History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 3, Part 130

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On the 21st of January, 1914, was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Byrd and Miss Anna A. Hayden, daughter of Patrick and Sarah Jane Hayden, of Grafton, Taylor County, and the two children of this union are William Hayden Byrd and James Percy Byrd.

GARNETT PIERCE MORISON, M. D. A specialist in eye, ear, nose and throat diseases at Martinsburg, Doctor Morison for a number of years enjoyed a successful practice in Southern Michigan, went from that state to active duty in the Medical Corps in the great war, and after his return located in Berkeley County, where he was born and reared and where his family has been prominent for several genera- tions.

Doctor Morison was born at Bunker Hill in Berkeley County. His father, George Porterfield Morison, was born in the same county. His grandfather was Daniel Buckles Morison, who was born on the Morison homestead at the mouth of Opequan Creek in Jefferson County. The great- grandfather of Doctor Morison was a farmer and planter, and for a number of years lived at Martinsburg. Daniel Buckles Morison owned and operated a farm near Beding- ton. George Porterfield Morison was born on a farm on Dry Spring Road, five miles from Martinsburg, August 10, 1854. He acquired his classical education at Shepherd College at Shepherdstown, and graduated in medicine from the University of New York. He began practice at Darkes-

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ville, remained there three years, spent one year at Eldo- rado, Kansas, and for the remainder of his life was a busy professional man in Martinsburg, where he died July 21, 1913. George Porterfield Morison married Anabel Lee locality April 14, 1834, a son of Paul Pierce. It is a family Pierce, who was born in Clark County, Virginia. Her father, Capt. Alfred Newton Pierce, was born in the same tradition that the parents of Paul Pierce were murdered by Indians and their three sons grew up among strangers. Paul Pierce therefore had no inheritance of capital, and as a young man he was an overseer on a plantation, and from his earnings bought land of his own and in time became an extensive plantation owner and had many slaves. His plan- tation was located near Berryville in Clark County. He lived to the age of 100 years. His first wife was a Clevenger, and her only child was Alfred Newton Pierce, who was educated under private tutors and at the age of twenty-one began farming with land, equipment and slaves supplied by his father. He was very successful, acquired much property of his own, but during the war between the states his plantation was devastated, the fences and out- buildings being destroyed and all stock taken away except one mare and colt. Hle served as a captain in the Virginia State Militia, and at one time was arrested as a spy and senteneed to death, hut on the morning set for the execution he was reprieved and later pardoned. At the close of the war he set to work, and in time recovered some of the heavy losses sustained, and he continued to live on his estate known as Fountain Head until his death at the age of sixty- four.

Alfred Newton Pierce married Elizabeth Bell, who was born near Middleburg, Jefferson County, August 29, 1839, daughter of Joseph E. and Catherine (Shaull) Bell. Joseph Bell was a native of Jefferson County, where his parents were pioneers. Joseph Bell was a millwright by trade. Elizabeth Bell Pierce died at the age of sixty-three, and her children were named: Anabel Lee, Gertrude N., Kate Ashby, Frank Hugh, Lula Best, Josephine, Lillie Margaret, Dudley Paul, Vance Bell, Mabel Clark and Bueford E. Dr. G. Porterfield Morison and wife reared two children: Garnett Pierce and Elizabeth Tabb. Elizabeth is the wife of Lee A. Livers, and their two children are Katherine Lee and George Morison.

Dr. Garnett P. Morison acquired a public school education at Martinsburg, attended Tinsley's Military Institute, and began the study of medicine in the University of Maryland. Ile left there before graduation and finished his course in Chicago in the College of Medicine and Surgery, where he graduated in 1914. Doctor Morison after receiving his medical degree located at. Sturgis, Michigan, and practiced there until he entered war service. During the war he was prominent in Red Cross organization over St. Joseph County, Michigan, organizing a chapter in every township. He was also secretary and treasurer of several of the loan drives. On August 11, 1917, he was commissioned first lieutenant in the Army Reserve Corps, and soon afterward was sent to Camp Greenleaf, Georgia, where he was on duty until February 17, 1918, and then went overseas with the Twentieth Engineers. Later he was transferred to a base hospital in treating eye, ear, throat and nose cases. April 20, 1919, he returned to this country, and received his honorable discharge April 29th, and soon afterward located at Martinsburg. Doctor Morison has taken a number of post-graduate courses in New York, Chicago and Phila- delphia, giving special attention to eye, ear, nose and throat, and is widely known as a successful specialist in that field. He is special examiner for the Pension Bureau, is special surgeon for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company and is official physician handling eye, ear, nose and throat cases for the Pittsburgh Stone and Lime Company. In October, 1921, he was appointed a member of the Federal Board for Vocational Training.

