History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 2, Part 6

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Robert A. Armstrong is an alumnus of West Virginia University, having graduated A. B. in 1886 and received his Master of Arts degree in 1889. From 1886 to 1893 he was principal of the West Liberty State Normal School. When he entered teaching he regarded it as a temporary voeation until he could qualify as a lawyer, and in 1890 he was ad- mitted to the West Virginia bar, though it is probable he has never represented a single elient. Since 1893 Doetor Armstrong's serviecs have been with West Virginia Uni- versity. He was professor of English from 1893 to 1901, was vice president of the university during 1897-99 and sinee 1901 has been professor of English language and literature and head of the English department since 1903. In 1921, during the summer term, he served as exchange professor of English in the University of Missouri.

Doetor Armstrong in the course of his career has utilized a number of vacation and absence periods for post-graduate study. He attended the University of Chicago in 1898, was a student in Columbian, now George Washington Uni- versity, in 1900, and during 1902-03 was in Harvard Uni- versity, where he received the Master of Arts degree in 1903. Allegheny College bestowed upon him the L. H. D. degree in 1908.

Doetor Armstrong has been chaplain of the university sinee 1910. Since 1886 he bas been an instructor in Teach- ers Institutes of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indi- ana and Illinois. He was secretary of the West Virginia State Board of School Examiners from 1899 to 1909, was editor of the West Virginia School Journal from 1904 to 1921, was demoeratie nominee for state superintendent in 1900 and again in 1916, was a member of the West Vir- ginia School Book Commission in 1917-22, was a member and president of the School Board of Morgantown Inde- pendent Sehool District in 1912-17, was president of the West Virginia Sunday School Association in 1902, presi- dent of the West Virginia Educational Association in 1907- 08, a delegate to the general conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1900 and 1904, is president for 1921-22 of the local branch of the American Association of Uni- versity Professors, and is a member of the National Educa- tional Association and the Kappa Alpha and Phi Beta Kappa fraternities.

With all his other duties Doctor Armstrong has found time for original and constructive literary work. He is au- thor of a Geography of West Virginia-supplement to the National Geography, published in 1899; Life out of Death, 1906; The Law of Service, 1907; Historical and Literary Outlines of the Bible, 1907; Dramatic Interpretations of Shakespeare's Tragedies, 1907; Mastering the Books of the Bible, 1916. He was editor of a volume of Eclectic English

Classics, published in 1912, and has contributed many nis- eellaneous articles to educational journals.

For six years he was in the military service of the site, being a captain in the National Guard from 1887 to 389 and major of the First Regiment from 1889 to 1893, hen he resigned. He is a Knight Templar Mason and Kight of Pythias.

December 28, 1900, Doctor Armstrong married Crie Louise Dent, of Grafton. She died in 1903, leavi a daughter, Virginia Dent Armstrong, who was born in 01. On June 11, 1914, Doctor Armstrong married Myr L. Shank, of Auburn, New York. They have three chilien: Roberta Jean, born in 1915; Barbara Allen, born in 117; and Keith Stuart, born in 1919.

HON. FRANK COX. One of the native sons of Mononilia County whose private life and public career have refleted credit upon himself and upon his birthplace is Hon. Fink Cox of Morgantown, who has won prominence at the ba ind on the bench and today is recognized as one of the & lest lawyers and fair-minded jurists in West Virginia.

Judge Cox was born on the old Cox homestead in Cant District, Monongalia County, West Virginia, June 18, 62, a descendant of one of the old pioneer families of the couty. This branch of the Cox family, which is of Scotch-Irish sick, was founded in Maryland about the middle of the eighteath century by Abraham Cox, who was the American ancecor. From Maryland he came to Virginia and settled on 300 .Tes of Government land near Morgantown, and there spen the rest of his life. His son Moses, who was born near Haers- town, Maryland, in 1780, came with his parents to Mcon- galia County, and later located his home on Indian Ceek in Grant District. He served as a soldier in the War of 112, was a justice of the peace and county sheriff, and die in 1861. He was twice married, first to Jane Musgrove, ad, second, to Mrs. Charlotte (McDermott) Foster.

