USA > West Virginia > Encyclopedia of contemporary biography of West Virginia. Including reference articles on the industrial resources of the state, etc., etc. > Part 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51
consequence Mr. Camden declined the nomina- tion for Governor in 1870. In 1872 he was again nominated for the Governorship by the Demo- crats, but was defeated by a combination of the opposition with the Republicans. In 1874 he was warmly supported for the United States Senatorship, and in 1880 had so grown in favor and in importance to the State that he was almost unanimously chosen by the Democratic caucus and was elected by the Legislature of that year to the United States Senate. He served through his term in the Senate, and was the candidate of his party caucus for the second term, and was nominated but not re-elected, owing to disaffection in the ranks of the party. In the course of the campaign of 1886 Mr. Camden had the advantage of being made the subject of the over-zealous abuse of a New York newspaper through its correspondents, who were inspired by his enemies, which so strengthened his position among respectable citizens of West Virginia that, despite the pow- erful opposition which he encountered, he named and elected the gentleman who succeeded him in the United States Senate. No political or other advantage obtained by Mr. Camden was without stout and severe contest. His remark- able success as well as his recognized ability made him the target for the "envious gibe" and scheming designs of a great many adver- saries who did their best, without success, to injure his political and business fortunes. He proved a tower of strength against them, and is to-day the unquestioned financial and politi- cal leader in his State. Mr. Camden's services in the Senate proved of great benefit to the whole eastern section of the country in his championship of the "long-and-short-haul clause," which is his personal amendment to the Interstate Commerce Bill as it came from the House. His well-known and explicit amend- ment of Section 4 as stated in the Senate (page 4030 of the Record) is this: "Omitting in line 5 'and from the same original point of depar- ture,' so as to read: 'That it shall be unlaw- ful for any common carrier to charge or receive any greater compensation in the aggregate for the transportation of passengers or property subject to the provisions of this act for a shorter than for a longer distance over the same line in the same direction.'" In his speech Senator
46
CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF WEST VIRGINIA.
Camden quoted from different authorities and reports bearing upon the subject of railroad transportation in support of the principles he advocated. The proposition involved is thus stated by the Senator (p. 4031 of the Record) :
" Allow me to ask the Senator [Cullom, of Illinois] a question. Why do the people of the extreme Western States ask to get their prod- ucts to market cheaper than the people resid- ing in the Middle States, cultivating land cost- ing twice as much as the lands of the West; and why will the people of the East be benefited by having the States occupying the intermediate position charged twice as much for getting to market as for getting the products of the West to market? The Middle States produce more surplus of cattle, grain, wheat, and corn than the Western States. They are charged a higher rate for transporting their products than those farther West."
Further, in a speech on the same subject, at another session of the Senate, he illustrated the principle involved in this statement :
"Take, for instance, Chicago as the great starting-point from the West, in which all the trunk -line roads leading to the seaboard are in competition : this provision, limiting its opera- tions to the same original starting-point, would mean that if a car-load of grain, live-stock, or any other product was shipped to the seaboard at a given rate, the rates on all other of. the same kind of freight from Chicago to the same points or to intermediate points should not be charged more than the through rate from Chi- cago to the seaboard; but as soon as you get out of Chicago the roads have arbitrary discre- tion to charge the whole country outside of Chi- cago to the seaboard any arbitrary rates they choose."
In a terse and able manner, showing his prac- tical insight into railroad workings, the Senator discusses the entire bill, section by section, illustrating the evils of the cut-rate and compe- tition systems in long hauls. Want of space prevents more copious quotations from the solid pages of the Record containing this masterful expounding of a great and an intricate subject. But again to the "true principle" as applied to all stations between terminals :
" Why should the shipper of the same kind of products in the States of Indiana, Ohio, Ten- nessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and other States similarly situated geographically, be discriminated against and compelled to pay more than is charged from Chicago or St. Louis? I think it is too plain for
argument that the true principle is that the nearer shippers should not be charged more than the shippers at a greater distance under any circumstances or under any conditions."
