History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 2, Part 157

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Mr. Newberger is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being affiliated with Mount Olivet Lodge No. 3. This was organized when West Virginia was part of the Old Dominion, and under the old state was No. 113.

In September, 1861, Mr. Newberger married Dora Keller. Of their seven children six are living: Sallie, wife of Levi Rosenbaum, of Easton, Pennsylvania; Harry; Meyer; Hannah, Mrs. B. S. Leopold, of Fairmont, West Virginia; George; and Julia, wife of Ben Nathan, of Parkersburg. The sons Meyer and George are residents of Los Angeles.

FRANK VERNON ALER. A successful corporation lawyer must not only be an alert and broad member of his profes- sion, but a keen and far-seeing business man. His is pre- eminently the domain of practical law, in which solid logie and hard faet, fertility of resouree and vigor of professional treatment are generally relied upon in preference to the graces of oratory and ingenious theorizing. When to these qualities are added oratorical powers, and the humor, gen- iality and unfailing courtesy of a gentleman, the main traits have been set forth of the prominent corporation lawyer, Frank Vernon Aler, of Martinsburg.

Mr. Aler was born at Martinsburg, Berkeley County, West Virginia. April 29, 1868, and is a son ef Samuel and Eliza- beth Virginia (Coomes) Aler. His father was born Feb- ruary 11, 1828, in Maryland, and after acquiring a good literary education was thoroughly trained as a meehanie and draftsman and became an expert in these lines. When still comparatively a young man he entered the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company during the time of that railroad's construction, and was a close friend and associate of John W. Garrett. At the breaking out of the war between the states Mr. Aler was placed in charge of the United States Government arsenal at Harpers Ferry. and was subsequently identified with the Quartermaster's Department. While thus occupied with his duties on one occasion he was detailed to go to Frederick. Maryland, to dismantle several locomotives that were in danger of cap- ture by the Confederate forees in the locality, and this feat he accomplished, he and his men working under cover of darkness, taking the locomotives apart and secreting the numerona parts. Following the elose of the four-year strug- gle he settled down at Martinsburg, where he became as- sistant master mechanic for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. In 1891 United States Senator Stephen B. Elkins, then secretary of war, secured Mr. Aler a position in the United

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States Navy department, and he moved to Washington, D. C., where he was living at the time of his death. Im- mediately upon receipt of the news of the Johnstown flood Mr. Aler rushed to the Bridge at Harpers Ferry several locomotives, the combined weight of which probably saved the bridge from being swept away by the rushing flood waters. Mr. Aler held his position at Washington until he reached the age of eighty-six years, at which time be re- signed, and died in the next year, a man greatly respected and esteemed by all who knew him. He married Elizabeth Virginia Coomes, a native of Virginia and a lineal descend- ant of Capt. William Richardson, a master mariner of the merchant marine service who located in Maryland in Lord Baltimore's time. Her parents moved from Virginia to Maryland and spent their last days at Gaithersburg. Mrs. Aler survived her husband two years, and was eighty-seven years of age at the time of her demise. She and Mr. Aler reared eight children: Charles Edwin, Anna Madora, Lil- lie Virginia, Ida Summers, Samuel E., Frank Vernon, Royal W. and Walter Marvin.

At the age of twelve years Frank Vernon Aler left the public schools to commence an apprenticeship to the trade of printer in the office of the Martinsburg Independent, which was published at that time by J. Nelson Wisner. On the completion of his apprenticeship he entered the office of Senator Charles J. Faulkner and studied law for two years, partly under the preceptorship of Judge Daniel B. Lucas. At the age of twenty-two years he took the exam- mation before the Supreme Court of Appeals, in open court, and was admitted to practice, at that time forming a partnership with his former preceptor, Judge Lucas, an association which continued for fifteen years, during which time the combination was looked upou as one of the strong- est in this part of the state. Since then Mr. Aler has been engaged in practice alone at Martinsburg, where he con- fines himself to the practice of corporation law. He has personally represented a number of large interests in im- portant litigation during the past few years, and is an ac- tive and successful practitioner. His practice has covered a wide range and he has a brilliant record as a trial lawyer, but his constructive ability, as shown by the various orga- nizations and reorganizations with which he has been con- neeted, has won for him a still higher place in the esteem and confidence of his clients. He has promoted and financed industries representing $12,000,000, and in 1921 accepted a case involving the organization of a concern with $5,000,000 capital. He practices in the Circuit and Federal Courts of various states and in the Supreme Court of the United States, the highest tribune.