Doctor Morison is a member of Washington Lodge No. 1, Knights of Pythias, belongs to the Eastern Pan Handle Medical Association and the American Legion. He is a republican, having cast his first vote for William H. Taft. In 1910 Doctor Morison married Melinda J. Peters, who was born at Latrobe, Pennsylvania, danghter of James P. and

Susana Peters. They have two children, James Peters and Garnett P. Morison, Jr.

Doctor Morison has always been much interested in athletic sports. He is a member of the Martinsburg Base- ball Association. He is commander of Martinsburg Post No. 14, of the American Legion.

The ancestry of Doctor Morison runs back to William Morison, who was a native of Scotland and came to Amer- ica with two brothers, one settling in North Carolina and another near the line of Maryland and Pennsylvania. Wil- liam Morison was a pioneer settler in Jefferson County in what is now West Virginia. He married a widow named Mrs. Buckles, whose maiden name was Chipley. Their son Daniel married Jane Porterfield. They were the grand- parents of Doctor Morison of Martinsburg.

ROBERT CHRISTOPHER BURKHART is spending his retired years at the residence which he occupied while active as a horticulturist and farmer, situated on the Winchester Pike, three miles from Martinsburg. Mr. Burkhart is a veteran of the Confederate army, is a veteran man of affairs in Berkeley County, and few men still living can claim a broader association with the events of his long lifetime and with prominent personages both military and political.

He was born at Darkesville in Berkeley County, October 8, 1839. His grandfather, Christopher Burkhart, was a miller by trade and, so far as known, spent all his life in Maryland. He was the father of three sons and three daughters, one danghter marrying a Mr. Flagg and another. a Mr. Rummel. Dr. Francis M. Burkhart, father of Robert C., was born about eight miles north of Hagerstown, Wash- ington County, Maryland, acquired a liberal education, practiced medicine for three years in the City of Washington with Doctor Dunbar, and then located at Darkesville, West Virginia, where his labors as an active physician continued for upwards of forty years. He lived to the age of eighty- four. Doctor Burkhart first married Miss Rosenberger, and their two children were James H. and Caroline, the latter the wife of John R. Stewart. The second wife of Doctor Burkhart was Elizabeth Stewart, who was born in Berkeley County, near Darkesville, daughter of Robert Stewart, a" farmer. By the second marriage there were three children: Mary, wife of Philip Berlin; Ella B., wife of Elias Em- mert; and Robert C.

Robert C. Burkhart acquired a private and public school education. He was a young man of twenty-two when the" war came on, and he soon enlisted in Company . B of the First Virginia Cavalry. His main service during the war was as a seont. He possessed exceptional qualifications for this hazardous duty, being vigilant, alert, resourceful and fearless. Eventually he was put in command of a detach. ment of fifteen scouts and assigned to duty with Gen. Fitz. hugh Lee's command. He kept in close touch with this command, though his duties frequently took him within the Union lines. He had many exciting experiences. It was his duty to learn all he could of the whereabouts of the enemy. He frequently conferred with Confederate leaders high in command, and knew nearly all the prominent gen- erals in the armies of Northern Virginia. It was Mr Burkhart who informed General Early that General Sheri- dan was absent from his army in Washington. This infor- mation caused General Early to make his attack upon the Union troops at Cedar Creek, and Mr. Burkhart was af Darkesville and saw General Sheridan galloping down the Winchester Pike on the way to send back his retreating forces and retrieve a victory. Mr. Burkhart was in the hattle of Gettysburg, was at Riebmond the day before the surrender, and at Appomattox on the day of the surrender

In 1866, following the war, he engaged in the drug business at Shepherdstown, but four years later bought a farm near Shenandoah Junction. After being there sever vears he bought a fine place bordering the Winchester Pike three miles from Martinsburg, and on that estate he has lived now for nearly half a century. He has developed i as a horticultural proposition, raising both apples and pears and he became known as one of the most successful orchard ist in the Eastern Panhandle. He continued in the busi ness for about forty years, finally selling his fruit interests

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a son-in-law. He is still a member of the West Virginia ate Horticultural Society, and was the second president that body, serving six years.

In 1866 Mr. Burkhart married Susan W. Moore, a native Jefferson County and daughter of Samuel Moore. Her other, Maj. Blue Moore, was a Confederate officer, a major the staff of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston. Mrs. Burkhart ed May 14, 1914, after they had been married forty-eight ars. They reared a family of eleven children: Bessie M., aggie Virginia, Joseph Flagg, Mary Porter, Frances antz, Myrtle M., Robert Stewart (who died at the age of 'enty.three), Carrie, Daisy, Blue Moore and Ernest nmert.

