USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Sixth congressional district, Maryland V. 2 > Part 13
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The early life of our subject was spent in Thurmont with his sister, Mrs. Mary E. Freeze. He attended public and private schools, and the Mechanicstown Academy. At the age of eight- een he started out for himself. He learned the trade of a saddler and harness-maker with his In 1883 Colonel Rouzer was appointed county school commissioner, but declined the position. For a number of years he was commissioner and treasurer of the town board of Thurmont. Since the organization of the Mechanicstown Water Company he has been vice-president of the same. For over twenty years he has been a trustee in the public school board of Thurmont. Frater- nally he is connected with the Grand Army of the Republic. He has served many years in the council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Thurmont, also as an officer of the Sabbath school of said church. brother-in-law, Joseph Freeze, whose shop he later bought and continued to operate for some years. At the outbreak of the war he espoused the cause of the Union and August 19, 1862, en- listed in Company D, Sixth Maryland Infantry, as first lieutenant of his company; later he was made captain and twice was brevetted for merit- orious service. The Sixth was one of the three hundred regiments in the Union army that won an enviable record for valor. He was made first lieutenant August 23, 1862; was promoted May 1, 1863, to be captain of Company B, same regi- ment, and later was brevetted major, the promo- The home of Colonel Rouzer is in Thurmont (formerly known as Mechanicstown), which has been his place of residence through practically his entire life. May 7, 1866, he married Harriet E. Willhide, daughter of Capt. Joseph Willhide. She died twenty-two months after their marriage. and her only child died when four months old. tion being made for gallant conduct at the battle of Winchester September 19, 1864. He was wounded in the battle of the Wilderness May 5, 1864. He was brevetted lieutenant-colonel for gallant service, and took part in many of the most important engagements of the war. He was once captured, at Winchester, Va., Sep- In 1871 Colonel Rouzer married Julia, a sister of
tember 19, 1864, and for four months remained in Libby, Danville and Salisbury prisons, after which he was exchanged. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged, June 20, 1865, and returned to his old home.
On returning to Thurmont Colonel Rouzer re- sumed the business he had left at the time of his enlistment. He was appointed postmaster March 19, 1869, by the postmaster-general, Hon. John A. J. Creswell. He continued in that capacity until he was elected register of wills of Frederick County, in November, 1873. After six years in the latter position he retired from office and turned his attention to farming and private business. Politically he was first a Whig and later a Republican. In 1867 he was elected to the state legislature and again in 1894, 1896 and 1898. During each term he was a leading mem- ber of the house and assisted in the workings of various committees. He was one of Senator Wellington's strongest supporters for the sena- torial nomination. He is a fearless advocate of whatever he believes to be just and right. He served as a member of the committee on organi- zation, and as chairman of the committee on militia, on manufactures, and on corporations.
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his first wife. Five children blessed the second marriage, and of the five, the living number three, one son and two daughters, namely: Mary Catherine, wife of Harry N. Brown, of Cleveland, Ohio; Sarah Margaret and Horace D., who are at home.
HOMAS HUMBERSTON, vice-president of the Citizens' National Bank and for many years one of the prominent business men of Frostburg, was born June 19, 1819, in Allegany County near the town where he now resides. The first of the name to settle in this neighbor- hood was his grandfather, Thomas, who came from the Eastern Shore and built a cabin within five miles of Frostburg, about the same time that the fort was built at Cumberland. When the Indians began to attack the pioneers and the white settlers were forced to seek refuge in the fort, instead of doing this, he and his wife returned to the old home on the Susquehanna River. Seven years later they again left the Eastern Shore and settled in Allegany County, returning to the cabin they had previously built. They found life in the new home by no means easy. The season was exceptionally cold, and on the 2d of June a snow fell that covered the ground and froze the young corn. Game was very plen- tiful and provided the family with the principal means of subsistence. Some of the wild animals were quite bold, and one night a bear killed a pig that was kept in a pen beside the cabin door.
