Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1904-09-15
Death Of Samuel M. Birely.

On Friday evening last Samuel NJ. Bircly
died at his home in this place after an illness
of nine dnys The immediate cause OF his
death was scpticamih. or blood poison, oc,
casoncd by carbunclc on his neck and an
at. ok of c., lluliis on bis face.
The deceased was the el dest child OF the
late Samuel and Barbara Bircy he was
born at Ladesburg, in this county, April 30,
1859, being As years, A months and 10 days
old at the date of his death.
He was educated at Pennsylvania College
Gettysburg, but was called home By the
death of his father before completing the
course. Taking charge OF the estate he soon
developed a capacity for business which in
later years brought him success and COM
pctcncc HIS first business venture was the
railroad warehouse in Graceham; disposng
of that he came to Thurmont where for two
years he engaged in the manufacture of fer
filters having sold that plant he became a
bill broker and conducted that business un-
til March 1889 when with the late Van Is,
Cs'cr the banking firm of Bircy & Osler was
formed Upon the death of Mr.. Osler in
1901, Mr. Bircly determined to organize a
National banking company to take oyer the
business of the firm. This was done July /,
1901 and Mr.. Birely was elected president i;
he has held that position ever since He was
also largely instrumental in organizing the
&c D., IN
Smithsburg bank Of Smilhsburg, Washing
ton county, of the latter Mr.. Reuben Brown
is president and Mr.. Brcly was vice prcsl-
dent.
lie was one of the incorporators and later
became The secretary and superintendent of
the Mechancstown Water Company. With
Mr. J. w. Creeger he established that excel
lent industry, the manufacture of excelsior
here; he was ever ready to give hearing
to any project or movement in the public In.
tercst.
In politics he was an ardent republican ;
he FEVER held a political Office, but was once
candidate for the House of Delegates, being
defeated as was the remainder of the ticket.
lie was member of the Lutheran church
and Of the following fiaternities and orders
Acacia Lodge, A. f. g. A NJ, Enoch Chap
ter Royal Arch Masons, Jaques de Molay
Commandery Knights Tempar, Chancellor
Lodge. X. Of p, Columbia Council, Jr. o. Z
A. NJ the Elks, Royal Arcanum, Woodmcn
and Eastern Star.
In 1880 he married Mrs. Bclva Collihower
widow of William Collifiower and daughter
of the late VIM. J Cramer, who with three
children, two sons and one daughter, survive
Kim.
The funeral was held on Monday. The
deceased having made the statement some
time previous to his death that such was his
desire, Jaques de Molay CommanderyK Knights
Templar was asked to take charge of the
funeral and that impressive Masonic burial
service was used. Rev. G. E. Keller con
Quoted the church service and delivered the
funeral grafton. The funeral was large
one, representatives from the Smithsburg
Bank, Directors of the Thurmont Nationa
Bank, a large body of Frederick B. p. o
Elks, a committee OF Acacia Lodge A, F. &
A. M, st. Johns G. Z. Society, the Bank O
Baltimore and Eastern Star, being present
Floral remembranccs of rich design were
sent by Jaques de Molay Commandery, B.P
o. Eks No. GS4, Thurmont National ant
Smlthsburg Banks, G. E. Society, Acaci,
Lodge, Eastern Star and his niece Mrs. Chas
Ttlow.
Intcrmcnt was made in the U. 3. cemetery
E. L. Black funeral director