USA > West Virginia > Ritchie County > History of Ritchie County, with biographical sketches of its pioneers and their ancestors, and with interesting reminiscences of revolutionary and Indian times > Part 45
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He was a man of unimpeachable character, and his men- oly will long be revered. He served as a Union soldier in Company G, Tenth West Virginia Infantry Volunteers, being mustered out at the end of two years, owing to physical dis- ability.
He was the father of ten children: Eustace, the young- est son, and Laura have passed on ; J. N., and Mrs. Josephine Kniseley Marclay Wilson, reside in Oklahoma; Charley, in Wirt county ; Mrs. Mittie (J. C.) Lawson, at Auburn ; Eva, who first married Charles Oldaker, is now Mrs. Robert A. Henderson, of Auburn ; Florence Marie, is the widow of the late Okey J. Cooper, of Newberne ; Olive Pearle is Mrs. S. C. Phillips, of Smithville; and Drusilla, with her mother, lives at Auburn.
The last three daughters named were skillful musicians. and their little "stringed-band" was a feature of no little enjoyment to the traveling public who patronized their hotel, while they were at home.
The Bushes came from Germany. The original family on this side of the water consisted of five brothers and four sisters, and one or more half-brothers, namely, Peter, Jacob, Henry, John, George, Susan, Barbara, Elizabeth, Margaret, and Adam Bush-the half-brother; and from these brothers the many different families of this name, scatered throughout this and other states, are descended.
The exact time of their migration to America is not known, but it must have been shortly before the Revolution. as Peter Bush took up arms in defense of his adopted country, in her struggle for liberty.
Neither is it known where they first settled, but they landed at Philadelphia upon their arrival here.
The late Daniel D. Bush, of this town, was descended
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from Adam Bush, the half-brother, above mentioned-Adani being his grandsire.
But Daniel S. Bush, of Harrisville, Mrs. Elizabeth Bush Heckart Fling, and Mrs. Elsie Fling, wife of F. G. Fling, of Burnt House : and Mrs. Mary Goff, of Hazelgreen, familiarly known as "Aunt Polly," are all descended from Jacob, who married Miss Margaret Flesher, and came from Lewis coun- ty to Gilmer in pioneer days, and settled at the mouth of Leading creek, where he and his wife sleep.
Mrs. Elizabeth Fling and Mrs. Mary Goff, are the grand- daughters of Jacob. the former being the daughter of Henry and Margaret Snyder Bush ; and the latter, the daughter of George Bush, who was designated as "Surveyor George Bush." And Mrs. Elsie Fling and Daniel S. Bush are the great-grandchildren of Jacob. Mr. Bush being the son of Jacob H. Bush, and the grandson of Henry ; and Mrs. Fling the daughter of George W. Bush, and the granddaughter of Henry.
All the other families of this name in this, and Gilmer counties, belong to this same stock.
Thomas C. Hardman launched the saddler business here. and held it in-tact until his death, when his mantle fell upon his son, Ernally Hardman, who still has charge of this trade. Mr. Hardman belonged to the pioneer family of this name. whose history occupies an earlier chapter. He married Miss Rilla Shumway. of Ohio, and resided there, for a time after his marriage, before coming here, where he found a final resting place. He was the father of one other son besides the one mentioned, and of two daughters: Ormsby, of this place, and Mrs. Lon. Ward, and Mrs. Harvey Sommerville. who, with their mother, reside in Colorado.
Dr. James R. Glover was the first resident physician. IIc came in 1812, and here, he was married to Miss Laura Swisher, and has three children : Hunter. Jessie, and Julia.
Dr. J. C. Lawson, and Dr. N. E. Eddy are the two practi- tioners in the field at present. The former came from Har- rison county, in. the eighties-the latter from Ohio, but a few years since.
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The Auburn Carriage Company came in 1898 with J. N. Bush, and D. M. Heckart promoters of the enterprise. In 1903, WV. M. Farnsworth took the place of Mr. Bush, and it is now "Heckart and Farnsworth," both Gilmer county products.
The Bank was instituted in 1901, with Dr. J. C. Lawson, President, and Howard Showalter, cashier. J. T. Hall is the present presiding officer, and John Cookman is the cashier.
Lodges .- The Knights of Pythias Lodge was organized in July, 1889, with twenty-nine charter members, it now numbers ninety-six; and its lodge property is valued at one thousand two hundred dollars, and its notes and cash, at one thousand three hundred dollars. It is said to be in the best condition, financially, of any lodge of this order in the state, with the exception of those in the Cities of Wheeling. Charleston, and Parkersburg.
