USA > West Virginia > Men of West Virginia Volume I > Part 23
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At the age of 21, after a few winter terms of school, he entered Eastman's Business College, having previously earned the means to do so. Three
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months later, circumstances had changed his ambition from a commer- cial career to the Gospel ministry ; and in the autumn of 1866 he entered Al- fred University, at Alfred, New York. He graduated from this institution in June, 1874, with the degree of A. B .. having completed the college and the theological courses within eight years. The same institution has since be- stowed upon him the title of A. M .. and D. D. Immediately after his grad- uation he began work as supply for the Pawcatuck Seventh Day Baptist Church at Westerly, Rhode Island, where he continued for a period of four months, during which time he not only made friends with all the church, but won the esteem of his colleagues in the churches of other denominations. By request of the church he was ordained to the Gospel ministry at the General Conference held that year in De Ruy- ter, New York, and on November I, 1874, he entered upon the pastoral care of the church at Mystic Bridge, Con- necticut. There he remained until No- vember, 1879, and it was during this pastorate that his powers as a temper- ance advocate were made manifest. On December 1, 1879, he became pastor of the church at Shiloh, New Jersey, where he continued until the close of November, 1890. In 1885 he was
made the prohibition candidate for State Senator, polled a strong vote, and did much to change public senti- ment. It was during his residence in Shiloh, in 1888, that he was bereft of his beloved wife.
On the last Sabbath in November, 1890, Dr. Gardiner began his labors as pastor of the Salem (West Virginia) Seventh Day Baptist Church, and for nearly two years his untiring work in this capacity resulted not only in the quickening of the spiritual interests and activities of the members of his own church, but his zeal and earnest- ness along all lines of life and growth in the community, especially education- al, causing an awakening which re- sulted in his later connection with Sa- lem College. Just here it might be best to make mention of this educa- tional institution which now ranks with the best in the State, graduates young men and women ready for the most ex- clusive colleges and sends them forth equipped physicially, mentally and mor- ally.
Salem College is located at Salem, on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, 14 miles from Clarksburg, 40 miles west of Grafton, and 68 miles east of Park- ersburg, in one of the most beautiful situations that could be conceived, com- bining as it does, natural scenery,
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bracing mountain air, and simple vil- lage surroundings, offering few out- side temptations. The college was or- ganized January 21, 1889, under a charter granted by the State, in ac- cordance with the requirements of the Seventh Day Baptist Educational Soci- ety. Although organized under the auspices of that denomination, yet peo- ple of all religious faiths joined in the enterprise, gave of their means, and fill places on the managing board and send their youth as students. The as- sociation of President Gardiner with this institution began in 1892, as suc- cessor to Prof. S. L. Mason. At this time the college was suffering from financial distress. Knowing the con- ditions and recognizing the need of the hour, Dr. Gardiner reluctantly took up this new work to which he has since devoted his life. Under his wise and efficient administration, the college has prospered beyond all expectations un- til today it stands upon a firmer basis than it ever did before. Its facilities have been enlarged, costly modern ap- paratus has been added, the faculty of seven members includes some of the most scholarly educators of the State, and the school has gained a deserved reputation for its thorough instruction as well as for its elevating influences.
In this wonderful prosperity Presi-
dent Gardiner has taken delight; but there are few who realize how much of it is the direct result of his personal efforts. His educational work extends beyond his own institution, and he is popular as a lecturer before institutes or other gatherings all over Central West Virginia. An extended trip through England, Germany, and France, on his way to Egypt and Pales- tine, but added to the attainments of this scholarly educator, still better fit- ting him for a position which, it is the hope af his many friends, pupils and admirers, he may long be spared to adorn.
REZIN WARFIELD HALL, M. D. REZIN WARFIELD HALL, M. D., a prominent physician and surgeon of Moundsville, Marshall County,
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West Virginia, was born November 6, 1844. in Carroll County, Maryland, and is a son of Capt. William and Rachel A. ( Mullineaux) Hall, both of whom were natives of Maryland.