Henry L. Cox, son of Moses and Charlotte (Foster) fox and father of Judge Frank Cox, was born in Monon lia County, in 1836, and became a man of wide influence and lid worth. From Monongalia Academy he entered Waynes irg College, which he attended for two summers, in the man- while teaching school during the two winters in Grine County, Pennsylvania. In 1867 Henry L. Cox was elesed superintendent of the Monongalia County schools, was ib- sequently re-elected, and served in this office for fifteen y rs. He was active also in the political field and in 1880 zas elected a member of the West Virginia Legislature and zas returned in 1882. On February 28, 1861, he married :iss Elizabeth Matilda Boydston, a daughter of Boaz Boydson, of Greene County, Pennsylvania. Judge Cox was feir only child.

In the class of 1883 Frank Cox was graduated from be University of West Virginia with the degree of LL. B., ras admitted to the bar in the same year and immedialy entered upon the practice of law at Morgantown. In .188 he was elected prosecuting attorney and re-elected in 190. He appointed George C. Baker of Morgantown his assistnt, and in 1892 Mr. Baker succeeded Mr. Cox as prosecung attorney, and he appointed Mr. Cox as his assistant. Aw partnership had been formed in 1889, and this professinal association has continued to the present, with the excepon of the interim while Judge Cox served on the bench.

In 1904 Mr. Cox was elected judge of the Superior Cart of Appeals of West Virginia, a position for which he as singularly well qualified, but in 1907 he resigned and resu ed private practice at Morgantown. In numerous other la- pacities he has been equally prominent and trustwor y. He served as judge advocate general on the staff of Goveror Atkinson, was a member of the West Virginia World's air Commission, and during the World war was active ad influential both publicly and personally, serving as chairman of the Second Liberty Loan drive in Monongalia Couly, and giving generous assistance to all the local patritic movements.

On March 5, 1885, Judge Cox was united in marriage vth Miss Mattie J. Weaver, a daughter of George and Marg:et Weaver. Judge and Mrs. Cox have two children, Starey Rhey and Margaret Elizabeth. Stanley Rhey Cox was trn March 23, 1889. He was graduated from the Universityof

Brandendung

Frank Cox

HISTORY OF WEST VIRGINIA

est Virginia, entered into the practice of law at Morgan- wa and subsequently was elected prosecuting attorney of toaongalia County, and since the expiration of his term, inuary 1, 1921, has engaged in private practice. Judge x's daughter, Margaret Elizabeth, was born June 15, 1895. he was educated in the University of West Virginia and in navate schools, and is now the wife of Charles Burke Morris, Clarksburg, West Virginia. Judge Cox and family belong , the Methodist Episcopal Church at Morgantown, and he a member of its Board of Trustees. For a number of years > has been a member of the School Board in this city and ce president of the Board of Trade. Ile belongs to the lasons, Ould Fellows and Modern Woodmen of America.

STANLEY RHEY COX. To interpret the law properly in all s complexities and to apply its provisions unerringly to stablish human rights and defeat injustice demands such a mprehensive knowledge not only of books but of life self that he who reaches a high plane in this profession must umand more than negative consideration in the minds of is fellowmen. History evidences the fact that a kind of w has always been upheld by savage peoples, but when :plained it resolves itself into the old axiom that "might takes right," and in modern, eivilized life it becomes the ask of the exponents of the law to overcome this only too revalent idea. Hence, on a solid educational foundation must be built up a thorough knowledge of what law means o the present-day man, and how it can be applied to circum- eat evil, protect the helpless and bring happiness and safety the deserving. Of the members of the Monongalia County ar who possess the qualities necessary for the successful practice of their calling and the gaining of a place in public onfidence and esteem, one who has made rapid strides uring the comparatively few years that he has practiced aw is Stanley Rhey Cox, of Morgantown. Mr. Cox comes naturally by his predilection for the law, being a son of Judge Frank Cox, of Morgantown.

Stanley R. Cox was born March 23, 1889, in Grant District, Ionongalia County, West Virginia, and as a youth attended he public schools of Morgantown, being graduated from the high school with the class of 1907. He then entered the "niversity of West Virginia, from which he was graduated as member of the class of 1911, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts and following this took up the study of law in the law lepartment of the University of West Virginia, being grad- ated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, class of 1912. Admitted to the bar of West Virginia during the same year, entered practice at Morgantown in association with his ather, and continued to be identified with the elder man intil November, 1916. when the partnership was dissolved w the cleetion of Mr. Cox to the office of prosecuting attorney f Monongalia County. He assumed the duties of that office January 1, 1917, for a term of four years, and when he retired rom that office, December 31, 1920, resumed practice, this ime alone. He has met with excellent success in his calling, as the names of a large number of important concerns on is books, and is held in general esteem by his clients as well us by his fellow-practitioners. Mr. Cox has applied himself almost exclusively to the duties of his profession, and has ound little time for outside activities. However, he has not neglected the responsibilities of citizenship, and has shown himself fond of the companionship of his fellows by his mem- ership in several social and fraternal bodies.

