USA > Maryland > The book of Maryland: men and institutions, a work for press reference > Part 28
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40
The community was known as Washington Town from the time that Thomas Beall of Samuel, who owned the land, had it laid out in town lots in 1785, until the residents of Washington Town, petitioned the Maryland Legislature, two years later to change the name to Cumberland.
The village was incorporated in 1816.
Cumberland is widely known throughout the United States for its advantages as a manufacturing city, coal being found in enormous quantities at its very doors; limestone necessary in steel manu- facture being found in inexhaustible supplies in quarries in the city's hills, and water, which has been pronounced perfect for boiler use, reaching the city from mountain sources.
The coal supply mentioned is the famous Cumberland George's Creek Coal Region, one of the most valuable sources of coal supply in the Eastern States. Cumberland is in the heart of this district, approaching the Northwest corner of the State on the north bank of the Potomac River and about four miles South of the Mason and Dixon Line.
The city is on the main lines of both the Baltimore and Ohio and Western Maryland Railroads, these roads leaving Cumberland on the West through the Narrows, the natural gateway through the Alleghenies.
The growth of Cumberland has been a substantial one from its settlement. Nothing of a tem- porary character has bloomed in the city to die over night and with its death work serious damage towards the community. White glass sand necessary to the manufacture of glass, is found near the city and several plants established there in this manufacturing industry, have enjoyed a steady, sub- stantial growth. Steel also is manufactured in large quantities, among the concerns being engaged in this industry, being the N. and G. Taylor Company. the Cumberland Steel Company, manufacturers of ground steel shafting, the only industry of this kind in the world, and the United States Rail Com- pany, manufacturers of steel rails.
Indicative of the wonderful advantages of Cumberland as a manufacturing center, the Kelly Springfield Company now has, in the course of construction, a plant which probably will be the largest tire manufacturing plant in the United States. This plant was established in Cumberland, , after experts of the company had made a careful survey of the entire country, with the idea of locating the great industry at the place where it would be offered the greatest number of natural advantages. Already the company has spent in excess of $6.000,000 in Cumberland and the work is going forward on a scale which will call for the further expenditure of $30.000,000 within the next ten year period.
Cumberland to-day enjoys a water supply which experts have called second to none in the United States and which has its source in the nearby Allegheny Mountains; many miles of excellent and well lighted streets; and excellent street car and interurban service; substantial business houses and manufacturing plants; beautifully built churches, thirty-five in number, schools and public buildings; hotels unequalled outside of Baltimore: great hospital institutions and several beautiful parks.
The commission form of government was adopted by the city some years ago and five commis- sioners, each having control of the various departments of the city government, one of whom serves as Mayor, constitute the civic body.
Light and power for the city are furnished by the Edison Electric Illuminating Company, the plant having a capacity of 10,000 kilowatts.
Within the last year the men of Cumberland who have taken the leading part in providing for the financial growth of the city, have brought about a merger of several of the city's banks, that will
Page Tiro Hundred Thirty-Three
OK
care for the enormously increased calls for larger financial deals. The financial history of Cumber- land is one of unbroken stability on the part of the banks and unbroken confidence on the part of the citizens of the city. Deposits in Cumberland are in excess of $15,000.000 or around $15 per capita.
The availability of skilled and unskilled labor has been a great influence in the development of Cumberland, and a recent survey showed that more than 90 per cent of this labor was American born and that more than 50 per cent. of the working people own their own homes.
Another industry for which Cumberland is advantageously located is that of furniture manu- facture, the hardwoods of Western Virginia being easily accessible.
The elevation of the city in the business section is 700 feet, and located as it is in the mountain range, Cumberland enjoys a delightful climate. Typhoid fever and malaria are practically unknown.
The annual average precipitation is about 45 inches and the annual snow fall is about 33 inches. Destructive storms are rare, and long and severe droughts are the exception.
Allegany County Academy. located in Cumberland, is one of the oldest educational institutions in the State, having been founded in 1798 and having an unbroken record of 119 years of college preparatory work. Cumberland has 12 public schools, all modern in construction and equipment, and four parochial schools, all of which include high school courses.
The city has two daily newspapers, one morning and one afternoon, with a total circulation of more than 25,000.
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, originating in Cumberland and taking its water from the Potomac River, furnishes a tide water outlet to Washington for water transportation and many thousand tons of coal are moved along this waterway annually. George Washington was responsible for the original survey of this canal. Railroad lines entering Cumberland maintain 22 express pas- senger trains daily and tap the great coal fields near by. Lower freight rates are enjoyed by the city to the West, than Baltimore, New York or Philadelphia, this being a great advantage to the city. in the development of its manufacturing industries.
