davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-10-08
w. MD. TELEPHONE COMPANY
OF CARROLL COUNTY
It's Growth and Development.


When, in 1914, Samuel f. B. Morse
brought the recording telegraph before the
world, and sent from Washington to Bal
timore the famous telegram "What hath
God wrought, the world stood aghast while
recognizing that a revolution in the business
and social life Of the universe was at hand.
It was then thought to be the perfection of
electrical service, but the public were
wrong, for in later years we have issuing
nom t1ss shventlye GRAIN OF man the tele-
phone. At first an imperfection, this con-
trivance has been gradually improved until
today it has become necessity at home,
factory or Office. No merchant, business
man or hotel keeper of any prominence can
afford to be without it, while Its use at
residences has become almost universal.
The Western Maryland Telephone Com
pany, with its Office on Court street, takes
leading place among the citys enter
prises. Its aim from the inception OF the
work three years ago has been to afford
patrons perfect service al. low cost, and
it has spent thousands of dollars in the ap-
pointments and improvements. A visit to
its plant reveals the system by which the
Company conducts business over an extern
sive territory, operating through all of
Carroll county with the greatest prompt
tude and regularity The long distance
telephone service which it operates is es-
pecially valuable and interesting, for by
! this mode of vocal communication or trans
mission of sound, resident of Westminster
NAV converse with friends and acquain-
tances over this entire section. The Com
pany lines, while covering the city itself
thoroughly with 95 phones, and the
county with 80 more, also extend dis
lance of 81 miles through Carroll county.
Here one may call up the following towns
and hold conversations with their citizens
Avondale, Bloom, Greenmount, Hamp-
stead, Kump, Linwood, Long, Daniel,
Day, Dennings, Eldersburg, Englar, Friz-
ellburg, Gambler, Manchester, Middleburg,
Mayberry, Marston, Medford New Wind
sor, Pleasant Valley, Sans Creek. Spring
Mills, Smallwood, Taneytown, Tyrone,
Uniontown, Union Bridge, Woodbine,
Winfield and Wakefield. The officers Of
the Company are Charles E. Fink, pres
ident; Charles H. Vanderford, vice-presi-
dent; A. H. Huber secretary and treasurer,
and P. H. Irwin, Jr., superintendent,
while the Board of Directors embrace the
following Charles +. Fink, Charles Fl.
Vanderford, George W. Albaugh, DIR.
George Z. Marked, John c, Buckley, John
! Milton Reifsnider ana David Il. Stem.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-10-08
JOHN H. STEM.
President County Commissioners.


Perhaps there is no Office in the gift of
the people which displays more fully the
confidence felt by them in their choice of
a representative than that of County Com
missioner The name alone suggests in
tegrity, honor and worth. The duties of
the office are weighty and important, and
the men chosen to execute them must be
of superior worth and reliability. This
honor was conferred upon Mr.. John II.
Stem, when he was elected to the post of
Commissioner for Carroll county five years
ago.
A native of this county, where he has
long resided in Franklin district, he has
been for years engaged in farming and
stock raising-an occupation which seems
to form the sub-strata of many useful lives
He has also followed huckstering, and rais-
ing crops for the large city markets of
Baltimore, which 90 there frequently and
bring good financial returns. Possessed
of genial and conservative nature, he is
valuable adjunct to the important quar-
tette who guard and adjust this county s
closest and best interest His discharge
of the work is able and just, and all who
are called upon to deal officially with him,
find Mr. Stem an obliging, honorable gen
tleman He is president of the Board,
Aaying been elected -thA-n eG9eTitie
ticket in 1893. -
His farm at Winfield takesa front place
among the agricultural attractions of Car
roll; for its equipment is complete and
thorough He has four grown-up chill
dren, who, like himself, are in comfortable
circumstances and valuable members of the
community.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-10-08
s. C. SMITH.
A Popular Hotel=Keeper.

