History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 3, Part 186

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Mr. Paxton was born at Wheeling, August 31, 1866. His grandfather, Alexander Paxton, was a native of England, born in 1797, and from early manhood lived at Wheeling. He was one of the old time jewelry merchants, and later a man who used his capital in other enterprises. He died at Wheeling in 1874. His son, Elisba W. Paxton, was born at Wheeling in 1826, and for a number of years was mem- ber of the wholesale grocery house of Paxton, Oglebay & Company. Later he was au official in the North Wheeling Window Glass Company. On account of ill health he gave up active business in 1878 and bought a farm at Wellsburg, and finally moved to Washington, Pennsylvania, where he lived retired until his death in 1905, at the age of seventy- eight. He was always a thorough-going republican and an active member of the Presbyterian Church. Elisha Paxton married Flora Wellman, who was born in Massillon, Ohio, in 1828, and died at Washington, Pennsylvania, in 1906. Of their children the oldest is Mary, wife of C. N. Brady, now living retired at Washington, Pennsylvania. Mr. Brady was founder of the original Hazel Atlas Company of Wheel- ing. The second child is Mrs. Amelia N. Hensell. George P. died at Washington, Pennsylvania, at the age of fifty- four and Elisha, Jr., died in infancy. Martha is the wife of H. King Pendleton, now a retired minister of the Christian Church living in California. The sixth in the family is Alexander B. Jesse W. is president of the Highland Glass Company and lives at Washington, Pennsylvania. Richard M. is vice president of the Highland Glass Company at Washington. William P., treasurer of the Highland Glass Company, is New York City representative of that industry and lives at Montclair, New Jersey.

Alexander B. Paxton was about twelve years of age when the family left Wheeling and went to a farm near Wells- burg. He attended public school in Wheeling and gradu- ated from the Wellsburg High School in 1883, and then spent one year in Purdue University at Lafayette, Indiana. Practically his entire business experience has identified him with the glass industry. He was connected with the original Hazel Glass Company at Wellsburg as manager or superintendent four years. He and C. N. Brady then established the Hazel Glass Company at Washington, Pennsylvania, and Mr. Paxton was secretary of that com- pany until the consolidation of the Hazel Glass Company and the Atlas Glass Company in 1900. This was the source of the present widely known corporation, the Hazel Atlas Glass Company, of which Mr. Paxton has been secretary or vice president for over twenty years and has been a resi- dent of Wheeling during this time. He has held the post of vice president since 1917, and is manager of the export business. The general offices are in the Conservative Life Building at 1530 Market Street.

The only plant of the Hazel Atlas Company in Wheeling is a metal plant for the making of metal caps for bottles, jars and also strip zinc. The glass plants are located, three at Washington, Pennsylvania, one at Graftou, and two at Clarksburg, West Virginia. The corporation is one of the largest in measure of potential benefit to this region, em- ploying in normal seasons six thousand hands. The Hazel Atlas products are justly famed, and comprise a great vari- ety of glass manufacture, tumblers, fruit jars and other containers and specialties. These products have a world- wide market. The officers of the corporation are: Joseph C. Brady, president; A. B. Paxton, vice president; A. F. Brady, treasurer and vice president; J. H. McNash, secre- tary ; G. G. Oliver, vice president and general manager.

Mr. Paxton is also a director of the Highland Glass Com- pany and of the Wheeling Bank & Trust Company. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, does his voting as a republican, is a trustee of the Presbyterian Church and is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge and the Elks Lodge at Washington, Pennsylvania, the Wheeling Country Club, Fort Henry Club of Wheeling, and is a member of the Na- tional Chamber of Commerce at Washington, D. C.

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On September 27, 1893, at Washington, Pennsylvania, Mr. Paxton married Miss Edna D. Maxwell. She was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, graduated from the Washington Female Seminary, and also attended Kansas University at Lawrence. Mr. and Mrs. Paxton have two children: Elizabeth is the wife of Carl O. Schmidt, a Wheeling attorney; and the son, Alexander M., is living in Cleveland, and is connected with the Cleveland office of the Hazel Atlas Glass Company. He has a record of service in the World war, having been on a submarine chaser.

JOHN A. KANE came from Baltimore, Maryland, to Blue- field, Mercer County, West Virginia, in the year 1910, and here established the commercial printing business which is conducted under the title of the Kane Printing Company. This is a modern printing plant of the best order, estab- lished in a building erected specially for the purpose and in a remarkably attractive location, the building command- ing a fine view of the valley, the Baptist College grounds and the city in general. With the best of mechanical equip- ment and accessories and with a corps of skilled employes this company is able to give the highest grade of service to its patrons, the work of the plant being confined to com- mercial printing and the trade of the concern being of most substantial order.