The amendment was carried by 26 to 24. Particularly brilliant speeches were made in support of the amendment by Senators Conger, of Michigan, and Beck, of Kentucky. Senator Edmunds moved this additional amendment: " And from the same original point of departure or to the same point of arrival," to follow the word " direction." This amendment was carried by 27 to 24-Senator Camden voting nay, al- though it was conceded that it left unchanged the principle involved in Mr. Camden's amend- ment. Section 4 as it stands secures the one vital principle of common equity and justice in favor of the short-haul shipper, which principle Senator Camden argued for persistently through- out the entire debate, and the practical wisdom of it has been universally demonstrated in the application of the Interstate Commerce Law. (For further information on the debate of this bill, see Congressional Record for April and May, 1886.) After he left the Senate in 1887, Mr. Camden was strongly urged to permit his name to be used for the Governorship, but this he declined, having decided to retire from poli- tics. Possessed of great wealth and influence, through his wide association with prominent business men he felt that he could do better service to the State with less interference from ravenous antagonism to the public interests as a private citizen, rather than by again entering the arena of politics. He remained in private life until 1893, when he was chosen by the State Legislature United States Senator to fill out the term of the late Senator Kenna. Mr. Camden was married in 1858 to Miss Anna Thompson, daughter of the late Judge George W. Thomp- son, of Wheeling. Judge Thompson was a dis- tinguished scholar whose researches form a very important part of the history of the two Vir- ginias. Mr. and Mrs. Camden have two children living, a son, Johnson N. Camden, Jr., and a daughter, married to Gen. B. D. Spelman, of Parkersburg. Their home in Parkersburg is one of the most enjoyable in West Virginia, where people of cultivation and refienment are often assembled in social intercourse. Senator Camden is a representative American of a type
A. B. Fleming
47'
CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF WEST VIRGINIA.
peculiar to Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York, and he would pass for a citizen of either State, as his characteristics are indicative of all three. He is tall of stature and large of build, but trim and symmetrical. In social intercourse no man can lose self-consciousness with a better grace, and in shaking hands with a friend or responding to an introduction, there is a tinge of rural simplicity blending with his metropoli- tan manner that is pleasing to witness. He is also one of those busy men who never have time to be in a hurry. He works under "low pres- sure," and thereby escapes the worry and sus- pense incident to such extensive and varied responsibilities as are his and have been his these many years. While his health has suffered in the past, he is now in the enjoyment of the vigor and elasticity that give buoyancy of spirits and enable him to tide over obstacles that would overwhelm an ordinary man of inferior constitution and business training. Mr. Cam- den is careful and deliberate of speech, takes ample time in considering the subject before him, and when he has passed upon it it is com- plete. In manner he is affable, easy of ap- proach, and a pleasing conversationalist, having the faculty of explaining his views by relating some "little story," which always proves not only an apt illustration but often a valuable scrap of history. His mind has also been culti- vated by employment of the resources of travel, both in this country and abroad, enabling him to converse learnedly on all topics of general interest or of international polity. He is an admirable host, a stanch friend and associate, as well as being a prudent and sagacious coun- sellor. Senator Camden is recognized by all who know him-Republicans and Democrats alike-as one of the ablest and most important men in West Virginia.
A. B. FLEMING.
HON. ARETAS BROOKS FLEMING, LL.D., Governor of West Virginia and an ex- Circuit Judge (having served on the Second Judicial District from January, 1878, to Sep- tember, 1888), was born at Fairmont, in Har- rison County, Va. (now Marion County, W. Va.), October 15, 1839. He is the son of Benjamin F.
