History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 2, Part 141

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For all the duties implied in this busy program, Mr. Christopher did not negleet his support of schools and educational facilities for the young, and was similarly interested in the welfare of the church. He was reared a Methodist, and in former years was one of the leading members of the Pisgah Church. He and Mrs. Christopher were converted in the same revival meeting.

December 2, 1867, at Lanrel Run, his home community, Irvin Christopher married Mary C. King. She was born in Preston County August 19, 1847, and died March 26, 1906, at the age of fifty-nine. She was a daughter of Thomas and Jane (Brandon) King, both born near Pis- gah and spent their lives in the community as farmers. There were three daughters and five sons in the King family: Serena, wife of Ami Jenkins; Persis, who married Isaac Jenkins; Mrs. Christopher; Albert, who married Hester Jenkins; William, who married Elizabeth Street; George, whose wife was Frances Ann Christopher; Eugenus, who married Mary Smith; and Thomas, who married

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Catherine Haynes. The sons Albert and William were Federal soldiers, were taken prisoners and both died in Andersonville Prison.

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Christopher were: Tekoah, who married Mary Greathouse, and is a coal miner in Pennsylvania; Ralph Spencer; Orpha Jane, wife of Dr. J. A. Graham, of Fairmont; Minnie Belle, wife of Arthur J. Myers, of San Francisco, California; Persis Irene, wife of Joseph Kaszer, of Morgantown; Daisy Pearl, wife of Charles G. Ryan, of Morgantown.

Ralph S. Christopher has in his individual career sup- plemented and extended the worthy industry and influence of his honored father. Ile was born on the farm that he now owns April 8, 1872, grew up there, had a home school education, and worked in the fields, in the timber, and among the stock, and this early experience qualified him for the activities of the duties that have chiefly claimed his attention in manhood. He is still operating a saw mill on Christopher Run, and has in addition the respon- sibilities of a farm of 450 acres. Mr. Christopher has served as a trustee of the Grant District schools, and is a republican. His father cast a ballot for Abraham Lin- coln during Civil war times.

September 17, 1892, Ralph S. Christopher married in Garrett County, Maryland, Miss Effie E. Ryan, daughter of Edward D. and Elizabeth (Wolfe) Ryan, the latter a daughter of Augustine Wolfe. Edward D. Ryan was a native of Ireland, came to America at the age of eleven years, and thereafter made his own way in the world. He soon entered the Union Army, served three years and then re-enlisted and came out of the army uninjured. He established his home three miles from Pisgah, and lived in that locality the rest of his days. He was a man of great industry and vigor, and much of the time he left his wife and children to look after the farm while he supplemented his living by work in the coke regions. He died at the age of fifty-three, and his widow survived him to the age of sixty-six. Their children were: Thomas J., Mrs. Julia Ann King, Daniel A., Ross F., Sanford E. and Mrs. Ralph S. Christopher.

Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher the oldest is Eddie Earl, who still remains in the Pisgah community and married Edna Jenkins. At the time of the World war he enlisted in Company I of the Fifty-second Infantry, was trained at Fort Thomas and Camp Forrest, Georgia, and from Camp Upton, New York, went overseas and was in the front line of the Argonne Forest at the time of the signing of the armistice and later was with the Army of Occupation in Germany. He returned home in June, 1919, his only injury being a slight gassing in the trenches. The second ehild, Harry Dayton, worked in the coal mines all through the war period and is now a merchant at Pisgah. He married Merle Everly, and their children are, Irvin Dale, Wilton L. and Warren G. The third son, Lloyd Irvin, was in the spruce division of the aeroplane service early in the war, was transferred to the Four Hundred and Fifth Aero Construction Squadron at Van- eouver Barracks, Washington, and prior to the war was for six years in the employ of the Akron Rubber Works in Ohio. He is now in the navy, on the U. S. S. Prometheus. The fourth ehild is Hattie, wife of Lloyd O'Neal, of the Pisgah community. The younger children, as yet unmar- ried, are Vida Merle, Kermit Ray, Kenneth K., Erma Pearl, Pansy Pluma, Mary Marie, Dallas Darl, Quentin Spencer, Una Florine, Berta Love and Lola Valda. It is a roll of honor, one of the most remarkable family groups in Preston County or West Virginia, and for two parents to have brought into the world such a worthy heritage and for them to have been preserved without a misfortune is an interesting exception to the lot of mortal history.

