History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 2, Part 143

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At the age of twenty-two Mr. Lloyd married Ella Cora Johnson, a native of Martinsburg, and daughter of the late William and Mary Ella Johnson. Six children have been born to their marriage, named Robert Linwood, Nora Or- nett, Cora Elizabeth, Mary Virginia, John W., Jr., and J. Harold Lee.

Mr. Lloyd is a director in the Shenandoah Valley Bank and is member of its real estate committee. Like many other successful business men in this section, he is financially interested in the great apple industry and is secretary and treasurer of the Rosemont Orchard Company of Washing- ton County. He is a member of the chamber of commerce, is on the executive board of the Potomac States Bakers Association, is president of the Progressive Bakers Asso- ciation, and member of the National Bakers Association. He is affiliated with Robert White Lodge No. 67, A. F. and A. M., Wheeling Consistory, thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason, Osiris Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Wheeling, Lodge No. 24 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Tuscarora Tent of the Improved Order of Red Men and is a member of the Junior Order United American Mechanics. Mr. Lloyd also gives his time and influence generously to the promotion of community affairs and is now a member of the city council, serving on the committees on finance, real estate, ordinances, light, health and water.

WILLIAM FRANKLIN LEARY has clearly proved his re- sourcefulness and progressive policies in connection with business enterprise in West Virginia, and is now one of the representative business men of Berkeley Springs, Morgan County.

Mr. Leary was born at Downsville, Washington County, Maryland, on the 2d of January, 1864, and is a son of Ben- jamin and Virginia (Edwards) Leary, the former of whom died at the age of fifty-four and the latter at the age of sixty-eight years. As a skilled millwright the father fol- lowed his trade successfully in the equipping and repair- ing of flour mills, and he was a resident of Keyser, Mineral County, West Virginia, at the time of his death. The sub- ject of this review is the eldest in a family of eight chil- dren, the names of the other children being as here noted : Albert, Green, Ella, Clifford, Bessie, Earl and Annie.

William F. Leary was a lad of seven years at the time of the family removal to Keyser, West Virginia, where he was reared to adult age and profited duly by the advantages of the public schools. At the age of eighteen years he found employment in a tannery at Romney, and after be- ing thus engaged eight years he operated a flour mill at Romney, Hampshire County, thirteen years. He then pur- chased a one-half interest in a mill at Great Cacapon, Mor- gan County, but six months later he traded this interest for an interest in the Berkeley Springs Mill, the operation of which he continued until 1921, when he retired from this enterprise. In the meanwhile he had engaged also in the ice business, and with a well equipped plant and a sub- stantial business he now gives his attention to this well- ordered enterprise at Berkeley Springs.

Mr. Leary is liberal and progressive as a citizen, is a staunch advocate of the principles of the democratic party and is, in 1922, chairman of the Democratic Executive Com- mittee of Morgan County. While a resident of Romney, Hampshire County, he there served as a member of the city council. He is affiliated with Indian Mound Lodge No.

207, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and with the triotic Sons of America. Both he and his wife are acte members of the United Brethren Church in their home lage.

In 1898 Mr. Leary married Miss Victoria Shull, who 13 born and reared in Hampshire County, this state, a daugh: of James and Maggie (Marshall) Shull, both natives Frederick County, Virginia. Mr. Shull was a miller by tra, and for many years operated a flour mill at Romney, Har shire County, where both he and his wife died. Their c. dren were three in number: Victoria, Florence and Jo By a former marriage James Shull had one son, Riley, is now a merchant at Keyser, Mineral County. Mr. a Mrs. Leary have eight children, namely: Ottie, Geor Margaret, James, Kenneth, Gladys, Lola and Kather', Ottie is the wife of Charles M. Woodruff, and they ha two children, Virginia Lucille and Warren Franklin. Geor married Miss Nellie Waters, and they have three childr Eveline, Bernetta and George William. Margaret is ti wife of J. Walter Shockey, and they have two childr .. James Walter and Charles Franklin.

WILLIAM CROSFIELD. It is not difficult while consideri the business men of a community to discover why some : frankly prosperous while others advance only slowly ye after year. Persistent industry is a very necessary fact in the achievement of success, and those who possess th quality, along with a certain amount of ability and capaci for good management, are reasonably to be number among those who will attain prosperity. Industry has be one of the characteristics in the life of William Crosfie. of Berkeley Springs, the owner of a planing mill, lumb; business and farm, a dealer in wood and coal and prop etor of a handle factory, who is also accounted a progressi and public-spirited citizen.

