USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Sixth congressional district, Maryland V. 1 > Part 37
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In the year 1839 Mr. Harwood married Emma Plummer, of Montgomery County, and four children came to bless their hearthstone. William Thomas, now managing the old home farm, where his parents resided for so many years, was in the southern army during the war, serving under Col- onel White and taking active part in every battle in which that officer was engaged until he was taken prisoner at Brandy Station. M. Noble, the second son, operates a farm adjoining the one carried on by his brother. Both of these fine farms belong to the father. Henrietta married George Moler and lives above Harper's Ferry on a valuable farm owned by our subject. Clinton B. G. is interested in mines in West Virginia. Thomas Noble Harwood married in 1866 Jane, daughter of Thomas Cleggett, who was a rich re- tired farmer at the time of his death. The only child of Thomas Noble and Jane Harwood, Virginia Noble Harwood, an accomplished and amiable young lady, became the wife of Dr. Willburger, of Washington, D. C., in September, 1897.
OHN P. HEFFNER, one of the old and honored residents of Frederick County, has been living retired from the arduous duties in which the greater portion of his career has been passed for the last twenty-five years in Fred- erick. He erected a modern two-story brick res- idence on South Market street in 1892 and with his family is enjoying the rest which he truly de- serves after the toil and industrious labor of years. Never aspiring to public office or notoriety he has quietly discharged every duty as a neighbor, cit- izen, husband and father, and has won the esteem of all with whom he has been brought into con- tact.
The grandfather of our subject was a native of Germany, and at one time owned seven thousand acres of land in Maryland. His son, father of John P., was Samuel Heffner, a contractor and builder of this county. He followed this calling for forty years, during which time he erected
many of the finest residences and public struct- ures in Frederick City and vicinity. He was a native of this county, and in his later years he retired to a farm in Tuscarora District. This fine homestead, known as Tasker's Choice, is now owned by our subject. Up to the time of the war the elder Heffner was a Democrat, but his sympathies being with the Union cause, he naturally became allied with the Republican par- ty soon after its organization. For years he was an elder and faithful member of Bethel Lutheran Church, which he assisted in building and main- taining. He lived to the age of fourscore years and was buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery. His wife, Sopliia, was a daughter of Philip Kiser, who was engaged in blacksmithing during nearly his whole life. Mrs. Heffner died at seventy-five years and rests by the side of her husband in Mount Olivet. One of her three children, Lewis C., was a carpenter and farmer, and the only danghter died when young.
John P. Heffner was born in this locality Jan- uary 3, 1834, and in his youth learned the car- penter's trade with his father. He continued to give his attention to this line of business up to 1870, when he removed to Frederick City, and for the succeeding twenty years he was occupied in carrying on a fertilizer plant in partnership with J. S. Ramsburg. After the death of his father he purchased the fine old homestead and later he also bought the beautiful farin in Jeffer- son District, formerly the property of Captain Johnson, who put up a substantial mansion on the place. The farin is now managed by a nephew of our subject. It is-considered one of the best farms in the district and is certainly a model coun- try home in every respect. A few years ago our subject constructed a splendid barn and good farm buildings on the place, which he takes com- mendable pride in keeping at a high standard. He has literally been the architect of his own for- tunes, as the valuable property which he now possesses is the direct result of his industry and financial ability. His methods of doing business have always been open to inspection, as he has stooped to nothing under-handed, has been thor- ouglily upright and just with his fellow-men and
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has esteemed a good name to be much greater than wealth and prominence. He has been a stalwart Republican since the days of the Civil war, and during that conflict was a sympathizer with the Union cause. For a quarter of a century he was connected with the Baltimore and the Monumental Building and Loan Associations.
In 1861 Mr. Heffner married Drucilla Rice. daughter of Perry G. Rice. She departed this life when in her fortieth year, leaving two daugh- ters, Sophia and Helen J., who are both well-ed- ucated young ladies and live with their father. In 1847 Mr. Heffner married Mrs. Sarah (Miller) Rice, widow of Levan Rice, by whom she had one son, Walter. She was the daughter of Fred- erick Miller. Mr. Heffner has been identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, he having officiated in various capacities in the congregation. The balance of his family are members of the Lutheran Church. He has been very generous in his gifts to the cause of re- ligion and has aided materially in the building of numerous churches.
