History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 2, Part 79

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As a mining engineer he has been identified with other Important work in these mining fields. He assisted in building the Rum Creek Branch Railroad, assisted in aying out the Logan Mining Company's operations, tho Amherst Mines at Amherstdale, the MeGregor Coal Com- pany'a operations at Shlagel, West Virginia, also Moni- or No. 3 Mine, and he surveyed all the mines on Eng- ish Run, and other mines on Buffalo Creek.

When Mr. Gay came to the Logan field in 1912 there were forty-two mines in operation, and at the present time there are one hundred and thirty-five. Mr. Gay, whe ia unmarried, is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge and Chapter at Logan, the Elks and his College frater- nity is the Sigma Nu. He is an active member of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgieal Engi- neers.

JAMES GARFIELD HUNTER is a young man in years, but with a business experience running back to the time when he was just entering his "teens." If every man is born with an aptitude that fits him for seme form of useful service, it is evident that Mr. Hunter had a generous inheritance, since he has done a number of things well, and that without any endowment of finan- cial means or special opportunities. His activities have been largely identified with the town of Logan since that town was in the early stages of its development. Mr. Hunter was born October 7, 1883, eight miles east of Charleston, in Kanawha County, son of Samuel and Mary (Abbott) Hunter. His father, whe was born in Giles County, Virginia, died in 1895, at the age of sixty- seven. His wife was a native of Kanawha County and died there January 15, 1920, at the age of seventy-six. Samuel Hunter was a carpenter by trade, and served as a Union soldier in the Home Guards during the Civil war, was also a millwright, and bought the first fleur mills on Rock River and at Charleston. For a number of years he was river foreman for the Campbell Creek Ceal Company, and did an extensive business building tipples, barges and steam boats for that corporation. He lost his life through an accident caused by a slipping ladder. In addition to the above named activities he owned and lived on a farm on Elk River, in a cen- munity that was practically a wilderness when he meved there. That land is still in the family.

It was in this country district that James Garfield Hunter spent his early beyheed. He attended the com- men scheols near home, and was only twelve years of age when his father died. That created the necessity that he get out and find some occupation that would contribute to the support of his widowed mother and the other children. He has two brothers, James, a farmer living near the old homestead, and Luther, an employe of the Campbell Creek Coal Company. James 3. Hunter earned his first money in the timber, and for two years drove a mule team before he was strong enough either to load or unload a wagon. He also did 'farm werk, and for eighteen months after reaching his fifteenth birthday he was employed in a saw mill be- onging to the Donaldson Lumber Company on Blue Creek. For another two years he was in the Coal River Distriet with the firm of Andersen and Bentley, in their saw mill, and for the next two years was sawyer for

the Donaldson Lumber Company. Probably no work around a saw mill could be enumerated in which Mr. llunter has not had practical experience.

At the age of twenty-one ho married Miss Ella Brockell, daughter of J. C. Brockell. The first six months after he married he lived on a farm, and then remeved te Cabin Creek, where for five years he was manager of two saw mills owned by Charles Cabell. The next formed a business association with his futher's old company, the Campbell Creek Coal Company, having a contract to supply mining timber to that corporation. On leaving the Campbell Company Mr. Hunter moved to Logan, which was then a comparatively new town. For eighteen months he was engineer for the Wilson Coal Company, and then engaged in the taxi business, own. ing the second automobilo in the town. Ile was in this werk two years, then opened and conducted a restaurant for three years, and following that he bought a block of stock in the Deere Undertaking Company, and has since been manager of that establishment. Through these various changes Mr. Ilunter has steadily promoted himself to something better and has been one of the really prosperous citizens of Logan.

He and Mrs. Ilunter have five children: Averill, Marie, Mary, Belle and Jean. Averill is now attend- ing Stewart College. Mr. Ilunter is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, the Elks, the Moose, has taken the Rose Croix degree in Scottish Rite Masonry at Ilunting. ton, and is a member of the Masonie Lodge and Chap- ter in Logan. Politically he is a republican.

RAY E. MATTICKS is the authorized Logan County rep- resentative in the salo of the Ford cars, tractors and necessories. Ile has been with the Ford Company sev- eral years, beginning in the large plant and offices at Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Matticks has the record of an ex-service man in the great war.

