History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 2, Part 203

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April 29, 1908, recorded the marriage of Mr. Cole to Miss Rose Helen Duke, who was born at Front Royal, Warren County, Virginia, a daughter of Timothy and Amanda (Thompson) Duke, both likewise natives of that county. John Jackson Duke, father of Timothy, was a native of England and a pioneer of Warren County, Vir- ginia. Timothy Duke was a farmer in his native county at the time of his death, aged thirty-three years, his widow having later contracted a second marriage and hav- ing been a resident of Berkeley County at the time of her death, when sixty-seven years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Cole have two children: Norman C. and Amelia Catherine.

GEORGE A. KERSHNER. In May, 1725, a band of sturdy German Reformed churchmen left their native forests, be- cause of the unceasing persecution attendant upon the rise of Lutherism and other faiths which did not acknowledge the supremacy of the Church of Rome, and, attracted by the offers of religious freedom which prevailed in the ter- ritory granted to William Penn, settled in Berks County, Pennsylvania. In this community was the stock from which George A. Kershner descended.

Part of the family came south into what is now Washing- ton County, Maryland, where they became farmers and mill owners. Here in 1740 Elizabeth Kershner was married to Jonathan Hager, who founded Hagerstown and named it Elizabeth Town in honor of his wife. This name persisted until changed by an act of the Legislature in 1813. She died April 16, 1765, and lies in the Reformed Cemetery in Hagerstown.

Elizabeth Kershner's kinsmen formed a part of that de- tachment of Virginia and Maryland border men who saved the remnant of General Braddock's army after his disastrous defeat by the French and Indians before Fort Duquesne. Later Martin Kershner, Jr., served with the Revolutionary Army, first as captain and later as major, and the Kershner family through preceding years has been

represented in every war in which the United States b participated.

George Albert Kershner, the subject of this sketch w born and reared near Marlowe, West Virginia, and spe his childhood and youth on the farm of his parents. } is a son of Cyrus and Sarah A. Kershner. Cyrus Kershn was born December 11, 1825, son of Solomon Kershner, Washington County, Maryland, spent his life in Berkel County. He was apprenticed to a building contractor, al followed that occupation for a number of years. He b came interested in the establishment of a more liberal sy tem of free schools, and because of his qualifications w: called upon by the people of his district to become teacher. In addition to his teaching he found time to ser with credit eight years as justice of the peace. He died i 1893, and lies in the churchyard at Old Harmony, near tl scenes of his life's work. His wife was Sarah A. Brichne born in Adams County, Pennsylvania, in 1840. Her father Henry Brichner, married Miss Sourbier; both of the san county. They moved to Berkeley County in 1847. Cyru Kershner and wife had geven children: Charles E., Davi C., George A., Daniel G., Lucy C., Teresa and Henry I The mother is still living at the old home farm.

George A. Kershner spent his youth on the farm, go a rural school education, and at the age of eighteen wen to Harrisburg and worked as clerk for two years. Return ing to the home farm, he shared in its work until his mai riage. After spending several years in Hagerstown h located at Bedington, Berkeley County. There he bough property and built a home where he still resides. H engaged in the repair business at this place. He wa twice elected justice of the peace of Falling Waters District

Mr. Kershner inherited mechanical genius, and the worl that presented the greatest attractiveness to him and il which he has found satisfaction and success has been along mechanical lines.

In 1906 he located at Martinsburg a garage and sales room for automobiles, at the time when automobiles were just coming into general use. For a period of twelve years he gave his personal attention to this growing ano successful business. In 1920, on account of the ill health of his wife, he leased his establishment at the corner of King and College streets. In 1922 he resumed business with Robert H. and Raymond E. Kershner, his sons as partners.

