History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 3, Part 184

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but he was detached and assigned for special duty in the rents, reclamation and claims service, and so did not return to his own land until September 29, 1919. He received his honorable discharge October 16, 1919, with the rank of captain of Coast Artillery Corps, Organized Reserves, U. S. A.

Captain O'Connor was a favorite of his men, for he possesses the quality of securing from others a whole-hearted co-operation, and can bring out the best characteristics of those under him. It is a pleasure and a duty to him to continue to maintain the relations formed during the war through the medium of the American Legion, and in 1922 he was elected commander of the H. W. Daniels Post, American Legion, at Elkins,

In politics Captain O'Connor is a republican, and is zeal- ous in behalf of his party. He maintains membership with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Elkins Chamber of Commerce and the Elkins Rotary Club. On April 20, 1922, he was honored by being appointed United States commissioner at Elkins. He is unmarried.

Upon his return to civilian life Captain O'Connor entered upon the practice of the profession for which he had pre- pared himself, and has built up an enviable connection. During the brief time he has been practicing at the bar of Randolph County, Captain O'Connor has gained a high reputation for ability and fidelity, and for his force of character and natural qualifications. A man of comprehen- sive knowledge along many lines, the originality and pro- found grasp of his intellect command respect. In every relation of life his actions reflect the light which comes from justness, generosity, truth, high sense of honor, proper respect for self, and a sensitive consideration for others, combined with true loyalty and flaming patriotism. With these salient characteristics he is bound to give a truly valuable service in his new office, and in earning new laurels will once more be accorded opportunities for working in behalf of his country.

WILLIAM ADOLPH ARNOLD came to Elkins in 1905, and for half a dozen years was a clerk and stenographer in the law offices of a prominent railroad attorney. He was admitted to the bar, and for the past ten years has been a very busy lawyer and has associated himself with all the organized movements for the growth and progress of Elkins.

He was born December 25, 1886, at Martin's Ferry, Ohio, just across the river from Wheeling, son of John B. and Emily (Evans) Arnold. His grandfather, Marcus Arnold, was a native of Germany. John B. Arnold was born at Wheeling, West Virginia, in 1861, but has spent practically all his life in Ohio, where he has been connected with a steel industry as a foreman and superintendent of plants. Emily Evans was born in England, and was twenty-one years of age when her father, William Evans, brought his family to America. William Evans located at Martin's Ferry, Ohio, and was instrumental in founding the Aetna Standard Steel Mills in that city. John B. Arnold and wife are now retired and live at 432 North Boulevard in Fire- stone Park at Akron, Ohio. The oldest of their children is John Marcus Arnold, a steel mill foreman at Woodlawn, Pennsylvania. William A. Arnold is the second in age. Albert Henry Arnold, an electrician living at Akron, volun- teered in the regular army with the Fifth Signal Battalion, Third Division, became a sergeant, and while overseas par- tieipated in the battle of Chateau Thierry, the Marne and Saint Mehiel campaigns, and in the battle of the Argonne was severely and permanently wounded in his right arm and shoulder. The daughter, Eleanor B. Arnold, married Philip Moewe, who is original research man in the employ of the Goodrich Rubber Company at Akron.

William A. Arnold spent his early life at Martin's Ferry in New Philadelphia, Ohio. He acquired a common and high school education, took a course in stenography and typewriting, and in 1905 came to Elkins as clerk and stenographer in the law office of the late C. Wood Dailey. Mr. Dailey was then general counsel for the West Virginia Central and Pittsburgh, the Western Maryland and the Coal and Coke Railways. At his death Mr. Dailey was succeeded in this office by E. A. Bowers. Mr. Arnold continued

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with Mr. Bowers until 1912 as his clerk and law assistant. In the meantime he had diligently pursued the study of law privately and also hy a course in the West Virginia Uni- versity. He was admitted to the bar in 1912, and at once took up practice and was associated with Mr. Bowers until 1916. Since then he has handled a general practice and he is also counsel for the Relief Department of the Western Maryland Railway. Before his admission to the bar Mr. Arnold did a large amount of work as a court reporter, and his special ability gave him a large amount of practice in that field.

