History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 2, Part 178

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In 1907 was solemnized the marriage of Sheriff Hatfield and Miss Pearl Johnson, who was born at Glen Lyn, West Virginia, a daughter of J. L. Johnson.

BERNARD SINCLAIR CLEMENTS, M. D. Nearly all the min- ing families in the Matoaka Distriet have learned to appreciate both the professional skill and the kindly char- aeter of Doctor Clements, who came here as a mine physician some fifteen years ago, and has performed his work con- seientionsly and capably throughout the greater part of the industrial history of that locality.

Doctor Clements was born on a farm in King William County, Virginia, August 20, 1881, son of Eugene V. and Virginia (Clay) Clements. His mother is related to the family of Henry Clay. Clements is an English name. Eugene V. Clements died in 1914, at the age of sixty-three, and his wife died in 1909, aged sixty. Eugene Clements owned a large amount of land and was an extensive farmer in Virginia, and also had two grist mills and did custom grinding for the patronage of a large territory. He pro- vided well for the educational advantages of his children, always voted as a democrat and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The family consisted of six sons and one daughter, Doctor Clements being the youngest son. Ben P. Clements is a cotton planter near Selma, Alabama; Thomas also lives in Alabama; Eugene, Jr., is on the old homestead in Virginia; Downman is at Richmond; and Vernon died at the age of seventeen.

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Bernard S. Clements graduated from William and Mary ollega in 1901 and for two years was engaged in teaching. 2 1904 he entered the Medical College of Virginia, graduat- g in 1907, having carried double work the first two years ad passing creditable examinations in every subject. He as also interne in the Richmond City Hospital during 1907, ad on leaving there came to West Virginia and for a few onths was located at Giatto in Mercer County and then ime to Matoaka. Here his practice has been chiefly as a ontract physician and surgeon for the mines. This has en heavy and burdensome duty, requiring one or more ssistants most of the time, and as he was here during e construction period he had many cases that called for resourcefulness beyond that of an ordinary medical actitioner. He now has charge of the practice for the iedmont Mine, the Algonquin, Weyanoke, Thomas No. 2 id Smokeless mines, including about six hundred families sides his general practice in and around Matoaka.

Doctor Clements in 1908 married Alice Cobb, daughter ' John P. Cobb, of Stoney Creek, Virginia. She died in )09 at the birth of her son, Bernard, Jr. In 1911 Doctor ements married Blanch Ashworth, daughter of R. C. Ash- orth, and a native of Marion, Virginia. The two chil- en of their marriage are Richard K. and Sarah Bonham. rs. Clements is a member of the Methodist Church. octor Clements is affiliated with Rock Lodge of Masons, ramwell Chapter, R. A. M., is a stockholder in a number P commercial enterprises, and is affiliated with Mercer unty, State and American Medical Associations and the ercer County Country Club.

CHARLES H. GILMER is a business man of wide experience roughout the district of the Big Sandy and Kentucky vers, and for a number of years bas had his interests more ntrally located at Matoaka in Mercer County, where he is esident of the Matoaka Wholesale Grocery Company, vice esident of the First National Bank, and manager of the atoaka Hardware Company.

Mr. Gilmer represents an old and prominent family of irginia and was born at Lebanon in Russell County, Vir- nia, June 13, 1881, son of E. T. and Ida (Vermillion) Imer, who are still living on their farm in Russell County, s father at the age of sixty-two and the mother at fifty- c. His father has always been a loyal democrat, served the school board, and the family are Methodists.

Charles H. Gilmer, third in a family of eight children, tended Russell College, but at the age of seventeen left bool and home and came to Bluefield, West Virginia, iere he entered the Bluefield Hardware Company as order erk. He remained in the local offices and warehouses the company for three years, gaining a thorough knowl- ge of the business, at the end of which time he entered a manufacturing business for three years and then be- ma a traveling salesman to look after the business of a de territory along the Big Sandy and Kentucky rivers, luding portions of the three states of Virginia, West rginia and Kentucky. At that time the Louisville & ishville Railroad was extending its line to Fleming, Ken- Icky, and in the absence of railroad facilities Mr. Gilmer tvered his territory frequently on horseback and in wagons. In the meantime, in 1906, his brother, M. G. Gilmer, had urted the Matoaka Hardware Company. In 1916 Charles Gilmer came to Matoaka to take the active manage- ent of the business, since his brother had been appointed Istmaster. Since then Mr. Gilmer has rapidly extended l; local commercial interests, and in addition to the man- aement of the hardware company he became one of the «ganizers of the First National Bank, of which he is vice jesident, and helped organize the Matoaka Wholesale Gro- ry Company, of which he is the active head. His abili- ig and capital have identified him with a number of other 1.al concerns.

