USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Sixth congressional district, Maryland V. 2 > Part 20
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Major Hayden was born in Fayette County, Pa., in 1842, and passed his boyhood and youth in an uneventful manner. He attended the pub- lic schools and acquired an excellent general education. When he was about sixteen he entered the printing office of the Uniontown Standard, and served an apprenticeship of three years. Then followed his loyal service in the Union army, from 1861 to March, 1865. He then returned to his native state and his interrupted work. He was employed in various printing offices in Pitts- burg for five years, after which he followed his trade in other towns and cities up to 1873. At that time he came to this county, and for four years was foreman of the Garrett County Herald in Oakland. In 1877 he established the Oakland Republican, which soon became one of the lead- ing newspapers of this portion of Maryland. He conducted the journal very successfully for thir- teen years, then selling out to B. H. Sincell, of Oakland. In 1891 the major removed to Moun- tain Lake Park, and is now living retired from active business life in this beautiful and pic- turesque spot, surrounded by nature's most charming handiwork.
Since the formation of the Republican party
the major has been interested in its success. During the administration of President Harrison he held an appointment as state statistician for the government bureau of agriculture. At the close of his four years' term he retired from the office, but in 1898 was reappointed by the secre- tary of agriculture, and is still acting in this im- portant position. For six years he was the chairman of the state Republican central com- mittee for this county. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Grand Army of the Republic, being vice-commander of Crook Post of Oak- land. For several years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and an officer in the congregation. He has been a class-leader, a steward and assistant superintendent of the Sunday-school.
In 1875 Major Hayden married Miss Letitia V. Savage, daughter of Nelson Savage, Of the seven children who came to bless their hearts and home two have been called to the better land. The five who remain are named as follows: Ellen B., James Grant, Lee N., John D. and Gay W.
OHN E. GNAGEY. Prominent among the industries of Garrett County is the mercantile store at Accident, owned and conducted by the subject of this sketch. From the establish- ment of the business in 1871, to the present time, he has had a large and profitable trade, extend- ing among the citizens of Accident, and the farmers of the surrounding country. In the store may be found a full supply of all articles suitable to the trade, and as the quality of the stock is su- perior, and the prices reasonable, it is not strange that the house is popular among the people.
Mr. Gnagey was born at Grantsville, Garrett County, in 1847. He is a son of Emanuel Gnagey, a native of Pennsylvania, who removed to Grantsville (then in Allegany County), in 1846. The remainder of his life, with the excep- tion of eight years in Bittinger and Cove, Garrett County, was spent in Grantsville, where he fol-
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lowed farm pursuits. He was quite successful and became one of the prominent farmers of this locality. In politics he was a Republican, and in religion adhered to the Dunkard faith. He died in 1890, at the age of seventy years.
The grandfather of our subject, Christian Gnagey, was born in Pennsylvania and carried on farm pursuits in Somerset County. He was a man of retiring, unobtrusive disposition, shrink- ing from publicity, and by preference devoting himself exclusively to the cultivation of his land, without desire to mingle in public affairs. His marriage took place in 1813, and united him with Barbara Blocher. He died in 1880, at the age of ninety years. His father, John, a native of Penn- sylvania, was a son of Christian and Elizabeth Gnagey, who came from Switzerland about 1750, and settled in Somerset County, Pa., but after a few years went west to Harrison County, Ohio, where he died in 1812.
The marriage of Emanuel Gnagey united him with Eliza, daughter of John C. Livengood, of Somerset County, Pa. They became the parents of twelve children, seven of whom are now liv- ing, namely: John E .; Jonas E .; Mary; Sarah; Elizabeth, widow of Benjamin Schrock; Abra- ham L .; and Fannie, who is the wife of Jonas S. Hershberger. The mother of these children is living in California, and is now seventy years of age. A life-long resident of Allegany and Gar- rett Counties, our subject received his education in the common schools of Grantsville. He re- mained at home until twenty-one years of age, coming in 1871 to Accident, his present home. In addition to the mercantile business here, he carries on a farm that he owns near town.
