USA > West Virginia > Preston County > A History of Preston County, West Virginia, V. 2 > Part 4
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JULIUS KEMBLE MONROE.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LETOY TILDEN FOUND A.
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PRESTON COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA
From the above Donald, son of Occaon, were descended a long list of barons, of whom Sir George IX, baron, was slain at the battle of Bannockburn, in 1314; Robert the XVIII, Baron, fought for Mary Queen of Scots and died in 1588. Robert the XIX, was the first Protes- tant of his family, and was called the Black Baron. During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Monroes of Great Britain were firm defenders of the Protestant religion. Colonel William Monroe, of Lexington, speaking of the bravery of the Monroes in the Revolutionary War, said, "No wonder, they have Irish, Scotch and Yankee blood in them." (See history of Dr. Doddridge as an appendix to the life of Colonel Gardner, also Locke's History of the Monroe family, where it is stated that one, William Monroe, is presumed to have been a member of that Company who was taken prisoner in the battle of Worcester, England, which was fought by King Charles, who commanded the Scots on the side and by Cromwell on the other, in 1652.)
Tradition has it that "Peggy" Long came from Scotland with a Presbyterian minister to Virginia in 17 -. Soon after, or about that time, - Monroe left Scotland, ostensibly for the purpose of marrying "Peggy" Long, as there appeared to be some legal barrier in Scotland. They were afterward married. This is supposed to be the origin of the Monroe family in America.
The first authentic record is of George, John, James, Mollie, and Alexander ; George lived in Eastern Virginia; John, a Baptist preacher and physician, lived on Big Capon, Virginia, and died there. Alexander went to Kentucky, probably Hamilton County, James settled near Slane's Cross Roads in Hampshire County, probably in 1780, and mar- ried Malinda Suttle. The following children were born: John, Alex- ander, William, Robert, and Elizabeth. James Monroe died about 1820.
Robert, son of James and Malinda Suttle, born April 26, 1796; married Elizabeth Simpkins, daughter of Gossage and Eleanor Simp- kins, March 20, 1817. The following children were born :
Alexander, born December 29, 1817,
Eleanor, August 25, 1819,
Augustine, October 9, 1820, Malinda, August 5, 1823,
James, May 25, 1825,
John Walker, June 6, 1828,
David Marion, April 7, 1830,
Sarah Ann, June 12, 1832,
Robert William, February 13, 1834.
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PRESTON COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA
Robert William Monroe-youngest son of Robert and Elizabeth Simpkins Monroe-was born near "Slane's Cross Roads" in Hampshire County, Virginia, February 13, 1834; his mother died when he was about four years old ; he came to Harrison County with his older brother about 1850. He taught school in Harrison County until about the age of twenty years, when he came to Independence, Preston County,- taught school and practised land surveying. He was married to Caroline Norissa Fortney, daughter of David and Angelina Fortney, April 23, 1860. Eight children were born of this union, four of whom are now living ; viz : Mollie Shannon, wife of C. Jerome Menear ; Julius Kemble ; Isa Waters; and William Wright. While residing at Independence he studied law and was admitted to the Bar, March 3, 1873. He removed to Kingwood in June, 1876, and engaged in the practise of law in Preston and adjoining counties until his death, June 15, 1907.
The West Virginia Argus when speaking of Colonel Monroe at the time of his death said: "Of Colonel Monroe it may be truthfully said that he was one of God's nobleman within the full meaning of that term or expression. He was equipped with a splendid mental capacity, and had a mind stored with an accumulation of all that belongs to the highest education in the profession he adopted as his life's work. He had a commanding presence; was a strong and forceful debater, always maintaining that courteous and gentle bearing which marks the true gentleman; and he won the hearts of all with whom he came in contact, both in business and on the social side of life.
"He never allowed himself to be governed or swayed in the least degree by anything other than that which appealed to the highest and best conception of Justice and Equity. His integrity was unassailable. He was public spirited, and always active in the promotion of any and all enterprises and movements calculated to produce the greatest good to the community; and was always trusted as among the wisest and safest of counsellors in public affairs. A most generous and kindly spirit pervaded and was a part of every act of his life, both public and private.
"It has been said that no man was ever successful without making more or less enemies in the struggle of life, but it is doubtful if any man, within the knowledge of those who knew Colonel Monroe, ever attained the prominence and was as widely known as he, who ever passed to the "great beyond" leaving as few who bore him ill-will as he did."
