USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Sixth congressional district, Maryland V. 1 > Part 53
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means for the advancement of enterprises cal- culated to promote the general welfare, and his position is deservedly among the most influential men of his county.
OHN R. STONER. This name, in Me- clianicstown District, Frederick County, stands for a citizen who is always in the fore- front of every public movement, and at the same time is entirely unassuming and modest in man- ners, preferring the quiet routine of private life. He is highly respected throughout this com- munity, and though well known to be one of the well-to-do men in the county, no one could gain such an impression from meeting or conversing with him. He has never been induced to accept public position, though often urged to do so, per- sistently adhering to his frequently repeated resolution to live and die as a plain, loyal citizen.
Five brothers bearing the surname of Stoner left their native land, Germany, in the middle or fore part of last century and settled in the vicin- ity of Union Bridge and Antietam, Md. Our subject's grandfather, David Stoner, was a life- long farmer, and was very successful as a busi- ness man. He was a native of Frederick County, and owned one of the farms now in the possession of John R., of this article. For forty-four years he was an active member of the German Baptist Church, holding the office of elder much of this time. His son, Daniel, was the father of our subject. He was born in Johnsville District, this county, in 1787, and lived to be ninety-three years old. Like his senior, he was influential in the German Baptist Church, and was an old- line Whig in politics. He was mustered into the service in the War of 1812, but did not get called into action. He, too, was engaged in agriculture until he was well along in years, when he retired.
Daniel Stoner chose for his wife Nancy, daugli- ter of Jolin Roop. She was born in 1797, and departed tliis life when she was fifty-five years of
age. Her father was a well-to-do farmer of Westminster, Carroll County, Md. The mar- riage of Daniel Stoner and wife was blessed with ten children. William, now a retired business man of Westminster, Md., was formerly occu- pied in running a tannery and a farmi; David, an unmarried brother, was commissioner of Car- roll County for fourteen years, and has been very successful as an agriculturist; Abraham, de- ceased, was a wealthy farmer, first of Ohio and later of Missouri; Emanuel is engaged in the nursery business at Westminster; Samuel is a farmer in Carroll County and Daniel of Ohio; while Jacob, who owns the old homestead, is retired and a resident of Union Bridge; Mary Ann married Joseph Lerew, of Harrisburg, Pa .; and the other sister, Lydia, is the wife of Augustus Little, a farmer in Johnsville District, Frederick County.
John R. Stoner's birthplace is located about a mile front Union Bridge, Carroll County, and the date of his birth is April, 1828. He was a very ambitious student, made rapid progress in his school work and was particularly proficient in mathematics. It was his intention to enter the legal profession, but his mother's influence and other considerations led to his abandoning the idea. Instead, he has devoted his energies to agriculture and investments, and has certainly achieved success. A short time after he liad reached his majority lie removed to one of the farms which he now owns in this locality, and here he has since made his home. From time to time he added to his original purchase, until he now has eight fine farms, four of them lying in a body; and these he manages himself, hiring sufficient help to do the active work. His farms are well stocked, and it is said that he is the owner of the largest number of head of live stock in this section of the county. In addition to his homestead, which is but a mile and a-half from the town of Thurmont, he is the owner of two fine farms near Union Bridge, in Carroll County, Md. On his home place there stand a substantial brick residence and two large barns, besides sheds and other farm buildings. Mr. Stoner has been one of the promoters of the
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Frederick & Emmitsburg Electric Railroad, and has lent his support to numerous other local enterprises which have been important factors in the development of this region. Politically hc is a Democrat.
Though now past the allotted age of man, according to the psalmist, Mr. Stoner is well preserved in body and mind. He has always been very temperate in his habits, and not only does he abstain from the use of liquors and tobacco, but also uses pure water in preference to coffee and tea. He married rather late in life, in 1876, Martha R. Stansbury, whose father, Nicholas Stansbury, was a retired farmer, now deceased. The two children born to Mr. and Mrs. Stoner are: John T., who assists in the management of the farm, and William J., now a student in the Thurmont high school. Mrs. Stoner is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
RANK A. RODDY is an enterprising and progressive farmer of Mechanicstown Dis- trict, Frederick County. His postoffice is Roddy, which place was named in honor of his family, who have been well-known and respected citizens of this locality for a great many years. Since 1894 he has been the owner of the old homestead formerly the property of his respected father, and has made numerous substantial im- provements, which have added greatly to the. Jolin is engaged in buying, selling and exchang- value and desirability of the place.