In spite of discouragements, however, he suc- ceeded in getting a start in his new home. He raised grain, hewed timber, killed wild game and did other pioneer work. At the time of his death he was comfortably situated, having by his indus- trious efforts gained a competency. By his mar- riage to Jane Galford, of the Eastern Shore, he had a large family, of whom William, our sub- ject's father, was the youngest. From an early age he was innured to hard work. There were no schools in the neighborhood, and by his own
efforts he learned to read and write. After his father's death he succeeded to the ownership of the old homestead, and there continued to reside un- til his death. A Whig in early life, upon the or- ganization of the Republican party he became an advocate of its principles and to these he after- wards adhered. In religion he was active in the work of the Lutheran Church. In July, 1818, he married Sarah Loar, daughter of Jacob Loar, of Loartown, a weaver by trade, but during the latter part of his life the owner of a farm that he cultivated. Mr. and Mrs. Humberston became the parents of five sons and five daughters, namely: Thomas; Jane, deceased; Rebecca, the widow of William Parker and a resident of Frost- burg; Jacob, deceased; Hannah; Rachel, who mar- ried John McConnell and resides in Pennsylvania; Sarah, deceased; William, who resides in Frost- "burg; George, of Cumberland; and Salem, who was drowned in the Youghiogheny River.
In the old log cabin built by his grandfather many years before, the eyes of our subject first opened to the light. Soon afterward this prinii- tive structure was torn down and replaced by a more pretentious house. About 1848 the land was sold to the Consolidated Coal Company and is now being developed, being in the heart of the finest coal lands of the state. The education of our subject was acquired mainly by his own ap- plication, as he attended school only a short time each winter. His attention was given principally to the work of the farm, where he remained until twenty-two years of age, and afterward worked at the carpenter's trade. In October, 1847, he came to Frostburg, where he has since resided. He followed his trade in this place until 1865, when he went into the fire brick works with L. M. Gorsuch. He continued in the business until 1896, when he retired. He and I,. M. Gorsuch were the founders of the concern and it was through their ability that it was placed upon a solid footing. Through his improvement of property and in other ways, our subject has done much to advance the interests of the town.
Fraternally Mr. Humberston is the oldest living member of Frostburg Lodge No. 49, I. O. O. F., which he joined in 1851. In politics he was
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E. CHARLES RENN.
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a Whig until the disintegration of the party, since which time he has been a Republican, but he has not taken an active interest in politics. He has been a member of the Methodist Church for fifty- eight years and has served upon the official board continuously since 1848, being class-leader for the same time. It was largely due to his efforts that the fine edifice was erected in which the con- gregation worship, and he was a large contribu- tor to the building.
January 20, 1841, Mr. Humberston married Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew Lancaster, of Al- legany County. She passed from earth Septem- ber 10, 1851, mourned by all who knew her, and leaving a name and record for good deeds that cannot be surpassed. The second marriage of Mr. Humberston took place April 12, 1852, and united him with Susan L., daughter of Daniel Shafer, of Preston County, W. Va.
CHARLES RENN resides at his elegant home, Brook Lawn, about five miles southwest of Frederick City, in the county of the same name. He is the youngest son of John H. Renn, and is comparatively a young man, in the prime of life, as he was born November 25, 1860.
His father, born May 23, 1811, son of George and Catherine Renn, was of German descent, while the mother, who before her marriage was Sarah Ann Ridgley House, came of both Ger- man and English descent, each, however, being native Marylanders.
The Renns were originally among the early settlers of Pennsylvania. The first family lo- cated here in 1734, buying a tract of land, twenty-three and a-half acres, which is yet in the confines of our subject's estate; it has served five generations, being purchased by a great- uncle of the grandfather of Charles, which makes this one of the oldest families now resident of Ballenger District. Mr. Renn's mother, born April 17, 1819, was the daughter of Eli Pier-
point and Ruth ( Ridgley) House, both of whom were large landed proprietors in what is now known as the famous Middletown Valley. Many of the House family are still located in that section, while the Ridgleys have moved to the west and adjacent states.
