USA > West Virginia > Preston County > A History of Preston County, West Virginia, V. 2 > Part 6
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June 12, 1890, Alice Paul became the wife of Charles Howard Smoot. (ISee Smoot IV.) Mrs. Smoot is an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, being the Regent of the chapter at Fairmont. She is also a member of the Fairmont Woman's Club, and of the First Presbyterian Church and its Missionary Society. Mrs. Smoot has followed the religious faith of her maternal ancestry, who were for four generations identified with the Scotch Presbyterian Church. She has made extensive research in original sources for data concerning the Smoot and Paul families and has established much in- formation concerning these and allied families, among the latter being the Howard, Haines and Thompson families of the Smoot line, and the Miller, Snider and Hunt families of the Paul line-Preston pioneer families whose generations helped lay the foundation of this United States government and have helped preserve it.
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Howard Line I :
John Howard, the great-grandfather of Charles Howard Smoot, was born in Kent county Delaware, December 1, 1780, being a member of a large and influential family of that section. He married May 30, 1802, Martha McCracken, born March 15, 1777, of Scotch parentage. According to the old family Bible records now in possession of Cyrus Howard of Seaman, Ohio, their children were: John, Jr., born May 3, 1803; Cornelius, born November 27, 1805; William McCracken, born December 25, 1807; Thomas D., born November 13, 1809; Nicholas C., born February 12, 1812; Martha C., born February 7, 1814; Charles A., born March 27, 1816; Mary A., born May 20, 1818. These inter- married with the Thompson, Billingslea, Brewer, McGee and Wilkins families and comprised a citizenship profitable and honorable to their locality, that of southwestern Pennsylvania and northwestern Virginia. John Howard and his wife, Martha McCracken, lived in Preston county on their farm near Fellowsville, now owned by heirs of the late Guston Wolf. He and his wife, his son, John, Jr., and his wife, are buried there, near the waters of Yorks Run.
Howard II :
John Howard, Jr., son of John Howard and Martha (McCracken) Howard, was a man of extensive influence in his com- munity, holding the office of justice of the peace. He served as delegate to the first and second conventions which met at Wheeling to form the new state of West Virginia. It was Mr. Howard who named the town of Independence, in Preston county, where he lived and kept an inn, which fact proclaims his well furnished home, as a Virginia law pro- hibited the entertainment of travelers unless prepared to furnish each with a feather bed.
John Howard, Jr., married December 16, 1824, Elizabeth, born 1803, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Davis) Thompson (see Thompson) of Carmichael, Greene county, Pennsylvania. Their children were: Martha, born 1826, married John Powell; William, born February 8, 1828, settled in Webster City, Iowa; Susanna, born February 18, 1830, married Jame's Reason Smoot; John Wesley, born September 29, 1832, married (1) Miss Fortney, (2) Mrs. Lyons, (3) Mrs. Metzler- Howard; Thomas Dow, born December 7, 1834, married (1) Mollie Hoult, (2) Mrs. Metzler (who afterwards became wife of John Wesley Howard upon death of Thomas Dow Howard); Cornelius Springer, born July 19, 1837, married Miss Sarah J. Wolf, both living 1914 on their
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farm home between Independence and Newburg; Mary E., born March 27, 1840, died 1850; Nicholas Clawson, born November 21, 1841. Several of these sons were in the Union army of the Civil War, making records as good soldiers; afterward steadfast Christian citizens whose children are numerous and widely distributed throughout the United States.
THOMPSON LINE.
Thompson I :
James and Sarah (Wood) Thompson came from Belair, Harford county, Maryland, before 1790 to Monongalia county, Virginia. James Thompson was a shoemaker by trade and a local preacher. He preached to the Indians and was so friendly toward them that it was scarcely necessary for him to go to the fort in time of Indian raids, and when he did go, it was by the advice of friendly Indians. This James Thompson and his wife and some of his descendants are buried in the O'Neal graveyard on the old Thompson farm on the west side of Monor- gahela River at Little Falls, Monongalia county. Within a few rods of this graveyard was located a fort, unsed by the settlers in James Thompson's time for protection from the Indians. This historic farm has been continually owned by descendants of James Thompson until May, 1910, when Mrs. Samantha (Holland) Conway and husband sold it and moved away. The children of James and Sarah (Wood) Thomp- son were: James, Acquilla A., Jarrett, Amos G., Daniel, Frank, Eliza- beth, Sarah, Anna, Nancy and John. Descendants of these live in Morgantown and Clarksburg, while others are in Ohio, Illinois and other states.
