USA > West Virginia > Genealogical and personal history of the upper Monongahela valley, West Virginia, Volume II > 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
474
UPPER MONONGAHELA VALLEY.
After attending the common schools in his native county, Rufus E. Harr worked at various things until the civil war came on, when he tendered his services to his country. He enlisted when only sixteen years of age in Company F, Twelfth Regiment, West Virginia Infan- try, under Colonel Curtis. He was with Hunter during his raid, and in December, 1864, was removed to the front of Richmond where his com- mand remained until the following March. They were later engaged at Hatcher's Run. April 1, he was present at the storming of Fort Gregg, in front of Petersburg, considered the key to the military situa- tion. Their corps commander was General Gibbons, and soon after the Twelfth Regiment was presented with a golden eagle, mounted on a globe, with the following inscription on the globe: "Presented to the Twelfth West Virginia Infantry, by Maj-Gen. Gibbons who was their corps commander, for gallant conduct in charging Fort Gregg, in front of Petersburg, on April 2, 1865." The regiment (what there is left of it) are very proud of this globe and inscription and preserve it with great care. Before Mr. Harr had reached his nineteenth birthday he had passed through that great war for the preservation of the union and been honorably discharged from the service of his country. He had three sons in the late Spanish-American war, and has safely placed the five honorably discharges (his own and his sons papers) in the safety vaults of his bank.
After his return from the war Mr. Harr followed farming during the summer and taught school in winter, continuing thus for thirteen years. After that he devoted all of his time to farming and stock rais- ing up to 1891, when he removed to the city of Fairmont, where he erected several residences. Later he engaged in the mercantile business under the firm name of Thomas & Harr, continuing until April 1, 1911. In 1903 he assisted in organizing the Monongahela Bank of Fairmont, with a capital of $50,000. He was selected as one of the directors and also its president at the date of its organization, and still holds such re- sponsible position. This banking house is in a flourishing condition, paying a three per cent. semi-annual dividend. At the election in No- vember, 1906, Mr. Harr was elected as one of the delegates from Marion county to the West Virginia legislature and served in the regu- lar session of 1907 and in the called session of 1908. He is a Repub- lican in politics.
475
UPPER MONONGAHELA VALLEY.
Mr. Harr married, August 29, 1867, Mary L., daughter of Rich- ard and Hannah Thomas, of Marion county, West Virginia. The chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Harr are: 1. Albert. 2. Maggie, wife of Mr. Gilhart, residing in Fairmont. 3. Fred S., of Fairmont. 4. Frank R., unmarried, at home. 5. Annie, Mrs. Hall, of Fairmont. 6. Hugh, a druggist on Main street, Fairmont. 7. Ella, Mrs. Henry, of Fair- mont. 8. B. Filmore, assistant chief of police at Fairmont. 9. Lillian, Mrs. Parks, of Fairmont. 10. Evie S., Mrs. Swearnger, died about 1890, leaving one child. Two more of the issue of Mr. and Mrs. Harr died in infancy. Fred S., Frank R. and Hugh Harr, served in the Spanish-American war in 1898-99, and B. Filmore later spent three years in the signal service of the United States army.
NICHOLS The ancestors of this branch of the Nichols family came from England and settled in Pennsylvania many years before the revolutionary war.
(I) Thomas Nichols married Margaret Morgan and they had the following children: William, see forward; Thomas, killed at the battle of Brandywine; James, died at Catfish Falls, Pennsylvania; Isabella, married Michael Beary; Mary, married John Snider; Margaret.
(II) William, son of Thomas and Margaret (Morgan) Nichols, was born in Pennsylvania, and died near Fairmont, Virginia, now West Virginia, November 30, 1843. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Rangers from 1778 to 1783, during the revolutionary war; this organ- ization furnished its own guns and ammunition. He married Jane, daughter of Henry McClelland, who emigrated from Scotland, and she was born on the ocean. She died May 16, 1838. Children : Henry, see forward; Thomas, married and settled in Pittsburgh; Margaret, married James Fitzmorris; Anna, married Reason Fowler; Priscilla, married Patrick Clelland; Mary, married Matthew Gilmore; Isabella, married George McCray.
