History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 3, Part 113

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In Preston County he married Miss Lucinda Freeland. Her father was Benjamin Freeland, who married a daughter of Samuel Messenger. Mrs. Whitehair died seven years after her marriage. She was the mother of three children. Her son Walter was killed in an explosion at Cumberland, Mary- land, leaving a wife and four children, whose names are Nora, wife of Clarence Mullendor, Blanche, Stanley and Mrs. Mildred Jennings. The only daughter of Mr. White- hair by his first marriage is Lizzie, wife of M. N. Taylor, of Terra Alta, and the living son is Samuel Whitehair, of Philadelphia. For his present wife Mr. Whitehair married in Garrett County, Maryland, Susan Sanders, daughter of John F. and Elizabeth (Baker) Sanders. Mrs. Whitehair was born in Garrett County February 22, 1851. The one child of Mr. and Mrs. Whitehair is Missouri, wife of Floyd

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H. Smith, of Philippi, and they have one child a daughter, Pearl, a student in the Philippi High School.

WINFIELD SCOTT SIMON is serving his second term as county assessor of Barbour County. He is one of the leaders in county republican politics, and his earnest, hard- working citizenship has won him a strong and loyal follow- ing of friends who repose implicit confidence both in his words and his actions.

His grandfather was Anthony Simon, a native of old Virginia, who for many years conducted a farmi on the waters of Stewart's Run in Barbour County. He married Minerva Corder. They had three sons and one daughter: Joseph B. A., Stephen, John and Helen, the latter of whom married J. R. Dickenson. Joseph B. A. Simon, father of the county assessor, was commissioned an officer in the Union Army, but was never called to active duty. He has been a farmer, is a member of the Baptist Church and is affiliated with the Junior Order United American Mechanies. Joseph B. A. Simon married Mildred McCoy, daughter of Benjamin and Mathilda Johnson McCoy. Of their ten chil- dren seven reached matured years: Winfield Scott; Tella, wife of O. J. Paugh; Addie, wife of Clark Wood; Icie, who is Mrs. Elbert MeWhorter; John, of Junior, West Vir- ginia, and there were also triplets in the family, named, Dora, Cora and Ora, the two survivors being Dora, wife of Albert Mcwhorter, and Cora, wife of James White. J. B. A. Simon is now seventy-six years of age, and lives with his son Scott. By a second marriage, to Miss Nettie Russell, he has a daughter, Frasie, wife of John Woodford, of Pittsburgh.

Winfield Scott Simon was born in Elk District of Bar- bour County June 4, 1867. His parents were poor. He was fourteen years of age when his mother died, and he and the other children were scattered and grew up chiefly among strangers. Scott Simon had only the advantage of the free schools in his neighborhool, and his environment was the farming district. He had no capital by inheritance, and his first means were supplied from farm labor and work at the carpenter's trade, which he learned and followed for a number of years. During dull seasons at the trade he worked at farming, and he continued in this way until he was chosen superintendent of the connty farm. His admin- istration of the county farm for seven years was a very efficient one, and during that time the farm became self supporting. When he turned it over to his successor the cash balance was greater than it had ever been at any previous transfer of administration.

Mr. Simon left the superintendency of the county farm to become candidate for county assessor. In the republican primaries of 1916 there were five candidates, and he de- feated his nearest opponent by 137 votes. In the election he defeated Shaffer, the democrat, by 117 votes. He en- tered the office as successor of C. E. Corder. In the primaries of 1920 he was nominated over two competitors, and he defeated his democratic opponent, Lloyd England, by a majority of 1,756. This was a larger vote by 700 than was given to President Harding in 1920 in Barbour County. His reelection is a high testimony to the judgment and fair- ness with which he has administered his office. Incidentally it should be noted that the total assessed valuation of prop- erty in Barbour County in 1916 was $13,000,000, while five years later the valuation rose to $22,000,000.

So far as his financial means permitted Mr. Simon has contributed generously to matters affecting the general wel- fare of Philippi and Barbour County. He was one of the contributing stockholders of the old woolen mill, which failed under the first management, but is now one of the live industries of the county. Mr. Simon has never voted any other ticket than republican, and is one of the able and in- fluential workers of the party in the county. He was a delegate to the state convention at Huntington for the naming of supreme judges. Fraternally he has served the chairs in the Knights of Pythias Lodge, is a member of the social branch of the order D. O. K. K., is a member of both branches of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Junior Order United American Mechanics.

