History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 3, Part 106

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Morgantown Academy at Morgantown, West Virginia, and continued therein until 1848.

He studied law with his old friend, Timothy John Fox Alden, an able lawyer of the Pittsburgh bar. The home of Mr. Woods had been at Meadville, Pennsylvania. He was admitted to the bar in 1848, and located at Philippi, where the new county of Barbour had just been formed, and there formed a partnership-at-law with John S. Carlisle.

His brother-in-law, the late James Neeson, who likewise lived at Meadville, settled about the same time at Fairmont where he was a distinguished lawyer.

Mr. Woods was six feet high, large of frame, weighed about 210 pounds, had a clean shaven face, and was at straight as an arrow, physical characteristics which belong to all of his sons.

He was elected a member of the Virginia Constitutiona Convention of 1861, which passed the Ordinance of Seces sion, and he voted for that instrument and signed the same and was afterward a soldier in the Confederate Army, ir Stonewall Jackson's Army Corps.

In 1871 he was elected a member to the Constitutiona Convention, which framed the present Constitution of Wes' Virginia, which has stood the test of time for more than fifty years. In that convention he was one of its most able and distinguished men, and took a very prominent part in the work which was there done.

In January, 1881, he was appointed judge of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, and was afterward elected thereto, and continued in that position until the 1s. of January, 1889.

Mr. Woods was a great lawyer, practising his profession in the courts of West Virginia for more than thirty years before he went on the bench. He was undoubtedly ond of the ablest and most distinguished lawyers in the State of West Virginia, and had long enjoyed a large, extensive and profitable practice when he went on the bench.

Judge Woods was born on the 19th of September, 1822 in East Canada, at Three Rivers, and in his childhood hi family moved to Meadville, Pennsylvania, where he attended the public schools, worked at the trade of plasterer, and worked his way through Allegheny College, from which he graduated at the head of his class when he was twenty years of age, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts.

Mr. Woods was a devoutly religious man, through al of the vicissitudes of the Civil war, and was a constan member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He alway took the right side of every high and moral question, and never apologized for his opinion, nor feared any adversarie in public, private or professional debate. He was a dis tinguished man in personal appearance, distinguished ir his public service, distinguished in his professional and private life.

In the history of the bench and har of West Virginia Judge Woods is described as "large in brain and stature over six feet tall, weighing over two hundred pounds, round of face and handsome, of commanding appearance, and stalwart in moral as in physical qualifications. He pos sessed strong religious convictions, and never apologized for his faith and demonstrated his faith by his work It was his character as well as his long experience and knowledge in the law that enabled him to achieve such remarkable success in his profession. He was a gifted orator, and one of the strongest advocates who eve appeared in a court trial in the state. Perhaps one 0 his most striking characteristics in an age when profes sional men generally were given to conviviality was hi abstinence from the use of alcoholic liquors and narcotics He possessed an excellent literary taste, and his literar style appears in all of his opinions from the bench."

In 1848 Mr. Woods married in Meadville, Pennsylvania Isabella Neeson, and they had six children. Their thre sons all became lawyers, Frank Woods, who died in Balti more in the year 1900, J. Hop. Woods, who died at Philipp: West Virginia, on the 25th of October, 1921, and Samne V. Woods, who still lives at Philippi, West Virginia.

Judge Woods was a democrat in politics, and was on

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of the most forceful and effective political platform speakers of his day within the State of West Virginia. He was a great orator, a just judge, a fine lawyer, a model citizen, loved and respected by all who knew him, and in the later years of his life, about the year 1888, Allegheny College conferred upon him the degree of LL.D.

Mr. Woods was a Mason, and he died in his home at Philippi on the 17th of February, 1897, in the seventy- fifth year of his age.

FRANK WOODS was born at Philippi, West Virginia, July 20, 1850, and was the oldest son of Judge Samuel Woods. He graduated from the West Virginia University in 1874. He was a member of the faculty and tutor in that institution until his admission to the bar in 1877, when he formed a partnership and practiced law at Graf- ton, West Virginia, with the late Benjamin F. Martin, under the firm name of Martin and Woods. He was a remarkably successful and clear headed lawyer, with a style and diction which were unusually scholarly, lucid and forceful, and his pleadings were models, and will be found models to this day. In 1887, after having prac- ticed law in the courts of West Virginia for about ten years with unusual success, he moved to the City of Balti- more, and practiced his profession there in the courts of Maryland until his death in the year 1900.

