Baltimore County MD, situated in the northern central part of the State of Maryland, bordered on the north by Pennsylvania, east by Harford County, west by Carroll County, and southwest and south by Patapsco River. This county is the most important one in the State, owing to its position surrounding Baltimore City. The surface is very uneven and varied. The area of the county is 656 square miles, more than one-half of which, or 244,806 acres, was under cultivation in 1900. The population for the same year was 90,755; the county seat, Towson, a town within a short distance of Baltimore City.
This page lists 109 free digitized directories found online for the city of Baltimore Maryland covering the years of 1799-1946 (incomplete). Directories can provide such information on an individual such as their employment and address during the year issued. They may also indicate whether they were renting or residing with somebody else at the time.
Hon. Rezin Davidge was a distinguished early lawyer in Christian County, known for his legal expertise, compelling speaking, and integrity. Born in Maryland around 1770, he moved to Kentucky post-statehood and became the first Commonwealth’s Attorney in Hopkinsville. Though appointed as a Judge of the Court of Appeals during a turbulent political period, his tenure was contentious. Davidge later served on the Circuit bench and spent his final years in Hopkinsville. He was married twice, fathering five sons and three daughters.
Thomas Foote, born in Cockeysville, Maryland, in 1865, recounts his family’s legacy. His mother, Eliza, a free woman of color, gained recognition as a healer and midwife among both whites and Blacks, despite being accused of Voodooism. After being imprisoned for helping an escaped slave, she left Baltimore County, only to return in 1865. The Foote family has since remained prominent in the area, with Thomas continuing the tradition of community involvement and belonging to various local organizations.
Tom Randall, born in 1856 in Ellicott City, Maryland, recalls his childhood experiences with his mother, Julia Bacon, a cook at the local Howard House. Randall never knew his father and was often referred to as Tomy or Randy. He recounts the story of Joe Nick, a skilled worker on a nearby farm who escaped to join the Union Army, prompting a manhunt that became a notable local tale. Joe’s return in Union uniform and subsequent arrest sparked significant community interest.
Parson Rezin Williams, born March 11, 1822, in Maryland, is regarded as the oldest living Negro Civil War veteran at 116 years old. A freeman from birth, he served as a teamster for Union forces during the war and is known for his contributions to Negro spirituals. Williams recalls life before and during slavery, revealing both his family’s history with George Washington and the harsh realities faced by enslaved individuals. He preached extensively, married many couples, and overcame numerous challenges throughout his remarkable life.
Robert Davis, born in Baltimore, Maryland, served in the Revolutionary War under General Washington. His lineage includes Dennis Davis, who lived from 1791 to 1850, and his children, such as John T., who had a notable family, and others like Samuel D. and Joshua, who emigrated to Utah. The Davis family expanded significantly, with various descendants contributing to education, agriculture, and law, showcasing a diverse legacy stretching across generations and states. This lineage reflects both local and national historical narratives.
Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland, is historically significant as the site where Francis Scott Key was inspired to write “The Star-Spangled Banner” during the British attack in September 1814. Established in the late 18th century, the fort played a crucial role in defending Baltimore and the nation during the War of 1812. Today, it is a public park, with preserved features reflecting its past, including remnants of the fortifications and memorials honoring its history, while offering beautiful views of the surrounding harbor.
Samuel D. Lecompte, born on December 13, 1814, in Dorchester County, Maryland, was the first chief justice of the Territory of Kansas, serving from 1854 to 1859. A graduate of Jefferson College, he practiced law in Maryland before relocating to Baltimore. His political career included a term in the Maryland Legislature. After the Civil War, he shifted from the Democratic to the Republican Party, served as probate judge in Leavenworth County, and represented the county in the State Legislature. Lecompte died in Kansas City on April 24, 1888.
Dr. Francis Merriman Barnes, Jr. (1881- ) was a distinguished neuropsychiatrist from St. Louis. Born in Middletown, New York, he graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 1907. His career included roles as director of the clinical laboratory at Sheppard and Pratt Hospitals, clinical director at the Government Hospital for the Insane, and associate professor at Washington University Medical School. An author of several significant works on mental diseases, he also served during World War I. He married Carlotta Kimlin and has one son.
