USA > West Virginia > Barbour County > The history of Barbour County, West Virginia, from its earliest exploration and settlement to the present time > Part 39
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ALSTON GORDON DAYTON,
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court and failed by only two votes of receiving the nomination. Two years later his friends presented his name before the Republican Convention at Piedmont as a candidate for congress in the Second West Virginia District, which position was then held by Hon. William L. Wilson, author of the Wilson Tariff Bill. Mr. Wilson was a formidable antagonist, and the belief was general that only a man from east of the Alleghanies could defeat him; and in the convention the choice fell on Hon. George Harman, a wealthy farmer of Grant County, while Mr. Dayton received a strong support from counties west of the mountains. In 1894 he was nominated for congress in the convention at Elkins; and Mr. Wilson, who was still in congress, was again in the field, the champion of a party confident of victory. The cam- paign was a memorable one, and was fought from start to finish with a bit- terness seldom equalled in politics. Mr. Dayton, figuratively speaking, asked no quarter and gave none in the discussion of the political questions brought into the campaign. The result was an overwhelming victory for Mr. Dayton, whose majority was over two thousand. In 1896 he was again elected, and again in 1898, and his present term will expire in 1901.
Mr. Dayton's career in congress has been one of steady increase of in- fluence. Soon after he entered that body he was appointed on the Naval Committee, and he at once became a working member, and later a leader in the important measures originating in or formulated by that committee. When he entered congress we had three battleships in commission and three in course of construction. He was a believer in a strong navy, and on every occasion he advocated the construction of war ships of the most powerful class, instead of small vessels that could be built cheaply. He wanted something that could pound and withstand pounding. The result is-and it is due in no small measure to his efforts-we now have complete and in course of construction nineteen battleships. The naming of the powerful armored cruiser "West Virginia " was largely as a compliment to him. This vessel is designed with a displacement of 12,000 tons, and 23,000 horse- power, and it will belong to a class of the most formidable fighting ma- chines in the world. It will have the speed of the cruiser and the fighting ability of a battleship. When Mr. Dayton first took his stand in favor of battleships, as against torpedo boats and other small craft, there never had been a battleship in action. That class of vessels was an experiment. But with the battle of Santiago, July 3, 1898, it was demonstrated that the solid work is done by the big ship. Mr. Dayton took a foremost place in the controversy in congress, concerning the construction of dry docks. Before the Fifty-Fifth Congress the ruling had been that appropriations could not be made for dry docks unless a bill had been passed, establishing dry docks; but Mr. Dayton was instrumental in having that ruling reversed, and dry docks were classed with the naval establishment; and the result was that
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four such docks were provided for, at Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Boston, League Island, Pennsylvania; and Algiers, Louisiana.
Mr. Dayton introduced a bill which passed the senate, providing for promotion upon the retired list of Lieutenant R. M. G. Brown, of the navy, in recognition of his services in saving lives and property during the great storm at the Simoan Islands. Lieutenant Brown is a native of Preston County. Mr. Dayton was largely instrumental in securing the appropri- ation of over $5,000,000 to open up the Monongahela to free navigation and to build locks and dams between Morgantown and Fairmont. He also was prominent in an important feature of the United States Geological Survey. Although the work of surveying had been in progress over fifteen years, by a strange oversight no provision had ever been made for setting up monuments to mark permanently the work, so that additional investigation or survey might be taken up anywhere with exact data at hand from which to begin measurements. Mr. Dayton called the attention of congress to this defect, and provision was made for setting up a stone in every county seat in the United States, on which the true north and south line of the place is marked.
The territory of Alaska was purchased from Russia in 1866, and pro- vision was made that the laws of Oregon should be in force in Alaska, and thus the matter stood until 1898, although in many particulars the Oregon laws did not suit the different conditions in the far north. A congressional committee was appointed in 1898 to provide a code of criminal law for Alaska, and Mr. Dayton was a member of the committee, and did a large share of the work of framing and writing the laws. A committee consist- ing of the whole House debated the bill, containing the code, ten days, and Mr. Dayton championed the measures and debated them successfully with the best lawyers in congress, and the bill passed.
Perhaps the most noted and lasting work done by Mr. Dayton was in connection with the Navy Personnel Bill. The object of this bill was to regulate the line of promotion in the navy; to give all an equal chance; to equalize the pay received by naval and army officers, and to change the course of study in the Naval Academy at Annapolis. It should be explained that graduates from the Naval Academy were arbitrarily divided into two classes; the one became engineers and machinists; the other became officers who might rise to the highest grade. The new law places all on an equal footing as to promotion. Under the old law it was nearly impossible for an officer to rise above a lieutenant until he was over fifty years of age, be- cause promotion was more on account of age than of service; and the Civil War had left so many officers that they became lieutenants, and seldom could get beyond it. The new law removed this disability and provided avenues for promotion without much increasing the expense of service. The pay of the officers of the navy was made equal with that of the officers
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of corresponding rank in the army. Provision was made for the enlistment of competent machinists who had never attended the Naval Academy; and other important provisions were made which practically changed the whole service of the navy. It brought about a reform of the most sweeping kind. There had been about fifty ranks in the navy. This clumsiness was abol- ished. Mr. Dayton was recognized as the champion of the bill when it came before the House in 1899. It was of the greatest importance to naval men, and they watched its progress with anxiety. Mr. Dayton made a number of speeches on the bill, showing that he had thoroughly mastered the subject, and had become an authority on naval affairs. The bill suc- cessfully passed and became a law. The naval officers at Washington gave a banquet to the congressmen who had championed the cause which at last had brought relief to the navy. It was a work whose good results will be seen in future years.
