Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1914-03-26
COLONEL JOHN R. R0UzER
EXPIRES SUDDENLY.
Body Found By His Daughter.
Shock TO Many Citizens.

SnOCk 10 Manly ClClLCHS.
Death came suddenly to Col. John R.
Rouzer, of this place, about 7 O'Clock
Wednesday morning, March rs, 1914, his
daughter, Mrs. Lester w. Armacost,
finding his lifeless body lying on the sit
ting room floor.
While the Colonel has not been in good
health for number of years, yet he has
not been confined to the house, he having
been out and about town as usual on
Tuesday. He got up as usual Wednes-
day morning, dressed and went down
stairs. Mrs. Armacost was attending
her duties about the house and on COM
ing down stairs found her father dead
His physician, DR.. M. A. Birely, was
summoned and arrived in few minutes,
but found no sign of life.
The news of the death spread rapidly
and was a severe shock to the entire
community.
Col. Rouzer was son of Peter and
Rachel Rouzer, and was born near Apples
church, May 8, 1889, he being the tenth
and youngest child. His mother died
when he was but one year old, his sister,
the late Mrs. Joseph Freeze, taking and
caring for him until he was about 10
years of age when he began life for him
self. By trade he was saddler. having
learned the trade with his brother in-law,
the late Joseph Freeze.
At the outbreak of the war he espous-
ed the cause of the Union, and on August
10, 1862, enlisted in Company d, Sixth
Maryland Infantry, as first lieutenant of
his company; later he was made captain
and twice was brevetted for meritorious
service. He was wounded in the battle
of the Wilderness May S, 1864. He was
orevetted lieutenant colonel for gallant
service, and took part in many of the i'm
portant engagements of the war. He
Vas once captured and for four months
Nas prisoner in Libby, Danville and Sal
ebury prisons, after which he was ex-
hanged. At the close of the war he was
nonorably discharged, June 70, 1865, and
returned to his home.
Colonel Rouzer was charter member OF
Jason Damuth Post No. 80 Dept. of Ma
ryland, G. A. R., was Chaplain of the
Post in l90S-09; Commander of the Post
in the years 1910 and 1911, and was made
Patriotic Inspector three years. 19l2-A.
Politically, Colonel Rouzer was Re-
publican. In 1867, he was elected to the
Maryland Legislature. In 1869 he was
appointed postmaster of Thurmont, and
continued in that capacity until elected
Register of Wills for Frederick county
in November, 1873. After term of six
years he retired and attended to private
affairs about home. In 1883 he declined
the appointment of county school COM
missioner. For number of years ne
served as commissioner and trea sursr of
Corporation of Mechanicstownr In 1894
he was again elected a member of the
Maryland House of Delegates, and was
reelected in 1896 and 1898. In 1900 he
was appointed by President Mckinley as
deputy Register of Wills for the District
of Columbia, at Washington, and served
in that capacity for four years.
At the time of his death, COL Rouzer
was member of the local board of trus
tees of the public schools, having served
as such for more than forty years. AT
the recent meetings held here in regard
to new school building, he was made
spokesman for the delegation of citizens
which appeared before the Board of School
Commissioners and presented the matter
in very forceful manner. In all local
matters pertaining to the advancement
of the town and community Col. RouZer
was always at the head of the list.
For many years he has been president
of the Mechanicstown Water Company;
was president of the Thurmont National
Bank until Jan. !, 1914, at which time he
declined reelection on account of his
health. He however was elected vice
president at that time.
He was member of st. Johns Luth-
eran church, and active worker in the
church and Sunday School.
Colonel Rouzer was first married May
7, 1866, to Harriet E. Willhide, daughter
of Capt. Joseph Wilhide. She died %
months after marriage, and her only child
died when four months old. In 1871, he
married Mrs. E. Whitman, widow, and
a sister of his first wife. They were the
parents of five children, three of whom
are living, namely, Mrs. Harry Brown,
of Norfolk, Va, Mrs. Lester Armacost,
at home, and Mr.. Horace c. Rouzer of
Washington, d. C.
Mr.. Frank Whitman who at this time
is in Thurmont, is son of Col. Rouzer's
second wife.
The deceased was "a years, 10 mont his
and l6 days of age.
On going to press Wednesday after
noon no time had been set for the funeral
services. Creeger & Willhide are in
charge.