USA > Maryland > Portrait and biographical record of the Sixth congressional district, Maryland V. 2 > Part 6
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elected a member of the House of Delegates, and in 1881 was the nominee for state senator, but was defeated by three hundred and twenty-seven majority, while the remainder of the Republican ticket was elected by an average majority of over eight hundred. In September, 1896, he issued a magnificient illustrated supplement, celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of his connection with journalism in Frostburg. The color of the cover was orange, with a design in black (the state colors), while the typography was in silver, typifying the popular idea which accords silver to the twenty-fifth anniversary.
Fraternally Mr. Oder is connected with the Knights of Pythias, Royal Arcanum, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Masonic Order up to and including the Knights Templar. February 20, 1867, he married Adele R. Kuser, who died August 18, 1868. He was again mar- ried March 7, 1871, his wife being Margaret E. Churchill. Of his children one son and two daughters died in infancy. Five are still living, namely: Annie B .; Nillson, who married Oder Harrell and resides in Front Royal, Va .; J. Blanche, Archie C. and Margaret Eloise.
OBERT M. PERRY, one of the old and re- spected residents of Garrett County, has been engaged in the cultivation of a valu- able farm in the Seventh District for the past thirty-three years. This property was originally the old homestead of George Calmes, the maternal grandfather of our subject. He was of French descent, his ancestors having been Huguenots who came to America in colonial days, seeking a home where they might be free from religious persecution. George Calmes was a hero of the Revolutionary war, participated in the famous battle of Brandywine and was with Washington at Valley Forge.
Roger Perry, father of Robert M., was a native of Montgomery County, Md., and was there reared to manhood. Then, for several years he
was engaged in the practice of law in the city of Cumberland, Allegany County, Md., and had won a high place in the profession at the time of his death, about 1835. His father, Charles Perry, was a native of England, but came to America prior to the Revolution. He was among the first settlers of Montgomery County, Md., and became a wealthy and influential planter. He lived to the allotted age of man, threescore and ten years. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Lucy Calmes. She was born and grew to womanhood in this section and died here when about sixty-five years of age. She was the mother of ten children and of this large family only Robert M. survives. His brother, Thomas, was at one time judge of Alle- gany and Washington Counties, Md., and was a man of great influence and high standing in this part of the state. Another brother, Roger Perry, was for several years a captain in the United States navy and participated in the war of the Rebellion and was stationed at Calleo with the fleet during Lincoln's administration; and Will- iam, a younger brother, was an attorney-at-law in Romney, Hampshire County, Md.
The birth of our subject took place in the city of Cumberland, Md., in 1817, and there he passed his happy boyhood days, attending the public schools and preparing himself for the serious duties of life. He was about twenty when he started out to make his own way in the world, and, going to Adams County, Ill., engaged in farming there for two years. During the next twenty years or more he traveled extensively in the West, living in different states, and at last reached Washington Territory. He was variously occupied in this period, but was chiefly engaged in farming, and was fairly successful from a financial point of view. Close contact with people of all classes and conditions in the then new west, widened his. mental horizon, taught him large-hearted sympathy with his brother. man, and the hardships that he necessarily en- dured have made his quiet home life in later years seem doubly pleasant. In 1860, before the war, he returned to the home and friends of his youth. with the intention of settling here permanently.
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and has since carried on the old farm of his maternal grandfather, as previously stated. The year of his return home he married Miss Emily S. Harvey, daughter of Noah and Sarah ( Wilson) Harvey.
In his political opinions Mr. Perry is a Dem- wrat, but has never been an aspirant to public office. His ancestors on both sides of the family were adherents of the Episcopal Church for sev- eral generations, or at least after their settlement in the United States, but he has departed from this precedent and is a member of the Dunkard Church.
AJ. HORATIO BARNARD LOWRY, United States Marine Corps, retired, and residing at Rockville, Montgomery County, was born in Burlington, Vt., November 10, 1837. He is a descendant of pioneer settlers of America. Thomas Lowrey (as the name was then spelled) came from the north of Ireland about 1740. Ac- companying him to this country was his wife, Anna Lowrey, a native of Scotland, and bearing the same family name as himself, but not in any way related. They landed at Boston, and from there proceeded to West Hartford, Conn., and later to Farmington. His death occurred May 16, 1788, at the age of eighty-seven, and his wife passed away December 31, 1790, aged eighty- four. Both were buried in the old cemetery in the eastern part of Farmington (now Plainfield).
