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John Sterling

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John Sterling

Birth	:	16 Jan 1827 Lawsonia, Somerset County, Maryland, USA
Death	:	1 Oct 1922 Lawsonia, Somerset County, Maryland, USA
Burial	:	Asbury Cemetery, Crisfield, Somerset County, USA
Coordinate	:	37.9748240, -75.8347100
Description	:	JOHN STERLING OF E., DEAD; PIONEER CRISFIELD BANKER AND WORLD'S OLDEST MASON Death Ends Active Career At Advanced Age of 96 Spent Years on the Sea; Was Active Until 92 Helped Found Bank of Crisfield And Was Its President Until Death, Prominent In Republican Politics And Business Affairs Many Years After being confined to his bed for the past three months, the life of John Sterling of E. came to a close at his home in Lawsonia, a suburb of Crisfield, last Sunday afternoon. He was the oldest resident of Somerset County, having reached the advanced age of... Read More	JOHN STERLING OF E., DEAD; PIONEER CRISFIELD BANKER AND WORLD'S OLDEST MASON Death Ends Active Career At Advanced Age of 96 Spent Years on the Sea; Was Active Until 92 Helped Found Bank of Crisfield And Was Its President Until Death, Prominent In Republican Politics And Business Affairs Many Years After being confined to his bed for the past three months, the life of John Sterling of E. came to a close at his home in Lawsonia, a suburb of Crisfield, last Sunday afternoon. He was the oldest resident of Somerset County, having reached the advanced age of 96 years, and since 1919 the Masonic fraternity acclaimed him as the oldest Mason in the world. For many years prior to 1919 he held the distinction of being the oldest Master Mason in Maryland. The life of Capt. John, as he was familiarly known to the residents of Somerset County and throughout the Eastern Shore, was filled with activity, and many adventured are connected with his early life as a deep sea sailor. For many years he was commander of a vessel plying between New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and parts of the south Seas. Retiring from the sea about 30 years ago, he devoted the balance of his life to banking, and was regarded as one of the most successful financiers on the Eastern Shore peninsula. Mr. Sterling was one of the organizers of the Bank of Crisfield, the pioneer banking institution in the lower section of Somerset County, and now one of the largest and most prosperous State banks in Maryland, with assets of nearly $2,000,000. From its organization and for many years thereafter, he served as cashier and then was elected president which position he held until the time of his death. He was a daily visitor at the bank, and was always to be found at hiss desk, taking an active interest in the affairs of the institution until his 92nd birthday, when he retired from active business. For many years, in his earlier life, Capt. John was actively interested in Republican politics. He served one term as sheriff of Somerset County, one term as County Commissioner, and was also the Republican candidate for Register of Wills, back in the 90's. He was always connected with Asbury M.E. Church in an official position, and took an active interest in church and public affairs. Mr. Sterling was one of the organizers of the local Masonic lodge and was a regular attendant at Chesapeake Lodge No. 147, of Crisfield, until reaching the age of 92. His record as a Mason dates back to the 40's, at the time he was engaged as a deep sea sailor. The Masonic records disclose that his application for membership in the order was made to Manhattan Lodge, No. 62, of New York City, and that he was admitted as a member of that lodge on February 7, 1847. That lodge is no longer in existence. On May 3, 1860, Captain Sterling obtained a permit for the purpose of helping to organize Chesapeake Lodge No. 147, of Crisfield. To him went the distinction of having been an active Mason for more than 75 years, longer than any other known Mason in the world and for more years than an ordinary lifetime holds for most persons. Funeral services were held from the home Wednesday afternoon, with burial in Asbury Cemetery. the Rev. W.F. Cochrane officiated and the services were in charge of the local Masonic lodge. He is survived by five children, all of whom live in Crisfield. They are Misses Bessie and Louise Sterling, Frederick Sterling, Edward Sterling and Robert H. Sterling. The Crisfield Times, Crisfield, Maryland, Saturday, October 7, 1922, p. 1

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is John Sterling's memorial?
John Sterling's memorial is located at: Asbury Cemetery, Crisfield, Somerset County, USA.
When did John Sterling death?
John Sterling death on 1 Oct 1922 in Lawsonia, Somerset County, Maryland, USA
Where are the coordinates of the John Sterling's memorial?
Latitude: 37.9748240
Longitude: -75.8347100

Family Members:

Parent

Elijah “Owl” Sterling

(1795 - 1869)

Mary T. Lawson Sterling

(1806 - 1882)

Spouse

Sarah C. Davy Sterling

(1844 - 1922)

Siblings

Mary Sterling Lawson

(1819 - 1902)

Christopher J. Sterling

(1822 - 1871)

Emiline Sterling Lawson

(1829 - 1913)

David “Owl” Sterling

(1831 - 1906)

Sarah Jane Sterling Lawson

(1834 - 1893)

Julia Sterling Lawson

(1839 - 1917)

Luther Sterling

(1845 - 1890)

Children

Frederick Sterling

(1862 - 1947)

Robert Henry Sterling

(1864 - 1944)

Edmund Sterling

(1867 - 1941)

Marianna Sterling

(1870 - 1884)

Horace Sterling

(1873 - 1921)

Mariah Louise Sterling

(1878 - 1960)

Bessie Francis Sterling

(1880 - 1961)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Asbury Cemetery
Crisfield, Somerset County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9748240, -75.8347100

2. Union Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery
Crisfield, Somerset County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9729100, -75.8344600

3. Sterling Plot
Lawsonia, Somerset County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9728760, -75.8321510

4. Sterling Plot
Lawsonia, Somerset County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9672470, -75.8315350

5. Isaac Lawson Cemetery
Lawsonia, Somerset County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9745930, -75.8226510

6. Peyton Road Cemetery
Crisfield, Somerset County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9685450, -75.8247400

7. American Legion Cemetery
Crisfield, Somerset County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9833200, -75.8448700

8. Cullin Cemetery
Lawsonia, Somerset County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9692760, -75.8207420

9. Crisfield Cemetery
Crisfield, Somerset County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9835230, -75.8459740

10. Nelson Plot Jenkins Creek
Crisfield, Somerset County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9667230, -75.8485960

11. James Lawson Cemetery
Byrdtown, Somerset County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9615640, -75.8425480

12. Somers Cove Cemetery
Crisfield, Somerset County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9774900, -75.8535600

13. Mariners Cemetery
Crisfield, Somerset County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9897003, -75.8308029

14. George Tyler Cemetery
Crisfield, Somerset County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9597717, -75.8394833

15. Byrd Family Burial Ground
Crisfield, Somerset County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9596290, -75.8405380

16. Byrdtown Cemetery
Crisfield, Somerset County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9589800, -75.8372020

17. Byrd Family Cemetery
Crisfield, Somerset County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9588710, -75.8371070

18. Lawson Cemetery
Byrdtown, Somerset County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9577020, -75.8345526

19. Nelson Family Cemetery
Crisfield, Somerset County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9915080, -75.8274930

20. Somerset Memorial Veterans Cemetery
Crisfield, Somerset County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9905910, -75.8221237

21. Cox Family Cemetery
Hopewell, Somerset County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9990000, -75.8120060

22. Noah Ward Cemetery
Daugherty Town, Somerset County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0073460, -75.8433360

23. Hopewell Church Cemetery
Hopewell, Somerset County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0116330, -75.8164300

24. Hopewell Cemetery
Hopewell, Somerset County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0116400, -75.8162500