Rear Admiral W. T. Sampson, the hero of Santiago, who took a deep interest in this measure, stated publicly that Mr. Dayton's speeches on this bill disclosed the most accurate knowledge of the difficult and obscure me- chanical and other details of naval affairs and personnel, and the clearest insight into them, ever displayed in debate in congress, and that the naval corps generally conceded this. The extent of this commendation can only be appreciated by those who know how little the Admiral is given to pass- ing compliments.
After the blowing up of the Maine in Havana Harbor there was a time of waiting. Congress had appropriated money to be spent in preparations for war, but the first speech in the House of Representatives, plainly in- timating that Spain must be pushed from Cuba, was made by Mr. Dayton, His concluding remarks on that occasion were:
Two hundred and sixty-six brave men are dead today as a result of the Maine trag- edy. Over 200,000 are dead in Cuba and 250,000 more, largely helpless women and children, are being held in imprisonment and starved to death there today. We do not know as yet that the Spanish authorities blew up the Maine and destroyed the lives of our seamen, but we do know that Spanish authority is responsible for this wholesale deadly murder in the first degree going on within a hundred miles of our shores. With food and raiment in one hand and with its strong power backed by the righteous will of 70,000,000 of freemen, this Administration must intervene, stop this horror, and give Cuba her freedom. This intervention may be done, I hope, peacefully. If so, God be praised; but if not, and it can only be done by war, let it come. Humanity, mercy, charity, and all the attributes of God himself will be with us, and Cuba will be free.
During his terms in congress Mr. Dayton has kept up his law practice and has engaged extensively in outside business, operating in coal lands and in other properties. He is now a director of the Tygart's Valley Bank at Philippi. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, is an Odd Fellow and a Knight of Pythias.
JAMES MINTER DENNISSON, born at Weston, Lewis County, December
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7,1863, son of Calvin C. and Margaret E. (Morrison) Dennisson, was married July 27, 1893, at Weston, to Lucy L., daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth P. (Speirs) Lockhart. He is a Presbyterian, a Mason and a Democrat, and is railroad agent and Telegraph operator at Philippi. He was educated at Oberlin, Ohio.
FRANCIS BRAXTON DURRETT, born 1849, son of Braxton Byrd and Ann Elizabeth (Williams) Durrett, was married October 18, 1877, to Martha, daughter of Anthony and Clarissa (Johnson) Rohrbaugh. Children, Zora Mildred, Ada May, Jessie Avah, Bessie and Flossie. He was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, a Democrat and a farmer; was educated in the public schools and served twelve years as Justice of the Peace. Mr. and Mrs. Durrett owned 185 acres with 125 cleared. He taught school seven terms. His father was born in Spotsylvania County, and died 1895 in Valley District, Barbour County. In 1880 he was elected County Com- missioner, but on account of failing health, he resigned before the end of his term. He was a prosperous farmer and owned one of the largest apple orchards in Barbour County. His grandparents were natives of France.
JOHN A. DAVIS, born in Augusta County, Virginia, 1846, son of Wil- liam W. and Saphrona Davis, was married in 1863 at Beverly, to Elizabeth daughter of John and Elizabeth (Fleming) Selby. The daughter, Lucy E., married J. E. Sprigg. Mr. Davis is a Methodist, a Democrat and a black- smith at Junior. He was educated in the public schools, and served in the Confederate army, taking part in many battles.
EDMUND R. DYER, born in Pendleton County, 1851, son of Allen and Martha (Miller) Dyer, was married at Jane Lew, Lewis County, June 22, 1882, to Philena, daughter of Mansfield McWhorter. Children, Otto M., Allen, Audrey, Roscoe F., Ruth, Paul, Anna, Harry, Cecil, and one that died unnamed. He is a member of the M. E. Church, and is a Republican, engaged in farming and stock raising, besides owning and operating a saw mill and flour mill at Mansfield. The town, Mansfield, is named from Mrs. Dyer's father, Mansfield McWhorter. Mr. Dyer is a member of the mer- cantile firm of Dyer & Switzer. His farm near Mansfield contains 450 acres nearly all improved. He introduced the first wheat drill into Barbour, and stretched the first telephone wire of the Philippi Extension Telephone Company, of which he was a member. This was the beginning of the Wood- ford system. The capacity of his flour mill is forty barrels a day. In addition to his extensive property in Barbour County, he owns a half inter- est in 1600 acres in Randolph County, on Shaver Mountain and Laurel Fork, about 300 acres of which is in grass and grazes 100 head of cattle, and 130 sheep. The balance is heavily timbered; and he owns 130 acres in Preston County, partly improved.
