USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Sixth congressional district, Maryland V. 1 > Part 54
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The youngest son of Isaac and Chrystiann Fra- zee, born in 1848, George W. Frazee is a worthy representative of one of the pioneer families of western Maryland. His ancestors were sturdy, industrious business men and tillers of the soil, noted for honesty, justice and fairness in their treatment of one and all, and were of the stamp of men who give character to any community which is fortunate enough to boast of them as citizens. Our subject was reared to manhood on his father's homestead near Selbysport, and such education as he possesses was acquired in the public schools of the neighborhood, this having been supplemented in later years by private study and reading and the knowledge which comes to all from observation and experience in the world of business. Hecontinued to live under the par- ental roof until he was grown, and then he as- sumed charge of the place, running it success- fully for eight years. During this period he was the owner of the farm, which in ISSS he dis- posed of to financial advantage, and invested the proceeds in liis present fine place. This farm, long known as the George Matthews' homestead, is situated conveniently near Selbysport, and is considered one of the most valuable county homes in this section. For ten years Mr. Frazee has devoted much care and attention to the improve-
year garners a golden harvest. He makes a specialty of raising and fattening cattle and live stock for the markets, and, in addition to his regular farming, has operated a sawmill and en- gaged in cutting lumber to some extent. In 1892 he purchased part of the old Dr. Frye farm, and now owns altogether about one hundred and sixty-five acres.
In 1878 Mr. Frazee married Miss Adelie Van Horn, of Pennsylvania, whose father, Alexander Van Horn, is a prominent citizen of the Keystone state. Three daughters and one son grace the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frazee, their names in order of birth being: Sallie Jane, Allie M., Donald and Cecelia (the two last-mentioned be- ing twins). The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and for nine years Mr. Frazee has been an officer in the con- gregation, steward, trustee or superintendent of the Sunday-school. He takes great interest in religious and charitable enterprises and does whatever is in his power to advance the cause of righteousness. He is affiliated with the Republi- can party, but has never been ambitious of hold- ing public positions, preferring to simply do his full duty as a citizen and voter.
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2 OBERT P. CASEY. There are few of the residents of Allegany County who are not personally acquainted with the gentleman who holds and efficiently fills the office of sheriff. As an official he is keen, shrewd, prompt in action, accurate in judgment and far-seeing as to results. Much of his life has been passed at Cumberland, where, first as a business man, he built up a reputation for reliability and integrity, and, later as a public officer, he proved himself worthy of a public trust.
In the city of Baltimore Mr. Casey was born May 28, 1859, the son of Abraliam and Elizabeth (Plummer) Casey, also natives of Maryland.' About 1869 the family removed to Mount Savage,
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Allegany County, where the father secured em- ployment as a blacksmith in the shops of the Cumberland & Pennsylvania Railroad, and that position he continued to fill until 1875, re- signing at that tinte to accept the office of tax collector for the third district. He served in the latter capacity for four years and was known as an active and reliable officer. His death occurred August 12, 1895, when he was seventy-four years of age.
The parental family consisted of four sons and two daughters, namely: Robert P .; Alfred, who is employed by the American Brake Company, in St. Louis, Mo .; Joseph, who is connected with the Standard Oil Company, at Ellerslie, Allegany County; William, who works in the steel works at Pittsburg; Emma, wife of David Barrett, of Piedmont, W. Va .; and Mary E., who married Samuel Nightingale, of Lonaconing, Md. Under the instruction of his father, our subject learned the blacksmith's trade, and at the age of nine- teen lie was given work in the blacksmith's de- partment of the Cumberland & Pennsylvania Railroad at Altoona, Pa., where he remained for two and one-half years. He then went to Hun- tingdon, Pa., as assistant foreman in the car shops of Blair Brothers, remaining in that posi- tion for nine months. When his father resigned as blacksmith in the shops at Mount Savage, he returned to that place and succeeded to the posi- tion, holding the same until his election as sheriff. Like his father, he is an ardent supporter of Re- publican principles and always votes for the candidates of his party. Upon that ticket he was nominated for sheriff in 1898 and in the election that followed was triumpliant over his opponent.
