History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 2, Part 134

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In 1876 he married Miss Carrie Leach, daughter of Alexander Leach. They have had a most happy married companionship for nearly half a century. No children were born to their union. Mr. and Mrs. Hickman are members of the Baptist Church.

DAVID HENRY LOAR, now located at Reedsville, relied upon the heavy and continuous program of a practical farmer to give him prosperity, and he has performed a use- ful part in his community and is known and admired for his effective citizenship.

He was born near the Mount Vernon schoolhouse in Valley District of Preston County August 1, 1859. His father, Jonathan S. Loar, was born near Oakland, Garrett County, Maryland, in January, 1832, and was reared and educated there. When he was a boy the pioneer implements of cultivation and harvesting were still in use, including the old flail for threshing grain. He was one of a family of eighteen children, and on reaching his majority he left home to make his own way. Coming West, he established himself near Reedsville, where he married Susan Freeburn, daughter of Robert Freeburn. She was a native of Scot- land and was a small girl when her parents came to America. Jonathan Loar and wife settled down as farmers, and lived near the village of Reedsville, where he died January 8, 1915, surviving his wife several years. He stood well as a citizen of the community and was a trustee of the district schools and constable of the district, and a life-long democrat. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His children were: William Robert, a photographer at Grafton; Jennie, widow of Frank Wolf, of Reedsville; Mollie, wife of S. D. Snider, of Masontown; David H. and Thomas E., twins; Belle, wife of O. W. Ringer, of Terra Alta; and Mattie, who died as the wife of Sanford L. Cobun, of Masontown.

David H. Loar and his twin brother grew up on the farm, and while both attended the district schools it was the lot of David to keep close to the duties of the farm, and he exhibited a splendid loyalty to his parents, with whom he remained and for whom he cared until he was about thirty years of age. On leaving home he rented a farm near Reedsville, and a year later bought the place where he now lives. He and Mrs. Loar started with limited means, and out of their labors they paid for their farm and for the splendid improvements they have placed on it. Their income and prosperity have been chiefly derived from grain and stock.

The main business of agriculture has been supplemented by other interests. Mr. Loar was a clerk for his brother- in-law, B. F. Wolf, in Reedsville, was at one time proprietor

of the Reedsville Hotel, and for four years postmaster f the village under the administration of Grover Clevelal. On leaving the Post Office he turned it over to Mrs. Man Watson. He cast his first presidential vote for Gen Hancock in 1880, and has always voted the democr:s national ticket. He is a Baptist and Mrs. Loar, a Meil dist.

August 29, 1889, Mr. Loar married Alice Con daughter of Elias and Clarissa (Fortney) Conley. Conley and Fortney families were established in Presa County in pioneer times. Elias Conley lived in the vicin of Kingwood and Reedsville, was a splendid example earnest citizenship, and besides owning and operating farm he was a plasterer and brick maker. He died at venerable age of ninety-four, and his widow died sevel years later. Their children were: Milton, a resident Ohio; Letitia, deceased, who was the wife of Mess Jennings; Jennie, who married Clark Powell and died Morgantown in February, 1921, just a month before sister Letitia died; Josephine, wife of Clark Hamilt living near Independence in Preston County; Edith, vi married Ward Wrightmeyer and died in Parsons, W Virginia; Mary, wife of David Stuchell, at Canes Cree Mrs. Alice Loar; and Kate, Mrs. Guy Smith, of Ca Creek; and Bertie, Mrs. Mack Cale. Mrs. Loar was bi May 11, 1864. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Loar Frankie, now the wife of J. Sherman Cale, of Reedsvi and they have two children, Loar and David Lynn Cale

Thomas E. Loar, twin brother of David Loar, was i many years one of the useful educators of Preston Coun He laid the foundation of his education in the comm schools and taught his first school at the age of sevente at Aurora, in the south part of the county. He taught the winters and attended school himself for several yea took normal work, and had the instruction of one of t. best educators in this locality, Professor M. O. Gorma He also studied Latin and higher mathematics, but nev realized his complete ideal for an education, since his til was required on the home farm. For thirteen years he w a teacher, and frequently did all the work which sever teachers might properly have performed. His last teachi: was done in the Reedsville school. Along with education work he has been correspondent for local papers, and h the special gift of writing solicitously on memorial su jeets. His memorial article on the life of the late Co gressman Junior Brown has been especially commended.