The father of our subject was Abraham F. Roddy, a native of Littlestown, Pa. He was, in every sense of the word, a self-made man. In his boyhood he was very poor and was early thrown entirely upon his own resources. For some years he was obliged to earn his livelihood by burning charcoal, an industry peculiar to cer- tain portions of the Keystone state, and but poorly paid. Little by little, however, the youth rose in the scale of prosperity, by his persevering energy and undaunted courage, until he was at last a man of property and importance in liis
community. With his father, Hugh Roddy, who had been born and reared in the Emerald isle, he came to this section of Maryland at an early day, and lived on a mountain-side farm. Later the young man purchased the tract of land which is now owned by our subject, and also invested in other valuable farming property hereabouts. In political matters he was a Democrat, but had no aspirations toward holding public office. He lived and died in the faith of the Catholic Church. His demise occurred when he had reached the ripe age of eighty-four years, in 1893. He and his faithful wife celebrated their half-century wedding anniversary about two years prior to his deatlı. Mrs. Roddy did not long survive her husband, as she died the following year. Her maiden name was Hannah M. Rife, and her father, Henry Rife, who by occupation was a farmer, was one of the heroes of the War of 1812, in the infantry service, and died soon after the termina- tion of hostilities, as the result of the hardships and privations he endured. Abraham F. Roddy was a man of great benevolence and sympathy towards those less fortunately situated than him- self. Many a person did he aid and encourage, smoothing the difficulties in his pathway, and, besides his innumerable quiet acts of assistance and kindness, he was a liberal contributor to Mount St. Mary's College and other Catholic institutions.
Of the five sons and four daughters that com- prised the family of Abraham F. Roddy and wife, the eldest, Hugh, is a farmer of this locality; ing horses; Abraham is a member of the Trade Exchange of Kansas City, Mo., and is a con- tractor and builder of importance; Daniel F. is the owner and manager of large and valuable lime-stone quarries and kilns for burning lime in this section; Catherine is unmarried and keeps house for her brother, Frank A .; Margaret is the wife of Henry Eckenrode, a farmer of this dis- trict; Annie married Vincent Sebold, a well- known attorney of Emmitsburg. (See his sketelı, which appears upon another page of this voltinc. )
The birth of Frank A. Roddy took place upon
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the farm now owned and cultivated by him, greatly to the general usefulness and attractive- September 6, 1863. Here liis early years were ness of the place. The fine residence stands in the midst of a beautiful lawn surrounded by grand oid trees. pleasantly passed, much of his time being given up to tlie acquisition of an education, Having completed a course of study in Mount St. Mary's College he started toward the west, and had a very enjoyable trip. Upon returning home he resumed agricultural pursuits, but the attractions of the Pacific coast were so great to his imagina- tion, that, in 1892, he once more turned his face in the direction of the setting sun, this time going out as an employe of the Suddix Develop- ment Company. On account of illness in his family he was obliged to return home within a few months, and upon the death of his father the young man bought the farm and settled up the estate, as he had been appointed administrator of the same. He plainly proved his good financial ability in the adjustment of his father's affairs, and in the management of his independent enter- prises he has been equally methodical and suc- cessful. He employs several hands to carry on the actual work of the farm, which is a model one, and improved with a substantial brick dwell- ing house and other buildings. As previously mentioned, his sister Catherine keeps house for him, as he was never married. Following in the footsteps of his father, he votes the Democratic ticket and adheres to the same religious faith. Among his friends and neighbors he bears an enviable reputation for integrity and fairness in all his dealings.
