USA > West Virginia > Tucker County > History of Tucker County, West Virginia, from the earliest explorations and settlements to the present time; > Part 25
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He was sent to St. George from Rowlesburg on December 27, 1862. On the fifth of January he was ordered to fall back to Rowlesburg. John Mosby was penetrating the country, and it was thought that he was aiming to pick up detached squads of men wherever he could find them. Faris reached Rowlesburg safely.
In 1863, a fight occurred in St. George between a detach- ment of Jones' cavalry and Snyder's Home Guards. No one was hurt, and Snyder retreated after one round.+
* Joseph A. Faris is now a citizen of Wheeling, and has established himself a wide reputation as a portrait painter. He has, however, painted historical scenes, and landscapes. His historical painting, " The Last Battle of the Revolution," or the last siege of Fort Henry, is one of the finest in the country. His painting of Hon. A. W. Campbell in the Chicago Convention, in 1880, is probably his best. It surely is a mas- ter effort. His pictures are numerous, and show a fine artistic touch, which can be traced to a mental appreciation of the beautiful in nature and art. The poetical col- oring of a scene are depicted by his brush as truly as by Byron's pen, As an artist of a fine order West Virginia has not his superior.
t A fuller account of the war would be given in this chapter, but in the Brief Biogra- phies it would be repeated, and it has not been deemed necessary to have it in both chapters. Those who wish to see accounts of a personal nature are referred to Brief Biographies.
BRIEF BIOGRAPHIES.
A.
NELSON D. ADAMS was born April 9, 1859, on Cheat River, near the old "Pleasant Valley Church," in Preston County, . W. Va. His father, G. W. Adams, removed to Limestone about the commencement of the Civil War. N. D.'s only recollections of the war were seeing his uncle, Samuel Martin, return from prison, and of seeing soldiers at his father's house. The first school attended was at Limestone Church, taught by Eli Adams. The next winter he was sent to his grandfather, Philip Martin's, near Kingwood, and attended school there. After that, he attended several schools at Limestone Church, and two terms at White's, on the head of Mill Run. Then he attended four terms at Jacob Dumire, Esq.'s, the last of which was taught by L. S. Auvil, and the subject of this sketch commenced the study of algebra. He was very studious, and devoted every minute of his spare time to his books. He lived on a farm, and a Tucker County farmer boy has none too good oppor- tunities to become well acquainted with books. But Adams was ambitious, and surmounted difficulties and removed obstacles, and when the Teachers' Board of Examination met at St. George in the fall of 1877, he was an applicant for a teacher's certificate. As he said: "Entering with fear and trembling and coming out all right, I began to think that I stood high on the ladder of knowledge."
He taught the school at Limestone Church that winter, and in the spring felt encouraged by the cash in his pocket. He worked that summer on the farm, and began to compose
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poems, which betrayed a poetical inclination, not dangerous, but perceptible.
The next fall, 1878, he thought to strike a higher level, and went to Preston to get a school. He passed success- fully the examination at Newburg, and shortly afterwards set out to hunt himself a school. His success was about like Simon Kenton's, who was trying to find Kentucky and came to the conclusion that he had passed it in the night. He could find no school. Clad in his best jeans coat and mounted on a mule, like the Mexican at El Paso Del Mar, or Don Quixote in his glory, young Adams wound his way over the hills and vales of Preston for a week, taking every road but the right one, missing all roads and getting lost, and meeting with but cold encouragement. At the end of the week he was turning back, somewhat disheartened, but still determined, and was planning an attempt in some new field, when he had the good fortune to light down on a school at New Salem, Union District, Preston County. He taught the school successfully, and in the spring, 1879, he attended the Portland (Terra Alta) school, taught by Professor Fike. He attended this school two terms, and in the winter of 1879-80 he taught the Freeland school, near Terra Alta. During the summer of 1880 he again attended Professor Fike's school and graduated. The winter of 1880-81 he taught the Fish Creek school in Pres- ton. In the spring of 1881 he was appointed a cadet in the West Virginia University, and soon afterwards entered that school. He remained there that year. In the winter of 1882-83 he taught at Eighty Cut, in Preston County. He spent the vacation of 1881 in Ohio, canvassing for books. He went again to Ohio in 1882 for the same purpose, and
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visited Lancaster, the scene of M'Cleland and White's ad- venture with the Indians.
