USA > West Virginia > Men of West Virginia Volume II > Part 2
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M. and M. D. and later decided to mi- grate to the new State of Ohio.
Our venerable subject some years since put into pamphlet form a most interesting lot of papers which were written by his father at the time of the family exodus from Massachusetts. We feel that a few extracts of family history, concerning the early life of Ohio, must possess much interest.
On September 17, 1815, we sailed from Providence in a New York pack- et." After reaching the now great me- tropolis, the following comment was made: "Although the largest city in the United States, to the eye of the stranger its appearance is rather ordin- ary. The streets are narrow, crooked and dirty, with the exception of Broad- way. It is the custom here to throw all the filth engendered in the private houses in the street and the swine are set at liberty to devour it. This prac- tice. it is thought, tends to healthful- ness." On the 21st the party set out from New York in a steamboat and at Elizabethtown, New Jersey, chartered four stages and that night reached Princeton, which was left early the fol- lowing morning for Trenton, where a steamboat was again used for convey- ance to Philadelphia. It may be inter- esting to learn what this intelligent and observing traveler had to say con-
cerning the steamboats: "The steam- boat is a curious and truly useful in- vention, of a nature too much compli- cated for me to describe or even under- stand. They vary in length from 60 to 200 feet; ours was about 90 feet, having two spacious cabins and a bar at one end where liquors were sold. We proceeded at least six miles an hour against tide by the power of steam." On the 30th of September the party started from Philadelphia and reached Lancaster, Pennsylvania, breakfasted at Harrisburg, crossed the Susquehannah in a ferry boat, making a note that a bridge was being consid- ered over that river, and safely reached Chambersburg. Here for the first time is any note made of fatigue, but never- theless 3 o'clock in the morning found the party again on the way. After many minor mishaps, told in a very entertaining manner, the Juniata River was crossed on a chain bridge; on the next day they crossed the Alleghany Mountains and on the seventh day from Philadelphia left Greensburg and reached Pittsburg. That city calls for interesting comment on account of the prevailing coal dust and some surprise is shown that the residents used noth- ing there for fuel but coal. On Octo- ber 9th the party set out from Pitts- burg in a covered skiff and proceeded
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down the Ohio River. After many thrilling incidents, the party reached Steubenville, Ohio, on the 11th where they found some difficulty in landing. After a pleasant sojourn over night in that 17-year-old town, they proceeded on their skiff journey. On Wednesday, the 13th, they breakfasted at Wheeling and it was noted that from there "the mail is carried westward once a week on horses." Finally the long journey was ended at Marietta. The account of this trip is of a most interesting character, no only to the descendants of Dr. John Cotton, but to the general reader.
Dr. John T. Cotton, of this sketch, obtained his education in the common schools of Marietta, which at that time was a city of 30 years' growth. Later he graduated from Marietta College and is the only living member of the first class ever graduated from that now noted institution. This fact stands recorded in the World Almanac. Dr. Cotton left college and went to New Orleans where he taught school for one year. The trip down the river was ex- ceedingly pleasant, but the extreme heat caused his return to Marietta, and soon after he began the study of medi- cine under his remarkable father. When prepared, he entered the Cin- cinnati State Medical College where he
was graduated and he then spent three years of practice at Ravenswood, Ohio. During this time he married Sarah Fitzhugh, who was a daughter of Henry Fitzhugh, one of the founders of Ravenswood, the Fitzhugh's inher - iting property at Alexandria, Virginia, from George Washington.
After his marriage on April 5, 1845, Dr. and Mrs. John T. Cotton moved to Charleston, Virginia, now West Virginia, and there established themselves both in social and profes- sional life. Dr. Cotton watched the city grow from a hamlet into a com- mercial center and during these years he grew also in importance until his name was known all over the Kanawha Valley. Few men of the State are more esteemed and many honors have been given him. At the regular annual ses- sion of the State Medical Society of West Virginia, convened at Parkers- burg on the 21st of May. 1902, an ordinance was adopted that the physi- cians of each county in the State should hold monthly sessions at the county court house. At the first ses- sion of the physicians of Kanawha County, held at Charleston, Dr. Cotton was elected president.
Dr. Cotton is a large landowner in Charleston and vicinity. In political affiliation Dr. Cotton was originally a
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Whig. He assisted in organizing the Republican party, but since the Civil War he has been a Democrat. Al- though eminently qualified to fill higli stations, he has never accepted polit- ical office.
