USA > West Virginia > Men of West Virginia Volume II > Part 17
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S. C. BEARD, M. D.
S. C. BEARD, M. D., a prominent physician and well known citizen of Lewisburg, Greenbrier County, West Virginia, was born on a farm north of that city some four miles, on October 3, 1831, and is a son of Christopher and Miriam ( McNeel) Beard, both na- tives of Virginia.
In tracing the early history of the
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ancestors of Dr. Beard on both pa- ternal and maternal sides, the biog- rapher finds material for many pages of interesting matter, for the Beards and McNeels, with their forebears, have been prominently identified with the settlement and development of Greenbrier and adjacent counties from early days.
John Beard, the great-grandfather of Dr. Beard, was of Scotch-Irish ex- traction, and made his first home in America in Pennsylvania, but later re- moved to Augusta County, Virginia, and from there to Greenbrier County, his advent antedating the Revolution- ary War period. He was a man of bold, adventurous spirit, and his cour- age was frequently needed in his con- tests with the Indians, his success in subduing them and regaining his prop- erty when they stole it making him famous as an Indian fighter. He mar- ried a member of the Wallace family and they reared a family, their son Samuel being the grandfather of our subject.
Samuel Beard became a prominent man in Greenbrier County, where he was born after the family removed from Augusta County. He was a large farmer and twice served as high sheriff of Greenbrier County, under the law making the senior magistrate oc-
cupy that office. He married Mar- garet Walkup, a native of Lexington, Virginia. She lived to a great age, and Samuel himself attained the age of 80 years, dying in 1848. They reared a family of five children.
Christopher Beard, the father of Dr. Beard, was born April 1, 1798, in Greenbrier County, and through life followed agricultural pursuits. He was of a quiet, thrifty nature and took no very active interest in public mat- ters beyond performing his duties as a citizen. He died August 2, 1840, after a brief illness, at the age of 42. His widow survived until 1888, dying at the age of 82 years. She was a daugh- ter of Abraham McNeel and his wife, who was a Miss Bridger. Abraham McNeel was born in Pocahontas County, Virginia, now West Virginia, and died there at the age of 55 years, having been married three times. Abraham McNeel was a son of John McNeel, who was born in Ireland and came to America as an immigrant to Maryland. It is related of John Mc- Neel that on one occasion, in a slight altercation, lie struck a fellow work- man with a hand spike, and, thinking that he had unwittingly struck a fatal blow, started into the woods of Poca- hontas County and hid himself in those wilds for some two years. By chance
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he met a Maryland acquaintance, who gave him the glad news that his sup- posed victim was not only alive and well but had helped him in "log-roll- ing" that very day. Mr. McNeel then returned to Maryland and there mar- ried Martha Davis, a lady of Welsh extraction. She was a zealous Meth- odist, a convert of Wesley, founder of the faith, and it was through her in- fluence that her husband later erected the first log cabin for religious wor- ship west of the Alleghany Mountains. After their marriage John McNeel and his wife moved to Pocahontas County and made their home in the woods near this early church, which in later years became the home of the noted Meth- odist divine, Bishop Asbury. At the time of settlement, the McNeels had no near neighbors and the Indians were still very troublesome. It is related as an example of the heroism of Mrs. Mc- Necl that upon one occasion, while Mr. McNeel was on the border fighting In- dians, a little babe was born, which died in its lonely mother's arms, and that it was her sad necessity to dig its shallow little grave and lay it to rest under the big trees, with no one to as- sist or comfort her. The spot hal- lowed by that lonely little tomb has been the burying ground of the Mc- Neel family ever since, and it is situ-
ated near Hillsboro. Mr. McNeel be- came a very wealthy man for that time and prominent in local affairs.
Dr. Beard was the older of the two sons born to his parents, his brother, John Abraham, dying September 10, 1861. The latter had served as lieu- tenant of a company in the Confed- erate Army until disabled by illness, and at his death his command met and passed resolutions of regret and ex- pressed their admiration of his char- acter. Dr. Beard spent his early years on a farm and attended the Lewisburg schools. In 1853 he graduated at the University of Virginia and secured his medical degree, later taking post-grad- uate courses and attending college lec- tures. He followed his profession at Blue Sulphur Springs, Greenbrier County, for seven years, but when the war broke out he returned to his mother to protect her property and to operate her farm. Although never officially connected with the army, Dr. Beard saw so much experience during the progress of the war, and so frequently gave his services, that he really was one of the most valued physicians and surgeons of the Confederate Army in that part of the State. He continued his private practice, which was of the most arduous description, covering so large a territory, but was never too
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tired or too busy to fail to respond when he could help or alleviate the pain of a soldier, for whom he always entertained the deepest sympathy. He always carried the countersign and no face was more welcome to the lads in gray than was that of this kind, help- ful, skilled physician, although his services were freely rendered.
