Society Saturday: New Year's Eve Dance

Manassas Journal
January 11, 1924

NEW YEAR'S EVE DANCE

A New Year's Eve dance attended by a large company of young people was given at the home of Mr. and Mrs. G. Raymond Ratcliffe, in Grant Avenue, with their young son, Master Jack Ratcliffe, as host.

Among the guests were Misses Nancy Waters, Anna Bruce Whitmore, Virginia Conner, Elizabeth Coleman, Susie Gibson, Wilhelmina Wenrich, Anne Davies and Dabney Waters, Hawes Davies, Jenkyn Davies, Ned Bradford, Ashby Rogers, Henry Lee Lewis, Charles Walton Lewis, Charles Armistead Sinclair, Wallace Lynn, Preston Lyon, Robert Morris Henry, Robert Weir and Beverly Adams.

Shopping Saturday: Metz & Weir

Manassas Journal (Va)
23 March 1923

DISSOLUTION NOTICE

The firm of Metz & Weir has been dissolved by mutual consent this day. Mr. H. Elmer Metz will continue the lunch room business and Mr. R. M. Weir will continue the livery business. All bills due the firm of Metz & Weir will be received by H. Elmer Metz.

H. ELMER METZ
R. M. WEIR

100 Years Ago Today: Candidate Cards

Manassas Journal
06 April 1923

CANDIDATES' CARDS

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For Commissioner of Revenue

To the Democratic Voters of Prince William  County:
   I hereby announce myself a candidate for the office of Commissioner of the Revenue, District No. 1, of Prince William county, subject to the Democratic Primary of August 7, 1923. If elected, I promise to discharge faithfully the duties of the office. I feel sure I can render more efficient service in the coming than in the preceding term, as my past experience will mean a great deal to the people of the county.

Respectfully yours, R. M. WEIR
45-te

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For Commissioner of the Revenue

To the Democratic Voters of Prince William County:
   I hereby announce myself a candidate for Commissioner of the Revenue, District No. 1, subject to the Democratic Primary of August 7, 1923.

BAILY TYLER
45-e

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For Supervisor

To the Democratic Voters of Prince William County:
   I hereby announce myself a candidate for Supervisor of Gainesville District, subject to the Democratic Primary of August 7, 1923.

ROLFE ROBERTSON
45-te

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For Supervisor

To the Democratic Voters of Prince William County:
   I hereby announce myself a candidate for Supervisor of Gainesville District, subject to the Democratic Primary of August 7, 1923.

R. A. RUST

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For Sheriff

I hereby announce myself a candidate for re-election to the office of sheriff of Prince William county, subject to the democratic primary. If elected, I shall retain my present deputy.

CHAS. A. BARBEE

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For Sheriff

At the solicitation of my friends, I announce myself a candidate for the office of sheriff of Prince William county, subject to the democratic primary to be held in August, and hereby make an appeal for your support. If elected to the important office, I will give it my undivided attention.

Respectfully, BERNARD C. SMITH

Shopping Saturday: Weir & Co. - Closing Out Sale (1913)

Manassas Journal
28 November 1913

CLOSING OUT SALE

Having decided to discontinue the mercantile business, we offer our entire stock of General Merchandise at cost beginning Saturday, Nov. 29th, and continuing until all goods are disposed of. Stock consists of following:

Dry Goods, Notions, Shoes, Millinery, Gloves, Neckwear, Hosiery, Underwear, Handkerchiefs, Ribbons,. Velvets, Ladies' Coats, Waists, Skirts, Children's and Misses' Coats, Ladies', Misses' and Children's Underwear, Men's Underwear and Work Shirts, Blankets, Comforts, Rugs, Rubber Shoes and Arctics, Standard Sewing Machines, Glassware, Lamps, Groceries, &c., &c.

STORE FIXTURES--National Cash Register, 160-Account McCaskey Register, Fire-proof Safe, 4 Glass Counter Cases, 3 Show Cases, 4 Pair Scales, 2 Enterprise Coffee Mills, 4 Enterprise Molasses Pumps, Anderson Galvanized Oil Tank and Measure Pump, 5 Wood Counters, 3 Tables, &c.

