History of Charleston and Kanawha County, West Virginia and representative citizens, Part 82

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 82

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).

George Franklin Washington, father of Robert F., was born in 1812, at Charlestown, Jefferson County, and was young when his par- ents moved into what is now Kanawha County, where he lived until twenty-one years of age and then, with his twin brother, Frank, went to Putnam county and took possession of prop- erty consisting of farm lands in Union District. The remainder of his life was passed in Put- nam County, his time being occupied with agri- cultural pursuits. In politics he was a Demo- crat. He was married in Putnam County to Miss Mary L. McGraw, who was born there in 1828, and died August 3, 1885. She was a daughter of Thomas McGraw, who was a na- tive of Ireland. Two children were born to the above marriage. Robert F. and Samuel T. The latter was accidentally killed by a fall in the air shaft of a mine. He left a widow, for- merly Catherine Hedrick, and a son, Albert Washington, who lives in Fayette County, W. Va.

Robert F. Washington attended school in

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Putnam County and then turned his attention to merchandising, opening a store at Bancroft, where he continued until 1897, when he came to Charleston and went into the hotel business. He has successfully conducted hotels in differ- ent places and since 1908 has been proprietor of the Washington Hotel, which is situated at Nos. 127-133 Summers street, Charleston. This well kept hostelry has abundant accommo- dations for the traveling public, having sixty rooms, all equipped in modern style with every reasonable comfort and convenience. Mr. Washington is an experienced host and thor- oughly understands the art of entertaining his guests.

Mr. Washington was married in Putnam County to Miss Corra D. Older, who was born July 7, 1868, a daughter of Edward and Cathe- rine (Aultz) Older. Mr. and Mrs. Washing- ton have had eight children, namely: Lola C., who married Reuben J. Haskin, and they re- side at Columbus, Ohio; and Callie F., George F., Goldie E., R. Lawrence, Leslie, Harley, Martha and Wilbur, the last named dying in childhood. Although Mr. Washington himself is very modest about it, there are many of his friends and acquaintances who see a marked re- semblance in his features to those of his illus- trious ancestor.

J. B. MAIRS, a general farmer and repre- sentative citizen of Poca District, Kanawha County, W. Va., residing on his fine estate of two hundred and fifty-one acres, was born in Poca District, June 25, 1851, and is a son of the venerable Dr. William Mairs, a former prominent physician and one of the leading politicians of Kanawha County for a number of years. He still resides in the county, mak- ing his home with a daughter in Union District.

J. B. Mairs attended school in Poca District and afterward taught five terms of school in Poca and Union Districts, his marriage taking place during his second term. He then settled on his present farm which lies on the right fork of Tupper's Creek, and has devoted himself since then to its cultivation and improvement. He has seventy-five acres in valuable woodland. Mr. Mairs is one of the district's wide awake and interested men and he has served his sec-

tion very acceptably in numerous offices for a number of years. He has served as a member of the Republican County Committee for six years; as constable for two years; and in 1884 was elected assessor of Kanawha County for four years, when the county court appointed him for a term of two years more, and his serv- ice thus covered six years. He has also been land assessor and census enumerator.

On October 24, 1871, Mr. Mairs was mar- ried to Miss Elmina M. Derrick, who was born September 29, 1853, in Poca District, and is a daughter of Michael and Julia (Dawson) Der- rick. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mairs: William M., who lives at Charleston, married Martha Slater, a daugh- ter of Nelson Slater, and they have four chil- dren-Lucy, Orl, Oscar and Frank; Myrtus B., who is a resident of Charleston, married Ada Morgan, and they have nine children-Bessie May, Ida Belle, Tisdel Harrison, Gladys Gol- die, Harry, Carl K., Vernard Gondola, Robert L. and Ernest; Thomas F., who was a brave soldier in Co. C, 2d W. Va., Inf., in the Span- ish-American War, died at the age of twenty- seven years and was buried in the family ceme- tery ; Rosa, who is the wife of Osborne Tasker, and they reside at Charleston and have one child, Russia; Mark R., who is employed at Charleston; Fred C., who lives at Charleston, married Lulu Presson, and they have one son, Chester; Albert R. and Lloyd who have never married, the latter being employed at the Hawk's Nest mines; Lillie, who died at the age of three months and twenty-five days; and John H., Otis, Della and Rome, all of whom live at home. Mr. and Mrs. Mairs are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he has always been affiliated with the Republican party. He is a member of Lodge No. 147, Odd Fellows, at Sissonville, W. Va.