Mr. Kane was born in New York City, on the 27th day of March, 1871, a son of John C. and Ellen Mary (Casserly) Kane, both natives of the State of New York. The father died in 1895, at the age of fifty-five years, his wife having passed away a few years previously. John C. Kane was manager for the firm of Hotchis, Field & Company, manu- facturers of steam boilers, in New York at the time of his death, and he was survived by three sons and two daugh- ters.

John A. Kane profited by the advantages afforded in the public schools of Brooklyn, New York, and at the age of seventeen years he entered upon a practical apprenticeship to the printing trade in the office of the old New York Re- corder. Later he found employment in the office of the New York World, and he had the distinction of becoming one of the first skilled linotype operators in the United States. In 1905 Mr. Kane found employment in the office of the Gazette of Colorado Springs, Colorado, later he worked on the San Antonio Express, San Antonio, Texas, and still later he worked in the State Printing Office of Texas, at Austin. His further experience included service with the Kansas City Star, the Oklahoma Daily News, and the Jacobs Advertising Agency in the City of Clinton, South Carolina. He thereafter established an independent commercial printing office in the City of Baltimore, where he remained until 1910, when he came to Bluefield, West Virginia, and founded the printing business of which he continued the executive head until his death, March 9, 1922. Mr. Kane was a valued and appreciative member of the Bluefield Chamber of Commerce and the local Kiwanis Club. He was affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and in politice was a leader in the local councils of the democratic party, as a representative of which he was manager of the party campaign in Mercer County in 1920. He was an ac- tive member of the Presbyterian Church, of which his widow is also a member.

At Colorado Springs, in the year 1906, Mr. Kane married Miss Irene Mott Darland, daughter of C. C. Darland, and the two children of this union are Carroll John and Ellen Mary.

WAITMAN DEVER CORDER. Barbour County has repeatedly honored and given evidence of its esteem of the Corder family, who through a long period of years have been leaders in country life and in the official affairs of the county. W. D. Corder, one of the younger members, has given most of his active years either to business or the public service, and is the present circuit clerk of the county.

Hie father is William Benton Corder, who was born near Berryburg in Barbour County in May, 1859. He acquired a liberal education, attending old West Virginia College

at Flemington, an institution that gave many promine men to the state. His active career has been devoted farming and official affairs. He was elected assessor Barbour County, and served four years, represented t county one term in the House of Delegates, was th chosen state senator from the old Tenth District for o term, and for four years was sheriff of the county. I is now president of the Barbour County Farm Burea William B. Corder married Bertha Jane Bartlett, who w born near Simpson, Taylor County, daughter of Willia and Sallie (Reck) Bartlett. Their children are: Land R., of Clarksburg; Waitman D., of Barbour County; W liam Everett, a farmer near Berryburg; Hassell Wade, Clarksburg; Laco Bartlett and Rossil Atkinson, both the home farm.

Waitman Dever Corder was born in Pleasant District Barbour County, near Berryburg, March 24, 1883. He live on the farmi until he was about twenty-three. In the mea time, after leaving the common schools, he attended ·Broa dus College, then at Clarksburg, was a student in Wesleya College at Buckhannon, and for five terms taught counti school while getting his own education.

Mr. Corder left the farm to become deputy sheriff und his father, and he performed these duties for four year After leaving office he remained at Philippi and engage in the general insurance business, building up an agent that is one of important service throughout Barbour Count and of which he is still the active head.

Mr. Corder in 1914 became a candidate for circuit cler He had no opposition in the nomination, but in the ele tion had a rival on the other ticket and was chosen by majority far beyond the normal majority for the count. He entered office in January, 1915, as the successor 1 Charles W. Brandon, and in November, 1920, was re-electe so that he is now serving in his eighth year.

Mr. Corder comes from a republican family, cast h first presidential vote for Colonel Roosevelt in 1904, an served as chairman of the County Committee from 19] to 1914. He is a York Rite Mason, has taken the work ( the Lodge of Perfection in the Scottish Rite, is a membe of the Mystic Shrine, and is a member of the Missional Baptist Church and of the trustees of Broaddus Colleg at Philippi. Mr. Corder helped finance and build ti Blanket Mill at Philippi, and was secretary and treasure of the company for a time. He has been a director c the Kiwanis Club, and for two terms was on the Cit Council, when such important public improvements well under way as paving and sewerage. He is chairman c the Finance Committee of the Red Cross Chapter of Ba bour County.

