USA > West Virginia > Men of West Virginia Volume I > Part 30
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gaged in the mercantile business for himself at Gillespie's Mills, Braxton County, where he remained until 1872 when he removed to Sutton and con- tinued in the mercantile business until I891.
Mr. Hyer was candidate for the House of Delegates in 1882 and al- though the county was Democratic by over 1000 majority was defeated by only 115 votes. In 1892 he was on the Republican State ticket for auditor, and ran 214 votes ahead of the ticket in his own county. Mr. Hyer is recognized as one of the leading citizens of Brax- ton County and of the town of Sutton. He has served three times as the mayor of his town and has been president of the School Board for 20 years. He was a member of the board of directors of the Insane Asylum at Weston for five years and was elected president of the board three times. He is president of the Sutton Bank, of which he was the promoter, also being prominent in Ma- sonic circles.
Mr. Hyer was first married in 1878 to Laura Singleton of Braxton County, and three children were born to them. His second marriage occurred in 1886 to Mary C. Hawkins of Buckhannon, and to this union have been born three children. Mr. Hyer has one son at Poughkeepsie and one attending the
State University at Morgantown. Both of them are graduates of the Buckhan- non Conference Seminary.
Mr. Hyer is an extensive dealer in coal lands, in which he has been very successful, having amassed a large for- tune. He is a broad minded, public spirited man and is the leader in all pub- lic enterprises. Personally he is a whole-souled gentleman, plain and un- assuming. In his business relations he is affable and courteous.
W. T. S. ROBINSON.
W. T. S. ROBINSON, familiarly known as "Sherman" Robinson, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, was born at Grantsville, Calhoun County, West Virginia, September 4, 1870.
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His father, Francis Robinson, was one of the early settlers in that community and recently died at the ripe old age of 84 years.
Sherman Robinson's boyhood days were spent on his father's farm, where he was called upon to perform hard, manual labor, but even then he was noted for his studious habits. At the age of 16 he commenced to teach a public school and continued for five years, in the meantime putting in all his vacations in study of the law. In 1801 he was called to the bar, and en- gaged in the practice of law at Grants- ville, Calhoun County, West Virginia, and carly attracted attention by his abil- ity. In 1892 he was nominated for prosecuting attorney of Calhoun Coun- ty, but was defeated on account of the county being so largely Democratic. Early in 1892 he moved to Harris .. ville, Ritchie County, and formed a law partnership with Hon. Romeo H. Freer, which continues to the pres- ent time. Mr. Robinson has attained great success in his life work and en- joys not only a lucrative practice but also the confidence and esteem of his brother practitioners. Since 1896 he has had 25 cases before the Supreme Court of Appeals of the State. During the past five years his line of duty has made him the defender of seven clients
accused of murder, in the courts of Ritchie County, and he was enabled to clear two of these and to obtain light sentences for the others. He is a great student and always has been, and, al- though he had no scholastic advantages beyond the ordinary public school cur- riculum, he has attained a degree of learning that would do credit to a col- legian, and is fairly conversant with the Latin and Spanish tongues. His law library is one of the finest in the State, covering every branch of jurispru- dence.
On May 29, 1892, Mr. Robinson was married to Eva Chenoweth, who is a daughter of R. J. Chenoweth, of Minora, Calhoun County, West Vir- ginia, and two daughters have been born to this union.
Mr. Robinson is a believer in the principles of the Republican party, but the demands of his profession leave him no time for public office. In every re- spect he is a self-made man and he has attained his present honorable position in life through his own endeavors. He is of an attractive personality, genial and generous, and is justly popular in the community in which he lives.
GEORGE M. FORD, treasurer and superintendent of the Wheeling Hinge Company, Wheeling, West Vir-
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ginia, has been associated with that company for the past 30 years. He was born in Wheeling in 1860, and is a son of Thomas Ford. Thomas Ford was born in Scotland, and was a glass worker by trade. He settled in Pitts- burg, Pennsylvania, on coming to this country, and there worked at his trade. His wife is a native of Wheeling, and is still a resident of that city. Her mother died in 1889, at the advanced age of 90 years.
When George M. Ford was but nine years old he began work in the glass house. remaining there until he reached the age of 12 years. He then entered the employ of the Wheeling Hinge Company as a helper in the fac- tory. After some years he was pro- moted to the shipping room, and was worked in all of the departments. In this way he has been able to acquire a thorough knowledge of the business. Gradually he worked up until he was given charge of the shipping room, and he now has under his charge about eight of the foremen from various depart- ments.
