USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Sixth congressional district, Maryland V. 1 > Part 52
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The fatlier of the above-named gentleman,
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John C. Kaufman, was in the same business as is his son to-day, in Frederick, but, in connection with it, lie carried on several valuable farms lo- cated on or near Braddock's Heiglits, and he daily drove to and from his home there to his business in the city. He became quite wealthy as a result of his excellent financial ability and progressive spirit, and at the time of his death left a large and valuable estate, including a number of farms and other property. He owned what is known as Braddock's Heights, now a very popular sum- mer resort. It is the highest point in this county, and upon a clear day a most beautiful view may be obtained from its summit. Four states can be seen at these times and a plain view may be had of the old South Mountain battlefield and Antietam.
In every way John C. Kaufman was a remark- able man. He was born in Frederick City, Feb- ruary 8, 1822, and in his youth had small chance for obtaining an education. Yet he became so well informed and was so noted for his wonderful memory that he was considered an authority on all sorts of topics, especially on those referring to the history of this state and our beloved country. He had purchased books and by private study and reading had posted himself on all subjects which he deemed that he, as an American citi- zen, should know. During the war his sympa- thies were with the Union cause, and no one in the county was a more devoted Republican than he. He never aspired to official distinction, yet he was active in advancing the interests of his party in every honorable manner. As might be expected of such a man, he was foremost in church and educational work, doing all that was within his power to assist those two worthy fac- tors of civilization. At the same time, he never identified himself with any religious denomina- tion, contenting himself with doing what he be- lieved to be true, right and just, and contributing generously toward the support and building of churches. He died in 1892, having reached the age allotted to man by the psalmist, "three- score and ten," and was buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery. His father, Conrad Kaufman, was a tailor by trade, and passed his whole life in the
city of Frederick. To himself and wife were born seven children, and by her side he reposes in the old Lutheran Cemetery in Frederick.
The mother of the subject of this article was Miss Maria Dutro in her girlhood. Her father, George Dutro, was a soldier of the war of the Revolution and was a farmer of Jackson District. He was a strong Jackson Democrat and was a great admirer and personal friend of Mr. Jack- son. " Like the various members of the Kaufman family, the Dutros have been noted for good citi- zenship since the foundation of this county, which they have helped to its present enviable position in this great commonwealth. The eight sons and daughter born to J. C. Kaufman and wife, Maria, are as follows: Jesse Denton; Jolin, who is in the meat business in Kentucky; Charles C., a machinist of Cincinnati; Mary Catherine, who died unmarried at the age of thirty years; Hiram Grant, a meat-market man of Cheney, Ill .; George Lincoln, a farmer of New Market District; Grayson H., who died at the age of twenty years; and Joseph M., who went to Texas a great many years ago and has never been heard from since. George Lincoln, above mentioned, was elected treasurer of Fred- erick County in 1898 and is now performing the duties of this responsible office.
Jesse Denton Kaufinan was born on the old home farm near Braddock, February 8, 1856, and there spent his youth. He received a dis- trict-school education and did not start ont for himself until he was twenty-five. He embarked in the meat business, in which his father had so well succeeded, and in 1885 bought the place where his store has since been located. From the first he met with gratifying results in a finan- cial point of view, and he has given employment to a number of men for years. He may be justly proud of the high standing which he occu- pies in the commercial world of Frederick, for he is noted for sterling uprightness and faithfulness to every contract lie makes. He gives his per- sonal attention to the details of his business, and lis anxiety to please his customers is one of the secrets of his success.
In 1885 Mr. Kaufman married Annie R. C.
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Shaffer, daughter of Jonathan Shaffer, a well-to- do farmer of this district. She is a niece of Gen. James C. Clark, the railroad president and mag- nate. Mr. and Mrs. Kaufman are members of the Reformed Church. In political matters Mr. Kaufman is a Democrat, but is without any desire to hold office.
