History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 3, Part 13

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On September 12, 1898, Mr. Williama moved to St. Marys nd established the Pleasants County Leader, of which he has ince been proprietor and editor. He owns the Leader Build- ig and the entire plant, and has one of the best equipped ewspaper offices in this section of the state, including linotype ischines, cylinder press, etc. It is a republican paper, cir- ulating throughout Plessants and surrounding counties, and as an extensive mailing list to all the oil sections of the ountry.

Mr. Williams was postmaster of St. Marys from 1905 to 913. He was reappointed by President Taft, but the demo- ratic Senate refused to confirm him for a third term. He was ity treasurer in 1914-15, and in November, 1918, was elected n the republican ticket to represent Pleasants County in the tate Legislature. He was one of the very useful members in he sessions of 1919-20. As a member of the educational com- ittee he helped frame the present school code. He was chair- ian of the committee on executive offices and libraries, and a member of the committees on election and privileges, insur- nce and Virginia debt.

Mr. Williams affiliates with the Presbyterian Church, is a ast master of St. Marys Lodge No. 41, F. and A. M., a ember of Sistersville Chapter No. 27, R. A. M., Mountain tate Commandery No. 14, K. T., Nemesis Temple of the Iystic Shrine at Parkersburg, and St. Mary's Chapter No. 31 f the Eastern Star. During the war he made the Plesssnta ounty Leader an effective source of influence and publicity or the Government and every patriotic cause associated with he winning of the war, and was personally active in the arious drives in his locality. Mr. Williama owns a modern ome at 501 First Street and is also owner of a baseball park t St. Marys.

In 1899 he married Miss Eloise Bachman, daughter of Cap- in Martin and Margie E. (Miller) Bachman, now deceased. Ier father, who was a lumber manufacturer at St. Marys, erved as a captain in the Union Army during the Civil war. Ir. and Mrs. Williama have four children: Nellie, born ugust 19, 1902, is in the junior class at West Virginia Uni- eraity; and the three younger children, all attending high chool, are Doria, born in June, 1905; Joe, born in August, 906, and Mazie, born in May, 1908.

MAJOR ULYSSES A. KNAPP had completed his law studies when America declared war on Germany, and when his class graduated and a degree was assigned him by West Virginia University he was attending the First Officers Training Camp. The two succeeding years he was in active service, spending a year in France, and after his discharge he began practice at Fairmont, where he has already achieved recognition as a very able and thorough lawyer.

Major Knapp was born on a farm in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, November 9, 1886, but is related to several old West Virginia families. His grandparents were Henry and Margaret (Markley) Knapp. Henry Knapp was born in New York State and as a young man removed to West Virginia and married Margaret Markley, a native of Bar- bour County, this state, and daughter of Christian and Margaret (Shockley) Markley. Charles F. Knapp, father of Major Knapp, was born in Barbour County, West Vir- ginia, November 19, 1853, but in early life removed to Pennsylvania. He married Nancy A. Thomas, who was born in Fayette County Pennsylvania, October 10, 1854, daughter of George and Nancy (Umble) Thomas, both natives of Pennsylvania. George Thomas was born in Mary- land, son of Jacob Thomas and grandson of Alexander Thomas. Alexander Thomas was a native of Wales and founder of his branch of the family in America. After his marriage Charles F. Knapp settled on a farm in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, but in 1897 removed to Fairmont, West Virginia, where he and his wife now re- aide.

Ulysses A. Knapp was about ten years of age when his parents located at Fairmont. Here he acquired a common school education and at the age of thirteen he went to work in the Bank of Fairmont, remaining there two years. He was then in the engineering department of the Consolidation Coal Company, but in intervals of employment, and paying his way through his earnings, he attended the city schools and the Fairmont Normal School. After his university preparation he entered West Virginia Law School, and graduated in 1917 as president of his class.

Major Knapp reported to the First Officers Training Camp at Fort Benjamin Harrison at Indianapolis, May 13, 1917. He received his commission as captain August 15th, and was assigned to the command of Company H of the Three Hundred and Twenty-ninth Infantry, Eighty-third Division. He was kept in the home camp, training and in other duty until June 12, 1918, when he sailed for over- seas, landing at LaHavre July 1st, and was in command of the Second Battalion of the Three Hundred and Twenty- ninth Regiment from August 15 to November 26, 1918. He was attached to the general headquarters as rifle in- structor of the Third Corps School at Clamecy, Nievre, from November 27, 1918, to April 1, 1919, and was range officer and assistant range officer of the D'Auvons Range at LeMans from April 1, 1919 to July 1, 1919. He was commissioned major of infantry May 14, 1919. July 19th he sailed from Brest, landiug in New York City July 29th, and received his honorable discharge at Camp Sherman, Ohio, August 16, 1919.

