History of Charleston and Kanawha County, West Virginia and representative citizens, Part 67

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 67

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).

Dr. Wick was married at Cedar Grove, to Miss Theresa Beirne who was born in Kana- wha County, W. Va., in 1889. They have one daughter, Helen G., who was born January 23, 1910. Dr. Wick and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. He belongs to a number of fraternal organizations and is a Royal Arch Mason. Politically he is a Republican.

JOHN H. CARTER, superintendent of the Chesapeake Mining Company and a resident of Handley, W. Va., was born December IO, 1869, at Malden, Kanawha County, W. Va., and is a son of Lieut. Henry Lewis and Emma (Duling) Carter. The father of Mr. Carter was reared in the vicinity of the Malden salt works, where the grandparents then lived but they later moved to Missouri. Henry Lewis Carter became mate on a steamboat, the Kitty Hagler"-hence his title-but later he engaged in the salt business. He married Emma Du- ling, whose father and brother were also prom- inent in salt manufacturing here. They had five children, John H. being the third in order of birth. The eldest, Charles, is deceased. Hattie is the wife of Eugene Rook. George and Ernest both reside in Kanawha County.

John H. Carter attended the Malden schools in boyhood and earned his first wages as water boy for the construction gang on the C. & O. Railroad. Later he went on the river on the "Ida Budd," which was commanded by his uncle, Capt. John Duling. Afterward he had charge of the pumping station for the first water works system of Charleston, and later

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was connected with the Pioneer Coal Company and then the Ensign Car Manufacturing Com- pany, building cars, and still later was carpen- ter for the Quinamount Coal & Iron Company. In 1890 he came to the present company as a carpenter and has gradually worked his way upward until he now is superintendent of this large concern. His career has been creditable in every way and Mr. Carter enjoys as he de- serves, the confidence and esteem in which he is held.

In January, 1900, Mr. Carter was married to Miss Lottie Lewis, a daughter of J. B. and Anne E. (Collins) Lewis. They have one child, Anna Lewis. Mr. Carter is a member of Coal Valley Lodge, A. F. & A. M. at Mont- gomery, W. Va.

CAPT. LUCIUS CARY ANDERSON, deceased, who, for many years was identified with the practical operating of the C. & O. Railroad, in Kanawha county, W. Va., and was a veteran of the Civil war, having served in the Confederate army in the noted regi- ment, the Richmond Howitzers, was a man whose sterling qualities were recognized by all who knew him and whose genial nature won and kept friends. His title was one that was given him by his railroad associates, in recognition of his fidelity and efficiency in that connection.

Lucius Cary Anderson was born April 26, 1837, in Hanover county, Va., and his death occurred at Charleston, W. Va., July 3, 1888. His father, John P. Anderson, was a native of Virginia and prior to the Civil war he was a slave owner and his large plantation was called Verdon, the station of that name being still so known on the C. & O. Railroad. The mother of Lucius Cary Anderson was a member of the old Doswell family of Hanover county, and they reared a large family. Lucius Cary being one of the intermediate members. He was reared and educated in Hanover county and in early manhood became a hardware mer- chant at Richmond. After his father's death he turned his attention to railroading and sub- sequently was made conductor on the C. & O. line and he continued as such until within eigh- teen months of his death. His efficiency was

evidenced by the fact that during his many years of service, no accident ever occurred where he had control and not one dollar of railroad property was ever destroyed. His courtesy and unfailing good humor made him a general favorite with the traveling public. His military service continued through the Civil war and he was with his regiment when General Lee surrendered at Appomattox. He then returned home and resumed peaceful pur- suits and his subsequent life proved that he was as reliable in these surroundings as he had been on the field of battle. He was once slightly wounded, but otherwise escaped the many haz- ards of war.

At Staunton, Va., Capt. Anderson was married to Miss Mabel Peyton, who was born at Charlottesville, Albermarle County, Va., and was carefully educated in a convent school, where she remained. for seven years. Since the death of her husband she has resided at No. 212 1-2 Broad street, Charleston. She is a member of the Baptist church, as was her husband. Two children were born to Captain and Mrs. Anderson, namely: Ella Howard, born at Huntington, W. Va., who was educated at Charleston, and is a very expert stenog- rapher, residing at home; and Bernard Pey- ton, who is a student also of the Charleston high school, and resides with mother and sis- ter. He is now one of chief clerks for the Capitol City Supply Company.

