USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Sixth congressional district, Maryland V. 1 > Part 50
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54
In the schools of Western Port and Blooming- ton, Garrett County, the subject of this sketch received his education. At an early age he be- came interested in farming, which he carried on for a time. From twenty-one until twenty-three years of age he kept a lumber yard at Western Port, after which he had charge of a farm at the Glades, near Oakland, for his brother-in-law, Judge Hamill. Upon the breaking out of the war he secured employment in hewing timber for bridge work, and when the conflict was over he purchased a tract of over one hundred acres, situated five miles from Western Port, and there he engaged as an agriculturist for six years. For twenty-one years he had charge of the Franklin farm, comprising two hundred acres. Meantime, in 1872, he purchased a number of lots on West- ern Port Hill, and there built a house which he rented. When he retired from active farming in 1881 he came to his present home, but for ten years more he still continued the management of the Franklin farmn. He has added to his town property until he now has a large and well-in- proved place, the excellent condition of whose buildings bears testimony to his thrift and en- ergy.
Politically Mr. Kight is a Democrat. In 1851 he became a member of the Methodist Church, in the work of which he has since been active, hold- ing official position and serving as superintendent of the Sunday-school for a number of years. December 15, 1863, he married Sarah E. Michael, daughter of David Michael, of Franklin. She died August 27, 1893, leaving four children,
17
440
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
namely: Annie L., Mrs. Jacob Hughes, of West- ern Port; Laura, who married Sherman Repp and lives in this village; Wheeler D., who is engaged . in the flour and feed business here; and Fannie C., who is at home. The present wife of Mr. Kight, to whom he was married July 23, 1895, bore the maiden name of Lizzie M. Apperson, and is a daughter of Dr. Robert Apperson, of Richmond, Va.
DWARD KEMP, deceased, was a life-long resident of Frederick County, and was loved and respected by all with whom he had ever had any dealings whatever. He was a true patriot and loyal citizen, doing his full share in the upbuilding and development of the country, and lending his earnest support to the main- tenance of all worthy enterprises. He was a man who was devoted to his family, and was never so happy as when he was in his home, surrounded by his loved ones. To them he left an honored name, free from blemish and reproach, and his children can have no more worthy example to follow in their life pilgrimage than his.
The father of the above-named gentleman was Frederick Kemp, who was born in Frederick District in the latter part of last century, and was a shoemaker by trade, but gave much of his attention to farming, especially after he had passed his prime. He held an official position in the Reformed Church for many years, and was highly respected by his neighbors. His first wife was a Miss Brunner, a sister of Henry Brunner, and after her death lie wedded Mar- garet, daughter of Henry Brunner. By the last union four children were born: Edward; Cather- ine, who married Henry Getzendanner; Lydia, first the wife of John Stup and subsequently of Fred Culp, of Frederick; and Susan, Mrs. John Phleeger.
Edward Kemp was born in a substantial stone house, in this district, near Montevue Hos- pital, on the 15th of March, 1813. He was
educated in the common schools of his day, and commenced his mature career as a farmer on the old home place, "Lovely Prospect" farm. In 1844 he made a most important move, for he married that year the lady who the:ce- forth shared his joys and sorrows, proving her- self to be a loving helpmate indeed. She was then Miss Susan M. Feaga, her parents being George and Catherine Feaga. The father was born in this section and owned the large Feaga Mills, among the most noted ones in the county. He was drafted into the service in the War of 1812, but, as he found it nearly impossible for him to leave home and his business affairs, he persuaded his brother to go in his stead. He and his wife were faithful members of the Lutheran Church, to which denomination his father before him had belonged. The latter, Philip Feaga, came to this country from Ger- many, having been pressed into the British serv- ice among the Hessian troops to do battle against the struggling colonists, who were seek- ing to free themselves from the tyranny of Eng- land. Mr. Feaga did not like to be thus arraved against the Americans, and he finally deserted from the British ranks, later becoming one of the tried and trusted Life Guards of General Wash- ington. Afterwards he came to this county and soon established the Feaga Mills, previously mentioned. These inills are still kept in the possession of the family, being owned by a brother of Mrs. Kemp, elsewhere represented in this volume. Her grandmother, wife of Philip Feaga, was a Miss Whiteman, a native of Ger- many, who came to the United States in child- hood.