Thompson II :
Several descendants of James and Sarah (Wood) Thompson achieved unusual prominence in their professions. Will S. Thompson, the music composer, among the number; also John G. Thompson of Columbus, Ohio, an editor of a Democratic newspaper of much influ- ence in his day. The late Colonel Frank Thompson of Morgantown, was a descendent of James and Sarah (Wood) Thompson, as is also Mrs. Virginia S. Hodge, Euclid Airnne, Cleveland, Ohio. There has been a minister of the Gospel in each generation. The present gen- eration being represented by Rev. George Federer of the Methodist Episcopal charge at South Morgantown, Marion county, W. Va. Services have been continually held on the old James Thompson farm at Little
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Falls, Monongalia county, since the days of James Thompson. The church building there now was built in recent years.
Amos G., son of James and Sarah (Wood) Thompson, was one of the pioneers of Methodism in America. Being a preacher in the M. E. Church 1786 to 1791, and one of the earliest district superintendents, or officiating elders during 1791-1792 while the territory of what is now West Virginia was in the Baltimore Conference, and his travel in in- terest of the church embraced Northwestern Virginia from the Eastern boundary to the Ohio river and from Pittsburgh to "Little Levels," in Greenbrier county.
Daniel (brother of Amos G.), and son of James and Sarah (Wood) Thompson, was great-grandfather of Charles Howard Smoot (See Smoot IV). Daniel Thompson is buried in the Sanders graveyard at Maidsville, Monongalia county, his gravestone stating his death in 1810. His widow married a Mr. Batton.
Elizabeth, born 1803, daughter of Daniel and Susan (Davis) Thomp- son married 1824 John Howard, Jr. ('See Howard, II).
Four generations of the Paul family have resided in Preston county, so that now though none of them live within its boundary, property that has been owned by the families of these generations for more than a hundred years is still owned at Newburg by the fourth generation, and a history of Preston county would not be complete without mention of this, one of the pioneer families.
Paul I :
Nicholas Paul, the founder of this branch of the Paul family was a native of Germany and came to Pennsylvania in 1754 when 21 years of age. He served in the French and Indian and also in the Revolu- tionary war, serving in Captain George Nolf's company, second Battalion, Northampton County Militia, 1781. He was a resident of Northampton county for several years after the Revolutionary War.
Paul II :
Jacob Paul, son of Nicholas and Barbara - Paul was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, April 18, 1776, according to his birth certificate, now in possession of his great-granddaughter, Mrs. C. H. Smoot (See Smoot IV). In the words of the certificate "he was born of Christian and honorable parents. His father was the Honorable Nicholas Paul and his mother Barbara, a born Saxon." That Jacob Paul had pious instruction was evidenced by the records of
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the Dryland Church wherein he is recorded as communing and being confirmed when he was sixteen years old, by Reverend Joshua Jeager. Jacob Paul was a soldier of the War of 1812, being First Lieutenant in Captain Leonard Cupp's (also known as Lieutenant Jacob Paul's) company, from Monongalia county, Second Regiment, Virginia Militia. His wife was Elizabeth, born August 31, 1784, daughter of Henry Miller (see Miller) and Anna Maria (Lemerton) Miller.
Her birth certificate, in possession of Mrs. Margaret (Paul) Smith, a descendant, states that she was born at McAllister, in York county, Pennsylvania. The children of Jacob Paul and Elizabeth (Miller) Paul were Jacob, Joseph, Henry, John, George, Barbara and Washing- ton Miller. Descendants of these live in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Iowa, Oklahoma. Jacob Paul and his wife Elizabeth are buried in the Poulson graveyard at York's Run, Preston county.
Washington Miller Paul, son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Miller) Paul, was born January 27, 1823 at Crab Orchard, Preston county. His parents had come from Pennsylvania about 1798, and settled there. Later they located near Evansville on the old Northwestern turnpike, and owned land there.
Paul III :
Washington Miller Paul, married November 5, 1840, Jane Snider, born August 9, 1815. Her parents were Henry Snider (See Snider) and Mary Ayers Hunt, his wife. The parents of Mary Ayers Hunt were James Hunt and his wife, Miss Jean Ayers, who married first an Anderson then a Hunt. The Hunt children being James, Thomas, Mary, Jane and Sarah. The children of Washington Miller Paul and his wife Jane (Snider) Paul, were Mary, who died in infancy, and John Emory (See Paul IV.).