12 COLUMBUS KEMP, a leading agriculturist of Frederick County, was born upon the same homestead that he now operates. This fine place, now known by the name of Rocky Springs but formerly called Peace and Plentiful, is situated about a mile northwest of Frederick and it has been in the possession of this family for five gene- rations. As the years have rolled away the origi- 11al acreage has been steadily increased and numerous valuable improvements have added
The first to settle upon this farm was Conrad Kemp, a native of Germany, born upon the Rhine. He located here in the early part of the seventeenth century, having been accompanied to America by his three brothers. The land was a part of the original Daniel Dulaney tract granted by one of the Lords Baltimore. The old stone mansion was built over a century ago and an old still-house, still in fair preservation, was erected by the grandfather of our subject. Gilbert, son of Conrad Kemp, and great-grandfather of our subject, was an extensive land owner of Frederick County and was appointed by General Washing- ton to lay off some building lots, now in the city of Washington. His son, Frederick, grandfather of our subject, was born on this homestead, which he operated. He was a prominent man in the county and was actively identified with the Re- formed Church. His wife was Dorothy Hershi- berger prior to their marriage, and of their four children Abraham died in Frederick; Joseph went to Germantown, Ohio: Gilbert went to Missouri and had sons in the Union army during the war; and David completed the family.
David Kemp, father of D. C. Kemp, was born and followed farming upon this old homestead during his entire life. He was a director in the Farmers' and Mechanics' National Bank and was president of the meeting called for the purpose of promoting the plan for the building of the Monte- view turnpike, which was to be a fine pike built by the neighborhood by the donation of labor and money. He was a man of broad and generous principle, being a true friend to the poor and needy and always ready and glad to aid otliers whom he deemed worthy. In politics he was first a Whig and later a Democrat, and would never accept public office. In religious affairs lie was extremely interested and active, and was a meni- ber of the Reformed Church of his neighborliood long before they had a church building in whichi to worship, and meetings were consequently hield in his own house. He was influential in securing
-
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Dr. Zacharias as pastor of this church and was an official for years and organized the first Sull- day-school. He also aided materially in the building of the United Brethren Church. During the war he was a strong Union man and at all times he was to be relied upon to uphold good government, law and order. Death put an end to his labors in 1869 and he was buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery.
The wife of David Kemp bore the maiden name of Ruth Laken, her father being Daniel Laken, whose home was in the neighborhood of Jefferson, Frederick County. She survived her husband but two years, dying in 1871. She was of Eng- lish descent and was an Episcopalian in religious belief. Her children were four in number, viz .: Sarah, wife of Abram Adams, then of this county, now in the vicinity of Baltimore; Henrietta, Mrs. E. L. Cramer, of Frederick; M. Ellen, wife of Joseph Noonan, now deceased; and D. C., of this article.
Our subject was born February 2, 1841, on the farm which he now owns, and after leaving the schools of this county he entered the famous old Frederick College, from which many of the best citizens of this portion of the state have graduated. At the age of twenty-eight he started out to make his own way in the world, and at the death of his father he purchased the old home place. He has succeeded as a business man and is to-day a wealthy man. He owns three hundred and thirty- eight acres in the. homestead where he lives and has another place of one hundred acres, called White Rock, this tract of land lying on the Catoc- tin Mountains. Among his associates he stands very high and his opinion on agricultural affairs is considered authority. He has been the presi- dent of the Frederick County Agricultural Society and Farmers' Institute. Various concerns have received his assistance and he has large sums of money invested in different enterprises. Since 1867 he has been identified with the Democratic party. Religiously he follows the faith of his forefathers and is connected with the Reformed Church.
In 1879 Mr. Kemp married Annie S. Walcott, daughter of Harrison Walcott, of Columbus, Ohio.
Her mother died when she was quite small and she went to live with her grandparents. Her grandfather, Jacob Slyh, was one of the foremost farmers of Loudoun County, Va. The three children born to our subject and wife are: Amy R., who was educated in the Woman's College in Frederick; D. Chester, connected with the Ramsburg Carriage Works on South Market street, Frederick; and Harrison N., at home.