The second child born to Thomas and Anna Lowrey was named Thomas, and was born Au- gust 17, 1734. He was united in marriage November 20, 1760, with Phoebe Benedict, who was born December 16, 1742. They removed to Vermont, and there Thomas died in 1800 or 1801; he was buried at Jericho. The names of his children and dates of their birth are as follows: Pamelia, born September 3, 1761; Ivel, May 8, 1763; Peter, December 18, 1765; James, June 13, 1771; Heaman, September 4, 1778; and Oliver, June 6, 1783. Of these children James was killed soon after his marriage, and his son, James, born
after the father's death, was reared by his uncle, Oliver, the grandfather of our subject. James emigrated to the west and settled in Iowa, rear- ing a large family.
Oliver, the youngest son of Thomas, dropped the "e" in the family name, shortening it to Lowry. He was twice married. His first wife, Sophia Holenbeck, was born in Canaan, Conn., December 18, 1781, and died April 23, 1839. He was a farmer and a man of prominence in his neighborhood, where for many years he served as magistrate. He represented his district in the lower house of the state legislature, where he rendered able service. In the Presbyterian Church he long served as an elder. His death occurred at Jericho, Vt., in March, 1868.
The children of Oliver and Sophia Lowry were named: Abner B., the father of our subject; Albert, born at Jericho, January 8, 1810, married Saralı Stevens, of Enosbury, Vt., in February, 1840, and died at Jericho, May 19, 1878; Emily, born in Jericho, January 31, 1812, died August 2, 1840; Eliza, born in Jericho February 13, 1814, first the wife of Gildden True, and later married to a Mr. Stevens, dying December 16, 1879; John, born at Jericho, March 18, 1816, married Louisa Blakesley, of Whitehall, N. Y., December 16, 1841, and died in Burlington, Vt., September 2, 1886; Henry, who was born in Jericho, July 31, 1817, is now deceased; and Phoebe, born October 4, 1820, married Obadiah Lamb.
Abner B. Lowry was born at Jericho, Vt., February 6, 1808, and remained in his native place until 1824, when he removed to Burlington. He continued his residence in that city until his death, January 12, 1883, at the age of seventy- five years. He was actively engaged in business until failing health compelled him to retire from his enterprises. In younger days he was a very active politician. Coming of age in the stirring times of Jackson's candidacy, he followed the leadership of "Old Hickory," and then and ever afterward was an enthusiastic Democrat. He maintained a warm interest in local affairs, and served as fireman when Burlington was but a small village. In 1857-58 he served as town
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clerk, and after the city was incorporated he held office as overseer of the poor for many years. His last public service was as a member of the board of auditors of public accounts, to which office he was elected in 1879, and afterward suc- cessively re-elected, and served therein until within a few days of his death.
The order of Odd Fellows had no member more devoted than he, and at the time he died he was the oldest member, save one, of Green Mountain Lodge No. 1, to which he had belonged for up- wards of thirty years. He was a charter member of Green Mountain Encampment No. 1, and in both lodge and encampment had filled all the offices. He had a hatred of shams of all kinds, and was a lover of the true and good. He had the old-fashioned idea, to which he firmly ad- hered, that not only is "honesty the best policy," but it is the only policy. He was a man of strict integrity and incorruptible honesty, and those who knew him well (and their number was large) gave testimony to his upright life and stanch probity. In religious connections he was identi- fied with the Unitarian Church. In 1825 he married Olivia S., daughter of the late Luther Moore, one of the earliest settlers of Burlington. She was born in that city, October 22, 1818, and died there, October 13, 1897, her remains being interred by the side of her husband. To their union two children were born, our subject, and Mary Sophia, who was born September 10, 1839, and died May 16, 1841.
