USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Sixth congressional district, Maryland V. 1 > Part 39
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EV. WILLIAM C. B. SHULENBERGER, who for the past twenty-three years has devoted his life to the ministry, and has accomplished a grand work in liis chosen voca- tion, has been the pastor of the Reformed Churchi of Emmitsburg, Frederick County, about three years only, but has won the entire confidence, love and respect of the people under his charge, and of the citizens in general as well. Devoted heart and soul to the noble work to which his life has been voluntarily set apart, lie exerts a wonderful influence for good wherever ltis lot is
cast, and men are led to think of higher things than mere material progress and the acquisition of riches.
As his surname indicates, our subject is of German ancestry, but the family has been repre- sented in the United States for a number of generations, and has always been noted for sturdy, industrions, upright qualities, worthy of all respect. The paternal great-grandfather of the above named gentleman was Benjamin Shulenberger, a native of the Fatherland, and an early settler in what is now York County, Pa. He participated in the war of the Revolution, doing by his adopted country as he would have done for the land of his birth in the time of her need. Of his family, Benjamin, Jr., was the next in line of descent to our subject. He was a prosperous farmer of Adams and Franklin Counties, Pa., and was an adherent of the old Dunkard Church.
The parents of Rev. Mr. Shulenberger were John and Jeannette ( Beaty) Shulenberger, both natives of Franklin County, Pa. The mother's parents were born and reared in Scotland, sub- sequently located in Belfast, Ireland, and after- wards in the Cumberland Valley upon their arrival in the New World. John Shulenberger removed with his parents to Franklin County, Pa., in his boyhood, and there received his education. He became well versed in agriculture and in later life engaged in farming on an extensive scale in Cumberland County. For a period of about forty years he was active in the Reformed Church, and during much of this time he held the office of elder. He was very fond of hunting, and while he was out upon one of these expeditions he contracted the cold which resulted in his death. This event occurred in I878, when lie was in his sixty-sixth year. His wife had died some years previously, and of their eight children three are deceased: Benjamin, Samuel and Eliza- beth. Jolin, a farmer, is now retired from act- ive labors. Anthony, who was pastor of the Reformed Church in Mount Pleasant, Md., for sixteen years, has been located in China Grove, N. C., for the past three years, in charge of the Reformed Church of that place. Robert owns a
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farm near. Newburg, Cumberland County, Pa., and has been very successful as a veterinary surgeon and general business man. Adam is a well-to-do farmer of Missouri. Elizabeth, now deceased, was the wife of Adam Heberlig.
The birth of Rev. Mr. Shulenberger occurred upon his father's homestead near Newburg, Cumberland County, Pa., August 7, 1838. His early years were spent in the manner common to farmers' boys, his elementary education being gained in the district schools. When he had arrived at maturity. he left home, and, going to Illinois, taught school successfully in Lacon, a pretty little city on the Illinois, for some four or more years. While the war was in progress he returned to his native state and entered the Mercersburg Theological Seminary, from which institution he graduated in 1868. His first charge was in St. Thomas, Franklin County, after which he was located in Middleburg, Va., for two years. The following year he devoted to missionary work in Scottdale, Pa., and then, going to St. Petersburg, Pa., he was very happily situated there for nine years. Subsequently he lived in West Alexandria, Ohio, two years; Shelby, Ohio, seven years and Lancaster City, Ohio, two years. In 1895 he was called to his present charge. The old church here was founded about one hundred years ago, and many years afterwards the congregation divided, by mutual consent, the Lutherans in the number retaining the old building and the Reformned Church people erecting a new house of worship about forty years ago. The congregation over which our subject presides comprises some one hundred and seventy-five members. He has succeeded in arousing increased interest in the church work here and everything is in a most flourishing condition. Following the example of his father, he uses his ballot on behalf of the nominees of the Democratic party.
November 23, 1876, the marriage of Rev. Mr. Shulenberger and Miss Sallie N. Martin was solemnized. She is a daughter of S. H. and Rachel Martin, of Martinsburg, W. Va. The father was a prominent merchant of that town, and was agent of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad
at that point for seventeen years. He also served as clerk of the county court for twelve years. Mrs. Shulenberger's uncle is a wealthy citizen of Hagerstown, Md. The children of our subject and wife are: Eva M., a music teacher and student at the Peabody Institute, in Baltimore; Rachel E., who is at home; and John Hackett, deceased.
