C. Edward Derr

From History of Frederick County. p. 1153-1154:

C. Edward Derr, a well-to-do and intelligent agriculturist and a well-known citizen, of Ballinger District, Frederick County, was born on the farm which he now owns, March 1, 1850. He is a son of David and Sarah A. (Smith) Derr.

John Derr, the grandfather of C. Edward Derr, was a leading citizen of Middletown Valley, Frederick County, in his day. He was descended from German forebears, who had settled in Pennsylvania. He came from that State to Maryland, and located in the Middletown Valley. He followed agriculture his entire life. At the time of his death he was the owner of two fine farms in that section of the county. He was held in high regard in the community in which he lived. Mr. Derr was the father of seven children, the eldest son being David.

David Derr, son of John Derr, was born in Middletown Valley, May 25, 1817, and died April 5, 1884. He secured his education in the common schools and remained with his father until he was twenty-four years of age. He then rented the home farm from his father, and cultivated this until the latter’s death in 1848. He then bought a farm of 154 acres, now owned by his son, from William Smith. This place lies two miles southwest of Frederick on the Frederick and Jefferson turnpike, and he continued to farm here until 1875, in which year he retired. Mr. Derr then erected a two-story frame house on what was known as the old toll-gate property, along the Frederick and Jefferson turnpike, and there passed the rest of his days.. This piece of realty is now owned by one of his daughters, Mrs. Cephas H. Zimmerman. Mr. Derr was also the possessor of another farm, now owned by his son, R. Scott. He was a prominent citizen and possessed the esteem of all who knew him. He was one of the charter members of the Frederick and Jefferson Turnpike Company and was a director of the concern for a number of years. In politics, he was a loyal Republican. Religiously, he was an active worker and influential member of the Lutheran Church at Middletown, in which he filled the offices of deacon and elder for a number of years. He was also superintendent of the Mount Zion Sunday School. Mr. Derr was married to Sarah A. Smith, daughter of Capt. John and Mary (Koogle) Smith. They were the parents of nine children, five of whom grew to maturity: Laura J., the wife of Joshua Doub, of Middletown; C. Edward; R. Scott; Johanna M., the wife of L. C. Smith, of San Jose, Cal.; Ella C., the wife of Cephas H. Zimmerman, of Ballinger District. Mrs, Derr held membership in the Reformed Church at Middletown. After her husband’s death, she resided at the tollgate property until she also died in March, 1892. They are both interred in the Mount Olivet Cemetery, at Frederick.

C. Edward Derr, son of David and Sarah A. (Smith) Derr, received his learning in the public schools and has been engaged in farming all his life. When he was twenty-five years of age, he took charge of his father’s farm, and when the elder Derr died, he purchased the place from the estate. He has successfully managed this tract ever since. He has greatly increased its value by building a fine two-story frame house, a bank barn and all other necessary outbuildings. This farm is one of the best in the district, and Mr. Derr is numbered among the prosperous agriculturists of the county. The chief elements in his success have been hard work and close application to business. Politically, Mr. Derr is an ardent adherent of the Republican party. He is a director in the Frederick and Jefferson Turnpike Company.

Mr. Derr was married to Annie M. Zimmerman, daughter of Samuel and Susan (Greenwald) Zimmerman, of Feagaville, Frederick County. They have issue of eight children, namely: Willis E., of Ballinger District; Ella M., the wife of John F. Hargett, of Germantown, Montgomery County, Md.; Charles M., lives at Baltimore, Md.; Harry S., Anna L., Susan S., Lena J., and David E., all living at home. Mr. Derr is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Frederick City, where he has served as deacon and is at present filling the office of elder. In the work of that congregation he takes an active part. Mrs. Derr is a member of Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, of Feagaville.