Of Republican belief, Mr. Gnagey has been active in public affairs. In 1875 he was a com- missioner of Garrett County. Under the admin- istration of President Arthur, and again under Benjamin Harrison, he served as postmaster. Governor Lowndes appointed him fish commis- sioner for western Maryland, which position he held for two years. In 1882 he was appointed school commissioner by Judge Hoffman, but he declined the appointment. In 1870 he married Miss Susan, daughter of Jonas Beeghley, by
whom he has eight children, namely: Clara V., wife of John H. Fike, living in Milledgeville, Ill .; William H., Mary M., Ada M., A. L., J. Milton, Samuel C. and Effie F. The family are identified with the German Baptist Brethren Church, more familiarly known as the Dunkard Church.
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ESHACK MATTINGLY. Farming and stock-raising have formed the chief occupa-
- tion of this gentleman, and by his energy and perseverance he has become the possessor of a well-improved property. He is the owner of a farm comprising three hundred and twenty-five acres and situated near Hoyes, Garrett County, where he raises the usual cereals as well as a large number of stock. The land has been subdivided into pastures and fields of convenient size by an excellent system of fencing, and modern machin- ery and other improvements have been introduced.
Having spent his entire life in Allegany and Garrett Counties, Mr. Mattingly is well known throughout this part of the state. He was born at Sang Run, Garrett County, in 1837, the descendant of Italian ancestors, who many gen- erations gone by, emigrated to America and became pioneer settlers of Allegany County. His grandfather, Henry, was born at Mount Savage, that county, from which place he removed to Pennsylvania and later went west to Missouri, where he followed -farming pursuits until his death, at sixty-five years of age.
The father of our subject, Dominick Mattingly, was born in Somerset County, Pa., but in early manhood returned to the home of his forefathers, in Allegany County, Md., settling at Sang Run, where he resided for years. However, in 1852 he made a change of residence, removing to Hoyes, where he bought a farm. He was a large land owner and prominent citizen of his commun- ity; a Democrat in politics, and in religion a devoted member of the Catholic Church. His death occurred in 1854, when he was forty-two
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years of age. By his marriage to Annie, daugh- ter of Meshack Browning, he had six children, namely: Mary, widow of Frank Sebold; Annie, who is the wife of William DeWitt; Meshack, William, Elizabeth E. and Dominick, the three last named being deceased. The mother resides at Hoyes, and though now eighty-six years of age, is still in good health and mental condition.
Being the oldest son, our subject succeeded to the management of the home place on the death of his father. He has since resided on this farm, having purchased the interest of the other heirs. He has brought the soil to a high state of culti- vation and has erected buildings needed in farm work. He served for one term as county com- missioner and is a Democrat in political belief. In the year 1873 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary, daughter of George W. Griffith, of Fayette County, Pa. Three children bless their union. William, Olia and Bernadett. The family are identified with the Catholic Church.
( AMES MONROE TURNER, justice of the peace in Cumberland, is a stalwart Republi- can. He is counted upon as one of the most reliable and effective workers in the party and
during presidential campaigns frequently makes- youth in Ulster County. He was educated in
speeches in support of the principles and nomi- nees of the party. In 1894 he was elected to the position of clerk of the board of commissioners of Allegany County for a term of two years and at the close of this period received the appoint- ment to his present office from Governor Lowndes.
Hon. Benjamin Turner, father of our subject, was a native of Connecticut, but removing to the state of New York, spent the rest of his life there. He became one of the foremost citizens of the Empire state, a leading lawyer of his section and known far and wide as a statesman. He was an important factor in the ranks of the Republican party, was a justice of the peace for
several years and was a member of the New York legislature. He was a man of extensive general information, well read in standard works and thoroughly posted in statesmanship. After he returned home from the state assembly he was given a position as pension and bounty agent for his own locality. He lived to a good old age, dying when about seventy-six years of age. His father, Benjamin, Sr., was a native of Connecti- cut, and was a lineal descendant of the old Puri- tans. He was a leading farmer of Ulster County, N. Y., in his later years. He also attained a ripe age, his death occurring when he was in his eighty-fifth year.
The mother of our subject was Annie Laura Morton, daughter of James Morton, of Wellesley, Mass. Her family were honored and respected in their community and her brother, Dr. W. T. G. Morton, was the discoverer of ether, which has since been a most valuable auxiliary in the medical world. Of the children who came to bless the marriage of Benjamin and Annie L. Turner but four lived to maturity, namely: Benjamin L., of Baltimore, ex-member of the Maryland legislature; Elizabeth, wife of Rev. John Keogan, of New York; Mary Caroline, Mrs. Darias Hoover, of New York; and James M. The mother lived the allotted age of mankind, threescore and ten.
