USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Sixth congressional district, Maryland V. 2 > Part 4
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quite hearty and robust, as well as mentally act- ive. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Teisher, was born in Washington County, where she died at the age of eighty-two. She, too, was identified with the Reformed Church as one of its consistent and active members.
In this district and county John A. Troup was born November 20, 1832. He remained on the home farm until attaining his majority, meantime attending the common schools of the neighbor- hood. At the age of twenty-four he married and rented a farm in the same district. After several years in the capacity of renter, he saved an amount sufficient to enable him to purchase land, and he then bought a farm. On that property he engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1892, when he rented the land and removed to Hagerstown. He still owns the farm. He and his wife, who was formerly Sarah J. Kiesecker, have a comfort- able home in Hagerstown and are well fixed financially. Politically a Republican, he takes an active interest in public matters, but has never been a candidate for office, nor desired the honors of public positions. In religious belief he fol- lows the example of his forefathers in adhering to the doctrines of the Reformed Church. His honorable course in business has won for him the confidence of the people of Hagerstown and has given him a high place in the regard of all with whom he associates, either in a business or social way.
EV. LUTHER KUHLMAN is the efficient and beloved pastor of the Evangelical Luth- eran Church of Frederick. Not only here, surrounded by the flock to whom he has endeared himself as a shepherd, but also in the general councils of his denominations, is he looked up to, consulted and advised with, and by one and all with whom it is his lot to have any dealings, he is held in the highest esteem and respect.
In tracing his history it is found that he was born in the western part of Somerset County, Pa.,
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in 1851, he being the second son of John Fred- clerked in a dry-goods store. Two summers erick Kuhlman, a native of Germany. The were spent by him in surveying upon the plains. latter came to America when but eight years of in the government employ, along the Platte and South Platte rivers. Next he passed two years in the Nebraska State University at Lincoln, be- ing enrolled among their first students, as the in- stitution had just been established (1872). In 1376 he returned to his native State, and enter- ing the Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, he took the full course of study, graduating in 1879. age, with his parents, who located in Somerset County, Pa. In his boyhood he assisted his father, Henry Kuhlman, in the care of the farm, and, after completing his public-school education, was a student in Pennsylvania college, where he prepared himself for teaching. After a time he entered the ministry of the Lutheran Church, and his special work has been in establishing Having made up his mind to adopt the same noble calling to which his father had consecrated his life, our subject commenced his theological studies in the special department devoted to this brauch, in the theological seminary at Gettys- burg. He was duly graduated in the class of 1882, and was ordained to the ministry by the Allegheny Synod of Pennsylvania. He entered upon his first charge in July, 1882, at Jenners- town, Pa. There he continued his labors for a year and nine months. From that place he re- moved to Baltimore, where he served as pastor `of the Second Lutheran Church until 1888. mission churches upon the western frontiers. For the most part he has been located in Nebraska, where he has built a great number of churches and has carried the light of Christianity into thousands of homes, hovels and hamlets. About the time of the war he removed to Nebraska, where he resides at the present time. In politics he is a Republican, though his father was an ad- herent of the Democracy. His wife, Louisa, was a daughter of Garrison Smith, a Pennsylva- nia farmer. He was very active as a Republican, and held various local offices of trust and honor, such as sheriff, magistrate and school director. He was of English origin, but passed the most of his life in the Keystone state. Mrs. Louisa Kuhlman died when our subject was but an jul- fant. The elder son, Winfield Scott, has lived upon the old homestead in Somerset County for several years. He was educated in Mount Union College, near Alliance, Ohio, and graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Balti- more, Md., since which he has been regularly engaged in practice. The father subsequently married a Pennsylvania lady, by whom he has had several children. One of the number resides in Illinois, while the rest live in Nebraska.