(III) Henry, son of William and Jane (McClelland) Nichols, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, October 11, 1791, died Janu- ary 5, 1873, and is buried in the cemetery near the Baptist church of which he and his wife were very devout members, at Barrackville, about three miles from Fairmont, West Virginia. He moved to a farm on Buffalo Creek, in what was then Monongalia county, Virginia, which
476
UPPER MONONGAHELA VALLEY.
is now Marion county, West Virginia, about the year 1826, but con- tinued his occupation as an iron moulder at Oliphant Furnace, leaving there Saturday evening and returning Sunday night, for several years. He married, July 3, 1815, Nancy McClelland, born January 15, 1796, in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, died June 8, 1865, buried in the same cemetery with her husband. She was no relation to the above-named persons of same name. Children : James William, see forward; Jane Isabella, born October 24, 1819, married Felix S. Wilcox; Ann Eliza, born December 20, 1820, married John M. King; Mary Collins, Janu- ary 14, 1823, married James Shriver; Sarah Ann, April 2, 1825, mar- ried John A. Heck; William Alexander, November 23, 1827, married Mary Ann Pindel; Priscilla McClelland, September 23, 1829, married Jesse Sharp; Larken McClelland, May 9, 1831, married Mary Sin- clair; Henry McClelland, February 20, 1833, not married, killed in the civil war; John Robinson, May 1, 1835, married Laretta Wilson; Thomas Luther, May 12, 1840, died in infancy; Elsey Steenrod, June II, 1841, never married.
(IV) James William, son of Henry and Nancy (McClelland) Nichols, was born in Fayette county, near Oliphant Furnace, Pennsyl- vania, November 24, 1816, died in Fairmont, West Virginia, March 17, 1871. He was a miller by trade and followed this all his life in and around Fairmont. He was a member of the Methodist Protestant church, and taught a class in its Sunday school from early manhood until his death. In politics he was a Republican. He married, April 18, 1843, Mary B. Fleming, born July 9, 1825, died August 18, 1906, daughter of William B. and Hannah (Miller) Fleming, and grand- daughter of Alexander and Mary (Hays) Fleming, who were married March 27, 1793. Hannah Miller was the daughter of Peter and Mary Miller; they were married February 5, 1785, in Goshen, New York. Peter Miller was born in Woodbury, New Jersey, May 15, 1759, en- listed in the continental army, and participated in the battles of White Plains and Long Island, New York. It is not known when he moved to Virginia, but at the time of his death he owned the land now com- posing the fifth ward of the city of Fairmont.
Children of James William and Mary B. (Fleming) Nichols: I. William Henry, died in infancy. 2. Francis Edmond, see forward. 3. Ella P., married John Fenton Clayton; died February 4, 1879, in Gree-
Frances & Nichols,
477
UPPER MONONGAHELA VALLEY.
ley, Colorado, buried at Grafton, West Virginia; had two sons : Edward Rowland, now manager of the Maryland Coal Company in Harrison county, West Virginia, and Frank Wilson, died in infancy. 4. Laura Emma, married Charles L. Maulsby, now residing in California; chil- dren : Anna Clayton and Thomas Nichols Maulsby. 5. Minnie, mar- ried Charles W. Walker; died August 8, 1888; children: Kephart Nichols, and one daughter, died in infancy. 6. Anna Pratt, died May 5, 1898.
(V) Francis Edmond, son of James W. and Mary B. (Fleming) Nichols, was born September 20, 1846, about one mile from the city of Fairmont, West Virginia. He received his education at the only schools in existence in this section at that day, the private subscription schools, one of which was taught by Dr. W. R. White, and it was a most ex- cellent educational institution for those days. Later Dr. White was made state superintendent of public schools in West Virginia. He was also a noted Methodist Episcopal minister. After leaving the school room, Mr. Nichols followed bookkeeping for many years, and was with several well known business houses. His next step in business life was his appointment as mail clerk, on the line of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, his regular run being between Grafton and Chicago. He fol- lowed this work for twelve years, until he resigned in 1884 to take up a more independent work, that of insurance. He was in various rail- road wrecks during his services as mail clerk, but fortunately was never injured. At times he was surrounded on all sides with wrecked cars, and many of his comrades lost life and limb, but kind Providence seem- ed to spare him from injury. He is still engaged in the insurance busi- ness. At first he handled both fire and life insurance, but at present confines himself to fire exclusively. His spacious, well-fitted offices are in the new Masonic Temple. He has now twenty-six companies for which he is agent, doing both city and farm insurance business. He is director in the Home Savings Bank and the National Bank of Fair- mont. Politically he is a Republican, but has never aspired to nor been induced to hold public office, preferring to attend strictly to his private business. He is a far advanced Free Mason, having reached the thirty- second degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. He has held all the chairs in the local lodges, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, chapter and commandery, and been the secretary of the local bodies at
478
UPPER MONONGAHELA VALLEY.
