Josiah Freeze was born May 29, 1845, in Thurmont, Frederick County, Maryland, the son of Michael and Susanna Wetzel Freeze. On September 22, 1870, in Middletown, Frederick County, he married Mary Amanda Damuth, daughter of David and Catherine Stauffer Damuth. They were the parents of 5 children, 4 of whom lived to adulthood: Orpha Ellen, Luther Morris, Susan Katherine, Wilbur Wire and Jessie Key Freeze (died young). Josiah passed away April 2, 1908, in Thurmont, and was buried on the 4th in Weller's Church Cemetery there.


Maryland Marriages, 1666-1970:

Groom's Name: Josiah Freeze
Bride's Name: Mary Damuth
Marriage Date: 22 Sep 1870
Marriage Place: Evangelical Lutheran Or Lutheran Congregation Of Middletown, Middletown, Frederick, Maryland
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M50770-1
System Origin: Maryland-ODM
Source Film Number: 13934


From the marriage records of Frederick County, Maryland:

"Josiah Freeze, 24, farmer, to Mary Damuth, 25. Married September 22, 1870 by George Diehl."


Obituary for Josiah Freeze from the Catoctin Clarion of Thursday, April 9, 1908:

"Mr. Josiah Freeze Expires. Mr. Josiah Freeze, a well-known and highly respected citizen of near this place, died very suddenly Thursday morning last at the home of his son Wilbur, who resides in the tenementhouse of W. T. Grimes midway between Thurmont and Graceham. Mr. Freeze was an industrious man, doing hauling, plowing and all kinds of farm work for persons in this locality. At the time of his death, he had taken a can of lard to his son and on arriving, complained of not being well. After a few words with Mrs. Freeze, he turned toward the door, presumably to go to his team, when suddenly he staggered toward Mrs. Freeze, who caught him, but was unable to keep him up, he went to the floor, dying almost instantly. Dr. Jas. K. Waters was summoned but when he arrived, he had been dead some time. His death is attributed to heart failure, supposed to have been caused by acute indigestion. The body was removed to his home near Apple's Church by undertaker Black. Mr. Freeze was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church, of Thurmont, and his first wife had been a sister of Major C. A. Damuth,of Thurmont, and his second wife, a Miss Whitmore, who with two sons, Wilbur and Luther, the latter residing in Chambersburg, Pa., and two daughters, Mrs. Samuel Gigeous, of near Thurmont, and Mrs. William Cover, of Five Forks, Pa., survive him. Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon in St. John's Lutheran Church, Rev. M. L. Beard assisted by Rev. Guy P. Bready, officiating. The deceased was aged 61 years, 10 months and 3 days. Interment was made in U. B. Cemetery."


Obituary for Josiah Freeze from the Gettysburg Compiler of Wednesday, April 15, 1908:

"JOSEPH FREEDE (sic) died at his home near Thurmont from heart disease. He was carrying a can of lard and was seized with pain at heart due to an acute attack of indigestion and in falling was caught by his daughter-in-law and died in her arms. He was aged 64 years and twice married and is survived by his second wife, two sons, Wilbur Freede of Thurmont, Luther Freede of Chambersburg and two daughters, Mrs. Samuel Gigeous of near Thurmont and Mrs. Wm. Cover of Adams County."