It was in the spring of 1888 that Rev. Luther Kuhlman came to Frederick, since which time he has been a faithful and zealous worker in the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Under his minis- try many substantial improvements have been made in the church property and buildings. A Sunday-school room has been erected at a cost of $16,000. The church property is an extensive one and has a frontage upon Second and Church streets. The church proper has a seating capacity of twelve hundred. The membership is over five hundred, while the Sunday-school numbers some seven hundred pupils. In addition to his extensive pastoral work among his own people Rev. Mr. Kuhlman takes an active part in the advancement of the general welfare of the denomination to which he belongs. He is a member of the Maryland Synod (a district synod of the general synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church). He has been three times sent as a dele- gate to the general body, first going to Omaha, then to Canton, Ohio, and last to Hagerstown, Md. Moreover, he has been the president of his
The early years of the life of Rev. Luther Kuhlman were passed under his grandfather's roof, his education being gained in the public schools and the normal school of his home neigh- borhood. Subsequently he started out as a teacher in the local schools and met with good success in this line of effort. About 1869 he went to Nebraska, where he remained for seven years, a portion of this period being devoted to farming. He also taught school and for a time own synod and a member of its educational com-
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mittee for twelve years. He supervises the dis- ford County; Henrietta and Susan; Daniel, father position of the beneficiary funds used for of our subject; and Ellen, who married William Showman and lives in Bedford County. students who are preparing themselves for the ministry, and is now president of the board of foreign missions. The church has a membership of one million, five thousand souls, and its main missionary efforts are in behalf of home, instead of foreign missions. The next general synod meets in York, Pa., in 1899. His alma mater has honored him by conferring upon him the degree of D. D.
In 1882 the marriage of Rev. Luther Kuhlman and Miss Alice L. Warren was solemnized. The lady is a daughter of Hiram Warren, of Gettys- burg, Pa.
OHN S. METZGER, who is engaged in the fire insurance business at Frostburg, is a de- scendant of German ancestry and a member of a family that was at one time prominent in the military affairs of Germany. He traces his lineage to Gen. Theobald Metzger, who was one of the famous soldiers of the seventeenth century. His great-grandfather, Marcus Metz- ger, was born in Germany and emigrated to America about 1770, settling in Bedford County, Pa., where he cleared and improved a farm. Ac- companying him to this country was his son John, then quite young, who engaged in agricult- ural pursuits and also acquired considerable prominence in political affairs. At one time he owned two thousand acres in one body, and his wealth, with his executive ability and energy, made him one of the most influential men of his county. Upon the Republican ticket he was elected sheriff of Bedford County and he was twice chosen to represent the people in the state legislature. By his marriage to Elizabeth Tread- well he had eight daughters and one son, namely: Sarah, who married Jacob Corley, of Bedford County; Maria, Mrs. John Kerr; Mary, Mrs. John Alsip; Louisa, wife of G. W. Holler; and Sophia, Mrs. Emanuel Palmer, all living in Bed-
Born in Bedford County July 26, 1818, Daniel Metzger was reared and educated in his native place and from an early age began to assist in the cultivation of the farm. In agriculture, his chosen occupation, he was quite successful. He was an advocate of Republican principles and worked for the success of his party, taking an active interest in all political matters. Fre- quently he was elected school director and magistrate. In religion he was identified with the Lutheran Church. February 18, 1840, he married Elizabeth B. Hinchman, who was born June 9, 1820, the daughter of John G. and Har- riet Hinchman, natives of Connecticut, but for many years residents of Bedford County, Pa. Of the six children of Daniel and Elizabeth Metzger four attained mature years. They are: Marcus C., who is connected with the Connellsville Bridge Company; Emma, who married Elijah Miller and lives at Hyndman, Pa .; John S., who was born in Bedford County August 30, 1847; and Mary A., wife of Shannon Devore, of Hynd- man, Pa.
The education of our subject was obtained in Pennsylvania and Troy, Ohio. On leaving school he began to teach and in 1871 he came to Frostburg, where he was connected with the schools for a year and then for two years engaged in the book and stationery business, afterward selling out to Shaffer & Mason. His next occupa- tion was as assistant postmaster and agent for fire insurance. For ten years he was connected with the postoffice. Later for seven years he engaged in the grocery business and after selling out to Henry Weibrecht he turned his attention to the insur- ance business, to which he has since devoted his time exclusively. Heis a Republican in politics. In 1878 he was elected mayor of Frostburg and again in 1892, and he has also served as clerk for several terms. Though under the stipulated age for an enlistment, in 1865 he enlisted in the army and served in Company E, Second Maryland In- fantry, until the close of the war. Fraternally he is a member of Frostburg City Lodge No. 88,
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K. of P .; the Grand Army of the Republic; Free- dom Council No. 123, Junior Order United American Mechanics; Knights of Honor, and Ancient Order of United Workmen. In religion he is identified with the English Lutheran Church.