and Rhoda Fleming. His father was a success- ful and enterprising farmer, one of the leading citizens of his county, and his mother was the daughter of Rev. Asa Brooks, a Presbyterian clergyman who emigrated from New England to Western Virginia in the early part of the nineteenth century and died at Clarksburg about the year 1836. The early boyhood of Governor Fleming was passed upon his father's farm, and his education was obtained in the public schools of his native county. He after- ward taught school, first in the surrounding country districts and later at Glenville, Gilmer County. In 1859 he entered the University of Virginia, where he pursued the study of law. In 1861 he returned to Fairmont and in 1862 began the practice of his profession. The young lawyer displayed such talent and ability that in 1863 he was elected to the office of Prosecuting Attorney of his county for the term of two years, and in 1865 was re-elected to that office. During a part of his term as Prosecuting Attor- ney the civil war was waging, and the passions and prejudices thereby engendered made the discharge of his duties both delicate and diffi- cult; but by his prudent and discriminating course he not only did much toward allaying popular excitement and repressing the political animosities of the times, but laid the founda- tion of future personal popularity and earned a well-merited reputation as a broad and conser- vative man. After his first public service he continued the private practice of law, and in 1866 became the partner of Hon. Alpheus F. Haymond, then one of the ablest lawyers of the State and subsequently a Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeals and for several years Presi- dent of that tribunal. In 1872 and again in 1875 Mr. Fleming was called to perform another public duty by his election as the representative of Marion County in the House of Delegates. He proved an able and popular legislator, served on the Judiciary and other important commit- tees, and in the session of 1875 was Chairman of the Committee on Taxation and Finance. His excellent judgment and comprehensive grasp of questions, as well as the fluency, tact, and abil- ity with which he discussed issues and met ex- igencies, made him one of the leaders of the House and won him marked distinction. Upon the death of Hon. Charles S. Lewis, in January,
48
CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF WEST VIRGINIA.
1878, Mr. Fleming was appointed Judge of the Circuit Court for the Second Judicial Circuit by Governor Mathews, to fill the vacancy until the following election, the result of which was a confirmation of the appointment by a hand- some popular majority. The counties then composing the circuit-Monongalia, Marion, Taylor, Harrison, Doddridge, and Wetzel-were every one carried. Judge Fleming continued to serve during the unexpired term ended De- cember 31, 1880. By an amendment of the Constitution in 1880 the Second Judicial Circuit was reduced to the counties of Marion, Harri- son, and Monongalia. At the general election in the fall of 1880 Judge Fleming was again the nominee of his party for the judgeship and was re-elected by a large inajority, although the circuit was Republican in politics. By this election he would have continued on the bench until December 31, 1888; but in August of that year, without having sought it, he was tendered the nomination of the Democratic party for the office of Governor by the State Convention at Huntington, which nominated him by acclama- tion. On September Ist following, Judge Flem- ing resigned from the bench and, free from judicial obligations and restraints, entered into an active canvass of the State. The Presiden- tial and State elections occurring on the same day that year, West Virginia was aroused to the highest degree of political enthusiasm. The Republican party, hoping to break the "Solid South," made a concentrated effort to carry West Virginia and particularly to elect the Re- publican candidate for Governor. The remark- able campaign that followed has not been equalled in the history of the State since its formation. Gen. Nathan Goff, then a Congress- man and an ex-Secretary of the Navy, and who was conceded to be the strongest man of his party in the State, received the Republican nomination for Governor, and engaged in the contest with all the energy he could command; and although every candidate on the Democratic State ticket was elected by a safe majority, Judge Fleming was apparently defeated on the face of the returns. The Democratic State Ex- ecutive Committee, believing that such an ex- traordinary result could not have been produced without the employment of unfair means of voting and counting, instituted a careful inves-
tigation, and subsequently, at the urgent request of his party and of the committee, Judge Flem- ing consented to inaugurate a contest for the office before the Legislature, convened in Jan- uary, 1889-the highest and only tribunal to which, under the Constitution and laws of the State, he could appeal. The case was vigorously prosecuted and defended before that body, and all questions arising were maturely weighed. Finally, on the 4th day of February, 1890, after a protracted investigation of many months and after arguments of counsel for each party to the contest, including General Goff in his own behalf, Judge Fleming was declared by resolu- tion of the Joint Assembly to have been duly elected Governor of West Virginia. On the 6th day of the same month Governor Fleming was inducted into office with appropriate ceremonies, and subsequently discharged its duties in a manner that cannot fail to challenge the admira- tion of all-even of those who hold opposite political convictions. In a word, he proved eminently worthy of the honor and reflected distinction upon his State. Governor Fleming is an incisive speaker and debater. In the Presidential and Gubernatorial elections of 1892 he opened the State campaign for his party in a comprehensive speech at Fairmont. It re- ferred almost exclusively to State matters and issues, and was in refutation of Republican criticism of his election, and Democratic admin- istrations in the State. This address was pub- lished in pamphlet and in all the Democratic papers of the State, and was more called for and its circulation consequently greater than that of any other campaign document. While Governor Fleming is one of the most amiable of men, he has shown both in the Gubernatorial contest and in the last campaign that he is a political fighter, as wary and courageous as any who have yet appeared in the history of the State. Governor Fleming married Carrie M., a daughter of James O. Watson, who was a neighbor and friend of his father and is one of the most extensive coal operators in the north- ern section of the State, being a pioneer in that great industry. His union with Miss Watson was a happy one, and it has always been in the home of his family, where mutual affection has ever abounded, that Governor Fleming has found the cherished pleasures of his life. A
49
CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF WEST VIRGINIA.
