History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 3, Part 204

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On the 3d of January, 1859, was solemnized the marriage of Doctor Hunter and Miss Rebecca Agnes Dickson, whose old home, near White Sulphur Springs, is known as Moun- tain Home and is now owned by her brother, Henry Feazier Dickson. Mrs. Hunter long survived her husband and was eighty-seven years of age at the time of her death, which occurred at the home of her son, Henry Feazier Hunter, at

Lewisburg, on the 24th of April, 1917, her memory being revered by all who came within the compass of her gentls and gracious influence. Of the four children the eldest, Sarah R., became the wife of Henderson Bell, she being deceased; John C. was the elder son; Bettie G. is the wife of Robert W. Cabell, and they have two children. Henry F., the surviving son, is individually mentioned in appending paragraphs.

HENRY F. HUNTER was born at Lewisburg, Greenbrier County, on the 6th of October, 1862, was reared in a home of distinctive culture and gracious social atmosphere and was afforded the advantages of Greenbrier Academy. He has long been actively identified with banking enter- prise in his native city, and is at the present time vice presi- dent and cashier of the Bank of Greenbrier, with which he has been actively associated twenty-six years.

November 19, 1896, recorded the marriage of Henry F. Hunter and Mary Teresa Stratton, danghter of James H. Stratton, of Lewisburg. Of this union have been born three children: Rebecca Nelson, Marion (died in infancy) and James Stratton.

THE ALDERSON FAMILY. Among the prominent and dis- tinguished families of Monroe County few ean lay elaim to a more honorable lineage or to a more splendid record for public-spirited citizenship than that bearing the name of Alderson. This family traces back to John Alderson, the progenitor in the United States of the Aldersons of West Virginia, who came from Yorkshire, England, and first located in New Jersey, where he married Mary Curtis, and for a time was engaged in agricultural pursuits. Later he entered the ministry of the Baptist Church, and followed that calling during the remainder of his life, in Pennsyl- vania and Maryland. He became the father of three sons and one daughter.

One of the sons of the immigrant John Alderson, "Elder John" Alderson, became historically connected with the early history of the southeastern part of what is now West Virginia. As a Baptist missionary he located in the im- mediate vicinity of Aldersou, West Virginia, in 1774, and until the establishment of a church in 1781 visited around in the sparsely settled country, preaching and exhorting and bringing the Word to the pioneers. He became widely known and universally beloved, and continued as pastor of the church which he had founded until his death. He was born Mareh 5, 1738, and October 31, 1759, married Mary Elizabeth Carroll, their children being: Alice, George, Mary, John (I), Joseph, Thomas, Margaret, Jane and John. These children of "Elder John" Anderson were fine char- acters and left honored names for their descendants, many of whom yet live in this section. George married a Miss Osborne, Joseph married "Polly" Newman, Margaret married Thomas Smithson, Jane married William McClung and John was married three times, first to Jane Walker, who bore him six children, next to Nancy (Robinson) Mays, who also bore him six children, and next to Millie Milholland. He died in 1853.

John Alderson, the youngest son of "Elder John," was a farmer of Monroe County, and owned the Alderson ferry across the Greenbrier River. His home was the present site of the hotel. Of all his children but one now survives, he being familiarly known as "Uncle" George Alderson, and he is the "youngest son of the youngest son." "Uncle"' George Alderson was born November 13, 1833, "the night the stars fell." He grew up in the immediate vicinity of his birthplace and makes his home on a part of the original farm. Under the legislative grant of 1789 the Alderson ferry was established, but as time passed and others came to live here the name was dropped and ever since the place has been known as Alderson. The original farm of John Alderson was over 200 acres, but the present farm of his son George consists of 175 acres. George Alderson has always followed farm- ing. He enlisted in the Confederate Army in 1862, and during the greater part of his service acted as orderly for Generals Loring and Echols. He was elected a justice of the peace at the first election after the close of the war

Dr. Lasteslog

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etween the states. when the Confederates were again given he full rights of citizenship, and in 1885 was elected a epresentative to the last Legislature that was held at Wheeling, during which he was the author of the amendment o the penal law which provided a penalty of from one to wo years' confinement for breaking into outbuildings with otent to steal. He has been twice married, first to Mary ane Hines, who bore him three children: Charles O., who ied in infancy ; Emma Cornelia, connected with the Alder- on Baptist Academy ever since its organization; and Ida, ow deceased. Mr. Alderson's second marriage was with irginia Stevens, and to this union there were born six hildren: John C., the only survivor: Bernard C .; William ; George, who served two terms in the State Legislature; Virginia, who died as the wife of Charles B. Rowe, and 'oleman C. Mr. Alderson is a democrat in politics and a Iason fraternally, and since its organization has been a irector in the First National Bank. For forty years he jas superintendent of the Baptist Sunday School, and or a longer period has been a deacon in the church.

