Cyrus T. Biser

From History of Frederick County. p. 1059:

Cyrus T. Biser, who is one of the progressive and successful agriculturists of Middletown District, Frederick County, was born February 18, 1849. He is a son of Henry and Sophia (Routzahn) Biser. His home is two miles southwest of Middletown, on the Burkittsville road.

The progenitor of the Biser family of Frederick County, Md., was Frederick Biser. He was a native of Germany, and emigrated to this country with three brothers. He settled in Frederick County, where he was among the early inhabitants. The farm on which he located is now owned by L. Victor Baughman. He was a member of the Reformed Church. The name of his wife was Margaret Coblentz. They were the parents of the following children: Daniel; John; Peter; Jacob, (for whose descendants see the sketch of Melvin A. E. Biser in this volume) ; Henry; a daughter who married Henry Brandenburg; Elizabeth, died unmarried; and Catherine, married John Routzahn.

John Biser, son of Frederick and Margaret (Coblentz) Biser, was born in Middletown District. He was a farmer by vocation, and connected with the Reformed Church. He was the father of five children that grew to maturity: Catharine, married a Mr. Main; Elizabeth, married John Keller; Henry; Mahalia, married Daniel Bechtol, settled in Texas; and Jonathan.

Henry Biser, son of John Biser, was born April 30, 1821, and died in January, 1899. He spent his whole life following the occupation of a farmer. He was a large land owner at one time and was the possessor of two fine farms in Middletown District, one of 186 acres and one of 150 acres. He was well known in his time, and was highly respected. In politics, he supported the candidates of the Republican party. In religion, he held membership in the Reformed Church of Middletown, where he was very active and served as deacon and elder for many years. Mr. Biser was married to Sophia Routzahn. She was born in 1826, and is still living. They were the parents of the following children: Cyrus T.; Lawson H., retired, of Middletown; John E,. deceased; Mary Catharine, deceased, was the wife of Edward Krontz; Emma P., married Lewis McBride, a farmer of Middletown District; Virginia A. R., the wife of George W. M. Keller, a miller of Middletown District; Charles C, engaged in farming in Middletown District; and Sarah T., died in childhood.

Cyrus T. Biser, son of Henry and Sophia (Routzahn) Biser, spent his early years on the farm of his father, on which he had been born, and received such an education as the public schools of the neighborhood afforded. Arriving at maturity, he selected farming as his vocation, and this he has always followed. In 1901, Mr. Biser purchased from the heirs of Eli Routzahn his present farm, which contains 154 acres of excellent land. Mr. Biser is a practical and progressive agriculturist and has had much success at farming. He is well known in the district and is recognized as a substantial citizen. He is at present school director of Fink school district.

Mr. Biser is an adherent of the Republican party in politics, but he has never had any desire to receive office. In religion, he is a consistent and active member of Christ Reformed Church of Middletown, with which he has been connected for the last thirty years, and has filled the offices of elder and deacon.

Mr. Biser was married January 28, 1875, to Sarah A. R. Derr, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Coblentz) Derr, of a well-known family of the valley. They were the parents of ten children, three of whom are living: Edith R., the wife of Jacob Rudy; Sophia and Albert C, reside at home.