History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 2, Part 185

Author:
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages:

USA > West Virginia > History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 2 > Part 185

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

LAWRENCE S. SCHWENCK. Twenty years a member of the West Virginia bar, Mr. Schwenck has kept his interests and work strictly defined by his profession, without im- portant diversiona or excursions into politics, and he ranks as one of the leaders of the Marion County bar and also the bar of the state.

Mr. Schwenck, whose home is at Mannington, was born April 7, 1877, at Bucyrus, Crawford County, Ohio. His fa- ther, Samuel S. Schwenck, was born in the same county, November 22, 1851, son of Hieronomus Schwenck, who came to the United States at the age of seventeen with his parents who located in Crawford County, Ohio. Samuel S. Schwenck in 1886 removed to St. Mary's, Auglaize County, Ohio, where he is still living. He married Lovina Fralic who was born in Crawford Connty, December 6, 1857, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Hardin) Fralic, the former of German ancestry and the latter of Scotch-Iriah ancestry.

Lawrence S. Schwenck acquired his early education in the common schools near St. Marys, also in the high school of that city, and was a teacher in Auglaize County until he entered the Ohio Northern University at Ada where he was graduated A. B. with the class of 1899. Subsequently for the credit his career had reflected upon the university he was given the Master of Arts degree in 1905. On leav- ing college Mr. Schwenck taught school for three years

562

HISTORY OF WEST VIRGINIA

in Pennsylvania. In 1902 he entered the law department of West Virginia University, and received credit for two years work. While still a student he was admitted to the bar of West Virginia in 1903. In that year he began prac- tice at Mannington, and his success has earned him a stand- ing among the ablest lawyers of the county. Aa noted ahove he has kept studiously aloof from the allurements of politics. He is a democrat, and on one occasion in 1908 without his consent and practically without his knowledge until the day following the convention, he was nominated as democratic candidate for the state senate, his successful opponent being the present Circuit Judge, Winfield S. Meredith. Mr. Schwenck was appointed and since 1915 has served as Divorce Commissioner of the Circuit Court of Marion County, and is the only commissioner for those special duties Marion County has had. Mr. Schwenck has an extensive private practice, involving his appearance in all the courta of West Virginia and in the Federal Courts as well.

He is a member of the County, State and American Bar associations, is a charter member and president of the Mannington Kiwanis Club, and is a prominent layman in the Methodist Church. From 1905 to 1911 he was as- sistant superintendent and since 1911 has been superin- tendent of the Methodist Sunday School at Mannington.

August 5, 1903, Mr. Schwenck married Miss Leila Sloan, daughter of Francis M. and Phoebe (Billheimer) Sloan of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Her father for many years was a prominent Pennsylvania Railway official. In the maternal line Mrs. Schwenck is a descendant of Capt. Philip Null, an officer of the Pennsylvania line in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Schwenck is a member of West Augusta Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, Mrs. Schwenck is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State Normal School at California, Pennsylvania.

MARCELLUS N. TAYLOR. The geographical limits in which Marcellus N. Taylor has spent his life are those of Portland District in Preston County. Here he has found hia duties, has discharged his responsibilities, and has earned an honored place in the citizenship.

He was born about six miles west of the little city of Terra Alta May 10, 1870. His grandfather, William Taylor, mar- ried Sarah Whetsell, of the same Whetsells that occupied and made famous the Whetsell settlement of Preston County. One of their large family of children was William W. Taylor, who was born in Portland District May 14, 1834, and died there in 1906. His active years were devoted to the practical side of farming and an intelligent use of his opportunities 88 & citizen and voter. He married Julia Garner, who was born in the Albright locality of Preston County in 1847, daughter of William R. Garner, a farmer. William W. Taylor and wife had three children: Martha, wife of Buckner Bucklew; Mary J., wife of Grant Whitehair, of Preston County; and Marcellus N.

Marcellus N. Taylor grew up at the old homestead and remained there until long past his majority. He had a rural school education, and farming was the vocation to which he was trained and the only one he followed until he came to Terra Alta. Here for several years he was an active factor n the woolen mills, both in its practical operation and as a stockholder and treasurer of the company. He was 8880- ciated with that industry until about a year before the plant burned. For five years following he was in the retail meat business, and about that time came his first election to the post of justice of the peace of the district. For a time he shared the duties of the office with work at the carpenter's trade, but for the past two years has resumed his business as a meat dealer. Mr. Taylor was elected justice of the peace of Portland District in 1914 to succeed S. N. Taylor. Two years later he was re-elected, and he is now serving in his third term. He had handled with firmness and good judg- ment a large volume of business in his court, most of it arising from the enforcement of the prohibition law. For several terms Mr. Taylor was a member of the Terra Alta Town Council, finally declining another term of that duty. While on the council the problem of paving the town was acted upon and also a water aystem installed by the company to which

a franchise was granted. Mr. Taylor served as overseer the poor for Portland District ten years, and gave caref attention to those needing public care and authorized financi allowances to such persona.