Returning from Ohio after two weeks he devoted himself to farm work until school opened at the University, when he again returned to his books. The year 1884 was also spent at the University.
During his leisure hours he still indulged in verse-making, and contributed to the newspapers, the principal of which were The Wheeling Intelligencer and The Preston County Journal. He is deeply read in the classics, ancient and modern. "The Greek, Latin and French he reads in the original language. Homer, Herodotus and Cicero are his favorites among the ancients; and among the English he shows a preference for Shakespeare, Pope and Byron. Fol- lowing are selections from the poetry of Mr. Adams :
THE DREAMS OF LIFE .*
We are such stuff As dreams are made of, and our little life Is rounded with a sleep .- Shakespeare.
From the dawning of life to its last faint gleams, Where'ere be the soul it will bask in dreams- Sweet dreams of the memory, Dreams of futurity, Visions ideal to gently veil The grim and the real that oft assail. They soften the saddest of care and of strife- Let Heaven be praised for the dreams of life !
' Neath the light of the stars in the silent night There muses a youth with a glad delight, Who fain would in reverie Fathom Infinity. Never a cloud nor a shadow dark His hopes can enshroud or his joys can mark.
*Written for The Preston County Journal.
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BRIEF BIOGRAPHIES.
How well that the future is hidden away 3 That the dreamer may dream of a better day !
On the banks of a stream in a morn of spring A lad and a maiden are wandering And dreaming in harmony Dreams of felicity Glowing and gleaming with love divine- A halo beaming from heaven's shrine. Oh ! ever are angels more happy above
Than those who are dreaming sweet dreams of love ?
In the autumn of life 'neath the noonday heat, All weary and sad with a life's defeat, A man in humility Toils with severity. Sad is the real, but aye anon
A beauteous ideal he looks upon- He dreams of a land far away where the soul Shall rest while the ages eternally roll.
With a faltering step and with silver hair, While listening at eve to an old-time air, A man reads in memory Lifelong history. Dwelling and dreaming on days gone by, His spirit is beaming in ecstasy- The friends of his boyhood in phantasy come To cheer as of yore in the threshold of home !
1
By the banks of a river-by Death's cold stream- There lingers a man in whose visions gleam In grandest sublimity Dreams of Eternity. Music is ringing a welcome free And angels are singing sweet melody. He wakes from the dreams that have cheered him so long- A real is gained with th' eternal throng !
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HISTORY OF TUCKER COUNTY.
GRAFTON NATIONAL CEMETERY .*
Along the clear Valley so silently flowing Its crystal-bright waters 'mid beauty aglow, Upon its green bank there are cypresses growing And patriots fallen are slumbering low. The Stars and the Stripes still above them are flying As proudly as o'er them they waved in the fray, While softly around them the willows are sighing And gently the breezes in symphony play.
They're silently sleeping ! nor ever to glory Shall bugle tones call them from this their last rest ; Their conflicts are over ; on battle fields gory They fell for that banner so dear to each breast. The lightnings may flash and the thunder may rattle, They heed them not-resting so free from all pain ; The cannon may roar in the storm of the battle, But never can wake them to glory again !
And over the graves of the silently sleeping, While winter and summer incessantly fly ; The grave-stones of marble a vigil are keeping And marking each spot where the patriots lie. There often around them do silently wander Those blooming with youth and those drooping with age While thoughtfully over the sleepers they ponder, Recalling some thought upon memory's page.