Mr. Crosfield was born at Strathroy, County Lambtc: Province of Ontario, Canada, a son of Rev. George Cro field, who was born in the village of Boston Spa, Yorkshh England. Johu Crosfield, the grandfather of William Crc field, was born in Yorkshire, England, where he follow the business of milling, and late in life immigrated to t United States and spent his last years as a resident Brooklyn, New York. His wife was a life-long reside of Yorkshire.

George Crosfield, the only son of his parents, acquire a good education in his native country, where in his you he was converted and joined the Wesleyan Methodist Churc in which he became a local preacher. Immediately aft his marriage he came to America, accompanied by his brid the sailing vessel on which they traveled being sever months in crossing the ocean. Upon their arrival they se tled in the wilds of Canada West, as the Province of Ontar was then known, where Reverend Crosfield secured a tra of timber land in County Lambton and erected a small Ic cabin, in which he and his young bride started housekee; ing. As they did not possess a stove, Mrs. Crosfield w: compelled to prepare their frugal meals at the open fir place, and during their early years they experienced all tl other hardships of pioneer existence. After a few yea) they returned to England, where they remained eightee months, then returning to Canada and locating at Smitl ville, County Lincoln, Mr. Crosfield there joining the Met] odist Episcopal Conference and remaining in the ministr for a few years. He then came to the United States an joined the Baltimore Conference, subsequently being ser to Romney, Hampshire County, West Virginia, and fro that point to Hedgesville. While there, at his own reques he was transferred to the West Virginia Conference an placed in charge of the Brandonville Circuit. Later he wa transferred to Ellenboro, then to Pomeroy, and, finally when in ill health, to Berkeley Springs, where his death or curred. He was a man of fine talents, an indefatigabl worker in the ministry and a man who was held in esteer and affection in whatever community he labored. He mai ried Dorothy Botterill, who was born in the village o Brannon, Yorkshire, England, and who spent her last year at the home of her son William, with whom she died at th age of eighty-five years. She and her husband were th

Taken on "Uncle" Dan Howard's Golden Anniversary, January 31, 1921.

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ants of four children: John B., Mary Ann, William and giska.

illiam Crosfield received his early education in the pub- schools, this being supplemented by attendance at Wyom- u Seminary, Kingston, Pennsylvania. When he was but &teen years of age he commenced teaching, his first dlol being held in the Duling Church, near Keyser, Min- r: County, West Virginia. He continued his labors as an dator for several years, and thus earned sufficient capital ri which to embark in business at Berkeley Springs. His a al efforts were modest in character, but he has perse- ed, has been industrious and has exercised good judg- at and effective management, with the result that he is h prosperous owner of a flourishing lumber yard, planing and coal and wood business and the proprietor of a "-cultivated farm on which there are to be found the ast improvements. His career has been one of consistent waneement and of close application to high ideals in his n.ness transactions.

[r. Crosfield married first Mrs. Belle Diel, who for sev- # years operated the Florence Hotel, one of Berkeley 3 ings' popular hostelries. After two years of happy nried life Mrs. Crosfield passed away, and Mr. Crosfield ar married Anna Hunt, who was born at Miltonville, Jo, a daughter of Nathaniel Hunt. They have had five il dren. Three deceased are George, Eugene and Hattie, l' those living are Dorothy and Anna H. Mr. and Mrs. Csfield are. members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, irwhich he has served several years as recording steward al as superintendent of the Sunday school.

'RANK E. CONNER, proprietor of the leading tailoring garment-cleaning establishment at Morgantown, Mo- ugalia County, is one of the progressive and popular ring business men of this vital little city. He was born a farm two miles distant from Charleston, capital City West Virginia, and the date of his nativity was vember 2, 1892. He is a son of the late Joel P. and izabeth (Kendall) Conner, both of whom likewise were I'm near Charleston, where the respective families settled the pioneer period of the history of Kanawha County. Frank E. Conner remained on the home farm until he s twelve years old. In 1913 he was graduated from · public schools of Charleston. In the autumn of that ir he entered the University of West Virginia, at Mor- atown, but before completing a course in this institu- n he withdrew to enter business. While attending the tools of Charleston he supported himself by serving as 'cub" reporter on the Charleston Daily Mail, and while the university he paid his expenses by conducting a dest tailoring and cleaning shop, which be established in 14. After leaving the university he gave close attention this enterprise, which he has since developed to ene substantial order, with the result that the year 192] ds him the owner of the most modern dry-cleaning plant the State of West Virginia, with an investment of mewhat more than $30,000. His merchant tailoring busi- ss likewise is one of prosperous order. Mr. Conner is the ly Morgantown member of the National Association of aster Dyers and Cleaners, and he is a member of the stern States Association of Dyers and Cleaners. He is active member and a former director of the Morgantown amber of Commerce, is a member of the local Kiwanis ub, and he and his wife hold membership in the First esbyterian Church. Mrs. Conner, whose maiden name a Blodwen Mae Pugh, waa born at Port Talbot, Walea, daughter of Howell Pugh, now a department foreman at e plant of the Morgantown Sheet & Tin Plate Com- ny. Mr. and Mrs. Conner have two children: Frank E., ., and Martha Mae, aged respectively three years and a year in 1921.

