USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Sixth congressional district, Maryland V. 1 > Part 41
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In the home circle the chief happiness of Mr. Thomas was found. To himself and loved wife two sons and one daughter were born. Those living are Alpheus D., Nina and C. Silas. The elciest, A. D., carries on a farm which was pur- chased for him by his father, it being located near Petersville, this county. C. S., who mar- ried a Miss Purcell, of Virginia, operates the Locust Grove farm. Nina, an accomplished young lady, is at home with her mother. The father was summoned to his reward October 16, 1895, and was buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery, in Frederick.
OSEPH H. LEIB, M. D. Perhaps no in- habitant of the pretty village of Mount Pleas- ant, Frederick County, is more highly thought of than the worthy physiciau whose name heads this sketch. Nearly twenty years have rolled away since he came here, a young man with his life-work yet before him and his wings untried, so to speak. He very soon con- vinced the citizens of this locality that he meant business, that he had a serious purpose and call- ing, and that his knowledge of his chosen field of endeavor was deep and far-reaching. As time passed his clients became more and more numer- ous until he found his time fully occupied. He
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is devoted to the noble cause of relieving the suf- ferings of his fellow-men, and his kindly sympa- thy and cheery manner bring light and courage into many a home.
The father of the doctor was John Henry Leib, who was born in York County, Pa., and was for years a prosperous farmer and raiser of fine thor- ough-bred stock. He occupied a leading and honored place in the affairs of his own commu- nity, was often in official positions of trust and responsibility and was particularly influential in church work. For many years he was an official member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, con- tributing liberally to its maintenance. His death occurred in 1887. During the war he was known as a Federal Unionist. His father, Joseph, was likewise a native of the Keystone state, and being wealthy was not active in business matters. He was connected with the Methodist Church. and was a man who was universally looked up to and admired. He owned at one time over sixteen hundred acres of land in York County. His father was a native of Germany and his mother was of Scottish birth. The mother of our subject was Eliza, daughter of Jacob Sumwalt, of York County, Pa. She was born in Baltimore, where her parents lived for some years. She became the mother of three children by her marriage: J. H .; Dorcas A., who married James Peeling, of York County and at one time sheriff there; and Elizabeth A., who married Charles M. Dunnick, of York, Pa., and lives on the old farmn. A half- brother of our subject is John H. Leib, a black- smith and carriage manufacturer of Harford County, Md.
Dr. J. H. Leib was born in York County, Pa., in 1852, and when he was a mere child he went to live with his grandparents in Baltimore Coun- ty, Md. There he obtained his elementary sehooling, later being privileged to attend acad- emies in Stewartstown, Pa. Having then taken up medical studies he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons in the city of Balti- more, and in due time was graduated with the degree of doctor of medicine. In 1879 he settled in Mount Pleasant, and his patronage now ex- tends over a wide radius of the surrounding coun-
try. In politics he is a Democrat and has occu- pied several appointive offices with credit to him- self and all concerned.
In 1882 the doctor erected a charming little home in this village and installed as its mistress his bride, who before their marriage, November 16 of that year, was Clara V. Diller. Her father was John Diller, whose farm lies on what is known as the Plains, and who comes from one of the old county families of this section. He is a Republican of the most sturdy stripe and is an adherent of the Lutheran Church. The doctor and wife have one child, a daughter, Alma.
OUNT ST. MARY'S COLLEGE. Stand- ing on the eastern spurs of the Blue Ridge Mountains that separate the valley of Hagerstown from the valley of the Monocacy River, are the beautiful grounds of Mount St. Mary's College, occupying a picturesque location "far from the madding crowd." There are few spots in Maryland more beautiful than this. It possesses all the attractions that can be given by the mountains, great forests of trees and tranquil water, to which is added the still greater charm of association and history. A visitor approachi- ing from the valley below sees, far in the dis- tance, the white walls and shining cross of the Church of Mount St. Mary's. On the slope a little further down may be seen the college build- ings, which stand on the mountain slope nearly eight hundred feet above sea level. The build- ings are of gray granite cut from the surrounding hills. Above the college is a beautiful grotto, which is a shrine to the Virgin Mary. The top- most point of the twin mountain on which the college stands has been named Indian Look- out, which is fifteen hundred feet above sea level and from it, as well as from Carrick's Knob, which rises two hundred feet higher, may be had a fine view of three states and the battlefield of Gettysburg, Little Round Top and the historic Emmitsburg road leading from Emmitsburg, two miles away, to Frederick.