The boyhood years of Major Lowry were spent in Burlington. He was educated in the public schools and academy of that city. Upon com- pleting his education he removed to Geneva, N. Y., and there resided until his appointment as second lieutenant in the marine corps, which commission was given September 17, 1861. He was commissioned first lieutenant November 26 of the same year, and stationed at the marine barracks, in Washington, D. C. In the same year he was assigned to the marine barracks at Portsmouth, N. H., and in the following year was attached to the marine battalion at Port Royal, S. C. March 25, 1862, he was detached and ordered to report to the commander of
the steam frigate Wabash, the flagship of the South Atlantic squadron. While still attached to the Wabash, he was put in command of one hundred marines and the same number of sailors at Morris Island, S. C., engaged in plac- ing heavy guns in batteries to be used against Fort Sumter. He was also in command of the marines of the United States ships James Adger, Keystone State, Alabama and Albatross, organ- ized as a battalion upon special duty off George- town, S. C., and neighboring waters. In June, 1862, he was ordered to take a force of marines up the Santa River and destroy the railroad bridge, thus shutting off communication between Charleston and the interior of the state. With these vessels he started on his mission, but the low water prevented him from reaching the bridge. However, he had several skirmishes with the cavalry, which followed them up the river, and also burned the Blake plantation, which had been- used as headquarters by the enemy. He served with the marine battalion on Morris and Folly Islands.
For gallant and meritorious services, in the night attack upon Fort Sumter, made by marines and sailors, September 8, 1863, he was brevetted captain. The enemy evacuated Morris Island on the night of the 6th, which gave the opportunity for assault on Fort Sumter. Admiral Dahlgren saw the opportunity offered, and Captain Rey- nolds, commander of the marine battery, was ordered to send one hundred men and six officers to the flagship to participate. First Lieutenant Lowry was among other volunteers: . While the engagement was not successful and some boats were lost, he escaped with the boats under his command, and received promotion for his valor. In 1864 he was assigned to the marine barracks at Boston, Mass., and remained there until 1865, when he was assigned to the United States receiving ship Vermont, in the navy yard at New York. Later he commanded the guard aboard the flagship New Hampshire, and the marines ashore at Bay Point, S. C. In 1866 he was again assigned to the marine barracks at Boston, and in 1867 to the receiver's ship Ver- mont, of the New York navy yard. In the same
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year he was transferred to the marine barracks at Philadelphia, where he remained until 1869, and was then attached to the United States frigate Sabine, on special cruise, extending to 1870.
·October 16, 1869, he was commissioned captain. In 1870 he returned to the barracks at Phila- delphia, where he remained two years. In the year 1872, on the 21st of June, he was appointed assistant quartermaster with the rank of captain, and was at the headquarters of the marine corps until 1873, when he was assigned to Brooklyn, N. Y. He remained there until 1877, when he entered the office of assistant quartermaster in New York, but soon was transferred to similar work in Philadelphia. During the labor strike at Philadelphia and Reading, Pa., he was at- tached to the marine battalion as acting quarter- master in 1877, and was in Philadelphia and New York from that time. In May, 1885, he was ap- pointed quartermaster, with the rank of major, and went to Washington. Upon his own applica- tion, in June, 1897, he was placed on the retired list, and in endorsing his application Colonel Heywood, commandant of the marine corps, paid him a high compliment. He has a record of over thirty-five years of continuous service, and was never on waiting orders. Much improvement was made during his term of twelve years as quartermaster, and the barracks, buildings, etc., under his charge, were brought into a most ex- cellent condition. He also had improvements made in the manufacture of clothing for the enlisted men. He was well fitted by disposition to be at the head of men, for he possesses a mild, yet firm and dignified manner, and is a man whose winning qualities attract hosts of friends.
In September, 1888, Major Lowry came to Rockville and built a fine residence on what is called the West End Terrace. It is a beautiful place, with shade trees and well-kept lawn, a most delightful home in which to spend the twi- light of a busy life. Though of an age that would indicate a love for retirement, he is physic- ally in good condition, bright, keen and active, retaining much of the vigor of his prime. In politics he is an ardent Democrat, interested in
all matters pertaining to the welfare of the party. He attends the Episcopal Church, and fraternally is identified with the Military Order of Loyal Legion, Naval Order of the United States, Mont- gomery Lodge No. 195, A. F. & A. M., and Montgomery Chapter No. 33, R. A. M.