John F. Sheehan, born in Baltimore in 1840, became a prominent businessman in Port Townsend, Washington, where he has lived for nearly thirty years. After losing his father as an infant, he was raised by his mother and later educated in New Orleans. Moving to California in 1856, he worked in mining before settling in Port Townsend. Sheehan successfully established a stove and tinware business, served on the city council, and was elected sheriff of Jefferson County for three terms. He married Mary Loftus in 1864 and had nine children.
Herman Genthe, born in 1857 in Saxony, Germany, established the oldest continuously operated bakery in Topeka in 1887. A master baker, his skills were inherited from a lineage of millers. After migrating to America at age 24, he worked across various towns before settling in Topeka. Genthe is renowned for his high-quality rye bread, which gained a loyal customer base beyond the city. He married Barbara Rost and raised four children, with two actively involved in the family bakery and music.
Frank Blackwell Mayer, born December 27, 1827, in Baltimore, Maryland, was a notable painter whose work often depicted scenes from Native American life. Among his significant contributions is the 1886 painting, The Treaty of Traverse des Sioux, which commemorates the treaty signed in the summer of 1851. This period coincides with Mayer’s creation of the sketch of Kaposia, dated June 19, 1851. Mayer passed away in 1908, leaving a legacy tied closely to the representation of Indigenous culture.
William Paxton Hazen, a prominent Kansas banker and public figure, passed away on April 16, 1909, in Chetopa. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1858, he moved to Kansas in 1880, where he held key banking positions and served as assistant bank commissioner, overseeing 108 banks. A man of strong principles, Hazen was involved in political reform and community service. He was married to Addie Glass, a noted philanthropist, and they raised three accomplished children, each pursuing meaningful careers.
Edgar W. Boardman, M.D., a respected physician and surgeon in Parsons since 1888, embodies the progressive spirit of modern medicine. Born on January 10, 1864, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, he pursued a medical career inspired by his father, Dr. H. E. Boardman. After graduating from Hahnemann Medical College in 1885, he established a practice in Parsons and became known for his high professional standards and commitment to patient care. Involved in various medical societies and civic organizations, Dr. Boardman is also a prominent figure in local fraternal organizations. He married Lillie V. Holbrook in 1890.
Rebecca S. Hooper Conley, born May 25, 1828, near Baltimore, Maryland, passed away on April 10, 1920, in Dayton, Washington, at nearly 92 years of age. She and her husband, Geo. W. Conley, moved to Joseph in 1888, where they significantly impacted the community until his death in 1907. Survived by seven of their eleven children, she had lived with her daughter, Mrs. C.F. Austin, before her passing. Interment took place in Dayton, Washington.
Rev. Francis T. Moran, D.D., LL.D., was born on February 16, 1865, in Valparaiso, Indiana. He was educated at various institutions, including St. Paul’s Grammar School and St. Mary’s Seminary. Ordained a priest in 1888, he has served as pastor of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Cleveland, leading a prominent parish. An experienced traveler and lecturer, he has contributed to Catholic publications and is actively involved in civic organizations, including the Catholic Educational Association and the Chamber of Commerce.
Mrs. Emma Campbell, formerly Mrs. J. E. Yowell, passed away on May 17, 1911, in Logan, Utah, at the age of 74. Her funeral was held in Union, Oregon, on May 20. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1836, she married J. E. Yowell, a notable figure in Union County’s history, around 1867. They had two sons and three daughters. Mrs. Campbell was interred beside her first husband in Union Cemetery. Her legacy lives on through her children, Thay and Clara Yowell.
Ellen Wheeler Pease, born March 1, 1824, in Baltimore County, Maryland, passed away on December 9, 1899, at her son’s home in Chelsea, aged 74. She married Louis Pease in 1847, who predeceased her. Ellen is survived by six children, twenty grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. She was a respected member of her community and the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her remains were interred beside her husband in Brooklyn on December 12, 1899.