History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 3, Part 81

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Mr. Babb married Gertrude Scherr in Charleston in 1902.

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Mrs. Babb is the daughter of Arnold C. Scherr, who at the time of her marriage was serving his first term as auditor of West Virginia. They have two children, Mary Cather- ine, a student of Potomac State School, and Arnold, at- tending the Keyser High School.

ROBERT LESTER EARLY. Although still included among the younger generation, the large and varicd interests which have engrossed the time and attention of Robert Lester Early have brought him to the very forefront among the progressive business men of Mullens, where he is a member of the well-known contracting firm of Early Brothers. Es- sentially a business man, he has not been content to play only a passive part in municipal affairs, but has brought his keen abilities to bear in the position of mayor, an office which he now occupies, thus contributing in no small de- gree to the general welfare.

Mr. Early was born at Rocky Mount, Virginia, Septem- ber 2, 1890, and is a son of Jubal A. and Minnie Lce (Lynch) Early, natives of Franklin County, Virginia. Ju- bal A. Early was born in 1866, and as a young man learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed for some years before developing into a contractor. For some years he lived at Rocky Mount, and moved from there to Elkhorn, McDowell County, West Virginia, where, after a short stay, he moved to Beckley, Raleigh County, and in 1914 came to Mullens, where he now resides as a member of the firm of Early Brothers. From the outset of his career Mr. Early displayed his thorough mastery of every detail of his trade, and when he became a contractor it was found that he was never at a loss to know at once the thing to be done, no matter what the problem or difficulty. Probably no man in the coal regions of this section did more or better work in the erection of tipples, miners' houses, etc., and his con- tracts were not only extensive, but his work would always stand the severest tests. Mr. Early is a man who is liberal in his views, and who has the friendship and esteem of many. A republican in polities, he has always been active in committee and convention work and wields not a little influence in the ranks of his party. He is a Mason, and while not a professed church member supports the move- ments of the Baptist Church, to which Mrs. Early, who is one year his junior, belongs. They have three children: Anderson Cabell, a member of the firm of Early Brothers; Robert Lester, of this record; and Lotta B., who resides with her parents.

Robert Lester Early received his primary education in the public schools and supplemented this by attendance at Beekley Institute. When he was still a lad, with his brother he assisted their father in his various contracts, and thus received an early introduction to the business, although his first regular position was with the Link Belt Construc- tion Company of Philadelphia. From that city he went to Pittsburgh, where during 1913 and 1914 he was with the Nacola Construction Company, in the latter year returning to Mullens, where he joined his brother in the formation of the firm of Early Brothers. Later their father was admit- ted as the third member of the concern. The firm of Early Brothers has practically built Mullens. It has not only erected many of the business blocks and residences at this place, but its contracts have extended to various other communities of Southern West Virginia. Among their con- tracts at Mullens may be mentioned the Wallingford Hos- pital, the J. C. Sullivan office building, the Wyoming Iee and Bottling Company's plant, the Emmons-Hawkins Whole- sale Hardware Company Building and the Santon Building. The firm and its members enjoy the best of reputation in business circles. A republican in politics, Robert L. Early was elected mayor of Mullens in 1921 and re-elected to that office in 1922. He has given the city an admirable admin- istration, displaying much executive ability and bringing to bear his abilities as a business man. As a fraternalist he is a past master of Mullens Lodge, A. F. and A. M., and a member of Princeton Chapter, R. A. M., in addition to which he holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. With his fam- ily he belongs to the First Baptist Church, in which he is serving as a member of the board of trustees.

In 1914 Mr. Early was united in marriage with Miss Lillian E. Moseley, daughter of J. P. Moseley, of Rich- mond, Virginia, and they are the parents of three children: Pauline, Marguerite and Jo Edith.

PEYTON RANDOLPH HARRISON bears a historic name, is a member of the third successive generation of that name, and for many years has been an active and prominent eiti- zen and business man of Martinsburg.

He was born in that city. His father, Peyton Randolph Harrison, was born at Clifton on the James River, and his grandfather, Rev. Peyton Randolph Harrison, was born at Brandon on the same river and represented the distin- guished Harrison family of that state. Rev. Mr. Harrison was a Presbyterian minister, and at an early time was iden- tified with the pastorate of the Presbyterian Church at Martinsburg. He finally removed to Baltimore, where he spent his last years retired, dying at the age of eighty-one. He married a daughter of Judge Carr, of Virginia. Their children were: Mrs. William Hoge; Mrs. Lyle Turnbull; Mary, who became the wife of Maj. Robert W. Hunter; William Wirt; Peyton Randolph; and Henry Tucker.

