History of Charleston and Kanawha County, West Virginia and representative citizens, Part 59

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 59

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LEWIS PRICHARD, M. D.

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thorne, a native of West Virginia. James Henthorne died in Ohio at the age of forty- one years. His widow married for her sec- ond husband a Mr. Davis, of which mar- riage there was no issue. She died in West Virginia in 1897.

E. Leslie Long began his education in the public schools of Tyler County and was subsequently graduated from the West Vir- ginia Wesleyan College at Buckhannon, W. Va., in the Class of 1898. He was later graduated from the law department of the University of West Virginia at Morgan- town, Class of 1901, and being admitted to the bar the same year, began the practice of his profession at Welch, McDowell County, this state. He early became inter- ested in politics as a member of the Repub- lican party, and has been a delegate to every state and county convention since 1896 and is chairman of the judiciary committee of the 8th Judicial District, consisting of Mc- Dowell, Mercer and Monroe Counties. In 1908 he was elected, as above noted, to his present responsible position as state treas- urer, this being the first public office he has held in the state. Since assuming its duties he has justified the choice of his party, hav- ing capably administered the business per- taining to the office. As may be inferred, he stands high in the councils of his party in this state. Mr. Long belongs to the Ma- sonic order, being a member of the Blue Lodge, No. 112, Welch, W. Va .; the Con- sistory of West Virginia and of Beni-Ke- dem Temple, M. S., of Charleston; also of the Pi Kappa Psi college fraternity. He is unmarried.

LEWIS PRICHARD, M. D., president of the Charleston National Bank, at Charleston, W. Va., belongs to an old and prominent family that has been established in America since be- fore the War of the Revolution.

From that acknowledged authority, "Burke's Landed Gentry of Wales," it is learned that the Prichard family can be traced many hundred years back in that land before any of its ven- turesome members crossed the Atlantic ocean to the American colonies. Prior to this dis-

tinctive national annal, the name seems to have been known in different parts of New England. The branch of the family to which Dr. Lewis Prichard belongs, names William Prichard as the first American ancestor, claiming that he left Wales when a boy of fourteen years, ac- companied by his brother John Prichard. The lads, according to family tradition, had ven- tured from land on board an Italian vessel, carrying wool, probably with the expectation of selling it, and the vessel sailed while they were on board; whether through design, or careless- ness of their captors, may never be known. At any rate they were taken across the sea and were left on the shores of Virginia, about 1745. William Prichard was next discovered in Rus- sell county, Va., in 1800, and in 1811, in what was then Greenup county, but is now Boyd county, Ky., where he died in 1819. His burial was on the shore of Big Sandy River, in Boyd county.

William Prichard was married, perhaps while

. living in Russell county, Va., to Dorcas Luns- ford, or possibly her name was Glover. After the death of Mr. Prichard she was married a second time, to Solomon White, and lived to be an aged woman. To the first marriage the fol- lowing children were born: John; James; Lewis; and Elizabeth, the latter of whom mar- ried Samuel White, of Boyd county, Ky.

Lewis Prichard, Sr., was born November 23. 1800, in Russell county, Va., and died in No- vember, 1879. From the age of eleven years he was reared in Boyd county, Ky., where he owned a large tract of land and was a well known and respected citizen. He was long re- called for his keen wit and also his abounding good nature, for his kindly beneficence and willing charities. In Kentucky he was mar- ried to Lucy Toler, who was born in 1801, in Virginia, and died in the old Kentucky home- stead, December 30, 1883. She was the mother of twelve children, nine of whom were sons and three were daughters. She was an unusual woman, possessing great executive ability and remarkable grasp of the ordinary affairs of life. She not only undertook and completed the educating of her husband, who had had no educational opportunities, but of her sons as well. She reared this large family, with one

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exception, to the age of maturity, setting an example of womanly virtue, courage and re- sourcefulness. Of this family four yet sur- vive.

Lewis Prichard, Jr., son of Lewis and Lucy Prichard, was the eighth in order of birth in the family of twelve children. He was born near Big Sandy River, in Boyd county, Ky., near Buchanan postoffice, twelve miles above Cattlesburg, Ky., January 19, 1839, and grew up on the homestead. His educational oppor- tunities were but meager but the devotion of his mother supplied what was lacking and he became an acceptable school teacher before he was twenty-one years old. Later he was able to complete his education, being under the in- struction of the well known educator, Prof. Holbrook, at Lebanon, O. He pursued his medical studies in the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated with his medical degree in the class of 1867. Subse- quently he became a physician and surgeon of eminence in Northeastern Kentucky, where he first became interested in banking, having there organized the Grayson Banking Company of which he was president.