Capt. William Hall was born in Montgomery or Carroll County, Mary- land, in 1821, and died in Marion County, West Virginia, December 10, 1872, at the age of 51 years. In early life he was a locomotive engineer, but in 1857 he embarked in a mercantile business at Rowlesburg, West Vir- ginia, in which he was engaged at the outbreak of the Civil War. His sym- pathies were with the Union, and in August, 1861, he testified to his loy- alty by enlisting in Company F, 6th Reg., West Virginia Vol. Inf., of which company he became captain and as such was mustered out of the ser- vice in 1865. Captain Hall partici- pated in the battles at Holly Meadows, Rowlesburg and St. George and was captured at the latter place, and after parole went to Camp Chase. In a rail- road collision, while engaged in taking his men to draw their pay, Captain Hall sustained a serious injury, which was the ultimate cause of his death. He was a member of the Masonic or- der for a long period and had served as master of the blue lodge, and former- ly had been an Odd Fellow. Captain
Hall was enthusiastic in the cause of temperance, and, as he was a fine ex- temporaneous speaker, often appeared on the platform. Prior to the war he had been a Democrat, but during and after the struggle between the States he was identified with the Repub- lican party. He was a man of prom- inence and was made treasurer of Mar- ion County previous to his death. The mother of Dr. Hall was born in Car- roll County, Maryland, and lived to the age of 75 years, passing away in February, 1900. The two children born to William Hall and his wife were: Rezin Warfield, the subject of this sketch; and William Henry, who is a merchant at Morgantown.
Dr. Hall received his early educa- tion at the Martinsburg Academy and the common schools of Preston Coun- ty and later graduated from the Ohio University at Columbus in 1867. In 1871 he entered the University of Maryland and graduated in medicine and surgery in 1874; beginning the practice of his profession at Manning- ton, West Virginia, he continued there until 1883, removing in that year to Moundsville. On April 1, 1862, he en- listed at Rowlesburg, West Virginia, in Company F, 6th Reg., West Vir- ginia Vol. Inf., under his father's com- mand, and in September, 1864, was
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made quartermaster-sergeant of the regiment and was mustered out at Cumberland, Maryland, on April 4, 1865. Dr. Hall did not entirely escape injury, receiving a wound in the right leg in a skirmish in Tucker County, West Virginia. Dr. Hall is a member of the Marshall and Wetzel Bi-County Medical Society, the West Virginia and American medical associations ; and the Baltimore & Ohio Association of Railway Surgeons, being a surgeon of this railrond and of the Ohio River Railroad. He is president of the board of pension examiners at Moundsville, West Virginia, and a member of the medical and surgical staff of Reynold's Memorial Hospital at Glendale, West Virginia. In 1869 Dr. Hall married Mary Ellen Erwin, who was a daugh- ter of Thomas and Rebecca (Dorsey) Erwin, and was born in Middlebourne, Tyler County, May 25, 1850, and died November 2, 1898, the mother of four children : Bertie Leona, born August 13, 1870, married William Warner, of Arkon, Ohio; Bell, born January 14, 1873, died August 31, 1874; Will- iam Edgar, born November 20, 1875, died May 5, 1881; and Evangeline, born July 26, 1878, the wife of Llew- ellyn R. Thomas of Arkon, Ohio. In politics Dr. Hall is a Republican. He is a Mason and a member of the Grand
Army of the Republic. He has been medical director of the Department of West Virginia G. A. R., for five years, and is still in that position.
OSGAR C. WILT.
OSCAR C. WILT, cashier of The Salem Bank, of Salem, West Virginia and president of the Salem Board of Trade, was born April 2, 1871, at Am- boy, Preston County, West Virginia, and is a son of David S. and Margaret (Conley) Wilt, both natives of Pres- ton County.
David S. Wilt is now engaged in farming at Amboy, Preston County, after a number of years of army ser- vice, both during the Civil War, and later on the Western plains. Early in life he was engaged in a cooperage
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business, but in 1861 he enlisted in Company E, 6th Reg., West Virginia Vol. Cav., and was made sergeant ; he participated in a number of hard fought battles, notably those of Rich Mountain and New Creek. His later service was against the Indians in the territory which was later set off as Wyoming, then a part of Dakota. His honorable service over, he returned to Preston County and now at the age of 62 years, is one of its esteemed cit- izens. The Wilt family is of German extraction and the first members of it to come to this country settled in Pennsylvania. Jacob Wilt, the grand- father of our subject, was the son of one of four settlers who located in the Old Dominion, near Aurora, then West Union, Preston County. They came soon after the close of the Revolu- tionary War and founded the Ger- man Lutheran Church at Aurora, which town was then known as Ger- man Settlement, and the centennial of the founding of this old place of wor- ship and the establishment of religious exercises took place in 1885. Jacob Wilt married Catherine Harsh, and he established a tavern on the crest of Cheat Mountain, on the old North- western Pike. On the maternal side, our subject comes of Irish extraction ; his mother's parents died when she
was very young. There are eight chil- dren in the family, and Oscar C. is the second member. The record is as follows : Cora, wife of Claud Pulliam of Amos, Marion County; Oscar C., and Lillie M., Bertha B., Elva C., Clin- ton O .. Lester and Paul, who live at home. Mr. Wilt was reared in his na- tive county of Preston and secured his education in the public schools and subsequently at a select normal school at Terra Alta, and began teaching in Preston County at the age of 18 years. This profession he followed for 10 years, during which time he filled a number of important positions, among them being member of Teachers' Ex- amining Board and County School Book Board, and also for a time prin- cipal of the Terra Alta High School. In the intervals of teaching, he engaged in surveying, mainly through Preston County. In 1891 he took a business course at the Mountain State Business College, at Parkersburg, and perfected himself in shorthand and typewriting. Soon after this he entered the Farmers" & Merchants' Bank, at Amos, West Virginia, as teller and bookkeeper, and 14 months later he accepted a similar position in The Salem Bank. Three months later he was made cashier of the Bank of Farmington, of Marion County, but one year later he returned
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to Salem as cashier of The Salem Bank.
On June 19, 1901, Mr. Wilt mar- ried Lulu Alice Lantz, daughter of John A. and Olive Virginia (Shaffer) Lantz, both natives of Preston Coun- ty, of German descent, and residents of Aurora. Fraternally Mr. Wilt be- longs to the Knights of Pythias and in that body is a grand vice-chancellor of the State of West Virginia. His busi- ness qualifications have been recog- nized by his appointment as president of the Salem Board of Trade.
CHARLES DORSEY SMITH.
CHARLES DORSEY SMITH, assistant prosecuting attorney of Tuck- er County, West Virginia, and a resi- dent of Parsons, was born in 1870, in
Montgomery County, Maryland, and is a son of Joseph R. and Margaret Ellen Hamilton (Gardiner) Smith, both of whom were also born in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Joseph R. Smith was for 24 years postmaster at Hyattstown, Maryland, serving until the first administration of President Cleveland, when he re- signed the office. During the Civil War he was in the government service, and has always been identified with the Republican party. His business is that of contracting. He is now 66 years of age, and resides in Baltimore. His wife, a daughter of John and Eliza- beth Gardiner, is now 65 years of age. Both parents of our subject are mem- bers of the Methodist Church. They had a family of three children born to them, our subject being the second; the others are : Walter G., a contractor of Baltimore; and Elizabeth R.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Smith is an able member of his pro- fession. His education was obtained in the district schools of his native county and in the Maryland State Nor- mal School at Baltimore, where he was graduated. In 1897 he entered Columbia University at Washington, D. C., and graduated in law in 1899 and in the same year was admitted to the bar, at Annapolis, Maryland, and
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at Philippi, West Virginia. Mr. Smith began the practice of his profession at Terra Alta, Preston County, West Vir- ginia, in 1899, where he remained until January 1, 1903, when he removed to Parsons and was appointed as assist- ant to Prosecuting Attorney W. G. Conley, of Tucker County. He has a very satisfying practice, both in Maryland and West Virginia, and is making his mark in his chosen pro- fession. He also gives some attention to the handling of real estate.
Mr. Smith is well equipped mental- ly, and has had educational training and experience that will prove of value in his profession. In 1892, after his graduation from the Maryland State Normal School, he was made principal of the Oakland ( Maryland) public schools, and the Summer Normal School, and retained that position for four years. After graduating in law he spent a short time as individual bookkeeper for the Garrett County Bank, now the Garrett National Bank. Thus it will be noted, he is not only proficient in the law, but is also well qualified in other directions. It may be safely predicted that success and honors await him in the future. In politics Mr. Smith is a stanch Republi- can. His religious connection is with the Methodist Church.
BISMARCK GILBERT MOORE.
BISMARCK GILBERT MOORE, who, as superintendent of the New Martinsville High School, takes a very prominent position as one of the State educators, was born in Proctor, Wet- zel County, West Virginia, October I, 1871.
