History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 2, Part 82

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THE CARTER OIL COMPANY. Col. John J. Carter, an oil operator of Pennsylvania, came to West Virginia in 1893, and on his own account bought producing oil properties in Tyler County, West Virginia, at and in the vicinity of the town of Sistersville, known as the Victor, Shay, Ludwig, Mooney and Gillespie holdings. On May 1, 1893, The Carter Oil Company was incorporated and organized as a subsidiary of the Standard Oil Company (New Jersey), and Colonel Carter's holdings were transferred to the new company, its officers being: Col. John J. Carter, president and general manager, and George A. Eckbert, secretary-treasurer. The main office was at Titusville, Pennsylvania, until August, 1915, when Colonel Carter and Mr. Eckbert retired and were succeeded by A. F. Corwin, president; C. B. Ware, treasurer, and A. Clarke Bedford, secretary. F. C. Har- rington became a vice president in 1915. For a number of years prior to that time Mr. Harrington had been general superintendent of the company, with offices at Sistersville. The general offices were removed to Sistersville in 1915, and in 1918 to Parkersburg, the present headquarters. Also, in 1915, Eastern and Western Divisions were created, the Eastern Division comprising Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee, the Western comprising Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Wyoming. The present officers of the con- pany are: A. F. Corwin, president; A. V. Hoenig, vice president and general manager of the Eastern Division; R. M. Young, vice president and general manager of the Western Division; C. B. Ware, treasurer; and Richardson Pratt, secretary.

The oil wells in the Sistersville field produce large quan- tities of water with the oil, and about the time Colonel Carter became interested it was generally thought by oil

operators that the oil could not be produced on accou of the water. It was Colonel Carter's belief that systemat and continuous pumping would overcome this condition, a) his belief was justified by subsequent operations. The we in this field still produce much water with the oil, but large number of wells are still producing oil in sufficie quantities to warrant their operation. From that secti the company extended its holdings until it became one the largest oil producers in West Virginia, its princip operations being in Wetzel, Tyler, Pleasants, Ritchie, Dod ridge, Roane, Jackson, Lincoln, Calhoun and Kanaw' counties, West Virginia, and also large operations in Oh and Kentneky, in addition to the operations of the Weste Division in Oklahoma, Kansas, Wyoming and New Mexic

About 1910 experiments demonstrated that gasoline cov be produced from the natural gas from oil wells, by what known as the Compression process. Casing-head gas fro oil wells is especially rich in gasoline, and as such gas w. for the most part at that time a waste product its utilizatit was desirable, not only to the producer but also to the lai owner. W. H. Cooper, employed as a mechanical enginee was given charge of this work, and in 1911 he construct the company's first Compression Gasoline Plant at Sister ville. The company now has upward of thirty compressic plants and several plants which utilize what is known : the Absorption process for producing gasoline from natur: gas. The production of gasoline from natural gas has h come one of the important features of the company's bus ness.

In its operations for oil the company has drilled man wells which produce gas only, the product from which : increasingly valuable.

REECE SHELBY, former owner of the business conducte: under the title of the Shelby Shoe Company at Morgantown Monongalia County, is one of the progressive business me aud representative citizens of the fine little city that : the judicial center of this county. Mr. Shelby was hor in Greene County, Pennsylvania, and is a representative o one of the old and honored families of that county, hi paternal grandparents, Reece and Minerva (Reppert) Shelby having been born in this county, near the West Virgini line, and Mr. Shelby having later become a prosperous mer chant at Greensboro, that county. Their son, Walter, wa born in the same part of Greene County as were his parent: March 31, 1847, and as a young man he married Matild Patterson, who was born near Sharpsburg, that state, Febre ary 12, 1849, a daughter of John W. and Sarah (Bugh Patterson. Mrs. Shelby was a resident of Morgantowr West Virginia, at the time of her death, July 7, 1915 Walter Shelby was for a prolonged period a merchant a Greensboro, Pennsylvania, and thereafter became a sales man of farm machinery and fertilizers. In 1903 he remove with his family to Morgantown, West Virginia, to affor his children better educational advantages, and for severa years he here held a clerical position in the Mississipp Glass Works. Since 1912 he has lived retired in his home at Easton, near Morgantown. He is a member of the Baptis Church, as was also his wife. Of their children, Recce subject of this sketch, was born at Greensboro, Pennsyl vania, May 12, 1888, and he was afforded the advantage: of the public schools of that place and of Morgantown West Virginia, in which latter city he for a time attender the commercial department of the state university. Fo) several years thereafter he held an office position in the Mississippi Glass Works, and he next became a clerk fo) the American Sheet & Tin Plate Works, three years later marking his promotion to the position in the warehouse anc pickling department.

