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

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

William Shriver, Union Mills, Md.

Business Engagements of Himself and Sons  |  Political Affiliations  |
Children with their Connections  |  Genealogical Records

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WILLIAM SHRIVER, the fourth son of Andrew Shriver, of Union Mills, was born at Littlestown, Pa. He was baptized by the Rev. Mr. Kopright, at Hanover; sponsors, his father and mother. He married Mary M. J. Owings, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. Father Hickey. He remained at the home, Union Mills, and had charge of the mill on the property. After his marriage (1826) he built a residence for himself on the pike, fronting the roadway to the mill, where he resided until the close of his life, and where his widow and daughters continue their home.

At the death of his father he was allotted the mill property, and an equal part, with his brother Andrew, in the division of the land.  He was a man of warm affections and kindly disposition; and enjoyed the respect of the community where he resided.

In the interest of education he took part, with others, in the erection of the Carroll Academy; for the maintenance of which an allowance was obtained from the State School fund.

In common with the family at Union Mills, William Shriver was a Democrat, but in 1840 he supported General Harrison, the Whig candidate, for the presidency. During the campaign a joint rally of the Whigs and Democrats took place at Union Mills. The Whigs, under his leadership, raised a fine pine pole decked with the stars and stripes; and were enthused by their campaign melodies and Log Cabin, hard cider, and coon skin paraphernalia. The Democrats, marshalled by his brother Andrew, raised a hickory pole with the National banner unfurled to the breeze, inspired by the presence,   [80]   as the speaker in their interest, of the distinguished patriot, Francis Scott Key, author of the “Star Spangled Banner.”

These things, of a past political era, have been recalled to mind by the nomination of Gen. Benjamin Harrison, the grand-son of Gen. William Henry Harrison, for the presidency. It is noted by the press that Louis R. Shriver recently “chipped a sliver or two” from a. section of the old Harrison pole at Union Mills, which still renders service as a flag staff on the mill, which he sent to Gen. Harrison, receiving from the General a prompt acknowledgement of the courtesy. During the Civil War William Shriver, sympathising with the views and aspirations of the South, sided with the Confederacy; but, at the close of the war, he renewed his former patriotic allegiance to the government.

MARY MARGARET JOSEPHINE SHRIVER, Wife of William Shriver, was the daughter of John Owings, a son of Robert Owings, one of the early settlers and land-owners at Conewago, Pa. Her mother was Margaret McAlister. The marriage of her father and mother was celebrated February 75th, 1806, by the Right Reverend Bishop Carroll. She had a sister, Catharine Honora, who died in infancy, and several brothers. Her brothers, James and John, moved to Illinois, where they were joined by their father, and where father and sons died. She was educated at St. Joseph’s Academy, near Emmittsburg, and has been distinguished for her intelligence, sociability, and uncommon energy and decision of character. By birth and education a Roman Catholic, she has been, through life, a devout and zealous member of the church, maintaining for years a private chapel in her home, where the rites of the church are celebrated. Her husband, late in life, became a convert to the faith of his wife and children, and was received into the communion of the church.

Her home has been noted for its generous hospitality, friends and relatives being cordially welcomed and entertained. Many of the clergy and prelates of the church have been her honored guests, among whom may be named his Eminence, Cardinal Gibbons. She   [81]   still, at the advanced age of four-score years, presides over her home with her accustomed interest and fidelity. They were blessed with thirteen children, viz., James, Elizabeth, Sarah Clementina, William Tell, John Lawrence, Andrew Keiser, Albert, Christopher Columbus, Mark Owings, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Herbert, Mary Owings and Emma.

JAMES SHRIVER, the eldest son, was, in early manhood, associated with Thomas J. Myer in the pickling and oyster canning business, Baltimore. He subsequently engaged in the business on his own account, and gained a high reputation for his products. He is at present engaged in business in Westminster. His son, Charles H. Shriver, married and resides in Boston, Mass.

ELIZABETH SHRIVER married Thomas J. Myer, of Baltimore. Mr. Myer was a genial Christian gentleman, highly respected as a citizen. He was among the pioneers in the Oyster and Fruit Canning business, Baltimore, the firm of T. J. Myer & Co. being well known and valued for the reliable character of their products. At the death of Mr. Myer the business was continued by the junior members of the firm under the same firm name. William S. and Thomas R. Myer, sons of Thomas J. Myer, are engaged in the milling business, Westminster, Md.

A. KEISER and MARK O. SHRIVER are members of the firm of Thos. J. Myer & Co.

WM. T. SHRIVER resides on a farm near Emmittsburg, Md.

JOHN L. SHRIVER and ALBERT SHRIVER were partners in the Fruit Canning business, Baltimore, firm style J. L. Shriver & Co., and, at the death of J. L. Shriver, the business was continued some years by his brother Albert.

C. COLUMBUS SHRIVER has been, since its organization (1867), the efficient treasurer of the Metropolitan Savings Bank, Baltimore, and has lately been made President of the Bank.

B. FRANK and T. HERBERT SHRIVER were entrusted, by their father, with the milling business at the home place; they remodeled the mill, adapting it, by modern machinery, for superior merchant work. They are also engaged in the canning business at Union   [82]   Mills and Westminster, firm style B. F. Shriver & Co., utilizing the products of the farm at Union Mills, and of the neighborhood for the purpose; thus largely increasing the business of the community. Through their enterprise, the telephone and other modern conveniences for the transaction of business have been brought into requisition at Union Mills. B. F. Shriver has erected a residence for himself, which is a handsome addition to the place. T. Herbert Shriver has represented Carroll County a term each in the State House of Delegates and Senate. He is at present the Deputy Collector of the Port of Baltimore.

The Owings Family Record.

JOHN OWINGS (of Conewago, Pa.) married (February 75, I806) MARGARET McALISTER. Children: William Noble Herbert Owings, born April 7, 1807. Mary Margaret Josephine Owings, born August 29, 1808. James Owings, born March 3, 1810. Benedict Joseph Owings, born April 30, 1817, died November 23, 1817. John Owings, born —- . Catharine Honora Owings, born October 25, 1815, died August 24, 1816. Margaret Owings, wife of John Owings, died June 24, 1816. John Owings, and sons James and John, died in Illinois — no date. William N. H. Owings, died June 17, 1830.

Genealogical Records