Mr. Matticks was born at Newark, Licking County, Ohie, December 28, 1891, son of David and Gertrude (Legge) Mattieks. His father, a native of Kentucky, died in 1907, at the age of ferty-cight at Newark, Ohio, where for a quarter of a century he was in the job printing business. The firm Mattieks and Company was a very prosperous one and had a reputation for the very highest class of work in printing. David Matticks was active in republican politics, and for a number of years was in the City Council. Ile was the father of two children, Ray E. and Mrs. Roy Brenholts of Columbus, Obie.

Ray E. Matticks was educated in the Newark gram- mar and high schools, and for a time attended Ohio State University. While in university he had an active part in athletics and was a member of the freshmen foot ball team.

A large part of his business experience has been in the field of machinery and automobiles. In 1912 he was employed by the Jeffery Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of locomotives and mining machinery at Columbus, in their offices and auditing department. Later he was a commercial salesman in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois for J. HI. Swisher and Com- pany of Newark, stogie manufacturers. Following that he was with the Moore Oil Company at Columbus.

IIc entered the service of the Ford Motor Company with the J. Renner Auto Sales Company, the Ford rep- resentative at Columbus. He left that concern and on May 17, 1917, a few weeks after Amerien declared war against Germany, and volunteered in the Ohio National Guard. He was assigned to the Ordnance Department at Camp Sheridan, Alabama, and continued in service until discharged in January, 1919. He entered the army as a private, was promoted to first sergeant, and at his discharge had recommendations for a lieutenant's com. mission.

On leaving the army he at once resumedl his connec- tions with the Ford Motor Company in the assembly plant at Columbus. Three months later he was made assistant chief clerk, in charge of the Columbus offices.

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On September 11, 1920, he came to Logan, West Vir- ginia, to take over the Ford ageney. Mr. Matticks knows automobiles thoroughly, and is also a past master sales- man.

In July, 1919, he married Miss Garnett, a daughter of William and Elizabeth Wright, of Columbus. They have one daughter, Margaret Jane. Mr. and Mrs. Mat- ticks are members of the First Episcopal Church. He is affiliated with Columbus Lodge of Elks, No. 37, Frank- lin Post No. 1, American Legion, at Columbus, and is a member of the Phi Delta Theta College Fraternity.

CHARLES ALEXANDER MARTIN, M. D. Some of the most important service rendered by the medical profession in West Virginia is that given by the physicians and surgeons who attended the cases of illness and injury among the population grouped around the mines. That has been the service of Doetor Martin practically ever sinee lie graduated from medieal college, and since 1913 his home and headquarters have been at Amherstdale in Logan County.

Doctor Martin was born in Dawson, Greenbrier County, December 5, 1879, son of Obediah C. and Sallie (Lowry) Martin. Obediah C. Martin, who died in 1893, at the age of sixty-eight, was a native of Greenbrier County, son of Joseph Martin, and followed farming and the carpenter trade as his life's occupation and became very well to do. He was a democrat in politics. Doctor Mar- tin has two brothers, Joseph L., in business at Charles- ton, and William L., at Springdale. The mother of these sons died in April, 1880, at the age of thirty-five years.

Doctor Martin was five months old when his mother died, and he was reared in the home of her uncle, Thomas Lowry, at Springdale. He attended public school in Fayette County, and he had to make every opportunity count to provide for his own living and secure a higher education. At the age of eighteen he became a teacher, and he taught six terms of school in Fayette County, at $35.00 per month. During 1900 he attended Marshall College at Huntington, and from 1904 to 1908 pursued his medieal studies in the Uni- versity of Louisville. In 1919 he again returned to his alma mater for post graduate study. After graduating in 1908 he practiced four and a half years around the mines at Harvey and Fayette County, and then came to Amherstdale, about the time the mines were being opened in this section of Logan County. His practice as a mining physician and surgeon has associated him with the Amherst Coal Company, Proctor Coal Com- pany, Buffalo Eagle Coal Company, Madne Coal Company and Proctor Eagle Coal Company. At one time he had charge of the practice for about eleven mines.

