Allegany County
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LEWIS RASE, superintendent of the farms of the Maryland Division of The Consolidation Coal Company at Frostburg, has held that position continuously for thirty years, and the magnificent condition of the fine properties under his control are convincing proof of his faithfulness and efficiency as well as evidence of the capable manner in which he has discharged the responsibilities of his trust. He was born and reared on a farm in the Frostburg region of Allegany county, Maryland, being one of the nine children born to Conrad and Sophia Rase, both of whom are now deceased, His parents were natives of Germany, came to the United States prior to the war of the '60s, and passed the remainder of their life in Allegany county, Seven of their children reached maturity, namely: Elizabeth, Lewis, whose name heads this review, Mary, Justice, Henry, Milton, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work and Frederick who is now deceased.
Lewis Rase had the educational advantages offered by the public schools of the neighborhood, and his training was a strictly practical one. He remained on the home farm until he was twenty-two years of age, then he commenced his long connection with The Consolidation Coal Company, beginning as stable boss, and rising to be superintendent of the company's farms, of the Maryland Division as before stated. Throughout the long period he has held this responsible position he has been in trusted with the inspection of feed, and supervision of the livestock of the company, also has had the care of its lumber and sawmill interests in the Georges Creek region. Mr. Rase has found the development of the excellent property in his hands a most interesting work. He has devoted himself unreservedly to the study of its possibilities in the light of local conditions; and what has been accomplished elsewhere, and has followed the trend of scientific farming in his operations, in which he has shown superior judgment. These modern methods, which he has adopted, have resulted in bringing the company's farmlands into the highest state of cultivation, the yield under his management showing the largest crops obtained on any land in Western Maryland. In 1915 the wheat yield was thirty-six bushels per acre on a seventy-acre field, the highest average in the State. In 1920, he won the State prize of $500.00 for the largest yield of wheat per acre in the State, which was 41.4 bushels per acre. Large quantities of oats, red clover, timothy, alfalfa, and potatoes are also produced. He was awarded first prizes on wheat alfalfa, oats and timothy, and first and second prizes on potatoes, at the Cumberland Fair, for 1921, 1922, 1923.
The abundant crops and trim appearance of the farms are the best comment on Mr. Rase's good management" that could be offered. He is a member of the Maryland Crop Improvement Association, and of the Western Maryland Seed Potato Growers Association.
Mr. Rase was married to Miss Jeanette Pengelly, of Eckhart, Maryland, October 20, 1887, and two daughters, Golda M., and Edna L., were born of the union. The family are Protestant in religious belief. Although a Republican in his sympathies, Mr. Rase has never cared for office, contenting himself with giving the candidates of his party a loyal support. He holds membership with Frostburg Lodge, No. 470, B. P. O. E., with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and with the Heptasophs.
Efficiency is the keynote of success along every line. It is the sign and working feature of the great accomplishments of every age and of all people. Without it civilization today would never have passed beyond the stage of the cave man. Half-way methods cannot succeed anywhere. To raise anything above a low level requires skilled and carefully trained knowledge, and the power to use this in the highest degree. In nothing is this truer than in the various trades. The workman without efficiency is a dead letter; his progress is retarded by the lack of this important quality, and his failure is a foregone conclusion from the beginning. Among the men of Cumberland who are regarded as being among the most efficient in their chosen line of work is Alvey S. Reckley, locomotive fireman, of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad.
Alvey S. Reckley was born about two miles west of Paw Paw, West Virginia, in Allegany county, Maryland, September 9, 1884, a son of Charles D. and Margaret (Raab) Reckley, and grandson of Everhart and Mary Catherine (Bolinger) Reckley, natives of Germany. Charles D. Reckley was for years a farmer in the vicinity of Kifer, Maryland, but subsequently moved to Cumberland, where he died at the age of sixty-seven years. His wife was a native of Germany, who was brought to the United States by her parents when a child, and they located at Baltimore, Maryland, where she continued to reside until her marriage with Charles D. Reckley. They had ten children, of whom Alvey S. is the ninth in order of birth. During the war between the North and the South, Charles D. Reckley was a soldier, and following his honorable discharge from military service, returned home and resumed his farming in Allegany county.