In 1912 Mr. Cox married Esther Jean Gilmore, daughter f S. W. Gilmore, of Battell District, Monongalia County, ind to this union there have been born a son and a daughter: Frank G. and Elizabeth Jane.

ALBERT BLAKESLEE WHITE, who was governor of West Virginia from 1901 to 1905, exercised his first occupational choice in the newspaper business, and conferred distinc- ion both on himself and his vocation during his long and arduous devotion to that calling. It was as a newspaper nan that he came to West Virginia, loeating at Parkers- burg forty years ago, and virtually creating the State Journal as a newspaper of wide influence and a successful business institution. Governor White has the gift of versatility, and has succeeded in several fields to a degree

that would satisfy the ambitions of most men who con- centrate their energies along one particular line.

Governor White has behind him an American ancestry dating back nearly three centuries, and there have been many men of great distinction in the various branches. Governor White stands in the ninth generation of the Amer- ican family. The first American of the family was Thomas White, who was born in Ireland in 1599, was a lawyer by profession, settled at Weymouth, Massachusetts, in 1632, was prominent in the affairs of that colony, and died in 1679. Joseph White was born at Weymouth in 1635, was known as Captain Joseph, and died at Mendon, Massa- chusetts, in 1706. Thomas White was born at Mendon in 1665. Deacon Samuel White was born at Uxbridge, Mas- sachusetts, in 1700. C'apt. Paul White was born at Ux- bridge in 1744, and died at Douglass, Massachusetts, in 1796. Calvin White was born August 30, 1771, and died August 31, 1838, and about 1800 moved to Ware, Mas- sachusetts. Jonas White, born November 18, 1795, founded this branch of the family in the West, being an early settler of the Ohio Western Reserve, where he followed farming. He died in Portage County, Ohio, August 29. 1876. In 1819 he married Sarah MeGregory, and they were the grandparents of Governor \. B. White.

Emerson Elbridge White, son of Jonas and Sarah White. gave his life to the cause of education, and his name and achievements are permanently associated with the history of educational development in Ohio and in fact in the nation. He was born January 10, 1829, at Mantua, Portage County, and died at Columbus, Ohio, October 21, 1902. He was educated in common schools and academies, and for several years was a student of Cleveland University. He was a teacher and principal in the Cleveland public schools, was superintendent of schools at Portsmouth, Ohio, and in 1861 moved to Columbus and for fifteen years con- dueted the Ohio Educational Monthly, which he made one of the foremost educational journals in the country. In connection he also published the National Teacher for several years. He was appointed state commissioner of the common schools of Ohio in 1863, and during his three years in that office was instrumental in securing the laws establishing a teachers' institute system in Ohio, also created a State Board of Examiners and required more adequate qualifications for teachers. In 1876 Doctor White was called to the presidency of Purdue University at Lafayette, Indiana. Hle was president seven years, in- creased the attendaner more than sevenfold, and laid the foundation for the broad educational program of Purdue. which for many years has ranked as one of the foremest technical and professional universities in the country. In 1886 Doctor White was appointed superintendent of schools for Cineinnati, and served two terms. In 189] he re- turned to Columbus, where he continued his literary labors. An entire generation of school children recall his name in connection with the text book White's Arithmetic, and he was the author of a number of other works on pedagogy and school management.

To quote a paragraph from his biography, "lle was often styled 'the grand old man' of the educational profession. Scholarly, accurate in speech and writing, a man of philosophical force, professional devotion and ex. perience, he reaped well deserved honors. In 1º63 he was president of the Ohio Teachers' Association, in 186% of the National Superintendents' Association, and of the National Educational Association in 1972, also of the National Council of Education in 1884 and 1855. He was the mover, in 1866, in a paper read before the National Superintendents' Association in Washington, for the for- mation of a national bureau of education, and he framed the bill which created it. In the study of educational work and in lecturing Doctor White traveled extensively. Ile was lecturing at Asbury Park, New Jersey, when he was taken with his last sickness. In the Presbyterian ( hurch he was for nearly fifty years a ruling elder, and for many years he was president of the Board of Trustees of Lane Theological Seminary, Cincinnati. He was an earnest church worker, and sometimes lectured on moral

HISTORY OF WEST VIRGINIA

and religious subjects, these lectures being, like his edu- cational works, of unusual excellence."'