In Barbour County November 6, 1889, Mr. Simon mar-

ried Miss Cora Reed, daughter of Nathan and Sallie Ree She was born in Barbour County and died June 24, 190 Her two children are Otto Simon and Helen, the latter t wife of Dellett Lanham. At Oakland, Maryland, Octob 13, 1909, Mr. Simon married Miss Alta West, a nati of Gilmer County, West Virginia, and daughter of S. V and Hanna (Wiseman) West, being one of their four so and four daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Simon have one chil Paul, now eleven years of age.

CHARLES FLETCHER LUCAS. While several lines of bus ness and industry have claimed his abilities during t] passing years. Mr. Lucas would probably classify hil self among occupations as a farmer and stockman. Fro him has proceeded not a little of the enterprise responsib for the development of the commercial interests of Ha rison County, particularly Shinnston, of which communi: he is a native son.

Mr. Lucas was born near Shinnston, June 14, 1868. H paternal grandparents were George R. and Amelia (Rogers Lucas. His grandfather was born near Baltimore, Mar, land, September 26, 1806, and was twelve years of ag when his family settled in Harrison County, West Virgini He became a farmer there, lived a useful life, was high respected as a citizen, and died December 5, 1892. E married in 1830 Amelia Rogers, and they had a family ‹ three sons and four daughters.

James E. Lucas, father of the Shinnston business ma was born in Harrison County, July 26, 1841, and is no. past the age of four score and retired after many years ( successful efforts devoted to farming and cattle raisin; At one time he was interested in the operation of th flour mill at Shinnston. He served as a teamster in tl Union Army during the Civil war. James E. Lucas ma ried for his first wife Minerva Chalfant, who died in 186: His second wife was Virginia Robinson, but his childre were all by his first marriage.

Charles Fletcher Lucas as a boy on the farm attende school regularly, and acquired a substantial training fc his career of usefulness. There has probably never bee an important length of time in which he has not had a active interest as a farmer and stock raiser. When he ws quite a young man he and his father were associated i the operation of the Shinnston Flour Mill, and eventuall he became owner of this establishment. In connectio with the mill for twenty years he looked after a number of other business affairs. He was financially intereste in the Clarksburg Wholesale Company, the Clarksburg Aut Company, the Clarksburg Trust Company, of which he i one of the vice presidents, and is a director of the Firs National Bank of Shinnston.

Mr. Lucas is a republican, a member of the Methodis Church, and is a Scottish Rite Mason and Shriner.

May 8, 1902, he married Sarah Marie Fowler, who wa born and reared at Pittsburgh, a daughter of Van Bure Fowler. The two sons of Mr. and Mrs. Lucas are Williar Edward and Van Buren Lucas. Their home is a large an handsome residence, the scene of generous hospitality o the part of its owners.

JOHN ROBERT POLAND is one of the substantial and prc gressive business men of the City of Martinsburg, Berkele. County. He was born on a farm on Black Oak Bottom bordering the Potomac River, in Allegany County, Mary land, and the date of his nativity was March 25, 1871. H is a son of Guinn and Anna V. (Holt) Poland, both native of Maryland. The latter's grandfather, L. O. Holt, repre sented Allegany County in the Maryland Legislature and served also as county sheriff. The grandmother of John R. Poland was Ruth Cresap, a daughter of Colonel Cresap who was the founder of the City of Cumberland, Maryland In memory of Colonel Cresap the Cresap Family Associa tion has erected a handsome monument in one of the park of Cumberland, Maryland. Colonel Cresap was a resident o: Allegany County, Maryland, at the time of his death. Guin Poland was born at Dawson, Maryland, in 1844. In hi native state he served several years as steward of the Mineral County, West Virginia, Infirmary. Thereafter he

LA. Lucas

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tablished his residence at Keyser, Mineral County, West irginia, and engaged in the transportation of merchandise tween that place and Burlington. He died at Keyser in 02, at the age of fifty-eight years, and his widow now sides at Clarksburg, this state. Of their two children, hn R., of this sketch, is the elder. Bessie Lynn married P. Sonders, and they have two children, Lawrence and ath Holt.

John R. Poland attended the public schools at Burlington d thereafter became a clerk in a general store at Elk arden. He continued his service as a clerk ten years and en engaged in an independent mercantile enterprise. In 99 he became a merchant in the City of Richmond, diana, where he remained until 1902, when he came to artinsburg, West Virginia, and with a partner established e Perfection Garment Factory. From a small inception e business has developed to one of substantial order, a cond factory having been established, in the City of arles Town, and a retail store, known as the Garment op, at Martinsburg.