Mr. Aler's large and important practice makes him a very busy man, but he is something more than a profes- sional drudge, for he has several side interests that oc- casionally take his attention away from the serious busi- ness of law. In his home community of Martinsburg he is known as a horticulturist of something more than amateur ability, a producer of apples from his orehard on his country estate, and a thoroughly learned breeder of Scotch collie dogs. He is a valued member of the West Vir- ginia State Historical and Antiquarian Society, and that he was possessed of a facile and trenchant pen even in his younger days is shown in the fact that in 1888 be published Aler's History of Berkeley County, which is a recognized authority on the early history of the county.

EDWIN A. BRAST. As hotel manager, banker and pub- lisher Edwin A. Brast has had a conspicuous part in the affairs of Parkersburg for many years. It is especially in- teresting to note that he represents the third generation of the Brast family in the hotel business in West Virginia. Mr. Brast is a native of Ohio, born at Powhattan Point in Belmont County September 11, 1872, son of William T. and Syvilia (Boger) Brast, the former a native of West Virginia and the latter of Ohio. His grandfather, Michael Brast, was born in Switzerland, came to the United States when a young man, and for some years followed farming in Ohio and West Virginia. In 1875 he moved to New Martinsville, West Virginia, where he

founded and operated the Brast Hotel. He lived at law Martinsville the rest of his life.

Of his eight children William T. Brast was the forth in age, the others being August, Amos, Edward, Ja b. Michael, Katherine and Charles. Reared in Ohio, he Id two brothers, August and Edward, who were Union il. diers in the Civil war. William T. Brast went to lt Martinsville with his parents in 1875, learned the blk. smith's trade and operated a blacksmith's shop and had- ware store at New Martinsville several years. He also or some years was associated with his father in the hel business, and at the death of his father operated the B st Hotel at New Martinsville. He acquired some extenve lumber interests, and it was later that he succeeded is father as manager of the Brast Hotel at New Mart 8- ville. His last years were spent at Parkersburg, wice he became well known and where he died in 1916.

Edwin A. Brast was one of the three children of is parents. He was an infant when the family moved to I w Martinsville, where he grew up and acquired his puic school education. In the Wheeling Business College ie learned shorthand, and for a time acted as official ect reporter of the Fourth Judicial Circuit. Mr. Brast s been a resident of Parkersburg for the past quarter o's century. Here be utilized his early training and mana d the Blennerhasset Hotel until 1903. In that year he lead and has since operated the Chancellor Hotel, and is pri- dent of the Bank Block Investment Company, which Ovs this high class hostelry.

Mr. Brast for several years was a stockholder in e State Journal of Parkersburg. Later the Parkersbig Publishing Company took over both the Journal and e News, and after the consolidation continued the bugins as the Parkersburg News. Mr. Brast for five years 18 been a stockbolder in that paper and in 1920 became pre- dent of the Parkersburg Publishing Company. In 19 he organized the brokerage firm of E. A. Brast & Cc- pany, of which he is president, and among other busin 3 interests he is a director in the Parkersburg National sl the Citizens National Bank.

Mr. Brast has used his business opportunities with eeptional skill and good judgment, and in his varied bu ness enterprises has always been mindful of the best int ests of the community. He is a republican in polit and has always been a regular party man.

HENRY HAMILTON DILS. In the commercial life Parkersburg three men named Henry Hamilton Dils hs successively figured as leading merchants and highly c tured and influential citizens.

The first of the name came to Parkersburg many year ago, establishing here his home and family. He marri Ann Logan. Among his children was Henry Hamilt Dils second, who was reared in Parkersburg from boyho and learned the practical side of business as clerk in general store. At the age of twenty he joined Dav Broughton and entered the dry goods and notions bu ness. The firm of Broughton & Dils continued abo three years, until the death of Mr. Broughton, when } interests were acquired by Jacob Mckinney. The fir of MeKinney & Dils was in existence until the death Mr. Dils in 1895.

He was succeeded by Henry Hamilton Dils, third, w) remained a partner in this business until 1900. when ] sold out to Mr. MeKinney. In the same year Mrs. H. ] Dils, second, and her two sons organized the present fir of Dils Brothers & Company, and this is one of the firn enjoying a large share of the business in 'Parkersburg t day. Mrs. Dils, one of the firm, died in 1903. Hem Hamilton Dils, second, is recalled as one of the best : Parkersburg citizenship. He was a good merchant, ar his interests outside of his business made for progress an betterment. He was an advocate of the temperance cau: and was one of the principal mainstays of the old prohib tion party in this locality, seeing that the party was repr sented by a ticket in elections. He was also one of th earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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Henry Hamilton Dila, third, was boru at Parkersburg, .pril 6, 1876, and received a public school education. after leaving school he was a clerk with the Parkereburg "entinel and the Parkersburg National Bank until he left be hank to take up the business of his father at the lat- er's death. He was thea only nineteen. Ho has been na of the city's merchants now for a quarter of a century nd is president of Dila Brothers & Company, and also a irector of the First National Bank. He is a member of he Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, a director in the Y. M. C. A., and a member of the Methodist Church.

