USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Sixth congressional district, Maryland V. 2 > Part 46
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Politically a Republican, Mr. Kemp has done much effective work for his party. He has been a consistent Christian for years, holding member- ship in the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which for a number of years he has been trustee, steward, class-leader and superintendent of the Sunday-school. In fraternal relations he is con- nected with the Western Port Lodge No. 91, I. O. O. F., and for several years he was a mem- ber of the Hiram Lodge of Masons at the same place. December 23, 1853, he married Miss Charlotte, daughter of John Kight. They have only one child, a son, Howard M. Kemp, M. D., a practicing physician of Alexander, W. Va., and a young man of superior intelligence and ability. While still a resident of Garrett Coun- ty, he represented it in the legislature of Mary- land, and later was appointed to the position of paymaster of the navy department at Washing- ton, remaining in that city for fifteen months, after which he retired from public life and turned his attention to the practice of his chosen profes- sion. He is progressive in his ideas and keeps in
touch with the latest discoveries in medicine and their proper application as remedial agencies. The same ability that made him an important figure in public affairs has also placed him in the front rank of his profession at Alexander.
ERRY T. PRATHER, of Clear Spring, Washington County, was born in 1836.
2 His father, who was a native of this place, spent his entire life here and was among the leading farmers of his day. He died at the age of seventy-three years, and his wife, whose maiden name was Temperance Mason, passed away in 1887, when seventy-six years of age. Of their land, after which he had charge of all the bridge. eight children only three are now living, namely:
Annie, wife of Rev. J. M. Graybill; Perry T. and John B.
The grandfather of our subject, Samuel Prather, was born in 1763 and spent his life as a farmer, owning the land on which was situated the old Fort Frederick. He owned a number of slaves, as well as a large tract of land. His death oc- curred when he was fifty-four years of age, in 1818. He was a son of Richard Prather, who was born August 1, 1727, and resided for several years on the farm which his descendants inherited. The family was established in Washington County in 1838; they were first represented in America by three brothers who came from Eng- land as missionaries and settled in St. Mary County ..
After having completed his education in the public schools, our subject taught for one year. In 1860 he went to Wilmington, N. C., where he secured employment as a clerk in a hardware store. At the breaking out of the war he re- turned home and afterward taught for seventeen consecutive years. In 18So he opened .a general store at Clear Spring, where he has since engaged in the mercantile business, and has also super- intended the farm that he owns near here. In politics he has always voted the Republican ticket.
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In 1863 Mr. Prather married Miss Annie, daughter of Thomas Mason. She died in 1871, leaving one child, George T., another having died in infancy. In 1883 he was again married, his wife being Maggie M. Stinemetz, of this county. His only child, George T., was born in 1866 and engaged in the mercantile business for a number of years at Clear Spring, where he resides. He married Miss Mary Bain, by whom he has two sons, Frank and Henry. In religious belief our subject is connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been a trustee for thirty years or more. In business he has been fairly successful, a fact that is to be attributed to his energy and determination, rather than to any assistance he has received from others.
LEXANDER RANKIN, state mine in- spector for Allegany and Garrett Counties, is a resident of Frostburg, where he was born March 7, 1863, the son of Alexander and Jessie (Gracie) Rankin; his father, who was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, in 1823, was the descend- ant of a long line of Scotch ancestors, whose in- dustry and uprightness were transmitted to him. His youth was passed in his native land, where he engaged in mining. In 1852 he came to America and settled in Maryland, where he was similarly occupied. At the time of his arrival the mining industry was in its infancy, railroads had not yet been introduced and coal was hauled by wagon to Cumberland after it was brought from the mines. In politics he voted the Re- publican ticket, but never took an active part in public or political matters. Reared in the Presbyterian faith, he always adhered to its tenets and during his younger years was active in the work of the denomination. He assisted in the organization of the church at Frostburg, of which he was an elder for many years. For a long time he was afflicted with lung trouble, which finally caused his death, December 11, 1896, when he was seventy-three years of age.