Iu Barbour County Mr. Corder married Miss Iva Talbot daughter of S. H. and Edith Talbott and sister of W Bruce Talbott, the present prosecuting attorney. Mr. an Mrs. Corder were born within a mile of each other, attende the same country school, and she was also educated i Wesleyan College. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Corde are: William Dever, Edith Jane, Joseph Talbott, Waitma Bartlett, Ellen Rose, June Lee and Bettie Ann.

BUREN STEPHENSON is a native son of Clay County, an that he is one of the popular young men of this county : indicated by the fact that he is serving as postmaster a Clay, the judicial center of the county. He was born 0 the parental homestead farm in this county, January 3. 1890, and is a son of Sherman C. and Sarah A. (Legg Stephenson, both likewise natives of Clay County, where th former was born in 1863 and the latter in 1868. After hi marriage Sherman C. Stephenson continued his activitie as one of the progressive and substantial farmers of bi native county until he removed to the county seat an engaged in the lumber business, with which he continue his connection until his tragic death in 1900, he havin been killed in an accident. He was a staunch democra and was an earnest member of the Methodist Episcops Church, South, as is also his widow, who still resides a Clay. Of their four children the eldest is Byron, one o the successful farmers of this county; Hulbert likewise i

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ntified with constructive industry in his native county ; ren, of this sketch, was next in order of birth; and nie, the only daughter, died in childhood.

The public schools of Clay County so thoroughly fortified ren Stephenson that he proved himself eligible for lagogic honors and became a successful teacher in the al schools. In 1914, under civil-service regulations, he 3 appointed postmaster at Clay, and of this office he has ce continued the efficient and popular incumbent. His itical allegiance is given to the democratic party. Mr. phenson is a past master of Clay County Lodge No. 97, cient Free and Accepted Masons, and is affiliated also h the local camp of the Modern Woodmen of America, wife being a member of the Order of the Eastern Star 1 of the Baptist Church.

April 4, 1914, recorded the marriage of Mr. Stephenson Miss Florence Sizemore, who likewise was born and red in Clay County, and they have two children: Janie, 'n November 11, 1915, and Gladys, born August 22, 18.

JESSE OSCAR BAILIFF, M. D. Gifted in marked degree, ed by training and natural inclination as a physician 1 surgeon, it is not surprising that Dr. Jesse Oscar iliff, of Mullens, is making rapid strides in his calling, that he has gained in such a large measure the respect 1 confidence of the people of his community within so rt a period of time. While a member of his profession y since 1914, he has had experience in several locations 1 capacities, including extended and valued service on front in France during the recent war.

Doctor Bailiff was born October 23, 1885, on a farm ar Marshall, Illinois, and is a son of J. T. and Clara Thipple) Bailiff. The parents of Doctor Bailiff during youth resided in several communities, in Illinois, near irshall, in Iowa, again in Illinois, near their old home, and ally in Missouri, where they now occupy a farm near dley in Stoddard County. They had two sons and one ughter. Doctor Bailiff's brother, William Bailiff, is the presentative of the Standard Oil Company at Dexter, ssouri.

Jesse Oscar Bailiff attended the public schools of Illinois d Iowa, and after graduating from the Marshall (Illinois) gh School entered the College of Medicine and Surgery Chicago, from which he was graduated with the degree Doctor of Medicine, as a member of the class of 1914. prepare himself further he served as an interne and use physician at the Frances Willard Hospital, Chicago, r eighteen monthis, and then entered general practice at icago, where he was engaged until February, 1918. At at time he. entered the Medical Training School at Fort ley, Kansas, where he received the commission of first utenant, and was assigned to duty at Fort Des Moines, wa. He remained there only a short time, and was then nt overseas, arriving in France in August, 1918, and being ationed at Evacuation Hospital No. 114, on the Argonne ont, where he remained uutil December, 1918. He was en transferred to Base Hospital No. 81, at Bazoilles, ter Messe, until May, 1919, when he returned to the united States and received his honorable discharge at Camp x. He was recommended for a captain's commission. allowing the completion of his military service he was entified with Princeton Hospital of West Virginia until 21, when he located at Mullens. Here he has built up a bstantial and lucrative practice and has established a putation as a thoroughly reliable, capable and learned ember of his calling. He belongs to the various organiza- ons of his profession and keeps fully abreast of the Ivancements being made therein. While a resident of nicago he was made a Master Mason, and now holds embership in Mullens Lodge, A. F. and A. M. He also longs to the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen : America, the Loyal Order of Moose and the American egion. Worthy civic movements have his full cooperation id support.