This company manufactures a reg- ular line of heavy door hinges, many special hinges and such specialties as fire shovels. From three to four thou- sand gross of the handy fire shovels are sold annually. The frame buildings of
the factory have been replaced by the substantial brick ones which now stand at 19th and Jacob streets. About 70,- 000 feet of floor space are utilized by the plant. The regular line of goods is handled through jobbers, and the trav- eling salesmen employed by this firm work the United States from Maine to California. Mr. Ford has worked up in this business, and has a complete knowledge of every feature of it. He has been highly successful, and is what is termed a self-made man.
Mr. Ford married Fredricka Fador, who was born in Ohio County, and was educated at the Wesleyan Female In- stitute at Stanton. Two children have resulted from this union, namely : Mar- jorie, born September 7, 1892; and George M., born July 29, 1896. Polit- ically, Mr. Ford is a Republican, and was elected a member of the Board of Education in 1898 for a six-years term. He has been for 13 years a member of Nelson Lodge, No. 30, A. F. & A. M., of which he is past master. He is past high priest of Wheeling Union Chap- ter, No. I, R. A. M. ; captain general of Wheeling Commandery, No. I, K. T .; he also holds an office in the Consis- tory of West Virginia, No. I, A. & A. S. Rite. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. Mr. Ford was reared in the Methodist faith, but he and his family
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are now members of the Protesant Episcopal Church. Mr. Ford has many friends in Wheeling, where he is ac- tively interested in all public enter- prises.
ISAIAH BEE, M. D.
ISAIAH BEE, M. D., a promi- nent physician of Princeton, Mercer County, West Virginia, and an hon- ored and highly esteemed citizen, was born at Salem, Harrison County, Virginia, now West Virginia, Septem- ber 22, 1832, and is a son of Josiah and Priscilla ( Davis) Bee.
Dr. Bee was born in the house that had been the home of his ancestors for three generations and is a grandson of one Revolutionary soldier and a great-
grandson of two. His paternal grand- father, Asa Bee, was born in Glouces- ter County, New Jersey, and in 1815 removed to Preston County, Virginia, now West Virginia. His father, Josiah Bee, removed in 1835 to New Milton, Doddridge County, where he engaged in farming. His death oc- curred 13 years ago in Ritchie County, West Virginia. The maternal great- grandfather was William Davis, who served as a member of the bodyguard of General Washington, and with others of the patriot army suffered during the terrible winter of 1776-77, at Trenton, with frozen feet. Dr. Bee has one sister, Mrs. Mary L. Mere- dith, of Parkersburg, and four broth- ers, viz .: Jeremiah, of Lewis County ; Obadiah, of Ritchie County; Azariah, also of Ritchie County ; and Nehemiah of North Loup, Nebraska.
Dr. Bee was primarily educated in the common schools of Doddridge County, supplementing this with academic training at West Union and two years at the Northwestern Acad- emy, at Clarksburg. He then entered upon the study of medicine with Dr. James M. Lathrop, a physician of Massachusetts, then residing at Ritchie Court House. After two years of reading under Dr. Lathrop's supervis- ion, he attended medical lectures at
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Cleveland, Ohio, and in 1859 com- menced his practice at Ritchie Court House. The Civil War soon after disturbed his plans, and in June, 1861, he enlisted for service in Company C, 3Ist Regiment Infantry, C. S. A., and served as a private until September 3. 1862, when he was commissioned as- sistant surgeon of the 3Ist Regiment, acting in this capacity until February 7, 1863, when he was made surgeon, and was assigned to Jenkins' cavalry brigade until the close of the war. He served with distinction in the difficult positions assigned him, and, although slightly wounded upon several oc- casions, returned home in compara- tively good health.
On July 4, 1865, Dr. Bee located at Princeton, where he has been in continuous practice ever since, gaining the confidence of the public and the cordial friendship of a large circle of friends. His first public service since the war was when he was elected in October, 1871, from the then senator- ial district comprising Mercer, Mc- Dowell, Wyoming, Logan, Lincoln, Cabell, Wayne and Boone Counties, as a member of the Constitutional Con- vention which met in 1872 and framed the present West Virginia Constitu- tion. At this election, Dr. Bee re- ceived every vote that was cast in Mer-
cer, his own county, and in Wyoming and McDowell Counties. But few of the 65 members of this famous convention still survive. In 1880 he was elected as a Democratic member of the House of Delegates from Mer- cer County, and served four years con- tinuously and again from 1898 to 1900. He was a member of the State Board of Health in 1881; director of the State Penitentiary at Moundsville; regent of the State University from 1872 to 1877 and is probably better acquainted throughout the State than any other professional man. He owns several farms in Mercer County, one consisting of 400 acres of the original tract owned by the pioneer, Capt. William Smith.
