History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 2, Part 62

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GEORGE DALLAS LAMBERT came to Martinsburg, Berkeley ounty, shortly after the close of the Civil war, in which e had given specially gallant and faithful service as a ldier of the Union for over three years, and in this ty he passed the remainder of his life, a substantial usiness man and a citizen whose sterling character gave im inviolable place in the confidence and good will f his fellow men.

Mr. Lambert was born on the old family homestead t the end of Patriek Street in Frederick City, Maryland, nd was a son of Frederick and Catherine Lambert, of hom more specifie mention is made on other pages of is work, in the personal sketch of his brother Walter. the schools of his native city Mr. Lambert acquired is early education, and when the Civil war was pre- pitated on the nation he forthwith manifested his yalty and patriotism by enlisting in a Maryland regi- ent of volunteer infantry that entered the Union serv- c. He was with his eommand in many important attles and innumerable minor engagements marking the rogress of the great conflict, he and his brother William having been captured and having started on their way a Confederate prison further in the South, but he anaged to escape, passed through the Confederate lines Harper's Ferry and rejoined his command. His brother, 'illiam, was not so fortunate, and died in Libby Prison. For several years after the close of the war Mr. ambert was engaged in the feed and provision bnsi- ess at Martinsburg, a portion of the time in partnership ith his brother Charles and later with Andrew Grazier. e here continued his residence until his death, which ceurred when he was well advanced in years. ITis olitical allegianee was given to the republican party, nd he was affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and le Grand Army of the Republic. His first wife, whose aiden name was Margaret Grazier, and who was a aughter of Andrew Grazier, died at the age of thirty cars. For his second wife Mr. Lambert wedded Miss Tary Kathleen Whitmore, a daughter of the late Samuel Whitmore, to whom a memoir is dedicated on other pages f this volume. Mrs. Lambert still maintains her home t Martinsburg, where her circle of friends is coincident ith that of her acquaintances. She has no children.

GEORGE JACOB EDWARD SPONSELLER, M. D. With home at Martinsburg for twenty years, Doctor Sponseller hny performed professional services that constitute an en- viable reputation both as a doctor and a citizen in this prosperous seetion of West Virginia.

Doetor Sponseller was born at New Market, Frederick County, Maryland, May 7, 1973, son of George F. and Sarah (Roberts) Sponseller. llis paternal grandfather was Jacob Sponseller and his maternal grandparents were Edward nod Rachael (Honek) Roberts. Doctor Sponseller on his maternal side is of Quaker ancestry Ile was the second in a family of five children, the others being Clifton, Adelaide, Roy L. and William R.

Doctor Sponseller was educated in Quaker Schools, and acquired his professional training in the Louisville l'niversity, where he graduated in medicine in 1991. Doctor Sponseller practiced medicine at Hedgesville for five years, and since 1902 has been in active practice at Martinsville.

In June, 1910, he married Miss Nellie R. Reddig, of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. Doctor Sponseller is presi- dent of the Eastern Panhandle Medieal Society, the West Virginia State and American Medical Associa tion, and fraternally is affiliated with Equality Lodge No. 44. A. F. and A. M., Washington Lodge No. 1, Knights of Pythias and Martinsburg Lodge No. 775, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a member of the Martinsburg Rotary ('lub.

HON. FRANK LLEWELLYN BOWMAN. The ordinary indi- vidual, concerned with the linsiness affairs that seenre for him his daily livelihood. is representative of the nation's citizenship. This is the normal type, whose life begins and ends, perhaps with nothing more distinctive than is the rip ple on the stream when the pebble is east into the water. It is the unusual type that commands attention, and it is his infinenec, exerted on his community, and the record of his life, that are valuable and interesting as matters of biography. In the professions, especially the law, the op- portunities for usefulness and personal advancement depend almost entirely upon the nnusually gifted individual, and here natural endowment is as essential as is thorough prep- aration. The bar of Monongalin County, a representative body of the state, has its full quota of brilliant men, and one of its foremost members is Frank Llewellyn Bowman, of Morgantown, who has also been identified prominently with business and eivie affairs for the past fifteen years.

Mr. Bowman was born at Masontown, Pennsylvanin, Jan- mary 21, 1879, and is descended from an old Keystone State family which settled in Lancaster County in pre- Revolu- tionary war days. His father, Josiah A. Bowman, who was born at Masontown, February 13, 1-51, removed to Morgan town, West Virginia in 1908, and engaged in the mer eantile business. He married Sue, daughter of James Llewellyn, and both parents continue to make their home at Morgantown, where they are held in the highest esteem.

