USA > Maryland > The book of Maryland: men and institutions, a work for press reference > Part 34
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He became resident surgeon of Alleghany Heights Hospital. Davis, West Virginia, upon leaving college and continued in this capacity until 1911. From 1911 to 1912 he practiced medicine in Charleston, West Virginia, and located in his home town. Ilagerstown, in the latter year. He has continued his practice here since that time, now occupying an enviable position in his profession.
Dr. Bender is a member of B. P. O. E., Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Hagerstown Country Club. Washington County Fish and Game Association. Washington County Medical Society. Cumberland Valley Medical Association and the American Medi- val Association.
Ilis address is 44 W. Franklin Street.
Page Tiro Hundred Eighty
i .
CHARLES ACHESON RITCHEY.
Charles Acheson Ritchey, president of the Board of Street Commissioners of Hagerstown, and mainly through whose efforts the Police Department has been raised to its high standard. and the municipally owned light and power plant has been brought to its present efficiency, and who also has been responsi. ble in very great measure for the extension of paving in this city and the improvement of streets, is engaged in the wholesale and retail coal and coke business.
Mr. Ritchey led the fight in the recent election which was successful in carrying a bond issue of $300,000 for improvements in the light plant and enlarging its capacity.
Mr. Ritchey was born in Mercersburg. Pa., on September 24. 1871. His parents were John Rhea Ritchey and Elizabeth Brown Ritchey.
After studying in the Public Schools of his native town in Pennsylvania, Mr. Ritchey came to Hagerstown and entered the employ of the Cumberland Valley Railroad. In 1901 he pur- chased the retail coal business which he now condnets at Church and Walnut Streets, and which he has developed to its present scope.
Mr. Ritchey is a member of the Conococheague and Country Club, the Pennsylvania Scotch Irish Society, Knights of Pythias and the different Masonic orders.
He was appointed street commissioner in March of 1915, and is a member of the Republican State Central Committee.
Hls residence is at 418 Summitt Avenne.
Business address. Church and Walnut Streets.
1
WARREN MURRAY BAECHTEL.
Warren Murray Bacchtel. prominently identitied with the real estate and insurance field of Washington County, and associated with several of the larger business interests of this territory. i- a native of Hagerstown, having been born in this city on June 17. 1NS9.
His parents were Charles W. and Sena 1. Webb Bapchtel. Ile attended the Public Schools of Washington County.
Mr. Baechtel established the real estate and insurance business of which he now is the head on September 25, 1912. Since that time he has had the leading part in much of the development of Hagerstown and has organized and headed several corporations. Ile is a member of the Hagerstown Country Club, Alsatia Chib and the B. P. O. E. Club.
Mr. Bacchtel was married to Miss Francis Rnth MeCune on July 13, 1911. They have four children-Peggy, Dana, Amelia and Phyllis.
His residence is at 1135 Potomac Avenue.
Business address, First National Bank Building.
Page Two Hundred Eighty-One
JOHN A. DENISON.
John A. Denison, extensive wholesale dealer in lumber. throngh the Denison Lumber Company, of which he is the head, and who has been responsible for the development of much timber conniey in West Virginia, was born in Barbour County, West Virginia. on April 10. 1866.
Mr. Denison's parents were William S. and Sophronia S. Denison. Mr. Denison attended the Public Schools of West Virginia. and enrolling in the Commercial College of Kentucky I'niversity, Lexington, Kentucky, finished the full diploma course of that institution.
Hle was reared on a farm and in 1856 began work in the extensive lumber industries of West Virginia. Mr. Denison con- tinued in various capacities in the West Virginia field until 1901. when he came to Hagerstown to accept a position as traveling salesman in the limber business.
Mr. Denison continued in the sales end of the business until January 1, 1907, when he organized the Denison Lumber Com- pany, dealers in wholesale lumber, which has continued to the present and of which he has been the directing executive.
In 1910 Mr. Denison assisted in organizing the Maryland Lumber Company, for the purpose of developing a timber tract in Pocohontas County. West Virginia, and was made president and manager of this organization. Ile had charge of the operation of the company until its work was completed in 1919 and resided during that time at Denmar, West Virginia.
Mr. Denison returned to Hagerstown after this enterprise had completed its work and resumed direction of the Denison Lumber Company.
Hle is a member of the Allegheny Sportsmen Association.
