USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Sixth congressional district, Maryland V. 1 > Part 25
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In 1886 Dr. Boteler married Katie, the second daughter of the late United States Circuit Judge and Secretary of War, Hon. George W. Mc- Crary, of Iowa, one of the most prominent jurists and public men of this country. They are the parents of four bright and promising boys and girls.
OL. TILMAN THOMAS HERSPERGER, a retired farmer of Frederick, has had a life replete with adventure and widely diversi- fied experiences, the narration of some of which will prove of much interest to those who havethe pleasure of his acquaintance. His large fortune was acquired by him in the west, where he was engaged in mining,- dealing in cattle and freight- ing and ranching. In short, few of the enter- prises in vogue on the Pacific slope during the years of his stay there were not tried by him, and, in everything to which he turned his at- tention lie appeared to be blessed with suc- cess. His knowledge of men, his keenness in
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business ventures and his energy and enter- ceased. Mary became the wife of a Mr. Knode, prise were accountable for his prosperity, and, though he now looks back to those days of arduous toil with wonder at the thought of what he lias undergone, he still counts them among the pleasantest years of his life.
Born November 22, 1824, our subject is a son of Henry Hersperger, being his fifth child. The latter was a native of Frederick County, and was always occupied in agricultural pur- suits in the Middletown Valley. He served as a justice of the peace, and was a Whig in pol- itics. He was a man of literary tastes, and was a great student for his times. He was born in 1797, died in 1856, and was buried in the cemetery at Jefferson. His father was likewise a farmer in the vicinity of Jefferson, and gave the ground on which is now located the Re- formed Church Cemetery, to the people of that denomination thereabouts. It is believed that he was a member of said church, and that the family originated in Germany over a century and a-half ago. The wife of Henry Hersper- ger was a Miss Julia Ann Scott in her girl- hood. She was born on South Market street, Frederick, and died in the town of Broad Run, in this county, her remains being then placed in the cemetery at Jefferson. She was a relative of Gen. Winfield Scott, of Mexican war fame. Of her several children, William was a teacher in early life, later becoming a farmer. He was a very successful raiser of bees and devoted his last years to that enterprise largely. During the war he organized a military company, of which he .. was chosen the captain. His death occurred when he was in his seventieth year. Oliver is deceased. Henry C. graduated from Mercers- burg College (as did also William), and was then a teacher for a time, but ultimately became a farmer, and lias lived in Kentucky for years. Oliver went to the state just mentioned, in his youth, and thence proceeded to Texas, where he was elected county surveyor, and, while occu- pied in the duties of his office, died with "swamp fever." Aaron is carrying on his farm in Mont- gomery County, Md. Harriet married Abram Willard, of this county, and bothi are now de-
an artist of this county, and she died in 1896. Elizabethi married William Barrich, of Middle- town, and has passed to the silent land. Melinda, also deceased, was the wife of James Smith, of Kentucky. Sarah is a resident of Texas; Julia is the widow of Martin Shafer, who was a farmer near Burkittsville. Amanda is Mrs. Isaac Hough, of Virginia.
Col. T. T. Hersperger was educated in private schools, and remained at home until he had at- tained his majority. In 1850 he went to Cali- fornia by the water route, and, landing in San Francisco, paid $2 for the first meal that he had there. He left at once for Sacramento, and thence went to Marysville, and from there to the mines, where he began mining. During 1851 and 1852 he was interested in mining, being one of three men who worked together and shared the proceeds. They turned aside the river, and mined according to the system of rock- ers. Seeing that more money was to be made by the transportation of goods, our subject bought some mules in 1853, and for three or four years freighted merchandise. Next he bought and carried on a feed stable for a period, and also pur- chased 'a ranch. In 1856 he bought and sold cattle for an old school friend, whose ranch was near Gencral Sutter's home on the Sacramento River. The next year, having more than $10,- 000 in cash, he went to Los Angeles, Cal., and invested in cattle, which he drove to Sutter County. This stock he purchased at about $12 a head, and sold for perliaps six times as much. At length he became concerned in the business of raising grain, and, having bought a large ranch, grew as high as twenty thousand bushels. His first ranch brought him $20,000 cash when he sold it, and the one last mentioned was only three or four miles from the first one, on the Sacramento River:
In 1869 the longing for home and friends in- duced the colonel to return, especially as the new overland railroad was in running order by that time. He bouglit a good farm in this por- tion of Maryland, and in 1875 purchased one in Montgomery County, Md. For the past five
JUDGE JOHN A. LYNCH.
