USA > West Virginia > Randolph County > A history of Randolph County, West Virginia, from its earliest exploration and settlement to the present time > Part 21
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For groceries and other supplies the settlers were com- pelled to go to French Creek, a distance of eighteen miles. Having no horses, this trip was made on foot, requiring two days. These conditions remained until 1872, when Gustave Senhauser arrived from New Philadelphia, Ohio, and estab- lished a general store. Soon thereafter another store was es- tablished by Randolph See. Still the settlement was handi- capped for want of a saw mill, and lumber for building houses and other purposes had to be manufactured by hand.
The larger number of these settlers were members of the German Reformed Church, but a few were Roman Catholics.
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In 1872, a Sunday School was organized in Mr. Senhauser's store with store boxes for seats. A little later, Rev. Andreas Kern, from Zurich, Switzerland, organized a German Re- formed Church to which about twenty members subscribed. Rev. Kern is still affectionately remembered by his former congregation.
At present the congregation owns a neat and comfortable church and parsonage and one acre of land. Dr. Carl Stuckey, of Bern, Switzerland, the first physician to locate in Helvetia, was much interested in religious matters and was instrumen- tal in organizing churches and Sunday schools in the commu- nity. The first public school was opened in 1873-4. The first trustees were Gustav Senhauser, John Dever, and Jesse Sharp. The first teacher was a Mr. Wilson.
By frugality and industry these pioneers succeeded in converting the forests into farms, producing various grains and cereals, but they did not swerve from their original pur- pose of engaging in the dairy business. Accordingly, John Kellenberger, of Appenzell, Switzerland, imported, at the in- stance of the settlers, a herd of brown Swiss cattle, and a company was organized to manufacture Sweitzer cheese. The business lasted several years but was abandoned because of the distance from the railroad and the limitations of local markets. John Teuscher, a member of the company remained in the business and is still making Swiss cheese on his own account. In 1873, Geo. Betz. of Wertemberg, Germany, erected a saw and grist mill. but for some reason his enter- prise did not flourish and both enterprises have been abandoned.
After nearly half a century, the lumber industry invaded the community, and modern frame houses supplanted the round log structures that had so long sheltered the settlers. Even the painter found opportunity to ply his art. At last the fruits of their earlier hardships began to be realized. In the trying times, son and daughter had supplemented the in- come of the families at home, by going to older communities and sending home their savings.
These people still retain the customs and usages of the Fatherland. the most civilized country on earth: where laws
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are made and administered for rich and poor alike; where compulsory education has been in effect for centuries, and from whence comes the progressive laws that recently are being adopted in this and other countries. They think it is no harm to take a drink of wine or cider, but he who would go beyond the bounds of moderation would be disgraced and ostracised by the community. The stranger is always treated to the vintage of the grape. Picnics and sociables are fre- quent where the people enjoy themselves with music and song.
The best of care is taken of domestic animals and they think it cruel to expose the horse, the cow, or the sheep, to the storms of winter without shelter. The horse was not in common use in the early years of the settlement and it was not an infrequent sight to see oxen single or in pairs hitched to sleds, drawing the plow, or with packsaddles on their backs, at the mill or store.
Before the days of railroads and the lumber industry, produce of the farms commanded very low prices ; butter and eggs often as low as six cents per pound and dozen respec- tively. The first to engage in the lumber business in Helvetia was Floyd Brown, who later gained the sobriquet of Cherry Brown. The extention of the lumber business to their com- munity gave many the opportunity to sell their remaining timber for many times the price they paid for the land in the first place, viz : $3.00 per acre.
A few years subsequent to the coming of the Swiss to Helvetia, a colony was located nine miles southwest of that town on Turkey Bone Mountain. Among the colonists were : Mark Egglison, John Zender, Casper Winkler, John Hartman Sr., and John Hartman Jr., Horles Zimmerly, John Lassy, Peter Swint and a Mr. Stadler, who for a number of years operated a tannery. Although undergoing many privations, this colony did not suffer the inconveniences and hardships experienced by the older colony. However, no preparation was made for their arrival and many lived in tents and houses without windows until better ones could be afforded. Heads of families, in many instances, were compelled to leave home to obtain work in order to maintain their families and pay for their lands. Cloudbursts and thunderstorms were com-
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mon and in many instances higher ground had to be reached in the midst of darkness and downpour by the women and children, whose husbands and fathers were absent from home. At least in one instance, a mother of thirty, as the result of these experiences, had her hair to turn gray in one night.
