History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 2, Part 132

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He organized in 1917 the E. J. Payne Coal Company, but on account of the war sold out to the Logan Pocahontas Fuel Company of Charleston, and acted as general sales manager of the Main Island Creek Coal Company until July, 1919. At that date he assisted in organizing the Lake & Export Coal Corporation, of which he is president. This is a West Virginia corporation, with Mr. Payne, president, H. E. Moran, of New York City, and F. L. Poindexter, of Hunt- ington, vice presidents, and S. J. Hyman, of Huntington, sec- retary and treasurer. The corporation operates mines on New River, Coal River, in the Logan District of West Vir- ginia and in the Big Sandy District of Kentucky. These various mines have a total capacity of 1,000,000 tons of bituminous coal annually. The main offices of the company are in the Lecco Building at Huntington, but in the sale and handling of the products offices are also maintained at New York City, Chicago, Norfolk, Detroit and in Paris, France. In addition to this corporation Mr. Payne has some individual interests in coal lands in Fayette County.

He is a republican, a member of Trinity Episcopal Church of Huntington, and was twice master of Oak Hill Lodge No. 120, A. F. and A. M., at Oak Hill, West Virginia. He is a member of Sewall Chapter No. 24, R. A. M., at Thur- mond, Huntington Lodge of Perfection No. 4, Rose Croix Chapter No. 4 of the Scottish Rite at Huntington, West Vir- ginia Consistory No. 1 at Wheeling, and Beni-Kedem Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Charleston. Mr. Payne is a member of the Rotary Club, the Guyandotte Club and the Guyan Country Club of Huntington. He has one of the finest homes in the city, located at 2976 Staunton Road.

In October, 1908, at Montgomery, West Virginia, he mar- ried Miss Margaret Baber, daughter of Dr. George P. and Amanda Baber, the latter a resident of Huntington. Her father, who was a physician and surgeon, died at Lansing, West Virginia, during Mrs. Payne's early childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Payne, have two children: Edwin Kent, born September 1, 1909, now a student in the Greenbrier Military School at Lewisburg, West Virginia; and Dorothy Alice, horn July 7, 1914.

ALEXANDER HAMILTON STEVENS ROUSS, M. D. One of the prominent members of the medical profession in Jef- ferson County, Doctor Rouss was a medical officer during the war, seeing his chief service on army transports. His family is one of the old and substantial ones in the Valley of Virginia, and their patriotism in time of war has been matched hy the qualities that distinguish good citizenship in times of peace.

Doctor Rouss was born on a farm in Kable Town District of Jefferson County, son of Capt. Milton Rouss, who was horn in Frederick County, Maryland, and grandson of Peter Hoke Rouss, a native of York, Pennsylvania, whose father was John Rouss and whose mother was a Hoke. Peter Hoke Rouss from Pennsylvania removed to Frederick Coun- ty, Maryland, and from there came into the Valley of Virginia, living for several years in Berkeley County and spending the remainder of his life in Kable Town District of Jefferson County. He married Belinda Baltzell, of Maryland, and both of them attained a good old age.

Capt. Milton Rouss was four years old when his parents came to Virginia and nine years of age when they settled in Jefferson County. He was pursuing his studies in the Virginia Military Institute at Lexington when the war broke out between the states, and at once he returned home and assisted in raising a company for the Confeder- ate Army. It was designated as Company B, and attached

to the Twelfth Regiment of Virginia Cavalry. He v commissioned first lieutenant and later, upon the death his captain, was promoted to captain. He and the co pany did some valiant service in the early campaigns the war, and at the battle of Brandy Station he was c: tured and was sent as a prisoner to Johnson's Island Lake Erie and was held there until paroled at the cle of the war. After the war he was in the general merch; dise business at Lockport, New York, some four or fi years, and then returned to Jefferson County and sc settled on the farm in Kahle Town District. This fa was his wife's inheritance, and it provided him the wc of his years for nearly half a century, and he still li' there. Captain Rouss married Mary Osburn, a native Virginia and daughter of Logan and Margaret Oshu Captain Rouss and wife reared four sons, Doctor Row being the youngest and the only one to take up a prof sional career. Milton C. is a farmer and orchardist, a was elected in 1916 to represent Jefferson County in 1 State Legislature. George W. and Frank Hoke are a farmers and orchardists.