AMOS URNER, school commissioner of Frederick County and a successful farmer of Liberty District, was born here on the 4th of October, 1855. His father, Jonas, and grand- father, Samuel Urner, were also natives of Fred- erick County and both were agriculturists by oc- cupation, carrying on the cultivation of the home- stead farm. The former, who was a man of great moral worth and strict integrity, devoted liis life to the calling in which he was reared. While he never gained wealth, he accumulated an amount sufficient to provide every comfort for the declining years of himself and wife. He was a sincere Christian and held membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church. After a happy wedded life, death separated him and his wife, in 1893, when Mrs. Urner passed away, at the age of sixty-nine years. Three years afterward he joined her in the spirit world, he being then seventy-one years of age.
The marriage of Jonas Urner and Tabitha Nor- ris resulted in the birth of six children, namely: Susan E., wife of Jolin D. Engler and resi- dents of Frederick County; S. Amos, of this sketch; Mary T., who married Dr. John H. Sid- well, of Jolinsville District and is now deceased; Catherine and E. D., deceased; and Laura Clara, who married Jesse E. Clary and occupies the okdl homestead. The education of our subjeet was obtained in private schools and Maryland Col- lege at Westminster, the years 1875-76 being spent in that institution. On the completion of his education he returned to the home farm, where he remained a short time, but in 1877 he
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became interested in a mercantile business at Johnsville. At the expiration of a year he dis- posed of his interest in the store and went back to the home farmn. In 1894 he removed from there to the farm he now occupies.
January 11, 1887, Mr. Urner married Mrs. Annie M. (Mckinstry) Gilbert, of Union Bridge. She was well educated, having attended Dickin- son Seminary at Williamsport, Pa., for two years. She was the widow of Dr. John Gilbert, of Gettysburg, Pa., at the time of her marriage to Mr. Urner. They have established a pleasant and comfortable home, into which the acquaint- ance or friend is sure to be hospitably welcomed. The farm contains one hundred and five acres of land, devoted to stock-raising and general farm purposes, and is kept in a condition of improve- ment that shows careful attention on the part of the owner. From the governor he received an appointment as school commissioner of Fred- erick County for a term of six years, his termi extending from 1896 to 1902. In his political views he advocates the principles of the Repub- lican party and takes a great interest in party and political matters, few men being better in- formed than he upon the topics of the day. In religion he is identified with the Methodist Epis- copal Church at Unionville.
ON. HENRY B. WILSON, judge of the orphans' court of Frederick County, resides upon his farm in Woodville District, to the cultivation of which, joined with the oversight of his mills, he gave his entire attention prior to his election as judge in 1895. He was born in February, 1832, in Johnsville District, on the head waters of Beaver Dam, and is a descendant of English ancestors. His father, William, was a son of Greenbury Wilson, a farmer near New London. Upon that farm William was born and reared; he spent his entire life in this county and resided upon one place for more than twenty-four years. Politically he was an old-line Whig. Dur-
ing the War of 1812 he served in the American army, and his cap and arms worn and carried then are in the possession of Judge Wilson. He died at the age of sixty-four and was buried at Lingonore chapel.
The mother of our subject was Asenath, daugh- ter of Joshua Spurrier, a farmer of Woodville Dis- trict, where she was born. She held membership in the German Baptist Church. At the time of her death she was seventy-seven years of age. In her family there were five sons and seven daugh- ters. William G., deceased, was a farmer; John T. resides in Carroll County near Union Bridge; George W., a carpenter, died in Iowa; Wesley W., who went west in early life, was first a farmer, but later a merchant and is now a wealthy banker in Keswick, Keokuk County, Iowa; Sarah mar- ried Robert Ward, but is now deceased; Mary married Hiram Davis and is now deceased; Susan, Mrs. Thomas Edwards, is also deceased; Marga- ret is the wife of John Blackston; Elizabeth mar- ried Lewis Waltz; Ellen is the wife of Richard Brightful, of Carroll County, Md .; Asenath is the widow of John G. Norris, of Libertytown.
