History of Charleston and Kanawha County, West Virginia and representative citizens, Part 132

Author: Laidley, William Sydney, 1839-1917. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, Ill., Richmond-Arnold publishing co
Number of Pages: 1066

USA > West Virginia > Kanawha County > Charleston > History of Charleston and Kanawha County, West Virginia and representative citizens > Part 132

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Charleston high school in the class of 1911; Virginia, attending the public schools, who was born November 10, 1896; Mary Ashton, born February 2, 1898. Mrs. Cotton is a member of the Episcopal church, and of which her hus- band was a vestryman. Mrs. Cotton is a prom- inent member of Charleston society.

WILLIAM E. MOHLER, president of the Mohler Lumber Company, at Lock Seven, Union district, Kanawha county, W. Va., and vice president of the bank of St. Albans, of which he was one of the organizers and is a charter member and a director, has also other important interests in Kanawha county. He was born in Augusta county, Va., July 14, 1852, and is a son of D. F. and Ellen E. ( Sil- ling) Mohler.

D. F. Mohler was born in Augusta county, Va. about 1832, and died at the age of sixty- seven years, being buried at Parnassus, in Augusta county. During the larger part of his active life he was interested in lumbering. When the Civil war broke out he secured a contract to construct wagons for the Confed- erate government and operated a factory dur- ing the first two years of the war. During the rest of the war period he assisted in the man- ufacturing of iron. He owned the second saw mill operated in Augusta county. He married Ellen E. Silling, who was born also in Augusta county, a daughter of William Silling, and nine children were born to them, William E. being the eldest. Mrs. D. F. Mohler died in her sixty-fifth year. She was a devoted mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church south.

William E. Mohler attended school in Au- gusta and Rockingham counties, Va., and un- der his father had the training as a lumber- man that enabled him, when of age, to embark in the lumber business for himself, in Alder- son. Monroe county, W. Va. From there he came to St. Albans, March 28, 1882, and here began extensive operations in lumber. mak- ing arrangements for a si1DDly of timber from Boone. Logan and other counties. In October. 1888. Mr. Mohler. with his father and brothers, built the mill at Tock Seven. known as the Mohler T umber Company's mill and is onerat- ing it under the incorporated name of Mohler

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Lumber Company, in Union district. To Mr. Mohler, more than to any one man, Lock Seven is indebted for the industrial prosperity which it enjoys. In fact, to name all the en- terprises with which he is connected in a busi- ness or public spirited way, would include the majority of the activities which make up the towns of Lock Seven and St. Albans.

He owns much property at St. Albans, hav- ing twelve residences, one of the finest of which he occupies as his home, and which was con- structed with an eye to architectural beauty and supplied with every modern comfort. Mr. Mohler is a stockholder in the Boone County Bank at Madison, and a director of the Ka- nawha National Bank, of Charleston. He is president and manager of the St. Albans Water and Electric Light Company; he to- gether with his brother, T. H. Mohler, who is treasurer, own and operate this enterprise. Mr. Mohler is also president and director of the McGregor Manufacturing Company; a di- rector of the South Side Foundry and Machine Company, of Charleston; president and di- rector of St. Albans Building Company. di- rector of Herald Publishing Company of St. Albans, and a stockholder in the Pinguico Mines Co. of Mexico, and the Mexican Mill- ing and Transportation Co., at Guanajuato, Mexico. These varied interests are held with a first grasp, a master mind controlling these various concerns with an ease that shows strong nerves and great keenness of business percep- tion.

In looking after his personal affairs with so much success, Mr. Mohler, however, has not been indifferent to public affairs when a dis- play of public spirit was needed. As a city councilman his efforts have always been - to bring about the true welfare of his fellow citi- zens. In politics he is a Republican.

Mr. Mohler was married to Jennie A. Reeves, of Augusta County, Va., who died at St. Albans, April, 8. 1905. Three children survive her, namely : Reba R., who is the wife of W. Don. Hereford and resides at Oklahoma City, Okl .: Daniel N., who is attending col- lege at Washington and Lee University, Lex- ington, Virginia; and Ruth E., who resides at home.

Mr. Mohler afterwards married, May 14, 1908, Mary E. Alexander, daughter of W. A. and Leonora C. Alexander, of Frazier's Bot- tom, Putnam county. Mr. Mohler is a mem- ber of, and an elder in the Presbyterian church, south, and has been one of its liberal support- ers, contributing thousands of dollars to the upbuilding and sustaining of the local organi- zations.