Cumberland is located on the National Highway. one of the best interstate roads in America. running from coast to coast. and also is located on the State road system. one highway of which taps the Lincoln Highway.
The city owns its water supply, which is drawn from a gathering ba-in. 66 miles square in the Allegheny Mountains. The water is caught by a dam. which forms Lake Gordon. with a capacity of 1,800,000,000 and is delivered by gravity to filtering plants, having a capacity of 12.000.000 gallons daily.
Footer's Dye Works, the largest dye works in the United States, is located at Cumberland, as are other industries. including lumber and planing mills, soap mills, brick and tile works, mattress factories, foundries, cement works, woolen mills. glass factories, flour and feed mills and the large railroad shops of Baltimore and Ohio and Western Maryland Railroads.
Cumberland also is an extensive jobbing point. being the distributing point for the peach and apple industry of Western Maryland and adjoining States.
Page Tiro Hundred Thirty-Four
£
----
THOMAS W. KOON.
Cumberland calls Thomas W. Koon the best Mayor it has ever had. There is no diversion of opinion and this fnet was strikingly evidenced in the most recent municipal elections, when Mayor Koon, after serving the city three times as Mayor, went to the polls unopposed.
Slogans attach themselves to men in public life, and the slogan which every person in Cumberland applies to Thomas W. Koon is "The Mayor Who Does Things."
Mayor Koon's public services in Cumberland extend over a long period of years, his four terms as Mayor being antedated by three terms in the City Council. During each of these years, Mayor Koon has found many ways of working benefits for Cumberland and as a result of these efforts, some of the great industries of Cumberland to-day have come into being.
Dr. Koon was born in Newberry County. S. C .. on November 12th, 1870. His parents were Walter F. and Laura R. Koon. As a boy he attended the public schools of South Carolina and upon completion of this preparatory work. matriculated in Leesville English and Classical Institute, Leesville. S. C. Deciding upon a medical education, he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Bahimere, and was graduated in 1893. He took post graduate work at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1900.
Dr. Koon began the practice of medicine in 1893 in Newberry County, S. C. One year later he removed to Pres- ton County. W. Va., remaining there for seven years and finally coming to Cumberland in 1900. Dr. Koon's practice was snecessful from his coming to Cumberland. In 1908 he was asked by friends to contest for place in the City Connell. The result of the election showed a gratifying majority.
lle was re-elected at the two succeeding elections by increased majorities each time, and in 1914, when he sought the Mayoralty. he again was successful. Since that time he has been elected for three two-year terms. In 1916 and 1918 and again in 1920, when he was unopposed.
As a member of the Council, he was one of the leading exponents of the Evitts Creek water supply plan, which provided Cumberland with mountain water by gravity system, the supply from mountain sources being the best in the I'nited States. In addition to this Dr. Koon was responsible, in very great part, for the Westside reservoir, and other improvements in this district costing about $500,000.
Paving and extension of sewerage systems also has been another effort of Dr. Koon, and through his efforts a bond issne of $150,000 was provided as a revolving fund for paving purposes, which has made possible the paving of many miles of city streets,
In addition to this bond issue. Dr. Koon has asked the people of Cumberland to support three other bond issues. and each of them has carried at the polls by safe majorities. One of the issttes provided sGo,ao0 for bridge construction and three bridges were constructed over Wills Creek. Another issue was for $500,000 for general improvements and one was voted just recently by a vote of Two and one-half to one for $1,000,000 for Improvement work.
Dr. Koon also had charge of the city's part in the acquisition for Cumberland of the Kelly-Springfield plant, which has expenditures of $15,000,000 in sight and $35,000,000 in five years.
(Continued on page 292.)
Page Two Hundred Thirty-Fire
.
THOS. B. FINN,
CUMBERLAND, MD.
HENRY SHRIVER.
Henry Shriver is a member of the Western Maryland family which has conducted large banking interests in this section of the State for more than a century. He now is president of the First National Bank of Cumberland, founded in 1811 by one of his forebearers and the oldest bank in Western Maryland, and is interested in the recently formed Liberty Trust Company. which was organized to take care of the large financial under- takings, consequental to Cumberland's growth.
Mr. Shriver was born in Cumberland, October 10, 1874. His parents were Henry Shriver and Sarah V. L. P. Shriver. After preparatory work, Mr. Shriver entered Lehigh University, from which college he was graduated.