After passing through the public schools Frank Llewellyn Bowman entered the University of West Virginia, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1902, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Ilis college career was a bril- liant one, in which he won the Inter-Society Oration and Debate prize. After his graduation he was appointed teller in the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Morgantown, a position he held for two years. He then took a course in the law department of the West Virginia University and was admitted to the bar in 1905, at which time he entero l the practice of law at Morgantown and has been engageit therein ever sinee, with constantly enlarging success.

In 1911 Mr. Bowman was appointed postmaster at Morgantown, and served in that position until 1915. In 1916 he was elected mayor of the city by the largest ma jority ever given a candidate for that office, and in 1917 was renominated by the convention, but declined to make the race. Mr. Bowman has important business interests, being vice president and treasurer of the Tropf C'onl Com- pany and a stockholder in and attorney for & veral other enal companies. He belongs to the Monongalia County Bar

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Association, the West Virginia Bar Association and the Rotary Club, and also holds membership in the Phi Sigma Kappa college fraternity. He is a Knight Templar, be- longing to Morgantown Commandery No. 18, Knights Templar, and Osiris Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Wheel- ing. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias, in all of which he is very popular. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian Church.

On June 3, 1904, Mr. Bowman was united in marriage with Miss Pearl Silveus, the daughter of the Rev. W. F. Silveus, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a clergyman of the Presbyterian Church, and to this union there have come two children: Marjorie Virginia, born January 16, 1900 . and Frank Llewellyn, Jr., born May 15, 1911.

ROY C. GROVE, of Martinsburg, Berkeley County, repre- sented this eounty as a member of the House of Delegates of the West Virginia Legislature, to which he was elected in November, 1918, and in which office he gave effec- tive serviee during the legislative sessions of 1919 and 1921, besides having the distinction of being the youngest member of the House. He was assigned to important committees, including that on arts and science, of which he was chairman, and on those of taxation, finance, rail- roads, nnappropriated lands and enrolled bills, besides which he became chairman of the West Virginia and Maryland Bridge Commission. Since 1921 he has been actively associated with the Bowers Realty & Insurance Company, one of the representative business concerns of Martinsburg.

Mr. Grove was born on a farm near Berkeley Springs, in Morgan County, this state, on the 18th of May, 1888. His father, Carson Grove, was born in Frederick County, Virginia, a son of Francis M. Grove, who likewise was a native of that county, as was also his father, Abraham Grove. A well established family tradition is to the effect that three brothers, Abraham, Adam and John Grove, came from England to America in the early Colonial days and first settled near Laneaster, Pennsyl- vania, and that one of the number was the ancestor of the Groves of Frederick County, Virginia. In that county Abraham owned and oeeupied a farm six miles west of Cross Junction. Francis M. Grove, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, removed to Morgan County and purchased a farm near Berkeley Springs. He be- came a successful general farmer and served eight years as a judge of the County Court. He was more than seventy years of age at the time of his death. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Bohrer, was born on a farm lying along the line of Frederick and Morgan counties, and was a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Shade) Bohrer, both natives of Frederick County, Vir- ginia, and members of pioneer families of that county.

Carson Grove became a progressive and representative farmer and also a successful dealer in live stock. In 1901 he removed to Martinsburg, where he is still en- gaged in the buying and shipping of live stock. He married Annie S. Gano, who was born near Bloomer, Frederick County, Virginia, a daughter of Daniel Gano. Daniel Gano was born in Gerrardstown District, Berkeley County, where his father, James Gano, was an early settler. In the period of the Civil war James Gano started forth from his home with a four-horse team and wagon, and no trace of him was ever afterward found by his family, the supposition being that he was either drowned while crossing a stream or that he was mur- dered and his team stolen. Daniel Gano purchased the William Grove farm near Boomer, Frederick County, and on this place he passed the remainder of his life. The maiden name of his wife was Betsy Ann Grove, she having been a daughter of William and Susan (Buz- zard) Grove. Of this union were born the following named children: William, Susan, Catherine, Simeon, John, Maria, James and Annie. William Gano settled two miles from Parkville, Missouri, and became one of the prominent horticulturists of that state, he having been for twenty years president of the Missouri Horticul-

tural Society and the Gano Apple was named in hi honor.

