USA > Maryland > The book of Maryland: men and institutions, a work for press reference > Part 35
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Page. Two Hundred Eighty-Eight
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SENATOR R. SMITH SNADER.
R. Smith Snader. State Senator for Carroll County, one of the leading men of his party in that section of the State and who is looked upon in Annapolis as the champion of the farm- ers cause, was born on Shady Hill farm, New Windsor. Sep- tomber 16. 1874. His parents were Philip and Julia Smith Snader. He attended private school and the New Windsor College.
Senator Snader Assisted his father in farming operations until the spring of 1593, when he purchased his own farm. Ilo combined this farm with the family homestead in 1910 and since that time has conducted both properties. He has specialized in dairying. at one time having a herd of thirty Guernsey cows and a thoroughbred bnll.
Senator Snader was active in the organization of the Mary. land State Dairymen's Association in April of 1916. and has been vice-president of that organization since its first election. The Snader property is one of the pioneer farms in this dis. triet and the brick for the homestead were burned on the place. Ile was elected to the House of Delegates in 1907. again in 1910, and was elected to the State Senate in 1911, serving in the 1912 and 1914 sessions. He was defeated for re-election in the fall of 1915, but after a hot fight in 1919. in which he depended almost entirely upon the farm vote of the county. Mr. Snader was elected to the Senate by a large majority.
He is president of the Carroll County Branch of the State Dairymen's Association and is director of the Carroll County Fair Association. He is a member of the Odd Fellows.
Senator Snader was married to Emma I. Engler on Septem- ber 22. 1893. They have two children, Phillip B .. Jr., and Julia Margaret Snader.
His address is New Windsor, Maryland.
ARTHUR W. FEESER.
Arthur W. Fewser, one of the leading canners of this section and whose operations extend into the fruit section of southern Pennsylvania, and who is among the leaders in educational work and financial circles of his portion of the county. is a native of Carroll County, having been born on March 11. 1873.
Ilis parents were William .1. and Leah & Basshours Perser Mr. Feeser attended the public and high schools of little town. P'a.
Mr. Feoser entered business for himself when he was 24 years old as a contractor and builder and continued in this business until 100%, when he established the canning business of which he is the head at Silver Run. In 1917 he constructed another large canning plant at Taneytown. The business has grown rapidly each year until in this year (1920) the output of the plant will be in excess of 150,000 casos. Ilis products have reached every State in the I'nion, and he also ships a large part of his prodnets to Canada. Mr. Feeser also is a director and one of the organizers of a large fruit packing company of Aspers, Pa.
In addition to his packing and canning connections, Mr. Feeser operates five large farms in Carroll County, whose products are suitable for canning and cattle raising. He also is a director of the Littlestown Savings Institution, of Littles- town, l'a.
Mr. Feeser is a Mason, member of the National Canners Asso- ciation, Tri-State Packers' Association, and the Baltimore Canned Goods Exchange.
Ile is a member of the Board of Education of Carroll County, and served for several years as a member of the Dem. ocratie State Central Committee.
Good roads and better schools have been the hobby of Mr. Feeser and he has been a leader in obtaining improved highways and better schools for his district.
Mr. Feeser was married to Miss Minnie M. Sheets on April 25. 1897. They have one daughter. lah.
Mr. Feeser's business address and residence is in Silver Run.
Page Tiro Hundred Eighty-Vine
ROBERT SENTMAN MCKINNEY.
Robert Sentman MeKinney. the leading druggist of Taney- town. Carroll County, Maryland, and prominent in Republican polities, was born in that city on November 27. IS60.
llis parents were Andrew and Sarah Sontinan MeKinney. Dr. Mckinney attended the Eagleton Institute of Taneytown. and later entering the Maryland College of Pharmacy, was grad- nated with the Class of 1882.
Dr. Mckinney entered the drug business in Baltimore in 1878. Returning to Taneytown in 1886, he conducted the school of his father until 1800. In the latter year he established the drug business which he has conducted continuously since that time in Taneytown.
He creditably served two terms as postmaster of his town, having been named tirst by Roosevelt and later succeeding him. self in the Taft regime.
Ile is a member of the American Pharmaceutical Association. the Maryland Pharmaceutical Association. the different Masonic Orders, the Knights of Pythins, the Presbyterian Church and Is a charter member of the Taneytown fire department, all of which organizations he has at various times served in an official capacity.
Dr. MeKinney was married to Maggie B. Galt on November 27. 1889. They have one daughter, Mrs, Harry I. Reindollar, of Taneytown.
1
GEORGE HARRY BIRNIE.
George Harry Birnie, pioneer banker of Northern Carroll County, and one of the leading men in financial circles of this part of the State, organized his own bank in Tanestown when he decided to enter the banking business, and has since call dneted this institution.
Mr. Birnie was born in Glenburn, near Taneytown, on August 28, 1845. His parents were Rogers Birnie, one of the leading men of Carroll County, and Amelia Knode (larry , Hirnie. member of one of the prominent families of Washington County Mr. Birnie's father was principal of Glenburn Academy and it was under his tutelage that he received his preparatory educa. tion. Ile prepared for Princeton and entering that institution. specialized in mathematics and was graduated with the Class of 1867. He received his M. A. degree in 1870.
After leaving college he engaged in engineering, which in- eluded preliminary work and railroad construction in the West. and continued in this line of endeavor until 1884, when he returned to Carroll County and organized the banking concern of George IL. Birnie & Company. It was incorporated as the Birnie Trust Company in 1900, Mr. Birnie now is cashier of that concern. The bank under his guidance has grown to one of the strong financial institutions of the County and this part of the State.
Mr. Birnie is a Mason, member of the Knights of Pythias. Engineers' Club of Philadelphia. American Bankers Association and the Maryland Bankers Association. He has been an elder in the Presbyterian Church for two decades, is Superintendent of the Sunday School, was president of the Carroll County Christian Endeavor Union three terins, and was Vice- President of the State Union for one term.
Mr. Birnie was married to Miss Elizabeth Eleanor Zollickof- fer on June 1. 1882. They have three children. Eliza Roberts, Eleanor and Clotworthy Birnie.
Mr. Birnie's residence and business address is Taneytown.
Page' Tico Hundred Ninety
JOHN T. MELVILLE. WESTMINSTER, MD.
Page Two Hundred Ninety-One
EDWARD O. DIFFENDAL.
Edward O. Diffendal, manager and editor "The Democratic Advocate." Westminster. Maryland, was born in Westminster on October 9. 1875. son of Joseph and Mary Diffendal.
Mr. Diffendal was educated in the public and parochial schools of Westminster. In 1891, at the age of seventeen, he became an apprentice in the office of the paper of which he is now the manager and editor.
In politics Mr. Diffendal is a Democrat. He was appointed Supervisor of Elections under Governor Goldsborongh, and i- filling that position at the present time. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Diffendal married. on December 24. 1895. Miss Bessie E. Stoner. of Westminster. To this nion have been born four children. Charles, Thomas. Edward and Elizabeth.
Offices and residence. Westminster. Md.
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EMORY I .. COBLENTZ-Continued from page 204.
Educational, religions and charitable work claims a great deal of his time and he has been chosen director and chairnem of the executive committee of Hood College. Frederick : dir. .. tor Reform Theological Seminary, Lancaster : member of Board of Home Mission, Forward Movement Commission and vie .. president General Synod Reformed Church of United States: president of the Frederick County Children's Aid Society and chairman of the Frederick County Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Mr. Coblentz found time from his multitudinons business in- terests to serve his district in the Maryland House of Delegates. having been elected in 1920, npon the organization of the House, chosen Democratie Floor leader and Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. He was a member of the Board of State Aid and Charities 1912 to 1916.
Ile Is a member of the city Club of Baltimore. Frederick Lodge, B. P. O. Elks, Columbia Lodge A. F. & A. M., Frederick ; Knights Templar and Bomi Temple Mystic Shrine. Baltimore Mr. Coblentz has been married twice, his first wife being Amy A. Doub, who died in 1904. Ile was married to Miss Mary Virginia Kefauver in 1906. He has six daughters, Mrs. George P. Swank and the Misses Naomi, Esther, Miriam. Virginia and Ilelen Coblentz.
Ilis residence is in Middletown, Md.
Business address, Peoples Fire Insurance Building. Frederick.
WADE IL. D. WARFIELD-Continued from page 287.
mittre on Supervision of Employees and Expenditures, was chietly instrumental in saving to the people of the state Slao .- one. As a member of the Finance Committee, his experience as a business man and banker, made his services invalualde and his advice was in constant demand on all important matters. Ile was steadfast in support of all measures calculated to aid the moral welfare of the state. As a whole, his record for utliciency and economy was one that attracted the attention of the people of the entire state, and was one of which Carroll county people are justly prond.
Senator Warfield is a man of nnassailable integrity. lle stands high in the estimation of all men, not only at home. but wherever excentive ability and sound finance are recog- nized.