At the age of twenty-one Mr. Kershner married Amelia M. Willingham, who was born in Mill Creek District, Berke- ley County, a daughter of James W. and Mary C. (May- hew) Willingham. She was of English and German ex- traction. Her maternal ancestry extends back to John Ludwig Sensenderfer, born at Brettach, Wurtemberg, Ger- many, in 1690, Martin Sensenderfer, immigrant and founder of the Sensenderfer family in America, and a Revolutionary soldier, born in Germany June 11, 1739, and Captain Lewis Sensenderfer, of the War of 1812, who married Catherine Imboden in 1793, are in the direct line of descent. Her father was a Confederate soldier and of English ancestry. She was an exemplary wife and mother. She died February 18, 1921, and rests in New Norbourne Ceme- tery. There are four sons: Robert H., Raymond E., George F. and William E. Robert graduated with honors from the Martinsburg High School. He married Mildred McIntyre and has two sons, Robert Jr., and Rex Eugene. Raymond was valedictorian of his graduating class of the Martinsburg High School and attended the West Virginia University at Morgantown and also Washington and Lee University for a time. George F. is also a graduate of the Martinsburg High School, and is now a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. The youngest son, William, graduated from the Martinsburg High School in 1922.

Mr. Kershner is a public spirited and progressive citizen, and is always willing to lend a helping hand to anything which he feels is for the benefit of the community.

ALBINUS POOLE, M. D. With the conclusion of his medi- cal education Doctor Poole chose as the scene of his profes-

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oual labors West Union, and has been one of the busiest ad most useful citizens of that community ever since. Doetor Poole was born on a farm near Frederick, Mary- nd, August 29, 1869, son of John W. and Mary M. Riggs) Poole, also natives of Maryland and of English ncestry. His father was a miller by trade, but always ved on the farm and died at the age of seventy-one. The mother passed away at the age of eighty-two. They were [ethodists. Their three children were: Albinus, Hattie nd Minnie.

Albinus Poole, grew up in the environment of the farm n his father's mill, attended publie school, and after ttaining manhood he completed his literary education in he Ohio Normal University at Ada, Ohio. He took his irat medical lcetures in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, and from there entered the Uni- versity of Maryland, where he completed his course and received his M. D. degree May 1, 1900. Doctor Poole at once located at West Union in Doddridge County, begin- ning the practice of medicine and minor surgery. He has gained a large practice, is noted for his progressiveness in his profession, in the matters of public health and in other incidental duties of good citizenship. In 1910, be took a post graduate course at Johns Hopkins University. He is a member of the Doddridge County and West Vir- ginia State and American Medical Association. For fifteen years or more Doctor Poole has been a member of the Board of Pension Examiners for the Federal Government. He is a demoerat, a Methodist and a Mason and Knight of Pythias. He has taken a commendable interest in publie affairs and bas worked with bis fellow citizens in various organized movements for the welfare of the city and county.

In 1897 Doetor Poole married Miss Helen Virginia Fleming, who was born and reared at Fairmont, West Virginia, daughter of Harrison Fleming, a banker. Doctor and Mrs. Poole have one daughter, Helen Fleming Poole, born July 11, 1901, who is a graduate of the Fairmont High School, spent two years in West Virginia University, and finishing her education in Wellesley College of Massachusetts.

T. H. LILLY. One of West Virginia's most prominent business characters is T. H. Lilly, of Hinton. In business lines he has achieved success that has made his name one of national and international standing in the lum- ber industry. For years he has been a leader ready to assume responsibilities in behalf of every progressive undertaking at Hinton and in the county of Summers.

Mr. Lilly was born May 23, 1868, near the foot of the Flat Top Mountain in Raleigh County. His parents were Thomas Edmond and Abigail (Turner) Lilly, and his grand- father was Elijah Lilly, a descendant of Robert Lilly, who about 1760 made a pioneer settlement in what is now Raleigh County. The Lilly family, includes many men of distinction in the affairs of Summera County and other sections of West Virginia. Thomas E. Lilly was a prominent farmer in the vicinity of Flat Top Mountain.

Thomas Hubbard Lilly did not take kindly to the en- vironment of his birth and the responsibilities put upon him as a boy. Plowing among the roots and over the rough ground disgusted him with farm life. He had a team of oxen named Buek and Darkey. One day he bad them yoked to a wagon on a hill side. The oxen deeided they wanted a drink, and they pulled out of the road over stumpy ground and rocks, making straight for the creek. The wagon was overturned, leaving the boy Thomas H. underneath. A few days later the same oxen under his care while pulling the plow over rough, stony ground again ran away, and the same night T. H. Lilly left home, being then fifteen years of age. He went to The New Towerhill, and found his first job in the Hawes Saw Mill as a laborer at 35 cents a day. Subsequently he worked in a mill belonging to Judge Lewis. His duties were rolling saw dust from the mill, but he soon learned to set the blocks, learned to operate the saw, and in time learned every detail in the operation of a saw mill.