Roy C. Grove attended public schools in Morgai County and at Martinsburg, and after a two years' cours in the University of West Virginia he was associater with his father in the buying and shipping of live stock until 1921, when, as before stated, he became associate with the Powers Realty & Insurance Company, but hi. principal business is real estate and he is manager o three orchard companies in Berkeley and Morgan coun ties. He is an active member of the Kiwanis Club a Martinsburg, is affiliated with the Phi Kappa Alpha col lege fraternity; with Martinsburg Lodge No. 778, B. F O. E .; with Tuscarawas Lodge No. 24, I. O. O. F .; and with Martinsburg Council No. 35, Junior Order Unite American Mechanics.

The year 1910 recorded the marriage of Mr. Grove and Miss Adda Virginia Geyer, who was born at Martinsbur; and who is a daughter of James P. and Hannah H Geyer. Mr. and Mrs. Grove have one child, Anna Vir ginia.

Mr. Grove east his first presidential vote for Willian Howard Taft, and has sinee continued a staunch sup porter of the principles of the republican party.

HARRY HOLLIS, representing a family that has been in th Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia for several generations acquired an extensive acquaintance over portions of the adjoining states during his work as a traveling salesman and is now doing a prosperous business as a wholesale mer chant at Martinsburg.

He was born on a farm in Mill Creek District, Berkeley County, West Virginia. His great-grandfather, Willian Hollis, was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and came to Berkeley County in early days from Ohio. He was a farmer in the vicinity of Darkesville, and in the days before the railroady he marketed the produce of his farms by team and wagon 1Ie had two six-horse teams, and would load his wagons and sometimes go to Baltimore and at other times to Tennessee William Hollis was buried at the Presbyterian Cemetery a Gerrardstown. He married Lydia Dick near Sandusky Ohio, and both of them lived to old age. Their eight chil dren were: Jane, Joseph, John, Sally, Amanda, Lydia Bennett and William. Of these John Hollis was born it Berkeley County in 1818, and as a young man bought : farm near Gerrardstown, and remained in Berkeley County until his death at the age of seventy-five. He married Re becca Thornburg, who was born in Berkeley County in 1824 Her father, Thomas Thornburg, was a farmer living abou: four miles southwest of Martinsburg. The first wife of Thomas Thornburg was Barbara Byers. Rebecca (Thorn hurg) Hollis died at the age of eighty-fonr. Her eight chil dren were named William, James, Parren, Anna, Emma Jolin, Clarence and Edgar.

Parren Morgan Hollis, father of Harry Hollis, was born at Gerrardstown in Berkeley County, March 13, 1850. A: a boy he attended subscription schools during the winter time, and otherwise assisted on the farm. After reaching his majority he began his career by renting land, and he remained in the ranks of the solid and prosperous farmers of Berkeley County until 1896 when he removed to Martins burg and for one year carried mail between the postoffice and the railroad, for thirteen years was an employe of the Standard Oil Company, and is still keeping up a routine of work as night clerk in the Berkeley Hotel. On November 28, 1878, he married Annie Chamberlain, born in Jefferson County in February, 1854, daughter of John Chamberlain who was a miller and operated a number of mills, including the Strider Mill on Opequan Creek and the Balch Mill at Leetown. John Chamberlain married a member of the Sharff family, who were pioneers in Jefferson County. Mr. and Mrs. Parren Hollis reared eight children, named Charles Harry, Lou, Edgar, Fannie, Estella, Ernest and Roy. The mother is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church. The father in political matters is a democrat,

Harry Hollis spent his early life on his father's farm and attended rural schools in both Jefferson and Berkeley

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unties. Later he attended the Martinsburg city schools, id after completing his education he took up a business reer and for a number of years was a traveling salesman 'er an extensivo territory in West Virginia, Maryland and ennsylvania. In 1920 Mr. Ilellis engaged in the wholesale uit and preduee business at Martinsburg, and is one of e enterprising men of affairs of that city.

In 1902 he married Mamic Shaull, a native of Jeffersen punty and daughter of John Shaull. Mrs. Hellis, who was 1 active member of the Trinity Episcopal Church, South, ied in 1917, Icaving two daughters: Helen and Anna. Helen, .arried Evered Long, and they have ene son, William Lee, ern May 18, 1922.

JOSEPH II. SMITH. Prominent among the progressive and eservedly-successful representatives of the business inter- sts ef Petersburg is Jeseph HI. Smith, manager of the Ken- weg Wholesale Grocery House. Ile is primarily a business an, with few outside connections, but has always found me to interest himself in the welfare of his community nd has been a supperter ef worthy enterprises looking to ic advancement and development of his seetion.