Mr. Poland served as the first president of the Martins- rg Chamber of Commerce, and he is a former vice presi- nt of the local Rotary Club, in both of which progressive ganizations he takes deep interest. He cast his first esidential vote for Benjamin Harrison, and has continued . independent in politics. He served one term as a mem- r of the city council of Martinsburg, is a member of the ard of directors of the local Young Men's Christian Asso- ation, and he has twice served as vice president of the est Virginia State Sunday School Association, of the ecutive committee of which he is now a member. Both and his wife are zealous members of Trinity Methodist iscopal Church, South, in their home city. In the Masonie aternity Mr. Poland's affiliations are with Equality Lodge . 44, A. F. and A. M .; Lebanon Chapter No. 2, R. A. M .; lestine Commandery No. 2, Knights Templars; Scottish te Lodge of Perfection at Martinsburg; and Osiris mple of the Mystic Shrine in the City of Wheeling. In 1908 Mr. Poland married Miss May Supples, who was rn at Baltimore, Maryland, a daughter of Thomas A. and ary E. Supples. Mr. and Mrs. Poland have three children : hn R., Jr., Anna Mary and James Lloyd.

RICHARD WILLIAMS. The coal industry of West Vir- nia has furnished an opportunity for the achievement of ccess and position by many men of the younger genera- n, who have assumed responsibilities formerly assumed gained only by men many years their senior. It is ubtful, however, if there are many who have accomplished the same length of time what has been achieved by chard Williams, who has already become a well-known ;ure in the industry mentioned and who occupies the sition of president of the Glogora Coal Company of Hunt- gton.

Mr. Williams was born at Shamokin, Pennsylvania, Febru- y 6, 1891, a son of Morris and Jennie (Stager) Williams. is father, now a resident of Overbrook, Pennsylvania, was rn in 1855, in Monmouthshire, Wales, and was one year age when brought to the United States by his parents, e family settling near Hazelton, Pennsylvania, where he as reared. Morris Williams received the equivalent of a Ilege education, studying under a private tutor, and was arried at Hazelton, following which event he was the perintendent of a Wyoming gold mine for a time. Re- rning to the East, he became president of the Susque- nna Coal Company, residing at Overbrook, a suburb of iladelphia, whence he directed the policy of this concern the head of the Pennsylvania Railroad coal interests. Mr. illiams retired in 1918. He is a Presbyterian in religion d for many years has been an elder and member of the ard of trustees in the Philadelphia Presbyterian Church. politics he is a republican, and his fraternal affiliation is th the Masonic order. Mr. Williams married Miss Jennie ager, who was born in 1863, at Audenreid, Pennsylvania, id they became the parents of three children: Margaret orris, who is the wife of George B. Garrett, a broker of ermantown, Pennsylvania; Richard, of this notice; and

Jean Stager, who is unmarried and makes her home with her parents at Overbrook.

Richard Williams attended a private institution of learn- ing, the Lawrenceville School, of Lawrenceville, New Jersey, following which he enrolled as a student at Princeton Uni- versity and attended that college until through the junior year. By this time he was anxious to enter upon his busi- ness career, and accordingly secured employment as a mem- ber of the engineer corps of the Susquehanna Coal Com- pany, which position he retained for one year. For the following six months he was in the mechanical engineering department and for one year in the electrical engineering department, and then formed a new connection, going to the Southeast Coal Company as mine superintendent at Seco, Kentucky. He spent one and one-half years with this firm and then went with a selling company, the Middle-West Coal Company, of which he became Western sales manager, with headquarters at Detroit, Michigan. Both of these com- panies were ones in which Mr. Williams' father was im- portantly interested.

On May 18, 1917, Mr. Williams enlisted at Philadelphia in the United States Navy, and went to Cape May, where he spent two months, being then transferred to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, where he was com- missioned an ensign November 17, 1917. He was then assigned to the cruiser Des Moines, on convoy duty for the remainder of the war, and received his honorable discharge in December, 1918. Like others engaged in the same duty, he had numerous thrilling experiences during his naval duties, but came through all his adventures safely and with a creditable record. Upon his return to civilian life he . came to Huntington and established the Glogora Coal Com- pany, which is incorporated under the state laws of West Virginia, and which operates a mine on Beaver Creek, Floyd County, Kentucky, and another on Coal River, Raleigh County, West Virginia, these mines having an approximate capacity of 400,000 tons a year. Mr. Williams, who oc- cupies offices at 704-5-6 First National Bank Building, Huntington, is president and treasurer of this concern, and is likewise vice president of the Northeast Coal Company. He is a young business man of the energetic and result- attaining type, and has the fullest confidence and regard of his associates. In politics he is a republican, but political matters have played only a minor part in his career, and his religious identification is with the Presbyterian Church. He holds membership in the Guyan Country Club of Hunt- ington and the Union League of Philadelphia.

