History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 2, Part 156

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natives of Wayne County. Mr. Ferguson is with the I uova, West Virginia, shops of the Baltimore & Ohio Ra road. Sheriff and Mrs. Bromfield have five childr namely : Wetzel, Carlton, Pat, Jewell and L. K. ] family belong to the Baptist Church. Fraternally maintains membership with the Knights of Pythias, In pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of 1 World. He is very proud of his family, which comes old Virginia stock, of Irish descent.

HEZEKIAH ADKINS. Wayne County afferds a number examples of self-reliant men, who entirely through th own exertions and ability have risen to positions of tri and responsibility in their community, and nene is mo worthy of mention than that afforded by the career Hezekiah Adkins, county clerk of Wayne County and man who during the many years he has been before ti public has displayed a willingness to render the best servi in his power, and to safeguard the interests of the t payers.

Mr. Adkins comes of old Virginia stock, of Scotch a Irish descent, and was born in Cabell County, West V ginia, July 13, 1867, a son of Jesse and Elizabeth (Stanle Adkins, both natives of West Virginia. Jesse Adkins w a farmer and blacksmith, and followed beth occupations Cabell and Wayne counties. During the war between t two sections of the country he served in the Union arn under Colonel Mimmis, of Kentucky, and probably was a Kentucky regiment. He followed his trade while in t service, and while under orders helping to move a push be. that was being repaired he was caught and his foot a: the lower part of his leg were crushed, resulting in his bei permanently crippled. Through some mistake he did n receive his discharge from the army until 1896, when he a plied to Washington fer a pension, at which time this ove sight was discovered. When the matter was looked up was given an honorable discharge. His death occurred Wayne County in 1900.

Hezekiah Adkins was reared in Cabell and Wayne cou ties, and attended their public schools, but not after : passed his eighteenth birthday, fer he then began surveyil with his uncle, Winchester Adkins, with whom he learn to be an expert, and for twenty-seven years followed general surveying business, during this time serving : county surveyor for four years, 1896-1900, and for t] entire period also conducting his farm in Wayne Count In 1900 he was appointed deputy sheriff, which office ] hield until 1904, when he was made county engineer. ] 1911 Mr. Adkins was appointed assistant clerk of tl Circuit Court, later was made assistant clerk of Wayı County, and in 1920 was elected county clerk of the count and took office in January, 1921. During his long publ service he has constantly proved his fidelity to high stan ards, and his service has been entirely satisfactory in ever respect.

On February 25, 1886, Mr. Adkins married Fleric Adkins, a daughter of Jacob and Eliza Adkins, farmil people. Mr. and Mrs. Adkins became the parents of tl following children: Eliza, whe married M. J. Mills, ( Kenova, West Virginia, has the following children, Armild Florida, Wilson and Varney; Pleasant, whe married Mi Frankie Bing, of Wayne, has three children, Bessie, Mert: and Jay; Jesse, who is deputy county clerk, married Mi: Ruby Gose, of Wayne, and they have two children, Rut and Heward; Strawther, whe married Miss Blanch Ten has five children, Virginia, Hazel, Bernard, Beldon an Elouise; Cassie, who married Alden Tony, of Wayne, ha five children, Clyde, A. G., Louise, Nann and Arma; Cero: whe is at school at Valparaiso, Indiana, enlisted for servic during the late war from a schoel he was attending : Berea, Kentucky, but the armistice was signed before } was sent overseas; and Raleigh, Paris, Wiley, Ashbur. Mable and Hezekiah, who are at home; and one who : deceased. Mr. Adkins is not connected with any religiot organization, but his wife is a member of the Unite Baptist Church, and Cassie, Paris and Ashbury belong t the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Fraternally M Adkins maintains membership with the Masens, in whic

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ber he has been advanced through the Chapter, and with Knights of Pythias. It has been the rule of his life bilo well whatever came to his hand, and this policy has rulted in his advancement and enrollment in the con- linee of his fellow citizens.

THOMAS MARTIN TURNER has been an energetic factor the business life of Martinsburg for a long period of urs, and represents one of the oldest families in the East- Fı Panhandle of West Virginia.