Mr. Woods attained a remarkably high standing in the able bar of Baltimore City, and was held in the highest respect by all who knew him. He was a devoutly religious man and a consistent member of the Monumental Metho- dist Episcopal Church in Baltimore, and was for a long time the superintendent of the Sunday School of that church.

While he lived in Baltimore his services were in great demand. He had a large practice in questions of title and property relating to interests of clients in the state of West Virginia, and he frequently appeared and prac- ticed in the Federal courts in West Virginia and for a ong time in the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Vir- ginia after his removal to the City of Baltimore.

Mr. Woods took great interest in educational and re- igious affairs, and was very active and generous in char- table activities in and about the City of Baltimore. He was for many years a member of the Board of Trustees of the Chelteham School for colored boys near the City of Baltimore.

Mr. Woods was a democrat of the most independent character, but took no active personal participating in- jerest in political affairs.

He was six feet high, wore a dark beard, was as straight as an Indian, was always a deeply and devoutly studious ind religious man, and was held in the highest esteem py all who knew him.

He married Miss Harriet L. Deering, of Morgantown, West Virginia, in June 1879. They had no children. Mr. Woods died suddenly in Atlantic City, New Jersey, an the 21st day of August, 1900 .

J. HOP. WOODS was the second son of Judge Samuel Woods. He was born at Philippi, West Virginia, on the 23rd of November, 1853, and died at Philippi on the 25th day of October, 1921. He was educated by private intors, in the public schools, at the West Point Military Academy and at the West Virginia University.

He came to the bar in 1879, and for a long time prac- iced bis profession in Barbour County with his father, he late Samuel Woods, under the firm name of Samuel Woods & Son, and until his father went on the bench as judge of the Supreme Court of Appeals.

In Barbour County, where he resided and was respected und loved by everybody, he had a large and lucrative practice and he was an unusually diligent, studious and faithful lawyer in respect to every matter which was com- nitted to his care.

He was remarkably studious and industrious to a de- gree, and never failed to make every effort and apply very energy to the successful performance of the many

duties which were entrusted to his supervision, at a bar which during his time was composed of able, eloquent, successful and commanding lawyers, among whom he at- tained and always maintained the highest rank. At the time of his death he was the oldest and perhaps most honored member of the Barbour County bar. He was the president of the Barbour County Bar Association. He had been president of the West Virginia Bar Asso- ciation, and for the year 1921 he was a delegate to the National Bar Association from West Virginia, and at tended its meeting in Cincinnati.

Mr. Woods was a deeply religious man of sincere and devout religious conviction. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and one of the finest Bible teachers the local church at Philippi ever had. He was happily married, had a beautiful home and enjoyed the companionship and society of his fellowmen, He lived with his head among the clouds, and he was a master of high thinking and had a deep and profound respect of all right living people.

In 1898 he married Miss Jennie Canter, and they have one son, Neeson Canter Woods, who is in his twentieth year and is preparing himself for the legal profession. He has recently graduated from the Staunton Military Academy, and is now a student in college, and the hope of his father was that his son might become a lawyer and keep up the high standard of learning, capacity, and efficiency at the bar which has so long distinguished the talented family of lawyers through which he is descended.

Mr. Woods was a consistent and out-spoken democrat, unusually proud and assertive of the political view which he entertained. He was an interesting, clear headed and convincing public speaker, and when at his best was a powerful and formidable adversary before the bar and before a jury. He was the kind of a man who did not ask nor expect any quarter at the bar from judge, jury or advocate, and was quick and ready to have them all understand that that was his attitude in every legal and forensic contest in which he was engaged as a lawyer or practitioner.

Mr. Woods was dearly loved and his death was deeply deplored by all who knew him, and in the community where he lived he is greatly missed. His noble life and humble Christian fortitude stand as monuments among his neighbors which neither time nor tide can efface.

VAN B. HALL. The profession of the law offers unex- ampled opportunities for advancement, not only along pro- fessional lines, but in politics as well, and it is a notable fact that many of the distinguished men of this country today, as they were in the past, are recruited from the ranks of this learned calling. One of the leading men of Brax- ton County, who has won laurels both as an attorney and in the office of prosecuting attorney, is Van B. Hall, engaged in practicing at the Sutton bar.