MONONOALIA COUNTY INFIRMARY. Something should be id in this history of the facilities provided by one of est Virginia'a most progressive counties in the care of infirm poor. For a number of years the county rented farm and home for this purpose, but in 1917 bought a operty of 1461/2 acrea two miles north of Mergantown.

During 1919-20 construction was under way, and the modernly appointed infirmary was opened April 17, 1921, the total cost of grounds and buildings being about $200,000. There aro at present only about twenty-five inmates of the home, but the county made generous pro- vision for all conveniences, and 120 persons could be ac- commodated. There is a well equipped hospital on the third floor, a chapel on the second floor, and the farm is operated with a view to making the institution largely aclf sustaining. A barn has been provided, specially ar- ranged for dairy purposes.

'The superintendent is Mr. Charles B. Morris. He was first appointed superintendent in 1912, and filled that post for seven years, while the institution was at Cassville. For a year he resumed his private business, and then was returned to the superintendeney when the county bought the present farm. He is a thoroughly practical man, well qualified for the pest, and Mrs. Morris, the matron, had special training for her responsibilities under her father, the late Josephus A. Ramsey, who for seven years was superintendent of the county's poer. She assisted her father four years, her mother being matron.

Mr. Morris was born in the Clay District of Monongalia County July 31, 1881, son of David F. and Mary Mazella (Berry) Morris. The father was born on the farm where he is still living. Charles B. Morris grew up in that part of the county, was educated there, and on December 13, 1905, married Lillian N. Ramsey. She was born in Cass District, and her father was also a native of that district, where he died at the age of sixty-nine. Her mother, Anna Elizabeth Waters, now living at Morgantown, was born at Flickersville in Grant District of Monongalia County, where her father, Nelson Waters, operated one of the early mills. Mr. and Mrs. Morris sinec their marriage have been engaged in farming and have given nearly ten years to the duties of the County Infirmary. Mr. Morris is affiliated with the Masonic Order, Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen of America. He and Mrs. Morris have two children, Mary Elizabeth and John Franklin.

DANIEL HOWARD is a veteran of two great and essential industries, railroading and coal production. His career has been a long and useful one, from the time, as a mere youth, he took upon himself the responsibilities not only of his own existence but in part the care of other members of the family. One of the leading figures among the coal operators of the Fairmont Distriet, his familiar title of "Unele Dan"' conveys a degree of affection and esteem and also a tribute to his business success.

Mr. Howard, who is a resident of Clarksburg, was born in Ennis, Ireland, November 19, 1848. He was five years of age when his parents, John and Ellen (Russell) Howard, came to America and settled near Vandalia, Illinois. That was the home of Daniel Howard until he was sixteen years of age. In the meantime he had acquired a common school education, and his father's death called him home from a college in Chicage to the more serious duties involved in his own support and such contributions as his labors could make to the support of the family. Mr. Howard spent about twenty-five years in the railroad service, and was employed in different states of the Middle West. His last position was that of joint freight agent for the Big Four and Illinois Central railroads at Chicago.

On leaving railroad work Mr. Howard was a coal sales- man for two years, and then came to West Virginia to look after the coal properties for the O'Gara Coal Mining Com- pany of Chicago. Mr. Howard established his home in Clarksburg in 1905. Since then there has been a rapid ac- cumulation of important industrial organizations in which he has been an influential and active figure.

In 1906 he organized the Central Fairmont Coal Company, of which he has been president from the beginning. This company operates the well known Snake Hill Coal Mine of Harriaon County. He is president of the Monarch Coal Company, the Big Vein Coal Company and the Fairmont- Reynoldsville Coal Company. He has acted as receiver for the Phoenix Coal Mining Company, the Blue Ridge Coal Company, the Washington Fuel Company, and has been sales

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manager of the Peacock Coal and Harrison County Coal companies, and also for the Monroe Collieries Company, in which he is still financially interested.