JOHN LEE COULTER, dean of the College of Agriculture and director of the Experimental Station of the University of West Virginia at Morgantown, was born on the family farm at Mallory, Minnesota, April 16, 1881, a son of John and Catherine (McVeety) Coulter, natives of Ontario, Canada.

The American ancestors of the Coulter family were

members of the Clan Coulter of Ayreshire, Scotland, came to America in Colonial days, going to the J River settlements in Virginia. Their descendants spread into Maryland, Pennsylvania, and what is now Virginia, and while John Lee Coulter is western bor is Identified with early West Virginia. John Conlter born in 1846, and his wife in 1850. The McV. originated in the same part of Scotland as did the Coul but the former came by the way of Canada, where were residing temporarily at the time of the hirth their daughter, Catherine. Both families settled in same section of Minnesota, and the parents of John grew up on neighboring farms in Ontario, Canada. are still living, and while Mr. Coulter still retains large farming lands in Minnesota, where they spend summers, their winters are spent visiting among their e children.

John Lee Coulter was reared on the Minnesota farm received his early education in the school established the Coulters and their neighbors, which was taught b Seotch school-teacher who had been brought to Ame by them. Mr. Coulter later attended high school and t entered the University of North Dakota, which institu was situated across the river, eight miles distant from Coulter farm, so that the youth lived at home whil student there. He was graduated a Bachelor of A in the class of 1904, and a Master of Arts in 1905, during his two last years studied law. In 1908 the deg of Doctor of Philosophy was conferred upon him by University of Wisconsin. Before this he studied at University of Minnesota and at Iowa State Colle specializing in agriculture at both institutions. He an instructor at Iowa State College in 1907 and at University of Minnesota in 1908 and 1909, and in 1909 11 assistant professor in rural economics at the Univers of Minnesota, also holding that chair during a part of 19 During those two years he also was special agent of Minnesota Board of Health. He became expert spec agent of the United States Census Bureau in 1910, a held that position until 1912; was in charge of the Divis of Agriculture from 1912 to 1914; professor in ru economics at Knapp's School of Country Life, Nashvi Tennessee, during 1914-1915; and since the latter year been dean of the College of Agriculture and director the Experimental Station, University of West Virginia.

When Doetor Coulter came to the University of W Virginia in 1915 all the work in agriculture and ho economics was housed in the basements of different u! versity buildings and all farm work done on about for acres of farm land. As an indication of the advanceme made during his administration it may be stated that 1921 there were about 400 students enrolled, there w complete new equipment housed in new buildings, and th seven farms, aggregating about 2,000 acres, were und cultivation, all being self-supporting. Doctor Coulter well known as a leeturer, having held that post at Georg Washington University from 1910 to 1913 and at the Sur mer School of the South in 1910 and 1911. He served : a member and secretary of the United States Commissie sent to Europe to investigate rural credits and co-operatic in 1913, spending the summer in Europe. He has ber a member of the editorial staff of the "American Econom Review," dealing with agricultural subjects.

During the World war Doctor Coulter served on tl West Virginia Council of Defense as assistant state foo administrator and later as expert for the Federal Counc in charge of furnishing agricultural products to the Allie and the War Industry Board in charge of agricatur questions. Asking for active service, he was commissione major in the summer of 1918 and spent seven month overseas. After the signing of the armistice he was 8gr cultural advisor to the French Government in the rehabil tation of agriculture and was decorated by that Governmen for his services. He is at present (1921) commander o Monongahela Post, American Legion, and Americanization officer for the State of West Virginia. He is the autho of "Economic History of the Red River Valley" (1910) "Co-operation Among Farmers" (1911), and of abou

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en different publio documents dealing with different as of agriculture. He was formerly a member of the Orial staff of the quarterly journal of the American istical Association, and has contributed many articles dielivered many addresses on economic and agricultural cts.

Ictor Coulter is a Fellow of the American Statistical w'intion, and a member of the American Economic riation, the American Political Science Association, American Association of Labor Legislation and the rican Association of Agricultural Colleges and Ex- rental Stations, of which last-named he was vice lent in 1917. He belongs also to the Morgantown ty Club, of which he is a director; the Morgantown s.ber of Commerce: the Cosmos Club of Washington, ; and Lafayette I.odge No. 19, F. and A. M., Washı- ", D. C., and the Lodge of Perfection at Morgantown. 13 a member of the board of directors of the Com- sal Bank of Morgantown.