Mr. Denison was married to Miss Bertha R. Leonard on November 27, 1890. They have two daughters, Mrs. Maurice M. Mathews of New York, and Mrs. J. Hunter MeClintie of Charleston, W. Va., and one son, J. Vanee Denison, connected with the sales force of Denison Lumber Co.
His residence is at 416 Virginia Avenne.
Business address, 602 First National Bank Bullding.
ROBERT MARTIN RUPP.
Robert Martin Rupp, president and treasurer of the Rupp Manufacturing Company, which he organized in 1913. and one of the most successful manufacturers of machine tools in this section of the State, is a native of Pennsylvania. having been born in Gettysburg. on August 13. 18\1.
Mr. Rupp's parents were Harry J. and Sallie E. Rupp. He attended the Public Schools of Gettysburg. Pa.
In 1909 he organized and became president and treasurer of the Hagerstown Cap Company. Subsequent to the organization of the Rupp Manufacturing Company. Mr. Rupp became inter- ested in the lumber business and now is president of the White Lake Lumber Company. He also is a director of the Commercial Trust Company of Hagerstown.
Ile is a 32nd degree Mason. Shriner, member of the Elks and the Conococheague Club of Hagerstown.
Mr. Rnpp was married to Miss Edna Lenora Seigman in 190 ;. They have three children-Charles Edwin. Robert Martin. Jr .. and Anna Lenora.
Business address, Thomas Building.
Page Two Hundred Eighty-Tico
CHARLES C. EASTON.
Charles C. Easton, who is identified in an official capacity with a number of the wading enterprises of Hagerstown, has hen instrumental in the development of several concerns which have lon made necessary by the rapid growth of Hagerstown, and who is generally admitted authority on Hagerstown and Wash- ington County real estate, is a native of Upton, Pennsylvania. having been born in that city on IInne 16. 1875. llis mother was Mrs. Rebecca Easton.
Mr. Easton attended high school and business college and entered the business world as a clerk in a grocery store in Welsh Run, Pennsylvania. 1890. He came to Hagerstown in 1894 and later forming a connection with the Chesapeake Potomac Telephone Company, was made district manager for this company in 1898. He continued in this capacity for twelve years, resigning in 1910 to establish his present real estate. insurance and investment company.
In addition to Charles C. Easton. Inc., Mr. Easton organized. financed and now is secretary and treasurer of the following companies : Potomac Real Estate Company, which built the Maryland Theatre and the Maryland Apartments, $250.000,00 enterprises ; Maryland Theatre Company, which operates the Maryland Theatre ; Hagerstown Real Estate Company : Barr Farm Development Company ; Washington Street Amusement Company, which operates the Academy and Colonial Theatres ; the Colonial Amusement Corporation : Colonial Real Estate Company : Potomac Poster Advertising Corporation ; Antietam Real Estate Company, and the Maryland Transfer Company. Mr. Easton also is president of the Hagerstown Country Club. with buildings and grounds costing $100,000, which he was prominently identified with in its financing and organization.
Mr. Easton is the Hagerstown representative of a number of fire. liability, accident. automobile and other insurance com- panies, among which are the Massachusetts Mutual Life, and the Fidelity and Casualty Company of New York.
Ile Is also a member of the Conococheagne Club and the B. P. O. Elks.
HIis residence is at 122 East Washington Street. Business address, 11 North Jonathan Street.
GEORGE ELDRED SLAYBANGIL.
George Eldred Slaybough, the only public accountant of Hagerstown, and who came to this city after several years' banking experience in Washington, D. C., has a clientele embrac- ing practically all of the large concerns of this territory.
Mr. Slaybangh was born in New Kingston, Pennsylvania on September 6, 1550. His parents were George H. and Annie Law Slaybaugh.
He attended High School in Washington, D. C., and enrolling in Columbian University of Washington, D. C .. was graduated with the class of 1901, with the degree of B.A.
Mr. Slaybaugh was cashier of the United States Savings Bank of Washington, D. C .. from 1907 to 1911, upon which latter date he entered the profession of public accountancy, which he has practiced since that time. He established his Hagerstown connection on March 15, 1919.
Mr. Slaybaugh is a member of the Kappa AAlpha Fraternity. Lafayette Lodge No. 19. F. A. A. M .. Conococheagne Club of Hagerstown, and the Country Club of flaggerstown.
Ile was married to Miss Eva May Seekford. of Shenandoah. Virginia, on May 7, 1919.
His residence is at 34 E. North Street.
Business address, First National Bank Building.
Paye Two Hundred Eighty Three
6
JOIN RANDOLPH WALKER, D.D.S.