He has been a democrat since voting for General Ha cock in 1880, and for the past twenty-five years has serve on the board of election commissioners. Mr. and Mrs. Lo. are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, ar he is one of the trustees of the church at Reedsville.

In Monongalia County in 1900 he married Miss Nell B. Holt, a native of that county and daughter of Willia B. and Martha (Hymen) Holt. Mrs. Loar possesses mur artistic talent, which she has developed and has use effectively in producing landscapes, monogram drawing and also mechanical drawing and drafting for architectur: purposes. Her friends greatly prize some of her speci: productions, and her art is especially evident in her hom The Loar Library is filled with books, and both esteem th privileges of literature and all that makes life worth whil Mr. and Mrs. Loar have no children, but have a deep i terest in child welfare and have contributed not a litt to the educational ideals of their community.

WILLIAM L. WHITE, JR., is superintendent of the Alph Portland Cement Company's plant at Manheim in Pre ton County. This is one of the most prominent industri in the state, and something regarding it and Mr. Whit though the latter has been a resident of West Virginia onl a few years, have a proper place in this publication.

Mr. White was born at Easton, Pennsylvania, July 2 1889. The Whites were an old family of Long Brane and Red Bank, New Jersey, where his father, William ] White, Sr., was born in 1859, and as a young man remove to Pennsylvania, where he entered life insurance and ha been highly successful in building up an extensive busine in that field. At Easton he married Miss Mary E. Hild

E.T. England

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id, now deceased, who spent her life at Easton, where father, Wilson Hildebrand, was the last burgess. iam L. White, Sr., had four children: William L., Jr., fra H., Dorothy and J. Ludlow. Ludlow was with the ineers Corps in France during the war, going overseas after his enlistment, and remaining on active duty in ope several months after the signing of the armistice. illiam L. White, Jr., attended publie school at Easton finished his technical education in Lafayette College, le he graduated a Civil Engineer in 1911. He has had netive experience in various branches of engineering for past ten years. For a year and a half he was em- ed en a branch of the West Shore Railroad lines. e then his service has been with the Alpha Portland tent Company. He began as a field engineer, and had ge of construction work at different plants, with head- Iters at Easton. Mr. White knows every technical te of the cement industry. In the early years he super- il mines and quarry work, and has directed the installa- of every piece of machinery required in eement bries.

r. White came to Manheim as superintendent of a ( mill in 1916. He brought with him a wide experience he constrnetiou of cement warehouses and other per- tent buildings for his company, and this experience has utilized at Manheim, resulting in reconstruction that almost made a new plant here. The replacing of minery as the old became inefficient or obsolete, the in- zation of electric shovels, eleetrie locomotives, the sub- ition of concrete trestles for the old ones under the many's house traeks, the building of three cement ware- es, the construction of cement dwellings for workmen, willing and modernizing the company's old water sys- r-all these have been features of his work as superin- rent and have affected vitally the entire system of pro- aion and distribution of the product of this, the only oland cement mill in the state, where 250 men are ularly employed.

irough his official connection with an industry which wishes basie material for the making of good roads, Mr. Tte has enlisted permanently in the war against poor iways. He is also in touch with state and local politics Vest Virginia, and has a deep interest in the common plols and keeps himself thoroughly well informed on mprogress of the Manheim school, not only as a unit in u general educational system but through its eppor- mies for usefulness to the industry which he serves. L White was reared in a home where the principles of republican party were upheld, and he has maintained M spirit of his forefathers in his political creed. He e' ves in protection as a fundamental part of the Ameri- vindustrial policy.

Easton in April, 1919, Mr. White married Miss leha M. Mattes. They have known each other from hi hood and were schoolmates in high school. Her a ats were Harry S. and Sollie K. Mattes, and her father pet all his active career with the Lehigh Valley Railway opany, dying while atill in the service, in 1920. Mr. n Mrs. White have two children, Elizabeth M. and Wil- a L. III.

)WARD THEODORE ENGLAND, now in his second term as ttney general of West Virginia, is a resident of Logan. n while there has built up a state-wide reputation as a messful lawyer, a reputation that has been enhanced by beingularly able and efficient administration he has given s?ad of the state's law department.

