The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1894-01-18
Death of Mr. Ralph Thayer, the Old
est Citizen of Oakland.

|
Saturday afternoon of a complica-
tion of diseases.
The following short sketch of the
life of the deceased is taken from
the Oakland correspondence of the
Cumberland NelUs::
cat the time of his death Mr..
Thayer had attained the ripe age of
nearly eighty nine years, and was
the oldest citizen of Oakland. He
was born on the first Of September.
1905, in Northampton county,
Massachusetts. When the deceased
was about twelve years of age his
parents came to Western Maryland g.,
travelling all the way IN wagons, for
there were no railroads in those
days. In 1918 Stephen Thayer,
father of the deceased, with his
family, settled at what is now
known as the Splker farm, about
two miles from Oakland, on the
Aurora road. There he reared q
family of eleven children, seven
daughters and four sons. Of these
only three are now living, Eliza
Dixon, Elk Garden, W. Va; Helen
Ashby, wife of William Ashby, and
Mariah, wife of John L. Browning.
The last two live near Oakland.
Even in his boyhood days the sub
ject of this sketch was ambitious,
and at the age of 21 years left the
farm and went to Addison, Penn
sYlvanla, where he secured a posi-
tion as clerk in the store of Hunt &
Dar'sll. He remained there until
1889, when he married Mary
Mitchell and returned to Maryland
and commenced merchandising at
SelbYSport on his own account.
Immediately after his return to
Marylsnd he was elected a member
Of the. House Of Delegates and
served in that body during the
memorable session of 1910. Mr..
Thayer had a most wonderful mem
ory, which was unimpaired to the
day of his death. After the close
of the session of the legislature in
which he served he kept trace of the
other members and could tell the
subsequent history OF each. He
remarked only a few weeks ago that
he was the last surviving member
Of the House Of 1910. After his
return from ApIp393n4aGs n be eennttii9ped
port for more than v,re.ny1 llpiS !;
and during the whole Of that periqs
filled the Office of postmaster.
"In 1863, he came to Oakland
and continued from that time, to
reside here. He was, during the
davs of reconstruction following
the war. connected with the Office
of internal revenue He was also
census enumerator in 1870. For
ten years next preceding President
Cleveland's first term, he served as
postmaster at Oakland. Since that
time he has not been actively en-
gagged in business. Mr. Thayer
was always a prominent figure in
his community, and no man in this
section was more intimately con-
nected with the history of this To-
cality than he. AS public official
he was honest, efficient and faithful
to every trust which was committed
to his care. In politics he was an
uncompromlsing Republican. For
more than fifty wears he was an up
right and consistent member of the
NJ. e. church and died in the faith
in which he lived.
Gas neighbor he was always
kind and considerate and had a very
large circle of intimate friends. 70
his immediate family he was most
affectionate and | have rarely, if
ever, seen stronger attacnment
between father and children than
that which existed between the de-
ceased and his sons and daughters.
He leaves two daughters and four
sons surviving him, who have the
sympathy Of the entire community
in the hour Of this "their great
affliction."
"Full of honors, full of years,
surrounded by his family and
friends the old patriarch passed
away. Like Enoch of old he walked
with God, and was not, for God
took him.
The funeral Of the deceased oc,
Cured on Monday from st. PauPs
NJ. E. church, and notwithstand-
ing the inclement weather the fun
eral was one of the largest ever wit
messed in Oakland. The services
were conducted by Rev, G. W. Kep.
Ter assisted by Drs. Alexander and
Ison and Rev. John M. Dayis. The
active pail bearers were Messrs. d
II. Loar, Geo. NJ. Mason, Thomas
j. Peddlcord, Geo. L. Bosley, DR.
A. Wagner, and ex-senator R. 7
Browning. The interment was
made in Odd Fellows cemetery.