community, he served the Americans during the Revolution as a major and it is said that he was in command at the old barracks in Frederick during the time the Hessians were imprisoned there. After the close of the war he resumed farm pursuits, and in time became quite wealthy, owning a number of slaves and a large amount of land. Besides having in his possession a num- ber of farms, he owned the land ( some three hun- dred acres) adjoining Middletown on the east, in- cluding the Reformed Cemetery, Grove's addition to Middletown and the terminus at Middletown of the Frederick and Middletown Electric Railroad. In his family were eight sons and one daughter, and, in accordance with his excellent ideas, every son was taught a trade, though the fa- ther's wealth might have furnished an excuse for gentlemanly idleness on their part.
George W. Grove, our subject's father, was born at the old homestead near Middletown, and in youth learned the carpenter's trade. His life work, however, was farming, and he cultivated a farm at Broad Run, which is still owned by the family, belonging now to a grandson. March 22, 1823, lie married Elizabeth Biser, daughter of Jacob Biser, and the descendant of German an- cestors who emigrated to this country and bought land at Broad Run. A brother of Mrs. Grove, Hon. Daniel Biser, was thirteen times elected to the state legislature and for years served as a di- rector in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Con- pany. Mr. Grove died in March, 1888, which was also the month of his birth and his marriage. His wife passed away in 1880. They were the parents of two sons and five daughters. The younger son, Martin Franklin Grove, went to California in 1849, and published the first news- paper in Sacramento, also published the laws of California, for which he received $30,000. He
was also the editor and proprietor of one of the first papers established in San Francisco. He died of consumption in 1866. The five sisters are: Mary, wife of G. J. R. House, living on the old homestead at Broad Run; Frances, deceased wife of John A. Horine, of Buikittsville; Eliza- beth J., who married A. M. Inskip, of Moore- field, W. Va .; Emma, wife of Jacob V. Cun- ningham, of Petersburg, W. Va .; and Laura, who is unmarried and resides in Washington, D. C.
Born in Middletown February 17, 1824, the subject of this sketch attended the Middletown Academy until he was fourteen and then pro- posed entering college. On account of being be- hind in Latin and Greek, he was advised to take a special course in these two branches, which he did under a competent instructor in Middletown. It was his highest ambition to enter upon a col- legiate course, but the home school board offered him special inducements to teach the school, and he accepted their offer, teaching four years. During that time he saved considerable money, which he loaned to his brother on going to Cali- fornia. The investment proved a most profitable one for him.
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