Chapter XX

THE SHRIVER FAMILY GREEN BOOK.
PART SECOND. NARRATIVES AND RECORDS TO THE PRESENT TIME. 1888.

(Page numbers from 1888 Green Book in [square brackets].)


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Isaac Shriver, Westminster, Md.

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ISAAC SHRIVER, the fourth son of David Shriver, Sr., was born at the homestead, Little Pipe Creek, near Westminster, Maryland. He enjoyed the advantages of a fair education, and a practical home training in business, during his minority. Sometime after his marriage he settled at Westminster, where he became influentially identified with the business of the place, and accumulated considerable property in real estate, the value of which was much enhanced by the growth of the town. He was elected several terms to the House of Delegates of Maryland; was a member at the time of the formation of the new county of Carroll, which, in good measure, was achieved through his influence in the Legislature.

He was chosen president of the Westminster Bank in 1826, serving in that capacity to the close of his life. Besides these posts of honor and usefulness, he filled a number of minor offices in the community, and was ever regarded by his fellow-citizens with the greatest respect and confidence. He had been nurtured in the faith of the Reformed Church, but about 1834 he united with the Methodist Protestant Church, of which church he became a zealous and devoted member. He aided in the erection of their church edifice at Westminster, and contributed liberally of his means toward the maintenance of public worship. Availing himself of every suitable opportunity to interest his friends in religious duties, be was instrumental in leading many of them to Christ, and the hope of salvation.

Polly Shriver, his wife, was a daughter of Henry Leatherman; her mother was a Baltzell. She was cordially in sympathy   [133]   with her husband in his devotion to the interests of their family, participating in his religious activities, faith, hopes and joys.

Children of Isaac Shriver and Polly, his wife: Rebecca, Henry, Betsy, George, Francis, Margaret, Julian, Jesse, Anna Maria and Louisa Susan.

REBECCA SHRIVER, eldest daughter of Isaac Shriver, was born near Frederick, Md. She was married to Levi Davis, also, of Frederick county, Md. Mr. Davis moved to Tiffin, Ohio, where he engaged in business, and resided till the close of his life.

HENRY SHRIVER, eldest son of Isaac Shriver, was born near Frederick, Md. Died January 13, 1825. The following notice of his death, given, at the time, in the Baltimore press, may serve to recall the merits of his character: “Mr. Shriver had been attending the medical lectures at the college in this city, and was a young man of uncommon promise. With the most amiable and engaging disposition he combined a spirit of inquiry and thirst for knowledge, together with diligence in its acquirement, which gave the most flattering assurance of future usefulness, and greatly endeared him to his parents and connections. His memory will be cherished, and his virtues and correct deportment emulated by all who have had the happiness to enjoy his acquaintance.”

DR. GEORGE SHRIVER, second son of Isaac Shriver, practiced medicine at Westminster, Md. He died in 1839.

FRANCIS SHRIVER, the third son, was born near Frederick, Md. He married Matilda, daughter of George Frysinger, of Hanover, Pa.

Francis Shriver, in early life, acquired a practical knowledge of the tanning and currying business with his cousin Jacob Forney, of Hanover, serving an apprenticeship of four years prior to 1831. Subsequently, he was associated with his cousin, A. K. Shriver, of Union Mills, in the same business. In 1833 he commenced the business at Westminster on his own account, and followed it until the year 1858. He received the highest premium for leather awarded at the National Fair at Washington, D. C., in May, 1846; also, the highest premiums at the Franklin Institute Fairs of Philadelphia — fall of 1846 and ’47;   [134]   also, the highest awards at the Maryland Institute Fairs at Baltimore, in 1848 and ’49, the awards being for sole-leather weighing twenty-two pounds to the side which was tanned in four months, or one hundred and twenty days.

He never aspired to political preferment, but was elected, nevertheless, for six consecutive years (1850-56) mayor of the city of Westminster; also, elected, 1856, to the office of school commissioner of Carroll county for two years. In 1851 he was elected a director of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company, in Baltimore county, and served as such, and as general agent, until February, 1861, at which time he was made secretary and treasurer of said company, the duties of which offices he is efficiently discharging at the present time.

During the Civil War, 1861-65, he was of those who warmly espoused the cause of the Union. He was with the Delaware cavalry, under command of Major Knight, on the afternoon of the 29th of June, 1863, when sixty-four men under his charge met the advance of Stuart’s cavalry, eight thousand strong, at Westminster. He was in the midst of the fight, but fortunately escaped without injury, save a flash of gunpowder in the eye from a pistol shot in the hands of an officer. When the retreat was ordered he got off as fast as his horse “John” could carry him. Several men of both sides were killed and wounded in the skirmish.

Faithful in the time of need to the “old flag,” he has the pleasure of witnessing the prosperity of a united country.

In 1842 he was led to embrace religion, becoming a member of the Methodist Protestant Church, and he has since continued steadfast in the faith.

Children of Francis Shriver, and Matilda, his wife: Emeline Eliza, Henry Leatherman, George Washington, Mary Elizabeth, Isaac, Horatio Price, Rebecca Davis, Sarah Matilda, Annie Louisa, Edwin Wilmer, and Frank William.

HENRY L. SHRIVER, eldest son of Francis Shriver, married Elizabeth A. Bakes, of Philadelphia, where he resides and is engaged in business.

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GEORGE W. SHRIVER, the second son, served four years in the Union army during the Civil War; was captain of Company K, Eighth Maryland regiment; also, captain of Company E, Twelfth Maryland regiment. He died in 1870.

MARY E. SHRIVER, eldest daughter of Francis Shriver, married Dr. John P. Sheahan, of Dennysville, Maine. Dr. Sheahan served as lieutenant of cavalry in the Union army during the Civil War.

ISAAC SHRIVER, the third son, married Mary A. Darrah of Connecticut.

HORATIO P. SHRIVER, fourth son of Francis Shriver, first married Mary J. Sebring, of Oregon. Second-married Mandana S. Mills, of Oregon.

SARAH M. SHRIVER married Richard A. West, of Philadelphia.

ANNIE L. SHRIVER married Dr. Joseph M. Weller, of Cumberland, Md.

EDWIN W. SHRIVER married Minnie L. Gillette, of Brookland, New York. Resides at Woodhaven, Long Island, N.Y.

FRANK W. SHRIVER married Lulu M. Gregg, of Wilmington, Del.

MARGARET SHRIVER, the third daughter of Isaac Shriver, married Joshua Yingling, of Westminster, Md. Mr. Yingling followed general merchandising at Westminster, and was a highly respected citizen of the place.

JULIAN SHRIVER, the fourth daughter, was married to Levi Davis, of Tiffin, Ohio. She is residing with her only surviving child, Mrs. Anna Maria Patterson, at Newton, Iowa.

JESSE SHRIVER, the youngest son of Isaac Shriver, married at Tiffin, Ohio, where he was engaged in business. He served as captain in the Union army during the Civil War; was on General Mitchell’s staff; he died in 1870.

LOUISA SUSAN SHRIVER, the youngest daughter of Isaac Shriver, was married to Alfred Troxel, of Westminster, Md.

Genealogical Records