USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Sixth congressional district, Maryland V. 2 > Part 32
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.At the time of coming to America Robert Brown, Jr., was a boy. When he became of age he settled on the White House farm, and in time became one of the largest property owners of his sec- tion, owning, before the Civil war, about eighteen hundred acres of land extending from the Seventh street pike to Rock Creek, including Kensington, Forest Glen and Chevy Chase. He was also a large slave owner. During the War of 1812 he rendered service in the American army. For many years he served as magistrate, a position similar to that of judge at the present time. In religion he was identified with the Catholic Church. He had several sons, of whom three are now living: Thomas, who is a farmer, near Gaithersburg; Daniel and Michael J., who have
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HENRY WHEELER MCCOMAS, M. D.
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always worked together; and two sisters are living, Mrs. Charles A. Eccleston and Mrs. Mary A. Jones, of Washington, D. C.
The early education of our subject was obtained under the supervision of private tutors, and after- wards he attended Columbia College. In 1863 his father gave each of the children a farm, and since then our subject and his brother Daniel have engaged together in agricultural pursuits, neither of the two having married. They have a well-improved farm on the Seventh street pike, near Kensington, and have built a comfortable residence on the place; also eight other houses, including a store. In politics both are Demo- crats, and for many years Michael J. has served as magistrate, also held the position of clerk in the general postoffice at Washington, D.C., under General Grant's administration. In religious faith both are Catholics and are identified with the church of that denomination.
ENRY WHEELER MCCOMAS, M. D., one of the most prominent physicians of Garrett County, was born in Oakland, February 12, 1865, and is a son of Dr. J. Lee and Ellen (Wheeler) McComas. The McComas family are of Scotch ancestry and were among the early residents of Maryland, settling here about the year 1700. Josiah McComas, great- grandfather of our subject, was a resident, of Harford County and married Charity Onion. Their son, Lee McComas, was born in that coun- ty July 25, 1809. Later he removed to Balti- more and became a pattern maker. He mar- ried Sarah, daughter of James and Sarah Millias, both of whom were of Irish descent. Of the eleven children born of that union only two are living, J. Lee, M. D., the father of our subject, and Elizabeth, wife of George Elliott, of Balti- more.
J. Lee McComas acquired his early education in the public schools of Baltimore and graduated from the high school, after which he attended
Newton University. In 1853 he entered upon the study of medicine under the supervision of Prof. J. R. W. Dunbar, M. D., of Baltimore, and later completed the course of the medical depart- ment of the University of Maryland, graduating with the degree of M. D. in 1858. Subsequent to his graduation he was appointed resident physician to the Baltimore city and county alms- house, where he remained until 1859, and then was compelled to resign, on account of ill health. He then removed to Oakland and established himself in the general practice of his profession. In 1861 he offered his services to the United States government and was appointed an assistant surgeon of the army, being assigned to duty at Oakland, where he was given charge of the Port hospital. The following year he was transferred to the charge of the hospital at New Creek, W. Va., where he remained until the fall of 1862, and then returned to his former post at Oakland, continuing there until the close of the war. In 1861 he was ordered by General Fremont to take charge of the United States stores at Oakland and to guard the same with his convalescent sick, martial law existing here at that time.
On the conclusion of hostilities Dr. McComas resumed his interrupted practice, in which lie has since continued. He has attained national prominence in his profession and is recognized as an authority on many subjects pertaining to his calling, notably diseases of children. He is a gentleman of high culture and has traveled ex- tensively in the United States and foreign lands. The popularity of Oakland and Deer Park as health resorts is due in a great measure to his wide range of practice, many of his patients having found here a speedy climatic cure for their ailments. He is a member of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland, the American Medical Association, the New York State Medi- cal Society, the Tri-State Medical Society, and numerous other organizations of a like nature. He is also one of the vice-presidents of the World's Congress of Medico-Climatologists and a member of the American Public Health As- sociation. At the first Pan-American Congress he represented the Medical and Chirurgical
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Faculty of Maryland, and he was a member of Richard J. West, a prominent citizen of Oakland. the Ninth International Medical Congress. He To them have been born four children, Harry Lee, Josiah, Carlton and Annie. Dr. and Mrs. McComas are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church of Oakland and are leaders in the social circles of the city. is also a graduate of the School of Design of Maryland Institute of Baltimore. In 1858 he married Ellen M., daughter of Maj. Matthew Wheeler, a merchant of New York City. Three children were born of their union, two of whom are living: Henry Wheeler, of this sketch; and J. Lee, Jr., now a member of the Sixty-ninth Regiment New York Volunteers.