September 23, 1911. Doctor Coulter was united in miage with Miss Phoebe Everett Frost, daughter of Y H. Frost. a soldier during the Civil war. a political er of note and a merchant and a cotton, rice and sugar er of Richmond, Texas. Her mother, Mary Schley, eorgia, belonged to the Admiral Schley family of U. avy fame. Doctor and Mrs. Coulter are the parents vo children: John Lee, Jr .. born August 1, 1912; Kirkley Schley, born July 26, 1914.

ERT HOLMES HITE. The cause of science in general, and ntire agricultural industry of West Virginia. sustained AVy loss in the death of Bert Holmeg Hite, in October During his long and active association with the versity he had carried on work that advanced agri- ral chemistry to one of the fundamental sciences in welfare of the human race.

h was still a young man when death took him away this duties. He was born at Morgantown, August 18, son of Isaac and Catherine (Hennen) Hite. This ch of the Hite family came originally from Strassburg, De-Lorraine. France, and was established in Virginia 'e-Revolutionary days by Matthew Hite. the American eitor, who went to Virginia from Philadelphia. He ed as an officer under General Washington in the lutionary war, afterward became the owner of much win this part of West Virginia, included in which the old Hite homestead in Monongalia County. He when full of years. at Clarksburg. He married la Doherty and. following the line of direct descent, . son. George Hite, married Sallie Rusk, and their George married Lucy Longacre.

hac Hite, son of George and Lucy (Longacre) Hite, born at Morgantown, West Virginia. February 20, E, and died July 24, 1916. He married Catherine en. who was born at Morgantown. Jnly 6. 1832. and . August 27. 1919. She was a daughter of Robert P. [Elizabeth (Wilson) Hennen, the latter of whom was a le of New Jersey, and died in 1871. Robert P. Hen- was born in Pennsylvania. a son of Matthew Hennen, was the founder of the Hennen family in West Vir- . Robert P. Hennen was a cabinetmaker at Morgan- for many years and took part in public affairs, 'ag as a member of the borough council in early He died at Morgantown in 1873. Of Isasc Hite's hlv of one son and two daughters, Bert Holmes wag wirst horn. His sisters, Alice Olive and Elizabeth Lee. t reside at Morgantown, the former being the wife of & Russel L. Morris of the University of West Vir- M. and the latter the wife of Dr. D. N. Courtney.

Ce late Bert Holmes Hite was reared on a farm, ac- id his early education in the country, and in 1890 'sated Bachelor of Science from the University of West inia. From 1891 to 1895 he was at Johns Hopkins ersity, being holder of scholarships in chemistry, lec- and assistant two years to the renowned Professor wen of Johns Hopkins, and had a two years' fellow. Hin chemistry in that institution. In 1895 he was inted chemist and vice-director of the experiment

station of West Virginia University, and in connection with the work he did there he was also professor of agricultural chemistry of the University, chemist of the West Virginia State Geological and Economie Survey and in 1918 was appointed a consulting chemist to the Ordnanco Department, United States Army.

Professor Hite waa a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a member of the Amer- ican Society of Chemists, of the American Association of Officials of Agricultural Chemists, American Association of Food Central Officers, the American Electro Chemical Society, and of Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, which scientific body in 1921 awarded him the Longstreth medal for pasteurization and sterilization. He did notable work in molecular weights. reclamation of worn-out soils. sterili- zation by pressure. fixation of nitrogen, and was constantly experimenting with different ends in view. He made a life study of the soil of West Virginia, especially of the worn out soils, and hig study of causes of the wide spread soil condition was supplemented by methods for reclaim- ing such soils. In his work with very high pressure he was a pioneer. For a number of years he carried on fixation of nitrogen st the experiment station of the Uni- versity, having started this work at a time when very few people had any interest in or conception of what it meant to agrienlture for national defense or world benefit.

In 1898 Professor Hite married Rachel Evelyn Pratt. who was born at Walker, Missouri, and is a daughter of Dr. Charles E. Pratt, of Wheeling. West Virginia. Mrs. Hite wag graduated with the A. B. degree in the clasg of 1898, West Virginia University.

