USA > West Virginia > Genealogical and personal history of the upper Monongahela valley, West Virginia, Volume II > Part 31
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(III) Wesley L., only son of William H. and Abigail (Bartlett) Steele, was born July 20, 1869, on his grandfather's farm, known as the Bartlett homestead, near Salem, Harrison county, West Virginia. He attended the common country schools and those of Salem. He worked for his grandfather until he was eighteen years of age, when the grandfather died, after which he and his grandmother conducted the farm. He was married at the age of twenty-three, when he purchased a sixty-eight acre farm, one mile south of Salem, which property he still owns, and operates. He also owns another tract of seventy acres two and a half miles south. He also is the owner of several pieces of prop- erty in the city of Salem, West Virginia. In 1903 he removed to Salem and the following year established his present feed business, in which he carries a full stock of hay, corn, oats, mill feed, salt and grass seed. He is a director in the First National Bank of Salem. He is a Repub- lican, and was elected and served a short time as president of the board of education. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, Knights of Pythias and Woodmen of the World, and is a Baptist in church faith and profession.
He married, in Barbour county, June 1, 1892, Rosetta Carlin, born in Barbour county, in 1869, daughter of John G. Carlin, now a farmer residing in Barbour county, and Hester (O'Neal) Carlin. Children : One son, died in infancy; Carlin Wesley, born October 28, 1908.
The family of Davis is undoubtedly of Welsh origin, trac-
DAVIS ing back, tradition says, to the prince of Powys, who fought the Saxon king of Northumberland in the bloody battles of Chester and Bangor in the seventh century. The Welsh are,
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by common consent, conceded to be the purest in blood of all the In- habitants of the British Isles. They are the direct descendants of the old Britons who opposed Julius Cæsar at his landing, in the first cen- tury B. C., and who, forced back by the later inroads of Roman, Saxon and Dane, finally took refuge in the mountains of Wales. David has ever been a favorite name among the Welsh; which accounts for the family name of Davis, Davids or Davies, meaning "the son of David." The original form of the name was curious and awkward: Owen, son of David, son of Griffith, would write his name, Owen ap David ap Griffith, and probably use "ap" with the names of half a dozen of his still more remote ancestors, if he chose; but finally the simple, modern form became fixed in usage.
The Davises constitute a very large family both in Wales and in England, and many of the name came to the American colonies in the seventeenth century. In Maryland especially, they were prominent citizens in early time, holding extensive land grants. The revolution- ary rolls of the state show one colonel, one lieutenant colonel, four cap- tains (including Captain Rezin Davis of the Rawlings continental regi- ment), sundry other commissioned officers and no less than fifty pri- vates. In more recent times the stock has produced such men as Henry Winter Davis, the distinguished statesman; David Davis, justice of the United States supreme court, and Henry Gassaway Davis, senator and Democratic nominee for vice-president of the United States.
(I) From one of these Maryland families descended, though the exact line has not been ascertained, Caleb Davis, born in Oldtown, Allegany county, Maryland, who later lived in Woodstock, Shenan- doah county, Virginia. It is not unlikely that he was a near relative, perhaps a son, of one Caleb Davis, of Prince George county, Mary- land, who served on two or more occasions with the state forces in the revolution. Caleb Davis's family consisted of two sons, John and Rezin, and four daughters.
(II) John, the elder son of Caleb Davis, was born in Woodstock, Virginia, and died December 9, 1863. He removed in his youth, about the year 1825, to Clarksburg, where he learned the saddlery business of Colonel Charles Lee. Later he and his brother engaged in mercan- tile pursuits in Clarksburg. Mr. Davis was twice married, his second wife being Eliza Arnold, daughter of James and Jane (Small) Steen.
Lewi. Jucat W
TI Sata. TILL
Ino. J.Davis.
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Both of her parents were Scotch-Irish Presbyterians, born in Ulster, Ireland, whence they emigrated to America. Mrs. Davis was a pioneer school teacher in Harrison county. Seven children were born to John and Eliza A. (Steen) Davis, including: Rezin C., a prominent lawyer of Louisville, Kentucky, now deceased; Anna E., widow of R. A. Blackford, of New York City; and John J., of whom further.
(III) Hon. John J. Davis, son of John and Eliza A. (Steen) Davis, was born in Clarksburg, Virginia, now West Virginia, May 5, 1835. He was educated at the Northwestern Virginia Academy. At the early age of seventeen he began the study of law under Judge George H. Lee, of Clarksburg, also attending Brockenbrough's Law School at Lexington, Virginia. He was admitted to practice at the early age of twenty. Within a few years, in 1861, his ability secured his election to the Virginia house of delegates; but this was the period of the civil war, and northwest Virginia refused to abide by the decision of the eastern part of the state, namely to secede from the union and join the confederacy. Mr. Davis was a member of the second West Virginia convention of 1861, which was instrumental in organizing the new state. In 1870 he was chosen a member of the West Virginia legislature. His Democratic constituents so far approved his legisla- tive career that he was nominated and elected to the national house of representatives, forty-second congress, and again in the forty-third congress. Twice he has served as presidential elector from West Vir- ginia, with General McClellan and Grover Cleveland as candidates. He has served on the board of visitors of West Point Military Acad- emy, and as regent of the West Virginia University, and a director of the State Insane Hospital. He is at present in partnership with his son, and they have an extensive law practice. Mr. Davis is an elder in the Southern Presbyterian church, and a Free Mason.
Mr. Davis married, August 21, 1862, Anna Kennedy, of Balti- more, a member of the well-known Maryland family of that name. Children : Lillie, wife of John A. Preston, of Lewisburg; Emma; Anna, wife of Rev. H. G. Richardson, of Clarksburg; Moselle, who died in infancy; John William, of whom further; Estelle, died at the age of six.
(IV) John William, son of Hon. John J. and Anna (Kennedy) Davis, was born at Clarksburg, West Virginia, April 13, 1873. He
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was educated in the local schools, at Pantops Academy, Charlottesville, Virginia, and Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia, where he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1892. In 1895 the degree of Bachelor of Law was conferred upon him, and he was at once admitted to the bar; but returned to his alma mater in 1896, as assistant professor of law, remaining, however, but one year. Like his father, he affiliated with the Democratic party. He was elect- ed to the state house of delegates in 1899, where he became chairman of the judiciary committee. In 1900 he was the Democratic candidate for presidential elector at large. Four years later he was a delegate to the Democratic national convention at St. Louis. November 8, 1910, he was elected a member of the house of representatives, sixty-second con- gress, receiving twenty thousand three hundred and seventy votes against sixteen thousand nine hundred and sixty-two cast for his Re- publican opponent. Mr. Davis is a stockholder and director in the Union National Bank of Clarksburg. He has served as president of the State Bar Association in 1906, and in 1909 was appointed a mem- ber of the state commission on uniform state laws. He is a member of several college fraternities, and of the Masons, Elks and Modern Woodmen.
John W. Davis married (first), June 20, 1899, at Charlestown, West Virginia, Julia McDonald, a native of Kentucky, daughter of Edward H. and Julia T. (Leavell) McDonald, and granddaughter of Angus McDonald on the one side and Rev. William T. Leavell on the other. She died in 1900 leaving one daughter : Julia McDonald Davis.
On January 2, 1912, he married (second) Ellen G. Bassel, daugh- ter of John and Martha (Lewis) Bassel, of Clarksburg, West Virginia.
MANOWN Originally this family resided in Pennsylvania, but for many years has been represented in West Vir- ginia by Dr. James H. Manown, for more than half a century of Kingwood, Preston county.
(I) James Manown was a native of Ireland. At an early day he came to America, settling in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and died on the old homestead, after reaching the advanced age of ninety-four years. He was a farmer and a successful mechanic. He married Cass- andria Devore, born in Pennsylvania. Children: Franklin, a manu-
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facturer of glass, also a merchant, who later retired to the old home- stead to spend the remainder of his days in retirement and quiet, dying at the age of eighty-six years; Dr. James H., of whom further; Cass- andria, and Letitia.