December 15, 1863, Major Lowry was united in marriage with .Charlotte Huntington Young, daughter of Charles Clark and Mary Briggs (Brownell) Voung. She was born in Aurora, N. Y., April 21, 1842. Her ancestors were iden- tified with the early history of America. On her mother's side she is descended from the family after whom Whitestown, N. Y., was named, while her paternal grandfather gave the land on which Youngstown, Ohio, stands, and that place was named in his honor. The three children born to the union of Major and Mrs. Lowry are: Mary Louise, who was born in Charlestown, Mass .; Ida Frances, born in Geneva, N. Y .; and Helen Olivia, who was born in Germantown, Pa., and married Robert Brewer Peter, an attorney of Rockville, by whom she has one son, Robert.
ARLTON S. JONES purchased a place on the Hill, just outside of the city limits of Western Port, in 1874, and here he has since made his home. Though advanced in years and practically retired from business, he is in good health, and being active and energetic, finds an outlet for his energy in the care of his place. A portion of the land is planted to small fruits and an orchard, all in good bearing condi- tion. From his home may be had a fine view of Western Port, Piedmont and the valley of the Po- tomac, with the mountains stretching out in the distance. For several generations Virginia was the home of the Jones family. Samuel, our subject's grandfather, was a soldier in the Revo- lution, and Thomas, the father, was a defender of our country in the second war with England. As Mr. Jones served in the Civil war the family have fully established their right to be considered
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patriotic. Thomas was born in Virginia and in riage with Mary A. Smoot, daughter of Norman early life engaged in mercantile pursuits, but C. and Margaret P. (Betterton) Smoot, of Hamp- shire County, W. Va. Four children came to bless their union, and of these three are still liv- ing, namely: Ida; Adella, who married N. E. Shaffer, of Morgantown; and Albert W. later taught school. Owing to the loss of one eye he was incapacitated for many kinds of labor, but was enabled to utilize his excellent education as a teacher. Although exempt from military service, he enlisted in the American army during the War of 1812 and served until the ex- piration of his term, after which he again entered the service, the second time as a substitute. In politics he was a Whig. By his first wife, a Miss Collins, he had five children. After her death he married Elizabeth M. Ward, of Hamp- shire County, W. Va., and of the children born to this union, Carlton S. is the sole survivor.
During the temporary residence of his parents in Ohio the subject of this sketch was born, in 1827. He was very young when the family left there and returned to Virginia, and in that state his education was principally obtained. Owing to ill health he was obliged to leave school before the completion of his studies. He learned the cabinet-maker's trade, which he followed for some ten years, and then entered the service of the Baltimore & Ohio Railway Company as car- penter. With that road he continued until June, 1896, when he was pensioned. During most of the time he was connected with the company he worked as surveyor, and he also acted as sur- veyor of Mineral County, W. Va., for two terms. While residing in Piedmont he served for six years as a member of the town council. He is a stanch adherent of Republican principles and at every election casts a straight Republican vote. At the time of the breaking out of the Civil war he was commander of a company of militia in West Virginia and resigned his commission to join the Union forces. After the first battle of Bull Run had been fought, he enlisted in Com- pany H, Third Maryland Home Brigade, and served for three months, being first lieutenant of the company, which he had assisted in raising. He is connected with Castle Lodge No. I, G. A. R., of Piedmont, and fraternally belongs to the Knights of the Mystic Chain. In the Methodist Church he has officiated as steward.
May 13, 1858, Mr. Jones was united in mar-
LBERT H. DOWDEN, the present register of wills in Cumberland, is a very popular and painstaking official, and is a special favorite with the laboring classes. He has earn- est sympathy with them and during every politi- cal campaign his services as a stump speaker are in great demand. He is known throughout the state (especially among the leaders of the Repub- lican party) as he has been an ardent worker for the cause for many years, in fact since he became a voter. For years he has been secretary and treasurer or chairman of the county central com- mittee and city executive committee of the Repub- lican party, and he stumped the state for Gov. Lloyd Lowndes.
The father of our subject was William Dow- den, a native of Cumberland and a blacksmith by trade. He was a gauger on the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal for several years and died in 1884, aged seventy-one years. His father, Thomas Dowden, came to this town in his early manhood with his family. He was likewise a blacksmith by trade and. a coachmaker. . One of the first manufacturing industries of Cumberland was es- tablished by him, and for the accommodation of his family and numerous workmen and appren- tices he built the place known then as the Potomac House, now the Tremont House. He was elected sheriff at about the time of the build- ing of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, and, being very friendly toward the contractors of that en- terprise, he went out of his way to assist them, going on their bonds, etc., and finally was forced to pay off their indebtedness or be imprisoned, as the law of imprisonment for debt had not yet been revoked.