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The history of The Old Mountain (as Mount St. Mary's is called) is full of interest. In July, 1791, a young priest, John Dubois, forced to flee from France on account of the French Revolu- tion, came to America and landed at Norfolk, Va. With him he had passports and letters of com- mendation from LaFayette, with whom he was acquainted. At that time he was less than twenty-seven years of age, having been born August 24, 1764, in Paris. His education was obtained in the College of Louis de Grand. He was given a warm welcome by the statesmen of Maryland and Virginia in recognition of his ac- quaintance with LaFayette, and was permitted to celebrate mass at the state house in Richmond. In 1794 he went to Frederick, Md., where he worked among the Catholics of the mountain region, he and Father Badin, in Kentucky, being the only priests between Frederick and Kaskaskia, Ill. He soon saw that the Catholics needed educational facilities; their ignorance deeply im- pressed him, and he determined to establish a school for the education of boys. With this pur- pose in view he selected for the site of his school a spot on the Blue Ridge Mountains, where he erected a little church and dedicated it to Mary, under the title of the Church of Mount St. Mary's. He also built a log house for a school, and in 1808 began his work as instructor. At first it was his intention to limit the students to candi- dates for priestly orders. In 1809 sixteen stu- dents were transferred to him by the Sulpicians of the College and Seminary of St. Mary's in Baltimore, from a school founded by that order' in Pennsylvania. In five years the number of students had risen to eighty, the course had been enlarged to include the chief branches of a collegiate education, and the school became firmly founded. In June, 1809, Mother Seton took up land in the valley two miles from the mountain and built a residence for the Sisterhood of Charity, the founders of St. Joseph's Academy for girls.
In 1812 Father Simon Brute was associated with Father Dubois in the office of vice-president of the college. He was born in France, came to tlie United States in early manhood, and served at Mount St. Mary's from 1812 to 1815 in that
capacity, then for three years was president of St. Mary's College in Baltimore, and in 1818 re- turned to The Old Mountain, and there he gave his attention to the erection of new school build- ings. June 6, 1824, the very day the work was completed, the buildings were burned down. Standing beside the burning buildings, Father Dubois exclaimed: "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Then he added: "There were defects in this: I will remedy them in the next." This showed the spirit of the man who, to quote Dr. McCaffrey, "lived to realize his prediction." With- in a year a new and larger building was erected, to which were afterwards added other structures, and which is known as the Old White House. It is now used by the commercial department of the college. Soon after the opening of the new building Father Dubois was appointed bishop of New York. After his elevation he was succeeded by Father Brute, who was known as "the guardian angel of the mount" and became bishop of Vincennes, in 1834.
The first charter of the college was secured from the state of Maryland in the session of 1830, under the presidency of Rev. John B. Purcell, the late archbishop of Cincinnati. In the years that followed new buildings were put up, in- structors of highest talent were secured, and the course enlarged and broadened. From 1838 to 1872 the president of the college was Father John McCaffrey, a graduate of the college and most earnestly devoted to its welfare. He has been called the "golden link" between the pioneer "Mountain" and that of the present day. When he became too old to continue the active duties of president lie was made president emeritus and served in that position until his death, September 26, 1881. His successor as president was Father John McCloskey, president 1872-1877 and again in 18So, who died on Christ- mas cve of the latter year. Another true friend of the college was Dr. McMurdie, a native of Lon- don, and for many years instructor in theology, philosophy and metaphysics. Mention should also be made of George II. Miles, the poet, whose tragedy,"Mahomet," won tlie prize of $1,000 for
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the best drama written in America and was pro- duced by Edwin Forrest. He was professor of English literature in the college and occupied for his residence "Thornbrook," a beautiful spot whose pine trees almost hide from sight the pretty cottage honie. He found there the solitude he so much loved. There, too, he wrote many reviews of Shakespeare's tragedies, his masterpiece being that on Hamlet, and at the time of his death he had in course of preparation a criticism on Mac- betli. He died at "Thornbrook" July 23, 1371.
