Portrait and biographical record of the Sixth congressional district, Maryland V. 2, Part 40

Author: Chapman Publishing Company
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: New York : Chapman publishing co.
Number of Pages: 722


USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Sixth congressional district, Maryland V. 2 > Part 40


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Admiral Lee was an earnest supporter of the Chicago platform of 1896, regarding it as a revival of the Democratic faith. In that year Blair Lee received the Democratic nomination for Congress in the Sixth Maryland District. He made a vigorous and earnest fight and this district, the strongest Republican one in the state, showed no substantial change, when all else was a Republi- can landslide.


Mr. Lee accepts heartily his father's opinion of the Chicago platform, estimating it almost a second declaration of American independence, and considers the campaign of '96 as ending all questions from the Civil war period and renewing popular interest in questions of finance and taxa- tion. He regards an income tax as the fairest form of taxation and believes that, after the set-


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tlement of the trouble with Spain, bimetallic money issued by the people will surely triumph over paper money controlled by the banks.


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OHN G. WILSON, A. M., attorney-at-law and local counsel for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, at Cumberland, is one of the most brilliant and promising young mem- bers of the legal profession in Allegany County. Reared, as he has been, with many of the advan- tages, of wealth and culture, he chose no royal highway, and neglected no work nor effort in ob- taining a superior education. Then, though it has been his privilege to cross the ocean several times, and to travel in Europe quite extensively, he always desired knowledge of foreign lands and customs rather than idle pleasure. He possesses a refined and elevated taste, and takes particular delight in literature and literary matters.


Born June 6, 1871, Mr. Wilson is a son of John Wilson, a member of the firm of Black, Sheridan, Wilson Coal Company, of Baltimore. The first nine years in the life of our subject were spent in his native town, Barton, Allegany County, and from there he removed with his parents to Piedmont and thence to Baltimore. After completing his studies in the schools of that city he entered Princeton College, and graduated with the class of 1892. He carried off the first honors of his class, delivered the Latin salutatory, and received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Later, in 1895, his alma mater bestowed upon him the degree of Master of Arts. Subsequent to his graduation, for relaxation and recreation he went abroad for a short period, and, upon his return in the fall of 1892 commenced the study of law in the office of John K. Cowen, who at that time was attorney for the Baltimore & Ohio Rail- road. Later we find him diligently at work in the law department of the University of Mary- land. Here he was elected president of his class, and duly graduated in 1894. After being ad- mitted to the bar he came to Cumberland, to suc-


ceed Judge Boyd as counsel for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and soon built up a large general practice besides.


In political affairs Mr. Wilson is a Republican. The cause of education always finds in him a spirited champion, and he is now a member of the board of Allegany County school commis- sioners. He is a frequent contributor to the columns of the newspapers, and is a clear, inter- esting and forcible writer. Here he is known as one of the young men who established the "Hour Book," a purely literary magazine, which had a bright, though too-brief existence. In his re- ligious proclivities he is a Presbyterian. He has the happy faculty of making friends readily wherever he goes and is of that cheerful, genial disposition that sheds sunshine upon the path- way of all with whom he comes in contact, even in the most casual manner, and thus others are uplifted and unconsciously helped.


LISHA C. ETCHISON, M. D. Not only in professional matters, but in business en- terprises as well, Dr. Etchison has proved himself to be one of the progressive and valuable citizens of Gaithersburg. Several times he has been chosen to serve as mayor, in which position he has contributed to the progress of the town and the promotion of its interests. In the incor- poration of the Gaithersburg Bank he took an active part and is one of its stockholders. He is also a stockholder and director in the seminary, and was one of the prime movers in the organiza- tion of the Waverly Club, to which he has con- tributed liberally.


Dr. Etchison was born in the northern part of Montgomery County, near the Frederick County line, March 12, 1848. He is a descendant of English ancestors, who were early settlers of Maryland. Elisha, his grandfather, was born in this county; his father is supposed to have re- moved hither from Prince George County. He became a planter, and made a specialty of the


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raising of tobacco. His family consisted of nine children, namely: Green S., father of the doctor; Hepsy, Mrs. Kinley; Sarah, wife of Jacob Young; Mrs. Madison Etchison; Lorenzo; Cornelius; Mrs. Purdam; Elizabeth S., Mrs. Leonard C. Mullinnix; and Ruth, wife of Joseph Kemp.