After an experience of years at Freder-
lex and Taneytown, where his popularity
is well known as hotel keeper, Mr.. 5.
C. Smith has just chosen this city for his
home and secured the coy and well APP
pointed "Central Hotel, which Mr.. IL.
L. Bowers, of York, Pa, conducted for
some time past 1t is pleasant to record
Mr. Smith arrival, for among all the
the hosts which one could meet, it would
be difficult to find gentleman better fitted
for his calling or more keenly alive to
the wants of the travelling public. The
Golf House at Frederick, which he con-
trolled two years, as well as the Franklin
and the Union Hotels at Taneytown, which
he conducted about five years, show the
care and attention Mr. Smith brings to his
business. Now that he has come hither,
the indications are that the Central Ho-
tel. will become one of the leading host
elries of Carroll county, supplied as it is
with every comfort and convenience.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-10-08
VIM. B. THOMAS.
successful Banker and Broker.

1t is IL pleasure at all times to sketch
the career of citizens who, through the
sheer force Of merit, have attained posi-
tiens os honor and trust in commanl y
The lives of such men are an incentive to
others, aud especially 10 the rising genera
ton. for it will readily appear on examln-
ing heir lives. that none of them would
have reached the pinnacle of success were
honesty. ability and rectitude lacking.
Financial reverses, it is true, sometimes
overtake even honest and persevering men,
bs- such seldom, if ever, set far behind
IN tihle essss;rggIe Of existence, coming S97the
front again, sooner or later, ready to take
their just places as leaders. Every com
munity possesses such citizens de-
termined men, who even under the sting
of defeat can smile, and renewing their eff
forts ultimately conquer They are men
of genius and industry.
While the subject of this sketch, Mr..
William B. Thomas, has never suffered
business reverses in his long and honorable
career, he yes belongs to the class of those
who, strong by nature, are always able to
cope against business troubles, no matter
what they may be- His own ventures so
far have been crowned with great success
by reason of his foresight, energy and APP
titude for doing the right thing at
the right time. A gentleman whose very
life has been interviewer with the progress
of this city. Mr.. Thomas was born in
Pennsylvania fifty five years ago, but came
to Westminster in 1860, when only eigh-
teen years old and has ever since resided
here, rising by degrees to the highest sta
lions of trust At first one of its council
men, he became Mayor of Westminster la
ter, and filed the responsible post for two
terms, during which the Westminster Wa
ter Works was erected. He was original
ly engaged at mercantile pursuits, but in
1867 he decided to operate as a banker
and broker, and opened an Office which
has since become popular. At present he
conducts his extensive business at 83 East
Main street, some of the features of which
are to make collections, negotiate loans and
buy and sell property and loans money on
chattels. 1t is a fact worth mentioning
that Mr.. Thomas was one of the founders
of the Westminster Water Works, and has
been identified with many of the leading
enterprises here for years. He owns a
beautiful home in Westminster, and his
confidence in the city's future is so great,
that he owns some thirty houses in Its
boundaries, including half interests in two
of the principal hotels.
1t is evident that since he earned his
money here, Mr. Thomas has cleverly put
building up with it t5 pace Of lis ad i6:
ton. In addition to his local real estate,
he also owns about half dozen farms un-
der cultivation, and has some interest be-
sides in the Hanover Bone Fertilizer Co
limited, of Hanover, Pa. Mr. Thomas
afiliates with the Masonic brethren, and
belongs to the Independent Order of ODD
Fellows, whose hall ranks among the city
attractions.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-10-08
BENNETT g. co.
One of Westminster's Leading In
dustrIes.

