USA > West Virginia > Braxton County > History of Braxton County and central West Virginia > Part 43
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a most successful dairyman. He built the first silo in. the county. He is the owner of valuable lands on Grannies creek where he lives, also on Cedar creek. He is a consistent and worthy member of the M. E. church, and has labored many years in the Sunday School. His wife is a splendid type of American womanhood, her mother being Margaret Sutton Fisher, a woman of exalted character, noted for her benevolence, generosity, and her consideration for those needing sympathy and friendship.
JACOB LORENTZ.
Jacob Lorentz was born in Lancaster county, Pa., in January, 1776. At the age of twenty-one, he imigrated to Virginia, and in Randolph county, he mar- ried Rebecca, daughter of Valentine Stalnaker. In 1807, they moved to what was then Harrison county, where he was four years a farmer, then went into a mercantile business. He was commissioned and sworn in Justice of the Peace in Harrison county, continued in the office when that section of Harrison was set apart as Lewis county, and still held the office when Upshur county was formed in 1852, after which he declined to serve longer, having served in three counties without moving. He was Sheriff in Lewis county two years, and was also commissioner in chancery. Sixteen children were born of this mar- riage with Rebecca Stalnaker; twelve lived to maturity and married, and be- fore his death, one hundred and seventy-five children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren had been born to him. He died April 11, 1866, his wife having died seven years before.
MIFFLIN LORENTZ.
Mifflin Lorentz was born in Lewis county, Dec. 29, 1823, and his former wife was Fanny Warren White, born Feb. 1, 1829, in Henrico county, Va. They were married Dec. 28, 1848, and she died in 1864. Their children were: Mary Christian, Joseph Henry, Isaetta, Bettie Kent (died at seven years of age), Miffin (died at age of one year).
His latter marriage took place Nov. 8, 1871, to Mary Boggess, and three children were born: Egbert, Bessie Lee and Pare Hanson.
Mifflin Lorentz was elected clerk of the County Court of Upshur county in 1851, and served in that capacity until 1861, acting at the same time as deputy clerk of the Circuit Court. In 1872, he made his home in Braxton county, and practiced law in Bulltown.
Joseph H. Lorentz, son of Mifflin and Fannie White Lorentz, was born in Upshur county, Nov. 9, 1852, and was married to Ada E. Berry, daughter of Capt. James M. Berry. They had four children, Fannie E., now Mrs. O. L. Hall ,of Clay, W. Va .; Fred, Joseph Mifflin and James Berry.
Mr. Lorentz was a merchant for a good many years, but was once ap- pointed, and twice elected Circuit Clerk of Braxton county, which office he held to the time of his death, March 17, 1904.
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WASHINGTON LINGER.
Washington, son of Nicholas Linger, came to Braxton county in 1873. He married for his first wife Sarah J. Craig, daughter of Wm. Craig. Their chil- dren were Cary M., Charles P., Freeman, James Barrett, Della J. and May. His second marriage was with Mary Dotson. Their only child was named Earl L. His third marriage was with Jaby L. Dennison. Their children were Claud R. and Violet E. Mr. Linger died in 1906. Three of his sons by his first wife are in the west. Charles P. and Barrett are farmers and real estate agents, they both having taken a course in law. Freeman is a minister in the M. E. church and is noted for his piety and ability. Earl L. is a large farmer in the state of Montana. Mr. Linger was an exemplary citizen and member of the M. P. church.
THE McANANA FAMILY.
The McAnanas came to Braxton county about 1840, and settled on the waters of Granny's creek, where they cleared out a large farm. They imigrated from Maryland. The husband of the family worked on the canal between Cum- berland and Baltimore, and died there before the family came to Braxton.
Mary McAnana, the mother of the family, was a sister of John and Peter Duffy of Nicholas county, and of Philip Duffy of this county. Mr. McAnana had six children : Michael, John, Peter, Susan who married John Daley, Mary who married Martin Mulvy, and Ann. Susan was the only one of the family who had children. Michael, John, Peter and Ann never married. Peter joined the Union army, and died early in the war at Parkersburg. John went south during the war, and died not many years after its close. Michael lived many years, and improved a large farm now owned by the Daley heirs. He was high- ly respected, and was one of Braxton's noble citizens.