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PRESTON COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA
Julius Kemble Monroe, subject of this sketch, son of Robert William and Caroline Norissa Monroe, was born near Evansville, in Preston County, West Virginia, August 11th, 1864. Removed to Independence, Preston County, in 1870 or 1871. Resided there until June, 1876, when he removed with family to Kingwood, where he has lived until the present time.
Attended common schools until about sixteen years of age. Began study and practice of land surveying about this time. Studied teleg- raphy. Assisted in the organization of the Kingwood and Cranberry Telegraph and Telephone Company in the early 80's, which constructed and operated a telegraph line between Kingwood and Cranberry Sum- mit (now Terra Alta). Was operator in conjunction with John M. Crane at the Kingwood office until about 1883, when he went to Oak- land, Maryland, as private operator and clerk at the "Glades Hotel." In fall of 1884 was transferred to Altamont, Garrett County, Maryland, as Baltimore & Ohio Railroad operator; and later, upon completion of new B. & O. station at Oakland, was transferred to that place as operator and ticket agent. Resigned this position early in 1885 and returned to Kingwood and resumed practice of land surveying and engineering. In 1887 retraced and laid out center line of the Tunnelton, Kingwood & Fairchance Railway, the narrow gauge railroad then being constructed from Tunnelton to Kingwood (now West Virginia Northern Railroad) ; and later, upon its completion, was for a time agent and operator for this railroad at Kingwood.
Was married to Jennie L., daughter of Daniel R. Jackson, Septem- ber 15th, 1887, (Died 1892).
Resumed practice of land surveying and engineering and later clerked in D. R. Jackson's general store until latter part of year 1888. Served as Deputy under Daniel R. Jackson, Sheriff, during his term 1889-1892.
Was twice elected Grand Chief Templar of the State of West Virginia I. O. G. T. Engaged in general hardware business in King- wood for several years, first with W. H. Murdock under firm name of W. H. Murdock & Company. Later with George A. Walls, under trade name of Monroe & Walls; and with D. R. Jackson, as Monroe & Jackson.
Married Minnie Chaloner, daughter of John T. and Minerva Jane Neff, November 25th, 1893.
Was appointed "Engineer on behalf of the State" in the famous boundary line dispute between Maryland and West Virginia. Made
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all the surveys and maps in connection with this controversy for the State of Wsst Virginia, until the case was finally submitted to the Supreme Court of the United States. In 1910 the Court handed down its opinion in which it held that the "Old State" or "Deakins Line" as claimed by the State of West Virginia was the true boundary, and appointed Julius K. Monroe, (West Virginia) M. McCulloh Brown, ('Maryland) and Samuel S. Gannett of the United States Geological Survey, Commissioners to lay out upon the ground, and mark with suitable monuments, the "Old State" or "Deakins Line." This work was performed by the three Commissioners during the years 1910 and 1911, and later the Supreme Court entered a final decree establishing the line so laid out and marked as the "boundary between the States of Maryland and West Virginia forever"-thus settling a controversy which had existed for more than a century.
Served several terms as Councilman and Mayor of the Town of Kingwood. Charter member of the Masonic and Knights of Pythias Lodges in Kingwood.
Was appointed by Governor Albert B. White, Engineer in charge of the surveys of Marion, Monongalia, and Wetzel Counties to determine accurately their areas, with a view to creating a new County (Augusta) out of a portion of each. This work was only partially completed on account of failure to provide funds.
In 1904, after making preliminary surveys and a report, was appointed Chief Engineer of the Morgantown & Kingwood Railroad, and made all the surveys and final location for extension of thirty miles from Bretz to Rowlesburg. Let contracts and was in charge of its construc- tion until completed in 1907, at a cost of three quarters of a million dollars. Continued in active charge of engineering department of this railroad until 1911.
In fall of 1912 accepted (present) position with American Water Works and Guarantee Company of Pittsburgs, Pennsylvania, later Hydro-Electric Company of West Virginia, as Resident Engineer in charge of "Big Sandy Development" in Preston County, West Virginia.
FRANCIS HEERMANS.
I reliably trace my ancestry back eight generations to Focken Jansz, who sailed from Reymen, in the Province of Drenthe, Holland, landing in what is now New York City, April 15, 1660. His family consisted
Francis Beermand
THE I K PUBLIC LIS: ARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FC 'ND . TIONS
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PRESTON COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA
of a wife and seven children, the oldest nineteen and the youngest a nursing babe. After a time the family settled in Dutchess County, New York. The records of the Holland Society, of New York, from which part of this family record was obtained, state that the children of the Dutch ancestor, Focken Jansz, assumed the name "Heermans," either because it was the surname of a maternal ancestor, or because it was more easily spelled and pronounced than the original.
