Ordeman, Charles H. - 1889

Frederick A. Ordeman.  The success which has attended the efforts of Mr. Ordeman is the result of his determination of will and energy of disposition.  Starting out for himself with limited means, he followed agricultural pursuits so successfully that he is now the owner of six hundred and thirty-nine acres, lying in Urbana District, Frederick County, the management of which he still superintends.  He is also the owner and proprietor of a general store at Park Mills, which he opened in 1891 and has since conducted; and besides this owns a large steam sawmill near the village.

Born in 1858 in the town where he still makes his home, Mr. Ordeman is the son of Capt. H. D. and Catherine (Thomas) Ordeman, the former a native of Germany, the latter of France.  He was one of seven children, the others being John, Charles, Georgiana, Daniel T.; Mary C., wife of John E. Price; and Emma C., Mrs. Eugene Hughes.  His father, who began as a sailor on the high seas at the age of nineteen, finally settled in America, and in 1856 abandoned a seafaring life, after having followed the water on merchant vessels for thirty-two years.  He had made his home in Baltimore for some time before leaving the sea, but in 1856 he removed from there to Park Mills and began to operate a sawmill and distillery.  In 1862 he sold the mill, but continued to run the distillery for some time afterward.  Fraternally he was connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.  He died in 1884, when he was seventy-two years of age.

In the district schools and the Frederick high school our subject received a fair education.  On attaining his majority he started out in life for himself, selecting for his occupation the work of a farmer.  He is now the owner of three farms, aggregating, as before stated, six hundred and thirty-nine acres, but all joining in one unbroken tract.  In 1879 he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah C. Smeltzer, of Springfield, Ohio, an estimable lady, who shares with him in the regard of the people of the village and district.  A Democrat in politics he was chosen to serve as postmaster at Park Mills under President Cleveland, and has at different times filled minor offices, serving in every capacity with credit to himself.  He has made a number of improvements upon his farms, which are among the best and most highly cultivated for miles around.  As a farmer he was progressive, as a citizen he favors all progressive projects, and as a merchant he is reliable and energetic.

~ Portrait and Biographical Record of the Sixth Congressional District, Maryland, Published 1898, Page 310

You can visit the memorial page for Charles H. Ordeman.