GORDON EDWARD MILBOURNE -- Continued from page 259. Introduced a bill providing that the expense of this buoy boun- dry be met by both states.
Mr. Milbourne was married to Eva M. Hayman, on Decem- ber 23rd. 1900. They have four children : Morris Lyttleton. Ruth Melrose, Naomi Margaret and Agnes Virginia.
Ilis address is Crisfield. Md.
EDGAR WINFIELD MCMASTER-Continued from page 259.
Mr. MeMaster has been married twice, his first wife having been Isabelle Fleming, whom he married in 1872. Ho was mar- ried to Susan Newell Stage in 1886. Ile has one daughter. Mrs. Francis Upshur Barnes, of Williamston. N. C., and two sons, Edgar Newell and Francis William MeMaster.
Ilis address is Pocomoke City, Md.
THOMAS W. KOON-Continued from page 235.
During the war period. Dr. Koon was active in all of the war time campaigns and was chairman of the exemption board of Allegheny County No. 1.
Ile Is a member of the City. State and National Medical Socletles.
Ilis residence is at IS Baltimore Avenue.
Page Tiro Hundred Ninety-Tiro
In Memoriam
Before closing the individual biographical sketches in The Book of Maryland, the editors wish to add their tribute to the memory of friends who are now no more.
In the busy marts of trade we miss them - miss their kindly fares, their cheery words of greeting. They have solved the mystery of the Balley of Silenre, and the land that is just beyond. In Jobing tribute we have gathered memories and woben them into a chaplet fashioned of im- mortelles.
Page Tico Hundred Ninety-Three
JAMES E. HOOPER.
James E. Hooper. founder of the cotton mills at Woodberry, Baltimore, Maryland, was . born in 1811, and died at his summer home at Rehoboth, Delaware, July 5, 1908. He was the son of William E. Hooper, who was one of the pioneer cotton mill operators of the State.
James E. Hooper was educated in the private school of Rippert and Newell, one of the best institutions of learning existent during that period. He later entered the large cotton mills which had been founded by his father, beginning in a subordinate position and thereby acquiring a compre- hensive knowledge of every detail of the industry. These mills were later merged in the Cotton Duck Company, and when that corporation was organized, Mr. Hooper was appointed general manager and later became president of the company. He resigned from this office in 1904, being busy at the time with plans for the erecton of mills at Woodberry, these then being known as the Hooperwood Mills. Mr. Hooper was president of the latter company, but during his last illness, his son, William E. Hooper, the vice-president and general manager, acted as president. All the stock of this company was in the possession of the Hooper family, and the death of Mr. Hooper prac- tically made no change in the methods of operation hitherto followed. The plant was then con- ducted under the style of The William E. Hooper & Sons Company, manufacturers of cotton- duck.
In tracing back the activities of the Hooper family in the cotton manufacturing business, one finds that William E. Hooper, father of the above-mentioned James E. Hooper, was the pioneer in this line, having become identified with cotton manufacturing in 1848, in which year he purchased the Woodberry Mill.
Having at that time no practical knowledge of duck making, William E. Hooper entered into eo-partnership with one of the former owners of Woodberry Mill, Horatio N. Gambrill. The undertaking was very successful, and when they became the proper age, James E. Hooper and his brothers were taken into the business in various capacities. About the time of the Civil War, William E. Hooper purchased Mr. Gambrill's interest, and Mr. Gambrill built the Druid Mill in competition with the Woodberry. This mill. however. was later acquired by the Hoopers. and when William J., Theodore. James E. and Alcaeus Hooper were taken into the firm. several other mills at Woodberry were acquired. William E. Hooper died in 1885, and the mills were sold to the trust in 1899. largely because Theodore Hooper desired to retire from business. It was at this time that James E. Hooper and his brothers began to plan for the erection of a new cotton man- ufacturing enterprise. The advisability of locating the new mills in the South was considered, owing to a then widespread belief that mills located in the North could not compete with Southern mills on account of the apparently lower operating cost of the latter. This objection was, however, de- eided against, and when the new plant was erected at Woodberry, many of the former employes of the Hoopers demonstrated their regard for the family by making application to re-enter their service. The mill operatives had not failed to remember the just treatment accorded them by the members of the Hooper family, and particularly the fact that James E. Hooper had permitted him- self to be elected a member of the State Legislature that he might be thus enabled to introduce and have passed a short-hour law for the protection of child labor in mills.