Å G LBERT M. PATTERSON, the efficient sheriff of Frederick County, was elected to this responsible position on the Republican ticket in the fall of 1897, receiving a gratifying majority. Since that time he has made his home in the city of Frederick, where both he' and his estimable wife have met with a cordial welcome from the citizens. He has always taken an active part in the affairs of his party, but has never heretofore occupied a public office. He is meet- ing all of the requirements of the position with fidelity, promptness and cleverness, and has won scores of new friends wherever he has gone.
Our subject cannot lay claim to being a native of this state, though he was born just across the line in Pennsylvania, in 1859, near Emmits- burg. His father, George M., was born in the same house, and is still living in the Keystone state, a prosperous farmer. He has been a life-
long member of the Presbyterian Church, and is a firm adherent to the teachings of the Repub- lican party. His father, George Patterson, of Scotland, came to America at an early day, and settled upon the farm where his son and grand- son were afterwards born and reared. He con- structed a cabin from hickory logs, just as they were hewn out of the forest, and this house is still standing and in a fair state of preservation. The mother of the subject of this article was Louisa Wolford in her girlhood, being the daughter of John Wolford, a successful farmer of Pennsylvania. She became the mother of four children, of whom George Mead is in busi- ness in Emmitsburg ; Kate E. is the wife of Albert Smith, of the same town ; and Nettie Grant is Mrs. George Byron, of the same dis- trict.
The boyhood days of A. M. Patterson were passed in the usual manner of lads living upon a farm, his time being given up to work, study and play. He was a very bright and ambitious boy, and was but a dozen years old when he and his brother George determined that they would venture forth into the world of business. The brother had $3 of available funds, but A. M. · was the proud possessor of $5; and the lads de- cided to go into partnership in the meat business in Emmitsburg. They actually did make a start after a little while, in a small way, and in time were very successful, Albert M. giving his atten- tion to the buying and selling of cattle, while George stayed in the market and waited upon customers. They were together for thirteen! years, or until the election of A. M. Patterson to the office of sheriff. He still retains his interest in the business, however, which has grown to large proportions, being both wholesale and re- tail. The brothers also own and operate several extensive farms in the vicinity of Enunitsburg. All this has been accomplished by energy, strict attention to the needs of their patrons and an earnest desire to please.
In 1893 Mr. Patterson married Miss Bruce Shoemaker, of Frederick County. They have a very pleasant home in this city, and enjoy the friendship and good will of a large circle of ac-
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quaintances here and in their former place of residence. They are members of the Lutheran Church, and are interested in whatever move- ments are started on behalf of the poor and afflicted, doing their full share in religious and benevolent work.
ILLIAM WILCOXON represents a family that has been long and honorably associ- ated with the history of the city and county of Frederick. He was born in this city January 22, 1854. His father, Andrew Jackson Wilcoxon, was born at Ijamsville, Frederick County, Md., May 11, 1829, and died in Frederick December 18, 1893. The latter was in turn the son of Will- iam Wilcoxon, who was born in Montgomery County, Md., March 24, 1782, but in early life came to Frederick, where he became well known as a fine violinist, an expert marksman and a devotee of the fishing rod-a disciple of Izaak Walton; in the days when physicians were few he gained a reputation for his knowledge of remedial agencies, and was frequently called upon to min- ister to the sick. He died January 26, 1862, in the old stone homestead and tavern situated on the south side of West Patrick street; and there also occurred the death of his wife, Ruth, Febru- ary 16, 1864, at the age of seventy-six years.
The great-grandfather of our subject, Jesse Wil- coxon, was born January 30, 1738, and Novem- ber 30, 1769, he married Elizabeth Claggett, who was born October 15, 1752. They were the parents of thirteen children, whose names and dates of birth were as follows: Ruth, January 21, 1771; Thomas Claggett, 1773; Jesse, May 27, 1775; Ann Magruder, August 1, 1777; Elizabeth, May 10, 1780; William, March 24, 1782; Mary Eleanor, March 22, 1784; James Edmonston, September 20, 1787; John Townsend, February 19, 1789; Margaret Am (known as Peggy), March 17, 1791; Deborah, December 9, 1792; and Horatio, November 22, 1795. Jesse Wil- coxon died December 11, IS11, and his wife
passed away January 2, 1835. Their daughter Margaret Ann (or as she was better known, Peggy) married Nathaniel Cleggett, and died at the age of one hundred and two years; she was buried at Brookville, Montgomery County.
