USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Sixth congressional district, Maryland V. 1 > Part 46
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In the political world Mr. Crum stands very high wherever he is known. He has always been an ardent Republican, and in 1894 was elected, without any effort upon his part, to represent this community in the Maryland legislature. His services there were so well appreciated that in 1896 he was once more lionored by re-election to the assembly. During the two terms which he spent in the legislative body he acted upon numerous important committees, and was chair- man of several of them. Among other bills
which were in the hands of the house at the time lie was a member were those relating to assessments, school boards, election laws, etc.
A son of Dr. George W. Crum, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume, our subject was born in the village of Jefferson in 1857, and there spent liis early years. He received the advantages of an excellent education, for after mastering the curriculum of the public and private schools of Jefferson, he studied under a tutor's instructions for a number of years. Later, that he might be still better equipped for the duties of life, be attended Bryant & Stratton's Business College in Baltimore and Eaton & Burnett's College, graduating from the last- named institution in 1877. He then took a position as head bookkeeper in a wholesale sugar company in Baltimore, remaining with the firm for two years. He then embarked in general merchandising in Manchester, Carroll County, Md., and, after conducting the business with success for some time, he sold out. Returning to Jefferson he taught in the public school up to 1885.
In the year mentioned Mr. Crum turned his attention to the management of the old home- stead, where he has since dwelt. His father, the doctor, was born here, and lived on the place during his early manhood, or until he graduated from college and started forth to make his way in the professional world. Grandfather Crum was the owner and manager of the farm during the greater part of his life. In 1893 our subject built a handsome residence upon a fine site which commands a view of the surrounding valleys and mountains. The lawns and shade trees are very nicely kept, and add their beauty to the scene, which the visitor will never forget. The owner also built a large barn, fences, and otherwise improved the place, now considered one of the best in this portion of the state. Fraternally Mr. Crum is a member of the Junior Order of American Mechanics. He is a valued member of the Reformed Church, and is liberal to all religious and philanthropic enter- prises.
In 1881 the marriage of Mr. Crum and Miss
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Mary Etchison, second daughter of J. Garrison and Julia A. (Cochran) Etchison, was solemi- ized. Mr. Etchison is well known throughout Frederick County, as his work as a contractor and builder has been very extensive and thor- oughly satisfactory to his patrons.
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ETER DENNIS FAHRNEY, M. D. The genealogical record of the Fahrney family shows that they are of German descent and remote French origin. The wars in the French and Rhenish Palatinate, during the latter part of the seventeenth century, drove many families into exile, and among them were the Fahrneys, who took refuge in Massenbackhausen, a village in the kingdom of Wurtemberg. It is said that the mixture of German and French, caused by the emigration of these French families to Ger- many, caused the formation of a dialect that is probably the basis of the present Pennsylvania Dutch language.
The first of the name in this country was the grandfather of our subject, Dr. Peter Fahrney, who was born in Germany May 8, 1767, and emi- grated to Lancaster County, Pa., where he grew to manhood. In youth he learned the tanner's trade, but a fall from a horse seriously disabled him and forced him to enter some other occupa- tion. Deciding to take up the study of medicine, he borrowed some medical books from Dr. Fahne- stock, of Lancaster, who had the German books that the young man's ignorance of English ob- liged him to study. He removed to Maryland and settled near Boonsboro, Washington County, where he had discovered certain roots and barks containing useful medical properties. For many years he engaged in practice in that locality. He introduced into this country the Uroscopian system of diagnosing chronic diseases, a system that he had studied in German medical books. At the time of his death, in 1837, the system was taken up and carried on by his wife, a physician of superior skill. When she died, in 1839, her
son, Dr. Daniel Fahrney, took up the work. During the early days of this system it was scoffed at, but its persistent use has been crowned with such success that its enemies have been converted. The Uroscopian system has stood the test of a century of practice in the Fahrney family, and has steadily gained in popularity, as shown by the fact that it is now practiced throughi- out the entire country. It is especially valuable because it enables the physician to obtain a proper diagnosis of disease, without which it is impossi- ble to cope with any disease.
