History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 3, Part 85

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Chief Brooks, who was elected nine times by vote of the people, is known as "the ideal chief." Of powerful and well proportioned physique, his mere presence is sufficient to quell any ordinary disturbance, and he has long been a terror to law-breakers, although a kind-hearted friend to the unfortunate and a protector of the innocent. No third- degree methods are tolerated in the Weirton Police Depart- ment, cowardice and brutality are reasons for instant dis- missal from the force, and merit is the basis of advance- ment. Chief Brooks is at present president of the West Virginia Association of Police Chiefs and a member of the International Association of Police Chiefs, connections which have proved beneficial to him in his quests as detec- tive and police officer. In 1919, before the International As- sociation of Police Chiefs, Chief Brooks was called upon for an address, and his talk was one of the very few considered worthy of publication, heing reproduced in full in the Washington Herald. Chief Brooks addressed the associa- tion upon their duty to the Government, as to their share in the raising of funds for patriotic purposes, and in regard to the town of Weirton, which he stated had raised two and one-half times its quota in Liberty Loans, Red Cross work and the Y. M. C. A. drives.

Chief Brooks married Miss Calla Davis, daughter of Evander Davis, who was formerly a teacher at Salem, West Virginia. One son has been born to this union, Richard, who at present is captain of a gun crew on the U. S. Battle- shin "Idaho." U. S. N. Chief Brooks is a member of the Knights of Pythias.

ROBERT C. AND JESSE S. EVANS. None of the mercantile establishments at Weirton are better known or have gained a greater success during a like period of years than the general merchandise enterprise of Evans Brothers, the pro- prietors of which are Robert C. and Jesse S. Evans. These men have built up a large and flourishing business from small beginnings, and while advancing their personal success have contributed to the progress of the community not only through the development of a worthy commercial venture but through their constructive and helpful support of meas- ures promulgated for the betterment of the city's institutions.

The Evans brothers were born at New Cumberland, Han- cock County, West Virginia, Robert C. on June 4, 1873, and Jesse S., June 24. 1879, their parents being James Madi- son and Emma E. (Evans) Evans. Mrs. Evans, who was born at Wheeling, still survives and resides at New Cumher- land, at the age of eighty-four years. James Madison Evans was born near New Cumberland, in 1841, a son of Jeremiah C. Evans, an agriculturist, who passed his life in Hancock

County and was an extensive operator. On reaching man- hood James Madison Evans adopted farming for his life work, and spent his whole life in Hancock County, where up to the time of his retirement he tilled the soil and was a large grower of fruit. He resided at New Cumberland, surrounded by the comforts attainable by the fruits of his early industry and where he died in March, 1916.

Robert C. and Jesse S. Evans received good, practical educational advantages as lads in the public schools of Hancock County. They were reared as farmers' sons, but neither desired to lead an agricultural life, and accordingly accepted positions as clerks, where they gained their intro- duction to business methods. Robert C. Evans also served two terms, or eight years, from 1904 to 1912, as assessor of Hancock County, an office to which he was elected on the republican ticket. In May, 1912, the Evans brothers founded the Weirton Supply Company, a grocery and mar. ket, their initial capital being about $2,500. The business was continued in the same way, although with growing success, until 1918, when it was connsolidated, with a store at Weirton which the brothers had started in 1916 as a branch of the original business. In the same year they had erected a double store, three stories in height, of brick, at the present location, costing $28,000, and in 1921 an- other store was added, with lodge hall and two apartments ahove, making the entire building cost about $37,000. The first year's sales were about $30,000, but have run as high as $225,000, and the stock carried regularly is valued at from $20,000 to $25,000, or more than ten times the original stock. Eight employes are kept busy and the trade is by no means confined to Weirton, many of the patrons of the establishment residing in the rural districts and the nearby towns and villages. The brothers are men of sound integ- rity who have established excellent reputations for honor- able dealing and honest representation. They are inter- ested as good citizens in civic matters and give their moral and material support to all measures which promise to be of benefit to their community. They have several connec- tions of a fraternal character, and their friends are numer- ous in social circles.

Robert C. Evans married Miss Mary L. Mayhew, daughter of J. H. Mayhew, who was superintendent of the Hancock County Infirmary for a number of years. To this union there have been horn two children: Edna, a teacher in the public school at Holliday's Cove; and James Henderson, D. D. S., a graduate of the Pennsylvania University at Philadelphia.

Jesse S. Evans was united in marriage with Miss Vir- ginia Wilson, of New Cumberland, and they have five chil- dren: Emma Virginia, Dorothy, James L., Fred W. and Lambert.

REV. ANDREW WILCZEK. During the six years that Rev. Andrew Wilezek has been the pastor of Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church at Weirton he has impressed the community with his disinterested work in the cause he serves, and has given evidence of the possession of qualities which must assuredly call forth general admiration, even from those who differ most sharply with him theologically and otherwise. His sincere piety, his intense moral earnest- ness, his uninterrupted industry, his unfailing kindliness and his spirit of tolerance have gone far to make him beloved by his flock and prosperous in the affairs of his parish, and have gained him the good will and assistance of those of other creeds, without which no priest considers that he has achieved the fullness of his mission.

Father Wilezek was born in Poland, where he received his early education at the University of Cracow and a Military Academy and held the rank of sub-lieutenant in the army. Coming to the United States in 1910. he com- pleted his theological education and was ordained a priest of the Catholic Church at Detroit. His first services were at. Norfolk, Virginia, where he built a church and spent two years, and at the end of that period came to Weirton, accepting the call to Sacred Heart of Mary parish. This parish was started at the beginning of the town of Weirton by Father Madert, the first congregation of thirty of forty families meeting for service in a small building on Avenue

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. Father Madert remained one year and was succeeded y Father Przybysz, who continued for a like period, the ext priest in charge being Father Lo Monaco, who ro- hained only a few months. llis sneeessor was Father Pawlowski, who continued one year, and October 16, 1916, e was replaced by Father Andrew Wilezek, who has con- inned to the present.

One year following his arrival Father Andrew Wilezek ad so straightened ont the financial affairs of his parish hat he was able to buy the present property on Avenue ' and to build a combination building of church, school, all, dining hall, kitchen, etc., at a cost of $100,000. On eptember 7, 1919, the corner stone was laid and the church as dedicated October 24, 1920. On both these occasions ather Wilezek entertained Bishop P. J. Donahue of the Diocese of Wheeling, who assisted at the above named eremonies. Prominent men of Weirton were served at banquet in the reetory. The neighboring clergymen, with heir people, participated in both those events, and high ompliment was paid the Pastor, Andrew Wilezek, by sev- ral of the speakers present for the wonderful growth nd development of this congregation. In September, 1917, ne sehool started, under the charge of two Franciscan isters, there being at that time eighty pupils in attendance. t this time there are 250 mmpils and five teachers, and the igh school graduation is on the same basis as that of the ublie schools. At the present time the Sacred Heart € Mary congregation ineIndes some 220 families, or ap- roximately 1,000 souls. The parish maintains nine Polish ocieties, of which two own their own buildings, and these cieties include in their objects dramaties, musie and vies. Abont 120 of the parish own their own homes, their elinations in this direction having been encouraged by ather Wilezek, who realizes what a great factor the home in making for education, higher morals and better eitizen- ip, for he himself became a citizen of the United States anuary 16 1917. He is active throughout the Wheeling oeese, and acts not only as a spiritual guide to his people, t as their advisor on all matters pertaining to their wel- re and as their sincere friend in all the situations of life.

HARRIS CLINTON HAWKINS is one of the energetic busi- oss men of New Martinsville, a young, progressive citizen. ho has succeeded in building up a widely extended and osperous insurance business.

Mr. Hawkins was born at Belington in Barbour County, est Virginia, December 14, 1884. His grandfather, Wil- im Hawkins, spent the greater part of his life at Bnek- innon, where he was associated with the Giffin Lumber mpany. He was in the Quartermaster's Department of e Union Army during the Civil war, and died at Buek- nnon. His wife was Caroline Farnsworth, who died at atton but is buried at Buckhannon. Thomas Henry awkins, father of the New Martinsville business man, is born at Buckhannon September 22, 1857, and was ared and educated there. Shortly after his marriage was ordained a minister of the Methodist Episcopal hureh, and for a number of years continued active in the .mistry, both in West Virginia and in Missouri, He also gaged in business as a merehant in Belington, but in 87 removed to Sutton, where he continued merchandising, d in 1898 established his home at New Martinsville, here he organized the West Virginia Monumental Works ad later resumed merchandising. He died at New Martins- le in October, 1912. He served two terms on the City uneil, was a republican, and after retiring from the (nistry kept up a deep and sincere interest in the working 'airs of his church and was especially prominent in the st church of the Methodist Episcopal denomination at New Martinsville. He was also a Knight Templar Mason. omas H. Hawkins married Mary King Harris, who was rn in Henry County, Virginia, October 17, 1863, and now es with her only surviving child in New Martinsville. or older ehild, Bertha, died at the age of twenty-one fars.

Harris Clinton Hawkins acquired his early education in public schools of Sutton and New Martinsville, and ent two years in West Virginia Wesleyan College at Buek-

hannon. Leaving college in 1903, he was for six or seven years employed by the Brast Hotel Company of New Martinsville, but since 1910 has been giving his time and talents to the life insurance business, and is now state manager for the Masonic Mutual Life Association of Wash- ington. The main offiees are in the Federal Realty Build- ing on Main Street, New Martinsville, and also branch offices are maintained at Wheeling, Huntington, Charleston, Bluefield, Clarksburg, Fairmont and Bramwell, West Vir- ginia.

Mr. Hawkins is a past master of Wetzel Lodge No. 39, F. and A. M., and distriet deputy grand master of the Grand Lodge. He is affiliated with West Virginia Con- sistory No. 1 of the Scottish Rite at Wheeling and Osiris Temple of the Mystic Shrine in that eity. When the Kiwanis Club of New Martinsville was organized he was elected its first president, in 1921. He is also vice presi- dent and a director of the Ohio Valley Builders Supply Company of New Martinsville. . Mr. Hawkins is a repub- lican and a member of the Official Board of the First Methodist Episcopal Church. During the war he assisted in all the drives for funds, and took charge of the Salvation Army drive for Wetzel County.

February 27, 1913, at New Martinsville, he married Miss Maude Amelia Funk, daughter of Thomas J. and Helen (Fisher) Funk, residents of New Martinsville. Her father is now retired after a long service with the Koontz Lumber Company. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins have four children: Mary Helen, born February 7, 1914, Eloise Frances, born Decem- ber 15, 1915, ilarris Funk, horn December 5, 1917, and Betty Ann, born February 3, 1920.

WILLIAM BANFIELD. Prominent among the men who have contributed to the business development of Follansbee may be mentioned William Banfield, general manager of the Follanshee Brothers Company Steel plant, who has numerous other important business connections. Mr. Banfield was born in Monmouthshire, England, in 1854, and at the age of eighteen years immigrated with his father to the United States.

Upon their arrival in this country father and son seenred employment in the first tin plate mill erected in this country, lorated at Leeeliburg, Pennsylvania, where William Banfield was a heater and roller for seven years and was then made manager, a position which he held for six years. In October, 1885, he removed to Irondale, Ohio, and with others estab- lished the Irondale Rolling Mill Company, having purchased the former plant of the Pioneer Iron Works. The above company, under the name of Wallace, Banfield & Company, Limited, made fine grades of black and galvanized iron and soft sheet steel, and it became one of the leading in- dustries of Jefferson County. In 1892 they converted part of their plant into a tin mill, being the first to become extensive manufacturers under the MeKinley Tariff. In 1899 the American Tin Plate Company purchased and dis- mantled the plant, and Mr. Banfield, with others, erected sheet mills at Chester, West Virginia, but these were also acquired by the American Tin Plate Company at the time of their completion. Mr. Banfield was chosen and served as distriet manager for this eoneern about five years, at. the end of which time he removed to Steubenville, in 1907, subsequently becoming associated with the Follanshee brothers in building the tin plate mills at Follansbee, of which he has since been general manager.

The Follansbee Brothers Company, started to erect a mill at Follansbee, West Virginia, in 1902, and the six tin plate and two sheet mills were put into operation in 1904, with 600 employes. There were three buildings, about 200 x 40 feet, occupying approximately two aeres of ground. In 1911 two sheet mills were added. In 1906 the company had commenced the steel plant, having two twenty-five ton open hearth furnaces, to which a third was added in 1911 and a fourth in 1918. Three more sheet mills greatly increased the company's capacity in 1915, as well as a galvanizing shop. There are about 1,200 men on the pay-roll, which in 1920 was over $2,000,000. The weekly output approximates 400 tons of tin plate and 1,000 tons of sheet steel. The company has erected ninety houses, which it has sold to

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its employes on reasonable terms, and the friendliest of feelings exist between the corporation and its men. The Follansbee brothers, of whom there were formerly four, but now only three, were merchants of Pittsburgh prior to en- tering their present line. They now have a similar mill at Toronto, Ohio, with about the same capacity.

An auxiliary company of the Follansbee Brothers Com- pany is the Sheet Metal Specialty Company, which was established in 1906 on a small scale with about fifteen men employed. In December, 1906, the plant was destroyed by fire, but was rebuilt on a larger scale and since then has been enlarged at different times, now having four two-story buildings, 50 x 150 feet each, with from seventy to eighty employes engaged in making sheet metal ovens and stovepipe and elbows. In 1921 this company took over a two-story building 180 x 130 feet, formerly operated by others for several years in making metal specialties, and this is now utilized for the manufacture of milk and garbage cans, with some fifty employes. This latter acquisition added about an additional half to the company's output, sold to jobbers, which is now about 350 cars. The buildings of this plant have some 65,000 square feet of floor space, and the annual pay-roll amounts to $105,000. The officers are: John Fol- lansbee, president; L. A. Diller, secretary and manager; and D. Reed, treasurer.

Mr. Banfield is also president of the East Ohio Sewer Pipe Company at Irondale, Ohio, one of the important local industries of that place, president of the Union Savings Bank and Trust Company at Steubenville, and a director of the Citizens Bank of that place. He likewise is an elder of the Second Presbyterian Church at Follansbee, West Virginia, and now makes his home at Follansbee.

G. L. BUCHANAN. One of the important business in- dustries of Holliday's Cove, the Cove Valley Lumber Com- pany, is an expression and example of a well worked out plan of business procedure, based upon the solid foundation of efficiency and thorough knowledge of conditions and re- quirements. Back of the success of this concern has been the directing mind and guiding hand of its president, G. L. Buchanan, a man of sound ability and known integrity, practical, energetic and result-attaining. He has worked his own way to a place of business preferment, and while so doing has contributed materially to the advancement of the community through his business enterprise and his per- sonal public service.

Mr. Buchanan was born at Wintersville, Jefferson County, Ohio, June 10, 1869, a son of J. A. Buchanan. His grand- father, Ebenezer Buchanan, was born in Ohio County, West Virginia, and spent his life in this state and Pennsylvania in agricultural pursuits. J. A. Buchanan, also a native of Ohio County, passed his active life as a tiller of the soil with the exception of the three years he spent in the Union Army during the war between the states, when he was a private in Company D, Twelfth Regiment, West Virginia Infantry. He was wounded in the service, but recovered and returned safely to his home, where he resumed his farming operations. He made a decided success of his business affairs and is now living in comfortable retirement at St. Petersburg, West Virginia.

G. L. Buchanan received his education in the public schools and as a young man learned the trade of carpenter, a voca- tion at which he worked for about ten years. Coming to Holliday's Cove about 1899, during the following decade he built practically all the buildings erected at that time, and many evidences of his mechanical skill and sound work- manship are to be found still standing in this locality. In 1909 Mr. Buchanan founded the Cove Valley Lumber Com- pany and established a lumber yard, and this he conducted as a private enterprise until March 24, 1920, when the busi- ness was incorporated with a capital of $100,000, the officers being as follows: G. L. Buchanan, president; William I. Graham, a practical mechanic and foreman of the plant, vice president; and O. C. Talmann, secretary and treas- urer, all of these being active in the management and oper- ation of the business. The Board of Directors includes also Eric Stern, of East Liverpool; and Daniel F. Sheckler, of Holliday's Cove, assessor of Hancock County, also active in

the business. Recently there has been installed in the plant modern planing mill machinery for the manufacture of interior equipment, fittings and ornaments for buildings. The company acts as building contractor, furnishing any- thing required by architects' drawings in the way of build- ing materials, exterior or interior. At times fourteen or fifteen men are given employment, and the operations of the company have not been confined to Holliday's Cove, but have reached to Follansbee and other communities. The product includes all kinds of lumber, cement, lime, sewer pipe, etc. Mr. Buchanan has other business connections and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Weirton.