THOMAS E. COURTNEY,* who was born in Liberty township, Mercer county Pa., March II, 1865, since 1873 has been engaged in the lumber business and since 1884 has been identified with his brother, Dewitt G. Court- ney, at Charleston, W. Va.

Mr. Courtney has taken an active interest in all that concerns the best interests of Charleston ever since he has been a resident, is a large investor in property and is a re- sponsible citizen in every way. He is an active member of the Masonic fraternity and belongs to Mercer Lodge, No. 375. at Mercer, Pa .; to the Chapter, Consistory and Commandery at Charleston, and also to the Mystic Shrine (Beni Kedem Temple) in this city. He is identified also with the Elks at Charleston.

Mr. Courtney was married April 28, 1897, to Miss Lena G. O'Shell, who was born in 1873, in Jackson county, W. Va., a daughter of John and Rebecca (Horton) O'Shell, natives of Summerfield. O. They still survive, the father being a substantial farmer. The Hortons and O'Shells have always been Re- publicans and Grandfather Horton was a strong anti-slavery man. Mr. and Mrs. O'Shell had one son and four daughters. Mr. and Mrs Courtney have five children, namely : John Franklin. who was born March. 29, 1898; Dewitt G., who was born September 14. 1900; Dorothy Jane, who was born in 1901 ; Mary Horton, who was born in October, 1904; and Florence A., who was born May 30, 1907.

ROBERT E. LEE BARNETT, who is in the contracting business at Charleston, W. Va., is the senior member of the well known build- ing and contracting firm of Barnett & Given, leaders here in the contracting line. Mr. Barnett was born in Doddridge county, W.

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Va., January 22, 1865, and is a son of Rev. Allison and Mary C. ( Hickman) Barnett.

Rev. Allison Barnett was born in what is now West Virginia and his wife in Virginia and their home was in Doddrige county, where the former died in 1885, at the age of sixty- five years. He was a local preacher in the Baptist church and farming was his occupa- tion. His widow still resides in the old home in the community where the family has been known and respected for so many years.

They were the parents of children as fol- lows: Iowa, wife of John Smith; Susan Missouri, wife of T. H. Hansford; Marshall; Allison Jr .; Robert E. L., subject of this sketch; Bruce; L. H .; Belle; R. H .; Charles E .; and Elden.

Robert E. Lee Barnett attended school dur- ing boyhood in his native section. He then taught two terms of school in Doddridge county, W. Va. Afterward he learned the carpenter's trade and became a carpenter and builder on his own account, in Harrison and other counties until 1904, when he came to Charleston and here entered into a general carpenter business which he carried on until the formation of the present firm, some four years since. The firm has been entrusted with the erection of some of the finest buildings in the city and their reliability and general efficiency are universally acknowledged. Mr. Barnett also owns some valuable building lots in East Norfolk, Va. He is very active in the affairs of the Knights of Pythias and the O. U. A. M. and at present is serving as secretary of the latter order and is now state deputy for his council. In politics he is a Democrat.

Mr. Barnett was married at Charleston, April 17, 1907 to Miss Emma Clair, who was born February 17, 1883, at Pittsburg, Pa., and was brought to this city by her parents, William and Margaret (Rider) Clair, natives of Hamburg, Germany. In his native land, William Clair learned the art of glass blowing. In 1880 he and family came to the United States locating first at Pittsburg and moving then to Charleston and two years later settled on a farm in Elk district, and there his death occurred in 1901 at the age of seventy-two years. His widow survived until 1910, dying

at the age of seventy-one years. They had ten children and eight of these survive. Of this family the record as given is as follows: Emma (Mrs Barnett); Annie, the wife of William Morris, a farmer of Elk district ; Nellie, who is unmarried; Rose and Marceline. Mr. and Mrs Barnett have no family of their own. They have a very attractive home in Charleston. Mr. Barnett attends the Baptist church while Mrs. Barnett attends the Roman Catholic church.

ANDREW COFFEY,* plumber and gas fitter, dealing in all kinds of plumbing supplies, gas and heating apparatus, at No. 808 Quarrier Street, Charleston, W. Va., is president and manager of the Coffey Plumbing Company, which he established here in May, 1906. He was born at Natural Bridge, Rockbridge county, Va., June 9, 1874, and is a son of Arthur and Isabel (Coutts ) Coffey.