Let it be said to the credit of the Adolph and Helvetia colonists that, while under such conditions some bickerings were inevitable, yet their distance from home amongst a people of a different tongue, cemented their friendship and developed a co-operative spirit, and all were ready to give a helping hand in time of need or distress. Industry and in- telligence has triumphed over obstacles and today these peo- ple are happy, prosperous, and contented. They are attached to their homes and their adopted country and have all the at- tributes and characteristics of good and patriotic citizens.
RELIGIOUS.
Presbyterians.
The first preacher of the Presbyterian faith to hold ser- vices in the valley was, perhaps, Rev. Chas. Cummins, who was licensed to preach by the Tinkling Springs Presbytery in 1766. His field of labor consisted largely of Albemarle and Amherst Counties. In 1772 he was directed to preach eight sermons a year in Greenbrier County and Tygarts Valley.
Rev. Win. Foote, in his sketches of Virginia, gives the following interesting account of the manner in which religious services were held in that day:
"On Sabbath day morning, Mr. Cummins dressed him- self, then put on his shot pouch, shouldered his rifle, mounted his dun stallion, and rode off to church. There he met his congregation, each one with rifle in hand. When thus seated in meeting house it presented a solemn spectacle. The preacher would walk through the crowd, deposit gun and pouch in the corner and then commence his discourse." These precautions were necessary as an attack by Indians was at all times imminent.
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In 1786 Rev. Edward Crawford preached two sermons in the valley. He was from the Valley of Virginia In the following year Rev. William Wilson, of the Old Stone Church of Augusta, preached two sermons. In about 1820, Rev. Asa Brooks, of New England, visited the valley as a missionary. In that year Daniel McLean, Johnathan Hutton and Andrew Crawford met at the latter's residence and or- ganized a church. Mathew Whitman was elected ruling elder. In 1823 Adam See gave three acres on which to build a church. In 1826 Rev. Geo. Baxter, of Lexington, Va., preached in the valley. In 1831 the church had sixty mem- bers and five elders: Mathew Whitman, Daniel McLean, An- drew Crawford, Squire Bosworth, and Johnathan Hutton. The Mingo church was organized in 1841 with W. II. Wilson and William Logan as elders.
At that time there were eighty Presbyterians in the val- ley. Rev. Enoch Thomas was in charge of the churches in the valley in 1844-60. Ile was also one of the pioneer school teachers of the county. Rev. Robert Scott was in charge of the Presbyterian churches in the county from 1867 to 1875, and was instrumental in organizing churches in the outlying districts. Rev. Plummer Bryan was for many years located at Beverly and later at Huttonsville. He was the leading spirit in the building of the Huttonsville Presbyterian church. In about 1881 he moved to Chicago, in which place he has since held a pastorate. Rev. Samuel J. Baird was pastor of the Beverly church in 1884, Rev. J. N. Vandevander in 1887, Rev. Chas. D. Gilkesson in 1891.
The Methodists.
The Methodists were active in religious matters at a very early day in Randolph. The first society of the Methodist Episcopal church in Randolph was formed in 1786, directed and inspired by Rev. Joseph Chevuront, of Clarksbur .
Rev. Lorenzo Dow also often visited the valley in the thirties. He was a man of magnetic personality and his an- nual visits were looked forward to with much interest. His name was a household word among the pioneers for many
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years. His influence over his hearers was marked and his camp meetings were events of great importance in the com- munity. Under the spell of his eloquence the emotions of his audience became uncontrolable and was attributed by many to mysterious agencies.
Hanning Foggy, for nearly half a century, a local preacher of the M. E. church, lived a few miles south of Elkins. He was a man of unusual gifts of mind and character and wielded an influence in his community for many years that falls to the lot of very few men. He died in 1893.
Rev. Samuel Clawson, a pioneer Methodist, often preach- ed in the valley. He was xoted for the unreserved manner in which he spoke his mind, his eccentric manner, and his energetic language. In closing a meeting at Mill Creek he thus summarized the results of his efforts: I have been fishing and after thumping and threshing among the thorns and thickets of perdition, and wading and floundering in the nasty pools of abomination, my only reward is that I have caught one shad, two herring, and two old roosters." In another instance he voiced his disappointment as follows:
"Thank God the day is not very far distant when you miserable and unrepentant sinners will be chained down to hell's brazen floor, and the devil with his three-pronged harpoon will pierce your reeking hearts, and pile upon you the red hot cinders of black damnation as high as the Pyra- mids of Egypt, and fry the pride out of your hearts to grease the gudgeons of the rag wheels of hell."