Peyton Randolph Harrison, II, graduated from the law department of Princeton University and achieved a very suc- cessful practice at Martinsburg. He was appointed to de- liver the oration at the 4th of July celebration at Martins- burg in 1860. Immediately before the outbreak of the war between the states he entered the Confederate Army, with the commission of lieutenant, and he and two of his cousins were killed in the first battle of Manassas. He married Saralı Forrest Hunter, a native of Martinsburg and daugh- ter of Edmund Pendleton and Martha Crawford (Abell) Hunter. Edmund Pendleton Hunter was a native of Mar- tinshurg, an attorney by profession, and died of cholera in early life. He was a grand master of Virginia Masonry before the state was divided, and was one of the first emi- nent grand commanders of Knights Templars in West Vir- ginia. In that capacity he laid the cornerstone of the old Reformed Church at Martinsburg. Later, when this church was burned down, his grandson, the present Peyton Ran- dolph Harrison, as grand master officiated at the corner- stone laying. E. P. Hunter's wife was born near Elkwood in Jefferson County. Sarah F. Harrison is still living, at the age of eighty-eight. She became the mother of the fol- lowing children: Jane Cary, wife of Rev. Edward D. Washburn; Edmund P .; Peyton Randolph.

Peyton Randolph Harrison, III, was educated in a pri- vate school taught by John Sellers, a Scotchman, and fin- ished his military and technical education in the Virginia Military Institute at Lexington, where he specialized in civil engineering. On returning to Martinsburg he took up a business career, and since 1888 has been prominent in the insurance and bonding field. He represents some of the standard companies of fire, life, accident and liability insur- anee. His influence and capital have been identified with a number of commercial enterprises. He helped organ- ize and is principal owner of the Expert Apple Company, being secretary, treasurer and general manager of this cor- poration.

Soon after his college career Mr. Harrison was chosen a magistrate. In 1896 he was candidate for re-election, but suffered defeat with the republican landslide of that year. Subsequently he was appointed by the County Court, and served two and a half years. In 1912 he was elected mayor, serving two years, and in 1916 was again chosen the city's chief executive. In 1913 he was appointed deputy collector of internal revenue, with office in the Federal Building at Martinsburg, and he held that post until June 30, 1921, when the office was abolished. In the meantime he had col- lected for the Government a sum totalling $1,450,000. Mr. Harrison is commissioner in chaneery for the Circuit Court, and several cases have been referred to him from the Fed- eral Court.

He has been twice married. His first wife was Lillian Gorham, a native of Rockford, Illinois, and daughter of Marquis L. and Helen (Meade) Gorham. She died in 1890, leaving a daughter, Lillian, who is the wife of Forrest A. Brown, only son of Forrest W. Brown, of Charles Town,

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and they have three children, Sarah Forrest, Forrest Wash- ington and Peyton Randolph Brown. For his second wife Mr. Harrison married a daughter of E. Holmes and Lily (Dandridge) Boyd, of Winchester. The two children of this marriage are Peyton Randolph and Ann Spotswood. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church. Judge Harrison is affiliated with Equality Lodge, A. F. and A. M., Lebanon Chapter No. 2, R. A. M., Palestine Commandery No. 2, K. T., of which he is a past eminent commander, and Osiris Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Wheeling.

COL. EDMUND PENDLETON HUNTER. The Hunter family has been identified with the important history of the coun- try around Martinsburg for a century and a half. Its members intermarried with another historic family of this region, the Harrisons, as noted in another article. This sketch reviews briefly the well-known older members of the family, Col. David Hunter and Col. E. P. Hunter.

