History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 3, Part 153

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THOMAS E. STALNAKER taught school for several years before getting started as a farmer, but in the main his

activities have identified him as a man of practical and progressive leadership in the agricultural community of Horner in Lewis County. He is a well known citizen there, and has exerted an influence for good both in social and civic affairs.

Mr. Stalnaker was born near Horner, May 2, 1867, son of Sobieski and Christina (Waggoner) Stalnaker. His father was born in Harrison County, West Virginia, Janu- ary 8, 1839, and his mother, in Lewis County, near Jane- lew, November 6, 1835. Sobieski Stalnaker was a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (McWhorter) Stalnaker, the former born near the present site of Janelew in 1800 and the latter born in 1811. Samuel Stalnaker had a family of fourteen children, named Andrew, John, Charles, Julian, Levi 2nd, Marion, Walter, Sobeski, Amanda, Whitman, Margaret, Adam and Elizabeth.

Sobieski Stalnaker was reared on McKenney's Run, and after his marriage spent his active life as a farmer near Horner. Of his eleven children two died in early life, one at the age of fifty, and the eight now living are: Elias M., a farmer in Lewis County; Rebecca, wife of A. C. Hardman; Thomas E .; George W., a farmer in Braxton County; Thaddeus S., a Lewis County farmer; Ira A., a salesman; Charles B., a farmer in Lewis County; and Victoria.

Thomas E. Stalnaker spent his early years on the farm near Horner. He attended the common schools there, took a commercial course at Buckhannon, and for three winters taught school. During the past thirty years he has been diligently engaged in his tasks as a farmer, and owns a well equipped place of 200 acres. He has also been ac- tive in public affairs, serving four years as deputy county assessor. He is a republican, a charter member of Golden Lodge No. 139, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is a past noble grand of the Lodge, past chief patriarch of the Encampment, and has attended sessions of the Grand Lodge. He is a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

On September 5, 1889, Mr. Stalnaker married Julia V. Hall, who was born in Lewis County, October 16, 1870. Their family consists of seven children: Roy S., who graduated from a commercial course at Buckhannon and now lives at Ashland, Kentucky; Thomas C., formerly a teacher now a farmer in Lewis County; Anna G., wife of Jacob Jackson, of Clarksburg, West Virginia; Frieda O., wife of Ray Harris, of Weston; Ethel, who is a grad- uate of the Weston High School and the wife of Stokes Swisher, of Weston; Mary, wife of Edwin Waggoner, ot Weston; and Walter C.

ROSCOE C. SMITH, former superintendent of the Lewis County Infirmary, had a thoroughly successful record as a practical farmer as a chief qualification for that post. He is a good business man, capable in handling affairs of. public trust, and was a decided success in his responsi- bility.

Mr. Smith was born near Horner in Lewis County, June 14, 1872, son of Ellis L. and Matilda F. (Hudson) Smith. His father was born near Horner, September 25, 1843, and his mother was born on Shin Creek, near Georgetown, August 6, 1843, and died in 1910. Ellis Smith was a son of Martin J. and Margaret (Talbert) Smith, the former a native of Lewis County, who died when past seventy- eight years of age, and the latter a native of Upshur Coun- ty. Matilda F. Hudson was a daughter of Jacob W. Hud- son, who lived to the advanced age of ninety-one. Ellis L. Smith, after his marriage, settled on a farm near Hor- ner and devoted his years to farming, except for the four years he was a soldier in the Union Army. He was wounded July 4, 1862, but after recuperating joined his command and served until the close of the war. He was a" member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Horner. His eleven children were named Clarence L., Flavilla F., Maggie, Jacob M., R. C., Washington H., Ellis L., Myrtle, Grace, Hugh and Esta.

Roscoe C. Smith grew up on the home farm and had a public school education. After he was twenty-one he continued working on the farm and later he and his brother Jacob M. bought 107 acres, which they farmed in partner-

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p. When he sold his interest in that he bought land Upshur County, at the headwaters of Stone Coal Creek. is property he sold in 1903, and then bought a farm his native community, near Horner. Mr. Smith owns ) acres in his own name, while Mrs. Smith has thirty- acres. While still continuing the ownership of the farm . Smith accepted appointment as superintendent of the wis County Infirmary, in March, 1917, and devoted five rs to the official administration of that important county titution.

in 1896 he married Mary E. Clark, who was born in wis County, May 1, 1878, and was educated in the com- n schools. Eleven children were born to their marriage, 1 the ten now living are Virgil N., who was with the ors at a training camp during the World war; Lura M .; a; Commodore R .; Ercell; Madge; Milo M .; Gladys; tie; and John R. The family are members of the Metho- t Episcopal Church at Horner. Mr. Smith is a past le grand of Golden Lodge No. 139, Independent Order Odd Fellows, is a member of the Encampment, the dern Woodmen of America, and in politics is a re- lican.