The deeds of some brave are by monuments spoken- The battles they fought and the victories won, Their titles and ranks and their trimuphs unbroken And bravery shown 'mid the charge of the gun. These monuments crumble, but lasting forever Are those that are built by the slumbering brave- While cycles are gliding no conflict can sever The deeds of those dying their country to save. Of others are epitaphs only revealing The names of the warriors now silent and cold.
* Written for The Wheeling Intelligencer.
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Their homes and their regiments in memory sealing; Their names from the North and the South were enrolled. Though laurels of glory may never have crowned them, Yet garlands are woven more lasting and bright By those that were clinging so tenderly round them When bidding farewell as they passed from their sight.
But many are resting with marble above them That tells of no name nor the deeds that were done ; No record is shown of the dear ones that loved them, But humbly is written the silent "unknown." Their names are forgotten ! yet loved ones at parting So tenderly clung in their final embrace While tears in their sorrow and sadness were starting- What changes of time can such parting efface !
All lonely they're sleeping ! but glad was the waking Of bondmen from chains and from slavery's night When brightly the morning of Freedom was breaking Resplendent with Liberty's glorious light. And long shall the freedmen, relating the story, In thankfulness tell of these patriot dead, And long shall they cherish the honor and glory That hallow the laurels encircling each head.
Their battles are over ! their country in gladness Beholds yet her banner in splendor unfurled, Unsullied by conflicts, disaster and sadness And beaming with radience over the world. They died for that banner ! and long shall the Nation Enshrine them as victors for truth and for right, And long shall she rev'rence the sacred relation She bears her preservers of honor and might.
Then sleep on, ye warriors, so free from all sorrow ; Your battles are ended, you've entered your rest ; Your country shall live through each fleeting to-morrow Enjoying the peace which your dying has blest. May light from the heavens in beauty descending Make hallowed your tombs while the ages shall flee, 23
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HISTORY OF TUCKER COUNTY.
And Liberty's rays like the sunlight still blending Illumine each heart in this land of the free.
Then scatter your flowers o'er the graves of the sleeping, And tears to these heroes in thankfulness shed ; Remember the pledges they gave to your keeping And cherish the freedom for which they have bled. Blow onward, ye breezes ; as years are advancing Play softly through willows that droop o'er their graves ; And sweetly, ye birds, with your notes so entrancing Keep warbling your songs o'er the slumbering braves.
Continue, loved banner, in grandeur still flying, While breezes thy folds shall unceasingly wave, To honor the warrior in cheerfulness dying Thy stars and thy stripes so unsullied to save. Flow onward, bright river, your clear waters laving, Long murmur so gladly your clear crystal steam ; And over, ye forests, in majesty waving, Make gentle your music while sweetly they dream.
THE WINDING RIVER CHEAT.
Fed by crystal flowing fountains Rising 'mong the rugged mountains Towering first the sun to greet, Flows a rushing winding river On whose stream the moonbeams quiver- 'Tis the winding River Cheat.
Hastening toward the mighty ocean Ever onward is its motion, Sweeping like the Stream of Time ; And the music of its murmur Wafted by the breeze of summer Floats o'er many scenes sublime.
'Neath the winter snows descending Massive pines and oaks are bending Down to kiss its waters sweet ; 'Neath the golden sunlight shining
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Mirrored landscapes are reclining On the winding River Cheat.
Listening to its music swelling Peace, Content and Love are dwelling In this grand old mountain home ; To the exile wand'ring, driven, Highest earthly boon is given Should he here but cease to roain.
While the spring sweet flowers is bringing, Pictures on its waves are clinging- Will it show them evermore ? And though men are changing ever And oft time and distance sever, Cheat is flowing as before.
As along its banks I wander, On the checkered scenes I ponder Acted in the play of life, When the Red Man proud in story Sang his songs of war and glory -- Victor brave in many a strife ;
When the Pale Face nothing daunted First beheld its shores enchanted Like the fairy lands of old- Men whose daring deeds should ever Roll still onward as this river To the ages yet untold.