Mrs. Anderson was the only daughter born in a family of four children to her parents, the late Col. John Bernard and Isabel (How- ard) Peyton. These names belong to Vir- ginia's earliest history. Colonel Peyton was one of a family of ten sons born to his parents, all of whom were natives of Albemarle county. born at Park Hill, which was the name of the old Peyton plantation. Seven of the Peyton sons served in the Confederate army and all returned home without injury with one ex- ception, he losing an arm but not his life. Colonel Peyton gained recognition for his bravery as a soldier and he was equally hon- ored in times of peace. For some years after the war he was chief clerk in the Virginia leg- islature and after settling at Charleston, in 1871, he was made chief clerk of the West Vir-

PHILIP H. NOYES

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ginia legislature and was thus engaged at the time of his death. Perhaps no better summing up of the long and useful life of Colonel Peyton could be made than that contained in the House Journal of the West Virginia House of Dele- gates, which appears on page 305 of the rec- ords of the session of 1907. This document reads as follows :

"Whereas, Since the last session of the leg- islature of West Virginia, Col. J. Bernard Peyton, who was clerk of the House Delegates for many years, has departed this life, we, the members of this House, deeming it meet that some expression be given the high esteem in which he was held, and of appreciation of great public service rendered by him : therefore,

"Resolved, That in the life and long public service of Col. Peyton, were exemplified those sterling qualities of mind and heart essential in the character of a public servant, a 'gentleman of the old school,' he was uniformly courteous and obliging to all with whom he came in con- tact; a Democrat of the most rugged and un- compromising type, and having served as Clerk of the House for almost a quarter of a century, when his party lost control in 1901, as a com- pliment to the minority and to avail themselves of his great parliamentary knowledge and expe- rience, the Republican majority tendered to Col. Peyton a position in the House, which he ac- cepted and continued to hold through each suc- ceeding session until death removed from the stage of action the most accomplished parlia- mentarian the State of West Virginia has ever produced, and with the ample incident power to impress, influence, impede or promote legis- lation, he was always true and unswerving from the line of right, regardless of conse- quences, political or otherwise, and the pres- ent and succeeding legislatures may profit by a strict adherence to those precedents of parlia- mentary procedure interspersing the records of the House during Col. Peyton's long connec- tion therewith ;

"Resolved, That we deplore the death of Col. Peyton as a distinct loss to the State and to all of us who had the honor of his personal ac- quaintance."

Other honors were shown Col. Peyton and on many occasions, had he so wished, he could

have been the standard-bearer of his party in political campaigns. He was appointed in 1893, as parliamentarian from West Virginia, to attend the World's Columbian Exposition, at Chicago, Ill., and served in that capacity with dignity and effectiveness.

Col. Peyton married Isabel Howard, who was born in Richmond, Virginia, and died in 1900, aged sixty years. Of their four children two survive: Mrs. Anderson and Bernard, the latter of whom resides at Huntington, W. Va., where he is associated with a wholesale shoe house. One son died at the age of ten years and another, William Henry, passed away at the age of ten years and another, William Henry, passed away at the age of thirty years. The death of Col. Peyton occurred at Charles- ton, in January, 1906, he then being sixty-five years of age. While liberal-minded to all re- ligious organizations, Col. Peyton belonged to an old Baptist family and in accordance with this religious faith he lived consistently. He was a worthy representative of a family that has produced many men of distinction in differ- ent walks of life, and many of these have been born on Virginia soil.

PHILIP H. NOYES, whose death on No- vember 20, 1898, deprived the city of Charles- ton of one of its leading citizens and wholesale merchants, was born in Charleston, W. Va., September 20, 1835. His ancestors in the six- teenth century were French Huguenots, who to escape religious persecution in their native land, took refuge in Ireland. From there in 1634 came Nicholas, James and Peter Noyes to the American shores, settling in. Newbury- port, Mass. Some of their descendants mi- grated to other parts of the country, and in 1808 three brothers, Isaac, Bradford, and Franklin L. Noyes, of whom the last mentioned was the father of the subject of this sketch, came from Canaan Four Corners, Columbia county, N. Y., to Kanawha county, now West Virginia. Another brother, Charles, also set- tled in Virginia, and subsequently all four brothers became associated together in the manufacture of salt in Kanawha and Saline counties. This was at that time a leading in- dustry and in time the Noyes brothers became

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men of ample means, looked up to and re- spected by their neighbors. Bradford Noyes died in 1850, the other three brothers surviv- ing him for a number of years and dying each at an advanced age. They carried on their business mostly, for a number of years, in the saline section near Malden, but in later life they settled in Charleston. All were married and had families.

Franklin L. Noyes, like his brothers, was a prosperous and well known citizen at the time of his death. He was a member of the Presby- terian church and a Whig in politics. He was twice married, first to Nancy Helveston, who was the mother of all his children, seven sons and one daughter. For his second wife he mar- ried Sallie Venable, who died without issue.