Van B. Hall was born in Meigs County, Ohio, March 30, 1870, a son of R. M. and Sarah A. (Duvaull) Hall, the former born in Marion County in 1828 and the latter born in Harrison County in 1830. R. M. Hall was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They moved to Braxton County when their son Van B. Hall was six years old. Mr. Hall was a Mason and a most exemplary man in every re- spect. The democratic ticket received his hearty support. Four of his eight children survive, namely: Homer C., who is a railroad engineer residing at San Francisco, California; Burke P., who is an attorney of Sutton; S. L., who is a resident of Frametown, West Virginia, and Van B., whose name heads this review.

From childhood, determined upon a professional career, Van B. Hall worked steadily with that end in view, and after attending the public schools of Braxton County, where he was reared, he took a course at the Glenville State Nor- mal School, and then engaged in teaching in the free schools of Braxton County. While thus engaged he read law, and was admitted to practice in the courts of West Virginia in 1896. A few years thereafter he formed a partnership with his brother, Burke P. Hall, in the practice of law, under the firm name of Hall Brothers, at Sutton. In November,

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1920, he was elected prosecuting attorney of Braxton County, being the only candidate on the democratic county ticket, having opposition to win in that election. His success came to him because of his personal popularity, and the realiza- tion of the people of his special fitness for this important office.

On September 24, 1901, Mr. Hall married Sarah Anne Boggs, who was educated in the public schools. Mr. and Mrs. Hall became the parents of four sons, namely: Byron W., who graduated from the Sutton High School, and is now attending the West Virginia State University; Robert M., attending the Sutton High School; Boggs C. and Harold Lee, both of whom are attending the grade schools. Mr. Hall belongs to the Baptist Church, and is an active worker in the Sunday School, which he is now serving as superin- tendent, and is president of the Braxton County Sunday School Association and one of the trustees of Broaddus College at Philippi, West Virginia. A Mason, he belongs to Sutton Lodge No. 21, A. F. and A. M., of which he is a past master ; Sutton Chapter No. 29, R. A. M., of which he is a past high priest; and Sutton Commandery, 16, K. T., of which he is generalissimo. He is a member of Sutton Lodge No. 73, K. of P., of which he is past chancellor, and he also belongs to the Beni-Kedem Temple at Charleston, A. A. O. N. M. S. Some years ago he served as moderator of the Elk Valley Baptist Association, and is one of the leading Baptists in this part of the state. It is needless to say that he has faithfully and capably discharged every responsibility reposed in him, and that he holds in high degree the confi- dence and full respect of his fellow citizens.

SETH A. MORTON. With the possible exception of honesty and integrity, there is no other quality so in demand in the business world of today as practicality. Energy, push, en- terprise, courage and rapid and sure decision mark the men who become the compelling forces in the upbuilding of the trade and commerce of the country. Seth A. Morton, a well-known lumberman of Sutton, has been so marked. There has been no element of chance in the success which he has achieved; on the contrary, it has been the inevitable result of what he has put of himself into his energies. No fortunate circumstances gave him any early advantage, for he began his business career with only the endowments with which nature had favored him, coupled with the sound principles instilled in his home during his boyhood.

Mr. Morton was born in Clay County, West Virginia, April 7, 1868, a son of Daniel and Charlotte (Roger) Mor- ton. His father was also born in Clay County, a son of John T. Morton, the latter being a son of Thomas T. Morton, who was a soldier during the Revolutionary war and the War of 1812. After the close of the latter struggle he went to Clay County, where he and his wife passed the rest of their lives. His son, John T. Morton, was reared in Clay County, where he married the widow of Samuel Holcomb and became the father of six children, among them Daniel Mor- ton. Daniel Morton was reared in Clay County, where he was given only limited educational advantages, and as a young man adopted the vocation of agriculture, which he followed throughout his life. He was a republican in poli- ties, although not an office seeker. Of his ten children the following are living at this time: G. P., of Molino, Florida; Seth A., of this review; Chloe, the wife of John D. Ramsey ; Moses S., of Harriman, Tennessee; Mary S., the wife of W. J. Ramsey, and Esther, the wife of H. J. Walker. 1t is interesting to note that of this family three of the Morton laughters married three brothers of the Ramsey family, while one of the Morton boys married one of the Ramsey girls.