Jan (John) Focken Heermans was the third child of Focken Jansz, and the one through whom our branch of the afmily descended, so this is our lineage from 1660:
First :
First: Focken Jansz.
Second: Jan (John) Focken Heermans.
Third: Andries Heermans.
Fourth: Jacob Heermans.
Fifth: John Heermans.
Sixth : Philip Heermans.
Seventh : John Heermans.
Eighth : Francis Heermans.
Second: The children of Jan (John) Heermans were seven: (1) John; (2) Focken; (3) Hendrick; (4) Greitje; (5) Andries (third in our line) ; (6) Phillipus; and (7) Pieter. Each child in its infancy was baptized into the Dutch church. Jan (John) Heermans married a second time, in 1692, Elizabeth Blanshan, daughter of Mathew Blanshan, and widow of Peter Cornelius Low.
Third: Andrie's Heermans married Neeltje, daughter of Gerrit and Clara Aartson. To them were born fourteen children, the third of whom, Jacob,was fourth in our line.
Fourth: Jacob Heermans, married at Kingston, New York, Jan- uary 29, 1748, Catherine Vosburg; he was elected an elder of the Red Hook, Dutchess County Church, April 22, 1769. Their children were five : Cornelia, John, Jacob, Martin and Dorthea-the second one, John, being fifth in our line.
Fifth: John Heermans married at New Hackensack, Dutchess December 4, 1779, Catherine Griffin of Rombouts. Their children were five : Maria, born July 5, 1781 ; Philip (my grandfather), born April 18, 1785; John, born January 28, 1788 (this John was captain of a company that served in the War of 1812) ; Henry, born June 27, 1791 : and Clara, no date of her birth ascertained. John Heermans, with his sons, Philip
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PRESTON COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA
and Henry, removed from Dutchess county, New York, to Hyde Park, Pennsylvania, now within the limits of the city of Scranton.
Sixth : Philip Heermans (my grandfather) married June 10, 1808, Mary Fellows, who came with her father's family from England soon after the close of the Revolutionary War. Note: Up to this marriage the line of descent had remained purely Dutch, but the children of this union were Dutch-English.) They settled at Hyde Park, now Scranton, Pennsylvania. To them ten children were born: (1) Sylvanus, born June 4, 1810; (2) Elizabeth, born May 21, 1812; (3) John (my father), born at Hyde Park, Pennsylvania, March 27, 1814; (4) Edmonds, born at Hyde Park, Pennsylvania, April 6, 1816; (5) Phebe, born July 4, 1818, still living at her home in Chemung, New York, with her two daughters, Josephine and Catherine; (6) Sarah, born May 23, 1820; (7) Philena, born April 6, 1822; (8) Mary, born March 20, 1824; (9) Catherine, born July 19, 1826, still living, at the home of her daughter, Harriet, in Norwalk, California; (10) Philip, born February 24, 1828.
BRIEF SKETCH OF JOHN HEERMANS.
John Heermans, my father, was brought up in Hyde Park, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. He learned the trade of blacksmith with his older brother, Sylvanus, and followed it for a time, but books and edu- cational work lured him from the anvil to the school room, so he became a teacher in the public schools, where he successfully worked until his marriage. In the the meantime, there came to Hyde Park, from Fair- field county, Connecticut, the family of Henry Pepper, consisting of his wife, Electa, two children, Mary and Wanzer; also the father and mother of Electa Pepper, Gideon Wanzer and Susanna Wanzer. Mary Pepper, black-eyed and handsome, was a pupil in the young man's school, and soon became his sweetheart, and they were married Feb- ruary 19, 1834. Soon after the marriage he returned to the anvil and for several years pursued profitably his trade as a blacksmith. In 1842, he removed to Ottawa, Illinois, but because of sickness in the family, tarried but a year, returning East to Rush, Susquehanna county Pennsyl- vania, where he engaged in the mercantile and lumber manufacturing business. On the 8th of June, 1847, Mary, the wife of his youth, died. He settled his business affairs at Rush, and in 1848 went with his
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PRESTON COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA
brother, Sylvanus, to Preston county, Virginia (now West Virginia) ; later he returned to Abington, Pennsylvania, and married Nancy Travis, whose parents were friends and neighbors of the Heermans family. In 1849, he, with his family, removed to Fellowsville, Virginia, the lo- cation selected on his former visit in 1848. There he engaged in busi- ness as a country merchant until 1862, when he went to Bath, New York, as a confidential clerk and business manager for his uncle, Joseplı Fellows, and when the latter removed to Corning, a few years later, he continued in his employ and removed there with his family. The following is part of a sketch which appeared in the "Corning Journal," dated January 26, 1882:
"Mr. John Heermans died at his residence in Corning, on Monday, January 23, 1882. The fact of his alarming illness was not known generally until Monday morning, and the announcement that he could not survive the day produced a painful shock in this city. He was one of the most prominent and influential citizens of Corning and had been seventeen years a resident. He was conspicuous for his zeal, liber- ality and services as an advocate of temperance. He made a strong and persistent effort to secure a temperance Board of Excise, and when it was defeated he was not discouraged, but sought to correct public sentiment by all fair and practical means. He believed in legal enact- ments to prohibit the manufacture and sale of alcoholic liquors. He was a zealous and consistent member of the Republican party, seek- ing no personal advantage for himself or friends. He did much as a regular or an occasional writer on political topics. When the War be- gan he was in West Virginia, and he volunteered to edit a weekly news- paper to stem the tide of secession; he went to Wheeling, and for some time edited a daily newspaper, making earnest efforts on behalf of the Union. Even in the loyal states there were many who denied the constitutional right to suppress the Rebellion by force of arms. A $200 prize essay was called for to demonstrate this power of the Government, and eminent men at Washington were the committee. Mr. Heermans wrote an essay which was awarded the prize. After his removal to Corning he frequently contributed political articles to the "Corning Journal" and the "Elmira Advertiser." He also wrote for this paper a series of articles for the benefit of young men; these were later published in a book, under the title, "Nuggets of Gold." One of the most powerful articles in favor of a protective tariff that we ever read was the one that he published in the "New York Tribune." Horace
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PRESTON COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA
Greeley never wrote a more concise, comprehensive and conclusive argu- ment in favor of protecting American industry.
"In October, 1868, he was appointed by his uncle, Joseph Fellows, trustee of his large estate, which position he held until the estate was successfully administered according to the terms of the deed of trust.
"He has closed a busy life of great and varied responsibilities. He was a Christian, whose life exemplified the teachings of the Master, in that he loved his fellow men; was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In his family he was kind, gentle, and yet firm, and his children are greatly indebted to him for their self-reliance, and whatever success they have attained."
This family record would be incomplete without a reference to my maternal ancestry. My mother, Mary Pepper, was a lineal descendant of Robert Pepper, who settled in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1643; she was born in New Fairfield, Connecticut, as were her mother, Electa Wanzer, and her grandparents, Gideon Wanzer and Susanna (Darrow) Wanzer. It is certain that at least four generations preceding them were also natives of Connecticut. A letter written by Mr. E. A. Jones (whose wife was a Pepper) of Hartford to my brother, George Heer- mans, dated July 30, 1897, says: "There is one thing of which I am proud, and that is, the Pepper family can say they are true Americans. as their first ancestor of whom they have knowledge, Robert Pepper, came here in 1643, whence we know not." From Robert Pepper to the birth of John Pepper, in 1699, we are unable to trace accurately our lineage, because of the destruction by fire of the records in the public offices in New Fairfield and Sherman. That this record may be abso- lutely correct, we begin with :
I. John Pepper, born in Killingly, Connecticut, in 1699.
2. Stephen Pepper, born in Fairfield county, in 1726.
3. Dan Pepper, born in Fairfield county, in 1761.
4. Henry Pepper (my grandfather), born in New Fairfield, Con- necticut, January 11, 1792.
5. Mary Pepper (my mother), born January 23, 1816.
To John Heermans and his wife, Mary (Pepper) Heermans, were born five children :
I. Francis, born at Hyde Park, Pennsylvania, March 24, 1836.
2. George, born at Hyde Park, May 29, 1838.
3. Philip Henry, born at Hyde Park, May 7, 1840.
4. Mary Electa, born at Ottawa, Illinois, February 1, 1843.
5. Florilla, born at Rush, Pennsylvania, April 2, 1847.
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PRESTON COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA
To John Heermans and his second wife, Nancy (Travis) Heermans, were born five children:
I. Alice Bell Virginia, born in Fellowsville, West Virginia, June 18, 1850.
2. Harry Clay, born in Fellowsville, June 3, 1852.
3. Clinton, born in Fellowsville, July 10, 1855.
4. Leonora C., born in Corning, New York, November 18, 1870.
5. John, Jr., born in Corning, June 6, 1873.
I was eleven years of age when my mother died, but pleasant memories cluster about the home where her tender administrations and motherly devotion to her children in affectionate co-operation with the father, inspired a mutual love that continued with us in later years.