James M. Turner was born near Shokan, N. Y., September 3, 1848, and spent his boyhood and the public schools and when he was about eighteen years old he left home and went to Flint- stone, Md., where he was chief clerk in a large mercantile firm for several years. Then he em- barked in business for himself, opening a general store in Paw Paw, W. Va., and conducted the enterprise successfully for a few years. He then returned to Flintstone and, after a time, was en- gaged with his brother, who had established a cannery at that place. This concern was oper- ated with success for a number of years, James M. Turner acting as superintendent of the works. The firm made a specialty of fine brands of corn and tomatoes and built up a very extensive and profitable trade. In 1889 our subject came
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HON. GEORGE PETER.
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to Cumberland and took a position as city editor with the daily News. He was but twenty-four years old when Gov. John L. Carroll appointed him to the position of magistrate of Flintstone, Md., and his duties were especially responsible, as the county was then in a very unstable con- dition, it being just at the close of the Civil war. He is a member of the Junior Order American Mechanics, and has passed all the chairs in the home lodge, besides having been sent as a repre- sentative to the state lodge.
In 1869 Mr. Turner married Miss Annie M. MeElfish, daughter of Joseph McElfish, of Flint- stone. Eight children were born of their union, and all are living save two of the number. They are named as follows: Bonnie Annie Laura, Maude E., Edith C., Henry Benjamin, Bowditch Morton and Joseph P. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and are gen- erous contributors to all worthy religious and charitable enterprises.
ON. GEORGE PETER. From 1856 to 1893 one of the most notable citizens of this section of Maryland was George Peter. Mr. Peter was a descendant of an ancient and honorable Scotch family. His grandfather, Rob- ert Peter, came to this country about the middle of the last century, and died at his residence in Georgetown, D. C., in 1806. Robert Peter was one of Georgetown's most influential citizens- its first mayor, serving as such from 1789 to 1798. He was one of the younger sons of Thomas Peter, Esq., Laird of Crossbasket (by which name his castle was also known), Lanarkshire, Scotland. Thomas Peter's wife was Jane Dunlop, daughter of James Dunlop, Laird of Garnkirke, a cadet of a distinguished family, Dunlop of Dunlop. James Dunlop's wife was a Campbell of Blythes- wood, and a descendant of Lord Napier. Thomas Peter was a younger son of Walter Peter, Esq., of Chapel Hall, in Mearnshire, in the northeast
of Scotland, which estate has been in possession of the Peter (formerly Petrie) family from the Norman conquest.
After settling in this country Robert Peter married Elizabeth Scott, daughter of George Scott, deputy commissary-general of Lord Balti- more. George Scott was a son of Sir Thomas Scott of Malenie, in Midlothianshire, a cousin of Sir Walter Scott, and a descendant of the Dukes of Buccleugh. Sir Thomas Scott's wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Lord Fountainhall. Crossbasket Castle continued in possession of the Peter family until the death of Gen. Thomas Peter of the British army, a nephew of Robert Peter. On the death of the former, it descended to his only child, a daughter, who married Gen- eral Dirom of Mount Annan, in Dumfriesshire.
Maj. George Peter, son of Robert Peter, was born at Georgetown, now in the District of Co- lumbia, on the 28th of September, 1779. When only fifteen years of age he joined the Maryland troop in the campaign of 1794, against the whisky insurrectionists, but his parents sent a messen- ger to the camp and General Washington hearing of the matter ordered him to be sent home. His youthful ardor, however, was gratified four years . later, July, 1799, by his appointment as second lieutenant of the Ninth Infantry, United States army, by President Adams, and he enjoyed the distinction of receiving his commission from the hands of General Washington at Mount Vernon, Mrs. Washington's granddaughter having mar- ried his brother. In February, 1801, he was promoted to a lieutenancy of artillery and engin- eers, and in November, 1807, to captaincy of artillery. In May, 1808, he was transferred to the light artillery, in which he became a major. President Madison tendered him a brigadier-gen- eralship, but having inherited quite a fortune after the death of his father, he resigned his com- mission, but in 1813 he volunteered his services and commanded with distinction a battalion of flying artillery during the war then in progress. While Major Peter was captain President Jeffer- son specially designated him to form the first light horse battery in the service of the United States.