From the time that he arrived at Holliday's Cove Mr. Buchanan has been active in civic affairs. Not long after his arrival he was elected a member of the Village Council, a position which he held for a number of years, as he did also that of member of the Board of Education. He was also mayor of the city for two years, giving a very satisfactory administration, and was elected on the republican ticket as a member of the Board of County Commissioners. It was during his term that the first good roads movement in the county was put under way. With his family Mr. Buchanan belongs to the Presbyterian Church of Holliday 's Cove, and as a fraternalist he is a thirty-second degree Mason at Wheeling, a Blue Lodge Mason at New Cumber- land, and a member of Osiris Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.

Mr. Buchanan married at Holliday's Cove Miss Jessie I. Gilmore, daughter of J. R. Gilmore, who has followed carpentry all his life and is still a resident of Holliday's Cove. To Mr. and Mrs. Buchanan there have been born two daughters: Virginia, who is attending high school; and Evelyn, a student of the graded schools.

JAMES A. PURDY. One of the most active and progressive men of Holliday's Cove, James A. Purdy, has contributed to the growth and development of his community a sound business ability, high principles of business practice and commendable ideals of the responsibilities of good citizen- ship. During his career he has risen from small beginnings to a leading place among the men who have achievements to their credit, and at this time is senior partner of the prosperous general merchandise firm of Purdy & Marsh.

Mr. Purdy was born on a farm in the Holliday's Cove community, July 20, 1869, a son of James and Mary Jane (Knox) Purdy, the latter a native of the same community. James Purdy was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsyl- vania, and at the age of four years was brought to West Vir- ginia by his father, John Purdy, who was a cabinet-maker by trade, but who in 1824 purchased a farm on which he spent the remainder of his life in agricultural pursuits. James Purdy early took charge of the home farm in partner- ship with his brother, John Purdy, who later retired and went to Iowa, but James continued as a farmer, cattle grower and sheep breeder until his death at the age of ninety-one years. He was an active democrat in politics, was a great reader, and a man who was well and thoroughly posted on all worth-while subjects of the day. He kept open house, entertaining every traveler who visited the com- munity, and became widely known for his generous and kindly hospitality. His word was as good as his bond, and he was a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church at the Cove, of which his wife had become a charter member in her girlhood. She died at the age of fifty-two years, and was greatly mourned as a woman of many admirable characteristics and qualities of both mind and heart.

James A. Purdy bad to leave school as a lad in order to take charge of the home farm. His father had married very late in life, and as James was one of the younger children he was little more than a boy when he accepted the responsibilities of a man. With his younger sister, Saman- tha, as his housekeeper, he remained on the home farm until the death of his aged father, in the meantime having added the breeding of swine to the other activities of the farm and becoming widely known as a raiser of Berkshire hogs. Farming, however, he felt was not his forte, and when the elder man passed away and the estate was settled Mr. Purdy left the farm and became a clerk in a grocery store for

FOR That

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me winter. Subsequently he spent a few months in North- restern Idaho and then went on to the Pacific Coast, but n 1910 returned to Holliday's Cove, where he rented a store nd installed a general stock of merchandise. His original tock was valued at $1,700, but during the first year he had ales of $25,000. At the present time he carries a stock of $15,000, and does an annual business approximating ;160,000. He sells elose and depends on the volume of business for his profits, and this necessitates the employ- nent of six assistants. In 1914 he built the present build- ng, which he has since sold, being now a renter. In 1920 Jr. Purdy admitted to partnership G. H. Marsh, and the business has since been conducted under the firm style of Purdy & Marsh. Mr. Purdy was one of the original directors f the Bank of Weirton, and still holds a place on the board. "rom young manhood he has been interested and active in ivie affairs. While still residing on the farm he served as member of the School Board of Bertha District. After ocating at Holliday's Cove he was elected mayor, but re- igned from that office to act as a member of the Draft Board during the war period, having been appointed to hat position by Governor Cornwall. He has also served everal times as a member of the City Council. Fraternally e affiliates with the Knights of Pythias, and as a means f recreation enjoys the sports of fishing and horseback idiug. All in all, he is one of the most active and progres- ive men of the community comprising Holliday's Cove and Veirton.

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History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 3, Part 85

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