Portrait and biographical record of the Sixth congressional district, Maryland V. 1, Part 36

Author: Chapman Publishing Company
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: New York : Chapman publishing co.
Number of Pages: 818


USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Sixth congressional district, Maryland V. 1 > Part 36


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The mother of Hon. F. L. Stoner was Marga- ret, daughter of William Smith, a farmer of the vicinity of Libertytown. A brother, James Smith, was a lieutenant in the Union army, and was killed in the battle of Gettysburg. He was a law partner of Judge Maulsby, and about 1856 he started, and for a time ran, the Maryland Union, a newspaper having considerable circulation in this city and county. Oliver, thie eldest son of Ephraim and Margaret Stoner, is engaged in farming in the vicinity of Peoria, Ill. Dr. Clar- ence is practicing medicine in Los Angeles, Cal .. and is a graduate of the medical department of the University of California. Kearney, a civil engineer of St. Louis, is in the employ of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. Jesse is car- rying on the old home place. Emma, the only daughter, is the wife of Edward Reisler, of Eas- ton, Md.


Frank L. Stoner, third son of Ephraim Stoner. was born June 13, 1863, and received his educa- tion in Liberty Academy, the high school in St. Michaels and in St. John's College, Ammapolis, Md. At the time that lie reaclied his majority lie was admitted to the bar of Frederick County, hav- ing studied law with the late Charles V. S. Levy of Frederick. He lias been alone in business for sev-


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eral years and has been very successful, having gained an enviable reputation for knowledge in his chosen profession. He is counsel for the Elec- tric Light and Gas Company, and for other lead- ing corporations and firms. He is the owner of several fine farms situated in the southern portion of this county, and from them he derives a good income. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Essenic Order. June 26, 1894, he mar- ried Florence E. Wilson, daughter of Rev. P. L. Wilson, a minister of the Methodist Protestant Church of Washington, D. C.


1 ENO S. HARP, of Frederick, is a recog- nized leader in the ranks of the Republican party, and in his former capacity of editor and proprietor of the Frederick Examiner did inore to mold the opinion of the people of this region and to demonstrate to thein the superior- ity of the principles of the Republican party than any other citizen of the county. He is a forcible and eloquent speaker as well, and during several campaigns has stumped this congressional dis- trict. For the past few years he has devoted his time and attention almost exclusively to the prac- tice of law and has succeeded in building up a large clientage.


Daniel V. Harp, the father of our subject, is one of the most influential citizens of Middletown Valley. He was born in Jackson District, Fred- erick County, and followed agricultural pursuits until he retired from active life. For forty years he has been an enthusiastic Republican and has played quite an important part in party politics in his section. He has been foremost in every enterprise for the development of his section of the county and is the owner of one of the finest farms in Middletown Valley, which is one of the richest farming sections of the state. The lead- ing spirit in the proposed railway line to be built from Middletown through the valley for five or more miles, he has advocated the project for years. In music also he has taken much delight.


He was a personal friend of Philip Phillips, who often made visits to his home in Myers- ville. For years he has been a leading mem- ber of the United Brethren Church, his home being the headquarters for the ministers and visiting brothers of the denomination. His wife, who died in June, 1896, was Lugenia Frances, daughter of Jonas Sheffer, who is still living, being now in his eighty-seventh year, and is a member of the household of Mr. Harp. His only son is Charles B., of Denver, Colo. Of the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Harp, Mark- wood D. has an art studio in this city; Clara E. is the wife of Elmer A. Young, a farmer, son of Judge William R. Young (judge of the orphans' court of this county ); and Jennie May is unmar- ried and living with her father.


Reno S. Harp was born in the village of My- ersville October 3, 1866, and there was a stu- dent in the public schools. Later he went to the Middletown high school for two years, and then entered the Lebanon Valley College, where he graduated from the classical course with the de- gree of Bachelor of Arts. Three years subse- quently he received the additional degree of Mas- ter of Arts from the same institution. He took up the study of law but had only made a slight beginning when he received an appointment as a census clerk in Washington, D. C. This was in 1890 and while there he attended the Colum- bia Law School, devoting every spare moment of his time to the lectures or to other work along those lines for two years.


Returning home, Reno S. Harp started the Fred- crick County Guide, which he managed for two years, then selling out. He was one of three who purchased the Frederick Examiner, a paper which had been established in 1809, and operated this for two and a-half years. He still owns a third in- terest in the paper but does not give his personal attention to its management. The county had been strongly Democratic up to the time that he as- sumed charge of this journal, but within the first year the subscription list of the paper had been advanced from six hundred to eighteen hundred and the political complexion of the county had permanently changed as well, or so it appears.


