The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1877-11-24

COMMISSIONER WILLIAM CARMICHAEL.-TheS Sat
urday Standard of 18th inst. says: 'Were we
asked to name model old-t butcher, we would
consider William Carmichael, who has just been
elected Commissioner of Baltimore county by an
overwhelming majority, as especially worthy OF
mention. He has all the virtues for which butch
ers as a class are distinguished and if he has any
vices, certainly they entirely unknown to those
who have been intimate with him from boyhood to
the present time. Born over sixty years ago in
that part of the city called Old Town, on the east
ern bank of our famous Jones's Falls, he began
life under many disadvantages. Her parents
very worthy people-were poor and unable to give
him the advantages of good education, and at
thirteen years of age he was indentured as an ap-
prentice to n Mr.. Abel, a veal butcher, who was
alike parsimonOus and honest.
"Mr Carmichael delights to recount to his
friends incidents of his early life to illustrate the
difference in the treatment of boys then and now.
Thus he tells how delighted he was when he was
presented with new pair of pants made out of
bed ticking, his master, after he had served
faithfully eight years, gave him one day ippeny
bit as spending money at the same time caution
ing him against its foolish expenditure. Mr..
Abel considered it his duty to be extremely strict,
so that the boy might acquire those habits that
would be of advantage all through life.
''Mr Carmichael tells how, at one time, when
his duty was to count the calves at the yard three
miles from the city, he neglected to do so, and
when at market he was asked how many there
were, and he could not tell, Mr.. Abel sent him in
his bare feet the whole distance to count the calves
and report the number to his master at the market
"0n another occasion, observing ring on his
hand, the master asked him if his finger cut,
and ordered him to take off the jewelry.
''Perhaps this harsh training up in habits of in
dustry and economy would not answer in our day,
but it strengthened the sound sense the habits of
III l. e
William Carmichael, and he became as successful
in business as he was jovia and kind-hearted in
every relation of life. He has been married twice,
and is the father of thirteen children. His first
wife was Miss Eugenia Zachary, a daughter of
Captain William Zachary, and his second, Miss
Margaret L. Hoff, daughter of the well-known
Jacob Hoh Both of his fathers-in law were high
" respectable butchers.
"Mr Carmichael is extremely fond of his chill
dren and treats them with the utmost kindness. A
good many years ago, having secured handsome
competence in the butchering business, Mr.. Car
michael retired from it, and has since devoted
much of his time to his children and to the inter
est of Whatcoat NJ. E. church, of which he is
Trustee, and has long been a leading member.
''In addition to being Director of the Com
mercial and Farmers National Bank, he is Presi-
dent of the Newington Land and Loan Company
of Baltimore city, and also Treasurer of the New
ington Building Association, one of the best and
most successful societies of that kind in the city.
"Two years ago Mr.. Carmichael was named for
Commissioner of Baltimore county, but was,
through fraud, defeated. He has taken much in
terest in the improvement of the schools and as a
School Commissioner was exceedingly faithful and
efficient. 1t was only at the urgent solicitation of
his friends that he consented to be again candi-
date for County Commissioner. When it was
known that he would accept the Office both par
ties endorsed him, and he was elected by an over
whelming vote.
"No better, purer, more judciOus, or more hon
est man could be selected, not one young or old,
who is more brimfull of the love Of fun, or one
more ready to do acts of kindness and mercy
Mr. Carmichael never did mean thing in his
life, and his election is most credtable to Bati-
more county"