SAMUEL H. WILSON, oil and gas ope- rator in Kanawha County, with headquarters at Charleston, is also a veteran of the Civil War, serving in the Federal army from 1862 until 1865. He was born on the water of Wheeling Creek, Va., May 20, 1847, and is a son of James and Clarinda (Hagerman) Wil- son.

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HISTORY OF KANAWHA COUNTY

Joseph Wilson, the grandfather, was born on Short Creek, in what is now Ohio County, W. Va., in 1804. He came of English people and Maryland parentage, while his wife was of Scotch ancestry. When his parents came from Maryland to Short Creek District, the Indians were yet very troublesome and the settlers en- dured all the hardships of pioneer life. Joseph Wilson subsequently located in that section cut off from Ohio County that became Marshall County, and on the shores of Wheeling Creek hewed out and built of logs his first rude cabin. He spent his life there and died in 1860. He married Martha Downey, who survived her husband for many years, her death occurring when she was seventy-five years old. They had eight children, all but two of whom are now deceased: Samuel, who is a farmer in Mar- shall County; and Mary, who is the wife of Alexander Woodburn, living in Marshall County.

James Wilson, son of Joseph and Martha Wilson, was one of the elder sons of the family and was born on Wheeling Creek, in 1818, and died in Newton County, Ind., a few years after moving there, at the age of seventy-six years. He was a contractor. In his early voting days he was a Whig but later became identified with the Republican party. He was married in Mar- shall County to Miss Clarinda Hagerman, who was born in 1828 and died at the age of fifty- six years. The ancestors of her family founded Hagerstown, Md., and were the early iron men of that section. Ten children were born to James Wilson and wife and five sons and three daughters still survive and all are married and have families. James Wilson and wife were members of the Presbyterian church.

Samuel Hagerman Wilson was reared and educated in Marshall County. On June 12, 1862, he enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering the 12th Va. Vols., under Captain Roberts and Colonel Curtis, which regiment was immediately sent to the front and took part in the battle of Winchester. Mr. Wilson went all through the Shenandoah Valley campaign and was a part of the brave body of soldiers that fought step by step to the gates of Peters- burg and took that city. At the time of the surrender of General Lee he was at Appomat-

tox with his regiment, and many of the notable events of that occasion are indelibly impressed on his memory. Although he was frequently in danger and ever at the post of duty, he es- caped all serious injuries. He belongs to the George Crook Post, G. A. R., at Charleston.

When the war terminated, Mr. Wilson re- turned to Marshall County and remained there until the fall of 1868, when he went to Grundy County, Ill., where he engaged in farming and later followed the same occupation in Newton County, Ind., where he remained until 1889, and then moved to Elk District, Kanawha County, W. Va. From there, in 1905, he came to Charleston and since then has been connected with the Jarvis Oil Company, and the Kettle Oil and Gas Company, and is also agent for W. Seymour Edwards, the prominent coal mag- nate. Mr. Wilson is a director and stockholder in the Jarvis Oil Company, and a stockholder in the Kettle companies. He is not particu- larly active politically, but votes the Republican ticket.

