USA > West Virginia > Genealogical and personal history of the upper Monongahela valley, West Virginia, Volume II > Part 14
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Dr. Johnson was born May 28, 1866, in Marion county, West Vir- ginia, son of J. H. and Elizabeth A. (Nickell) Johnson. The father was a native of Stanton, Virginia, the son of Robert Johnson, who was a native of Caroline county, Virginia. He was a cabinetmaker and followed undertaking also, and these two occupations he followed throughout his active life. The father of Dr. Johnson followed mer- cantile pursuits, and during the civil war served in the confederate army, and was in General Early's division. After the war closed he engaged in business at Lewisburg for several years, then at Nickell's Mills, Monroe county, West Virginia, where he continued for the re- mainder of his life. He was devoted to the work of the Presbyterian church, and voted an independent political party ticket usually. His secret society connections were with the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders. He married Elizabeth A. Nickell, a native of Nickell Mills neighborhood, daughter of J. N. Nickell and wife, old settlers of that region. Children: Dr. Henry R., James R., Charles Smith. The father died October 16, 1908, and the mother August 21, 1901.
Dr. Henry Russell Johnson was educated at the common schools, primarily, and attended private schools also to some extent. This was in Greenbrier county, West Virginia. He graduated from the Univer- sity of Medicine at Baltimore, and is also a post-graduate of the Med-
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ical School of New York. He was house surgeon at the Manhattan Eye and Ear Hospital in 1892. He commenced his practice at Ronce- verte, West Virginia, where he remained five years, and in 1903 located in Fairmont, where his practice has become very extensive. He very naturally finds a home within the numerous medical societies, including the chief ones, the Marion County Medical Society, the West Virginia State Medical Society and the American Medical Association; also belongs to the Association of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Sur- geons. In these societies he gives out and receives back much valuable medical information. In civic society matters he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen fraternities. In his church relations he is a member of the Presbyterian church at Fairmont. Polit- ically he votes the Democratic ticket.
He married, December 12, 1899, Elizabeth M., daughter of Rob- ert and Elizabeth Crockett. Children : Russell Ruddell, Ruth, Louise, Elizabeth Mozelle.
LILLEY A Pennsylvanian by birth, West Virginian by adoption and choice, George M. Lilley is widely known in this section of the state as a leading contractor in sand and stone. He was born near Fairchance, Pennsylvania, July 27, 1862. His father was a Marylander who was born at Ellicott Mills, near Balti- more; his mother was a native of West Virginia, born in Barbour county. Like many another successful man, Mr. Lilley was reared to farm labor, and in his youth saw the pleasures as well as the hardships of rural life. Both his parents were extremely desirous of giving their son an educa- tion, but they were not in a position to do for him as they wished. Early in life he had to "hustle," as he said in an interview, and this trait of character has sent him "hustling" through the busy world.
When he left the farm he engaged in digging coal. He made an excellent miner, and not like others of this calling, saved his earnings and put them to good account. After a time he conceived the idea that a tradesman always stood a better chance of getting on in the world than a man without a trade, hence, after looking the field over, he de- cided to learn the stonemason's trade, and made as good a mason as he had a coal miner. Coming to Fairmont in 1892, he engaged in the general contracting business in stone work. The scores of structures
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which he laid the foundations for in this community are lasting monu- ments to his excellent workmanship. Among other buildings, he was awarded the contracts for the works later operated by the National Glass Company; the Fairmont Brewing Company; the Fairmont Coal Company, at Murray; and the Virginia & Pittsburgh Coal & Coke Company, at Kingmont; and many other pieces of work of importance. His stone quarry on Washington street, Fairmont, possesses an inex- haustible bed of blue sand stone, ever in good demand for building pur- poses.
It was in 1900, by a keen, farsighted business eye, that Mr. Lilley purchased what has proven to be the best sand bank in all this or adjoin- ing states. It covers about forty acres, and is situated only a few miles out from Fairmont. The average thickness of the excellent sand is about thirty feet. In fact, this sand bank has proven to be worth as much as many small gold mines to its owner. Machinery has been placed in position by this clear-headed man of affairs. The most im- proved appliances in way of sand-washer, sand-screener, elevating and conveying machinery, a part of which Mr. Lilley invented himself, makes the plant a model one. Some of his inventions for handling sand have been bought and put into use by others in distant parts of the country. About six hundred cars of sand are shipped to points within a radius of three hundred miles from his sandpit, each year. Besides this industry, Mr. Lilley owns a large storage and supply house, located in the city of Fairmont, where he keeps a stock of builders' and con- tractors' supplies. He is a man who has forged his way to the front rank by sheer pluck and good judgment, with plenty of hard work thrown in, and possesses the qualities such as are only found in men of sterling worth, and to which the world generally gives due credit. The world loves a man who can surmount every obstacle in his way, and rise to a plane of success.
While he is a busy man, yet he takes time to mingle with his fellow- men. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a member of Palatine Lodge, at Fairmont. He is noted generally for his charity and true benevolence, although his work is never heralded abroad by himself. He is always willing to assist the needy, if they are willing to do their part, but has no time or money for mere idle triflers.
Politically, he is a Democrat, and ever ready to further the cause
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of his party. He does not care for public office, but has served from his ward as councilman, during which administration he fully satisfied the citizens and taxpayers in his section of the city of Fairmont. In November, 1909, he was elected county commissioner for a term of six years, and in 1911 was elected president of the county court, which office he is now filling.
Of his home life it may be said that his first wife, whose maiden name was Celia Lowe, a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, lived but a few years after their marriage. She left three small children, and Mr. Lilley decided to bring them up himself. Some years later he mar- ried Rebecca Tucker, of Marion county, West Virginia. By this union were born three children, one of whom is deceased. The living children are : Earl Smith and Edna Pearl.
ROGERS The Rogers family of which this article treats was originally from Pennsylvania and included Dr. Timothy Ross Rogers, who was born in Greene county, Pennsyl- vania, April 27, 1833, son of John and Susan (Penn) Rogers. The father was a millwright and the inventor of the Rogers' turbine water- wheel. He was the first postmaster at Rogersville, Pennsylvania. He was born in 1800, died in 1879; his wife died in 1873. Both were members of the Methodist Protestant church. They had a famliy of nine children.
(II) Dr. Timothy Ross Rogers, was born in Rogersville, Pennsyl- vania, in 1833. He attended college at Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, and then read medicine with Dr. Braden, of Rogersville, and attended the Medical College of New York University, under Dr. Alexander Mott. He began practice when twenty-two years of age at Davistown, Pennsylvania ; then practiced two years in Des Moines, Iowa, and later for several years at Harnedsville, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, from which place he removed to Selbysport, Maryland. At the breaking out of the civil war he moved to Rogersville, Pennsylvania, and nine years later to Waynesburg, where he practiced fifteen years, removing thence to Moundsville, West Virginia, in 1883. His practice covered a period of thirty years. He married, in 1856, Emeline Frantz, born at Selbys- port, Garrett county, Maryland, in 1837. The grandfather of Eme- line Frantz was Joseph Frantz, who died in 1859, in his eighty-first
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year. His sons were John, William, Thomas and George; his daugh- ters were Rachel and Elizabeth. John Frantz, the eldest son, came from Germany with John Jasper Wirsing, and they all settled in Balti- more, Maryland, as did Helen, daughter of John and Katherine Wir- sing. Helen became the mother of Emeline Frantz, who married Dr. Timothy Ross Rogers, above mentioned.
(III) Professor Harold Frantz Rogers, son of Dr. Timothy Ross Rogers, was born in Waynesburg, Greene county, Pennsylvania. He graduated in 1896 from the high school at Moundsville, West Virginia ; from West Virginia University, A. B., 1901; Harvard University, graduate courses in chemistry, 1906-07, 1907-08, A. M. Harvard, 1908. He engaged in the drug business with his father and brothers in Moundsville, West Virginia, in his early manhood. He taught in Fairmont State Normal School, 1903-04, 1908-12, and at the Glen- ville State Normal School, 1904-06. He had a military training in the corps of cadets, West Virginia University, and belongs to Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He is a member of the American Chemical Society and Association of Harvard Chemists. Since 1888 he has been identified with the Methodist Episcopal church as one of its members. He is still connected with the State Normal School at Fairmont as one of the instructors.
SMITH
The Smith family of which this sketch treats originally lived in Pennsylvania, but for many years was connected with the history of West Virginia.
(II) Timothy S. (2) Smith, the first of this line of whom we have definite information, was son of Timothy S. ( 1) Smith. In 1803 he married Esther, born 1785, died 1870, daughter of Hugh Shotwell, born 1764, died 1854. In 1820 Esther (Shotwell) Smith married (second) Major Seaton.