In June, 1919, Mr. Williams was united in marriage at Philadelphia with Miss Louise Brown, daughter of George and Lucy (Buckner) Brown, the latter of whom is a resi- dent of Philadelphia, where Mr. Brown, who was vice presi- dent of the Philadelphia & Reading Coal and Iron Com- pany, died. Mrs. Williams is a woman of numerous graces and accomplishments and a graduate of Dana Hall, Wellesley. To Mr. and Mrs. Williams there has come one daughter, Janet, who was born at Philadelphia, July 2, 1920.

WILLIAM FONTAINE ALEXANDER. Educated for the law, William Fontaine Alexander found his early practice only a threshold to a more practical business career, mainly in the field of insurance and banking. He has for many years been an influential citizen of Charles Town and represents one of the historic families in this section of the state.

Mr. Alexander was born at Duffields in Jefferson County, son of Dr. William F. Alexander, horn on a farm in Kable- town District in the same county, and grandson of William P. Alexander, a native of Virginia and of Colonial ancestry. William P. Alexander after his marriage settled on a plan- tation in Kabletown District, this plantation being his wife's inheritance. It was operated with slave labor. The wife of William P. Alexander was Hannah Lee Washing- ton, a daughter of Bushrod Washington (Cunningbam), and granddaughter of Corbin and Hannah (Lee) Washington. Hannah Lee was a daughter of Hon. Richard Henry Lee. Corbin Washington was a son of John Augustine Washing- ton, youngest brother of President George Washington.

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Dr. William F. Alexander acquired his early education under private tutors, and early took up the study of medicine, entering the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated after completing his medical course. He then established his home at Duffields in Jefferson County, and practiced successfully there until his death. Death came to him early in his career, at the age of thirty-five. He was the father of four children: Herbert Lee, of Martinsburg; Mary Virginia, of Charles Town, widow of Rev. Dallas Tucker; William Fontaine; and Hannah Washington, wife of Edward Esten Cooke.

William Fontaine Alexander attended private school until he was twelve years of age, then entered the Charles Town Male Academy under Edmund Randolph Tucker, the prin- cipal, and when he had completed his course of study there took up the subject of law in the office of Col. Forrest W. Brown. He was admitted to the bar and practiced two years. He was then elected county clerk, and by re-election held that post of duty in the county for twelve consecutive years. After retiring from office Mr. Alexander became a member of the firm of Washington, Alexander & Cooke, proprietors of a general insurance agency. This is one of the leading firms of the kind in the Eastern Panhandle. The members of the firm are also interested in the manufacture and sales distribution of commercial fertilizer. Mr. Alex- ander besides his active connection with this firm is vice president of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Charles Town.

At the age of twenty-seven he married Cecily de Graffen- ried Woolley. She was born at Lexington, Kentucky, a daughter of Frank W. and Lucy (MeCaw) Woolley. They have two children, Cecily Fontaine and Ann Catherine. Mr. Alexander is a vestryman of Zion Episcopal Church and is affiliated with Malta Lodge, F. and A. M.

SAMUEL CLIVE BRYARLY. The Bryarlys have been a fam- ily of farmers, landowners and of industry in other lines in Berkeley County for several generations. Samuel C. Bryarly lives at Martinsburg, where for a number of years he has been in the service of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company.

He was born on a farm located between Darkesville and Tablers Station, in Berkeley County. His great-grandfather, Robert Bryarly, was an early settler in Berkeley County, where he owned a large amount of land, including the present site of Tablers Station. He married Sally Rust. Both were of Irish ancestry, but were members of the English Church.

Thomas Bryarly, grandfather of Samuel C., was born on the Federal Hill farm near Tablers Station, inherited a portion of his father's estate and continued a life-long resident and farmer there. He married Susan Glass, and their seven children were Robert Pressly, Elizabeth, Sally, Thomas, Susan, Annie and Mary Eugenia.