ALBERT H. KUNST, M. D. There is an element of un- qualified distinction in both the personal career and an- cestral history of this honored citizen of Parkersburg. who achieved high reputation in the work of his chosen profes- sion. who made a record of fine administrative and con- atructive service in connection with railroad building and administration in West Virginia, and who has been in- fluential in civic affairs and in the promotion of im- portant business enterprises. He is now living virtually retired from active professional and business life, but finds ample demands upon his time and attention in the super- vision of his substantial interests.

Dr. Albert Henry Kunst was born in Pruntvtown. Vir- ginia. now West Virginia, and is a son of the late G. H. A. and Sarah (Gauer) Kunst. The latter was born and brought up in the State of Maryland. Hig paternal grand- father, John Conrad Kunst, was a distinguished lawyer in Germany, where he passed his entire life. and where was solemnized his marriage to the daughter of a French noble- man who was notable for high literary attainments. and who was banished from Algace-Lorraine on account of his religious proclivities.

G. H. A. Kunst was born in Germany on the 12th of March, 1796, and in his native land he received the best of educational advantages. At the age of sixteen he volun- teered hig service in the German army, and aa a first lieutenant he distinguished himself in engagements against the armies of the great Napoleon, including the battle of Elba. As the representative of a prominent commercial house in the City of Bremen Mr. Kunst came to the United States in the year 1822, and after residing for some time in the City of Baltimore, Maryland, he established his home at Petersburg. Virginia. Later, for a year or more. he engaged in the tobacco-warehouse business in the City of Richmond, Virginia. Thence he returned to Maryland, but in 1844 he came to what is now Taylor County. West Virginia, and established his residence at Printvtown. With the exception of about one year passed nt Wheeling he ever afterward maintained his home in Taylor County, and there his death occurred on the 9th of July, 1875.

Soon after his arrival In the United States G. H. A. Kunet renounced his allegiance to the emperor of Germany and entered application for naturalization as a citizen of the land of his adoption. This was no idle or insig- nificant action on his part, for it meant to him the giving

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to the United States the full measure of his loyalty and appreciation, and that he was remembered and honored by his oath of allegiance was emphatically shown at the time when the Civil war was precipitated on the nation. The greater number of his friends and neighbors espoused the cause of the Confederate states at this period in the history of the nation, but though he was vigorously importuned to take similar action he steadfastly refused, as he held that his oath of allegiance to the United States rendered such an act on his part a matter of personal dishonor. Because of his high intellectual attainments, his sterling character and his gracious personality he commanded un- equivocal confidence and esteem and was well qualified for leadership in community sentiment and action. He ac- cumulated a substantial fortune, as gauged by the standards of the locality and period, and he represented the best ele- ment of citizenship in the land of his adoption and of his strong and abiding appreciation and loyalty. In politics Mr. Kunst was originally an old-line whig, and upon the de- cadence of that party and the organization of the repub- lican party he transferred his allegiance to the latter, the principles of which thereafter received his staunch support until the close of his long, earnest and useful life.

Dr. Albert H. Kunst acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of his native county, and completed his academic studies under the direction of private tutors. In 1863 he served as the first deputy recorder of Taylor County, West Virginia, and performed all the duties of the office in the absence of the recorder, who was a captain in the Union Army. In consonance with his ambition and well formulated plans he finally began the study of medi- cine, later entered Starling Medical College, which is now the Medical Department of the University of Ohio, in the City of Columbus. In this celebrated institution he was graduated in March, 1868, and soon after thus receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine he was appointed assistant physician at the West Virginia Hospital for the Insane, at Weston, West Virginia, a position which he continued the incumbent about thirteen years. Thereafter he devel- oped a large and representative private practice at Weston, the judicial center of Lewis County, and he continued a close and appreciative student of the best standard and periodical literature of his profession, in which he achieved more than local distinction and to the literature of which he made numerous and valuable contributions. His mono- graph entitled "Freaks of the Brain," published in a leading medical journal, attracted wide attention, and his work entitled "Puerpural Insanity" was eventually em- bodied in a medical texthook. At one time Doctor Kunst served as president of the West Virginia State Medical Society, and he did much to raise the standards of his profession in his native state. For some time he served as president of the Board of Pension Examining Surgeons for Lewis County. At Weston he became a citizen of much prominence and influence, and there he was for years the president of the National Exchange Bank. He finally withdrew from the practice of his profession to direct his energies into railroad promotive and construction work. In January, 1875, citizens of Lewis County organized and incorporated the Weston & West Fork Railroad Company, formed for the purpose of building a line between Clarks- burg and Weston. A narrow-gauge road was completed and in the passing years was operated under different titles. Doctor Kunst eventually became president of the road. In 1883 a narrow-gauge line was completed between Weston and Buckhannon, and of this Doctor Kunst be- came the superintendent. He retained both of these official positions until 1888, in which year he was made president of the latter road also. It was freely predicted that there two lines could not be operated profitably, but under the vigorous and progressive administration of Doctor Kunst hoth were successfully maintained in operation for years. In 1889, owing to the increase in traffic and the general expediency of such action, the roads were changed to the standard gauge, and he then became vice president and general manager of the West Virginia and Pittsburgh Railroad which was extended to Pickens and Richwood,