Throughout life Green S. Etchison was en- gaged as a tobacco planter and for some time he was tobacco inspector at Baltimore. Politically he was a Democrat, and for years he served as justice of the peace. He was active in the Methodist Protestant Church, in which for years he was steward and class-leader. His first mar- riage united him with Miss Alden, of Prince George County, who died leaving two children. The older daughter, Celestia, married Joseph Spur- rier and resides in Howard County. The younger daughter, Sylvesta, married Hamilton Beall and removed to Kansas, where her death occurred. The second wife of Green S. Etchison was Rachel Wood, daughter of John Wood, living near New Market, Frederick County. They became the parents of nine children, namely: Ruth, who married Oliver Watkins and resides near Damas- cus; Jennie, wife of John Clagett, of Clagettsville; Elisha C .; Marcellus, a retired business man, living at Clagettsville; John Green, at one time county commissioner, who died February 28, 1889; Lorenzo Bates, who succeeded his father as tobacco inspector; Elias H., M. D., of Gaithers- burg; Joseph M., who is engaged in farming near Clagettsville and has been county commis- sioner several terms; and Addie, Mrs. William Kinsey. The father died November 18, 1876, at the age of sixty-nine years, nine months and eighteen days.


After attending the public schools for several terms, our subject carried on his studies in Frederick Academy, and afterward taught four years in Montgomery County. During this time he studied medicine in leisure hours. Later he entered the medical department of the University of Maryland at Baltimore, from which he was graduated in March, 1874, with the degree of M. D. In April of the same year he came to Gaithersburg, where he has since engaged in professional practice, giving his attention es-


pecially to treatment of diseases of women and children. He is a member of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Baltimore. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons. In religion a Methodist, he serves his church as steward. He has been interested in the success of the Democratic party, and upon that ticket was elected to the state legislature in 1894 and 1896.


April 19, 1876, he married Nettie, daughter of Horace Waters, who lives near Germantown and is a member of an old family of the county. The doctor's four children were named as follows: Mamie, who died in infancy; Garnett W .; Au- brey Dorsey, who died at the age of two years and nine months; and Carlton, born August 26, 1886.


ILLIAM H. MANNAKEE, a prominent retired farmer of Kensington, Wheaton (formerly Berry ) District, Montgomery County, was born in this district in 1835, and is a son of John S. and Elizabeth A. Mannakee. His father, a native of Howard County, removed to Montgomery County, where he was success- fully engaged in agricultural pursuits and also, for many years, served as collector of this dis- trict. Politically he was stanch in his adherence to the Democratic party. He never cared for official position and the only offices he held were of an appointive nature. A man of generous dis- position, he was kind to the poor and often paid the taxes of farmers who had been unfortunate, waiting upon them until their fortunes changed, or dropping the matter altogether if they con- tinued in adverse circumstances. His land was situated near Sandy Spring and through his en- ergy and industry was greatly increased in value. His membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church was but the outward token of a consistent Christian life, that in every respect was modeled after the life of our Lord. Little is known of the ancestry of his father, William Mannakee.


The mother of our subject was Elizabeth E. Orme, daughter of Nathaniel Orme, a farmer in


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Montgomery County. She had six sons and five daughters. Richard J., the oldest son, is very wealthy and resides in Illinois; John P. died at twenty-four and Reuben when twenty-five years old; Elisha is a physician in Washington, D. C., and married Miss Haines, of Carroll County; Francis H. is a dentist in this county; Delila is unmarried and resides at the old homestead; May E. is the wife of Charles Nichols; Rebecca mar- ried Judge Charles R. Murphey; Octavia J., de- ceased, was the wife of John O. Williams; Cath- erine O., who is single, resides at home.