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The mother of our subject bore the maiden connected with the South Cumberland Hose name of Mahala Clifton. She was a native of Company No. 4. For years he has attended the state conventions of the Volunteer Fireman's Association of Maryland, and was a member of the executive committee of the same and chair- man of the committee detailed to look after the legislative interests of the organization in the state.
Cumberland and came from a very well-known family hereabouts. Her death occurred here in 1893, at the age of eighty-three years. Both she and her husband were members of the Lutheran Church. They had seven sons, viz. : Lloyd H., who is a member of the police force of Mckees- port, Pa .; John M. and Thomas H., who died when children, with scarlet fever; William; George A., who died in boyhood; Davis F. and Albert H. William married Mary E. Butts, of this place, and died in October, 1874, aged thirty years. He left two children, Albert D., bookkeeper for C. J. Orrick & Co., and Florence, stenog- rapher for the Standard Oil Company here. Davis F. is a machinist, with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad at Newark, Ohio. His wife was formerly Miss Mollie Raper, of Cumberland.
The birth of Albert H. Dowden took place December 15, 1854, in this city and here he was reared to maturity. His education was such as was to be obtained in the public schools, and one of his favorite teachers was Prof. A. M. Adams. As a youth he assisted his father in his work along the canal and in his shop. Later he be- came interested in railroading, and for a time was a brakeman on the Baltimore & Ohio. Then, in connection with Upton Lowdermilk, he started the Independent, a four-page weekly newspaper, which is still in existence. At length he sold out to William M. Price, and established the Workman, a journal devoted to the welfare of the laboring man, and the organ of the Knights of. Labor, to which organization he belongs. Sub- sequéntly he accepted a position as assistant to the chief clerk at the Cumberland rolling mills. From there he went to the place of deputy regis- ter of wills. In 1887 Mr. Dowden was elected register of wills and was re-elected in 1893, by an increased majority. (His majority was first six hundred and later fourteen hundred votes. ) He is a member of the Independent Order of Mechanics, the Heptasophs, the Mystic Chain, the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Labor. Since he was a young man he has been a mem- ber of the Volunteer Fire Department and is now
December 24, 1878, Mr. Dowden married Ma- tilda E., daughter of David E. Haller, now of Washington, D. C., but then of Cumberland. Mrs. Dowden was reared to womanhood in Frederick, Md., and by her marriage has become the mother of two children, Albert G. and Flor- ence Lorine. She is a member of the Methodist Church, while her husband adheres to the faith in which he was brought up-the Lutheran.
JACOB A. YOUNG, who, for nearly thirty years has made his home in Hagerstown, Washington County, is now acting in the double capacities of justice of the peace and police justice. To the first-named position he was ap- pointed by Governor Lowndes in April, 1896, and about the same time he was honored by being given the last-mentioned place, the city council and mayor acting in accord in the matter of choice. These positions are not only lucrative but highly prized for various other reasons, and men of known ability and trustworthiness are the ones always singled out for the distinction. Mr. Young is a man of undoubted integrity and unblemished reputation, and his friends are very numerous in all parts of this county.
Born in Frederick County, Md., our subject is a son of Jacob and Anna (Renner) Young, the latter from Pennsylvania and of German ex- traction. The father was a distiller in his early years, acting in the interest of his father and stepmother. He later bought a farm, and thence- forth he gave his attention to agriculture, meet- ing with success. He retired a few years prior to his death, which event occurred at the age of
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seventy-two years. He was reared in the Re- formed Church, but later joined the one to which his wife belonged, the Dunkard. She was sum- moned to her reward when in her eighty-ninth year. . Jacob Young took little part in public matters, but did his duty as a voter, his choice being the Whig and Republican parties. His father, Peter Young, was a native of Germany, and was a teacher of considerable genius. He was highly educated in his fatherland and en- gaged in teaching the English and German lan- guages in this country. He died in Frederick County at an advanced age.
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