JAMES M. MCCOURT.
James M. McCourt came from Ireland about 1745, and probably settled in Bath county, Va. He was a weaver by trade. He afterward came to the Elk river and lived with his son, John Beri McCourt who had come to the country at an carly period. They lived seven or eight miles above the mouth of Laurel creek in Webster county. James M. McCourt lived to be one hundred and thirteen years of age. He died a year or two before the Civil war began, and was buried in the family cemetery on the banks of the Elk. His grave has never been marked. His son, John B., was a millwright by trade. He came from Bath county, Va., having been educated in Ohio, and was said to be a very good scholar. He lived to the good old age of ninety-nine years.
JOB MCMORROW, M. D.
Job McMorrow, M. D., was born in Hardy county, Va., March 19, 1819, and was a son of William and Margaret (Maloy) McMorrow. He came to
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Braxton eounty in 1846, and his parents joined him in 1851. On Nov. 12, 1846, he married Jane MeCoy, who was born April 13, 1829, being the daugh- ter of James G. and Elizabeth (Cutlip) MeCoy. Ten children were born : Elizabeth M., Margaret A., Edna, Susan (deceased), Caroline, Harriet, Mil- lard Fillmore, an unnamed daughter who died a few days after birth, Philip H. Sheridan (deceased), and Waitman T. Willie.
Mr. McMorrow began life for himself as a sehool teaeher, but not liking the profession he abandoned it. He later tried farming, and not caring for that, he eommeneed the study of medicine. He commenced practice for himself about 1856, and soon established a large and lucrative business. He followed this profession until his death.
THOMAS B. MCLAUGHLIN.
Thomas B. Mclaughlin, son of Jacob Warwick and Agnes (Boggs) Mc- Laughlin, was born in Braxton county, Feb. 7, 1839. On August 3, 1860, he married Martha J. Perkins who was born near Charleston. Her parents were William W. and Elizabeth (Anderson) Perkins. They had nine children : Johnson Ellsworth, Ruhama A., Ursula S., Harriet J., Abel M., Rebecca A., Minora V., James W. and Patriek.
Thomas B. MeLaughlin enlisted in Company F, 10th West Va. Infantry, and was honorably discharged July 1, 1865. He later taught school, and held several minor offiees of the county. Before his death, he was employed by the government for several years. His sons have sinee beeome prominent in the business affairs of the county.
ADDISON MCLAUGHLIN.
Colonel Addison MeLaughlin was the son of Dennis MeLaughlin who mar- ried a Miss MeClary. No history of Braxton would be complete without giv- ing spaee to the life and character of Colonel Addison MeLaughlin. He was born in the eity of Richmond about the beginning of the nineteenth eentury. His father was a boatman on the James river, and it is related that by the sinking of his boat, he became financially embarrassed and died soon there- after, leaving his widow with several children. Addison was then twelve years of age. The family moved to near Lewisburg in Greenbrier county. Mrs. MeLaughlin who was a Miss Sarah Jane Landeraft, had wealthy relatives in that county. Addison attended the academy in Lewisburg, walking three miles from his home. He studied law in the office of Wm. Cary of that town. He then moved his mother and the children to Nicholas county, and was elected to represent that eounty in the Virginia Legislature before he was twenty-one years of age. Colonel Mclaughlin moved from Nicholas eounty to Weston, Lewis county, Va., and practiced law in Lewis and adjoining counties, and in 1851 he bought the Bulltown salt works and settled at that place. Hc made large quantities of salt, considering the meager and primitive facilities of that day.