While still in the service and while at home on leave of absence Major Knapp was admitted to the West Virginia bar, in April, 1919, and soon after leaving the army he began practice at Fairmont.

Major Knapp is a very popular citizen and is affiliated with the democratic party. In 1920 he won the democratic nomination as a candidate for the House of Delegates. When L. C. Musgrove, candidate for prosecuting attorney, withdrew from the campaign, he was unanimously chosen by the County Committee to fill the vacancy on the ticket, and made a very active and spirited campaign against the heavy odds that ended in a general republican landslide that year. Major Knapp is a member of the American Legion, the Order of Elks, Knights of Pythias and Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and also belongs to the Kiwanis Club and the Phi Sigma Kappa college fraternity.

JOHN L. HISSOM. Many residents of Tyler and Pleasants counties recall when John L. Hissom was one of the most

HISTORY OF WEST VIRGINIA

popular school men in these sections, and his last school work was done at St. Marys. When he left the school room he took up the lumber business and now has the only business of the kind in Pleasants County, and has an extensive trade both retail and wholesale. In other ways Mr. Hissom has been a man of leadership and influence in this section of the state.

His ancestry is English, but members of the family have been in this country since Colonial times. They first settled in old Virginia, where Mr. Hissom'a grandfather, David, was born. As a young man he went to the Ohio Valley and for many years lived on a farm in Monroe County, Ohio, but spent his last days in Tyler County, West Virginia. He was a veteran of the War of 1812. His wife was a Miss Bowen, a native of Ohio. Their son, William S. Hissom, was born in Monroe County in 1828, and for many years conducted his farm in that county, but in 1888 moved to Tyler County, West Virginia, and continued farming there until his death in 1900. He was active in the Methodist Episcopal Church and a democrat in politics. He married in Monroe County, Sarah A. Hubbard, who was born at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in 1832, and died in Tyler County in 1890. Their children were six in number: Manford C., a farmer in Clarington, Ohio; Oscar E., a steamboat mate who died at East Liverpool, Ohio, in 1916; John L; Alvin D., a farmer in Tyler County; Hattie Elizabeth, who died in Tyler County, wife of Robert O. Cathers, a farmer; and Ephraim T., a farmer who died in Tyler County in 1900.

John L. Hissom was born in Monroe County June 28, 1862, and was reared and educated there. He attended rural schools, a normal school at Woodsfield, and in the winter of 1884 taught his first winter term in Mount Zion School in his native county. The following four years he was in the Mount Aetna School in the same county, after which he came to West Virginia, and during 1889-90 presided over the Star School in Tyler County, for one term was principal of the school at Friendly, and for aix terms was teacher of Oak Grove. His first teaching in Pleasants County was one term at Pleasants Ridge, and then for three years he was principal of the graded schools at St. Marys. For a year after he retired from educational work Mr. Hissom was editor of St. Marys Oracle, the oldest paper in Pleasants County.

Then, in 1903, he established his present business as a retail and wholesale dealer in lumber, and carries a complete and well selected stock of lumber and building materials, owning his offices and yards at Barkwill and Court streets. Mr. Hissom is also a stochkolder in the Pleasants County Bank and is a stockholder and secretary of the United Tele- phone Company at St. Marys. He owns considerable real estate, including his modern home on Court Street and a farm in Tyler County.

Mr. Hissom acted for two years as a member of the City Council at St. Marys. He is a democrat, a steward in the Methodist Protestant Church, is a past grand of St. Marys Lodge No. 22, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and a member of the Knights of the Maccabees. It should also be said to his credit that during the war he used his financial means to support the Government and took part in the various local patriotic drives. Moreover, one of his sona was fighting the German Kaiser in France.

In 1885, in Monroe County, Mr. Hissom married Miss Eva Wright, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Wright, now de- ceased. Her father was a farmer. Mrs. Hissom died in Tyler County in 1889, and was survived by two daughters: Miss Nellie T., who died at the age of thirty-one, and Nora D., wife of Jack B. Horner, a mill worker at Washington, Penn- sylvania. In 1891, in Tyler County, Mr. Hisson married Miss Lottie J. Craig, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Craig, now deceased. By this marriage Mr. Hissom has two sons, William C. and Olin S. William, who was born June 20, 1892, was educated in the schools at St. Marys and is associated with hisf ather in business. He married Ethel Adams, a native of Pleasants County, and their three children are Kathryn, born January 17, 1913; Billie, born September 10, 1915, and Charles, born July 4, 1919. The second son, Olin, was in France twelve months with the Expeditionary Forces, partici- pated in the Argonne Drive, and was mustered out with the rank of sergeant. He now is connected with the lumber business.

