Allegany County
MDGenWeb
CHARLES C. DEETZ, one of Cumberland's well known and highly respected
business citizens, has been in the contracting business for many years, and has
earned a reputation second to none for business honesty and reliability. Mr.
Deetz has always been a hard-working man and is master of one of the oldest of
useful and decorative trades, the plasterer's, and after long experience as a
practical workman, he entered the field of contracting in this line.
Charles C. Deetz is a native of Cumberland, born here February 21, 1856, in a
village that he has lived to see develop into a large and important city, in the
material growth of which he has had a part. His parents were John Wesley and
Catherine A. (Catron) Deetz, and his paternal grandfather was John Deetz. The
grandfather was born in Cumberland, following the trade of tailor until the
close of his life. He married and reared a large and creditable family, some of
whom always lived in Cumberland. They were as follows: John Wesley, who died in
1913, at the age of eighty-one years; George and William, both of whom lived in
Allegany county; Amanda, who lived at Cleveland, Ohio; Howard, who followed the
machinist's trade at Cumberland; Anna, who married and lived at Erie,
Pennsylvania; and Henry and Perry, the latter of whom was a brickmason at
Cumberland.
John Wesley Deetz spent his long and useful life at Cumberland, where both he
and wife are remembered with esteem, for they were kind, neighborly, Christian
people. They had a family of six children, namely: Charles C.; Lydia M., who is
deceased; Lula, who died in childhood; Annie M., who resides with her brother;
Charles C., in the old homestead at Cumberland; Robert R., who is a traveling
salesman; and William R., clerk for Wilson and Pugh Hardware Company,
Cumberland. The mother of this family died at the age of seventy years.
Charles C. Deetz had school privileges in his youth; and has always kept well
informed on the current events of the day. He went into the office of the
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company to work for William Weber, and afterward for a
year was in the office of Kennedy H. Butler. He then learned the plasterer's
trade. After that for six years he followed his trade in different States of the
Union before returning to Cumberland, when he went into contracting. He resides
with his sister. He belongs to the order of Elks and in politics is a
Republican.
WILLIAM H. DENEEN, who conducts a large plumbing establishment at Frostburg, Maryland, steamfitter and dealer in plumbers' and heating supplies of all kind's, is a substantial business man and much respected citizen of Frostburg. He is also one of the city's best examples of a self-made man. Left fatherless in infancy through the cruel hazards of war, he was bereft not only of parental protection, but also of those advantages and opportunities that give joy to boyhood and encouragement to youth. The story of Mr. Deneen's life impresses the biographer as one of far more interest than it would have been if wealth and influential friends had made everything easy for him.
William H. Deneen was born on a farm in Wafordsburg district, Fulton county. Pennsylvania, February 4th, 1865. His parents were Henry and Mary A. (Layton) Deneen, both deceased. Henry Deneen was born in Pennsylvania, and was a son of Jacob Deneen, who was a native of Maryland, where the Deneens settled early. They were farming people mainly, but had representatives in other vocations, and it may be recalled that one of the name became distinguished as governor of a midde Western State. Prior to enlisting as a soldier in the 148th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry for service in the Civil War, Henry Deneen followed the peaceful pursuits of tanner in Wafordsburg, Pennsylvania. During three years of strife he bravely performed a soldier's duty, facing danger on many a hard fought battlefield, only to fall when peace was almost in sight. He died at Brandy Station, Virginia, in 1865. He was survived by his widow and three children: Sophia, Jennie and William H., both daughters being deceased.
William H. Deneen can cherish no remembrance of his brave young soldier father, as he was but a few weeks old when his father died. It was thought advisable at the time that he should be taken by his grandparents, and under their care he lived until his eighth year, when they too died, and he was left practically alone Thus he had but meager chances to obtain a satisfactory education, although, it may be remarked that, through reading and association with others, Mr. Deneen has long since remedied any early deficiency. Although only eight years old. when thrown on the bounty of strangers, he found many ways to make himself useful, and probably from the first more than earned his keep, keeping on all through boyhood and youth working hard at wood chopping and farm labor or at any other job that he could find.
When Mr. Deneen was twenty-two years old he learned the carpenter's trade, under John S. Graves, of Hyndman, Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and followed the same for the next nine years, in the meanwhile discovering that he was naturally apt in the use of any kind of tools. He learned next the painting trade, and then the plumber's trade, and continued in the last line as long as he remained at Hyndman. In 1903 Mr. Deneen came to Frostburg, in the belief that in this city was a good opening then for a first class plumber and gas fitter, and this city has been his home ever since. Through skill at his trades and honest business methods in filling contracts, he has built up a large, business, and in the larger part of construction work in the city has had his full share of patronage. He has a fine business location in the Frostburg Opera House building.