Educated in the district schools, the subject of this sketch remained at home until twenty-seven years of age, when he rented a farm. In 1865 he purchased a farm about one mile from the town of Kensington, where he continued to raise gen- eral farm products until a few years ago. His place he sold for a large sum and since then he has lived practically retired from business cares. In 1866 he married Georgia A. Knowles, daugh- ter of George Knowles, who was a prominent man in this locality and owned large tracts of land, including the present site of Kensington. He was not only successful financially, but very popular socially and numbered a host of friends in his home neighborhood. His wife was a Miss Higgins. Mr. and Mrs. Mannakee have three daughters and one son. The latter, Harry K., is the leading grocer of Kensington, and has a fine store room, filled with a complete assortment of groceries and provisions; he is also the pro- prietor of a livery stable here. The daughters are: Edna, wife. of John A. Jones, of Illinois; and Clare and Luraner E., who are refined and accomplished young ladies.


In politics Mr. Mannakee has always adhered to Democratic principles. For years he served as judge of elections. He was elected county commissioner three times and served for two terms. In all matters relating to the party he has always taken an active interest. He is a stockholder and director in the street railway running from Kensington to Chevy Chase, and has other financial interests of an important na- ture. In religion he was reared in the Methodist faith, but inclines to the Episcopal Church, with


which his family are identified. The home which he occupies is an elegant residence, built under his supervision in 1888, and is furnished in a manner indicative of the refined tastes and cult- ure of the family.


OHN HENRY HARRIS, a farmer residing in Rockville District, Montgomery County, is a native of this county, born at Travilah, and is a son of Madison F. and Nancy (Granger) Harris. Madison F., who was born and reared in this county, learned the trade of a shoemaker in youth and for a time was employed on the canal. Starting without capital, by industry and energy he succeeded in accumulating some capi- tal, which he invested in the purchase of a farm, and during the remainder of his life he engaged in agricultural pursuits. As a farmer he was quite successful and accumulated a competency. A prominent Democrat of his county, he took an active part in matters pertaining to the party. For about ten years he served as a justice of the peace. He was interested in educational affairs and a stanch friend of the public school system: and he had the distinction of establishing the first school in the country, a school that was long known as the Harris school. He attended the Baptist Church, but was not a member of that or any denomination. By his marriage to the daughter of Jonathan Granger seven sons and seven daughters were born, ten of whom are liv- ing, namely: Matilda, the widow of James Mills: Thomas, a farmer of this county; Elizabeth, who married John Thompson; Margaret, widow of Richard Bean; John Henry; Susan R., wife of Thomas Duley; Alexander, who is engaged in the mill business; Victoria, wife of Jacob Trevy; Nannie, Mrs. E. Holland; and Charles Richard, a farmer.


In the common schools and the academy at Darnestown the subject of this sketch obtained his education. Early in life he began to aid in the cultivation of the land, assisting his father


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until he was about twenty-five years of age. He then came to his present place of residence, where he owns and conducts two hundred and seventy acres, having bought one hundred and twenty acres since he came here. Politically he votes the Democratic ticket. In 1895 he erected a comfortable residence, in which he and his family have established their home and where they hospitably entertain their many friends. In 1875 he married Eliza V., daughter of James and Eliza (Thompson) Shaw, of this county; and they are the parents of four sons: Eugene, Montgomery, Corbin and Raymond. The family attend the Baptist Church.


a REDERICK AUGUSTUS THAVER, state's attorney for Garrett County and a well- known citizen of Oakland, comes from one - of the representative families of this region, one that has also been well known in the annals of the United States from the early days of its history. The first of the name in the United States came from England with two brothers and became one of the pioneers of the Pilgrim colony in Massachusetts. The great-great-grandfather of our subject, Abel Thayer, took part in the French war and also fought for this country's in- dependence in the war of the Revolution, partici- pating in the battles of Ticonderoga, Crown Point, Frontenac, Lexington, Concord and other engagements. He witnessed the fall of young Lord Howe at Ticonderoga. During the war for independence, he served as captain, distinguish- ing himself by his personal bravery, and received complimentary notice from his superiors. Ste- phen, son of Captain Thayer, left his home in New England and drove across the country to Maryland in 1818, bringing his family and house- hold goods. He purchased a tract of land near the present town of Oakland, and prospered, be- coming in time one of the leading men of the locality. He died when about sixty-six years of age.