Mr. Taylor may be said to have been born a republics and he cast his first presidential vote for Harrison in 189 and has never missed voting at a presidential election. E is a member of the Knights of Pythias.

In Preston County March 8, 1894, he married Miss Lizz. Whitehair, daughter of Edmond and Alcinda (Freeland Whitehair. Her father is in the marble business at Philipp West Virginia, as manager of the Tygarta Valley Marb Company. He responded to the last call for troops to defen the Union in the Civil war, going in when very young. H and his first wife had three children: Walter, who was kille, in an explosion a number of years ago at North Branch whil in the railroad service; Mrs. Taylor; and Sammie. By h: second wife, Susan Sanders, Edmond Whitehair has daughter, Mrs. Missouri Smith.

Mrs. Taylor waa educated in the public schools and ws married at the age of twenty-one. Mr. and Mra. Taylo have three children, William Clarence, Charles Ray an Franklin Darrell. Charles is a clerk in the Terra Alt hardware store. William Clarence, who lives at Oakland Maryland, married Ruth De Berry, and their children ar Mildred, Wayne, Clyde, Lawrence, Howard and Lillian.

CHARLES T. KELLY, postmaster of Terra Alta, has th broad capability of practical business knowledge and thoroug. training in business affairs. He is a native son of Presto County, and is undoubtedly one of the county's best know citizens.

He was born at Valley Point July 25, 1873, son of Smith E. and Mary E. (Browning) Kelly, also natives of the sam county. His maternal grandfather, James Browning, wa grandfather of ex-sheriff J. D. Browning, elsewhere men tioned in this publication. The paternal grandfather of the postmaster was Edward Kelly, who was born in the Pino Swamp settlement of Preston County and spent his life in the vicinity of Cranesville, where he was buried. He mar ried Miss Falkenstein. Their children were: Ellis anc John W., both of Terra Alta; Smith E .; Jane, wife of Buc Stockman and a resident of Terra Alta; and Margaret, wife of S. H. Shaw, of Terra Alta.

Smith E. Kelly was born April 3, 1839, and spent all hit active career as a farmer, moving to Terra Alta just a few months before his death, which occurred in 1894. He en- listed in the Union Army at the time of the Civil war, but could not meet the physical qualifications of a soldier and was discharged. He took a genuine interest in the welfare of hia community, was a member of the Official Board of the Methodist Episcopal Church, superintendent of the Sunday School, was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and always an enthusiastic republican. His widow, who was born in November, 1840, ia now in her eighty-second year. Their children were: James Albin, of Grafton; Stephen Fuller, of Terra Alta; Edward Howard, of Buck- hannon; Frank, who married Miss Laura Cuppet and died as a young man at Bruceton Mills; Charles Thatcher; Grace, wife of John Sellers of Oakland, Maryland; Lettie, Mrs. S. H. Jackson, of Oakland; and Loye, wife of M. O. Miller, of Terra Alta.

Charles T. Kelly acquired a common school education, and he reached manhood with a practical knowledge that did not reach beyond his experience as a farm boy. On leaving the farm and coming to Terra Alta he entered the service of the firm of Offutt & Lakin, leading merchants of the village. He was with them sixteen years, and had been promoted to the responsibilities of buyer and manager when he resigned. He resigned to become farm superintendent and superinten- dent of construction of the new buildings of the Tuberculosis Sanitarium of the State at Terra Alta. This service required three years of hia time, and at the end he returned to the Offutt-Lakin Company and was in that employment four years more. He then accepted a second call to the state government, as storekeeper under the State Board of Control. He had aupervision of all the provisions of every institution in the atate, and this was an office requiring a great deal of travel. After five months he resigned and accepted the

563

HISTORY OF WEST VIRGINIA

ppointment of postmaster of Terra Alta, which was made aptember 20, 1921. He succeeded Mrs. B. F. Scott, who ad been acting postmistress. Mr. Kelly ia a member of the ompany that owna and publiahea the Preston Republican, ha only paper of Terra Alta, republican in politica and of reekly issue.

