SKETCHES OF MEMBERS OF THE HODSE OF DELEGATES. 229

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF DELGATES,

JANUARY SESSION, leoo.

ALLEGANY COUNTY—Five Members.

J. H. CRITCHMELD, Republican.

J. H. Critchfield, Republican, was born July 2, 1841, in
Somerset county, Pennsylvania. In August, 1862, he
enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Forty-second
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and participated in
every battle fought from Frederickeburg to Cold Harbor,
where he was captured and taken to Andersonville, Ga.
In 1860 commenced teaching school, following that pro-
fession until 1881. He has been engaged in merchandising
since that time.

WILLIAM CLOSE—Republican.

William Close, Republican, is a miner, residing at Gil-
more. He was born in Allegany county in 1860 at Miller
Mine, near Midland. He attended the public schools until
he was 14 years old. Then he entered the mines, working
with his father in the various mines about Midland and
Ocean. In 1885 he entered the employ of the George's
Creek Coal and Iron Company as a driver, and, after follow-
ing that occupation for three years, he engaged in digging
coal for the same company, and is now working in their
mines.

JOSEPH RADCUFFE—Republican.

Joseph Radcliffe, Republican, was born at Vale Summit,
May 13, 1866. He has been working in the coal mines
since he was 16 years old. He has never held public office.

E. EARL GRAEFF—Republican.

B. Earl Graeff, Republican, is a native of Pennsylvania.
He moved to Cumberland in January, 1891, and soon