Philip H. Noyes was the fourth son and child of his parents. He entered mercantile life at the early age of sixteen years, at first in asso- ciation with his father. Later he became a partner with C. C. Lewis in the wholesale grocery business, theirs being the second whole- sale house in Charleston. After some years this partnership was dissolved and Mr. Noyes went into the wholesale dry goods and notions business, being associated therein with his sons under the firm name of P. H. Noyes & Sons. After his death in 1898, as above recorded, the firm became known as Noyes, Thomas & Co., and is now one of the largest wholesale houses in the city.

Mr. Noyes served in the Confederate army, enlisting in 1861 in the Kanawha Riflemen and serving for more than two years. He later re- sumed his business and was successful, though he lost heavily during the war. He was a deacon in the Presbyterian church.

Philip H. Noyes was married in Charleston in 1868 to Miss Kate A. Wilson, a daughter of Nathaniel V. and Elizabeth (Ruffner) Wilson.

Nathaniel V. Wilson was born at Farmville, Va., in 1814, and was educated at Hamden -. Sidney College. He came to Kanawha county in 1834 and in the following years was married here, his wife being a native of Charleston and daughter of Daniel Ruffner. Mr. Wilson died in Charleston in 1905 at the venerable age of ninety-two years. To his very last days he was active in mind and body, was able to walk

several miles and employed himself much of the time in gardening. Coming of a Presby- terian family, he was himself a member of that church. His parents were Dr. Goodrich and Elizabeth (Venable) Wilson, the former a graduate of the Philadelphia Medical College and a well known physician of Prince Edward county, Va. Dr. Wilson died on his farm some twelve miles below Charleston when quite old. He was a much respected citizen. His wife was of the well known Venable family of Vir- ginia, and she also died in Kanawha county at an advanced age.

Their granddaughter, Mrs. P. H. Noyes, was born June II, 1836, in a locality that is now included within the limits of the city of Charles- ton. She was educated in private schools and at the Episcopal Institute at Staunton, Va. She and her husband were the parents of chil- dren as follows: (1). Katherine A., who was educated in private schools and is the wife of W. C. Shelton, a druggist of Charleston. She had by a former marriage to Blake Stewart of Kentucky, two children, Philip M. and Kather- ine E. (2). Philip H., Jr., now residing in San Francisco, Cal., married Ann K. Gentry, who is now deceased. He has one son, Philip H., 3d, who resides with his grandmother. (3) Wilson married Grace Davis of Athens, Ohio. He died at the age of thirty-two years, leaving no issue. (4). Elizabeth R., is the wife of Samuel Adams, of New York city, and they reside in San Francisco, Cal. Their chil- dren are Hester Hopkins and Katherine Noyes Adams. Mrs. Noyes and all her children are affiliated with the Presbyterian church.

WILLIAM G. MOORE, postmaster at London, Kanawha county, W. Va., where he also carries on a mercantile business and deals also in real estate, has been a lifelong resident of this county. He was born on a farm in Cabin Creek District, December 19, 1881, and is a son of Samuel and Armilda (Bradshaw) Moore.

Samuel Moore came early to Cabin Creek District and now owns a farm and conducts a store near Dickinson, W. Va. He married Armilda Bradshaw, and they have had ten children, namely: Charles W .. J. Benjamin.

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William G., Mary L., Lydia, Pearl, Nora, Julia, Archie and Cecil, two of the above- Lydia and Pearl-being deceased.

William G. Moore spent his boyhood on the farm and attended the district schools, later taking a business course in a commercial col- lege at Lexington, Ky. In 1901 he began work with the Winifrede Coal Company store and for four years served in different capaci- ties being bookkeeper and manager. In 1905 he came to his present location and purchased the small store then conducted by Thomas Hud- dleston. Two years later he erected his pres- ent substantial building, three stories high, with dimensions of 24 x 48 feet. He carries a general line of merchandise and is doing well and since 1906 has been postmaster.

In March, 1909, Mr. Moore was married to Miss Ione Huddleston, a daughter of Thomas and Anna (Crook) Huddleston, and they have one interesting little son whom they have named Sterling. Mr. Moore is a member of the Odd Fellows at London, W. Va.

HENRY HISSOM carries on truck farm- ing and market gardening on his property on Crecent Road, West side, Charleston, W. Va., also conducts a meat market and grocery store on Bigley avenue and is one of the busy and substantial business men of this section.