Doctor Rouss had rural school advantages when a hi and subsequently entered Washington and Lee Univers: at Lexington, Virginia. He completed his literary edu tion there and then entered the University of Penns vania for his medical course, graduating M. D. in 19€ Doctor Rouss first practiced in Frederick County, Virgin but after six years returned to Jefferson County, and I both a town and country practice, maintaining an off in Charles Town, and he and his family live at the coun seat during the winter months. The rest of the year th have their home in the Kable Town District.

In 1907 Doctor Rouss married Annie Stouch, who w born in York, Pennsylvania, daughter of George and Li Stouch. The only daughter of Doctor and Mrs. Rot is Mary Osburn. The family are members of Zion Ep copal Church in St. Andrews Parish, and he is affiliat with the Jefferson County and West Virginia State Medic Associations.

Doctor Rouss was one of the first medical men in tl vicinity to offer his services to the Government at t beginning of the war with Germany. He was commission for duty in the Medical Corps in 1917, and for a time w assigned to the Base Hospital at Newport News, Virgin with the rank of lieutenant. Three months later he w transferred to the transport service as ship's surgeon, a: before the war was over he had made four round tri on transports overseas. He was in this service until Ma 1919, when he was given his honorable discharge, and sin then he has been devoted to the rounds of his profession duties in his old home community.

FRANK H. BORDEN was educated as a mechanical en neer, but his business experience has been largely in t field of banking and the building supply and coal bu ness. He is manager of the Citizens Coal and Supp Company of Bluefield, a business that has reached an i posing volume under his management.

Mr. Borden was born at Blacksburg, Montgomery Count Virginia, August 16, 1883, son of James H. and Margar (Walters) Borden. His parents were also natives of Mor gomery county, and his father died January 19, 1915, . the age of sixty-four, and his mother in 1910, at the a. of fifty-eight. James Borden for thirty years was in t service of the Norfolk & Western Railroad as a sto mason, and was foreman of the Lynchburg & Radfo Division. He was an ex-Confederate soldier, having be in the war with a Virginia regiment until the final su render at Appomattox. He and his wife were devo members of the Christian Church.

Frank H. Borden is the youngest of five children. I attended the public schools of Blacksburg, spent one ye in a business college at Roanoke, and took his course mechanical engineering at the Virginia Polytechnic I stitute at Blacksburg. He finished his technical educati at the age of twenty-two and soon afterward became a sistant cashier of the Radford Trust Company. For o: year he was connected with a hotel at Christiansburg, Vi

.B. Lister.

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guia, aud in 1010 removed to Bluefield, where be assumed t' management of the Citizens Coal and Supply Company. 1 has been promoting the growth and prosperity of this npany ever since, and it now does a business teu times t, volume it did when he took chargo. Mr. Borden is s interested and public spirited citizen, and during tho vr worked with tho various Ivan and Red Cross com- attees. Ile is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Itary Club, and he and Mrs. Borden are active in the Cristian Church.

lIe married, October 2, 1909, Bessie L. Smith, daughter II. P. Smith, of Christiansburg. Mr. and Mrs. Borden Ive one son and four daughters.

JAMES B. BELCHER. While one of the youngest business cutives at Bluefield, James B. Belcher has had a long perience, beginning in boyhood, in connection with the laber industry and is familiar with every phase of lumber oduction from the mills to the marketing of the finished duct. With headquarters at Bluefield, he is a wholesale taler, handling a large volume of the hardwood products r this section.

Mr. Belcher was born on the Stewart farm in Russell (unty, Virginia, April 4, 1890, son of George C. and liggie (Nuekles) Beleher. His mother is now living at Fords Creek, Virginia, at the age of sixty. His father, to was a farmer, died in 1901. He was a republican DI a member of the Methodist Church. George Beleher El wife had six sons and three daughters. Two other is are now in West Virginia, Silas II., associated with t. Ritter-Burns Lumber Company at Huntington, and I T., who has charge of the railroad yards at Gary.

James B. Belcher had only the advantages of the coun- t schools in Russell County. Ile was eleven years of age ven his father died, and in order to help educate his yinger sisters and support his mother he went to work i the lumber business, and at the age of fourteen was eng duty as an instructor. He was with the Boice Lum- 1. Company of Abbington, Virginia, and as an inspector tveled over a large area in Kentucky, West Virginia, N.ginia, North Carolina and Tennessee. Mr. Beleher be- ene an expert in estimating and grading lumber, and vs a valuable employe of this corporation for a number c years. In 1917, with his earnings, he located at Blue- Ed and has since been doing business on his own account a wholesaler and jobber in hardwood lumber. He badles the products of mills at Bluefield, Glenalum, West ginia, and Falls Mill, Virginia.