Arthur Coffey was born in Ireland and his wife in Scotland and both came to the United States when young. They were married at Lynchburg, Va., where he worked at his trade of granite cutter, and from there came to Charleston in 1882. Here he became a well known man in his business, being expert in granite and marble work and doing fine let- tering in stone. His father and grandfather had also been workers in the same line in Leinster, Ireland. He died at Charleston in March, 1895. His widow survives as does her father, who in 1912, if he survives, will com- plete his century of life. He remains in his home in Scotland and retains all his faculties. Mrs. Coffey is a member of the Catholic church, uniting with the same at marriage, her husband having been reared in that faith. Of their children the following survive: Andrew ; Charles P., also a practical plumber, who married Grace Taylor and has one son, Charles; James A., a plumber with the Coffey Plumbing Company, who married Stella Nugent and has three daughters; William P., who is with the Coffey Plumbing Company, married Josephine Smith and has five children; Christina I., who lives at home, and is in the book and stationery business; Anna, who re- sides with her mother; and Jennie, who is the

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wife of John Hacker, who is with the Lovett Printing Company as a linotyper.

Andrew Coffey was educated in the paro- chial schools and was sixteen years of age when he started to learn the plumbing business completing his apprenticeship in a New York trade school in 1895, since which time he has been in the business at Charleston and for five years was with the West Virginia Heating and Plumbing Company. His present business was incorporated in May, 1906, the officers being Andrew Coffey, president and manager, and J. B. Beller, secretary and treasurer. The company does all kinds of work in its line and maintains a high standard of efficiency.

Mr. Coffey was married at Charleston to Miss Katie McGonagle, a native of Perry county, O., a daughter of Richard and Mary (Spencer ) McGonagle, natives of Ireland but old residents of Perry county, where the mother still lives. Mr. and Mrs. Coffey have five children-Isabel, Richard P., Mary F., Katherine A. and Andrew Lewis. The family belong to the Catholic church and Mr. Coffey is a member of the order of Knights of Colum- bus. He is also identified with the Elks. In politics he is an independent voter.

HON. STEPHEN B. ELKINS, whose long and distinguished career as lawyer, finan- cier and statesman, gave him a position of un- usual prominence in the United States, was undoubtedly one of the greatest men in all the essentials of true greatness, in West Virginia, where thirty-three years of a rich life were spent. Senator Elkins was born in Perry County, O., September 26, 1841, and his earlier years were passed on his father's farm near New Lexington.

In his early boyhood the parents of Sena- tor Elkins removed to the State of Missouri. and with but superficial previous training he entered the University of Missouri, and was graduated from that institution when but eighteen years of age. In passing, it may be mentioned that his instructor in mathematics was a brother of Senator Elihu H. Root, of New York. Stephen B. Elkins was a brilliant student and he graduated with a standard so high in all his studies that no one in the past

forty-five years has reached it. He passed in both ancient and modern languages-Greek, Latin and Hebrew, and in French, German and Spanish and later practiced law in the last named tongue. In the meanwhile, owing to financial reverses, he was practically thrown entirely upon his own resources, but he suc- ceeded in making his preparations for the bar, to which he was admitted in 1863. At this time New Mexico offered an apparently favor- able field to young professional men and thither went Stephen Benton Elkins with his friend, Richard C. McCormick, now governor of Arizona, who afterwards married a daughter of the late Senator A. G. Thurman and sub- sequently became a member of Congress from New York. The young men found themselves facing unexpected difficulties however, as all business was transacted in the Spanish lan- guage. This was of but small inconvenience to Senator Elkins and he soon was able to handle legal business in that tongue as well as in his own. Very soon he became interested in politics and in the first year of his residence was appointed attorney-general of the Terri- tory and a member of the legislature. Subse- quently President Johnson appointed liim United States district attorney, an office he held for four years under the administration of President Grant, resigning in 1872.

During the Civil War Mr. Elkins became a member of a body of Union soldiery, and was captain of a company that assisted in maintaining order on the Missouri border. It was then that many of the qualities and char- acteristics which later made him a notable man in whatever he undertook, became apparent. Physically . of striking appearance, he was equally strong mentally, and was endowed with a personality which attracted strong men to his standard and won him political prominence before he had reached the prime of life. In 1873 he was elected as the Territorial dele- gate to Congress from New Mexico, in which office he served the people so effectively that in 1875 while traveling in Europe, he was re- elected, notwithstanding his decided refusal to accept the office. His untiring efforts to se- cure the admission of New Mexico to state- hood at this time, belong to the public annals of

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that day, and his speeches gave indications even then of the ability which later made him one of the most convincing lawyers of his time, one effort in particular, which set forth the great natural resources of the then almost unknown section, giving him a national repu- tation.