EVERYTHING MUST BE SOLD BY JANUARY 1, 1913

REAL ESTATE--We also offer our store and dwelling, corner Centre and West streets, for sale; the store room is 25x60 with annex 2x20, 10 ft. ceiling, and fronts on both streets. Dwelling has 10 large rooms, 12 ft. ceilings; all newly papered and in good repair; large double porch in front; fine shade and water.

LOTS--Will also sell following lots and improved building sites: 2 lot on Portner Avenue between West street and Grant Avenue, 62 1/2x185 ft; 2 lots on West street, 50x230 ft., building site on West street, 260 ft. front on West street and 230 ft. deep, to 16-foot alley in rear. This lot is improved by new barn, artesian well 115 ft. deep, fine soft water; also small fruits, orchard and shade trees.

WEIR & COMPANY

Cor. Centre & West
Manassas, Virginia

To Quick Purchaser we will sell Entire Stock at a Bargain and Rent Store Room

Wedding Wednesday: Conducted by Rev. John Towles

Alexandria Gazette (Va.)
17 January 1843

MARRIED, On Wednesday, the 4th instant, by the Rev. John Towles, Dr. Cyrus C. Marsteller, of Haymarket, Prince William County, Va., to Miss Eliza Harrison, daughter of the Rev. Mr. Harrison, Chaplain United States Navy, Gosport.

Alexandria Gazette (Va.)
8 December 1843

MARRIED, On the 5th instant, in Dumfries, Prince William County, Va., by the Rev. John Towles, Dr. Francis C. Fitzhugh, of King George, to Miss Rosa Spence.

AlAlexandria Gazette
5 July 1847

MARRIED. At Lawnville, Prince William county, Va., on Tuesday, the 22d ultimo, by the Rev. Mr. Towles, John Tyler, of Upper Marlboro, Md., to Frances, daughter of Stuart Thornton of said county.

Alexandria Gazette
20 June 1848

MARRIED, On Thursday evening last, the 15th inst. by the Rev. Mr. Towles, Dr. John P. T. Fitzhugh, of Prince William county, Va., top Mrs. Elizabeth C. Stephenson, of Warrenton.

Daily National (Washington, DC)
3 May 1854

MARRIED, at Waverly (Va.) on the 27th instant, by Rev. John Towles, Dr. R. Stuart Lomax, of King George, to Jeannie, daughter of Frederick Foote, Esq., of Prince William county, Va.

Alexandria Gazette
3 August 1855

At Sudley, July 25th, by the Rev. John Towles, Dr. Thomas F. Tebbs, and Caroline M., daughter of Stuart G. Thornton, esq.

Alexandria Gazette
18 February 1857

MARRIED On Tuesday, the 27th of January, by the Rev. John Towles, Mr. Josiah Willcoxen, to Miss Julia E. Weir, all of Prince William County, Virginia.

Alexandria Gazette
25 October 1859

MARRIED. In St. Paul's Church, on Tuesday, the 11th inst., by the Rev. John Towles, Mr. Lucien A. Larkin, of this city, to Miss Sallie J., daughter of the late Capt. P. Norvill, of Prince William county, Va.

Newspaper Tidbit: PWCo Items (31 January 1874)

Alexandria Gazette
31 January 1874

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY ITEMS
[From the Manassas Gazette]

A few days ago Mrs. R. M. Waters, who resides with her father Mr. R. M. Weir, of this place, heard her child, a little over a year old, crying, in an adjourning room, and on going to its relief, found it on the hearth very near the fire, and a bird dog belonging to her husband with his fore paws holding on to its clothing and a determined look in his eyes as if he understood the peril the child was in.

We are informed that the imported Hampshire Down flock of Mr. Lywood, of Gainesville, Prince William county, have commenced lambing, the first three ewes of that noted breed producing seven lambs. These sheep appear to be particularly adapted to this country being hardy, prolific and of great weight for mutton, also producing a heavy fleece of fine wool.

A horse belonging to Mr. Willie Ayre, of Fairfax county, who visited this place on Sunday last, had its mane more than half cut off by some person or persons as yet unknown. The penalty for such an offence is fine and imprisonment.