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The second year that Mr. Harp had charge of the paper his friends desired him to be a candi- date for congress, yet he refused to allow his name to be presented to the convention. He is a member of the Republican State Central Com- mittee, and in 1897 he was a stanch advocate of Judge Motter, who was elected by a large major- ity. Mr. Harp is a director in and attorney for the Myersville & Catoctin Railroad. He is one of the trustees of the Lebanon Valley College, is a member of the executive committee of the insti- tution and last year was elected president of the alumni meeting and this year was honored by being chosen to deliver the annual address at the meeting of the association. He is a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics and is one of the executive board of the United Brethren Church Pilgrimage Association, which is to hold its Centennial meeting in this city in 1902. He was Journal Clerk of the Home of Delegates during the session of IS98.


In April, IS95, Mr. Harp married Annie E., only daughter of Samuel L. Brightbill, a wealthy cit- izen of Annville, Pa. Mr. Harp built for his bride a beautiful home on Clark place, one of the finest locations in the city, but death entered the happy household and the wife was stricken after less than a year of her enjoyment of its beauty.


APT. PHILIP L. HITESHĘW. Though it is inevitable that differences of opinion should prevail, even at this late day, in re- gard to the disastrous and terrible civil war through which this country passed, most people of this period are at least ready to accord their free meed of praise to the brave and courageous souls who were arrayed upon either side, against one another, in the defense of the principles in which they had been reared from childhood. Among those whose service to the Union is recognized with gratitude stands the gentleman of whom this history is written. Very few suvivors of the war period can point to a record of more arduous toil


and bravery, of numerous battles, weary marches and privation cheerfully endured for the cause of home and country, than can the captain, and it needs no pen to publish his praises, as the mute record of the engagements in which he partici- pated tells the story.


Born in Frederick, September 11, 1840, the captain is the youngest child of Daniel Hiteshew, and was not yet quite twenty-one years old when he enlisted, August 7, 1861, in Company I, First Maryland Cavalry. His meritorious conduct and courage found recognition June 9, 1863, when he was promoted from the rank of fourth sergeant to be first lieutenant by General Gregg and mus- tered September 1, 1863, with rank of lieutenant. October 29, 1864, he was made captain, and for a time was adjutant-general of a brigade, and in the closing of the Appomattox campaign he was in command General Sheridan's body guard. Besides being engaged in the siege of Petersburg some six months, he took part in fifty-seven battles and lesser engagements, altogether hav- ing been in the forefront of battle about three hundred days. After two years' service his regiment re-enlisted, becoming a part of Foster's brigade of Terry's division of the Army of the James. Below is a partial list of the battles in which he was active: Hancock, Md., January 4, 1862; Winchester, Va., May 24; Charleston, Va., May 28; Madison Court-house and Cedar Moun- tain, August 8 and 9; Rappahannock and Free- man's Ford, Va., August 22; White Sulphur Springs, August 23; Centerville, Va., August 28; Second Bull Run, August 30; Chantilly, Septem- . ber 1; Harper's Ferry, September 13; Fredericks- burg, December 13; Dumfries, December 27; Stoneman's Raid, covering the most of April, 1863; Brandy Station, June 9, 1863; Aldie, June 19; Middleburg and Upperville, June 23; Gettys- burg, Pa., July 1, 2, 3, 1863; Emmitsburg, Md., July 5, Benevola, July 10; Shepardstown, July 14; Culpeper Court-house, September 14; Rapidan, September 16; Missville and White Sulphur, Oc- tober 12 and 14; Auburn Mills and Bristow Sta- tion, October 16; Mine Run, November 24-26, 1863; Bermuda Hundred, June 17, 1864; Richi- mond and Petersburg Railroad, June 19; Dcep


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Bottom, July 27, and again on the following August 14; Deep Run, July 16-18; Siege of Petersburg from August 21 to the last of Septem- ber; New Market Road, September 29; Darby- town Road, October 13; Charles City Road, Va., October 27; Dinwiddie Court house, April 1, 1865; Hatchie's Run, April 2; Danville Railroad, April 4, 5; Farmville, April 6; Appomattox Court- house, April 9.


Following is an exact copy of a letter addressed to Captain Hiteshew by General Sheridan.