Mr. Gilmer in 1910 married Melcinnia Hatcher, and they Ive one daughter, Ida Gray. They are members of the ethodist Church and Mr. Gilmer is chairman of its board ‹ stewards. He is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge at ck, the Royal Arch Chapter at Bramwell, is a Knight of

Pythias, a democrat and a member of the Mercer County Country Club.

HON. HARVEY WALKER HARMER. It is a privilege not enjoyed by all men, to have stood in the front rank of the progressive movements that havo, in the past few years, brought the United States to its present position of proud supremacy along the lines of humanitarianism and higher citizenship. It is the justifiable claim of those who love best their native land, that the lamp of liberty lighted by their colonial ancestors so many generations ago still stead- ily illumines the way along the path of real progress, and that no better proof could be afforded than that given by the nation-wide approval of the momentous additions to the immortal Constitution that recent legislation has made ef- fective. To have been a factor and potential influence in legislation at this time, proves true patriotism and marked public efficiency. In this connection attention may be cen- tered on one of West Virginia's distinguished citizens, Hon. Harvey Walker Harmer, a leading member of the bar at Clarksburg, and twice a member of the West Virginia State Senate.

Harvey Walker Harmer was born at Shinnston, Harrison County, West Virginia, July 25, 1865, a son of Benjamin Tyson and Margaret (Shepler) Harmer. The first repre- sentative of the Harmer family in America was an English Quaker who came to Pennsylvania with William Penn. During the Revolutionary war, the great-grandfather, Jacob Harmer, and possibly his father, despite the peaceful prin- ciples of their religious belief, served in the Patriot army, in the contingent from Philadelphia. In that city Jacob Harmer (2), the grandfather, was born January 23, 1794, and he was the founder of the family in Winchester, Vir- ginia, where Benjamin Tyson Harmer was born on January 1, 1824. In 1851 he married Margaret Shepler, and in the spring of the following year they came to Shinnston, in what is now West Virginia. Benjamin Tyson Harmer re- sided there until his death, December 4. 1890. He was a wagonmaker and undertaker, a competent, reliable busi- ness man, an active influence in the Methodist Episcopal Church, a faithful Odd Fellow, and a conscientious supporter of the principles of the republican party. For four years he served as president of the County Court.

Harvey W. Harmer attended the public schools in his native place and then entered the State Normal school at Fairmont, from which he was graduated in 1889, following which he taught school for some years. in the meanwhile preparing for a course in law at the West Virginia Uni- versity, from which institution he received his degree in 1892. Mr. Harmer immediately entered into practice at Clarksburg, where for many years he has ranked as a leader of the bar. In addition to the distinction won in profes- sional life, he has served in many positions of trust and responsibility, and in public affairs has achieved results that reflect credit and honor on his name.

Early in his political life, Mr. Harmer served two years as deputy circuit clerk, for nineteen years was secretary of the Board of Education at Clarksburg, and from 1895 until 1901, was a member of the State Board of Regents of the State Normal schools. In 1894 he was first prom- inently called into public life by his election to the House of Delegates, where he served two years, and in 1900 was elected state senator, serving as such for four years, and re-elected in 1918 for a second term of four years. When first elected to the Legislature, back in 1894, Senator Harmer was termed the "boy member of the legislature." Nevertheless he made a profound impression at that time by introducing and securing the passage of a number of important measures among which may be named a bill to take politica out of the state university and normal schools, by making the Board of Regents non-partisan. At this session ba also introduced a resolution to give women the right to vote. While this early resolution failed to carry, it showed an enlightened understanding and a measure of moral courage that brought bim considerable distinction as a pioneer advocate of what, at that time, was an un- popular measure with the majority in West Virginia. That