Henry Wheeler McComas received his early education in the public schools of his native county; subsequently attended the University of West Virginia and later Penlucy School at Balti- more, at that time under the direction of Col- onel Johnson. As his desires led to the medical profession, he shortly afterward entered the medical department of the University of Mary- land and was graduated therefrom with the de- gree of M. D. in 1888. On the completion of his professional education he returned to Oak- land, where he established himself in his present practice. A close and thorough student, and possessing an inherent love of his profession, he has attained to a high standing among the physi- cians of the county, and is recognized by all as one of the most able practitioners in this section of the state. Although his leisure hours are few, he still finds time for much study, and possesses one of the most comprehensive medical libraries in the state.
Politically he is a Republican and is actively identified with his party. He has served two terms as a member of the city council and as mayor during 1896 and 1897. . He is a progressive, energetic citizen, thoroughly imbued with the spirit of Americanism, and has ever been ready to assist, with time and means, the establishment of any enterprise calculated to promote the growth and welfare of the city. Personally he is a genial, kindly gentleman, who is held in high esteem by all with whom he meets. He is a member of the Junior Order American Mechan- ics, Legion of Honor and Garrett Lodge No. 13, K. of P., and for two years served as captain of the Uniform Rank of the latter order. Novem- ber 16, 1884, he married Annie, daughter of
ON. CHARLES H. GRIFFITH, chief judge of the orphans' court of Montgomery County, lives on the old homestead where he was born and passed his childhood and later years. This beautiful farm, comprising three hundred acres, is known as Woodland, and was owned by his father and grandfather before him. In location it could scarcely be excelled, as a fine view of the surrounding country is afforded, and it is convenient to the town of Laytonsville, Montgomery County.
Mr. Griffith has taken an aggressive part in politics, and is a recognized factor in the local Democracy. He served faithfully and creditably in numerous official positions in his own com- munity, such as tax collector, etc., and from 1883 to 1887 was a member of the board of county commissioners. In 1891 he was honored by be- ing made associate judge of the orphans' court and was subsequently elected to the chief judge- ship. Frequently he has represented his party in conventions and has been sent as a delegate to the state conventions. At present he is a mem- ber of the Democratic state central committee.
The father of the judge was Elisha R. Griffith, boru at Woodland, June 21, 1805. He married, October 9, 1834, Elizabeth, daughter of Frederick and Jane (Gartrill) Gaither. She was born near Unity, Montgomery County, May 8, 1805, and was a granddaughter of William Gaither, whose brother, Col. Henry Chew Gaither, was a most distinguished officer in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Griffith had five uncles: William Beal, Henry Chew, Jared, Daniel and Benjamin. Elisha Griffith departed this life October 18, 1885, and is survived by his venerable widow,
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now in her ninety-fourth year, but remarkably bright and active, in mind and body. Their children were: Martha J., wife of Fletcher D. Magruder; Maria J., Mrs. Israel G. Warfield; C. H .; Washington; Elizabeth, who died at the age of nineteen; and Clarence, who died in in- fancy. The only ones living are the judge and his sister Maria.
The first marriage of Elisha Griffith was with Martha J. Ober, who bore him two children, Mary C., Mrs. Thomas Carroll; and Heury C. They are both deceased, the son having died when he was but twenty-four years old. The grandfather of the judge was Henry Griffith, born December 31, 1767, and his wife, Mary, daughter of Samuel Riggs, was born August 21, 1768. He was summoned to his reward October 27, 1837, and his wife, after living a few years longer, died January 21, 1846. Their daughter Sarah was born December 12, 1790; Henry, the next child, September 22, 1793; Amelia, October 18, 1795; Ann R., September 3, 1797; Eleanor, in November, 1799; Allen, May 7, 1801; Romulus R., June 5, 1803; Uriah, July 5, 1808, and Ulysses, September 28, 1810. The father of Judge Griffith devoted his whole life to agricult- ure, and was a successful business man and loyal citizen. Unlike many of his relatives, he was a stanch supporter of the Union cause during the dark days of the war.