Our subject's father, Andrew J. Wilcoxon, inherited the thrifty and honorable traits of char- acter noticeable in the lives of his Scotch-Irish progenitors. He was strictly honest, never owing any man, and in fact, holding debt in the utmost horror. By occupation a carpenter, in early life he worked as a journeyman. Afterward for years he was connected with a lumber company of Fred- erick as its foreman, which position he filled to the entire satisfaction of his employers. After the death of one of the members of the firm he was admitted into partnership, the firm title be- coming D. J. Markey & Co., and for more than thirty years he was engaged in the manufacture and sale of luniber.
The mother of our subject, Anna Mary, was born June 4, 1831, and was a daughter of Daniel Getzendanner, Sr., late of Frederick County, but now deceased, and his wife, Mary Ann (Derr) Getzendanner. By occupation Mr. Getzendanner was a farmer. He was a Christiani gentleman and a pioneer worker in the Reformed Church in this county. He traced his ancestry to Switzer- land. The first of the family in this country was Christian Getzendanner, who arrived in America September 15, 1729, and settled in Frederick County, two miles west of the city of that name. He immediately purchased three thousand acres of land, extending from the mountains near Brad- dock easterly toward the Monocacy River, a por- tion of the tract being known as Christian's Choice, and here he built a house of logs, a com- fortable, though primitive, building, that with improvements and additions stood on the land until 1865, and was then burned by incendiaries.
The family of which our subject is a member consists of four brothers and one sister. Daniel C. R. is a merchant in Baltimore; Francis Marion is also engaged in the mercantile business in that city; George Edward was formerly manager of the Union Foundry and Stove Manufacturing . Company, but is now a member of the firm of
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Wilcoxon & Brown, lumber merchants, in Fred- erick; Clara M. is the wife of Samuel Elmer Brown, of Wilcoxon & Brown, and a member of the board of aldermen of Frederick. Our subject was educated under private instruction by Mrs. Quantrill, now of Washington, D. C., and Mrs. Hobbs, of Frederick, both of whom were ladies of unusual intellectual qualities and talent; and also attended Frederick Academy, where he studied Latin and Greek under Professor Bo11- sall, and mathematics under Prof. Nathaniel Vernon. After one year in the mercantile busi- ness in Frederick he went to St. John's College, Annapolis, where he received his collegiate edu- cation. Later he studied law in the University of Virginia, at Charlottesville.
Returning to Frederick, Mr. Wilcoxon was admitted to the bar of Maryland in May, 1877, and was one of the first members of the Frederick bar to be admitted under the act of 1876, which provided that the examining committee should be composed of three members of the bar instead of the judges of the court. Since beginning practice he has been actively engaged in profes- sional work and lias been employed as attorney in many important cases, notably the Costley murder case and the Brown female abduction cases, both of which were carried to the court of appeals and were won by Mr. Wilcoxon. For many years he held the position of examiner in equity, to which he was appointed by the civil court.
Politically, like all the members of his family, Mr. Wilcoxon is an ardent Democrat. In 1887 he was his party's candidate for state's attorney. He has been a member of the board of aldermen, where his independence of character was mani- fested in his opposition to, or support of, meas- ures, uninfluenced by the opinions of others, but guided solely by his own judgment. He estab- lished the Union foundry and stove works, whichi paid about $400 in wages each week and thus was a great help to the place, but unfortunately the enterprise did not prove a financial success.