The M. E. Church, South, for Prince William Circuit, will hold their quarterly meeting at Brentsville on Saturday and Sunday the 7th and 8th of February.

PWCo Items: Jury Cases / Conservative Convention (20 October 1873)

 Alexandria Gazette (Va)
20 October 1873

PRINCE WILLIAM CO. -- [From the Manassas Gazette]

The Circuit Court met at Brentsville on Monday, Judge Keith presiding. As all the civil cases of the County Court had been transferred to the Circuit Court docket under the new law, it was expected that the session of the Court would be a long one, but, on the contrary, it was a short one, as the Court adjourned Thursday morning. The jury cases decided were as follows: Love vs. Bailey, for wharfage near Dumfries, verdict for the defendant; Kincheloe and Pearly's administrator vs. Wm. Brawner's estate, verdict for plaintiff; E. V. Weir vs. W. J. Weir's administrator, verdict for plaintiff; Reamor vs. Ashe, non-suit for defendant.  In the litigated case concerning Mrs. Roach's will, the judgment of the County Court was confirmed. A demurrer involving the question whether the township of Gainesville was responsible to Mr. Stewart of that township for damage to his horse by reason of the defective condition of a public highway was discussed by Gen. W. H. Payne for Stewart, and Judge Nicol for the township.

The Conservative Convention, having failed to make nominations, the field has been left open for a free race, the Republicans having previously determined to make none.  Mr. Geo. C. Round announces himself as a candidate, and Maj. Dunnington has not withdrawn his card as a candidate, so that we may infer that he is still in the field for he House of Delegates, as is Maj. Purcell we believe. Mr. Lewis announces his withdrawal as a candidate for the House of Delegates, as does Mr. Meredith as a candidate for the position of Commonwealth's Attorney. If this triangular race is run for the Legislature, it will doubtless be a close one.

Mr. N. J. Ditto, who lately purchased the fine estate of Judge Cockerille, in Fairfax county, arrived here on Wednesday last to take possession of his new home. Mr. Ditto has a large family, and will be a valuable acquisition to this portion of our State. He is from Washington county, Maryland. His new purchase contains about 300 acres, for which he paid $13,000. It is an elegant place, and under a high state of cultivation.

Col. Chauney H. Snow and his lady arrived at home on Tuesday morning last from Le Surer Minnesota, where he had gone to attend the bedside of a sick brother, whose death was noticed in this paper at the time it occurred.

Mr. David Andrews, who lately purchased a farm near Brentsville, Prince William county, had fifty bushels of oats stolen from his barn whilst he was confined to his house with sickness.

Trustees' Sale (or is it?): Yorkshire / Locust Grove

Alexandria Gazette (VA)

24 October 1846

TRUSTEES' SALE OF LAND AND NEGROES.--Pursuant to the provisions of two deeds of trust, the one bearing date the first day of May, 1841, and the other the first day of September, 1843, executed to the subscribers for purposes therein mentioned, by John Hooe, Jr., late of Prince William County, both of which deeds are duly recorded in the Clerk's Office of the said County, we shall, on Monday, the 2nd day of November next, at Brentsville, proceed to sell, by public auction, for cash, the following property, to wit:

1. A TRACT OF LAND, lying and being in the county of Prince William, called and known by the name of "YORKSHIRE," adjoining the lands of Lovell Marders, Wm. J. Weir, and Wm. Brawner, containing about 1100 acres, and is the same land which was conveyed to said Hooe by Bushrod Washington and H. Turner.

2. Another tract of land, adjoining the above tract, called "LOCUST GROVE," containing --- acres, to which the said John Hooe, Jr. derived title from his father, the late Bernard Hooe, of Prince William County.

3. A TRACT OF LAND lying in said county of Prince William, on Occoquan run, adjoining the lands of Mrs. Kincheloe, Mrs. Hixon, and others, and contains about 400 acres.

4. The following SLAVES and their increase since 1st September, 1843, to wit: Reuben, Nancy, Lucinda, Thornton, Paris, Mary Ann, Bill, Sally, Laurinda, Betsy, Horace, Davy, and Richard. Such title only as is vested in the undersigned by the deeds aforesaid, will be conveyed to the purchaser; but it is believed that the title to all said property is unquestionable.