Dr. Bee married Mrs. (Smith) Lacey of Fauquier County, Virginia, and their one son, Dr. Isaiah E., re- sides with them. Dr. Isaiah E. Bee is a graduate of the West Virginia State University and of the College of Phy- sicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, Maryland, in 1890. Since that time he has been engaged in practice at Princeton. In 1900 he married Kath- leen Nelms of Morristown, Tennessee.
Dr. Bee is attached to the Baptist Church, while Mrs. Bee belongs to the Protestant Episcopal Church. The family home is a beautiful residence in
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the suburbs of Princeton. Few citi- zens of Princeton enjoy more fully the respect and esteem of the community than does Dr. Isaiah Bee.
WILLIAM LEWIS WERNER, M. D.
WILLIAM LEWIS WERNER, M. D., president of the State Eclectic Medical Association, and president of the County Board of Health, is a highly regarded physician and citizen of Thomas, Tucker County, West Vir- ginia. Dr. Werner was born Novem- ber 27, 1878, at Eglon, Preston Coun- ty, West Virginia, and is a son of Andrew and Catherine (Roth) Wer- ner, both of whom are of German parentage. They reside at Eglon, the
father aged 63 years and the mother, 61 years.
Andrew Werner was born in Pennsylvania and by trade is a car- penter and contractor. He served during the Civil war in the Union Army. In politics Mr. Werner is a Republican, and fraternally he is an Odd Fellow. For 15 years he has been the proprietor of a summer resort hotel at Eglon. Both he and his wife belong to the English Lutheran Church. A family of nine children was born to them, and three sons and five daughters still survive.
Dr. Werner obtained his education in the common schools. He removed to Tucker County some 15 years ago and embarked in a mercantile business, but later removed to Gormania, West Virginia, where he continued in the same line for a time. In 1897 he en- tered the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, and there was graduated in April, 1901. At the end of his second collegiate year, he assisted Dr. B. Baker. at Thomas, and at the end of his third year in college was admitted to prac- tice in the State. In 1901 he returned to Thomas, where he had formed many pleasant friendships, and has continued in practice there to the present time.
Dr. Werner has been honored by
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election to the presidency of the State Eclectic Medical Association; is a member of the National Eclectic Medi- cal Association ; a member of the pen- sion examining board; and physician for the poor in Fairfax and Davies districts.
Dr. Werner was married Septem- ber 25, 1893, to Lucretia E. Chis- holm, who was born in Garrett County, Maryland, in 1876, and is a daughter of Alexander and Emily Chisholm. They have one daughter, Myrtle Lucille. Both Doctor and Mrs. Werner are members and liberal supporters of the Lutheran Church. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows.
THOMAS W. NESBITT, a mem- ber of the firm of Nesbitt & Brother, dealers in hardware at No. 1312 Market street, Wheeling, West Vir- ginia, has been located in that city since 1850. He was born near Bel- fast, Ireland, and is a son of John and Catherine (Montgomery) Nesbitt.
John Nesbitt died in Ireland, and his widow, in company with her chil- dren, set sail for America in 1850. She died at the beginning of the Civil War at the age of 65 years. The last piece of work to be made by her hands was
a beautiful flag of the Stars and Stripes. John Nesbitt and his wife reared six sons and three daughters, namely : James; Samuel; William; Thomas W .; Robert; David; Mrs. M. J. Tay- lor, who lives in Wheeling; Ann, de- ceased; and Mrs. Edward Reed, who died in 1900. The youngest member of the family now living is past 60 years of age.