Mr. Lilly's first teacher was Robert Neely, in a school

house with a half dirt floor. His laat teacher was Joseph Thompson. He made up for lack of continuous school ad- vantages by the rapid acquisition of knowledge.

After a time Mr. Lilly was able to buy an interest in a sawmill located on Jumping Branch. He also learned the stone mason'a trade, and at Hinton he worked on the foundation for the Hinton High School and the building that now contains Rose Pharmacy. There was a period of two years when he again worked at farming, but this he never considered as a permanent occupation. In May, 1895, Mr. Lilly bought a Griffith & Wedge saw mill from Cook and Burkes, agreeing to pay about $1100 for it in five months time, the payments to be made aa he disposed of his product. In case of failure to pay the full amount by the end of five months the mill was to revert to its former owners and he was to forfeit all money paid as rental. By phenomenal industry and energy be made the mill pay the debt, and he continued its opera- tion until the spring of 1897, when be sold out. He then opened a store at Dunns in Mercer County, and then another store at Flat Top, near his birthplaec. He also operated a mill on Tommies Creek. Selling the store and mill in 1899, he removed to Coburn, Virginia, and pur- chased two mills from Griffith & Wedge at Zanesville, Ohio. He manufactured lumber on contract for John A. Taylor & Company, a firm that failed in the fall of 1900, causing Mr. Lilly a large ineidental loss.

September 15, 1901, Mr. Lilly moved to Hinton and engaged in the wholesale lumber business, an industry he built up in subsequent years to a flourishing condition. In 1907 he organized the T. H. Lilly Lumber Company, Incorporated. However, in 1914 ba surrendered the ehar- ter and took over the business alone. With mills at various points in West Virginia and as a wholesale jobber for other mills Mr. Lilly sold lumber all over the United States, with a large export to European countries, until the time of the World war. He maintained an office at 1 Madison Avenue in New York, and in April, 1908, he made a trip to Europe, being absent four months, and while there established sales offices at 29 Clements Land, London, and 2 Exchange Street, Liverpool. His T. H. L. brand of lumber became known and commanded a premium in many European markets. This business reached a volume of $1,000,000 annually.

Everything connected with the welfare and prosperity of Hinton has been a matter of concern to Mr. Lilly. In 1907 he was the first to advocate paving the streets, and he also advocated the building of a modern hotel, beeom- ing a stockholder and director in the company that erected the McCreery Hotel, now one of the finest in the state. He was an earnest advocate of good road building, and it is due in no small part to his leadership and influence that every district in Summera County has voted bond is- sues for good roads. It was his activity on the good road issue that led to his elcetion as county commissioner by over 300 majority on the republican tieket in a county decidedly democratic. He served as chairman of the County Republican Committee.

Mr. Lilly owned the first Buiek ear in Summers County. That was in 1909. He soon became agent for that car over a number of southwest Virginia counties, but later exchanged this territory for Kanawha County and also Boone and a part of Fayette County. At Charleston he built the famous garage and sales room in that city, but recently sold that. Mr. Lilly is the largest stockholder in the Ruffner Hotel at Charleston. More banquets bave been held in the Ruffner at Charleston than in any other hotel in the state. Mr. Lilly is a member of Trinity Baptist Church, and is affiliated with the Elka Lodge.

The Lilly home at Hinton adjoina that of William Plumley. Mr. Lilly made his first acquaintance with Mr. Plumley soon after he ran away from home. Going into the Plumley atore to make a purchase, he saw there a fiddle, which he also purchased. His sons say that when his fiddling is accompanied by a good banjo player ha can produce musie that will make a preacher dance. Mr. Lilly and Mr. Plumley have been ataneb friends ever since this little transaction. Among other business connections

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Mr. Lilly is a stockholder in the Bank of Summers, has been president of the New River Land Company and the Hinton Steam Laundry.

THOMAS CLARK ATKESON. All who know anything of the organized and cooperative farm movement of America are familiar at least with the name of Thomas Clark Atkeson, for many years prominent in the National Grange. Many who know his work and leadership in national affaira do not associate him with West Virginia, his native state, where for many years he has been known and honored as a practical farmer and teacher of agriculture.