Mr. Arnold, who is unmarried, was a volunteer at the time of the great war. In August, 1917, he entered the Second Officers' Training Camp at Fort Benjamin Harrison, and from there was sent to Camp Ethan Allen in Vermont, and later to Camp Gordon, Georgia, where he was commissioned a second lieutenant. He was in the service until December, 1918, when honorably discharged. He is a member of the American Legion Post at Elkins, and is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

ROBERT KEMP MORTON brought to the profession of law an education and early training derived from contact as a student with some of the foremost institutions of education in America. He had decided talents for the profession, and his record as a practicing lawyer for fifteen years has brought him deserved prominence. Mr. Morton has been a member of the Charleston bar for the past ten years, and is widely known over the state as state president of the West Virginia Elks' Association.

He was born in Tazewell County, Virginia, in 1880, son of William Benjamin and Margaret (Crockett) Morton. His parents were also born in old Virginia, representing families long identified with that commonwealth. The Mortons had their ancestral seat in Prince Edward County. Margaret Crockett represented one branch of the family that produced the famous pioneer Davy Crockett.

Robert Kemp Morton was educated in Randolph-Macon College in Virginia. graduating in 1903, with the Bachelor of Arts degree and did postgraduate work in history and political science in Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

After one year at Jolins Hopkins Mr. Morton decided to take up the profession of the law. and prepared for the bar at the University of Virginia. Ile began the practice of law at Tazewell Court House in his native county in 1906, but in 1912 moved to Charleston. For some time he was associated in practice with Judge A. S. Alexander. now on the bench. Mr. Morton is now senior member of the firm of Morton and Mobiler. They have a large general civil practice and represent among their clients some of the important business and industrial in- terests of the state.

Mr. Morton has for a number of years been active in the Charleston Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, is past exalted ruler of Charleston Lodge, and the many valuable services he has rendered the Order led to his being elected president of the West Virginia Association of Elks at the annual state convention of the Order at Charleston in September, 1921. He is also a member of the college fraternity Kappa Alrha. He is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of Beni-Kedem Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.

Mr. Morton married Miss Julia Ward Davidson, of Mercer County, West Virginia, in 1909. Their three children are Robert Kemp, Jr., Margaret Elizabeth and William Benjamin III.

BENJAMIN MILTON HOOVER came to Elkins after gradu- ating from the University of Virginia a well trained and qualified young lawyer, and for twenty years has enjoyed an increasing share in his profession and in the civic and social life of this county seat town of Randolph County. lfe became a resident here August 12. 1902. For a number of years he has been a member of the law firm Talbott & Ifoover, associated with E. D. Talbott.

Mr. Hoover was born on a farm near New Market in Shenandoah County, Virginia, October 30, 1879, son of Samuel R. and Linda (Neff) Hoover. His father was a

native of Rockingham County, Virginia. The patern grandparents, Benjamin and Melvina (Sites) Hoover, we also natives of the Valley of Virginia. The great-gran father was of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry and came fro his native state of Pennsylvania as a pioneer to tho Vallo of Virginia. Samuel R. Hoover was a small boy when tl Civil war broke out, but at the age of fifteen he enlisted the Confederate army and saw some service during the la two months of the struggle. He married Mary Malind better known as Linda Neff, daughter of Daniel Neff, native of the Valley of Virginia, and spent the rest of h life as a practical farmuer in Shenandoah County. He did at the age of fifty-seven, being survived by his widow unt 1922, when she died at the age of seventy-one. Their tv sons were Claude Neff and Benjamin Milton Hoover, bo' of whom grew up on the Virginia farm.

Benjamin M. Hoover attained a high school education : New Market. He finished his literary education in tl University of Virginia and also graduated in law there : 1902, was admitted to the Virginia bar and soon afterwar established himself at Elkins. He has kept himself close within the channel of his chosen profession and has sougl none of the special honors of politics or the larger respo: sibilities of business. He is a democrat, is affiliated wit the Knights of Pythias and Elks and is a member of th Episcopal Church.

Mr. Hoover in 1905 married Miss Sallie Wellford Scot a native of North Carolina. Their two children are Mai Bruce and Samuel R. Hoover.

NATHAN ISAAC HALL has had a long aud active associ tion with business and financial affairs in West Virgini For a quarter of a century his home has been at Elkins, ar he has become one of the group of officials managing tl great financial and industrial interests of the Davis ar Elkins families here. He is vice president and treasur of the Davis Trust Company.