Col. David Hunter was born at York, Pennsylvania, May 3, 1761, and was a child when his parents settled in what is now Berkeley County, Virginia. Their home was estab- lished about two miles north of Martinsburg, on what is now known as the Williams Port Pike. The Hunter estate there became known as the Red House Farm. Upon the organization of Berkeley County the first court convened at the Hunter home. David Hunter attended a school in a log building situated near the corner of Queen and Burke streets in Martinsburg. About 1778 he went to England, and was abroad some three years. After his return to this country he married Elizabeth Pendleton, descended from one of the first settlers of what is now Berkeley County. Her father, Philip Pendleton, was born near the present site of Martinsburg in 1752, was an eminent lawyer and was pres- ent at the organization of Berkeley County in 1772. Philip Pendleton married Agnes Patterson. Col. David Hunter throughout his long life was deeply interested in all the affairs and progress of his home locality, and he was elected and served as clerk of the County Court from 1803 until his death in 1829.

Col. Edmund Pendleton Hunter, son of David and Eliza- beth (Pendleton) Hunter, was born in 1809, acquired an education at Jefferson College and was admitted to the bar in Berkeley County in 1831. He became owner and editor of the Martinsburg Gazette. He had many interest- ing associations with public men of his day. He attended the Young Men's Convention in Washington, where he heard Henry Clay speak, and ever afterward was an ardent sup- porter of that great Kentuckian. Colonel Hunter succeeded General Boyd as commonwealth's attorney for Berkeley County, and he served in the Virginia House of Delegates during 1834-35 and 1839-41. During the war between the states he commanded the Sixty-seventh Regiment of Vir- ginia Volunteers. He rose to the highest honors in the Ma- sonic fraternity in his state, and was a member of the Episcopal Church.

On August 2, 1832, Edmund Pendleton Hunter married Martha C. Abell, daughter of John and Sarah (Forrest) Abell. She was born in Jefferson County, and her parents came from St. Mary's County, Maryland. Colonel Hunter and wife reared seven children, named: Sarah, Maj. Rob- ert W., Elizabeth J., David, John Abell, Martha C. and Mary Louisa. The daughter Sarah was the wife of Peyton Harrison, who is elsewhere referred to. The son David was killed at the battle of Cedar Creek in 1864. Martha C. became the wife of Harry Riddle and Mary Louisa mar- ried John H. Doll.

Miss Elizabeth Hunter for several years taught a private school in Martinsburg. She and her widowed sister, Mrs. Mary Louisa Doll, now occupy the old home on East King Street, near the Public Square. Elizabeth Hunter is a mem- ber of the Episcopal Church and the Daughters of the Con- federacy.

PERRY EMERSON BURT. Integrity of purpose, uprightness of dealing, soundness of principle and a keen sense of busi- ness values are qualities which all go towards developing the substantial men of affairs. No man reaches a pros- perous material condition without striving towards some

desired end, but he must have something back of the ambi- tion to succeed in order to attain his object. Natural and acquired qualities that are rooted in a foundation of deep- laid principles are absolutely necessary, and it is fortunate for business conditions that so many men have possessed these characteristics. Among the men of Wayne County who through the possession of these qualities have reached positions of prominence and at the same time have con- tributed to the stability of business conditions is Perry Emerson Burt, manager of the Saks Stamping Company of Westmoreland, West Virginia.

Mr. Burt was born at West Lafayette, Ohio, December 16, 1866, a son of James Bradner and Margaret Jane (Beall) Burt. His grandfather, Hon. James Madison Burt, was born in 1810, at Warwick, New York, and became a pioneer of Coshocton and that vicinity of Ohio, where he engaged in agricultural operations. He enlisted for service in the Black Hawk Indian war, and was a prominent demo- crat of his locality, serving as county judge of Coshocton County, as state senator and as justice of the peace. He married Mary Ann Bradner, who was born in Orange County, New York, and died at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Judge Burt died full of years and honors at Newcomerstown, Ohio, in 1893.

James Bradner Burt, father of Perry Emerson Burt, was born April 4, 1837, at Coshocton, Ohio, where he was reared and married, but later made his home at West Lafayette. He was an extensive and successful agriculturist, and a man who was held in high esteem by his fellow-citizens, who elected him to a number of local offices, in which his record was a splendid one. In politics he was a democrat, and as a churchman he was a life-long member of the Baptist faith, in which he died at West Lafayette in February, 1907. Mr. Burt married Miss Margaret Jane Beall, who was born March 16, 1847, near Coshocton, Ohio, and still survives him as a resident of West Lafayette. They became the parents of four children: Perry Emerson; Mary, the wife of Dr. Jesse McClain, a well-known practicing physician and surgeon of Coshocton; Jennie, who is unmarried and a teacher in the kindergarten department of the public schools at Detroit, Michigan; and James Roe, of Westmoreland, West Virginia, formerly associated with his brother in business, but now engaged alone in mercantile pursuits.