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years he has made his home in Frederick, and rents his farms. Politically he has always voted the Democratic ticket, thoughi, with one excep- tion, he has never hield any kind of publie office. The exception was while he was in California, when he was appointed on the staff of the gov- ernor, through the influence of his father-in-law, General Winn. Religiously he belongs to the Reformed Church.
The first wife of Colonel Hersperger, whom he married in 1861, was Emma, daughter of General Winn. She died in California. Later he mar- ried a daughter of Col. Jolin B. Thomas, of this state. Her death occurred in Frederick, and of their two children one is deceased. The other, Tilman Thomas, Jr., is attending the high school here and is about seventeen years old. The lady who now bears the name of our subject was formerly Miss Helen K. Scholl, whose father, DennisScholl, was in business in Frederick for a few years. This marriage was solemnized January 22, 1891, and they have a bright little son, William Scholl by name.
UDGE JOHN ALEXANDER LYNCH was born near the village of Jefferson, Frederick Connty, Md., October 3, 1825. His father, William Lynch, was born near the same place February 15, 1788, and died near the place of his birth on the "gth of August, 1857. He repre -... sented his native county in the legislature of been. eminent commander. Maryland three times. The mother of John A. Lynch was Eliza Boteler in maidenhood, born near the village of Weverton, Washington County, Md., February 10, 1797, and died in Frederick County, near the village of Jefferson, on the 14th of January, 1832. His paternal and maternal grandfathers were both soldiers in the Revolutionary war.
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The subject of this sketch was educated in the country schools near liis early home, and at Pentti- sylvania College, Gettysburg. While he did not graduate at this institution, the degree of
A. M. was subsequently conferred upon him. Delicate health was the cause of his leaving col- lege in the early part of 1847; he then went to the state of Alabama, remaining there nearly two years, teaching school part of the time. In Angast. 1849, he returned to Frederick Coun- ty much improved in health and conunenced the study of law in the city of Frederick, in the office of Montjoy B. Luckett. He was admitted to the bar in November, 1851, and at once commenced the practice of law in Frederick City, where he has since continued to reside. In 1855 he was elected state's attorney for this county and was re-elected in 1859, filling the office for two terms. He was associate judge of the sixth judicial circuit of the state, being elected in 1867, and held the office thirty years. The legislature of the state, by special act, with almost literal unanimity, had suspended the disability of age for two years to enable him to serve out his term. On his retirement from the bench complimentary banquets were given him by the bar of Montgomery County and by the bar and citizens of Frederick, irrespective of profession or trade. He has always been devoted to his pro- fession and won for himself distinguished posi- tions and high honors at the bar and on the bench. He has gained throughout the state of Maryland a reputation for just and able decisions and a thorough knowledge of the law. He is a very active and prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, having joined in 1849, and is a men- ber of the grand lodge of Maryland. He is a Royal Arch Mason, a Knight Templar and has Lynch Lodge, the junior lodge in Frederick, was named in his honor. In politics he is a Democrat and has taken a very active part in the politics of his na- tive county. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal Church, wherein he is a member and vestryman and invariably a representative of the parish in church conventions.
November 17, 1856, Judge Lynch married Isabella C. Beckenbaugh, of Frederick City. He is a director in the Fredericktown Savings In- stitution and the Central National Bank-two of the oldest monetary institutions in the city. He
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is also president of the Frederick County Histor- ical Society. Few men, after a lifetime of serv- ice such as his, have to such an extent the unqualified confidence and respect of the entire county, regardless of politics or creed. His chief characteristics which endear him to those among whom he has spent his life are a simple kindness of heart and an absolute devotion to his duty, re- gardless of influence or effect upon himself.