He was born December 26, 1867, on a farm near Grafto in Taylor County, son of William K. and Abalona (Knotts Hall, and grandson of Nathan and Mary (Means) Hall an James and Susanna ( Miller) Knotts. Both the Knotts ar Hall families were pioneers in Taylor County. His father William K. Hall, was a farmer, a republican and he ar his wife were Methodists. They had four sons and tv daughters, and the three living sons are Arthur A. Ha connected with the West Virginia University at Morga town, James K. Hall and Nathan Isaac Hall.

Nathan Isaac Hall received the first diploma ever issue to a graduate of the Grafton High School. His early ed cation was followed by a bookkeeping course in Eastman Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York, and he bega his business career as a bookkeeper in the Tygart Valle Bank at Philippi. For three years he was a merchant that Barbour County city. Mr. Hall came to Elkins 1897, and for a time served as bookkeeper in the Elkin National Bank. After a year he became connected with tl coal industry as bookkeerer for what is now known as tl West Virginia Coal & Coke Company.

With increasing familiarity with these interests ar notable proficiency in every duty assigned him, Mr. Ha in 1907 was chosen treasurer of the Davis Trust Compan He is still treasurer, and subsequently the duties of vi president were also bestowed upon him. He is a member the Board of Education of Elkins.

Mr. Hall has not been in politics, is a republican vote a Methodist, a Knight Templar Mason and Shriner and ha taken fourteen degrees in the Scottish Rite.

In 1908 he married Miss Grace Darlington. Their tv sons are Nathan Isaac, Jr., and William Darlington Hall.

ROBERT SIDNEY IRONS. In the village and city of Elkin the family name of Irons has been represented in two pr fessions, medicine and law, for a period of thirty-five year Robert Sidney Irons is a son of the physician Dr. John Cc vin Irons, and is one of the prominent young lawyers of tl, Elkins bar and has practiced there except during the peric while he was in the American army during the World wa He was born at Elkins December 8, 1889, son of D

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hn Colvin and Mary (Suiter) Irons. His grandfather, hn Irons, represented an old Virginia family of Scotch- sh lineage. His mother was born at Beverly, daughter Judson L. Suiter, and representing one of the oldest milies in Randolph County. Dr. John C. Irons was born Monroe County, West Virginia, in 1854, graduated in dicine at the Hospital College of Medicine at Louisville, d has been a busy practicing physician at Elkins since 88. He has carried duties outside his profession in the nmunity, and had the distinction of serving as the first tyor of Elkins after it was incorporated in 1901. He ·ved again for several terms as mayor. He is a demo- it, a member of the Randolph County and West Virginia ate Medical Societies, and he and his wife are Presby- ians.

Robert Sidney Irons is one of six children. As a boy he ended public school at Elkins, and he graduated A. B. th the first class from Davis and Elkins College in 1910. then entered the University of Pennsylvania at Phila- Iphia, carrying the regular collegiate and law courses and aduating Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Law in 13. Mr. Irons was admitted to the bar at Elkins, and on became associated with Judge W. E. Baker, and he acticed with that eminent lawyer until the latter went on e Federal bench in 1921. In 1920 he was elected prose- ting attorney of Randolph County. In January, 1922, r. Irons became associated in practice with S. T. Spears. Mr. Irons in August, 1917, entered the Second Officers aining Camp at Fort Benjamin Harrison, was commis- ned first lieutenant of Field Artillery in November, and is sent to Camp Sherman. On account of an epidemic at afflicted his organization at Camp Sherman he was not rmitted to go overseas. He received his honorable dis- arge after the signing of the armistice, and is an active ember of the American Legion Post at Elkins. Mr. Irons a Knights Templar Mason and Shriner, and is also affili- ed with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. May 3, 1922, he married Miss Edith Newlan, of Clarks- irg, West Virginia.

WILSON BONNIFIELD MAXWELL was admitted to the bar 1874, soon after the adoption of the new constitution, id he has practiced and performed the varied service of attorney for nearly half a century. The two counties mich have been the scene of his professional achievement ve been Tucker and Randolph, and his time has been ite equally divided between the two. His home for many ars has been at Elkins, county seat of Randolph County. He is a native of that county, born at the home of his aternal grandfather, April 17, 1853. He represents some d and honest families of the state, and a number of them ere distinguished in the professions and in public affairs. t the time of his birth his parents, Rufus and Sarah Jane Bonnifield) Maxwell, lived in Lewis County. Rufus Max- ell was born in that county, son of Levi and Sarah (Hay- ond) Maxwell. Levi Maxwell was also a native of Lewis ounty. His parents, Thomas and Jane (Lewis) Maxwell, me to West Virginia from Pennsylvania and were pioneers . Lewis County. The Maxwells were of Scotch and the ewis family of Welsh lineage. The children of Thomas axwell and wife were Abner, Levi, Lewis, Robert, Amy id Mary. Levi Maxwell had the following children: An- elina, Edwin, John, Rufus, Semira and Mary Jane.

Rufus Maxwell was a lawyer by profession, and had the stinction of serving as the first prosecuting attorney of ucker County, entering that office in 1857. Tucker County as organized in 1856. He had located at the original unty seat, Saint George, and he practiced law there for any years. He made the record of a thorough lawyer ad a very capable citizen. Rufus Maxwell died at the ge of seventy-nine, and his wife at sixty-nine. Sarah ane Bonnifield, his wife, was born in Randolph County, aughter of Dr. Arnold Bonnifield, granddaughter of Sam- el Bonnifield and was of Holland Dutch ancestry. Samuel onnifield was one of the very early sheriffs of Randolph ounty. Dr. Arnold Bonnifield is recalled as one of the rominent country physicians of Randolph County. The

children of Rufus Maxwell and wife were: Wilson B., Mary Angelina, Dorcas Angelica, Hugh, Cyrus H., Thomas E., John Franklin, Levi Hendron, Charles J. and Robert R.

When Wilson B. Maxwell was a child his parents moved from Lewis to Tucker County, and he grew up at Saint George. At the age of sixteen he again lived at Weston in Lewis County. A good common school education was sup- plemented by courses in West Virginia University and he began the study of law under his uncle, the late Edwin Maxwell, one of the prominent lawyers of the state. He was admitted to the bar in 1874, and for twenty-five years practiced in Tucker County. Then, in 1899, he removed to Elkins, which about that time became the county seat of Randolph County. Mr. Maxwell has made a success as a lawyer, and has uever sought the aid of the handmaid of the law, politics. He has done his duty as a voter in the democratic ranks. Mr. Maxwell has been affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since 1876, and bas always carried a card of good standing in that order. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias.

In 1876 he married Miss Carrie H. Lindsay. They reared the following children: Claude W., Bessie Jane, deceased, John Hugh, deceased, Mary Eugenia, John Franklin, de- ceased, Earl L., Joseph H., Lena E. and Norman. Tbe mother of these children died in 1917. In 1919 Mr. Maxwell married Mrs. Lydia A. (Coberly) Taylor. While one of the honored members of the state bar, Mr. Maxwell prob- ably derives his greatest satisfaction in life from the fine family of children who grew up in his home, and several of whom have made successful careers on their own account.

His son Claude W. Maxwell was born at Saint George, July 28, 1877, graduated from Saint George Academy in 1894, from the Fairmont State Normal Sebool in 1895, pur- sued both literary and law courses in West Virginia Uni- versity, graduating LL. B. in 1897, and for two years practiced at Parsons in his native county, but since 1899 has been one of the able lawyers of the Elkins bar. In 1903 he married Miss Nell M. White, and they have seven children, May, Charles, Dorothy, Wilson, Margaret, James and Grace.

The second son, John Hugh Maxwell, recently deceased, was a soldier in three wars. He was in the Spanish- American war, then in the Philippine insurrection, and was a volunteer at the time of the World war, though be did not go overseas.

The oldest living daughter, Mary Eugenia, is the wife of W. E. Alcott. The third son, John Franklin Maxwell, now deceased, was a civil engineer.

Earl L. Maxwell, who was born at Saint George, Sep- tember 7, 1887, was educated in public schools, the Davis and Elkins College and West Virginia University, gradu- ating in law at the university in 1909. Since then he has practiced with his father. He was county prosecuting at- torney in 1917-20, is a democrat and Odd Fellow, and in 1919 married Nellie E. Rexstrew.

Another son, Joseph H. Maxwell, was with the colors at the time of the war, but was held in home camp. The daughter Lena E. is at home. Norman E. Maxwell, the youngest son, is a doctor of dental surgery in McDowell County.

THADDEUS PRITT. One of the best known men in the public life of Randolph County is Thaddeus Pritt, former sheriff and clerk of the County Court. He was in public service from early manhood until quite recently. He is now cashier of one of the largest and strongest banks in this section of the state, the Elkins National Bank, of which the late United States Senator Davis was formerly president.

Mr. Pritt was born on a farm three and a half miles above Beverly, March 29, 1873, son of John B. and Rose A. (Crickard) Pritt and grandson of Edward and Susanna (Phares) Pritt. His mother was born in Staunton, Vir- ginia, but was reared in Randolph County, and died at the age of sixty-eight. John B. Pritt, a native of Randolph County, who died at the age of seventy-two, was a Confed- erate soldier throughout the period of the Civil war, devoted his active life time to farming, was a democrat in politics

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and he and his wife were Presbyteriaus. In their family were four sons and four daughters.

Thaddeus Pritt spent his early life in a rural environ- ment, attended the public schools, and for six terms was a teacher himself. For over twenty years his time was taken up with public duty. He was appointed in 1899 public appraiser of real estate for his county. Iu 1901 he became deputy sheriff, serving eight years, two terms. In 1908 he was elected sheriff, serving one term of four years. In 1914 he was elected clerk of the County Court, for the term of six years.

While still in office Mr. Pritt was appointed cashier of the Elkins National Bank, in 1919, and for over a year performed the duties of both offices. Since the expiration of his term as clerk of the County Court he has given all his time to his duties as bank cashier. Mr. Pritt is a demo- crat, is a Presbyterian and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Elks. He is a member of the Elkins Chamber of Commerce and a charter member of the Rotary Club.

In 1915 he married Miss Mary McClellan, a native of Jefferson County, Pennsylvania. They have one son, Thad- deus Mcclellan Pritt.

EDWIN A. WILSON, M. D., is not only one of the repre- sentative physicians and surgeons of Harrison County but also has the distinction of being the pioneer druggist of his attractive and vital little home city of Salem.

Doctor Wilson was born at Berea, Ritchie County, West Virginia, on the 30th of September, 1865, and is a son of Hiram and Mandane Ellen (Lowther) Wilson. Hiram Wilson was a skilled workman as a cabinetmaker, and in this connection did a prosperous business also as an under- taker, when coffins and caskets were manufactured by hand work. He served for some time as deputy sheriff of Rit- chie County, has never wavered in his allegiance to the democratic party, and he is now living retired at Salem, at the venerable age of eighty-four years (1922), his wife having passed away at the age of sixty-nine years. To them were born one son and three daughters, one of the daughters being deceased. Mr. Wilson has long been a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, his wife having held membership in the Seventh Day Bap- tist Church.

After attending school one year at Pullman, Ritchie County, Doctor Wilson accompanied his parents on their removal to Salem, Harrison County, where he continued his studies in the public schools until he had profited by the advantages of the high school. He then entered the Irou City Commercial College at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, aud in the same he was graduated as a member of the class of 1886. In furtherance of a definite ambition the Doctor thereafter completed a correspondence course in pharmacy, and in due time he successfully passed the examination that gave him status as a registered pharmacist in his native state. He at once opened the first drug store to be established at Salem, and this he successfully conducted ten years, within which decade he attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons in the City of Baltimore, Mary- land one year. In advancing his professional studies he thereafter continued his studies two years in the Cincin- nati (Ohio) College of Medicine and Surgery, and in this institution he was graduated in 1898, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In the preceding year he had suc- cessfully passed examination before the West Virginia State Board of Medical Examiners and had been licensed to practice. The Doctor has continued a close student and has insistently kept in touch with the advances made in medical and surgical science, in which connection it is to be noted that he took a post-graduate course in the Chi- cago Clinical School in 1903, and that in 1907 he com- pleted an effective post-graduate course in the Manhattan Eye and Ear Hospital, New York City, and also in the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. Though his substan- tial and representative practice in his home community ls of general order, Doctor Wilson gives speclal attention to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, in which field he has authoritative status. He holds membership in the Harrison County Medical

Society, the West Virginia State Medical Society and th American Medical Association. He has served as cit health officer of Salem, a position which he retained Bey eral years, is a democrat in political allegiance, he an his family attend and support the Methodist Episcopa Church, South, and in the Masonic fraternity he is affiliate with the Scottish Rite bodies and with the Mystic Shrine He is also a charter member of the Knights of Pythia Lodge of his home city. The Doctor is the owner of a appreciable amount of real estate at Salem, including hi residence, which is one of the fine homes of the city, an he has real estate holdings at Clarksburg.

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History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 3, Part 184

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