Joseph Freeze was born August 12, 1811 in Frederick County, Maryland. He was the second son of George and Susanna Bowers Freeze. He married Mary Elizabeth Rouzer on October 28, 1839, in Thurmont, Frederick County, Maryland. She was the daughter of Peter and Rachel Hope Martin Rouzer. Their children were: William Jacob Freeze, married Nellie Johanna Diehl; Catharine O. Freeze, unmarried; Anna E. Freeze, married Thomas Emory Gonter; Julia Susan Freeze, died young; George Wachter Freeze married Harriet Keziah Gaugh; Joseph Milton Freeze married Maria Rosanna Fleagle and Jennie H. Null; John Henry Freeze married Clara Eliza Parrish; Lillie Ann Freeze, married James Milton Cover, after his death, married George Heimiller; Charles P. Freeze, died young; James W. Freeze, died young. Joseph passed away in Thurmont on March 13, 1893, and was buried on the 15th in Weller's Cemetery there.


Frederick County Marriage License issued to Joseph Freeze and Mary Elizabeth Rouzer on October 26, 1839.


From a Frederick County, Maryland Newspaper of November 7, 1839:

"Near Mechanicstown by the Rev. R. Weiser, on the 28th ult. [i.e. Oct. 28, 1839], Mr. JOSEPH FREEZE, to Miss MARY ELIZABETH ROUZER, all of this county."


Death notice for Joseph Freeze from the Catoctin Clarion:

"On March 13, 1893, at his home in this place, Mr. Joseph Freeze, aged 81 years, 7 months and 1 day."


Death notice for Joseph Freeze from the Catoctin Clarion of Thursday, March 16, 1893:

"Mr. Joseph Freeze, an aged citizen of this place died at his home on Monday last in his 82nd year. A more extended account will appear in our next issue."
[note: no other account was located of Joseph Freeze in the Catoctin Clarion.]


Obituary for Joseph Freeze from the Frederick Daily News of Friday, March 17, 1893:

"THE WORK OF DEATH. JOSEPH FREIZE. Mr. Joseph Freize, one of the oldest citizens of Mechanicstown, died on the 13th, aged 81 years, 8 months and one day. He leaves a wife and four sons and three daughters to mourn his loss. His funeral occurred on Wednesday at 2 o'clock at the Lutheran Church. The funeral service was conducted by Rev. Mr. Barb, pastor of the church. The house was crowded with friends and neighbors of the deceased. The pall bearers were John Jones, Walter Loy, Walter Six, J. F. E. Mills. E. E. Black was the undertaker. Interment at the Hill Cemetery."