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Major Peter was in 1805 appointed to accom- pany General Wilkinson to St. Louis to assist in the organization of the territorial government of Missouri. In 1815 he was elected to congress from this the sixth congressional district, being the first Democrat to represent the same. He was re-elected in 1817 and again in 1828. In 1855 he was elected commissioner of public works for the state of Maryland. He was mar- ried three times; his first wife was Ann Plater, of Maryland, his second Agnes Freeland, and his third Sarah Norfleet Freeland, of Petersburg, Va. He was one of the largest land owners in Mont- gomery County, and died June 22, 1861, at his country place, Montanverd, near Darnestown.
George Peter, the subject of this sketch, was the eldest son of Maj. George Peter by his third wife. He was born on the 28th of Novem- ber, 1829, at Montanverd; studied law in Rock- ville with John Brewer, with whom he subse- quently formed a partnership, continuing until Mr. Brewer's death. Mr. Peter then took into partnership with him James B. Henderson, now judge of the circuit court, who studied law in his office. This connection continued until the time of Mr. Peter's death, which occurred on the 9th of August, 1893. As a trial lawyer he ranked among the first in western Maryland. Broad minded and naturally sympathetic, he had ob- tained a position in the regard and confidence of the people of this county which, coupled with oratorical skill and ability of high order, made him an almost invincible adversary in the trial of causes within its courts. Enjoying one of the most lucrative practices in this section of the state, the conduct thereof frequently carried him to the court of appeals of Maryland, where, by his earnestness, fearlessness and the possession of a mind naturally adapted to the pursuit of law, he achieved success. In politics he was a Democrat, and his voice and advice were fre- quently heard and sought in the councils of that party in this state. Easy to approach, fraternal with all classes and kinds, generous to a fault, straightforward and open in character, and a pleasing conversationalist, he secured a place in the regard and esteem of the people of Mont-
gomery County, especially among the poorer class, which has been unequaled in the annals of this county. He was a member of the consti- tutional convention of 1864, and was state's at- torney from 1868 to 1872. Twice he was elected to the state senate, and during his last term be- came president of that body. He was nominated by his party for congress against Milton G. Urner, but the district at that time being largely Republican, he was defeated. He was also nom- inated for associate judge, but was again defeated by a small majority.
He married Eliza Lavinia Gassaway, daughter of John Gassaway, a large land owner in this county. The Gassaways were of English de- scent; the first of that name to settle in this country was Judge Nicholas Gassaway. In 1689 he was named by the assembly of the state of Maryland one of the committee to regulate the affairs of that province. In 1690 he was made major of the troops then stationed in Anne Arundel County, and in 1691 one of the judges of the Province of Maryland. John Gassaway was a son of Lieut. Nicholas Gassaway, an offi- cer in the Revolutionary war, and a member of the Maryland regiment, which with signal brav- ery and great loss prevented the destruction of General Washington's army at the battle of Long Island. Lieut. Nicholas Gassaway was a grandson of Judge Nicholas Gassaway.