LARENCE O. TOWLES. In Frostburg, where he now resides, Mr. Towles was
) born October 22, 1866, the son of Jason L. and Josephine (Conrad) Towles. His father, who was born in Rockingham County, Va., re- moved to West Virginia at an early age, but af- terward to Maryland and settled in Frostburg, where he has since made his home. By trade a shoemaker, he has followed this occupation throughout his entire active life. In his family there are two sons and one daughter, namely: Clarence O .; William H., who is manager of a branch photographic gallery in Cumberland; and Glencora, wife of L. W. Wood, of Frostburg.
The eldest of the children is the subject of this sketch. He was educated in the local schools, but at an early age he began to earn his own livelihood and his studies were on that account discontinued. When about thirteen years of age he began to work in the Mount Savage brick yards, where he spent two years. His next em- ployment was in West Virginia, where he spent a year, making his home meantime with rela- tives and working in the vicinity of Grafton. On his return to his native town he secured work in the coal mines, where he remained for five years. His leisure hours, through few, were used to such good purpose that he became the possessor of a broad fund of general information.
After attaining his majority he began to study photography in the studio of his uncle, E. E. Conrad, of Frostburg, with whom he spent a year, learning the rudiments of the art. He then
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entered the Gallery School of Photography at Youngstown, Olio, under a contract for two years, at a nominal salary. Within three weeks he was given charge of the retouching depart- ment and was appointed assistant operator. By the exercise of native talent and by close appli- cation he made such excellent progress that at the expiration of the first year his employer and pre- ceptor, considering his education in the art com- plete, could not conscientiously ask bim to fulfil his contract for the entire time, and therefore re- leased him from the obligation. In September, 1889, he opened a studio at Lonaconing, Md., where he remained for one year, and then bought a studio at Frostburg, still, however, continuing the Lonaconing gallery as a branch. In June of 1893 he opened a branch studio at No. 6512 North Center street, Cumberland, which bas since been carried on, being since 1896 under the supervision of his brother, William H.
In politics Mr. Towles has taken an active interest in public affairs, but has never sought office, contenting himself with the casting of a straight Republican vote. January 7, 1891, he married Anna, daugliter of Evan Jones, of Youngstown, Ohio. They are the parents of three children, Clarence R., Helen Ione and Gladys.
As an artist Mr. Towles has gained a reputa- tion that renders special mention of his work un- necessary. He has demonstrated the fact that photography is something more than mechanical art and that artistic genuis, as well as mechanical skill, is requisite to a high degree of success as a photographer. He has acquired a skill second to none and is practically without a rival in this locality. His success has come as a natural and logical result of artistic genius, painstaking and scrupulous effort to please his patrons, and an in- telligent method of calling the attention of the public to ltis work. His displays are artistic in arrangement and well calculated to attract atten- tion to the superior quality of his work. He was the winner of two gold medals at the annual national competitive exltibit of photograpliers, held in St. Louis, Mo., in 1894; and won second prize in New York City in 1896 in a competition
for prizes offered by the Wilson Photographers' Magazine, the official organ of the profession in that city. He also received first award at the Tri-State Agricultural Fair, held at Cumberland in 1896. He is an enthusiastic student of his art, and is not satisfied to rest on laurels already won, but by the ceaseless application of new methods and principles, keeps up with the progress inci- dent to this age. His studies, however, are not confined to his art, but by a systematic course of reading he has acquired a fund of general inform- ation that more than compensates for his lack of educational advantages in youth. By systemat- ically devoting a certain amount of time each day to reading, he lias developed and cultivated his literary taste, and has become well informed.
HOMAS H. LAYMAN, member of the board of county commissioners of Garrett County, is one of the progressive farmers of this section and resides upon his father's for- mer homestead, situated on the National pike. Here he engages in raising the cereals to which the soil is adapted. Through his energy and perseverance he has maintained the high standard of improvement instituted by his father and has also made a number of important im- provements additional and has the construction of a good, new, commodious residence under way. Politically he is a firm Republican, always supporting party principles. In 1893 he was elected a county commissioner and two years later was re-elected, being made chairman of the board during his last term.
Mr. Layman was born near Grantsville, in 1853, and is a son of George L. and Henrietta (McKenzey) Layman. His father, who was born in Western Port, Allegany County, devoted liis attention to farming for many years, but at the time of liis death he was proprietor of the Tremont Hotel in Cumberland. His political faith brought him into sympathy with the Demo-
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FRANK T. ELLIOTT.