Until 1902 Alvey S. Reckley continued to reside in his birthplace, but in that year accompanied his parents to Cumberland, and completed his educational training in this city. His first business experience was gained in mill work, and he began learning his trade as firemen of stationary boilers. In 1907 he entered the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and is now one of that company's most capable and experienced locomotive firemen. In politics he is an independent. For some years he has been a member of the Church of the Assembly of God, of Cumberland.
Alvey Reckley was married to Miss Rosetta E. Brinkman, a daughter of Marshall and Margaret Brinkman. Mrs. Reckley was born at Doe Gully, Morgan county, West Virginia, and educated in the public schools of her native State. She, too, belongs to the Church of the Assembly of God. Mr. and Mrs. Reckley have five children, namely: Kent Marshall, Ruth Kathryn, Lois Elizabeth, Dorn Alvey, and Joseph Daniel. Integrity is the salient characteristic of Mr. Reckley in addition to that of efficiency, and he enjoys the complete confidence of his fellow-citizens. He is honest with himself and with all men.
The public is gradually awakening to the fact that few men hold more dangerous or responsible positions than do the locomotive engineers, for upon their reliability and experience daily depend the lives of many people. While occasionally there are disasters upon the railroads of the country, very few of them are the result of carelessness on the part of the engineer, and when one does occur, he is the last man to leave the train, and in numerous instances is numbered among those fatally injured. In order to hold so important a position the applicant has to serve for a certain period in subordinate ones, and is not given charge of an engine until he has passed a severe examination. Therefore when a man has filled the position of locomotive engineer for one or other of the great railroad systems, he has proven his worth and dependability beyond any question. Such a man is Thomas Walter Reckley, of Cumberland, who, for over sixteen years has been a locomotive engineer for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and during that long period has never had a serious accident.
Mr. Reckley was born on a farm two miles west of Paw Paw, West Virginia, October 11, 1877, and there he continued to live until in 1896, when he left home and went to West Virginia to enter the employ of the Allegany Orchard Company. Until 1901, Mr. Reckley continued with that concern, but in that year came to Cumberland, and entered the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad as fireman. For four years he worked in that capacity, and then in 1905, after having successfully passed the requisite examination, was promoted to be one of the locomotive engineers of the system, and still holds that position, his entire period of service having been spent on the Cumberland Division. Since locating permanently at Cumberland, Mr. Reckley has invested quite heavily in city property. With the exception of the brief period he lived in West Virginia, his life has been spent in and about Cumberland, and he was educated in its public schools. Mr. Reckley belongs to the Church of the Assembly of God.
The father of Thomas Walter Reckley, Charles D. Reckley, was born at Hagerstown, Maryland, and spent his life in his native State. When war was declared between the two sections of the country, Charles D. Reckley enlisted in Company B, Second Maryland Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, when he received his honorable discharge, and returning to private life, resumed his farming. In the fall of 1865 he was married to Margaret Raab, who was born in Germany, but was brought to the United States by her parents when she was nine years old. The Raab family settled at Baltimore, Maryland, which continued her home until her marriage. Nine sons and one daughter were born to these parents, Thomas Walter being the sixth child. In November, 1902, Charles D. Reckley moved from his farm to Cumberland, and died in that city, in August, 1903, at the age of sixty-seven years. His widow survives him, and is making her home with her son Alvey S. Reckley, of Cumberland. She is now over seventy-six years of age. Her father lived to be eighty-five years old, and died at Baltimore.
On July 24, 1901, Thomas Walter Reckley was married to Miss Annie B. Conrad, a daughter of David and Annie Conrad, of Loudoun county, Virginia. Mrs. Reckley was born in Loudoun county, June 20, 1877, and was educated in its public schools. Mr. and Mrs. Reckley have had the following children born to them: Charles, Hazel, Paul, Eunice and Walter, all of whom, like their parents, belong to the Church of the Assembly of God.