He was born on a farm seven miles southwest of Charles wn, in Jefferson County, and is a direct descendant of omas Turner, a native of Wales, a stanch Royalist who out the time of Charles I fled from England to the Ameri- a colonies and eventually settled in the western wilds of rginia, in what is now Jefferson County, West Virginia. had three sons, nnd some of his land was inherited by , son Anthony Thomas, who was born in Virginia. The It generation was represented by Thomas Turner, grand- ther of Thomas Martin Turner. This Thomns Turner is born in the same locality as his father, inherited some the old homestead, operated with slave labor and spent I hia life on the farm. He married Nancy Rush, a native England or of English parentage. They reared five ns nnd two daughters, named Anthony, Ehud, Robert, hn, Thomas, Jane and Ann.

Of these Anthony Turner was born at the old homestead tree and a half miles west of Shepherdstown, and was neteen years of age when his father died, at which time e left school to superintend the farm. When the estate aa gold he bought a place southwest of Charles Town, here his son Thomas M. was born. This farm was sold 1 1868, and he then removed to Martinsburg, where he ontinued in business a number of years and died April 27, 897, aged eighty years twenty-seven days. His wife was larrict Pitzer, who was born southwest of Martinsburg, in Berkeley County, daughter of Martin and Rachel (Bowers) 'itzer, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter f Berkeley County. Harriet Turner died in 1882, the mother of eight children: Rachel Ann, who married James . Smith; Mrs. Ella Rose Brillhart; Downie V., who be- ame the wife of John H. Carothers; Thomas Martin ; ames; A. D .; William L. H .; and George W. The father f these children was always deeply interested in educational ffairs, served as a school commissioner, was a atanch whig nd Union man and later a republican, and a member of he Presbyterian Church.

Thomas Martin Turner acquired a good public school ducation during his youth, and at the age of seventeen he egan his apprenticeship at the marble cutter's trade. ifter his apprenticeship he worked as a journeyman five ears, and then for two years was a partner in marble works at Martinsburg. Having sold out to his partner he emoved to Cincinnati, but after eight months of employ- ment there returned and bought his present business and till continues the marble works as his chief intercat.

At the age of twenty-seven Mr. Turner married Miss Ella IcElroy, who was born at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, aughter of William and Emily McElroy. Mrs. Turner died a 1911. Mr. Turner is affiliated with Equality Lodge No. 4, A. F. and A. M., Lebanon Chapter No. 2, R. A. M., Palestine Commandery No. 2, K. T., and was created a Toble of the Mystic Shrine October 16, 1912, in Osiris Tem- le at Wheeling. He is a past grand high priest of the Frand Royal Arch Chapter of West Virginia, a past emi- ent commander of Palestine Commandery, and has served s high priest of the Most Excellent Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in West Virginia. Mr. 'urner has been a faithful member of the Methodist Epis- opal Church since 1876, and has filled the offices of stew- rd and trustee and has been a member of the choir sinee 874.

CHARLES W. EDELEN, though member of one of the Idest and most substantial agricultural families of Wood ounty, left the farm in young manhood and chose the ommercial field. For thirty years or more he has been

prominent aa n hardware merchant, banker, and in other lines of business at Parkersburg.

His nneestor and one of the pioneera of Wood County was Robert Edelen, a farmer who located on Washington Bottom, opposite Blennerhnsset Island. Besidea several daughtera he and his wife hnd two sons, Benjamin and John. The aon John married Mary Tims, and one of their children is William Tims Edelen of Parkersburg.

Benjamin Edelen married Susan Clark nnd fell heir to the old Edelen homestead at the upper end of Washington Bottom, where he lived and practiced the arts of farm husbandry throughout his life. Ilis children, all born in the old homestead and all now deceased, were: Sarah, Mrs. Eliaa Booher; Annn, Mrs. Frank Miller; Delos Marcellus; and Stephen Wallace.

Delos Marcellua Edelen was born November 22, 1836. He had the advantages of the farm youth of his period, and practically his entire career waa devoted to farming, though for a short time he was a merchant at Lubeck. During the Civil war he was an avowed Confederate in sympathies, was a reserve officer and trained men for the army. 1Ie died June 14, 1887. Ilis life was one of useful effort, and he was well known and respected for his sterling honesty and integrity. He married Elizabeth Smith, whose father, Robert Smith, was also an old time citizen of Wood County. She died January 24, 1913. Of her four children two died in infancy and those surviving are Charles W. and Sarah L.