Mr. Wilson married Miss Mary A. Hager- man, who was born and reared in Marshall County, and they have three daughters, namely : Hattie M., a highly educated lady who is prin- cipal of the Mercer School at Charleston ; Lucy A., who is the wife of Floyd M. Conner, and they live in Elk District and have four sons and three daughters; and Luella, who is the wife of Dr. George L. Ramsey. Dr. and Mrs. Ramsey live at Powhatan Point. Belmont County, Ohio, and have two sons. Mrs. Wil- son and daughters are members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church.

WILLIAM E. DAVIS, mine superintendent for the Clay Coal Company, at Berrien Creek, Kanawha County, W. Va., has had years of experience in coal mining, in fact has been identified with the coal business ever since his school days ended. He was born June 19, 1872, in Fayette County, W. Va., and is a son of Lorenzo L. and Jenny (Vandall) Davis.

Lorenzo L. Davis was born in Maryland and came from there to West Virginia, locating in Fayette County, where he was engaged in a mercantile business for a number of years, and in 1898 came to Kanawha County. He was a

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carpenter by trade and worked at the same for a time but later conducted a meat market and then became a merchant. His death occurred in August, 1910, at the age of sixty-eight years. He was four times married, first to a Miss Wamsley, who, at death, left one son, S. B., who is a merchant at Holly Grove. His second marriage was to Jenny Vandall, a daughter of Joseph and Betty (Fox) Vandall, who died in 1883, leaving one son, William E. To the third marriage, with Alice McGary, three children were born: C. L. and Minnie surviv- . ing, the latter the wife of S. W. Maurice, of Indian Creek. Mr. Davis was married a fourth time to Lilly B. Pitzer, who survives and re- sides in Fayette County, and of this marriage there are six surviving children.

William E. Davis was but twelve years old when he started to work in the coal mines in Fayette County, W. Va., and remained in that coal district until 1909, when he came to Kana- wha County as assistant mine foreman of the Windal Coal Company, and in 1911 he was ap- pointed superintendent of the Clay Coal Com- pany. Mr. Davis is well known to the mine men of this section and his reputation for re- liability is no less than that for efficiency.

Mr. Davis married Miss Sally Norman, a daughter of R. M. and Laura (Anderson) Norman, of Mill Creek. Five children have been born to them, the three survivors being : Loris, aged eleven years; Gaston, aged nine years, and Rancil, aged three years. Farns- worth and Laura are deceased. For fifteen years Mr. Davis has been a member of the or- der of American Mechanics, at Pinch, Kana- wha County. He is a good and law abiding citizen, but has never identified himself with any political party.

MOSES FRANKENBERGER, deceased, was born in 1834, in Westheim, Bavaria, Ger- many, and died at his home in the city of Charleston, W. Va., March 21, 1902. He came of German ancestry and his people were of Hebrew stock.

In 1851, with his brother Philip, Moses Frankenberger embarked on a sailing vessel for the United States, and landed at the port of New York. From there the brothers went to 35

Pittsburg, Pa., where Moses became first a clerk and then a bookkeeper. Later he came to Charleston where he opened a clothing store on Kanawha street and conducted so careful a business that before the outbreak of the Civil War he had already accumulated quite a prop- erty. Although of foreign birth he took a de- cided stand in public matters and came out defi- nitely in favor of the Union and this attitude caused him to lose a large part of his fortune, and also to be held for three months a prisoner of war.

When peace came again Mr. Frankenberger soon regained his old place in the business cir- cles of Charleston and in the course of years was one of the organizers of the Citizens' Bank, of which he was elected president. During his administration that bank was one of the most successful financial institutions of the Kana- wha Valley. He subsequently retired from the bank some years before his death. He owned a large amount of improved property including a block of store buildings on the corner of Kanawha and Summers streets and his fine residence at No. 1014 Lee street. In politics he was a Republican and his party had so much reliance on his business acumen and personal in- tegrity that at one time it made him its candi- date for state treasurer.