After completing his education in Brookeville Academy, Judge Griffith returned home and for several years worked with his father on the old farm, gradually assuming more and more of the burdens and responsibilities pertaining thereto, and becoming proficient in every department of farm labor. He has followed general farming and stock-raising since he came into possession of the estate, from which the father retired late in life, and thenceforth resided in a small house on a portion of the Woodland property.
November 24, 1864, the marriage of the judge and Hester Dorsey, daughter of Stephen Boone Dorsey, of Roxbury, Howard County, Md., was solemnized. They have become the parents of eight children, named as follows: Margaret B., Frank, Lillian, Mary C., Greenbury G., Charles,
Worthington and Dorsey, Margaret is the wife of Edward B. Kimble, of Laytonsville, and Frank is an enterprising young farmer of Howard County. Mrs. Griffith is a member and valued worker in the Episcopal Church, of which her husband and family are regular attendants.
LIAS H. ETCHISON, M. D., a well-known and successful physician of Gaithersburg, Montgomery County, was honored by being elected to serve as a member of the city council in 1887, and officiated as president of the board for some time. He is greatly interested in what- ever promises to be of material advantage to this place, and uses his means and influence in the support of all worthy enterprises. He enjoys a large and growing practice in the town and sur- rounding country, and is kept very busy in at- tending to the needs of his numerous patrons.
Greenbury S. and Rachel (Wood) Etchison, the parents of the doctor, were both natives of Maryland, and resided for many years upon a farm in Montgomery County. They reared a family of nine children to maturity, and all but one of the number are still living. In order of birth they are as follows: Ruth, wife of Oliver Watkins, of Damascus, Md .; Virginia, wife of John H. Claggett, of Claggettsville; Dr. Elisha C., a prosperous physician of this place (see his sketch, containing ancestral history of the family, printed eisewhere in this volume); Marcellus, a retired merchant of Claggettsville; John G., deceased; Lorenzo B., state inspector of tobacco for Maryland, in Baltimore, since 1876; Elias H .; Joseph M., a farmer of this county; and Ada A., wife of a Mr. Kinzie, of Baltimore.
Dr. E. H. Etchison was born May 12, 1856, near the town of Damascus, Montgomery County. He passed his youthful days on the parental farm, and received his elementary education in the district schools. While his father was officiat- ing as public inspector of tobacco for Maryland, the young man took charge of the farm and suc-
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cessfully carried it on for six years. At the age of twenty-three years he entered the Western Maryland College, where he pursued a special course of study, after which he took up medical studies with his brother, Dr. E. C., as his guide and instructor. He made good progress, and in 1883 became enrolled as a pupil in the medical department of the University of Vermont. In 1885 he graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, taking a prize for special excellence in physical diagnosis. One of his preceptors was the celebrated Dr. Asahel P. Grinnell. Return- ing home the young doctor commenced his pro- fessional career in company with his brother, Dr. E. C., previously mentioned. Their business connections continued until 1888, when our sub- ject opened a separate office and started on his independent practice. He has been very success- ful and has made an enviable reputation for skill and correct methods of dealing with disease. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Masonic order. Since he was sixteen years of age he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for several years has acted in the capacity of steward. He possesses the love and high regard of all who know him, and is a man of noble Christian character.
January II, 1888, the doctor married Charlotte . Ward, daughter of Henry C. and Laura V. ( Ricketts) Ward. Mrs. Etchison is a native of this county, and by her marriage has become the mother of three children, Myra L., Erland and Ralph S.
AMUEL H. JONES, who has been deputy sheriff of Montgomery County for the past twenty-five years, has resided in Berry Dis- trict since 1865, owning and occupying a home on the Brookeville and Washington pike, eleven miles from the city of Washington. In addition to his work as deputy, he was also for a time
proprietor of a store, and has also engaged to some extent in agricultural pursuits. He takes an interest in educational matters and as a trus- tee of the school board he has been instrumental in promoting the welfare of the schools of his dis- trict.