Other streams may flow more proudly, Other scenes be praised more loudly, But there's none so dear to me ; And the recollections clinging Round it, pleasures will be bringing Ever to my memory.
Be yet in poetic numbers Praised its heroes when the slumbers Of oblivion veil the fame
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HISTORY OF TUCKER COUNTY.
That, enwreathed in ivy tender,
Crowned in days of ancient splendor Ajax' and Achilles' name.
When the grandeur all is perished Isis and Osiris cherished On the sacred River Nile ; When the old Euphrates sweeping
Midst its ruins as if weeping Long forgotten splendor's smile,
And the yellow Tiber, flowing O'er its fields with crimson glowing- Stained with War's destructive feet- See their legends fast declining,- Still , mid scene's o'er memory twining Proudly roll thou winding Cheat.
Oh, bright crystal murmuring river, These historic streams can never Play in measures half so sweet ! Other streams in beauteous seeming
Fade beneath the sunlight beaming On the winding River Cheat !
A FRAGMENT FROM THE "SONG OF THE STUDENT." TRANSLATED FROM HOMER.
With pantaloons threadbare and torn
And eyelids heavy and red,
A student sat in unstudently mien Cramming his obstinate head. Cram ! cram ! cram !
In misery, anger and hate,
But he wrathfully closed his book with a slam
And mentioned the town of old Yuba Dam As he thought of his ill-omened fate.
THOMAS C. ADAMS, son of Daniel C. Adams, was born in 1842, and married in 1863 to Harriet E., daughter of A. H. Bowman, of Rowlesburg. He is a farmer, owning 400
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acres, with 140 improved. He lives on the Rowlesburg road 8 miles from St. George. Lieutenant McChesney was killed within a few rods of his house, and on his farm, and the election of June 29, 1861, was held at his house. He was not in the army. His children are, Charles U., Hannah S., Sida M., Adam D., Nora B., Edna E., and Cranmer Adams.
W. H. AULT, born in Randolph County, in 1864, the son of William Ault, is a farmer and school teacher. He has taught in Canaan and at Sapling Ridge, on a No. 2 certifi- cate. He lives twenty-five miles from St. George, and has been in Tucker since 1866.
SAMUEL MCCLELLAN ADAMS, born 1862, son of G. W. and brother of N. D. Adams, lives four miles from St. George. He attended the district schools, and in 1883 attended in Kingwood. He has taught the following schools : White's, in Licking district, Sugar Lands, St. George district, Fair- view, same, Macadonia, Licking district and No. 15, Union district, Preston County.
M. C. ATHERTON was born 1824 in New York, married in 1859 to Elizabeth Holden. Children : Byron G., Grant S. and Laura S. He lives 7 miles from St. George, in Lick- ing District. He is a farmer.
THOMAS B. ASHBY, was born in Preston County, in 1846, son of W. F. Ashby, of Irish, French and German descent. Married in 1880 to Martha E., daughter of Levi Lipscomb. He is a farmer, owning 220 acres, with 60 acres improved. He has been in the county since 1870, and lives two miles below St. George. Children : Agnes Ann, Warner E., and Stella Hester.
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HISTORY OF TUCKER COUNTY.
GEORGE W. ADAMS, son of Daniel C. Adams, and father of N. D. Adams, was born in 1836, and is of English, Irish and German descent. He was married July 4, 1858, to Susan, daughter of Philip Martin, of Preston. In 1874 his wife died, and in 1875 he married, Lettie, daughter of David Swisher, of Hampshire County, and sister of S. N. . Swisher, of Tucker County. He farms 150 acres of im- proved land, and has 250 acres of wild land, near Limestone, 4 miles from St. George. He has frequently been road sur- veyor and member of the board of education. His children are, Nelson D., Samuel M., Melvina J., Philip B., Stella F., and Ernest.