To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Kemp two sons and a daughter were born. Eugenia died when eighteen years of age, and was placed to rest in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Julian Edward car- ries on the old homestead and is an enterprising farmer. He married Mary Main, and has a family of one son and two daughters. Lewis Clayton, the younger son of Mr. Kemp, lives on a farm owned by his mother, and purchased by her since the death of her husband. It is a valuable place, situated adjoining the other farm
441
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
and three and a-half miles from Frederick. Lewis C. married Jeannette, daughter of David and Marietta (Bobst) Grove, the father a prom- inent farmer of Shookstown. His family num- bered seven children, but two are deceased; Charles D. and D. Rubens are farmers; John W. is a school teacher; Fannie is the wife of Samuel McBride; and Jeannette, as stated, is Mrs. Kemp. She has become the mother of five children, twin boys and two other sons and one daughter.
In his political convictions Edward Kemp was first a Whig and later a Republican. After a long and useful life he was summoned to his reward, dying mourned by a large circle of sin- cere friends and old-time associates. He was buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery, and sleeps quietly by the side of his beloved daughter, Eugenia. The date of his death is March 1, ISSS.
C OHN E. PHLEEGER, one of the most high- ly esteemed citizens of Ballanger District, Frederick County, deserves great credit for the success which he has won in life, as the result of his patient efforts and well-applied busi- ness talent. He is now occupied in the manage- ment of his farm, one of the prettiest homesteads in the county. It is finely situated on a rise of ground overlooking a beautiful valley. It is on the Frederick and Jefferson pike, about three iniles distant from Frederick, and lying next to the town of Feagaville on the east. This valuable place, an ideal country seat, with its well-kept buildings and grand old trees, has one hundred and twenty-six acres within its boundaries.
said mills, and made his home there, dying at the same place. He was one of the pioneers in the milling business in this county. Our sub- ject's father is now the proprietor of a mill located in Ohio. The father of Mrs. Sarah Hol- ter was William Holter, who, like his sons who follow hint, was a successful farmer of Middle- town Valley, this county.
After having gained a general education in the public schools of his home district, John E. Phleeger started out to earn his own livelihood in 1871. He spent about twelve months in the west, after which he returned home. He soon embarked in merchandising in Wolfsville, Md., and for eighteen years was at the head of a flour- ishing business there. He owned a farm in the vicinity at the same time and improved it. In his various undertakings he gave employment to a number of hands. In 1893 he sold out and came to his present homestead, which he rented until a year ago, when it came into the market and he then became its purchaser. He deals quite extensively in live stock, and keeps a finte grade of cattle and horses upon his farm.
In 1872 Mr. Phleeger married Amanda C. Cline, daughter of Lawson Cline, a farmer and blacksmith in the neighborhood of Wolfsville. Five children brighten the home of our estimable subject and wife: Samuel Keefer; Guy O .; Nannie M., wife of Charles L. Renn, a well-to-do young farmer of this section; Sallie and Hermie.
In the matter of politics Mr. Phleeger sides with the Republican party. He was once put up as a candidate for the position of county commissioner by his many friends, but was defeated, though he carried ten districts. During the winter of 1898 he was chosen to appear before the Maryland leg- islature, in company with E. C. Renn, for the purpose of obtaining a new voting district in this region. He was selected as the chairman of the building committee when the new Lutheran Church was erected in Feagaville, and no better one could have been found for that difficult posi- tion. He is prominent in church work, and has
Born in Frederick District in 1847, the subject of this review is the only child of John and Saralı ( Holter) Phleeger. The father was a native of Buckeystown District, and has been concerned in the management of mills during his whole life- time. For many years he ran the mills known as Phleegers' Mills in this county, which had held membership with the Lutheran denomina- been carried on by his father before him. The tion for years. He usually attends the meetings latter, John, Sr., was the owner of the afore- of the eliurch as a delegate and is looked up to
442
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
for advice in affairs pertaining to the good of the cause. His sincere personal friends are legion, and he is entirely deserving of the confidence he inspires.