In 1915 Mr. Shelby became associated with C. R. Hustor in the purchase of the business of the J. M. Waters Shoc Company on High Street, and the business was then in- corporated as the Waters Shoe Company. In 1918, L. E. Price purchased Mr. Huston's interest, and iu September. 1919, reincorporation was effected, under the title of the Shelby Shoe Company. Shortly afterward Mr. Shelby pur- chased the interest of Mr. Price, and he was sole owner of the substantial business, which represented one of the two

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rgest shoe houses in Morgantown until October 15, 1921, hen he sold out. Ho is now sales agent for the Delco ight System for Monongalia County and for part of reston County.

Mr. Shelby was formerly vice president of the Morgan- own Business Men's Association, and was a director of e organization at the time when it was merged into the hamber of Commerce, of which he has been a direetor from le time of its organization. Ile is also a progressive ember of the Rotary Club. His basic Masonic affiliation is ith Morgantown Union Lodge No. 4, Ancient Free and Ae- pted Masons, and in the Scottish Rite of Masonry he has ceived the thirty-second degree in the Consistory of Wheet- ig, where also he holds Membership in Osiris Temple of the lystic Shrine. He is a member also of Athens Lodge No. j, Knights of Pythias, and Morgantown Lodge No. 411, enevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

September 11, 1910, recorded the marriage of Mr. Shelby id Miss Annabel Jones, who was born at Rivesville, Marion ounty, this state, a daughter of Haynes and Isabelle Howell) Jones, both of whom are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. helby have five daughters, whose names are here recorded : leanor Gertrude, Annabel Louise, Sarah Katharyn, Vir mia Hope, and Frances Genevieve.

LINVILLE CHRISTOPHER MASSEY, president of the Kana- ha County Bank, has for many years been active in harleston in behalf of its material and eivie development nd also in public affairs, especially through his service or two terma as county clerk.

The Massey family has been in old Virginia and West irginia sinee Colonial times. His great-grandfather, Wil- am Massey, was a native of old Virginia, was a farmer nd planter, and died in Raleigh County, West Virginia, 1885. His children were Steel, Jackson, Henry, Floyd. Villiam, Clark, Ruhama, Martha and Mrs. Larkin F. Allen. Steel Massey, grandfather of the Charleston banker, was orn in Raleigh County, where he spent his life as a farmer. le married Caroline Cantley and their three children were eorge W., Henry and Mary. George W. Massey, who was orn in Raleigh County in 1851, owned one of the sub- tantial farms in that locality, and was widely known over at region for his hospitality and his influence for good. le died of typhoid fever in November, 1895. His wife was ydia Rosabelle Acord, who was born near Charleston, aughter of William C. Acord. The children of their marriage were: Romanza, L. Christopher, Robert L. and fary J., twins, Lura B., Arizona, Calvin W., Virginia A. nd Ettie.

Linville Christopher Massey was born on his father's arm in Raleigh County, April 26, 1878. He was educated 1 the public schools and the Concord Normal, and for hirteen years his chief work was in the educational field. Ir. Massey as a young man had the unusual distinction of aving a town named in his honor, Masseyville, and his rother, C. W. Massey, became the first postmaster. Mr. lassey himself was active in business as manager of the Black Band Coal & Coke Company. While so much of his fe has been devoted to public service represented in teach- ig and other publie offices, Mr. Massey is a thoroughly ble business man and has been identified with the coal usiness, real estate and banking. A number of years ago e became interested in Charleston real estate development. ne of his most notable successes was the promotion of the 1. C. Massey subdivision of Montrose, a beautiful resi- ential area on the south bank of the Kanawha River, irectly across from the main lower section of Charleston. lis own beautiful home and grounds are there, and many ther fine homes distinguish it as one of the best residential ections of Charleston.

Mr. Massey's puhlic career began with an appointment s justice of the peace, to fill out an unexpired term, in 903. In 1905 he was elected on the republican ticket to he State Legislature, serving two years. He was appointed member of the Board of Education in 1907. In the same ear he served as chairman of the Republican Senatorial Committee, and has also served as chairman of the Third Congressional Committee. He was elected and in 1908 en-

tered upon his duties as county clerk of Kanawha County, and six years later was re-elected, but at the close of his second term, having given twelve years to the duties of the office, he refused longer to be a candidate, and had the satisfaction of leaving the office in a condition of systematic good order and with the general financial credit of the county higher than ever before.

His term as county elerk ended January 1. 1920, and since then Mr. Massey has devoted his entire time to real estate and the active direction of the Kanawha County Bank, of which he is president. This bank opened for business March 5, 1919, and has a most advantageous loca tion on the corner of Virginia and Court streets, diagonally aeross from the magnificent new City Hall and just half a block from the Kanawha County courthouse. The bank is, therefore, in the commercial and civie center of Charleston. I'nder Mr. Massey's skillful management the Kanawha County Bank has enjoyed a highly satisfactory growth and development, and is one of the substantial financial institu tions of the state. He is also president of the Community Savings & Loan Company.

Mr. Massey is a thirty second degree Scottish Rite Mason, a Knight Templar, and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He is also an Odd Fellow, a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and a Knight of Pythias.

Ile and Mrs. Massey are members of the Presbyterian Church. March 1, 1904, he married Miss Mary J. Mathews, who was born near Charleston and was edueated in the public schools of that city. She is a granddaughter of Guy P. Mathews, and a daughter of Capt. J. W. and Josephine (Walker) Mathews. Both her father and grandfather were Confederate soldiers, her father being a captain in the Southern army. Mr. and Mrs. Massey have three sons, Guy Mathews, Eustace Lee and Linville C., Jr.

MARSHALL W. OGDEN, a vital and representative member of the bar of Marion County, is engaged in the successful practice of his profession in the City of Fairmont, the county seat.

He was born at Prospect Valley, Harrison County, this state, January 26, 1-73, and is a son of Van Buren and Marey (Talkington) Ogden. In assured genealogieal rec- ords the lineage of the American branch of the Ogden family traces back to Maryland and its early settlement. At Port Tobacco in that commonwealth we find Jonathon Ogden, who from a liberal research of genealogical records is believed to be a lineal descendent of John Ogden, the Pilgrim, who came to America in 1640 from England and settled on the southern shore of Long Island. Jonathan Ogden married dane Howell, daughter of Paul and Mary Howell, of Howell's Delight, Maryland. Among his ten children was a son, Thomas, born September 30, 1775, who married Elizabeth Moore at l'ort Tobaceo in 1793, and with his family, including his father, mother and eight of his brothers and sisters, came to what is now West Vir- ginia and settled near Enterprise in Harrison County, where he became a successful trader and accumulated an ap- preciable estate. His father and mother are buried in the Hardesty Cemetery at that place. The Barnes, Richardson, Martin, Robey and Bigler families of the Upper Mononga- hela Valley ean trace their ancestry to the daughters of Jonathan Ogden. Nathan Ogden, son of Thomas, was born in Harrison County, near Enterprise, June 14, 1811. Hle married Jane Dunean, of Prospect Valley, and settled in that neighborhood. lle became prominently identified with early lumbering operations in that section, and as owner and operator of a water power sawmill he shipped lumber, cereals and other products down the Monongahela River in flat boats to market.

Van Buren, aon of Nathan Ogden and father of the suh jeet of this review, was born November 27, IS37, became a skilled blacksmith and followed his trade until 1873, when he engaged in the mercantile business with Benjamin W. Harbert at Prospect Valley, and after eight years of suc- cessful business their store was destroyed by fire. He then turned his attention to farm enterprises, though in later years he again engaged in mercantile pursuits. He was appointed postmaster at that place by President Grant,

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which position he held until 1904, when the post office was abolished and placed on rural free delivery. He married September 29, 1864, Marcy E., daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth W. (Hartley) Talkington, pioneer residents of Marion County, near Mannington. Though born on the 27th day of February, 1835, Mrs. Ogden is still in fair health. Van Buren Ogden died January 26, 1911, known as a business mau of ability and as a sterling citizen well worthy of the popular esteem which was ever accorded to him. Of the children the following brief record is avail- able: Savilla A., born January 28, 1866, married G. D. Shreve on June 30, 1887, and she died June 4, 1889, their only child, Goff D., having died in April of the year of the first anniversary of his birth. William B., born April 13, 1867, became a prominent and successful educator, and died unmarried, April 7, 1893. Ellery Ellsworth, born October 19, 1869, married, May 16, 1893, Miss Lilly Weekly, and to them have been born five children, Paul G., born December 15, 1895, married May Matthews; Ira D., born July 25, 1897, married Blanch Hildreth; William F., born October 12, 1899; Zabell Flora, boru March 5, 1905; and Oran Maxin, their youngest son. Marshall W., the subject of this review, was the next in order of birth of the chil- dren of Van Buren and Marcy E. Ogden. Emma Z., born August 24, 1874, was united in marriage to James D. Rob- inson, December 21, 1893, to which union were born two children, David W., born June 12, 1895, married Willa B. Robinson, and they have one child, Virginia Lee; and Vera M., born November 11, 1900.