In 1884 the present The Charleston National Bank was organized and Dr. Prichard was one of the original stockholders, became prominent in its affairs, and has continued his connection since its incorporation. Its first president was his brother-in-law, Charles P. Mead, and when Mr. Mead died, in July, 1888, Dr. Prichard became president and has been at the head of this institution ever since. The original cap- italization of this bank was $50,000, but from time to time it has been increased as business has warranted, and at present the bank is cap- italized at $500,000, with an equal surplus.

Dr. Prichard was married near Ironton, O., on the Kentucky side of the Ohio river, Jan. 7, 1868, to Miss Sarah Belle Mead, a daughter of Henry Armstead and Elizabeth (Powell) Mead. The Mead family has been one of prominence in Greenup county, Ky., for years and is especially noted for its beautiful women. The father of Mrs. Prichard died in that county at the age of ninety-four years, his wife having passed away aged seventy years. They had eight children, four of whom survive, Mrs.

Prichard having been the fourth in order of birth.

To Dr. and Mrs. Prichard three children were born: Henry Lewis, Frederick C. and Arm- stead Mead.

Henry Lewis Prichard was born December 25, 1868. He is a graduate of Notre Dame University, Ind., where he was a member of the class of 1890, and there received his de- gree of B. C. His entire business life has been connected with banking and he has been con- tinuously identified with the Charleston Na- tional Bank since 1890 and is its cashier. It is not too much to say that undoubtedly much of the success that attends this institution is due to his watchfulness, together with his cour- teous treatment of customers. He has long been regarded as one of the city's safe business men. In 1895 he was married to Miss Emma E. Walker, a daughter of Henry S. Walker, who was distinguished all over West Vir- ginia as an orator. To Mr. and Mrs. Prichard two children have been born, Henry Lewis, Jr., born September 9, 1903 ; and Frederick Walker, born December 26, 1906.

Frederick C. Prichard was born March I, 1871, and was educated at Notre Dame Uni- versity. After completing his education he entered into business as a coal operator and at present is one of the owners of much property, including one-half interest in the Robson- Prichard Concrete Building, at Huntington, where he lives, and is vice president of the Huntington Banking & Trust Company. He married Miss Alice Clare Wilson, of Laporte, Ind.

Armstead Mead Prichard was born Septem- ber 9, 1875, at Grayton, Ky. Like his elder brothers he entered Notre Dame University, becoming a student there in 1889, but before completing his course entered the law depart- ment of the University of West Virginia, where he was graduated in June, 1897, with his de- gree of A. B. L., and was immediately admitted to the bar and engaged in law practice until 1910, since when he has been associated with his father in the banking business. He was married at Charleston, January 7, 1902, to Miss Lydia B. Robson, who was born Novem- ber 1, 1880, in Fayette county, W. Va., a daugh-

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ter of James S. and Laura B. (Nugent) Rob- son. Mrs. Prichard died June 19, 1910. She was a member of the Baptist church. Two lit- tle daughters survive her : Belle Mead, who was born August 15, 1905; and Lydia Robson who was born January 4, 1908.

Dr. Prichard brought his family to Charles- ton in October, 1889. He is one of the men of independent fortune in Kanawha county. In addition to his financial interests already men- tioned, he is a stockholder in fifteen other banks and a director in three, and he owns a large part of 20,000 acres of rich coal and timber lands in this state. Dr. Prichard has been an admirable citizen. He has helped to promote almost every important interest in the city and lends of his ability and means to foster all en- terprises of substantial worth. In politics he is a Democrat but has never sought nor held a public office. Many years ago he united with the Masonic fraternity. He is also a member of the First Presbyterian church of Charleston, W. Va.

CHARLES C. GROFF, general manager of the barreling station at South Ruffner, Kanawha County, W. Va., for the Standard Oil Company, with which corporation he has been identified for twenty years, was born. October 9, 1851, in Maryland, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Barr) Groff.

John Groff was born in Pennsylvania, probably of German parents. He followed farming all his life ant owned a farm in Bal- timore County, Md., on which he died at the age of fifty-two years. He married Elizabeth Barr, who was also born in Penn- sylvania, and she survived him many years, passing the closing ones at the home of her son, Charles C., where she lived to be eighty-seven. Five children were born to them, namely: Ida M., who married Joshua Francy; Anna E., who married J. K. Gies; Charles C .; William B., who is a resident of Philadelphia; and a daughter who is deceased.