February 28, 1912, he married Edna Cook, youngest aughter of Spencer and Florida (Neal) Cook, both of whom represented old time families in this section of West Virginia. Henry Hamilton Dils and wife have two chil- tren: Henry H., fourth, and Samuel Spencer.

The younger brother, Samuel M. Dils, who is secretary nd treasurer of Dila Brothers & Company, was born June 0, 187S. He graduated from the Parkersburg High school, attended Washington and Jefferson College, and ince then has been identified with the business at Parkers- urg and in later years has given much of his attention to ruit growing, especially in the Panhandle section of the tate. He owng two farms, with about 25,000 trees. He vas organizer and is now president of the local Kiwanis Job. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, and a mem- er of Nemesis Temple of the Mystic Shrine and of the Methodist Church.

JAMES B. CLINTON, M. D., was an early volunteer for service in connection with the nation's participation in the World war, and his initial work in his profession was with the Medical Corps of the British Royal Army. He lived ip to the full tension of the great conflict and made a record that shall ever reflect honor upon his name. He has been engaged in the practice of his profession at Fair- nont, Marion County, since the autumn of 1919.

Doctor Clinton was born in Scotland, November 2, 1888, and is a son of John and Christina (Mason) Clinton, the former of whom was born in Ireland, in 1853, and the latter in Scotland, in 1851. John Clinton became a deep- sea fisherman in his native land, where he remained until 1889, when he came to the United States. In 1893 he re- turned to Ireland, and two years later, on coming again to the United States he was accompanied by his family and bere he continued his residence more than forty years, having recently returned to Ireland, where he expects to pass the remainder of his life. His wife died in 1914. Mrs. Clinton was a daughter of John Mason, who was a native of Scotland and who came to the United States in 1848, he having been one of the argonauts in the Cali- fornia gold fields in 1849. His brother James served as colonel of a New York regiment in the Civil war, and two sons of Colonel Mason were killed in battle while likewise serving ag gallant soldiers of the Union.

Dr. James B. Clinton received his preliminary educa- tion in the public schools of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, and in 1908 he entered Geneva College, at Geneva, New York, where he continued his studiea two years. He then, in 1910, entered famous old Jefferson Medical College in the City of Philadelphia, and in the same he was gradu- ated in 1916, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Thereafter he gave nearly two years of service aa an in- terne in the hospital of Jefferson Medical College and in other Philadelphia hospitals. He thus had not engaged in independent practice at the time when the nation became involved in the World war. In April, 1917, the month that the United States entered the war, Doctor Clinton applied for a commission in the Medical Corps of the United States Army, and in the following month he was commissioned first lieutenant and immediately was assigned to duty overseas. He crossed the Atlantic in August of that year and was given assignment to the Medical Corps of the British Royal Army. From September 3 to De- cember 24. 1917, he was in service at the Base Hospital st Norwich, England, and on the 26th of December he received sailing orders and proceeded to France. On New Year's day of 1918 he was in the trenches. In France he

was attached to the First Cambridgeshires, recruited from Cambridge University, and with this unit he was in active service eighteen months. He was almost continuously at the front, was prosent at nine major battles, went "over the top" five times, was five times knocked down by shell concussion, and for two hours was held a German prisoner. lle was at Peronne during the great battle at that point; during the "big push" of 1918 was before Ypres and, later, Albert, at the crucial period of that great drive. lle served in support of the French at Montdidier, and was in the great retreat of the British and French armies before the German drive of 1918. In August of that year he was sent with his regiment to the Somme to prepare for the drive that was destined to end the war. October 11, 1918, he was on the "Hindenburg Line," near the Canal du Nord, where he first came in contact with the fighting units of the American Expeditionary Forces. Later he was sent back to Vimy Ridge, and he was at Mong when the historic armistice was signed.

