SKETCHES OF MEMBERS OF HOUSE OF DELEGATES. 207

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

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MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES.

JANUARY SESSION, 1900.

ALLEGANY COUNTY—Five Members.
J. H. CRITCHFIELD, Republican.

J. H. Critchfield 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 Fredericksburg to Cold Harbor, where he was
captured and taken to Andersonville, Ga. In 1860 com-
menced teaching school, following that profession until 1881.
He has been engaged in merchandising since that time.

WILLIAM CLOSE—Republican.

William Close is a miner, residing at Gilmore. 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 following that occupa-
tion for three years, he engaged in digging coal for the same
company, and is now working in their mines.

JOSEPH RADCLIFFE, Republican.

Joseph Radcliffe was born at Vale Summit, May 13, 1886.
He has been working in the coal mines since he was 16 years
old. He has never held public office.

E. EARL GRAEFF—Republican.

E. Earl Graeff is a native of Pennsylvania. He moved
to Cumberland in January, 1891, and soon became promi-