Charles C. Groff obtained his education in Maryland and then assisted his father on the farm and after the latter's death con- ducted it for his mother until he came to

South Ruffner. In July, 1891, he became an employe of the Standard Oil Company, at first as foreman of the shops and gradually advancing until he secured his appointment and promotion to his present responsible position. He resides at the plant and thus keeps a careful eye on all business opera- tions including the barreling and shipping from this point to others all over the coun- try. He is justly considered one of the most reliable and trustworthy employes of the company.

Mr. Groff married Miss Mary R. Fisher, a daughter of George W. Fisher, and they have had four children, as follows: G. Fisher, who is in charge of the store of the Nuttleburg Coal Company, married Grace Malcolen and has three children-Charles Malcolen, Forrest Barr and Mazie Hunter; Forrest C., who has been with the Charles- ton National Bank and also the Pine Lum- ber Company of St. Albans; Benjamin B., who is in the hardware business in Oregon, ·married a Miss Veach ; and Charles C., who died when aged one year. Mr. and Mrs. Groff are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church. He is a man of strict tem- perance and votes according to his convic- tions, with the Prohibition party.

IRA P. CHAMPE, M. D., an able physi- cian and well-to-do citizen of Charleston, was born in Kanawha County, near this city, July 17, 1866, son of Sewell Preston and Almeda (Eastwood) Champe. The Champes are an old Southern family, hav- ing had many representatives who have honored the name in their respective com- munities and whose influence has always been exerted for good. Sewell P. Champe was born in that part of Virginia that is now Craig County and was a farmer by oc- cupation. He was a Whig in politics and sympathized with the Union at the time of the war. His death took place September 21, 1866, a few months after the birth of his son Ira, he being then forty-seven years old. His wife died June 30, 1901, at the age of sixty-nine. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. She was the

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mother of eleven children, of whom eight are still living, all the survivors being mar- ried. Two died in infancy. Those who grew to maturity were as follows: Elizabeth is the wife of Rev. A. J. Compton, M. D., a Presbyterian minister, and now resides in San Diego, Calif. George W. is a mer- chant residing in Montgomery, W. Va. He married Mrs. Anna Allen, of Lexington, W. Va. William F. also resides in Montgom- ery, W. Va., being now retired from active business life. He married Anna Montgom- ery, of the same place. J. B., who is a re- tired contractor of Montgomery, where he has also served as justice of the peace, he married Jesse Handley, of Winfield, W. Va. Anna, now deceased, was the wife of M. Gilchrist. Her husband, who is still living, resides in Charleston. Ellen married a Mr. Rand and resides at Elsnore, Calif. Charles E., a retired merchant, resides in Charles- ton. Emma is the wife of L. E. McWhor- ter and resides in Charleston. The remain- ing child was Ira P.

Ira P. Champe was the youngest of the nine children of his parents that grew to maturity. After acquiring a good elemen- tary schooling, he entered the University of West Virginia, at Morgantown, where he continued his literary education but did not graduate, leaving before the completion of his course in order to take up the study of medicine in the College of Physicians at Baltimore, Md., where he graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1892. He then took a post-graduate course at the New York Polyclinic College. He then began the practice of his profession in the city of Charleston, W. Va., where he has since re- mained, having met with marked success. He is a member of the county and state medical societies. Aside from his profes- sion, Dr. Champe is interested in various business enterprises and is a man of large landed possessions in the Kanawha valley. the result of his own thrift and business ac- umen.

He was married in this city. to Margaret Wilson Blaine, a member of an old and re- spected family and third cousin to the late

Hon. James G. Blaine, the eminent states- man. She was born in Missouri in 1871 and acquired her education in Charleston, WV. Va. and at the Waynesboro ( Virginia) Female Seminary. She was the adopted daughter of William C. Blaine, now de- ceased, whose widow, Elizabeth, subse- quently marrying Rev. A. J. Compton of California, as above noted. Dr. and Mrs. Champe are the parents of three children, as follows: Elizabeth Blaine born Novem- ber 21, 1894, who is now attending the high school in the class of 1910: Ira Preston, Jr., born March 1, 1896, also a high school stu- dent; and Emily Rebecca, born May I, 1899, who is attending the public schools. Dr. and Mrs. Champe are affiliated with the Presbyterian church.