Mr. Burkhart has always been a stanch democrat. For ghteen years he was magistrate of Arden District, and in 99 was elected to the State Senate, receiving the largest ajority ever given a candidate in his district. He voted r John T. Magraw for the United States Senate. He was member of several important committees, including priv- ges and elections and finance. Mr. Burkhart is affiliated th Equality Lodge No. 44, A. F. and A. M., Lebanon apter No. 2, R. A. M., and Palestine Commandery No. K. T.

RICHARD FAIRFAX WHITING. The Village of Inwood, 'rkeley County, derives its commercial importance and tivities largely from the enterprise of Richard Fairfax hiting, who handles the merchandise and produce going or out, is postmaster and concerned in other functions of e community. Mr. Whiting is member of an old and ominent family of Virginia and West Virginia.

ITis great-grandfather was George Braxton Whiting, who is born at Rock Hall in what is now Jefferson County, est Virginia, but moved to Loudoun County, Virginia, here he was a planter and slave owner. He married Eliza- th Horner, a native of Fauquier County. Their son, rances Henry Whiting, who was born in Loudoun County, came a farmer and owned and occupied the estate known Ingleside in Clark County. He was a slave owner, but the beginning of the war freed his slaves. He lived at s farm, Ingleside, until his death. He married Rebecca uyett, a native of Clark County.

George Carlyle Whiting, father of the Inwood business an, was born at Long Branch in Clark County March 23, 43, and finished his education in the Berryville Academy. : the age of eighteen he accompanied his unele, Fenten Whiting, to California, and was employed by his unele the transportation and freighting business. They oper- ed a freighting line between Quiney and Marysville, using rses and mules, and George C. Whiting also prospected the mineral distriet of Austin, Nevada. After an absence six years he returned home and engaged in farming at weville in Clark County, but three years later settled at ng Meadow in Jefferson County, West Virginia, on a rtion of his wife's family estate. Here he erected a mmodious home, barn and out buildings, and continued neral farming until his death in April, 1918.

His wife was Belinda Albina Throckmorton, who was born the Long Meadow farm, daughter of Warner Washington d Susan Ann (Llewellyn) Throckmorton. Her father was rn in 1792, son of Albion and Mildred (Washington) rockmorton, and a grandson of John and Elizabeth ooke) Throekmorton. Mildred Washington was a daugh- · of Warner and Hannah (Fairfax) Washington, of Fair- td, Virginia. It was Warner Washington Throckmorton o purchased the estate known as Long Meadow in the Uible Town District of Jefferson County, and he developed ce of the complete plantation institutions so familiar in te-bellum days, one of his slaves being a blacksmith and pable of making all the horse shoes and nails, while an- Mer was a shoemaker and still others were trained to other Edes. Warner Washington Throckmorton became a soldier the Mexican war, and for his service received from the Cvernment a traet of 160 acres of land in Iowa. He died Eril II, 1855. His wife, Susan Ann Llewellyn, was born fril 28, 1828, in Jefferson County, daughter of John I wellyn, and she died June 23, 1870.

Mrs. George C. Whiting died April 2, 1898. Her seven

children were: Warner F., Richard Fairfax, Lawrence Washington, George B. (who died at the age of twenty- three years), Lucy Elizabeth, Susan L. and Henry Wilmer. The son Henry Wilmer became manager of the homestead farm, but enlisted in August, 1918, and was stationed at Camp Greenleaf, Georgia, then transferred to Port Ontario Base Hospital No. 138 in New York and assigned to the Medical Department, and subsequently was on duty at Hos- pital No. 5, until his honorable discharge July 17, 1919. He was a sergeant. After the war he returned home, and his sister presides over the household. All the family were reared in the faith of the Episcopal Church.

Richard Fairfax Whiting, of Inwood, was born at Long Meadow in Jefferson County, and acquired his early educa- tion in the public schools at Summit Point. Practically his entire experience has been along commercial lines. After leaving school he elerked in a store at Riverton, Virginia, then in stores at Front Royal, Milldale, Charles Town, Mount Jackson. and in 1902 eame to Inwood and for five years was a elerk for the firm of Kellering Sons & Company. He then engaged in business for himself, and his interests have taken on a wide seope. Besides operating a general store he huys and ships grain, produce, fruit and poultry, is agent for the C. V. Telephone Company, and has held the office of postmaster since February, 1914.