Fraternally Mr. Casey is a member of Temple Lodge No. 154, A. F. & A. M., in which he has filled all of the offices, and he is also past master of Olir Chapter No. 126, R. A. M., at Frostburg. In former years lie was identified with other fraternities, but continues ltis membership only in the Masonic. For years he was librarian of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday-school, and that department of the church work has always re- ceived his sympathy and help. July 4, 1880, lie married Amelia Webb, who was born and reared
at Mount Savage, the home of her father, Zacha- riah Webb. The children born of their union are Anna, Argelia and Ellen.
ON. CHRISTIAN J. OTTO, member of the state legislature in 1895-97 and since 1892 a member of the state central Repub- lican committee, is one of the well-known busi- ness men of New Germany, Grantsville District, Garrett County. In 1880 he purchased his pres- ent home, known as the Jolin Ogg farm, and consisting of two hundred and twenty-eight acres, upon which he has since made many im- provements and which he devotes to general farming purposes. He began in the lumber busi- ness in 1885, at which time he built a mill near his residence. In 1892 the mill was destroyed by fire, but he rebuilt the same year, and has since engaged in the manufacture of lumber, lath and shingles, turning out more than five hundred thousand feet per year.
In the settlement near where he resides Mr. Otto was born in 1848, being a son of Jacob J. and Maria (Shetler) Otto, natives of Germany. His father, on coming to this country, settled in Somerset County, Pa., but after a sojourn there of two years removed to Maryland, locating near Bittinger, Garrett County. After a few years he bought the farm now occupied by Jacob Fresh, and here he remained until his death, by his in- dustry taking rank among the best farmers ofthe community. . At the time of his death, in 1870, he was sixty-nine years of age. In religion he was of the Amish faith. His wife died at our subject's home when she was eighty-four years of age. They were the parents of ten children, of whom seven are still living, namely: Daniel J., who lives in Somerset County, Pa .; Rebecca, wife of Charles H. Durst; Mary, Mrs. Samuel Brenneman; Annie, Mrs. Jacob Freslı; Catherine, widew of Charles Warnick; Helena, wife of A. Warnick; and Christian J.
After having received his education, our sub-
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ject took charge of the home farm and remained its manager until his father's death, after whichi he continued with his brother-in-law, Jacob Fresh, for five years. In 1880 he left the home place and bought the farm where he has since resided. Since then he has devoted his atten- tion to agriculture and the milling business, in which, solely through his own exertions, he lias met with success. Prominent politically, he is a local leader in the Republican party and is one of its leading representatives in his county. Dur- ing the period of his service in the legislature he served as a member of the committees on educa- tion and engrossing, and assisted in securing the passage of bills looking to the advancement of the interests of his constituents. He is a men- ber of the Royal Arcanum at Frostburg. For twenty years he has been an elder in the Re- formed Church, and for twenty-four successive years has officiated as Sunday-school superin- tendent, also for two years was president for Garrett County of the Maryland Sunday-school Association. January 8, 1874, he married Miss Clara Viola, daughter of Andrew Arendt, of Frederick, Md. They are the parents of seven children living, namely: Naomi, Althea May, Myrtie Viola, Samuel Lewis, Rosaline, Pearl and Edna Ruth. One child, named Becky Jane, died at the age of three years and two months.