Lumber has its history, and like all
histories, has also its various chapters. 1t
opens with the primeval forests, which the
woodman's axe converted into the homes
and haunts of civilized man. 1t is the
prime factor of the building world; and the
Industry has afforded an avenue Of trade
for a class of merchants who are typical
ehustlers, proving equal to every emer-
gency of prosperity or depression. Prom
ineat among this class is found the above
Lumber Company; which also deals in
many other side lines such as coal, slate,
cement and agricultural implements OF
course the trade of so well conducted a
firm is quite extensive Their yards, OPP
posite the Western Maryland Depot, are
large aud especially well stocked with most
valuable materials, for the firm supplies
carpenters, contractors, farmers, builders
and housekeepers alike with products of
the woods and mines at the shortest no
tice. In the building line you may find
sashes. doors, blinds aud ar kinds of fac
t-rOry ana mill work, while the-%,quality of
Goals and cemeuts from the Purest sources,
y is unsurpassed any where. Although
slate for roofing purposes is largely sold
by the firm, it is never visible in their coal
carts, as often happens in the general coal
traffic. and thus consumers of coal bought
there are always happy. They get the
pure article As regards the agricultural
implements, one may observe all the lead
ing styles and inventions here displayed in
prodigal profusion, among which are Vul-
can Chilled Flows, Schuttler Wagons,
Deering Binders, Mowers, Rakes, Irvine
and Oil, Superior and Dswego Drills,
Champion Wagons, Field Rollers, Har-
rows, Corn Plows, Shovel Flows, Corn
Planters, Hay Tedders, Feed Cutters,
Chopping Mills, Hay Tools, and full
line Of other farm implements. Farmers
come here far and near, because they know
that every thing needfnl can be bought
from the firm of the first quality just as
other folks, needing other things, do for
the same reason. Nobody is ever disap-
pointed.
The firm comprises Mrs, |. c. Bennett
and Mr. D. Cowan, Jr., who have been
in business since August, 1895, when
they succeeded E. Lynch & Son at the
present stand Mr. Cowan is Baltimt
rean by birth, and was superintendent OF
the postofice there for about ten years
He is a thorough business man, alert, ac-
tive and efficient in every thing he under
takes. He owns property both in city
and county and affliates with the Masons,
Heptasophs and Royal Arcanum. He i
quite popular among the lumber and Goa
fraternity, as we'll as their commercial re
representatives., as gentleman of generous
impulse, up-to-date enterprise and keer
business sagacity.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-10-08
ALBAUGH-BABYLoE GRoCE-
RY COMPANY
One of Westminstcr's Monuments
of Thrift and Energy.


Il is with some misgiyings that we at
einpt review of the large wholesale
rot cry business of the Albaugh Baby
lon Company for publication to the coun-
nv in our industrial edition. The stand
ing of this house and the high character
of the fr.n's personnel in business and
financial circles, make this enterprise see
ond only to the milling and packing estab-
ishmen as IA contributor to our reputation
abroad both as trade and manufacturing
centre. Both members of this finn are
natives # Carroll ouuty. Mr. George
w. Albaugh (whose biography appears
elsewhere in the ADVOCATE. having been
born on Washington S birthday. February
%. 1857, and his par,ner, Mr. f. Thomas
Babylon, on July p, 1857, at Frizellburg.
It will be noticed that there is some SINH
larity in the dates of their birth, just as
you find it in their expert business meth
DDS.
A glance at the career Of the gentlemen,
especially since 1894, when their grocery
here was established, is quite in.eles ing.
AS will be seen from Mr. Albaugh' bio
yraphy in another column, his grocery bas-
mess at Westminster dates from 1891, or
and the present partnership commenced a
year later when he became head OF the
company, and Mr.. Babylon the secretary
and treasurer. By reason of his great
activity and business capacity, the latter
has since continued the executive man
ager'
| The nremises winch IiIey OWN and occu7
DIV on East \ lain street, large and hand
~ t-;vlh-- ~ uqurs5 dimensions COMBS
feet, stands sn close proximity to the rail
road station, and could not, in fact, be,
better located. Here they conduct
wholesale traffic in groceries, notions, to-
bacco, cigars, confectionery and grocers'
sundries, for the firm represent leading
manufacturers in this line all over Western
Maryland, where their trade indeed ex-
tends, as we'll as over much of Pennsylva-
MIA. Thus the grain of mustard seed ,
which Mr.. Albaugh planted at Westmin-
ster decade of years since, has gradually
expanded and frueti6ed, until now under
the green branches Of "a stately tree, =
the firm reap a just recompense for their
labor
Influential figures in our city develop
ment for many years; identified by sym
pathy and aid with every material concern
tending to promote our public welfare,
Albaugh and Babylon long ago secured the
goodwill and respect of our inhabitants,
as their life-records so clearly show. As
regards the latter gentleman, he was
TRAINED to habits of industry in the schools
of Carroll county, where he had filled
clerical posts at several stores beforet join
+ ing the Babylon & Gilbert Hardware bus
mess and Mr.. Albaugh here, and he
shares the fame of his partner as man
whose heart is wrapped up in the prosper
fifty of this city-a man ever keenly alive
to its best interests and mindful of its ne
cessities. Like Mr. Albaugh, too, he
fills some positions of trust, being a
director of the Westminster Savings
! Bank; director of the Ice and Cold
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-10-08
FARMERS AND MECHANICS,
NATIONAL BANK.
Asolid Instilut.on- sapital s5o. 90.