Again being informed that the residents of the commu- nity not of his own way of thinking on theological subjects, had been in the habit of disturbing public worship, he gave notice in opening his discourse in the following vigorous language :
"I understand that there is a gang here who call them- selves 'No-Hellers,' and that they are in the habit of attacking preachers who come here to expound the gospel. I serve 110- tice on you that if any of you speak to me here tonight or any other time, I will knock you higher than the Tower of Babel."
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The "No-Hellers" discreetly made no effort to interview Rev. Clawson.
Bishop Asbury's Visit to the Valley.
Rev. Francis Asbury, bishop of the Methodist church passed through the valley on his way to Clarksburg in the year 1788. Ile traveled on horseback from North Carolina by way of Bedford, Greenbrier, and Pocahontas counties to Clo- ver Lick. His destination was Clarksburg where he was to hold a quarterly meeting. His journal describes his impres- sions of the valley as follows:
Thursday, July 10, 1788.
We had to cross the Allegheny Mountains again at a bad passage. Our course lay over the mountains and through valleys, and the mud was such as might scarcely be expected in December. We came to an old forsaken habitation in Ty- garts Valley. Here our horses grazed about while we boiled our meat. Midnight brought us up at Jones after riding forty, or perhaps fifty miles. The old man, our host, was kind enough to wake us up at four in the morning. We journeyed on through devious lonely wilds, where no food might be found except what grew in the woods or was carried with us. We met with two women who were going to see their friends and attend the quarterly meeting at Clarksburg.
Near midnight we stopped at A-s, who hissed his dog at us, but the women were determined to go to the quarterly meeting so we went in. Our supper was tea. Brother Phoe- bus and Cook took to the woods, old gave up his bed to the women. I lay along the floor on a few deer skins with the fleas.
My mind has been severely tried under the great fatigue endured both by myself and my horse. Oh, how glad I should be of a plain, clean plank to lie on, as preferable to most of the beds, and where the beds are in a bad state the floors are worse. The gnats are almost as troublesome here as the mos- quitoes in the lowlands of the seaboard. This country will require much work to make it tolerable. The people, many of them, are of the boldest cast of adventurers, and with some
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the decencies of civilized society are scarcely regarded. The great landholders, who are industrious, will soon show the aristocracy of wealth by lording it over their poorer neigh- bors, and by securing to themselves all the offices of profit or honor. On the one hand savage warfare teaches them to be cruel, and on the other the teaching of Antinomians poisons them with error in doctrine. Good moralists they are not, and good Christians they can not be unless they are better taught.
The Primitive Baptists.
This church was one of the leading and influential re- ligious organizations in the early history of the country. Its membership was large and many of the prominent pioneers were adherents of its religious tenets. Elder Thomas Collett, born 1788 and died 1870, was, perhaps, the first preacher of this denomination in Randolph. Other preachers of this church who have occupied a prominent place in the religious affairs of the county may be mentioned : Rev. Ezra P. Hart, Rev. Nathan Everet, Rev. Elam Murphy, Rev. Joseph Poe, Rev. James Murphy, and Rev. Stephen D. Lewis.
Missionary Baptist Church.
This church was organized in Elkins in 1870 by Rev. W. E. Powell. It then had seventeen members. Rev. Amos Robinson was its first pastor. A splendid new edifice has recently been erected. Other prominent preachers who have occupied the pulpit of that denomination in Randolph are, Rev. H. M. P. Potts, Rev. H. P. Loomis, and Rev. W. H. Tiffany.
Left Pulpit for Melon Patch.
Henry Clay Dean preached in the valley in 1846. He is remembered by many now living. More about that eccen- tric genius can be found in another chapter. A survivor of the days of Rev. Dean's preaching in the valley tells of a pro- tracted meeting held by him at Mill Creek. He was a very
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effectual revivalist and it was not an uncommon occurrence for his congregation to lose control of their emotions and engage in a general shout. On such an occasion at Mill Creek, Rev. Dean was noticed by a few to put the meeting in charge of an assistant and leave the house. His protracted absence alarmed those who knew of his departure. Some feared he was ill. Others said he had repaired to the adjoin- ing woods to engage in silent and secluded prayer. Two members concluded to investigate. Rev. Dean was found "cutting a melon" in a neighbor's patch nearby the church.
An Old Letter.
Superintendent of Schools Troy Wilmoth has in his possession a letter that has been handed down in the Wilmoth family for more than two centuries. It was written in 1697 by Richard Wihoth, of Derbyshire, England, to Louis Wil- moth, of Rappahannock, Virginia. The name as explained by its origin in the chapter on surnames, in another part of this book, was spelled Wilmot. Richard and Louis Wilmot were ancestors of the Wilmoth family in Randolph.
The Irish Settlement.