In politica he needed no coaching from his father to attract im to become an enthusiastic supporter of the republican arty and principles. He cast his firat presidential vote for Villiam McKinley, and in every national election since then aa continued to give hia support to the republican candidate. Ie has been county committeeman of hia party, and has xerted himself to see that the party program was properly upported. He was one of the local citizena who urged the election of Terra Alta as the aite for the State Tuberculosis anitarium, and was delegated aa a representative to accom- any and chaperon the State Board, who came to inapect aia property. When the location waa finally fixed be handled he matter of the petition to make up the deficiency of twenty- .ve hundred dollara in the purchase price agreed upon be- ween the site owner and the commission, due to the fact hat the owner raised hia price to that extent after the loca- ion had been made. Thia money was immediately pledged nd preparations began for the construction of the first build- ng. Mr. Kelly at different times was a member of the Town Council, and was on the board when bida were let for street aving and the paving work begun. He waa reared a Methodist, and has been closely associated with the work of hat church aince boyhood. Fraternally he ia a Mason, Odd 'ellow and Knight of Pythiaa, haa filled the chaira in the faaonic and Odd Fellowa Lodges and Mrs. Kelly is a member f the Eastern Star.

December 10, 1901, he married Misa Nina Fry, a native f Terra Alta and daughter of Dr. Robert R. and Catherine Sturgia) Fry. Her father was long prominent aa a practicing member of the medical fraternity at Terra Alta, where he died 'a 1916, at the age of aeventy-two. He is aurvived by his ridow and his two children, Mrs. Kelly and Laverna, wife f G. M. Ridenour of Terra Alta. Mra. Kelly completed er education in Washington City. Since her marriage she as been deeply interested in all the business and civic affaira o which her husband haa taken part. She ia head of the ocal missionary work of the Methodist Church, and both f them were loyal workera at the time of the war, aaaiating o the various drivea, while Mra. Kelly did much knitting nd other work for the local Red Croaa Chapter. She ia a hember of the Eastern Star.

CHESTER L. GOLDSMITH, M. D. took up his work aa a hyaician and surgeon in Weat Virginia ten years ago, and Il of his practice has been done in Preaton County.

Doctor Goldsmith was born at Everett, Massachusetta, December 4, 1880, and he inherits the aturdy Americanism f ancestors that located in Massachusetts at the time of the Mayflower. Hia parenta, Thomas and Eva (Mason) Gold- mith, both represented old family linea in that state. Hia ather was a aeafaring man and spent his last yeara at Vorceater.

Cheater L. Goldamith attended the public schools of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts School of Pharmacy, did preparatory work for medical college in Milton Academy, nd in 1911 graduated from the old Maryland Medical Col- ege, the second laat class before amalgamation with the Baltimore Medical School. Since then he has taken con- iderable post-graduate work. Doctor Goldsmith opened hia rst office aa a physician at Hazelton in Preaton County, nd three years later removed to Terra Alta. He is a member f the County, State and American Medical Associations.

Doctor Goldsmith married in Massachusetta Miaa Ethel Currier, whose ancestora also run back to the daya of the Mayflower, ahe being the seventh descendant of John and Priscilla Alden. Doctor and Mra. Goldsmith are Methodiats nd Mrs. Goldamith is much interested in church work at 'erra Alta. Doctor Goldsmith is a Scottish Rite Mason nd a noble of Osiris Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.

CHARLES F. DODOE, of Terra Alta, has had a busy and ffective career in Preston County, covering forty years or

more aa teacher, farmer, business man and, latterly, in the service of Uncle Sam at the Terra Alta Poat Office.

The Dodge family was established in Portland District of l'reston County about 1846 by bia grandfather, Amoa Dodge. He was probably born in New York State and aa a young married man left Block Island, New York, and moved out to Ohio overland. He remained in the Ohio Western Reserve for a number of years, until forced out by malarial conditions there, and with team and wagon returned East and located permanently in Preston County, West Virginia. He lived until death in Portland District and reaumed farming aa hia vocation. Hia old homestead, on which he and his wife and other membera of the family are buried, is now the property of T. B. Taylor. Amoa Dodge married Rachel De Long. Their children were: Marvin, a Union soldier, who died in Preaton County; Austin; William; Hiram; Allen; Eliza, who became the wife of Jamea Childa; and Jane, who married John Lewis. All these children settled about their parenta and all left descendanta there. Austin waa another soldier in the Union Army. Austin and William became republicana, while Hiram and Allen retained the family allegiance with the democratic party.

