USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Sixth congressional district, Maryland V. 1 > Part 28
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In his business career Mr. Best has met with some reverses, though he has usually been pros- pered in his undertakings. The first year of his experience as an independent farmer he had his barn and his fine and abundant crop of grain, hay, etc., tools and implements burned by the sol- diers. He removed to his present home in 1888. Here he raises two crops a year on much of the land, providing the season is propitious, and his grain and feed are threshed or ground by steam power. He keeps over forty cows, besides hav- ing many young stock and fine horses. His farm lies between the Cemetery road and Washington turnpike. In the first-named road he has taken much interest, having served as its supervisor for ten years, and in this period has made one of the best pikes in the county out of it. Iu the agricultural society he has held every official position save that of treasurer, and has done con- siderable to upbuild and strengthen that body. For over thirty years he never missed a day in
attending the county fair while it was in session, thus manifesting his genuine interest in the suc- cess of the enterprise. He holds membership with the Reformed Church and his wife has been a Methodist ever since she was ten years of age. They are highly esteemed by all who know them.
00 AVID P. MILLER. In the subject of this article may be found a type of the wide- awake, progressive man of to-day, one whose history is well worthy of perusal, and whose ex- ampie deserves the emulation of the rising gen- eration. He is a man whose character has been schooled by adverse circumstance, which he has risen: above by native force of will and indomit- able perseverance. Such men give character to any community, and the city of Cumberland is fortunate in possessing as a citizen Mr. Miller, who has been associated with the place for al- most a quarter of a century.
The Miller family, of which our subject is a worthy representative, is of German descent, his ancestor having come to America prior to 1700, taking up his dwelling place in Lancaster County, Pa., where he and many of his descendants were occupied in agricultural pursuits. John Miller, father of David P., was born and reared in the county mentioned and followed in his relative's footsteps in the choice of a vocation. Honor- able, just and upright in all his dealings with his fellow-men, he won the respect and admira- tion of all with whom he came into contact. In the modern sense he was not a politician, though a strong Whig in his early years, and later an ardent Republican. He was not desirous of holding public positions, but served as a trustee of his township for eighteen years. For his wife he chose Lucetta M., daughter of Hon. Joseph M. Culver, of Carlisle, Pa., and to them ten chil- dren were born. One of the number died wliile young and the others are as follows: Fannie Hastings, Mrs. Alexander M. Brandt, of the state of Washington; Joseph C., a farmer in
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Nebraska; Mary E., wife of A. S. Tibbetts, an attorney in Lincoln, Neb .; David P., John E. and E. C., merchants in Lincoln, Neb .; Harold B., a physician in this town; Lucile L., a resi- dent of Lincoln, Neb .; and Richard D., who is in a bank in Spokane, Wash.
David P. Miller was born in Cumberland County, Pa., March 4, 1855, and liis boyhood was spent on liis fatlier's farmn. He attended school during the winter term, and assisted his father in the work of the homestead the remain- der of the year, as was the custom of the period. He was ambitious and determined to enter a wider sphere of action, so he left home when six- teen, and, going to Hagerstown, obtained a posi- tion in the insurance office of Henry A. Mc- Comas, a brother of Hon. Lewis E. McComas, a warm personal friend of our subject for years past.
In the spring of 1874 Mr. Miller came to Cum- berland, and opened an insurance office. Ten years later he added real-estate transactions to his other interests; was himself chiefly instru- mental in the movement for the improvement of the southern part of the town, and is now giving much attention to the development of the north- ern and eastern sides of the place as well. Being a man of public spirit he finds time to give to outside matters; is the president of the Allegany Furniture Company; is the secretary and treas- urer of the Cumberland Improvement Company; is president of the Allegany Building, Loan and Savings Association; and is a director of the Kenneweg Company.
In political affairs Mr. Miller is a believer in the principles of the Republican party. His time has been fully occupied with his business matters, and he has never been ambitious of holding pub- lic office, even had he an abundance of time at his command. Nevertheless he yielded to the solicitation of his numerous friends a few years ago, and accepted the nomination for county commissioner, being elected to that responsible and trustworthy position in the ensuing election, in November, 1893, since which time he has been president of the board. At the expiration of his term of four years lie declined renomina-
tion, but as he was reappointed for two years by the governor, he could not well refuse to act.
