Jacob Freeze was born in Thurmont, Frederick County, Maryland, December 28, 1843, the 4th of 10 children of Michael Freeze and Susanna Wetzel Freeze. He married on August 31, 1870, to Martha Dallas Thomas, also of Frederick County. They had 3 daughters, Nora Gabriella, Mary Susan and Belva Perry Freeze. Jacob passed away on April 12, 1931, in Graceham, Frederick County, Maryland, and was buried on the 14th in Weller's Cemetery, Thurmont.


From the marriage records of Frederick County, Maryland:

"Jacob Freize, 26, farmer, to M. Dallas Thomas, 24. Married August 31, 1870 by M. G. Balthis."


Obituary for Jacob Freeze from the Frederick Post of Tuesday, April 14, 1931:

"CIVIL WAR VETERAN DIES AT AGE OF 87. Jacob Freeze, Near Graceham, One Of Three Union Army Survivors Of That Section Of County. Jacob Freeze, one of the oldest and best-known citizens of Thurmont and vicinity, died at the home of his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Alvey O. Zimmerman, Graceham, Sunday night about 9 o'clock, of pneumonia. He was 87 years of age and had made his home with his son-in-law and daughter for the past nine years. Mr. Freeze was a son of the late Michael Freeze and was a life long resident of the vicinity of Thurmont.He was one of the three remaining veterans of the Civil War residing in the locality of Thurmont. At the age of 18 he enlisted as a Corporal in Company B, the late C. A. Damuth, Thurmont, Captain, 6th Maryland Regiment Infantry Volunteers, and served throughout the war. One of his chief pleasures in his declining years was to recall the many scenes of danger and hardships through which he passed during the war.He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Thurmont and was a regular attendant as long as his health permitted. He possessed a genial disposition and his kindly manner attracted a wide circle of friends. Besides his wife, formerly Miss Susanna Wtzel (sic), of Pennsylvania, he is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Clarence Colliflower, Baltimore; Mrs. Alvey Zimmerman, Graceham, and Mrs. J. G. Haugh, Cleveland, O. Seven grandchildren, Lloyd, Leo and Maynard Zimmerman, Mrs. John S. Ditch, and Charles J. Smith, all of Baltimore; Otho Shepley, Miami, Fla., and Marion Shepley, Cleveland, O., and four great-grandchildren, Shirley, Jeannette, Buddy and Betty Zimmerman, also survive. Funeral from the late home on Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock with services by Rev. C. H. Corbett, pastor of the Lutheran Church, assisted by Rev. E. D. Bender of the Moravian Church, Graceham, and Rev. Earl H. Hexter, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Thurmont. Interment U. B. Cemetery, Thurmont. Willhide and Creeger, funeral directors."

[note: The above obituary for Jacob Freeze inadvertently gives his wife's name as Susanna Wetzel, who in fact was his mother! His wife was Martha Dallas Thomas.]


Obituary of Jacob Freeze from the Catoctin Clarion of Friday, April 17, 1931:

"JACOB FREEZE PASSES AWAY AT HOME IN GRACEHAM. Pneumonia Claims Aged War Veteran After Short Illness. Jacob Freeze, son of Michael and Susanna Freeze, deceased, one of the oldest citizens of Thurmont vicinity, died of pneumonia on Sunday evening April 12, 1931, at 9 o'clock, at the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Alvey O. Zimmerman in Graceham, at which place he had made his home for the past 9 years, aged 87 years, 3 months and 14 days. Mr. Freeze was one of the three remaining Civil War veterans of this vicinity. At the age of 18 years he volunteered for service, and enlisted as corporal in Captain C. A. Damuth's Company which was Co. D., of the Sixth Maryland Regiment Infantry Volunteers. He was recognized by his companions and superior officers as one among many of the bravest soldiers and of late years as his mind grew more feeble on other matters, one of his chief pleasures was to recount the many scenes of danger and hardships as he remembered them. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Thurmont where he was a regular attendant as long as his health permitted. Of a genial and friendly disposition he will be greatly missed by his many friends. He survived his wife by four years. He leaves three daughters to mourn their loss: Mrs. Clarence Colliflower, of Baltimore; Mrs. Alvey Zimmerman of Graceham, and Mrs. J. G. Haugh, of Cleveland, Ohio. Also 7 grandchildren: Lloyd, Leo and Maynard Zimmerman; Mrs. John S. Ditch, Mrs. Charles J. Smith, all of Baltimore, Otho Shipley, of Miami, Florida, and Marion Shipley, of Cleveland, Ohio; and four great-grandchildren, Shirley, Jeannette, 'Buddy' and Betty Zimmerman. The deceased is also survived by one sister, Mrs. Geo. A. Eyler, of Thurmont. The funeral took place from his late residence at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday afternoon, the interment being in the U. B. Cemetery, Thurmont. The services were conducted by Rev. Chas. H. Corbett, pastor of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Thurmont, assisted by Rev. Earl S. Hoxter, pastor of the Thurmont M. E. Church, and Rev. E. D. Bender, pastor of the Graceham Moravian Church. Willhide & Creeger, funeral directors."


Funeral notice for Jacob Freeze from the Frederick Post of Thursday Morning, April 16, 1931:

"Jacob Freeze. The funeral of Jacob Freeze, Civil War Veteran of Thurmont, took place Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock from the home of his daughter, Mrs. Alvey O. Zimmerman, with services conducted by Rev. C. H. Corbett, pastor of the Lutheran Church, assisted by Rev. E. D. Bender, of the Moravian Church, Gracehem, and Rev. E. H. Honter, of the Thurmont Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Freeze was a son of the late Michael and Susanna Wetzel Freeze. His wife predeceased him by four years. Inadvertently omitted from the list of survivors in Monday's paper is a sister, Mrs. George A. Eyler, Thurmont. Interment United Brethren Cemetery, Thurmont. Willhide and Creeger, funeral directors."