The children born to Dr. Cotton and Mrs. Cotton were: Henrietta, wife of ex-Governor Wilson; Nannie C., wife of Frank Woodman ; Sallie ( Mrs. Donnelly ) ; and John and Harry, both deceased. Mrs. Cotton is deceased. In religious belief. Dr. Cotton belongs to the Protestant Episcopal Church.
HON. NATHAN BAY SCOTT.
HON. NATHAN BAY SCOTT, who has long been prominent as a man of affairs, has held many offices of trust and discharged the duties con-
nected therewith in a most creditable manner; at the present time he repre- sents the State of West Virginia in the United States Senate. He is promin- ent in the councils of the Republican party, and has made a brilliant record in every phase of his public life.
Mr. Scott was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, December 18, 1842, and at the age of II years began his busi- ness life as a clerk in a country store, meanwhile attending the public schools during the winter months. In 1862 he enlisted for service in the Union Army, and served until mustered out in 1865. He then returned to Wheel- ing, a city he has since called home. Since 1871 he has been engaged in the manufacture of glass and has been since 1883 at the head of the Central Glass Company, which under his vig- orous management became one of the largest of its kind in the country. He organized the first savings bank in the State; he was elected its president, and is still at the head of the institution, which is one of the most successful in West Virginia. He has been an exten- sive traveler at home and abroad, and. is a keen observer and a broadminded man.
Mr. Scott is a Republican and has always been active in party affairs. In 1880 he was elected a member of the
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City Council of Wheeling, and was president of the second branch. In 1882 he was elected a member of the State Senate, and was re-elected in 1886, serving in that capacity for eight years. His opponent upon re-election was Hon. J. O. Pendleton, a very strong man who was afterward elected to Congress. While a member of the State Senate, he served on various im- portant committees, and helped to frame the Mutual Savings Bank law, which has since met with general ap- proval. Since 1888 Mr. Scott has been the representative of West Virginia as a member of the Republican National Committee, during all of which time he has been a member of the executive committee. In the campaign of 1896 he was the choice of President McKin- ley to serve with Gen. Powell Clayton, Vice-President Hobart and J. H. Man- ley at headquarters in New York City, and because of his friendly relations to organized labor had charge of the work pertaining to the labor organizations of the United States. In recognition of his faithful services, President Mc- Kinley appointed him commissioner of internal revenue, an office he filled until his election to the United States Sen- ate in 1899. As war commissioner he displayed in the administration of the business of the office executive ability
of the highest order. With Mr. Bliss, ex-Secretary of the Interior, and Mr. Manley, Mr. Scott was again, in 1900, in charge of speakers during the cam- paign.
Mr. Scott is a director in numerous large business foundations in the city of Wheeling, and is extensively inter- ested in tracts of coal and timber lands in Logan and Mingo counties. His earnings have ever been devoted to the extension of business enterprises and the employment of labor. His inter- ests in the glass and steel industries of the State are very large, and it is safe to say that there are few manufactur- ing concerns of any magnitude in West Virginia which he has not promoted or in which he does not hold an inter- est. Mr. Scott is, in fine, a public ser- vant of West Virginia, who is able to uphold the highest behests of the peo- ple in national council.
GEORGE HOOK, one of the best known business men of Wheeling, West Virginia, is president and busi- ness manager of the Germania Half Dollar Savings Bank, at No. 1501 Market street, and is also secretary of the West Virginia Exposition & State Fair Association. He was born in Prussia, in 18.11. and is a son of Henry Hook.
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Henry Hook was engaged in the shoe business, during his active life, and died about 20 years ago. His widow died in 1890, having given birth to seven children,-most of whom are residents of Wheeling.
George Hook was seven years of age when he accompanied his parents to this country in 1848. As a boy he attended the German Lutheran and public schools. Later he attended a business college in Wheeling, and was graduated in 1874. His first active business was as a carriage trimmer with the firm of Pfarr & Kanner, and a short time afterward, in 1867 or 1868, he formed a partnership with Charles Schrader, and bought out the old firm. They continued in the busi- ness about 10 years, under the firm name of Hook & Schrader. During the year 1865, Mr. Hook served in the sheriff's office under Thomas J. Camp- bell, and was then elected assessor of the city district, and served two years. He was elected clerk of the County Court of Ohio County and served three terms, or a period of 18 years, his in- cumbency terminating in 1896. He is a member of the Board of Trade. In 1881, he became secretary and treas- urer of the West Virginia Exposition & State Fair Association, and has ac- ceptably filled that office since, its du-
ties requiring much of his time throughout the year, particularly in the fall months.