"I've heard whispers of a country that lies beyant the say, Where rich and poor stand equal in the light of freedom's day. Oh! Erin must we leave you, driven by the tyrant's hand, Must we ask a mother's welcome from a strange but happy land, Where the cruel cross of England's thralldom never shall be seen And where thank God, we'll live and die still wearing of the green?'
No event in the history of the county will leave more permanent traces than the settlement on Roaring Creek by the Irish in 1840-50. This is true from a business, educational, po- litical and religious point of view. These settlers, strong of body and intellectually alert, inured to toil and hardship, soon converted the wilderness into a prosperous community of comfortable homes, churches, and schools amid which sprang up the village of Kingsville, with the conveniences of a store, postoffice and blacksmith shop. These settlers were not only eminently successful themselves in their undertakings, but
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bequeathed sons and daughters, who took front rank in the business and professional life of the county.
The first to locate in what is known as the Irish settle- ment was Patrick Flanigan. He was a contractor and was engaged in the building of the Staunton and Parkersburg pike. He lived for a while after the completion of the pike in the valley, and then bought land and moved to Roaring Creek in 1840-50. Perhaps nearer the former than the latter date.
John O'Connell was the next to locate in that vicinity in about 1850. He was a strong southern sympathizer and in attempting to communicate with the Confederate army at Philippi, in the first year of the war, he was shot and killed near Laurel, from ambush, generally supposed by Union sympathizers.
Patrick O'Connor, who had been engaged in the con- struction on the Staunton and Parkersburg Pike, bought land of Patrick Flanigan and with his family added to the nucleus of a settlement in its earliest days. He lived to the ripe old age of 108 years.
Daniel Tahany, who came in 1852, was among the first settlers. About seventy families in all located in that section, among whom may be mentioned Michal O'Connor, Peter King, Patrick Riley, Patsy King, Miles King, Edward King, Owen Riley, Andrew Durkin, John Madden, Owen Gillooly, Andrew Durkin, Patrick Gillooly, Patrick O'Connor, Richard Ford, John Ford, Patrick Rafferty, Morris Hanifan, John Nal- len Sr., Thomas Burke, Alexander Burke, John Conley, Mathew Davis, John Cain, Patrick Moyles, John A. King, Thomas O'Connor, John Staunton.
The following facts have been ascertained concerning some of the members of the Irish settlers :
John Cain, born in County Mayo, Ireland, married in 1848 to Mary Moyle : children, Peter, Ellen, Sarah, Bridget, Ther- esa, John, James, Patrick, Ignatius and Maggie. Ile settled on Roaring Creek in 1860 and died in 1871.
John Conley, born in 1834, Ireland, died 1903. Married
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Mary McGinnis ; children, Patrick, Anna, John, Mary and Joseph. Settled on Roaring Creek in 1866.
Thomas Burke, born 1845, Longfort County, Ireland; son of Michael and Margaret (Rowan) Burke. Married Mary Ellen, daughter of John A. and Margaret Nallen ; children, Patrick F., John Thomas, Margaret A., James and Michael, twins; Mary Ellen and Alexander. He settled on Roaring Creek in 1866 and died in 1890.
Chas. Durkin, born in County Mayo, Ireland, 1818; mar- ried Catherine Durkin, daughter of Andrew Durkin Sr., in 1847 : children, Edward, Catherine, Andrew, Ellen, Mary and Bridget. He settled on Roaring Creek in 1864 and died at Coalton, W. Va. 1908.
Patrick Durkin, born in County Mayo, Ireland, 1830. He married Margaret, daughter of John and Margaret King in 1855 ; children, Mary A., John T., William V., Catherine, Ed- ward, Margaret, Alice Agnes, Joseph and Teresa. Ile settled on Roaring Creek in 1857 and died in 1887.
Alexander Burke, born in Ireland 1842, Longfort County. Son of Michael and Margaret (Rowan) Burke. Married Bridgett Burke in 1865; children, Michael W., Mary A., Bridget D., Catherine, Margaret, John D., James, Dennis, Sarah, Elizabeth, Joseph and Agnes. He died in 1900.
Andrew D. Durkin Jr., born in 1841, Mayo County, Ire- land. Married Mary Joyce, daughter of Thomas and Mary Joyce. After the death of his wife, Mary Ellen Joyce, he married Ida Nay. He settled on Roaring Creek in 1866 and died in 1902.
Andrew Durkin Sr., born in County Mayo, Ireland. Set- tled on Roaring Creek in 1854 and died in 1867.