(III) Captain John S. Smith, son of Timothy S. (2) Smith, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, March 25, 1804, died March 2, 1894. He was a saddler by trade, having mastered it at Greensboro, Pennsylvania. He removed to Fairmont, West Virginia, about 1826, and was among the pioneers of the place. He continued to conduct the saddlery and harness business until some time in the fifties when he engaged in farming pursuits, continuing for many years. He
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served as captain of the Middletown and Fairmont Blues, military com- panies. He was originally an old line Whig in politics, held numerous offices of public honor and trust, and promoted the Patrons of Hus- bandry in this section of the country. In his religious faith he was of the Presbyterian church, of which he was an honored and faithful mem- ber for sixty-three years, being an elder in that church sixty-one years of his life.
He married (first), in 1826, Rebecca Ebert, born January 22, 1805. Children : Henry Ebert, born April 7, 1827, died September 3, 1853; Benjamin Franklin, October 3, 1828, died February 25, 1899; James John, March 20, 1830, died April 9, 1901 ; Esther Ann, Febru- ary 28, 1832, married William Zumbro, August 24, 1865, died 1890; John Brown, April 9, 1834, died October 24, 1899; Harriet A., July II, 1836, married Marshall M. Mortin, April 8, 1858; Charles L., June 24, 1838; Rosetta Johnson, September 13, 1840, married John T. Janes, in 1868, died July 15, 1897; George Seaton, September 30, 1843; Margaret Elizabeth, September 7, 1845, died September 12, 1863; William G., October 29, 1849, died August 1, 1851. The mother of this family died November 24, 1864. He married (second) Keziah P. Davis, born April 23, 1829, died September 7, 1902, widow of Caleb Davis, and daughter of Jesse and Nancy ( Parrish) Rex. Jesse Rex was a son of a revolutionary soldier. Child of Captain and Mrs. John S. Smith; Hugh F., mentioned below.
(IV) Hugh F., son of Captain John S. and Keziah P. (Davis) Smith, was born in Fairmont, West Virginia, July 15, 1869. He was reared on his father's farm in Marion county, West Virginia, and edu- cated in the excellent public schools, graduating from the State Normal at Fairmont in 1887. He taught school two years, clerked in stores in his native city for a short time, after which he became ticket agent's clerk for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company at Fairmont, con- tinuing for two years. He then entered the Bank of Fairmont as teller, and in 1903 became the cashier of the Monongahela Bank, which posi- tion he still holds with credit to himself and the banking house so well known in this section.' Of his fraternal affiliations it may be stated that Mr. Smith is a worthy member of Fairmont Lodge, No. 9, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; also of Orient Chapter, No. 9, Royal Arch Masons. He is a member of Lodge No. 27, Knights of Pythias; the
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Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Woodmen of the World, beneficiary orders. He is of the religious faith of his father, and is an elder in the Presbyterian church. Politically Mr. Smith is a Republican, believing in the cardinal principles of that political party.
Mr. Smith married (first), October 1, 1894, Mollie E., born in Fairmont, West Virginia, January 1, 1874, daughter of Jacob S. Hay- den. Child, Gazelle, born October 8, 1895. Mrs. Smith died October 13, 1895. Mr. Smith married (second) Alice Brannon, born in Glen- ville, West Virginia, November 1, 1876, daughter of M. T. and Kate (Linn) Brannon. The father was born in Glenville, 1841, son of John Brannon. Kate Linn was born September 3, 1845, in Marion county, daughter of Robert and Saphrona (Newcomb) Linn. The latter was born September 16, 1816, daughter of Gleazon Newcomb, born Octo- ber 22, 1785, died October 19, 1852. His father was born in 1754, and was a soldier in the revolutionary war. The Linn family were from Scotland and had many representatives in the revolutionary strug- gle. Robert Linn, father of Robert Linn, above mentioned, was born October 20, 1781, died September 7, 1834. He married in 1810, Catherine Lyon, born 1788, died 1856. The children by Mr. Smith's second marriage are: Katherine Louise, born September 19, 1903; Margaret Maud, April 7, 1905; Hugh Shotwell, born January 18, 1908, died February 6, 1908.