Peter Fahrney, grandfather of our subject, married Eve Durnbaugh, by whom he had a large family. The sons were Samuel and Dr. Jacob. His second marriage was to Nancy Satori, by whom he had three sons and three daughters (all deceased), named as follows: Peter, our subject's father; Susan, who married Abraham Stouffer; Lizzie, married to John Ein- mert; Dr. Daniel; Joseph; and Sallie, who be- came the wife of David Stull.
Our subject's father, Peter Fahrney, was born near Boonsboro, Washington County, October S, 1806, and received his education in the district schools. In the locality where he was born he continued to reside, engaged in farm pursuits until his death, at seventy-eight years. In poli- tics he was a Whig. Upon his place he had a large peach and apple orchard, and one year raised five hundred bushels of peaches, besides many apples. In religion he was identified with the German Baptist Church. He was a man of most sterling integrity and was highly respected. He married Elizabeth Emmert, daughter of Jo- seph Emmert. She was born and reared in Washington County.
The family of which Dr. P. D. Fahrney was a member consisted of eleven children, those besides himself being: Mary, deceased wife of John Funk; Susan, wife of H. C. Koontz, of Waynes- boro, Pa .; Nancy, deceased wife of John Funk; Lizzie, wife of Thomas McKee, of Chewsville, Md .; Sarah, widow of David Rudisil, of Maple- ville, Md .; Joseph E., who married Jennie Cost and lives in Beaver Creek; Peter Dennis, our subject; Savilla, wife of Benjamin Fultz, of
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Mapleville; John E., who married Jennie Ben- choff and lives in Mapleville; Maggie, the wife of Peter Newcomer, of Waynesboro, Pa .; and Lydia, wife of Charles Cline, of Benevola, Md.
daughter of Henry Good, of Quincy, Pa. His present wife was Katie E. Eavey, of Keedysville, Md. During the epidemic of diphtheria in the winter of 1880-'81 he lost two daughters, Ida E. The brothers are farmers and the sisters are . and Mary R., and has seven living children: mostly the wives of farmers.
In what is now known as Mapleville, near Boonsboro, Md., the subject of this sketch was born June 21, 1843. His school advantages were limited, his education being obtained prin- cipally by reading and self-culture. March 27, 1857, when less than fourteen years of age, he began the study of medicine with his uncie, Dr. Daniel Fahrney, but for some years he gave his attention to the compounding of medicine rather than a formal study of the profession. In: the spring of 1863 he began his medical readings, and in October of the same year he entered the University of Philadelphia, where he took a course of lectures. Under the instruction of his uncle, Dr. D. Fahrney, he finished the study of tlie Uroscopian system.
For ten years Dr. P. D. Fahrney engaged in the practice of medicine in Keedysville, Md. Through his treatment of chronic diseases person- ally and by mail he gained a wide reputation and correspondence, extending over the entire country. He found, however, that the little vil- lage where he resided did not furnish satisfactory facilities for carrying on his profession and giving the best attention to his patients so he removed to Frederick, in April, 1879. In the spring of 1881 he was strongly urged to place some of his preparations upon the market as family medicines in order that they might be more easily reached by the public. In this way the "Victor Reme- dies," "Infants' Relief," "Pain Balm," "Lini- ment," "Lung Syrup," "Liver Pills," and "Headache Specific," came to be known through- out the United States as family remedies. In the fall of 1884 the "Victor Liver Syrup" was placed on the market, furnishing an improve- ment on the old "Blood Purge" handed down from his grandfather. In his remedies he lias the trade-mark name of Victor.
The doctor lias been twice married. Novem- ber 19, 1867, he married Roemma G. Good,
Elmer G. is bookkeeper in his father's establish- ment: Henry P., M. D., graduated from Hunting- don College in 1888 and Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pa., in 1895; Jacob Welty is assisting his father in the manufacture of the Victor reine- dies; and Otto Dennis is a printer engaged in his father's printing office. Lora, Urisi, Ira S. and Amy L. are children of the second marriage. In 1895 our subject's son, Dr. Henry P. Fahrney, became a member of the firm, which was then carried on under the firm name of P. D. Fahrney & Son. This continued until 1897, at which time Dr. P. D. Fahrney retired from active prac- tice in order to devote more time to his proprie- tary remedies, known as the Victor remedies. He is president of the Frederick City Manufac- turing Company, for the manufacture of Ameri- can Standard writing fluid and inks, and vice- president of the Inter-state Telephone and Telegraph Company.