Fairmont for more than thirty years, except the Blue Lodge, of which he has been the secretary since 1904. He belongs to Crusade Com- mandery, No. 6, Knights Templar, and the Scottish Rite bodies at Wheeling. He is now holding the office of grand recorder of the Grand Commandery of West Virginia, having held this important office since 1904. Mr. Nichols is charter member of the newly organ- ized Country Club of Fairmont, and he with his family holds member- ship in the Methodist Protestant church, of which society he is trustee. He also belongs to the Sons of the Revolution, of which he is the state treasurer.
He married (first) Emma V. Steele, September 25, 1889; she died August 9, 1893, leaving one daughter, Mary Louise, born January 12, 1892, graduated at the high schools of Fairmont, her native city, and later attended Walnut Lane School, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from which she graduated in 1911. He married (second), August 30, 1899, Laura, born September 22, 1860, daughter of R. C. and Mary (Lott) Dunnington, of Fairmont, West Virginia. Mrs. Nichols' father was in the mercantile business, but during the latter part of his life in the insurance business, died in 1904; his wife died at Fairmont, in the spring of 1911. Mrs. Nichols is one of seven children. Mary Louise, only child of Francis E. Nichols, is now an enthusiastic mem- ber of the Daughters of the American Revolution, being eligible by connecting back to men of service in that great struggle, both on her paternal and maternal sides. Her connection with this body is at Fair- mont, West Virginia, being a worthy member of William Haymond Chapter. The Fleming genealogy is given elsewhere in this work, and will complete the connection between the Nichols and Fleming lines.
WHITEHILL This family is an old one in Pennsylvania and has more recently been an important factor in the states to the west and south. The paternal grand- father of Dr. Alexander Reid Whitehill, of the University of West Virginia, as well as his maternal grandfather, Henry Reed, resided many ycars on the south side of the Ohio river, in Beaver county, Penn- sylvania. Both were men of marked prominence in their respective communities.
(I) James Whitehill was a farmer by occupation, and was a man
479
UPPER MONONGAHELA VALLEY.
of intelligence and influence in his section of the country. In his relig- ious faith he was of the Presbyterian church. He married Deborah Stephens, and they reared a family, including Stephen, of whom further.
(II) Stephen, son of James and Deborah (Stephens) Whitehill, was born October 4, 1813, died in January, 1892. By occupation he was a farmer. He was a Republican in politics and his religious faith was that of the Presbyterian denomination. He married, May 18, 1837, Margaret McCandless Reed, born November 18, 1818, died in April, 1905. Children : Henry R., James R., D. C., J. M., W. W., A. R., T. R., C. B.
(III) Dr. Alexander Reed Whitehill, son of Stephen and Mar- garet McCandless (Reed) Whitehill, was born in Hookstown, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. When a mere youth he manifested a strong de- sire to secure a good educational training that he might be the better equipped for the carrying out of life's plans, as pictured by his ambition, even at that tender inexperienced age. This was pleasing to his parents, who gave him every possible aid and encouragement. He attended the public schools of his native town, where he showed an unusual aptness and quickness of perception in everything he undertook. At an early age he entered Princeton College (now University) as a freshman. Dr. E. M. Turner, afterwards president of West Virginia University, was one of his examiners. Four years later he graduated in the class of 1874, taking rank among the first ten in his class that graduated one hundred members. Having entered the list as a competitor for the Experimental Science Fellowship, valued at six hundred dollars, he was awarded the prize on graduation, Dr. Brackett, author of "Brackett's Physics," and Dr. Arnold Guyot being his examiners. To broaden his views and pursue his favorite studies he went to Europe the year follow- ing his graduation. For a time he studied at the School of Mines at Freiberg, Germany, and afterwards at the University of Leipsic. While abroad he traveled extensively, visiting nearly every country and large city on the continent.
In 1876, our centennial year, he returned to the United States, accepting a position as professor of physical science in one of the best institutions on the Pacific coast. He held this place four years. In 1881, while on a visit to his home he was offered the principalship of Linsly Institute at Wheeling, West Virginia, which he accepted, and he
480
UPPER MONONGAHELA VALLEY.