May 22, 1883, Mr. Wilcoxon married Elizabeth C. Keller, oldest daugliter of Dr. De Witt Keller, who was a native and prominent citizen of this
county, but some years ago removed from here to Evansville, Ind., establishing a drug store and becoming the owner of a vast amount of property. He was a descendant of Levi Hughes, born Sep- tember 8, 1752, died July 16, 1823, after whiom Hughes' Ford on the Monocacy River is named. Dr. Keller's father, Frederick, was born January 17, 1790, and died March 22, 1832; his wife, Catherine, daughter of Levi Hughes, was born July 22, 1799, and died September 25, 1835. They were the parents of four children, one of whom, Elizabeth Ann, wife of James Burton, died at Enfield, England, April 22, 1858, and lies buried there. Dr. DeWitt Keller died in Frederick City October 24, 1882; his wife, Mar- cia Ellen Keller, died February 8, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Wilcoxon lost one child, a son, when eight months old. The others are: Mary Mar- cia, Wilbur, Ruth, Elizabeth, DeWitt Keller, Eugenia Helen, Andrew Jackson and Willard Carpenter. Mr. Wilcoxon is a member of the Reformed Church.
OHN JACOB CULLER, M. D. Probably no physician of Frederick County stands higher in the estimation of his professional brethren and in the genuine regard of all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance than he of whom we write. Nearly half a century las elapsed since lie embarked upon his career as a disciple of the healing art, and now, when he would fain retire, to a certain extent at least, from the very arduous duties imposed upon hin, his friends refuse to allow liim the privilege, and he, being always kind-hearted and self sacrificing, good-naturedly responds to every demand now as in days of yore.
Born November 28, 1822, the doctor is a son of Capt. Henry Culler. The careless, happy days of his boyliood were passed upon the old homestead, which was his birthplace, it being not far from the village of Jefferson. After cont- pleting his elementary education in the district
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school lie attended Gettysburg College for two years. Next he took up the study of medicine in Baltimore, in the medical department of the University of Maryland, graduating at the end of a thorough three years' course, in the spring of 1848. Soon afterwards he opened an office for practice of his profession at Middletown, Frederick County, and remained there for some time. Then he was located in Boonsboro, Washington County, for two years, returning at the expiration of that period to his old home. Here he has been actively occupied in practice for forty-seven years. For the greater part of this time lie has gone on horseback to his patients, and only within late years has be used a horse and carriage. The doctor, on his favorite horse, has been a very common and always welcome sight to at least two generations of people in this section of the county, for chicer, comfort and aid ever accompany him. The poor have found in him a friend indeed, and he has cancelled thousands of dollars of his just fees upon his books, of persons whom he believes unable to pay him without a great sacrifice. Generous and unselfish, he has always given his services free to those worthy of being assisted, and many in number are those who are thus in- debted to him. Thus has he carried out in his actual life his exalted mission and the Christian faith he professes.
Over forty years the doctor has been an officer in the Lutheran Church, and has been one of the elders for years. For a long time he was the leader of the choir and superintendent of the Sunday-school, and the burden of the main- tenance of the church has largely fallen upon his shoulders. Had he bcen ambitious of earthly possessions he might have been a wealthy man to-day, but his is a broad-minded, liberal Chris- tian character, and his chief pleasure in life has been the alleviation of the material needs of his fellow-men and the influence for good which lie has been able to exert in his generation. He has always been a true friend to the colored race, and while he and his forefathers kept slaves prior to the war, they were noted for their kindness toward them. The doctor gave his two old slaves
their freedom during the Civil war, but it was not accepted, and he afterwards cared for them. paying all of their expenses. Both are dead now. Strictly temperate, in fact and practice, the doctor has never used liquor in his pro- fessional practice, except upon very rare occa- sions. In his political views he is a stalwart Republican. He married Sarah, daughter of Philip Routzahn, a prosperous farmer of the Middletown Valley, in 1852, and she has been a faithful friend, companion and helpmate.
ALVIN A. THOMAS is an influential cit- izen and energetic business man of Mount Pleasant, Frederick- County, and for thir- teen years has been the postmaster of this place. He enjoys the esteem and confidence of this whole community, and is worthy of such regard, for his career has been singularly free from all kinds of grasping selfishness, and his endeavor has always been to promote the welfare of his fellows, at whatever cost to himself. During and since the war he has been loyal to the Union, steadfast in his principle of standing by the gov- ernment, and firm in his belief that the platform of the Republican party is most fully in favor of the people of this great land, and most actively imbued with the sentiment of the greatest good to the greatest number.
