Nicholas O. Cline

From History of Frederick County. p. 1087-1088:

Nicholas O. Cline, a prominent citizen of Frederick City, Md., where he lived retired, was a native of that place, born July 7, 1834, and died May 19, 1910. He was a son of Casper and Catharine (Evans) Cline.

The Cline family is of ancient and honorable lineage and is of Scotch-Irish origin. The American ancestor was Alexander Cline, the grandfather of Nicholas O. Cline. He was a native of Ireland, being born at Waterford. At an early day he emigrated to this country, and settled first in Chester county, Pa., where he bought a farm. Later he removed to York county, Pa., where he purchased a homestead, and there spent the remainder of his life. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Casper Cline, son of Alexander Cline, was a native of York county, Pa. He was born at Abbottstown, near Hanover, in 1795, and died at his home near Frederick City, Md., April 18, 1871. He was reared in his native county, where he remained until he was twenty-one years of age. He then went to Baltimore City, where he spent several years, and became familiar with the details of carriage manufacturing. In 1822, he located in Frederick, and established a carriage manufactory there. He soon succeeded in building up a large and remunerative trade that increased in proportions from year to year, until it was one of the most extensive and profitable industries in Frederick. At the height of his prosperity he was obliged to keep eight forges in full blast, and employed a large number of men in the several departments of his factory. The carriages, coaches, wagons and other vehicles manufactured at his place were sold over a wide expanse of territory, and commanded the highest prices in the trade, as the workmanship was known to be of the best and most reliable kind. Mr. Cline did all the coach work for Stockton & Stockes, proprietors of the stage lines which carried the United States mails from Baltimore to Wheeling, on the National pike, through Frederick. The establishment afterwards passed into the hands of Brengle & Swalm, by whom it was conducted for a long time, but finally sold. Mr. Cline owned a number of valuable farms in the vicinity of Frederick, and these he managed until his death, which occurred at his homestead, Locust Level, situated about a mile and a-half from the city. He served during the war of 1812, and participated in the defense of Baltimore in 1814. As long as any of the “old defenders” were left, he marched with them every twelfth of September. For over thirty years he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Frederick, and much of his time arid means were given to religious work. He was kindly and generous, always willing to lend a helping hand to those less fortunate than himself, yet his charities although without number, were unostentatiously bestowed. Mr. Cline was twice married. He was first married to Catharine Evans of New Market district, Frederick County, a daughter of Robert Evans. His second wife was Corilla Evans, a sister of his first wife. Mr. Cline was the father of the following children: Harriet, married Stephen B. Crum, who owned a farm three miles from Frederick; William, served in the Confederate army, and died at Norfolk, Va.; John, resided in Frederick for thirty years, and married a Scotch lady, a Miss Nevans, at Melbourne, Australia, died in Los Angeles, Cal., in July, 1896; Mary Louisa, married William Yeakle, deceased, of Frederick; Nicholas O., whose name heads this sketch; and George T., a sketch of whom follows.

Nicholas O. Cline, son of Casper and Catherine (Evans) Cline, was reared in his native county. He was educated in the public schools of Frederick County, and at St. John’s College, Md. Most of his active life was passed in agricultural pursuits when he retired to private life in Frederick City. He was one of the well-known and highly esteemed citizens of the city, and commanded the respect of all with whom he came into contact. At farming he met with much success, which came to him through the good qualities possessed by him. He was industrious, persevering and straightforward in all of his dealings with his fellowmen. Politically, he was one of the most loyal adherents and supporters of the prohibition party in Frederick County, and he had the best interests of that organization at heart. In religion, he was a consistent and official member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Frederick. Mr. Cline was married to Anna A. Michael, daughter of Ezra Michael, a native of Frederick County. They were the parents of three children: Margaret, the wife of Rev. W. J. Cozens, of Boston, Mass., by whom she has four children: William J., Bessie B., Anna Winifred, and Albert Owen; Casper; Bessie S., the wife of Rev. Charles Noble, of Boston, Mass., and they have four children, Charles Casper, Anna Catharine, Bessie Cline and Nicholas Dwight.