Self-made men are to be found everywhere, but nowhere are they more numerous or successful than in this country, for the opportunities here afforded to all classes are so much better that one who possesses energy, ambition and thrift can rise far beyond his beginnings, and take a place among the worthwhile of earth. In the career of Paul Ritter, ex-tax collector of the city of Cumberland, this is clearly demonstrated, and his record proves that a man need not depart from the strict principles laid down in the Golden Rule to achieve the rewards of this world. A man of strong ambition, he has never allowed his desire for success to cloud his appreciation of the rights of others, and as a result he made and retained the warm personal friendship of the many and the enmity of but few from the very start, and stands today as one of the most popular young politicians of Allegany county.
The birth of Paul Ritter occurred in Cumberland, January 16, 1880. He is a son of Paul H. and Catherine Ritter, both of whom are now deceased. They were the parents of the following children - Emil, Jacob, Paul, Alfred, Charles, and four daughters, Louise, who is the wife of Sebastian Fleekinstein, of Cumberland; Emma, who is the wife of George P. Getz; Sophia, who is the wife of Walter Hamilton; and Catherine, who is the wife of George Moreland, of Cumberland.
Growing up in his native city, Paul Ritter attended its excellent public schools. His first business experience was gained as an employee of his father in the wholesale liquor business. Subsequently he and his brother Jacob went into their father's store, and he continued this connection until 1915, when he sold his interests, and embarked in the grocery and meat business at No. 37 Paca street, Cumberland. On April 1, 1916, Mr. Ritter was appointed by the mayor and city council of Cumberland, City Tax Collector, and proved to be the right man for this important and responsible office. Fraternally he maintains membership, with the Patriotic Order Sons of America, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Loyal Order of Moose, and the Improved Order Red Men. For nearly twenty years, Mr. Ritter has been prominently connected with the politics of Cumberland, and is admittedly one of the leaders of his party.
On July 15, 1899, Mr. Ritter was married to Miss Bertha V. Goodwin, of Huntingdon, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, and they have five children, namely: M. Lillian, Dorothy E., Paul H., James William and Raleigh L. The last named died at the age of three years. Mr. Ritter has always taken a deep and effective interest in the city's welfare, and never hesitates to advocate or oppose any measure or project which, in his judgement, merits endorsement or opposition. Although unassuming, he is a man who appreciates his own qualifications, and knows how to make the best use of his talents. By all who know him he is recognize as one who possesses earnest purposes and progressive principles, and no citizen of Cumberland holds in greater degree the esteem of his fellows, nor exerts a stronger influence for the promotion of good citizenship.
JAMES T. ROBERTSON, one of the representative and influential
citizens of Allegany county, has shown that resourcefulness and
executive ability that have insured his advancement in connection
with railway operation, and is now the efficient general manager
of the Cumberland & Pennsylvania Railroad. Special interest
attaches to his career as touching the county to which this
history is dedicated, as he claims Allegany county as the place
of his nativity and is a representative of one of the sterling
and honored families of this favored section of the state.
Mr. Robertson was born at Ocean, Allegany county, Maryland, on the 29th of March, 1872, and is a son of David and Victoria (Richards) Robertson, both of whom are deceased. David Robertson was born and reared in Scotland, and was a young man when he came to America and established his home in Maryland. He became one of well known and influential citizens of Allegany county, where he gave his attention principally to coal mining, besides which he was a prominent figure in political affairs in the county. He was a stalwart supporter of the cause of the Republican party, was influential in its local ranks and ably represented Allegany county as a member of the State legislature. He was 78 years of age at the time of his death. Of the six children, all of whom are living,, the subject of this review was the second in order of birth, and concerning he other children brief data may consistently be entered in this place: John D. is in the United States customs service in Baltimore; Claude resides in Cumberland; Wilbert is in the employ of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, with headquarters in the city of Spokane, Washington; Walter G. is agent for the Cumberland Company, Barrelville, Allegany county; and Bessie resides in Baltimore city, with her brother, J. D. Robertson.