Seth A. Morton was reared on his father's farm in Clay County, where he was given his education in the district schools, and until he reached the age of twenty-one years was his father's associate in the work of the home place. While thus engaged he became interested in the lumber busi- ness, which he finally entered on his own account and eventu- ally established an office and yard at Sutton. Following his marriage he lived for a time on the old home farm in Clay County, where he divided his time between farming and lumbering, subsequently moving to Webster County, where

he owned and operated a sawmill until 1918. He then dis- posed of his interests in Webster County and moved to Sutton, and has here built up a splendid business and placed himself among the leading business men of the place.

In October, 1896, Mr. Morton was united in marriage with Miss Hattie M. Ramsey, who was reared on a farm in Clay County and was educated in the public schools, and to this union there have been born four children: Mabel, the wife of F. J. Howie; Mamie, the wife of W. A. Robinson; and Marco O. and Olive, who are attending public school. Mr. and Mrs. Morton have one grandchild: Elnora Robin- son, born December 26, 1921. By a previous marriage Mr. Morton had two children, of whom one is living, Fred G., of Webster County, West Virginia, a veteran of the World war. In his political allegiance Mr. Morton is a democrat, but has not cared for public office, his business interests having been of sufficient importance and size to keep his attention and energies occupied. He has some valuable realty holdings in this region, which include 300 acres of coal lands, as well as a modern home at Sutton and a dwel- ling at Charleston.

CLYDE HAMILTON SNEDEGAR. The part public utilities have played in the development of the country has never, perhaps, been fully realized by those who enjoy the benefits accruing therefrom, but as time progresses people are com- ing more and more to appreciate the debt owed by them to the men who keep these conveniences in working order. Particularly is this true with reference to the great railway systems, although the general public usually hears only about the heads of these companies and little about those in more humble positions, whose duties, however, are just as exacting and important in comparison, and whose respon- sibilities are numerous and heavy. In this connection is mentioned Clyde Hamilton Snedegar, of Huntington, train- master of the Huntington Division of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Company, a man who has worked his own way up to responsibility, and who in his present capacity is working along lines of mutual interest, confidence and opportunity.

Mr. Snedegar was born at Ona, Cabell County, West Vir- ginia, July 3, 1877, a son of Robert Jesse and Mary Eliza- beth (Douglas) Snedegar. His father was born in 1843, in Greenbrier County, Virginia (now West Virginia), where he worked on his father's farm until 1861. At the outbreak of the war between the states he enlisted in the Union army, joining a West Virginia infantry regiment which was later consolidated with the Thirty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Mr. Snedegar saw four years of service, was severely wounded in the left shoulder and participated in the second battle of Bull Run and other notable engagements. He had a splendid record for valiant service and fidelity to duty, and on the receipt of his honorable discharge served on United States Government surveys in Missouri, Indian Territory and other sections of the then West. In 1871 he returned to Huntington, where he became a pioneer fireman for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Company, and in 1873 was promoted to the post of locomotive engineer, a position which he held until his death at Huntington in November, 1917, at which time he was one of the oldest engineers of the road in point of service. He was a republican in his politi- cal convictions, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. While with the surveying party, at Kansas City, Missouri, he was initiated into the mysteries of Masonry, and continued to be a member of that order until his death. He also held membership in the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. Mr. Snedegar married Miss Mary Elizabeth Douglas, who was born in 1858, in Rockbridge County, Vir- ginia, and died at Huntington in April, 1918. They became the parents of seven children, as follows: Clyde Hamilton, of this notice; Pearl, who is unmarried and an employe of the Anderson-Newcomb Company department store at Hunt- ington; Vesta MeCorkle, the wife of Eli MeComas, of Huntington, a locomotive engineer for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway; Lilla, the wife of Wiley Agnew, of Earling, West Virginia, store manager for the Logan Coal Company; Percy D., of Huntington, a conductor for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway; Lillian, unmarried, a clerk in the time-

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eeper's office of the same road; and Robert, a Chesapeake , Ohio locomotive fireman, residing at Huntington.