respectively. He continued in these positions until road passed into the hands of the Baltimore & Ohio Ra road Company.

Governor A. B. White appointed Doctor Kunst sup intendent of the West Virginia State Hospital for t Insane at Weston, and he was reappointed by Gover W. G. Dawson. He gave a characteristically able adm istration of this office, and after filling the same abc five years he resigned and removed to the City of Parke burg, where he has since lived virtually retired, though is at the present time vice president of the Hornor-Gaylo Company, wholesale grocers, and a director of the Kob gard Company, wholesale dry-goods merchants, both these representative houses having headquarters at Clar' burg.

Doctor Kunst served four years as a member of t Board of Regents of the University of West Virgin The doctor still maintains affiliation with the West V ginia State Medical Society and the Wood County Medic Society. His political allegiance is given to the repu lican party, and he is an earnest communicant of t Protestant Episcopal Church.

March 16, 1875, recorded the marriage of Doctor Kunj and Miss Mary Matilda Camden, a daughter of Col. Jol S. Camden and a sister of the late United States Senat Camden of West Virginia. Of the four children of th union two survive the mother, the names of the four beir here entered in respective order of birth: George Ka Earle, Irene and Johnson Camden. The two last me tioned are living. George K. received a military schoc ing, served as a battalion adjutant in the Spanish-America war, was later a member of the military staff of Govern MeCorkle, as well as that of the latter's successor, Govern White, and he was a young man of fine character an great promise when death ended his career. Earle had en couraging literary ability and was the author of a numbe of published short stories and two books-"Justine" an "The Mystery of Evangeline Fairfax." Irene is the wit of William B. Craig, a prominent lawyer at Selma, Alabama As a member of the State Senate, when but little past hi legal majority, Mr. Craig gave specially effective servie in codifying the laws of Alabama, and later he represente that state two terms in the United States Congress. Jobr son Camden, the youngest of the children, resides a Parkersburg. The loved and devoted wife and mothe passed to the life eternal in 1907, she having been : devout communicant of the Protestant Episcopal Church.

In 1913 was solemnized the marriage of Doctor Kuns' and Miss Loretto Griffin, daughter of Hon. T. R. Griffin who served for twenty consecutive years as mayor 0 Somerset, Kentucky, and was otherwise prominent ant influential in the old Blue Grass State. Mrs. Kunst, who i an artist by profession, is the gracious and popular chate laine of the beautiful home which she and her husband have made a center of generous hospitality.

RICHARD R. FELLER, of Martinsburg, Berkeley County, i: sole proprietor of the substantial business conducted unde the title of the Richard R. Feller Company and also of the Standard Concrete Pipe Company and has gained high rep utation in engineering and construction work of importan order. He was born in the homestead of the Feller family at the corner of North Raleigh and West Martin streets Martinsburg, and the date of his birth was January 17 1891. His father, Charles H. Feller, was born in Balti more, Maryland, January 12, 1852, a son of John Feller who was born in Hesse Cassel, Germany, in March, 1820 and whose father, John Feller, with wife and their four sons and one daughter, immigrated to America and pur. chased land near Cleveland, Ohio, where he planted a vine- yard and became a manufacturer of wine. After the death of his wife John Feller removed to Cleveland, in which city he died at the age of ninety years, his wife having died two years previously. They had five children: John, Charles, August, Baltzer and Mary. John Feller acquired a good education in his native land, and there learned the trade of weaver. He was a young man when he accompa

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History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 2, Part 141

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