feature of his administration was the receptions held under the auspices and management of Mrs. Fleming. They are the parents of five children - Gypsy, Ida, Jennie, George, and Brooks. Energetic, persevering, progressive, and with an unusual talent for business, Gov- ernor Fleming's life has been one of unremitting effort; and while at all times he has assiduously applied himself to the pursuit of his profession and the discharge of his public duties, yet no small portion of his labor has been expended in the promotion of industrial enterprises. He was one of the originators of the Gaston Gas Coal Company, the Montana Coal and Coke Company, and of the Monongah Coal and Coke Company, and may be classed among the pioneers of the coking industry of the upper Monongahela Valley. He also took a leading part in the construction of the Monongahela River Railroad, part of the Camden system of railroads extending from Fairmont south into the interior of the State. With an earnest solic- itude for the betterment of the people, Gov- ernor Fleming has always been a friend of edu- cation, and it was very largely through his efforts that a State Normal School was estab- lished and maintained in his native town of Fairmont. Prior to his elevation to the bench he gave liberally of his time to all matters of public interest to the people of his vicinage. For many years he served as President of the Board of Education of Fairmont District and as director of the banks of his town. Many are the people who have called upon him when in trouble or distress and who have received help and advice freely without money and without price. Few have acquired as perfect a famil- iarity with the agricultural, timber, and min- eral wealth of West Virginia. He recently contributed to the Manufacturers' Record an article entitled "West Virginia's Resources and Development," which, because of its intrinsic value, was republished by the State Legislature. In fact,'Governor Fleming has done more with his pen and on the rostrum to advance the ma- terial interests of West Virginia and place her great material resources prominently before the world than any chief Executive since the State was admitted. From the rather severe though true likeness which accompanies this sketch, Governor Fleming would be thought stern and
unyielding; on the contrary, his kindly, cheer- ful disposition, the simplicity of his manner, and his uniform courtesy have endeared him to his people and won him hosts of friends. He is a man of exemplary habits, of untarnished in- tegrity, and of decided religious and political opinions. Governor Fleming's mind has been rigidly disciplined, his penetration is keen, and his judgment sound and ready. His varied ex- perience at the bar and upon the bench has gained for him an enviable reputation and a prominent place among the foremost lawyers of his State. In June, 1891, the University of West Virginia conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.
GEORGE W. PETERKIN.
RT. REV. GEORGE WILLIAM PETER- KIN, D.D., LL.D., first Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia, is the son of Rev. Joshua and Elizabeth H. Peterkin, and was born at Clear Spring, Washington County, Md., March 21, 1841. During his minority his father had charge successively of the Episcopal churches in Clear Spring, Frederick City, and Urbana, Md .; Berryville, Va .; Princeton, N. J., removing to Richmond, Va., in the spring of 1855, where he succeeded the late Bishop Cummins as Rector of St. James' Church in that city. George W. Peterkin attended the Episcopal High School near Alexandria, during the sessions of 1856-57 and 1857-58, and then went to the University of Virginia, 1858-59. In 1859-60 he taught in the families of Mr. Henry Marshall and Dr. Carey Ambler, in Fauquier County, Va. About this time he became a candidate for the ministry, having been confirmed by Bishop Meade while at the High School in 1857. He had a small school in Richmond in the fall of 1860, and com- menced studying theology under his father, ex- pecting to go to the Seminary in 1861 and re- main two years. In the mean time, the war excitement coming on, he joined a military company (Co. F, First Regiment, a famous com- pany in Richmond) in January, 1861, and in the progress of events was mustered into the Con- federate service as a private soldier April 17, 1861. The company was stationed in and near
50
CONTEMPORARY BIOGRAPHY OF WEST VIRGINIA.