(II) James H. Manown, M. D., son of James and Cassandria (Devore) Manown, was born in 1822, in Allegheny county, Pennsyl- vania. His earlier years were spent in his native county, where he enjoyed unusually good educational advantages. He first received a common school education, then completed a course at the academy of Monongahela City, supplemented with a collegiate course of instruc- tion at Washington, Pennsylvania, and then studied medicine with Dr. David Beard, of Franklin, Warren county, Ohio. He next completed a course at the Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, taking the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1844. His first venture at the pro- fession was in Vincennes, Indiana, but a year later he removed to Greensburg, Pennsylvania, where he remained four years. In 1854 he went to Kingwood, Virginia, now West Virginia, and there successfully followed his profession until 1863, when he enlisted in the Fourteenth West Virginia Infantry, as first surgeon of that regiment. He held this position until mustered out at the close of the civil war. Resuming medical practice at Kingwood, he was appointed in the autumn of 1884, by Governor Wilson, as physician for the male department of the State Asylum. This place he ably filled four years, then again returned to Kingwood to continue general practice until his retirement a few years since. He served on the board of pension examiners for a number of years and has filled other positions equally important; but always ignoring political offices, Dr. Manown has preferred to keep within the radius of his honored profession. He was one of the organ- izers of the West Virginia Medical Society. Now in his ninetieth year, Dr. Manown is the oldest physician in West Virginia, having been in practice in Preston county almost sixty years. His practice has been one of marked success professionally, and his honor and manliness have ever been notable. He has traveled over Preston and adjoining coun- ties in all kinds of weather, and over roads that none but a faithful family doctor would think of going over. He has always labored for the upbuilding of his county and state. Coming of a longlived race, he is now more advanced than any of his aged relatives. Politically he
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is a Democrat and a true follower of Jackson, but in 1864 voted for Lincoln and in 1868 for Grant as president. He is one of the charter members of Kingwood Blue Lodge of Masons and Chapter and is one of its oldest members. Both he and his wife are members of the Pres- byterian church.
James H. Manown married, in Kingwood, in 1856, Mary I. Arm- strong, of Frederick county, Maryland, where she was reared and edu- cated. Children : James F., cashier of the Philippi Bank; Edward C., who resides in Baltimore, Maryland, where he holds a responsible posi- tion; Letitia, died when seven years of age.
Among the many families from Pennsylvania who emi-
LAZEAR grated to West Virginia is the Lazear family. Some of the members of this family now reside in Marion county, this state.
(I) Joseph Lazear, of Greene county, and his wife, Mary Gray, are mentioned as the parents of John W., mentioned below.
(II) John W. Lazear was a native of Greene county, Pennsyl- vania, son of Joseph and Mary (Gray) Lazear, of Greene county. He married Nancy Straus, born in Sistersville, West Virginia, daugh- ter of William and Margaret (Oliver) Straus, of Greene county. For many years William Straus was mate on one of the Ohio river steam- boats. The Lazear and Straus families were engaged in farm pursuits in Tyler county, West Virginia.
(III) Joseph S., son of John W. and Nancy (Straus) Lazear, was born near Sistersville, Tyler county, West Virginia, May 18, 1866. He obtained his education in the public schools of Tyler county, West Virginia, and at an early age engaged in freighting and teaming in Tyler county. In 1894 he removed his business to Mannington, Mar- ion county, and in 1901 added his present livery business. He is now the owner of considerable real estate in and near Mannington. In his various enterprises Mr. Lazear has succeeded to a degree seldom accord- ed to the ordinary man who has had to make his own way through life. He is a member of the Mannington Masonic lodge, the Fairmont chap- ter and commandery and the Wheeling shrine. He is an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party, and served one term as member of the Mannington council. The family attend the Christian church.
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He married Lina, daughter of Jacob and Mary (McNeeley) Tustin, of Greene county, Pennsylvania. Their children are: Arza Glenn, born November 10, 1898, now in city school; Elise E., born Septem- ber 10, 1902, attending the city schools of Mannington. Mrs. Lazear is an active worker in the various branches of church work in the Chris- tian church society of Mannington.
Among the German settlers in Wheeling, West Vir-
WENDEL ginia, were the Wendels, one of whom was named Jacob. The name of Jacob Wendel's wife was Eliza- beth Zimmer, before marriage. Both were born in Germany. Jacob died at Wheeling in 1878, aged about forty-four years. They emi- grated to this country in 18-, locating at Wheeling. By occupation the father was a groceryman. In his religious belief he was of the German Lutheran church. Children: Jacob, Katie, and Conrad F., now of Mannington, West Virginia, of whom later.
(II) Conrad F., son of Jacob Wendel, was born at Wheeling, West Virginia, August 13, 1871. He was educated in his native city. After his school days had ended he engaged in work at the nail factory in Wheeling, remaining there some time; shifting to the sheet iron mills of that city, where he was employed until 1902. Then he removed to Mannington, Marion county, West Virginia, with his family and there purchased the well-known "Palace Café," which place he has since suc- cessfully and profitably operated. It was formerly owned and operated by J. McDonald, of Fairmont, who sold it to Mr. Wendel. At Wheel- ing Mr. Wendel joined the Knights of Pythias fraternity, also the order of Eagles of Wheeling. He has never voted other than the Repub- lican ticket, but is not a radical partisan in his politics. He is public- spirited always giving fully his share to every worthy public enterprise which looks to the advancement of the welfare of his home community.
He married at Wheeling, in 1900, Mollie Hall, born in 1887, at Wellsville, Ohio, daughter of John Hall. Mrs. Wendel was reared in and is now a member of the Baptist church. Children: Thelma May, born October 13, 1901, in Wheeling, West Virginia, now in the Mann- ington public schools as a student; Herbert Hector, born August 6, 1903, in Wheeling, West Virginia; Lillian Hall, born April 30, 1907, in Mannington, West Virginia. Their home is at No. 133 Bluff street, Mannington, and is a desirable property.
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The Brand family to be considered in the following BRAND paragraphs is an old one of the two Virginias, and of Monongalia county. Its pioneer ancestors settled there long years before the separation of the two Virginias was thought of. The father of James Elliott Brand was probably the first of the family to come to this section of Virginia.
(II) James Elliott Brand was born in Monongalia county. He became a prosperous farmer, as did most of the sons of the early pio- neers, for that was the chief means of support in that long-ago period. He married Susan Rice. Children : Vina, Rachel, Sisson, Emma, Silas, Marshall, James, John Jerome, of whom further.
(III) John Jerome, son of James Elliott Brand, was born in Mo- nongalia county, Virginia, September 1, 1854. He received his edu- cation in the public schools, and taught school for three years. He then moved to Fairmont, Marion county, where he followed the carpenter- ing business for five years, and five years longer operated a planing mill. In 1898 he returned to Morgantown and engaged at his trade as a carpenter and builder again. He married (first) Mary A. Barbe and had children as follows: Leonard L., Ira C., Harmon Roscoe, J. Goff, Clyde, of whom further. Mrs. Brand died about 1892. Mr. Brand married (second) Hattie M. Lloyd, by whom were born : John D., Donald, Esther M.
(IV) Clyde, son of John Jerome and Mary A. (Barbe) Brand, was born in Monongalia county, West Virginia, August 15, 1880. He was educated in the public schools in Fairmont, after which he worked in the John's Bottling Works of that city, where he remained four years. After he went to Morgantown he worked for a Mr. Wiles in the real estate business, but later saw greater possibilities in learning a trade and chose that of a plumber. He worked at that for two years and then left Morgantown for Philadelphia and Atlantic City, where he followed plumbing. He returned, however, to Morgantown and was employed by J. H. Kennedy a year, and then formed a partnership under the firm name of Kennedy & Brand. In 1904 he established a plumbing business of his own. In 1907 he erected a fine building and is now carrying on the business on an extensive scale. Mr. Brand is a member of the Presbyterian church, and holds membership with the Masonic order, belonging to the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Command-
ClydeBrand
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ery; also is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Junior Order of Amer- ican Mechanics, and Morgantown Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In April, 1903, he married Flora Gertrude, daughter of A. M. Neill, of Philadelphia. Children: Richard Clyde, born June 16, 1907; Dorothy Virginia, December 19, 1909.
STOCKTON The Stocktons were originally from Meadville, Penn- sylvania, and were well known as old settlers of Crawford county, that state, where Fred E. Stock- ton was a farmer. He married Augusta, daughter of Rolling K. and Charlotte (Stedman) Kennedy. The Stedmans were from Syracuse, New York state.
(II) Claude E. Stockton, a veterinary surgeon of Mannington, Marion county, West Virginia, is the son of Fred E. and Augusta (Kennedy) Stockton. He was born in Meadville, Pennsylvania, March 25, 1876. He received the common school education of his native city. In 1900 he entered the Chicago Veterinary College from which he graduated three years later. He practiced his profession in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, three years, then settled in Morgantown, West Virginia. He occupied there the chair of anatomy and physiology for one year at the West Virginia University. He then located at Mannington, Marion county, where he has a large practice and owns a livery barn. His veterinary hospital is well equipped with all modern appliances for veterinary surgery. He is a thorough student in his chosen profession; and therefore is an up-to-date veterinary surgeon. The doctor takes but little interest in politics; but is foremost in local affairs and a real promoter of the best commercial and social interests of Mannington. He is a member of the Alumni Association of the Chicago Veterinary College, and several other veterinary associations. He is still unmarried.