Washington Miller Paul was known as Captain Paul during and after the Civil War, as he was commissioned by Governor Pierpont as such. In times of peace Captain Paul followed his trade as mill- wright-he being an expert mechanic, built mills, bridges and fine residences. At one time he was in the lumber manufacturing business with James Reason Smoot, at Newburg. He was exact and accurate in his business methods, having inherited from his father Jacob Paul, that bookkeeping accompanies all good business, as is evidenced by the daily account books of Jacob Paul which are in the hands of his descendants. Captain Paul's home near the suburbs of Newburg was a model modern residence surrounded by garden. orchard and yard, and
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hospitality within-dispensed by his wife, Jane, who delighted not only in the neatness of her yard and garden with beautiful flowers, fruit and vegetables, but in skillfully preparing and serving the same. She was noted as a good cook and homekeeper, and was a diligent Bible reader, being of the old school Baptist in belief. Died April 2, 1888. Captain Paul quit his trade about 1880 and entered into mer- chandising in his store building built for this purpose on Market street in Newburg. About this time and for several years afterward he was justice of the peace. The last few years of his life were spent in retirement fro mbusiness. He died February 27, 1899, having been but slightly indisposed the day before. He is buried in the Odd Fellows' cemetery at Newburg beside his wife whose burial there eleven years before was the first in that burying ground, though grave- stones there show earlier dates, through having been removed from other burial places.
Paul IV :
John Emory Paul, son of Washington Miller Paul and Jane (Snider) Paul was born August 21, 1846 at Evansville, Preston county, West Virginia. He received a good practical education in the schools of his neighborhood, and in preference to a continued course of study as offered him at the West Virginia University by his father, he married, May 15, 1866, Miss Bithiah McCool, daughter of Muir and Margaret McCool (See McCool). John Emory Paul began his business career as apprentice to his father in the carpenter's trade, which he mastered and practiced skillfully, not only in his home terri- tory, as he was called to build in other localities. In 1880 he joined his father in the merchandising firm of Paul and Company, on Market street in Newburg. During these years he was clerk of the town council of Newburg and was once Mayor of that town. His ability as an accountant engaged him as secretary to a coal company in Mounds- ville, West Virginia, in 1891, and since then he has continued as account- ant and secretary in coal propositions-notably with the Department of Mines and Mining of the State of West Virginia, and as partner and secretary of different mining insurance companies. For several years Mr. and Mrs. Paul have lived in Charleston, where they are both members of the Kanawha Presbyterian Church. Mr. Paul is a Mason. The children of Mr. and Mrs. John Emory Paul are Alice L., wife of Charles Howard Smoot, James W. (See Paul V.), Margaret Jean married Dr. George Wetheral Smith of Wheeling, West Virginia
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-he being descended on maternal side from the historic Barton family of Maryland. Dr. Smith died in 1903, leaving his wife and one son, George Wetheral, Jr., who now in his fourteenth year is a Junior in the Fairmont high school. William Emory, the fourth and youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Paul, was born August 12, 1887. He attended the free schools in Nemburg, his native town, also in Mounds- ville, Fairmont and Charleston, West Virginia. He attended the West Virginia University for three years, and then associated himself with his brother-in-law, Mr. Charles Howard Smoot, at Allingdale, Nicholas county, West Virginia, in the lumber and merchandising business. He belongs to the Masonic lodge. In 1910 he married Miss Esther McCue of Nicholas county. Mr. William E. Paul is a graduate of Baltimore College of Dental Surgery-the class of 1914.
Paul V :
James W. Paul, the second child of John Emory and Bithiah (McCool) Paul. attended the public school of Newburg, his native town and graduated with B. S. C. E. degree from the West Virginia University, showing his determination to secure a neducation by prac- ticing civil engineering at intervals during his term of studies in order to be financially equipped. After graduation from West Virginia University he took special course in Columbia College, New York City, for two years. He then accepted position with the Monogah Coal Company, at Monongah, West Virginia, and later as chemist for the Davis Coal & Coke Company of Davis, West Virginia. Here he was when the mining laws of West Virginia required a chie fmine inspector over the several district inspectors, and Governor Atkinson appointed James W. Paul in 1890, as chief to oversee the practice of the State mining laws as applied to this growing industry of the State. As Chief of the Department of Mines of West Virginia, Mr. Paul proved himself to be the right man in the right place-physically capable, well educated, energetic and ambitious for the welfare of the 125 thousand people of West Virginia then depending upon the coal industry for a livelihood, and zealous for the promotion of the develop- ment of mining in the State.