After coming to Frostburg Alexander Rankin married Miss Gracie, of this place. Seven chil- dren were born of their union. When a child our subject attended the local public schools, but at the age of fourteen he discontinued his studies and began to work in the mines. Since then he has always been connected with mining interests. A Republican in politics and active in local affairs, he has, however, never sought official preferment, but his services being recognized by the members of his party and the governor as well, appropriate recognition of them was made. In February, 1898, he was appointed state mine inspector for Allegany and Garrett Counties, which appointment was confirmed by the senate on the 21st of March of the same year. His long experience in practical mining eminently qualifies him for this position, the duties of which he is discharging with efficiency and success.
Fraternally Mr. Rankin is a member of the Knights of Malta. In religious faith he inclines to the Presbyterian Church, the religion of his forefathers. He was united in marriage July 23, 1885, with Catharine McCready, daughter of Richard McCready, of Frostburg. Six children came to bless their union, of whom the third, Alexander, died in February, 1897. The others are : William, Robert, Clayton, Nellie and Bertha.
ILLIAM HOFFMAN, an honored citizen of Buckeystown District, Frederick County, is the last of an old and esteemed family line, and is eminently deserving of favorable mention among his contemporaries, to whose labors the state is deeply indebted for its present prosperity and advancement. He has nobly done his share toward the maintenance of all measures having for their object the betterment of his associates and the public in general. He began his career a poor man, and owes it to himself that he is now in a position that commands the respect of all. Undaunted by poverty and hard work, he steadily pursued the course that he had
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marked out for himself, and in time reaped his reward-a competence and an assured future and a high place in the regard of his fellowmen.
Our subject comes of stanch old patriotic stock, his paternal grandfather, Henry Hoffman, bav- ing served throughout the war of the Revolution and four of his uncles, John, Henry, Caspar and George, having been participants in the War of 1812. The grandfather was an agriculturist, and was the owner of a large farin situated in the neighborhood of Braddock, Frederick County. He lived to reach fourscore years. Adam Hoff- man, the father of our subject, was a native of this district, and was a weaver by trade. He died when about thirty years of age. His wife was a lady from Pennsylvania, Sarah Shaffer, who survived him many years, dying when about sixty-five. The whole Hoffman family have been members of the Reformed Church from early days. Three sons of Adam Hoffman and wife died in infancy and their only daughter mar- ried a Mr. Smith and had two children.
William Hoffman was born in the district in which he makes his home at present, November 13, 1823. He was a mere child when death de- prived him of the love and care of his kind father, and he went to live with his grandfather. There he remained until he was sixteen years of age, when he started out in the world to make his own way as best he could. During the following fourteen years he worked at anything whereby he might earn an honest dollar, and so careful and frugal was he with his wages that at last he was enabled to purchase a home of his own. Forty-five years ago he invested the savings of years in the farm where he has since dwelt. A
large share of the means which this required was made by him with a threshing-machine, which he operated for ten years in this section of the county. His homestead consists of a tract of fertile land of seventy-three acres, and nearly everything in the shape of buildings and improve- ments have been the result of his own enterprise. He is a practical farmer and strives to keep everything in a thrifty condition about his premi- ises. He owns a good grade of horses and cattle, and has been engaged in raising a general line of
cereals. In his youth his . circumstances were such that he could attend school very little and he has consequently been forced to rely upon his own private study and reading for information. Thus, in every sense of the word, he is a self- made man, and is the more entitled to credit that this is the case. He has never been desirous of wealth or fame, preferring to quietly and peace- fully "pursue the even tenor of his way" undis- turbed by these vain things for which so many in the world are ready to barter all that is truest and best in life. He has, what is far better, a name without blemish and an honorable record. He has always voted the Democratic ticket, and has never been induced to accept official positions.
Ir 1841 Mr. Hoffman married Sophia Cover, the daughter of a farmer of this county, and she has proved a faithful helpmate, sharing his joys and sorrows. Though they have not been blessed with children they have found com- panionship and comfort in each other's society, and, having mastered many difficulties that lay in their pathway, they now enjoy many of the luxuries of life and have an abundance for old age. They attend the Lutheran Church, of which Mrs. Hoffman is a member.