ILLIAM J. WORMAN is a wealthy and respected citizen of Frederick County, his home being in the district of the same name. He is the owner and manager of two valuable mills, and gives employment to a num- ber of hands the year round. He comes from one of the old and honored families of this sec- tion, and possesses unusual financial ability and excellent judgment in the control of his business affairs. Politically he stands upon the Republi- can party platform, but has never aspired to po- sitions of a public nature, as he finds liis time and attention fully occupied in looking after his numerous enterprises.
The father of the above was Dr. Andrew D. Worman, whose name was a household word in various sections of this community for over half a century. He was born in Frederick District in 1812 and is now eighty-six years of age. He . was brought up at the place known as the old mill, and having decided to enter a profession, went to "Baltimore and took a course in the medical college of that city. Then for several years he was actively engaged in practice in this district, but later gave his time to the manage- ment of his property. At the same time that he was conducting his practice lie became inter- ested in the milling business and had a partner who attended to the actual operation of the scy- eral mills which he owned wholly or in part, in this vicinity. For many years he has been re- tired from the cares and anxieties of the business world and is passing his last days in quiet and comfort in the town of Frederick. Formerly he owned the mill now belonging to our subject,
abont two miles north of Frederick on the Frederick and Liberty pike, and he also was the owner of another mill now the property of his son, this one being sitnated on the Tuscarora Road, in Mount Pleasant District.
In his early manhood the doctor was connected with the Presbyterian Church, but for a long period has been a communicant of the German Baptist denomination. He was one of the prime movers in the organization of the church in Frederick, and has always been very generous in his donations to religious and charitable enter- prises. His father, Moses Wormian, was born in the southern part of this county at Uniontown. He was likewise a rich and prominent man in his neighborhood, and owned large tracts of land in the same district as the subject of this article re- sides in to-day. He died in this locality, strong in the faith of the Presbyterian Church. His father, also a native of this county, was, like all of the others, a mill owner and property holder, and his parents were among the early settlers of this portion of the state. Moses Worman, above mentioned, married a Miss Pannabaker, of Penn- sylvania, by whom he had two sons and one daughter. Dr. Andrew, one of these sons, mar- ried first Sophia M. Cronise, whose father, Jolin Cronise, was one of the respected old citizens of this locality. To the union of the doctor and wife a son and two daughters were born, viz .: William J .; Margaret, wife of Ezra Houck, a well-to-do farmer of this county; and Mary, whose husband, George L. Cramer, is also a practical agriculturist of the county. The second wife of the doctor was called to her reward some years ago.
William J. Worman was born in Frederick District in 1841. After completing his district- school education he wished to have commercial training and went to Baltimore, where he studied in a business college and graduated therefrom soon after the close of the war. He engaged in his present occupations upon his return home, taking charge of the mills in the capacity of manager mmtil after the death of his mother, when the property came into his possession. In addition to the two mills mentioned he owns sex-
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eral farms, and upon his valuable homestead near one of liis mills he has a comfortable and modern house, here making his home. For years he has been a director in the Central National Bank of Frederick; is a director in the Frederick and Woodsboro pike and is connected with a building and loan association. Following the example of his worthy forefathers lie is a stalwart Presbyterian, and has been a trustee for years in the church with which he holds membership.
In 1884 Mr. Worman married Miss Mary E., daughter of the well-known citizen, Henry C. Brown, and two children have blessed their union. The son, William A., died at the age of eight years, and the daughter, Elizabeth, is a bright young school girl. The father of Mrs. Worman was formerly a Pennsylvania farmer, but late in life became a resident of this county.
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REDERICK HEINLEIN, a wealthy busi- ness man of Frederick, is worthy of special commendation for what he has accont- plished, as the obstacles which he has overcome in the course of his career have been more numer- ous and apparently of greater difficulty than fall to the lot of most men. He cante to America when a young man, unacquainted with the cus- toms or language, without friends or influence here and worked his way upward to a position which commands the respect of all of his associ- ates and fellow-citizens. Having made up his mind as to the right course that should be pur- sued he is one that never wavers, but steadily presses forward to the goal he has in view. His adherent strength of character has been brought forth and his many sterling qualities developed by the impediments which he has surmounted with a brave and manly lieart.