Clyde Hamilton Snedegar received his education in the raded and high schools of Huntington, leaving the latter t the age of sixteen years to become a telegraph operator or the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway, a vocation which he allowed for four years on the Huntington Division. In 904 he was made train dispatcher at Huntington, and in 918 was advanced to the post of trainmaster, which he has ince held, his offices being situated in the passenger station uilding of the road, on Seventh Avenue, between Ninth nd Tenth streets. He is a thoroughly competent railroad ian, who has the confidence of his superiors and associates nd the good will and friendship of his men. In politics e is a republican, and his religious connection is with the Presbyterian Church. He belongs to Syracuse Lodge No. 2, K. of P., of Huntington; Huntington Camp, M. W. A .; nd the Huntington Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Snedegar wns a modern residence at 1664 Sixth Avenue, a com- ortable and attractive home in one of Huntington's exclu- ve residence districts.

In February, 1902, at Milton, West Virginia, Mr. Sned- gar married Miss Mary Agnes Martindale, a daughter of ugh and Matilda (Irwin) Martindale, the latter of whom deceased. Mr. Martindale, who was formerly a school eacher and farmer, is now retired from active life and is taking his home with his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and [rs. Snedegar. The latter have five children: Mildred, ho is a freshman at the Huntington High School; Robert [ugh, a freshman at the Junior High School; Ruth, who taking a preparatory course at Marshall College; Helen, ttending the graded school; and Creth, the baby.

WILLIAM WINFRED SMITH. To those who are interested the facts concerning the development of their community here is something attractive in the lives of those who have een connected with the law. The jurist and legist occupy place which can be filled by no others in our country and nder our form of government. While all may aspire to nd attain positions of high distinction in public life, the an versed in the laws of the country must be depended pon to conserve human rights and to see that each class E our citizenship may have its representation in a legal ay. Of the lawyers of Cabell County who have attained istinction in their profession during recent years, one whose treer has been more than ordinarily successful and who as been the recipient of numerous honors is William Win- 'ed Smith, of Huntington.

Mr. Smith was born in York County, Pennsylvania, Febru- cy 24, 1877, a son of Henry N. and Mary A. (Hildebrand) mith, and received his early education in the public schools E his native county and of Ceredo, Wayne County, West irginia, where he was a member of the first graduating ass, of 1894, graduated from the Ceredo High School. He en entered Marshall College, Huntington, graduating in 396, following which, in 1897 and 1898, he was principal E the public schools of Kenova, West Virginia. In 1898 he itered West Virginia University, from which he was raduated with the class of 1902, receiving the degree of achelor of Arts, and in the year 1904 was given his laster of Arts degree from the same institution. He com- leted the law course in 1905 and received the degree of achelor of Laws and was admitted to the West Virginia ar in the same year at Morgantown. Mr. Smith had a mewhat remarkable college career. He was admitted to embership in the Phi Sigma Kappa Greek letter fraternity, as president of the college Young Men's Christian Asso- ation in 1901, was president of the Parthenon Literary ociety during 1901, was editor-in-chief of the College eekly, The Atheneum, in 1902, and during his senior year e the academic course took the Wiles prize in oratory, 100 in gold; the W. C. T. U. prize for an essay, and the tate Tax Commission prize for an essay, the subject of the st named being "Taxation in West Virginia."

On leaving college Mr. Smith practiced law at Morgan- own from 1905 until 1910 and then came to Huntington, here he has since carried on a general civil and criminal ractice, his offices being located at 300 and 301 First

National Bank Building. During his residence at Morgan- town Mr. Smith was elected a member of the city council, and rendered the service of compiling the ordinances of that city. At present he is attorney for the town of Ceredo. He holds membership in the Cabell County Bar Association, the West Virginia Bar Association and the American Bar Association. He took an active part in all local war move- ments, helping in all the drives, serving on the Legal Advisory Board of Cabell County and speaking throughout the county as a "Four-Minute Man" in behalf of the Liberty Loan campaigns, Red Cross and other patriotic organizations, which he also assisted liberally with his means. He is the editor and compiler of "The Honor Roll of Cabell County, West Virginia,"' an illustrated his- torical and biographical record of Cabell County's part in the World war, perhaps the most elaborate work of its kind of any county in the United States. In January, 1922, Mr. Smith was appointed by Governor E. F. Morgan as a West Virginia representative to the Illiteracy Commission of the National Educational Association, and attended the first conference, held at Chicago, February 24 and 25, 1922, at which conference the slogan coined by Mr. Smith, "No Illiteracy by 1930," was adopted. He is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Prisoners' Relief Society of Washington, D. C., and served as its managing director for a time, and his interest in this direction is also indicated by his membership in the American Sociological Congress.

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History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 3, Part 106

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