Doctor Atkeson was born at Lawndale Farm, Buffalo, West Virginia, in 1852, son of Thomas and Virginia Harria (Brown) Atkeson. He grew up in a rural com- munity, attended country schools, the Buffalo Academy, West Virginia University, and in 1874 graduated in law from Kentucky University. In later years, in recognition of his attainments and services, Barboursville College in 1892 bestowed upon him the honorary Ph. D. degree, and he received the Master of Science degree from Morris Harvey College in 1897.

For many years Doctor Atkeson had a busy program of activities in journalism, the practice of law and farm- ing as well as teaching. He was a farmer and lawyer from 1878 to 1891. During 1891-93 he was professor of agricul- ture in West Virginia University. The years 1893 to 1896 were again devoted to farming. In 1896-97 he was presi- dent of Barboursville College, and from 1897 to 1911, was dean of the College of Agriculture of West Virginia University. He served the University as professor of animal husbandry from 1911 to 1914, and since the latter year has been professor of animal husbandry emeritus. During 1914-15 he was statistician of the State Depart- ment of Agriculture and editor of the West Virginia Farmer at Charleston.

As a young mau he became interested in the Patrons of Husbandry or the Grange, and for twenty-four years was master of the West Virginia State Grange. For eight years he was overseer of the National Grange, a member of the National Grange Executive Committee, and since January 1, 1919, has been Washington representative of the National Grange, residing in that city. Doctor Atke- son is author of "Bookkeeping for Farmers," published in 1893; a "Catechism of Agriculture," published in 1913; "Semi-Centennial History of the Patrons of Hus- handry," published in 1916; and has written hundreds of articles and bulletins on agricultural, economic and political subjects.

His home is still at Lawnvale Farm, near the village of Buffalo. He is a director of the Buffalo Bank, has served as a member of the Board of Education, of the Board of Regents for West Virginia University, as sec- retary of the State Geological Commission, as member and president of the State Board of Agriculture. He is a democrat and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

July 8, 1878, Dr. Atkeson married Miss Cordelia Meek, at Catlettsburg, Kentucky, daughter of Rev. Z. Meek, D. D. There are four children, Thomas Z. Atkeson, who mar- ried Nina Beach; Karl C. Atkeson, who married Lizzie Thomas; Mary Meek Atkeson, Ph. D., author of the chap- ter "West Virginia Literature and Literary Writers," published in Doctor Callahan's History of West Virginia; and Leda C., wife of Prof. E. W. Sheets, now connected with the Bureau of Animal Husbandry at Washington and formerly professor of animal husbandry in West Virginia University.

MATHEW E. HYMES, mayor of Buckhannon, is one of that city's progressive business men, and as mayor has set a high standard of efficiency in the administration of local municipal affairs.

Mayor Hymes was born on a farm in Barbour County, West Virginia, November 9, 1879. His parents, John C. and Phoebe (Edmonds) Hymes, were natives of old Vir- ginia but were reared and educated in Barbour County, and after their marriage settled on a farm there, where they lived out their lives. John Hymes became a prosperous

farmer and was one of the influential men of his community. He was a republican, and both he and his wife were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Of their six children five are living: Mathew E .; Rosa J., wife of O. C. Williams; H. C., a merchant at Junior, West Virginia; Sher- man G., also at Junior; and James R., who served as a soldier in the World war.

Mathew E. Hymes grew up on the farm in Barbour County and had a share in ite work and toil. He finished hia common school education at the age of fourteen, and soon afterward became a teacher and for thirteen years was closely identified with the educational interests of Barbour County. In the meantime he volunteered at the time of the Spanish-American war and served as a non-commissioned officer in a West Virginia regiment. After his discharge he resumed teaching, was principal of schools at Junior, and when he gave up educational work he became a general merchant there. Mr. Hymes served as mayor of Junior.

In 1911 he removed to Buckhannon, primarily to educate his children. Here he has engaged in the theatrical business, was chief of police three years, and was then elected mayor, an office he is now filling for the fourth term. Mr. Hymes owns the Grand Opera House at Buckhannon, has a half interest in the Inland Auto & Supply Company, and is owner of considerable real estate and lands valuable for gas, coal and oil.