In the work of the German Baptist Church at Frederick Dr. Fahrney was a pioneer. The first meetings of the denomination were held here after his removal, commencing in 1880, in the old Methodist Protestant building on West Church street, now occupied by the residence of Daniel T. Lakin. Largely through the large gift of Mrs. A. D. Worman, the congregation "was enabled to purchase property, and in 1885 a church was begun. The building was com- pleted in 1886 and dedicated on the 23d of July. It was two stories in height, 40x65 feet in dimensions, with a basement containing con- veniences for cooking, and a second floor with accommodations for those who, during pro- tracted meetings, are required to stay over niglit. The membership has increased from six to sixty- five, among whom Dr. Fahrney is held in high regard as an official. He is a man of benevolent disposition, giving willingly of his means to relieve the distressed and poor. In addition to his practice lie has held the office of vice-presi-
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dent of the Great Southern Printing and Manu- facturing Company. As a physician he is skill- ful, as a citizen progressive, as a friend compan- ionable, and as a man upright and honorable, meriting the respect that is so freely accorded him.
D APT. B. P. CRAMPTON is one of the prominent men and influential citizens of Brunswick, Frederick County, in the vicin- ity of which place he has spent his whole life. His standing in the business and social world here is unquestioned, and the genuine esteem in which he is held by those who have known him since his early years gives evidence of his sterling characteristics. He won his title in the late Civil war, in which he saw hard service, as he participated in numerous important cam- paigns and was eventually wounded.
The father of the captain was Thomas Cramp- ton, who was born in Brunswick District, Frederick County, in 1802. He owned and car- ried on the first elevator in this town and trans- acted a large business in grain here for many years. In his early manhood, and again late in life, he was interested in agriculture, and at one time owned upwards of eight hundred acres of fine land in this section. In 1844 he was elected on the Democratic ticket to the Mary- land legislature, and for years he was a very active member of that party. In the local Episcopal Church he was a valued member, and all who knew him loved and respected him for his noble Christian manhood. Death claimed him while he was still in the prime of life, in 1854, when he was fifty-two years of age. He was a son of Charles Crampton, of Washington County, Md., but whose settlement in this county dates back to a period prior to the war of the Revolution. He was a successful farmer, owning a large tract of land hereabouts. Re- turning in his last years to his native county, his death took place there. His ancestors were English people who came to Maryland in early
colonial days. Of the other children of Charles Crampton, Benjamin was a Virginia farmer; Rev. S. W., who died in Baltimore in 1898, was a prominent minister of the Episcopal Church; John W. was a farmer of this district; May married Washington Gittings; and Eleanor is the wife of a Mr. Jarboa, a farmer.
The mother of our subject was Miss M. Phil- pott in her girlhood. Her father was Charles Philpott, a wealthy farmer. Mrs. Crampton died in 1882, at the age of seventy-one years. Of the ten children born to herself and husband, Oscar P. is a farmer of Burkittsville; Thomas died in Missouri; R. S. is in the cattle business in Arkansas; L. W. is located at Fort Meade, S. Dak., and is a surgeon in the regular army; May Eleanor is deceased; Annie E. married a Mr. Byrnes, of West Virginia.
Captain Crampton was born in Brunswick Dis- trict May 19, 1836, and, after completing his elementary education here, entered the select academy of Petersville. At the breaking out of the war he enlisted in the Seventh Virginia Cav- alry, and served in the same for four years with gallantry. He enlisted as a private soldier, and for his fidelity to duty and heroism was gradu- ally promoted until he was captain of a company. All through the campaign of the Valley of Vir- ginia he was in the command of Colonel Ashby and subsequently he served under Gen. Thomas T. Rosser. On two occasions he was severely · wounded, once at the battle of Winchester, and again at the engagement at Brandy Station, in 1863. He continued at the front and was in act- ive service until the surrender of Lee at Appo- mattox.