Dr. John Randolph Walker, one of the leading dentists of Hagerstown, and who as a young man has reached the foremost ranks in his profession, has been practicing dentistry in lagers- town since 1915.
Dr. Walker was born in Bagdad. Florida, on February 20. 1×90. Ilis parents were Rey. and C. W. P. Walker. A.M .. D.D .. I.I.D .. and Nina Hurd Walker. He attended the public and private schools and was graduated from the University of Maryland with the class of 1915.
From 1908 to 1911 Dr. Walker was employed in the offices of Dr. A. V. Huntzberg, of Hagerstown, and for the following year worked in dental offices in several cities. Ile entered the University of Maryland for the study of dental surgery on October 5. 1912. after matriculation and completed the course in 1915. Ile immediately established his practice in Hagerstown, which he has conducted since that time.
Dr. Walker received an honorable discharge from Company B. First Regiment. Maryland National Guard, and in 1919 served on the Maryland Medical Advisory Board, Volunteer Selective Service.
He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the' Hagers- town Dramatic Club, National and State Dental Association.
Dr. Walker was married to Miss Helen Josephine Stouffer on February 28. 1917. They have two children-John Randolph. Jr., and Alvin Stonffer, III.
IHs residence is at $36 Oak Ilill Avenne.
Offices, 105-107-109 Arcade Building.
FLOYD COURTNEY SMOOT.
Floyd Courtney Smoot. leading mercantile broker of lager -- town, and whose sales cover the entire West. South, and a large portion of the North, has conducted the Valley Brokerage Con- pany of Hagerstown, which he established after many years' experience in this field. since 1913.
Mr. Smoot was born in Piedmont, West Virginia. on January 1. 1886. His parents wore Norman R. and Frances M. Smoot. lle attended the public schools of Piedmont. Mineral County, West Virginia. and Westernport. Allegany County, Maryland.
lle entered business as a clerk in a mercantile store in 1901. with which concern he continued until 1903. in that year becoming a partner in a mercantile Isiness. This partnership continued until 1905, when Mr. Smoot entered the merchandise brokerage business in Cumberland. He became the traveling representative of a large corporation in 1907 and continued in this capacity until 1913, when he again entered the brokerage business, establishing the Valley Brokerage Company of Hagers- town.
Ile is a member of the Alsatia Club of Hagerstown. Chamber of Commerce and the United Commercial Travelers of America. Mr. Smoot was married to Miss Lanra Frances Crooks on January 22, 1913.
Ilis residence is at 37 North Potomac Street.
Business address. 311 Areade Bullding.
Page Two Hundred Eighty-Four
WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND
W ESTMINSTER is picturesquely situated in a saddle on the very crest of Parr's Ridge, the water slied of Carroll County. A Maryland poet has described it as a "City dwelling in the valley, city dwelling in the hills." Here the falling rain is divided by Main street and the gutters along the south side of the street conduct the water to the Monocacy which ultimately reaches the Chesapeake through the Potomac; while the gutters along tlie northern side of this street lead their waters to the Patapsco which also flows into the Chesapeake at Baltimore.
Westminster was laid out as a proprietary town in 1764 by William Winchester, a son-in-law of the founder of Manchester, whose descendants settled and named Winchester, Kentucky, and Win- chester, Illinois, and was named Winchester in honor of its founder who came to Maryland from Eng- land, arriving in the province of Maryland on the 6th of March, 1729. Main street of today was first called King street as a testimonial of the founder's loyalty to the mother country. For many years the old turnpike, leading front Baltimore to Pittsburg, on which it was located, gave it many advantages. It bore the name of Winchester until early in the nineteenth century when it was given a no less English name, the change being made on account of the confusion arising in the mail ser- vice. Winchester, Virginia, often got the mail intended for residents of this town.
This fact has been disputed in recent years on account of a plat of Westminster, that seems to have been recorded by William Winchester in Frederick in 1768. In contradiction of this ap- parently complete evidence is a survey of the turnpike road between "Reisterstown and Winchester town" made a quarter of a century later and now on file in the Clerk's office of the Superior Court of Baltimore City. The fact that Winchester chose the name Westminster in 1763 when he had sold enough lots to have the plat recorded would not determine the usage as names once established were very enduring before we had a postal department to determine these questions. Nothing seems niore logical than for the gradually growing village to take the name of the estate on which it was built.
The part of Westminster beginning at Court street and extending west to the Derr Building at the corner of Short street was laid out about a century and a quarter ago by Jacob Sherman and called New London.