In February. 1901. Mr. Whiting married Mary Catherine Shewbridge, who was born at Summit Point in Jefferson County, daughter of John H. and Margaret Shewbridge. Mr. Whiting is a member of the Order of Patriotie Sons of America and Junior Order United American Mechanics. He cast his first presidential vote for W. J. Bryan.

AQUILA JANNEY, who died March 25, 1922, was a Con- federate cavalryman during the Civil war, and spent the half century or more since the war chiefly as a farmer in Berkeley County. In the years of his retirement he enjoyed the comforts of an attractive rural home on Dry Run Pike, a mile from the Martinsburg courthouse.

Mr. Janney was born on a farm a mile and a half from the courthouse on December I, 1836. His grandfather, also named Aquila Janney, was a native of Virginia, whose ancestors had come to America with William Penn and after living for some years in Pennsylvania, moved to Virginia. Aquila Janney was a miller by trade, and in 1800 was struck by lightning and killed while on a boat loaded with wheat which he had bought in Maryland and was trans- porting to his mill. During the Revolutionary war he was pressed into the service of the Colonial forces. Being a Quaker, he refused to carry a gun. One day while on parade General Washington notieed him without a gun, and riding up to question him recognized Mr. Janney as an old acquaintance. Knowing his seruples as a Quaker he imme- diately wrote out a discharge and told him to go home and remain there until he was needed. General Washington had been entertained at the Aquila Janney home, and the beau- tiful solid mahogany table used at that time and cus- tomarily in the dining room is still preserved in the home of Aquila Janney in Berkeley County. The grandfather married a Miss MePherson, of Seotel ancestry, and she was later married to Mr. Mendenhall, and with him removed to Berkeley County and settled on Tuscarora Creek.

Israel Janney, father of Aquila and son of the pioneer miller, was born on a farm located on the banks of the Potomac River, nine miles below Alexandria, March 1, 1800, the same year his father was killed. When he was about eight years of age he accompanied his mother to Berkeley County. He made the best of his opportunities to acquire an education. and as a young man served an apprenticeship in a drug store in Alexandria. He then went to New York and elerked for a while, but the climate not agreeing with him he went on West to Cleveland, Ohio, but soon returned to Virginia, and in 1831 married Mary Tabb. She was born on a farm near Martinsburg, daughter of John Tahb, who was born on a farm three miles northwest of Martinsburg, and granddaughter of George Tabb, of English ancestry. who with his brothers John and Edward came from Glouees- ter, Virginia, to Berkeley County, and was a pioneer. George Tahh was a Baptist minister, and did much to

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extend the power of that church in Western Virginia. By each of two wives he had two sons, named John, George, Elliott and Bailey. Jobn Tabb, maternal grandfather of Aquila Janney, was a successful farmer, owning and occupy- ing the farm known as Rural Hill. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church and died in 1847. He married a Miss Turner, a life-long resident of Berkeley County, who died in 1863. Israel Janney after his marriage engaged in the drug business for a time, and then turned his attention to a farm which he acquired a mile and a half from Martins- burg, and remained a resident there until his death in 1884. His wife passed away in 1864. They had five children: John, Arabella, Aquila, William Henry and Mary.

Aquila Janney grew up in a time when there were no free schools, and his education was the result of attending subscription schools. As a youth he began assisting on his father's farm, and at the age of seventeen was performing the responsibilities of a regular hand. At the age of twenty-one he rented his father's farm, and worked it until the outbreak of the war.

Mr. Janney enlisted in Company B, First Virginia Cavalry, and was under the command of General Stuart, and part of the time was attached to Stonewall Jackson's Division. He was in many battles and campaigns, and dur- ing the latter two years of the war was in the Quarter- master's Department. He was at the headquarters at Petersburg when the final surrender took place, and re- ceived his parole at Winchester. He reached home May 22d. After recuperating for a time he resumed farming. The old homestead had been overrun by both armies, fences and all other improvements except the dwelling house and smoke house destroyed, and for several years he was busily engaged in the labor of reconstruction and rehabilitation. He continued renting until 1874, when he bought a farm five miles north of Martinsburg. He remained in that locality growing general crops and livestock for twenty-nine years. At the end of this period he came to the place where he spent his last days, near Martinsburg, on Dry Run Pike. The house here is an old landmark, having been constructed in 1808 of log timbers. The framework was at one time plastered and later was weatherboarded by Duncan Hamil- ton, who bought the property in 1872. It is a pleasantly located home on high ground, commanding an extensive view of the surrounding country.

