Morris Alleman Birely, M. D.

From History of Frederick County. p. 1048:

Morris Alleman Birely, M. D., a well-known and prominent physician, of Thurmont, Md., is a native of Ladiesburg, Woodsboro District, Frederick County, Md., in which place he was born, September 1, 1872. He is a son of Samuel and Barbara A. (Kemp) Birely.

Samuel Birely, father of Morris A. Birely, was a native of Frederick County, Md., where he was born, December 22, 1794, and died at Ladiesburg, Md., January 28, 1877. At the time of his death he was widely known, and was a man who was held in high esteem in the community in which he lived. He spent his active life as a farmer and merchant. In politics he was an old Line Whig, and later an adherent of the Republican party. In religion, he was a member of the Lutheran Church, in which he served as an elder, and to which he was a liberal supporter. He named the town of Ladiesburg, in Woodsboro District, Frederick County. Mr. Birely was married twice. His first wife was Margaret Anders their only child died in infancy. Mr. Birely’s second wife was Barbara Ann Kemp. They were the parents of the following children: .1, Samuel M., deceased. (For particulars of his life see biographical sketch of Lester Birely) ; 2, Lillie J., wife of W. S. Dutrow, of Gettysburg, Pa.; 3, Mary Rebecca, married Edgar Kissinger, a merchant of Gettysburg, Pa.; 4, Elizabeth, the wife of Robert L. Koons; 5, Morris Alleman.

Morris A. Birely, youngest child of Samuel and Barbara A. (Kemp) Birely was educated in the public schools of Ladiesburg and Thurmont. In 1890, he was graduated from the Cumberland Valley State Normal School at Shippensburg, Pa. Having decided to become a physician, he entered the medical department of the University of Maryland, from which institution he was graduated in 1894. In the same year, he located in Thurmont, and began the active practice of his profession, where he has ever since remained. He met with success from the start, and soon acquired a large practice, numbering among his patrons many of the leading citizens of the county. He has won a high rank in the exacting field to which he has devoted himself, and is one of the leading physicians of Frederick County. Since he located in Thurmont, he has made many friends and is highly respected.

Dr. Birely is a director in the Thurmont National Bank, and of the Thurmont Land and Improvement Company. He was one of the organizers of the Citizens’ Electric Light and Power Company, of Thurmont, and serves the company as treasurer. He belongs to the Frederick County Medical Society; the Medico Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland, and the American Medical Association. He is also prominent in fraternal circles, being a member of Acacia Lodge, No. 155, A. P. and A. M., of Thurmont; Enoch Royal Arch Chapter No. 23, and Jacques de Molay Commandery, No. 4. Knights Templar, of Frederick; Boumi Temple of the Mystic Shrine, of Baltimore, Md.; Good Samaritan Lodge, No. 46, I. 0. 0. P., of Thurmont; and of the Modern Woodmen of America. In religion, he is a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Thurmont, and for many years a member of the church council.

Morris A. Birely, M. D., was married, June 7, 1900, to Bertha, daughter of Dr. Franklin and Mary Ellen (Carl) Bushey, of Greencastle, Franklin County, Pa., where Mrs. Birely was born. They have one son, Morris Franklin.