Hiram Dodge, father of Charles F. Dodge, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1830, and waa about ten years of age when the family settled in Preston County. Though his early advantagea were confined to the subscription achools, be aubaequently taught achool, though hia main vocation throughout hia years was farming. He died at the homestead near old Daugherty. His wife waa a Dunkard, and he joined with her in that religious faith and became a factor in the progressive wing of the church. Her maiden name waa Sevilla Ridenour. Her father, John Ridenour, came to Preaton County from Germany and always conducted his affairs in the German language, and when he died it waa necessary to secure someone familiar with the German tongue to settle up his estate. Sevilla Dodge died July 23, 1918, when about eighty-four years of age. The children of thia old couple were: Doctor W. B., of Stuarta Draft, Virginia; John A., a farmer near Terra Alta; Mary A., wife of George W. Wilea, of Preaton County; Eliza E., who married T. P. Albright, of Cumberland, Maryland; Charles Franklin, whose record followa; Emma J., wife of W. J. Rader, of Stuarta Draft, Virginia; Jennie, who married D. A. King, of Accident, Mary- land, and died at Eglon in Preaton County; M. Howard, an implement dealer at Terra Alta, who married Emma Shaw, daughter of A. Staley Shaw; and Scott T., who livea in Cali- fornia.

Charlea Franklin Dodge was born at old Daugherty in Prea- ton County March 8, 1863, and he kept his home and intereata in that community until recent years. He attended the public schools of the district, took a normal course and at the age of seventeen taught hia first term. Thereafter teaching was hia regular vocation every winter for twenty yeara. It supple- mented hia efforta aa a farmer, and when he finally gave up the farm and the schoolroom he removed to Terra Alta and for three years waa in the implement buaineaa. He then entered the Government service aa a mail carrier, and when the new postmaater took charge in 1921 he was assigned to clerical dutiea in the office.

Mr. Dodge for a number of yeara owned the Dunnington Hotel at Terra Alta, which he improved and enlarged, finally disposing of it. He still owns his farm, and for several yeara it haa been worked by bia son, Bruce A. Dodge. Mr. Dodge is a democrat, and some years ago he made a moat creditable race as a candidate for the House of Delegatea, running far ahead of his ticket. He is a Methodiat, and formerly waa a trustee and member of the Building Committee of the Cedar Valley Church. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythiaa.

In Portland District May 1, 1890, Mr. Dodge married Mias Clara A. Beatty, daughter of George R. and Sarah (Trow- bridge) Beatty, farmers in that locality and now deceased. Mrs. Dodge haa a aister, Martha S., wife of Sheridan A. Chi- deater. Three children were born to Mr. and Mra. Dodge. Their only son, Bruce A., ia a prosperous young farmer at the home place, married Reba Teets, and they have two children, Clarence and Marie. Miss Bessie is atill in the home circle. Georgie E. ia the wife of L. S. Wilson, of Kingwood,

564

HISTORY OF WEST VIRGINIA

and their children are Mervyn, Argyle Deane, Sara Etta, Martha and Marjorie.

D. E. SHILDTS, who is giving most officient executive serv- ico as captain at the West Virginia Penitentiary, at Moundsville, Marshall County, was born in Harrison Coun- ty, Ohio, October 4, 1880, a son of David and Amanda (Barnes) Shildts. He was reared and educated in the Old Buckeye State and came to West Virginia in 1903, as aa electrician in the employ of the Bell Telephone Company, his service with the company here continuing four years, at Wheeling and Moundsville. In 1907 he engaged in the feed and flour business at Moundsville, with a well equipped mill, and he successfully continued this enterprise ten years, at the expiration of which he sold the business, just prior to entering his present official post at the penitentiary. Since 1920 he has been the owner of a meat market on Jefferson Avenue, the same being in charge of a responsible employe. He is also a director of the City & County Bank at Moundsville.

In October, 1918, backed by strong influence, he was ap- pointed captain at the state penitentiary, at the time when the present warden, J. Z. Terrell, began his administration at the institution. Captain Shildts has shown marked ability in directing the service of the forty-five guards on duty at the prison and is an efficient and valued official. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

At Moundsville was solemnized the marriage of Captain Shildts to Miss Lillie Gorby whose father, Samuel S. Gorby, is now living retired, at Moundsville. He was formerly associated with Captain Shildts in the flour and feed busi- ness at Moundsville. Captain and Mrs. Shildts have no children. Mr. Shildts is interested in oil and coal develop- ment and production in West Virginia.