Mr. Paul resided in Charleston during the twelve years that he remained Chief Mine Inspector for West Virginia, and during that time filled many posts of trust and honor, some of which were Vice- President of the West Virginia Society of Civil Engineers; a director of the West Virginia Historical and Antiquarian Society. He was
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elected secretary of the National Mining Institute of America, when it convened at Indianapolis, Indiana.
During the Spanish-American War he offered his services, but when his application for appointment was presented with others for the Governor's signature the Governor said: "We can not spare this man, we need him in West Virginia."
The "Annual Report on Coal Mines in West Virginia, U. S. A.," that Mr. Paul rendered each of the twelve years of his administration constituted a valuable contribution to the State's industrial history. He has occasionally contributed to the leading mining publications, notably "Mines and Minerals," and the "Engineering and Mining Journal." His scientific knowledge is in demand by engineering schools and schools of mines abroad in the land. He lectures at the leading schools of the United States-Harvard, Yale and Columbia.
When that dreadful mine explosion occurred a tMonongah in the Fairmont mining region, December 6, 1907, resulting in the loss of 361 lives and much valuable property, it was he, who through his official capacity conducted the examination of the exploded mine, for the cause of explosion, accompanied by other men of experience among whom were representatives of the Federal Government. When this investigation continued from day to day and Mr. Paul with untiring faithfulness conducted the work of rescue and investigation, these Gov- ernment officials were profuse in their praise of his methods and knowledge, and told him that while West Virginia was fortunate in having his services, the Federal Government had a larger field waiting for the man who could attempt its requirements, and that in their judgment he could-that they wanted him to be the head of the new Federal mine-rescue work, which was about to be established with headquarters at Pittsburgh ..
This bureau was established in 1908. Mr. Paul resigned his post as Chief Mine Inspector of West Virginia, to become the Chief of Mine Rescue Work in the United States. He has at the instance of the Government traveled through all the states of the Union where mines are operated, exchanging ideas, giving and receiving, for the betterment of the conditions for the safe operation of mines, and how to best rescue those unfortunate's who happen to be in a mine at time of explosions. He has also traveled abroad to all mining sections of Europe to get practical and scientific knowledge to apply in American mines.
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To the casual observer, Newburg, the birthplace of James W. Paul, offered no encouragement to one who would anticipate a National career-but that environment counted this time, and plus the inherited determination to do best what lies nearest, fitted this man for the only position of its kind in America, it must be admitted. And since the citizens of any community are entitled to the credit for the civic influence which has contributed to the making of an honorable calling of a son of their native heath, Newburg is doubly fortunate as being the location of one of West Virginia's wealth producing mining plants, and the birthplace of a boy who though never a mine laborer, saw his life's work in the "Black Diamond" industry as a scientist.
Mr. James W. Paul married in 1901, Miss Nell Wilson of Beaver, Pa. Their children are James, Jr., and Margaret, both now attending the graded schools of Pittsburgh, where Mr. and Mrs. James W. Paul reside.
MILLER LINE.
Henry Miller and Anna Maria Lemertrin, his wife, were natives of York county, Pennsylvania before the Revolutionary War. During the Revolutionary War he was a member of the Flying Camp, enlisting at McAllister, York county. He was taken captive at Fort Washington. The German Lutheran Church of McAllister contains the record of the baptism of his children as follows: Susan, Sally, Elizabeth, Mary, Margaret, Tena, Lyddia, Katie, and John Henry Miller, the only son. The latter was born February 21, 1809. In 1830 Henry Miller, Sr., was living in Petersburg, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and was one of the trustees of church there. His daughters married respectively, into the Albright, Hartman, Paul, Hatfield, Posten, Wolf, Bishop and Barbour families of York county, Pennsylvania, and all afterward lived in Monongalia county, near or at Crab Orchard settlement now Preston county, and were among the substantial famalies of that neighborhood whose descendants today are among the leading citizens of Preston county. Elizabeth, the daughter of Henry Miller, was married to Jacob Paul (See Paul II), and they are ancestors of Mrs. Alice Paul Smoot of this sketch.
SNIDER LINE.