Headquarters, Military Division of the Missouri. CHICAGO, ILL., April 12, 1369. CAPT. P. L. HITESHEW,


Frederick, Md.


My Dear Captain :- I am in receipt of your letter of the 26th ult., and take great pleasure in acknowledging your valuable service during the Appomattox campaign. The very daring ride made by you on the 5th of April, 1865, from the cavalry to the infantry division of General Miles, through the rebel forces, at a time when experi- ence, coolness and bravery were indispensable, entitles you to the high praise which I now willingly accord.


Respectfully, P. H. SHERIDAN, Lieut .- General, U. S. A.


Daniel Hiteshew, the captain's father, was born in Frederick County in 1804, and was noted for his patriotism, which, in large measure, was one of the laudable qualities inherited by his son, of whom this sketch is penned. He was a stanchi adherent of the Whig party, and, in his enthusiasm, hauled the historic log-cabin of "Tippecanoe" (Harrison) from Frederick to Baltimore in 1840, after the election of President Harrison. He was a warm friend of Henry Clay, and many other great statesmen, but, for him- self, never souglit office. In early manhood he was a farmer, and died in 1853. He was a mem- ber of the Reformed Church, and lies buried in Williamsport (Md.) Cemetery. His father, George Hiteshew, was a native of this county, and was a farmer. Two of the latter's sons,


George and Jacob, were soldiers in the War of 1812, and all of his sons were farmers. The wife of Daniel Hiteshew was Susan, daugliter of Michael Grinder, who came to America with LaFayette from France, and, though only a boy, fought in a battery during the Revolution here. His wife, Savilla Graybill, was of German descent, and was born in Woodsboro, Frederick County.


The three brothers and five sisters of the cap- tain- were as follows: William H., a clerk in the office of the register of wills, where he had been from his seventeenth year, died in November, 1851. Daniel C., who was first lieutenant in command of Company H, First Maryland Cavalry (which company he had helped to organize), at the battle of Maryland Heights, September 13, 1862, was shot, and died a few weeks later. Jaines M., who was a sergeant in the Second Maryland Home Brigade, lives at Cumberland, Md. Savilla, now of Williamsport, Md., is the widow of Archibald Ensminger. Ellen married Jacob M. Shaffer, a shoe manufacturer of Polo, Ogle County, Ill., and died four years ago. Laura is the wife of George H. Railing, a mer- chant of Frederick. Mary is the wife of John Morrison, a business man of Youngstown, Ohio. Anna married William Mitchell, a builder and contractor of Cleveland, Ohio.


As his father died when lie was a mere lad, Captain Hiteshew was obliged to embark upon the serious occupations of life at an early age, and for the five years that his mother lived thereafter he labored dutifully to assist in her support. He was employed on the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal much of his time. Then his arduous army ex- perience covered several of his best mature years, and after the war he engaged in tlie patent-right business for some time. In June, 1869, he was appointed in the internal revenue service of the government, and in September, 1873, was given a position in the sub treasury department of the United States, in Baltimore. This place lie con- tinued to occupy to the satisfaction of all con- cerned up to December 15, 1882, when, his health being poor, he resigned and returned to Frederick.


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For the past fifteen years the captain and family have resided in a beautiful home on South Mar- ket street. He was married in August, 1865, to Frances A., daugliter of John Wilcoxen, a farmer near the city limits of Frederick. Two children, a son and a daughter, brighten the lives of the captain and his estimable wife. The son, a promising young man, Webster by name, is now studying law under the supervision of Judge Motter, of Frederick. Anna M., who also re- ceived an excellent general education in the schools of this place and Baltimore, finished her studies in the Woman's College of Frederick.


From the time that he became a voter, Captain Hiteshew has firmly defended the platform of the Republican party. He is an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is past commander in the same. Formerly he was also active in the Order of Red Men. Religiously he adheres to the faith of his forefathers and is identified with the Reformed Church, as are also the others of his family. He enjoys the genuine love and high regard of a large circle of friends and acquaintances, and particularly dear to his heart are the members of the Grand Army -- the boys that wore the blue and fought by his side for the stars and stripes.


EWIS O. WHIP, the genial and popular postmaster of Jefferson, Frederick County,. busy seasons he finds it necessary to keep two was first appointed to this position by President Harrison, and occupied the place to the satisfaction of his fellow-citizens and all concerned for four years. During a part of Cleveland's administration he was superseded by a Demo- cratic favorite, but with this exception he lias been faitlifully at the post since 1882. From the time that he reached his majority until the pres- ent he has been an earnest champion of the principles and nominees of the Republican party and has been a great worker in its interest.