VANCE This is an old Upshur county, Virginia, family. From it has descended Dr. Fred W. Vance, now of Manning- ton, West Virginia.
(I) John Eldred Vance was born in Highland county, Virginia. His father died when he was four years of age. John E. Vance follow- ed blacksmithing throughout the active years of his life, but is now
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retired from business pursuits. He resides at French Creek, where he and his wife are enjoying the fruits of their labors. Politically he votes the Prohibition ticket, and in religious faith he favors that of the Pres- byterian denomination. He married Annie L., daughter of Colonel Morgan A. Darnell. Children : Fred W., see forward; Nellie, wife of Professor E. W. Brooks (of Brooks-Henning family), state inspector of entomology; Ethel, wife of Dr. D. E. Bronson, of Olathe, Kansas; Mabel, assistant librarian of Fairmont State Normal, a student of that school in 1912; Beulah May, at home; Harry W., student in Wesleyan College, at Buckhannon; Glenn V., superintendent of bridge engineer- ing in Alaska.
(II) Fred W. Vance, M. D., son of John Eldred and Annie L. (Darnell) Vance, was born at French Creek, West Virginia, February 23, 1874. He was educated at the public schools of French Creek, and later entered the Eclectic Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he graduated in 1905 with the degree of M. D. He passed the state board examination one year prior to his graduation; served one year as interne at Seton Hospital, and in 1909 took a general post- graduate course in New York Post-Graduate Medical School. He now makes a specialty of diseases of women and children. He is a member of the National and State Eclectic associations; member of Mannington Medical Society; member of Alumni Association of Eclec- tic and Post-Graduate Medical colleges, and is a frequent contributor to medical journals. Dr. Vance belongs to the Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen of America. He has always supported the Repub- lican party on national issues, while he is independent of party in local politics. He has traveled quite extensively.
He married Mabel, daughter of Adolphus Brooks, of French Creek, West Virginia. One daughter by this union : Mary Eugenia, born Au- gust 24, 1905, now attending the public schools of Mannington. Mrs. Vance is an active member and zealous worker in the Presbyterian church; superintendent of the Sunday school; belongs to the Woman's Civic Club and is eligible to membership in the Daughters of the Amer- ican Revolution.
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Among the younger professional men of Mannington, Mar- HITE ion county, West Virginia, is Dr. Ralph Mason Hite, who has forged his way to the front rank as a dental surgeon within the last few years.
His father, Thomas R. Hite, was the son of George W. Hite, of Marion county, West Virginia, and followed the vocation of a railroad locomotive engineer. He married Katherine Mason.
Dr. Ralph M. Hite, son of Thomas R. and Katherine (Mason) Hite, was born at Grafton, Taylor county, October 26, 1882. He graduated from the high school at Cameron and the Linsly Institute, at Wheeling, West Virginia. He then entered Baltimore College of Dentistry from which he graduated in 1905 with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery, and the same year opened an office in Mannington. He is a member of the West Virginia State Dental Association and is a great reader on medical and dental subjects. He is also a member of the Mannington Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 388. In his political belief he is a Republican, but takes no active part in politics, preferring to attend strictly to the duties and responsibilities of his practice. Dr. and Mrs. Hite are members of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Hite is a member of Augusta Chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution.
Ralph M. Hite married, in 1908, Gipsy Prichard, daughter of A. L. Prichard, of Mannington, West Virginia. Children : Mary Prichard, born June 9, 1909; Arthur Thomas, November 6, 1911.
CONAWAY West Virginia has many native-born physicians who are making great advancement in the science of medi- cine. The present generation are studying special work and features in medical practice and are succeeding well. Mann- ington is well supplied with physicians, and one of their number is Dr. Benjamin Franklin Conaway.
Alfred Conaway, the doctor's father, was a native of Barracksville, Marion county, West Virginia. He married Elizabeth, daughter of John and Susanna Clayton, of Gray's Flats.
Dr. Conaway, son of Alfred and Elizabeth (Clayton) Conaway, was born December 21, 1877, in Mannington, West Virginia. The doctor was educated at the Mannington schools and attended the Fair-
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