AMES H. CRUM. After having efficiently filled the position of deputy sheriff for some time, Mr. Crum turned his attention to agri- cultural pursuits and removed to the farm where he now resides. The place is situated in Liber- tytown District, and its cultivation he personally superintends. He is one of the well-known resi- dents of Frederick County, where, during the long period of his residence, he has won many friends and gained the regard of every acquaint- ance by his fearless bravery and unflinching in- tegrity.
Near Union Bridge, Carroll County, Md., the subject of this sketch was born September 25, 1867, a son of William T. and Ellen S. Crum, both natives of Frederick County. He is the
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only survivor of two children, his brother, Fred- erick R., being deceased. When our subject was one year old his parents removed to Liberty- town District, Frederick County, and here he grew to manhood, receiving a fair education in the local schools. At the age of seventeen he began to teach school, which occupation he fol- lowed for two years. He then engaged in car- pentering for four years, assisting in the building of houses in the county. The work, however, was not very profitable, nor was it entirely con- genial, so at the end of four years he turned his attention to farming, which he followed for four years. He was first appointed deputy sheriff under his father-in-law, Daniel Zimmerman, whose term lasted two years. He was retained as deputy by Sheriff McBride for two years, re- tiring from the position in December, 1897, and settling on the farm where he now resides.
January 3, 1889, Mr. Crum married Miss Zim- merman, by whom he has two children: Mamie Blanche and Reno Sheridan. In politics he gives his allegiance to the Republican party, with whose principles he is heartily in sympathy. Fraternally he is connected with the Junior Order United American Mechanics and the Improved Order of Red Men. He is known for his sound judgment in business matters, for his fearless na- ture and for the enterprise that impels him to undertake any venture that promises to bring success. What he has is the result of his energy, perseverance and shrewd business qualities.
LEXANDER W. DE WITT, one of the popular and proficient teachers of Garrett County and an instructor in the county nor- mal at Accident, was born near Hoyes, Allegany (now Garrett) County, August 24, 1851. He represents the third generation of the family re- siding in this locality, the first to come here hav- ing been his grandfather, John DeWitt, who came from Preston County, W. Va., to Allegany County, Md., about 1828, and settled near
Hoyes, buying the farm that is now the family homestead. Asan agriculturist he was energetic and met with a fair degree of success. He kept himself well posted concerning public affairs and his views were similar to those adopted by the Republican party on its organization. His fa- ther, Henry, who was born and spent his entire life in Preston County, was a son of Paul De- Witt, a native of New Jersey, but during much of his life a resident of West Virginia. The fam- ily is of German extraction, but has been iden- tified with the history of America since an early period in its settlement.
John DeWitt, Jr., father of our subject, was born in Allegany County and made his home in that portion of the county which, on the division in 1872, became a part of Garrett. He is one of the most extensive farmers, as well as leading citizens, of his section. Politically he adheres to Republican principles. He is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which his brother, Judge Joseph DeWitt, judge of the orphans' court, was long a local preacher and prominent man. He is still living on the home place near Hoyes and, at the age of sixty-four, is vigorous and robust. His wife, who is now sixty years of age, was Harriet Collier, daughter of Joseph Collier, of Somerset County, Pa. Of their six children, four are living.
The boy hood years of the subject of this sketch were spent on the home farm. His education was commenced in the public schools and con- tinued in the county normal school. At the age of eighteen he secured a certificate and began to teach in . Allegany County. Nature, as well as careful training, had prepared him for educa- tional work, and he has met with marked suc- cess in his chosen calling, which he carried on for eighteen years in Frostburg, being principal of the Bowery street school during eight years of that time. For one year he taught at Graham- town, and for two years he was vice-principal of school No. 1. In 1896 he received from the state board of education a life certificate for teach- ing in Maryland. In 1896, returning to his native place, he took charge of the school at Sang Run and later was at Selbysport, besides having
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charge of the county normal. He has been an active worker in the Republican party and for some years was a member of the Frostburg Town Council. Fraternally he is connected with the Junior Order United American Mechanics. He is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church and has rendered efficient service as superintend- ent of the Sunday-school. He is married and has two children.