GEORGE L. ASHBY, of Irish, French and German descent, born in 1856 in Preston, is the son of W. F. Ashby: mar- ried in 1880 to Charlotte J., daughter of Hilory Griffiith. He lives in St. George. Children : Harry Kirk and Maud S. G.
CHARLES W. ASHBY, brother to T. B., and G. L. Ashby, was born in Preston, in 1852, and came to Tucker in 1870. In 1881 he married Virginia C., daughter of D. K. Dumire. His child's name is Rozella. He lives 2 miles below St. George, and has 120 acres of land, with 35 acres improved. He has been carrying the U. S. mail several years, prin- cipally on the route from St. George to Philippi.
GEORGE B. AUVIL, son of John Auvil, of English and German descent, was born in 1851, and was married, in 1875, to Malissa, daughter of Margaret White. He is a farmer living 2 miles from St. George, on Mill Run. His farm of 150 acres is one-fifth improved. Children : Harvey W., Margaret C., Charles T., Carrie V., and Thomas J.
WILLIAM C. AUVIL, son of John Auvil, was born in 1848 : married, in 1870, to Louetta E., daughter of John White.
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Children : Emma Catharine, George W., Anna Margaret, Frances Melvina, and Pearl W. He is a farmer, but has worked some at the stone mason trade. He lives 4 miles from St. George, on Mill Run, and his farm of 75 acres has 30 acres improved. He is a teacher of vocal music, and has had some successful schools.
J. W. ALLENDER, born in 1838, in Hampshire County, is is a son of George Allender, now of Randolph County. He is of German and English descent. In 1874 he married Rebecca Ann, daughter of John R. Goff. Children: Ida Catharine, Paden Wade and Mary Eunice. He lives on Shafer's Fork, 14 miles from St. George where he owns a farm of 96 acres, of which 45 acres is under tillage. He has been a resident of Tucker since 1864.
WILLIAM F. ASHBY, of English and Welsh descent, was born 1821, in Preston County. He is a son of Thonas Ashby, and great grandson of a Revolutionary soldier, who came to America to fight the Colonies, but deserted to them and fought the British. After the war was over, he settled near Baltimore, and soon after, moved to the Youghiogheny River, where he fought Indians and wild animals until the country became settled about him. His son Nathan, grand- father of William F., was a Colonel in the war of 1812. The Ashby who figured so prominently as a dashing leader dur- ing the civil war, belonged to this family.
William F. Ashby was married in 1843 to Mary C. Wil- helm, of German descent. Children : Mary E., Thomas B., Winfield S., Stephen L., Charles W., Susana E., Samuel L. and George. He lives two miles below St. George.
JOHN J. ADAMS, son of Daniel C. Adams, of English and Irish descent, was born May 30, 1837, at Limestone. In
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HISTORY OF TUCKER COUNTY.
1858 he married Elegan, daughter of James J. Goff, of Pres- ton County. His wife died in 1863, of spotted fever. From the 1st to the 19th of April, he saw laid in the grave his wife, two children, one sister, his mother, two of his wife's sisters and one brother, all having died of the same disease, except his mother. At sunset they would be as well as ever, and before midnight were no more.
In his early life, J. J. Adams was a farmer. During the war he was a Mcclellan Democrat. He kept store in St. George, and was elected Recorder (County Clerk), and held the office two years ; and at the end of that time was re- elected and was also elected clerk of the Circuit Court ; both of which offices he has held up to the present time. He came to St. George in 1864. September 11, 1865, he married Angelica, daughter of William Ewin. Children : Savillia, Carrie, Addie, Anna Tilden, Angelica Ewin and Dove.