His burial, while under the care of the Rabbi of the Jewish Temple, was also under the super- vision of the Masonic order to which he be- longed. Mr. Frankenberger set an example in bestowing charity and probably no more liberal citizen ever belonged to Charleston. He was a member of the building committee that erected the beautiful Jewish Temple at Charleston and was a generous contributor, but he also gave largely to other religious bodies. He was a de- voted family man, one who considered the wel- fare of his home people and loved to be with them. Mr. Frankenberger was a man of real worth and in his death Charleston lost an ad- mirable citizen.

In 1873, at Louisville, Ky., Mr. Franken- berger was married to Miss Fanny Ellinger, who was born near Munich, Bavaria, Germany, in 1852, and is a daughter of Samuel and Janet (Widelshofer) Ellinger.

To Mr. and Mrs. Frankenberger eight chil-

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dren were born, of whom six are living. Ame- lia, the eldest, is the wife of Dr. Edwin Zug- smith, a prominent physician of Pittsburg, Pa. They have one son, Thomas E. Rika, is the wife of G. I. Barkus, and they reside with Mrs. Frankenberger. They have two sons, Freder- ick M. and Philip. Samuel, the eldest son, was graduated in 1902 from the United States Mili- tary Academy. Hugo was graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1905. Leo was educated at Charleston. Bertram was edu- cated at Charleston and at St. John's Military Academy at Manlius, N. Y.

JAMES ANDERSON GARNES, D.D.S., who is engaged in the practice of dentistry at Clendenin, W. Va., was born in Jackson county, W. Va., July 12, 1866, and is a son of Franklin and Amanda (Miller) Garnes, and a grandson of Tapley and Anna (Par- sons) Garnes, natives of Giles county, Va.

Franklin Garnes was born October I, 1836, in Jackson county and remained as- sisting his father on the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age, after which he worked as a blacksmith, operated a threshing machine and also, when not en- gaged in managing his farm, worked at stone masonry, being a busy and resource- ful man. He married Amanda Miller, who was born February 29, 1839, in Poca dis- trict, Kanawha county, a daughter of George S. and Emily Miller. She still lives on the old homestead in Jackson county, West Virginia. Of the family of eight chil- dren, the following survive: James Ander- son ; William, living at East Liverpool, O .; Hal, residing with his mother; Launa, wife of L. Bush; and Ada, wife of H. Board, re- siding at Sandyville, Jackson county, W. Va.

As soon as his school days were over, James A. Garnes began the study of den- tistry which he continued at Point Pleasant and in Charleston. After a season of farm- ing on the homestead, he resumed his stud- ies and entered into practice first at St. Albans, W. Va., coming from there to Clendenin in 1909, where he has built up a substantial and satisfactory practice. Dr.

Garnes keeps abreast of the times in his profession and has a thoroughly equipped modern office.

Dr. Garnes was married first to Miss Letha Fisher, who was born in Jackson county in 1871 and died in 1890-a daugh- ter of Samuel and Polly (Dawson) Fisher. One son was born to that marriage. Clar- ence, who is engaged in farming in Jack- son county, unmarried. Dr. Garnes was married second to Miss Mollie Rollins, who was born December 10, 1872, at Sissonville, Kanawha county, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Skidmore ) Rollins. Dr. and Mrs. Garnes have four daughters: Mabel, Opal, Dulcie and Helen, their ages ranging from eighteen to seven years. In politics he is identified with the Republican party but takes only the interest of a good citizen. He belong's to the Modern Woodmen of America, at Clendenin, and is chief of rec- ord, of Chippewa Tribe, No. 12, Red Men, also at Clendenin.

VIRGIL ANSON LEWIS, who is one of West Virginia's distinguished men of letters and occupies the honorable office of state archivist and historian, was born near West Columbia, Mason county, W. Va., July 6, 1848, and is a son of George W. and Lucy ( Ed- wards) Lewis.