After completing the curriculum of the public schools and teaching two years therein at Prospect Valley, Marshall W. Ogden continued his studies in the State Normal School at Fairmont, and in 1897 graduated from the law depart- ment of the University of West Virginia. His admission to the bar was virtually coincident with his reception of the degree of Bachelor of Laws, and he forthwith opened an office at Fairmont as partner with Ross A. Watts, which partnership was continued until 1901, when the same was dissolved hy mutual agreement, since which time he has continued in the successful practice of law, and has secured status as one of the able and successful members of the Marion County bar. He was for two years acting president of the Marion County Bar Association, and is an active member of the West Virginia Bar Association. He is a loyal advocate and supporter of the principles of the republican party, but the only elective office which he has consented to hold was as member of the City Council. He and his family are affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he was president of its Business Men's Bible Class in 1919-20.

On the 16th day of June, 1901, was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Ogden and Lelia, daughter of Thomas and Amanda Hawker, she having been horn in Harrison County, February 25, 1878. Mr. Hawker was a prosperous busi- ness man, and was president of Farmers Bank of Shinnston for twenty years prior to his death, October 10, 1921. Mr. and Mrs. Ogden have one son, Herbert Leland, born Sep- tember 2, 1906.

HENRY SANFORD YOST, M. D. This is a brief record of a family of physicians whose professional work through three generations has been done in Marion County. The name is one of honorable distinction in citizenship as well as in the profession.

The American ancestor of this branch of the Yost family was John Yost, who immigrated from Bavaria in 1773, landing at New York City. A year later he removed to Elizabeth, New Jersey, then to Trenton in the same state, and for several years was a soldier in the war for inde- pendence. After that war he came over the mountains and was one of the pioneers in Monongalia County, on Indian Creek. At Elizabeth, New Jersey, he married Katie Snuiche (Snook), of Holland and English descent. A son of this pioneer couple, also named John Yost, was born near Cum- berland, Maryland, in 1775, and spent his active life in Monongalia County, where he died in 1850. He married Susie Dawson, who was born in 1780 and died in 1864. Aaron Yost, son of John and Susie Yost, was born in Mo-

nongalia County in 1800 and died in 1879. His wife w Sarah Pitzer, daughter of John Pitzer. This is a brief : count of the first three generations, all of whom lived West Virginia.

The fourth generation was represented by Dr. Jorier Yo son of Aaron Yost. He was born in Marion County, We Virginia, June 11, 1833. Early in life he took up the stu of medicine with Dr. Fielding H. Yost, of Fairview, : tended lectures of the Eclectic Medical School of Cincinna and throughout his active life was a capable and hi minded practitioner of medicine in the Fairview communit During the Civil war he was made a prisoner by the Feder troops. On October 30, 1867, Dr. Jorier Yost married Ha riet Neptune. She was born in Marion County, May 1 1848, daughter of Samuel and Rebecca (Raber) Neptur Her father, Samuel Neptune, was a son of Henry Neptu and a grandson of Henry Neptune, who came from Gree in 1760, settling in Virginia, and some years later bore arı with the colonists in their struggle for independence.

Dr. Henry Sanford Yost, a son of Dr. Jorier Yost, w born at Fairview, Marion County, April 28, 1869, and whi he is now in the prime of his powers and activities as typical physician and surgeon, he has two sons enrolled the profession and a third preparing therefor. He had liberal education, attending the Fairmont State Norm School in 1884-5, graduated in 1888 from the Central No mal College of Danville, and in 1890, graduated from tl Eclectic College of Indianapolis. For a number of yea Doctor Yost practiced his profession at Fairview, but : September, 1905, removed to Fairmont. He handles an e: tensive general practice and is also a member of the me ical staff of Cook Hospital. He did special post-gradua work during 1900-01 and 1906-07 in the Eclectic Medic: College of Cincinnati. From 1892 to 1896 Doctor Yo: was a United States Pension Examiner, and is surgeo for Monongahela Railway Company.