For ten years after his return from the war the captain was occupied in agricultural pursuits, but since then he has been interested in the grain business. He owns a fine mill situated on the banks of the Potomac River, near a splendid bridge which spans the river at this point. This mill, which has recently been remodeled, is now equipped with the roller process, and is one of the best in this section of the country. Eight or ten men are employed by the proprietor and a large and remunerative business is done by
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him. The mill was formerly owned by the firm of Jourdan, Crampton & Co., but is now the exclusive property of our subject. He has always given his allegiance to the Democratic party.
The beautiful and attractive home of the cap- tain is located about three miles from Brunswick, on a fine farin adjoining the old homestead where he lived when a boy. His wife is a niece of ex-Governor Thomas, who was in con- gress for many years and was a very important factor in Maryland politics for several decades. Mrs. Crampton became the wife of our subject in 1869. She was then Miss Catherine Dunlap, her father being Col. Henry Dunlap, who was colo- nel of a regiment of Maryland National Guards. Eight children have blessed the union of the cap- tain and wife: Henry, private secretary of his uncle in Washington; Ellen, Mark and Cathe- rine, who are at home; Elizabeth, wife of Henry Welsh; Thomas, still in school; and Helen and Benjamin, at home. The family are identified with the Episcopal Church and enjoy the love and respect of all.
G FORGE C. FISHER is one of tlie well- known and highly respected citizens of Point of Rocks, Frederick County. He has made his home here for about sixteen years and has been active in everything that concerned the improvement and development of the place. Having literally been "the architect of his own fortune" he is eminently deserving of the pros- perity which is now his portion.
Born in 1838, our subject is the youngest son of Thomas Fishier, who was born, reared to man- hood and spent his whole life in Montgomery County, Md. He came from one of the old families of that section, and followed agricultural pursuits. He died when in the prime of life, aged forty-five years. His wife, Elizabeth, was a daugliter of Solomon and Susan Viers, also of Montgomery County, and farmers by occupation.
Mrs. Fisher was summoned to the silent land in 1877, when threescore and ten years of age. Of her four sons only the subject of this article sur- vives. Martin Thomas, the eldest, was a farmer of Montgomery County, and died in March, 1890. Solomon died when young and John Napoleon at the age of fourteen years.
The birthplace of G. C. Fisher is situated in the neighborhood of Poolville, Montgomery County, Md. The father dying when George C. was a small boy, the latter in time aided in the management of the old homestead, and was of great assistance to his widowed mother in every way. His educational privileges were rather limited, though he attended the parochial schools of the district for several years during a portion of each year. Yielding to his mother's wishes the young man remained at home until he was twenty-seven years old, He then concluded that he could do much better financially for her and for himself if he embarked in the commer- cial world. Entering the grain business he was quite successful in that direction, and later he engaged in merchandising at Edwards' Ferry, near his old home, with success. Then, for a few years he resumed farming upon a place which he had purchased. In 1881 he came to Point of Rocks, and for the next three years was in the grain business in connection with Captain Mercier. Then, for twelve years lie kept the hotel here to the satisfaction of his patrons and the general public, and though he still owns the property he has leased it for four years past. In view of the fact that he was greatly handicapped when he started out in life by his father's deatlı and the cares that in consequence devolved upon his youthful shoulders, the success that he has won is the more commendable. Genial and affable in manner, he readily makes friends of all, and once having made a friend he always re- tains him. In politics he is affiliated with the Democratic party, but has always declined pub- lic office.
In 1870 Mr. Fisher married Sarah Agnes Spates, a well-educated, cultured lady, whose fa- ther, George W. Spates, is a rich farmer of Mont- gomery County. The two sons of Mr. and Mrs.
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Fisher are Albert B., a telegraph operator of B. C., Preston C., Harriet E., James S., Laura Brunswick, this county, and Thomas Spates, who A., Langdon S., and Nora M., deceased. married a Miss Allnutt, and is the Baltimore & Ohio agent at Tuscarora, Frederick County. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher have a very pleasant home here and are always most charming hosts. They are identified with the Catholic Church.