The distinguished musical composer, Dr. Henry Dielman, was for many years professor of music in the college, and another instructor was Father Jolm O'Brien, author of "The History of the Mass." In 1877 Rev. John A. Watterson succceeded Dr. McCloskey as president, and re- mained in charge until 1880, when he was made bishop of Columbus, Ohio. Dr. John McCloskey again became president, but died within a year. In 1881 Rev. William J. Hill became president. at a time when the burden of debt placed the col- lege in the greatest financial straits. At this time, when help was so greatly needed, the Very Rev. William Byrne, D. D., vicar-general of the archdiocese of Boston, a graduate of the Moun- tain, came forward and by heroic efforts saved the institution, rallying to his support the alumni all over the country. Under his direction the crisis was passed and the college saved. He re- mained as president until 1884, when he was suc- ceeded by Rev. Edward P. Allen, a native of Lowell, Mass., and a graduate of Mount St. Mary's College, June 26, 1878. In December, 1884, he was ordained priest in the Mountain Church. Afterward he was called to Framing- ham as assistant, but two years later he returned to assist in the reconstruction of Mount St. Mary's. Dr. Allen proved himself to be a man of rare executive ability and splendid judgment, and soon the grounds and buildings began to show an improved aspect, the teaching staff was increased, and other improvements were made.
May 16, 1897, Dr. Allen was made bishop of Mobile .. He was succeeded as president by the Very Rev. William L. O'Hara, the vice-president and professor of moral theology and philosophy.
Father O'Hara was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., and entered the college in 1879, graduating in ISS3. He then became a student in the semi- nary, from which he graduated in 1887. For a short time he was connected with St. Charles Borromeo's Church in Brooklyn, but was soon recalled to the Mountain to act as professor of logic and metaphysics. In 1890 he was elected treasurer and in 1894 became vice-president. He is thus acquainted with every department of the college, to whose success he is deeply devoted and for which he retains the greatest affection. During vacations he visits parts of the United States and Canada with which lie was previously acquainted, and thus he has gained a thorough knowledge of the customs and habits of the peo- ple in almost every part of our country.
One of the most noticeable cliaracteristics of the alumni of Mount St. Mary's is their love for their alma mater. Two of the most prominent workers in the alumni association are A. V. D. Watterson, a distinguished lawyer of Pittsburg, and Thomas J. MeTighie, a well-known electrician of New York. The association holds an annual banquet, to which many of the alumni return. with much the same feeling experienced by a son who has been absent from home and longs again to see the loved ones. Among the lay alumni are Jerome and Charles J. Bonaparte; Carroll D. Spence, at one time minister to Turkey; John Lafarge, the artist and critic: Gov. John Lee Carroll, of Maryland; Gen. James M. Cole, of this state; Justice White, of the supreme court; Dr. Gunning S. Bedford, the gynecologist, of New York; Dr. Charles Carroll Lee, of New York; James McSherry, chief justice supreme court of appeals, and many others of prominence. Among the alumni who have won distinction in the church are: His Eminence John Cardinal McCloskey, Archbishop of New York; Most Rev. Jolin Hughes, Archbishop of New York: Most Rev. Michael A. Corrigan, Archbishop of New York; Most Rev. John B. Purcell, Archbishop of Cincinnati; Most Rev. Jolin Henry Elder, Arch- bishop of Cincinnati; William Quarters, Bishop of Chicago; Rt. Rev. John L. Spalding, Bishop of Peoria, I11 .; Edward Fitzgerald, Bishop of Little
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Rock; Monsignor Daniel Quigley, Charleston, S. C .; Richard Gilmour, of Cleveland, Ohio; Monsignor Thomas D. Gambon, Louisville, Ky .; Rev. Edward Sourin, S. J .; Francis S. Chatard, Bishop of Vincennes, Ind .; Rev. Charles C. Pise, D. D., the only Catholic chaplain of congress; Rt. Rev. Jolin A. Watterson, Bishop of Co- lumbus, Ohio; and many others of perhaps equal fame. It may also be said that the colleges of St. John's, Fordham, N. Y .; St. Mary's College, Kentucky, and Seton Hall, N. J., owe their founding to Mountaineers.