LISHA SWOMLEY. Almost the entire life of Mr. Swomley has been passed upon the homestead farm in New Market District, Frederick County, where he owns and occupies the estate of one hundred and five acres purchased by his grandfather many years ago. Here, where he was born March 29, 1828, the years of his boyhood and youth were uneventfully passed, as well as the more active years of his manhood. A farmer by training and natural taste, he has labored industriously in the cultivation of his land and has added to the improvements made by his father and grandfather.
The original owner of this property was Daniel Swomley, who was born in New Market District and in early manhood settled upon the place where he spent his subsequent years. By his marriage to Miss Russell three children were born. Our subject's father was born near the village of New Market and followed the occupa- tion of a farmer, remaining a resident of his na- tive district until he died, at forty-seven years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Miles, was born in Montgomery County, this state, and survived her husband many years, dying at the age of ninety-three. They were the parents of five children, four of whom attained mature years, namely: Marion A., who is the widow of George Webb, and lives in Frederick; Elisha; Daniel, whose home is in New Market District; and Lydia, Mrs. Edward Hughes, de- ceased.
At the time of his father's death our subject
was a youth of seventeen years. Afterward he was engaged in the mercantile business at New Market, Frederick County, and Mount Airy, Car- roll County, for two years, and then returned to the home farm, where he has since engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1850 he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Nelson, and they are the parents of six children, namely: Sarah M., Mrs. Smith; Edgar N., who is with his parents; Ida V., wife of George S. Hickman, of Baltimore; Elisha T., at home; Clarence W., who lives in Kansas City, Mo .; and Ella J., who is with her parents. The entire landed posses- sions of Mr. Swomley aggregate one hundred and eighty-five acres, upon which cereals and stock are raised. He gives his attention princi- pally to farm work, and has little time for public affairs and less desire to hold official position. The only office he has held was that of judge of election. In party belief he is a Democrat, and gives his vote to the candidates and principles of that organization. Religious and benevolent en- terprises receive his warm sympathy and practical financial aid, and he co-operates with measures having for their object the benefit of the com- munity.
REDERICK A. DAWSON, who owns .a valuable farm two miles southwest of Daw- sonville, in Poolesville District, Montgomery County, was born in this village July 22, 1833, and is a son of Benoni and Sarah ( Jones) Daw- son. His maternal grandfather was Wilkerson Jones, of this county; and his paternal grand- father, Robert D., was a son of Thomas and grandson of John Dawson. The family was founded in America by John, Charles and Thom- as Dawson, who came from England, and while on shipboard John married Mary Doyne, an Irish girl. John and Mary Dawson intended to set- tle in a southern colony, but from stress of weather were forced to locate in a more northern state and made final settlement in the Chesa-
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peake Bay country. Their children were Thomas, George and Charles, who settled in Virginia, north of Leesburg. The children of Thomas were as follows: Benoni, Nicholas L., Robert D., Eleanor (Mrs. Lawrence Allnutt), Virlinda (Mrs. James Allnutt), Mrs. Sarah Mackall, Elizabeth (who died unmarried) and three whose names are not known, but whose husbands bore the sur- names of Mackael, Johns and Blackmore.
Thomas Dawson settled upon the land near where the village of Dawsonville now stands, where he purchased a large tract and engaged in business as a planter. When he came to this part of the country, George, his brother, settled in Washington County and remained there until his daughter, Mary, married a Mr. Garrett, when he moved to Pennsylvania with the other mem- bers of his family. His nephew, Benoni, also went to Pennsylvania, but later went to Ohio, where he endured all the hardships and perils incident to pioneer life, and where his descendants may now be found.
Robert D. Dawson married Sarah N., daughter of Stephen N. Chiswell, and their children were named as follows: William C .; Mary Doyne; Valinda H., who married Daniel Allnutt; Thomas, Stephen N .; Robert Doyne, who removed to Missouri and became a wealthy land owner in that state; Elizabeth, who died unmarried; Sarah N .; Joseph N .; Benoni, the father of our subject; and George W.