Marclı 18, 1880, the marriage of Mr. Miller and Florence, daughter of the late Jacob Bren- gle, of Cumberland, was solemnized. Of the two children born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller only one survives, Fannie Helene. The family attend tlie Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Miller is recording steward.
C OL. THOMAS SAPPINGTON. More than forty years have elapsed since the eyes of Colonel Sappington closed upon the scenes of earth, and few of those who were his associates in life are now living. Many changes have been wrought in the commercial aspect of his state since the days when he lived and labored; po- litical and public affairs, too, have undergone a wonderful transformation. He was a young man when the second war with England occurred and in this he served valiantly in the American army. If it were possible for him to take us back into the remote region of his youth, that we might obtain an insight into the conditions of that day, we would be able to better appreciate the work he did and the results he accomplished. But. looking even from the vantage ground of the present, we can comprehend, though dimly, something of the hardships endured by our pred- ecessors and something of their labors in laying the foundation of our present prosperity.
The subject of this memoir was born in the vil- lage of Libertytown, Frederick County, Md. He was the son of Francis Brown Sappington, M. D., who was born near Ellicott City, Md., and settled in Frederick County when it was a wilderness, still occupied by the Indians. At the time of his settlement lie was the only physician in Libertytown, and the only one between this place and Frederick, also between here and Littlestown, Adams County, Pa., on the north. His death occurred in Libertytown about 1839, when he was advanced in years. His wife, who was a Miss
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Richelieu, was a descendant of a brother of Cardinal de Richelieu, the celebrated French statesman of the seventeenth century.
Their union resulted in the birth of six chil- dren, namely: Harriet, Matilda, Lydia, Annie, Francis B. and Thomas. The last-named was reared in Libertytown and received his education in Frederick College. When a young man he ac- companied Mr. Beard to Kentucky and they be- came the original settlers of Beardstown, named in honor of his companion. There he clerked in a store until the outbreak of the War of 1812, when he took up arms and joined a military regi- ment. At the close of the war he returned to Libertytown, where he continued to make his home until death. With his brother, Francis B., he opened a store in this village, but after a few years his father died and he then closed out the store. Prominent in public affairs, he was a member of the state legislature for a number of years, and, commencing in 1847, served as register of wills for about twelve years. In the days when the Whig party was the leading party of the country he adhered to its tenets and upon its disintegration he became a Democrat.
The first marriage of Colonel Sappington took place in 1814 and united him with Miss Sallie R. Cole, a sister of General Cole, who in his day was one of the most influential men of this sec- tion. Nine sons and two daughters were born of this marriage. Catherine A., the eldest, is the widow of James Davis, of Littlestown, Pa., and is now eighty-four years of age, enjoying excel- lent health for one so advanced in life; Thomas, a retired physician, makes his home in Baltimore; Francis B., who was an attorney in Frederick, died at Georgetown College, where he was study- ing for the priesthood; Greenbury R., who was a graduate of the University of Maryland, settled at Unionville, and a sketch of his life appears in the biography of his son, Dr. Thomas P. Sap- pington, presented upon another page; William C., who was a lawyer, died at the age of thirty, while serving as a member of the state legislature; James died in infancy; Sidney, a deceased physi- cian, is represented elsewhere in this work; John died in infancy; Augustus was a physician in
Libertytown for years, but is now deceased; Sallie R., in 1891, founded the Notre Dame Academy at Libertytown, a Catholic institution, where five sisters who are thoroughly competent teachers instruct the pupils in the English branches, French, music, drawing, etc .; and Henry, the youngest of the family, died in infancy.
By the second marriage of Colonel Sappington, which united him with Louise Klein, five sons were born, namely: Richelieu, who is deceased; Richard D., formerly a druggist, now deceased; Wentworth, who died in youth; Francis Brown, a merchant of Frederick; and George C., who is a school teacher near Ladiesburg, Frederick County. The children of the first marriage all became members of the Catholic Church, but their father was an Episcopalian in religious belief. He lived to a good old age and, honored by all who knew him, passed from time to eternity in 1857.
