USA > West Virginia > Men of West Virginia Volume I > Part 11
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L. R. Via is a self-made man, hav- ing educated himself by his own earn- ings and labor. Early sensible of the necessities of a thorough education, he entered William and Mary College of Virginia in 1890, and by dint of hard labor and practicing rigid econ- omy he completed his collegiate edu- cation in 1895, with the degree of Master of Arts. At Georgetown Uni- versity in 1897 the degree of LL. B. was conferred upon him. The Colum- bian University conferred the degree of LL. M. upon him in 1898; and in 1899 the same great institution con- ferred upon him the degree of M. Dip. (Master of Diplomacy), and on May 29, 1900, he was awarded the degree of D. C. L. (Doctor of Civil Law). Mr. Via was employed in the Federal government service at Washington, D.
C., as law clerk in the Interior Depart- ment from 1897 to October, 1900. He was admitted to the bar in the District of Columbia, September 19, 1898. He began the practice of his profession at Parkersburg, West Virginia, January I, 1901, and was joined by Mr. Dodge in the following November.
Mr. Via married Lillie M. Osburne of Leesburg, Virginia, and they have one little daughter, Gladys Adelia. In religious faith Mr. Via inclines to the Methodist Church, and Mrs. Via is an Episcopalian. Politically, Mr. Via is a Democrat, and has the reputation for being a great orator and a fluent and eloquent debator. During the cam- paign of 1900, Mr. Via travelled about 8,000 miles under the direction of the National Democratic Committee, and made 159 speeches at as many different points. He is a firm believer in Dem- ocratic doctrines and will make many sacrifices of time and money to aid in their maintenance.
GEORGE K. WHEAT, for many years one of the foremost business men of Wheeling, West Virginia, is presi- dent of the Suburban Brick Company, which was incorporated December 29, 1898, by George O. Robinson, George K. Wheat. E. H. Carpenter and E. B.
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Bowie. A. A. Wheat has since acquired the interest of Mr. Robinson, and is treasurer of the company. B. F. Hodgman is secretary. The company owns five brick plants, in one of which Mr. Wheat was largely interested be- fore the incorporation of the company. The office is in the National Exchange Bank Building, and the plants located at Mount de Chantal, Martin's Ferry, Bellaire, Georgetown and Moundsville. In the plants are employed from 250 to 300 men, and the combined annual ca- pacity is 20,000,000 bricks.
George K. Wheat is a son of James M. and Martha (Brewer) Wheat. James M. Wheat was born in Alexan- dria, Virginia, in 1800, the family hav- ing been established in the United States some time in the latter part of the 18th century. The family was prominently identified with the business and social interests of the community in which they lived, being merchants in Alexandria. James M. Wheat moved to Wheeling with his family in 1832, in an old style, square, Jersey wagon, drawn by one horse, and became a win- dow-glass manufacturer, a line of busi- ness in which our subject was employed when a boy. He married Martha Brewer at Berkeley Springs, in what was then Berkeley County, Virginia, now Morgan County, West Virginia.
Their children were: Joseph Edward; George K .; Eliza Salina; Hanson Bradley; Jesse S .; Mary Virginia; Adeline Lambert; James Muliken ; and Lydia Hart.
George K. Wheat was born at Berkeley Springs, January 25, 1825, and moved with his parents to Wheel- ing in July, 1832. He was educated in different schools in the city and at Lan- casterian Academy, which was taught by Professor McBurney on the ground floor of the Fourth Street Methodist Episcopal Church, and in the school taught by Professors Rutter and Smith at 14th and Chapline streets. In 1837, his father, who was a tanner by trade, removed his family to Ritchie district, where he established a tannery. George K. Wheat engaged in various pursuits until 1844, when he entered the employ of J. & T. Hornbrook, dealers in no- tions, remaining with them until 1848. As salary, the first year he received $50, the second year $75, and the third year $100. The fourth year he was engaged at $500 per year, which was considered a very liberal salary at that day. In 1849 the firm dissolved part- nership and the stock was sold to the firm of Wheat & Chapline, a partner- ship which existed until 1855, when it was terminated by the death of Mr. Chapline. Mr. Wheat then purchased
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the outstanding interest in the firm and continued the business until January I, 1889. While in the employ of the Hornbrooks he made several trips to Louisville on flatboats, carrying mer- chandise to that point, and subse- quently made two trips to Cincinnati for the firm of Wheat & Chapline. He made the first trip in 1852, disposed of his stock and while making arrange- ments for his return, the steamer "Lake Erie," which had been used to tow boats from Rochester, Pennsyl- vania, to Pittsburg, arrived at Cincin- nati with two barges, each loaded with 5,000 bushels of coal, the first coal towed down the river by steamboat. Instead of selling his flatboat, as was necessary on his previous trips, he paid the captain of the "Lake Erie" $75 to tow his boat back to Wheeling.