Westminster was incorporated a town in 1830, rechartered in 1837, and erected into a city by Act of Assembly in 1850. A new charter was given Westminster by the Legislature of 1910 which grants the city authority to cope with modern conditions and to make modern improvements.
"Here occurred the first collision between Federal and Confederate forces on Maryland soil in the campaign of 1863, and the shedding of the first blood. One of the boys in blue, killed in the fight, lies in the graveyard of the beautiful little ivy-covered Ascension Protestant Episcopal church; one in grey sleeps in the Westminster cemetery."
The original town of Westminster (Winchester ) was laid out on "White's Level," a tract of land granted to John White in 1733 for 1691/2 acres. Since then the town has gradually extended its limits until it now covers a number of early patents. The West End is built on "Fanny's Meadow," granted to James Walls in 1741. A portion is on "Bond's Meadow." patented by John Ridgely in 1753, for 1915 acres. "Timber Ridge" and "Bedford" are partly covered by the present city. "Kelly's Range" embraces the Western Maryland College grounds and "Bond's Meadow Enlarged" includes the Court House grounds.
In 1837, Westminster was chosen as County seat of Carroll County, at which time it did not contain more than 500 inhabitants.
In 1861 the Western Maryland Railroad passed through the town and it had a population of 2,500 with forty stores, three banks and a number of manufactories and warehouses. Today it has five banks, two ice plants, several factories employing several hundred women, three large depart- ment stores, two hardware stores, and a number of smaller stores. All streets are macadamized.
Another feature of this city is its summer boarding houses which attract many visitors from Bal- timore during June, July and August. The population, from the last census, 1920, gives 3,521.
Western Maryland College, one of the leading educational institutions of the State, is located here and has 800 students in attendance this year. Dr. Norman Ward is its president, having succeeded Dr. T. H. Lewis, resigned.
Page Tiro Hundred Eighty-Fire
Two large canneries-B. F. Shriver Company and Smith-Yingling Company-give employment to several hundred men, women and children during canning season. The Shriver factory is one of the largest in the State and is equipped with the latest modern machinery to do the work.
Mr. Howard E. Koontz is the Mayor and the City and the Common Council is composed of Walter H. Davis, Frank T. Shaeffer. Charles Hesson, George W. Babylon and George E. Matthews.
Another industry that is worthy of notice is the large flour mill of Englar and Sponseller. which has a capacity of 300 barrels daily.
Westminster High School has an attendance of 600. The students are not all from the city, but come from rural schools to take up higher studies.
The City of Westminster offers many advantages over larger cities. Its high elevation makes it an ideal summering place with unsurpassed train service to Baltimore City. Its water comes from artesian wells and is pure mountain water. Its streets are well lighted by electricity which is also furnished to private homes. A volunteer fire department. weil organized, gives ample protection.
Page Tiro Hundred Eighty-Six
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WADE IL. D. WARFIELD.
The Honorable Wade H. D. Warfield, of Sykesville. Carroll county, who served with distinction in the State Sen- ate sessions of 1916 and 1918, and in the special war session of 1917, is one of the best known citizens of Maryland. Ile comes of a family long identified with the progress and advancement of the state.
Ile is the son of Charles Alexander and Caroline Devries Warfield, and was born October 7. 1864. He received his rudimentary education in the public schools of Carroll county and at the Springfield Institute. In 1880 he en- tered the Staunton Military Academy at Staunton, Va., from which he was graduated with honors in 1883.
Ile is married and has three daughters. Mrs. JJames O. Ridgely, of Sykesville. Mrs. Henry Devries Cassard, wife of Lieutenant Henry Devries Cassard, who is stationed at Fort Amador. Canal Zone, Panama, and Mrs. Morgan O. Tay- lor, wife of the United States Vice Consul at Zurich, Switzerland. Mrs. Wartield was formerly Miss Ellen Water- house, of Wheeling, West Virginia.
The Warfield home is known far and wide for its hospitality and ideal home life. Senator Warfield is a member of the Springfield Presbyterian church,
Senator Warfield has always lived at Sykesville. Immediately on leaving college, he entered on a business career at that place and has steadily grown to be the most important factor in the community. He organized and incorpor- . ated the Sykesville Lumber, Coal & Grain Company, one of the largest enterprises in this section of Maryland. He became its president and remained in that capacity until the business was reorganized and became the Maryland Mill- ing & Supply Company, with largely increased resources. He is now the president of that company, it being the largest supply house of the kind in Central Maryland.