A. HANSFORD,

W. R. MASON,

Trustees

King George County, Va., aug 27--eots

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

NOTICE. -- The public are hereby forewarned that the debt embraced in the deed of trust, under which the above lands are offered for sale, is usurious, and not binding upon the estate of Col. John Hooe, deceased; and that as the lands advertised have descended to Mrs. Virginia B. Mason, as a part of her separate estate, and are now in her possession, he will resist the recovery of possession of any of the lands that may be sold by the trustees in said trust, on the ground that the deed of trust is utterly void and of no effect.  As a purchaser at a Trustee's sale is a purchaser without warrant of title, and at his own risk, this notice has been deemed property.

JOHN S. MASON,

VIRGINIA B. MASON,

only child and heir of Col. John Hooe, Jr., dec'd.

Prince William Co., Va., sep 10 -- cots

Wedding Wednesday: Waters/Pitts

Daily Dispatch (Richmond, VA)

Friday, 13 July 1913

A marriage of much interest throughout Virginia was that of Miss Claudia Waters, of Manassas, and David Marion Pitts, formerly of Elk Hill, but now of Manassas, the ceremony having taken place on July 2 in Washington. The Rev. William E. Collender, of the Church of the Ascension, officiated. The bride is a granddaughter of the late Robert M. Weir, of Prince William County, and Mr. Pitts is a son of Mr. and Mrs. L. M. Pitts, of Elk Hill. Both are widely related throughout the State, and their marriage is of much interest to their relatives and friends here. Mr. Pitts is a graduate of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute, and since his graduation has been in charge of the well known Porter estate, near Manassas.

Travel Tuesday: First Arrival of Flour by Railroad (1851)

Republic (Washington, DC)
25 November 1851

FIRST ARRIVAL OF FLOUR BY RAILROAD -- On Saturday last Daniel F. Hooe, of this place, received the first load of flour ever brought to town by railroad.  It was sent down by Wm. J. Weir, esq., of Prince William county, via the Orange and Alexandria railroad. The flour was manufactured at Millford Mills, and after being placed in the freight train, reached here in an hour, in "fine order and good condition."  Huzza for internal improvements, and success to the farmers, millers, and traders.

Alexandria Gazette of Saturday

Church Record Sunday: Prince William Auxiliary Bible Society (1829)

Alexandria Gazette
29 May 1829

PRINCE WILLIAM AUXILIARY BIBLE SOCIETY

Brentsville, May 3d, 1829

   The Annual Meeting of the Prince William Bible Society appointed to be held on yesterday, having been prevented by rain, the members thereof, sufficient to proceed to business, assembled to-day in the Court-House; and, the President being absent, on motion, the Rev. Elias Harrison, of Alexandria, late Corresponding Secretary to the Young Men's Bible Society of Alexandria, who favored the Society with is presence, was called to preside over the meeting.  The following Report was then read by the Corresponding Secretary, and adopted:

REPORT

   The period fixed by the constitution of the Prince William County Bible Society for its Annual Meeting, and a Report of the Board of Managers, for the past year, having arrived, they beg lleave, respectfully, to present the following statement:

   In the first instance, its their duty to acknowledge the favorable circumstances under which they are permitted to meet together at this time, calling for the unreserved homage of their grateful acknowledgments to the Giver of all Good; and, although they are thus favored by their Divine Parent, they have to deprecate and lament the many deficiencies, on their part, in discharging those duties imposed upon them from the nature of their trust; but they, are nevertheless, encouraged to persevere, from the circumstances that they are not left wholly without hope of the ultimate success of the important work in which they are engaged. The means to perpetuate it are within their reach, and are attainable by proper management and renewed energies--which are alike indispensable to the accomplishment of all objects of importance. That Christianity has elevated the character of man, ,and blessed him, in the various relations he has sustained in this life, we presume will not be denied by many.  We must shut our eyes against the light of truth, if we do not yield implicit faith to the exalting virtues of our divine religion. We can, perhaps, form some estimate of its value and influence, by supposing that it had never shed its light and blessings upon us. -- What, then, would have been our condition, or the state of the world? In all probability, the gross darkness which benighted mankind int eh first ages, and, in some degree, now extends over our happy and beloved country, would have been perpetuated.  The "Star that attracted the curiosity of the Wise Men of the East," has become a sun of light to the  human race; and wherever its light reached, it has been the parent of civilization, of knowledge, and of virtue. Christianity being a revelation from God, recorded in the Bible, it must be obvious that we can never have a just and satisfactory view of its doctrines, unless we are possessed of the writings that promulgate them. In diffusing these sacred books, we, of course, render an all important benefit to our country; hence we should feel the importance of extending these lights to our fellow creatures of every condition, which would enable them to act correctly, and to appreciate justly the advantages and blessings we enjoy over every other nation, and above all, open the way to a state of unchangeable bliss.