SLICER HEDGES, M. D., one of the most successful members of the medical profession in Frederick County, comes from an old and honored Virginia family, and embodies the hospitable, courteous traits for which the people of the Old Dominion are justly famed. In the prime of his usefulness and activity, he is enthusiastic in his chosen field of effort, keeps thoroughly in the spirit of the age and is an earnest student and thinker.
The father of the doctor has been living retired froin active duties for the past three years. No one is better entitled to such leisure than he, as for over lialf a century he has been occupied in preaching the Gospel, and for this long period of time he has been connected with the Baltimore conference. He bears a name which is known far and wide, Rev. Jolin W. Hedges. While the Civil war was in progress few men would have cared to answer to the name, either, for it stood for a man who was firm as a rock in the defense of the Union, though his early home was ini Vir-
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ginia, and upon this account, as party feeling was extremely bitter, he often took great risks, as he boldly declared the truth and freely pro- mulgated his opinions. For a few years he was the pastor of a church in Annapolis, Md., and at the same time was the regular chaplain of the Maryland legislature. His faithful wife, friend and companion, whose maiden name was Mary Lightner, was summoned from his side by the angel of death in 1897, after a long and happy wedded life. The father of Rev. J. W. Hedges, also christened Jolin, was a wealthy plantation owner in Virginia, and of his large family, com- prising twenty-two children, the youngest is now in his eighty-fifth year.
Dr. H. S. Hedges, born in the city of Balti- more in 1862, is one of five of the living children. J. S. is the eldest. William H. is shipping clerk for a large house in Baltimore. Amy C. is the wife of E. J. Simpson, a lawyer of Elreno, Okla- homa. Edith V. became the wife of Dr. Metzer, who was a member of the faculty of Johns Hop- kins University of Baltimore for many years and is now a professor in Leland Stanford University, California. Mrs. Metzer is a lady of superior at- tainments; she was a teacher of elocution in the Woman's College in Baltimore, and later gradu- ated from a medical college of that city and from the Philadelphia Medical College also.
The early years in the life of Dr. Hedges were quietly spent in the city of his birth, Baltimore. After completing his elementary studies he entered Dickinson Seminary, where he pursued the higher branches of learning. In 1883 he graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine from the medical department of the University of Maryland. His initial work in the line of his chosen profession was in Moorefield, Hardy County, W. Va., where lie was a resident for ten years. In 1895 he removed to Brunswick, where he has already acquired a good practice, and whither his reputation as a successful physi- cian and surgeon had preceded him. He was appointed surgeon for the Baltimore & Oliio Railroad at this point, but was obliged to resign the place on account of the pressure of numerous other duties. He finds that he has little time for
leisure and outside matters, and such time as he does chance to enjoy he always desires to pass in the domestic circle. The only fraternal organi- zation with which he holds membership is the Knights of Pythias. Politically he is a Demo- crat.
In 1884 the doctor married Miss Mary D. Eichelberger, of Martinsburg, and they have two children, John Sprig and Mary Elizabeth. Tlie family occupies a very pleasant and attractive home, which was built by the doctor a year or two ago. Heis a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and contributes to the support of religious and charitable enterprises.
ACOB L. CRUM. From the pleasant home of this sterling citizen of Frederick County can be seen a truly beautiful section of coun- try. The house is built on an eminence and commands a fine view of the most fertile and lovely valley perhaps in western Maryland. In the distance the thriving towns of Frederick, Mount Pleasant and Walkersville are in plain view to the delighted observer, and in connection with the peaceful farms, rivers and groves, with the blue sky bending in a kind of benediction above all this beauty, is a scene that impresses itself indelibly upon the memory.
Mr. Crum, the owner of a finely improved farm in this lovely valley, is fortunate indeed. He commenced his career a poor boy, however, and has worked industriously and untiringly to make a competence for his family, and no one, even the most envious, could begrudge him this pretty home and valuable farm, for which he has paid with the best years of his life. He was born about half a mile from his present home in 1852, being a son of Solomon and Catherine (Knode) Crum. His mother's father, Jacob Knode, was a prosperous farmer a few miles from Frederick, and was a hero of tlie War of 1812, serving from the beginning to the close of that
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conflict. (For further history of our subject's are at home, the elder ones attending school. ancestors see the sketch of his brother, C. E. The parents are members of the Methodist Epis- Crum, elsewhere in this volume.)
The education of Jacob L. Crum was gained in the old "Pine" school-honse and in Mount Pleas- ant. He lived with his parents until lie was twenty-five years of age, and after attaining his majority was employed by his father at $100 a year and his board. When the young man was twenty-five his senior gave him a fine colt, and with the money which he had carefully saved ne concluded to start an independent life. He rented the farm he now owns from liis parent for several years, and upon the death of his father he purchased the place. This has been his home for twenty-one years, during which period he has · made substantial improvements. The house has been enlarged and remodeled, good barns and other buildings put up, and the heavy timber with which much of the place was formerly en- cumbered has been cleared off, the land being placed under cultivation. The farm comprises one hundred and forty-four acres, in addition to which Mr. Crum owns another tract of seventy acres adjoining. He manages both farms and gives employment to a number of hands and teams of horses. He has fine stock of all kinds on his place, and is thoroughly up to the times in matters of progress. Until within the past few years he has used his franchise in favor of Democratic nominees, but of late has tendered his allegiance to the Prohibition party. He has been supervisor of highways of Mount Pleasant District for several years, but has never sought nor desired public office. He is known far and near, as are all bearing his name, as thoroughly honorable and upright in all his dealings and en- tirely worthy the confidence of the people.
In 1877 Mr. Crum married Nancy E. Drone- burg, daughter of John Droneburg, a well-to-do farmer of this district for years, and at one period a resident of Carroll County, Md. He was a pillar in the Reformed Church and enjoyed tlie respect and regard of all who knew him. To Mr. and Mrs. Crum four sons and two daughters have been born: Hanson E., Jolin Emory, Ray, Claude R., I,illian I. and Virgie L., all of whom
copal Church of Walkersville, and are liberal contributors to the cause.
ARRETT S. DEGRANGE, postmaster of Frederick, was born in this city in 1845, and is the son of Peter and Louisa (Eb- berts) DeGrange. Little is known concerning the family history, outside of the general state- ment that the lineage is French. His grandfa- ther, who was born in France, emigrated to the United States in young manhood, being, so far as known, the sole representative of that name in America. He settled in Frederick and en- gaged in the wagon-maker's trade, having a shop on West Patrick street.
In this city, where he was born, Peter De- Grange followed the trade of a merchant tailor in early life, but afterward he turned his attention to farming. First an old-line Whig, he became a Republican on the organization of the party. For years he was an office-bearer in the Lutheran Church. His death occurred in 1890, when lie was eighty-five years of age. His wife, who died in 1861, was the daughter of Michael Ebberts, a native of Frederick County.
The family of which our subject is a member originally composed six sons and three daugh- ters. John Scott, who was a cigar maker, died at thirty-five years; H. Clay is a tailor in Fred- erick; William Michael, a farmer, died at the age of thirty-nine years; Charles Abner lias been as- sociated with our subject in business; Augusta Elizabeth married Thomas Landerkin, of Fred- erick; Emma Frances is unmarried; and Lucy died at eighteen years.
Upon his father's farm near Utica Mills, Fred- erick County, the boyhood years of our subject were passed. At the age of thirteen lie came to Frederick and learned the trade of a cigar maker. Wlien the war broke out he went to Washington, D. C., as an assistant in the commissary depart-
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ment, and after six months was promoted to be chief issuing clerk to sales officers and issuing to hospitals under Capt. Herman Schreiner, remain- ing in that position for three years. At the close of the war he went to Philadelphia, where for a short time he engaged in the cigar business, but from there returned to Washington, and re- mained for fifteen months. Then, coming back to Frederick, he embarked in the wholesale tobacco business, which he has since carried on very suc- cessfully, having one of the largest houses of the kind in this part of the state. His location is No. 142 North Market street.
In 1877 Mr. DeGrange married Sallie Mc- Quilkin, of Martinsburg, W. Va., daughter of A. R. McQuilkin. They are the parents of four sons and one daughter, namely: A. R. McQuil- kin, who is studying law at Johns Hopkins Uni- versity; H. Clay, Garrett S., Jr., and Heloise, at home.
Politically a Republican, Mr. DeGrange has for the past fifteen years been treasurer of the county central committee and the city executive committee, and in 1898 was appointed postmaster at Frederick. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of the Ancient Essenic Order and the Masonic fraternity. His family are identi- fied with the Lutheran Church and, while he is not a member of any denomination, he is a con- tributor .to the work of that church and is inter- ested in its growth.
A UGUSTUS W. NICODEMUS. Prominent among the progressive business men of Frederick County ranks this gentleman, whose home is in Buckeystown. From his youth he manifested unusual talent in a business way, and as the years passed he became more and more successful in his varied undertakings. He brings to bear upon every question rare good judgment, foresight and wide experience, and, having adopted a plan of action, seldom is forced to abandon it.
Still in the prime of early manhood, our sub- ject was born upon a farm situated about two miles from this place, in 1870. He is next to the youngest son of A. W. Nicodemus, one of the representative citizens of this section. The latter was a native of Carroll County, coming from one of the old pioneer families there. (For ancestral history see sketch of J. L. Nicodemus, an uncle of our subject.) A. W. Nicodemus has been extensively interested in farming operations hereabouts for nearly his whole life and has been aggressive and enterprising in his business ven- tures. A few years ago he was one of the prime inovers in the establishment of the creameries and canning factories with which his son A. W. is now connected. In the politics of this county he has been quite influential, and served for two years in the responsible position of county com- missioner, having been elected by his Republi- can friends and at another time was judge of the orphans' court. In these several capacities he fully met the requirements of the office, giving satisfaction to all concerned. For his wife he chose Miss Barbara A. Fulton, and four children came to brighten their home. Harry O. is a farmer of this district, and Edgar R., who lives at home, is interested financially in one of the creameries. Mary E. is the wife of William E. Kinley, of this vicinity.
After completing his district-school education the subject of this article attended the old Fred- erick College, and subsequently went to Balti- more, where he pursued a course of study in a business college. When he was nineteen he started out to make his own way in the world and for two years clerked in Washington, D. C. Then returning home, he associated himself with the creameries and canning factory that his father was already interested in. The canning plant is of no small benefit to this section of country, as aside from the fact that it consumes large quan- tities of vegetables and fruit raised by the far- - mers near it affords employment to many hands and helps to keep up the air of thrift and busy activity in the town. The factory is a large, light and well-ventilated structure, two stories in height, built of frame, and very substantial
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looking. A large brick building adjoins it, being used for storage and various purposes. The amount of business done is yearly on the in- crease, owing to the fine quality of goods canned here and the excellent business ability and policy of the proprietors.
In his political faith Mr. Nicodemus is a true and tried Republican. Religiously he is a Methodist, and is one of the workers in and con- tributors to the church of the Methodist Protest- ant denomination here. He owns a very pretty home in the pleasantest portion of the town, and the charming mistress of this abode was formerly Miss Annie M. Thomas. They were married in 1897, and have carried with them the best wishes of a multitude of sincere friends. Mrs. Nicode- mus is a lady of superior education and attain- ments, having finished her studies in the Western Maryland College of Westminster, after which she went to Germany and there enjoyed further advantages. She is a daughter of our well- known citizen, Charles F. Thomas, who is repre- sented elsewhere in this volume.
HARLES WERTHEIMER. Numbered among the most enterprising and public- spirited business men and citizens of tlie progressive city of Frederick, Frederick County, is this gentleman, who is a member of the well- known firm of Lonestine & Wertheimer. No one is more desirous of seeing this place grow and prosper than he, and few have been more actively concerned in assisting towards this end. He has supported by his means and influence many of the enterprises and institutions of the city, and is always in the front ranks of those who favor improvement and progress along all lines.
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