April 22, 1914, Mr. Belcher married Vinnie N. Cole, Eighter of M. W. Cole of Abbington, Virginia. Three eldren were born to their marriage. The two living caghters are Helen and Betty Wade. The only son, umes B., Jr., died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Beleber are rmbers of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Bluefield, 1 he is much interested in the Sunday school. He is a Imber of the Masonic Order, Honaker Lodge, No. 219, I nevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and in business tranizations is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Iwanis Club, the National Hardwood Association, and West Virginia Builders Association.

LARENCE B. SWEET. West Virginia is still one of the iportant states in the production of hardwood lumber. le of the important organizations manufacturing and rketing hardwood products is the National Lumber Con- py, with headquarters at Bluefield. The company was Lanized in 1908, and does an exclusive business in hard- wod. The output of the various mills owned or under citract with this corporation is marketed all over the Irthern states, from the Ohio to the Mississippi, and mally there is an extensive export trade with European entries.

The president of this company is Clarence B. Sweet, to for many years has been identified with the lumber i ustry. He was born at Bristol, Virginia, September 71883, son of Thomas E. A. Sweet. His mother was a Bas Millard. Both parents were born in Virginia, and t mother is still living, at the age of sixty-one. Thomas

Sweet, who died in 1912, at the age of fifty-eight, was prominent ia Masonry, being a past master and past eminent commander of tho Knights Templars, and member of the Shrino.

Clarence B. Sweet, one of three children, finished his academie education in Milligan's College, and for a time was employed as a bookkeeper in the King's Printing Company at Bristol. While at Bristol he entered the service of the Bryant Lumber Company, and subsequently he was at Kansas City, Missouri, with the Foster Lumber Company, and at Toledo, Ohio, as assistant sales manager for the Big A Hardwood Company, Mr. Sweet came to Bluefield in 1910 as manager of the National Lumber Company, and since 1919 has been president of the cor- poration. lle is a member of the National Hardwood Association, and has been deeply interested in the civic affairs and progress of Bluefield during his residence here. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Kiwanis Club, the Country Club and the Masonic Order. Ilis re- ligious affiliation is with the Christian Church, while Mrs. Sweet belongs to the Presbyterian denomination.

In 1915 he married Virginia Bedinger, daughter of Everett W. Bedinger, of Louisville, Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Sweet have two children, Laura A. and Virginia B.

E. B. SISLER. The City of Akron, Ohio, knew Mr. Sisler as a merchant and business man for a number of years. With his success in that fiekl well established he came to West Virginia, and has been identified with the manage- ment of several high-elass stores in this state. Ilis main interests are at Huntington, where he is secretary-treasurer of the Deardorff-Sisler Company, a department store.

Mr. Sisler was born at Akron, Ohio, July 14, 1872. In that city and over a large part of Summit County his father, Adam Sister, was permanently known through his work as a physician and surgeon. Adam Sisler was born at Buffalo, New York, in 1824, was reared in that city, graduated M. D. from the Cleveland Medical College of Cleveland, and soon afterward established his home near Akron and continued in active practice in that vicinity for fifty-four years. In a profession that offers unlimited opportunities for service he exerted himself in a way to measure up to the highest standards. He died in 1908, at the age of eighty four. Doctor Sisler was a republican, and in addition to the burdens of his medical practice he was also a lay preacher of the Christian Church and con- ducted services in his community every other Sunday in the absence of the regular minister.

Doctor Sisler married Amanda Iloy, whose father, Judge Hoy, was a native of Ireland, was a pioneer farmer in Summit County, Ohio, and died there in 1866. Amanda Hoy was born near Akron in 1826, and died at her home iu that city in 1901.

Doetor Sisler and wife had a large family of children : Frances, who died at Canal Fulton, Ohio, age aixty-three, wife of Lafayette Swigart, a farmer now deceased; Charles, a real estate broker at Akron; Clara, wife of Frank Raber and living on the old homestead farm near Akron, where her parents had their home for many years; Mrs. Caro- line Dissinger, of Akron; Louis E., a retired rubber manu- facturer at Akron; E. B. Sisler; Jennie, of Akron, widow of Wilbur Rood, who at one time was principal of schools in Akrou; John H., physician and surgeon at Detroit; and William, a rubber manufacturer who died at the age of forty years.