Thomas W. Nesbitt, the subject of this sketch, was 16 years old when he came to this country. His brothers, Samuel and James, located in Wheel- ing prior to his locating there and are still residents of that city. James Nes- bitt is identified with the tube works, and Samuel is a retired blacksmith. Thomas W. Nesbitt and his brother Robert learned the trade of a tinner and the present firm of Nesbitt & Brother was established in 1858, and has since continued. Their first busi- ness was a tinshop in Wheeling, which they conducted seven years, then moved to the present location of the Franklin Insurance Company of Wheeling. The firm then removed to the place now oc- cupied by Jones & Brother, subsequent- ly locating on Main street. About 24 years ago they removed to their pres- ent place of business at No. 1312 Mark- et street. They erected a fine double building, of which one-half is occupied
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by the F. W. Baumer Co., dealers in pianos. The firm of Nesbitt & Brother carries a complete line of hardware, and employs six people in the retail de- partment of their establishment. The promptness and dispatch with which they transact all business and their courteous treatment of their patrons have resulted in the establishment of an extensive trade. The store is one of the largest and best equipped in the city, and Mr. Nesbitt and his brother, and son Herbert W., who is now a member of the firm of Nesbitt & Broth- er, have just cause to be proud of the success they have achieved.
Thomas W. Nesbitt was joined in marriage with Rebecca Watterson, a native of Wheeling, of Scotch-Irish de- scent. Three sons were born to them, namely : Herbert W., who married May Robinson, is in business with his father; Frank W., an attorney of Wheeling, West Virginia; and Dr. Robert Henry, a graduate of the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons of New York City, who died October 10, 1901.
Robert Nesbitt, brother of our sub- ject, was married October 6, 1898, to Mary McCrum and they reside at Leatherwood. Thomas W. Nesbitt is a Republican in politics. Religiously he is a member of the First United
Presbyterian Church. He has a very comfortable home at No. 114 14th street, Wheeling, where he is widely known.
GEN. J. A. J. LIGHTBURN.
GEN. J. A. J. LIGHTBURN .- The late distinguished Gen. J. A. J. Lightburn was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, in 1825, and moved from there to Weston, Virginia, now West Virginia, where he spent his early days on a farm. His education was received in the common schools of the county.
At the outbreak of the Mexican War, he enlisted, and served with dis- tinction through the years 1846 and 1847. At its close he returned to his home and engaged in milling and farm- ing, which he continued until the out-
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break of the Civil War. He was then appointed colonel of the 4th Regiment. Virginia Volunteers, by Governor Peirpoint. as shown in the following commission, which we are permitted to copy :
The Commonwealth of Virginia, to J. A. J. Lightburn, greeting :
Know You, That from special trust and confidence reposed in your fidelity, courage and good conduct, our GOVERNOR, in pursuance of the authority vested in him by the Consti- tution and Laws of this Commonwealth, doth Commission yon Colonel of the Fourth Regi- ment of Virginia Volunteers, in the Service of the United States, to rank as such from the 14th day of August, 1861.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name as Governor and caused the Seal of the Commonwealth to be affixed this 14th day of August, 1861.
F. H. PEIRPOINT, Governor. By the Governor : HENRY J. SAMUELS, Adjutant General.
After being appointed colonel, he was ordered to Charleston and en- gaged in the battles of Charleston and Gauley Bridge. He retreated from the Kanawha Valley to Ohio, saving the government supplies which consisted of a train of wagons seven miles in extent. After this he was sent to Vicksburg. under Gen. W. T. Sherman. He was a member of the Second Birgade Second Division, 15th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, which participated in the battles of Missionary Ridge, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Chicka- mauga and Jackson, Mississippi. These were among the hardest fought battles
of the war. After recovering from a wound received at Vicksburg, he was transferred to the Shenandoah Valley where he participated in numerous en- gagements. In 1863, President Lin- coln, recognizing the gallant conduct of Colonel Lightburn, commissioned him a brigadier general. and we have been favored with a copy of this val- uable and now historic document :
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
To all who shall see these presents, greet- ing :
Know Ye, That reposing special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity and abilities of J. A. J. Lightburn, I have nominated and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate do appoint him Briga- dier General of Volunteers in the Service of the United States; to rank as such from the 14th day of March, 1863. He is therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of Brigadier General by doing and perform- ing all manner of things thereunto belonging, and I do strictly charge and require all offi- cers and soldiers under his command to be obedient to his orders as Brigadier General, and he is to observe and follow such orders and directions from time to time as he shall receive from me or the future President of the United States of America or the general or other superior officers set over him ac- cording to the rules and discipline of War. This commission to continue in force during the pleasure of the President of the United States for the time being.