OHN HI. HAMILTON, who resides on and operates a farm located to the south of Fred- erick, is an lionored citizen and a progressive farmer of this district. He always takes great interest in all measures calculated to benefit tlie community in which his lot is cast, and he can always be safely relied upon to use his influence in behalf of worthy causes. He is a pillar in the United Brethren Church, and for the past thir- teen years has occupied one official position or another in the denomination. At present he is the trustee of two churches, is a class leader and has been superintendent of the Sunday-school. For eight or ten years he has been honored by being the choice of liis fellow-members as their representative to the general conference of the church each year. Thus it may plainly be seen that he is not a figure-head, but is heart and soul in the good work.
John Hamilton, father of the above-named gentleman, was just as active and zealous a mem- ber of the Methodist Protestant Church as liis son is of the United Brethren denomination. He was a native of Baltimore and having removed to New Market District, Frederick County, was en- gaged in farming and keeping a store until his death, at the age of sixty-two years. Politically he was a Democrat. His father, whose Christian name was also Jolin, was a lieutenant in the War of 1812. In early life he was interested in agri- culture, but subsequently he gave his attention to running a hotel in the city of Baltimore. The mother of our subject was Miss Maria Leese be- fore hier marriage. Her father, Harry Leese, was a well-to-do farmer of New Market District. Mrs. Hamilton died at the age of thirty-eight years. Of lier children, Maria Louisa is the widow of William Grable, who died in the fall of 1897. She lives upon the old liome place in
New Market District. Randolph is a laborer; George W. is a farmer of Mount Pleasant Dis- trict; Ann C. is the wife of Valentine Hartman, an employe of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company; William J. is a farmer in New Market District; Kate is the wife of Jolin Stanton, of Frederick.
The birth of John H. Hamilton occurred in New Market District September 13, 1840. He attended the public schools, acquiring a good general education, and when he was a little past his majority he started out to make his own way. For a few years he worked for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, during part of the Civil war, and subsequently he purchased a small farm near tlie old home place. Finding that it was too limited an acreage for him to manage advantageously hc disposed of the property and, settling upon a larger place, made a fair success of his undertak- ing. He has lived within a few miles of his present home for a great many years and eight years ago he came to this finc homestead. Here he operates one of the largest and best-improved farms in the county, and each year reaps a golden harvest, in both senses of the word, from its broad fields. He is fortunate in having such able and willing assistants too, for no boys were ever more interested in assisting their father in operating the farm than are those of Mr. Hamil- ton, and much of the care and responsibility of affairs about the place are thius removed from his shoulders.
In 1867 our subject married Miss Georgiana, daughter of William Lare, who was a farmer of -New Market District, and quite a leader as a poli- tician, and once served as deputy sheriff of this county. Both he and his wife, Louisa Hull, were from good old county families. William J., the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton, married Kate Biser, of Middletown. Charles Henry, Josepli, Calvin H. and Raymond are all at home and do their share toward the general superin- tendence of matters relating to the good of the farm. George W., also living on the old lione- stcad, married Della Stone, of this district. Bar- bara M. R., the only daughter living, is still at home and one daughter died in childhood.
443.444
!
WILLIAM H. WAGNER, M. D.
445
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ILLIAM H. WAGNER, M. D. During a long and active professional life Dr. Wag- ner lias received the deserved tribute of a high reputation as a skilled physician. When a young man he had the advantage of study in the best medical institutions of the country, having taken several courses of lectures in the famous Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia and later graduating from the Pennsylvania Medical College of Philadelphia. On concluding his studies, in 1853, he opened an office at Double Pipecreek, Carroll County, Md., where he car- ried on a general practice for three years. From there he came to Woodsboro in 1856 and has steadily engaged in professional work ever since, having in all of these forty-two years taken only two vacations, one of three months and another of one month.
In the village of Woodsboro, where he now re- sides, Dr. Wagner was born August 7, 1830, and is a son of David and Rebecca N. (Shunk) Wag- ner. He was one of eight children, six sons and two daughters, who attained years of maturity, those besides himself being Aberilla, Amelia J., David, Samuel, Hanson, Harrison and Jeremiah. His paternal ancestors were among the early resi- dents of Liberty District and were actively identified with the growth and development of that section.