. England was born in Jackson County, West Virginia, Q 368, son of A. J. S. and Mary Elizabeth (Weleh) Eng- His father was a native of Barbour County, West 'iinia, and a minister of the Methodist Church. General sand spent a boyhood and youth of mingled labor and fft to advance and improve himself. His education was ar ly derived from the opportunities he created. He at- ezed publie schools, the Concord Normal at Athens, West "i'inia, graduating therefrom in 1892, and graduated vit the degrees Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Laws

from the Southern Normal University at Huntingdon, Ten- nessee.

He began the practice of law at Oceana, then the county seat of Wyoming County, in the spring of 1899. From there seeking a larger field for his activities, he removed to Logan, county seat of Logan County, in 1901, and from that county his abilities as a successful lawyer have gained him recognition throughout practically the entire state. Mr. England served as mayor of Logan in 1903 and in 1908 and again in 1912 was elected to the State Senate. He was a leader in the work of the Senate for eight years, and in 1915 was elected president of the Senate.

In 1916 he was elected on the state republican ticket as attorney general, and in 1920 was re-elected by an increased majority. During the past six years the law department of the state has been burdened with an unprecedented amount of business, both domestic and Federal relations. It was during General England's administration that the Vir- ginia-West Virginia debt settlement was negotiated and finally cleared up. During his term occurred the World war, and there were many matters growing ont of the war period that were assigned to his office. During the war General England was a member of the State Council of Defense, and as a Four Minute Man his services were eu- listed as a speaker in all the campaigns and drives for war purposes.

General England is widely known over the state as an official of the Knights of Pythias. During 1920-21 he was grand chancellor of the order for West Virginia, and is now a junior vice grand chancellor. He is also affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Elks and Loyal Order of Moose, and is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Charleston.

General England has his official headquarters at the state capitol, and his residence at Logan. He married Miss Leoma Lemburg. and their three children are Arline, Max and Marjorie.

ROBERT LEE BURGESS was interested in the first garage and automobile sales ageney at Bluefield, but principally his business here has been as a dealer and contractor in electrical supplies. He is now proprietor of the Burgess Electrical Supply Company at 37 Bland Street, a business whose trade and service territory covers a large seetion of Southern West Virginia and adjacent states.

Mr. Burgess was born in Henry County, Virginia, De- cember 28, 1873. 1Tis birthplace was on a part of the land grant given to the Burgess family by King George in Colonial times. His parents were John and Mary (Foster) Burgess, both native Virginians, the former born in Henry County and the latter in Patrick County. John Burgess owned a fine plantation of a thousand aeres, and had twenty-two slaves before the war. During the Civil war he was captain of a Virginia regiment, and was in many of the great hattles of Southern Virginia. He was liberally educated, had been a teacher, and always teok a deep interest in educational progress and was a leader in the democratie party, serving twenty years as demo- eratie committeeman. He and his wife were members of the Primitive Baptist Church. John Burgess died at the age of eighty-one. His widow, now seventy-seven and living in Florida, is very active and independent physically and makes many long journeys over the country alone. The vitality of these parents has been transmitted to the children, since of five sons and five daughters all are living.

The third child is Robert Lee Burgess, who finished his education with a commercial course at Oakridge College in North Carolina. For several years he was in the hotel business at Covington, Virginia, and that gave him op- portunity to form a wide acquaintanceship and many of his oldest friends were gained while he was in the hotel. Mr. Burgess came to Bluefield in 1908, and with his brother J. K. Burgesa established a little shop for electrical sup- plies. They had just one-half of a storeroom. Soon after- ward they bought the Appalachian Garage from F. M. Smith. This was the first garage in the city. They eon- tinned the business two years, selling the Hupmobile and

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Hudson cars. After leaving the automobile business they concentrated their attention on the electrical supply and contracting business. J. K. Burgess, who married Mrs. Walters Sanders, subsequently withdrew from the firm and since then Robert L. Burgess has continued the business alone. He has a large and well equipped store, and as an electrical coutractor does installation work all over the southern part of the state and portions of Virginia and Ohio.