Mr. Thomas was born September 24, 1842, in Buckeystown District, Frederick County. His early life passed in the uneventful manner com- mon to country lads, and he received his educa- tion, such as it was, in the district schools in the neighborhood of his home. When he was twenty years old he started out to make his own way in the world, and he had so well mastered the studies taught in the schools of his boyhood that he was qualified to teach, as the event proved. For several years he was very successfully en- gaged in teaching, first in his home neiglibor- hood and subsequently in that of Mount Pleas- ant. In 1SSt he embarked in merchandising in
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Mount Pleasant and lias gradually built up an extensive and paying trade. The store liad been owned by Mr. Ogburn for several years prior to Mr. Thomas' taking possession of tlie business. In 1892 he built a comfortable and convenient house on the lot adjoining his store. In 188 1 he was appointed postmaster here and has since officiated in this capacity with the exception of four years, when President Cleveland was the chief executive of the United States.
In 1875 Mr. Thomas married Alice Buxton, daughter of Samuel Buxton, a well-to-do farmer of Woodsboro District. The marriage of our subject and wife has been blessed with one son and two daughters, viz .: Clyde, who is his fa- ther's able assistant in the store; Gertrude, a student in the Frederick City high school; and Avis, who is at liome.
Mr. Thomas is very actively interested in the Reformed Church, of which he has been a life- long member, and of late years has been an elder or has occupied otlier offices in the congregation. He was very largely instrumental in the building of the substantial and attractive church here and assisted in the enterprise by financial aid and in every possible manner. He has been superin- tendent of the Sunday-school for many years, and the cause is very dear to his heart. He is a perfect Christian gentleman, whom to know is to respect and admire, and hosts of his sincere friends testify to his genuine nobility of character and exemplary virtues.
duced several important measures to thie notice of tlie honorable body. He is a young lawyer of recognized merit and worth and has his office in Frederick City, though liis residence is about a mile west of Middletown, Frederick County.
The birth of J. Frank Butts occurred in Peters- ville, Frederick County, February 10, 1872. His fatlier, Isaiah Butts, was born in Berkeley County, W. Va., and in his early manhood he came to this locality and has always since made his home in the Middletown Valley. For a great many years he was an agriculturist, doing business upon a large scale and meeting withi distinct success. More recently he has conducted a blacksmith shop and has won an extensive patronage in this community. His shop is situ- ated about a mile west of Middletown. During the war he was loyal in his allegiance to the Union and has voted for the principles set fortli by the Republican party since its organization. He and his family are identified with the Luth- eran Church and none are more highly thoughit of in this region than they are by all who know them. The wife of Mr. Butts was Amanda Cramer. She is a native of this county, although hier people were from an old and respected Penn- sylvania family, their ancestors having been numbered among the pioneers of the southieri part of that state. Oliver J., a brotlier of our subject, is a plumber by trade and is engaged in that occupation in Hagerstown, Md. Charles, next younger, is in partnership with his fatlier in his large and prosperous business. C. M. C., a third brother, died at the age of twelve years. Annie, the eldest sister, and Bessie, the youngest, are at home. Minnie is the wife of C. B. Gavar, of Frederick.
ON. J. FRANK BUTTS, who was elected The education of J. Frank Butts was largely gained in the public schools of this district. He was an apt pupil and made rapid progress in his work. Subsequently he was for seven years oc- cupied in teaching, but not desiring to give up liis whole life to this line of effort, he became a student of the Sprague School of Law, of Detroit, Mich., and pursued a thorough course of instruc- tion. He also read law in the offices of A. C. to the Maryland legislature in the fall of 1897, receiving a flattering majority, is an earnest and enthusiastic Republican, devoted to the welfare of the party. He is a regular at- tendant upon the conventions of the party and has been an effective worker in its interests. Though he has but recently entered upon his duties in the house he has already proven liis mettle and ability and has successfully intro- Strite, of Hagerstown, and Judge J. C. Motter,
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of Frederick. It was upon the mnotion of the last-mentioned gentleman, well known to the people of this portion of Maryland, that the young man of whom we write was admitted to the bar of this county. He at once began prac- tice and has succeeded well. He is well informed upon general topics and is extremely pleasant and agreeable in manner and natural disposition. Religiously he is a member of the Lutheran Church. He is unmarried and makes his home with his parents.
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