On November 13, 1867, Mr. Alderson married Virginia M. Stevens, and their wedded life has covered a period of more than fifty-four years. On their Golden Wedding Anniversary, November 13, 1917, which was also Mr. Alder- on's eighty-fourth birthday, eighty-five guests gathered at he pleasant home on Sunset Hill, this being the first Golden Vedding celebration ever held in the community. Mrs. ilderson is a daughter of J. W. P. Stevens, of English ncestry, and a native of New Hampshire, who came to Alder- on as a young man and married Miriam Gwinn. For nearly a alf a century he was a teacher in the surrounding schools. Ie was a fine penman, and because of his splendid educa- ion and beautiful penmanship more of the deeds and official apers, as well as family records, are in his handwriting han all others combined.

George Alderson, another son of Elder John Alderson, loved to Kanawha County, where he was engaged in salt roduction, and while his brothers were interested in the ame business with him they maintained their homes in Freenbrier County. He became prominent in Kanawha County, and served as sheriff, and Alderson Street, Charles- on, is named in his honor. George Alderson was a man f rugged type and of unusual force. He was elected and erved several terms in the Virginia Legislature, where his practical knowledge was invaluable. Many interesting necdotes are related of this man. It is told that he elected the largest corn cob that he could find, converted t into a pipe, and when his confreres remarked upon its ize, replied that it was "merely a 'nubbin.' "

Joseph Alderson, son of Elder John Alderson, was elected heriff of Monroe County, and after moving to Greenbrier 'ounty was a justice of the peace and a member of the Vir- inia State Legislature. He married "Polly " Newman, a aughter of Jonathan Newman a survivor of the Revolution- ry battle of Guilford, and they had a large family. One on, George, known as "Colonel George," lived at DeKalb a Fayette County, and was married twice, first to Jeanette IcCleary and then to Eliza Davis, by both of whom he had hildren, many of whose descendants are now living at nd around Alderson, which town was named in honor of he family. John Marshall Alderson, the oldest child of he first marriage, was deputy sheriff and sheriff of Green- rier County for years, and died in 1861. His wife was Cornelia Coleman, of Amherst County, Virginia, and they ad nine children, seven growing to maturity: Sallie, who ecame the wife of Capt. John G. Lobban; James Powell; oseph N .; Millie J., who was Mrs. Andrew J. Riffe; John I .; Cornelia M., who became Mrs. Taylor Mann; and Lucy, who became Mrs. E. R. Lewis. The mother of these chil- ren died in 1880. Of this family Joseph N. Alderson married illie Putney, of Kanawha County, and was engaged in ailroad work as agent during his early manhood, later ollowed merchandising at Alderson, and served as post- naster during President Cleveland's first administration, lso being otherwise prominent in local affairs. He and is wife had four children: Marshall P., who died in infancy ; James M., who also died as an infant; Alethea T .; and oseph N. The last named married Miss Frances Richard-

son, of Huntington, West Virginia, and they have two children: Frances and Alice Todd. Mr. Alderson was engaged in banking at Alderson until appointed post- master in 1914, his term expiring in 1923, he being the third of his name to officiate as such. He is a past master of Alderson Lodge, A. F. and A. M., and is a Presbyterian in religions faith

John M. Alderson, the only surviving child of John Marshall and Cornelia (Coleman) Alderson, was born at what was then Palestine, Greenbrier County, West Virginia, February 11, 1854, and received only limited educational advantages. He left home at the age of nineteen years to become a telegraph operator and railroad agent, and in 1884 embarked in mercantile pursuits at Alderson, in which he has been engaged to the present. At one time he was the owner of a large number of branch stores, but at the present confines his attention to three establishments. Dur- ing President Cleveland's second administration he served as postmaster, but he has never cared particularly for public office, preferring merely to exercise his right of franchise as an American citizen. He has been a supporter of demo- cratic principles, in religion is a Baptist, and fraternally is affiliated with the Master Masons.