In 1907 Mr. Burgess married Miss Nannie Tyree, daugh- ter of Henry Tyree and sister of Ed Tyree. Mr. and Mrs. Burgess have one daughter, Elizabeth. They are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Burgess is affiliated with the Lodge, Chapter, Knight Templar Commandery, Scottish Rite Consistory and the Shrine in Masonry. In politics he votes for men and measures that appeal to his best judgment.

ALFRED LUTHER HAWKINS is proprietor of the Hawkins Undertaking Company of Bluefield. He has been a Blue- field business man twenty years, at first as a general mer- chant. He is a graduate and licensed embalmer, and has perfected a highly adequate and efficient service in his profession and business.

Mr. Hawkins was born at Lynchburg, Virginia, Novem- ber 6, 1875, son of Thomas B. and Betty M. (Hatcher) Hawkins. His father, a native of Bedford County, Vir- ginia, was a representative of an old family in that section of the state, and grew up on a farm, his people having been planters and farmers for several generations. He entered the Confederate Army when a young man, in Stonewall Jackson's Brigade, and was with that great leader when he fell at the battle of Chancellorsville. Later in the same year Thomas B. Hawkins was wounded at Gettysburg, and after being wounded served as an officer in the Home Guard. Following the war he became a prominent tobacco exporter, with headquarters at Lynch- burg, and maintained offices both in England and Italy. He was active in that business until he retired, and in 1902 removed with his family to Bluefield, where he lived until his death in 1917, at the age of sixty-nine. The mother died in 1915, aged sixty-two. They were members of the Baptist Church, and the father was a democrat in politics. Of their fourteen children six are still living, Alfred L. being the youngest.

Alfred L. Hawkins acquired his early education in Lynchburg and in Bedford County, Virginia, and for two years was employed as salesman by a Lynchburg concern. He was also a salesman at Farmville, Virginia, and on moving to Bluefield became associated with his brother, S. C. Hawkins, in a mercantile business on North Mercer Street. Two years later Mr. A. L. Hawkins entered the Pittsburgh College of Embalming, and after completing his technical training established his undertaking parlors at 84 Bland Street and from there moved to Pulaski Street and finally to his present location at 72 Bland Street. Here he has a funeral chapel and morgue, and has com- plete equipment of automobile hearses and other facilities for expert service.

May 30, 1920, at Princeton, West Virginia, Mr. Hawkins married Miss Lola Browning, of Logan County. They have one daughter, Betty. Mr. Hawkins is a member of the Elks, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias, the Kiwanis Club and is an independent demo- crat in politics.

DAVID C. STEMPLE. The country home of David C. Stemple at Aurora in Preston County is an example of progressive management and efficient handling of the re- sources of the soil and all the details of good farming. Moreover it is a farm that has been in one family for four generations, and succeeding generations will find it more productive than ever when Mr. Stemple completely retires. He has passed the age of three score and ten, but is still a man of action both on his farm and in community affairs.

He is a descendant of Godfrey Stemple, who came from Hagerstown, Maryland, and established his home at what

is now the village of Aurora as early as 1780. In it year the governor of Virginia, Henry Lee, signed a gs of 1,000 acres near Aurora in Preston County to Goda Stemple, as he spelled his name. This grant was No. He brought his family to occupy the land in 1784. It a wilderness, with wild animals and game abounding. three sons, David, Martin and John, all aided in effec a clearing for the first crops and in building the pio home into which the family removed after spending of the first winter in a canvas tent.

His son John Stemple, whose life for half a century spent on part of this farm, died about 1830 and is bu in the Carmel graveyard, the oldest burying ground in locality. He married Sarah Boyles, and their children Margaret, Isaac, David, Susan, Christina, Sarah Elizabeth.

Of these David Stemple, father of David C. Stene was born December 17, 1808, and died June 15, 1898, v in his 90th year. The schools of his day were crude he had little book learning, but he became a thorou practical man as a farmer and kept in touch with the around him and also the news from the outside wid He was an interesting visitor and conversationalist, a very active in the Lutheran Church, having a part in erection of the church at Carmel, and serving as der and elder. He was a democratic voter, but not a politic After his marriage he settled on the farm now occupied his son David C. His wife was Susan Lantz, and they married November 17, 1835. They lived together 1% than sixty years, and Mrs. Stemple died in 1902, Pu almost ninety-one. She was born May 16, 1811, daug of Henry and Eva (Bishoff) Lantz. David Stemple wife had the following children: Harriet, who died married; John H., who was a Preston County farmer miller and died in 1904, leaving a family by his marr to Rebecca Ann Shaffer; Miss Christina, living at Aur. Lewis S., a farmer at Aurora; Eva, wife of David Schr near Eglon; Jacob S., who lived many years in Mahon County, Ohio, where he married Lydia Simon, daughter Stilling Simon, and after her death in 1890 he retu: to West Virginia and is now living on a farm near Aur and David C.