Mathew Davis, born in Roscommon County, Ireland, in 1820. Married Anna Brady; children, James, Peter, Mary, William, Thomas, Patrick, John, Catherine, Ellen, Agnes, Winifred and Mathew. Mr. Davis died in 1906.
Michael H. King was born in Ireland in 1814. He came to this country in 1855 and settled on Roaring Creek. He married in Ireland, to Bridget Morgan. They had children, John A. and Patrick M., both of whom were born in Ireland. He was treasurer of Roaring Creek District 1865-9.
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John A. King, son of Michael and Bridget (Morgan) King was born in 1844, County Galway, Ireland. He came to America with his father, Michael H. King, and with him settled on Roaring Creek. In 1867 he married Mary O'Con- nor, of Philadelphia. Fifteen children were born to this union, Maria, Michael W., Owen J., Anna T., Patrick F., John T., Alice B., Frances G., Stephen, James, Winifred, Oscar B., William V., Alfred G. and Mary A.
Owen J. King, son of John A. and Mary (O'Connor) King, was born in 1872. He was educated in the public schools. Mr. King has been for a number of years promin- ently connected with the business interests of the city as merchant and in real estate and insurance, and as member of the City Council. In 1913 he was appointed postmaster of Elkins, which position he holds at the present time. He mar- ried Gertrude Collins, of Logansport, Indiana, who died Feb- ruary 6, 1913. Children, Madeline, Mildred and Clarence.
Patrick O'Connor was born in Ireland in 1830 and came to America in 1855. He was a contractor in the building of the B. & O. railroad. After practicing law for a while in Grafton, W. Va., he came to Randolph and purchased land on Roaring Creek in 1865. He was an uncle of Hon. John T. McGraw, of Grafton. He died in 1901.
Thomas O'Connor was born in County Galway, Ireland, in 1824. He came to Roaring Creek in 1866. He married at Cincinnati, Ohio, 1854: children, John P., James, Michael V., and Mary. He died in 1891.
Owen Riley, born in County Galway, Ireland, in 1825. In 1845 he married Mary Malia and came to America in 1852. He came to Roaring Creek in 1855. Children, Bridget, Mich- ael, Patrick, Mary, Ann, John, Maggie and James. He died in 1899.
Patrick Naughton was born in County Mayo, Ireland, and came to America in 1845. After working on the construc- tion of the B. & O. railroad from Cumberland to Grafton in 1851, he came to Roaring Creek in 1856. Children, William, Mary, Maggie, Ellen, Anna and Kate. He died in 1899.
Morris Hanifan, born in County Cavny, Ireland, 1820, came to America in 1840. He worked on the C. & O. Canal
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in its construction to Cumberland, then on the Winchester and Strawsburg Pike to New Market, Va., then on the Staunton and Parkersburg Pike to Iluttonsville. He settled on Roar- ing Creek in 1847. He married Bettie Kittle. Children, John, Patrick and Isaac. He died in 1868.
John Nallen Sr., was born in County Mayo, Ireland, in 1825. He married in 1845 and came to America in 1846 and settled in Roaring Creek in the same year. Children, James, John, Margaret, Mary E. and Elizabeth. Ile died in 1901.
Patrick O'Connor, son of Michael O'Connor, was born in County Galway, Ireland, in 1844. In 1876 he was married to Mary McCauley. He settled on Pike near Middle Fork River in Roaring Creek District. Children, Mary, Mathew. Thomas, James and Pearl. He died in 1915.
Daniel Tahany was born in the County Sligo, Ireland, in 1815. He came to America in 1835. He married Bridget Mc- Can in New York City in 1837. After working on the con- struction of the Staunton and Parkersburg Pike, he settled on Roaring Creek in 1846. Children, Mary, Margaret, Patrick, John, Charles and Jane. Ile died in 1872.
John O'Donnell was born in Ireland in 1817, and came to America in 1834. Married Margaret Foy. Children, John, Margaret and Maria. He died June 5, 1861, from gun shot wound. He worked on S. & P. Pike in its construction through Roaring Creek District.
The first priest to celebrate Mass in the Kingsville Parish was Father Stack, of Staunton, Va., at Patrick Flanigan's house in 1865. In 1863 Father O'Connor with the aid of his people commenced the erection of a log church, the first Cath- olic church in Randolph. In 1872 Father Dacey came as res- ident priest, but died soon thereafter. In 1873 Father Fitz- patric came to take charge of the Mission. Soon the growing congregation became too large for the little church and under the leadership of Father Fitzpatrick, they built a commodious church and rectory in the growing village of Kingsville. Father Fitzpatrick also commenced the erection of a church at Coalton, but it was completed by his successor, Father Sauer.
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