On June 30, 1897, he married Miss O. E. Thacker. They have three children. Myron B., the oldest, ia a high school graduate, graduating from West Virginia Wesleyan Col- lege, and is now completing his education in Harvard Uni- versity, specializing in law. The two younger children are Florence E. and Harry M., the former a graduate of and the latter a student in the Buckhannon High School. Mr. and Mrs. Hymes are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, and is a republican in politics.

J. ERNEST LAMBERT, treasurer and manager of the Vir- ginia Supply Company, dealers in lumber and building materials at Princeton, Mercer County, was born in Rock- ingham County, Virginia, November 20, 1876, and is a son of William J. and Barbara Jane (Michael) Lambert, each of whom attained to the age of seventy-seven years, the father's death having occurred February 2, 1908, and that of the mother on May 2, 1921. William J. Lambert gave his entire active career to the basic industry of agriculture, and was one of the prosperous farmers of his native state, both he and his wife having been born in Augusta County, Virginia. He was opposed to secession of the southern states in the climacterie period culminating in the Civil war, and was one of only two men in his community to vote against secession. When the war was precipitated, however, he was loyal to his home state, and represented the same as a soldier in the Confederate Army, though his military enthusiasm was diminished by his firm belief that the principle of secession had been wrongly adopted by the South. He was a republican in political allegiance after the war, and he and his wife were mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He was a member of a remarkable family of twenty-two children, his father having been twice married.

John Ernest Lambert, one in a family of seven children, attended the free schools of his native county and also a well conducted "pay school" in the Valley of Virginia. Thereafter he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked four years in the City of Nashville, Tennessee. By this means he defrayed the expense of his course in the Dinsmore Business College at Staunton, Virginia, and upon leaving this institution, at the age of twenty-six years, he came to the coal fields of West Virginia as timekeeper for the Pocahontas Consolidated Collieries Company at Maybeury, McDowell County, where he remained four years. Thereafter he entered the employ of J. W. Doss, a con- tractor and builder, and assisted in the erection of a bank building at Rolfe and a hotel building at Keystone. Later he formed a partnership with Mr. Doss, and in 1907 he be- came associated with the Rosi Construction Company and assisted in the erection of the high school building at

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lucfield. In 1909 he formed a partnership with Hoge ason, and they came to Princeton and engaged in the mber and brick business, the enterprise proving suc- ssful and leading to the organization of the present Vir- nia Supply Company, which is one of the substantial and all ordered concerns of its kind in this section of the ate. Mr. Lambert has taken loyal interest and part in the velopment of the coal fields of Southern West Virginia, id haa assisted in the construction of hundreds of build- gs in various parts of this section of the state. In politics 1 is a progressive republican, he is affiliated with Algoma odge No. 94, F. and A. M. at Northfork, West Vir- nia, and with Athens Chapter No. 26, and he and his ifs hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, outh.

In the year 1908 Mr. Lambert married Miss Cosa Warf, ho was born near Marion. Virginia, and who is a daughter Andrew Warf. Mr. and Mrs. Lambert have no children.

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF WILLIAMSON is the oldest inking house in Mingo County, and was organized in )03. W. J. Williamson was the first president, and has 'en the effective head of the institution ever since. Ben 'illiamson was the first vice president and Alexander ishop was cashier, and the fourth director waa John ussell. This bank opened for business in a small wooden hilding on Second Avenue, but in 1905 moved into its resent quarters, a substantial business structure at the ortheast corner of Second Avenue and Logan Street. It a three-story brick building. the first floor being occu- ied by the bank and atores, and the other floors divided to offices.

This is a commercial bank, now has a capital stock of :00,000, surplus and profits $90,000, and there are only ven stockholders. The present officers and directors are: . J. Williamson, president; Ben Williamson, vice presi- ent; M. Z. White, vice president; Alexander Bishop, vice resident and cashier; A. B. Varney, assistant cashier. stock dividend of $100,000 was declared July 1, 1922, it of the undivided profits and the capital stock in- eased to $200,000.

CLARENCE EVERETT HAWORTH. vice president and pro- ssor of literature at Marshall College, is one of the most rsatile men in his intellectual gifts in the atate. In 8 early career he was a successful physician, later an itor and publisher, and outside the routine of his work ; Marshall College he is nationally known as a musical mposer.

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History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 2, Part 203

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