The second mother, though young when she came into the family, had learned the art of good housekeeping, and proved herself to be a good homemaker. We older children (the boys) soon went from the home, one by one, to take upon ourselves, in the business world, such duties and obligations as, when faithfully performed, promote character- building and good citizenship. We always met a cordial welcome on our frequent visits to the home. The family, except myself, removed to Bath, New York, in 1862. As I am the only member of the Heer- mans family in Preston county now living, and have resided continuously therein for more than sixty-three years, I have written the following brief sketch concerning myself, simply a record of facts connected with my life as a plain, unassuming citizen ; and if my conduct and reason- able success in life should seem to have been in any measure meritorious, I share the credit with those who have lovingly presided in my home and whose companionship has proved a constant inspiration to high ideals. To have lived and mingled with the good people of Preston in a business and social way for all these years has been a constant source of pleasure, for which I have endeavored to show my appreciation.
I was born at Hyde Park, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, March 24, 1836; came to Preston county, Virginia, in April, 1849, worked on a farm near Brandonville for a year, and then went with my father's family to Greigsville, then the largest town in the county, but which rapidly declined to a mere hamlet on the completion of the railway tunnel through the hill. In the spring of 1851, the family removed to Fellowsville, removing the store there also, of which my father had charge. There he continued the business, in which I assisted in such part as would fall to the boy's lot to perform. On the 20th of October
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of that year I entered the employ of Mr. James C. McGrew, at King- wood, as second clerk in his store and "boy of all work," remaining until 1854. I consider these three years of service to have been of great value to me, not in money return, for the wages were very low, but in the training and experience received at the hands of so thorough, methodical and strictly honest business man as was Mr. McGrew. I owe much to his good wife, whose kind, motherly treatment towards me. and the purity of her Christian life, inspired me to do my best. In 1854, I went to Fellowsville to take charge of a store at an increased salary, whereby, in the practice of economy, I was able to save a por- tion of my earnings. In 1858, I purchased the business from my em- ployer (Joseph Fellows), paying down what had been saved during four years of service, and gave my notes payable in annual instalments with interest, for the balance. To a young man with but a few hundred dollars saved, this debt ($7,000) seemed enormous, but I had faith in myself, a willingness to work, a determination to succeed. The business prospered, and shortly before the maturity of the last instal- ment, payment was made and I found myself the owner of a profitable business.
On the 20th of August, 1857, I was married to Mary Jackson, a daughter of Samuel Jackson. Her mother died while Mary was yet an infant ; she was taken by the Honorable William G. Brown and his wife and reared by them. For nearly ten years she was the light of the home; an industrious and frugal housekeeper, and a loving help- mate. Her marriage was on the 20th anniversary of her birth; she died on the Ist day of January, 1867, leaving a daughter, Mary, two years of age. She spoke often in affectionate and appreciative terms of her benefactors, Mr. and Mrs. Brown.
In 1862, I sold my store in Fellowsville to the Bishop Brothers (James R. and C. McC.) ; and the same year was appointed deputy collector for Preston county to collect the United States internal revenue. In April, 1863, I made a tour of collecting, returning to my home in Fellowsville with over three thousand dollars of Uncle Sam's cash, Saturday evening. On Sunday evening, about eight o'clock, a regiment of General Jones' Confederate cavalry made its appearance on the streets of the village, to the consternation of the citizens. The Colonel having seen at Aurora one of the collector's notices to tax- payers, immediately made inquiry for me, presuming that I might have on hand a goodly sum of United States treasury funds that he, the Colonel, would like to transfer to the Confederate treasury. Our loyal
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citizens had been on the alert for a month, expecting a raid from the Confederates into our section, so I discovered their presence soon enough to escape before the Colonel made his call at my house. I placed the cash in a belt about me and quietly went out of the back door, climbed the hill towards the west and made my way towards Newburg, stopping at the home of Eugenus Wolfe, a mile away. He and I spent a portion of the night in notifying the neighbors to hide their horses from the raiders. Their depredations in the village were confined to the pillaging of Job Jaco's store and the writer's dwelling; from the former they took goods to the value of several hundred dollars. Smarting under the failure to secure the United States funds in the collector's custody, they were not slow in transferring from his home everything they could get away with-all things eatable, wearable, in- cluding wife's wardrobe, blankets, quilts, jewelry, not forgetting a good horse from the pasture. But the tax money was saved, and within a few days was placed in Uncle Sam's treasury.
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