=
A Solid Instituti on Capital CSC, oSo.
While tracing the growth and expan-
sion Of community. it Is well to remem-
Der the lealing objects III its boundaries,
standing as they do among varied enter
prises, like 50 many guardian spirits l,cel
as defense and bulwark. Banks have
always been indispensable to business peo-
pie. 1t was q. shrewd head that devised
the species Of exchange which has since
developed into the great banking system
Of modern times, and which i. une Of the
marvellous roofs Of the progress made by
the mortals Of this century A look at
the banking facilities Of city is one Of
the first things demanding he attention Of
capitalists or merchants Wishing to locate
in the same, and it is a pleasure we can
point to the Farmers and Mechanics Ma
tional Bank of Westminster as an emf
nently safe and fourishing institution,
which never embarks in any questionable
ventures
There are memories connected with
every banking institution which in time
become traditions, pleasing to all who may
in any way have been identified with the
bank operations. This is largely truo of
the Farmers and Mechanics National
Bank here, which was established in 1850,
nearly half century ago 1t was organ
lied as National Bank in 1865, and is
now operating under its second charter,
with capital of $50, 600, a surplus fund
of $40. 900, with undivided profits of So,
900; loans $l60, 600, and deposits $780,
900 The policy aud business Of the
Bank is directed by the following gentle
men, elected annually by the directory:
E4.-7rtrv Snr1veT. president; JOINT II
Cunningham cashier The directors com
prise Messrs j. Wesley Biggs, William
A. Cunningham, Harry NJ. Clabaugh,
William Y. Frizzell, Luther H. Hoffack-
err, George P Panebaker and the presi-
dent and vice president, H. Writ Shriver
and David Stoner
Thus the personnel of the Bank is alone
guarantee of its absolute reliability and
straight forward business methods Its
president, Mr. Shriver, is gentleman Of
unbIemished integrity and the vice presi-
dent, Mr.. Stoner, is of such high charac-
ter as also to inspire universal confidence,
he having held the position as County
Commissioner for fourteen years, and been
president of the Board most of the time.
Both are capitalists Of prominence, who
own considerable farm land The cashier,
Mr. Cunningham, has devoted the past
six years to his work at the Bank in that
capacity, having been appointed in 1892,
but having also been continuously in its
employ since January, 1885. He is still
a young man, being graduate of the
Western Maryland College here in the
class of 50, and is now secretary and
treasurer of the Westminster Gas Light
Company. A man of keen business abili-
ties and highest rectitude, he is Of that
conservative nature which has made his
services so valuable to the interests he
represents Under its charter, this sterl-
ing Bank is always prepared to do gen
eral banking business; to buy and sell ex-
change; to make collections, and to nego-
tate all banking paper
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-10-08
DIR. JOHN s. MATTHIAS.
A well-Known Specialist In Piles
and Rectal Diseases.