The father of our subject was a physician by profession. He bought the farm now owned by Edwin Allnutt, adjoining the village of Dawson- ·ville. In the ranks of the Whig party he was quite prominent. Born in 1797, he was fifty-four years of age at the time of his death, in 1851. His children were named as follows: Susan A., who is single and resides with our subject; Joseph H., who died in early life; Sarah E., widow of Thomas D. Darby; Frederick A .; Emily A., wife of Benoni Allnutt; Mary M., who died un- married; Laura, who died in childhood; Martha, wife of Thomas Waters, of Montgomery County; Robert, who died in boyhood; Adelaide L., who makes her home with our subject; and William Edward, who died in infancy.
When our subject was seventeen years of age his father died, and about the same time occurred the death of his older brother, which left to him the management of the farm. He remained there until 1868, and then rented a place which forms part of his present farm. In 1870 he bought three hundred and ninety acres, comprising his present estate, and here he follows general farm- ing and stock-raising. Though taking a lively interest in public matters, he has never been an office seeker. During the war he was a Union man and Republican, but later advocated Demo- cratic principles, and is now inclined to be in- dependent. Frequently he has been called upon to serve as trustee of schools. He has an elegant home, provided with all the comforts of life and surrounded by evidences of the refinement and prosperity of the family.
M ARTIN BROOKE TYLER, chief clerk of the Consolidated Coal Company at Frost- burg, Allegany County, has acted in this position for the past three years. He has had a wide and varied business experience and is ener- getic, progressive and methodical in the discharge of his duties. As every true patriot and public- spirited citizen should be, he is earnestly inter- ested in everything affecting the general welfare, and has been a very active worker in behalf of the Democratic party.
The father of the above, Col. Nathaniel Tyler, was known in history as the "war editor" of the Richmond (Va. ) Enquirer, which during the Civil war was the leading mouth-piece of the Confeder- acy. He was born in Fairfax County, Va., March 9, 1828, and after attending the Virginia Military Institute entered the University of Virginia, grad- uating therefrom in 1848. He took up the practice of law at Warrenton, Va., and subsequently be- came the editor and owner of the Flag, published in that city prior to the war. In 1856 he went to Richmond and, associated with William F. Ritchie and O'Jennings Wise, took the manage-
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ment of the Enquirer. During the war he was also in the field as the colonel of the Twenty-first Virginia Infantry. When Richmond was taken by the Federals the newspaper plant was de- stroyed and Colonel Tyler was arrested and con- fined in Libby prison by order of General Grant. At the time of his arrest he was partaking of tea, which was being served on the veranda of his home, and when the detail of soldiers surrounded the house and demanded that Colonel Tyler an- swer the summons for his arrest, he stepped forth and accompanied them. Influential friends inter- posed in his behalf and with his family he started for Baltimore, reaching that city the morning after Lincoln's assassination. Excitement and popular feeling were then at such a pitch that earnest advice was given to the colonel to conceal himself, as some extremists had already associated his name with the great tragedy just enacted. He succeeded in arriving safely in New York City, but was there placed under arrest on the charge of being implicated in a conspiracy against Lincoln's life, but Governor Dix of New York state came to his assistance and he was released. Later friends supplied the colonel with funds and he returned to Richmond and edited the Enquirer until it was merged into the other leading paper of that city, the Examiner. In 1868, going to Baltimore, Colonel Tyler took charge of the Com- mercial for a period and then became interested in an insurance paper called the Baltimore En- .. quirer. Since then he has been connected with the state insurance department and has given his whole time to insurance matters, until he is con- sidered a national authority on the same.
Martin Brooke Tyler, born July 14, 1858, in Fauquier County, Va., is the second child of Colonel Tyler and the eldest of his four sons. He was educated in Pen Lucy Academy, at Chestnut Hill, Baltimore County, Md., under the direction of Col. R. M. Johnson. In 1873 he embarked in the dry-goods business in Baltimore, and continued in that enterprise until the riots, which occurred in that city in 1877. He served as a lieutenant of the Fifth Regiment of National Guards during those troubles. Afterwards he entered the employ of D. C. Woods & Co. as a
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