AN B. OSLER, a prominent business man and substantial citizen of the thriving town of Thurmont, Frederick County, is en- titled to be termed a self-made man. Commenc- ing his business career without capital immedi- ately upon his return from the battlefields of the south, he persevered until he had amassed a snug little fortune, which he then invested in the bank- ing institution with which he has since been con- nected. It was in March, 1889, that the present firm of Birely & Osler was established, and from year to year the amount of business transacted by them has steadily increased.
Mr. Osler is a native of Thurmont, his birth having occurred January 21, 1840. His father, Reuben Osler, who was of English descent, was likewise born in this district and stood high in the community in which his whole life was spent. He was a tinsmith by trade, and made a generous livelihood for himself and family in this voca- tion, In all local affairs he took commendable interest and pride, aiding in the work of improve- ment and progress. For twelve years he served as the postmaster of this town, giving general satisfaction and always striving to meet the needs and wishes of the public. He used his franchise in favor of the Democratic party, but was not a politician in the ordinary sense of the word. Religiously he was connected with the United Brethren Church, and being a firm be- liever in the temperance cause, he was associated with the society of Sons of Temperance. Death put an end to his happy and useful life in 1882,
when he was in his sixty-seventh year. Two of his brothers, George and William, enlisted in the Union army while the Civil war was in progress, and were called upon to lay down their brave lives in defense of the stars and stripes. Their father, Peola Osler, was a resident of this section in his early manhood, but later removed to Ohio, and some years afterward to Missouri.
The mother of our subject was Miss Catherine Gilbert in her girlhood, a daughter of John Gil- bert, who was the proprietor and manager of a hotel. She died in her early married life, in 1854. Of her children, Charles G. H. died in Omaha in early days; George F., a tinsmithi by trade, went to Omaha, Neb., when in his twenty- third year, at which time that now large and progressive city was a small village; Jacob Mark- wood was formerly engaged in dentistry in Phil- adelphia; John P. was drowned at the age of four years; Sophia died when in her eighteenth year; Arbelin, unmarried, lives in Baltimore; and two children died in infancy.
Van B. Osler acquired his education in the con- mon schools of this district, and learned the tin- smith's trade from his father in his youth. He had just attained his majority at the time that Fort Sumter was fired upon and he was among the first to enlist for the preservation of the Union. He became a private in the Sixth Regi- ment of Maryland Volunteers, under command of Colonel Horn. The young patriot served faith- fully for three long years, taking part in the bat- tle of the Wilderness and many others, or some of the chief campaigns of the war. His services no longer needed, he was honorably discharged in June, 1865. He reached home upon Sunday, and the following morning resumed his former employment. The energy and enterprise which are among his strong characteristics brought their reward and ere many years had rolled away he was numbered with the strong financiers of this section. Three years after, he and his partner, Mr. Birely, had started a banking busi- ness upon a small scale, and in a very unpreten- tious little store they had succeeded so well that they erected an imposing-looking structure, well worthy of a town many times as large as this.
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When the Thurmont Water Company was or- ganized he was very influential in the undertak- ing, and has been president of the concern ever since.
Mr. Osler is a member of the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows and of the Masonic fraternity. He is an aggressive worker in the temperance cause, and was an active supporter of the local op- tion law. Politically he is a Republican. He is an active member of the Lutheran Church and Sunday-school, and his influence is always to be found upon the side of righteousness.
In 1868 he married Miss May E. Rouzer, daughter of Henry and own cousin of Colonel Rouzer. Mrs. Osler died in October, 1897, and the eldest daughter, Margaret C., who was edu- cated in the higher branches in Lutherville Col- lege, is her father's house-keeper. The family have a very pleasant and attractive home on Main street. Julia C., the second daughter, is taking a course for a diploma as a trained nurse in a Philadelphia hospital. Alice H. is a student in the local high school. Charles H., the only son, is a graduate of the Eaton & Burdette Com- mercial College of Baltimore, and also received a thorough education at Gettysburg College. He is now one of the progressive young merchants of Thurmont and occupies the store room in the bank building. ...