He is a member and a trustee of West Virginia Stat Eclectic Medical Association, a member of the Nation Eclectic Medical Association, and is also affiliated with th Marion County, West Virginia State and American Med ical Associations. His fraternal affiliations are with Fai mont Lodge No. 9, A. F. and A. M., Orient Chapter No. ! , R. A. M., Crusade Commandery No. 6, K. T. and Osiri Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Wheeling; is a past gran of Mill City Lodge No. 110, I. O. O. F., of Fairvier has been a member of the Grand Lodge of the state i that order; and is a member of the Modern Woodmen o' America and Knights of the Maccabees. While living a. Fairview, Doctor Yost served as mayor of that city on term, and has since been a member of the Fairmont Cit Council.

On August 28, 1890, he married Leanore Phillips. Mrs Yost was born January 1, 1869, daughter of Remembrance Lindsay Phillips, of Greene County, Pennsylvania. He father made a record of teaching school in Pennsylvani for thirty terms, and then bought a farm near Fairview Marion Connty, where he lived until his death in May, 1898 at the age of fifty-seven. Following this paragraph it i appropriate to give briefly a record of each of the thre. sons of Doctor and Mrs. Yost.

Herschel R., the oldest, was born June 1, 1891, graduated from the Fairmont High School in 1911, received his M. D degree from the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati il 1915, spent six months in Seton Hospital of Cincinnati and twelve months as house surgeon at Bethesda Hospital After practising for a few months at Carthage, Ohio, he returned home and has since been associated with his father at Fairmont. He is a member of the staff of Cook Hospital and is mine surgeon at Rivesville for the Monongahela Rail- way. Dr. Herschel Yost is a member of the Marion County and the American Medical associations, the National Eclec. tic Medical Association and the Southern Ohio Eclectic Medical Association. Fraternally he is affiliated with Acacia Lodge, A. F. and A. M., and with the Scottish Rite and Shrine, and is also a member of the Elks.

Three days after the United States entered the World war he applied for enlistment, but was rejected on account of physical disabilities. In May, 1918, he again volunteered

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Id was accepted and commissioned first lieutenant ia the .dieal Corps. During the same month he was called to ty at Camp Jackson, South Carolina, in September was ansferred to Camp Sevier, Greenville, South Carolina, and January, 1919, was returned to Camp JJackson for duty the Demobilization Board for examination of returned diers, and in March, 1919, gained his honorable discharge el soon afterward resumed his privato practice in Fair- at.

The second son, Jorier Yost, born December 12, 1894, aduated in 1918 from the Eclectic Medical College of Cin mati, and was on duty at the Metropolitan Hospital, New ork City, awaiting call to the service, but the war closed fore he received active detail. He is now in practice with s father and brother.

Paul Yost, the youngest of the family, was born Novem- r, 1897, received his A. B. degree in 1920 from West Vir- nia University, and is now in his junior year of medicine West Virginia University.

JOSEPH ROSIER, who has been president of the Fairmont ate Normal School for a number of years, has been a ader in West Virginia educational affairs for many years. t his youth he made a definite start of education as a reer, and it has been a calling that has absorbed his hole souled enthusiasm and energy ever sinee.

Mr. Rosier was born in Harrison County, West Virginia inuary 24, 1870, son of John W. and Rebecea (Miller) osier. His parents, now deceased, were also natives of arrison County. The Rosier family was established in merica a number of generations ago by an ancestor from ermany. The mother of John W. Rosier was a Rateliff, ho came from Scotland with her parents when she was x years old, the family settling in Harrison County. rebecca Miller was a daughter of David Miller, who mar- ed a Swiger.

Joseph Rosier attended the common schools of Harrison ounty and Salem Academy, is a graduate of Salen Col- ge, and that institution conferred upon him the honorary gree of A. M. in 1915. Mr. Rosier did his first work as a acher in the grade schools of Salem as principal in 1890. e remained there three years, for one year was a member ₹ the Harrison County Board of Examiners, was county perintendent of schools for two years and for two years as an instructor at Salem College. For one year he was member of the faculty of the Glenville State Normal chool.

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History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 2, Part 82

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