On February 16, 1893, Mr. Alderson married Miss Flor- ence Hodges, of Mount Sterling, Ohio, and to this union there have been born five children: Gladys Cless, who is unmarried and resides with her parents; Cornelia Coleman, who is the wife of H. L. Smith; Florence Marshall, who is the wife of O. B. Kirby; John Marshall, a member of the Students Reserve Corps at the University of Richmond dur- ing the World war, now in business with his father, married Miss Elizabeth Creigh; and Julia Hodges, with her parents.

It goes without saying that the descendants of Elder John Alderson are, for the most part, Baptists in religion, although late generations have accepted other faiths. So far as is known they have been democrats. None have been known to have violated the laws of the land; and, on the other hand, many have held important official positions with credit. On the whole, the Alderson's are recognized as among the solid and substantial people of West Virginia, a credit to the state and nation.

JOHN W. C. HESLOP is proprietor of the Point Pleasant Machine Works, and has made this enterprise one of major industrial importance at Point Pleasant, Mason County, a point specially prominent in connection with navigation interests on the Kanawha and Ohio rivers. The Point Pleasant Machine Works were established in 1888 by Mr. Heslop and David Price, and the business was continued under the firm name of Heslop & Price until 1898, since which year the subject of this review has been sole owner of the business. In earlier days the establish- ment was given over largely to the manufacturing of steamboat machinery and to the general machine outfitting of river boats. Later was added the manufacturing of mining machinery and the manufacturing and installing of marine engines and mine castings. The plant has been enlarged from time to time to meet the increasing demands placed upon it, and much of the trade is drawn from river- port cities, especially in the supplying of steamboat engines.

Mr. Heslop was born at Bridgeport, Ohio, in 1853, and the schools of his native state afforded him his early educa- tion. He learned his trade at Pomeroy, Ohio, which place then had important marine machine shops. He has been concerned actively with machine manufacturing during his entire business career, and his former partner, Mr. Price, was a skilled blacksmith. Prior to engaging independently in business Mr. Heslop had been in the employ of Enos, Hill & Company, which firm controlled a large business in manufacturing and providing marine machinery for river boats, with headquarters at Gallipolis, Ohio, which town is only a short distance down the Ohio River from Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Thus when he initiated his inde- pendent enterprise at the latter place Mr. Heslop had to encounter the strong competition of the firm by which he had previously been employed, but excellent service and correct business policies ultimately enabled him to build up a substantial and representative trade. After the destruc-

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tion of the Gallipolis plant of Enos, Hill & Company both of his former employers worked for Mr. Heslop in his shop at Point Pleasant, he having purchased the patterns which they had saved from the fire that destroyed their plant, and later having obtained also valuable patterns saved from a fire that destroyed the plant of the Gallipolis Foundry & Machine Company. In the Point Pleasant Ma- chine Works are to be found a number of skilled mechanics who have here been employed fully thirty years.

Mr. Hestop has proved one of the liberal and progressive citizens of Point Pleasant, has served as a member of the city council, was for thirteen years a member of the local board of education, his service having included the period in which the present high school building was erected, and his loyal co-operation has been given to movements and enterprises tending to advance the general welfare of his home community. He is a charter member of the local lodge of Knights of Pythias, is prominently affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, including Franklin Commandery No. 19, Knights Templars, and the Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Charleston.

