On January 25, 1775, Jacob Weller, B.S., was born. He became famous as a master blacksmith, thus the B.S. after his name. He was the first manufacturer of friction matches in America. He did this from a small stone building in Mechanicstown (Thurmont). He also donated the land for the first United Brethren Church in Mechanicstown. He died June 6, 1846.

On January 25, 1896, James McSherry, of Frederick, was appointed Chief Judge of the Maryland Court of Appeals. His appointment was approved by the state Senate that same day.

On January 25, 1927, Professor George Edward Smith, three times mayor of Frederick, an Orphans' Court Judge, and a Register of Wills, died in his Frederick County Courthouse office. He was born November 11, 1850, on a Washington County farm.

On January 25, 2010, Sen. Charles “Mac” Mathias, Jr., who served Marylanders in Congress in both the House and Senate for 28 years, and who was born in Frederick on July 24, 1922, on Courthouse Square, died at his Chevy Chase home.

If anyone can add information to these History Moments,

or would like to suggest an item for another calendar day,

please contact me privately.

John W. Ashbury

Wasps1965@...