Doctor Martin in 1913 married Beulah Thrash of Roane County, West Virginia, daughter of C. C. Thrash. They have two children: Bess and Shirley. Mrs. Mar- tin is a member of the Methodist Church. Doctor Martin is affiliated with McDonald Lodge No. 103, F. and A. M., at Mount Hope, the Royal Arch Chapter of Thurmond, West Virginia Consistory No. 1 of the Scottish Rite at Wheeling, and Beni Kedem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is a member of the Logan County, West Virginia State and American Medical Associations. Doctor Martin has been a personal witness of nearly all the important phases in the development of Buffalo Valley. In 1899 he drove a wagon down the valley, long before a railroad was built or before the operation of the mines was eon- sidered.

WALTER WALLACE JOHNSON has effectively demonstrated his executive ability and progressive business policies in his service as manager of the Welch Sales Company, of Welch, McDowell County, this corporation being local representative in the sale of the Ford automobiles and the Fordson trucks and tractors, the business having been established by him and his elder brother, J. Frank Johnson, Jr.

Mr. Johnson was born at Peerville, a village now known as English, in McDowell County, and the date

of his nativity was March 13, 1878. He is a son J. Frank and Marinda (Compton) Johnson, the form of whom was born at Bristol, Tennessee, in 1830, a) the latter in Buckhannon County, Virginia (now WE Virginia), in 1858. The parents were for many yea residents of McDowell County, and here the father di in 1908 and the mother in 1917. J. Frank Johnson w reared in a home of comparative affluence and reeeiv. a liberal education. He was in his young manhood successful teacher in the schools of McDowell Count and he was called upon to serve in various local offic of public trust, including those of county sheriff ai county clerk, of which latter he was the incumbe twenty-six years. As a soldier of the Union in t] Civil war he took part in many engagements, was ca tured by the enemy on more than one cecasion and w to have been shot, but contrived to make his escap He was a life-long demoerat, but his two sons hay been republicans from the time of casting their fir votes. Besides the two sons the family circle include four daughters, all of whom survive the honored parent

Walter W. Johnson continued to attend school uni he was twenty-two years of age, and thereafter wa for a short time engaged in the teaming business. F then became associated with his brother in establishir the Johnson Printing Company, through the medium ( which they were for sixteen years editors and publishc. of the MeDowell Record, which they made an effectit exponent of local interests and also of the cause of th republican party. After their retirement from the new paper business they formed the present Welch Sale Company, and ereeted a garage which in general facil ties and equipment is conceded to be one of the bes in Southern West Virginia. The MeDowell Record we the first newspaper established in MeDowell County an was founded by the father of the subject of this sketcl He first published the paper at English and later re moved the plant and business to Welch, the count seat, where his sons eventually succeeded him in th ownership and management of the business. The elde of the two brothers, J. Frank Johnson, Jr., is now member of the County Court of McDowell County an is extensively interested in coal development in thi section of the state, besides which he has served a county sheriff and as mayor of the City of Welch.

As previously stated, Walter W. Jolinson is a repul liean in politieal allegiance. He is affiliated with th loeal Blue Lodge and Chapter of the Masonic Frater nity and also with the Knights of Pythias, and his wif is an active member of the Baptist Church.

August 1, 1907, recorded the marriage of Mr. Johnso. and Miss Bessie Beard, who was born in Gates County Virginia, a daughter of James E. Beard. Mr. and Mrs Johnson have two children, Elizabeth and Thelma.

THOMAS EDWARD HODGES was one of those rare men wh scem able to translate broad and generous ideals into deed of praetieal and useful service. It was not any one achieve ment that distinguished him, but rather a lifetime of con secutive work and performance of duty. He was a popula figure in the sense that he lived with and worked among th people and exerted a constant influenee and helpfulness i whatever relationship he was placed. This quality of hi character should be emphasized even beyond the fact that lı gained some of the highest offices in his native state.