T. M. AUSTIN, M. D., born April 26, 1852, in Monongalia County, near Laurel Iron Works. His mother was of Irish descent, and his father of English. In his younger days, at home, he showed an inclination for books, and devoted his spare moments to study. Gradually, he fell into the chan- nel of medicine and commenced acquainting himself with the general principles of the science. He attended the schools of his neighborhood, and made progress that was more gratifying to other people than to himself ; for, he thought himself getting along slow, because he was not studying what he most wanted to study. When he was old enough-after he was twenty-one years of age-he entered the Physio-Medical College of Cincinnati, and in 1877 he graduated. He practiced two years, and also studied under Dr. J. B. Scott, of New Salem, Pa. Since then he lias
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practiced nine years in St. George. In 1883 he retired from the profession in order to get a year or two of rest. His practice was harder than he could endure, and his physical powers required recreation. In 1878 he was married to Mollie S. Auvil, daughter of John Auvil. Strandie is his child's name.
L. S. AUVIL," son of John Auvil, was born, in 1853, on Pifer Mountain, and lived there eleven years. In 1876 he married Anna, daughter of Jacob Dumire, of Limestone. His wife died in 1877, and in 1879 he married Minnie Comp- ton, of Barbour County. His children's names are, Burton W. and Boyd M. He attended only country schools. The teachers to whom he went were Margaret See, Rachel Ka- lar, William Hull, Dr. Sawyer, Clark Bowman and Josephine Trippett. He has taught eight terms of school, and been county superintendent of schools three terms. He has been a member of the board of examiners several times. When the Tucker Democrat was called into existence, he took stock in it. He commenced the study of law in 1881 and was admitted to the bar in 1883. He resides in St. George.
PETER K. ADAMS, son of William Adams, was born in 1862, and married, in 1884, to Sarah, daughter of Jackson Roy. By occupation he is a farmer, and lives 10 miles from St. George, on the head of Mill Run.
SAMUEL M. ADAMS, born in 1848, is & son of Daniel C. Adams, and was married, in 1868, to Ann Amelia, daughter of Daniel Wotring, of Preston. Children : Savillia, John, Dora, Elihu, Etta and baby. Farmer by occupation, and lives at Limestone, 8 miles from St. George. He owns 130 acres of land, with 20 acres improved.
* See history of the St. George Bar, in this book, for further account of L. S. Auvil.
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HISTORY OF TUCKER COUNTY.
DANIEL C. ADAMS, son of Thomas Adams, of Irish and English descent, was born 1814. He was born and raised and died on the same farm, which is on Limestone, ten miles from St. George. In 1835 he married Ruth, daughter of Abel Kelly, of Randolph. She died in 1863. While she was lying very low, and expected to die every hour, Eli Adams arrived from Camp Chase, and brought with him the spotted fever. His sister took it and died in a few hours. John J. and George W. Adams were at the bedside of their mother at the time, expecting her to die any hour. John Adams' wife and two children took the fever and died. Two of his sisters and one of his brothers also died. George Adams and his wife took the fever, but recovered.
Daniel C. Adams was assessor 8 years. A premium of $25 had been offered by the State to the assessor who would send in the neatest and best kept books. The money was to be deducted from the salary of the one who sent in the worst books. Adams got the premium and the Ran- dolph assessor had to pay it.
Adams was married a second time, in 1863, to Mary A., daughter of Philip Martin, of Preston County. She died in 1866, and in 1867 he married Dorcas A. Bonnifield, daughter of Dr. A. Bonnifield. Children : George W., John J., Thomas C., Samuel M., Margaret, Jemima and Maxwell.
Adams was an influential member of the M. E. Church. He died in 1880.
WILLIAM M. ADAMS, born in 1833, is a son of George R. Adams, of Irish descent, and was married, in 1854, to Mary M. Wotring. He owns 787 acres of land, with 235 acres improved. He lives 10 miles from St. George, on the head
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BRIEF BIOGRAPHIES.
of Mill Run. Children : Peter K., Hannah, William F., Luther L., Sarah J., Daniel J., and Lewis H.
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