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Colonel Mclaughlin represented Braxton county in the Legislature. He was a man of superior talent, a very fine orator and an affable gentleman. One of the leaders of the Whig party in central West Virginia, he was instrumental in having the county of Webster established. He donated land for the public buildings, and the county scat was named Addison in honor of its founder. In boring a well for salt at that point, he struck the famous salt sulphur spring whose healing properties have given such comfort and hope to the thousands that drink annually from its copious fountain.
Colonel Mclaughlin, in traveling from his home to Webster Springs on horseback, died on his way along the Holly river. His family consisted of seven children, six girls and one son whom he named Duncan after Judge Duncan who held the first court in Sutton.
CATHERINE MCQUEEN.
Born of distinguished ancestry, this lady was a charming exponent of gentle breeding; beautiful in person, sweet and unassuming in manners, be- nevolent and charitable in her attitude to others, firm, judicious and with the finest sense of honor in all questions of right and wrong, her gentle, dignified personality was a power for good among all classes. Her gentle spirit passed out on the 1st day of January, 1913, after having a short time before passed her one hundredth mile-stone.
We append hereto a statement made and written down by Mrs. McQueen at her centennial birthday celebration on Nov. 15, 1912: "I was married Jan. 16, 1834, to Archibald McQueen in Picton, Nova Scotia, at the home of my parents, Dr. George and Christina Mckenzie. After living in Nova Scotia fourteen years, we came to this country in 1848. My parents died in Nova Scotia, my father in his 94th year, and my mother in her 60th year.
"God blessed us with ten children. Seven were born in Nova Scotia, namely: Christina, Arch, Henry, George, William, Catherine and Lillian. Charles and David were born in western Virginia. Julias was born in Nicholas county, this state. Five, Arch, Henry, George William and Julius have gone on before and await my coming. My husband died Dec. 12, 1892, on Buck's Garden, in his 83rd ycar. I am the oldest one of our family, and the only one now living. I have lived with my daughter, Lillian Rader, on Buck's Garden, since my husband's death, where I am kindly cared for. I close with good will to everybody .- C. MCQUEEN."
E. C. MARPLE.
E. C. Marple was born Sept. 12, 1869, in this county. His parents, J. M. Marple and Sophia Cunningham, were natives of Virginia, and his grand- parents, Ezikiel Marple and Cenna Shomore, also were born in same state. He was married Sept. 26, 1894, to E. E. Skidmore, and their children are Floda P., Sophia J., John W., Clarence D., Clara M., and Marjoria V. Mr. Marple
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is a successful merchant and business man of Flatwoods, owning some valuable real estate there. His wife died about three years ago.
ESMOND G. MOORE.
Esmond G. Moore was born Aug. 17, 1852, in Appomattox county, Va. His father, James D. Moore, was born in Appomattox county, Va., and his mother, Sallie A. Moore, in Campbell county, Va. His grandparents, Chris- topher C. and Elizabeth R., were both natives of Virginia.
Mr. Moore was married first to M. Alice Landrum, Aug. 14, 1879, to which union were born seven children, as follows: Glenworth W., Sallie A., Evelyn G., Esmond G., James B., Virginia C., and Russell P. Mr. Moore was next married on June 15, 1909, to Rena Stalnaker. He is a member of the M. E. church, South. His father and six brothers were in the Confederate army, one having been killed at second Cold Harbor, the others not being wounded while in service.
THE MORRISON FAMILY.
William Morrison was born near Winchester, county seat of Frederick county, Va., in 1779. In 1798, he married Maria Perkins who was born in Greenbrier county in 1782. In 1829, William Morrison with his family sought a home in the part of Nicholas county, Va., which is now included in Braxton county, this state. His children were thirteen: James (who died young), John and James W., Cynthia, Margaret, Nancy, Andrew, Francis, Rebecca, Elizabeth, William, Eleven (so named because the eleventh child born), and Leroy. After lives of usefulness, honored by all who knew them, William Morrison and his wife departed this life.
JAMES W. MORRISON.