In 1901. Mr. Warfield organized the Sykesville National Bank, of which he has since been the president, and which has the distinction of being the only bank in Carroll county that ever paid a 50 per cent dividend.
In 1907 he organized the Sykesville Realty & Investment Company, another successful institution. He has been at the head of every progressive movement in the community where he lives and where he has erected a modern granite and brick business block, which includes the post other, Lyceum Theatre and Masonic Hall. This block speaks vohintes for Mr. Wartield's enterprise and thoroughness.
Senator Warfield is also an enthusiastic 'and practical farmer, owning and operating four farms and two large dal- rles. lis farms are in a high state of cultivation and his dairies sanitary and modern.
Under three Governors, Smith, Warfield and Crothers, he served as a member of the State Livestock Sanitary Board, and his friends point with pride to his record as the chairman of the body. He is now serving as a member of the Board of Managers of the Springfield State Hospital.
Mr. Warfield's record in the Senate was one marked by zealous attention to matters of legislation and the interests of his constituents. He served on the most Important committees in that body and us chairman of the com- (Continued on page 202.)
Page Two Hundred Eighty-Seren
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W. FRANK THOMAS.
W. Frank Thomas has built a monument to himself in the many miles of hard roads in Carroll County and this section of the State. Road building has been the principal business of Mr. Thomas for the last decade, and it has been through his efforts in development, promotion and construction of hard roads that Carroll County ranks among the first in the State in better highways. He has found time from his principal busi- ness to take an active part in the development of many enter- prises which have added to the industrial wealth of Westmin- ster.
Mr. Thomas was born in Westminster on November 30. 1579. llis parents were William B. and R. F. Thomas, He attended the Western Maryland Preparatory School and later graduated from Western Maryland College with the Class of 1898.
Hle entered the fertilizer business after leaving college and later became associated with his father in the banking and real estate business. During the time of his latter connection ho promoted, built and developed the Williamsport Canning Company. Ile entered business for himself under the title of Thomas & Company, Bankers and Real Estate Brokers, ton years ago, and two years later entered highway construction work. the title of the latter firm being Thomas, Bennett & Hunter. He is the senior member of both firms. The general class of construction has been Federal, State and State Aid Roads and Bridges. He has been Director of Fred Il. Knapp Co. since its origin and is secretary, treasurer, and general manager of the Baltimore & Carroll Realty Company ; director and member of the executive committee of the Consolidated Public Utilities Company. of Westminster : Director of the Bushey Lime & Stone Company. of Cavetown. Md .. and is in. terested in several other manufacturing enterprises. Thomas is a member of the Green Spring Valley Hunt Club. Baltimore Press Club, Boumi Temple Mystic Shrine, and Knights of Pythias.
He was married to Hilda Bennett in January of 1905. Three children. William B., Francis Worthington and Elizabeth Clarke were born of this union. Mrs. Thomas died in September of 1918.
Address, 3 East Main Street.
MAJOR ALBERT M. HALL.
Major Albert M. Hall, editor and manager of the Sykes. ville Herald, which he established in 1915, is a native of 1 .. worn, N. Y. Before coming to Maryland he was manasing .d. ftor of daily newspapers at Oswego, N. Y .. Elmira. N. Y .. and was also a member of the editorial staff of the Syraen- . N. Y.) Evening Herald. He served in various civic positions in Oswego and was elected Mayor of the city in 1999 and -v. for two years He became identified with the National Guard of New York in ISS4 and served in every grade from private to Major, As a Captain he took into the Spanish-American war the old company that his grandfather commanded in 1987. It was at maximum strength and volunteered 100 per cent. the only National Guard organization to do this. The organiza- tion became a part of the Third New York Volunteer Infantry and Captain Hall was early promoted to Major. After leav- ing New York Major Hall conducted a newspaper feature Un- reau in Washington, but desiring to gnit the rush and hurry of the daily field, after a long period of service, he came to Mary- land and established the Sykesville Herald, which has become one of the best known of the weekly newspapers. Major Hall was married in 1854 to Lovina Parkhurst, in Duchess county. New York. A son, Albert C., in government service at Wash- ington, and a danghter. Mrs. David W. Dean, of Sykesville. Mid., were the result of the union.
Major Hall was the Chairman of his District (Freedomi in all of the war activities and this district went "over the top" more times than any other district in Carroll county. Ho is a licensed preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church and takes great Interest in his church and reform work.
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