Robert Pressly Bryarly was born in the same locality as his son Samuel C., grew up on the farm, and at the very beginning of the Civil war entered the Confederate army as a member of Company B of the First Virginia Cavalry. He was in the service until severely wounded in the right arm at the battle of Towns Brook, and thereafter was incapaci- tated for further active duty. After the war he bought a portion of the old homestead, and was busily engaged in its duties until 1890. He then lived for a time in Winchester and Martinsburg, and for ten years was station agent at Inwood. He finally retired on account of ill health and died February 14, 1919. His wife was Cordelia J. Schiendel, who was born in Washington County, Maryland, in 1842, daugh- ter of Samuel and Julia Schendel. She died January 17, 1912. The six children of these parents were Thomas Cox, Robert Pressly, Julia Ann, Elizabeth Miller, Mary Louise and Samuel C.

Samuel Clive Bryarly acquired his first school advantage in the Grange Hall School, later attended school at Martins- burg and Inwood, and as a youth he clerked in a store and assisted in a grain elevator at Inwood. Leaving these oc- cupations, he removed to Pittsburgh in 1910, and for three years was employed in the Pennsylvania Railroad Machine Shops. Leaving Pittsburgh, he returned to Martinsburg,

and for three years was with the Auburn Wagon Works and since then has been a machinist with the Baltimore & Ohic Company.

In 1901 Mr. Bryarly married Sabina Lee Graham, who was born at Gerrardstown, Berkeley County. Her great grandfather was a native of England and an early settler ir Franklin County, Pennsylvania, where he followed farming Her . grandfather, John Graham, was born in Franklir County, served an apprenticeship at the carpenter 's trade became a building contractor, and some barns and other buildings are still standing in Franklin County that testify to his workmanship. He died there at the age of seventy nine. John Graham married Sabina Lancaster, who was born in Franklin County, and died there when about eighty years of age. Andrew Maxwell Graham, father of Mrs Bryarly, was born on a farm in Montgomery Township 01 Franklin County, March 28, 1828. He was educated in the rural schools, and the Lancaster Normal School, began teaching at the age of eighteen, and in 1862 enlisted as : private in Company F of the Eighth Pennsylvania Infantry He was in the Army of the Potomac under General Meade and was in nearly all the battles of that army at Genera Grant's command. He remained until the surrender a Appomattox. For meritorious conduct he was commissioned first lieutenant, and received his honorable discharge wit] that rank. After the war Lieutenant Graham came to Martinsburg, for several years taught at Gerrardstown and vicinity, and is now living retired at Martinsburg.

December 24, 1861, he married Isabella Breneizen, daugh ter of William S. and Sarah (Wilson) Breneizen. She wa born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. On December 24 1921, Mr. and Mrs. Graham celebrated the sixtieth anni versary of their marriage, and both are still in good healt! and have excellent memories. Mr. and Mrs. Bryarly hav three children, named, Robert Pressly, Andrew Clive an Donald Graham.

JOHN BENJAMIN WYATT. Since his admission to th bar in 1910, John Benjamin Wyatt has performed a usefu and effective service as a lawyer. He is well established in his profession and in civic affairs at Shinnston, and i a native of Harrison County.

He was born at the Village of Wyatt in Harrison County January 3, 1886, a son of Zechariah White and Florenc Augusta (Fortney) Wyatt, and grandson of Russell an Sidney Ann (White) Wyatt. Russell Wyatt was a nativ of old Virginia, and was of English ancestry. On leavin Virginia lie went to Athens County, Ohio, and while ther enlisted as a Union soldier in the Seventh Ohio Cavalry After the war he returned to Greene County, Pennsylvania and lived out his life as a farmer there.

Zechariah White Wyatt was born in Greene County Pennsylvania, December 25, 1846, was reared in his nativ county and as a young man went to Marion County, Wes Virginia, where he married Ellen Harvey. She was th mother of four children. Florence Augusta Fortney wa his second wife. She was born in Harrison County, daugh ter of Jacob H. Fortney, a native of Preston County. B the second marriage there were five children. Zechariah W Wyatt was a graduate of the College of Physicians an Surgeons at Baltimore, and was one of the capable an hard working physicians of Harrison County for man years. The little community where he lived and from which he extended his professional service came to } known as Wyatt. He also lived at Shinnston, and h residence was at that place when he died, January 31, 190' He was elected and served as a member of the Legislatur in 1898, was a republican, a Baptist, was affiliated wit the Masons, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knight of Pythias, and his name and character commanded th highest degree of general esteem.

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History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 3, Part 113

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