In his case the facts that constitute the formal materia of biography are as follows: He was born on his father's farm near Buckhannon in Upshur County, December 13 1858, one of the three children of John Henry and Meliss: Margaret (Humphreys) Hodges. The environment in which he lived during his boyhood was not one from which he could have derived any of the talented and permanent influences that moulded his career. It was rather the as pirations and energy within him that reached out and procured peculiar values from normal advantages. He at tended district schools, then entered the old French Creek Academy, where he was graduated in 1877, and in the same year entered the West Virginia University where he

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as graduated A. B. in 1881. Ia 1884 he received the aster of Arts degree from the University. In the mean- me, beginning in 1881 and continuing until 1886, he was "incipal of the Morgantown public schools. Many years ter, in recognition of his high scholarship and attain- ents, Waynesburg College bestowed upon him the degree octor of Science in 1909, and Washington and Jefferson ollege constituted him a LL. D. in 1919. From the publie hools of Morgantown he became principal of Marshall ollege, the State Normal School at lluntington, in 1886, ad that institution thrived under his management for ten ars. In 1896 he was recalled to West Virginia Univer- ty as Professor of Physics, a chair he held until 1909. i that year Governor William E. Glasseock appointed him member of the State Board of Control, a new organiza- on to which was assigned the duties of administering state stitutions. A year later he resigned to accept the presi- ?ney of West Virginia University, though by law he could 't enter upon the duties of that office for one year, a ne he utilized partly in travel abroad. July 1, 1911, began his duties as University head and was formally angurated November 3d of that year. Some of the rea- ins that made his choice a very popular one are suggested . the following quotations from the Charleston Gazette that time: "The action of the State Board of Regents selecting Thomas E. Hodges to take the place at the ad of the State University to be made vacant by the signation of President D. P. Purinton was the most finite piece of wisdom that bas taken place in the history : the state's educational system. There is no higher man the state than Tommy Hodges, and there is no man ho is so definitely identified with all that is good in the ate University. There is not a single student past or 'esent of the university who has ever known Tommy odges who is not rejoicing at the choice of the regents. ommy Hodges is the student's friend. He has the in- rests of the students at heart." While the West Vir- nia educator commented on his selection in these words: He is regarded as one of the few men possessed of all e qualities necessary to make a good university president. e is, moreover, particularly well fitted for the presideney the head school of West Virginia. Born and bred within r borders, he has imbibed the spirit of growth which is become characteristic of the state in every phase of fe and he truly appreciates the magnitude of her possi- lities. A man among mea, a scholar among scholars, iting his action to his word, he will be able to meet every mand made upon him occasioned by the new career upon hich the university has entered. He is wisely progressive id possessed of strong convictions, but he will never ing a revolution of destruction leaving waste and failure his wake. He will conserve and organize all the re- urees of the university and direct its energies toward ing the greatest possible service to the state."

All this promise was abundantly fulfilled during the ree years he was university head. Then, in 1914, he elded reluctantly to the persistent demand of his party d resigned to become democratie nominee for Congress- an at Large. He made a splendid campaign but was feated by Howard Sutherland. In July, 1915, Mr. Hodges cepted the unsought appointment as postmaster of Mor- atown, and to the duties of that office he devoted the st years of his life.

Dr. Hodges was chairman of the Democratie State Com- ittee in 1908, and in that year was a candidate for the bernatorial nomination, and in 1912 was again urged to cept the nomination for governor, but declined.

Aside from his prominence in educational and political rcles Doctor Hodges was a very able banker and financier. : 1896 he assisted in organizing the Morgantown Sav- gs & Loan Society, and was its secretary until 1909. is corporation became the largest of its kind in the Upper onongahela Valley, and its suecess meant the more to r. Hodges because through it he was able to aid many organtown people in building their homes. He was one the organizers in 1906, and from that year president of e Bank of Morgantown. He was a director of the

Farmers' and Merchants' Bank, and treasurer of the Chap- lin Collieries Company.

Doctor Hodges graduated at college as a "distinguished cadet" and later for some years was identified with the West Virginia National Guard, serving successively as major and colonel in the Second Regimeat of Infantry and as brigade instructor of Small Arms Practice with tho rank of major on the staff of the general commanding the West Virginia Infantry Brigade. He was also at one time com mandant of the West Virginia University Cadets. Hr served on the Board of Eastern Colleges in intercollegiate athleties, was a member of the College Board of the P'res- byteriaa Church, for six years was a trustee of Davis and Elkins College, and was a member of the Board of Trustees of West Virginia Odd Fellows Home. lle was a Mason, a Phi Beta Kappa honor man and a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity and the Morgantown Rotary Club. Doctor Hodges was an impressive speaker and in constant demand as a leeturer before educational meetings throughout West Virginia and neighboring states. He had become a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church at French Creek ia 1576, and was one of West Virginia's most prominent laymen in that denomination. For many years he was an elder in his church at Morgantown.