Among the associates of the president in the educational work are: Rev. Bernard J. Bradley, A. M., assistant treasurer and professor of sacred liturgy, Latin and Greek; Rev. Edward F. X. McSweeny, S. T. D., professor of ecclesiastical history and canon law; Rev. John J. Tierney, D. D., professor of dogmatic theology, sacred scripture and Hebrew; Rev. Dominic Brown, A. M., professor of logic, Latin and plain chant, and vice-president of the college; Rev. Peter A. Coad, A. M., professor of Latin and Greek, and a member of the class of 1890; Ernest Lagarde, A. M., LL. D., professor of modern languages and English literature; Prof. Charles H. Jourdan, Ph. D., professor of mathematics and chemistry; and Dr. James A. Mitchell, Ph. D., professor of natural sciences.
grandfather, Col. Thomas Sappington, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume, was a man of superior ability, possessing the spirit of true patriotism that led him to serve his country during the War of 1812. Under opportunities unfavorable to mental advancement, growing to manhood in a new country where schools were few and poor, he nevertheless developed a grand character through the influence of observation, reading and the surroundings of nature. With the exception of a short time spent in Beards- town, Ky., he was a life-long resident of Mary- land, a devoted and progressive citizen of Fred- erick County. His life was spared to a good old age, and he was among the last of his cotem- poraries who stood, among men of a later genera- tion, alone and solitary, like the old oaks in their loved forests. By younger men he was looked up to with the respect his character merited. His moral worth and upright life made him a power for good in his community.
The father of our subject was Sidney Sapping- ton, M. D., son of Col. Thomas Sappington, and for many years an influential physician of Fred- erick County. He was born February 12, 1827, and died March 20, 1898, having been retired from professional practice since 1876. He mar- ried Margaret E. Wagner, who passed away from earth February 20, 1887, leaving six children, namely: Emma, R. Frank, Adelaide, William C., James and Sidney S. The next to the young- est son, who forms the subject of this sketch, was born January 29, 1869, and received every edu- cational advantage which ample means could pro- vide. He completed the studies of Georgetown University and Mount St. Mary's College, near Emmitsburg, leaving school when he was nine- teen years of age. Since that time he has de- voted himself to the work of an agriculturist. He is the owner of six hundred acres of well-culti- vated land. Of this amount five hundred and sixty acres are in the home farm, which is rented to tenants and of which he acts as superintendent.
AMES SAPPINGTON. The descendants of the pioneers of western Maryland are among the most progressive and enterprising of its citizenship. The foundation laid in the past century by industrious, self-sacrificing men is being built upon by their descendants in the second and third generations. The subject of this sketch is a representative of one of the most influential pioneer families of Frederick County. His great-grandfather, Francis Brown Sapping- February 7, 1894, Mr. Sappington was united in marriage with Miss Mittie Simpson, daughter of Dr. Thomas W. Simpson, of Libertytown. ton, M. D., was the first physician in Liberty- town, settling there when Indians still inhabited the forests and white settlers were few. The Two children have been born of their union,
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James and Lyman. While Mr. Sappington has never identified himself with public affairs nor cared to hold office, lie is a well-informed man regarding the issues of the age and in politics adheres to the Democratic party. Like his fore- fathers, he finds his religious home in the Cath- olic Church and contributes liberally to its main- tenance. He is a member of Father McElroy's branch of the Catholic Benevolent Legion.
DWARD A. SHRINER is a wealthy re- tired business man of Mount Pleasant Dis- trict, Frederick County. He resides in a beautiful home situated on an eminence, a short distance from his mill property, on the Frederick and Woodsboro pike. He reconstructed and improved the house in 1889, making it thoroughly comfortable and modern. He is president of the pike company just mentioned and has been very much interested in keeping up the justly gained reputation of the road as being one of the very best in the county. In addition to this, he holds a similar position with the Liberty and Frederick pike and several others. He has been a director in the Frederick County National Bank, and, in short, has been connected with a number of lead- ing enterprises and institutions that have been influential in the upbuilding and prosperity of the county, and this neighborhood in particular.