Tlie fatlier of the above-named gentleman was George T. Whip (sce history of family elsewhere


in this work), who owned a valuable farm in this county, a mile north of the present town of Burkittsville. Lewis O. Whip was born on the old farm alluded to, in 1841, and there spent his careless and happy boyhood days. Under the judicious and loving supervision of his parents he learned the various duties of carrying on a farm property, and at the same time had instilled into his youthful mind upright and honorable principles of conduct. The foundations of learn- ing were acquired by him in the neighboring public schools, and to this he has since added stores of wisdom gained in the school of experi- ence. Upon arriving at man's estate he decided to go to the west, and there he remained some months visiting. Finding, however, no place that he considered superior on the whole to his own early home, he returned and has since been content to stay in this fertile and beautiful county.


In 1864 Mr. Whip came to Jefferson with his parents and worked on the farm at home for about five years. He then rented his father's farm for two years, and at the expiration of that time he purchased a small farm which he oper- ated for twelve years. He sold his farm and in 1882 opened a general store in Jefferson, and since then he has succeeded in building up a large and lucrative trade. He keeps a well-se- lected stock of goods, replenishing it from time to time with staple and novelty merchandise. In his business relations he is fair and just to all, endeavoring to meet the wishes of his customers and faithful in all of his obligations. During the clerks to handle all of his business. He holds membership with the Lutheran Church, has been one of the official board of the same for many years, and is a regular contributor to religious and charitable enterprises.


In 1872 Mr. Whip built the pretty and sub- stantial residence which he has occupied ever since. He liad married, some two years previ- ously, December 29, 1869, Miss Sarahi E. Culler, daughter of Michael Culler, of an old and honored pioneer family in this region. She was a niece of Col. Henry Culler, a very prominent citizen of Jefferson District, whose biography appears


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upon another page of this volume. Mrs. Whip the war of the Revolution, but was prevented by was a lady of very lovable disposition and made friends wherever she was known. Her summons to the silent land, May 19, 1896, was felt to be a great loss to the community in which her quiet, gentle life had long wielded an influence for good.


ENRY LORENTZ is one of the old and honored citizens of Frederick City, he having made his home here for the past fifty-seven years. For several decades he was engaged in the brokerage business, having as a partner until 1866 Mr. Sifford, but from that time on until he retired from business he carried on operations alone. He has always been a very patriotic citizen, giving liberally of his means and devoting his influence and time to the maintenance of good law, order and improvement along all lines. He is now well along in years, being over fourscore and six years of age, but is still quite active and alert in mind and body. He has always enjoyed the best of health and counts this as one of the chiefest blessings that has fallen to his lot. Truly, the doctors have benefited little by illness in his family, as he has not had, all told, more than $100 of doctor's bills to pay in his life.


The father of our worthy subject was Adani Lorentz, who was a native of Middletown, and followed the shoemaker's trade all through his career. The sole exception to this occupation was when he served as county commissioner of his home district, having been appointed to that position by Governor Thomas. He was an earnest adherent and advocate of the principles of the Democracy. He departed this life in 1849, at the ripe age of seventy-four years. He was a faithful member of the Lutheran Church and his remains repose in the Middletown Cemetery. His father, Jacob Lorentz, was a native of Germany, and became one of the pioneers of Middletown Valley. He located on the eastern edge of the present site of thic town of the same name as early as 1769. He started for the front during


illness from carrying out his plans. He died in 1835. The mother of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch was Elizabeth Bear prior to her marriage. She lived to be seventy-eight years of age, while her inother was almost a centen- arian when she was summoned to the silent land. John and William, sons of Adam and Elizabeth Lorentz, were both shoemakers by trade, as was their father before them. The former moved to Ohio, and was ninety years old when his time came to lay down the burdens of life. William was on the Union side in the Civil war in a Maryland company of infantry and died in a soldier's hospital. He had previously plied his trade in Middletown, his native place. Elizabeth, a sister, now deceased, was the wife of a Mr. Gill, of this county, and her children are located in the western portion of the same. Mary became the wife of John Sifford, of this county.