The Modern Woodmen came in 1900, with twenty-four charter members, and they now have a membership of sev- enty-five, and have paid out insurance on the death of mem- bers to the amount of four thousand five hundred dollars They hold their meetings in the Maccabees hall. (1909.)
The Maccabees organized in January, 1908, with twenty- eight original members. They now have thirty-five and own their hall.
The four churches have a united membership of three hundred one, and the M. P. church owns a parsonage here.
The school-house is a good substantial four-roomed brick ; and the town can boast of a good photograph gallery (with I. P. Cox artist). and a furniture and undertaking establishment (with W. H. Amos in charge). It has two general stores, which are in the hands of Pulliam & Wiant. and Howard Gluck & Co., and a grocery, two blacksmith shops, a milliner, etc.
It was incorporated in 1901, and has a strict curfew law.
Dr. J. C. Lawson has been a medical practitioner here for more than a quarter of a century, and his faithful service merits more than a passing notice.
He is the son of T. W. Lawson, who is still living at the age of ninety years, and his mother was the late Mrs.
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Elizabeth Baily Lawson, and Harrison county is the place of his nativity. He was graduated from the Jefferson Med- ical College at Philadelphia, in 1883, and the following year, came to Auburn, where he has since been prominent in church and business affairs, as well as in his profession. On June 14, 1887, he was married to Miss Mittie Bush, daughter of the late Daniel Bush, of Auburn, and five children are the result of this union ; viz .. Miss Willie, Holton, Kline, Kath- leen, and Carleton.
The MeWhorters .- The name of MeWhorter was for a number of years a prominent one in the affairs of this town, L. D. and S. B. McWhorter, two brothers, being partners in the mercantile business here.
But during the financial panic in the nineties, the firm became insolvent, and S. B. returned to the place of his nativity, on Hacker's creek; and L. D. became identified with the commercial travelers, but continued to hold his resi- dence here until a few years since, when he removed his family to Buckhannon.
Lycurgus Diogenes MeWhorter was born, on August 4. 1853, and on New Year's day, 1876, he was married to Miss Louisa Alice Caynor, who was born, on October 8, 1854, and shortly after, with his wife, he came to Auburn.
He and his son, Ford, are now in the employ of the Leatherby Shoe Company. Genial in disposition and gen- erous to a fault, he is said to have few equals as a salesman. This innate spirit of benevolence, which prompted him to venture beyond the bounds of safety in the "credit system." during the panic, above mentioned, was the foundation of his financial ruin.
However, amidst his adversities he did not lose his sense of humor, but when the firm was forced to close its business. the villagers, one morning, found this terse sign upon the door. "Busted and Gone Fishing." He is a member of the following named orders, Masonic. K. of P .. I. O. O. F., U C. T., and W. T. A. A.
He and his wife are the parents of ten children : viz ..
Ora, the eldest daughter, is Mrs. W. A. Broadwater, of Tollgate.
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Berta, Mrs. Elza A. Rinehart, of Lewis county.
Maude, Mrs. Emory L. Hall, of Auburn.
Altia, Mrs. Thomas J. Hefner.
Ford D., John, Belva, Odessa, Guy M., and Minnie, who are twins.
Sabinus Bruce McWhorter, the junior member of the firm, was born on September 5, 1857 ; and on August 4, 1881, he was married to Miss Emeline Mae Lawson, and three children were the result of this union ; viz., Lora, Sabinus M., and Carlton Brooks.
Mr. McWhorter was devotedly religious, and was quite prominent in church affairs, he having been President of the West Virginia Universalist Conference from the date of its organization, in 1891, until his death; and his every day Christian character left its impress upon all with whom he came in contact. He was an ardent advocate of the Temper- anice cause, and frequently made public addresses in its be- half.
He died on May 17, 1899, from injuries received in a run- a-way accident, near Claysville, Pennsylvania, while engaged as traveling salesman for Speyer Brothers, of Wheeling. West Virginia. His remains were taken to the old home on Hacker's creek, and there laid away in the I. O. O. F. ceme- tery, amid the scenes of his childhood.
His family at this time resided at Gaston, West Virginia, but they now live near Berlin, in Lewis county, in a little home that he thoughtfully provided by his life insurance, amidst his straightened circumstances. He was a member of the Masonic, Knights of Pythias and United Commercial Travelers orders at the time of his death.
These brothers are the sons of the late Dr. John Minion Mc Whorter, who passed into the land of eternal peace from his home at Buckhannon, on November 9, 1909, after a long and useful career.
Dr. McWhorter was not only a medical practitioner of wide reputation, but he was a pioneer minister of the Uni- versalist faith in Central West Virginia. He was the author of a small book of sermons, and left several manuscripts of no little value.