In 1869, by that time having a generous in- come from his law practice, Mr. Elkins or- ganized the First National Bank of Santa Fe, and retained the presidency of it for thirteen years. As he became convinced of the great mineral resources of the Territory, he invested in land and became interested in mining, sub- sequently becoming one of the main owners of the great Bonanza silver mines of New Mexico and Colorado.

In 1873 Senator Elkins removed from New Mexico to West Virginia. From the beginning of his public career he was an active, earnest and progressive Republican and on such ques- tions as protection to American industries, sound money, annexation of the Hawaiian Is- lands, the freedom of Cuba, the reorganization of the army and navy, and all others of vital import to the United States, his voice was raised and his best efforts given. He thus easily was recognized as a leader, and in the Presidential campaign of 1884 was a member of the Republican National Committee. On December 17, 1891, President Benjamin F. Harrison called Senator Elkins to his Cabinet as secretary of war, thereby adding materially to its strength, and giving to the country the services of a man who had at heart the best interests of the country he so unselfishly served throughout that administration.

In 1895 Stephen B. Elkins was elected to the United States Senate to succeed Hon. Johnson M. Camden, and very soon after tak- ing his seat he attracted public attention and became a power in national affairs. Perhaps his most useful service in the Senate, was in the constructive legislation he effected in the widely discussed Elkins' amendment to the Sherman Act, and the Elkins' amendments to the Hepburn railroad bill, the vital part of the latter being found in these amendments. Sen- ator Elkins was made chairman of the com- merce committee charged with the handling of 54

what was known as the Elkins' rate bill, his personal knowledge of railroad construction and operation, making him particularly well fitted for this position. Tariff revision claimed his close attention in the special tariff session for West Virginia, in 1910, his fight for pro- tection of West Virginia products but more closely bound the people to him. Many of the best features of the Tariff Bill as they ex- ist, largely owe their value to his careful and convincing arguments and tireless labor.

Before passing from the subject of the pub- lic efforts of Senator Elkins, mention must be made also of several notable speeches, remark- able efforts which have had wide-spread in- fluence and add additional luster to his name. His speech delivered on April 5, 1897, fa- voring legislation for the reestablishment of the American merchant marine, which attacted national attention, was equalled by that deliv- ered in March, 1898, on the aggressions of the Canadian Pacific Railway, which reviewed al- most all the questions that have been consid- ered by the Canadian Commission appointed by the United States. Among other achieve- ments was the passage of the Elkins' Anti- Trust law, soon after he entered the Senate. It was Senator Elkins who first suggested the use of the corps of engineers of the army, in the building of the Panama Canal. It has been said that he was one of the first movers for an investigation into the causes of the high cost of living, a vital national problem, and that his appointment on the committee during the sec- ond session of the 6Ist Congress, would have been productive of more direct and better re- sults than have yet been attained. During the last special session of Congress, he labored daily, although even then in bad health, and when the 62nd Congress convened, he was not able to be in attendance.

Senator Elkins has been honored as no other citizen of West Virginia, having been three times elected to the United States Senate. He evidently undermined his constitution in the discharge of the exacting duties demanded by the importance of the measures which he championed, but it was not until complete pros- tration came upon him that he resigned him- self to the necessity of taking a much needed

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HISTORY OF KANAWHA COUNTY

rest, too long, alas, postponed. Even then he was the last to give up hope of his own recov- ery. Early in life, as before indicated, he had laid the foundation of what developed into a large fortune. He was long associated in the opening up of timber, coal and railroad prop- erties, with his father-in-law, Senator Davis. However, it is as a man that those who knew him best, will longest cherish his memory as they benefit by his example, his beneficence and the honorable name he made for himself and left unstained.

Senator Elkins married Miss Hallie Davis, a daughter of Hon. Henry G. Davis, of West Virginia, formerly Democratic candidate for the vice presidency. Mrs. Elkins survives, with their seven children-Katherine, Davis, Richard, Stephen B., Blaine, and Mrs. Eliza- beth Weidersein, of Philadelphia, and Mrs. Sara Oliphant, of Trenton, N. J. The family home at Hallihurst, Elkins, Randolph County, WV. Va., is probably one of the most attractive private residences in Tygart's Valley.

The death of Senator Elkins occurred Jan- uary 5. 19II, at his home in Washington City, D. C., and at his bedside were his wife, daugh- ter and four sons.

P. W. BURDETT, manager of a planing mill at Charleston, W. Va., to which city he came in 1900, has been interested in lumber during the larger part of his business career and is one of the representative men in this line of industry, at Charleston. He was born in Monroe County, W. Va., March 15, 1868, and is a son of Washington and Susan ( Long- anacker ) Burdett.