The doctor was reared in Woodsboro and at- tended the public schools of the town. At the age of thirteen he entered the Pennsylvania Col- lege at Gettysburg, where he completed his liter- ary education. He then began the study of medicine under Dr. J. Thomas Sim, of Liberty- town, Md., with whom he remained during much of the time for three years. As a physician he is carefully grounded in the rudiments of the pro- fession, having a deep and thorough knowledge of medical principles. Though many years have elapsed since he left college, he lias not permitted himself to become "rusty" in medical lore, but, by a reading of professional literature he keeps posted concerning every advance made in the profession, and utilizes in his own work such im- provements as lie deems practicable. Since en- gaging in practice in Woodsboro he has attained
a prominent position among the leading practi- tioners of Frederick County, and is recognized as sich. December 16, 1868, occurred the mar- riage of Dr. Wagner to Miss Laura R. Barrick. Two children came to bless their union, but both died in infancy. In addition to his town property, the doctor owns a well-improved farm containing one hundred and fifty-five acres. He is interested in his profession to such a degree as to prevent active participation in politics, and, aside from voting a straight Republican ticket at elections, he has not identified himself with public affairs. In his religious connections he is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
B EVERLY S. RANDOLPH, superintend- ent of the Consolidation Coal Company, came to Frostburg in 1885 and has since had entire charge of the mining and farming lands of the company, amounting in all to about fifteen thousand acres. Under his management there are about sixteen hundred men and one hundred and twenty head of stock, the daily out- put aggregating more than fifty-five hundred tons, an increase of twenty-seven hundred tons since he became connected with the company. The satisfactory condition of the business is largely due to his energy, efficiency and determi- nation of purpose.
At Berkley Springs, Va., the subject of this sketch was born July 17, 1851, and is a son of James L. and Emily (Strother) Randolph, the latter being a sister of David H. Strother, the noted author. James L. Randolph was born in Washington, D. C., in 1817, and was a name- sake of his maternal grandfather, Gen. James Lingan, who served as an officer in the Revolu- tion and during the War of 1812 lost his life at the hands of a mob in Baltimore. The Ran- dolplis are among the pioneer and prominent families of Virginia and have furnished to our country many men of note and valor. William Beverly Randolph, our subject's grandfather,
446
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
was born on the James River in Virginia and held the office of chief clerk of the treasury de- partment from 1850 until his death in 1868. He was a son of David Meade Randolph, who was marshal of Virginia under General Washiington.
The Randolph family is of English extraction and in former ages was identified with the history of Sussex County. When the Roundheads en- deavored to seize the throne of England, they sympathized with the Royalists and consequently, upon the defeat of that cause and the success of Cromwell, they were compelled to leave their native land. Early in the sixteenth century they cast in their fortunes with the people of the new world. In 1665 William Randolph settled on the James River, a short distance below Richmond, where he became known as William of Turkey Island. Succeeding generations were identified with the history of the Old Dominion.
In youth James L. Randolph learned the occu- pation of a civil engineer. He was employed in the construction of the Baltimore & Ohio Rail- road and was its chief engineer until within three years of his death, when he became consulting engineer. In IS88, when advanced in years, he died at his country home near Baltimore. He had only two sons who attained mature years, Beverly S. and Lingan S., the latter being the present professor of mechanical engineering in the Virginia school of Technology, at Blacks- burg, Va.
. ..
The education of our subject was obtained by study in various schools, his father's occupation necessitating frequent removals on the part of the family. After completing a public-school course he entered Cornell University, where he studied engineering, adding to the knowledge of the oc- cupation gained under his father's instruction. From 1871 until 1873 he was employed in the engineering department of the Baltimore & Ohio road, in the construction of new lines. In 1873 he was similarly engaged with the Washington City and Point Lookout Railroad, of which, in 1874, he was made chief engineer. Afterward return- ing to the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio, he built the drawbridge on the Calumet River at Chicago for that road. For twelve months hie
was engaged in laying out the town of Garrett, Ind., for the Baltimore Land and Improvement Company. In 1877-78 he was in the service of the Nicaragua government, locating the line of a narrow gauge road from Corento to Leon, but this position he was obliged to resign on account of the unhealthfulness of the climate.