   It gives them pleasure to state, that no occurrence has transpired, in the discharge of their duties, calculated to injure the cause -- They have endeavored to act upon what they conceive to be the spirit and intention of the constitution, and feel assured no instance can be adduced, in which secrarian feelings have had any influence in the discharge of their duties.

   Since the appointment of Managers, in the first instance, the names of Joseph A. Williamson and Wallace McCrea, Esqs. have been added to the list--the former to supply the vacancy, occasioned by the death of James Howerson, and the latter that of Dr. James B. C. Thornton, who has not rendered himself eligible by signing our constitution.

   As yet we have accomplished but little in the distribution of Bibles and Testaments, in consequence of inattention on the part of some of the Agents, and for the ant of time by the Treasurer to make collections and reports of the state of the funds. We have not the means of ascertaining, with any degree of accuracy, the number of persons destitute of the Scriptures within the county but, from the facts that have come to our knowledge, there is a much larger number than was anticipated.

   From the Treasurer's account, as audited, it appears that the sum of $25 have been laid out in procuring 14 Bibles and 70 Testaments -- nearly all of which have been distributed in various parts of the county by Agents appointed for that purpose. There remains, at present, in his hands the sum of $9 89 cents, to be laid out as heretofore; and the sum of $26 is yet to be collected from the list of the year now closed.

   Some remarks having been made by the Chairman, on the importance of the cause in which the members of the institution are mutually engages; the necessity of free expression of sentiment by the members, as to the most advantageous measures to be adopted; and the salutary effect of a resolution to go forward; and not to be content with small calculations, as to the work to be performed during the year upon which we had just entered--

On motion, it was
   Resolved, That the members of this institution will, in the course of the present year, if accompanied by the blessing of Providence, furnish each destitute family in the County of Prince William with a copy of the Holy Scriptures.

On motion,
   Resolved, That the constitution be so amended, that the annual meeting of this Society shall, in future, be held on the 4th Sabbath in March; at which time a delegate shall be appointed to attend the subsequent annual meeting of the Young Men's Bible Society of Alexandria.

On motion,
   Resolved, That we now proceed to the election of Officers for the present year.

Whereupon the following persons were duly elected:

   William J. Weir, President
   Richard Foote, 1st Vice President
   Francis T. Cheris, 2d Vice President
   Thomas R. Hampton,   Corr. Secretary
   Joseph A. Williamson, Treasurer
   Larkin N. Sanders, Recording Sec'y.

John S. Trone, George Washington Renoe, Robt. Latham, Bazil Brawner, James B. Ewell, Fitzhuh Carter, Joseph R. Lynn, Henry L. Lewis, George W. Fitzhugh, and Wesley Fitzhugh, Managers.

   Resolved, That the thanks of this Society be tendered to the President thereof, for his activity and zeal during the past year.

   And the meeting is adjourned.

Teste:  TH. R. HAMPTON, Cor. Secretary.

Wedding: Nicol/Wilson (1896)

Evening Star (Washington, DC)
18 September 1896

The social event of the season in Manassas was the marriage September 16 at 3 o'clock p.m. in the M. E. Church South of Miss Maude Nicol to Mr. Geo. S. Wilson of Fauquier county. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Geo. T. Taylor of Fauquier. The church was beautifully decorated and crowded with invited guests. An evergreen arch spanned the chancel, from which hung a marriage bell. As the wedding party entered the church Mrs. B. P. Bowen of Brentsville sang "Oh, Promise Me," accompanied by her daughter on the organ. Mr. D. B. Wilson, brother of the groom, was the best man, and Miss Grace Nicol, sister of the bride, was maid of honor.