The Amos family are from Germany, the forefathers com-
AMOS ing from the Fatherland near the middle of the seven- teenth century, but the authentic and connected history of the family begins prior to the revolutionary war when Henry Amos Sr. came from Delaware and located near the head of Indian creek, Mo- nongalia county, Virginia (now West Virginia). He was a native of Delaware. There in the midst of a vast almost impenetrable wilderness he established for himself a home, and cleared up a farm from out of the immense forests. This was no small task, for savage tribes of Indians and wild beasts were on every hand, but by his bravery and courage he succeeded in performing the great task and ever after- wards followed the peaceful and independent pursuit of agriculture. In 1790 he married, in Monongalia county, Dorcas Hall, of Pennsyl-
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vania; her parents came from Delaware. They had a son George, of whom further.
(II) George, son of Henry Amos, was born on the old homestead, where he was reared. Shortly after his marriage he removed to Paw Paw district, in Marion county, where he became one of the pioneer settlers. He was a farmer. He entered the service of his country in Colonel Thomas Haymond's regiment in the war of 1812. He mar- ried Idney Hawkins, of English descent, whose grandfather came from England to Virginia as early as 1750, was loyal to the colonies, and became a soldier in the war of 1812. They were the parents of fourteen children, eight sons and six daughters, among whom was Ste- phen H., of whom further.
(III) Stephen H., son of George and Idney (Hawkins) Amos, was born December 30, 1825, in Paw Paw district, Marion county, in what is now known as West Virginia. There he was educated in the subscription schools, held in the old-time log house. When seventeen years of age he apprenticed himself to a blacksmith for the purpose of learning that trade, then a very useful one. As a mechanic he displayed rare genius, and in connection with his trade manufactured scales that were largely used throughout his region of the country. For thirty years prior to 1888 he followed his trade at Rivesville, where he also carried on carriage-making and kindred branches. Politically he was a Whig, but at the birth of the Republican party he united with it and was made postmaster at Rivesville. He was a licensed Methodist Episcopal minister. He moved to Fairmont in 1888 and there follow- ed carriage work as long as able to attend actively to the duties of a manufacturer. He married Rebecca Engle, who died June 5, 1906, aged seventy-nine years. He died December 23, 1906, aged eighty-one years. Children : Edna M., Theresa Virginia, Serena Frances, Luther, Ida M., Stephen F., three who died in infancy, and George E., of whom further.
(IV) George E., son of Stephen H. and Rebecca (Engle) Amos, was born September 15, 1856, near Rivesville, Marion county, West Virginia. He obtained his education at the public schools, learned the trade of blacksmith of his father who stood by the glowing forge so many years, and has always followed that and carriage-making. In 10-2m
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1888 he built a large factory in Fairmont, which was well equipped with all necessary machinery for the production of fine work. From fifteen hands to a larger number were here constantly employed. In 1900 the firm was known as George E. Amos & Brother. He then drifted into agriculture, and established a hardware store at Fairmont in 1902, the firm being styled George E. Amos & Company, which still exists. In 1908 he was elected sheriff of Marion county, West Virginia, and held the office four years. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics is a Republican. He is connected with the Knights of Pythias. In 1889 he married Fannie, daughter of Madison and Amanda (Jolliff) Carter, of Marion county. Children : Clay D., born January 22, 1891, a graduate of the University of West Virginia in 1911, and George Merle, born December 25, 1893.
MUSGRAVE Job Musgrave, son of Elijah Musgrave, ancestor of that branch of the Musgrave family of which Eli Musgrave, a prominent and enterprising citizen of Fairmont, is a representative, was a resident of Virginia and a farmer by occupation. He served as a soldier during the war of 1812, and while making preparations to return home to spend Christmas day was taken sick with the black fever and died at Norfolk, Virginia, Decem- ber 24, 1814. His wife, Isabel (Watts) Musgrave, after the death of her husband, emigrated across the mountains and settled in Monon- galia county, where she married William Smith, a farmer, and they later removed to Marion county, where she died at the age of seventy- five years. Their children were: Zebulun, of whom further; James; John.