With the marriage of Miss House and John H. Renn on October 18, 1838, by Rev. David Zacharias, of Frederick City, they became the parents of ten children, nine of whom are still living, Ruth A., the oldest, died at the age of twenty-two, two years after she became the wife of David Degrange; John L. is a retired farmer living in Frederick City; George Calvin is a farmer of Ballenger District; Sarah A. married John Degrange, a farmer of the same locality; Mary E. is the wife of George Zimmerman, a farmer of Urbana District; Emma J. married William S. Flook; and Martha Alice is the wife of David H. Rheolkey, both farmers of Petersville Dis- trici; Annie E. and Ida F. are still unmarried and live with the subject of our sketch.
With his charming helpmate, Mr. J. Renn became quite successful in his vocation, besides instilling habits of industry into the life of each child. To the tract of twenty-three and a-half acres on which he began his wedded life he made valuable accessions from time to time, until at his death he was the owner of one thousand acres of farming land, besides having other desirable securities; all of said land is still in the possession of his children, to which they have made valuable additions. After forty-six happy years together, each reaching the golden age, the husband died, December 15, 1884, leaving his wife to survive him six years ; both now rest in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Frederick.
After his father's death Charles, having a de- cided love for the farm and farm life, purchased the homestead, and here, with his widowed mother and two sisters, began life on his own responsibility, at the same time having general supervision over his mother's farm, which ad- joined his, until her death, August 25, 1890, when he also purchased it; this, with other accessions, makes his the largest farm in Bal- lenger District.
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He has since made many changes and im- provements, erecting larger and more com- modious barns and granaries, building to and remodeling his house, making it the most attract- ive as well as comfortable home in the county. It is modernly equipped throughout, being heated with hot water and provided with run- ning water, both hot and cold, in all its parts. It is two and one-half stories high, built with large bays and domes, and is partly surrounded by over one hundred and eighty lineal feet of verandas. The lawn and trees are fine and well kept; everything about the place is indicative of thrift and industry. A clear stream of water has its course through the lawn, from which the farm derives its appropriate title. He also has a cottage for the foreman, and here the number of hands employed are boarded. His mode of farming would in England term him a "gentle- man farmer," as he principally attends only to the management.
On October 20, 1897, Mr. Renn married Adah G. Easterday, a refined and accomplished lady and a classical graduate of Kee Mar College, she being a daughter of George E. and Sarah Easterday, a representative family of Jefferson, Ind.
As to a general description, Mr. Renn has a firm, resolute character, combined with a mild and pleasant disposition, always ready to meet his friends with a kind word and a smile. With this he is a man of broad ideas, deeply interested in educational matters, and is firm in his opinion that the more thorough the education the more successful the farmer, his advice to country boys being "stick to the farm." He is thoroughly conversant with the leading topics of the times; has traveled extensively, visiting nearly every state in the Union, also parts of Canada and Mexico. He is prominent in religious as well as social circles, for many years being an official in the Lutheran Church and superintendent of the Sunday-school. In politics he is an ardent Demo- crat and favors the gold standard. He has always taken a lively interest in this, but has never held an office nor been a secker for one. Several times he has been before the legislature
in order to see that certain measures for the benefit of the community had their proper hear- ing and consideration. It was due to his work and perseverance that Ballenger District was organized.
ATRICK J. GARRETT, a superintendent of the Deer Park Hotel grounds, was born near this place, in Allegany County, March 17, 1861, and is a son of Michael and Bridget (McGough) Garrett. His father, who was a native of Ireland, came to America in 1846 and settled in Baltimore, where he remained several years. From that city he removed to the western part of Maryland, becoming an early settler in Allegany County, where the remaining years of his life were passed. Politically he adhered to Democratic principles, but did not take an active part in public affairs. He attained an advanced age, dying when eighty-five. His wife passed away in 1891, when seventy-eight years of age. They were the parents of eight children, of whom six are now living, namely: Michael A., who is superintendent of Miss Mary Garrett's country home in Baltimore County; Mary E .; Annie, wife of Peter Cane, of West Virginia; William C., who is a private watchman for the Garrett es- tate in Baltimore; Patrick J .; and Thomas J., who carries on the old homestead.