GIVEN under my hand at the city of Wash- ington this sixteenth day of March in the year of Our Lord 1863 and in the Eighty-Seventh Year of the Independence of the United States. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. By the President : EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
What a host of memories this time- faded document brings back ! .
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General Lightburn served gallant- ly throughout the war, engaging in such sanguinary conflicts as the battle of Shiloh, Fort Donelson, Nashville, Chattanooga, Vicksburg and many others, earning mention in the mem- oirs of General Grant, on account of his bravery. He resigned as briga- died general on June 22, 1865. As a token of the high esteem in which he was held by his countrymen, the people of Lewis County presented him with a beautiful and costly sword, which he valued above price and left to his SO11.
After the return of peace, Gen- eral Lightburn returned home and en- tered the ministry in which he labored until his death, which occurred May 18, 1900. His last years were quiet and peaceful. He never ceased to mourn the death of his old-time friend and neighbor, "Stonewall" Jackson. Five children survived him, namely : L. G. and Johanna E., who reside on the old farm place; Mary R .; B. W., who is a prominent attorney of Kansas City; and Horace W., who is one of the representative business men of Weston. At the recent election Horace W. Lightburn was elected to the office of county clerk and is a young man of sterling qualities and worthy of his distinguished father.
HON. CHARLES E. WELLS.
HON. CHARLES E. WELLS, ex-United States marshal, and a promi- nent merchant of Glover's Gap, Mar- ion County, West Virginia, was born at Fairmont, Virginia, now West Vir- ginia, June 28, 1846. He is a son of John E. and Matilda (Morris) Wells, both of whom were born in Monon- galia County, of Revolutionary stock.
John E. Wells was for a long per- iod a merchant at Glover's Gap, and there his death occurred, in 1875. His widow still survives, at the advanced age of 87 years. She is a mother in Israel, having been a devoted member of the Methodist Church for many years.
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Charles E. Wells attended private and subscription schools in his locality. When but 18 years of age he enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Company K, 17th Reg., West Virginia Vol. Inf., and continued with it in all its campaigns until the close of the war. Upon his return home, he accepted a position with the Chicago & North- Western Railway Company, in Iowa, and later, in Missouri, but not finding the work congenial returned to West Virginia and embarked in a mercantile business in which he has prospered ever since. Mr. Wells is interested also in other enterprises, owns and op- erates a flouring mill at Glover's Gap, and is a director in and vice-president of the Exchange Bank of Mannington, West Virginia.
Mr. Wells was elected a member of the West Virginia Legislature in 1876, and was re-elected in 1880. On March 10, 1896 he was appointed United States marshal, and during his administration many improvements were inaugurated, which placed the office in a first class condition. He es- tablished a system of work which was adopted by the United States govern- ment, and is now used in many of the offices of the country. Mr. Wells is a man of much executive ability, and
is a loyal supporter of the Democratic party.
Mr. Wells was married on Febru- ary 2, 1875, to Mary A. Hood, who was born in Marion County, Virginia, now West Virginia, and who died Oc- tober 8, 1894. Fraternally he belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and to the various branches of Masonry, including the 32nd degree. . He is one of the most prominent and substantial citizens of Glover's Gap.
JOHN COOPER.
EDWARD COOPER, vice-presi- dent of two of the greatest industries of West Virginia, the Mill Creek and
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Coaldale coal and coke companies, and one of the most enterprising and suc- cessful young men of the Flat-Top coal district, also a graduate and for- mer practitioner of law, was born in 1873 in Pennsylvania. He was given excellent educational advantages and graduated in law in 1894 at Washing- ton and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia. John Cooper, the father of our subject, was one of the most promi- nent men of the Flat-Top coal region for many years; his widow, who is a lady of English birth, is a resident of Coopers, West Virginia. The children of John Cooper and wife were the fol- lowing: Edward, of this sketch; Thomas, who is president and general manager of the Mill Creek Coal & Coke Company; Annie C., who is the wife of W. H. Thomas of Columbus, Ohio, a member of the Thomas Coal Company, operating on Crane Creek ; Sallie, who is the wife of Rev. C. R. Brown, a minister in the Methodist Church, now stationed at Tazewell, Virginia; Emma, who is the wife of Dr. D. H. Thomas, of Nashville, Ten- nessee, also of the Thomas Coal Com- pany and now opening new mines in Tennessee; Mary, who is the wife of James Shanklin of Cincinnati, a manu- facturer of tobacco novelties; and Kate, who is the wife of James F.
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