James W. Morrison, son of above mentioned parents, was born Jan. 10, 1806. In Greenbrier county, on May 14, 1829, he married Nancy L. Grimes who was born Oct. 24, 1813. In the same year, they accompanied his parents to this vicinity where over fifty years of wedded life was spent. They were parents of fourteen children: Elizabeth J., John G., Mary H., William W., Sheldon C. (killed in battle of Winchester), Martha C., James W., Welling- ton F., Maria V., Leah T., Francis L., Nancy R., one child died unnamed, and Harvey M.
James W. Morrison held the office of Justice of the Peace for eighteen con- secutive years, nine by appointment, and nine by election. He also served four years as Sheriff, and was Postmaster for about twenty years.
JOHN G. MORRISON.
John G. Morrison, son of James W., commenced farming for himself in 1854, and later added lumbering to his farming. His first wife was Julia A.
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Rodgers, and they had one daughter whom they named Julia A. The second wife of Mr. Morrison was Alice Hutchinson, and they had one daughter, named Cleora A. On Feb. 5, 1863, he married Mary E., daughter of James E. and Elizabeth E. (Hamilton) Hickman, and the widow of James H. Shaw- ver. To them were born: Viola A., (died young), Emma S., Robirda D., Lillia G., Wesley W., Belden Emerson (died young), and Nannie B. (died in infancy.)
JOHN MORRISON.
John Morrison, son of William and Maria (Perkins) Morrison, was born in Greenbrier county March 4, 1804, and came to Braxton county in 1824. On May 4, 1826, he married Mary Lough who was born in Pendleton county, Jan. 7, 1807. They had six children: Maria J., William B. (died in infancy), James M. C., Morgan H., Margaret E. and George H.
When the Civil war was inaugurated, Mr. Morrison had a fine farm of three hundred acres. The "Moccasin Rangers" came to his farm, burned his house and all its contents to the ground, leaving not even one bed to sleep on, and drove off his cattle and horses. In the spring of 1862, he enlisted in Com- pany F, 10th Virginia Infantry, and served until the close of the war.
On June 27, 1865, he was a second time married, to Diana Bainbridge who was born in Rockingham county, Va., Jan. 19, 1829. He filled the office of Constable for ten years, was four years Deputy Sheriff, then was elected Sheriff for two terms of two years each.
MORGAN H. MORRISON.
Morgan H. Morrison, son of John and Polly (Lough) Morrison, was born Dec. 2, 1832. He was a farmer by occupation, but was several years in public life as Deputy Sheriff, Constable, Magistrate and Clerk of the court. Mr. Mor- rison married for his former wife, Susan Sterret by whom he had several chil- dren. A latter wife was the widow of Charles Hall, daughter of Colonel Ad- dison Mclaughlin. Mr. Morrison moved to the state of Kansas where he re- cently died, having held the office of County Judge in that state. His family still live in Kansas.
J. W. MORRISON, JR.
J. W. Morrison, Jr., son of J. W. and Nancy Grimes Morrison, was born January 10, 1843, grew ot manhood on his father's farm, and at the breaking out of the Civil war, he left the county until peace returned, and then he be- gan farming and stock raising, until 1868, when he was appointed Deputy Sheriff under his father, an office that he held for four years. June 15th, 1871, he married Martha T. McClung, of Nicholas county, a daughter of Fielding McClung, a woman of exemplary character. To this union were born Charles H., Alpheus, Edwin, Mary E., Ernest. Lucy, Anna. In 18 .... he was elected to the State Senate and having served his people faithfully, was again elected
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to represent his district. In 19 .... he sustained an injury by a fall from a car- riage, which, together with the exposure incident to the lumber trade, in the rigor of winter crossing swollen streams, to which he was often exposed, brought on a complication of diseases that after several years of intense suffer- ing, his great energy and physical powers gave way, and he died, having ac- cumulated a valuable estate.
GEORGE H. MORRISON.