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HISTORY OF RITCHIE COUNTY.
In compliance with a request set forth in his will, his remains, were taken to Pittsburg and cremated, and the ashes were placed in a bronze metal urn-then in a casket-and buried between his two wives in the Mc Whorter cemetery. in Harrison county.
Dr. McWhorter was of Scotch-Irish descent and of Revo- lutionary stock. He was the son of Walter McWhorter, and the grandson of Henry McWhorter. a Revolutionary soldier. who was the pioneer mill-wright of the West Fork river.
He was born in Harrison county on January 22, 1821; and on February 8, 1848, he was first married to Miss Rosetta Marple, daughter of John and Ruth Reger Marple, and great- granddaughter of Jacob Brake, who was captured by the In- dians, and remained among them until he became thoroughly "Indianized :" and after his return from captivity married and settled near the Buckhannon fort, where he died.
This same Jacob Brake was a son of John Brake. a Ger- man Baron, who resided near Moorefield (W.) Virginia, and who was conspicuously known as a tory in Revolutionary times, he being the prime factor in the only tory uprising of any note within the present boundary of the state.
Mrs. McWhorter died on December 26. 1869. after having given birth to twelve children, and on July 14, 1871, Dr. Mc- Whorter' married for his second wife, Mrs. Phebe Cunning- ham, daughter of the Rev. James Hardman, of Hardman chapel, who passed on in 1905.
The children of Dr. and Mrs. ( Rosetta Marple) Mc- Whorter are as follows :
Cicero C. F., who was County clerk of Upshur for twen- ty years : Flavius J., L. D .. S. B., Cyrus S., cashier of the Citi- zens National Bank, at Redlands, California: Lucullus V .. John C., who is a prominent barrister. and Judge of the Twelfth Judicial circuit of West Virginia; Flora M., who is Mrs. George Lawson: and Lena L., the wife of Ulysses I. Jenkins : and Hyranus, Augustus O., and Lora Lee, who all died in infancy. Mrs. Jenkins is a prominent W. C. T. U.
1For a more extended sketch of Dr. Mcwhorter see "History of Upshur County."
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worker, and is at this time State Superintendent of the De- partment of Anti-Narcotics, etc.
L. V. Mcwhorter. ("Old Wolfe.")
Lucullus V. McWhorter, who resides in North Yakima, Washington, is a writer and historian of considerable note.
He is soon to publish a history1 of the "Border Settlers of North Western Virginia," and is much interested in the welfare of the Indians of the Northwest. He has been form- ally adopted by the Yakimas, and is known among them as "He-mene Ka-wen," or "Old Wolfe," he having been chosen to take the place of a late beloved chief or leader of this name. He is a recognized member of the Indian Council, and often meets with them in their deliberations, he being the only white man that has ever attained to this honor.
This title and honor were conferred upon him in recogni- tion of his untiring efforts in behalf of certain needed reforms in their tribal government, and for varied expressions of sympathy for their cause in its many injustices at the hands of the white men. So strong is their attachment for him, that they have been heard to declare that "He is too good to be a white man, that he is an Indian."
His standing with the "Nez Perce" is equally high, and the data that he is collecting among these Northwestern tribes
"The title of this history will be "Border Warriors," or the Life of Jesse Hughes and other Noted Scouts of Western Virginia, with preface and additional notes by Wm. E. Connolly.
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is of rare ethnological and historical value.
The Kniseleys now claim our attention. George and Annie Eib Kniseley, both of Holland descent, emigrated from Pennsylvania to Harrison county shortly after the American Revolution, as did the Eib family.
Their family consisted of ten children, namely, Jacob, George, John, Washington, Abraham, Mary, Margaret, Susan. and Lucy.
George married Miss Nancy Loveland and went to Illi- nois.
Jacob married and remained in Harrison county.
Abraham lived single until he had reached the age of near sixty-five years, when he married a Harrison county lady, and shortly after, was thrown from a horse and killed.
Mary was the late Mrs. Isaac P. Cox, of the Pocotaligo river, this state.
Susan married Philip Cox and died in this county in 1886. Margaret was the late Mrs. Samuel Sheets, of Harrison coun- ty. And Lucy was Mrs. Noah Smith, of Simpson's creek.
Washington Kniseley married Miss Sarah Heckart and settled near Troy. in Gilmer county, many years ago. Here, he died about 1880, and in the Auburn cemetery he lies at rest, by the side of his two companions. His last wife, Mrs. Anna Cox Kniseley being laid by his side in 1909.