The father of Frederick A. Thayer was Ralph Thayer, a native of Williamsburg, Mass. When he was thirteen years of age he made the (to him ) ever-memorabie journey across the intervening territory to this section of the country, accom- panying the other members of the family. From that time he was thoroughly identified with the development and increasing prosperity of this country. For several years he was employed in merchandising in the towns of Selbysport, Md., and Addison, Pa., but later much of his time was given to agriculture.


In the session of 1841 he was a delegate to the general assembly of Maryland. He rendered important service in establishing the public school system in that portion of Allegany County which is now embraced within Garrett, and was com- missioner of public schools from 1865 to 1867, during which time he established thirty-three new schools in the various districts of the countv. He was appointed deputy marshal, and took the ninth census in the western portion of Allegany County in 1870, under Marshal E. Y. Golds- borough. He was appointed postmaster in Oakland in 1875 by President Grant, filling said office acceptably for ten years. He also served as an enrolling officer during the Civil war. He was a Republican of the old Jeffersonian princi- ples, was loyal to its principles and a firm believer in its superiority; he was an ardent admirer of Henry Clay, and was identified with the old-line Whig party from its birth to its demise.


The marriage of Ralph Thayer united him with Mary Mitchell, daughter of John Mitchell, of Somerset County, Pa. She died at the age of sixty-nine years. Of her nine children, the fol- lowing survive: Charles H .; Lucretia A., wife of George Waters, of Clarksburg, W. Va .; Mary Virginia, wife of Bowie Johnson, who was a son of the late Reverdy Johnson, of Baltimore; Walter E., of New Mexico; Frederick A .; and Richard H., a resident of Thomas, W. Va.


Frederick A. Thayer was born in Garrett (then Allegany) County, August 1, 1854, and acquired his early education in the public and private schools of this county, and from private tutors. When he attained his majority he took


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up the study of law under the tutelage of Thomas J. Peddicord and was admitted to the bar in May, 1883. He immediately opened an office in Oak- land and successfully carried on his practice for seven years, when he gave it up in order to accept the position of postmaster, having been appoint- ed to that office in 1890 by President Harrison. After four years of service in this position he resumed his interrupted practice. In 1895 he was nominated on the Republican ticket for the office of state's attorney and was elected by a flattering majority, which office he now fills. For five years he was clerk to the board of county commissioners and for a similar period served as deputy clerk of the circuit court. In these several positions he has acquitted himself with credit. He is thoroughly posted in the intricacies of the law, is an able exponent of its tenets, and by close application to his profession and fidelity to his clients, has succeeded in building up a large and lucrative practice.


October 1, 1884, Mr. Thayer married Maggie Peddicord, daughter of his former preceptor. Four children came to bless their home; but one of these died in infancy. The others are: Mary Rebecca, Ralph Thomas and Frederick A., Jr. Mr. Thayer has been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for years and has been the assistant superintendent of the Sunday- school and steward for some ten or twelve years. He is a man of sterling integrity and uprightness of character, and is respected by all who know him.


G FORGE H. WRIGHT, M. D., physician in charge of Carroll Springs Sanitarium, sitti- ated at Forest Glen, Montgomery County, founded this hygienic institution in 1887, since which time he has been its head. The place takes its name from the Carroll family, who formerly owned the land, and a portion of the residence is more than one hundred years old. The rooms of the sanitarium are large, well lighted and ventilated, each one containing an


open fireplace. By limiting the number of patients to twenty-five, quiet and individual at- tention from the physician in charge is insured. The location is admirable for a health resort. The country is rolling, well watered and well drained, and as the land has an elevation of four hundred feet above Washington, the summers are far more pleasant than in that city. Large walnut, maple and oak trees afford shade, and add to the attractive appearance of the park. There are six springs on the place, whose waters have been tested, and it has been found that each contains different medicinal properties, rendering them valuable in the treatment of chronic diseases. The waters of the springs flow into a beautiful lake, which adds much to the picturesqueness of the place. The sanitarium and its surroundings are conducive to cheerfulness. There are pleas- ant walks, delightful drives, and games of all kinds for those able to participate in them. From Washington the sanitarium may be easily reached by the Metropolitan branch of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in twenty minutes; by carriages on the Seventh street pike in an hour, and by the Washington, Woodside & Forest Glen Electric Railroad that runs within one minute's walk of the buildings.


