History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 3, Part 96

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Mr. Stewart was first elected State Commissioner of Agri- culture in 1916 and was reelected in 1920. In hoth elec- tions he was on the republican ticket, and in the primaries and in the general election he received the highest vote ever accorded in West Virginia.

Under Mr. Stewart the Department of Agriculture has become one of the most vitally important and valuable in

the state government. It comprises a number of bureaus and sub-divisions, each under the direction of a specialist, and in the aggregate it is performing work of genuine and lasting benefit not only for every interest that can be grouped under the general head of agriculture but for the welfare of the state as a whole. Some of the effective lines of its service includes the spreading of knowledge among farmers and stock raisers as to the best means of increasing crop yields, getting rid of blights and insect pests, grading up cattle and livestock, and teaching effi- ciency and business methods in farm management. Under this department cattle are being tested out in West Vir- ginia at a lower cost per animal corresponding with the efficiency of results that any other state in the Union ex- cept Iowa. The department has done a great work in eradicating tuberculosis, and another source of valuable service is the promotion and supervision of agricultural fairs.

Mr. Stewart is also a member of the Board of Public Works in West Virginia, and a member of the Budget Committee which makes up the appropriations for the state. During the war with Germany the work of his department was given over almost entirely to measures leading to the winning of the war. Mr. Stewart was a member of the State Council of Defense, and accepted as his special province all questions relating to increased food production and conservation of food supplies.

While his official residence is in Charleston, Mr. Stewart retains his home at Morgantown, and he also keeps in close touch with the management of his old home estate on the Kanawha. This comprises several hundred acres of fine agricultural and horticultural lands, and its several units combine to make it one of the model farms and orchards of West Virginia. An important feature of this estate is the famous James H. Stewart apple orchard, one of the largest and most successful orchards in West Vir- ginia.

Mr. Stewart married Miss Minnie Louise Vance, and they have one son, James Vance Stewart.

JOHN L. RHEA, JR. The life of John L. Rbea has been passed at Flatwoods, where he was born, and for over twenty-one years he has been one of its most enterprising and successful merchants. His interests are all centered here, and he is proud of the place and his connection with it. His birth occurred January 7, 1875, and he is a son of Dr. John L. and Sallie B. (MeLaughlin) Rhea. The latter was a daughter of Col. Addison MeLaughlin, now deceased, who represented Braxton and Nicholas counties in the West Virginia State Assembly when the capital of the Con- federacy was at Richmond. For many years he was a prominent attorney. Dr. Jolin L. Rhea was reared at West- minster, Maryland, was educated in the Baltimore School of Medicine, and after his graduation he engaged in the practice of his profession at Flatwoods. He was also a member and local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. His death occurred in 1883. Two of his five sons survive, namely : his namesake son and Stephen A.

John L. Rhea, Jr., attended the common schools of Flat- woods, and from his youth has been a good business man. In addition to his large store he owns a farm adjacent to Flatwoods and a large amount of stock in an oil and gas well. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Frater- nally he belongs to Sutton Lodge No. 21, A. F. and A. M .; Sutton Chapter No. 29, R. A. M .; Sutton Commandery No. 16, K. T., and has been advanced in the Scottish Rite at Wheeling, West Virginia, and he also belongs to Osiris Temple, Mystic Shrine, of Wheeling. For a number of years he has been one of the leaders of the local democratic party, was elected several times on his party ticket as mayor of Flatwoods, in 1913 represented Braxton County in the State Assembly, and while in the Legislature par- ticipated in the securing of some very constructive legisla- tion.

In 1902 Mr. Rhea married Rebecca E. Floyd, who was born in Doddridge County, West Virginia, but was brought to Flatwoods in her girlhood, and here attended the common

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schools. Mr. and Mrs. Rhea have three children, namely : Sallie A., who is the wife of II. C. Hiveley ; and Clara E. and Howard W., both of whom are in school.

RALPH T. ARMSTRONG, D. D. S. Dependable, highly trained and enthusiastic with reference to his profession, Dr. Ralph T. Armstrong is one of the leading dental sur- geons of Braxton County, and is enjoying a large practice from the people of Gassaway and its vicinity. He was born at Sutton, West Virginia, July 25, 1886, a son of Cornelius and Elizabeth J. (Traxell) Armstrong, both natives of Braxton County. He died in May, 1911, but she survives and is still residing at Sutton, maintaining her membership with the Baptist Church of that city, to which her husband also belonged. In politics he was a democrat. They had four sons and two daughters, namely: W. L., who is an attorney practicing at the bar of Sutton; G. B., who is a graduated attorney, is now engaged in merchandising: Mary L., who is a business college graduate, is living at home; Jessie M., who is also a business college graduate, is the wife of P. H. Murphy, an attorney of Charleston; Doctor Armstrong, whose name heads this review; and A. P., who is a physician of Sutton and Morgantown.