ENRY COBLENTZ, a well and favorably known citizen of the Middletown Valley, is entitled to be called a self-made man, for he has been the architect of his own fortunes, and has fought the battle of life unassisted by others. Starting out in early manhood without capital and only a pair of strong and willing hands, di- rected by a bright, energetic mind, lie gradually won victories over adverse circumstances and is to-day a man of wealth and prominence in the community where he has dwelt during his entire life.
Born July 7, 1821, on the old homestead owned
by his parents, John and Elizabeth (Wildes) Cob- lentz, not far from his present home, our subject passed his boyhood in this fertile valley of Fred- erick County. His father was not only an agri- culturist, but a blacksmith as well, and was fore- most in the early development of this region. He was born in the latter part of the eighteenth century and was a soldier in the War of 1812 un- der Captain Marlowe. He was a Whig in poli- tics. A member of the Reformed Church, he gave material assistance at the time that the church in Middletown was in process of con- struction, and his means were always liberally bestowed upon the poor. He departed this life in 1865, when in his seventy-fifth year. His widow. who died at the age of eighty-eight years, was a daughter of George Peter Wildes, a farmer of this section. John and Elizabeth Coblentz liad but two children, Henry and Cornelia Ann Maria. The latter married Andrew Wachter, of Utica Mills, Md. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Jacob Coblentz, an early settler of this county, and one of the foremost members of the Reformed Church in his day.
Henry Coblentz became a thorough and prac- tical farmer under the direction of his wise father before he had reached his majority. His educa- tion was such as was offered in the district schools of the period, and to this he has since added gen- eral knowledge gained in the rougli school of ex- perience. He served an apprenticeship to the shoemaker's trade just before he left liome to strike out for himself, and followed thiis calling to a greater or less extent while he was a young man. He then turned his attention inore par- ticularly to farming and at the same time oper- ated a thresliing machine during the season for about thirty years. He then purchased the fine farm which he now cultivates, but which then bore little resemblance to the well-kept and in- proved homestead of to-day, as the land was then heavily covered with underbrush and woods. He clcared the place, put up needed buildings and made of it a model farm. During the Civil war Mr. Coblentz was a strong sympathiizer with the Union cause, and since the organization of the Republican party lie lias given it liis earnest
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support. He has been connected with the Grange Association for years and takes the lead- ing agricultural journals. His homestead is styled "Tyler" and is located about two miles from Middletown.
In April, 1841, Mr. Coblentz married Miss Melinda A. Putman, daughter of John and Eliz- abeth Ann Putman, of Jackson District. The father was a blacksmith by trade, and in his later years was occupied in tilling the soil. He was a prominent member of the Lutheran Church and held various official positions in the congregation. He died when in his eightieth year and his wife at the age of eighty-seven. Mrs. Coblentz ad- heres to the faith in which she was reared, while our subject is identified with the Reformed Church. For some years he has been an elder in the church and his influence is always upon the side of morality, good government and right- eousness. As they have not been blessed with children, our worthy subject and wife have taken into their hearts and home two little girls and two boys, whom they have cared for with all of a parent's tender love. One of these died in early manhood. Catherine Fisher is now the wife of Jacob Smith; Hezekiah D. Summers married Annie R. Delander; and Julia M. Putman, a daughter of Mrs. Coblentz' brother, is still with her foster parents.
ILLIAM LUTHER DUVALL, a well-to- do contractor and builder of the city of Frederick, is a native of this place, liis birth having occurred here about sixty years ago. He has always been a patriotic citizen, taking great interest in the prosperity of his country and doing all in his power to promote the development and success of liis own commu- nity. He is entitled to be termed a self-made inan, as he has been the architect of his own for- tunes and has been entirely self-reliant since he arrived at his majority. Many of the finest pub- lic and private buildings in this city and county
stand as monuments to his skill and workmanship and wherever he is known he bears a reputation second to none for fidelity to contract, promptness and reliability in everything in general.