then determined to make West Virginia his place of residence. He remained in Wheeling until 1885, when he was elected to the chair of chemistry and physics in the West Virginia University, and with this institution he has remained until the present. With the growth of the University his chair was divided, and he elected to remain at the head of the department of chemistry, while Dr. Thomas E. Hodges, now president of the university, was assigned to the department of physics. From this time the growth of the department of chemistry was rapid and steady, and in the number of students and equipment it soon became one of the most important departments of the university. In addition to his other duties he assisted in the organization of the West Virginia Agricultural Experimental Station, and Dr. Whitehill was the author of the first scientific bulletin published and distributed by that institu- tion. Apart from the work in his classroom he has been by no means idle, and for several years after graduating at college he was almost constantly engaged in newspaper work. For four years he was the regular Pacific coast correspondent of the Chicago Tribune, and also wrote for the San Francisco Chronicle, Philadelphia Press and New York Tribune. In 1889 he wrote for Hon. W. T. Harris, United States commissioner of education, a history of education in West Vir- ginia. This included a history of all the principal educational institu- tions of the state. In the "Columbian History of Education in West Virginia," published in 1893 by the State Board of World's Fair Man- agers for West Virginia, no fewer than thirteen articles are from Dr. Whitehill's pen. His life has been a studious one, he having aimed at all times to keep fully abreast with the age in which he is permitted to live and labor. Education has been his theme. In scientific work he ranks high as a thinker and writer, and his work at the university is everywhere commended. He was one of the founders of the Princeton University Association of Pittsburgh, which is now one of the largest alumni associations of this country.
Dr. Whitehill is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society and also of the American Chemical Society. By appointment of Governor Will- iam E. Glasscock, he is the official member for West Virginia of the organizing committee of the Eighth International Congress of Applied Chemistry which will meet in New York in September, 1912. It is expected this will be the largest and most representative assembly of
481
UPPER MONONGAHELA VALLEY.
chemists and allied business and professional men that has ever been brought together. In 1877 Princeton University conferred upon Dr. Whitehill the degree of Master of Arts, and in 1887 Washington and Jefferson College conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Philos- ophy.
Dr. Whitehill married, in 1882, Anna, daughter of S. B. Wilson, Esq., of Beaver, Pennsylvania, one of the most distinguished lawyers of his state. Their only daughter, Elizabeth Wilson, married, Febru- ary 20, 1912, Dr. J. Carl Hill, of Boise, Idaho. Their son, Charles Alexander, died November 2, 1897, at the age of eleven years.
OFFNER Four or more generations of the Offner family have resided on Virginia soil. They have produced many distinguished men and women in the various profes- sions and callings of life. Dr. John Edward Offner, of Fairmont, West Virginia, comes of this stock, and well represents the medical profession in his section of the commonwealth of West Virginia.
(I) Reuben Offner was born in Old Virginia in 1804, at Wood- stock, died at Romney, West Virginia, April 21, 1889. He was a shoemaker. Politically he was a Democrat, and in church faith a Methodist Episcopalian. He married Matilda Jane Cummins and they had children : Isaac Henry, of whom further; John Edward, Mary Frances, Hannah Catherine, Annie Elizabeth.
(II) Isaac Henry, son of Reuben and Matilda Jane ( Cummins) Offner, was born at Romney, Virginia, July 11, 1844. He followed teaching for his profession; was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church; politically a Democrat; served under "Stonewall" Jackson's command, in Company K, Thirty-third Virginia Regiment of Infantry. He married Mary Jane Kalbaugh, born at Cross, Virginia, September 23, 1854. Children : John Edward, of whom further; William Porter, born September 22, 1879; Walter Lee, May 12, 1882; Catora Bell, August 29, 1883; Martha Virginia, October 4, 1887; Mary Frances, May 17, 1889; Orlando Earl, October 30, 1890; Margaret Kalbaugh, May 24, 1893. Mary Jane Kalbaugh was of German descent on the paternal side, and Irish on the maternal side. Alexander Kalbaugh, father of Mrs. Isaac H. Offner, was born in Mineral county, West 6-2M
482
UPPER MONONGAHELA VALLEY.
Virginia, then in Hampshire county, September II, 1829. He was a farmer, a Republican and a Methodist. Margaret Catherine (Tasker) Kalbaugh, wife of Alexander Kalbaugh, was born September 2, 1829. Alexander Kalbaugh and wife had children : George Mason, Isaac W., Mary Jane, Nancy S., William G., Joseph A., Martha J. and Dr. Zedock L. Kalbaugh.