A resident of this locality throughout his whole life, the subject of this sketch is well ac- quainted here and has many friends among the people with whom he has been associated. Dur- ing boyhood years he lived on a farm and at- tended a neighboring school. At the age of twenty-one he went to Oakland and learned teleg- raphy in the Baltimore & Ohio Hotel; after- ward he became general manager of this hotel, serving in that capacity seven years. In 1887 he came to Deer Park and took entire charge of the Garrett estate and the Baltimore & Ohio Hotel and grounds, having the general supervision of about four thousand acres of land, besides being superintendent of the Deer Park Land Improve-
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ment Company, which owns five hundred acres devoted to farming; also superintendent of the Frick summer home and property. Since he took charge of the park, two large buildings, the east and west annex, have been added to the main hotel, which now has accommodations for about four hundred guests. The park, which contains six hundred acres of land, is situated three thousand feet above the level of the sea; thus giving the advantage of fine, clear air; while the surrounding mountains afford a background that is picturesque and attractive. Pure spring water is supplied from the famous boiling spring. Roads have been laid out through the park, and extend- ing into the country beyond, while the hotel has all modern sanitary and sewerage improvements, to- gether with every convenience of city life. While many of the summer resorts of the east are rendered unpleasant by the swarms of mosquitoes with which they are infested, the Deer Park Hotel is absolutely free from these troublesome pests, a fact which enhances its value in the eyes of visit- ors. The air is invigorating and healthful, and is especially noted for its curative properties in cases of hay fever.
Politically a Democrat, Mr. Garrett was twice elected mayor of Deer Park. In religion he is a Catholic. His marriage in October, 1893, united him with Miss Anna A. Browning, daughter of ex-Senator Richard Browning, and they have two children, Robert B. and Charles A. He is promi- nent in the Ancient Order of Hibernians, of which he was state treasurer for six years; he has twice represented the order of Maryland in the national conventions, in 1890 at Hartford, Conn., and two years later in New Orleans.
EDWARD PRESHO is a recent addition to the inhabitants of the flourishing city of Cumberland, Allegany County, and a most valuable one, for he possesses great public spirit, business push and energy, and such men are desirable members of any community. In Janu-
ary, 1896, he resigned a responsible position in order to accept the principalship of the Central Commercial College of Cumberland, and the fol- lowing year the school was incorporated by the leading business men of the city, and he was in- stalled as president of the institution and its manager; the college is destined to become a very important factor in the education of our young people, fitting them for the active and ag- gressive battle of life and rendering them inde- pendent should reverses come to them, as is so frequently the case, nowadays, even with chil- dren whose parents have left them well provided for, financially. The incalculable value of giving the youth of our land accurate knowledge of the proper conducting of property and business af- fairs is a fact which is being constantly demon- strated and every man and woman should be qualified to look after his or her own interests in a business-like manner.
Professor Presho was born in Raymond, Potter County, Pa., January 2, 1870, and is a son of George W. and Leonora M. (Carr) Presho. His father was for many years one of the leading farmers of that county, and universally esteemed. He died when but thirty-three years of age, re- gretted by a large circle of friends whom he had endeared to himself by his numerous noble quali- ties. His wife, Leonora, is a daughter of Rev. E. D. Carr, now of Gold, Potter County, Pa. C. Edward is an only son, and his only sister, Bertha M., is a successful teacher in Elk Coun- ty, Pa.
ยท The early education of our subject was ob -. tained in the Soldiers' Orphans' School at Mans- field, Pa., and in the high school at Coudersport, Pa. In 1887 he obtained a position as teacher in the public schools, and was thus employed for three terms. At the end of this time he became enrolled as a student in the State Normal School at Mansfield, graduating therefrom with the class of '90. The next two years he held posi- tions as principal of the public schools at Clair- mont, Pa., and Mann's Choice, Pa., being twelve months in each town. In IS93 he was tendered the place of principal of the schools of Gurnee, Ill., and accepted the offer, remaining there
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about a year. In all of these various towns he gave entire satisfaction to the boards of education and to the parents and pupils. His reason in each instance, for changing his location, was an increased salary. For some time the professor took a much-needed vacation and rest after leav- ing Illinois, visiting friends in Buffalo, N.Y., and his old home in the Keystone state. Later he was engaged as assistant superintendent in the Wilson Military Academy, in Wilson, N. C. From that place he came direct to Cumberland, where it is his present intention to become a permanent resident. Since taking charge of the college, he has been able to effect many needed reforms to materially increase the attendance, and through his untiring efforts he has placed his charge on an admirable footing. During the past year the school has turned out six commer- cial graduates and three graduates in shorthand.