January 3, 1870, Mr. Metzger married Eliza- beth Ling, of Bedford County, Pa .; she died in November, 1870, leaving an infant son, Harry E., who now resides in Cumberland and is connected with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. February 14, 1875, Mr. Metzger married Florence Keller, daughter of Joseph and Susan Keller, of Frost- burg. They became the parents of six children, but one daughter died in childhood. The five now living are F. Josephine, D. Ross, Frank G., John B. and Nicholas H.
ESSE O. SNYDER, who is numbered among the enterprising and progressive lawyers of Hagerstown, Washington County, is one of the native sons of this county, his birth baving taken place in Clear Spring, June 23, 1869. Though but a few years have elapsed since his admission to the bar, he has succeeded in build- ing up an enviable reputation, and a large and constantly increasing practice. He is recognized by his professional brethren to be a man of genu- ine ability, well read and thoroughly versed in the intricacies of the law, and of great promise for the future. He is very progressive, favoring all improvements of a practical nature, new in- dustries, and everything pertaining to the growth and prosperity of this city.
The gentleman of whom this brief tribute is in justice written, comes from one of the old and representative families of western Maryland. His father, John T. Snyder, was known far and wide in this and adjoining counties as a man of fine executive ability and natural business qualifica- tions, and at the same time was known to be thoroughly upright and honorable in all his deal- ings. He lent his influence, and gave more sub-
stantial assistance to numerous industries and local institutions which he believed would re- dound to the credit and welfare of the people among whom his busy and useful life was passed. He was born August 6, 1830, and commenced his business career at the very foot of the ladder. For some time he was a clerk in a large store, subsequently engaged in merchandising on his own account. He was the owner of several of the best farms in this county and much other proper- ty, in addition to having various investments. Though he never was a resident of this city, he had money invested in a number of our concerns and business enterprises. He was a stockholder in the agricultural society, a director in the Steam Engine and Machine Company, and owned stock in both the First and Second National Banks of Hagerstown. He died August 23, 1895. His wife, the mother of our subject, was Miss Susan M. Edelen. She also, was born in this county, and was a daughter of Charles and Eliza Edelen, the former a very successful merchant of Clear Spring. He died at the extreme age of ninety-six years, while his wife also reached a good age, being in her eighty-seventh year at the time of her summons to the silent land. Both were devout members of the Lutheran Church.
In a family of five children, J. O. Snyder is the youngest. His brothers, Charles L. and William F., are both unmarried, and are engaged in mer- chandising at Clear Spring, and the two sisters are deceased. Mary, the elder, died in child- hood, and Eva E., who was the wife of P. W. Huff, of Roanoke, Va., died May 16, 1895, at the age of twenty-eight years.
The early education of our subject was gained in the public schools, and under the instruction of a private tutor. Later he was a student in Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa., in the class of '91. He soon afterwards took up legal studies under the supervision of Gen. H. Kyd Douglas, of Hagerstown, and was duly ad- mitted to the bar of this county, December 24, 1892. He has been especially fortunate in deal- ing with equity cases, and handles several large estates. He is a director in the Hagerstown Steam Engine and Machine Company and the
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Second National Bank, and also is a member of of the Reformed Church. After his sons grew to the mercantile firm of J. T. Snyder & Son, of Clear Spring. He has taken no very active part in politics as yet, merely doing his duty as a voter, his preference being for the platform and nominees of the Democracy.
ACHARIAH G. THOMAS is a most worthy representative of one of the best and most influential families of Frederick County, his ancestors having settled here long prior to the war of the Revolution. Four brothers of the name emigrated from Germany to America, set- tling in Maryland, and from them have descended most of the numerous thrifty and sterling citizens of the name in this portion of the state. The gentleman of whom this sketch is written has lived upon the beautiful farm called Pleasant Prospect for nearly thirty-five years. It is situ- ated on the Montevieu pike about two and a-half miles west of Frederick City.