T. P. SNYDER. Lewis County honors J. P. Snyder for gth of years, industry and faithful performance of duty, military record as a soldier of the Confederacy, and od citizenship at all times.

Mr. Snyder is still living in the house where he was 'n, January 7, 1839, son of Peter and May C. (Stone) yder. His father was a native of Highland County and mother of Pendleton County, old Virginia, and after ir marriage they, settled in Lewis County, in what is w West Virginia, in 1837. Peter Snyder acquired 400 es of land when he came to Lewis County, and out of prosperity he gained be subsequently owned 640 acres I was a man of substance and high standing. He was democrat in politics and a member of the Methodist urch. His first wife died, and he then married a Miss sher, and by that union had one child, Peter Snyder, By his first wife, Miss Stone, there were six children: oma, who became the wife of Daniel Hoover; Jeremiah; zekiah and Uriah, hoth deceased; Josiah P .; and Mary deceased.

Josiah P. Snyder grew up on the home farm, acquired good education in the nearby schools, and his duties and erests were largely centered at the old homestead until · outbreak of the Civil war. He then joined the Con- lerate Army, was in the commissary department under neral Jackson, and was in the struggle until the close. was in several battles, but was never wounded. After : war he resumed his place on the home farm, and has adily carried on his industry as a general farmer and ckman. He has 600 acres in Lewis County, his home ng two miles from Weston, on the Parkersburg and ston Pike. Mr. Snyder is a democrat.

JOSEPH FUCCY. Before his busy career was ended by th on Sunday, March 19, 1922, Col. Joe Fuccy, as he 3 popularly known, had accumulated a record of achieve- nts that made him one of the prominent railroad builders l contractors of the State of West Virginia. He was a eran in the field of railroad building, a work he had ried on more or less continuously for forty years. There half a dozen different lines in West Virginia and the ho Valley in whose construction he participated. While 3 work made a reputation for him over the state, he 3 especially known and esteemed as a citizen of Weston, re he had his home for thirty years.

oseph Fuccy was born in Italy, February 11, 1857, son Russell and Lucretia Fuccy. His parents were reared and cated in Italy, grew up and married there, his father oming a grist miller and farmer. Both were devout holics. The father died in Italy November 26, 1877. his nine children four are now living: Sullivan; Vic- cia, who is married and lives in South America; Domi- '), a contractor in West Virginia; and Mary Antoinette, v) is married and living in Italy.

oseph Fuccy was reared in Italy and lived there until

he was twenty-two years of age. He had three years of service in the army. In 1881 he came to the United States, and for about two years lived in New York, doing railroad work. He early rose to the responsibilities of a foreman of the construction gang, and in 1883 moved to Pennsylvania and continued to act as foreman. He was at Pitt, Pennsyl- vania, and while there began taking small contracts or act- ing as sub-contractor. His first work as a contractor in West Virginia was in Preston County, where during 1886 he helped build the narrow gauge railroad from Tunnelton to Kingwood. Subsequently he was in construction work along the Ohio and Kanawha valleys, built four miles of railroad at Middletown, Ohio, two miles at Reading, Ohio, two miles at Coshocton, four miles at Short Creek, Ohio, and on returning to West Virginia built three miles of a railroad at Fairmont. During 1890 he was one of the con- tractors who changed the narrow gauge to a standard gauge from Clarksburg to Buckhannon. He also laid the railroad tracks from Weston to Sutton, and built a branch of thirteen miles from Flatwoods to Wayneville during 1891-92. During 1893 be built the pike from Kovan to Webster Springs. In 1892 Mr. Fuccy established his permanent home at Weston, and while he did considerable railroad building afterward his organization and facilities were gradually adopted for a broader service of general con- tracting and he was head of this profitable business until his death.

Outside of railroads there are many evidences of his contracting experience over the state. He was the contractor for the old Fair Ground race track, now occupied by Highland Park at Clarksburg. In 1910 be built about six miles of the interurban line from Clarksburg to Weston, and in 1905 he built part of a similar line from Fairmont to Clarksburg. In 1909 he built the road for the Coal and Coke Railroad Company between Sutton and Gassoway. In 1917 he had the contract for the street paving at Burns- ville, West Virginia. Some of the concrete roads constructed in Marion County during 1919 were assigned to his organi- zation, and during 1920-21 he built two miles of concrete and brick road in Lewis County, the first curbless road iu West Virginia and which has been pronounced by Govern- ment engineers as the best road in the state. This was the last important contract he handled.

His business involved an enormous amount of capital in the aggregate, and also the handling of hundreds and even thousands of men and brought him in touch with prominent leaders in industrial affairs. As a contractor he enjoyed especially the esteem of engineers and other officials of railroad companies who were unstinted in their praise of his efficiency as a contractor. One of the prominent engineers of the Baltimore and Ohio System, C. McC. Lemley, once wrote concerning the work of grading and construction done under his direct supervision and concluded his letter with the words "Mr. Fuccy I know to be an honest and reliable man, and would cheerfully recommend him to anyone as being thoroughly efficient in any work that he might undertake."

The death of Colonel Fuccy came suddenly, following a day of visiting in Grafton with some relatives. He had never married. After the death of his father he supported his mother and brought her to the United States in 1896, and at the age of ninety-four she survives him at Weston. Colonel Fuccy was a member of the Weston Lodge of Knights of Columbus, and a charter member of Grafton Lodge No. 482, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He was a member of the Catholic Church and a republican in politics. Through all his active yeare as a business man he was noted for his charitable spirit, and one of the provisions of his will is characteristic, being a request that ten per cent of his estate should be invested in the Citizens Bank of Weston and the proceeds be distributed among the poor of Weston as long as the funds remained. Colonel Fuccy was a stockholder in the Citizens Bank, and was an official in the Dancer Manufacturing Company, having been vice president of that corporation.

During the World war period he took on active and prominent part in movements for the benefit of the cause, was a large contributor to war saving funds, Liberty

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Loan drives, and many times was called on as an arbitrator among his own people, proving his patriotism and loyalty to his adopted country by his true Americanism. He was recognized as the leading spirit and figure among the Italian people of the state, and his verdict and word was never questioned by them.

ELLIS L. SMITH. While he owns and lives on a good farm three miles east of Weston, Ellis L. Smith is most widely known over Lewis County for the good work he has done as a teacher and in school administration, a re- sponsibility he has carried the greater part of his active life.

Mr. Smith was born on Stone Coal Creek in Lewis Coun- ty, December 6, 1876, son of Lee and Matilde (Hudson) Smith. His father was born in the same locality, Septem- her 25, 1843. He had a private school education, and as a youth enlisted in the Union Army, performing the serv- ice of a brave and dutiful soldier. When the war was over he returned home, married, and then settled on the farm where he has lived ever since. He is a republican, and has been active in the Methodist Protestant Church. This old soldier and old time resident of Lewis County had a family of eleven children: Clarence L .; Flavila F., wife of Bruce Shoulders; Margaret, widow of T. J. Bon- nell; Jacob M., a farmer in Lewis County; Roscoe C., a Lewis County farmer; Washington H., a member of the Weston police force; Ellis L .; Myrtle, wife of Wade Hard- man, of Weston; Hugh, who is a railroad man; Grace, wife of Scott Bulcher; and Esta, wife of Naaman Lawson.

Ellis L. Smith was reared on his father's farm, and in addition to the public schools he attended a private normal and a state normal at Fairmont. Mr. Smith put in twenty-three years teaching in different schools of the county. For four years he was county superintendent of schools, and during that time did much to elevate and im- prove the standards of school work throughout the coun- ty. He is now serving his second year as principal of the Shady Brook School at Weston. Mr. Smith's farm comprises sixty-eight and one-half acres, and it furnishes him occupation for his vacation periods and also a delight- ful home for his family.

On March 14, 1900, Mr. Smith married Maude Bush. They have one daughter, Irene, born May 19, 1906, now a sophomore in the Weston High School. The family are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. Mr. Smith is a past noble grand of Golden Lodge No. 139, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, he and his wife are members of the Rebekahs, and he is affiliated with Weston Lodge No. 43, Knights of Pythias. Politically he is a republican.

ROBERT LANDON PEMBERTON was born in Pennington, Lancashire, England, March 9, 1860, the son of Robert and Abigail B. (Landon) Pemberton. His grandfather was Joseph Pemberton and his great-grandfather, John Ball Pemberton. In the spring of 1863 Robert Pember- tou, at the age of fifty, came to America, locating near Philadelphia, and enlisted in Company I of the Pennsyl- vania Volunteers to repel the invasion of the state by the Confederates under Lee. In the fall of the same year he was joined by his wife and children-two daughters aud the son, Robert.