F. L. DERRICK, who resides on his fine farm of 203 acres, which lies on Poca River, in Poca District, Kanawha County, W. Va .. fourteen miles north of Charleston, was born on this farm November 5, 1860, and is a son of Michael and a grandson of Jon- athan Derrick.

Jonathan Derrick was born in Botetourt County, W. Va., and came from there to what is now Poca District, Kanawha County, in the year 1810 and was the first man to settle on the stream which later was named Derrick Creek in his honor. He married Mary Haynes and they had thirteen children: Betsey, Mary, Catharine, Rachel, Martha. Agnes. Andrew, John, George, Le- roy, Michael, Nancy and Amanda. Jona- than Derrick acquired 2,572 acres in Poca District and all of it at that time was cov- ered with timber, and also a vein of coal in the hills, seven feet thick. He cleared a road from his farm and made improvements on the land and in addition to his other in- terprises, followed the trade of blacksmith. He made bells which were hung on the necks of the cows to keep them from getting lost in the forest and some of these are still in existence showing a large measure of mechanical skill. His death occurred in 1846 and his burial was on his own land, as was the custom of that day.

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Michael Derrick was born in what is now Kanawha County, West Virginia, February 9, 1818, on the farm now owned by E. C. Crane. He attended school at Pocotaligo, in Poca District. He married Julia Ann Dawson, who was born near Sissonville, Kanawha County, and they had seven chil- dren, namely : S. W., who died on April II, 1910; Addison B., who died at the age of nineteen years; Letha M., who died aged seventeen years; Adna A., who died March 14, 1908 (was twice married, first to Emory Aultz, and second to John Dawson); El- mina, who is the wife of Joseph B. Mairs; Elmore M., who was married first to Sidney Clinton, and secondly to Nancy E. Hack- ney; F. L., the subject of this sketch. After marriage Michael Derrick and wife settled on the farm now owned by E. C. Crane and then moved to the farm under considera- tion, erecting his buildings on an elevated portion, on which site his son F. L. Derrick has rebuilt. He was a man of industrious habits and exemplary life, both he and wife being regular attendants of the Methodist Episcopal church. He took a good citizen's interest in politics, not caring for office, but never failed to vote, and was a Republican. His estate consisted of 15934 acres of the present farm and of a second farm of 3501/2 acres across Poca River. He died at the age of sixty-two years and his wife died fif- teen years later; their burial was on the home land.

F. L. Derrick obtained his early educa- tion in the Derrick Creek schoolhouse, after which he became a farmer and has lived on the farm of 15934 acres, to which he has added a few acres, ever since his marriage. He cultivates all his land with the assist- ance of one tenant. Mr. Derrick is inter- ested in the Kanawha & Putnam Counties Telephone Company.

Mr. Derrick married Miss Anna Johnson, who was born in Poca District, a daughter of William Johnson, and they have had seven children: Dora, John, Newman, Ju- lia, James, Ivy and Michael S. John died when three years old. Mr. Derrick has been a Republican ever since casting his

first vote. He belongs to the lodge of Odd Fellows at Sissonville, W. Va.

PATRICK L. GORDON, M. D.,* physician and surgeon, is one of the younger men of science at Charleston, W. Va., but is recog- nized as a thoroughly representative mem- ber of his profession. He was born at Cam- den, N. C., November 24, 1873, and is a son of Thomas George and Mary E. (Lamb) Gordon.

The Gordon family is of Irish extraction. Thomas Gordon, the great-grandfather of Dr. Gordon, came from Ireland to the United States about the close of the Revo- lutionary War. He settled in North Caro- lina and was one of the early merchants at Camden. His death occurred September 26, 1825, while he was on his way to Phila- delphia to purchase merchandise. He was twice married, first to Mary Guilford and second to Frances Richardson. A son of the second marriage, Samuel Gordon, be- came the grandfather of Dr. Gordon. He married Ellen Brite, who survived him, liv- ing until she had seen all their children es- tablished in life. With her husband she be- longed to the Methodist Episcopal church.

Thomas George. Gordon, the eldest son and second child of Samuel and Ellen Gor- don, was born in 1839, at Camden, N. C., and died June 25, 1910, in Camden County. He was a farmer and stock dealer and was also in public life, and after his military service was over, was elected sheriff of Camden County. Mr. Gordon served in the Confederate Army under General Beaure- gard, in the Civil War, and was wounded in the first battle of Bull Run, which entitled him to a furlough. In his political views he was a Democrat. He was married in Cam- den County, N. C., to Miss Mary E. Lamb, who died in 1889, a woman of many virtues and a devoted member of the Baptist church. Of the seven children born to this marriage but two survive: Samuel O., who resides at Norfolk, Va., and Patrick L.