Among Preston county's earliest settlers a colony at Sand Ridge was composed of earnest, industrious families, the Orrs, Pauls, Sniders,
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Hunts, Smoots all members of the Primitive Baptist Church. There they had their meeting house and burial ground for several years. The Sniders were German and had considerable land and owned many of the acres that were first purchased for coal development by the Newburg-Orvel Coal Company. These Sniders were Henry Snider, Sr., and his wife, Mary (Browning) Snider. They came from Fauquier county, Virginia, about 1800. Their children were: Jesse, married Lee Ann Hardix; John, married Nellie Corder ; Henry, married Mary Ayers Hunt, March 1, 1811 ; Cena, married Job McGill; Elizabeth, lived 100 years, unmarried ; Frances, married James De Moss ; Jane, mar- ried James Bell; Lucy, married William De Moss, January 16, 1801 ; Polly (or Mary), married Benjamin Matthews; Nimrod, married Cath- erine Hall in Fauquier county, Virginia, in 1796; Sarah, married Eli Matthews; Caleb, died in youth ; Harmon, died in youth. Henry Snider, Sr., the father of this family, died 1805, and is buried in the Old Baptist graveyard, on Scotch Hill.
Henry Snider, Jr., whose wife was Mary Ayers Hunt, to whom he was married in Monongalia county, Virginia, March 1, 1811, by Joshua Hickman, lived near his father's settlement. The children to this union were: Harmon, who married a Miss Diamond; Elizabeth, who married Hiram Manear; James, who married a Miss Blackwood; Jackson, who married Miss Christina Craig; Enos Browning, who married Lee Ann Kittle; Mary, who married Daniel Fawcet; Ann, who married Joe Smith; Jane, who married W. M. Paul (see Paul III.).
McCOOL LINE.
From Scotland came a family which after a few years' residence intermarried with a German family. So quickly did American residence Americanize that all foreign customs were dropped and those of the new home land adopted, thus honoring themselves and America.
Jame Paul of Scotland, and Bethiah (Henry) Paul, his wife, lived in Kirkintilloch, Dumbartonshire, Scotland. He was a weaver, owning many hand looms. This home consisted of the mother and father and twelve children, the eldest of whom, Margaret, was married to Muir McCool, 1843, in Scotland. They same to America in 1850, bringing their two infant daughters, Bithiah and Margaret. They settled near Frostburg, Maryland, and immediately Mr. McCool made application for citizenship papers, which in due time were granted him. Their son, John Henry, was born in 1855. Mr. McCool sailed around the Horn
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to California and remained there in the goldfields for several years. He returned home during the Civil War and bought a farm between New- burg and Independence, where he spent the remainder of his days. He and his wife Margaret are buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery at New- burg. The ancestors of Muir and Margaret McCool were Covenanters who had "signed the covenant with their bloor." The father of Muir McCool was Jonathan McCool, who was a member of the Masonic fraternity and was buried by that order in Ireland, being carried "shoulder high." Mr. Muir McCool was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his wife were members of the Presby- terian Church-she being a woman with a rare and brilliant mind, could quote large portions of the Bible and sing the Psalms.
Of the children born to Muir and Margaret (Paul) McCool, Bithiah married Mr. John Emory Paul (see Paul IV), May 15, 1866. She is a woman of strong character and kindly manner.
Margaret married Mr. John P. Kelly of Scotland, at Newburg, in 1889. He died 1896.
Mrs. Margaret (McCool) Kelly is popular in her home town of Newburg, where by her fund of general knowledge and her affable manner she is a leader among her associates.
Mr. John Henry McCool married in Newburg, Miss Mary Powell, daughter of John and Martha (Howard) (see Howard II) Powell. Their children are Howard and Martha.
FAIRFAX FAMILY OF VIRGINIA.
The Fairfaxes were stout and valiant Saxons, blond, fair-haired, blue- eyed, stocky built people who settled in Yorkshire in the good old fighting days of England. In the fifteenth century Sir Guy Fairfax was Chief Justice of England. The first Lord Fairfax was knighted for gallantry at the siege of Rouen. In his youth he had been a captain of troopers in the Low Countries. He died in 1640, eighty years of age. The old peer left many children, among them Ferdinando, the second Lord Fairfax, who became Parliamentary leader in the Civil War under King Charles and commande'd the right of the line of battle at Marston Moor. He married a daughter of Lord Sheffield. His son Thomas, the third Lord Fairfax, became commander-in-chief of the army and defeated King Charles at Naseby. He was in 104 battles and
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