July 26, 1853, at Hudson, Ohio, Emerson E. White mar- ried Mary Ann Sahin, who was born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, October 15, 1827, and died July 19, 1901. She was a daughter of Henry W. and Clarissa (Church) Sabin, and was in the eighth generation from William Sabin, a French Huguenot who went to England and settled at Rehoboth, Massachusetts, in 1643.

Albert Blakeslee White, son of Dr. Emerson Elbridge and Mary Ann (Sabin) White, was born at Cleveland, Ohio, September 22, 1856. His journalistic experience began at the age of fourteen, while he was private secretary to his father, then publishing the Ohio Educational Monthly and the National Teacher. Governor White graduated as valedictorian of the class of 1878 from Marietta College, Ohio. He then returned to the home of his father at Lafayette, Indiana and became a third owner of the Daily Journal of Lafayette. For three years he was managing editor. Largely on account of the adverse influence of the climate on his health Mr. White gave up a promising career in Indiana and in December, 1881, purchased the State Journal of Parkersburg, West Virginia. This was then a weekly, printed on a hand press, and in making a real newspaper Mr. White showed to good advantage his abilities as a journalist as well as a business executive, though in the light of his subsequent career it ranks as one of his minor achievements. In July, 1883, with Mr. S. B. Baker as his partner, he began publishing the State Journal as a daily, and thus broadened the power and influence of a paper that for many years ranked as one of the first in West Virginia. It was a republican paper, and through its columns Mr. White first exercised a potent influence in West Virginia politics and in developing the majority party in the state. Governor White was identified with the fortunes of the State Journal nearly twenty years, selling his interest in June, 1899. He served at one time as president of the West Virginia Press Association, and in 1887 was elected president of the National Editorial Association.

For many years Governor White has been prominent in banking and manufacturing at Parkersburg. After he left the office of governor he helped organize and became vice president and agency director of the Southern States Mutual Life Insurance Company of Charleston, now the George Washington Life Insurance Company. He is still vice president of the present company. He resigned as agency director of the life insurance company in the spring of 1907, and in April of that year entered upon his duties as state tax commissioner, serving until Decem- ber 31, 1908. In July, 1909, he was elected president and cashier of the Parkersburg Banking & Trust Com- pany, now known as the Commercial Banking & Trust Company. He resigned his presidency in 1914 in order to give his entire time and attention to the Parkersburg lee and Coal Company. He has also been president of the Briar Mountain Coal Company, vice president of the Ohio Valley Bending Company, a Parkersburg corporation, president of the Parkersburg Chair Company, and inter- ested in many other industrial and banking corporations.

In the opinion of his friends and associates few men have so great a capacity for work as Governor White. To express his talents in some form of useful service is un- doubtedly his chief ambition, since the accumulation of wealth has apparently not heen one of his chief incentives. A man of such initiative, tremendous energy, actuated by a public spirited disinterestedness, is the class of citizen best fitted to adorn a public office and perform its func- tions. His first important public office was as collector of internal revenue for the District of West Virginia. On the walls of his office at Parkersburg, Governor White has three framed certificates, one signed by Benjamin Harrison, the second by William McKinley and the third by Warren G. Harding, each document being an appoint- ment as internal revenue collector of West Virginia. His first four year term began in July, 1889, the second in July, 1897, and in May, 1921, he was nominated by Presi-

dent Harding and commissioned internal revenue collecto) for the District of West Virginia.

In July, 1900, Mr. White was unanimously nominated by the republican party for governor, and in the following November he was given the largest majority ever given : candidate for the governorship up to this time, approx imately twenty thousand. He was governor of West Vir ginia from March 4, 1901, to March 4, 1905. His was : businesslike, systematic and efficient administration, but it outstanding feature was the remedying of long standing abuses and inequalities of the state tax laws. The firs substantial reform in these old laws was made by the Legislature of 1901, followed in 1904 by the enactmen of a system of tax laws and the creation of the office o' state tax commissioner. As noted above, Governor White two years after leaving the office of governor accepter appointment as state tax commissioner, serving abou eighteen months.