The birth of our subject occurred in the prov- ince of Batavia, Germany, May 21, 1836. His father, Frederick Heinlein, Sr., was a native of the same locality and was a butcher by trade. He owned and carried on a hotel in the town of
Neustadt, Bavaria, for a number of years and his deathi took place over half a century ago. His wife, Johanna, did not long survive him and left seven children, several of whom remain in the old country. George is deceased; John carried on the market formerly owned by his father and Thomas took charge of the hotel business of the senior man. The three daughters, Theresa, Bar- bara and Charlotte, reside with the youngest son in Germany.
In the usual manner of lads in the Fatherland our subject attended the public schools until he was about fourteen years of age. He then went to Beureuth, and, after staying there for two years, determined to seek a new home and fortune in the United States. Upon arriving in this land, lie proceeded at once to Frederick and for about six years lie worked for various firms, in the meantime carefully husbanding his small earn- ings. At last he invested his funds in business, and has ever since been located at one place on North Market street, his home being here also. He has gradually accumulated a valuable prop- erty, until he is estimated to be worth about $30,000. He has been very industrious, attending to every detail of liis business affairs with syste- matic method. He was about ten or twelve years of age when his parents died and from that time until the present he has been dependent upon his own ability. He has taken an active part in every movement of progress in this community, and is considered one of the best citizens of Frederick in all matters affecting the local wel- fare. He is a Democrat and socially is a ment- ber of the Knights of Pythias. . With the other members of his family, he is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a very valued worker in the congregation.
In April, 1859, Mr. Heinlein married Dorcas Dunkhorst, a native of Hanover, Germany, and throughout their happy married life they have shared each other's joys and sorrows and have aided and assisted each other in bearing the bur- dens and trials which have come to them, as to all. Eight children were born to them, viz .: Ed Henry, now in business with his father; George William, also connected with the firm; Charles
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F., who is engaged in the silk business in Japan; Nannie, who married Rev. Henry Wisler; May, wife of William E. Filler; Elizabeth, who is the wife of William Harley, now in the postoffice; Ella, who died at the age of eighteen years; and Laura, Mrs. John H. Harris. These children are all without exception good and useful citi- zens and their parents have just cause to be proud of them. They were given excellent edu- cations and advantages and reflect great credit upon the home training and care that were bestowed upon them in their youthful days.
ELWOOD STIGERS, M. D. Notwith- standing the fact that he is still a young man, Dr. Stigers has risen to a high stand- ing in the medical profession and is numbered among the leading physicians of Washington County. Since he came to Hancock he has built up a steadily increasing practice, until his services have come to be in demand through a large scope of the surrounding territory. Sur- gery has been his specialty, and in addition to his private practice he acts as surgeon for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and is also a member of the National Association of Railway Surgeons. The Washington County Medical Society num- bers him among its members.
Dr. Stigers was born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, "August 27, 1864. His father, Baltus, Jr., a native of Fulton County, Pa., went west when a young man and spent fourteen years in Iowa, where he followed farming and sheep raising. For a time he was also interested in ranching. In 1872 he returned to Fulton County, where for years he operated a flouring mill, but he is now retired from active business cares. Politi- cally he is a Democrat. His father, John Stigers, was a life-long resident and farmer of Fulton County, where he died at eighty-five years of age. Our subject's mother, Marie, was a daugli- ter of Philip Gordon, and is still living, being now sixty years of age. Her three children are:
William B., who resides at the old homestead; P. Elwood; and Mollie, wife of Joseph Charlton, of Fulton County, Pa.