E. B. Sisler grew up on his father's farm near Akron, attended rural schools, and completed his literary educa- tion by graduation from the Ohio Northern University at Ada, with the elass of 1892. During the next two years he divided his time between managing a general store near Akron and teaching school during winter sessions. Thereafter he gave his undivided attention to merchandis- ing at Akron, but in the fall of 1906, having disposed of his interests in Ohio, he removed to Point Pleasant, West Virginia, and in that city owned and operated two stores, one of them being E. B. Sisler & Company, dry goods and women'a furnishings, and the other the Union Clothing Store. Mr. Sisler retired from this business in

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June, 1910, and since then has been a resident of Hunt- ington, where he first acquired an interest in the Biggs- Wilson Dry Goods Company. The Deardorff-Sisler Com- pany was organized in 1912, succeeding to the business of Valentine-Crow Company. At that time the store was at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Tenth streets, but in 1915 was removed to 424-434 Ninth Street. The busi- ness is now a well organized department store, and is one of the important business eoneerns of its time in this seetion of the state. Besides being secretary and treas- urer of this company Mr. Sisler also established the Sisler- Peck Company at Beekley, West Virginia, a store dealing in women's ready to wear and furnishings goods. He is vice president, secretary, treasurer, general manager and owns the controlling interest in this business.

Mr. Sisler is a republican, was baptized and reared in the Christian Church, is a charter member of Pharos Lodge No. 943, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Akron, be- longs to the Rebekahs, is a past exalted ruler of the Benevo- lent and Proteetive Order of Elks, is a member of Akron Council No. 126, Knights of the Maccabees, at Akron, and Cabell Council No. 1998, Royal Arcanum, at Huntington. He is also associated with the work and membership of the Huntington Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Sisler has one of the most attractive homes in Huntington, at 438 Sixth Avenue, located in a restricted residential section. He married at Canton, Ohio, Novem- ber 30, 1905, Miss Gertrude Jameson. She was born at Canton, was educated in the Canton public schools, and graduated from Mount Union College. Her father, David A. Jameson, was born and reared in Stark County, Ohio. At the age of eighteen be enlisted in the Civil war join- ing the Sixty-second Regiment, Company B, and serving until the close. He started in the hardware business at the age of fourteen, and finally entered into the general mereantile business, continuing in the same until his death, December 10, 1911, at the age of sixty-five.

BELLE JANE HALL, D. C., has the distinction of being the first practicing representative of the benignant system of chiropractic in the City of Clarksburg, Harrison County, and her technical skill is supplemented by her being also a trained nurse of marked ability and much practical ex- perience.

Doctor Hall was born on the homestead farm of her parents in Harrison County, and the date of her nativity was September 6, 1876. She is the second daughter of David L. and Sarah (McPherson) Hall, the other three children of the family being Hattie E., Ivy M. and Ray- mond L., but the last named is deceased. The devoted mother died many years ago, and the father is one of the venerable and honored citizens of Harrison County, which has ever represented his home, his birth having here oc- eurred August 30, 1840. His has been a useful and exem- plary life, and since his retirement from farm enterprise in 1915 he has resided in the City of Clarksburg. Though he will soon (in August, 1922) celebrate his eighty-second birthday anniversary, he is hale and active and takes lively interest in the questions and issues of the day. He is vice-president of the Farmers Bank of Clarksburg. His father, Martin E. Hall, likewise was born and reared in Harrison County, the latter's father having been a native of Wales and having become one of the sterling pioneers of Harrison County.

David L. Hall was not yet twenty-one years of age when the Civil war began, and he promptly tendered his services in defense of the cause of the Confederate States. He enlisted in Company B, Seventeenth Virginia Cavalry, and with this gallant command he gave faithful and valiant service during virtually the entire period of the war, in which he took part in many engagements. After the close of the war he was for many years numbered among the most progressive and substantial exponents of farm in- dustry in Harrison County. He is a staunch democrat, has been affiliated with the Masonic fraternity more than fifty years, and is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, as was also his wife.

Doctor Hall was reared on the old home farm and re-

ceived the advantages of the public schools of her na e county. In 1900 she was graduated in the training schoolir nurses maintained by the New York Medical College d Hospital, and for several years thereafter she successf followed her profession as a trained nurse, principally n the eities of New York and Washington. In 1911 she s graduated in the National College of Chiropractic, in e City of Chicago, and after thus receiving her degree she turned to Clarksburg, where on the 6th of May of tt year she opened an office and engaged in the practice f her profession, as the first chiropractor in this city. success has been distinctive and attests alike to her ] fessional skill and personal popularity. She maintains r offices in Department F of the Gore Hotel. The door is a member of the Daughters of the Confederacy and Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and is a commil eant of the Protestant Episcopal Church.