In 1865 the family removed to Alleghany; in 1870, to Wellsburg, West Virginia; and in 1873, to New Martins- ville, in the same state. In the last named town the boy, Robert L., began learning the trade of printer in the office of the Labor Vindicator, edited and published by Daniel Long. It was the first paper printed in Wetzel County. This was in the year 1875, and his connection with the paper afforded him opportunity to publish verses and other articles of his own composition.

In 1877 the Labor Vindicator ceased, and in that fall he went to St. Marys as printer of The Watchword, the first paper published in Pleasants County, Rev. F. M. Yates being owner and editor. This paper suspending, he taught the country school at Mount Olive, below St.

Marys, the following winter, having passed an examins tion which entitled him to a first-class certificate.

For several years after this he was employed in print ing establishments at various places. On November 24 1886, he married Margaret C., daughter of Robert Alex ander and Annie Carroll Gallaher, and to them were bor two children, Margaret and Robert, the latter dying i infancy.

Mr. Pemberton taught one term as assistant principal o the New Martinsville High School and six years was prir cipal of the St. Marys School. In 1890 he was employe by the Census Bureau in Washington and New York, re signing in 1891, when he read law and was admitted t the bar.

In 1894 he was elected superintendent of schools fo Pleasants County, serving four years. In 1910 he wa elected a member of the House of Delegates, in which b was appointed chairman of the committee on printing of the committee of executive buildings, and was a men ber of several other committees.

In 1902 he became part owner of the St. Marys Orach and in 1911 became sole owner, improving the plant h installing new presses and linotype machines.

He has contributed short stories and occasionally vers to eastern newspapers and magazines. For several ycal he conducted a column of verse aud prose under the hea of "Random Remarks" in the Oracle, and has publishe two volumes of verse, one entitled "Random Rhymes and the other "Songs in Merry Mood." In the last fiv years he has written several serial stories. During twenty five years he has been trustee and senior warden of th Episcopal Church of St. Marys. He is a member of th West Virginia Press Association, and also a member ( the American Press Humorists.

THE JEFFERSON GLASS COMPANY. Prominent among tl thriving industries of Follansbee, one that has enjoyed rapid and healthy growth is the Jefferson Glass Con pany, now a leading factor in the industrial prestige ( this part of the state.

The Jefferson Glass Company had its origin at Steuben ville, Ohio, where it was chartered in 1900, but in 1900 came to Follansbee because of the attraction offered b the possibility of gas facilities in the operation of th plant. When the buildings were first erected they co ered approximately two and one-half acres of ground, bi since that time the size of the plant has been double now occupying some five acres, while the working ford of sixty-five men has increased proportionately, and tl annual pay-roll now amounts to about $250,000. Th concern's product consists principally of illuminating glassware and automobile specialties, leuses, flashligh lenses, etc. The product of this plant is to be found .. 90 per cent of all automobiles now in operation. Du ing the World war the company made Government nav! glass for the United States Navy, etc., and operated ( about an 80 per cent war production basis. Dorman Sinclair, of Steubenville, was the former owner of th company, but sold out in May, 1910, and the Jeffers( Glass Company is now an incorporation, with C. H. Blu enauer, president and manager. Mr. Blumenauer devot all his attention to this company, a large amount of tl success of which can be accredited to his ability and i dustry. Recently gas has been sent out of the state such great quantities that it was found in the wint months sufficient natural gas was not available, and order to make up the deficit this company installed g producing machines at a heavy expense, thus supplying tl demand. This makes the company largely independent the matter of operating power.

In connection with the above company, but in a se arate building, is the Jefferson Company, manufacture of high grade electric lights, table lamps, etc. It is : independent company, with J. E. Austin, a practical lan man, as president, and there are fifty men on the pa roll, which approximates $50,000 annually. Mr. Blu enauer is treasurer of this concern and C. B. Roberts, ma

EMMIT O. BOYLEN AND FAMILY GROUP

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HISTORY OF WEST VIRGINIA

ger, and the output, sold to jobbers and department stores, used in every civilized country in the world.

C. H. Blumenauer was born in Cumberland, Maryland, id in 1889 became a buyer for a Chicago jobbing house, maining in that capacity until 1893. From then until 10 he was identified with the Macbeth-Evans Glass Man- acturing Company, being in charge of their Chicago of- te, which was the western department of that company, id then came to his present positions. He has been holly devoted to glass manufacturing since 1910, and ior to that had experience along the same line, so that ; is one of the best informed men in his field of activity the state. Energetic and progressive, he has utilized s opportunities as they have appeared, and in so doing is risen to a place of recognized importance in the busi- ss world. Mr. Blumenauer is a Mason of high standing, longing to all the Masonic bodies. His home is at heeling, where he holds membership in a number of ading clubs, and also belongs to several civic bodies. e is a member of the Chamber of Commerce of the nited States and the National Association of Manufac- rers.

Mr. Blumenauer married Miss Larue E. Martin, of Iowa, d to this union there have been born three children: ertha Mary, the wife of L. O. Griffith, secretary of the fferson Glass Company, and a resident of Steubenville, mio. He served as a lieutenant in the late war. Gertrude the wife of Carl D. Roberts, director and manager of e Jefferson Company, and a resident of Steubenville. He ld the rank of captain during the World war, and served a replacement camp at the front in France. Edna is married and resides with her parents.

THE WHEELING SANITARY MANUFACTURING COMPANY. le initiation of the pottery industry in the City of Wheel- g is to be credited to Charles W. Franzheim, George K. heat and W. A. Isett, who enlisted the services of J. arson, a practical pottery man from England, to assume tive charge of the new enterprise. Operations began in e old Wheat tannery plant, which occupied the site of the esent Wheeling Tile Company. Later the company ected the La Belle pottery plant, in the south end of the y. In the early days Messrs. Hearne and O'Brien also gaged in the manufacturing of general lines of pottery at heeling, but they were not successful and their plant gsed into the possession of Anton Reyman, who brought om Germany an expert potter, with the intention of pro- cing pure porcelain. He continued operations a few ars, and about 1890 the Wheeling Potteries Company was ganized and took over the plants of the two concerns men- ned above. Under this title the business was continued til adverse trade conditions resulted in the concern's be- g placed in the hands of a receiver. Within a short time ereafter a reorganization was effected, the result being e incorporation of the Wheeling Sanitary Manufacturing mpany, which initiated operations on the basis of a pital stock of $750,000. With progressive industrial licies, careful and well ordered commercial methods, and ple capital this company has developed a substantial d prosperous manufacturing enterprise, which contributes ch to the commercial prestige of Wheeling. The modern annfactory of the company turns out vitreous china prod- ts of the best type, and the output includes toilet tanks, vatories and bathtubs of vitreous china, as well as porce- in bathtubs, laundry trays, kitchen sinks, etc., together th similar products of enameled type. The company w operates three well equipped manufacturing plants, two which are established in the City of Wheeling and the ird at Tiltonville, Ohio. The corps of employes in the ante averages 450 under normal trade conditions, and ree salesmen are retained in representing the company the jobbing trade of the United States, besides which appreciable export business has been developed. The mpany's annual payroll at Wheeling aggregates $300,000. he company is at the time of this writing, in the winter ' 1921-2, preparing to expend approximately $100,000 in provements on the Wheeling plants, the principal im- 'ovement being the installing of a new type of kiln, made

np of a group of sixteen chambers, instead of individual kilns, a type but recently introduced into this country from England and one that greatly conserves fuel. Of this progressive industrial corporation John E. Wright ig presi- dent, and S. P. Alpaugh the secretary and treasurer. Wil- liam F. Stifel, a director of the company, had likewise been a director of the old Wheeling Potteries Company. Mr. Wright, the president of the company, was appointed re- ceiver of the Wheeling Potteries Company in 1910, and he was the primary force in effecting the reorganization and placing the industry on a substantial and profitable basis.

JOHN E. WRIGHT was born at Wheeling, December 19, 1862, his father, the late John Wright, having been one of the twenty-three men who in 1852 organized the LaBelle Iron Works, long one of the leading industrial concerns of the Wheeling District, he having been a practical man in the business and having had charge of motive power, as superintendent, from the time of the erecting and equipping of the original plant. He retired from active service in 1876, but retained his financial interests in the business until his death in 1907, at the venerable age of eighty-five years. John Wright was born at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and came to Wheeling in 1852, at the time of the organiza- tion of the LaBelle Iron Works. He was an expert iron man, he having learned his trade in one of the largest of the old-time iron mills in Pittsburgh. He was also a director of the Jefferson Iron Works at Steubenville, Ohio, and was active in political affairs, first as a whig and later as a republican, though he had no ambition for public office. His wife, whose maiden name was Eleanor Madden, was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, and their companionship of more than fifty years was severed by her death in 1903. They became the parents of seven children: Anna Virginia, widow of F. J. Hugens, resides at Wheeling; Miss Eliza- beth died in 1921; Eleanor G. is the wife of C. A. Robinson, of Wheeling; William F. died at the age of twenty-three years; John E., of this review, was the next in order of birth; Margaret is the wife of C. L. Taylor, of Los Angeles, California; and Carie M. is the wife of Thomas Stewart, of Wheeling.

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History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 3, Part 153

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