When a boy our subject assisted in the manage- ment of a ranch in Iowa, much of his time being devoted to the hearding of cattle. He studied in the public schools and on returning to Pennsyl- vania he was a student for four years at McCon- nellsburg, then taught school during two winters. In 1882 he bought a drug store at Hancock, Md., and followed the drug business for a time, having studied pharmacy and gained a knowledge of the business. Meantime he devoted his leisure hours to the study of medicine, and afterward took the regular course of lectures in Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, from which he graduated in 1888. During the same year he began the practice of his profession, which he has followed successfully ever since. Fraternally he is con- nected with Lodge No. 104, of the Odd Fellow's, in which he has passed the chairs.
In June, 1888, Dr. Stigers married Miss Olive Wilson Brooks, daughter of John Brooks. They have two daughters, Kittie Marie and Lucy Rachael, two bright and interesting children, around whom the fondest hopes of the parents are centered. The family worship in the Episco- pal Church, to the support of which the doctor is a generous contributor. He is a progressive citizen, a stanch Democrat, and a leader in local affairs. During his residence in Fulton County he officiated as coroner for one year, but has not been an office holder since he came to Hancock.
ON. JOHN LQUIS NICODEMUS. What- ever the natural resources of a country, whatever its business advantages, its history must nevertheless depend chiefly upon the men who reside there and who by their ability add to the prosperity or fame of the locality. The sub- ject of this sketch is a public-spirited citizen, whose long period of residence in the same local-
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ity has endeared him to all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.
For fifty-five years or more he has resided in the vicinity of Walkersville, where he owns a valuable farm. While he has practically retired from all business cares, yet he finds sufficient to en- gage his attention in the oversight of his landed estate and the care of his other interests.
Near Westminster, on the head waters of Pipe Creek, in what is now Carroll County, Md., the subject of this sketch was born April 21, 1828. On the place where he was born his ancestors had settled long before the date of the Revolution, and subsequent generations were identified with the history of the locality. He is a son of John Nicodemus, who was born on the old home- stead in Carroll County and resided there until about forty-two years of age, when he removed to Frederick County, settling near Walkersville. Here he purchased the farm now owned by our subject. He was a successful agriculturist, and a promoter of every enterprise for the building up of his county. During the latter part of his life he made a number of removals. In politics he was first an old-line Whig, later voted with the Know- Nothings up to the outbreak of the Civil war, and after that a strong Union man and a stanch Republican. He assisted in the organization of the Methodist Protestant Church in 1828, and afterwards was one of its most faithful and earnest members, serving as an officer for many years, and at all times giving generously of his means to the church. He died at seventy years of age and was buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Frederick.
The grandfather of our subject, John L. Nico- demus, was born on the same homestead in Carroll County. He became the owner of large tracts of land and was a rich man, according to the standard of those days. In addition to farm- ing he engaged in the milling business. During early life he was a Federalist and afterward a Whig, but never sought nor held public office. In religion he was identified with the Reformed Church. In his vicinity Methodism was estab- lished by Mr. Strawbridge, the pioneer of the denomination in that section. During the War
of 1812 he was too old to take an active part, but took a deep interest in the war and delighted in the success of the American army. From his home he could hear the cannonading at North Point. He died at sixty-eight years of age, and was buried in the family graveyard on the home place. Little is known of his wife's family, except that they bore the name of Neff and were of Swiss extraction.
The founder of the Nicodemus family in America was the great-grandfather of our subject, Henry Nicodemus, who accompanied his three brothers from Germany to Philadelphia, but later removed to Carroll County, Md., then an uninhabited wilderness. Many years prior to the Revolution he took up the land that has since been in the family's possession. During the war with Eng- land he owned and operated a small distillery, and he also built a mill, which he carried on for some time. He died in Carroll County at about sixty years of age, and was buried on the home place, his grave being marked by a tombstone that no one knows who placed there. He had a sister, Mrs. Baile, whose son was called Nic- odemus.
As before stated, John L. Nicodemus on com- ing to the United States was accompanied by three brothers. As was so often the case in the early settlement of America, these brothers be- came separated and their descendants are scattered through different parts of the country. One brother established his home in Franklin County, Pa., another in Washington County, Md., while the third, who was a minister in the Lutheran Church, was the first representative of that denom- ination who preached in the Middletown Valley of Frederick County.