Charles W. Edelen was born in the same locality as his father and grandfather, on June 13, 1865. He acquired his education there, fitted himself for farm duties, but the year following his father's death moved into Parkersburg and began work as a clerk in the hardware store of W. H. Smith Hardware Company. He has been continuously identified with that business ever since and is now vice president and manager of the corporation, one of the leading hardware houses of the city. Mr. Edelen is also vice president of the Parkersburg Transfer & Storage Com- pany, is vice president of the Union Merchandise Company, a director of the Central Bank & Trust Company and director of the Exchange Building Association. Mr. Edelen has been a faithful member of St. Paul'a Methodist Epia. copal Church, South, for thirty years, is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and is a democrat.

April 11, 1889, he married Lena L. Leachman. She died in January, 1910. October 13, 1919, he married Miss Ruth Kilton Caldwell. Mr. Edelen by his first marriage had seven children: Barbara, wife of Fred Perkins; Charles Brooks, living in Cleveland, Ohio; John Richard; Eugene Elliott; Rama May, a student in Ohio State University ; Elizabeth; and Isabel.

Three of his sons had army records. Charles Brooks was in the nviation service ns an instructor at Grand Rapids, Michigan. John Richard enlisted before he was twenty-one in the hospital branch, was promoted from time to time, became pharmacist's mate in the navy, and most of his time was spent overseas. He had charge of the pharmaceutical department of the fleet that laid the mines for the allies in the North Sea. He is still in the navy, and is stationed in France (1921) in government work. The third son, Eugene Elliott, was born March 18, 1899, and was barely eighteen when he enlisted, being assigned to the medical department of the navy. He made fourteen trips across the ocean on vessels convoying troops. He is now in the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company. and is stationed at Dayton, Ohio.

WILLIAM J. DAVIDSON, M. D. West Virginia lost one of its ablest surgeons in the death of William J. David- son of Parkersburg. Highly skilled in that branch of his profession, Dr. Davidson used his talents for the benefit of humanity. His was a professional career singularly dedicated to service. While he was the last of this branch of the family, there were hundreda and perhaps thousands who mourned his untimely death as a personal and irrepa- rable loss.

His father, Curtis Davidson, was born in Taylor County,

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West Virginia, in 1837, and spent his entire life there, dying in 1904, at the age of sixty-seven. Against adverso conditions he achieved honor and success, growing up on his father's farm, acquiring a common school education, and as a young man teaching in district school. In a community where partisanship divided neighbors and rel- atives against each other, at the time of the war he espoused the Union eanse and became a private in Company C of the Third Virginia Volunteer Infantry. He rose to the rank of lientenant and was a captain when the war closed. He was in some of the great battles and campaigns of the struggle. After the war he resumed farming in Taylor County. He married Abbie Fleming, daughter of Maj. J. C. Fleming. Their three children were: William J .; John N., who died June 13, 1899; and Lucy, who died in infancy.

William J. Davidson was born on the home farm in Flemington May 29, 1867. He attended the public schools and West Virginia College at Flemington. He had the routine of a farm experience, and left the farm to form a partnership with his cousin, J. W. Davidson, the firm W. J. and J. W. Davidson conducting a mercantile estab- lishment at Webster in Taylor County. Two years later their stock was removed to Flemington and consolidated with another business, subsequently conducted as H. P. Davidson & Company. William J. Davidson after about a year of experience as a merchant determined to prepare himself for a medical career, and at the age of twenty- two entered Louisville Medical College, graduating three years later. He also attended the Atlanta Medical College and for two years was in the New York Polyclinic, the greater part of that time being house surgeon of the Polyelinie Hospital. For a year he was special assistant to Dr. John F. Wyeth, founder and president of the New York Polyelinie Hospital. In 1898 Doctor Davidson began his professional work at Parkersburg, and some five years later went abroad and supplemented his personal skill and experience in surgery by attending instruction and elinies conducted by famous English surgeons of London, and also traveled widely over the Continent. Doctor Davidson was chief surgeon of St. Joseph's Hospital at Parkers- burg, and few surgeons had such uniform success in their practice. He was a member of the American Medical Association, the County and State Medical societies, and Governor Hatfield appointed him a member of the Public Health Council of the state, in which department he served from April 1, 1913, to June 30, 1917. Governor E. F. Morgan again appointed him for a term of four years, beginning July 1, 1921. Governor Cornwall made him a member of "the court of last resort," whose chief function was to determine questions affecting men in the draft during the World war. Doetor Davidson was a thirty- second degree Scottish Rite Mason, a member of Nemesis Temple of the Mystic Shrine, but social organizations and activities could count on only a nominal participation from a man so thoroughly devoted to his professional work. He was unmarried. Perhaps the one hobby he indulged was the collection of weapons, ancient and modern, from all lands, and he spent much time and money in accumulat- ing an arsenal said to be the finest collection of the kind in West Virginia.