(III) John Edward Offner, M. D., son of Isaac Henry and Mary Jane ( Kalbaugh) Offner, was born April 15, 1877, at Piedmont, Min- eral county, West Virginia. He was educated in the West Virginia public schools, and graduated at Maryland Medical College, Baltimore, Maryland, May 4, 1908. He was reared in the country, and labored on public works around the mines and railroad machine shops, and later, when fitted, served in the hospital corps of the United States army during the late Spanish-American war. He also at one time worked in the civil engineers corps for the Dry Fork Railroad Company, was assistant foreman for the Parsons Pulp & Paper Company, and served as assistant in a nursery and childs' hospital, while on vacation in his college days, thus showing that he has always been an active man. Politically he votes the Democratic ticket. He was the first Democratic councilman to be elected in the first ward of the city of Fairmont, West Virginia, the term being from 1911 to 1913. He is a member of the Marion County and West Virginia State Medical societies, also the American Medical Association. He is an advanced Free Mason, be- longing to the Knights Templar Commandery and Mystic Shriners, and holds membership in the Woodmen of the World, holding import- ant offices in each. He is also connected with the Woodmen of Amer- ica and the Moose Order. He is an honorary member of Alpha Chap- ter, Kappa Psi, and is connected with the Fairmont Moose Club.
Dr. Offner married, July 8, 1901, at Oakland, Maryland, Effie Blanche Taylor, born at Kerns, Randolph county, West Virginia, July 1, 1880, daughter of Hays H. Taylor, who served in the confederate army, and whose children by his wife Deborah were: Sunrise, Gordon W., Effie Blanche (Mrs. Offner), Eugenie Clair. Dr. Offner and wife have children : Mildred Ruth, born March 23, 1902; Edward Taylor, May 18, 1903, both students in school at the present time (1912).
1
483
UPPER MONONGAHELA VALLEY.
This article will consider the families of the Irvins and IRVIN Samsells, who are related by intermarriage, and who have for many years borne well their part in the upbuilding of the city of Fairmont.
John W. Irvin, present proprietor of the Manley Hotel at Fair- mont, West Virginia, was born in Pennsylvania, October 10, 1855. He received a common school education, but was only permitted to attend school one winter, and then studied at home nights for the remainder of his education. At the early age of ten years he began to care for himself, and has since been variously engaged, chiefly in the hotel and livery business, with the exception of a few years as contractor and builder, as will presently be seen. He engaged in hotel business in the eighties at Fairmont, West Virginia, continued fourteen years, then sold out and became a general contractor, doing railroad work as well as house building. He followed this five years, during which period he erected the post office building at Findlay, Ohio, in 1905. He is again engaged in hotel business at Fairmont, where in addition to running the Manley Hotel he carries the largest livery stock in the city. He is vice- president of the Home Savings Bank of Fairmont, belongs to the Pres- byterian church, and is connected with the Knights of Pythias order. Politically he votes the Democratic ticket. Mr. Irvin is a self-made man, has succeeded against great hinderances, and has now reached an independent state in life, winning the respect of all with whom he comes in contact.
He married Mary Cornelia Ray Samsell, born December 23, 1856. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Irvin is George Samsell, born June II, 1895 ; is now (1912) in the eighth grade in the Fairmont high schools, and like his grandfather (maternal) is a natural musician; he plays by ear as readily as by note.
William Henry Samsell, father of Mrs. Irvin, was born in Old Virginia, April 27, 1825. His first important work in life was that of making high grade ladies' shoes, which trade he was forced to abandon on account of ill health. For a time he was engaged at the mines, but the latter part of his life was clerk in the hotel of Mr. Irvin, his son-in- law. He was superintendent of the Presbyterian Sunday school many years, also led the choir. He was a genius in music, and was band master at Morgantown. He was a soldier in Company H, Second
484
UPPER MONONGAHELA VALLEY.
Regiment, West Virginia Volunteer Infantry, and was leader of the regimental band all through the civil war. Politically he was a Re- publican, and in church faith a Presbyterian of strict rule of life and deep seated convictions. He married, November 18, 1852, Anna E. Black, born in Middletown, now Fairmont, West Virginia, February 5, 1835. Children : John Henry, born September 3, 1853, now resides in Fairmont; Mary Cornelia Ray, December 23, 1856, now Mrs. John W. Irvin; Charles W., December 12, 1861, died May 20, 1866; Kate Virginia, October 12, 1864, now Mrs. Dr. Thayer, of Grafton, West Virginia; Sally Bell, November, 1869, died November 14, 1877; Anna Lee, July 15, 1875, now Mrs. Lynn Yeoder, residing at Hunt- ington, West Virginia.
Hugh Evans, born 1769 in Monongalia, Preston county,
EVANS Virginia, died in Evansville, West Virginia, 1873. He founded the town of Evansville. He was a man who was honored and respected by every one who knew him. He mar-
ried -, and had children : James, Samuel, of whom fur- ther; Nancy, Hugh, Sarah, Rolley, William.
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.