On December 12, 1855, Dr. Beard was united in marriage to Estaline M. Hamilton, who was born near Blue Sulphur Springs, Virginia, now West Virginia, and is a daughter of Jacob and Delilah (Jarrett) Hamilton. Ja- cob Hamilton was a native of Green- brier County and was born and reared on the farm where he died in April, 1877, aged 82 years, his wife having passed away in 1851. Jacob Hamilton was a son of William Hamilton, who in the early Revolutionary period came alone to Western Virginia, his only tool being an axe. He cleared a spot of ground and built a cabin and lived alone in the wilderness until other set- tlers came and then removed to Muddy Creek, Greenbrier County. His first neighbor there was Col. John Stewart, whom he met when out hunting, and these two headed the line of settlers in Greenbrier County, long prior to the Indian massacre. Mr. Hamilton was
a brave Indian fighter and appears in history as such.
Dr. and Mrs. Beard have had a family of seven children, namely: Dr. Walter C., of Alderson, Monroe Coun- ty, West Virginia; Lillian H., who lives at home ; Delilah, who died at the age of 20 months; Margaret, who died at the age of 12 years; Philip, who died at the age of 23 years ; Samuel, who resides on the old homestead; and Emma W., who lives at home. Dr. Beard and family belong to the Meth- odist Church. He is a valued member of the West Virginia Medical Associ- ation. His early practice entailed a daily ride, on some days of 60 miles, and still absorbs his whole time. He says he has never found time for a va- cation. He is well known through many counties and enjoys warm friends in all. In politics he has al- ways been identified with the Demo- cratic party.
JOHN WRIGHT, who is retired from active business, still retains his interest in the LaBelle Iron Works, and is a well known citizen of Wheel- ing, West Virginia.
Mr. Wright was born at Pittsburg in 1824, and is a son of Thomas
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Wright, with whom he worked as en- gineer in Shoenberger's Mill at Pitts- burg until 1849, when he removed to Wheeling, where he has since been lo- cated. He was engineer at the starting of the Belmont Mill, and continued thus until 1852, when, in the fall of the year, he took charge of the engines of the La Belle Iron Works. He remained with this concern until 1876, since which time he has lived practically in retirement, retaining, however, his iron and steel interests.
John Wright was united in mar- riage. in the spring of 1852, with Eleanor Madden, who was born and reared in Wheeling. They became the parents of seven children, namely : Mrs. Anna Hugus; Elizabeth, who is at home; Ella, wife of Cecil Robinson; William, deceased; John E., president of the LaBelle Iron Works; Maggie (Taylor), who resides at Wheeling ; and Carrie May, who was recently married to Thomas Stewart, and also resides in Wheeling. John Wright has always been a Republican. Mrs. Wright belongs to the First United Presbyterian Church.
ALEXANDER O. MAXWELL, who has been a resident of Wheeling, West Virginia, since 1869, is secretary of the Bloch Brothers Tobacco Com."
pany and a prominent member of the Board of Education of that city. He was born in Ohio County, Virginia, now West Virginia, 10 miles from Wheeling, in 1858. He is a son of John D. Maxwell, and grandson of Thomas and Sarah ( Steele) Maxwell, of Scotch-Irish descent; the former died in 1854, and the latter, in 1872.
Thomas Maxwell was born at the Redstone settlement in Pennsylvania, and removed to Ohio County, Virginia, now West Virginia with his father. They located on a farm 12 miles east of Wheeling, which property still re- mains in the possession of the family. Farming was the chief pursuit of the family up to that time. Thomas and Sarah Maxwell had eight children, as follows: John D .; Hester, deceased; Sarah Jane; Margaret Ann; Rachel Amanda; Elizabeth, deceased; Robert M. ; and T. T. All the surviving mem- bers of the family reside in Ohio County, with the exception of Sarah Jane, who is a resident of Beaver County, Pennsylvania.
John D. Maxwell was born in Ohio County, August 8, 1816, and was reared on the farm on which he re- mained until he arrived at maturity. At the age of about 25 years, he at- tended the academy at West Alexan- der, Pennsylvania, in charge of Rev.