THOMAS JEFFERSON WYSONG is a member of a family that has taken an active part in the affairs of the southern part of the state for several generations. His home has been in Logan County for over two decades, and the greater part of that time has been devoted to official service. He is the present clerk of the County Court.

Mr. Wysong was born at Hamlin, county seat of Lincoln County, West Virginia, June 17, 1873, son of John and Rebecca (Spurlock) Wysong. Both the Wysong and Spur- lock families were pioneers of Lincoln County, going there from old Virginia. The grandfather of Thomas J. Wysong was Creed Wysong, a prosperous farmer. John Wysong and wife spent their lives in Lincoln County, where he died in 1912, at the age of seventy-three, and she in 1904, aged fifty-three. John Wysong was a merchant at Hamlin. He was a Confederate soldier in the Civil war, participating in many battles, and was wounded at the battle of Spottsyl- vania Court House, where his brother Calvin, a member of the same regiment, was killed. John Wysong for four years was deputy sheriff of Lincoln County and also justice of the peace, and was a loyal democrat. He and his wife had five children, and the four now living are: Albert, who received an appointment in the Government service at Washington during Cleveland'e administration and has lived at the capital ever since; he is now connected with the Highland Baggage and Express Company; Thomas J .; Ward, who owns a farm near Hamlin; and Emma, wife of Russell Duke, of Huntington.

Thomas J. Wysong acquired his early education at Ham- lin, and at the age of sixteen was given a second grade cer- tificate, the highest possible certificate that could be granted to a person of his age. However, be taught only one term of school, that school being on the Guyan River, and shortly afterward he was appointed deputy county clerk of Lincoln County under F. M. Johnson, and acted in that capacity for six years. At the beginning of the Spanish-American war he enlisted in the First West Virginia Volunteers as a member of the regimental band. He was trained for service at Columbia, Georgia, at Chickamauga and at Knoxville, Tennessee. After leaving the army he was bookkeeper for the firms of Sloane and Midkiff on Guyan River, Coleman and Chambers, and Crane and Company.

In the meantime, in 1900, he removed to Logan County aud in 1908 became deputy county assessor under Dor Chafin. Later he was deputy sheriff in charge of the book at the office during the term of Sheriff J. W. Chambers and held a similar position under Sheriff Chafin from 191: to 1916, and under Sheriff F. P. Hurst from 1916 to 1920 In the latter year he was elected county clerk, and is now in his fifteenth consecutive year of service in the Cour House at Logan.

Mr. Wysong married in 1906 Harriet Dingess, daughter of Henderson Dingeas, and a native of Logan County. Their five children are named Thomas Earl, Sally, John, James and Emma. Mr. Wysong is a past grand of Island Lodge No. 160, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

JACOB DAVID SMITH, prosecuting attorney of Lincolx County, is one of the ablest lawyers practicing at the bar of Hamlin, and a man whose fearlessness and resourceful- ness have won him prestige and resulted in the conviction of a number of criminals and the enforcement of law and or- der in a marked degree. He was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, April 28, 1870, a son of Jacob and Barbara Jane (Lewis) Smith, natives of Ohio and Virginia, respectively. The ancestors of Mr. Smith are traced back in the annals of Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia, and a distinguished member on his mother's side was the historian Lewis. Ja- cob Smith was a farmer, an earnest Christian and active in the work of the Baptist Church.

Prosecutor Smith's educational training was commenced in the common schools of Ohio and West Virginia, and con- tinued later on in the summer normal school held at Ham- lin, where he fitted himself for teaching. For eighteen years he was an educator, during which period he studied law. He completed his legal studies in the State University at Mor- gantown in 1900, and passed his examinations before the state board and was licensed to practice law. In addition to teaching and studying law he also served as deputy county clerk of Lincoln County during the year 1905, and he had full charge of the office. In 1908 he was appointed assistant prosecuting attorney, serving as such until 1912. In the fall of that year he was the candidate for prose- cuting attorney, but was defeated, and entered upon a gen- eral practice of his profession. In 1920 he was again a candidate, and was elected prosecuting attorney by a very large majority. From 1915 to 1919 he was a clerk in the State Legislature, attending every session, and had the honor of being the clerk in charge of the enrollment of every bill passed, and took them to the governor for his signature.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 2, Part 185

Author: Publication date: Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author:
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: