History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 3, Part 132

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HISTORY OF WEST VIRGINIA

ville, where he now has a large practice and is numbered among the foremost members of his profession. He is a republican in politics and an Elk fraternally, and belongs to the Methodist Church, as does Mrs. Steele, who is a native of McConnellsville, Ohio. Four sons were born to them, all of whom served during the World war, three seeing overseas service. Dr. Byron W. Steele is the eldest of the sons. Leonard C. Steele was a sergeant in the Medical Corps of the Eighty-seventh Division and was overseas one year. He is now associated with the Wyoming Ice and Bot- tling Company at Mullens as bookkeeper. Rodney D. Steele was on the battle line with the Seventeenth Ambu- lance Company, Fifth Division, a noted company with splendid service to its credit. Marion Steele, the youngest son, was at the Students' Training Camp at Washington and Lee University when the armistice was signed.

Byron W. Steele attended the public schools of Mounds- ville, and was graduated from the high school there, fol- lowing which he entered Marshall College and was gradu- ated in 1910. He then enrolled as a student in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, his father's alma mater, and was graduated as a member of the class of 1914, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine, and for one year thereafter served as instructor. For the following year he served as obstetrician at Mercy Hospital, Balti- more, and during the next year held the same position at the Women's Hospital in that city. In 1916 he came to Mullens to take charge of Robertson's General Hospital as surgeon, and remained in that capacity until March 10, 1918, when be enrolled as a student in the Army Medical School at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. He received his com- mission as first lieutenant, was made an instructor, and in June, 1918, went overseas, where he was promoted cap- tain and made orthopedic surgeon at Base Hospital No. 63. He remained in that capacity until March 11, 1919, when he was transferred to Base Hospital No. 91 as chief orthopedic surgeon. He returned to the United States in August, 1919, and again settled at Mullens, where he is in the enjoyment of a very heavy practice. Doctor Steele's physique and general bearing are such as to inspire confi- dence, and his real courtesy and sympathy likewise gain him the faith of his patients. He holds to the highest ideals in his professional service, and his work is characterized by a conscientious devotion to duty and a display of knowl- edge that demonstrates him a master of his vocation. His work has brought him before the people of Mullens and the surrounding community in a way that will not be easily for- gotten, and he has never been found lacking in any of the essentials that are necessary for the making of a truly great physician. He keeps fully abreast of the numerous advance- ments being constantly made in his calling, and is an ac- tive and interested member of the Mercer County Medical Society, the West Virginia State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He is a member of the Phi Beta Pi medical fraternity. In politics he adheres to the principles of the republican party, but his profession has kept him too busily occupied for him to engage in pub- lie life, although he displays a good citizen's interest in civic matters and gives his support to worthy movements and enterprises. Fraternally he is affiliated with Mullens Lodge No. 151, A. F. and A. M., and Princeton Chapter, R. A. M., in both of which he has numerous friends.

On July 14, 1920, at Mullens, Doctor Steele was united in marriage with Miss Frances P. Ould, daughter of W. T. Ould, of Glenlyn, Virginia. To this union there has been born one son, Byron W., Jr. Mrs. Steele, a woman of nu- merous graces and accomplishments, is a graduate of Con- cord Normal School at Athens, West Virginia, and also did special work at the University of Virginia. Prior to her marriage she was a teacher in the public schools. She and Doctor Steele are members of the Methodist Church. Doc- tor Steele is a member of the American Legion.

THOMAS D. CAMPBELL, of Piedmont, Mineral County, is prominently identified with the coal industry in this sec- tion of the state, as president of Hoff Brothers Coal Com- pany and the Freeport Coal Company.

The birthplace of Mr. Campbell is not far distant from

the vigorous little industrial city in which he now maintair his home and business headquarters. He was born at Ba: ton, Allegany County, Maryland, lying on the opposite sid of the Potomac River from Mineral County, West Virgini: in September, 1877, and there he was reared to adult ag his educational advantages having been those of the pul lic schools. His father, James Campbell, was born in Gla gow, Scotland, in July, 1842, and was a child when th family came to the United States and established residen( at Vale Summit, Maryland, whence removal was later mad to Bloomington, that state, where he was reared to mar hood. For many years he was engaged in the mercanti business at Barton, Maryland, and after his retirement fro this enterprise he served several years as assistant apprais and later as assistant surveyor of the port of Baltimor He has been influential in politics and general civic affai in Maryland, where he still maintains his home. He serve three years as a soldier of the Union in the Civil war, ar in later years has maintained affiliation with the Grar Army of the Republic. As a republican he has represente Allegany County five terms in the Maryland Legislatur including the session of 1920, in which he was chairman . the delegation from his county. In the session of 1922 ] was clerk of the minority party in the House of Represent tives. Though he is nearing the age of four score year he is still vigorous and vitally interested in public affair He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellow and the Knights of Pythias. As a young man James Cam bell married Miss Emily Fromhart, who was born in 01 of the Rhine districts of Germany, and who was rear near Newburg, West Virginia, where her parents establish their home upon coming to the United States. Of the ch dren of Mr. and Mrs. James Campbell the following bri data are available: Katie, the wife of John Patton, di at Barton, Maryland, a short time ago; Joseph and Jol are twins, the former being a resident of Akron, Ohio. al the latter of Washington, D. C .; James lives at Frostbur Maryland; Dr. William B. is a physician and surgeon Hagerstown, that state; Thomas Dowery is the immedia subject of this sketch; George D. is a druggist at Lon coning, Maryland; and Emma is the wife of John F. Sha of Newark, Delaware.

At the age of eighteen years Thomas D. Campbell becar, associated with mercantile business in his native place, a be continued his active association with the enterprise un; 1917. There also he organized, in that year, the Bart Supply Company, which there conducts a large gener merchandise business, in which he is still interested. Piedmont, West Virginia, Mr. Campbell is the owner of t" well equipped meat markets.

In 1915 Mr. Campbell became associated with H Brothers in coal-mining enterprise, and he is now preside of the Hoff Brothers Coal Company, the mines of which, Barton, Marvland, and Cutlips. West Virginia, have giv a yield of 125,000 tons in a single year. In 1916 Mr. Can bell became a principal also in the Hampshire Big V( Coal Company, whose mine, at Barton, gives a normal 01 put of 400 tons a day. He organized the Freeport Ct Company, which is operating on a vein of Kittanni coal near Oakland, Maryland, with a normal output of 4 tons daily, he being president of this corporation. Ţ property of this company was developed in the midst the forest, the company constructing a standard-gav railroad of one and one-half miles, besides having est: lished a water system, erected a school house and a chur and also forty houses for the use of employes in the min The Camphell Coal Company, a partnership organizati. was established about 1917, and conducts a substant brokerage business in the buying and selling of coal, w offices at Piedmont, West Virginia, and Philadelphia, Per sylvania. Mr. Campbell is a director of the First Nation Bank of Barton, Maryland, and of the Liberty Trust Co pany at Cumberland, that state. He has been a reside and vitally progressive and public-spirited citizen of Pi mont since 1919, his political allegiance being given to republican party. He is affiliated with the Masonic frat nity and the Knights of Pythias, and he and his wife h membership in the Presbyterian Church. In the World vi

Dr.E. Rach

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HISTORY OF WEST VIRGINIA

period he was active in the furtherance of the various pa- ¡riotic causes, including the sale of the Government war onda, and he was registered for military service, but not alled.

At Barton, Maryland, on the 1st of September, 1909, Mr. Campbell wedded Miss Nannie T. McDonald, who was here born and reared, a daughter of William McDonald und a representative of the staunchest of Scottish ancestry. The Campbell residence at Piedmont is one of the finest in the city, and he is the owner also of the Campbell Build- ng, in which his business offices are established.

KELLEY E. REED is senior partner in the firm of Reed & Lapsley, general contractors, with headquarters in South "harleston but with a business that reaches to all parts of he state and to outside states. Mr. Reed is an experienced ind successful builder of railroads, sewers, tunnels and other heavy forms of construction, and it is said by his associates hat he has never undertaken a contract without carrying it hrough with credit to himself.

The firm of Reed & Lapsley began operations in 1914. They handle railroad, street paving, general road work and ilso structural steel work. They did a great deal of busi- less for the United States Housing Corporation during the var. This firm built a part of the interurban line between Charleston and Cabin Creek Junction. They have all the Facilities for standard gauge railroad construction, and xeavation machines for sewer and similar work. Many of heir contracts with railroads are outside the state, but hiefly with the Chesapeake & Ohio.

Mr. Kelley E. Reed was born at Clay Court House in Clay County, West Virginia, in 1881, and as a lad took up ailroad work. In 1907 he organized the firm of Board & Reed, contractors, and they built twelve miles of railroad n Tyler County. This piece of construction included two unnels. They also handled a heavy job of construction for he Calina & Clinchfield Railroad through the breaks of the Cumberland Mountains, on Big Sandy River. There was ne mile they built through the mountains which cost $360,- 100, and was a twenty-four months' job. Mr. Reed con- inned handling railroad work for six years, finally selling is interest to Board & Duffield, and then did some indi- idual contracting until he joined A. J. Lapsley, former- y of the firm Patton & Lapsley, general contractors. This firm was dissolved with the death of Mr. Patton, and ince then Mr. Reed and Mr. Lapsley have been associated. Cach is a practical contractor and superintendent of con- truction, and they give the closest personal attention to all heir work.

Mr. Reed is interested in real estate in South Charleston nd Charleston, and also coal production. He is vice presi- ent of the First National Bank of South Charleston.

He married Miss Rosa L. Layden. They have two chil- ren: Virginia Lee and Kelley E., Jr. Mr. Reed lives in South Charleston, and has taken an active part in the phuilding of that industrial community. In fraternal ircles he is a Mason and an Odd Fellow.

HENRY PAYNE BRYARLY. Nothing lends more dignity to he social life of a community than to find a record of suc- essive occupation from father to son extending over a pe- iod of several generations, so that the family home and idustry become a landmark, a steady influence, a symbol f human continuity. One of the oldest families in the his- ory of Berkeley County is Bryarly. A home seat is close the Village of Darkesville, on Winchester Pike, where lenry Payne Bryarly is keeping up the home and farm that ame down from his father and grandfather.

His grandfather was Robert Bryarly, who owned a large "act of land in Arden District, including the present site f Tabler Station, and also a tract on Mill Creek, where e developed the power and built a flour and saw mill, an istitution of great value in the early days and which he perated in connection with his farming. He was a slave wner, and most of the labor employed in the mill and in le fields were slaves. He also built a commodious frame ouse near the mill, and it was in that home that he spent is last days.

His son, Richard Henry Bryarly, inherited some of this land, including the homestead and the mills, and he in- creased the inheritance by purchase and good management. The homestead is pleasantly located east of and near the Winchester Pike and adjoins the Village of Darkesville. During his active career he enjoyed the congenial labor of farming and mill operation, and died there at the age of sixty-eight. He married Mary Payne, who was born in the same locality as her husband, a daughter of Nathan Payne. She died at the age of seventy. The family con- sisted of six sons and one daughter.

Henry Payne Bryarly was born at the old homestead and was eight years old when his father died. He remained with his mother, getting his education in the rural schools, assisted in the labor of the farm and finally succeeded to the ownership of the homestead and is still active in its re- sponsibility.

At the age of twenty-four Mr. Bryarly married Mary Evans, who has been in the Village of Middleway, Jeffer- son County, West Virginia. Her father, Alexander Mason Evans, was born near Hedgesville, in Berkeley County, son of Howell and Evelyn Evans. Alexander M. Evans was a graduate of Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, and practiced medicine at Middleway until his death at the age of fifty-five. He married Harriet Scollay, who was born at Middleway. Her father, Dr. Samuel Scullay, was a na- tive of Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of an old family whose memory is perpetuated by Scullay Square in the heart of the City of Boston. Samuel Scullay studied medicine, and on coming South located at Middleway, where he engaged in practice for many years. His wife was Sally Nelson, a sister of Dr. Marion Page Nelson, and a daughter of Gen. Thomas Nelson, who was a distinguished American officer in the Revolution. Mr. and Mrs. Bryarly have four children, named Harriet Scullay, Mary Payne, Harry Mason and Robert Pressley.

ELBERT WILSON PEARMAN, the efficient store-manager and purchasing agent for the Pocahontas Fuel Company, Incorporated, Norfolk and Liek Branch Collieries, was born at Wytheville, Virginia, February 5, 1880, and is the son of Thomas Monroe and Mary Gallimore Pearman, also of Wytheville. Virginia. His father died January 22, 1920, at Ashland, West Virginia.

The public schools of Virginia and West Virginia afforded E. W. Pearman his early education, and at the age of eight years he began to work during his vacations as errand hoy in the old Shamokin Coal and Coke Company store, which was later purchased by the Pocahontas Fuel Company. his father at that time being a resident of Mayheury, West Virginia. After leaving high school at Princeton, West Virginia, he supplemented his scholastic discipline by at- tending the West Virginia State Normal School at Athens, West Virginia.

He began his work as store-manager at the age of twenty- one, after having served as errand boy, janitor and elerk. He is now manager of stores for the Pocahontas Fuel Com- pany at Maybeury and Liek Branch on the Norfolk & Western Railroad, the name of the local post office heing Switchback. He has made a splendid record as manager of these stores of this important industrial corporation, in which service he has continued twenty-two years. He is a progressive business man and has a secure place in the confidence and esteem of all who know him.

Mr. Pearman is affiliated with the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elka, the Knights of Pythias and the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his wife are zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of which he is chairman of the board of stewards.

In 1901, at Crockett Springs, Virginia, Mr. Pearman mar- ried Miss Lavinia Conner, daughter of the Rev. Giles A. and Lucy A. Showalter Conner, both natives of the Old Domin- ion State. To Mr. and Mrs. Pearman have been born eight children, five of whom are living, namely: John Watson, Merle Conner, Jean Louise, Elbert Wilson, Jr., and Thomas Monroe. The names of the deceased children are: Nelle Lavinia, Ruth Corinne and Virginia Elizabeth.

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HISTORY OF WEST VIRGINIA

TOM F. KENNY, dean of the insurance agents at Pied- mont, and ex-postmaster of the city, is one of the most rep- resentative men of Mineral County, and one who holds the confidence of everyone who knows him. Practically his entire life has been spent in this locality, and no man has its interests closer at heart than he. He was born on Rac- coon Creek, near the Village of Newburg, Preston County, West Virginia, December 25, 1853, a son of Thomas and Mary (O'Connor) Kenny, both from County Galway, Ire- land, where they were married. Coming to the United States in 1847, they first established their home at Cum- berland, Maryland, but later leaving that city for Preston County, West Virginia, making the trip by stage. On the present site of Newburg they bought an acre of ground, as they had learned the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, then in process of construction, was to have a station at that point, and realizing that the investment was likely to be profitable.

Thomas Kenny was a member of the surveying party, and carried the surveyor's chain almost the whole way from Cumberland to Grafton in the work of locating the line of the road. When the location work was completed he was employed by one of the contractors on the construc- tion work, Jacob Humbard, and was connected with the ac- tual building of the road as far west as Grafton. He then went with the track department of the road, and continued with it until his death, which occurred in 1867, his widow surviving him until 1886, when she died at the age of sev- enty eight years, and both are interred in the Grafton Cem- etery.

The children born to Thomas Kenny and his wife were as follows: John, Timothy, Mary, Patrick, Julia, Tom Francis and Michael. Of these children John Kenny spent his life at Grafton and was track superintendent of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and died in that city. Timothy entered the railroad service and was a conductor on the Third Division of the Baltimore & Ohio until 1866, when he left the railroad, and, coming to Piedmont, built the Kenny House, which still bears his name. This became one of the most famous hostelries along the road, and he con- ducted it until he reached an advanced age, when he re- tired, and he died at Baltimore, Maryland, at the home of his son, Rev. Father T. B. Kenny, of that city, and is buried in Maryland. Mary never married, but spent the greater part of her life at the Kenny House with her brother Tim- othy. She died at Piedmont, and is buried in the cemetery by the side of her parents. Patrick was also a railroad man, and for about forty years was a conductor with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and then retired from its serv- ice. He died in 1916, and he, too, is buried at Grafton. Michael was killed in the shaft explosion at Newburg in 1889, while engaged in coal mining. Patrick was a team- ster during the war of the '60s, for the Federal Govern- ment, and John was assistant to the roadmaster of the Balti- more & Ohio Railroad, having charge of the reconstruction of bridges from the Ohio River to Martinsburg, destroyed by the Confederate forces. Julia, the younger daughter, married James Talbott, a resident of Mononga, West Vir- ginia.