Doctor Armstrong attended the West Virginia State Uni- versity, and is a graduate of the Cincinnati Ohio, College of Dental Surgery. For some four years he traveled about, working at his profession, but in 1915 settled permanently at Gassaway, where he has built up very desirable connec- tions and won proper appreciation from his patients.

In 1912 Doctor Armstrong married lda E. Cool, of Webster County, West Virginia, and they have two daugh- ters, Lucile and Louise. Mrs. Armstrong is a member of the Baptist Church, and active in church work. Doctor Armstrong belongs to the Loyal Order of Moose. While he has never cared to enter politics, he has always given a conscientious attention to civic matters, and voted the democratie tieket. He is a man of broad outlook on life, and not only is a skilled dental surgeon, but a highly edu- cated gentleman and public-spirited citizen and one who is anxious to give his community the benefit of his knowledge and experience. Both he and his wife are popular, and are the center of a congenial social circle.

CLINTON W. FLESHER. In the profession of law in Brax- ton County a name that has become well known and that is invariably identified with legal ability and personal probity is that of Clinton W. Flesher, a successful practi- tioner of Gassaway. During his career Mr. Flesher has been a teacher and has had experience in the field of insur- ance writing, and while his prosperity has been gained in his present calling, a part of that prosperity is probably dne to the experience gained through his connection with the other vocations mentioned.

Mr. Flesher was horn in Pleasants County, West Virginia, September 10, 1870, and is a son of Crayton and Harriet R. (Taylor) Flesher. His father was born in Lewis County, West Virginia, in 1841, a son of Isaac Flesher, the latter also born in Lewis County, in 1810. Adam Flesher, the father of Isaac, was born in Lewis County, in 1754, at Weston (then called Fleshersville in honor of the family). he being the son of Henry Flesher, who was born in Eng- land and immigrated to America when a boy, settling at Weston. Henry Flesher settled as a pioneer in Lewis County, where he huilt a fort on the site of Weston as a protection against the savages in 1730, but in spite of this precaution he and his family were surprised and all slangh- ered later by the hostiles with the exception of the mother ind one son. Adam, who managed to make their escape to The distant fort at the point now known as Janelew.

Crayton Flesher grew to maturity in his home community, where he received his education in the public schools, and as youth learned the trade of carpenter, which he was fol- owing at Parkersburg as an apprentice at the time of the outbreak of the war between the North and the South. He nlisted in the Union army and served bravely 'with an nfantry regiment of volunteers until the close of the war, it which time he returned to Pleasants County and resumed is trade, which he followed with success until his death,

October 1, 1879, when his son was only nine years of age. His widow still survives him at an advanced age, being a resident of Williamstown, West Virginia. They became the parents of six sons, as follows: Clinton W., of this notice; Harry E., a graduate of the State Normal School at Fairmont, and now superintendent of the Industrial School for Boys at Pruntytown; T. Earl, who is engaged in agricultural operations in the vicinity of Fleming, Ohio; Forest F., who is engaged in the contracting business in Oklahoma; Okey J., who is following the machinist's trade at Jackson, Michigan; and Crayton, Jr., who is deceased.

Clinton W. Flesher was reared on a farm in Pleasants County, West Virginia, and received his early education in the graded schools. Later he pursued a course at the normal school at Fairmont, West Virginia, from which he was gradnated in 1894, and for ten years thereafter taught school, his last work as an educator being in the office of superintendent of the city schools of Elkins, this state. During this time Mr. Flesher studied law, and, having been admitted to the bar, applied himself to the practice of his calling and the writing of insurance at Knoxville, Tennessee. In 1905 he came to Gassaway, where he has since been en- gaged in the practice of his vocation, with a constantly increasing practice. In September, 1916, Mr. Flesher was appointed referee in bankruptcy by Judge Benjamin F. Keller, and has served in that capacity to the present time. In the ranks of his profession he is held in high esteem, and his official record has always been an excellent one.