Patrick L. Gordon was educated in the public schools of Norfolk, Va., and private schools in the same city, and when prepared

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to enter upon the study of medicine, became a student in the College of Medicine, at Richmond, Va., where he was graduated with the class of 1898, afterward spending one year in hospital work in that city. Dr. Gordon then entered into practice at Thomas, W. Va., and later for several years, was surgeon for several coal companies on Cabin Creek, with headquarters at Carbon, Va. After taking a post-graduate course in Chicago, Ill., in 1906, and a second course in New York, in 1909, he came to Charles- ton.

Dr. Gordon was married at East St. Louis, Ill., to Miss Alice Zimmerman, who was born in 1880, at St. Louis, and was ed- ucated in Missouri. She is a daughter of Benjamin W. and Eleanor (Carr) Zimmer- man, the former of whom belonged to an old family of Virginia and the latter of Mis- souri. Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman reside at St. Louis, where he is engaged in the lum- ber business. Dr. and Mrs. Gordon have three children: Ellen Waters, born March 17, 1905; Thomas George, born July 24, 1906; and Benjamin W. Z., born July 22, 1908. Dr. and Mrs. Gordon are members of the Episcopal church. He is a Mason of high degree and a Shriner.

ROBERT LEE MASSEY, who is en- gaged in business at Big Chimney, Ka- nawha County, W. Va., as a miller and wholesale feed merchant, was born in Ral- eigh County, W. Va., September 5, 1879, and is a son of George W. and Lydia (Acord) Massey.

William Massey, the great-grandfather of Robert Lee Massey, was born in Virginia and moved, during the Civil War, to Ral- eigh County, where he died in 1885, in ad- vanced age. He reared a large family and his eldest son, Steel Massey, was the grand- father of R. L. Massey, and he, like his father, spent his life in the pursuits of agri- culture. He married Caroline Cantley, a native like himself, of Raleigh County and they had the following children born to them : George W., Henry and Mary, Henry being the only survivor.

George W. Massey was born in Raleigh County, in 1851, spent his life in the same neighborhood and there his death occurred in November, 1895. He was a farmer and was the owner of considerable land which is still retained by his family. He was quite prominent for many years in local politics and was noted for his generous hospitality, keeping up many of the old customs which are particularly southern in character. He married Miss Lydia Acord, a native of Charleston, W. Va., and to them the fol- lowing children were born: Romanza, who is the wife of Louis H. Pettry, of Raleigh County; L. Christopher, who is county clerk of Kanawha County; Robert L. and Mary J., twins, the latter of whom is the wife of Robert A. Hopkins, of Suinmers County, W. Va .; Laura B., who is the wife of R. L. Williams, of Masseyville; Calvin W., who is postmaster at Masseyville; Vir- ginia A., who resides with her mother, at Masseyville; and Ettie, who died in child- hood. Mrs. Massey married for her second husband, William G. Daniels, a member of one of the old and substantial families of Raleigh County.

Robert Lee Massey attended school until he was fourteen years of age when he fell a victim to an epidemic of typhoid fever that swept through this section and caused the death of his father. His recovery was slow and he did not return to school. His first work was done as a clerk for the Blackland Coal Company, with which corporation he continued for four years, after which. for one year, he was associated with his brother in the Cabin Creek Mercantile Company, in Cabin Creek District, and then went back to Masseyville, where he engaged in a gen- eral store business. Two years later his stock was destroyed by fire and he then turned his attention in another direction, in 1910 coming to Big Chimney where, in partnership with Grant Copenhaven, he is doing a large flour and feed business, under the firm name of Copenhaven & Massey. They have a well equipped plant situated on the Elk River, and use all kinds of mod- ern machinery in producing their first class.

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products. Although the business is a com- paratively new one, great progress has been made and the future looks bright for the firm.

Mr. Massey was married first, on Febru- ary 18, 1902, to Miss Lucy Snodgrass, who died August 1, 1906, aged twenty years, five months and twenty days. She was a daugh- ter of C. F. and Mary (George) Snodgrass, natives of Virginia, who now reside near Charleston. Mr. Snodgrass was formerly a mine superintendent and is now engaged in farming. One child was born to the above marriage, Arizona, who is now six years old. Mrs. Massey was a lady of beautiful character, a devoted member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and was beloved by all who knew her.

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History of Charleston and Kanawha County, West Virginia and representative citizens, Part 59

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