The groomsmen and bridesmaids were Mr. Holtzman of Washington and Miss Hixson of Manassas, Mr. Compter of Front Royal and Miss Lyon of Manassas, Mr. Kendall of Fauquier and Miss Simpson of Manassas, Mr. Gibson and Miss Leache of Fauquier, and Mr. Weir of Manassas and Miss Kincheloe of Brentsville. The flower maids were Julia Nicol, the little daughter of Judge Nicol, and Basie Ransdell, both nieces of the bride. As the party retired from the church Miss Bowen of Brentsville played the wedding march. The bride received many beautiful presents of silver.

Sunday's Obituary: Thomas Owen Taylor

Sun (Baltimore, MD)
28 January 1911

EX-MAYOR T. O. TAYLOR DEAD

Prominent Manassas Citizen Expires Suddenly at Home

Manassas, Va., Jan. 27. - Mr. Thomas Owen Taylor, a retired merchant, and former Mayor of Manassas for several successive terms, died of apoplexy at his home here late last night.

Mr. Taylor, who had been in feeble health for some time, left his home shortly before 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon for a walk to the post office.  After proceeding about half a block he turned back, reentered his home and, within a few moments, was stricken with apoplexy while seated in a chair. He never regained consciousness, dying seven hours later.

Former Mayor Taylor was the son of the late Joseph D. and Francis Housean Taylor, of upper Prince William county, Virginia. He was born October 12, 1834. At the outbreak of the Civil War he was in Texas and joined the Fifth Texas Infantry. Coming to Virginia with his command, he was in the battles of Seven Pines, the Wilderness and the Seven Days' fight around Richmond. Later he was a surgeon's assistant in Chimborazo Hospital, Richmond.

In 1868 he married Miss Anna Mary Smith of Baltimore. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Alfred Al Curtis, later Bishop Curtis, in Mount Calvary Protestant Episcopal Church.

He is survived by his wife and six children - Mrs. Alice A. Hutchinson, of Loudoun county, Virginia; Mr. T. Ramsay Taylor, of Norfolk; Miss Anna Selina Taylor, Mrs. Robert M. Weir and Mrs. C. Armistead Sinclair, of Manassas, and Mr. B. Conway Taylor, of Baltimore.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 o'clock tomorrow at Trinity Episcopal Church and burial will be in the Manassas cemetery.

The pallbearers will be Dr. C. R. C. Johnson, Messrs. George C. Round, G. Raymond Radcliffe, H. F. Button, and W. Parker Wilson.

A s a mark of respect the public schools of Manassas were closed this afternoon.

Military Monday: Robert Weir-Mitchell Weir

Evening Star (Washington, DC)
16 July 1944

PROMOTED TO CAPTAIN

Robert Weir-Mitchell Weir, son of Robert M. Weir, commissioner of revenue for Prince William County, has been promoted to captain in the Army since landing in France on D-day.  Capt. Weir is a graduate of the Manassas High School and the College of William and Mary.  He volunteered for service with the British Civilian Technical Corps and was sent to England in 1941.  In January, 1943, he was transferred to the United States Army.

Tombstone Tuesday: Samuel Tasker and Grace Green (Foster) Weir

Manassas City Cemetery
Photo by Carolyn G. Lynn

Richmond Times-Dispatch
August 31, 1951

Wednesday's Child: Chapman / Varner / Weir

Alexandria Gazette (Alexandria, VA) - September 6, 1823 - DIED, at the residence of George Chapman, Esq., in Prince William County, Va., on the 1st inst. the infant daughter of John G. Chapman, Esq., of Charles County, Md. aged 5 days.

Daily National Intelligencer (Washington, DC) - August 21, 1856 - DEATH. On the 16th instant, at the residence of Mrs. C. A. Latimer, Prince William county, Virginia, Harriet Cecelia, aged one year and four months, only child of Wm. T. and Rebecca M. Weir.