The pottery business, now one of the chief industries of Wheeling, was brought to the city through the efforts of Mr. Wheat. The prosperity of the industry at East Liverpool, Ohio, struck him forcibly and he became in- terested in it, immediately beginning to lay plans for the establishment of a pot- tery in Wheeling. As a result the Wheeling Pottery Company was estab- lished in November, 1879, and proved an immense success. The success of this experiment prompted others to
embark in that line of business, and at the present time there are a number of large plants here and many small ones, the most important being the Warwick China Company and the Wheeling Pot- tery Company.
Mr. Wheat is a stockholder in the Benwood Iron Company, the Wheel- ing Iron & Nail Company, of which he is also a director, the Belmont Iron Works, and the Wheeling Steel Plant, of which he is a director. He estab- lished the Wheeling Deposit Bank, which was merged into the First Na- tional Bank of Wheeling in April, 1864, and was president of both banks. He now has in his possession a $Io bank note, bearing his signature and the date of 1864, which was in circula- tion until recently, when it was noticed and presented to him by a friend. He was a founder and stockholder in the Wheeling Fire & Marine Insurance Company, the Franklin Insurance Company and the National Insurance Company. He has always been inter- ested in the oil business, and was one of the capitalists who sank the well on the National Road near the "S" Bridge. He was also interested in the Belmont oil fields.
June 6, 1855, Mr. Wheat married Fanny J. Doane, and they have the fol- lowing children : Henry Lawson ; Kate
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Doane; George K., Jr .; Albert Allan ; Archie Lawrence; Frank Renick; and Fanny Josephine. He attends the Methodist Episcopal Church. His present home was originally the North- western Bank Building, at No. 909 Main street.
HON. JOHN J. DAVIS.
HON. JOHN J. DAVIS, a very prominent member of the West Vir- ginia, twice a member of the State Legislature and twice a Representative in Congress, was born May 5, 1835, in Clarksburg. Virginia, now West Virginia. He is a son of John Davis and a grandson of Caleb Davis, the latter of whom was born in Oldtown, Maryland. The grandfather's family
consisted of four daughters and two sons, John and Rezin.
John Davis, the father of Hon. John J. Davis, was born in Woodstock, Virginia, and in his youth came to Clarksburg, about 1825, and learned the saddlery business with Col. Charles Lee, who was an uncle of the distin- guished Judge Lee, of the Supreme Court of Virginia, and who later be- came our subject's preceptor in his study of the law. When Colonel Lee went to serve in the War of 1812, he placed John Davis in charge of his business. Mr. Davis and his brother later engaged in a general store busi- ness, in connection with saddlery, and one of their commodities was rock oil, which was gathered with blankets from the surface of Hughes River and the streams of the locality. Mr. Davis died December 9, 1863. He was twice married, his second wife, the mother of our subject, being Eliza Arnold Steen, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of James and Jane (Small) Steen, both of whom were Scotch-Irish and Presby- terians, and were born in the province of Ulster, Ireland, whence they emi- grated to America. Mrs. Davis was a lady of education, a pioneer school teacher in Harrison County. Three of their family of seven children still
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survive, namely: Rezin C., a lawyer at Louisville, Kentucky; Anna E., the widow of R. A. Blackford, of New York City; and Hon. John J., of Clarksburg.
The well known subject of these lines was reared in Clarksburg and was educated at the Northwestern Virginia Academy, a school noted for the high standard of its scholarship. At the age of 17 he entered upon the study of the law under Judge George H. Lee, and also attended the law school con- ducted by John W. Brackenborough, at Lexington, Virginia, and at the ex- tremely early age of 20 years was ad- mitted to practice. A few years later, in 1861, his ability had secured his election to the State Legislature, at Richmond, but the division of the State sent him to the legislative body at Wheeling. In 1868 he was re-elected to the Legislature, and his career was approved by his Democratic constitu- ents by his election to the 42nd Con- gress and a second election, to the 43rd Congress. Mr. Davis has been a very useful member of his party and his ad- minstration of the duties of his posi- tion have gained him justifiable promi- nence and very general esteem. He was twice an elector on the Presidential ticket (Democratic)-once when Mc-
Clellan was the Democratic candidate, and afterwards when Grover Cleve- land was the nominee.