His daughter Sarah was the late wife of Oliver Cox, of Cox's mill ; and his sons were John, and Daniel, of the Au- burn vicinity, who passed on a number of years ago, and Henry Kniseley.
John Kniseley, who was so long prominently identified with the business affairs of this part of the county, was mar- ried to Miss Julia McKinley, in 1839, and settled on Hacker's creek, in Lewis county, where he remained until the early seventies, when he came to Auburn and purchased the Timo- thy Tharpe and the Andrew Law homesteads, and took up his residence on the latter.
Being a man of great energy, he was one of the most prosperous farmers and stock-dealers in this section of the country. He took an active interest in church affairs, and was a generous contributor to the cause. The pretty Method-
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ist Protestant church home of this town, which was burned to the ground, on Sunday, December 12, 1909, was chiefly the work of his own hands.
When the weight of years forced him to give up his busi- ness pursuits, turning his beautiful old homestead over to his son, Thomas, he removed to a little home in the north of this town, where he resided until this home was broken up by the death of his aged companion, near the year 1896. He died during the month of February, 1898. Both sleep in the Au- burn cemetery. This venerable couple celebrated their golden wedding during the early summer of the year 1889-an event which has been recorded in the lives of comparatively few of the citizens of this county.
They were the parents of five children: viz., Edward. Abraham, Thomas, Julia, and Saralı.
Edward remained in Lewis county.
Sarah Kniseley was first married to Francis Swisher, of Lewis county, and the two daughters of this union are Mrs. Laura Glover, wife of Dr. J. R. Glover, and Mrs. Julia Cook- man Peirpoint. After the death of Mr. Swisher, she married Mr. Smith, of Weston.
Julia Kniseley married Israel Cookman, of Lewis county, 111 1869, and with her parents, they came to Auburn and took up their residence on the Tharpe homestead, where they still live. They have long been pillars in the Methodist Episcopal church, and are classed among the best citizens of the town. Their only child is John Cookman, the well known cashier of the Auburn bank. Later .- Mr. Cookman died on April 10. 1910, at he age of eighty years, and was laid at rest in the Auburn cemtery.
Abraham Kniseley, who was also prominently known in business circles, was married to Miss Ida Hall, of Lewis county, and died here a number of years ago, leaving two daughters-Minnie, who is now the wife of the Rev. William Lloyd, of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Miss Sarah Kniseley, who, with their mother, are now of Illinois.
Thomas Kniseley married Miss Alice Stout, of Lewis county, and after selling the old homestead here a few years since, returned to Lewis county, where he now resides. His
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children are two in number: Georgia, a daughter, and Fred, a son.
John Sommerville is at this time one of the oldest and most prominent citizens of the town. Perhaps, no other name has had a longer association with its public affairs than that of Mr. Sommerville. He was born in Harrison county, on October 19, 1832, and came to this vicinity with his parents when he was but a small child, and here his entire life has been spent, on the old farm that his father entered in the wilderness days. He served as a soldier of the Union army, having entered as a private in the Infantry, rose to the rank of Captain in the Sixth Virginia Calvalry. He has been a life-long communicant of the Methodist Episcopal churchi. and is prominently connected with some of the business in- terests of the town.
He married Miss Elizabeth Brannon, daughter of Thomas Brannon, of Gilmer county, and they are the parents of three daughters, and five sons : viz.,
Mae, the eldest daughter, was the late Mrs. Miles Heck- art, of Auburn : Lelia is Mrs. J. N. Brown, of Colorado; and Harvey and Eldred are also of Colorado; and Miss Dell B .. Walter. Ralph. and Berne Sommerville, are all of Auburn.
CHAPTER XLVI
Berea
A
S before stated, Preston Zinn, and Thomas Pritchard were the first settlers at Berea in 1848: and Mr. Pritchard and J. C. Lowther built the first mill here the same year. Mr. Lowther is still a citizen of this community.
But the history of the village properly begins with the year 1862, when the post- office was established and the name changed, from Seven- Day-Mill, to Berea. During this winter, P. F. Randolph, now of Salem, a graduate of Alfred University, New York, had been employed to teach the school here: and while thus en- gaged, William Pritchard, an old-time teacher, requested liim to formulate a petition for a mail-route, from Pennsboro, via Lynn Camp, Slab creek, and Seven-Day-Mill to Bone creek. This he agreed to do, provided another name should be sub- stituted for "Seven-Day-Mill." A Bible school had been re- opened, and a revival having been in progress throughout the winter, the Bible name "Berea" was suggested, and under this name the office was established with Henry Goodwin as post- master. This is the only office on this route with the exception of Pennsboro, that retains its original name.