( AMES HUGHES. After many years of active service as a business man of Western Port, Mr. Hughes retired to private life and is now passing the twilight of his existence in his pleasant home, on Cemetery hill, whichi lie built thirty-one years ago. Almost his entire life has been spent in Maryland. He was born in the city of Baltimore, December 29, 1825, and is the son of James and Saralı (Jones) Hughes, botli natives of Maryland. His maternal grand- parents were born in Pennsylvania, while his paternal grandfather was a native of Baltimore County. James Hughes, Sr., who was a market
gardener by occupation, was the proprietor of a garden in East Baltimore, within the city limits, and followed his chosen occupation until late in life, when failing health forced him to abandon work. During the War of 1812, when the British attempted to land upon American shores, he enlisted in the service, and fought in the battle of Bladensburg. He died in Baltimore when ad- vanced in years.
Twice married, James Hughes, Sr., had four children by his first marriage, and nine by his second wife. Three sons survive: James and Michael (twins), the latter a retired carpenter and pattern-maker, living in Baltimore; and Robert, who is a plumber, also residing in Baltimore. Our subject was educated in the common schools of his native city. At the age of about nineteen he entered the machine shops of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad at Mont Clare, where he served an apprenticeship of four years to the machinist's trade. After the completion of his time he went to Alabama, where he worked at his trade in Montgomery, but after two years he returned to the old home, securing employment in the Ross Winans engine works. One year later he took a position in the Baltimore & Ohio shops, where he remained until the building of the road through to Wheeling, the machine shops being then removed to Piedmont. To that place he was sent as assistant to William Louthers, master meclianic of the shops. Several years were spent in that place, after which he went to Lona- coning as master mechanic of the George Creek Coal and Iron Company. When the company sold out; in 1862, he returned to Piedmont. In 1865, in company with Joseph Craumer, he established the foundry now conducted by White, Gleason & Co., at Western Port, and this enter- prise they carried on for five years, when Mr. Hughes sold out to his partner. He then engaged in the grist and feed business, operating a mill for fifteen years, and then turning it over to liis son, who still conducts the business. Since March of 1892 he has lived in retirement, with 110 cares other than those connected with the management of liis estate.
In politics Mr. Hughes is a pronounced Repub-
4 77- 478
CLAYTON M. ZIMMERMAN.
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lican, and fraternally he is connected with the this period he became well-off in this world's Independent Order of Odd Fellows. July 11, goods, as a direct result of the energy and appli- 1854, he married Mary C., the daughter of Jacob and Susanna (Gepliart) Wiest, and a native of Frederick, Md. They became the parents of seven children now living, namely: Jacob W., who is engaged in the milling business at West- ern Port; Mary M .; Allie V., wife of R. M. Williams; James F., a machinist located at St. Louis, Mo .; Jolin T., who follows the machinist's trade at Princeton, Ind .; Antoinette and Fan- nie G. cation to business which he manifested. He had started out a poor boy, but few men in this county were more successful than he, for at his death he was the owner of several improved farme and much other property, In 1888 he re- tired from active business, though still looking after his property interests, and, having built a beautiful home in the town of Mount Pleasant, passed in comfort and restful quiet his last years, dying March 9, 1894, at the ripe age of sixty-four years.
LAYTON M. ZIMMERMAN, one of the most enterprising young agriculturists of Mount Pleasant District, Frederick County, is the proprietor of the fine homestead known as Auburn farm, it being situated about five miles north of the city of Frederick. He is a thoroughly practical farmer, having been familiar with every detail of work pertaining to the proper manage- ment of a farm since he was a mere youth. Though he was an only son, and his father was perfectly willing and desirous of giving him a financial start in life, he was of too independent a spirit to accept such assistance, and chose rathier to "paddle his own canoe," as he was confident that he could make a way for himself. His judgment was entirely correct on the matter, and with brave and manly determination he set forth from the parental home, and from the very first was successful, as he deserved, for he was honest, industrious and methodical, giving his earnest attention to everything which he undertook to carry through.