In 1916 Governor White was candidate in the primar. for United States senator, but the honor went by a smal margin to the present senator, Howard Sutherland. Gov ernor White in 1918 was accepted upon physical examina tion as a Y. M. C. A. war worker overseas, and in th fall of 1918 sailed for France, where he was in servic about six months. While overseas he supervised the cor struction of a rest area at Annecy, one of the larges and best equipped Y. M. C. A. rest areas in France. H held the position of division secretary.

Governor White is as deeply interested in politica problems and in politics today as at any time in his hus career. He has probably made more political addresse on behalf of his party than any other individual in Wes Virginia. For thirty-eight years he has been exceptionall active in every biennial campaign.

Governor White is prominent in Masonry, and in 191 was one of the organizers of Nemesis Temple of th Mystic Shrine and was the third potentate of that Temple He has attended the Imperial Council for ten years and i 1921, at Des Moines, was elected a life member of th Imperial Council, entitled to all the rights and privilege thereof. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Chure at Parkersburg.

At Marietta, Ohio, October 2, 1879, he married Agne Ward, daughter of William Skinner and Catherine (Clark Ward, of Marietta. She is a descendant in the eight generation from William Ward, who was on record as freeman at Sudbury, Massachusetts, in 1643. Mrs. Whit is a member of the Colonial Dames and the Daughter of the American Revolution. Her Revolutionary ancesto was Gen. Artemas Ward. Her grandfather, Nahum Ward settled at Marietta, Ohio, in 1811.

Governor and Mrs. White have five children, Katherin Vaughan, Ethel Sabin, Grace Rolston, Ward Emerson an Albert Blakeslee, Jr., all of whom are living.

WILLIAM ELI BAKER. For a quarter of a century on of the leading lawyers of Randolph County, William E Baker had the distinction of being the first Federal judg appointed by President Harding. He was selected by th new President as judge of the United States District Cour for the Northern District of West Virginia, and his a] pointment was confirmed by the Senate and he entere upon his duties on the bench on April 3, 1921, less tha a month after the President was inaugurated. Judge Bake brought to the bench the qualifications and experience o a long and successful practice and a record of prominer participation in the republican politics of the state. H retains his home at Elkins, and that is one of the fiv cities in the Northern District in which he holds session of the Federal Court.

Judge Baker was born at Beverly in Randolph County February 25, 1873, son of Eli and Margaret Ellen (Sexton Baker, and a grandson of Isaac and Maria (Stalnaker Baker. Isaac Baker was a native of old Virginia, was a early settler in what is now Randolph County, and followe the trade of saddler at Beverly, His wife, Maria Sta naker, was born in Randolph County. Her father, Adar Stalnaker, Jr., was a native of the same county and wa

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IIISTORY OF WEST VIRGINIA

led by the Indians. Eli Baker, father of Judge Baker, s born in Randolph County, December 31, 1835, was a mer and merchant, served for twenty-four years as post- ster at Beverly, and lived there until his death on Octo- 12, 1898. He was twice married. His first wife, becca Sexton, became the mother of a daughter, Jessie. then married his first wife's sister, Margaret Ellen xton, who was born in Upshur County, West Virginia, nnary 14, 1848, and died at Beverly April 21, 1916. Her her, William Sexton, was a New Englander and a oncer in Upshur County. She was mother of the follow- ; children: William Eli, Charles C., George C., Anna eta and Randolph. The last named died in infancy, but , other children are still living.

The family of Judge Baker in both lines represents ardy stock, of patriotic ideals and a long record of par- ipation in the republican party. His mother was a esbyterian, and reared her children in the same faith.

William Eli Baker spent his early life at Beverly, and pt his home there until 1900, when the county seat of ndolph County was transferred to Elkins, Judge Baker, nsferring his own residence in the same year. He ac- ired his early education in private schools at Beverly, d he was one of four boya who was favored with special mission to attend the Randolph Female Seminary at verly. In 1890, when he was seventeen years of age, he s the eighth young man to register as a student in what now the West Virginia Wesleyan College at Buckhannon, d entered that institution at its opening and graduated th the class of 1893, in the scientific course. From there entered West Virginia University at Morgantown, and adnated with the Bachelor of Arts and Law degreea in 96. Judge Baker was admitted to the bar at Beverly 1896, and practiced there until 1900.

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History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 2, Part 6

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