With small exception, Mr. Davis has conducted alone a large and lucra- tive law practice until the admission of his son, John W. Davis, to partnership. He has been identified with many pub- lic movements and benevolent associa- tions. During the last term of Presi- dent Cleveland he was honored by be- ing made a member of the board of visitors to the United States Military Academy at West Point; he was a member of the board of regents of the University of West Virginia; and was one of the directors of the Insane Hos- pital. Since the age of 21 when he entered Herman Lodge, No. 98, he has been a Mason, and has held prominent official positions in the order.
On August 21, 1862, Mr. Davis married Anna Kennedy, of Baltimore, Maryland, and the children of the un- ion have been as follows: Lillie (Mrs. John A. Preston), of Lewisburg; Em- ma; Anna ( Mrs. Rev. H. L. Richard- son), of Clarksburg; Moselle, who died in infancy ; John W., an attorney ; and Estelle, who died at the age of six years. Mr. Davis is an elder in the Southern Presbyterian Church, to which the family belongs.
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WALTER BRUCE NUTTER.
WALTER BRUCE NUTTER, prosecuting attorney of Upshur Coun- ty, West Virginia, and one of the rapidly rising members of the bar, was born in Ritchie County, near Harris- ville, in 1869, and is a son of Thomas S. Nutter, who was also a native of this State and served with distinction in the Civil War.
W. B. Nutter's boyhood days were spent on the farm, and he obtained his preparatory education in the public schools. At an early age he com- menced to teach school and he followed this profession for a considerable per- iod, securing thus the funds with which to take a course in the State Normal School at Glenville. From that school he graduated with credit. In 1891
he moved to Buckhannon, Upshur County, and entered a planing mill where he worked through the summer seasons and taught school in the winter time. In 1892 he entered the law office of C. C. Higginbotham, where he remained two years and then was admitted to the bar. In 1896 he was a candidate in the Republican primary for the office of prosecuting attorney of Upshur County, and, in spite of the fact that he was then a poor, compara- tively unknown struggling young law- yer, he was defeated by only 72 votes.
From 1896 to 1900 Mr. Nutter taught in the public schools of Buck- hannon and was the principal of the Academy building, in the meantime keeping up a law practice and continu- ally adding to his personal friends. In 1900 he was nominated for prosecut- ing attorney in the Republican primary and was elected by an overwhelming majority. This office Mr. Nutter still holds, and his administration of its duties meets with general commenda- tion. His connections are growing to be of a more substantial nature every year, while his place with his brother attorneys is one of high esteem.
Mr. Nutter believes in the prin- ciples of the Republican party and is a strong advocate of its measures. He is a man of very pleasing personality
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and impresses the stranger as one who combines great ability with still great- er force of character. It is an en- couragement to others, to witness the success which has come to the farm lad in comparatively so few years, on account of his own persistent efforts.
Mr. Nutter ascribes much of his success in life, such as it is, to his mother whose influence and training in early life gave him right and correct ideals.
JOHN H. HOLT.
JOHN H. HOLT, one of the best known men in West Virginia, a member of the law firm of Campbell, Holt & Duncan of Huntington, attorney for the Norfolk & Western Railway Com- pany, and a leading Democrat politi-
cian, was born at Sutton, Braxton County, Virginia, now West Virginia, August 10, 1860. He is a son of Judge Homar A. and Mary A. (Byrne) Holt, the former of whom was judge of the Circuit Court of West Virginia for 16 years and for six years was judge of the Supreme Court of Appeals of the State. Mrs. Holt was born in what is now the State of West Virginia and is a sister of Col. B. W. Byrne, former State superintendent of free schools of West Virginia.
Mr. Holt passed his boyhood at- tending the local schools, and subse- quently took a course of two years at Randolph-Macon College, Virginia, supplementing this with a course of general history, literature, rhetoric and belles-letters, at the University of Vir- ginia. He then studied law one year with his father, after which he took the summer course at the University of Virginia under Dr. John B. Minor, au- thor of "Minor's Institutes." This was followed by a law course at Georgetown University. District of Columbia, where he was graduated with the de- gree of LL. B. To thoroughly equip himself on every point, Mr. Holt then took the post-graduate course of law at Yale, graduating with the degree of Master of Laws.
After this comprehensive study of
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law and jurisprudence in the highest centers of learning in the land, Mr. Holt located for practice in partnership with M. T. Frame, at Wheeling, West Virginia, where he spent three years. In the early part of 1890 he removed to Huntington, forming a law partner- ship with C. W. Campbell, and there has since continued in active practice, in both Federal and State Courts. It has been his fortune to be connected with many very important cases in the course of his practice, and his success has been marked. He is a student still and his reputation is that of a lawyer of ability and a counsellor whose ad- vice may be followed.
On the retirement of his father from the Supreme Court of Appeals, our subject was nominated in 1896 by the Democratic State Convention to succeed him, but was defeated, al- though running some 2,000 votes ahead of the State ticket. He has al- ways been a consistent supporter of Democratic policies, principles and can- didates, and has been a recognized leader. In 1900 he was nominated at Parkersburg by the Democratic State Convention for the office of governor, but was again defeated, this time also running ahead of his ticket.
In 1886, at Wheeling, Mr. Holt was united in marriage with Effie
Ewing, daughter of James Dallas Ewing, a member of the bar of West Virginia. The four children born to this union bear the names of Homer, Dorcas, Helen and Klea.
JOHN LEE HARNE.
JOHN LEE HARNE, cashier of the First National Bank of New Mar- tinsville, Wetzel County, West Vir- ginia, and one of the town's leading and influential citizens, was born in 1864, in Washington County, Mary- land. He is a son of Andrew Jackson and Magdalene ( Bear) Harne.
Andrew Jackson Harne has spent his life at Oakland, Maryland, where he still resides, at the age of 71 years. For a long period he has been a court official. The mother of our subject was also a native of Washington Coun-
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ty, Maryland, where she died in 1869. at the age of 31 years. The children born to these parents were: Laura, Thomas, Elizabeth (Mrs. Samuel Lawton). John Lee, and Airie and Cletis, deceased.
John Lee Harne received his edu- cation in the common schools of Wash- ington and Garrett counties, Maryland, and after completing his education went into the mercantile business with his father and also spent some time in the post office at Oakland and offici- ated as assistant postmaster at Moun- tain Lake Park, having full charge of the office for several years, during the summer seasons. After a season spent at Roanoke, Virginia, Mr. Harne came to West Virginia in 1892 and located at Fairmont as ticket agent for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, where he remained for 15 months, and then went to Clarksburg as bookkeeper for the Traders' National Bank. In addition to his work as bookkeeper, Mr. Harne was the secretary and treas- urer of the Pinnickinnick Coal Com- pany, one of the largest coal companies then in the State. He was also treas- urer of the Home Builders' Building & Loan Association, treasurer of the Chamber of Commerce and treasurer of the Traders' Company, all of Clarks- burg. He remained at Clarksburg un-
til February, 1898, when he went to Middlebourne, where he established the Bank of Middlebourne and continued its cashier until April 1, 1900, at which time he accepted the position he has held ever since of cashier of the First National Bank of New Martinsville. It is a matter of pride with Mr. Harne that he was elected to this responsible position entirely on his own merits, as he had no acquaintance with any of the stockholders, and since his associa- tion with the bank it has become one of the leading banking institutions in his section of the State.
Mr. Harne has had and still has financial interests in numerous success- ful enterprises; he was a member of the Co-operative Oil & Gas Company, and its treasurer; a member of the Pittsburg & Mapleton Coal & Coke Company and its secretary; also a member of the West Virginia Monu- mental Company of New Martinsville and its treasurer ; and is a very active and useful member of the Board of Trade of New Martinsville, being its secretary.
In 1897 Mr. Harne married Eula Jennings, who was born in Danville, Virginia, in 1874, and is a daughter of Meredith H. and Mattie Jennings. Three children have been born to this union : Virginia, Jennings Sands, and
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Eula Lee. Mrs. Harne belongs to the Baptist Church. In social life Mr. Harne is a member of the Knights of Pythias. Like his father, he has al- ways been identified with the Demo- cratic party. The family is prominent socially.
EDGAR MALCOLM LEWIS.
EDGAR MALCOLM LEWIS, one of the most prominent and sub- stantial citizens of Moundsville, Mar- shall County, West Virginia, was born at Benwood, Marshall County, August 25. 1859. He was educated at Mount Union College, in Ohio, and was en- gaged in business at Benwood from 1883 to 1890. Mr. Lewis was first elected clerk of the County Court of Marshall County in 1890 by a major-
ity of 423, and was re-elected in 1896 by a majority of 1.427.