Ephraim I. Zimmerman, father of the above, was born on the old Manor farm, where he passed his early life. At twenty-seven he settled upon the farm called the Retreat, and there made his home for six years, after which he became the owner of another farm. This homestead, located next the one now occupied by Charles E. Crum, was the scene of twenty-seven years of labor and effort of Mr. Zimmerman, and during
The love and respect in which he was held by all who had ever known him was abundantly manifested to his family upon this sad event, as hundreds of letters of earnest sympathy and con- dolence poured in upon them at every mail, let- ters from dozens of influential citizens who grate- fully recalled the help that had been given them when they were poor, struggling and perhaps unfriended lads, by. Mr. Zimmerman, who had always been the happiest and seemingly most in his element at times when he found it in his power to aid others. He was a prominent worker in the Reformed Church, and was one of the most generous contributors to its upbuilding and maintenance. He was a prime mover in . securing the new church building in Mount Pleasant, and for a number of years served as an elder and officer in the congregation. In his early life he was associated with the church at old Glade, and later, as previously mentioned, was connected with the one in Mount Pleasant, which he helped to organize. In his political sentiment he was a stanch Republican, and during the war he was a loyal Union man. He spent several thousand dollars in sending substitutes to the front, and in other ways aiding his country. The cause of education was one dear to his heart, as was every other worthy matter, and he acted as school
commissioner for years. Although often solic- ited to do so, he never would accept any other public position, as he was quite retiring in dispo- sition, and had nothing of the politician about him. His father, Henry, had come to America from England in company with three brothers,
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and he took up his abode in Frederick County. Here he passed the remainder of his life, and in time he possessed numerous farins in this section scattered along between Fliger's Mill and Jeffer- son. The wife of Ephraim Zimmerman was Maria E., daughter of Peter Thomas, of an old and prominent family in this county. The only children of this union were the subject of this sketch and his sister, Hester C., who is unmar- ried and lives with her widowed mother in Mount Pleasant. To his family Ephraim Zimmerman left a legacy far better than wealth, though he also left them a goodly fortune, an honored and unblemished name and a record for nobleness and integrity that is rarely surpassed. Hundreds of his old associates and neighbors and friends cher- ish his memory, and one and all have but the kindliest recollections of him.
Clayton M. Zimmerman was born on the place called the Retreat, a farm in this district, June 27, 1867, and was brought up on the homestead located between Mount Pleasant and Walkers- ville. He received a good education in the schools of Mount Pleasant, and upon attaining his majority started out upon his own account. For six years he rented the old home farm of his father, and, on the whole, was quite successful. . Four years ago he removed to the beautiful farm Auburn, where he is to be found to-day. A fine large mansion stands in the midst of a well-kept lawn, some little distance back from the road, and beds of bright flowers, grand old shade trees and dusky evergreens, with broad spaces of sun- lighted sward, make a picture fit for the artist, and one that delights the eyes of the beholder. Here Bradley Johnson once dwelt, and here several noted physicians and citizens have made their home, and at one time the place was owned by C. M. Lewis, whose sketch appears in another portion of this volume. By the aid of a wind- mill water is forced into fountains on the lawn, and to all parts of the house and into the barn- yard for the stock. In addition to this place, Mr. Zimmerman owns several other valuable farms in the vicinity, and gives employment to a number of hands. Like his honored father he is a true and tried Republican, and is not an office-
seeker. In the church he has taken up the work where his senior laid it down, and is one of the most earnest and valued members of the Mount Pleasant congregation.
In 1887 Mr. Zimmerman married Myra Beattie Heberlig. Her father, Adamı Heberlig, is a leading farmer of Cumberland County, Pa. Two sons and three daughters have been born to our subject and wife, viz .: Oda Helen, Clayborne M., Ephraim Bion, Ethel May and Elizabeth Cecelia.