Near Oakland, Howard County, Md., the sub- ject of this sketch was born July 4, 1836, a son of Lloyd and Catherine E. (Hopkins) Jones. His grandfather, David Jones, came from Wales to America and settled in the city of Baltimore, where he was employed as a blacksmith and woodworker. During the War of 1812 he served as a private. By his marriage to Miss Evans he had several sons, among them being Lloyd, our subject's father, who was born on the York road in Baltimore and followed the trade of a black- smith, which he learned in his youth. In poli- tics he voted the old-line Whig ticket, and in re- ligion he adhered to the Methodist faith. His wife, who was born in Howard County, was a daughter of Samuel Hopkins, also a native of Howard County, and by occupation a contractor, building and superintending the turnpike from Baltimore to Woodsboro. His father, who came from Staunton, Va., was closely related to Johns Hopkins.
The family of which our subject was a member consisted of three sons and one daughter; the latter, Josephine, married William Mantle, and died when about fifty years old. One son, Llewellyn, was a blacksmith, and is now deceased; William resides in Brookeville; Samuel H. was born and reared in Howard County, receiving his education in its district schools. In 1861 he enlisted in the navy and served in that depart- ment until the close of the Civil war. In 1865 he settled upon the farm where he has since made his home. Three years prior to coming here he was united in marriage with Miss Ellen, daughter of William Venable, of Washington, D. C., who was engaged in the hardware business and the majority of whose relatives were in the navy. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are the parents of the follow- ing-named children: William, who is in Wash- ington, D. C .; Arthur, who is a blacksmith at Kensington; Ellen, who is with her parents;
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Daniel Webster, now with the American army in Cuba; Wade Hampton, Edgar Allen, Ira and Catherine Maude, all at home.
In early life Mr. Jones was an old-line Whig, and since its dissolution he has advocated Demo- cratic principles. In the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he and his family are members, he holds an important official position.
AMES MADISON GINGELL, who for nearly fifty years has lived at Woodmont, a well- improved farm lying in Bethesda District, Montgomery County, was born near the village ot Bethesda February 28, 1819. He is of direct English descent. His grandfather, George Gin- gell, a native of England, settled in Maryland when a young man and secured employment in the Newport mills, following the occupation of a miller until his death, which occurred when our subject was a boy. Joseph Gingell, father of our subject, was born in this county, where he fol- lowed the trade of a shoemaker until his death when an old man, seventy-eight years of age. In political belief he was a Democrat and in re- ligion he held membership with the Presby- terians. His wife, who was the daughter of a sea captain, bore the maiden name of Mary John- son and died at the age of eighty-four years. She had three sons and five daughters. Joseph, who was a farmer, died in 1895, at the age, of seventy years; Henry was also a farmer; all the sisters are dead but Lucy, who married Chris- topher Olson and lives in Washington.
In the country schools of Bethesda District the subject of this sketch received his education. At the age of twenty-one he began for himself, in farming and trucking, and in time became the owner of large tracts of land, but during the boom of 1890 sold the larger part of his property, retaining, however, the ownership of Woodmont, where he has long made his home. About fifteen years ago he built the residence where he and his family have since had a pleasant and comfortable
home. About 1890 he retired from active busi- ness cares, though he still retains the supervision of his large and valuable interests. Politically he is a Democrat. For more than forty years he has been identified with the Presbyterian Church and a contributor to its support.
When twenty-eight years of age Mr. Gingell was united in marriage with Miss Artemesia Eveley, daughter of William Eveley, a farmer of this county. Thirteen children, six sons and seven daughters, were born of their union, namely: John, a conductor on the electric car line; George, a stationary engineer; Edward, a motorman at Chevy Chase; Howard, a conductor on the Glen Echo road; Robert, a machinist; Warren, a con- ductor on a street car line; Rebecca, who married John Parsly, of Bertinsville; Anna, wife of Charles Luckster, of Montrose; Laura, Mrs. John Viers, residing in Georgetown; Artemesia, who is un- married and resides with her parents; Isabelle, Mrs. Morris Fitzgerald; Martha Ellen, who mar- ried William Dorsey and lives in Washington, D. C .; and Nettie, wife of Charles Waters, of Georgetown.