Mr. Lewis was the originator and one of the promoters of the Mounds- ville, Benwood & Wheeling Railroad, which proved to be one of the most suc- cessful street railway enterprises in the country. He was also one of the pro- moters of the Moundsville Water Works and has always shown a deep interest in the progress and material development of his section. He is a man of literary tastes and possesses one of the largest and most complete private libraries in the State.
C. L. TOPPING.
C. L. TOPPING, assistant clerk of the House of Delegates of West Virginia, and the popular proprietor of the Hotel Washburn, at Charleston,
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Kanawha County, was born July 15, 1867, at Cheshire, Ohio, and is a son of J. W. and Anna E. ( Hampton) Topping, both of whom were born in Ohio. The Topping family is of Scotch-Irish extraction, and was first established in the United States in Rensselaer County, New York. J. W. Topping has served as a railroad con- tractor during the greater part of his life. During the Civil War he served four years in the Union army, belong- ing to that detachment of the 36th Ohio Regiment, known as the "Blazer Scouts," under the command of Capt. Richard Blazer, which was sent out to effect the capture of Captain Mosby.
Assistant Clerk Topping was edu- cated in the public schools and at Shel- ton College, a Baptist educational in- stitution which was formerly located at St. Albans, West Virginia. After completing his education, he engaged with his father in railroad contracting for some five years, and was then em- ployed as gang foreman in the govern- ment improvement work on the Great Kanawha River, and later was made superintendent of the work at Lock No. 8, completing his work in three years. Mr. Topping then removed to the capital city and since that time has been very prominently identified with politics. In the spring of 1895 he was
elected city clerk of Charleston by a majority of 236 votes, being one of the two Republicans elected, for at this time the city was Democratic. His popularity increased during his official life, and in 1897 he was given the Re -- publican nomination for mayor and was defeated by but 26 votes, after a hot contest. Immediately after this, he was appointed clerk of the West Virginia Hospital for the Insane, at Weston, where he most efficiently dis- charged his duties. During his four- year term of office he gave the utmost satisfaction and added to his popular- ity. It was during his residence at Weston that he was made secretary of the convention that nominated the pres- ent administration. During that cam- paign his important services to his party were recognized by his appoint- ment by the chairman of the Repub- lican State Committee, to the position of assistant secretary. Mr. Topping resigned his clerkship at the Hospital for the Insane in order to become chief clerk in the State Treasurer's office at Charleston and later resigned that re- sponsible position to accept the office of assistant clerk of the House of Delegates.
Mr. Topping possesses qualifica- tions and is gaining experience which will doubtless rebound to his own po-
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litical success and to the advancement of his party's interests. He has seen much of public life, and is a keen judge of men and affairs. Genial and af- fable, he makes friends on every side and is justly regarded as one of the coming men in West Virginia politics.
HON. T. L. HENRITZE, at one time judge on the Criminal bench for McDowell County, is one of the best known lawyers of that section of West Virginia. He was at one time counsel for many large corporations in the Fiat-Top coal field, and has been identi- fied with many of the important cases litigated in that community. Judge Henritze was born at Marion, Smyth County, Virginia, in 1849, and is a son of William Henritze.
His father was a tinner by trade and died in 1879 at an advanced age. He served for three years and four months in the Confederate Army during the Civil War, and participated in many important engagements, among them the battles of Missionary Ridge and Chickamauga. He was with the army of General Johnston at Resaca, Georgia, at which place he was captured by the Federals and remained a prisoner until the close of the war. The Henritze family, which was originally from Hol-
land, upon coming to this country set- tled in Berks county, Pennsylvania. William Henritze resided in Smyth, Pulaski and Wythe counties, Virginia. He married a Miss Nunn, who was of Irish extraction and who lived until 1887. Six children were born to bless their union, our subject being the only one located in West Virginia.
T. L .. Henritze was reared and edu- cated in Smyth County, Virginia, and was prepared for the legal profession by reading in the office of Judge Isaac Hudson, late judge of the Pulaski County Court. He was admitted to the bar of that county in 1878, and there- after moved to Giles County, where he engaged in practice. He came to West Virginia in January, 1886, locating in Bramwell, and acted as attorney for the early coal operators in the Flat-Top field. He formed a partnership with M. H. Haythe, of Lynchburg, Virginia, now of New York City, and they con- tinued together until 1890. In that year Mr. Henritze became associated in practice with Judge B. F. Keller, now judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, with whom he continued until 1893. He was then appointed to the Criminal bench of McDowell Coun- ty by Governor McCorkle, and served most ably for a period of two years. He
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