WILLIAM EDWARD CLOVIS. During the past seven years Mr. Clovis has devoted his entire time and energiea to a very successful and prosperous automobile business as an author- ized agent for the Ford car in Pleasants County. His career altogether has been one of well directed effort in different lines. He has been a teacher, is former sheriff of Pleasants County, and probably is as well known over the county as any other citizen.

His family has been in West Virginia for several generations. The name Clovis was transplanted to Pennsylvania in Colonial times from Southwestern Virginia. His great-grandfather, Conrad Clovis, was born in Pennsylvania, and from that atate moved his family to Hebron, West Virginia, where he lived out his life as a farmer. The grandfather of William E. Clovis was Solomon Clovis, who was born in Monongalia County, West Virginia, in 1818, but spent nearly all his life in Pleasants County and was a cabinet maker by trade. He died in 1876 and is buried at Hebron. His wife was a Miss Wrick, a native and life long resident of Pleasants County. Amos Clovis, their son, was born near Hebron August 13, 1854, and since 1885 has been a resident of Maxwell in Pleasants County. He was a merchant in early life, and since then has been a leading farmer and still owns two farms at Maxwell. He is a republican and an active member of the Church of Christ. Amoa Clovia married Martha Jane Flem- ing, who was born near Fairmont, West Virginia, July 15, 1856. William E. is the oldest of their children. Dr. Elijah Ellsworth is one of the state's prominent physicians and is now superintendent of the State Tuberculosis Sanitarium at Terra Alta. Cora Elizabeth is the wife of Homer F. Simonton, Circuit Court clerk of Pleasants County. Harry T. is an oil refiner at St. Marys, and the youngest, Maurice Lawrence, ia in the drug business at Huntington.

William Edward Clovis was born at Hebron, Pleasants County, November 7, 1876, and acquired a rural school education there. He finished his education in the Fairmont State Normal, which he attended altogether for five terms. He was granted an opportunity to teach school at the age of eighteen, and the first year he taught in the Jonestown School of his native county. Then for two years he had charge of the French Creek School, one year in the Ruckman School on Cow Creek, and his last year was spent in his home school at Nine Mile. After leaving the schoolroom Mr. Clovis was deputy county assessor one year. For some time he cherished an ambition to become a physician, and with that in view he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, but on account of ill health had to give up those plans after the first year. From 1901 to 1908 Mr. Clovis conducted a mercantile business at Adlai in Pleasants County. In the fall of 1908 he was elected sheriff, and on January 7, 1909, re- moved to St. Marys and was the chief law officer of the local courts through the four year term ending in 1914. During 1913-14 Mr. Clovis was a member of St. Marys Hardware Company, but in the meantime he had taken the agency for the Ford cars, and since 1914 has made this hia primary busi- ness. He is the authorized agent in Pleasants County for the Ford automobile, trucks and tractora, and has done the biggest business in that line of any automobile agency in this section of the atate. It is estimated that he has sold at least ninety per cent of all automobiles bought in the county. During 1920-21 he erected a handsome public garage at the corner of Washington and Third streets. The garage in 80x80 feet, two stories, and built of brick and concrete. Mr. Clovis is also a director of the First National Bank of St. Marys.

He atill retains a deep interest in educational progress and since July 1, 1919, has been president of the Board of Educa- tion in St. Marys. He is an elder in the Church of Christ, is a republican, and during the war was a "fourminute" speaker and a worker in behalf of all local patriotic causes.

April 16, 1899, at Gibson in Pleasants County, Mr. Clovis married Miss Mary Varner, daughter of George W. and Angelia V. (Daniel) Varner, now deceased. Her father was a minister of the Church of Christ. Mrs. Clovis received & normal school education and prior to her marriage was a teacher in Pleasants County for four years. Mr. and Mrs. Clovis have five children, and have given all of them liberal educational advantages. Eunice Madge, the oldest, born March 4, 1900, is a graduate of the St. Marys High School and

W.S. Meredith

HISTORY OF WEST VIRGINIA

the Fairmont State Normal, and is now teacher of the fifth grade in the local public schools. Cora Edith, born October 23, 1901, graduated from the same schools as her sister and now has charge of the first grade in the St. Marys public school. The only son, George A., was born October 25, 1903, and is now a student in Marietta College in Ohio. The two younger children are Martha Virginia, born November 15, 1906, a student in high school, and Mary Edna, born Novem- ber 21, 1910.