ILLIAM B. WELLER is the owner of a part of the Hermitage, a finely improved farm lying in Berry District, Montgomery County .. When he purchased the place, in 1871, the land was covered with pine trees and not an acre was under cultivation, nor was there a semblance of a building except an old shanty that he at once tore down. He cleared the land, cutting down the timber, and selling over six thousand cords of wood; when cleared, he pro- ceeded to place the land under cultivation, plant- ing the various cereals to which the soil is adapted. He now has large fields of timothy, corn and wheat, with substantial fences between the various fields. Fruit trees have been planted, good barns erected and a comfortable residence built. All in all, the place is one of the finest in
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the district. Its location, too, is desirable, being near the Brookeville and Washington pike, twelve miles from the city of Washington.
Near Belvidere, Warren County, N. J., the subject of this sketch was born, in 1832. His father, Jacob Weller, also a native of Warren County, followed farm pursuits in early life and during his latter days. But for nine years he car- ried on the lumber business in Lackawanna County, Pa., near Scranton. From there he moved to Montgomery County and purchased the farm in Berry District now owned by Joseph Moore. Ou selling that place he purchased the farm adjoin- ing our subject's property and now owned by Colonel Thompson. Here his earth life was ended in 1880, when he was seventy-four years of age. In politics he was first a Democrat and afterwards a Republican. His father, William, who was a native of New Jersey and a life-long farmer of Warren County, had a brother who served in the War of 1812, and they were the sons of a German, who settled in New Jersey in an early day.
The mother of our subject was Sarah, daughter of William Banghart, both natives of Warren County. Her father, who was of German de- scent, was a large land owner and at his death willed each of his children a valuable farm. Our subject had four brothers and two sisters. Morris, deceased, formerly cultivated a farm near that owned by our subject; Jerome is a merchant at Cedar Point, Va .; Jacob, who was for a long time a wholesale merchant at Norfolk, Va., is now in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the wholesale dried fruit business with his younger brother, James K. Polk; Margaret married William Bailer and re- sides in Lackawanna County, Pa .; and Angeline is the widow of Clay Simpson and resides in Washington, D. C.
When a boy our subject resided near Belvidere, where he attended the public schools. For nine years he engaged in the lumber business with his father near Scranton, Pa., after which he came to Maryland and in 1871 purchased the farm he now owns. In 1856 he married Melissa, daughter of Daniel Van Fleet, who was a native of Lack- awanna County, Pa., and a farmer by occupa-
tion. Seven children were born to their union. Effie, the oldest, is the wife of Augustus Graves, a brick mason of Washington, D. C .; Giles is with an architect and builder in Baker City, Ore .; Ervyn is in Olathe, Kan .; Rena married Henry Hiney; Blanche, Parker and William are at home. There are also nine grandchildren.
In early life Mr. Weller was a Democrat, but owing to a change in his tariff views he became a Republican some years ago. In the fall of 1897 he was a nominee for county commissioner, and was defeated by only a small majority. He and his wife attend the Episcopal Church. He is a man of temperate habits and upright life, one who deserves and receives the respect of his ac- quaintances. He is a firm believer in the virtues of lime and has his entire farm, except one small field, covered with it. As a farmer he is enter- prising, capable and efficient, and solely through his own efforts has become the owner of one of the best farms in the county.
HARLES M. MILLER. Among the more progressive farmers of Garrett County is C. M. Miller, who by the exercise of close attention and perseverance is clearing and im- proving a farm of virgin soil to a state of remuneration and excellent culture. His planta- tion is situated less than a mile from the town of Swanton, near the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, in one of the most fertile and salubrious sections of this mountain county.
Charles McIlvaine Miller was born near the James River in Goochland County, Va., on the 3Ist of December, 1845. His grandfather, Will- iam Miller, the clerk of that county, died in the year 1846 and was succeeded in office by his son and deputy, Narcissus W. Miller, the father of Charles M. Miller. In the year 1868 Narcissus W. Miller died, and was succeeded in office by his son and deputy, William Miller, who is at the time of this publication the clerk of the county of Goochland, with a son as his deputy, and so
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that office has continued without a break from father to son in the same family for about one hundred years.
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