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cratic party. In 1858 he was elected sheriff of Allegany County and served in that capacity for two years. He died in ISS7, when he was fifty- six years of age. He was a son of Daniel B. Layman, who was born in Allegany County, engaged in business as proprietor of Hotel West- ern Port for a number of years, and died in that town. Our subject's mother died at the old homestead in the year 1853, leaving an only child, Thomas H .; another child having died in infancy.
Little of special importance marked the boy- hood years of our subject. His youth was passed in attendance at school and work on the farm. On his father's death he became proprie- tor of the homestead and here he has since re- sided, giving his attention to the cultivation of the land. Some of his property has come to him by inheritance, but he deserves credit in that he has increased his holdings by excellent manage- ment and the exercise of sound judgment. In 1873 he married Elizabeth Pope, daughter of Philip Pope, and a resident of this county. They are the parents of three children, Charles Comp- ton, Winfield Scott and Maggie Louisa. The family are identified with the Methodist Episco- pal Church, in the work of which they take an active part.
RANK T. ELLIOTT, county commissioner of Washington County, was elected to this responsible and honored position in the fall of 1897 on the Democratic ticket, and is undoubt- edly just the inan for the office. No one stands higher as a citizen in this locality, and no one has more at heart the best interests of the people than he. At the same time he has never been an aspirant to political honors, and the suggestion of his becoming a candidate for this office came as a great surprise to him, as it was entirely un- solicited. For eleven years he was the efficient postmaster at the town of Welsh Run, Pa., his appointment being given him by President
Arthur. He continued in the position through Cleveland's administration and until Harrison had been in power three years. He was then super- seded by I,. R. Steck, and at the close of a year was once more placed in charge of affairs. There he remained until he left the town in 1894. His record as an official is clean and creditable, and not even his enemies, should he happen to have any. can find anything at which to cavil.
A son of Jacob and Nancy B. (Ensminger) Elliott, our subject was born in Franklin County, Pa., March 26, 1854. His parents were both likewise natives of the Keystone state. The father was the proprietor of a hotel for much of his life. Up to the time of his death he made his home with the family of our subject, and died June 28, 1896, in his seventy-fourth year. His loved wife died in 1896, aged about seventy-two years They were both members of the German Baptist Church for long years. Their only daughter, Catherine, is the wife of Samuel Myers, of Mercersburg, Pa.
Since he was a lad of fourteen years Frank T. Elliott has been engaged in merchandising in one capacity or another. He carried on a general store in Welsh Run for twelve years, dealing in dry goods, clothing, notions, drugs, etc. In January, 1894, he bought out the interest of T. F. Bayer, of the firm of Barnhardt & Bayer, of this city, and since that time has succeeded to the whole business. He carries a good line of groceries, china and glassware, willowware, etc., and has built up a very large and lucrative business. This is the leading grocery in the place, and is the only one running two delivery wagons. The good judgment and executive ability of Mr. Elliott are the result of long ex- perience in the business and an exact knowledge of the needs and wishes of his patrons, whom he ever seeks to please in every manner. He is well liked, is obliging and courteous, and has won the high regard of the public of Hagers- town.
June 14, 1880, the marriage of Mr. Elliott and Mary A. Hacker, of Lititz, Pa., was solemnized, and to their union six children have been born, viz .: Charlotte, Nancy, Frank, John, James and
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Mary. Mrs. Elliott holds membership with the ment of the farm, and from its fertile fields each German Reformed Church. She is a daughter of John and Charlotte (Tome) Hacker, who are prominent people of Lancaster County, Pa.
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F EORGE W. FRAZEE, a well-known and thoroughly respected citizen of Selbysport District, Garrett County, is a native of this vicinity, his birth having occurred here about half a century ago. From his early recollections he has been closely identified with the upbuild- ing and progress of this portion of the county and has taken an active interest in local iniprove- ments and in every measure calculated to pro- mote the welfare of his fellow-citizens.
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