It was in this home that Mr. Janney married in 1874 Miss Marv Johnson Hamilton. She was born in Allegheny County. Pennsylvania, and both her grandfathers were Pennsylvanians who volunteered for service in the War of 1812 and did guard duty along the shores of Lake Erie at the time of the great naval battle in which Commodore Perry won his victory over the British fleet. Her father was Duncan Hamilton, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1801. Her paternal grandfather, John Hamilton, was a Scotchman living in Eastern Pennsylvania, and he married a Miss Torrence. Duncan Hamilton was an early settler in Allegheny County, and in 1872 removed to Berkeley County, West Virginia. and bought the farm on Dry Run Pike, where he spent his last days. He married Agnes Mc- Keever, of Irish ancestry. Mrs. Janney is the only survivor of three children. She inherited a part of the homestead, and Mr. Janney subsequently bought the interests of the other two heirs.

WILLIAM GRIFFIN HAMMOND has devoted nearly all his active career to the glass industry of West Virginia. He was an official of a glass plant at West Union for a num- her of years, and since 1914 has been manager of the Roval Window Glass Company of Grafton.

Mr. Hammond was born near West Union in Doddridge County, February 7, 1879, and is member of one of the old families of the state. His parents were John W. and Eliza D. (LaRne) Hammond, both natives of St. Mary's. John W. Hammond was reared in Pleasants County, de- voted his active years to the timber business, and is now living retired at West. Union at the age of seventy-six. He is a democrat in politics.

William G. Hammond was one of the youngest in a fam- ily of five daughters and five sons. As a boy he attended

public schools in Doddridge County, lived on a farm until he was about seventeen, and for several years following that was manager of a store at West Union. In 1905 he became one of the promoters of the Ideal Window Glass Company of West Union had built the plant, and was secretary of the business for about nine years. In 1914 be removed to Grafton to take up his duties as manager of the Royal Window Glass Company. This is one of the important industries of its kind in the Grafton District, and the owners of the business are all West Virgina men. Joseph A. Pugh is president of the company, Mr. Ham- mond, secretary and treasurer, and the official board of directors are Joseph A. Pugh, William Archdeacon, W. P Hendrickson and Mr. Hammond.

Outside of his business Mr. Hammond is interested in local organizations for the welfare of Grafton, including the Chamber of Commerce and the Grafton Rotary Club He was reared in a democratic home, but bas been a re publican since casting his first vote for William Mckinley in 1900. Fraternally he is active in Masonry, being af filiated with Friendship Lodge No. 56, A. F. and A. M. at West Union, Odell S. Long Chapter, R. A. M., at Penns boro, and is a member of West Virginia Consistory No. ] of the Scottish Rite at Wheeling, and Osiris Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Wheeling.

At West Union, July 20, 1911, Mr. Hammond married Miss Ethel Striekling, daughter of Albert E. and Emily J. (Ripley) Strickling. The children of Mr. and Mrs Hammond are: William G., Jr., Joseph Valentine an( Helen Lee.

CARLTON L. TABLER, a successful young business mai and merchant of Martinsburg, is an ex-service man who was on front line duty in France until the close of the war

He was born at Martinsburg, son of Mayberry G. 'Tabler whose birth occurred on a farm near the present site o Tabler Station in Berkeley County, and a grandson o James Walling Tabler, who was born in the same locality where the family was established in pioneer times. Jame Walling Tabler after reaching mature years acquired ; place known as Federal Hill Farm, located in the Arder District, and remained there prosperously engaged in hi chosen location until his death at the age of seventy-siz For several years he was a member of the County Cour and also magistrate for Arden District. He married Ame lia Schindell, who was born near Hagerstown, Maryland They reared three sons, Mayberry G., John N. and How| ard. Mayberry Tabler spent his early life on the home stead, and as a young man left the farm to engage in mer cantile pursuits at Martinsburg. In 1886 he and Mi Thompson established the men's furnishing goods busines now conducted by Carlton Tabler. After a few years May! berry Tabler became sole proprietor, and in 1914 took i his son as partner and continued active in the store unt his death. He married Mary Elizabeth Hawk, who wa born on a farm near Darkesville in Berkeley County, daugli ter of Martin and Mary (LeFevre) Hawk. Carlton 1 Tabler is one of two children, his sister being Mary A Tabler. He acquired a public school education at Martin: burg, and also attended Conway Hall at Carlisle, Pennsy vania. He is a member of a college fraternity. After r turning home he went to work in his father's store, becam, a partner in 1914, and now has a business with a trade a over the territory of which Martinsburg is the logical cel ter.

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History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 3, Part 130

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