John R. Rouzer
John R. Rouzer | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Near Apples Church and Thurmont, Maryland, U.S. |
| Died | March 25, 1914 (aged 74) Thurmont, Maryland, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, businessman, military officer |
| Years active | 1862–1914 |
| Known for | Member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing Frederick County (1867, 1894–1900) |
John R. Rouzer (May 1839 – March 25, 1914) was a Maryland-based American politician. He represented Frederick County in the Maryland House of Delegates during the years 1867 and again from 1894 through 1900.
Early life
Born on May 7 (or possibly May 9), 1839, near Apples Church and Thurmont, Maryland, John R. Rouzer was the youngest among ten siblings of Rachel and Peter Rouzer. After his mother passed away when he was just one year old, his upbringing was overseen by his sister and her husband, Joseph Freeze. His education included attendance at both public and private institutions, notably Mechanicstown Academy located in Thurmont.
Career
At the age of eighteen, Rouzer began employment in the saddlery and harness business owned by his brother-in-law Joseph Freeze, which he later acquired. He joined the military on August 19, 1862, as a first lieutenant in Company D of the 6th Regiment Maryland Volunteer Infantry. He advanced to captain and was eventually brevetted to lieutenant colonel in recognition of distinguished service. During his military tenure, he sustained injuries at the Battle of the Wilderness on May 5, 1864, was captured at the Third Battle of Winchester on September 19, 1864, and endured four months of imprisonment before receiving an honorable discharge on June 20, 1865.
Following the war, Rouzer returned to Thurmont to pursue business ventures. In 1869, he was appointed postmaster of Thurmont, a role he fulfilled until the mid-1870s. Subsequently, he was elected as register of wills for Frederick County and served for six years before retiring to focus on farming. Although he declined an appointment as school commissioner in 1883, he contributed as commissioner and treasurer of Mechanicstown for several years. Politically aligned first with the Whigs and later with the Republican Party, he served multiple terms representing Frederick County in the Maryland House of Delegates—initially in 1867 and then from 1894 to 1900. His civic service also included positions as Thurmont commissioner and school trustee over a span of four decades. In 1900, President William McKinley appointed him deputy register of wills in Washington, D.C., a post he held for four years. Due to health concerns, Rouzer declined the Republican nomination for state comptroller in 1912.
He was among the founding members and served as president of the Mechanicstown Water Company. Around 1910 until January 1914, Rouzer held the presidency of Thurmont National Bank before stepping down to vice president because of declining health. Additionally, he was deeply involved with veterans’ organizations as a charter member of Jason Damuth Post No. 80 Department of Maryland, G.A.R., where he occupied several leadership roles including commander and patriotic inspector.
Personal life
On May 7, 1866, Rouzer married Harriet E. Wilhide, daughter of Joseph Wilhide; she passed away in 1868 along with their only child who died at four months old. In 1871, he wed Julia Wilhide Willman—widow of E. Willman and sister to his first wife—with whom he had five children including Mrs. Leister Armacost, Mrs. Harry Brown, and Horace C. He was an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church and held a position as a Sunday school officer.
In his later years, Rouzer experienced significant vision impairment that rendered him unable to read starting around 1912. He died at his residence in Thurmont on March 25, 1914, and was interred at United Brethren Cemetery.