Mr. Hook was united in marriage with Sophia A. Lutz, a daughter of Se- bastian Lutz, and they have a daugh- ter, Clara. He is a Democrat in poli- tics, and in religious attachments a member of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church. He resides in the Seventh Ward on the Island.
HON. ARNOLD C. SCHERR.
HON. ARNOLD C. SCHERR, State Auditor of West Virginia, was born in Zurich, Switzerland, August 21, 1848. He accompanied his par- ents to America when quite young, in
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1856, and they located in Preston County, Virginia, now West Virginia, where he was educated in the common schools and subsequently took a busi- ness college course.
Mr. Scherr entered into business life as a merchant at Maysville, West Virginia. In 1893 he became inter- ested in the wool manufacturing busi- ness and established what are now known as the Keyser Woolen Mills, at Keyser, Mineral County, West Vir- ginia.
As an active member of the Repub- lican party, Mr. Scherr has been prom- inent in all the movements in his coun- ty and State, and has most capably filled a number of political positions. In 1870 he was elected sheriff of Grant County, West Virginia, in 1872 was re-elected and in 1880 was again made sheriff for a term of four years. In 1879 he was a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates. For a period of 12 years he was a member of the Republican State Committee, and in 1884 was sent as a delegate to the Republican National Convention. Governor White has about him men who are noted for their executive abil- ity and high personal character, and none more entirely satisfy both the ad- ministration and the public than does Hon. Arnold C. Scherr in the respon-
sible position of State Auditor, to which he was elected in 1900 for a term of four years.
DAVID S. COLLINS.
DAVID S. COLLINS, president of the Collins Lumber Company of Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia, and one of the prominent business men of the State, was born October 31, 1850, at Hopkinton, New Hampshire, and is a son of Dr. David O. and Achsah ( Moore) Collins.
Dr. David O. Collins was for many years a prominent physician at Hop- kinton. He was born in England and came to America in boyhood. He graduated in medicine in New Eng- land, and gained eminence in the pro-
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fession in his adopted State. His death took place in 1893, at the age of 86 years. Dr. Collins married Achsah Moore, whose ancestors came from England in the "Mayflower," members of the little band that landed on Plym- outh Rock. These ancestors and their immediate descendants located on the Merrimac River where they waxed numerous and wealthy and founded the settlement of Deerfield. The only child born to Dr. and Mrs. Collins was the subject of this sketch. They were Congregationalists in their religious faith.
David S. Collins attended the local district school and received academic training at Fenacook Academy. Very early, even in boyhood, he displayed a business sense that has in its develop- ment made him one of the capitalists of West Virginia at the present day. He commenced work in a mill yard, where his services were required to pile up staves, manufactured for mackerel kits, and his pay was 33 cents a day. He continued at that work long enough to accumulate the sum of $100 and continued to attend the academy dur- ing the winter sessions. After three years of that employment, he accepted a clerical position in a general mercan- tile store and continued the position until 17 years of age. Through a for-
tunate purchase of timber land about this time, he realized $225, a large enough sum to enable him to extend his business operations. He learned the business of scaling logs and meas- uring lumber, a knowledge of which, later in life, proved of the great- est value. In 1870 he became bookkeeper for a large lumber and furniture manufacturing com- pany, with which he remained until the age of 22, later becoming one of the salesmen, and still later superintendent of three of the company's mills. Three years later he invested his accumula- tions and formed a company for the manufacture of clothes pins, erecting a factory and installing the first sta- tionary engine in Hillsboro County, New Hampshire. This venture did not prove as successful as he expected and Mr. Collins again became a lumber and furniture salesman, in this business covering the Northeastern States. He then formed a partnership with George E. Tillinghast in contracting and build- ing, at Providence, Rhode Island, and at Portland, Maine. During his resi- dence at Providence, he was for three years a member of the Board of Agri- culture, and for six years secretary and treasurer of the Rhode Island State Fair; manager of the Narragansett Trotting Park and secretary and treas-