In political affairs Mr. Presho is identified with the Prohibition party. In 1897 he was a candi- date for the office of clerk of the circuit court and received three hundred and twenty-one votes. He is an earnest worker for the temper- ance cause, as, indeed he is for all worthy and patriotic affairs. He is a member of the Cumber- land board of trade. In 1896 he married Miss Sallie M. Black, daughter of Daniel M. Black, of Mann's Choice, Pa. They are both members of the Presbyterian Church of this city and take great interest in its prosperity and upbuilding.
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ILLIAM A. SMITH. Beginning in the mercantile business at Hoyes, Garrett County, in ISSI, Mr. Smith formed a partnership with William Callis, under the firm title of Smith & Callis. Since then he has built up a large trade among the people of the village and surrounding country, and through his active personal management has placed the business upon a solid financial basis. In addition to this store he is interested in a branch store at Sang Run, and he is also the proprietor and owner of
a farm comprising one hundred and seventy-five acres, upon which he engages in general farming and stock-raising.
The Smith family came from England and settled in Virginia during the early days of the Old Dominion. John Smith, who lived in the western part of the state, was a farmer by occu- pation and during the War of 1812 he rendered valiant service in behalf of the American cause. He attained the remarkable age of ninety-eight years. His son, Daniel, our subject's father, was born in West Virginia and continued to reside there until 1861, when removing to Oakland, Md., he embarked in the mercantile business. From 1865 until his death, at the age of sixty-five years, he was a merchant at Johnstown, now Hoyes, and was a large and successful business man. Politically he voted the Republican ticket.
By the marriage of Daniel Smith to Eliza, daughter of Ezekiel Totten, of Oakland, eleven children were born, five of whom are now living, namely: Daniel R., now residing in Washington. Pa .; William A., who was born in Hardy County, W. Va., October 2, 1861; Carrie, wife of Abel DeWitt; Eliza, Mrs. George Thayer; and Minnie A., a talented pianist, now engaged in teaching music. The mother of these children died at the age of thirty-five, and afterward the father mar- ried again, his wife being Elizabeth Foraker, of Preston County, W. Va. One child was born of this union, Vernia, wife of Dr. F. H. Ravens- croft, of Accident. After the death of Mr. Smith his widow was married to Henry Albright.
When an infant our subject was brought by his parents to Maryland, and his education was obtained in the public schools of Hoyes. At the age of sixteen he gained his initiatory knowledge of the mercantile business, through association with his uncle, William P. Totten, at Oakland, in the latter's store at that place. Since 1881 he has successfully engaged in business for himself. In politics a Republican, he was appointed by Governor Lowndes as a member of the school board, to serve from 1898 to 1900. In 1890 he married Miss Emma, daughter of Wesley Savage, of Sang Run, and they have two children, Earl and Auburn. Fraternally he is connected with
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WILLIAM S. HARRISON.
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Youghiogheny Council, Knights of Pythias, and has been its representative to the state council. In the Junior Order United American Mechanics he has passed all the chairs and is at this writing past councillor. In the Methodist Episcopal Church he has been trustee and steward for some years, taking an active part in and contributing towards all of its benevolences.
ILLIAM SHEPHERD HARRISON for many years was one of the prominent and influential farmers of Potomac District, Montgomery County, but is now deceased. He is a member of an English family, represented in America at an early period of colonial history and pioneers at Harrison's Landing, Westmoreland County, Va. James Harrison, who was a first cousin of President William Henry Harrison, married Sarah Shepherd, of Virginia, daughter of William Shepherd, whose first ancestor in this country was an own cousin of the then reigning king of England. James fought during the en- tire War of 1812 and afterwards carried on his plantation in Virginia.
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