Mr. Deneen was married July 18, l888, to Miss Annie E. Troutman, who is a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Troutman, former residents of Pennsylvania., but now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Deneen have had children as follows: Viola F., who is the widow of Thomas J. Porter, of Frostburg; Walter W., who is in the plumbing business at Akron, Ohio; Mary E. who is a resident of Akron, Ohio; Ethel V., who lives at Akron and Helen M. and John F., both of whom live also at Akron, Ohio.
In his political views, Mr. Deneen is a sturdy Republican. Although never willing to accept any political office, he exerts influence as a self-respecting, reliable private citizen, who may well take pride in the fact that, through his own unassisted efforts, he has made his way to a competency and a position of respect and confidence among his fellow citizens. Mr. Deneen is a member of the Masonic lodge at Hyndman, Pennsylvania, and of the lodge of Elks of Frostburg, Maryland.
JOHN W. DENEEN made his way to Superintendent of the Cumberland Division of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad on his own merits, winning deserved promotion through the various stages of the operating department by his intelligent attention to duty. Beginning as a telegraph operator at the age of seventeen years, he devoted himself to railroad work, and his satisfactory progress would indicate that his efforts were well directed.
The DeNeen family is of French origin and resident in Maryland for several generations, George DeNeen, the grandfather of George DeNeen, having been a native of this State. John B. DeNeen, son of George, was born in Allegany county and still lives there, having been in the service of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company for many years, in various capacities. He married Helen Elliott, and of the twelve children born to this union eight survive, namely: Julia A., who is the wife of Rev. J. F. Weiman, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; George E., of Cumberland, engaged in the manufacture of ice; James H., of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, a newspaper man; Lydia H., who is engaged as a teacher in Cumberland; Leah, who lives at home in Cumberland; John W.; Clem. F., who is associated with an engineering company in Cumberland; Sophia M. and Leah S., living in Cumberland. Mr. DeNeen's family are Episcopalians in religious association, and he was a Democrat in political principle.
Contributed by Joe Cannon
John W. DeNeen was born in Cumberland July 8, 1875. He was reared and educated in his native city, where he had public school advantages until ready for the practical responsibilities of life. He learned telegraphy and held his first position as an operator when seventeen years old, being so engaged for four Years in the employ of the Baltimore &- Ohio Railroad Company, following with three years of similar service for the Postal Telegraph Company. With this exception he was with the Baltimore & Ohio Company throughout his business life. When he returned to their employ he, was a telegraph operator four years more, at the end of that period being made train dispatcher. From that position lie advanced through those of chief dispatcher and trainmaster to assistant superintendent, assuming his duties as such in the spring of 1916. His promotion to superintendent of the Cumberland Division in 1918 is sufficient comment upon the value of his work. Mr. DeNcen was held in unqualified esteem by all who knew him, having had honored standing among his associates in all the relations of life, whether business or purely personal. He labored conscientiously to discharge every duty entrusted to him, with a keen sense of his obligation to others, and consequently won credit for himself and gained the respect of his co- workers as well as his superiors.
Mr. DeNeen was well known in fraternal circles as well as among railroad men, having been a member of the Masons and Elks. He belonged to Ohr Lodge, No. 131, A. F. & A. M.;. the Royal Arch Chapter; Antioch Commandery, No. 6, K. T.; Boumi Temple, A. A. 0. N. M. S., of Baltimore; and Cumberland Lodge, No. 63, B. P. 0. Elks. Like his father, he supported the Democratic party, and was an Episcopalian in religion. Mr. DeNeen was unmarried, and died December 14, 1920.
Contributed by Joe Cannon
Edwin Tyler Dixon, a well known citizen of Cumberland, residing at Narrows Park, was born on January 7, 1863, at Urbana Frederick County, Maryland. His father was Thomas Dixon, who was born on July 23, 1818 near Frederick City, Maryland. His mother, before her marriage, was Miss Lucy A. Rine, who was born on February 13, 1828, at Urbana, Maryland. His paternal grandfather was John Hatton Dixon, who was born on June 3, 1772, in St. Mary's County, Maryland. His paternal grandmother was Mary Tabery, who was born May 27,1780, near Frederick City, Maryland. His maternal grandfather was John Rine, who was born in 1788, Urbana (then Wooltown). The family consisted of 15 children, five boys and four girls of whom grew to manhood and womanhood.
Edwin Tyler Dixon was educated in the public schools, and afterward attended the Eaton and Burnett Business College. He holds the responsible position of Auditor of the Cumberland and Pennsylvania Railroad Company, with offices in Cumberland. He is an expert accountant and a man of estimable social qualities.
Mr. Dixon was married to Miss Margaret Wilson Matthews, on January 2, 1895. She was born on May 14, 1873, in Baltimore County, Maryland and was the granddaughter of Bishop Beverly Waugh. Her parents were Joshua and Virginia Matthews. Mr. and Mrs. Dixon have one daughter, Miss Virginia Waugh Dixon. Mr. Dixon is a Republican in politics, in religion both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The parents of Mr. and Mrs. Dixon are dead.
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12/02/2023