The greatest enemy Of mankind is dis
ease in its various forms and complications,
and no part of the globe is free from its
devastating effects Every year hundreds
of workers emerge from the doors Of our
medical colleges ready to combat the raw
ages of disease and suffering in a general
way But special complaints require
special treatment, and many learned physi-
clans realizing the inexhaustiye study re-
qlired to become master Of any one dis
9 Use, have chosen certain lines .ef work to
which they have devoted their whole time
and attention.
1t is but reasonable to suppose that after
years Of study and treatment of some part
of the human anatomy, such specialist
would be infinitely better prepared to mas
ter that ailment than onewhOse profession
covers all ills. DIR. John S. Matthias, of
80 East Main street, is an exponent Of the
former class, while atvthe same time being
a medical practitioner yersed in everything
pertaining to his noble profession. He
has made life study of all rectal diseases,
and stands today an acknowledged success
in his liue. His reputation is by no means
confined TO Westminster, for his patients
number people from various parts of this
county and other sections of the State. 1t
is his intention soont0 establish a branch
Office at Baltimore to facilitate his work,
which he expects to visi. weekly To
those who are suffering the agony inciden
tai to piles or other rectal diseases, the
presence. OF such physician is inestimable.
Dr. Matthias isno stranger to our citizens,
having been born Ire half a century ago
and ITI7frS lived arAong us for many years.
he is an upright, Jealous gentleman, who
rises above sordid ambition. His greatest
aim is to do good-like his father before
him, whose memory is green at Westmln-
ster and will ever be revered A worthy
scion of illustrious ancestors, he received
bis education at Mount ST Mary $ College.
Emmittsburg, from, which he graduated.
Then he concluded to adopt the medical
profession for his life-work, and entered
the University of Maryland. and went
through Il cOuTSo dt tlidG ldLlOuo HlceAlutloh;
which since 1903, has sent forth scores of
students eminent in their calling Here
turned to Westminster in 1873, after
having finished his medical studies and re-
ceived his diploma; since which time he
has risen to the front rank of Maryland $
practitioners. DIR. Matthias enjoys not only
the general regard of our citizens whom he
has served and benefited during twenty
years, but also the respect Of his medical
brethren, who recognize his skill as
specialist in rectal diseases. Having kept
himself in touch with all the scientific dis
coveries of the age, he is one of the best IN
formed physicians now in active practice,
and numbers among his patients the best
families of the community.
He is a member of st. John Catholic
Church, and also afiliates with the Royal
Arcanum.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-10-08
kHARLES E. FINK.
70 = e knt Attorney and Public
Spirited Citizen.

= arg horizon of American citizens as
s',ie ~ l:tsif Is ana The response ii les of
/. CEN lAaut the infernatian relii.ite
~ ! discharge Of these vast ac-
;oan' lIevolved upon hem by the
i'ls. Rhd laws. Many of them
''n ,,. Evil honors, accept important
3upi'' 18th attainments in political
'ele''' cumscribed to enable them
. ~ Hicient aid to the State or to
5alp 5lnFelves an honorable distinction.
l's; tssf to such as theec one can
p % Is Mr-Charles- E-Eink. of
W eStl'1l' es.swhose life has been mainly
'peas community. His record is
40 ~ study. On May 81, 1853,
ne X 81 Adams county, Pa, where
as flIns9 llisd on, his early training was
fessAs Che public schools of Gettys-
ousss sater he matriculated at
Inc = sylvania College there, and in
1909 catered St Charles's College,
Howard nunty, Nd, where he remained
as pep, three years. Accepting posi-
.lon q /. IL Institution as professor, Mr..
flnS np4a il until 1878, when the degree
a. ~ as conferred upon him by St.
Mary University, Baltimore.
= " ps'e professor at st. Charles s. Mr..
rink s1af lied law under Hon Henry E.
Wootsp Of Ellicott City, g miles from
wnicn 1nIs college is located), and then
decldea adopt the law for his profession
In sepsefnber, 1878, just twenty years
ago, Ae Jas admitted to the Bar of Mary
Land as slhcott City, and the following
spring fe'hioved to Westminster.
SINCE then this lovely spot has been his
nome ~ inseverything that concerns its
advancei ont be has been very active.
He + Democrat of the Hickory
school, sincere, uncompromising one
Electea '|ity Attorney in 1885, he retained
tnat pos until 1891, when the people
placed HIN in the office of State's ATTORNEY
here, = liDsition which he filed four years.
at presettMr Fink is city attorney, coun-
sci Tor tRh Westminster Water Company
ana tne arroll county branch of the Fl
dellty a..,l Deposit Company of Maryland,
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-10-08

Storage Co.. and an officer in several other
corporations Both have happy fresides;
Mr., Babylon having married Miss Ella
Snider, whose father he succeeded as a
director of the Savings Bank in 1891.
Mr.. Babylon recently erected an ele-
CANT business block on West Main street,
which everybody views with pleasure. 1t
is of beautiful design; the building buff
colored brick, three stories high and base
ment, 43x100 feet. Two much cannot
be said of this prosperous firm, who COM
mand the confidence of our people, con-
fidence won by steadfast interest in their
welfare and an honorable business course.