Doetor Davidson was in the full tide of his working strength and efficiency when, following a visit to his old home in Taylor County and what he regarded as an in- significant bruise on a finger, blood poison set in, and in spite of all specialists could do he died at Parkersburg July 13, 1921. His was a life that touched and benefitted the entire community, and for that reason it thoroughly deserved the praise and tribute bestowed in the words of the following editorial taken from the Parkersburg News:

"Big of heart, big of body, big of brain, benevolent and beloved, possessing that rarest of all gifts, personality, Dr. William Johnston Davidson, one of the princes of the earth, an idol of the people of Parkersburg and for miles around on both sides of the Ohio River, has passed on to that 'bourne from which no traveler returneth,' and in his passing this city and the profession of which he

was an honored member sustains a loss that will be le ing through all time.

"Not only will residents in the upper walks of ] miss Dr. Davidson because of his association, but the ] will be particularly heavy on those in the lower classes, whom he ministered in his profession. None were too low for him to attend, and his deeds of benevolence and go ness, of which few knew, run into thousands of cases which the persons cared for owe their lives and heal to his ministrations.

"Doctor Davidson was an idealist with a philanthro mind. When known he impressed his friends with havi the ability to give life and pay any price to do this de for the benefit of humanity. The impression would a be given that he was too thorough to be far wrong in a premise, and too fundamentally truthful to deceive oth or himself.

"No review of his splendid life will be attempted he, It would not be possible, justly, to appreciate the achie" ments in charitable aid to suffering humanity which t. man gave. But knowledge of his good Samaritanism embalmed in the hearts of the people of this commun. and will live forever."

HON. WILLIAM SCOTT JOHN. Quoting a recent editor in the Wheeling Intelligencer, "Mr. John is one of t younger men who have come conspicuously to the fro in the public affairs of this state. A native of W. Virginia, educated in the state and familiar with many its publie questions, he has rendered very conspicuous ser- ice and has made a record for clear thinking, earne endeavor and sincere purpose. In the two sessions the Legislature in which Mr. John has served, he was o of the most valuable members of the House of Delegat not only on account of his intelligence and industry, b, also on account of his high conception of publie duty a: his clear understanding of economie questions. In t passage of a number of bills of particular value to t' whole people of West Virginia, Mr. John contribut perhaps more than any other member of the last two le islative sessions."

Mr. John represents an old family of Monongalia Count He was born in Cass District of that county, Janua 10, 1878, son of Lemuel N. and Julia A. (Boyers) Joh His mother was born in Grant District of that conn in 1843, daughter of Morgan L. Boyers. The patern grandfather was Thomas John, likewise a native of Mono galia County. Lemuel John and wife have been substa tial farming people in Monongalia County all their live Lemuel was born in Union District May 5, 1843, and ] and his wife still live on their farm, at the age of sevent eight.

William Scott John graduated A. B. from the Universit of West Virginia in 1900, received his LL. B. degree wit the class of 1902, and during 1902-03, while starting h practice at Morgantown, was also an instructor in law : the university. During the past fifteen years he has bec rated as one of the ablest members of the Morgantow bar, and is also extensively interested in agriculture an in coal production.

Mr. John served as assistant clerk of the West Virgini Supreme Court of Appeals during 1903-05. He was electe a member of the West Virginia Legislature in 1916, an was re-elected in 1918, on the republican ticket. He wa minority floor leader in the session of 1917, and wa majority floor leader in 1919. He was a member of th committees of the judiciary, railroads, privileges and eler tions and Virginia debt. He was author of the bill er acted by the Legislature in May, 1917, noted as the firs compulsory work law in America. Many other states dus ing the war followed the example of West Virginia i this legislation. He was also author of House Bill Nc 104, enacted by the Legislature in February, 1919, makin, it unlawful to display any red flag or other emblem hostil to the constitution and laws of the state or the Unite States. He also introduced and sponsored House Bil No. 59, known as the "Steptoe" Gas Bill, based on th principle that the state has the right to control her natura

Femandler

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pources in the interests of her citizens and extending ut power of the Public Service Commission to fix rates & other regulations to comply with this principle. Per- hua the measure most prominently associated with him is Bise Bill No. 30, which levies a privilege tax on all mural gas companies. He was the leader in promoting A measure through the regular and extra aessions of N Legislature, and his leadership in the House was Irgely responsible for ita passage. The validity of this Ir has since been tested in the State Supreme Court of Apeals. Mr. John was chosen as special counsel for the s te in defending the constitutionality of the "Steptoe" g: act before the United States Supreme Court, where t case was still pending in the summer of 1921. In 220 Mr. John was a candidate for Congress from the Fond District of West Virginia, but was not elected, this bag his first campaign for the office.