P. F. Randolph's educational services to this community were of a high order, and his career merits more than a pass- ing notice in this connection. A score of young people at- tended this school, who afterwards became prominently identi- . fied with the educational work of the county. This was the second school taught at this place under the Free School sys- tem. Miss Elizabethi Zinn, now Mrs. Koohn, of Farina, Illi- nois, having taught the first, the preceding winter.
Teachers were scarce, and Mr. Randolph frequently taught thirteen months, of twenty days each, in a year. He
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continued in this profession for twenty years-teaching in Ritchie, Doddridge, and Harrison counties, and then turned his attention to the mercantile business, until 1902, when he became the principal of the "Rural Home Voice School," at Salem-a school for the correction of stammering ; he having been able to overcome an impediment in his own speech, is now trying to help others to overcome this difficulty. He married Miss Hattie Meredith, daughter of the late Job Mere- dith. who perhaps taught the first free school in Union «lis- trict at the old Pleasant Hill church, during the summer of 1865. They were the parents of three children : the late Ray, Prof. Clyde, of the Morgantown University, and Mrs. Iva Rosier, wife of Prof. Rosier, City Superintendent of the Fair- mont schools. Mrs. Randolph passed away in 1909, but he still survives.
The first school-house was constructed in 1868, the old Pine Grove church having served this purpose before this time.
W. H. Batson erected the first dwelling near the bridge. in 1869. Henry Goodwin and James Davis, now of- Beeson, were the first merchants in 1876; and Dr. L. H. Jones was the first resident physician.
The village church was built by the Seventh Day Ad- ventists, in 1884, Charles Bee being the donor of the grounds. Two other churches stand without-one, in sight, and the other, a mile distant.
. The Berea of to-day is a village of fifty-six inhabitants. It contains near twenty dwellings, a post-office, mill, black- smith-shop, three stores-two dry goods and one hardware -- two telephone exchange offices, a two-roomed school-house, a church and one lodge, Maccabees.
PEOPLE WHO HAVE FIGURED IN THE HISTORY OF THE TOWN.
The Bees .- The name of "Bee" refuses to be divorced from the history of this town, as few other names have had a longer or a more prominent connection with its affairs.
This family were originally of Jewish extraction-of the tribe of Ephraim, but their ancestors came from England to
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America in Colonial times and settled in New Jersey. In accord with the ancient custom of their race, they kept a record and were able to trace their lineage back to Father Abraham, but this well-preserved record was burned in New Jersey near a century ago, and thus this interesting history was wiped out of existence. However, they accepted Chris- tianity several generations ago, but have always observed the Jewish Sabbath.
Four brothers, Ephraim, Asa, George and Thomas Bee crossed to New Jersey with a company of English emigrants some time before the Revolution, and, doubtless, some of them were actively engaged in this struggle for liberty, as a tradition has been handed down concerning their flight, at different times, when pursued by the "British Red Coats." And from George the West Virginia Bees trace their ancestry : his son, Asa, having come to what is now Taylor county, late in the eighteenth century. He (Asa, senior) was the father of Jonathan, Asa, Ezekiel, Ephraim, Josiah, Amaziah, Samuel, John, Hannah, Sophia, Mary, Keziah, and Abigail Bee.
Asa Bee, junior, the second son, was the first one of the name to come to Ritchie county. He was born near what is now the town of Fetterman, in Taylor county, in 1798, and there he was married to Miss Hannah, daughter of Zebulon Maxin, in his early manhood ; and after residing at New Mil- ton, in Doddridge county, for sonie length of time, he re- moved to the Berea vicinity in 1836. He was the first minis- ter of the Seventh Day Baptist church, on Hughes' river, and his ministry had a telling effect on the early history of this branch of the church, which was organized not long after his arrival. He was a strong advocate of co-education, having no sympathy, whatever, with the idea that was so prevalent at that period "that woman was amply equipped for the bat- tie of life if she could only spell and read." He taught that woman's influence was the potent factor in shaping the mind of the child, and that, thus, she was in need of the better edu- cation ; and this teaching had an important bearing on his own family, as three of his daughters were among the early teachers of this vicinity : his daughter Abigail having taught the first school here in an old dwelling near the year 1852.
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HISTORY OF RITCHIE COUNTY
and a second term in Preston Zinn's new barn. She also taught a term in her father's hay-house, which was later en- larged and fitted up for a church and school-house. Few women were more beloved than Abigail Bee, who afterwards became the wife of Daniel Nay, of Pullman. Mr. and Mrs. Bee both remained here until they were laid in the Pine Grove cemetery.
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