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Dr. McCluskey, a Presbyterian min- ister, cotemporary with Dr. Hupp, of Wheeling. He became proficient in Latin and Greek and familiar with the sciences, during his course of four years. Upon leaving school, he taught for six months at Triadelphia, and during the three succeeding years taught a select school five miles from Wheeling. He then taught for seven seasons near his old home and Valley Grove. Two years later, he was mar- ried and then opened a merchandise store at Triadelphia, and later at Roney's Point, where he conducted business about two years. He then sold out and took charge of his father's farm, which he succeeded in clearing of a previously incurred indebtedness. He removed to Wheeling in the fall of 1869, and in 1871 rented the stock yards of the Baltimore & Ohio Rail- road at Bellaire, and conducted them for about seven months. During 1858 and 1859, he had served as deputy sheriff under Samuel Irwin, and under an act of the Legislature was appointed in 1867 by Governor Boreman a com- missioner for the equalization of lands -representing the First Senatorial District, which included Brooke, Han- cock and Ohio counties. The work occupied the commission for nearly a year. Mr. Maxwell was special deputy
United States marshal under Hegeman Slack, of Charleston, for 12 years or until the early "eighties," since which time he has lived practically a retired life. Although 85 years of age, he is most active and hearty, and resides at No. 25 South Penn street, on the Isl- and. He was united in marriage with Margaret Pierson, who was born in Ohio County, July 6, 1831, and is a daughter of Perry and Isabel ( Frazer) Pierson, being one of seven children, as follows: Margaret ; David; James C .; Jane; Narcissus; Abigail; and Perry E. This union resulted in the birth of eight children, as follows: Thomas T., a painter and contractor, of Wheel- ing : James P., of the firm of Hubbard & Paull, of Wheeling, a member of the executive committee of the West Vir- ginia Wholesale Grocers' Association ; Alexander O .; Margaret (Lake), who resides on the Island, and has two chil- dren, Sidney and Marguerite; John Edward, who lives at home and is in the employ of the Wheeling Electrical Company ; George D., president of the Hicks & Hoge Dry Goods Company of Wheeling; Rose ( Montgomery), of Martin's Ferry, Ohio; and Schuyler Colfax, who died in infancy.
Alexander O. Maxwell attended the public schools of Wheeling until he was 14 years of age, and then served an
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apprenticeship to the trade of a printer, with William Ewing. He afterward became a clerk in the employ of Isaiah Warren & Company, in the oil refinery at Wheeling, and occupied several clerical positions with them during the following six years. He served as traveling salesman for Simeon Baer's Sons Grocery Company for five years, and in 1888 began his business relations with the Bloch Brothers Tobacco Com- pany, as bookkeeper. In 1890, when this firm became incorporated, he was made secretary of the company, in which capacity he has since served with credit.
Mr. Maxwell was united in mar- riage with Clementine Loomis, who died in 1896, leaving five children, as follows: Lillian B .; Edna G .; Mar- garet C .; John Alexander ; and Harold. He formed a second union, wedding Emma W. Seybold, of Wheeling, a daughter of Joseph Seybold, deceased, who was at one time cashier, and later president, of the Bank of Wheeling, and was also sheriff of Ohio County. The subject of this sketch resides in the Seventh Ward, on North Front street, on the Island. He is a Repub- lican, and has taken an active interest in the affairs of his party. He was a member of the city executive commit- tee one year, and was elected a member
of the Board of Education in 1892, to fill out an unexpired term. He served until 1894, when he was re-elected for a term of six years, and in 1900 was again elected to that office. Frater- nally, he is past master of Ohio Lodge, No. I, A. F. & A. M. In religious be- lief, the family has always been Presby- terian, but Mr. Maxwell is liberal, at- tending the Protestant Episcopal and Methodist Episcopal Churches.
MEIGS JACKSON BARTLETT, M. D.
MEIGS JACKSON BARTLETT, M. D., a leading physician and sur- geon of Clarksburg, Harrison County, is one of the most eminent members of his profession in the Mountain State.
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He was born at Simpson, Taylor County, Virginia, now West Virginia, on the 13th day of May, 1857, and is the eldest son of Jedidiah Waldo and Olive (Ryan) Bartlett.