In April, 1918, at the battle of Voomerzelle, Lieutenant Clinton was awarded the British military cross, a decora- tion for which only commissioned officers are eligible. Later he received two citations, and September 14, 1918, at the Somme, he again won the British military cross, at that time as a captain. On March 23, 1919, Captain Clinton was formally decorated at Buckingham Palace, by King George, he having been the first American to win twice the British military cross of honor. In April, 1919, Captain Clinton was transferred to the American forces, and in the following month he sailed for home, his honorable dis- charge having been received at Camp Dix, New Jersey, May 29, 1919.

After leaving military service Doctor Clinton served as hospital interne in the City of Philadelphia until October, 1919, on the 10th of which month he established himself in active general practice at Fairmont, West Virginia. He is a member of the staff of Cook Hospital in this city, and is a popular member of the local Kiwanis Club. The doctor maintains affiliation with the American Legion.

June 25, 1919, recorded the marriage of Doctor Clinton and Miss Beulah L. Harbison, who was born at Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, December 5, 1887, a daughter of Wil- liam and Etta (Graham) Harbison. They have two chil- dren, Barbara Jean and Christine Lorraine. Mrs. Clinton ia a popular figure in the representative social activities of Fairmont.

CARL CLOVIS SMITH, D. D. S., a prominent and popular young dentist at Fairmont, ia a member of an old and well known family of Grecne and Fayette counties, Penn- sylvania, where his ancestors have lived through five gen- crations or more.

Doctor Smith was born near Pinebank in Greene County, Pennsylvania, December 4, 1894, gon of Joseph Benson and Mary Avnline (Clovis) Smith, and grandson of John and Eliza (Fordyce) Smith. Mary Avaline Clovis was born in Greene County, daughter of Marion Jasper and Sarah (Eakin) Clovis, of Fayette County, Pennsylvania.

Joseph Benson Smith, a native of Greene County, owns and operates a fine farm of 265 acres in Jackson Town- ship of that county, though since 1913 his home bas been in New Concord, Ohio, where he is manager of the Co- operative Meat Market and also of the New Concord coal mine, of which he is part owner.

Carl C. Smith acquired his early training in the country schools of Greene County and in 1911 entered Muskingum Academy, the preparatory department of Muskingum Col- lege at New Concord, where he was graduated in 1915. October 5, 1916. he entered the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery at Baltimore. and was graduated D. D. S. in June, 1919. On October of that year Doctor Smith began prac- tice at Cameron. West Virginia, but in July, 1921, moved his home and office to Fairmont.

Doctor Smith is a member of the Pei Omega dental fraternity and the Sigma Nu Delta Sonthern fraternity at the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery. He Is a member of the Grange at Woodruff, Pennsylvania, and is affiliated with Cameron Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows,

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and Moundsville Lodge of Elks. In July, 1921, he mar- ried Lulu May Bell, of Cambridge, Ohio. She was born in 1897, daughter of O. O. Bell.

HENRY W. DISHER. When an individual has lived honor- ably and industriously, strenuously employing energy to- ward the acquirement of sufficient capital to justify his retirement from active affairs in the evening of life, he has earned repose and the quietude of his home. Many men prefer to work hard for a certain period, never sparing themselves, so that in their declining years they can retire upon their means and give attention to the carrying out of cherished plans and perhaps engage in civic affairs. Henry W. Disher, one of the old and honored residents of Berkeley Springs, however, does not belong to this class. This veteran of the Civil war and long-time business man, while he has spent his long career in active work and has accumulated a modest competence, has not thought of retire- ment, but continues to look after his daily affairs in the business world with as much interest and care as he dis- played in the days when hard work was a necessity.

Mr. Disher was horn on a farm 21/2 miles from Willen- port, County Lincoln, Province of Ontario, Canada, a son of Henry Disher, who was born about 1800, at Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania. Henry Disher was reared and educated in his native state, and in young manhood, accompanied by his widowed mother, went to Canada and bought a farm in County Lincoln, where he was engaged in general agri- cultural operations for many years. Late in life he came to Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, where he passed his last days, dying when eighty-four years old. Henry Disher married Margaret Patterson, who was born in the State of New York, daughter of Rev. Jacob Patterson, who was descended from Revolutionary ancestry and was a minister of the Methodist faith. Removing to Canada, he settled near Fenwick, in County Welland, and for several years was away from home, teaching for the greater part of the time and traveling on horseback through the wilds of Canada West, as the Province of Ontario was known at that time. He organized numerous churches, became widely known throughout that part of Canada, and spent his days at his home near Fenwick, where his death was greatly deplored. Mrs. Dishier died at the family home in County Lincoln, having reared a family of four children: Henry W., Ezra Edwin, Johanna M. and Almond, the latter of whom died young.