October 5, 1882, Doctor Hodges married Mary Amelia Hlayes, daughter of Manliff Hayes, of Morgantown. lle is survived by Mrs. Hodges and two children: Grace, wife of Osear F. Gibbs of Columbus, Ohio; and Charles Edward Hodges.

Thomas Edward Hodges died at Morgantown July 13. 1919, in his sixty first year. For all the numerons activi- ties that have been briefly reviewed it was the elements of his character that made him one of the great figures in West Virginia life. An editorial tribute in the New Dominion read as follows:

"It was the grand old man of education in West Vir- ginia that passed on yesterday when Colonel Thomns Ed- ward Hodges died. No man in Morgantown had more friends or more deserved them, for Colonel Hodges was first of all a friend of Morgantown and of all the good souls in it.

"He was a tireless worker for the advancement of his fellowmen. To do the kindly, friendly thing-that seemed to be his first impulse. Whether in the highest chair of the State University, of which he was a prime fnetor in its development, or as local postmaster, his foremost thought was to be of service. A companion of great and renowaed men, he was still a friend to the friendless, and who can doubt that his very thoughts and his heart of love helped to make the world a happier place to live in? llis time, his talents, his dollars were always available and his good cheer was inexhaustible. He was one of the "old timers" of the best sort and lived his square and honorable life according to the best traditions of the Mountain Side.

" As an educational figure he won national fame; as a church worker he was the coadjutor of the leaders of his denomination; as a politician he was the trusted advisor of the democratic party of the state. He was the beloved father of a family of whom he was proud and who live to do honor to his name. It can truly he said of Colonel llodges what cannot be so truly said of many men-that his life was a well rounded success. Men may come and men may go, but there never will he another just like Colonel Hodges. The whole state will lament his going and cherish his memory."

Perhaps a better and closer approximation to the essen- tial elements of his career and character is contained in another editorial tribute, published after his death by the Morgantown Post:

"There is not a city, towa or village in the state of West Virginia where men and women, some of them past middle age, others just fairly beginning life's active duties, will not pause to recall with kindly affection their asso- ciations in one capacity or another with Thomas Edward lodges, whose splendid earthly career ended Sunday morn- ing. In the larger cities there will be hundreds to whom his death will mean a personal loss, while in the small

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country village there may be only one or two who were privileged to know him, but without exception their senti- ments will be the same. Not many men so live and act that this remarkable tribute may be justly paid them, but there is none who will question the propriety of its appli- cation here. In the field of scholarship, he had earned the title of doctor. In military rank he was a colonel be- cause of military service faithfully performed. In service to his state he was properly referred to as honorable. To thousands whom he had instructed he was professor. In business associations, in military service, as lecturer, pub- licist, and political leader he numbered thousands among his associates, acquaintances and friends, but those to whom his life and character meant most, and to whom his death will bring sincerest sorrow, are the students who knew him outside of the class room as 'Tommy' Hodges. And this is because in his big, whole-hearted, sympathetic way, he understood the heart of youth. His faith in young men and young women was boundless, and this they understood -and loved him.

"He achieved in many fields a distinction for which most men strive for but one. His scholastic, civic and religious attainments were extraordinary. His wholesome optimism, his limitless energy, his fondness for clean sport, his sound business judgment and probity, his spiritnal un- derstanding, his devotion to his church and family, his high patriotism, his faith in humanity, his unwillingness to be- lieve evil, his staunch friendship, and his devotion to right as he saw it, were all attributes worthy of admiration, but in his genuine affection for the young men and women who came to him for instruction, and his unfailing sym- pathy with all of their activities and aspirations, his clear understanding of their hearts and his willingness to serve them, not only as their instructor but as their friend and associate, is builded his best and most lasting memorial. The state and this community have lost a magnificent type of citizen in the death of Doctor Hodges; the students of former years mourn the death of a friend and comrade."

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History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 2, Part 79

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