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Community Corner

Picture This: A Glimpse Into Catonsville's Storied Past

The Dill family had lifelong ties to Catonsville.

As we enter the seasonal stretch when family gatherings seem at the forefront of activity, it is fun to speculate on generations of Catonsville residents past. Among the holdings in the Catonsville Room are photographs of the Dill family. Two brothers, Frederick and Robert, were lifelong residents.

The featured photograph shows Frederick C. Dill and family posing for a formal photograph, c. 1893, in the parlor of their home at 101 Ege’s Lane, as Egges Lane was then spelled. There is no information as to the reason for the photograph but one would assume that it was taken to mark a special occasion.

In an era when we routinely post photos on Facebook or share with friends and family through our phones, it is instructive to recall a time when having a photograph taken was a major event.

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Shown from left to right are: George, born 1878 to Frederick’s first wife, Anna; Frederick L., born 1891, wearing a dress as was the custom for toddler boys in that era; Frederick C.; Adolph, born 1883; Minnie, second wife; a daughter, Minnie, born 1891; and Christian, born 1885. The Dills would have another daughter, Agnes, in the fall of 1899. One also wonders why it is that a daughter, Mary, who was born in 1882, is not in the photograph. It has been speculated that the framed portrait of an infant is that of Mary, as she died in childhood.

Frederick C. Dill earned a living as a plasterer. It is quite possible that he teamed up with his brother, Robert, who was employed as a carpenter.

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The second photograph shows the exterior of Robert’s home. Robert’s wife, Barbara, is pictured here with two small children—perhaps grandchildren—as the photograph was taken c. 1900. According to research done at the library, the two younger men (one on porch and one by horse) are likely their sons. The bearded man standing on the porch may have been a Civil War veteran, judging from his cap.

The Catonsville Room welcomes any information on the people or the location of their home in Catonsville.

Often family histories are sketchy at best. What is known from obituaries for three of the Frederick C. Dill children is that sons Frederick and Adolph followed in their father’s profession as plasterers. Adolph worked for Schatz Bros. of Catonsville. He died in 1952. Frederick died in 1964.

It is also known that daughter, Minnie, married John W. Treuth, operator of a meat business in Oella. They had one daughter and four sons. Today, descendants still operate J.W. Treuth & Sons butcher shop in Catonsville.           

Thanks go to Bryce Rumbles, librarian at the Catonsville Branch, and Lisa Vicari, Catonsville Room volunteer and board member, Friends of the Catonsville Library, for their research assistance. Anyone interested in ordering digital reprints of any of the images featured in this series, should contact Bryce Rumbles at brumbles@bcpl.net.

 

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