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urer of the Rhode Island Horsebreed- ers' Association. He also served as secretary and manager of the Riding and Polo Club. After removing to Portland he became interested in a new and important enterprise. He pur- chased stock in and became manager of the Fossil Flour Mining & Milling Company. Later, with a friend, he purchased a controlling interest in thic company and became its treasurer, a position he still retains. The plant was then moved to larger and more valua- ble mines in Nova Scotia, and a mill was built there, now in operation, at a cost of $47,000, the only one for refin- ing tripoli in the world. He is the orig- inator and inventor of the process of refining tripoli. Mr. Collins spent a fortune in experimenting, but finally succeeded in placing the product on the market. The company has a Euro- pean, as well as a New York, office. The tripoli is an infusorial earth, taken from the bottom of the Northern lakes. Its chief use, in the manufactured form of fossil flour, is with rubber stocks, in the manufacture of rubber. It is de- scribed as a hollow, "boat shaped" di- atom, practically a silicious sponge. Its uses are many and its value is be- coming yearly better known. Mr. Collins came to West Virginia in 1899. He has spent much time in Europe,
pushing his many enterprises, but is best known in this State as the very efficient president of the Collins Lum- ber Company, which exports more lumber to Europe than any other com- pany in the State; and as treasurer of the Elkhurst Planing Mill Company, which owns and controls seven mills on the line of the Charleston, Clen- denin & Sutton Railroad. Mr. Collins owns much real estate in Charleston and is engaged in building a number of handsome residences in a pleasant por- tion of the city. In addition to his other enterprises, Mr. Collins is one of the directors in the Clay County Bank. and is interested in timber lands in Clay County.
In 1870 Mr. Collins married Ro- salia A. Beard, who was born in New Hampshire. Their one daughter is the wife of Prof. Stephen S. Colvin, of Champaign, Illinois.
JAMES DALLAS EWING, de- ceased, was a representative of an old and prominent family and a distin- guished member of his chosen profes- sion,-that of the law.
The Ewing family was established in this country by James Ewing, some time between 1795 and 1797. He was a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Glenn) Ewing, both natives of Ireland, the
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former of whom was born on Lord Abercorn's estate, County Tyrone. James Ewing was born in Ireland in 1771, and on coming to America set- tled on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. He was a lieutenant and subsequently a captain in the War of 1812. He re- moved at an early day to Ohio County, Virginia (now Marshall County, West Virginia ), where he settled on a farm which he called "Fairhill" and which he established as a family homestead. His parents went there afterwards and spent the remainder of their lives, their graves on the farm being marked with a time-worn headstone. He was mar- ried to Elizabeth Wilson in Maryland and brought her with him to Virginia. By this marriage he had four sons and three daughters: Henry, James, Will- iam, John, Maria, Jane and Elizabeth.
William Ewing was born on the homestead in 1810, and there resided as the owner of the property, until his death in 1861. He was married to Martha Martin, and left 10 children : James Dallas; William Wilson, who succeeded to the proprietorship of "Fairhill;" John Alexander, a prom- inent attorney of Moundsville; George Martin: Isaac Newton; Samuel H .; Susan Ann; Robert A .; Elizabeth W., who married Daniel Hartley; and Mary, who married Alfred McCuskey.
James Dallas Ewing was born on the homestead December 19, 1832, and there remained, attending and teaching school, until he reached his majority, when he began the study of the law in the office of Wylie H. Oldham, one of the foremost lawyers of his time, and in 1858 was duly licensed and admitted. Locating in New Martinsville, Wetzel County, he there remained about seven years. Compelled to abandon the prac- tice of his profession during the period of the Civil War, he engaged in mer- cantile pursuits, afterward spending two years in Kentucky. Deciding to return to West Virginia and to the practice of the law, he selected Mounds- ville, in Marshall County, as his resi- dence, where he at once acquired a large and remunerative business. In 1878 he removed to Wheeling, appearing be- fore the different courts there held as well as those before which he had ap- peared in former years. He practiced alone for a time, but, his clientage in- creasing, he associated others with him- self, and was the head of different firms -Ewing & Riley; Ewing, Melvin & Riley; and Ewing, Melvin & Ewing, in the order named. His life closed on September 1, 1898, at his home at Leatherwood, east of Wheeling. While residing at New Martinsville, he mar- ried Emma Anderson, a daughter of
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William Anderson, at one time sheriff of his county and a prominent and rep- utable citizen. By this marriage there were 10 children, eight of whom are living : Effie Estella, wife of John H. Holt, of Huntington; Emma Irene ; James William; Robert Benton, who holds a responsible position with the Wheeling Corrugating Company ; Daisy, wife of H. C. McMillen, of Huntington ; Fred Anderson, who is also with the Wheeling Corrugating Company ; and Ethel and Genevieve, who with the other unmarried children reside with their mother at the Leather- wood home.