JOHN B. WATSON, M. D. For over thirty years Dr. Watson was performing his duties as a physician and surgeon, and most of that time bas been a resident of St. Marys, his native town, in which he grew up and in which he has won the recog- nition of old time friends and associates, both in a professional capacity and as a high minded citizen.

Dr. Watson was born at St. Marys May 5, 1862. His grandfather, John Watson, was born in England in 1807 and as a young man came to America and settled on a farm near St. Marys, where he married Rosanna Barker, a native of Pleasants County. John Watson was a millwright, and he and his wife spent the rest of their years in and around St. Marys, where he died in 1894. The son, Andrew J. Watson, was born in Pleasants County in 1840 and was for a number of years identified with merchandising at St. Marys. In 1881 he removed to East Liverpool, Ohio, where he lived practically retired until his death in 1917. He was a democrat, and a member of the Methodist Protestant Church. His wife was Miss Charlotte Core, who was born in Harrison County, West Virginia, in 1838, and died at East Liverpool, Ohio, in October, 1920. Dr. Watson is the oldest of their large family of children; Mamie, who lives at East Liverpool, is the widow of William Good; Joseph C. was an oil well driller and died at East Liverpool in 1920; Mrs. Flora F. Griffin lives at Toronto, Ohio, where her husband is foreman in a pottery plant; William A. is foreman for the Newell Street Railway Company at East Liverpool; Iva is the wife of William Lawson a farmer, at East Liverpool; Charles is a motorman with the Newel Traction Company at East Liverpool; Virdie lives at East Liverpool, where her husband is employed in one of the pot- tery plants; and Andrew J. is a motorman for the Newell Traction Company.

John B. Watson spent his early life in Pleasants County and attended rural schools up to the age of thirteen and at that time began earning his own way. He was employed by his father in shaving staves and also worked in the timber until he was twenty-one. He came to manhood with a vigor- ous constitution but only a common school education. He began the study of medicine under his uncle, Dr. Joseph B. Watson, at St. Marys, and subsequently entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, where he grad- uated in 1887. After graduating for nine and a half years Dr. Watson practiced at Lawrence in Upshur County, and since then has performed his professional work at St. Marys. His offices are on Second Street. Since 1920 he has been county health officer and is a member in good standing of the State and American Medical Associations. Dr. Watson is a democrat, has filled all the lay offices in the Methodist Protestant Church, and is affiliated with St. Marys Lodge No. 41, A. F. and A. M., St. Marys Camp No. 20 Knights of the Maccabees, St. Marys Lodge No. 22, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Tribe of Ben Hur.

In 1889, at Friendly, West Virginia, Dr. Watson married . Miss Linnie F. Williamson. Two children were born to their marriage: Sue Mary, who died at St. Marys at the age of twenty-seven, was the wife of Dr. Jed C. Wilcoxen, a St. Marys dentist. The only son, Dr. J. Loomis Watson, graduated Doctor of Dental Surgery fr m the University of Pittsburgh and was in the Student Army Training Camp at Pittsburgh during the war. He is now practicing his profession at Pitts- burgh.

Mrs. Watson is a daughter of Friend C. Williamson, who was born in Tyler County, West Virginia, in 1842, and lived there all his life. He had various business interests, and was an extensive dealer in fruit. The town of Friendly in Tyler County was named for him, and he was living in that com- munity when he died in 1911. He was a democrat and was one of the leading members of the Methodist Protestant

Church in his vicinity. He was also a Mason. Friend C. Williamson married Adelia Thorne, who was born in Jackson County, West Virginia, in 1844, and is now living at Friendly. Mrs. Watson was educated in the public schools of Friendly, and before her marriage was a milliner and dressmaker.

JAMES WILLIAM STUCK bas practiced law as a member of the Doddridge County bar for over thirty years. With a general practice has gone a public-spirited participation in public affairs, and his record of efficient service in several important offices is an honor that his friends do not allow him to forget.

