History of Williamsport, (Washington County) Maryland United States of America

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Biographies:

John Van Lear Findlay, representative, was born at Williamsport, Md., Dec. 21, 1839. He was a nephew of Judge John King Findlay of Philadelphia, and grandson of Gov. William Findlay. He was graduated at the College of New Jersey in 1858, studied law, was admitted to the Maryland bar and practised in Baltimore. He served as collector of internal revenue; as a representative in the state legislature; as orator for Maryland on state day at the centennial exposition, Philadelphia, Pa., 1876; and as representative from Baltimore, Md., in the 48th and 49th congresses, 1883-87.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Louis Emory McComas, senator, was born near Williamsport, Md. Oct. 28, 1846; son of Frederick C. and Catharine (Angle) McComas. He attended St. James college, Md., and was graduated from Dickinson college, Pa., in 1866. He studied law with Col. James Wallace at Cambridge, Md., and subsequently with Chief-Justice R. H. Alvey at Hagerstown, Md., and practised at Hagerstown, 1868-92. He was married, Sept. 23, 1875, to Leah M., daughter of Charles W. Humrichouse of Baltimore, Md. He was nominated by the Republicans of Maryland for representative in the 45th congress in 1877, but was defeated by William Walsh; declined re-nomination to the 46th congress in 1878; was a representative in the 48th-51st congresses, 1883-91, and was defeated for the 52d congress in 1890. He was a delegate at large to the Republican national conventions of 1892 and 1900, and was secretary of the national committee during the presidential campaign of 1892. He was elected professor of law evidence and contracts at Georgetown University law school, D.C., in 1895. He was appointed an associate justice of the supreme court of the District of Columbia by President Harrison in 1892, which office he held until he was elected to the U.S. senate in 1899 to succeed Arthur Pue Gorman.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor