The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1910-11-11
B. F. GROUSE is DEAD.
State Insurance Commissioner
Had Been Ill a Year.

Benjamin Franklin Grouse, State Insur-
ance commissioner. died at his home in
Westminster at a O'Clock Tuesday after
noon at the age of Sc years. He had
been In i'll health for more than a wear.
and during the summer spent couple of
months at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
After his return home his condition some
times showed marked improvement and
only a few weeks ago he was able to
drive about the city, but relapses occurred
at intervals, and he became critically i'll
and lapsed into Inconsistencies, in which
state he continued until the end came.
MIR. Grouse was graduate of Western
Maryland College, class of 1873, at which
time he Immediately began the study of
law with the late Judge John E. Smith
and Col. William A. McKeIlip, and was
admitted to the bar of Carroll county in
1877. He began practice in the office of
the late William p. Maulsby, with whom
he was associated for several wears
Early in his career he was elected mem
Der of the House of Delegates, and in
that body manifested the qualities which
subsequently brought him into promi-
nence in the politics of Carroll county
and of the State.
Following his legislative experience he
was appointed by Or. Frank T. Shaw,
then clerk of the circuit court for Carroll
county, a deputy clerk in that office, and
was elected DIR. Shaw's successor as clerk
at the election succeeding the latter's
resignation to become member of Con-
gress. Until his term as clerk expired
he was not engaged in the practice of his
profession. but subsequently formed a
co-partnership with John L. Roberts, son
of the late Judge Charles B. Roberts, and
he became prominent as member of the
county bar.
When DIR. J.. w. Herring was first elected
Comptroller of the Treasury he appointed
Mr.. Grouse his chief clerk and while still
filling that Office he was elected State In
surance Commissioner. a position in
which he achieved national reputation.
In the meantime he practiced law with
ample success. The firm of Roberts &
Grouse has been counsel for the Western
Maryland Railway for years.
In 1892 Mr.. Grouse created a sensation
in Democratic county convention in this
city by bitterly denouncing German and
Gormanisn1. which, he declared, denied
the rights of the people" At about that
time he became an acknowledged leader
of the Democratic party in the county
and continued in that relation to the enc
of his life. He dominated everv conven
ton of his party and dictated its actions
1t was characteristic of Mr.. Grouse
/ that he never deceived an aspirant fol
political favor in his party with falls,
promises He had no sympathy with
saloon politics and dominated his part,
with the force of his personality. He wa!
for many years member of the Demo
cratic State Central Committee and chair
man of the County Central Committee
Mr.. Grouse was member of Grace
Lutheran church of Westminster and
member OF the church council. He was
past master of Door to Virtue, Masonic
lodge. Carroll Royal Arch, Chapter No
81; a member Of Charity Lodge. Knight
Of Pythias; Salem Lodge of Odd Fellow
and other lodges.
Mr.. Grouse was twice married. Hi
first wife died about ID years ago leaving
three children, Ira E. Grouse, Benjamin
Franklin Grouse, IT., of Westminster ant
Miss Helen Grouse now of Philadelphia
: His second wife survives him, but has M
children. He is also survived by tw,
sisters and one brother, Misses Laura ant
Ella N. Grouse and Oliver P. Grouse, c
Philadelphia. He was son of the lat
Ira f. Grouse, Westminster. Hisgrand
father was the late William Grouse, AM
the late Rev. William A. Grouse was hi
uncle William S. Grouse, former super
intendent of the schools of Carolin
county, and Rev. DR.. Thomas o. Grouse
prominent clergyman of the Methods
Protestant church, are his cousins. TIL
death of Mr.. Grouse has created profoun
sorrow in Maryland, grief in which hi
. political opponents share equally with hi
: party associates.