Mr. Hooper was active in a number of philanthropic and educational institutions. He was a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church; was president of the Kelso Home; one of the board of trustees of the Women's (now Goucher College), a member of the Board of Park Com- missioners; a member of Pickering Lodge. F. & A. M., and of Druid Hill Chapter, Royal Arch Masons.
Mr. Hooper married (first) Mary McWilliams, a niece of the late Thomas M. Lanahan. He married (second) Sarah. daughter of the late George Poole. Children: Mrs. Robert H. Smith, Mrs. John R. Dorsey; William E. Hooper, former, president and manager of the Hooper mills: Robert P. Hooper, of Philadelphia. present president and treasurer of the mills; Lulie P. Hooper; Grace Hooper, and James P. Hooper, who is now vice-president and general manager of William E. Hooper & Sons Co.
Mr. H. R. W. Smith is secretary and assistant treasurer of the company. William E. Hooper. former president, is no longer interested in the mills.
This industry which was founded by James E. Hooper is among the largest of its kind in the State and country. There is more than one acre of space on cach of the (Continued on page 306.)
Page Tiro Hundred Ninety-Four
JAMES E. HOOPER.
Page Tiro Hundred Ninety-Fire
اساتصار
WILLIAM SWINDELL.
Among the citizens of bygone days who made possible the present enviable position of Baltimore in the world of trade and industry, none who have passed beyond have left a more eloquent record both as to achievement and sterling character, than did William Swindell, founder of the great glass manufacturing industry of Swindell Brothers, public- spirited citizen, and valued friend to all who enjoyed his acquaintance.
William Swindell, son of William and Lydia (Emmitt) Swindell. was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on February 19, 1821, and died at his home in Baltimore on September 27. 1891. His father, William Swindell. second, was one of the first men to successfully manufacture lime flint glass in the United States. At his death the burden of caring for his widow, five sons and two daughters, fell npon William Swindell, third, or as he was known, William Swindell, Jr. At a very early age William Swindell, Junior, went to work in a glass factory established by his maternal grand- father, in order to support the other members of his family. Though thus denied educational advantages, he utilized his evenings and all spare moments to advantage, being enabled to supplement the meager learning of his youth.
After serving his apprenticeship Mr. Swindell became a journeyman glass-worker. Some years later he organized. with associates, the Spring Garden Bottle Works, and when this concern was later purchased by Baker Brothers & Company, he occupied for nineteen years the position of superintendent of both plants, a task which would have tried the ability of the most capable exeentive. In 1869 he became a member of the firm of Seim, Emory & Swindell, and superintended the erection of a factory to make window glass on Leadenhall estret. In 1873, with his sons as associates, Mr. Swindell organized the firm of Swindell Brothers and erected the Crystal Window Glass Works. In isso a factory was added to mannfacture green bottles, and in ISS3 another factory was added for the purpose of making flintware. Swindell Brothers is now a leader among concerns of its kind in Baltimore, which city ranks second only to Pitts- burgh In the manufacture of glass in the I'nited States.
Although manifesting a keen interest in public affairs, and always ready to assist with his advice. Mr. Swindell declined all regnests to enter public office, with one exception : he served his ward as a member of the City Council in 1860. Ile was a member of the Merchants & Manufacturers Association, and was an active officer of Grace Meth- odist Episcopal Church, to which he was a liberal contributor.
Mr. Swindell married Henrietta Mullard, born in Camden. New Jersey, in 1812, died at her home in Balti- more. September 20, 1910. Children : Marietta, married William B. Myers; George E. deceased : John W. de- ceased : Walter Bayard, whose biography appears elsewhere in this volume : nie, married Prank E. Pavis ; Cora. married James R. Hagerty : Charles J. B. : Joseph Rodgers, deceased, and William R. Swindell.
A man of large nature. Mr. Swindell was beloved by all. Many men depart this life with the love and respect of family and friends, but the supreme test which is an infallible indication of his wonderful love for others, is the attitude displayed by his employees when notified of the death of their leader and friend, which found expression in a touching testimonial presented by them to the family of Mr. Swindell, n framed copy of which now hangs upon the walls of the office which Mr. Swindell formerly occupied. Nomnally high was the regard In which he
(Continued on page 306)
Page Two Hundred Ninety-Siz
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JULIEN P. FRIEZ.
Julien P. Friez, founder of the Belfort Meteorological Observatory, Baltimore, Maryland, born near Belfort, France. August 16, 1851, died at his home. "Belfort." Central avenue and Baltimore street, Bahimore, on March 9, 1916. He was the son of Joseph thorn December 13. 1818, died February 21, 1891) and Marguerite Roi (daughter of Francis Roi, of the Household of Louis XVI. of Francei, and a grandson of Jean Jacques and Marie (Moine) Friez.