Harrisonburg Daily News (Harrisonburg, VA) - April 1, 1910 - Child Dies of Whooping Cough.  Mary Varner, five years old, died Monday of whooping cough and pneumonia at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Varner at Nokesville, Prince William county.

Sunday's Obituary: Marcus B. Latimer

Evening Star (Washington, DC) – July 28, 1903

Marcus B. Latimer
Evening Star, July 28, 1903

OLD RESIDENT DEAD. Marcus B. Latimer Passes Suddenly Away. Funeral Tomorrow Afternoon From Family Residence – Interment to be Made at Glenwood Cemetery

The death of Marcus B. Latimer, for many years a prominent auctioneer of this city, occurred at 9:15 o'clock last evening at his residence, 1223 6^th street northwest. Mr. Latimer had been in good health up to last Saturday morning when he contacted a severe cold, which brought on congestion and resulted in his death. He was surrounded by the members of his family when the end came. The funeral will take place from the family home tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock, and the interment will be made in Glenwood cemetery. The pallbearers will be selected from among the nephews of Mr. Latimer, and will consist of Joseph S., Clarence E. and Lee D. Latimer, George H. Evans and Americus Davis, all of this city, and William J. Weir of Manassas, Va. The interment will be private.

Marcus B. Latimer had resided in Washington over fifty years, and probably no resident of the national capital enjoyed a wider acquaintance among the citizens of the District of Columbia than did he. He was born in Charles county, Md., January 5, 1839, and while he was still an infant his parents removed to Brentsville, Prince William county, Va. In 1853, at the age of fourteen, Mr. Latimer, accompanied by two of his brothers, the late Samuel H. and the late Dr. Edwin W. Latimer, came to Washington and obtained employment as a clerk with the old firm of Sibley & Gier, formerly hardware merchants of the city. A few years later Mr. Latimer accepted a position with J.C. Maguire & Co., auctioneers, and with that firm, under the tutorship of the late Thomas J. Fisher, Mr. Latimer learned the business with which he had been so long and prominently identified here.

In the early seventies the firm of Cooper & Latimer, auctioneers, was organized, and the firm opened up its business in the building located on the southwest corner of 11^th street and Pennsylvania avenue, a part of which was occupied at that time by The Evening Star. When Mr. Cooper died, about twenty-five years ago, the firm was changed to Latimer & Cleary, and afterward it was known as Dowling & Latimer. A number of years ago Mr. Latimer and his son-in-law, Charles G. Sloan, organized the firm of Latimer & Sloan on G street.

Record in Business. Mr. Latimer during his active business days conducted some of the most noted and extensive sales in the country. He was considered as one of the finest auctioneers in the United States. He conducted the great sale of the fine pictures in the rotunda he also sold the effects of the English minister, Lord Sackville West. The last large sale and one of the most important in Mr. Latimer's career was the auction of the noted Deakin collection of Japanese ceramic art, which occurred about eight years ago, in this city. He was regarded as a connoisseur of art and a critical judge of oriental stuffs and carpets, rugs, tapestry,, &c., and his services were very much in demand among the best and most influential people of the city.

Mr. Latimer was possessed of a most genial personality and a keen appreciation of humor, and he had an inexhaustible fund of amusing anecdotes, which caused his sales to be entertaining as well as profitable.

In May 1864, Mr. Latimer was married to Miss Susie Lowe, a daughter of an old Washington family. The family had lived in the present residence on 6^th street for the past twenty years. At the outbreak of the civil war Mr. Latimer served with the Washington Light Infantry Corps. He took an interest in nearly all the public affairs pertaining to the District, but never held public office during his career.

Retired Six Years Ago. About six years ago Mr. Latimer retired from active business, but on various occasions, at the special request of clients, he has conducted sales of art and antique furniture, &c. The members of the immediate family who survive him are his wife and four children – Mrs. Charles G. Sloan, Mr. Thomas F. Latimer and the Misses Mabel C. and Marie Latimer.

~ ~ ~

Daily National Intelligencer (Washington, DC) – May 16, 1864

Marriage. In this city, on the 12^th May, by the Rev. Dr. Samson, Marcus B. Latimer, of Virginia, to Miss Susie B. Lowe, of this city.