The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1915-08-05
"REMINISCENCES Of DAYS
BEFORE GARRETT COUNTY
WAS MADE 4 COUNTY
a Member of The Republican staff
Talks With Old Citizens.

Among CuOSe VINO, over lalI century
ago, came to Allegany, (now Garrett)
county, from Pennsylvania was William
and Esther Glotfelty, who purchased
farm known as Cherry Meadow"
a tract Of one thousand acres. He be-
came quite wealthy man by his deal
ings in cattle and live stock and gener-
al farming.
Six years more than half a century
ago Leslie E. Friend, of Friendsville,
was born in what's now Garrett county.
upon his father homestead near that
town. Mr.. Friend married one Of the
daughters Of Nimrod Glotfelty, a .on of
William GlotfeIty.
To d fam near Mountain Lake Park
over a century ago came Henry Lower,
who became a noted hunter as well as a
successful farmer. On this farm in
1903 was born William Lower, the
father of Alexander Lower, who in his
life time was one of Garrett county's
solid citizens.
April first, 1910, Michael Boyer set
tied in the forest where is located the
delightful village Of Accident. In ad-
dition to agricultural pursuits. Mr..
Boyer followed the tanning business.
In 1873 William H. Tower was made
the clerk of the Circuit Court of Garrett
county, which position he hlled until his
death. when his son Edward Z. Tower
became his successor and from that
time to the present he has faithfully
performed the duties of that office. For
AZ years the Circuit Court of this coun-
ty has had but two clerks,
Among the earliest pioneers in this
county We're the Friends, after whom
the town of Friendsville was named.
They settled in that section in the DAYS
when Indians were troublesome. The
Friends were great hunters and trap
pers. John Friend and his sons on one
occasion captured seven bears, in cave
near the stream which has ever since
been called Bear 5 Creek. Forts were
built In the neighborhood by early set
tiers for protection.
Fifty-six years ago DR.. Lee McComas
came to Oakland to practice medicine.
His record as a successful physician is
q most remarkable one. and one of
which any practitioner might be proud.
The doctor is still an honor-d and re-
sDected citizen OF Oakland DR.. Nc
Comas is a gentleman of high culture
and has travelled extensively in the
United States and foreign countries.
He was member of numerous medical
societies. He was one of the vice
presidents of the Worlds Congress of
MedicO Climatogists. etc. He has
been identified with the best interests
of Oakland and Garrett county and
was most useful citizen of Garrett
county.
Among the hunters of ''ye olden
days" was Nathan Casteel, father of
Truman Casteel, born near Hoyes in
1921. Mr.. Casteel enjoyed a hunt and
was associated with Meschack Brown
ing and John Lynn, Garrett county
famous hunters. 1t is said that when
Nathan Casteel found a bear hole, he
would crawl in and shoot the bears
while they were within.
Sixty years ago Judge Thomas H.
Cuppett, then boy OF 10, came to
Garrett county. In early life he was
carpenter and built within a days Jour
ney of his home, inside of Is years,
forty houses and barns. He now re-
sides at Mountain Lake Park.
Seventy six years ago Richard T.
Browning was born at Sang Run He
was an enthusiastic advocate of the
scheme of dividing Allegany county
and organizing Garrett county out of
the Western part of it. Mr.. Browning
has been and is one of Garrett county's
active men.
Thomas H. Laymen, one Of Garrett
county's old young, active men was
born near Grantsville more than half
century ago, He is one of the pro-
gressive farmers Of the county.
Among the early hunters and skilled
marksmen of this region, over three
quarters of a century ago, was William
Bittinger, who lived on a farm which
covered the site OF the present village
of Bittinger. On this farm the ven
cradle Squire Thomas Bittinger, of
Grantsvile, was born II years ago.
The father of E. w. Kelso came to
this county, (then Allegany county, in
1914 and settled near Accident On
this farm the son was born, but in his
23d year he located on farm in Ryans'
Glade where he has lived a most useful
and successful life for As years.
In 1858 Rev. John M. Davis moved to
Oakland and purchased 600 acres Of
land. He was prominent live stock
dealer and drove many a hundred head
of cattle to the eastern market, but in
1865 he lett the farm. His life was
and is a busy one. He is lovingly
known all over Garrett county
John 7. Carey, of Friendsville, is
another half century and ever useful
citizen of Garrett county.