ROBERT EDWARD KIDD has been prominent in the co and official life of Clarksburg for a number of years. a is justiee of the peace, juvenile court officer and proprier of a real estate and insurance business there.

He was born at Point Comfort in Harrison County, Wt Virginia, May 7, 1883, son of Charles R. and Florence (Corley) Kidd. His paternal grandparents were Willin and Martha (Watkins) Kidd, who moved out of Old T ginia to Harrison County in an early day. They reared family of nineteen children. The maternal grandfather f Mr. Kidd was William Corley, who also came from 11 Virginia to Harrison County. He married a Miss Hold'. Both the grandfathers of Robert E. Kidd were pionr draymen or teamsters. Charles R. Kidd, better knowna Jack Kidd, also took up that occupation, and for yes conducted a transfer business in Clarksburg, where be came well and favorably known. He died at the age sixty-three, and is survived by his widow. He was a publican in politics, and some of his brothers served in Union Army during the Civil war, and his brother Jim killed in the Custer raid.

Robert Edward Kidd has spent practically all his 1 at Clarksburg. He attended the public schools, but parents not being rich he early started to contribute own labors to the family exchequer, and at the age twelve was driving a team for his father in the trans business. He worked in that line for several years, th was employed in the Lowndes Woolen Mills, and also the Atlas Glass Company's works. He was appointed 1908 and for several years held the office of eonstal In 1914 he was appointed justice of the peace to fill out unexpired term of G. H. Gordon, who bad resigned, a in 1916 and again in 1920 Mr. Kidd was duly elect to this office. With the establishment of the Juvenile Cov at Clarksburg in 1919 additional duties were given him juvenile officer. For several years past he has employ. the intervals of his official work in conducting a real esta and insurance business.

Mr. Kidd is a republican and a Knight of Pythi Some years ago he bought the old home of his paren where he was born and where he now resides. In 1908 married Miss Edith Prickett, who died in 1915. In 19 he married Edith Pickett. The two children of his fi wife were Robert Earl and Ruth Christine, the latter ceased. By his present marriage he also has two childri Virginia May and Jack Pickett Kidd.

GEORGE HARRY GORDON, who was for three terms may of Clarksburg and is now United States commissioner his district, has been a resident of that city forty yer and long active in business as well as in public affairs.

Mr. Gordon was born at Barnesville, Ohio, March : 1870, but represents an old Virginia family. He is a s of Samuel W. and Ursulla (Waters) Gordon, natives Virginia, his father of Frederick County and his mother Loudoun County. The Gordons were of Scotch ancest When the Gordons came to West Virginia they settled Preston County, while the Waters family established home in Harrison County. The paternal grandparents George H. Gordon were John and Susan (Cooley) Gordo

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By were pronounced and ardent Unionists at the time d he Civil war. Their five sons, because of their political crietions, left Virginia and removed to Ohio. While te Samuel W. Gordon enliated in the Union Army and red] throughout the war in the Sixtieth Ohio Infantry. r'he absence of his sons John Gordon, then an old man, rle defending a small remaining store of corn, his only c'ee of provisions, struck and killed a Confederate Gier who was making the raid. The Confederate officers wined to punish the old man for his breach of military and it was then ordered that neither he nor his supplies bild be molested. Ifowever, the eivil authorities served ce upon him to leave Virginia, and he did so, making h trip in a wagon with his wife to the vicinity of :burg in Preston County, West Virginia, where they eled. Subsequently they moved to Granville, Ohio, where b. spent the rest of their years.

imuel W. Gordon and Ursulla Waters were married in I rison County soon after the elose of the Civil war. For e ral years they lived at Barnesville, Ohio, and in 1873 ed to Winchester, Virginia, and from there came to B.ksburg in 1882. The wife of Samuel W. Gordon died the age of forty-seven. She was the mother of two ehil- 11, John William and George Harry Gordon. Samuel W. rdon, who lived to the age of sixty-nine, married for his end wife Mary Hoff, and to this union was born a Ighter, Helen. Samuel W. Gordon was a farmer in early h. later a traveling salesman for a Boston shoe house, 1 about 1889 was elected a justice of the peace, an office Geld for sixteen years, until he resigned to retire perma- etly. Ite was a republican and a member of the Metho- i Church.

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History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 2, Part 132

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