James Hissom, the grandfather of Henry Hissom, was born in Tyler County, W. Va., (then Va.), about 125 years ago, moving from there to Monroe county, O., where his death occurred at the age of 106 years. He followed agricultural pursuits and drew a pension from the government, on account of service in the War of 1812, when he was little more than a boy. He was also in the Federal army during the Civil War. He spent many years in out- door life, to which he attributed his wonderful vitality. His children and grandchildren often listened with interest to his tales of hunting ad- ventures in Ohio and West Virginia in his early years. He was 100 years old when he lost his footing on slippery ice and fell a dis- tance of 100 feet, this accident causing feeble- ness during the last six years of his remarkably extended period of life. He married and had

the following children: Ellis, who died when past middle life, left children, one of his sons, James Hissom, having become a millionaire through oil production, in Monroe county; Thomas, who was a farmer in Monroe county, married and had a large family, but few of whom survive; and James, who was the young- est born.

James Hissom, Jr., was born in Monroe county and lived and died there, his decease be- ing in 1854, when about forty years of age. He was a strong Democrat. Although he had never identified himself with any religious body, on his death bed he confessed his belief and died in a living faith. He was married in Monroe county, O., to Ruth Knight, who sur- vived her husband for twenty-six years. Her parents were Quiller and Betsey Knight. To James and Ruth Hissom a large family was born, the only survivor being the youngest son, Henry Hissom, of this record.

Henry Hissom was born near Woodsfield. O., in Monroe county, October 28, 1853, grew up on the home farm and lived there until 1876. He then came to Roane County, W. Va., where he continued to reside until 1890, when he came to Charleston. Here he purchased the property above alluded to, on Crescent Road. every part of which he has utilized in a profit- able way. In addition to his truck gardening he has two greenhouses and thus is able to supply the early market with choice vegetables as well as plants and flowers.

Mr. Hissom was married in Monroe county, O., to Miss Alphenia Jane Faggert, who was born there in 1856, a daughter of Michael and Teckla (Wyserd) Faggert, who were natives of Germany. They were married in Ohio and died on their farm in Monroe county. Both were worthy people in every respect and con- sistent members of the German Methodist church. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hissom, one of whom, Clella, died in infancy. The others are: Phoebe Loraina, born in Ohio, who is the wife of Peter Sim- mons and they live in Roane county, W. Va., and have children; Charles, who was born in Roane county, operates the store and meat market for his father, married Augusta Myers, who, at death, left one son, Bernard, who lives

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with his grandparents; Maggie, who was born in Roane county, married Ernest Meyer and they live in Charleston and have three children : Lola, who was born in Roane county, is the wife of Allen Spradling, of Charleston, and they have one child; Earl, who was born at Charleston, assists his brother in the store and market; and George Dewey, who is still in school. Mr. Hissom and family attend the Methodist Episcopal church on Bigley street. Mr. Hissom is somewhat active in local poli- tics and is a committeeman on the Democratic ticket in his ward.

JOEL H. RUFFNER, who for many years has been a man of affairs at Charleston, . Va., and identified with leading business interests, is a member of one of the old and conspicuous families of the Kanawha Valley. He was born at Charleston, April 23, 1859, and is a son of Capt. David Lewis and Frances ( Ruff- ner ) Ruffner.

Capt. David Lewis Ruffner was born in Rockbridge county, Va., and was a son of Dr. Henry Ruffner, who was the founder of the Presbyterian church in the Kanawha Valley and gave land and contributed to the support of its early ministers. The Ruffner family has always been Presbyterian in church connection. Captain Ruffner was captain of Co. H, 22d Va. Reg., in the Civil War, which made so not- able a record for bravery as the Kanawha Ri- flemen. It was made up of the flower of the Confederacy in this section. Captain Ruffner was a civil engineer by profession and he sur- veyed the route for the C. & O. Railroad along the Kanawha river. His death occurred in 1896.

Joel H. Ruffner secured a public school edu- cation and being of industrious habit, almost in boyhood became connected with one of the oldest wholesale grocery houses of this city, in which he has steadily advanced until he has be- come the head of the clerical department of this large concern, of which he is now book- keeper, secretary and manager. He is a man of quiet, steady influence and his efforts have always been in the direction of peace, law, edu- cation and good citizenship. He is a Knight

Templar Mason and is a member of all the subordinate branches at Charleston.