During the World war Mr. John was chairman of the Ezakera Bureau for Monongalia County, and waa county tirman for the Third Liberty Loan drive. For a number years he served as city solicitor of Morgantown. He president and a director of the Mapleton Coal Com- ny, director and secretary of the Rosedale Coal Company d also of the Blue Flauie Fuel Company. For the past 1 years he has been secretary of the Morgantown Dis- ct School Board, is a member of the County and State ur associations, belongs to the Old Colony Club, a tional organization, and is a member of Morgantown aion Lodge No. 4. A. F. and A. M. He is a Presbyterian. ecember 17, 1902, Mr. John married Mary Estelle Cox, tughter of Dr. James A. Cox of Morgantown.

LEWIS NATHAN. Parkersburg honora the name of athan beeause of its long association with the mercantile isincas and also because of the integrity and generosity at have been consistent faets in the character of the amily.

The late Lewis Nathan was one of the city's most suc- :ssful merchants, and fully earned the fine esteem he ijoyed. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, son of aac Nathan, a native of England. When about twelve ars of age Lewis Nathan went to Wheeling, West Vir- inia, and for several years was employed as a elerk in the othing store of Stein Brothers, his relatives. In the early SOs Stein Brothers sent him to Parkersburg to establish braneh store. Parkersburg was then without a railroad, nd this section of country was still part of old Virginia. fter a year or so Lewis Nathan sold the business at arkersburg and returned to Wheeling, later condueted a ore at Washington, D. C., but in the early '60s returned Parkersburg permanently. From that time forward be as in the retail elothing and shoe business until his re- rement. He was a man of marked individuality in his ersonal characteristies, but these never detracted from is business integrity, his honesty and his influence as a pod citizen. He possessed high ideals, and life meant ore to him than an opportunity for material gain. Above l be appreciated his American citizenship and taught his hildren to honor and respeet their birthright. In raee he as a Jew, but was liberal and tolerant of other religions, as charitable and contributed without ostentation to many jeets. He died November 1, 1914, preceded by his wife any years. Her maiden name was Franees Davis. Of leir children, Ben, Samuel and Clara. the only one now ving is Ben Nathan.

Mr. Ben Nathan, a Parkersburg merchant, was born in at city August 13, 1866. Aa a boy he learned the trade printer, but practically all his adult years have been evoted to merchandising. He is a member of the Mod- n Woodmen of America, the B'Nai B'Rith, and while enerally registered as a democrat gives his support inde- endently to men and measures. In March, 1902, be arried Miss Julia Newberger. Their three children are rances N., Carlyn and Ruth. Mrs. Nathan is a daughter Samuel Newberger, a veteran Parkersburg citizen, whose treer is sketched elsewhere.

SAMUEL NEWBERGER is one of the few men still living before whose eyes has been enrolled the panorama of Parkersburg's growth and progress through a period of nearly seventy years.

He was born at Shoaningen on the River Main in Ba- varia, Germany, February 6, 1835. He was just past fifteen years of age when he left home and native laad to cross the Atlantic, the sailing vessel requiring forty-five days to make the voyage. In Baltimore he found em- ployment in the clothing store conducted by an old friend and former teacher in Germany. Mr. Newberger eame to Parkersburg in July, 1853. His residence has been con- tinuous since that date. Not more than 1,200 people lived in the community when he came, and the town had no railroad connection with the outside world until 1857. So far as he ean ascertain only two other people are now living who were in the city when he arrived. He has won his prosperity here and baa in return given loyally of bis time and means and influence to the community welfare. Several times he was elected a member of the city eouneil, served as treasurer of the school board, and during the Civil war was a lieutenant in the Home Guards. He was one of the first to go to Burning Springs when oil was discovered there in 1861, and the capital and enterprise he put into that business identify him with the pioneer oil production in the state. In 1866 he and his partner brought in a well which produced 1,000 barrels a day. More remarkable still, this well is still flowing with oil, and when at its apex it was one of the heaviest producers in the state.

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History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 2, Part 156

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