Perry Emerson Burt attended the public schools of West Lafayette, following which he pursued a course at Gran- ville (Ohio) Academy. He then entered Denison University, Granville, Ohio, from which he was graduated in 1895, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and during his college career was admitted to membership in the Phi Gamma Delta Greek letter fraternity. For two years thereafter Mr. Burt taught in the Burlington Institute College, Burlington, Iowa, and then took a course at the University of Chicago Post-Graduate School, specializing in English history for one year. He was then retained as principal of the high school at Cambridge, Ohio, for five years, but school work affected his health and he was advised by his physician to seek some other vocation. Accordingly, after a year's rest he bought an interest in the enameling works at West Lafayette, and was manager of this plant until 1916. In the meanwhile he had founded the Ohio Valley Enameling Company at Westmoreland, West Virginia, in 1914, and in 1916 came to this plant and acted as its sole owner and operator until 1920, when he sold out to the American Druggists Syndicate, although retaining the position of manager. At the time of the sale the name was changed to the Saks Stamping Com- pany. In the large brick plant situated on Vernon Street, Westmoreland, along the right-of-way of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway, the company manufactures enameled sheet steel hospital goods, which are shipped all over the United States and into Cuba, Europe and South America. Mr. Burt's business success has been marked, and that he has gained position and prosperity is all the more ereditable in that his earlier inclinations and training had all been along professional lines. His standing as a man of sound integrity and probity has never been questioned, and among his associates he is held in the utmost confidence. Politically Mr. Burt has never sought honors at the hands of any party or his fellow-citizens, and is inclined to be independent in

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view and action, although where all other considerations are equal he supports the candidates and principles of the democratic party. He is a consistent member of the Baptist Church, in which he serves as deacon. His pleasant modern residence is situated at 2850 Piedmont Court, in a desirable residence section of Westmoreland.

In June, 1895, at Zanesville, Ohio, Mr. Burt was united in marriage with Miss Anna Linnard MeCann, a daughter of John and Mary (Miles) McCann, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. McCann was a retail dealer in hats at Zanesville and a man of substance and worth. Mrs. Burt is a woman of numerous graces and accomplishments and a graduate of Denison University, class of 1895. She and her husband are the parents of four children: Frederick McCann, born July 25, 1896, now a merchant of Hunting- ton, who during the recent war was identified with the avia- tion branch of the United States service, stationed at Boston, Massachusetts, and at the time of the signing of the armistice was all ready to go overseas for bombing service. He married in September, 1917, Eleanor McGugin, of Ravenswood, West Virginia, and they have one daughter, Carolyn Ann. Margaret Miles is a senior at Denison Uni- versity. Marian Bradner is a student in the same institu- tion, in the sophomore class. Edward Emerson was born September 23, 1913.

OSCAR O. ALLISON. The really valuable men of any com- munity are not necessarily those whom fate has placed in commanding political positions where they compel ap- plause from their associates and the admiration and support of their constituents, but rather the men who rise steadily through sheer merit to governing places among commercial and financial enterprises where their abilities are directed toward the control of finances and the creation of better conditions for the working majority. Such men are not to be found everywhere. The requirements of the positions they fill and the weight of the responsibilities they volun- tarily assume are of such a nature as to bar out all but the chosen minority who have proven themselves. When such an individual has shown his worth, his value to the com- munity cannot be overestimated. Judged by these standards one of the valuable men of Chester is Oscar O. Allison, cashier of the First National Bank of Chester and secre- tary-treasurer of the Hancock County Building and Loan Company.