Jedidiah Waldo Bartlett, who through the greater part of his life was a farmer and landed proprietor of Tay- lor County, was born in 1822 and died in 1898. His wife was born in 1830 and died in 1865, aged 35 years.
The grandparents of Dr. Bartlett on his father's side were Josiah and Abidal (Goff) Bartlett; the former was born in 1800 and died at the age of 72, and the latter was born in 1788 and died in 1880, lacking but eight years of completing the century mark of life. Josiah Bart- lett and his wife were descendants of some of the early settlers of the Old Dominion. Grandmother Bartlett was a sister of Waldo, Nathan, David and Mary Goff, the last named of whom also married a Bartlett named Benja- min. The grandparents of our subject on his mother's side were John Ryan, who died in 1882, aged 80 years, and Sarah Radcliff, his wife, who died in 1884, aged 78.
Our subject's early education was obtained in the public school at Simp- son until the age of 14, when he was sent to the West Virginia College at
Flemington, from which he was gradu- ated at the age of 17. His early life was the usual one pertaining to being brought up on a farm; when not at school he did what he was able in help- ing to attend to the stock, but, withal, it was observed that he was very studi- ously inclined and extremely fond of books at an unusually early age, all of which traits of character bore fruit in after years.
Notwithstanding his youth, after graduating from the West Virginia College he taught school at various points for nine years, and during this period attended the classes at Fair- mont Normal College, from which he was graduated in 1878. Shortly there- after he was offered and accepted the position of office manager for Joseph Pell & Company, of South Palestine, Texas, which position he filled with ability and to the satisfaction of his employers until 1880, when he re- turned to his native State, where, in Taylor County, he began the publica- tion of a newspaper called the New Era, filling the position of editor-in- chief and business manager. The pa- per removed its headquarters to Tuck- er County in 1881, when the name was changed to the Tucker County Demo- crat and the publication came under other management. Leaving the edi-
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tor's chair in 1881, he took up the study of the law under Daniel B. Lucas. of Charlestown, Jefferson County, but the legal profession not proving congenial to his nature, he abandoned the study of law a year af- terward.
In 1883, feeling the necessity of an active outdoor life, he removed to Har- rison County, where he took up a farm owned by his father on the West Fork of the Monongahela River. In the fall of this year he became a benedict, and two years later built a residence for himself and family on property be- longing to his wife, near Hepzibah Church. During this period, until 1892, he successfully pursued the oc- cupation of farming and stock raising ; but the desire of his youth-the study and practice of medicine-being still strong upon him, he began its study in 1891. Finding it possible to obtain the requisite knowledge and experience in this profession only in a large city, where the necessary facilities were to be had, he removed with his family in 1892 to Baltimore, Maryland, where he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of that city. Pursuing his studies with ardor and assiduity, he graduated with high honors in the first grade in 1895, holding diplomas in the various branches of gynecology and
obstetrics and catarrhal diseases. Af- ter a short time of rest and relaxation he returned to Harrison County, opened an office at No. 106 South Third street, in the city. of Clarksburg, and entered upon his practice. So thorough are his methods and so varied is his knowledge of the profession that he has built up a very large practice- in short, the largest in the city,-to take care of which taxes his utmost en- ergies. Dr. Bartlett is looked upon as one of the solid and enterprising citi- zens of Clarksburg, foremost in all movements for the progress and inter- est of the city ; he owns his residence and other real estate there, besides hav- ing large interests in coal mines and coal lands in the county and State.
He was consulting physician for the Pinnickinnick Coal Company from 1895 to 1900; health officer of the city from 1898 to 1901; physician for the Monticello Brick Company from 1895 to 1898; and physician for the Adams- ton Coal Company from 1896 to 1898. Owing to his constantly increasing practice, Dr. Bartlett found it neces- sary to gradually give up these posi- tions, only retaining those of exam- ining physician for the Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Company, of Hartford, Connecticut, and other large life and accident insurance companies.
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In connection with his interests in coal mines and coal lands, he is vice- president of the Centralia Coal & Coke Company, which has a capital of $100,- 000 and controls 4,000 acres of coal land; secretary of the Capitol Land & Improvement Company, of Clarks- burg; a director of the Horner Land & Improvement Company, of Shinns- ton ; and of the Industrial Land & Im- provement Company, of Clarksburg. In 1894 he became a member of the I. O. O. F. Encampment and also joined the Knights of Pythias; and in 1899 he became a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Pinnickinnick Club. He is also a member of the Alumni Asso- ciation of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of Baltimore, Maryland, and is consulting physician for the follow- ing insurance orders and companies : Ladies of the Maccabees; Modern Woodmen of America; Woodmen of the World; Ancient Order of United Workmen; Phoenix Mutual Life In- surance Company ; and Provident Life & Trust Company. In his religious belief the Doctor is a strong Baptist. He has been a lifelong Democrat and sees no reason to change his political faith.