Tom F. Kenny spent his boyhood and youth at Newburg, and there received his preliminary education, his boyhood friends being the Crogan lads, one of whom has since he- come a distinguished lawyer of Kingwood, Preston County. The year his father died Tom F. Kenny came to Piedmont, and while completing his education lived with his brother at the Kenny House. Beginning bis business career, he conducted a news stand, corner of Second Street and Childs Avenue, and occupied that spot for eighteen years, acquir- ing there his start in life. In 1893 he sold this business and was appointed postmaster by President Cleveland, suc- ceeding William E. Heskett in that office, in which he con- tinued until 1898, when he was succeeded by the republican nominee.

Upon leaving the postoffice Mr. Kenny embarked in the life and fire insurance business, in which he has since con- tinned, and he represents many of the most reliable com- panies, including the Hartford, the Home of New York, the Continental, the Royal, the Commercial Union, the Na-

tional Union, the Atlas Assurance, and the Camden Fire In- surance Company. He also represents the United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company of Baltimore. Of late years he has confined his operations to the fire insurance and bonding business.

Before he was appointed postmaster Mr. Kenny had made lis influence felt in democratic circles, and during a period of thirty years he was a delegate to the state and congres- sional conventions, and was a member of the one which, after a siege of four days, nominated Governor Wilson. He also gave his support to William L. Wilson for Con- gress. The latter was nominated the first time at Pied- mont by Col. John T. McGraw, of Grafton, in one of his first public speeches. In the democratic contest for presi- dent in 1912 Mr. Kenny was a supporter of the late Champ Clark, and did his best to nominate his candidate, but after Woodrow Wilson became his party's candidate he loyally supported him. In fact, Mr. Kenny has always been the advocate of the scholar in politics. He says, "If democracy was run in its purity as handed down to us by the framers of the constitution, we would have different conditions in our country now." He is a Roman Catholic in his religious faith.

Tom F. Kenny married at Newburg, West Virginia, Jan- uary 17, 1881, Catherine D. Daily, a daughter of Dennis and Anna (McArthur) Daily, natives of Scotland, who lo- cated at Newburg about 1854, and Mrs. Kenny was born in that village June 8, 1855. There were seven daughters in the family of her parents, namely : Mrs. M. A. Moran, Mrs. Elizabeth Kenny, wife of Patrick Kenny, Mrs. Mar- garet Doonan, Mrs. Tom F. Kenny, Mrs. Esther Barrett, Mrs. Isabel Templeton and Miss Bridget Daily.

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Tom F. Kenny were as follows: T. Daily Kenny, who is assistant to President William B. Cornwell on the Winchester & Western Rail- road, with hearquarters and residence at Winchester, Vir- ginia; Stanley A., who is assistant anditor in the revenue department of the Federal Government, with headquarters at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; John Sheridan, who repre- sents the American Can Company of Chicago at Cumber- land, Maryland; and Ada Maria, who is a stenographer in the Department of the Interior, Washington, District of Columbia, where she has been since the beginning of the World war.

Stanley A. and John Sheridan Kenny volunteered for service during the World war. John Sheridan Kenny was the first to enlist from Piedmont, and was in the Second West Virginia Infantry. He was trained at Camp Hum- phreys, mobilizing first in Fairmont, and went overseas) from Humphreys. He was sergeant of his company and, was made purchasing agent for the camp while in France. After the signing of the armistice he was returned home without injury, and returned to civil life. Stanley A. Kenny went overseas after his brother, and was sergeant- major of his company, but did not get to the front before the signing of the armistice. He was returned home in 1919. also withont injury. Taking the internal revenue depart- ment examination, he entered its service, where he has since remained.

THOMAS E. POWNALL, who for nine years was postmaster of Romney, is one of the active business men of the county seat of Hampshire County, and is a member of one of the older families of this section.

He was born at Rio in Hampshire County, April 10, 1875. His parents were Frank and Virginia (Baker) Pownall his mother being a daughter of James Baker. Frank Pown- all was born at Three Churches in Hampshire County ir 1839, and as a boy on the farm had little opportunity to attend school beyond two terms in the country district. At the beginning of the Civil war he joined the Confederatc Army, with the regiment attached to Gen. Stonewall Jack son's command, and saw some of the very heavy fighting before he was taken prisoner. For about a year he war confined at Camp Chase, Ohio. When the war was over and when he was released he returned to the farm, and that remained his business the rest of his life. He died in 1906 He was an active democrat and a member of local conven

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History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 3, Part 132

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