Henry W. Disher attended school rather regularly in his youth, but at the age of seventeen left home and went to Ohio, where in 1864 he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Eighty-second Regiment, Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, with which he went to Nashville, Tennessee, where his regiment assisted in defeating the Confederate forces under General Hood. After the battle of Nashville he was detailed to do guard duty at Johnsonville, Tennessee, and was there until the close of the war, at which time he accompanied his command to Columbus, Ohio, where he re- ceived his honorable discharge. He then went to Toledo, Ohio, but in the same year left that city for Chicago, Illinois, and then pressed on to St. Louis, Missouri, where he was night clerk in the Southern Hotel for a time. He then engaged as second engineer on a steamer plying be- tween St. Louis and Omaha, and made several trips between these points, as well as a trip to Fort Benton. His next employment was in the construction department of the Union Pacific Railroad, the first railroad built across the western plains, when Omaha was only a good-sized village, Indians were numerous on the western prairies and desert lands and vast herds of buffalo and antelope were still to be found. The building of the road formed one of the greatest romances of American history, and Mr. Disher shared in the numerous adventures and hardships incident to this mighty labor until the road had advanced some 1,500 miles, his employment during the latter half of his con- nection with the road being that of shipping agent at the far end of the line, stretching out beyond the frontier.

In 1869 Mr. Disher, tired of adventure and constant wanderings, resigned his position and came to Berkeley Springs, where he engaged in the mercantile business in

partnership with his brother-in-law, John Buckhann, After about five years he bought his brother-in-law's terest in the business, which he conducted alone until 18 and then turned his attention to the drug business, which he has been engaged ever since. He has a splend patronage, which has been attracted by courteous servi, fair representation and honest dealing, and his busin reputation and standing are of the best.

In 1869 Mr. Disher was united in marriage with M; Mary Ann Crosfield, who was born in County Linco Province of Ontario, Canada, a daughter of Rev. George a Dorothy (Botterell) Crosfield. Mrs. Disher died Decemb 29, 1903, and left four sons: . Charles M., George Waltı William F. and Harry. Mr. Disher is an Episcopalian a. a vestryman of the church at Berkeley Springs. He w formerly a member of Gen. Lee Somers Post, Grand Arn of the Republic.

Mr. Disher's second union was with Miss Lillie He ding, a daughter of Noah Hedding. Mr. Hedding w born in Fulton County, Pennsylvania, in 1841, a son Ephraim Gettys Hedding, who was born in Juanita Count Pennsylvania, and a grandson of Rev. Noah Hedding, local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church and pioneer in that part of Pennsylvania, in whose home t] first services of a religious character in the vicinity we: held and the society organized. He passed his last year in Juanita County. Ephraim Gettys Hedding acquired good education, and as a young man engaged in teaching school in Fulton County, Pennsylvania. About 1880 } moved to Paw Paw, Morgan County, West Virginia, wher he established an apiary, his large quantities of honey be ing shipped to Baltimore, Washington and Wheeling. B continued to make his home at Paw Paw until his deat at the age of seventy-nine years. Mr. Hedding serve as a notary public for some years, and was a man wh was held in high esteem in his community. He marrie Frances Hughes, who was born in Juanita County, Penr sylvania, a daughter of James Hughes, a prominent farme and life long resident of Pennsylvania, who at one tim represented his county in the Legislature of the state Mrs. Disher's father, Noah Hedding, engaged in the mer cantile business at Paw Paw, where he had accompanied his father in 1880, and later was a clerk in the N. Robin son store. Like his father, he was a notary public, serving as such at Paw Paw from 1899 to 1910, in which year he moved to Berkeley Springs, and he died at this place ir June, 1911, aged seventy years. He married Miss Prudence Louise Tabler, who was born in Berkeley County, West Virginia, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Kreglow) Tabler, descendants of early pioneers of this region. The Kreglow farm was originally a grant from Lord Fairfax and was located in the Hedgesville District, where the great-grandfather of Mrs. Disher spent his entire life. The Kreglow home was near the Village of Hedgesville. The mother of Mrs. Disher died in 1915, aged seventy-five years. her death, like that of her husband, being greatly mourned by a wide circle of friends. She was the mother of four children : Laura Appel, now a resident of Washington, D. C .; Addie Buzzard, a resident of Berkeley Springs; James W., a resident of Tyrone, Peunsylvania; and Lillie, now Mrs. Henry W. Disher. Mr. and Mrs. Hedding were faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 2, Part 157

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