After having spent his boyhood years in farm work, at the age of eighteen our subject began to learn the blacksmith's trade, at which he served an apprenticeship of three years. At the time he began to serve his time he was unable to read or write, but he attended night school during the three years that followed, and in that way gained a common-school education. This was all the schooling he ever had, but, as he has been a great reader, he is well informed. After completing his trade he secured employment as switchman on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and gradually rose, by various promotions, until he was dis- patcher of trains. In1 1867 he resigned his posi- tion with the road and commenced to farm, which occupation he has since followed, in connection with milling, both his farin and his mill being in Woodville District.
In 1856 Judge Wilson married Martha L. Wat- kins, a native of Frederick County, and daughter of William Watkins, who was a miller by trade and at one time served as commissioner of the county. Three sons and six daughters were born
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CHARLES ZIMMERMAN, M. D.
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to the union of Judge and Mrs. Wilson. John L., ive, and by it a blind or window shutter can be the eldest, is an engineer on the Baltimore & Ohio placed and kept at any angle or distance from the window. The large factory is now in constant operation and the product is finding a rapid sale wherever it has been introduced. Railroad; Charles H. assists his father on the farin and in the mill; Asenath is the wife of Lo- renzo T. Day, of this county; Capitola is the wife of William Spurrier, a telegraph operator in Bal- timore; Hattie, Kittie and Mattie are at home. William and Mary died at the respective ages of thirty-two and twenty-five.
Politically a Republican, our subject cast his first vote for Bell and Everett. In the fall of 1895 he was elected associate judge of the orphans' court, which position he still holds. For more than forty years he has been identified with Mont- gomery Lodge No. 88, I. O. O. F., and he is also a member of the Knights of the Ancient Essenic Order. With his family he attends the Methodist Episcopal Church, and, though not a member, assists generously in its work.
r HARLES ZIMMERMAN, M. D. Chief among the medical profession of Frederick is the gentleman whose naine stands at the beginning of this sketch. The family of which he is a sterling representative has long been an honored one in this portion of Maryland and originated in Germany. It was founded in the United States several generations ago, the doctor's ancestors having been active in the early history of Lancaster County, Pa., while his grandfather, John P., was an extensive land owner and miller in the neighborhood of Creagerstown, Frederick County, Md.
George F. S. Zimmerman, father of our sub- ject, was born in this county June 28, 1826, and died December 16, 1896, mourned by a large circle of friends of a life-time. He lived upon a farm near this city up to 1884, when, in partner- ship with his son, the doctor, he started the manufacture of a shutter fastener, which he had devised and patented. This invention has proved a great success, is thoroughlily practical and effect-
After the factory was established the father gave his whole time to the business until his death. He was of a very mechanical and in- ventive turn of mind, and many other of his patents possess great merit. He was the first in- ventor of a machine for separating wheat from chaff. He was a great student, particularly along scientific lines, and often sent valuable reports to the government in regard to the weather, etc. It has often been said that he was the most learned man in the scriptures in this community, and certain it was that he nobly en- deavored to follow the precepts of Christianity. He used his right of franchise in behalf of the Democratic party, but kept strictly out of politi- cal affairs beyond doing his duty as a voter. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church and was loved and revered by all who knew him. His widow, formerly Miss Mary J. C. Herring, is still living in this city. She is a danghter of Henry and Caroline ( Houck) Herring, the latter a sister of Ezra Houck.
The children born to G. F. S. Zimmerman and wife were as follows: Charles, our subject; Fannie, who resides at home; George, a practic- ing physician of Fremont, Olio, who attended college with his brother Charles and graduated at the same time at Oberlin College, Ohio, and also graduated at the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College in IS84, at the same time as did his brother Charles; Annie, the widow of Isaac Reich, of Frederick County, and the mother of three children living, Edwin, Sophia and Upton S .; Mary D., who was an accom- plished musician and died at the age of thirty years; Lee, who died in infancy; Carrie, unmar- ried and residing at home; Nellie Lee, the wife of Gerald T. Robin, a resident of New York; Sophia, who died at the age of fourteen; Henry, a graduate of Oberlin College and Cornell College in the class of '95, and at present a member of the firm of G. F. S. Zimmerman & Co .; and
13
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Janie, the youngest of the family, who possesses great artistic ability; she resides at home.