On the 25th of October, 1883, Dr. Bartlett married Nannie E. Allen, of
Harrison County, and has an interest- ing family of three daughters: Lala Olive, born February 12, 1886; Mary Lena, born July 23, 1889; and Eva Meigs, born November 4, 1891.
When the arduous duties of his profession permit, Dr. Bartlett is a great reader and student; and hereto- fore he has been an extensive traveler over the United States, believing that it is well to know one's own country and its beauties before going abroad to admire those in the other hemi- sphere.
CHARLES B. BUSTER
CHARLES B. BUSTER, county clerk of Greenbrier County, West Vir- ginia, and a representative citizen of Lewisburg, was born October 22, 1838,
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in Charleston, Kanawha County, Vir- ginia, now West Virginia, and is a son of George W. and Ann E. (Chilton) Buster, both natives of Virginia, the former of Loudoun County and the latter of Warrenton, Fauquier County.
The Buster family, which is of Scotch-Irish descent, was among the early settlers of the State of Virginia. Maj. Claudius Buster, the grand- father of our subject, spent the latter part of his life in Greenbrier County, a man of large means and the owner of valuable property.
George W. Buster, father of Charles B. Buster, was well and favor- ably known in Kanawha County, which he served both as deputy sheriff and as sheriff. From 1836 to 1858 he was the proprietor of the Blue Sulphur Springs, being one of the original or- ganizers of the Blue Sulphur Com- pany, and finally by purchase becoming the sole owner. He was a leading member of the Democratic party for many years. His death occurred in Greenbrier County in 1868, at the age of 65 years. The mother of our sub- ject was a daughter of Dr. Samuel Chilton, of Fauquier County, and through this ancestral line Mr. Buster is connected with one of the oldest and most distinguished families of Eng- land. Dr. Samuel Chilton was a son
of Charles and Elizabeth ( Blackwell) Chilton, and was married to his cousin, Lucinda Blackwell, in 1795.
The Chiltons of Virginia are de- scendants of an old English family, originally of French descent, as the name indicates, although its derivation is somewhat uncertain. A recent writer upon the old families of Eng- land says that it is derived from the chalk cliffs of Dover, near which the Chiltons are supposed to have settled when first landing on English shores. In 1066 William I, Duke of Normandy, styled "William the Conqueror," set sail for the conquest of England, and inscribed upon his banner roll was the name of Sir John Chilton. This is the first mention found of the use of the name, and it is reasonable to suppose that he remained, with others of his family, to share the spoils so liberally bestowed by the Conqueror. Members of the family, with vassals and retain- ers, were in the train of Robert II, Duke of Normandy, son of William the Conqueror, when that doughty Crusader embarked for the Holy Land. From that time five centuries elapse be- fore anything more is heard of the Chiltons ; in 1642 they again became prominent as loyal subjects of Charles Stuart, but later joined those who re- sisted the exactions and usurpations of
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Charles and finally joined the Par- liamentarians. In 1678, 18 years after the accession of Charles II, three broth- ers of the name of Chilton came to America. Charles Chilton, the eldest of the family, settled in Westmoreland County, Virginia, on the banks of the Potomac River where he named his estate "Curryoman." Charles Chilton had a family of four sons: Thomas, William. Charles and John.
Thomas Chilton, the first-born, in- herited the family estate, married a Miss Pearce, lived to old age and died without issue. William inherited "Maidstone," to Charles was given "Hereford" and John obtained "Rock Spring." Charles and John married sisters,-Betty and Letty Blackwell. Charles Chilton reared a large family, naming his children as follows: John, Samuel (the grandfather of Charles B. Buster ). Stephen, Blackwell, Mark, and Betty, the latter dying unmarried. John Chilton was an officer of a Vir- ginia regiment in the Revolutionary War, and was killed during the battle of Brandywine, leaving children as fol- lows : Thomas, Joseph, George, Nancy and Lucy. William Chilton married a Miss Orrick and at death left three children : Orrick, William and Susan. Thomas Chilton left no children and Orrick, the eldest son of William, be-
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