Mr. Howard was the first president of the Central West Virginia Coal Operators Association, subsequently succeeded by the Northern West Virginia Coal Operators Association. He was the organizer of the Clarksburg Coal Club, in which he has been active from the beginning. No operator in the Fairmont region is better or more favorably known than Daniel Howard. He is a member of the American Mining Congress, the West Virginia Coal Mining Institute and the International Railway Fuel Association. He has been a Mason for fifty years, becoming a Master Mason in the State of Kansas, and is a past master of the lodge in which he was raised. He is a member of the Knights Templar Commandery, the thirty-second degree of Scottish Rite and the Mystic Shrine. Mr. Howard is an Elk, a member of the Clarksburg Rotary Club, and is a past president of the Clarksburg Chamber of Commerce. In politics he is a republican.

January 31, 1871, he married Miss Harriet Frederick, a native of Knox County, Ohio. They were married at St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Howard traveled life's highway together for more than half a century, celebrating their golden wedding anniversary, and their union was broken by the death of Mrs. Howard almost a year later, on January 22, 1922.

There are two surviving children. Frederick Howard is superintendent of the Central Fairmont Coal Company and a resident of Clarksburg. The daughter, Mildred Howard, is the wife of Hon. Fred E. Guthrie, a prominent lawyer and banker of Marion, Ohio.

JOSEPH ALEXANDER BLANEY has been closely associated with the commercial life of Morgantown for the past ten years. He has given freely of his time and influence in the promotion of worthy civic and patriotic movements.

Mr. Blaney is a native of Pennsylvania and was born at Whitesburg, Armstrong County, December 25, 1878, son of John Alexander and Minerva (Sinclair) Blaney. His parents were also born in Armstrong County, each repre- senting a pioneer family of Western Pennsylvania. John Alexander Blaney was born on the Blaney homestead near Whitesburg in 1832, and was still living on that farm when he died December 23, 1900. While he always kept in close touch with his farm, he was for over half a century a gen- eral merchant and postmaster at Whitesburg. His wife, Minerva, was born in 1841 and died in July, 1913.

Joseph A. Blaney was born on the Blaney farm near Whitesburg, was educated in the public schools of that town and finished his education in Washington and Jeffer- son College. When he left college he entered business as a partner with his father in the store at Whitesburg. Later he spent some time in the West, and when he returned home his father offered him the complete management of the business at Whitesburg. He conducted it successfully for a number of years, and at the same time performed the duties of postmaster.

In 1901, in company with eight other business men of Kittanning, Pennsylvania, Mr. Blaney organized what was known as the Pittsburgh & New Jersey Land and Improve- ment Company. This syndicate acquired 2.200 acres of land on Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, and Mr. Blaney as secretary had charge of the enterprise and remained in New Jersey until the syndicate sold its holding. He then re- sumed merchandising at Whitesburg, and in 1912 sold his interests there and moved to Morgantown, where in 1913 he established a high class shoe business. On April 1, 1921, he retired from merchandising, having sold his store and building. For two months during the year 1921 he traveled in Ohio selling shoes to the trade, but tiring of this, he decided to again enter merchandising, and accord- ingly in March, 1922, he opened business with a full line of shoes for men, women and children, at 316 Hight Street. He has a number of other interests, including coal mining and coal land, and is a director of the Commercial Bank of Morgantown, an institution he helped organize.

Mr. Blaney is one of the prominent Masons of Morgan-

town. He is affiliated with Morgantown Union Lodg No 4. A. F. and A. M., Chapter No. 14, R. A. M., Commaier No. 18, K. T., Morgantown Lodge of Perfection ]. and has charge of the work of the eleven degrees of Schis Rite represented in this body, and is a member of est Virginia Consistory No. 1 and Osiris Temple of the Matke Shrine at Wheeling. He is a past chancellor comm de of Athens Lodge No. 36, Knights of Pythias, at Mc an town. Mr. Blaney is a member of the Chamber of om merce and St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

June 17, 1902, he married Alice Hulda Blose. Shura born at Putneyville, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania daughter of William Albert and Nancy Jane (Gram Blose. The five children of Mr. and Mrs. Blaney ar Russell Sydney, Harold, Judson Alexander, Kathryn it ginia and Kermit Blose.

FRED CHRISTIAN SCHMEICHEL. One of the largestan most prosperous houses in the downtown retail distri Wheeling represents the accumulating energy and prost it of the Schmeichel family, and in recent years Fred vi tian Schmeichel has given the name new distinction it business affairs of Morgantown, where he is a prospou furniture merchant at 129-131 Front Street.