The parents of Mr. Burdett were both na- tives of Monroe County and they died on their farm there, the father in 1907, aged sixty- eight years, and the mother when aged thirty- four years. They were parents of two sons and two daughters, namely : Lonnie Edgar, one of the organizers of the Kanawha Planing Mill Co., who died in July, 1905; Emma, who is the wife of James Alderson, of Summers County, W. Va .; Mollie, who is the wife of Lacey Lenmore, who moved from Monroe County to the West ; and P. W., of Charleston.

P. W. Burdett obtained his education in the

schools of Monroe County and worked on the home farm until he was sixteen years of age. He then went to Summers County and began work in a saw-mill and for twenty-two years following continued in saw-mill work. In 1900 he came to Charleston and for several years was associated with his brother in the mill business.

In 1901 he with his brother, L. E. Burdett, J. U. Graham and W. H. Wells organized the Kanawha Planing Mill Co., J. U. Graham sell- ing out his interests shortly to L. E. Burdett. L. E. Burdett died in 1903, leaving his inter- ests to his heirs. W. H. Wells later disposed of his interests in the concern and Mr. P. W. Burdett was appointed manager of the con- cern, president, and a member of the board of directors.

Mr. Burdett was married to Miss Jennie Sturgeon, a daughter of James A. Sturgeon. of Gauley, W. Va., and they have two sons, Arthur and James. In politics Mr. Burdett has been a continuous member of the Repub- lican party since he cast his first vote. He is an active and interested citizen, and is a mem- ber of the Lumbermen's Club.

LOUIS SCHWARTZ, who, for many years was one of Charleston's busy, repre- sentative and influential business men, still continues active as a real estate broker, but has relieved himself of many of his former responsibilities, preserving, however, his public spirited interest in everything prom- ising to be of benefit to the city which has been his home for so many years. He was born at Allegheny City, Pa., July 5. 1852. and is a son of Christian and Dorathea (Snyder) Schwartz, and a grandson of Christof Schwartz.

Christof Schwartz was born at Friesbach, a suburb of Stuttgart, the capital of Wur- temberg. Germany. He was taught glass manufacturing and evidently became pos- sessed of considerable capital, and certainly was a man of recognized good judgment. It is thought possible that he was one of the original members of a religious and philosophical sect that was founded by the brothers Rapp and at one time had numer-

MRS. BARBARA S. SCHWARTZ

LOUIS SCHWARTZ

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ous members in Wurtemberg. It found little favor with the Government, however, and measures were taken to expel the Rap- pists, and in 1803 the majority of them emi- grated to the United States. Here they became known as Harmonists, their chief published tenets being that there should be no wars; that all property should be held in common, and that marriage is but a civil con- tract. Many of the members of the society were men of property and as they were forced to leave or disband, they needed to select a responsible man to remain and attend to the settlement of their disturbed affairs in the old country. For this posi- tion they chose Christof Schwartz. This sect founded the town of Harmony, Pa., and there Christof Schwartz rejoined his old friends, about 1818 and he and wife con- tinued to live there until the close of their lives. They had been married in Germany, according to the laws of the land, but of their large family of children the only one to marry was their son Christian.

Christian Schwartz was born in South Side, Pittsburg, Pa., and for some years, in early manhood, he was a silk weaver. In 1847 he left the Harmony colony and never rejoined it. In 1849 he made the trip to California across the plains, and spent two years in the mining districts, and then re- turned by the way of the Isthmus of Pan- ama, with the expectation of taking his family back to the coast. His wife, whom he married after his return to Pennsylvania, however was loath to go to what was then an uncivilized region, and in deference to her wishes, he bought a farm not far from Harmony. They continued to live on that place until 1868, when they came to Kan- awha County, W. Va. Here Mr. Schwartz bought 500 acres of land on the Elk River, locally known as Dogwood Flats. This land he put under improvement and on it he and wife spent many happy and peace- ful years, he dying about 1899, when he was aged seventy-four years. His widow survived him until 1906, when she was in her eighty-fourth year. She was a faithful member of the Lutheran church. Chris-

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History of Charleston and Kanawha County, West Virginia and representative citizens, Part 132

Author: Laidley, William Sydney, 1839-1917. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Chicago, Ill., Richmond-Arnold publishing co Number of Pages: 1066

Author: Laidley, William Sydney, 1839-1917. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, Ill., Richmond-Arnold publishing co
Number of Pages: 1066