Born in 1812, Henry Lorentz' life has very nearly spanned this century and he has been a witness of great and momentous changes. not only in this state, but in the development and advancement of civilization throughout the gov- ernment. He continued to dwell in the town of his birth until 1841, and for six years was in his father's store, where he learned the trade of making shoes, as had his parent and brothers. The calling was not to his taste, however, and in 1841 he came to Frederick, and for two years was a clerk in the office of Mr. Sifford, who was then county and state tax collector. Later the two entered into a partnership which continued .. in existence for about twenty-five years, when Mr. Sifford withdrew from the firm. They con- ducted a very lucrative business, as did Mr. Lorentz afterwards for many years. He has al- ways favored the Democratic party and has been faithful to his duties as a citizen. He has taken an active part in benevolent and church work and has been a true friend to the poor. When the Methodist Episcopal Church was built, he gave $1,000 to the purpose, and this amount is but a small portion of his gifts to worthy causes.


In 1844 Mr. Lorentz married Catherine, daugh- ter of Henry Robinson. He was a prominent


333-339


THOMAS NOBLE HARWOOD.


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local minister in the Methodist Church and came to this county from Virginia. His wife bore the maiden name of Catherine Duvall, and her moth- er, whose maiden name was Johnson, was a sec- ond cousin of Gen. George Washington. Her inother, who was a Miss Bull before her mar- riage, was a sister of the mother of Washington, thus Mrs. Lorentz can justly lay claim to being a distant relative of the "Father of his country." Seven sons and two daughters came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Lorentz, as follows: Charles, John, Arthur, Edwin, Frank, Albert, Robert Lee, Emma Kate and Laura Virginia. Charles is employed with a large ship-building firm in Baltimore. Emma K. married Joseph E. Bowers, and Laura V. became the wife of George C. Winebrener, a nephew of Col. D. C. Wine- brener.


HOMAS NOBLE HARWOOD, one of the honored old citizens of Frederick, has been living retired from active cares for over twenty years, his life prior to that having been most arduous and enterprising. He owns a beautiful home on West Patrick street and is sur- rounded by all of the comforts and many of the luxuries that give to life half of its charms. He is well deserving of the prosperity that is now his portion, for he was the architect of his own fortunes, having been left an orphan at an early age to make his way as best he might. That he succeeded to a remarkable degree can be gained when it is known that at one time he was the most extensive land owner in this county, and that he has large sums of money invested in various enterprises in this locality, $30,000 in one business house alone, the City Hotel. His word is truly esteemed "as good as his bond" and he has yet to have a note of his contested. It has been a matter of pride with him throughout his career, to be prompt and strictly reliable in carrying out all agreements.


Mr. Harwood is considerably over the age which was assigned to mankind in general as the allotted time of years by the psalmist, as he was


born in 1816. His father was Dr. Thomas Noble Harwood, a native of Montgomery County, Md., just across the line from this county. He prac- ticed his profession in Frederick County for some time, but died when his namesake was but four years of age, and was buried on the farm where his boyhood days had been passed. He, in turn, was a son of one Thomas Harwood, a native of Annapolis, Md., who was married in that city and subsequently owned a farmi of four hundred acres, also keeping slaves to till the soil. The mother of our subject was Miss Amelia Plummer in her girlhood, and was a native of Buckeystown District. She had but two children by her mar- riage, Thomas Noble and Henrietta. The latter never married and died in 1864.


Both of his parents having died, Thomas N. Harwood, of this sketch, lived with relatives of his father until he was grown, the most of the time with an aunt, Mrs. Betsy Jones, a rich lady, who was very kind-hearted and generous, as she reared to become useful citizens eleven or twelve orphans. When he was about seventeen young Harwood drove a team for a time and thus earned a little money which he carefully saved. He then rented a farm in his native district, Buckeystown, and after a few years was enabled to buy a place. The first homestead that he ever owned is the present site of Buckeystown village. On this land, which he purchased in 1852, he built two or three small cottages, selling them later. Afterwards he owned Three Springs, one of the finest farms in the county, it comprising four hundred acres and the springs for which it is named running a mill. The next farms in which he invested were one near Adamstown and one near Doubt Switch, both very desirable tracts of land. Year by year his possessions accumulated under his wise management until he was a wealthy man, and was in a position to leave a goodly fortune to each of his children if he so de- sired. He has never been a member of any order nor is he a church member, though he was reared as an Episcopalian and contributes of his means to that denomination. He has been an adherent of the Democracy since attaining his majority but has never been a candidate for public office.




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