George H. Morrison, son of John and Polly (Lough) Morrison, was born Oct. 10, 1838. He married Minerva Berry, daughter of Joel Berry, by whom he reared a large family. Mr. Morrison lived on a farm until the commence- ment of the Civil war when he enlisted in Company F, 10th West Virginia Infantry, and at the close of the war he was appointed by Judge Ervin, Sheriff of Braxton county. During the term of his sheriffalty, he read law, and was admitted to the bar in the early 70's where he soon distinguished himself as an able attorney, a true and faithful advocate and counsellor. He represented his district in the State Senate, and was held in high esteem by his country- men. He and his wife died some years since, and are buried on the town hill at Sutton.
WELLINGTON FLETCHER MORRISON.
Wellington Fletcher Morrison, son of James W. Morrison, married Sarah E. Berry who was born in Braxton county, Dec. 13, 1847. Their children were born as follows: Flora Virginia (died young), Minerva L. (died young), Laura Belle (married Edgar G. Rider), Spurgeon (died while attending public school), Sarah May (died in infancy), James T. B., Lizzie Gertrude( married Cary C. Hines), Audrey (married Carl Walker).
He was elected Township Clerk in 1869, was Deptuy Sheriff, 1868-70., Superintendent of Schools, 1871-72, Deputy Clerk of the Circuit Court, 1873- 78, and Clerk of the Circuit Court, 1879-85. He was also engaged in the mer- cantile business at Sutton in partnership with his brother for many years. Mr. Morrison served as private in Co. F, 10th West Virginia Infantry during the Civil war, was in many engagements. He celebrated the 58th anniversary of his marriage recently, since which time his companion has passed away.
LUTHER MORRISON.
Luther Morrison, son of James W. and Nancy Grimes Morrison, and grandson of Wmn. and Mariah Perkins Morrison, was born November 13, 1851, at Flatwoods, W. Va. He was married June 11, 1874, to Mary L. Squires.
Mr. Morrison taught in the public schools of Braxton for a while, after which he took to farming and stock raising as an occupation. He was unusually successful in his undertakings, and ranked among the foremost farmers of the county. He was a man of remarkable energy and resolution. His children are
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Wilbur S., deceased, Wm. D., Estella M., Mavina L., Minnie L. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
EARLE MORRISON.
Earle Morrison was born April 11, 1886, at Sutton. His father was J. W. Morrison of Braxton county, and his mother, Martha T. McClung of Nicholas- county, W. Va. He was married Sept. 11, 1913, to Delila Adams, names of children being Maurice, Bueford and Kathyleen. 'Mr. Morrison completed the Commercial Course at Eastman Business College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and is now an up-to-date agriculturist, being for some years president of the Braxton County Agricultural Society. He is a member of the M. E. church.
EDWIN MORRISON.
Edwin Morrison was born May 9, 1875, at Flatwoods, being of same par- entage as previous sketch. He was married June 11, 1902, to Miss Evelyn G. Moore of Flatwoods, names of their children being Ernestine Gray, James Wesley, Virginia Alice, Frederich, Helen and Thomas Dressler.
Mr. Morrison for several years followed farming and lumbering in Brax- ton county, and a few years since moved to Oregon where he has acquired valuable farming lands. Mr. Morrison's wife is an exemplary lady, and in start- ing up a new branch of the family in the great northwest, bids fair to make their mark amid the best citizens of the land.
SILAS M. MORRISON.
Silas M. Morrison was born in Pocahontas county, Virginia, May 3, 1845, came to Braxton in 1847, and married T. J. Gillespie, daughter of John and Rebecca Morrison Gillespie, June 6, 1866. They reared a large family.
He enlisted in Company F. Tenth West Virginia Infantry, and served for over three years in the Civl war. He was severely wounded at the battle of Droop Mountain, November 6, 1863.
He served the public as postmaster at Newville, this state, for twenty- three years. He is now livng at his home in Newville where he owns property, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him. Since died.
B. D. MAHONE.
B. D. Mahone, son of Win. C. and Nancy D. Mahonc, was born July 10, 1849, in Cabell county, West Virginia. His grandfather was James T. Car- roll, of Carroll county, Virginia.