ILLIAM G. MILLER, proprietor of the Maryland Hotel, at Lonaconing, was born in Bloomington, Allegany (then Garrett County, Md., May 6, 1863, and is the son of Samuel and Rebecca (Sheriff) Miller, also na- tives of the same locality. His boyhood years were spent in farm work and in the acquirement of an education. At the age of seventeen he left home and secured employment as a farm laborer, working in that capacity until 1873, when he took a position as clerk in the store of Sloan & Sloan at Ocean, Allegany County, and remained for three years in that connection. Believing he might secure more profitable employment in the west, he took a trip to Missouri, where lie en- gaged in farm work for one season, and then went still further west, settling in Parsons, Kan., where he had a brother, Charles M., who was foreman in the Missouri Pacific Railroad shops. There he learned the trade of a machinist and re- mained for two years. -
Going back to his native county, Mr. Miller took charge of the home farm at Mount Savage, but after a year he embarked in the mercantile business, forming a partnership with J. T. Miller. his brother, with whom he continued for three years. In 1889 he opened a general mercantile business of his own on Main street, and later bought the store building. He started on a small scale, with limited capital and stock, but as time passed by his profits enabled him to in- crease the stock, and he met with success. In
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1895 he sold the store and goods, disposing of the latter at auction, and retired from the busi- ness. At the same time he began the erection of the hotel whieli he has since conducted. In ad- dition to carrying it on he has been interested in a livery business for ten years, and this is now conducted in connection with the hotel. He as- sisted in the organization of the Miners' and Mer- chants' Bank at Lonaconing and has aided other local enterprises.
September 7, 1892, occurred the marriage of Mr. Miller to Christina Warnick, daughter of Charles Warnick, a resident of New Germany, Garrett County, Md., and for years one of the most influential farmers of that section of the state. The two children of Mr. and Mrs. Miller are C. Gilbert and Lola Marguerite.
The political affiliations of Mr. Miller are with the Republican party, of whose principles he is a stanchi supporter. He has never souglit office for himself, but has aided his friends who have been candidates for official positions. At various times lie has served as clerk of elections. In fraternal relations he is a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, the Knights of Honor and Improved Order of Hep- tasophs. He takes commendable pride in Lona- coning and supports every movement looking to the material advancement of the place. He is now the possessor of a competency that numbers him among the substantial citizens of his com- munity.
9 OHN B. SHANNON came to Frostburg in 1888 and purchased the business of Hurley, Sloan & Co., at No. 7 Main street, forming a. partnership with James M. and David Sloan and the late William R. Percy, under the firm name of J. B. Shannon & Co. Since then the business has been enlarged from time to time, in order to meet the requirements of customers and the increased patronage given the firm. In the store are carried a complete assortment of
shoes and shoe findings, also hats and caps, gloves and mittens, umbrellas, trunks, etc.
The birth of our subject, occurred November 7, 1864, at Springfield, Hampshire County, W. Va., in the house where his father, Benjamin F., was born in 1821, and his grandfather, Andrew Shannon, was also born in the same building. The family is of Irish extraction. Benjamin F., son of Andrew and Mary Shannon, has long been active in public affairs and since 1862 has hield the office of justice of the peace in the Springfield District. Though now eighty-one years of age, he is still liale and robust. In 1842 he married Hannah C., daughter of Jeremiah and Maria Chadwick, of Kentucky, Their children were named as follows: Mary E. and Jeremiah C., de- ceased; James A., living at Meridian, Sutter County, Cal .; William W., who was a prominent contractor of his native village and also held high rank in Masonry, but died June 12, 1897; Anna, wife of George W. Chesshire, who is connected with the Baltimore & Ohio shops at Keyser, W. Va .: Robert L., of California; and John B.