William T. Duvall, the father of our subject, was also a native of this county, and in early manhood learned the weaver's trade, which lie followed for a number of years. He then went into the sand business in Frederick. He was appointed superintendent of the Mountivue Hos- pital, which position he held until he was ap- pointed to act in the capacity of superintendent of the cemetery. Politically he was first a Whig and later a Republican, and fraternally he was connected with the Odd Fellows and the Order of Red Men. A valued member of the Lutheran Church, he held an official position at various times and was a liberal contributor to the main- tenance of the church. He was a son of Marsh M. Duvall, who was a farmer of this county, and was a descendant of a family who originally came to America from Germany, settling at first in Pennsylvania and ultimately drifting here. Will- iam T. Duvall died in 1880 and was survived ull- til 1893 by his devoted wife, whose maiden name had been Rebecca Staub. Botli were buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Mrs. Duvall was the daughter of Peter Staub, who was a chair manu- facturer in the Keystone state. William Duvall and wife had two daughters, Mrs. Julia Ashi- baugh, and Harriett, who died when sixteen years old; and three of their sons died in childhood or infancy.
Our subject was born in IS3S and was educated in the public schools of this city. When he was twenty years of age lie started out to earn his own livelihood, having previously learned the carpen- ter's trade with Mr. Frazier, with whom he was employed for some four years. With the excep- tion of a few years during the war, when he fur- nished supplies of various kinds to the goveril- ment, buying and selling to the authorities, he has always devoted himself exclusively to work- ing at his trade as a carpenter and builder. Among the many fine structures which we might mention as specimens of his handiwork are the Citizens' National Bank, the Lutheran Church,
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the Reformed Church parsonage, the Castle bus- iness house, etc. In the course of a year Mr. Duvall gives employment to a number of mien and is kept very busy indeed. He is a Democrat in his political opinions and is associated with the Order of Red Men. He has never been de- sirous of holding public positions, as he finds his time fully occupied and is, moreover, retiring and quiet in disposition.
The home of Mr. Duvall and family on South Market street is a very comfortable modern resi- dence, it having been built by Mr. Duvall a few years ago. In 1860 he married Mary A. Hilton, daughter of Henry K. Hilton, of this city. Their eldest son, William H., who was a machinist and a most promising young man, died in 1896. Charles A., the second son, is associated with his father in business and has been engaged in the .work since boyhood. Margaret Rebecca is an accomplished music teacher and has given much time and study to this charming art. She lives with her parents and is well received in the best society of Frederick, her talent being duly recog- nized. The family are members of the Lutheran Church and are great workers in its various de- partments of usefulness.
ACOB SHAFF. Many of the older resi- dents of Jefferson District, Frederick County, recall this worthy pioneer of this section with feelings of profound respect and love, for, though" claimed them. Daniel, who never married, lived he was called to his reward many decades ago, the influence he exerted for good in his day and generation is not forgotten. For years he was a pillar in the Lutheran Church, giving generously to the support of its work, and in practical and material ways manifesting his high regard for the spreading of righteousness.
The birth of Mr. Shaff occurred in Frederick County about 1770, prior to the Declaration of Independence in the United States. He was of German descent, and acquired a general knowl- edge of both the English and German languages.
The schools of his boyhood in this region were few and far between, and children were taught chiefly by private tutors. Such education as he possessed was the result of his own persevering study and the reading of the few good books which then constituted the library of a family. Following the example of a long line of sturdy sires, he gave his energies to agriculture from his youth, and by industry and well-directed efforts became quite well-off ere he had reached lis prime. He-owned several finely improved and fertile farms in Jefferson District, one of these, his home place, being about two miles from the town of Jefferson. He was a believer in the principles of the Democratic party, but was never an aspir- ant to public office. Death put an end to his busy and useful life when he was in his seventy- fourth year, in 1843.
About the year 1800 Mr. Shaff had married Miss Margaret Weaver, whose father was Henry Weaver, a successful farmer of this county. Mrs. Shaff survived her husband for several years, be- ing summoned to the silent land in 1853. They were the parents of twelve children, six sons and six daughters, whom they reared in a judicious and careful manner, with due regard to the great responsibility devolving upon them in training the youthful minds opening out under their influ- ence. Of that large and happy family circle, (eleven of whom lived to a good old age) but three remain. George, who was a farmer, mar- ried and left a family to mourn his loss. Jacob and John both went to the west and there ent- gaged in agricultural avocations until death
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