David C. Stemple was born July 9, 1851, on the fa where all his years have been spent. He attended public schools of Aurora, and for half a century his eff have been put forth as a grain grower and stock raise the old homestead. He has cleared many acres, raised first crops from the virgin soil, and has had his full s of the heavy labor involved in this class of pioneer While his sons had the advantages of agricultural colle Mr. Stemple has practiced the fundamental principles scientific agriculture for a long period of years. He one of the first in this section to advocate the liberal of lime and commercial fertilizer, has always divers his farming by keeping stock, and has made it a point replace all the elements of fertility taken away by c and stock, so that his land is getting better every y As a wheat grower he has kept some interesting reccs In the preparation of his ground for wheat he mows stubble and second growth before plowing then m: liberal application of manure, plows about six inches depth, and has harvested about as high as forty- bushels to the acre.

While his farm and its management has been his c business Mr. Stemple has interested himself in local aff. has served as trustee of the Mountain Top school and steadily voted as a democrat since casting his first b: for Horace Greeley for president in 1872. He is a men of the Lutheran Church.

September 26, 1880, at Aurora, he married Miss Trotter, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Stock) Trc and a sister of President Frank B. Trotter of the versity of West Virginia. The children of Mr. and :s Stemple were Forrest, Rodney Milton, Grover Dayton, died at the age of six years, and Mary Elizabeth, finished her education in the Wesleyan College at B hannon and the Carnegie Institute of Technology at P burgh. The son Forrest graduated from West Virg

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ersity in 1910, took his Master of Science degree in ulture at the University of Wisconsin, and was a pro- ar in Ohio State University and West Virginia Uni- y, which latter position he resigned on account of his r's health and is now principal of the Union District School in his home locality. He married Grace Town- and they have three children, Alice Elizabeth, Mar- E Ida and David Townsend. Rodney Milton Stemple e August 26, 1914, when in the midst of a most promis- gind useful career. Ile was a graduate of West Vir- U'niversity, for some years was employed in an expert Fity by the H. J. Heinz Company, later was with an in- udent pickle and kraut factory, and was serving as uy agent of Berkeley County, West Virginia, when he He married Florence Wardeu, of Connecticut.

wis S. Stemple, an older brother of David C. and one e well known farmer citizens of Preston County, was r March 6, 1>44, and in February. 1865, enlisted in any I of the 17th West Virginia Infantry, under min Samuel Ilolt aud Colonel Day, and was in train- git several points in West Virginia until the close of evar. He received his discharge July 7. 1865. After ine worked as a stave maker in a cooper shop at Amboy, ti in a shop just south of Eglon, then became a ear- Er and for many years has been active as a farmer. Kuber 25, 1878, at Oakland, Maryland. he married De MeCrum, daughter of James and Lydia (Wagner) e um, another well known family of Preston County. Stemple was horn near Aurora January 20, 1852, and September 22. 1s>1. She was the mother of two Tren: Daisy, wife of Wilbert Gorby, of Oklahoma City, Chester David, who died in childhood.

CJAY FLEMING, one of the every-day busy, influential crs in the life and affairs of Taylor County is O. Jay ging, vice president and cashier of the First National of Grafton and member of one of the oldest families e county. Business and the professions have enlisted ervices of several of the later generation of this family, ogh in pioneer times their interests were almost alto- tr agrarian.

Se pioncer of the family in this part of West Vir- was James Fleming, a native of Eastern Virginia. ook up a large area of land in Taylor County, and in ' of his activities and character the village of Flent- gn was named. His three sons were Patrick, Minor S. ¿Johnson C., and there were also six daughters in his riy.

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History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 2, Part 134

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