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his early opinions had undergone no change was proved when, in the special session of 1920 he introduced in the Senate a resolution to ratify the nineteenth amendment to the Federal Constitution granting suffrage to women. The resolution on a tie vote failed of passage, but when a like resolution passed the House and was reported to the Senate he took the leadership of what proved to be the most memorable fight for the suffrage amendment in all the states. It was by his splendid leadership and thorough knowledge of parliamentary rules that he kept the resolution pending before the Senate for ten days, or until an absent senator was located in California and brought back, and with his vote the resolution was adopted and made it possible for the suffrage or nineteenth amendment to be ratified in time to give the women of all the states the right to vote at the presidential election of 1920. In like manner, the cause of national prohibition has for years engaged his earnest support. In 1903 he voted in the Senate for a state-wide prohibition law, and again in the Senate in 1919, offered the resolution to ratify the eight- eenth amendment, and led the fight for its passage. As a statesman, his record is without a blemish. Senator Harmer acquitted himself well in still other capacities. From 1906 to 1907 he served as mayor of Clarksburg and gave the city a fine business administration. He was supervisor of the United States census in 1900 and 1910, and was referee in bankruptcy from 1899 to 1901. During the World war he was a member of the Harrison County local advisory board and was active in every patriotic movement of the time. From his youth he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and actively identified with its various agencies for good. In 1908 he was lay delegate from West Virginia to the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church held at Baltimore, and for several years past has been a trustee of the West Virginia Wesleyan College at Buckhannon.

In 1901 Senator Harmer was married to Miss Nellie Marten, a daughter of Henry C. and Dora (Britner) Marten, residents of Shepherdstown, West Virginia. An ardent republican throughout the entire period of his political life, Senator Harmer has always been faithful to his political obligations and his chosen friends are men whose public careers and private lives have been as irreproachable as his own. Aside from political, professional and social con- nections of a more or less responsible character as usually claims attention from a man of marked importance, Sen- ator Harmer has definitely identified himself with no fraternal organization except the order of Odd Fellows.

JOHN B. NEAL, manager of the Matoaka Wholesale Gro- cery Company, not only has a fundamental knowledge of the grocery business itself, but also the grocery trade of a large section of Southern West Virginia. He is a very capable business man, also an active leader in the general wel- fare of Matoaka and has spent practically all his life in Mercer County.

He was born near Wills on New River in that county March 13, 1865, son of William and Martha (Smith) Neal. His father died in 1911, at the age of eighty-one, and his mother in 1915, aged seventy-seven. William Neal was a native of Monroe County, West Virginia, and prior to the Civil war moved to Mercer County. He became a Confed- erate soldier and was stationed with the reserves at the bat- tle of Gettysburg. About 1870 he moved from Wills to Rock. His career was that of a farmer, and he was a mem- ber of the Methodist Church, while his wife was a Bap- tist. She was a daughter of Ben Smith and a niece of Capt. William Smith, the founder of Princeton. William Neal and wife had five children: George, who for many years was a teacher in Mercer County and died in 1899; Newton, who lived on the old home place at Rock and died in 1913; Clementine, wife of William Smith, of Athens; and Henry, who lives at Montcalm in Mercer County.

John B. Neal, oldest of the three living children, ac- quired his early education at Rock and later attended the Princeton High School. At the age of fourteen he was given his first term of school to teach, and every successive winter until he was twenty-one he taught, and usually at-

tended school to advance his own education during the 81 mer. His earnings as a teacher he turned over to his ther, and when he left home at the age of twenty-one 1 father gave him only eleven dollars to bridge over the leading to his first employment. He soon joined an er neer corps surveying and locating mines in Mercer, 1 Dowell and Raleigh counties for the Flat Top Coal Corpc tion, later the Pocahontas Coal and Coke Company. 1891 Mr. Neal opened a general stock of merchandise Rock, and was in business there for nine years. Foll ing that he became a traveling salesman for the Flat ] Grocery Company of Bluefield, and for thirteen years represented this company in the territory of Mercer, Wyc ing and Raleigh counties. When the Matoaka Wholes Grocery Company was organized in the spring of 1921 became its manager, a post of duty for which his long perience made him especially well qualified. Mr. Neal also vice president of the First National Bank of Matoa and is a director of the Princeton National Bank, hav helped organize both institutions. He is a director of Brand Shoe Company, a wholesale house at Roanoke, \ ginia, and is interested in a number of coal operations.