Mr. Ruffner was married at Charleston. June 8, 1886, to Miss Dorcas Blaine Laidley, who was born in this city in 1865 and was ten- derly reared and carefully educated. She is a daughter of Capt. Richard Quarrier Laidley and a granddaughter of Major Alexander T. and Dorcas (Blaine) Laidley, and bears her grandmother's name. The latter died when aged but twenty-one years, leaving one child. Richard Quarrier. She belonged to a family that has produced people of importance and one of her kinsman was of national distinction, the late Hon. James G. Blaine. Alexander T. Laidley married for his second wife, Rowenna McFarland and they then moved to what is now Charleston. Here they became leaders in social and church circles and being devout Episcopalians, they donated land for church purposes and also gave the ground on which the present state house stands, making a con- dition of their generous gift that the capital should be removed from Wheeling to Charles- ton.

Richard Quarrier Laidley was born at Wheeling in 1834 and died at Charleston in 1872. He was a man of much prominence in this city for years. During the Civil War he was an active and valiant soldier and near its termination succeeded Capt. Lewis Ruffner as commander of a company in the Kanawha Riflemen. He married Lydia Whitteker who was the youngest of twelve children and was born on Capital street, Charleston, on the pres- ent site of the Y. M. C. A. building. There was the homestead of Aaron Whitteker, who was a pioneer from Massachusetts in the Kan- awha saline regions. He came as a true pio- neer, having walked the entire distance from his New England home to Malden, (now) W. Virginia, and became a man of wealth and large importance in this section. He married Betsey D. Quarrier and thus became connected with one of the most prominent families of the Kan- awha Valley. The mother of Mrs. Ruffner died in 1895, when aged fifty-two years. She was a woman of such beautiful character that she was beloved by all who had ever come with- in her winning influence and she was mourned

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by white and black, rich and poor, young and old. Her memory is lovingly preserved not only by her own family but in the hearts of hundreds who, in her comparatively short life, she had endeared to her by her kindness and sympathy.

To Mr. and Mrs. Ruffner seven children liave been born, namely: Diana Laidley, Lydia Fontaine, Richard Laidley, David Lewis, Percy L., Dorcas Lyle and Mar- garet Keith. Mrs. Ruffner is a member of the Daughters of the Confederacy. In his political sentiments Mr. Ruffner is a Demo- crat but he has never accepted any political office, although he is a loyal worker for his friends.

CHARLES F. STERRETT, merchant at Charleston, W. Va., member of the firm of Sterrett Brothers and president of the com- pany, was born on the old Sterrett home- stead, on the banks of the Ohio river, in Mason county, W. Va. His parents were William S. and Mary (Miller) Sterrett.

William S. Sterrett was born in Mason county, now in West Virginia, a son of Wil- liam and Mary (Bell) Sterrett, who were natives of Augusta county. William Ster- rett was a well known man, a lawyer by profession, and served as county clerk of Mason county. His family was large and one son, William S. Sterrett, succeeded to the old homestead. He died comparatively early-in 1864-leaving a widow and five children. He married Mary Miller, who was born in Shenandoah county, Va., and died at Charleston in 1899. The following children were born to William S. Sterrett and wife: Helen, who is now deceased, was survived by her husband, Frank Hoy and five children-Mary, Caroline, Charles, William and Robert; Josephine, who died in 1909, resided at Charlestown, unmarried; William Robert Lee, a member of the firm of Sterrett Brothers, married Minnie Her- rold, and they have two children-Herrold and Helen; and James B., who is the junior member of the firm of Sterrett Brothers, merchants.

Charles F. Sterrett has been more or less connected with merchandising since he was fifteen years of age. The death of his father imposed responsibilities on him at that age, which included assisting his mother and looking after the rearing and educating of his younger brothers. He entered a mercantile establishment in the capacity of clerk and through industry and fidelity was advanced until he became chief clerk of a firm that moved their business from Ohio to Charleston, twenty years ago. Mr. Ster- rett accompanied them and in a few years decided to embark in business for himself, in association with his two younger broth- ers, who had already gained mercantile ex- perience. The present great department store was begun in a small way, the loca- tion being on the west side of Capitol street, where they rented property. They opened up their business in 1892 and by 1896 had so prospered and established so excellent a credit that they were able to purchase two very desirable lots just across the street from their first business site, these being at 112 and 114 Capitol street, with dimensions of 50x125 feet. Continued prosperity enabled them to improve this property and they now have a fine substan- tial building, four stories in height, with basement, and with 26,000 feet of floor space. The inside finishing of the building is tasteful and appropriate, and it is lighted and heated according to the best and most approved modern systems. The firm caters to a discriminating public, but a complete stock is carried suited to almost every taste and purse. In addition to dry goods and notions, it includes ladies' and chil- dren's wearing apparel and carpets and house furnishings. A recent improvement, the placing of a plate glass display window for exhibition purposes, indicates the enter- prise of the firm, and has met with public approval.

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History of Charleston and Kanawha County, West Virginia and representative citizens, Part 67

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