Liberally educated, Mr. Lewis received his A.M. degree in 1893, from the West Virginia University, earlier in life having prepared for the practice of the profession of law, being admitted to the bar in 1879. His tastes, how- ever, led him into the wide field of literature and for many years his name has been a fa- miliar and honored one in educational and journalistic circles. In boyhood he worked in a printing office and- his · ambition to own a paper of his own was partially satisfied when he became financially interested in the West Virginia Monitor. In 1892 he founded the Southern Historical Magazine, at Charleston. and from 1893-97 was the editor and pub- lisher of the West Virginia School Journal, and during the same period was state superin- tendent of schools. Mr. Lewis has been hon- ored by his section and state on many occa-

TISKELWAH SCHOOL, CHARLESTON

HIGH SCHOOL, CHARLESTON

Capitol Annex, Charleston, W. Va.

CAPITOL ANNEX, CHARLESTON

STATE CAPITOL, CHARLESTON

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sions, his learning and scholarship and his high standing as a man and citizen receiving generous recognition. In 1892 he was sent as a delegate to the Southern States Industrial Congress, held at Asheville, N. C .; was a member of the state board of public works in West Virginia from 1893 until 1897, and was a member and secretary of the West Virginia commission to the Jamestown Exposition in 1907. In 1890 he - organized the West Vir- ginia Historical and Antiquarian Society, and he is a member of the Southern Educational Association, the National Geographical So- ciety, the Mississippi Valley Historical So- ciety and the Ohio Valley Historical Society.

Recognizing the value of books as educa- tional tools, Mr. Lewis has devoted a part of his time to the writing of volumes which are accurate historical annals and they find a place not only in every complete library but with the records of historical societies everywhere. In 1889 he issued a History of West Virginia ; in 1891, the Life and Times of Ann Bailey, the Pioneer Heroine of the Great Kanawha Valley; in 1896 a Graded Course of Study for Country and Village Schools; in 1903, the Story of the Louisiana Purchase; in 1904, Early Educators of West Virginia; and in 1905, Civil Government in West Virginia. This list does not include a vast collection of valuable reports containing accurate data on historical matters pertaining to the United States and in particular to West Virginia. In 1905 Mr. Lewis was made state archivist and historian.

On October 31, 1886, Mr. Lewis was mar- ried to Miss Elizabeth Stone. He is interested in the leading fraternal bodies, being a Mason. a Knight Templar, and member of the Lodge of Perfection of the Scottish Rite; is a mem- ber of the Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows, and is past grand chancellor of the Knights of Pythias. He has recently been elected to his second term of six years as a member of the board of directors of the Knights of Pythias Orphans' Home, of which body he is chair- man.

LEONIE E. BURDETT for many years was interested in West Virginia in the lum-

ber business, both as dealer and manufac- turer. He was born October 10, 1863, in Monroe county, WV. Va., a son of Washing- ton and Susan (Longanacre) Burdett, and died at his home in'Charleston.

Washington Burdett and wife were born in Monroe county, where their parents had been early settlers. He was a farmer and spent his entire life in his native section." He was twice married, first to Susan Long- anacre and secondly to Mrs. Anna (Ballen- gee) Nowland, of Summers county, who still survives, residing at Alderson. The , death of Washington Burdett occurred in June, 1908.

Leonie E. Burdett was one of a family of ten children, all of whom survive except he and all have married and have issue. He remainted on the home farm until he was sixteen years of age and then became in- terested in the lumber business, in which he continued until the close of his life. For a number of years he was both dealer and manufacturer and a practical worker in lumber in Summers, Fayette, Clay and Ka- nawha counties and was a successful busi- ness man. In 1901 he transferred his in- terests to Charleston where he started a planing mill and operated the same until his death. Since then his city interests have been looked after by his brother, Plummer W. Burdett, under the name of the. Kanawha Planing Mill Company, the controlling interest being owned by Mrs. Burdett. In politics he was a Republican but was never an aggressive politician. He was a member of the Baptist church.