At Mason City, West Virginia, was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Heslop and Miss Aurilla Jarrott, who was born in Kanawha County, this state, a daughter of the late Lemuel Jarrott, who was for a number of years engaged in the manufacturing of salt at Malden, Kanawha County. Martha, oldest of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Heslop, is the wife of Hugo Juhling, of New Haven, this state; Sue is the wife of S. C. Wilhelm, of Point Pleasant, he being secretary of the Marietta Manufacturing Company; Aurilla is the wife of Milton L. Miller, auditor for the same company ; Miss Nan remains at the parental home; Lemuel is engaged in the clothing business in the City of Charles- ton; William is actively identified with the Point Pleasant Machine Works; and Robert J. is the present manager of the plant of this concern. Like his father and brother, Robert J. Heslop is a staunch supporter of the cause of the republican party, and he served four years as chair- man of its executive committee in Mason County. He literally grew up in the industrial business conducted by his father, and has succeeded the latter in the active supervision of the plant. He is president of the Progress Building & Loan Association, of which he has been a director from the time of its organization, in 1905, and which has contributed much to the civic and material advancement and prosperity of Point Pleasant. He holds membership in the local Kiwanis and Country clubs, and is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, including the Commandery of Knights Templars and the Mystic Shrine, and is also a member of the Knights of Pythias.

ANDREW S. RUSSELL. The mercantile interests of Alder- son, one of the thriving communities of Monroe County, are well and worthily represented by Andrew S. Russell. Mr. Russell belongs to that class of men who have worked their own way to position without the aid of outside in- fluences, and, starting his career as a lad in a humble position in the mines, has become through hard work, in- telligently directed, the owner of a flourishing general merchandise store and a popular moving picture theatre.

Mr. Russell was born at Bethel, Pennsylvania, February 5, 1873, and is a son of James Russell. His father, a native of Scotland, grew up in his native land, where he became a mine boss and was united in marriage with Jeannette Simpson. Following the close of the war between the states James Russell immigrated to the United States, with the expectation of establishing a home in this country if he found conditions suitable. After mining for a time in Pennsylvania he returned to Scotland and brought back with him his wife and two children, Elizabeth and John. From Pennsylvania the family moved to the present site of Hansford, Kanawha County, West Virginia, abont 1878, Mr. Russell being there the pioneer in opening the coal mines, but after a short time moved to Ansted in Fayette County, also assisting to open the mines in that locality. Still later he went to Hawk's Nest, nearby, and there died in 1894, being survived by his widow, who passed away June 8, 1922. Mr. Russell was a man of medium stature, was cannily

thrifty, after the Scotch fashion, and was universally ac- be counted one of the best mining men who ever came to West Virginia. He had worked in every department of the mining industry, and knew its workings from the insidela to the very end of coal production. In his later years hele gave up mining and followed mercantile pursuits at Hawk's ra Nest, and gained the reputation of being a capable andni fair-dealing business man. He was a Protestant in religionpfi and a republican in his political allegiance. At his deathbis he left six sons and five daughters, and there were three other children who had died before his passing.

Andrew S. Russell had only very limited educational ad-pr vantages in his youth, and when yet a boy became self-de supporting by finding employment in the mines at Stonehis Cliff. For some four or five years he continued mining but when his father died he succeeded the elder man im the management of the mercantile establishment at Hawk'sfo Nest, where he carried on the business in a successful mannen and made it a paying venture. He continued at that placea for some twenty years, and then, in 1914, came to Alderson where at first he embarked in the moving picture business He still conducts a family theatre, which enjoys an exe cellent patronage and at which he presents a clean, mora and high-class entertainment. Later Mr. Russell engaged in merchandising, and this he has also continued to the present with a gratifying degree of success. His reputation is thatf of a capable business man of good judgment and integrity and he is held in confidence by the people of his adopted community.

In 1903, at Hawk's Nest, Mr. Russell was united irep marriage with Miss Essie Grisinger, a daughter of J. Ct Grisinger, one of the old mining men of West Virginia and to this union there have been born five children Glenna May, Drema Lile, Andrew, James (named after his paternal and maternal grandfathers) and Finley. Inu polities Mr. Russell is a republican, but he has not taken part in political matters nor sought public office. He takes an interest, however, in civic matters that affect the welfare of Alderson and its people, and always supports worthy enterprises and movements.

GEORGE E. BARE. In the family of Bare the traditions o: ability, honor and worth left by those who have gone beyond set a worthy precedent which the present generation, and that from which it sprang, have followed, to which they have added a life chapter that must prove an inspiration and a positive incentive to those destined to come afte them. Among the worthy exponents of the family's ins tegrity and executive ability of the present generation i George E. Bare, former postmaster of Alderson and ex sheriff of Monroe County, and a man universally esteeme and respected by his fellow-citizens.