Andrew Jackson Moore, his father, was born April 9, 1830, in Marshall County, Virginia, now West Virginia, and has carried on a mercantile busi- ness at Proctor for many years. At the age of 73 years he still resides there, although retired from activity. He is a leading member of the Chris- tian Church. In politics he is a Demo- crat, and he was the first treasurer of Wetzel County. He married Mary L. Martin, who was born January 19,
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1840, at Powhatan, Belmont County, Ohio, being a daughter of Gilbert Mar- tin. Mrs. Moore died August 28, 1901, at the age of 61 years. Her re- ligious connection was with the Bap- tist Church. Their two children were: Sue and Bismarck Gilbert.
Bismarck G. Moore was given a very liberal education and was thor- oughly trained for the profession. Af- ter completing the common school course in Wetzel County, he entered the West Virginia University, in 1891, and graduated there in 1898 from the classical department, receiving his de- gree of A. B. He then took a post- graduate course at Bethany College and was graduated there with the de- gree of A. M. At intervals during his collegiate course, Mr. Moore taught sessions of school, and after leaving college was made first assistant principle of the Ravenswood schools. From there he went to Riverview as principal and during the following year taught in Sistersville. In 1902 Professor Moore removed to New Martinsville and accepted the position of first assistant principal of the High School and six months later was made superintendent. Here he has under his care 600 pupils and 15 teachers. The building was erected in 1901, at a cost of $45.000, is a three-story pressed
brick structure, and contains 16 rooms and an auditorium seating 625 people. It reflects credit upon the public spirit and city pride of New Martinsville.
Professor Moore is widely known and highly esteemed. Some marked characteristics of the man are his en- thusiastic study of advanced methods and careful investigation of the new and old theories of his calling. He possesses the bright, trained intellect which is too often lamentably absent in educators. In politics he is a Demo- crat. Fraternally he is a Mason. He was commissioned captain in the West Virginia National Guards, June 9, 1898, by Governor George W. Atkin- Son.
HON. GIBSON LAMB CRAN- MER, whose name authenticates the journals of the important convention that met June 11, 1861, in Wheeling, as its clerk, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, February 20, 1826. His father was Dr. John Cranmer, who at the time of his death, during the cholera epidemic of 1833, was the oldest practicing physi- cian in Cincinnati, his death resulted from overwork during that scourge.
Judge Cranmer came to Wheeling at the age of 17 years and began the study of the law with his relative, Dan- iel Lamb, Esq. He remained in Wheel-
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ing for 18 months and then removed to Springfield, Illinois, where he formed a partnership with Antrim Campbell, Esq. He later entered into a partner- ship with James C. Conkling in the law and real estate business. He returned to Wheeling in 1850, a few months after his marriage, owing to the ill health of his wife. He was a member of the General Assembly of Virginia from Ohio County during the session of 1855-1856; was a delegate to the pre- liminary convention that met early in 1861 to consider the political situation in West Virginia, and was secretary of the same. He was made clerk of the subsequent convention that formally be- gan restorative legislation, and was clerk of the House of Delegates under the "Restored Government of Vir- ginia." He was president of the Antie- tam National Cemetery Association at the time that burial ground was turned over to the national government. He was judge of the Municipal Court of Wheeling for eight years, and practices in all the courts of Wheeling. Judge Cranmer possesses superior literary taste, and has written a large number of historical sketches and other newspaper and magazine articles that possess a high degree of merit both for the mat- ter they contain and the excellence of their composition.
May 22, 1849, Judge Cranmer was married to Oella Zane, a daughter of Daniel Zane, of Wheeling. Religiously, he is a member and ruling elder of the First Presbyterian Church.
EVERETT K. REEDY.
EVERETT K. REEDY, a promi- nent attorney of Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia, who since No- vember, 1902, has occupied the hon- orable position of assistant Attorney General of the State, was born April 28, 1872, in Grayson County, Virginia. He is a son of J. M. and Jane ( Peak) Reedy, both of whom were also born in the Old Dominion, and still reside there.