In his career as a lawyer Mr. Ewing took and held high place. He cared but little for political honors, yet more than once was he pressed into service as a candidate for office by the political party with which he affiliated and was unsuccessful only because his party was not in the ascendancy. In the court- room and in the office he was alike suc- cessful. In close attention to the con- cerns of those who sought his aid, in earnestness and ability in presenting questions to court or jury, in foresight and sagacity, whether in giving coun- sel or in managing a cause, he was not excelled by any of his able colleagues at the bar. Devoted to family, friends and clients, public spirited in all general
matters of pith and moment, and just in everything engaging his attention, his life was a useful one,-a model in more respects than one.
James William Ewing, the eldest son, was born at Moundsville, October 25, 1869; the family removing to Wheeling, in 1879, he there attended the public schools and was graduated from Linsly Institute in the class of 1887. During the following two years he received a business training in differ- ent capacities, and in February, 1890, was appointed and acted as private sec- retary to Governor Fleming, residing at the state capital, Charleston. He read law while thus serving and in the summer of 1893 took the examination and was admitted to practice. In the fall of the same year he entered the University of Virginia, and in the spring of 1894 returned to Wheeling, taking the place of the retiring junior member of the firm of which his father was then the head. Upon the father's death the survivors continued in busi- ness until September, 1899, when Judge Melvin went upon the Circuit Court bench; and since then Mr. Ewing has practiced alone at No. 1400 Chapline street. He is still unmarried. In poli- tics he affiliates with the Democratic party. He is a member of the college fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta, and is
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a past master of Wheeling Lodge, No. 5, A. F. & A. M. He has a well-estab- lished practice and a host of friends in and out of the profession and in all portions of the State.
IRA J. RHODES.
IRA J. RHODES, the efficient cashier of the McDowell County Bank, at Welch, West Virginia, is one of the town's much esteemed citizens. He was born in 1871. in Rockingham County, Virginia, and is a son of Jacob S. and Katherine ( Beery ) Rhodes, both of whom are of Dutch extraction. The father was a farmer of Rockingham County. Both he and his wife be- longed to the German Baptist Church.
Mr. Rhodes was educated in the
common schools and after completing the prescribed course of instruction ac- cepted a clerical position in a store, in 1896 entering The Bank of Bramwell, Bramwell, West Virginia, as book- keeper. He remained in that capacity for four years. In July, 1900, the Mc- Dowell County Bank was organized, at Welch, and since that time he has filled the responsible position of cashier of the institution. As a financier he is highly valued and his accommodating spirit has won him many business friends.
In 1900 Mr. Rhodes married Janie Gibboney, who is a daughter of James M. and Lucy Gibboney, of Wytheville, Virginia. They have one daughter,- Elizabeth. Mrs. Rhodes belongs to the Protestant Episcopal Church. Mr. Rhodes is a Knight Templar and Shriner. In politics he votes independ- ently.
JAMES BRADLEY, the only un- dertaker located at New Cumberland, Hancock County, West Virginia, at the present time, has also served in the ca- pacity of justice of the peace for a pe- riod of six years. He is a man of high standing in the community, where he has a host of friends.
Mr. Bradley was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, April 23, 1843,
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and is a son of Joshua and Mary A. (Harsha ) Bradley, both natives of Beaver County. Joshua Bradley moved to Hancock County when past middle age, and when our subject was about 15 years of age. He was not actively engaged in business during his late years, and died in 1875, at the age of 75 years. Mary A. Harsha, mother of our subject, died when the latter was quite young. She was a daughter of John Harsha, who spent his entire life in Beaver County, dying in 1857 at an advanced age. John Harsha was a Whig and prominent in political affairs. He served six years in the State Legis- lature of Pennsylvania, walking from his home in Beaver County to the State capital, Harrisburg. He was the only member of that body who was at that time the possessor of a watch. The Harshas were of Scotch descent, and were early settlers in this country .. Joshua Bradley and his worthy wife were parents of 12 children, as follows : Rachel, who died in girlhood; John, who removed to Hancock County, West Virginia, where he died; Esther, who married Thomas Tare, and resides in Washington County, Pennsylvania ; Margaret, who died in girlhood; Will- iam, who lived the latter years of his life in New Cumberland; Thomas W., 2nd lieutenant of Company I, 12th Reg.
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