E. A. Shriner was born on the homestead which he now owns, about two and a-half miles north of Frederick, near Ceresville, on the Frederick & Woodsboro pike. The date of the event is January 24, 1830. He is the only son of Cor- nelius and Rebecca (Scholl) Shriner, the mother a daughter of Christian Scholl, a prominent farmer of this county. The Shriners were old and well-to-do citizens of York County, Pa., for generations before they came to Maryland. Our subject's grandfather, Michael Shriner, was born near Unionville, in this county, and was occupied in farming throughout his life. Cornelius Shriner, above mentioned, was likewise a native of Union-
ville, and there passed his early life. When grown to maturity he removed to the place now owned by our subject and a few years later rented the Ceresville mills near by. Later he purchased the mills, which he continued to operate during the rest of his life. He not only was the pro- prietor of these niills, but owned the Carroll and Lingamore mills as well. Starting out in his career, os he did, a poor youth, the success which he achieved was something quite remark- able, and it was all owing to his great energy and well-applied industry. He was connected with a large commission house in Baltimore and also operated extensive warehouses in Frederick City. For many years he was an official in the Frederick County National Bank. He was an old-line Whig, but never meddled with politics. Religiously he was an earnest member of the Reformed Church of Frederick. He died in 1854, honored and respected by all who knew him, and his remains were placed in Mount Olivet Cemetery. His wife died when our sub- ject was quite young and he afterwards married Miss Phoebe Barry, daughter of George Barry. 'They became the parents of two sons, one of whom died when young, and the other is George W. B., a retired grocer of Frederick. The only daughter of Mr. Shriner, the child of his first union, died when in young womanhood.
Edward A. Shriner completed his education at Mercerburg College, and then went into part- nership with his father in the milling business. For years the firm of E. A. Shriner & Co. has been known throughout this portion of the state as the owners of some of the best-equipped mills hereabouts. The Ceresville mill was built in IS12 of stone, and is exceedingly well preserved. It is five stories and basement in height, and has been entirely remodeled, roller process having been put in, and all kinds of modern machinery used in first-class mills. Power is furnished by water from Israel's Creek, one of the finest small streams in the state, and there is also a gasoline engine for additional power. The main building is 40x60 feet in dimensions, with large sheds and wagon house adjoining. Several teams are kept in constant use at the mill. The finest grades of
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flour and feed are turned out and its patronage is always steady and assured, on account of the excellence of its appliances. Mr. Shriner owns a good farmi on which his home is located.
In 1858 the marriage of our subject and Mar- garet A. Derr was solemnized. Her father, John Derr, was one of the leading farmers of this sec- tion. (For family history see sketch of his son, Eugene L. Derr, elsewhere printed in this work. ) The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Shriner is Ed- ward Derr, who has been associated with his fa- ther in the milling business ever since he was a youth, and who is now the manager of the enter- prise. He married Annie Getzandanner, and they have one son.
Mr. Shriner has never had time to give to pol- itical matters, and has been independent of party restrictions. He has, however, always been in- terested whenever affairs relating to education were brought forward and has done his share in the maintenance of good schools and teachers. He is an active member of the Reformed Church, and has held various offices in it from time to time. His son, with his wife and child, resides with him in his comfortable home, already men- tioned. They are all highly respected and are deserving of a place among the representative people of this district.
ILLIAM H. BEST has resided upon and operated a farm in Frederick County, about a mile south of the city of the same name, for over thirty years, and is considered an enterprising agriculturist. He started out upon his business career a poor youth, but possessed a good general education, a vigorous constitu- tion and willing hands and a brave heart. By the steady and undaunted exercise of the talents which nature has conferred upon him, he has made for himself an honorable name among the influential citizens of the community where his home has been made during his mature years.
William H. Best was born on the old home-
stead of the family about nine miles northwest of Frederick, near Lewistown, in 1837. A sketch of his parents and other members of the family is given in that of John T. Best, his brother, which is printed elsewhere in this volume. After leav- ing the public schools W. H. Best was a student for several years in the old Frederick College, from whose halls so many of the great men in all the ranks of life in this part of the state have gone forth to fight the battles before them. Mr. Best.graduated from this honored institution of learning, which has recently completed its cen- tennial anniversary, when he was twenty-five years old. For several years thereafter he man- aged the farm owned by Captain Staley, near Rocky Springs. In 1867 he came to the present farm, where he raises a general line of staple crops and cattle and horses, and gives employ- ment to a number of men. He has always observed the utmost fairness and uprightness in his treatment of one and all and he bears a most enviable reputation for exactitude of word and contract, as whatever he undertakes to perform can be safely depended upon to be carried out to the slightest detail. He was formerly a Demo- crat, but is not a party machine, as he forms his own opinions in regard to matters of public policy from the evidence submitted to him as a citizen, and therefore, for the past two years has been associated with the Prohibition party, who represent the principles in which he believes. During the war he was a sufferer in the loss of property, personal effects, etc., and never re- ceived a cent of compensation.
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