Fredericksburg for several months, and then, re- turning to Richmond, was put with other com- panies to make up the Twenty-first Virginia Regiment, with which he went off to West Vir- ginia about the middle of July. After recover- ing from a severe attack of typhoid fever in the fall he rejoined his regiment in time to go on the Bath and Romney expedition with General Jackson, under whose command they were now placed. On this trip, in February, he was made Corporal, and on the return to Winchester, in March, Sergeant. On the reorganization in April he was made Second Lieutenant. In the following June he received an appointment as First Lieutenant and Aid-de-camp to Gen. W. A. Pendleton, Chief of Artillery for the Army of Northern Virginia on General Lee's staff. In this position he served during the remainder of the war, surrendering at Appomattox Court- House in April, 1865. He then entered the Theological Seminary near Alexandria and was graduated in 1868. He was ordained Deacon in the chapel of the Theological Seminary of Vir- ginia by Bishop Johns, June 24, 1868, and or- dained Priest at the same place, June 25, 1869. He passed his Diaconite as assistant to his father at St. James' Church, Richmond, Va. In June, 1869, he became Rector of St. Stephen's Church, Culpeper, Va., and in 1873 Rector of Memorial Church, Baltimore, Md. He was con- secrated first Bishop of West Virginia in St. Matthew's Church, Wheeling, on the Festival of the Ascension, May 30, 1878, by Bishops Bedell, of Ohio, Kerfoot, of Pittsburgh, Pa., Whittle, of Virginia, Dudley, of Kentucky, and Jagger, of Southern Ohio. He received the degree of D.D. from Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio, in 1878, and from Washington and Lee University, Va., in the same year, and the de- gree of LL.D. from the latter university in 1892. At the time of his consecration as Bishop (May; 1878) the Diocese of West Virginia had 13 clergy, 1,200 communicants, 800 in Sunday- schools, 7 rectories, and 20 churches; now, in November, 1892, the diocese has 27 clergy, 3,200 communicants, 3,200 in Sunday-schools, 26 rectories, and 63 churches. Bishop Peterkin has not taken much part in public matters be- yond the regular official duties of his episcopate, although he has been a speaker several times at church congresses and an occasional contrib-
utor to church papers and magazines. He has been elected by the General Convention now for three successive terms-1886, 1889, 1892- member of the Board of Managers of the Do- mestic and Foreign Missionary Society, and was quite recently appointed by the Presiding Bishop to have episcopal oversight of the mission of his church in the province of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. He was married October 29, 1868, to Constance Gardner Lee, daughter of Mr. Cassius F. Lee, of Alexandria, Va., and has three living children as the fruit of this union: Wil- liam Gardner, Constance Lee, and Elizabeth Hanson. Mrs. Peterkin died in Baltimore, August 8, 1877. On June 12, 1884, Bishop Peter- kin married Marion McIntosh Stewart, daughter of John Stewart, of Brook Hill, near Richmond, Va., and has by this marriage one child living, Mary Stewart. Bishop Peterkin is a man of great energy and industry. But few ministers of the Gospel in this generation labor more as- siduously than he, and perhaps quite as few are called upon to endure the hardships and make the sacrifices he does and has been doing for many years past. He is almost continually at work, preaching twice every Sabbath and fre- quently upon week-days. The church he rep- resents has greatly prospered under his earnest and effective labors. He is a vigorous, rapid sermonizer, a forceful speaker, a strong man in mind and body, always entertaining and popu- lar, and destined to become a still greater power for good wherever he may continue to labor in the Master's vineyard.
JOHN J. JACOB.
HON. JOHN JEREMIAH JACOB, Governor of West Virginia for two successive terms from March 4, 1871, to March 3, 1877, and also emi- nent as a jurist, is a native of Hampshire County, Va. (now West Virginia), where he was born December 9, 1829. He is the son of Capt. John J. Jacob, a native of Maryland and an active and brave participant in the war of the Revolution, who served in the famous Sixth Regiment of the Maryland Line as lieutenant, quartermaster, and captain, and was pre-emi- nently distinguished for severe and heroic ser-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.