5 UFUS K. DAY. The farm upon which Mr. Day resides consists of one hundred and sixty acres and is situated near Kemptown, in New Market District, Frederick County. In ad- dition to this property he is the owner of a farm consisting of two hundred acres in Montgomery County, besides which he has a number of houses and lots. His attention has been given princi- pally to agriculture, in connection with which for thirty years he has engaged in selling fertil- izer. For about ten years, in partnership with Samuel Hobbs, he carried on a general mercan- tile business at Browningsville, but finally sold out his interest and devoted himself exclusively to agricultural pursuits.
The subject of this sketch was born May 13, 1827, upon a farm near Kemptown. When he was eighteen months old he was orphaned by the death of his father, Luther Day, and shortly afterward his mother, Harriet, removed to Mont- gomery County, where the boy spent the years of youth. At the age of twenty-two years he be- gan in life for himself and rented a tract of land, which he cultivated for two years. He then pur- chased the farm where he now resides. How- ever he did not immediately come to the place, but continued to make his home in Montgomery County until 1853, when he came to the farm where he has since resided.
In 1849 Mr. Day married Miss Ann P. Branden- burg, who was born February 11, 1831, in New Market District, near the farm where occurred the death of hier husband. Their ten children are all living but one and are named as follows: Titus G., Latimer W., American A. S., Altona
Mr. Day is one of the leading farmers of his district. He is an active, energetic man, whose success is due to his unaided efforts. In all dealings with his friends and neighbors he is recognized as an honorable man, who strives to do equal and exact justice to all. What he has accumulated has been by persistent toil and economy. He and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church and possess the genuine Christian character that wins friends. Politically he is a Republican and served as judge of elections for two years, but other than that lias not occupied official position.
Mr. Day is a self-reliant man, who began life without means, even without the advantage of a good education, and who has secured a competency by a life of uniform industry and determination. To illustrate the disadvantages under which he la- bored, it may be said that he was obliged to work very hard, from earliest boyhood. His step- father allowed him to attend school only thirty days in the year, and the knowledge he obtained was principally secured by study at home by candle light, or, after the candle was blown out, by a light made of kindling wood. One winter his step-father agreed with the school teacher that the boy should be permitted to attend school three months, for which he was to pay by mak- ing fires in the schoolhouse during that time. After he had been in school one month his step- father took him out, and appropriated to himself the dollar the lad earned by continuing to make . the fires, after he had been taken from school. Such schooling as he obtained he was obliged to pay for himself, unless the county paid for it; he also bought his own books, paper, ink, etc. He bought all of his clothing and until he was twenty-one never had an overcoat. He never had but thrce Saturday evenings to go anywhere, and, although he attended the horses, never had a horse to ride but three Sundays, until he reached his majority. The money for his necessities he earned by working nights, making baskets, trays, ete. When he started out for himself he borrowed $5 from his step-father to buy a barrel
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of flour, and did not pay it back until the inter-
Colliflower, a native of the same locality, and a est had amounted to five cents, which sum he farmer, but his father, an early settler in western was requested to pay, and of course did so. He liad a horse that he hired for $20 per year, also a sled, a drag and one or two ploughs, but no one to turn a furrow except himself, and not only did he do the work in the field, but he cared for his wife and children in their home, doing all in his power for their comfort. In spite of hard- ships, disadvantages and inconveniences, he cleared $1,000 a year. What an example is pre- sented by his life to the young men of the present generation, who are given good educations and every assistance possible in order that they may attain success.
UDGE BERNARD COLLIFLOWER, who for a period of four years ably filled the re- sponsible position of judge of the orphans' court of Frederick County, has long been an esteemed citizen of Graceham. The only public position he held prior to that was registrar of votes. He has always been actively connected with the Democratic party, doing all in his power to promote the welfare of the same, In 1891 he was elected by his party friends to the judgeship, receiving a gratifying majority, and was later made chief judge by the governor of Maryland.
The judge is pre-eminently a self-made man, and may justly be proud of the high place he has won for himself in the regard of his large circle of acquaintances. His father, John Colli- flower, was a poor man, and from the time that our subject was a mere boy he has been more or less dependent upon his own efforts in the ac- quisition of a livelihood and education. He was born in 1830 on a farm in Mechanicstown Dis- trict, Frederick County, as had been his father before him. The senior man was a devout mem- ber of the Moravian Church and died in the faith that he had always professed, when he was in his eighty-fourth year. He was a son of Jacob
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