The birth of Dr. Charles Zimmerman took place in Charlestown, W. Va., September 6, 1852, and with the rest of the family he came to this county and was reared upon the paternal homestead. He received an excellent education in Frederick College, after which he pursued a special course in Oberlin (Ohio) College. After- wards he took up the study of medicine with Dr. Charles Smith, of Frederick, and in 1884 gradu- ated from the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College in Chicago, Ill. For the succeeding twelve years lie was very successfully engaged in practice in the city of New York, but his duties proved too onerous for his health and he re- turned to the home of his early life in 1893, with the intention of remaining here permanently. He lias built up quite a practice and gives some attention to the management of the factory before mentioned, as it is becoming a paying in- dustry. The main building is about 40x90 feet in dimensions, and some of the necessary work is done outside. When in the metropolis the doctor was a member of the Odd Fellows' society. He has inherited such mechanical genius front his father, and he now has in process of colt- struction a machine which he confidently believes will carry a man any distance he desires in the air, in short, a flying machine. To produce such a machine Dr. Zimmerman believes it to be "simply a matter of construction and adapting material we have at hand to the strength of the rider and to the condition of the atmosphere in which it is to operate. The machine must be automatic in equilibrium and must be foldable into a small space so as to be readily stowed away. We must be able to start up and come down under all conditions of weather, go when and where we please at the rate of twenty or sixty miles at liour and effect a safe and sure landing, the only requisite being an open space free from obstruction. All the power required for a one- man machine will be furnished by the wind, sup- plemented by the operator's own strength, and for larger apparatus electric car or steam motors are designed to be used."
In 1884 the doctor married Ida, daughter of James Cockefair, of Brooklyn, N. Y. He was = machinist, and put up the first rice-mill ever erected in North Carolina. He represented = large firin in New York City, and accumulated = comfortable fortune, a portion of which was los: to him by the rascality of a partner. The fol- lowing are the children who have come to grace the hearthstone of the doctor, those born in New York were: Mary R., Charles F., Harry C .. William G. (who died in New York) and Nellie Lee (who also died in New York). Those born i :: Frederick were: Fannie L. and Ida C. The last- named died at the age of six months.
SAAC DAVIS. For a period of about fifty years Mr. Davis has made his home upon a farm in Urbana District, Frederick County. Here he began in farm pursuits for himself, i ::- dustrious, enthusiastic and enterprising; and here he still makes his home, necessarily, however. pursuing his work with somewhat less energy than he displayed a half century ago. The place consists of one hundred and seventy-five acres. upon which he lias made a number of valuable improvements.
In New Market District, Frederick County, Mr. Davis was born June 12, ISI8, being a son of George and Elizabetli (Hyatt) Davis. His father, who was born in Lancaster County, P.a .. came to Maryland with his father, Richard, and settled in Frederick County, where he continued to reside until liis death. He was the father of seven sons and five daughters, but only two of the family survive, Isaac and Richard. Those deceased were: Julia A., William, Mary, Mary Ann, Charlotte, Eli, John, Rufus, and two that died in infancy.
Reared in New Market District Mr. Davis be- gan in life for himself at twenty-one years of age. For seven years he operated the Fountain saw and grist mill, but at the expiration of that time he turned his attention to farming, purchasing in
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1849 the farm where he has since made his home. In 1843 he married Miss Catherine S. Miles. They became the parents of nine children, two of whom died when young, and seven are living, namely: Richard P., Rufus H., Horace M., John W., George V., Isaac H. and L. Wilson. The wife and mother died July 5, 1897, aged seventy- five years.
With steady purpose, determination and energy Mr. Davis followed farm pursuits until he bad brought his place under a high state of cultiva- tion. While attending to its management he lias also borne the part of a public-spirited citizen in local enterprises. In politics he adheres to Dem- ocratic principles. In 1868 he was chosen justice of the peace, an office that he held for about thir- ty years, and he also served as constable for two years. Upon his conversion in 1849 he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church and was at once elected steward of the congregation, which position he has filled from that time to this. He occupies a conspicuous place among the farmers of his district. Having always been honest, in- dustrious and efficient, he has not only met with financial success, but lias also won the highi regard of his associates in the district.