The life of the subject of this brief sketch during his minority was similar
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to that of other youths of his vicinity, attendance at school alternating with agricultural duties. He completed the common school course and later grad- uated from both High Point and Oak Hill academies. Before he was 20 years old he was successfully teaching school, which profession he followed after locating at Charleston, West Vir- ginia. There he engaged in the study of the law, which resulted in his ad- mission to the bar, in 1896. He im- mediately opened an office for prac- tice, but while waiting for clients en- gaged in reportorial work on the West V'irginia Herald. In 1900 Mr. Reedy was appointed deputy revenue collec- tor of the Sixth District of West Vir- ginia, under Governor A. B. White, then collector of internal revenue for the district of West Virginia, but a short time later he resigned the same to accept the chief clerkship in the office of the Secretary of State, under Hon. William M. O. Dawson. Later he filled a position in the United States marshal's office, but resigned this in order to pay closer attention to the demands of his profession. In No- vember, 1902, he was appointed assist- ant Attorney General of the State of West Virginia, under Hon. Romeo H. Freer, a position which his abilities made him eminently qualified to fill.
Mr. Reedy has been an influential member of the Republican party, all his active life, is an enthusiastic polit- ical speaker, and possesses many friends who predict a bright future for him. In every sense of the word, Mr. Reedy is a self-made man, owing his success and prominence entirely to his own efforts and natural ability.
CASSENA HERSCHEL ICE, M. D.
CASSENA HERSCHEL ICE, M. D., a well known physician of Man- nington, Marion County, and financial- ly connected with the Mannington Oil & Gas Company, was born in Man- nington district, Marion County, Vir- ginia, now West Virginia, in 1854, and is a son of Henry M. and Annara F. (Dent) Ice.
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His paternal ancestry was of Dutch origin : the great-great-grandfather, Frederick Ice (which is an abridge- ment of the original Eisler), emigrated from Amsterdam, Holland, in the early part of the 18th century, and settled near the mouth of Cheat River, in what is now Monongalia County, West Virginia; his oldest son, Adam Ice, our subject's great-grandfather, was the first white person born west of the Alleghany Mountains; his eldest son, Rawley Ice, grandfather of the Doctor, was one of the pioneer settlers of the western part of Marion County, where he resided for over 50 years, and where he died in 1875. Henry M. Ice, the father of our subject, was the third son of Rawley Ice.
Our subject's maternal ancestry was of English origin : the great-great- grandfather, Capt. John Dent, was an officer in the Revolutionary War, serv- ing throughout the entire period,-he lost a leg at the siege of Yorktown, but survived and lived several years thereafter. The grandfather, Dudley Dent, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and fought in the battle of New Orleans; he was also a soldier in the Mexican War.
Henry M. Ice was born in Man- nington district, Marion County, and died in August, 1892, at the age of 66
years. He was one of the survivors of the Civil War. In 1862 he enlisted in the 14th Reg., West Virginia Vol. Inf., as a private in Company H, but was immediately chosen captain, and served for two years and eight months. His term was cut short on account of serious wounds received in the vicinity of Winchester. He participated in the battles of Cloyd Mountain, Fisher's Hill, Carter's Farm, Winchester and others. His vocation was farming. In politics he was a Republican and in 1867 he served most efficiently as sher- iff of Marion County. The mother of Dr. Ice was born in Elizabeth, Wirt County, Virginia, now West Virginia, and now resides at Brown's Mills, Harrison County, West Virginia, at the age of 72 years. She is a devout member of the Baptist Church. The 12 children born to the parents of Dr. Ice were: Pliny W., Ulysses B., Cas- sena Herschel, Alva B., Deramus C., Palmyra Jane (Mrs. Perry Hall), Harlin M., Sidney Averill, Otis Hamp- den, Richard L., James Wirt, and Lena M. (Mrs. James Cunningham).
After completing his education in the common and high schools of his native locality, Dr. Ice engaged in teaching for seven years and then for IO years was occupied in building and contracting. He began to read medi-
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cine with Dr. Garrett of Grangeville, Marion County, whose death for a time interrupted our subject's medical studies, which he resumed with Dr. G. L. McIntirn of Grangeville, in 1884. In 1886 he entered the medical depart- ment of Wooster (Ohio) University and in the same year took the State examination in West Virginia and re- ceived a license to practice. He fol- lowed his profession in Tyler County, then in Grangeville and then went to Farmington, where he continued for IO years. In 1890 he entered the Uni- versity of Maryland at Baltimore, where he was graduated in medicine and surgery in 1891. In June, 1898, he removed from Farmington to Mannington, since which time he has very fairly divided practice with his brother physicians. Dr. Ice is a mem- ber of the West Virginia Medical As- sociation and for seven years was a member of the pension examining board. In business life, outside his profession, he is an oil producer of the Mannington Oil & Gas Company, which is operating in Ohio.
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