Waldo NEWCOMER, was born in Baltimore, September 14, 1867, the son of Benjamin Franklin and Amelia Louisa (EHLEN) NEWCOMER. His father, who was long among the foremost citizens of Baltimore, commenced his business life as a flour and grain commission merchant. He afterwards became president of the Safe Deposit and Trust Company, and a railroad financier of great ability. His courage and determination did much to build up the commerce of Baltimoe and to add to her transportation facilities. His son has paid a deserved tribute to the father, to whom he owes so much, in a memorial volume.The Newcomers trace their ancestry in the United State to Henry NEWCOMER (Heinrich NEUKOMMER) who emigrated from Switzerland about 1724 and settled in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania; John H. EHLEN and his wife, the maternal grandparents of Waldo NEWCOMER, came from Hesse Darmstadt in the early part of the nineteenth century.
Waldo NEWCOMER was a delicate child, but his health improved steadily after his fifteenth year. He devoted much of his time during youth to reading and study at his home, where the influence on him of both his parents was strong and most helpful. The summer months were spent in the country, but during the winter he lived in the city. He received his primary schooling at the Friend's Academy and at Carey's School. Later he went to St. Paul's Preparatory school at Concord, New Hampshire and, after completing his studies there, he matriculated at Johns Hopkins University. At Johns HopKins, Mr. Newcomer pursued the academic course holding a competitive scholarship for two years and received his Bachelor's degree in 1889. He chose, however, to follow a business career, and in September 1889, he entered the employ of the Baltimore Storage and Lighterage Company as a clerk in the office.
This company subsequently became the Atlantic Transport Company; but the connection formed by Mr. Newcomer with it in 1889 continued unbroken until 1901. In 1894, he was appointed secretary of the corporation, a position which he filled until 1901. In that year, Mr. Newcomer accepted the treasurership of the Atlantic Coast Line Company; and in 1903, he was elected second vice-president of that company. In 1906, he entered the list of Baltimore bankers, being chosen president of the National Exchange Bank of Baltimore. He is also a director of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, the Safe Deposit and Trust Company, the Savings Bank of Baltimore, the Terminal Warehouse Company and the Board of Trade. In charitable work and enterprises for the public good, Mr. Newcomer is closely identified with the Federated Charities, and is treasurer of the Maryland School for the Blind and of the Mercantile Library.
On the 7th of October 1897, Mr. Newcomer married Miss Margaret VANDERPOEL, of Kinderhook, New York. They have had three children. He printed privately in 1902 a memorial of his father, Benjamin Franklin NEWCOMER.
Mr. Newcomer is a member of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, the Baltimore Geographical Society, the American Archaeological Society and the Maryland, Maryland Country, Baltimore Country, Merchants, Baltimore Yacht, Elk Ridge Fox Hunting, Baltimore Athletic, and John Hopkins Clubs.