He was born at Wheeling, September 26, 1874, sc Frederick and Louise (Ulrich) Schmeichel. The 18 ness community of Wheeling has always had a great e of respect for Frederick Schmeichel, not only because the extent of the business he has developed, but also his personal character. He was born at Graudez in e Prussia April 9, 1841, son of Michael and Emelia (Wer Schmeichel, natives of the same province. Michael w wagonmaker by trade, though most of his life was ! as a farmer, and he and his wife lived out their in Germany and were devout members of the Lutta Church. Frederick Schmeichel after completing his conje school education learned the cabinet making trade. E landed at the Port of New York March 3, 1870, :b a voyage of fourteen days. He went direct to Wheel and for about five months was employed as a call maker, then did stair building and general carpenter until 1873, in which year he started the foundation the splendid business of which he is now head. His modest stock of furniture was opened in a small s little better than a shanty, on Market Street in Wheel Nearly all the goods he sold were made in his own :) and these goods had a substantial quality that attra patronage, and consequently the prosperity of the h increased from year to year. He always remained at) old location, but successively tore down and built one after another, each larger than the preceding, until in he completed a four story and basement brick build sufficient to accommodate the great and varied stocl furniture and house furnishing goods carried. Frede Schmeichel did business under his own name until 1 when he formed the firm of F. Schmeichel & Son, his : ciate being Fred C. In 1909 the business was incorpor as F. Schmeichel & Son Company, and that is the pre title of the firm. All the stock is owned by the far Frederick Schmeichel is president, his wife is vice p dent, and the son Edward is secretary and manager. house is the oldest in its line in the City of Whee. Frederick Schmeichel has been interested financially i number of enterprises and is thoroughly public spir. He is a member of St. John's Evangelical Church, and been president, vice president and is still a director of congregation.

At Wheeling November 27, 1873, Frederick Schmei married Louise Ulrich. She was born in Hanover, many, February 24, 1851, daughter of Henry Chris and Ludowicke (Brandt) Ulrich, natives of Hanover, w) both of them lived out their lives, her father bein veterinary surgeon in the service of the German Gov ment. Of the eight children of Frederick Schmeichel wife, Fred Christian is the oldest. Ludowicke, born Wheeling July 12, 1876, is unmarried. Harry, born Wheeling August 4, 1878, is associated with his fath business and by his marriage to Jennie Vaas, of Wheel

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four children, named Caroline, Marie (who died in Ley), Harry Jr., and Eugene. Arthur Schmeichel, born hceling February 11, 1880, is also in the store, and ud his wife, Anna, have a daughter, Leota. Marie, m at Wheeling June 25, 1883, is the wife of Curtis Whardt, and they live at Pittsburgh. Edward, born June [1886, is now manager of the business at Wheeling, Wied Emma Guth and they have a son, Edward, Jr. MY, born June 14, 1888, is also in the Wheeling busi- # and married Emelia Bishop. The youngest child, HIrt, born August 5, 1891, died in infancy.

Ted Christian Schmeichel, who was born at Wheeling member 26, 1874, was educated in the public schools of mative city and graduated from the Frazier Business o ge in 1887. His early training in commercial lines a' received as clerk in a retail grocery store of his ., H. F. Behrens, with whom be worked about six a.s. He then joined his father in the furniture store, a; when the business was incorporated he became store Lager, a post of duty he held until January 1, 1911, ang the satisfaction of seeing the enterprise greatly d'nd during that period of about fifteen years. 1n 9 he joined the Palace Furniture Store at Wheeling, o in August, 1913, came to Morgantown and bought u furniture business of F. A. Hennen at 129-131 Front t'et. This was then a small and unpretentious estab- suent, and needed just the energizing spirit and broad Difications of Mr. Schmeichel as a merchant to give it progress and prosperity it has since enjoyed. In 1916 [ Schmeichel remodeled the store, building a three story rk addition, and now carries a stock five times greater hi when he took charge, and the volume of business increased fully six fold. At Morgantown Mr. eneichel has made himself an interested factor in com- nity affairs, is a charter member of the Morgantown hry Club, a member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Irch, and a member of Morgantown Lodge No. 411, evolcat and Protective Order of Elks. In Masonry he Affiliated with Ohio Lodge No. 1, A. F. and A. M., at Feeling, Wheeling Consistory No. 1 of the Scottish Rite, charter member of the Lodge of Perfection at Morgan- tn, a member of Osiris Temple of the Mystic Shrine r is a past grand patron of the Eastern Star of West ginia and a member of the White Shrine at Wheeling. October, 1921, he received the K. C. C. H. degree. He Iso a past master of Ohio Valley Lodge No. 30, Knights Pythias, at Wheeling.

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History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 2, Part 143

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