The first of the Valentine family to settle in Frederick County came there very early, being one of the first white men in that part of Maryland. He took up a tract of land in the northern part of the county, in what is now Creagerstown District. This farm is still in the possession of his descendants, being owned by an uncle of Clarence L. Valentine. The property consists of about 200 acres of good land and is known as the Valentine homestead.

Jacob Valentine, the great-grandfather of Clarence L. Valentine, spent his life on the farm first cultivated by his father. He was born March 17, 1753, and died July 1, 1832. He was a leading farmer. The name of his wife was Anna Mary. She was born August 17, 1761, and died November 17, 1824. They are both buried in the old graveyard at Creagerstown. They had a son, William.

William Valentine, son of Jacob and Anna Mary Valentine, was born August 9, 1802, and died December 9, 1877. He is interred in the cemetery at Rocky Ridge. He became the purchaser of the family home, on which he passed the greater part of his life, making his home there until a few years before his death. He was an extensive land owner and well known throughout Frederick and Carroll Counties, having farms in both places. He was a prominent citizen in his day. Mr. Valentine was twice married. His first wife was a Miss Mehring, by whom he had one son, James, now deceased. Mr. Valentine was married secondly to Lydia Mehring, a sister of his first wife. They were the parents of these children: Elias T.; Minerva D., the wife of John Anders, a farmer of Creagerstown District; Sylvester, a retired agriculturist of Creagerstown District; Lewis, deceased; Albert, deceased; Sarah, the wife of George Albaugh; and G. H., a merchant at Rocky Ridge.

Elias T. Valentine, son of William and Lydia (Metering) Valentine, was born on the parental estate in Creagerstown District, February 10, 1832. He received a common school education and worked on the home place until he went to learn the trade of a mason. This occupation he followed for three years, but having no liking for his trade, returned to his father's farm. Here he was employed until his father's retirement, when he assumed the management of the farm. He was thus occupied for seven years, and then bought from Edward Biggs a farm of 100 acres, where he remained for five years. Mr. Valentine then purchased another farm from his brother, G. H. Valentine. Shortly afterwards he bought still another, containing 254 acres, and situated in Carroll County, whither he removed. For fifteen years he made his home there, meeting with much success. He then secured the Miller farm in Creagerstown and returned to Frederick County. Here he has ever since remained, although he retired from active work in 1899. He is one of the highly respected men of the district. He was a hard worker and made a success of his various undertakings.

Mr. Valentine votes the Democratic ticket. He is connected with the Lutheran Church at Rocky Ridge, in which he has filled the offices of deacon and elder. M. Valentine was thrice married. His first wife was a Miss Munshower, by whom he had no issue. He was married secondly to Susan Wetzel, daughter of William Wetzel, by whom he had three children, two of whom grew up: Albert, a farmer of Emmitsburg District; and William. Some time after the death of his second wife, Mr. Valentine was married to Maria Wetzel, a sister of his second wife. By this marriage there were twelve children, as follows: Martin E., a farmer of Emmitsburg District; Dora, the wife of Charles Nogle, of York, Pa.; Rose, the deceased wife of Edward Harmon; Frances, married to David Wetzel, of Emmitsburg District; Harry E., engaged in agriculture in Emmitsburg District; Frederick E., also farming in Emmitsburg District; Nathen L., lives in Carroll county and is a farmer; Susan A., the wife of Harry Knipple, an agriculturist of Emmitsburg District; Clarence L., whose name heads this sketch; A. Ellsworth, a stock dealer of Rocky Ridge; Bertha, the wife of James Shriner; and Ethel L. V., married to Charles Wood, an agriculturist of Creagerstown District.

Return to index on Emmitsburg names in William's History of Frederick County

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