George Thomas, father of the above, was born in Frederick County in 1798, and passed his whole life here. His father, also Henry by name, was an occupant of this land, which is now highly cultivated and bears little resemblance to the tract that originally came into possession of the family. "George Thomas started out in life a poor boy, and by industry and good business methods acquired a comfortable fortune. At the time of his death he owned a good farm in Liberty District, one in Mount Pleasant, four in Buckeys- town, besides the old homestead, and all this valuable property was the result of his individual efforts and labor. Though his advantages were very meager when he was a boy, he was a natural student, and became very well informed by his private reading and research. He owned a good library and was noted for his ability as a mathe- matician and surveyor. For years he was school examiner for the county of Frederick. Politically he was a Whig and afterwards a Democrat and for ten years prior to his death he was a member
maturity he retired from business as he had am- ple means, and thenceforth devoted his attention to other and more general matters. He was very generous and many a young man owed his start in the world of finance to this sterling old gentle- man. He died at the age of eighty-six years and is buried in the Buckeystown District Ceme- tery.
The wife of George Thomas was Julia, daugh- ter of John Hargett, a farmer of the vicinity of Feagaville. He was supposed to be the largest man in the county, as he weighed over four hun- dred pounds. He owned two farms, one near the town just mentioned and the other on Carroll; Manor. Of the children born to George Thomas and wife, Charles A. is a resident of this county; Joseph is a farmer living near his brother Charles A .; John Franklin owns the farm adjoining the old homestead in Buckeystown, while Stephen A. is the proprietor of the old farm itself; Cephas M. operates a farm near Libertytown, but lives in Walkersville, Md .; Cornelius is engaged in farming in Buckeystown District; and Custer is also a farmer of the same locality. They were all born in the old homestead of their father, and with the exception of one who died in childhood, the family has been remarkable for strength and vigorous constitutions. Two children were born of a former marriage: Susan, wife of Charles F. Markell, of Frederick, and Henry, who died a year ago in Illinois and is survived by one child ..
The birth of Zachariah G. Thomas occurred April 16, 1839. He was a pupil in the district schools and learned the practical features of agri- culture in his youth by experience. When he was twenty-five he started out to make his in- dependent livelihood, by taking charge of Pleas- ant Prospect farm, where he is still residing. He also owns a valuable farm near Harmony Grove. In his home place there are one hundred and seventy-five acres, and besides the comfortable residence here there are other substantial build- ings. A pretty yard with good shade trees adds greatly to the attractiveness of the place.
In 1864 Mr. Thomas married Grace, daughter of Martin and Louisa Grove, of Middletown Val-
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ley. The father was one of the prominent far- mers of the Middletown Valley, his home being about four miles from Middletown. He was an influential member of the Lutheran Church up to the time of his death, twenty-three years ago. Mrs. Thomas had three brothers and four sisters. Her oldest brother, Hiram, lives in Frederick County, Md. One brother died at the age of twenty-eight years, at that time being a minister in the Lutheran Church. Charlotte is the wife of Mr. Whip, of Frederick. Virginia married a Mr. Lighter, of Middletown. Two sisters died while young. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas has been blessed with ten children, of whom six are still living. William H. is mar- ried and operates the farm belonging to our sub- ject in the neighborhood of Harmony Grove. Hiram G. is at home. Roy C. is a student in Westminster College. Jennie Irene is the wife of Thaddeus Biser, a lawyer of Frederick, and is the mother of two sons and two daughters. Theola married Emory Remsburg, of Buckeys- town District, and has two children. Lucie Thomas, the youngest of the family, is at home. Four of our subject's children died in early years.
In his political convictions, Mr. Thomas is a Democrat. He and his good wife are members of the Reformed Church of Frederick, and are very active and interested in its work. Mr. Thomas has been an elder in the congregation and for years has been the Sunday-school super- intendent, and conducted one near his own home. He merits the sincere respect and esteem univer- sally accorded him by all who know him.
EORGE P. WHITE, one of the successful farmers of the Seventh District of Garrett County, is of the fourth generation of well- to-do and enterprising agriculturists of his name, whose labors and general influence have aided greatly in the upbuilding and development of this region. His great-grandfather White, a native of England, came with his family to this county,
then a part of Allegany County, and was a pio- neer of the locality. His son William, grand- father of our subject, was one of the rich farmers. land owners and cattle dealers of the county, and was a man greatly respected by all who knew him.
The parents of George P. White were Johnson and Asenath (Gregg). White, both of whom are deceased. The father was born on a farm about three miles from the present home of our subject, and was actively engaged in tilling the soil as long as his health and strength continued. He was a man of energy and ability and in his daily life was noted for his integrity, justness and in- dustry. He was interested in public affairs and always strove to do his whole duty as a patriotic citizen. In political belief he was a stanch Re- publican and for several years he officiated as a trustee of the school board. Death put an end to his useful and busy career in 1886, when he was approaching the threescore and ten years of the psalmist. His wife, Asenath, was a daughter of Bani Gregg. She departed this life at the age of seventy-one years, leaving only two children. eight having preceded her to the silent land. Cavilla, the only remaining sister of George P., is the wife of B. F. Crane, who is elsewhere rep- resented in this volume.
George P. White is a native of this section, his birth having taken place in 1849 at what is now Loch Lynn Heights, Md. Under the practical instruction of the senior White, he early mastered the various details pertaining to the management of the homestead, and in the course of time, 1878, gradually assumed the arduous charge of affairs, thus relieving his parents of responsibility. In 1894 he disposed of his farm property and pur- chased a lot and built the pleasant house where he now resides, in Loch Lynn Heights.
Mr. White belongs to numerous well-known fraternities. He is past chancellor, and has been a representative to the grand lodge of the state, from Garrett Lodge No. 113, K. P .: is past grand and the present representative to the grand lodge of the state from Oak Lodge No. 8, I. O. O. F., and is past sir knight com- mander of Mountain Castle No. 8, Knights of
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
the Mystic Chain. Politically he is a Republican, and at one time was a member of the Republican county committee. Both he and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he having served on the official board as a steward and as a class-leader. It was in 1878 that he married Miss Rachel R. Deets, daughter of David and Rachel Deets, of Preston County, W. Va. They are the parents of three manly sons, namely: Albert T., Orlando M. and Alder. son B.
LBERT C. SEIBERT, who was appointed to the responsible position of superintendent of the Bellevue Asylum, in the Twenty-first District of Washington County, in April, 1895, is now entering upon the third year of his official work in this capacity, and is manifestly the "right man in the right place." He is thor- oughly conscientious and trustworthy, and pos- sesses to a gratifying degree the confidence and esteem of a wide circle of friends and acquaint- ances.
Mr. Seibert is a life-long resident of this county, and no one is more favorably known throughout this portion of the state. Born June 29, 1848, he is one of seven children, whose parents were Michael and Rose (Troupe) Seibert. The former, likewise a native of this county, made his home for over half a century upon the farm which is now owned and operated by our subject. In addition to this valuable place he had several other large farms, and was a man of much prominence in the community. He had been a Democrat up to the war troubles, but at that time he acted upon his principle of the right, and then declared himself in favor of the Republican party by casting his vote for Lincoln. Religiously he was a member of the Reformed Church, and was very active in the same. He died at the advanced age of seventy-five years. His father, Henry Seibert, a well-to-do farmer, probably a native of this county, died when in the prime of life, aged about fifty-two years. Mrs. Michael
Seibert was a daughter of Adam Troupe, of this county. Ske departed this life at the ripe age of seventy-three. Of her seven children two are deceased, while the others are: Mary, widow of Dr. Good; Charles; Jessie, wife of Jesse Keller; Albert C. and Lewis.
Albert C. Seibert was brought up in the usual manner of farmer lads, a part of his time being given to work about the homestead and the re- mainder to attending school in the neighborhood, and not a little to play, one may be sure. He was a very industrious boy at the same time, and before he was half way through his teens he was pretty thoroughly versed in every kind of agri- cultural employment. After the death of his honored father he took the complete charge of the old home place, and continued to live there until he received his present position, about three years ago. He formerly held several minor offices, and amply demonstrated his ability and power to cope with the difficulties which are con- stantly being found in public positions. He is an ardent Republican, but is not a politician in the ordinary sense of the term.
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