Upon his return to the States he became super- intendent of the Clarksburg & Western Rail- road, of the construction and operation of which he had entire charge. The next two years he spent in the service of the Baltimore & Ohio road, in locating and constructing various lines about Connellsville. Later he located and con- structed lines for the West Virginia Central & Pittsburg Railway, for which he also prospected in coal fields. Since 1885 he has been connected with the coal company at Frostburg. His atten- tion has been given closely to business matters. to the exclusion of politics; nevertheless, he is posted upon subjects of general importance. In national issues he supports the Republican ticket, but in local matters he gives his influence to the measures and men he believes best calculated to promote the welfare of the people. He is a member of the American Society of Civil En- gineers, the American Institute of Mining Engi- neers, and the Federated Institution of Mining Engineers, of England. He was united in mar- riage, in Baltimore, September 20, 1882, with Mary S., daughter of John and Sarah (Duffield) Jewett, of Jefferson County, Va.
HARLES F. McALEER, postmaster of Western Port, Allegany County, is one of the prominent local leaders in the Republi- can party. This party, of which he has been a member since early manhood and with which lie is thoroughly in accord, in recognition of liis fidelity to its principles and his fitness for office has frequently chosen him to serve in official ca- pacities of trust and honor. At different times lie has been a member of the city council, lis
447
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
last term expiring in 1897. In 1882 he was elected to represent his district in the state legis- lature and as a member of that body took a part in measures for the benefit of the people, devot- ing himself especially to the advancement of the interests of his constituents. His present ap- pointment as postmaster was tendered him in October, 1897, under the administration of Pres- ident Mckinley.
The son of John and Sarah McAleer, the sub- ject of this sketch, is the sole survivor of the fall- ily, originally consisting of two sons and two daughters. He was born in Westchester County, N. Y., September 14, 1830. His father, who was born near Frederick, Md., removed to the state of New York, where he remained until his deatlı, following in early life the occupation of a farmer, but later engaging as a contractor and builder. While our subject was still small, his parents died, and he was then taken into the home of a half sister. At the age of eleven he began in life for himself, and from that time on- ward he was self-supporting. For five years he worked on a farm in Westchester County, after which he went to New York City, and made his home with an uncle, Michael McAleer, a Catholic priest. After a few years he went to Baltimore, where he found a home with a relative, John McAleer, who was engaged in the hardware busi- ness and utilized the services of the young man as an assistant.
After three years Mr. McAleer went to Mont Clare, where he followed the locksmith's trade a short time. . , Returning to the city of Baltimore, he resumed work as a locksmith, but after a short time he met with an accident that disabled him and forced him to abandon the occupation. He then went back to Mont Clare, but soon moved to Piedmont, W. Va., where he became general superintendent of repairs in the turning depart- ment of the Baltimore & Oliio shops. This posi- tion he held continuously, with the exception of a six months' furlough, until June, 1897, a period of forty-five years.
September 14, 1861, Mr. McAleer enlisted as a private in Company C, Third Maryland Infantry, and served until the close of the war, being lion-
orably discharged in May, 1865. From the ranks he was promoted to be corporal, and at tlie time of his discharge held a commission as first lieutenant. He was present at the capture of Harper's Ferry, where he was captured, remain- ing a prisoner of war from September, 1862, until the spring of 1863, when he was paroled. In June he was exchanged, and immediately entered the service again. He took part in the battle of Winchester and many other engage- ments memorable in the history of the war. He is past commander of B. B. Shaw Post, G. A. R., department of West Virginia, at Piedmont, and for ten years has served as quartermaster.
In religious connections Mr. McAleer is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Piedmont. November 17, 1858, he married Louisa Barker, daughter of Enoch and Lucy Barker, and a na- tive of Hampshire County, W. Va. They are the parents of five children, namely: Etta; Lucy I., wife of William Parsons, of Western Port; Charles A., who is in the employ of the West Virginia Central & Pittsburg Railroad Com- pany; Henry H .; and Leonidas, who is engaged in the drug business at Caddo, I. T.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.