On September 1, 1896, Mr. Flesher was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary E. Powell, who was educated in the public schools of Elkins, West Virginia, where prior to her marriage she was engaged in teaching. To this union there have come two children. Lucille, born July 1, 1899, is a graduate of the high school at Buckhannon, and at present is a senior at Goucher College at Baltimore, Maryland. Clinton Wellrose, Jr., born December 16, 1905, is a fresh- man at the West Virginia University. Mr. and Mrs. Flesher are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Flesher was president of the Conference Laymen's Association from 1907 to 1919. He was a delegate to the general conference in 1912, 1916 and 1920. He has also served as a member of the Board of Sunday Schools and is a member of the executive committee of the International Sunday School Association. Mr. Flesher is a member of Bright Hope Lodge No. 557, F. and A. M., at Knoxville, of which he is a past master, is a thirty-second degree Mason, and belongs to Osiris Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Wheeling, West Virginia, in all of which he has numerous friends. His business interests are numerous and important, and he is nearly as well known as a capable business man as he is as a skilled and industrious attorney. He is a stockholder in the Gassaway Development Company and the Gassaway Pharmacy, and is owner of the Flesher Building, in which the postoffice is situated. He is counsel for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, the Gassaway Development Company, Standard & Company and the J. C. Penoyer Company, and represents R. G. Dun and other agencies. He and Mrs. Flesher belong to the Order of the Eastern Star, and Mr. Flesher is also a member of the Knights of Pythias.

LAWRENCE ARTHUR JARRETT, M. D. The medical frater- nity of Braxton County contains in its membership men who by reason of their knowledge and attainments form a repre- sentative hody of careful, learned and skillful physicians and surgeons, and among them one who has won deserved standing and patronage is Dr. Lawrence Arthur Jarrett. Engaged in practice at Gassaway since 1913, he has won his way into the confidence of a large practice and at the same time has merited the appreciation of his fellow- practitioners.

Doctor Jarrett was born at Jarrett's Ford (now Elk View), Kanawha County, West Virginia, February 1, 1880, and is a son of John T. and Cynthia E. (Copenhaver) Jarrett. His father was born in the same county and state, October 12, 1848, while Mrs. Jarrett was born in November, 1853, at Copenhaver Mills, Kanawha County, and both are now residents of Charleston, West Virginia. John T.

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Jarrett was educated in the public schools, while his wife had a similar education, and following their marriage they settled down to farming in Kanawha County, where they resided until about 1898. At that time they disposed of their agricultural holdings and moved to Charleston, where Mr. Jarrett engaged in the lumber business. In this, as in his farming ventures, he proved successful, and at present he and his wife are living in comfortable retirement. Mrs. Jarrett is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the work of which she is active. He belongs to the Iude- Lendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Improved Order of Red Men, and as a democrat wields some influence in his community, where he formerly served one term in the ca- pacity of deputy sheriff. He and his worthy wife became the parents of five children: Elvin L., a graduate of the Charleston High School, who is now an engineer in the service of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company; Dr. Lawrence Arthur, of this review; Erna M., the wife of John M. Nichols; Forrest L., a graduate of the common schools, who is a conductor in the service of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company; and Clara M., the wife of C. O. Reveal.

Lawrence Arthur Jarrett was reared on his father's farm and attended the country schools as well as the Charleston High School. Later he pursued a course at the Capital City Commercial College, which prepared him for a business career, and for three years he was employed as a book- keeper. From youth, however, he had possessed a predilec- tion for the medical profession, and finally, finding that a business life was not congenial, he entered the Kentucky University at Lexington, subsequently pursuing a course in the medical department of the University of Louisville. Thus prepared, he entered upon the practice of his profes- sion at Swiss, where he remained for three years, and in 1913 came to Gassaway, where he opened an office and where he has remained ever since, in the enjoyment of a con- stantly inereasing practice. Doctor Jarrett has built up a reputation as a skilled and sympathetic physician, a close and careful student and a talented and steady-banded sur- geon, one who gains and holds the confidence of his patients and the esteem and respect of his fellow-practitioners. He is a member of the Kanawha Medieal Society, the West Virginia Medical Society and the American Medical Asso- eiation. He has been successful in a material way, and is a director in the Farmers and Mechanics Bank of Gassaway and a number of other business enterprises. In politics he votes the democratic tieket. Fraternally he is affiliated with Clay County Lodge No. 97, A. F. and A. M .; Tyran Chapter No. 13, R. A. M .; Kanawha Commandery No. 4, K. T .; and Beni-Kedem Shrine at Charleston.