Among the early pioneers of Greenbrier County wa Jacob Bare, who came from Augusta County, Virginia about the year 1700, and after living for a time nea Lewisburg moved to Monroe County. Not much is definitely known of this early settler, but tradition says he was worthy man, well calculated to withstand the rigors an hardships of the frontier. During his latter life he kept toll-gate on the Kanawha Turnpike. He and his wife wer the parents of John, Samuel, Jacob, Betsey and possibly others. John Bare married Nancy Smith, and of th thirteen children born to them but three, Samuel H., Benso? M. and Wilson W., are now living, and these three have chi? dren and in some instances grandchildren. Samuel Bare mar ried Polly Smith, a sister of his brother's wife, and thei five children were Jacob, Isaac E., John H., Paulina an Virginia, and of these only John H. is now living. Jaco Bare, another son of the pioneer Jacob, never married, bu passed his life as a bachelor in the vicinity of his birth place.

The Bare's are related by marriage to the Smith, Ba lard, Lynch, Nichols and other families well known i southeastern West Virginia. As a rule they have bee Methodists in religion and republicans in politics, but ez ceptions are not unusual. During the war between th states they were sympathizers of the Southern cause, an

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number of the name served gallantly under the flag of e Confederacy. Invariably they have been law-abiding ud highly respected people.

Isaac Erskine Bare, a son of Samuel and grandson of acob Bare, was born in 1831 and died January 30, 1912. le was twice married, first to Sarah F. Lynch, and after- ard to Margaret Surber. For a time he operated a flour ill, and then conducted a shoe repairing shop, while fficiating as a magistrate. He was highly respected for is many estimable traits of character, his public-spirited ipport of enterprising and progressive movements and his yalty of friendships. He was the father of five sons and ne daughter (who died in infancy) by his first marriage: [enry C., George E., Eugene, Chase and Edward; and by is second marriage had a son, who also died in infancy. [enry C. Bare, the eldest of the children of Isaac E., was ne of the finest characters who ever lived in this section. 'or years he was a merchant at Alderson and for a score r more of years was superintendent of the Methodist Sun- ay School. His life was an inspiration, without blemish. George E. Bare, the second son of Isaac Erskine Bare, as born September 27, 1858, and received a common school ducation. As a youth he mastered the art of telegraphy, nd for some ten years served as operator for the Chesapeake Ohio Railroad and the Norfolk & Western Railroad, but 1 1895 gave up this vocation for mercantile pursuits and rom then until 1901 was employed as a clerk in the store f his brother, E. Chase, at Alderson. Upon President IcKinley's second election to the presidency Mr. Bare as appointed postmaster of Alderson, but before the ppointment could be confirmed the president was assassin- ted. However, Mr. Bare was appointed by President Roose- elt upon his succession to the presidential chair, and by 'resident Taft when he was made chief executive. He cted as postmaster in all for a period of about twelve nd one-half years, during which time he discharged his uties in an entirely capable manner and advanced the fficiency of the service. In 1916 he was elected sheriff of Monroe County, an office in which be also established a ood record during his four-year term. Since leaving the atter position his life has been one of semi-retirement. le is a republican in politics and a Mason and Odd Fellow raternally, while his religious connection is with the Methodist Church.

The first wife of Mr. Bare was Mrs. Betty Holmes, the aughter of James Howell, and the widow of John Holmes, y whom she had one daughter, Catherine, the wife of 'rank Van Vranken, who resides in Los Angeles. Mr. Bare's second and present wife was formerly Mrs. Dora E. Vilson, the daughter of Allen Ellis and the widow of feorge Wilson, by whom she had one daughter, Myrtle, the vife of W. E. Altizer, of Huntington, West Virginia.

OTHO PAUL ARGABRITE, M. D. A record of the pro- essional career of Dr. Otho Paul Argabrite of Alderson hows that he has been an honor to his calling and a valuable addition to the ranks of those who take an uterest in the affairs of their community with no ulterior uotives. A man of broad learning, practical in his sug- gestions and energetic in carrying them out, he has naturally .ssumed a leading place among his associates. Since 1907 re has figured prominently in the medical profession of Monroe County, and has maintained throughout his entire areer a high standard of ethics and honorable practice.

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History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 3, Part 204

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