Here’s an 1890 Document Signed by Leitersburg, Maryland Notables

DAVID STRITE

 (1822 – Feb. 4, 1896)

·       MARYLAND INSURANCE Co. EXECUTIVE - PRESIDENT OF “THE PLANTERS’ MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY” 1884-1896,

·        PRESIDENT OF THE HAGERSTOWN and WAYNESBORO TURNPIKE COMPANY 1873-1895, and

·       PROMINENT FARMER AT ANTRIM TOWNSHIP and THE NOW HISTORIC LEITERSBURG DISTRICT, WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND .

-And-

LEWIS JOSEPH GROUND

  (1862 - 1945)

·       SECRETARY OF “THE PLANTERS’ MUTUAL INSURANCE CO.,”

·       JUSTICE OF THE PEACE FOR THE LEITERSBURG DISTRICT 1892-1896,

·        LAWYER and MEMBER OF THE WASHINGTON COUNTY MARYLAND BAR IN 1887, and

·       PROPRIETOR OF A GENERAL STORE IN LEITERSBURG, CONSIDERED THE LIFEBLOOD OF THE VILLAGE, DEALING IN PRODUCE, FERTILIZERS, and OTHER MERCHANDISE.

HERE’S AN ATTRACTIVE “PLANTER’S MUTUAL  INSURANCE COMPANY” POLICY DOCUMENT SIGNED BY STRITE AS PRESIDENT, and LEWIS J. GROUND AS SECRETARY, DATED MAY 2nd, 1885 – A POLICY CERTIFICATE FOR $2,700 TO INSURE DANIEL W. BARKDOLL BOTH AGAINST LOSS TO HIS HOUSE, BARN, ETC.

 When fully open, the document measures 11” x 17” and is in very fine condition.

BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID STRITE

David Strite was born in Leitersburg, Washington County, Maryland, on Jan. 6, 1822.  He spent his early life on the farm later owned by Samuel Hartle, in the Leitersburg district. After the family removed to Antrim Township he finished his education with one term at the Green-Castle School. After attaining his majority he worked at barn building for two years under William McGuiney.

In 1847 he began farming as tenant on his father’s farm in Antrim Township; he bought this several years later, but afterward sold it and bought another in the same neighborhood, whereon he resided until 1864. He then removed to the farm near Leitersburg, Md., then owned by his heirs and here he lived until his death, Feb. 4, 1896.

He was a President and Director of a number of vital business organizations, including President of the Planters’ Mutual Insurance Company in the 1860s, and President of the Hagerstown and Waynesboro Turnpike Company from 1873 to 1895.

Buried 7 Feb 1896. Millers Mennonite Church Cemetery Leitersburg, Washington, Maryland, United States. Maryland

Relatives of David Strite

parents

spouse

children

siblings

BIOGRAPHY OF LEWIS J. GROUND

Lewis J. Ground was born at Leitersburg, September 29,1862, the son of Josephus and Mary (Ziegler) Ground. After completing the course of study at the local schools he prepared for college at Swithin C. Shortlidge's Academy, Media, Pa., and entered Lafayette College, Easton, Pa., in 1881, graduating from that institution with the Class of "85. He then studied law under the preccptorship of Alexander Neill and was admitted to the Washington County bar in 1887. He was secretary of the Planters' Mutual Insurance Company from 1889 to 1891, and justice of the peace from 1892 to 1896. In politics Mr. Ground is a Democrat.

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OBITUARY :
LEWIS J. GROUND, Waynesboro, died at his home, 53 North Broad street, Friday at 9:30 p.m. after an illness of seven months following a stroke which confined him to his bed, aged 82.

Born in Leitersburg, where he spent his life, with the exception of the last five years when he resided in Waynesboro, he was the son of Josephus and Mary (Zeigler) Ground, a graduate of Lafayette College. He was a member of the Washington County Bar Ass'n., but had never practiced since he took over his father's store in Leitersburg, which had been in the family name for the past 78 years. He was a member of the Leitersburg Lutheran church and the 80 Year Club in Waynesboro. He had retired in 1931.

He is survived by his wife, Mary E. Barnhart Ground.

Source : The Morning Herald Newspaper - Hagerstown, Washington Co., Maryland - Tuesday, May 28, 1945

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