In 1907 Doetor Jarrett was united in marriage with Miss Mary Elizabeth Tallman, an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They are the parents of two children: John T., born March 13, 1910; and Virginia .E., born June 3, 1912.

CARROLL LEWIS VICKERS. There is a class of men who, in their own communities, are naturally accorded leadership in public and private enterprises. This sovereignty is con- ferred by popular recognition of superlative ability. Varied talents adapt these few men to captain enterprises of a varied nature. In this class is found Carroll Lewis Vickers, a civil and mining engineer of Huntington, who has won a high place in his profession and has contributed to the success of various enterprises. Mr. Viekers was born at Madison, Boone County, West Virginia, December 3, 1882, and is a son of Lewis F. and Alice T. (Powell) Vickers.

John Viekers, the grandfather of Carroll Lewis Vickers, was born in Virginia, and died in Boone County, Virginia (now West Virginia), in 1845. He came to the Kanawha Valley when he was still a young man, and later hecame a pioneer into Boone County, where he engaged in agricultural operations and became an extensive and prosperous agricul- turist. He married a Miss Cunningham, who was born in Virginia and died in what is now Boone County, this state.

Lewis F. Viekers was born September 10, 1837, in Boone County, where he was reared, educated and married. As a

young man he became one of the pioncer school teaebers of the rural distriets, and later was elected and served two terms in the capacity of county superintendent of schools. Continuing in this calling, he became one of the dis- tinguished educators of the state, and when he retired, in 1901, went to his pleasant home at Madison, West Virginia, where he now lives. Mr. Vickers is a stanch democrat, and during the early days served as deputy sheriff and deputy County Court clerk of Boone County. He is a veteran of the war between the states, in which he fought as a soldier of the Confederacy, serving through the entire struggle as a member of the Thirty-sixth Regiment, Virginia Volunteer Infantry. He participated in the battle of Winchester, was at Fort Donelson, and took part in many lesser engagements and skirmishes. In the battle of Cloyd's Mountain, Vir- ginia, he was wounded severely, being shot through the face and right arm. His commanding officers were General Me- Causland, of West Virginia, and Gens. John C. Breekinridge and John B. Floyd. Mr. Viekers married Miss Alice T. Powell, who was born in 1854, at Madison, Virginia (now West Virginia), and died at Madison in 1905. They became the parents of the following children: A son who died in infancy; John, who met death in an accident when only five years of age; and Carroll Lewis.

Carroll Lewis Viekers attended the public schools at Madison, West Virginia, but the greater part of his instruc- tion was given him by his father, under whom he received a splendid preparatory education. He left public school at the age of twenty years and pursued a business course af the Massey Business College, Richmond, Virginia, from which he was graduated in 1902. It was at that time that he took up engineering, subseribing to a course in civil en gineering with the International Correspondence school of Seranton, Pennsylvania. He graduated in 1906, but in the meanwhile had started getting the practical experience as & rodman with the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad in 1904, and continued with them until 1907. From 1907 to 1909 he was employed by the Jefferson Coal Company of Cleveland, Ohio as an engineer, and was next with the United States Coa and Oil Company of Holdeu, West Virginia, from 1909 te 1911, in the capacity of assistant engineer. His next posi tion was that of chief engineer for the Yawkey & Freeman Coal Company and the Big Creek Development Company with headquarters at New York City, the- metropolis being the scene of his activities until 1916, when he formed partnership with G. K. Allman at Huntington, the firm styl being Allman & Vickers, civil and mining engineers. Thi association was dissolved by Mr. Allman's death in May 1921, at which time Mr. Viekers took over Mr. Allman' interests. He has continued to carry on the business on hi own account, and has built up one of the largest and mos substantial enterprises of its kind in the State of Wes Pritehard Building. Huntington. Mr. Viekers is secretar Virginia. His offices are situated at 1005-6-7 Robson and treasurer of the Goodby branch of the By-Product Coal Company of Huntington, with mines at Chapmanville Logan County.