James T. Robertson has been in a significant sense the artificer of his own destiny in connection with the practical duties and responsibilities of life, as he early began to depend largely upon his own resources and made his way toward the goal of worthy success with a determined and resolute purpose and with a due sense of his personal stewardship at each advancing step. His early educational advantages were those afforded in the public schools of his native county, and he was seventeen years of age when he entered the railway service, in May, 1890. At this stage in his career he took the position of messenger for the Cumberland & Pennsylvania Railroad at Lonaconing, Maryland, and his ambition was soon manifested in his close application to the study of telegraphy. He became a skilled operator, and in 1891 was appointed telegraph operator at the Lonaconing station of the railroad mentioned. Three years later he was transferred to the company's general offices, at Cumberland, where he became clerk and stenographer to the general freight and passenger agent and also to the general manager. In June, 1904, there came official recognition of his ability and effective service, in that he was appointed chief clerk, to the general manager. Of this position he continued the incumbent until July, 1907, when he was made general passenger and freight agent. His cumulative experience has at each stage of progress fortified him admirably for the assumption and discharge of duties of increasing importance and responsibility, and later he was made assistant general manager, the while he retained also the position of general passenger and freight agent. In 1911 he succeeded Mr. C. L. Bretz (deceased) to his present responsible post of general manager of this railroad, and he has proved splendidly qualified for the executive duties and technical responsibilities that devolve upon him in this office. He has identified himself also with important business interests, and in this connection it may be stated that he is a director of the Western Maryland Lumber Company, of Cumberland, and is secretary and treasurer of the Points 0rchard Company, which has developed one of the largest and finest orchards in Hampshire county, West Virginia His political allegiance is given to the Republican party, but he has manifested no desire for political activity or public office. In the time-honored Masonic fraternity Mr. Robertson a thirty-second degree Mason, and affiliated with Scottish Rite bodies, his ancient craft affiliation being with Ohr Lodge, No. 131, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons.
In 1902 he married Miss Lillie Metz, daughter of Samuel W. and Clara J. Metz, of Cumberland, and the two children of this union are James T., Jr., and Helen Elizabeth.
Robert Russell, a well known citizen and general merchant of Midland, Allegany county Maryland was born in Scotland on November 19, 1858, and is the son of Robert and Jennette (Scott) Russell, who were natives of Scotland. Robert Russell, Sr., came to America with his family in 1860 when the subject of this sketch was only two years of age. He was the father of seven children, as follows: William, a coal miner at Barton, Allegany county, Maryland; Mary, the wife of Gotlieb Merback, of Lonaconing, Maryland; Sarah, the wife of Otha Inskeep of Barton; Jennette, the wife of James Love, of Lonaconing, and Archibald, a farmer at Barton. He was a Republican and a member of the Presbyterian Church. He died at Barton at the age of 74 years.
Robert Russell, the subject of this sketch, was reared at Barton and received his education in the public schools, and while yet a small boy he worked in and around the coal mines, and followed coal mining until he was 27 years old. At age 27 he became a clerk in a store at Lonaconing, Allegany county, Maryland, for Peter Peebles, a prominent merchant of that place, in which capacity he continued for eleven years. In 1899 he located at Midland, Allegany county Maryland where he opened a general store under the firm name of John Somerville and Company, dealers in all kinds of merchandise. This firm has continued in business for 22 years. Mr. Russell is a Republican in politics and a Presbyterian in religion. He is a member of Allegany Lodge, No. 157, A.F.&A.M; Garfield Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Antioch Commandery, No. 6, Knights Templar: Boumi Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Baltimore, Maryland, and a member of K. of P. Lodge, No. 90 of Barton. Mr. Russell was married to Miss Jane Tennent, of Lonaconing, Maryland, in 1893. They have five children, viz: Jennette, married to William George, Midland, Maryland; Earl Russell, bookkeeper for the Cumberland Cereal Company; Jennie Scott, a teacher at Lonaconing; Isabella, at home, single, and John Milton, the youngest of the children.
What Mr. Russell is, he owes entirely to his own efforts. He is one of Allegany county’s most honorable and respected citizens.
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This page was last updated
12/02/2023