Doctor Bailiff married August 14, 1913, Miss Grace eorgia Shoemachker, of Chicago.

DANIEL ROY Moss. In 1913 there arrived at Mullens a freight car, tucked in one end of which was a small collection of miscellaneous articles destined to form the nucleus for the stock of the first hardware store of this city. The owner, Daniel Roy Moss, had his household goods stored in the other end of the car. Since that time he has experienced the ups and downs of business life, but at all times has applied himself energetically and assiduously to his task, even cheerfully in the face of mis- fortune, and out of it all has built up a prosperous business, established himself firmly in his own self-confidence and in the esteem of others, and has come to the conclusion that hard work has never injured anyone and that honest methods eventually bring success when backed by good management and industry.

Mr. Moss was born at Keyser, Mineral County, West Vir- ginia, February 10, 1879, and is a son of Herbert and Sallie (Taylor) Moss, the latter of whom died when her son was still a boy. Herbert Moss was born in 1842, and for many years was engaged in the drug business at Front Royal, Virginia, Keyser, West Virginia, and Charleston, but eventually disposed of his holdings and became a "Knight of the grip." He is now one of the veteran traveling salesmen for large dry goods houses, and has an extensive acquaintance and many friendships all over this part of West Virginia. Despite his advanced years he is still hale and hearty aud active in body and mind. He is a Union veteran of the war between the states, and in his political allegiance is a stanch democrat.

Daniel Roy Moss received only a public school education, attending at Romney and Mechanicsburg, West Virginia, but made the most of his opportunities, as he always had. At the age of fifteen years he became a delivery boy for the local butcher in the town in which he was living at the time, and when he was only eighteen years old induced the Charleston Street Railway Company to give him work as a conductor on their liue. His next experience was with the Payne Shoe Company of Charleston, and when he left that house he went to Beckley, where, with his brother, he founded a modest hardware establishment, known as the Randolph Hardware Company. Later Mr. Moss decided that Mullens offered a better field for the display of his business talents, and he accordingly shipped all of his worldly goods, both mercantile and household, to this city in a single freight car, in which there was also a large wagon. Of this wagon, it may be said in passing, that it was sold ou credit shortly after Mr. Moss' arrival in the city, and that a good part of its sale price is still due the hardware merchant. His first sale was an axe, purchased by "Peacheye" Davis, a local character, and the dollar thus taken in was the only one that wandered into the cash drawer all day. He did not allow himself to become discouraged, however, nor did he when his place was destroyed by fire in December, 1917, or when again he was burned out in August, 1918. His faith and labor have been vindicated and rewarded, and today he has a fine store, conducted under the style of the Mullens Hardware and Furniture Company, and a hillside residence that is one of the best in the place. He carries a com- plete stock of furniture and hardware and has extended his patronage all over the surrounding countryside. Mr. Moss is a democrat in politics, and has taken some active part in public affairs, having served two years as a member of the City Council, with an excellent record for able and conscientious work. As a fraternalist he is a Master Mason and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

In 1907 Mr. Moss was united in marriage with Miss Estella Hudnall, daughter of Samuel Hudnall, of Charleston. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Mullens and has been active in its work.

HON. JOHN C. GORDON, M. D. A well-known figure in medical circles of Wyoming County, Dr. John C. Gordon has the mine practice of the Miller Pocahontas Coal Company at Corinne, and has also the responsibility of a large general clientele. In addition to being active as a medical and surgical practitioner he is taking an active and prominent

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part in civic affairs, and at the present time is discharging the duties connected with the office of mayor. Ho is able both as a physician and an executive, and has done much to make Corinne a model coal camp.

Doctor Gordon was born at Lafayette, Montgomery County, Virginia, on his father's farm, April 9, 1887, and is a son of Joseph Thomas and Ella ( Francis) Gordon. Joseph T. Gordon was a very successful truck gardener and an authority on agricultural subjects, more particularly matters pertaining to watermelons. He was preparing a series of articles ou watermelon culture at the time of his carly death, in 1902, when he was only forty-eight years of age. He sold the product from his farm at Roanoke, Christianburg, Blacksburg and in the coal fields, and was widely known as a man of integrity and fair dealing. An advanced thinker, he was deeply interested in educational affairs and always supported the public schools. His religious connection was with the Baptist Church, while Mrs. Gordon, who died iu 1905, at thirty-eight years of age, was a Methodist. They were the parents of three sons and three daughters: Frank, who is a telegraph operator in the employ of the Virginian Railroad Company, at El- lett, Virginia: Doctor Joseph, who is a dental practitioner at Kingsport, Tennessee; Pearl, the wife of D. C. Horsley, in the United States Secret Service at Oakland, California; Grace, who is married and living at Birmingham, Alabama ; Lillian, who died at the age of thirty-two years, as the wife of W. W. Gardner, of Lafayette, Virginia; and Dr. John C.