Mr. Mahone was married December 14, 1869, to Miss Mary A. Jayne. His children are Minnie H. (now Mrs. B. D. Lewis), Lena Rymer, Alpheus V., Luther D., Myrtle A. Maling, Wm. A. and J. K.
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Mr. Mahone has been for many years a preacher in the Methodist Church, and now lives at Flatwoods.
DR. W. H. MCCAULEY.
Dr. W. H. McCauley, physician and surgeon, was born in Upshur county, West Virginia, September 2nd, 1859. He belonged to a family of eight chil- dren, reared on a farm, and without any extensive means to secure an educa- tion, outside of his own close application, energy and frugal habits. He at- tended the neighboring schools of the county, and after going through the com- mon branches, he began to teach, as an aid to a higher education. Belonging to that McCaulcy family that was noted for their medical talent, he bent his energies in that direction, and took up the study of medicine in Sutton, and taking a course at the College of Physicians & Surgeons at Baltimore, where he was graduated in 1888. Since that time he has maintained his office in Sut- ton, except for a period of four years, in which time he was Assistant Surgeon in the Hospital for the Insane, at Weston. He was married in 1891, to Miss Mary E. Norris. This union has been blessed with two daughters, of culture and refinement, the pride and joy of their parents.
B. C. MCNUTT.
B. C. McNutt married Susan, the only daughter of Wm. and Anna Sutton Waggy. To them were born three children, John D., Mamie and Anna.
A second marriage was with Effie, daughter of Johnson and Susan Prince Squires. To them were born five daughters, Danube, Irene, Lucile, Hugh died young, Eva and Norma.
JEREMIAH MACE. -
Jerry Macc came to Braxton county about the year 1810, and settled on Granny's creek. His children were Wm., Isaac, Elihue, Polly and Eliza. With two of his sons, Isaac and Elihue, he later removed to Ohio.
Wm. Macc married Sally Green, daughter of Thomas Green. Their chil- dren were Marlow, Rena, Margaret, Jeremiah, Rhoda, Thomas, Albert, Mary, Elizabeth, and one died in infancy.
His second wife was Boggs, and their children were J. W., B. F., A. C., Edward, Mahala, Nannie and Lydc.
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HENRY MACE.
One of the early settlers of Sutton was Henry Mace; his wife's name was Mary. Their son Andrew was born near Sutton, April 15th, 1813; they had a daughter named Anna, who lived to be 107 years of age. She lived in Ka- nawha county. Andrew married a Miss Green; he spent the greater portion of his life in Roane county and lived to be very old.
DAVID S. MORTON.
David S. Morton, son of David I. and. Sarah J. Jones Morton, was born Nov. 30, 1849, and married Mary Skidmore, Nov. 19, 1874. Their children were Margaret Jane, Ida May, Bertha Viola, Daise Ethel, Ephrasia Esther, Harry Gordon. Few men can boast of having taught longer or more success- fully in the public schools than Mr. Morton. He commenced teaching in 1869, and has taught fifty-eight terms, and was County Superintendent of Schools in 1888-89. He has been in the school work forty-eight years. He is a farmer as well as a teacher, and has been prominent and diligent in his chosen profes- sion. He was appointed to take the census in 1890, and again in 1910 in Holly district. Mr. Morton lives on his farm near Newville.
WM. NEWLON.
Colonel Wm. Newlon of Taylor county, Virginia, was born November 29, 1808. He married Eliza Pool Camden, daughter of Henry and Mary Pool Camden, November 19, 1835. Their children were Mary Link, Jennie, Sarah, Lyde, Wm. P., Camden, Newton, Charles E., Anna D. Of this family, all are dead except Wm. P. and Anna D.
Colonel Newlon came to Braxton about the time of its formation. He was a practicing physician, and was elected first Clerk of the Court of Braxton, holding the office for many years. He afterward studied law, and practiced in Braxton and adjoining counties, at one time being Prosecuting Attorney of Braxton county. Colonel Newlon was a man of more than ordinary ability, kind, obliging, affable in his manner, and well beloved. He was the son of Wm. Newlon.
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