Mr. Smith is a native son ef West Virginia, and was born ovember 17, 1873, in Franklin District, Pendleten County, is parents being Harrisen and Naney E. (Nelson) Smith. lis father was born in Ilighland County, Virginia, in 1836, nd as a youth acquired the rudiments of an education in he ceuntry scheels of his native county. Prior to the eut- reak ef hostilities in the war between the states Mr. Smith ame over the mountains into West Virginia, and in Pendle- on County he enlisted in the Sixty-first Regiment, Virginia elunteer Infantry, in the Confederate army. He served ith that regiment until after the surrender of General Lee, nd was henerably discharged with a splendid record for rave and faithful service. At the close ef his military areer he applied himself te agricultural pursuits in Frank- n District, Pendleten County, and there continued his esidenee until his death, April 6, 1921, when he was ighty-five years of age. In polities he was a democrat, ut had no public life. He was affiliated with the Church f the Brethren, and as a man of integrity and probity as held in high esteem in his community. Mr. Smith married Nancy E. Nelson, a daughter of Jeseph W. and ennie (Nelson) Nelson, the Nelsons also being West Vir- inia people whe fellewed the pursuits of the soil as their ecatien. Te Mr. and Mrs. Smith there were born the ollewing children: Palser C., a resident of Hinton, Vir- inia; W. J., ef Ruddle, West Virginia; Mary J., whe married C. B. Ruddle, of Harrisonburg, Virginia; Julia F., he wife of J. F. Hinkle, ef Franklin, West Virginia ; oseph Harrison, of this review; and Jared B., ef Ruddle, his state.

Jeseph Harrison Smith spent the first twenty-four years f his life in Pendleton County, where he acquired his edu- atienal training in the public schools, and before he ame of age had taught twe terms of scheel. When he ras twenty-four years of age he left the parental roof and ntered upon his independent career, his first choice of an ceupation being that of farmer, as his early training had een along that line of endeavor. Seen Mr. Smith became nanager of the steck ranch ef G. Esten Harman, of Ran- lelph County, West Virginia, a capacity in which he erved for eight years. Butchering formed an important art of that enterprise, and during his stay there Mr. Smith butchered 6,000 head of cattle for the R. F. Whit- han Lumber Company, in addition te the younger stock, ncluding sheep and noga, for the workmen in the lumber amps ef the community.

When Mr. Smith gave up ranch life he came to Peters- urg, where he accepted employment as a elerk in the etail stere of O. M. Smith, with whom he remained for bree years. On May 1, 1917, he jeined the Kenneweg Wholesale Grocery Company, as manager of the Peters- rg branch house, and in this capacity has continued to he present time. This grocery branch ef the parent cen- ern was established at Petersburg in 1913, and its salesman County. over Grant and Pendleton counties and a part of Hardy The business has enjoyed a substantial and

significant growth during the managership of Mr. Smith, who is progressive aud energetic, possessed of modern ideas and spirit and capablo of attaining results from his well-directed and timely efforts. Aside from his immedinte connection with this business Mr. Smith has few other connections, but was the moving spirit in the establish ment of the Potomac Valley Bank of l'etersburg. At the time of the organization of that institution the cashiership was urged upon him, but the honor was declined, although he has always been a storkholder in the concern. In political matters Mr. Smith has followed in his father's footsteps, and has always supported democratie policn'y and candidates for public office. He was a candidate for the office ef assessor ef Grant County in 1920, but lest te his eppenent, Grant County being strongly republican in sentiment. As before noted, Mr. Smith has always proven himself a man ef public spirit and civic pride, nud has willingly supported beneficial movements of a civic, edu eational or religious character. During the World war he was a member of the Grant County Food Administration, and in this eapaeity did all in his power to assist in con- serving food in erder that the soldiers at the front might be well supplied with everything to keep up their physical strength and fighting morale. He did not overlook a single drive for funds to help in the success of Americaa arms. Mr. Smith is without fraternal or club affilintions of any kind.