Of the children of George Peter and Eliza Lavinia, his wife, seven reached maturity. John F., a lawyer of considerable promise, died in 1878, at the age of twenty-five. Sarah Nor- fleet married William L. Dunlop, Esq., a lawyer of Washington, D. C., and a son of the late James Dunlop, chief judge of the United States circuit court of the District of Columbia. Mary Alice married Thomas Dawson, Esq., a lawyer, now clerk of the circuit court for Montgomery County. Edward C., a lawyer residing at Rock- ville, received his education in the Rockville Academy, and read law with his father and Judge Henderson. When twenty-one years of age he was admitted to the bar. In 1887 he was elected state's attorney, and was re-elected in 1891. He has inherited his father's ability as
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an advocate, has met with pronounced success as a trial lawyer, and is now one of the leading at- torneys at the Montgomery County bar. He is a Democrat in politics, and has succeeded his father as trustee of the Rockville Academy. June 27, 1888, he married Mary G. Vinson, daughter of Judge John T. Vinson. Robert Brewer Peter, also a lawyer residing in Rockville, was educated at the Rockville Academy and Hampden Sidney College, Virginia. After reach- ing manhood he spent several years teaching in the Indian schools on the frontier. When he left the Indian service he was appointed deputy clerk of the circuit court for Montgomery, which position he held for two years, studying law in the meantime and attending lectures at night at the National University of Washington, D. C. He received the degree of B. L. from that institut- tion in 1893, graduating second in his class, and has since been engaged in practicing his profes- sion in Rockville. He is possessed of legal acumen to a marked degree, and, while young at the bar, has met with considerable success and given proof of admirable reasoning faculties. In 1896 he married Helen Olivia Lowry, youngest daughter of Maj. Horatio B. Lowry, of the United States marine corps. Katharine Gassa- way married Hugh Nelson, a lawyer of New York City. Arthur, the youngest son, was born in November, 1873. He received his education at the Rittenhouse Academy of Washington and the Rockville Academy. At the age of seven- teen he left school and commenced the study of law in the office of his father and Judge Hender- son. At the age of twenty he was graduated in law from the National University of Washington, D. C., leading his class and securing a mark of one hundred per cent, which was unequaled in the history of the university. He at once passed the examination for admittance to the bar, and removed to Washington, where he entered the office of Arthur A. Birney, United States' attor- ney for the District of Columbia. Two years after, in 1896, he was offered a partnership by Mr. Birney which he accepted, but owing to ill health was compelled the following year to give up the practice of law. In 1898 he returned to
his profession and entered into a partnership with Hon. J. J. Hemphill, M. C. He has been en- gaged in some of the most important trials in the courts of the district, and has had considerable success therein. He is considered one of the most promising members of that bar.
OHN H. WILLIAMS, a farmer residing within one mile west of Poolesville, Mont- gomery County, was born near this village May 2, 1842, on a farm now occupied by his sis- te, Emma, Mrs. Horace M. Davis. This was the homestead once occupied by his parents, John T. and Ann M. (Talbot) Williams, the former having been the owner of about four hundred acres, on which he engaged in farming until his death, at middle age. He had three sons and one daughter: John H .; Francis T., who occupies a farm adjoining his older brother's; Arthur, who cultivates land near Dawsonville; and Emma, Mrs. Davis.
The grandfather of our subject, John M. Williams, was a resident of Montgomery County from early years and engaged in farming within one mile of where his grandson and namesake now lives. From this place, in middle life, he removed to Georgetown, where, having acquired a competency, he lived in retirement from active business cares. His wife was Priscilla, a native of this county and a daughter of Dr. Lyles. They were the parents of several children, of whom the sole survivor is Mortimer, who has been engaged in the mercantile business in Georgetown for years.
The subject of this sketch received his education in free schools and Poolesville Academy. His father having died, he assumed the supervision of the home farm and also established a grain and produce business at Edwards' Ferry, making shipments on the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. For a short time he also carried on a general mer- cantile business at Edwards' Ferry, in partnership with Capt. John T. Fletcher. In 1867 he retired
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from business, and since then has devoted himself entirely to agricultural pursuits. In 1870 he bought his present farm of one hundred and fifty- five acres, to which he has added until it is now three hundred acres, and besides he has bought two farms, one of two hundred acres, and the other a tract on Sugar Loaf Mountain. He has followed general farming and stock-raising, hav- ing large pastures for the grazing of cattle.
Politically Mr. Williams favors the Democratic party. In 1892 he served as collector of taxes, also held the same position the three following years. February 4, 1865, he married Sarah, daughter of Dr. S. N. C. White, of this county, and Elizabeth (Chiswell) White. They are the parents of eleven children, viz .: Stephen N. C., named for his grandfather White, and now in the west; Harry M., who farms a place adjoining the homestead; Elizabeth, Carrie, Otis, Mary, William W., Emma, Sarah, Norah and Frank. In all matters pertaining to schools Mr. Williams is interested, for he is a stanch friend of the public- school system. For fifteen years he held the position of president of the board of school trustees of Poolesville District, and in other ways he has shown his interest in whatever pertains to the advancement and training of the young.
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