John C. Gordon was a lad of fifteen years, with a public school education, at the time of his father's death, when he began to work to assist in the support of his mother and sisters. Being desirous of further educational ad- vantages, he attended high school part of the time and worked hard to pay his way, being a member of an engineering corps on the Virginian Railroad and a cross engincer in the coal fields of Kentucky. Thus he secured the means whereby he was able to enter Bell-Montgomery Academy at Nashville, Tennessee, and in 1908 commenced the study of medicine at the University of Tennessee, Nash- ville, from which institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1912, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine. At that time he located at Keystone, McDowell County, West Virginia, taking up a mine practice, but after two years removed to Fort Pierce, on the east coast of Florida. After three years he removed to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he spent one year, going then to Mullens, West Virginia, where he remained until 1921, the time of his advent at Corinne. Doctor Gordon recognizes and practices the highest ethics of his honored profession, and those unable to pay a fee receive his professional services free of charge. During the World war he acted as surgeon for the Wyoming County Draft Board. Doctor Gordon is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has been active in religious work for the past fifteen years. He is a Master Masou at Graham, Virginia, belongs to the Chapter at Princeton, West Virginia, and the Commandery at Mount Hope, this state, and holds membership in the Mystic Shrine at Charleston. As mayor of Corinne he has effected many needed municipal improvements and has discharged the duties of his office in a conscientious and highly efficient manner.

Doctor Gordon married on his birthday, April 9, 1919, Miss Ruth Barnett, daughter of G. A. Barnett, of Lynch- burg, Virginia, and to tuis union there has been born one daughter, Virginia Clifton.

FREDERICK EARL THOMPSON, editor and publisher of The Belington Progressive, has made this vital weekly paper a potent force in furthering the interests of the City of Belington and Barbour County, his father having the active management of the business at the present time, and Frederick E., while having active editorial management, finding further claims upon his attention through his effec- tive work as salesman in Barbour County for the Morris Grocery Company, one of the leading wholesale concerns of Clarksburg, which he has represented since 1917.

Mr. Thompson was born on a farm near Belington, on

the 15th of October, 1883, and in the schools of Barbou County he acquired his early education. He attended sur mer normal schools, and at the age of sixteen years } taught his first term of school, his pedagogic service ha' ing continued two years. He finally fortified himself fu ther by taking a course in a business college, and he the became stenographer in the office of Kane & Keyer, whol sale dealers in hardware. With this concern he won a vancement to the position of sales manager, and in 19] he made a wholesome swoop into the local newspaper real: by purchasing the three weekly papers then published : Belington-the Independent, The Central Republican an The Observer, which he promptly merged into The Beling ton Progressive, of which he has continued the publishe and which he has made a vigorous champion of the pre hibition and woman-suffrage causes. Prior to the passag of the national laws eliminating the liquor traffic M Thompson had been actively allied with the prohibitio party and had been candidate on its ticket for variou local offices. In 1920, on the republican ticket, he wa elected to represent Barbour County in the House of Del gates of the State Legislature. In the legislative session of 1921 he was chairman of the committee on privilege and elections, and also of that on enrolled bills, beside having been a member of the printing and contingent e: penses committee. He took a stand for economy in th management of state affairs, and fought for the redu tion instead of the increase of salaries on the state pa roll, besides opposing the creation of new offices which would involve further drain upon the state treasury. H was specially active in championing appropriations an legislation in behalf of the construction of good roads, am previously had made his newspaper the stanch advocat of such improvements. He also advocated in the Legi lature liberal policies in connection with the public school of the state. He was a member of the City Council c Belington when the municipal sewer system and street pay ing were under way, and he loyally supported these an other progressive movements, including the bond issue fo the erection of a new high school building. He has serve as city recorder also, and one of the most loyal and pre gressive men of his home city. Mr. Thompson is a charte member of the local organizations of the Woodmen of th World and the Loyal Order of Moose, and he and his wif are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Th plant of The Belington Progressive is modern in equipmer and facilities, with linotype machine, Babcock cylinde press, two platen presses, and electric and gas-engine powe provisions. Its excellent job department was one of th first in Barbour County to take a contract for the printin of a book, and the work was performed in most creditabl manner. The Progressive is issued on Thursday of each week, a model in letter press and in its presentation of news of local and general order.

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History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 3, Part 186

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