On August 26, 1899, at Franklin, West Virginia, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Ida M. Teter, who was bern in Pendleton County, May 11, 1874, a daughter of George and Mary ( Harman) Teter, the Intter being a daughter of John llarman and a member of an eld-estab- lished and well-known family of West Virginia. George Teter was born in Pendleton County, a son of Reuben Teter and a member of one of the oldest pioneer families of this scetion of the state. Geerge Teter was n soldier of the Union during the war between the states, and went through that struggle without wounds, and with an excellent record. He is now aged seventy-seven years and n resident of Pendleton County, where he has passed an active life in agricultural pursuits. lle and his worthy wife had five children : Mrs. Alice Robinson, Charles G., Dr. J. M., Oliver C. and Mrs. Ida M. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had the following children: Janet O., the wife of Justin J. Barger, of Petersburg, with one son, JJustin, Jr .; Maysell, the wife of D). W. Mouse, ef l'ansy, Grant County, with a daughter, Helen; and Robert T., whe is a student at the Lutheran Academy, Petersburg.

EDWARD C. SHEPHERD is one of the veteran merchants and business men of Martinsburg, but his family name conneets him intimately with anether town of the Eastern Panhandle, the college community founded and named for one ef his ancestors. A brief account of the family through the successive generations has an appropriate place in any history of the state.

The piencer of the family in the Shenandonh Valley was Thomas Shepherd, a son of William Shepherd and grandson of Themas Shepherd. The grandfather died in Maryland in 1698, and was probably one of three brothers whe came from Wales to America in early Colonial times. Themas Shepherd, the founder of Shepherdstown, was born in 1705, and died in 1776. About 1730 he received a land grant from King George the second, comprising 222 acres south of the Shenandoah River. lle settled in that locality in 1732, and was founder of the community first known as Mecklenberg and later ealled Shepherdstown. A state law of 1765 established a ferry on the land of Thomas Shep- herd at Meeklenberg ever the Potemar. Thomas Shepherd married Elizabeth Van Metre, daughter of John Van Metre, the Indian trader. She died at Shepherdstown aheut 1792. They had a large family of children, several of whom settled and lived areand Wheeling, West Virginia.

Their youngest son was Capt. Abraham Shepherd, who was bern at Shepherdstown, November 10, 1754. He was a soldier of the Revelutien, and was lieutenant ef a com- pany at the battle of Kingsbridge, New York, in Novem- ber, 1776. Soon afterward he was made captain of a

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company of Virginia and Maryland riflemen. It was said that during the war, while he was passing through Berk- cley County, he stopped at the home of Capt. James Strode, who owned and occupied an extensive plantation south of Martinsburg. Captain Strode had in his employ at the time two prisoners of war, one a Hessian and the other an Indian. Captain Shepherd overheard their plans to kill Mr. Strode as he went to the spring for water. He placed himself in ambush and as the two men appeared to execute their plan he shot both of them down. In 1780 he married Captain Strode's daughter Eleanor, who was born in 1760. Abraham Shepherd subsequently became owner of the Strode homestead. He died September 7, 1822, and his wife survived until September 23, 1853. They had a family of eight children.

Fifth among these children was Henry Shepherd, grand- father of Edward C. Shepherd, the Martinsburg merchant. Henry Shepherd was born in Shepherdstown, January 4, 1793, was reared in Jefferson County and became a man of prominence in Shepherdstown, where he filled a number of public offices. He was an extensive land holder. On May 7, 1822, he married Fanny E. Briscoe, daughter of Dr. John and Eleanor ( Magruder) Briscoe, of Jefferson County. Henry Shepherd died October 12, 1870, and his wife, on July 5, 1881. Henry Shepherd was a very sue- cessful stock man, and was a breeder of fine cattle and thoroughbred horses. He and his wife had the following children: Mary Eleanor, Rezin Davis, Ann Elizabeth, Henry, John, Abraham, James T.

The father of Edward C. Shepherd was Abraham Shep- herd, who was born at Shepherdstown, March 21, 1836. He was well educated under private tutors, attended St. James College, and after he reached mature years he was presented by his father with a tract of land, including the old race track, and there he engaged in general farming. Soon after the breaking out of the war between the states he entered the Confederate army, and was in several bat- tles, including Gettysburg, at which time he was on detached duty as a courier. Later he was captured and was held a prisoner of war at Fort MeHenry nearly a year. Following the war he continued his business as a farmer in Jefferson County, and in 1883 retired to Shep- herdstown, where he lived until his death in 1907. He married Elizabeth Williams, who was born in Berkeley County, a daughter of Dr. Edward Cleggett and Sally (Shepherd) Williams. She is now living at Martinsburg, and her six children were named Edward C., James T., Elizabeth, Sally C., who became the wife of Charles Butler, Fannie, who became the wife of John Shaull, and Laura V.

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History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 2, Part 62

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