Upon completion of his college work. Mr. Shriver became mining superintendent of the Union Mining Company of Mount Savage, Maryland. He comtinned in this capacity from 1896 to 1910. Returning to Cumberland, he became president of the United States Rail Company, the Cumberland Gas Light Com- pany and the First National Bank of Cumberland, Maryland.
Mr. Shriver is a member of Masonic fraternities and the Cumberland Country Cinb.
Ile Is former member of the State Board of Education, serving during the administration of Governor Goldsborongh and Gov- ernor Harrington.
Ile was married to Miss Henrietta C. Swartzwelder, of Cum- berland, Maryland, in February. 1903. They have two children -- Henry Shriver, Ir .. and Mary C. Shriver.
Address, First National Bank of Cumberland.
1
-
Page Two Hundred Thirty-Six
TASKER GANTT LOWNDES.
Tasker Gantt Lowndes, son of the late Lloyd Lowndes. fir-t Republican Governor of Maryland, 1896 to 1900, and whose regime was called "The Golden Era of Modern Maryland" by one of his successors, Governor Phillips Lee Goldsborough. is one of the leading younger business men of Western Maryland.
Mr. Lowndes was born in Cumberland on July 30, 1998. lli- mother was Elizabeth Tasker Lowndes.
Mr. Lowndes practiced law in Cumberland from 1909 until his growing outside business interests forced him to give up his practice.
Mr. Lowndes was graduated from Yale University in 1907 with the degree of B.A .. and afterward studied law in the Yale Law School and the University of Maryland in Baltimore. He was graduated from the Hill School. Pottstown. Pa .. and attended St. Johns Preparatory School. Annapolis, and the Allegany County Academy of Cumberland. Md.
Ile gave up his law practice in Cumberland to accept the vice-presidency of the Second National Bank. Since his advent into the commercial field, he has become president of the Cum- berland Savings Bank of South Cumberland. He also is president of the Real Estate and Securities Company, Cumberland Real Estate Company. The Dingle Company and the Deal Brothers Milling Company. Ile is director in the Cumberland Development Company, National Real Estate Company. the Cumberland Hotel Company and the Cumberland Chamber of Commerce.
lle Is a member of the Maryland Club of Baltimore, Baltimore Club. Cumberland Country Club, Shawnee Canoe Club of Cum- berland and the Potomac Chib.
Business address, Second National Bank of Cumberland.
ALBERT A. DOPB.
Albert A. Donb, counsel for many of the leading corporations having their headquarters in Cumberland and nearby cities, and one of the most prominent members of the Allegany County bar, was born in Beaver Creek. Washington county, Maryland. April 11. 1865. He is the youngest son of the late Philip K. Donb, flour manufacturer. of Washington County.
Mr. Doub attended the Public Schools of Washington County : attended the Kentucky University of Lexington, Kentucky. for one year, and enrolling in the Johns Hopkins University. was graduated in 1886 with the Baccalaureate degree. le served two years as principal of the Williamsport High School after his graduation, and for the next five years as principal of the Beall lligh School of Frostburg. In 1893 he was elected treasurer of Allegany County and was admitted to the bar in January of the following year.
lle has served as city attorney for both Frostburg and Cum- berland and for four years acted as counsel for the County Com- missioners of Alleghany County. He held the position of Referee in Bankruptcy of Garrett and Alleghany Counties for ten years after 1898, when he was first appointed by Judge Thomas J. Morris.
Mr. Donb was delegate at large to the Republican National Convention at Chicago in 1916. In 1915 he was defeated for the othce of Attorney General on the ticket with Ovington E. Weller, gubernatorial candidate.
lle is a member of the Elks and the Cumberland Country Club. Mr. Doub was married to Miss Anne Peyton Cochran, of Staunton. Virginia, in December of 1900. They have six chiklren, two sons and four daughters, his oldlest son now being a student at Princeton I'niversity.
Ilis residence is at 106 Washington Street.
Business address, 4 South Center Street.
Page Two Hundred Thirty-Seven
WILLIAM W. BROWN.
Willlam W. Brown, publisher of The Daily News, of Cumber- land, one of the leading daily newspapers of Western Maryland. was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, on November 9, 1870.
Mr. Brown's parents were Austin HI, and Eleanor Burbridge Brown. Mr. Brown finished his preparatory educational work in the Chillicothe High School and entering Ohio State U'niver- sity, was graduated with the class of 1892.
I'pon leaving college. Mr. Brown became a reporter on Seloto Gazette, the oldest newspaper west of the Alleghanies, founded in 1796 at Chillicothe, and still being published. He served on the reportorial staff of this paper from 1992 to 1598.
Mr. Brown served as a Sergeant Major with the 7th Ohio Volunteer Infantry through the Spanish-American War and located in Cumberland shortly after the termination of his military service. lle has been managing editor and president of the Daily News Company since 1901.
He was married to Miss Hazel Joerder, of St. Louis, Missouri, on October 28, 1916. They have one daughter, lda.
Business address. The Daily News, Baltimore Street. Residence. The Dingle.
FRANK IL. WOODRUFF, JR.
Frank 11. Woodruff, Jr., certified public accountant. and president of the Builders Supply Company of Cumberland, which has had a prominent part in the recent commercial development of this city, was born in Brooklyn. N. Y., on August S. 182.
Mr. Woodruff attended the Public Schools of Brooklyn and entered the profession of accountancy on October 1. 1904. Il+ received his degree of "Certified Public Accountant" on August 5. 1908, and has practiced in New York since that date, his present office being located at 302 Broadway.
Ile is the first certified public accountant to establish an accounting office in the City of Cumberland. having practiced there since 1913. Mr. Woodruff purchased a substantial interest In the Builders Supply Company of Cumberland in 1917 and became its president. This latter company has proven an essen- tial factor in the extensive building program of Cumberland and has aided materially in advancing construction work in this city.
Mr. Woodruff is a member of American Institute of Account- ants, New Jersey State Society of C. P. A., Kismet Temple Mystic Shrine. Friars Club. Western Maryland Shrine Club of Cumberland, Cumberland Country Club and the City Club of Cumberland.
He was married to Miss Maybelle A. Beadle, of Brooklyn. N. Y., June 12. 1906. They have three children-William S., Stuart 1 .. and Edwin T. Woodruff.
IIls address is 8 North Liberty Street, Cumberland, Maryland.
-
.
Page Tiro Hundred Thirty-Eight
JOHN RAMSEY LITTLEFIELD, M. D.
Dr. John Ramsey Littlefield, one of the leading surgeons of Western Maryland, and who has just resumed his practice in Cumberland. after service in the United States Navy during the World War, is a native of Washington, D. C .. having been born in the National Capital on December 15, 1879.
Dr. Littlefield is the son of Martin L. and Frances A. Gates Littlefield. He attended the Public and High Schools of Wash- ington, Public Schools of Montgomery County, Md .. and was graduated from George Washington University in Washington as Doctor of Medicine.
Dr. Littlefield has practiced medicine in Cumberland since 1909, with the exception of the time spent in military service. Ilis practice now is confined to surgery and he is local surgeon for the Western Maryland Railway and Baltimore & Ohio Rail- roads.
He entered the Medical Corps of the United States Navy on Inne 14, 1918, and served until December 20. 1918, being assigned to duty at the Naval Base Hospital, Hampton Roads, and the Naval Hospital in Washington.
Ile is a member of Potomac Lodge A. F. & A. M., Chesapeake Consistory. Khedive Temple, Mystic Shrine and the Elks.
Ile was married to Miss zifflabeth Hanchew Young, of Wash- ington, D. C., on March 5. 1902. One son was born of this union, who died in infancy.
IIls address is 67 Bedford Street.
WILLIAM MIL.NOR ROBERTS, IR.
William Milor Roberts. Jr .. member of two of Western Maryland's pioneer families, and direct descendant through his mother of the Humbirds, leaders in the commercial development of the entire South through the engineering work of its male members, was born in Brandoa. Brazil, January 21, 1865 IIis father. William Milnor Roberts, and his mother. Elizabeth UImmbird. having been married in Brazil while the elder Mr. Roberts was associated with the father of his bride in engi- neering work in the South American country.
Mr. Roberts' parents returned with him to Cumberland, whon he was an infant and he has lived in this city since that time. as a boy attending the Allegany County Academy of Cumberland and later the Iron City Business College of Pitsburgh, Pa.
Mr. Roberts entered the employ of the Edison Electric Ihnni- nating Company in 1886 and was raised through various promo- tions to the position of superintendent and general manager. Ile left the Edison Company in 1891 to accept the position as superintendent of the Cumberland Electric Railway Company. returning to the Edison Company in 1896 as general manager and retaining his position with the Street Railway Company.
Ile has been a director in both of these public service com- panies for more than twenty years and also is a director of the Liberty Trust Company ; is secretary of the Co-Operative Supply Company of South Cumberland, and is president of the East End Land Company.
Ile operates large farming and fruit interests near Cumber- land and is one of the leading exponents of outdoor sports in this city.
Ile is vice-president of the Cumberland Country Club and a member of the Elks.
Mr. Roberts was married to Miss Fannie Randolph Millholland on June 6. 1894. Eight children were born of this union- Virginia, Elizabeth. Fannie, Martha, Helen, William Mimnor Roberts IV, and Frederick. Mrs. Roberts died in November, 1917.
Mr. Robert's residence is at 122 Washington Street. Business address, 80 N. Liberty Street.
Page Two Hundred Thirty Nine
-
FERMAN GHBERT PUGIL.
Ferman Gilbert Pugh, identified with some of the leading commercial activities of Western Maryland, and head of Wilson & Pagh Hardware Company. the largest hardware jobbing con- cern in this section of the State, was born in Hampshire County. West Virginia. December 4. 1860.
Mr. Dugh's parents were Solomon Jonothan Dugh and Mar- garet Elizabeth MeDonald Pugh, with whom he came to Cumber- land as a boy. He attended the Public and High Schools of Cumberland, leaving school to accept a position with the 1 .. M. Shepherd Dry Goods Company, with which concern ho continued for 25 years.
In 18SS Mr. Pugh formed a full partnership with Mr. Oliver S. Wilson in the wholesale hardware concern which the latter then was conducting and the style of the firm was changed to Wilson & Pugh.
In addition to his hardware interests, Mr. Pugh is vice- president of the Maryland Shoe Company, a director in the Cumberland Ilotel Company. was one of the organizers of the company which was formed to erect the large hotel for the Kelly Springfield employees, and is a director of the Commercial Bank. He is a member of the Cumberland Homes Building Company, was one of the organizers of the Liberty Trust Com- pany and is a member of the Board of Education. It was in great part through the efforts of Mr. Pugh that the Board of Education was able to obtain a $700,000 bond issue for the extension of the school system in this county and he was one of the leading factors in the successful movement for increased pay for teachers.
Mr. Pugh is a member of Masonic orders, the Cumberland Country Club and the Methodist Church.
His residence is at SO Bedford Street.
Business address, 26 S. George Street.
JOHN WESLEY PORTER SOMERVILLE.
John Wesley Porter Somerville. one of the leading coal opera- tors of Western Maryland and the adjoining portions of Pennsyl- vania, was born in Eckhart Mines, Maryland, on May 6, 1s . His parents were William A. and Marriot S. Somerville. 11. attended the public and high schools of Frostburg. Maryland. and entering the Maryland State College, was graduated with the class of 1905 with the degree of B.S., C. E.
From 1905 to 1908 Mr. Somerville was county road engineer for Prince Georges County. Maryland. In the latter year he entered the coal mining business. He now is president of the Midiand Mining Company. Moscow : Georges Creek Mining Com- pany Georges Creek : Parker Coal Company and the Heller Coal Company, which companies operate mines in Western Maryland and adjoining portions of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Somerville is a member of the Cumberland Country Club. Mit. Herman Lodge No. 179. A. F. & A. M. : Keystone Chapter No. 32, R. A. M .: St. Elmo Commandery No. 12. K. T .. of Hyattsville, Maryland, and Boumi Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Baltimore.
Hle was married to Miss Butelka Scott Powell, of Keyser. West Virginia, on March 30, 1911. They have two daughters. Wilma Elizabeth and Ruth Butelka.
llis residence is at 100 Harrison Street.
Business address. Suite 67. Liberty Trust Building.
Page Tiro Hundred Forty
DUNCAN LINDLEY SLOAN.
Duncan Lindley Sloan, one of the leading attorneys of Western Maryland, and who has been active in the promotion of many of the larger business interests of Cumberland and its adjacent territory, is a native of Maryland, having been born in Pekin on April 3, 1874.
His parents were James M. and Ella Frederick Sloan.
Mr. Sloan attended Washington and Jeferson College. Wash- ington. Pennsylvania, and was graduated with the class of 1592. He obtained his legal education in the offices of his cousin. Judge David W. Sloan, Cumberland, Maryland, which offices he entered shortly after leaving college. He was admitted to the Allegany County bar on October 25, 1595, and has practiced law In Cumberland since that the.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.