By attending the public schools and also en- joying private instruction from Rev. T. G. Nevitt, of Springfield, our subject obtained a good education. At the age of fifteen he began to teach, which employment he followed for two years in Hampshire County. His next employ- inent was as salesman in the dry-goods store of Shepherd & Annan, who had stores at Cumber- land and Keyser. Afterwards, for two years, lie was salesman with the wholesale dry-goods firm of Howett, Warner & Co., at No. 731 Market street, Philadelphia. From there he came to Frostburg in 1888 and he has since engaged in business here. While he has never souglit po- litical preferment, yet his influence is always used for the Democratie party and he is an un- swerving adherent to its principles. Fraternally he is connected witli the Knights of Pythias. He is a young man, yet he has already accomplished much. Starting without influence or money, by merit and industry he has obtained a position of prestige in the business world. In whatever po- sition he has been placed, in whatever duty he lias been called upon to perform, in all his busi-
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ness relations, liis course lias been one of honor; and the bright prospects that seem to await his future efforts are the legitimate results of his honesty and determination of purpose.
ILLIAM H. SHIPLEY, a prominent and wealthy citizen of Frederick, is a self- made man in every sense of the word, as he has been largely dependent upon himself since the death of his father, when he was a little lad of nine years. He is connected with several building and loan associations, is a member of the Junior Fire Company of Frederick and is first lieutenant of the First Regiment of Mary- land National Guards. In politics he is a Den:o- crat, and, with the exception of two years, 1878 and 1879, when he was a member of the city council, has never held public office. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, the Heptasophs, the Senior Order of American Me- chanics and the Royal Arcanum.
Born in 1843 on his father's farm on the Balti- more pike, about five miles from Frederick, W. H. Shipley is a son of Joshua and Margaret (Spotseller ) Shipley, both natives of New Market District, Frederick County. The father was a farnier during nearly his whole lifetime, and 110 one was more highly respected in the community than he. On the maternal side our subject's grandfather, Jacob Spotseller, took part in the War of 1812. The paternal grandfather was born in England, and settled in America at an. also gives employment to from six to a dozen early day. Joshua Shipley was a faithful ment- ment. The bottling works are now the largest of the kind in this portion of the state, and show the result of the business ability of the owner, who, by his energy and industry, has built up this remunerative concern. ber of the Methodist Church, and politically was a Democrat. His wife was a daughter of Jacob Spotseller, wlio was a shoemaker in his younger days, later giving his time to farming. To Joshua and Margaret Shipley five children were born. Eliza is the wife of Luther N. Ebrick, who is the owner of a meat market in this city; John J. is a veterinary surgeon in Frederick; Joshua F. died in 1852 and was buried by the side of his father in the old family graveyard in New Market.
After the death of his father, William H. Shipley assisted his mother in making a liveli- hood for the younger children until the breaking out of the war, He enlisted in the Confederate army under "Stonewall" Jackson and partici- pated in twenty-seven of the fiercest battles of the late war, his bravery and fidelity to the duties assigned him being above question. Among many others, he was in the conflicts at South Mountain, Antietam and Gettysburg. In the last-named battle he received seven bullet wounds, being shot in the side and lower limbs, and was taken prisoner and for twenty-five months was confined in West Building Hospital in Baltimore. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant after the battle of Gettysburg.
Returning at length to Frederick, Mr. Shipley obtained a position in the brickyard of James Whitehall as foreman. Here he was also head bookkeeper and manager for nineteen years, after he had mastered the science of keeping books. He saw the necessity of knowledge in this direction, and with great perseverance took up the study by himself and became thoroughly proficient in it in a short time. Twenty-three years ago he commenced in a small way the business which has since grown to large pro- portions, that of bottling beer, porter, ale and soft drinks. In 1875 he bought the property on which his plant is located, No. 243 North Market street, and now has a finely equipped establishi- ment. He deals in goods in both wholesale and retail quantities, and keeps six or seven wagons running to supply the needs of the trade. He
In September, 1872, Mr. Shipley married Mary E., daughter of Frederick Kittler, who was a brewer here for years and was a native of Germany. The following are the children born to our subject and wife: Charles F. and George William, both in business with their father: Frank, still attending school; Fannie Eliza, wife
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FRANKLIN BUCHANAN SMITH, M. D.
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