Our subject's mother was Hannalı Engler, daughter of David Engler, who was a prominent farmer and dairyman of liis time. He was among the first Dunkards in his section and served as an elder in the church. He died at sixty-eight years of age and was buried in the old Pipe Creek burying ground, the largest cemetery in that locality. His father, Philip Engler, came to Maryland from Germantown, Pa., in company with a few Dunkard friends, and became a pioneer
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of Carroll County, where he introduced the Mrs. Nicodemus have had four daughters and Dunkard religion. He was the first regularly ordained elder in the church. David's wife was a Miss Stem, and one of their sons became a prominent man in Ohio, residing at Green Spring, Seneca County.
The subject of this sketch was one of four brothers. Nathan, who was a farmer and the owner of the old homestead, died in 1865, when a young man; Augustus W., who resides in Buckeystown, is one of the prominent men of Frederick County, where for a number of years he was county commissioner and judge of the orphans' court, and is now owner and proprietor of a large creamery, and superintendent of the Buckeystown canning factory; Eli is a prominent farmer in Buckeystown District. The mother of these sons died in 1852, and was buried in the Dunkard cemetery, where lie her father, mother, sister and many of her friends. After her death the father married Mary Wright, of Union Bridge, Carroll County, descendant of an old Quaker family of the county.
At the age of fifteen our subject removed from Carroll to Frederick County, and here he has made his home for fifty-five years. He owned the property formerly owned by his father, in- cluding a beautiful farm, "Rose Hill," adjoin- ing Walkersville, in Mount Pleasant District. This property he has leased for the past forty years, during which time he has had but four tenants upon it. He also owns other valuable farming property. In 1867 he erected a sub- stantial and commodious residence, one-half mile from Walkersville, on the Frederick and Woods- boro pike; in fact, all the improvements upon the place, with but one exception, have been placed there by himself. This farmi is occupied by liis youngest son.
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In 1850 Mr. Nicodemus married Nancy Castle, daughter of David Castle, of Carroll County, member of an old family there. By occupation he was a farmer, but he also had business inter- ests in Baltimore. He had fourteen children in his family, of whom twelve where daughters. The youngest daughter is the wife of the dean of the Woman's College at Baltimore. Mr. and
two sons. The eldest son, Dr. John B., is a graduate of the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, and a leading physician of this section; in 1879 he married Miss Rebecca Nelson, daugliter of Dr. Robert Nelson, and they have four daughters and three sons, the eldest, Jolin V., being the fifth Jolin in a direct line. The youngest son of our subject, Charles Albert, is married, his wife being a daughter of Henry Brown, and they have two sons, the family resid- ing on one of our subject's farms. The oldest daughter of Mr. Nicodemus died at twelve, and the youngest at seven months of age. Edith, who was a charming young lady, died at twenty- five, and Emma passed away when twenty-four. They were buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery at Frederick.
During the war Mr. Nicodemus assisted in raising funds for the Union, and gave his support to the cause of the government. He became identified with the Republican party about that time, believing that it represented the best inter- ests of the nation. In 1874 hie was elected to the state legislature and served on many of the im- portant committees. It was during this year that Governor White was elected to the United States senate. At that time, too, local option was being pushed aggressively, but the measure failed to pass.
When a young man Mr. Nicodemus was con- nected with the Methodist Protestant Church, but for the past twenty-five years he has been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has held all the principal offices in the con- gregation. For thirty years he has been super- intendent of the Sunday-school and an active worker in its behalf. Religious enterprises always receive his financial support, and his exemplary life is a further proof of his Christian character. For twelve years he has served as a director in the First National Bank of Frederick. He has also been a director and large stockholder in the Frederick and Woodsboro pike. For some years he was a member of the board of managers of the Montevue Hospital. A liberal and generous man, he is always ready to contribute of his time and
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