HOMAS P. SAPPINGTON, M. D. In this volume frequent reference is made to the Sappington family, which is one of the oldest and most influential of Frederick County. Prominent among its representatives is Dr. Sappington, of Unionville, who is a great. grand- son of the original pioneer in this section, Dr. Francis Brown Sappington. The latter came from Ellicott City and settled in Libertytown when the surrounding country was a wilderness and Indians still lingered in the forests. He was the only physician for many miles around and his services were therefore in constant demand, often necessitating long drives over trackless stretches of country, in rain or snow, by day and by night. His experiences were similar to those (
of other pioneer physicians, who were willing to sacrifice their own comfort, and even their health, in order that others might receive the benefit of their skilled treatment.
Mention of the life of Colonel Thomas, son of Dr. Francis Brown Sappington, appears else- where in this work. The colonel had, among the nine sons of his first marriage, one named Greenbury R., who graduated from the medical department of the University of Maryland about 1843 and settled at Unionville, where he carried on a general practice until his death, in 1885. His wife bore the maiden name of Sarah E. Pearre and died in March, 1890, at sixty-five years of age. They were the parents of eight children, named as follows: Francis, who resides on the old homestead; Thomas P., of this sketch; Richard C., who resides near Mapleville; Lizzie C .. wife of James C. Whitehill, of Carroll County, Md .; William A., a farmer residing near Wood- ville, Md .; James M., Greenbury R., and Charles, who resides on the old homestead with his sister.
The subject of this article was born in Union- ville, Md., February 7, 1847. He received his primary education in the schools of his native town, after which he attended Calvert College, of New Windsor, and later took a course at St. John's College, Frederick. At the age of nine- teen years he began to read medicine under the instruction of his father. A few months later he entered the medical school of the University of Maryland, from which he graduated in 1869, with the degree of M. D. Returning to Union- ville, he began in practice with his father, but after three years removed to Woodville, where he engaged in professional work for nine years. He then returned to his native village and remained with his father until the latter's death, since which time he has carried on practice alone.
October 25, 1871, Dr. Sappington married Miss Emma O., daughter of Henry C. Worman, and a native of Liberty District. Two children were born of their union, namely: Clifford T., who is now attending Georgetown University, Washington, D. C .; and Claire E., a student in Notre Dame Academy at Libertytown. The family are identified with the Catholic Church,
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to which the doctor contributes liberally. He dred and fifty thousand bushels of grain, the has had little time for political matters, but votes product of which he lias shipped to his warehouse in Baltimore. the Democratic ticket and believes thoroughly in the principles for which the party stands.
ILLIAM H. TURNER. A life of strict integrity and honesty of purpose, coupled with the successful prosecution of the mill- ing business, has tended to place Mr. Turner among the prominent business men of Frederick County. From boyhood he has been familiar with the miller's trade and this intimate knowl- edge, seconded by his own sound common sense, lias secured for him a degree of success that he justly merits. He is the proprietor of a mill at Ijamsville containing the improved roller system and with a capacity of one hundred barrels of flour and one hundred of corn meal per day. To the management of the business his entire time is given.
Near Fountain Mills, in Frederick County, the subject of this sketch was born January 6, 1861. At the age of five years he was taken by his par- ents to Montgomery County and there he grew to manhood. He was only twelve years of age when he began to work at the milling business, and being quick to learn he soon liad a thorough knowledge of all its details. His educational ad- vantages were limited, but he secured a common- school education and also took a commercial course in Bryant & Stratton's Business College in Baltimore. After leaving that institution he secured employment as bookkeeper with M. Frank & Sons, of Baltimore, with whom he re- mained for two years.
The marriage of Mr. Turner took place in 1885 and united him with Gertrude Silance, daughter of Baker T. Silance, of Montgomery County, this state. One child, Vera G., blesses the union. Mr. Turner is a member of the Royal Arcanum. In political faith he is a Republican, true at all times to party principles. He enjoys to a high degree the confidence of the people of his locality. By his energy and resolute purpose of character he has not only promoted his own success, but he lias also given an impetus to the growth of Ijamsville and has actively forwarded various enterprises for its advancement in important di- rections.
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