In 1895 he married Miss Ida Bailey, daughter of Al C. Bailey, of Rock. Their family consists of four liv children: Bernard, an employe of the Matoaka Wholes Grocery Company; Perry, a carpenter living at Rock; G trude, attending the Concord State Normal at Athens; M son, a schoolboy; while Howard died while serving in United States Army before the World war. Mr. Neal 1 been a master of the Lodge of Masons at Rock, is affilia with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights Pythias, and is a democratic voter.

JOHN H. BIRD, M. D. By the effective work he has de as a physician and citizen at Rock in Mercer County, D tor Bird has added to the many distinctive professional sociations of the Bird family. He comes of a family doctors and professional men.

He was born at Athens in Mercer County October 6, 18 son of John S. H. and Elizabeth Jane (Vermillion) Bi His father, who was born in Montgomery County, Virgir and died at Athens, West Virginia, February 20, 1917, the age of seventy-three, joined the Confederate Army Bland, Virginia, at the age of sixteen, served four yes and after the war moved to Mercer County, West Virgir where he was a farmer. He was always deeply interes in the cause of education and was a member of the lo educational board for many years. His wife, Elizabeth Ja Vermillion, was born in Pulaski County, Virginia, and now seventy-four, living at Athens. Her father, Dr. Jar R. Vermillion, was a pioneer physician at Athens. Doc Vermillion, Harvey French and John S. H. Bird were cl friends, and their common interest in education made th prime movers in founding what is now the Concord St Normal at Athens. Eight descendants of Doctor Vern lion are either physicians or dentists. John S. H. Bird a wife were the parents of sixteen children, twelve of wh are living, and two of the sons are dentists, S. T. at Prin ton and Keith at Gary. John S. H. Bird was an offic in the Regular Baptist Church, while his wife was a Missi ary Baptist.

Dr. John H. Bird attended the normal school at Athe taking a stenographic course, and for three years was the employ of the R. E. Wood Lumber Company. This version into business gave him the money to prepare for professional career. In 1901 he entered the Maryland M ical College of Baltimore, graduating in 1905. He to special work in anatomy, surgery and obstetrics. Followi his graduation he practiced at Athens, associated with D tor Thornton for a time, but soon removed to Rock, who he has enjoyed an ever increasing clientage, and from 19 to 1912 conducted a private hospital there. He is a me her of the Mercer County and State Medical Societies.

In 1907 Doctor Bird married Miss Effie Godfrey, daug ter of James A. Godfrey, of Matoaka, and member of old and influential family in that vicinity. Doctor a Mrs. Bird have three daughters, Arline, Beryl and Eli: beth, all attending high school. They are a family of ma

Fred. S. Strochmann

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HISTORY OF WEST VIRGINIA

ntellectual interests and Doctor Bird has a fine library. le is a student of the late Pastor Charles Taze Russell, and 4 a firm believer of his teachings. Mrs. Bird is a graduate f Sullins College at Bristol, Virginia. She is a member f the Methodist Church. Doctor Bird was one of the or- anizers of the Lodge of Masons at Rock and served as rst master. Ile is also affiliated with the Royal Arch and Knight Templar Commandery.

ALTON HARRY VEST, president and manager of the Mer- er Hardware & Furniture Company at Matoaka, Mereer 'ounty, was born at Floyd Court House, Virginia, April 3, 591, and is a son of Abraham Lincoln Vest and Emma Thurmaa) Vest, both natives of Floyd County, Virginia, here they still maintain their home and where the father a representative farmer and a loyal citizen who has been afluential in public affairs of local order. He was born in 859 and his wife in 1857, and both are members of fami- es carly founded in the Old Dominion State. Abraham L. 'est bas served as commissioner of internal revenue, as a member of the board of review of his native county and in ther local offices of trust. His political allegiance is given › the republican party, and although he bears the name of ne "Great Emancipator," his father, Jacob Vest, was a uldier of the Confederacy in the Civil war, having met his eath while in the army, in the command of Gen. J. E. B. tuart. Abraham L. Vest and his wife are earnest members f the Presbyterian Church, and he is serving as an elder the same. He has been for many years affiliated with he Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The two sons, of hom the subject of this sketch is the younger, are asso- iated in business, the elder son, Allen D., being vice presi- eat of the Mercer Hardware & Furniture Company.