Mr. Burdett was married to Miss Betty Withrow, of Summers county, who, at death, left two children, Bertha B. and J. Homer, both of whom were carefully edu- cated by their father, the latter having the added advantage of military training, and both reside at home. Mr. Burdett was mar- ried secondly, on February 25, 1891, to Miss Zora E. Graham, who was born De- cember 25. 1869, in Summers county and was reared and educated there. Her par- ents were Joseph U. and Sarah (Flint) Graham, and her grandparents were David

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and Sarah (Alderson) Graham. The grandmother died some thirty years since, but the venerable grandfather, now ninety years of age, still survives and lives with his son at Hinton, W. Va. Joseph U. Gra- ham was a farmer and lumberman for many years but for the past decade has been a business man at Charleston and is manu- facturer here of all kinds of boxes.

To Mr. and Mrs. Burdett four children were born, namely: Clarence E., who was born December 22, 1891; Frank E., born September 1, 1893; Ashley G., born No- vember 9, 1895; and Hugh, born January II, 1903. Mrs. Burdett and family are members of the Baptist church.

J. F. WICK. a general farmer, residing three and a half miles from Charleston, owns forty acres of land in Loudon district, six acres of which is improved, the rest be- ing in timber. This land is all very valu- able, being underlaid with several seams of coal. Mr. Wick was born in 1853, near Millerstown, in Butler county, Pa., and is a son of John D. Wick, who brought his family to Putnam county, in 1867, and spent the rest of his life there, mainly as a miner.

J. F. Wick was fourteen years of age when he came to West Virginia and had already attended school in his native state. He went to work as a miner and continued until 1911, when he moved to Kanawha county and settled on his present farm, which he had bought in 1903; he built his house in 1910. His land was almost en- tirely covered with timber, much of it very valuable.

Mr. Wick was married in Putnam county, in 1876, to Miss Mary Rudolph, who was born in Alleghany county, Pa., and they have four living children, three being deceased. The living are: David, thirty-four years old, who married Hattie French and has two sons-Hugh and Ralph: John, thirty-two, who married Annie Dempsey, of Fayette county, and has one son, Clarence; and Everett, twenty- two, and Nellie, twenty. Mr. Wick votes the Republican ticket.

H. A. SHIRKEY, whose valuable farm of five hundred acres is situated in Poca district, Kanawha county, W. Va., sixteen miles north of the city of Charleston, was born on this farm, August 21, 1845, and is a son of David Shirkey and a grandson of John Shirkey, who was born in County Donegal, Ireland, and there married Mary Jefferson. They had three children, namely: John J., who died in 1884, in Poca district, Kanawha county ; Mary J., all rec- ord of whom has been lost ; and David, who was born three days after his parents landed in America, his mother dying on the same day.

David Shirkey secured some school ad- vantages in Monroe county, W. Va .. and grew to manhood on a farm and made farming his business through life. After his marriage in West Virginia, to Mary Samuels, he settled in Poca district. His wife was a daughter of Greenbury and Esther (Slack) Samuels. the former of whom was a man of importance and was one of the first jailors in this part of the county. David Shirkey was enterprising and industrious and acquired five hundred and fifty acres of land on Poca river. a part of which he improved and here he passed the remainder of his life, his death occur- ring in his eighty-fourth year. He was a magistrate in Poca district for many years. In early days he was a Whig but after the Civil War he cast his vote with the Repub- lican party. His wife died when aged sev- enty-six years and their burial was in a cemetery near their farm. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They had eight children born to them. as follows: G. T., Araminta and John G., all of whom are now deceased; Mary A., who is the wife of John Fisher. residing in Poca district; Emily C., who is the wife of Scott Jenkins: P. S., who is a resident of Charleston: H. A .: and Louisa E., who is now deceased.

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History of Charleston and Kanawha County, West Virginia and representative citizens, Part 82

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