In his political faith Mr. Vickers is a democrat, and hi religious connection is with the Johnson Memorial Church Methodist Episcopal, South, of Huntington. As a frater nalist he holds membership in Smithfield Lodge No. 182, A F. and A. M., Smithfield, Ohio; Huntington Lodge of Per fection No. 4; Knights of Rose Croix Chapter No. 4, Hun ington; West Virginia Consistory No. 1, Wheeling, thirty second degree; Beni-Kedem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S Charleston; the National Masonic Club, of Wheeling Masonie Club, of Huntington; Huntington Chapter No. O. E. S .; and Huntington Lodge No. 313, B. P. O. E. H is the owner of a modern and attractive residence 809 Lincoln Place, Huntington, and a 200-aere farmi i

Boone County, this state.

On September 25, 1903, at Madison, West Virginia, M Viekers was united in marriage with Miss Hattie M. Hage daughter of John B. and Mary (Cook) Hager, the latter ( whom is now deceased. Mr. Hager is one of the prominer attorneys practicing at the Madison bar. Mrs. Vickers die in February, 1921, leaving three children: Clifford S., bor

6 L Vickers

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July 21, 1905, a student at the Huntington High School; Paul C., born September 8, 1914, who is attending the graded school; and Ruth, born February 21, 1917.

JOHN W. SMITH, M. D., is one of the honored and de- pendable members of the medical fraternity of Braxton County, and for some years he has been engaged in a gen- eral practice at Gassaway, although calls are made upon his skill from a large outside territory. He was born in Roane County, West Virginia, December 29, 1872, a son of W. R. T. and Catherine Jarvis Smith, who are now residents of Spencer, Virginia. And W. R. T. Smith was born in Barbour County, West Virginia, June 10, 1846, while his wife was born in Calhoun County, West Virginia, June 14, 1855. He was reared on a farm, and his educational training was confined to the instruction he received in the common schools, but for a time he was a teacher in the country schools. After their marriage he and his wife settled on a farm in Roane County, and lived on it until in 1913 they moved to Spencer, their present home. She is an Adventist. He is a republican. They are the parents of four children, namely: Doctor Smith, who is the eldest; Dora, who is the wife of C. C. Fruell; Lisette, who is the wife of S. E. Steele; and Waitman T., who is a physician and surgeon of Glenville, West Virginia.

Doctor Smith attended the common schools, the West Vir- ginia State Normal School at Huntington, and the Barnes Medical College of St. Louis, Missouri, leaving the latter after two years and completing his medical studies in the medical department of the University of the South at Se- wanee, Tennessee, from which he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Subsequently he took two post-graduate courses in New York City. Following his graduation Doctor Smith located at Rosedale, Braxton County, and practiced there for seventeen years, leaving it n 1918 to come to Gassaway. For a number of years he has maintained membership with the Braxton County Medical Society. He is a Mason and belongs to Gassaway Lodge No. 133, A. F. and A. M., and he also belongs to the Chapter and Commandery of his order. In politics he is a repub- ican. He is president of the Farmers and Mechanics Bank of Gassaway, and interested in a number of enterprises at Gassaway and Braxton County, including some very valu- ible farm land. A man of energy and possessing natural ind carefully trained abilities, he is one of the most active 'orces for advancement in this part of the county, and lis efforts are always put forth for constructive measures.

In 1900 Doctor Smith married Miss May Trout, of Roane County, West Virginia. She left him one child, Hallie, at er death in 1906. In 1909 Doctor Smith married Miss Hay Stalnaker, of Calhoun County, West Virginia, and to his uniou two children have been born, J. Wesley and Emma Lucile.

WILLIAM H. LEE. All honorable success is based upon a lefinite aim in life and persisteney of purpose in a given ourse. It is the man who does the work nearest at hand nd whose industry leaves him no idle, wasteful moments cho deserves the honor and respect of his fellow men. That nen do not find the niche for which they consider them- elves fitted is largely due to their inability to fit them- elves for those places which they could occupy with profit nd honor. Tracing the lives of prominent men in the usiness world, it is easy to see that progressive characters ave never lacked opportunities, and that opportunities have ot signified so much as the man. In the case of William I. Lee, a prominent and prosperous hardware dealer of button, he has created his own opportunities and has worked is way along a definite channel to prosperity and position. Mr. Lee was born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, October 21, 1860, a son of Hugh and Phoebe G. (Averill) ee. His father was born in Washington County, Penn- ylvania, in 1816, and was reared in his native state, where e acquired a public school education. When still a youth e began to clerk in a general store at Cross Creek, Penn- ylvania, then entering the wool and oil business at Pitts- urgh, and finally embarking in the coal business, with hich he continued to be identified until his death in 1885.

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History of West Virginia old and new, Volume 3, Part 96

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