Alton II. Vest attended the public schools of his native ounty until he was seventeen years of age. He taught ne term of school and for two and one-half years there- fter was employed in the commissary department of the olvay Colliery Company at Big Sandy, West Virginia. He as then transferred to the company's offices at Marytown, nd later continued in service in turn at Springton and kingston. His activities in connection with business af. airs were interrupted when, February 6, 1918, he enlisted or service in the United States Army. He was sent to amp Oglethorpe, Georgia, and was assigned to a regi- ient of infantry. Later he was transferred to the army mbulance service and sent to Allentown, Pennsylvania, fot aining. Upon proceeding to France he was assigned to le One Hundred and Fourteenth Base Hospital at Bor- eaux, where he remained on active duty one year. After le signing of the historic armistice that brought the World ar to a close, Mr. Vest returned to his native land, and at amp Meade he received his honorable discharge on the 2d f June, 1919, with the rank of hospital sergeant. Shortly fterward he entered the employ of the Flat Top Pocahon- 18 Coal Company as bookkeeper in its office at Herndon, Vest Virginia. Six months later he became associated in le organization of the Mercer Hardware & Furniture Com- any, of which representative commercial concern at latoaka he has since been associated, first as vice presi- ent and later becoming president of the firm. Mr. Vest ceived the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in ie Masonic fraternity at Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, and affiliated also with Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at eading, Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Mercer ounty Country Club and is one of the vital and progres- ve young business men of Matoaka.

Mr. Vest married, June 15, 1921, Miss Ella Mastin Bai- y, of Matoaka, West Virginia, and they have one son, arry Lincola Vest.

WILLIAM A. MILLER, manager of the Princeton Milling ompany at Princeton, Mercer County, ia one of the promi- ent figures in the industrial and commercial life of this ction of the state, and is a citizen of utmost loyalty and ogressiveness. He was born in Craig County, Virginia, anuary 20, 1865, and is a son of George C. and Melvina Caldwell) Miller, the former of whom died in 1903, aged Ity-eight years, and the latter of whom passed away in

1897, at the age of fifty-eight years. Though George C. Miller was long identified with farm industry, he also gave many years of effective service as a teacher in the public schools, and not a few of the leading citizens of the pres- ent day in Tazewell Cuunty, Virginia, and Wayne County. West Virginia, were numbered among his pupils. In 1871 Mr. Miller came to Mercer County, West Virginia, and set- tled on a farm on Greasy Ridge, both he and his wife hav- ing passed the remainder of their lives in this county and both having been devoted members of the Baptist Church, in which Mr. Miller held various official positions. In poli- ties he was a staunch democrat, and at the time of the Civil war he gave two years of service as a soldier of the Con- federacy. Of the eight children only two are now living- John W., a farmer near Spanishburg, Mercer County, and William A., of this review.

William A. Miller was a lad of six years at the time when the family home was established in Mercer County, and he gained his youthful education in the public schools of the various localities in which the family resided while his father was engaged in teaching. At the age of twenty- one years he opened a small general store at Ingleside, Mer- cer County, and there he developed a prosperous enterprise. . After continuing this business eleven years he sold the same and took the position of mill foreman for the firm of Sud- dith & Bailey at Welch, McDowell County, where he re- mained thus engaged for six years. ]Ie then became asso- ciated with Bloom Swim in the purchase of a saw mill at Oney Gap, Mercer County, and they operated the mill three years. Mr. Miller thereafter held for three years the posi- tion of bookkeeper for the wholesale establishment of the Mercer Grocery Company at Princeton. The next three years found him in effective service as manager of the Princeton Milling Company, a position which he reassumed after an interval of two years' administration as city treasurer. Mr. Miller is an able and substantial business man and is a eitizen who has a sceure place in popular con- fidence and esteem. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, he is affiliated with the Blue Lodge and Chapter of the York Rite of Masonry, and he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

In 1892 Mr. Miller wedded Miss Dean Stinson, daughter of Loraine Stinson, of Mercer County, and she passed to eternal rest in 1904. She is survived by two sons and three daughters. Bernard B. is engaged in farming on the old homestead of his maternal grandfather on Greasy Ridge, this county, and in this enterprise his younger brother, Guy, is associated. In 1907 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Miller with Mrs. Mamie (Oney) Straley, daughter of E. M. Oney, of Mercer County, and the one child of this second marriage is a son, William A., Jr.

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History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 2, Part 178

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