Mr. Allison was born at Chester, March 31, 1872, a son of Samnel and Eliza (Finley) Allison, natives of the same community. Samuel Allison was born in 1837 and died May 5, 1907, in his seventy-first year, while Mrs. Allison was born December 3, 1840, and died March 17, 1910, on the anniversary of her wedding day. She and her husband had enjoyed fifty years of happy wedded life. Samuel Alli- son was a son of Charles Allison, whose father, Jonathan Allison, died in his ninety-sixth year, the latter's father, Datty Allison, being buried on his 100th birthday. Charles Allison was eighty-six years of age at the time of his demise. so it will be seen that this is a family somewhat noted for its longevity. Samuel Allison lived at the old home two miles south of Chester, at the head of Cunningham's Run or Creek. He followed farming for a long period and won success through industry and good management, so that he was able to retire in the evening of life, and for some years lived comfortably in his pleasant home at Chester. He was a man of popularity and influence in his community, and on two occasions was the democratic can- didate for the office of sheriff, and on one occasion met defeat by but seven votes, although in a strong republican county. He and his wife were the parents of the follow- ing children: Charles F .; Sarah Jane, the widow of John L. Bernard, of Chester; Ida Mary, the wife of A. J. Glass, a retired farmer of Chester; Oscar O .; and Olive E., who was active in the First Presbyterian Church at East Liverpool, Ohio, and died in young womanhood.

Charles F. Allison, brother of Oscar O. Allison, was born on the old home farm in Hancock County, and died in March, 1921. He remained on the home farm until 1900, at which time he was elected sheriff of Hancock County, the only member of his party to be accorded that honor in

forty years. During President Wilson's administration he served in the capacity of deputy United States marshal. Prior to 1900 he had made a special appraisement of real estate in Hancock County. During the last years of his life he was connected with the jewelry business. Mr. Allison was one of the incorporators and a member of the board of directors of the First National Bank of Chester. He was an elder of the Presbyterian Church at New Cumber- land. His widow, who bore the maiden name of Sally Cameron, survives him as a resident of Chester.

Oscar O. Allison received his education in the country, attending the Washington Schoolhouse, which was situated on a corner of the home farm. On first coming to Chester he became interested in a general store business, with which he was identified for five years, the firm finally becoming Allison & Hobbs. Mr. Allison disposed of his interests in this enterprise to become one of the five incorporators of the First National Bank of Chester, of which he was the first cashier, a position which he still retains. A history of this institution will be found on another page of this work, as will also a review of the Hancock County Building and Loan Company, of which Mr. Allison is secretary-treasurer. He is a director in the Bucher-Smith Company, one of Chester's important industries, and in former years was a member of the board publishing the Tribune of East Liverpool, Ohio. He is a charter member of the Chamber of Commerce of East Liverpool and a director of the Kiwanis Club of that city. An adherent of progress and advancement, he has been a helpful and constructive supporter of all worthy civic, educational and religious movements.

As a young man Mr. Allison joined the Presbyterian Church at Fairview (now Pughtown), and was a trustee thereof until coming to Chester, where he became one of the organizers of the church at Chester, of which he has been an elder since its inception. He has also served as clerk of the session and as delegate to the Presbytery. Ile las likewise been prominent in political matters, and as a stanch and uncompromising democrat has been a delegate to several congressional conventions and was formerly a member of the Democratic Executive Committee.

Mr. Allison has an unique distinction as a fraternalist, having been the first member initiated in any fraternal order at Chester, where, October 4, 1890, he was accepted into the Junior Order United American Mechanics. He presided over this lodge during the first year, and for twenty years has filled one or another of its offices, in addition to having passed all the state chairs. He was made an Odd Fellow as a charter member of New Cumberland Lodge, and was the first noble grand of Pride of Chester Lodge No. 245, being twice delegate to the Grand Lodge. He became a charter member of Chester Lodge No. 142, A. F. and A. M., of which he was made treasurer at the time of organization, an office which he still retains. In October, 1921, he was crowned inspector general of the thirty-third degree in the House of the Temple at Washington, D. (., and is the only thirty-third degree Mason in West Virginia north of Wheel- ing, there not being one even at East Liverpool. His mem- bership is as a thirty-second degree Mason in the Con- sistory at Wheeling. Since 1910 he has been a Knight Templar in the Commandery at Wheeling, belongs to Osiris Temple of the Mystic Shrine, and on two occasions has been a representative to the Imperial Council, in 1918 at Atlantic City, and in 1920 at Portland, Oregon, and attended both. Mr. Allison is a member of the board of directors of the Scottish Rite Educational Association of West Virginia, president of the Scottish Rite Club of Chester, treasurer of the Shrine Club of Chester, a member of the Masonic clubs of Wheeling and East Liverpool and a member of the board of directors of the Masonie Temple Company of Chester, and he and Mrs. Allison are charter members of Chester Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Allison is greatly interested in tennis, baseball and all forms of whole- some athletics and recreations.

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History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 3, Part 81

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