(II) Zebulun, eldest son of Job and Isabel (Watts) Musgrave, was born in Hampshire county, Virginia, now West Virginia, June 2, 1808, died April 23, 1882. He was reared on a farm, and received the limited education afforded by the common schools of that day, supple- mented in later years by persistent study at home during his leisure hours. Thus by reading and observation he became one of the best informed as well as one of the most prominent men of the community. He followed agriculture as a means of livelihood, and in addition to this served as sheriff of the county, and clerk of the board of super- visors. He also served as president of the First National Bank of Fair-
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mont, and for more than forty years was a director in the same insti- tution. He held membership in the Baptist church, of which he was clerk for many years, and was an old line Whig in politics, later trans- ferring his allegiance to the Republican party. He married (first), in 1830, Elizabeth, daughter of John C. McGinty, of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, who bore him twelve children : Isabel; Lydia; Luverna; John C., who served as a soldier in the civil war; Job, who also served as soldier; Edgar; Eli, of whom further; Matilda; Sarah J .; Nathan W .; Elizabeth; Martha E. Mrs. Musgrave died February 24, 1853. Mr. Musgrave married (second) Julia Bradley, and (third) Sophronia Linn.
(III) Eli, son of Zebulun and Elizabeth (McGinty) Musgrave, was born in Marion county, Virginia, now West Virginia, July 30, 1842. He was brought up on his father's farm, attending the common schools of the neighborhood, and obtaining a practical education which prepared him for the activities of life. During the progress of the civil war he served in the quartermaster's department, after which he enlisted as a sergeant in Company D, One Hundred and Seventy-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Army of the Tennessee, and participated in the battles of Nashville, Franklin, and in many skirmishes. He served until the cessation of hostilities, and was then honorably discharged from the service. Subsequently he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits, continuing in that occupation until 1890, when he removed to Fair- mont and engaged in the undertaking business, which has proved highly successful and remunerative. He is a member and trustee of the Meth- odist Episcopal church of Fairmont, a Republican in politics, and a member of General Mead Post, No. 6, Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Knights of the Golden Eagle.
Mr. Musgrave married, November 28, 1867, Maggie E. Turney, born in Monougalia county, Virginia, January 14, 1843, but brought up in Marion county, daughter of Daniel and Narcissa H. (Lowman) Turney. Children: 1. Clarence L., born July 18, 1869, engaged in business with his father. 2. Howard, born January 7, 1871, died aged ten months. 3. Arthur W., born September 30, 1872 ; engaged in busi- ness with his father; married, September 20, 1905, Grace Moats, of Ritchie county, West Virginia. 4. Lulu Maude, born August 20, 1874; married August 20, 1899, Roy A. Lough, now of Morgantown, West Virginia.
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(The Turney Line).
Mrs. Musgrave traces her ancestry to Holland, where the name was then spelled Dorney, but like many others it underwent a change and for many years has been spelled Turney. The first of the line here under consideration immigrated to this country prior to the middle of the eighteenth century, and settled in the eastern part of Pennsylvania, where his son, Daniel Turney, was born, one of a large family of chil- dren, four brothers of whom left "their home in eastern Pennsylvania at about the same time for western and southern counties. One settled in Ohio where his descendants are now numerous; another in Ten- nessee where he reared a large family, one of his descendants being Chief Justice Peter Turney, afterwards governor of Tennessee; an- other went to North Carolina and permanently located there, the name being very prominent. In young manhood Daniel Turney crossed the Allegheny mountains to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, settling near the site of ancient Hannastown, now Greensburg, which was the first county seat of the county, and there followed farming as an occu- pation. He was the father of six sons and two daughters. Jacob Turney, son of Daniel Turney, was born in 1788. In early life he set- tled in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and later held the offices of county commissioner, county treasurer, and other positions. He was an active Democrat, and upon his return from a state convention at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to which he had been sent as a delegate, he contracted a cold while crossing the mountains, from the effects of which he died some years later, January 4, 1827.
He married, January 23, 1810, Margaret Singer, of Carlisle, Penn- sylvania, born May 11, 1792, daughter of Simon and Mary (Clouser) Singer, natives of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Children: Daniel; Nancy; Samuel S .; Lucian B .; Lucinda; Robert William; Jacob. Daniel Tur- ney, son of Jacob Turney, and father of Mrs. Musgrave, was born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, from whence he removed to what is now West Virginia, settling first in Monongalia county, later removing to what is now Marion county. He married Narcissa H. Lowman. Chil- dren : 1. Gustavus L., married Anne C. Wilty; deceased. 2. Charlotte M., married James F. Hough; deceased. 3. Maggie E., married Eli Musgrave. 4. Hattie J., married Captain Thomas Reed; deceased. 5.
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