He was born at Central Station, Doddridge County, April 6, 1861, son of Lorenzo D. and J. Cinthe (Ruley) Stuck. His father, who was born near Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and was reared in that state, early in life entered the railroad service, and came to Doddridge County while helping build the Balti- more and Ohio through that county. He remained here and continued his service with the railroad company until about 1900. He died at the age of eighty-four and his wife, a native of Ohio, lived to be eighty. Their children were James William, Charles, Edward L. (deceased), Blanche and Nellie (deceased).

James William Stuck spent his early life at Central Station. After completing a high school education, he taught school for six years, and at the same time was diligently pursuing his law studies. He qualified for and was admitted to the bar in 1889. His first public honor came before he took up practice. In 1888 he was the republican party candidate for the House of Delegates from Doddridge County, and was elected and then reelected. These two terms of legislative service early in his professional career furnished him a valuable experience as well as an opportunity to look after the interest of his con- stituents in Doddridge County. In 1892 he was elected coun- ty prosecutor, and served in that office two years. For eight years Mr. Stuck served as a member of the Board of Directors for the State Deaf, Dumb and Blind Institute at Romney. He was first appointed to the board by Governor Atchinson. Other offices of honor and trust have been conferred upon him, and at one time he was assistant Secretary of the First Senate.

For the past twelve years Mr. Stuck has given the Hope Gas Company much of his time, serving in the company's right of way and damage department. He married in 1882 Emma Benninger, daughter of Jacob Benninger, of Doddridge Coun- ty. Six children were born to their marriage, and the five now living are: H. C., R. N., Ethel, Beulah and Georgia. The daughter Genevieve is deceased.

JUDGE WINFIELD SCOTT MEREDITH, judge of the Circuit Court of Marion County, has been an active member of the bar at Fairmont forty years. At the time he was admitted to the bar he was enjoying some congenial and useful rela- tions as a teacher in the public and normal schools of the state, and in his case there was no waiting period bridging over his career as an educator and that of a lawyer. Judge Meredith has been a prominent factor in West Virginia affairs for many years.

Through four generations the Meredith family has been identified with the development of the northern section of the state. In the latter years of the eighteenth century there lived in South Wales a prosperous and hard working silversmith, Thomas Meredith. About 1800, seeking a change of fortune, he immigrated with his family to America, spending a short time at Hagerstown, Maryland, and then coming to what is now Marion County, West Vir- ginia, locating on a farm in the Paw Paw District. He soon removed to another farm in Monongalia County, and for a number of years was busily engaged in its farming and stock raising activities. Becoming dissatisfied with that section of the state, he went on a homeseeking tour through Canada, and while there died without making permanent arrangements for a new home.

His son, William Meredith, was born in Wales, was three years of age when brought by his parents to America, and he grew up in West Virginia and as a young man cleared a farm on the Monongahela River near Smithtown in Monongalia County. Later removing to Marion County, he bought a farm of 300 acres on Pickett's Creek, and there lived, a man of industry and influence, until his death on

HISTORY OF WEST VIRGINIA

February 13, 1869, at the age of seventy-two. For fifteen years he was justice of the peace,, was deputy sheriff sev- eral years, and for one term president of the County Court of Marion County. His wife was Hannah Powell, daughter of John Powell and a native of Monongalia County.

The third generation was also represented by William Meredith, who was born near Smithtown in Monongalia County November 17, 1824, and lived to the advanced age of eighty-six, passing away in 1910. By trade he was a wagonmaker, and also successfully engaged in other enter- prises. From 1866 to 1887 he was a lumber miller in Harri- son and Ritchie counties, was a building contractor, a farmer, and held the office of justice of the peace in Wirt County. Governor Pierpont commissioned him a captain of militia. April 13, 1845, William Meredith II married Harriet Wilson. Her father, William H. Wilson, was a Marion County farmer and served as a soldier in the War of 1812.

Winfield Scott Meredith is a son of William and Harriet (Wilson) Meredith and was born in Marion County August 13, 1855. He grew up in the atmosphere of the Civil war, but had better than the average educational advantages. He attended Salem Academy in Harrison County, and graduated with the class of 1879 from the Fairmont State Normal School, subsequently taking post-graduate work there. He had been a teacher in the Normal school a year before he graduated, and for one year was principal of the public schools at Cherry Camp. One of his preceptors at the Normal School was Dr. J. G. Blair, who died in 1879, and Judge Meredith was elected by the board to conduct his classes until they were graduated. For three years Judge Meredith was principal at Palatine, now a ward of Fairmont City, and for two years was principal of the Mannington grade schools.

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History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 3, Part 13

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