Julien P. Friez studied under the private tutelage of Professor Rose, in the village of Geromagny, France. At the age of sixteen he came to the United States and entered New York University, where he later graduated. In 1868 he was apprenticed to Robert Henning, of Ottaway, Illinois, an expert on telegraph instruments. Ho event- ually became managing head of the Henning factory, and was a pioneer in the perfection of the telegraph. Hlen- ning's was the first Western establishment to undertake the development of the telegraph, and Mr. Frie aided in completing the first telegraph line in the West, of about ten miles in length, connecting the factory and shops with Mr. Henning's residence. In Ottaway, Mr. Friez became associated with Professors Morse. Knox and Shane, and In that town he also made the first telegraph key and sonnder for the Western Electric Company, which had taken over the Henning plant.
In 1872 Mr. Friez located in Philadelphia, where he began the manufacture of telegraph instruments, but owing to the subsequent Philadelphia business panic he soon removed to Baltimore, where he became manager with .A. HIall & Company, makers of electric clocks. One of the clocks made under his management is still on duty in the City Hall, another in the Rennert Hotel. Next. Mr. Priez was an official of the Brush Electric Company, and later was superintendent, at Baltimore, of the Mergenthaler Manufacturing Company, there aiding in invention and per- fection of the linotype machine. He was later associated with several other nationally known scientists and in- ventors, and about 1550 he established the Belfort Meteorological Observatory, which is also known as Julien P. Friez & Sons. This great industry is now conducted by the founder's son, Lucien 1 .. Friez, whose natural ability was developed and trained by his father.
Julien P. Friez was known as one of the world's foremost manufacturers of meteorological instruments and aparatus in the world, his important inventions bring almost without number. He perfected and completed the first practical heliograph : the quadruple register, which records on a single sheet the velocity and direction of the wind and sunshine and rainfall for each minute of the day : the soil thermograph, which records temperature be- neath the earth's surface: the Priez water-stage register, to record stages and levels of water in rivers and reser- voirs, and the movements of the tide.
From 1900 to 1916 Mr. Priez devoted himself to meteorology, a science in which he was a pioneer. In his re- treat at Belfort he pursued his study, investigation and invention, his only diversion was the beantifying of hits grounds with all varieties of roses, shrubbery and trees.
Mr. Friez married Cordelia Schlupf, of Philadelphia. Children : Prederlek J .. Julien M., deceased : Lucien L .. successor to the business of Julien P. Priez & Sons: and three daughters. Sister M. Pierre, a Sister of Mercy ; Alice C. Jennings, wife of M. J. Jennings, aud Louise Marle, wife of M. Burns Hyland.
Page Two Hundred Ninety-Seren
JOHN E. HURST.
Few citizens have lived in the city of Baltimore who have left a more commendable record for every trait of character that constitutes true greatness than the late John Edward Hurst. Certainly none whose memory has lin- gered and will linger in the affections of all who knew him as an upright man and a tireless worker in the interests of his community.
John Edward Hurst, son of Stephen and Ann Jonest Hurst. was the descendant of a family which is one of the oldest in date of settlement in this country, and traces its lineage as far back as the year 1216 in England. It has tur- nished its full quota of members to those who were active in defence of the rights and liberties of this country, and to commercial, financial and commercial lines. The late Bishop John Fletcher Hurst, of the Methodist Episcopal church, former president of the Drew Theological Seminary, well known author and writer for the press, was a grandson of Sammel Edward Hurst (of County Surray, England) and his first wife. Lavinia Littleton, and there have been a number of others of this family who have attained fame as writers.
John Edward Hurst was born at Weir's Neck farm, on the Great Choptank River, near Cambridge. October 21. 1832, and he died on Jannary 6, 1904. He studied at Cambridge Academy for several years, and at the age of sev- entren came to Baltimore, accepting a position with Hamilton. Easter & Company, but at the end of one year became an employee of Hamilton & Sons, with whom he remained for seven years, He then associated with the firm of Inest & Berry, in which his uncle, John Hurst, was senior partner. In 1857. with his consin, the late William R. Ilnrst. he bought out the old firm of Hurst & Berry, and the firm then became Hurst & Company. The firm became. an December 1, 1895, John E. Horst & Company. its members then being John E. Hurst, Lloyd L. Jackson. William B. Hurst, and John E. Iurst. Jr .. of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this vohmme. Recently, this firm has taken the name of John E. Hurst & Co., Inc.
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