The proprietor of the sanitarium was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1858. His father, William W. Wright, a native of Massachusetts, was for many years a banker and broker in Cleveland and Buffalo, but about twenty years ago he set- tled in Washington, D. C., where he remained for ten years. He is now living retired in Lin- den. Politically he is a stanch Republican, tak- ing an active interest in presidential campaigns. His grandfather was a soldier in the Revolution and he holds membership with the Sons of the American Revolution. The family, on coming to America, settled in Massachusetts. The doc- tor's mother was Eleanor, daughter of John Herdman, a native of Belfast, Ireland, who came to this country in boyhood and was reared in New York City. His father was a graduate of Belfast College. William W. and Eleanor Wright had five sons and one daughter. Of these Frederick William died in childhood;


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Stephen Prescott is proprietor of a summer resort at Brookside, W. Va .; Walter T. died when a young man, having previously been in the bank- ing business with his father; William W. is a patent lawyer in Washington; and Sarah Louise is the wife of Hon. Frank Perkins, an attorney of Buffalo, N. Y., and a prominent politician.


where she took the regular course. She is the mother of five children: Wallace Waite, George Van, Lucy Eleanor, Marcia Catherine and Fred- erick William.


The most of his time Dr. Wright gives to the management of the sanitarium. To assist him, in his work here, he has Miss Marcia Moore, an excellent trained nurse, who was formerly asso- ciated with Dr. Waite in Chicago. Politically Dr. Wright is independent. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and a number of promi- nent medical societies in Maryland, and has fre- quently been invited to contribute articles to the leading medical journals of the country. With his wife, he holds membership in the People's Church of Washington.


When a boy our subject attended the public schools of Buffalo. After graduating from Cor- nell College in 1882, he began the study of medi- cine at Columbia College, Washington, and after graduating in 1884, he was for one year resident physician in Emergency hospital. In 1886 he graduated from Hahnemann's Medical College in Chicago, after which he practiced for a year in Indiana, locating at Forest Glen in 1887. In 1885 he married Jessie Waite, daughter of Judge C. B. Waite, of Chicago, an attorney in that city for more than forty years and territorial judge of Utah under President Lincoln. Having practiced before the United States supreme court at Wash- ington, he is also well known in this city. His EORGE H. ZIMMERMAN. The eldest child of William H. Zimmerman, our sub- ject was born in the vicinity of Walkers- ville, Frederick County, Md., May 11, 1850. His father, a native of the same locality, was a miller in his early manhood, but since 1870 has been profitably engaged in the grocery business in this city. His wife, Sarah A., is a daughter of Henry C. Donsife, who was a blacksmith in Woodsboro, Md. David E., our subject's only brother, is in partnership with his father in the grocery business. There are three sisters living, namely: Annie M., wife of Henry A. Hahn, who is a tanner and resides in Frederick: and Amanda D. and Clara E., who are unmarried and at home. wife, Catherine B. Waite, studied law with him, was admitted to the bar and has been promi- nently identified with the changing of the laws relative to property rights of women in the state of Illinois. She is a graduate of Oberlin College and a woman of splendid education and attain- ments, maintaining an especial interest in all questions pertaining to the rights and improve- ment of women. In her family there are two sons and two daughters. Charles L. owns a large ranch near Denver; Joseph V. is a stenog- rapher in Chicago; and Lucy, who graduated from the University of Chicago, has for years been the head physician of the Mary Thompson Hospital in Chicago. She is a woman of great brilliancy of intellect, with a thorough knowledge When he had gained a general education and was thereby well qualified for his future life, Mr. Zimmerman left his old home near Walkersville, and became a clerk in the store of Zimmerman & Schultz, at Sykesville, Md .; he remained for about three years. He was then about twenty, and coming to this city he worked for his father in his grocery for several years; then followed his long and faithful service, extending over fifteen of the medical profession, which she has studied not only in the United States, but in Paris and for two years in Germany. She married Byron Robinson, M. D., an eminent physician and sur- geon of Chicago, but retains her maiden name and is known in society and her profession as Dr. Waite. Mrs. Wright received splendid ad- vantages when a girl and was one of the first ladies to graduate from Chicago University, years, in the First National Bank of Frederick,




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