JEFFERSON DAVIS DIGMAN, born 1861 at the old Digman homestead on Laurel Creek, son of Samuel and Sarah (Sturm) Digman, was married Oc-
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tober 18, 1883, to Laura Virginia, daughter of Francis C. and Elizabeth C. (Mouser) Snodgrass. Children, Zella Bryan, Granville Floyd; and Baby. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church, a Democrat, and a farmer residing on Laurel Creek, where he owns 150 acres, mostly improved and underlaid with coal. His grandfather's name was Charles Digman. The mother of the subject of this sketch was born 1819, and is a daughter of Colonel Henry and Elizabeth (Stalnaker) Sturm, and was married on Sugar Creek, 1838. Her mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Gainer. Their children were Thomas Benton, Martha J., Susan, Elizabeth, Clarinda, John, Nancy Catherine, Charles Henry and Jefferson Davis. She has belonged to the Methodist Protestant Church 57 years.
IRA LEE DADISMAN, born 1873 in Taylor County, son of William and Sarah M. (Gawthrop) Dadisman, is a member of the Baptist Church, in pol- itics is a Democrat, and by occupation a teacher, residing near Hall. He was educated at the Mountain Business College, and at the Fairmont Nor- mal School. His ancestors came from England to Maryland and settled on Lord Baltimore's possessions. The grandfather, George Dadisman, was born in Paige County, Virginia, in 1815, near the Luray Cave, where his son William was born. In 1857 he came to Taylor County and lived near Grafton till his death. William Dadisman came to Barbour in 1873 and located on a farm on the Buckhannon River. I. L. Dadisman began teach- in 1892. He assisted in compiling this History of Barbour County.
CHARLES G. DADISMAN, born near Cecil, Taylor County, July 19, 1873 is a son of Joseph and Margaret (Halterman) Dadisman. He is a member of the Order of Red Men, and of the Junior Order Improved. In politics he is a Democrat, and by occupation a teacher and farmer. He was edu- cated in the public schools of Barbour, and now lives on Big Laurel Creek, where he owns real estate. He is a progressive and successful teacher and has been engaged six years in the work.
GEORGE WASHINGTON DICKENSON, born 1834, son of Robert and Eliz- abetn (Swadley) Dickenson, was married April 12, 1865, to Deniza J., daughter of Albert E. and Margaret (Talbott) Corder. Children, Charles Burdell and William Ashford. He is a member of the M. E. Church, South, a farmer and stock raiser residing near Elk City. He served three years in the Confederate army, and had two brothers in the service, Demetrius, who died at Richmond, and Samuel, who was honorably discharged. He owns 262 acres of improved land, and a fine residence. His sons died of diphtheria within a week of each other. The finest monument in the State marks their grave. The monument weighs 40,000 pounds and cost $3450. The Dickenson ancestry is Dutch. The great grandfather of the subject of this sketch came from Holland and settled in Virginia, and his son, Sam- uel Dickenson, was born and died in Pendleton County. Samuel's son Rob- ert removed to what is now Barbour shortly after marriage, and his child-
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ren were, Jacob, Matilda, Samuel, George W., Rachel, Demetrius and Harriet.
HENRY C. DAUGHERTY, born 1857, son of Jacob and Jane (Pitman) Daugherty, was married March 12, 1880, to Mary, daughter of Henry and Jane (Kerr) Burner. Children, Ida Belle, Dora J., Gordon Thomas, David Loring, Corbett Vane, Madge Irvin, Mr. Daugherty is a member of the Christian Church, and is a carpenter and contractor residing near Mt. Zion Church. His ancestry was Scotch and Irish; his grandfather served in the Mexican War, his father in the Union Army in the Civil War. His daughter Ida is a school teacher
E
COLONEL WILLIAM ELLIOTT, son of David Elliott, was born in Lou- doun County in 1802. His grandfather was born in Scotland, and his father settled near Webster, Taylor County, in 1814, and died there at the age of eighty. About 1827 William Elliott, accompanied by his brother, Samuel, settled at Meadowville and engaged in the mercantile business, hauling their goods by wagons from Baltimore. Their business prospered and they bought land and became stockdealers. About 1837 William Elliott married Rebecca, aged sixteen, daughter of Dr.Solomon Parsons, who lived near St. George. Their children were as follows: Melvina (Knotts), E. C., Solomon P., Jane (Poling), Truman T. and Henrietta (Rosenberger). About 1852 the Elliott brothers dissolved partnership, and four years later the subject of this sketch bought out Solomon Yeager at Belington, and moved his family to that place where he lived until his death, which occurred June 3, 1883, and he was buried in a vault at Belington. He had been a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Up to the war he was a Whig. He then became a Democrat and remained so until the end of his life. He never would accept an office other than military, and was Captain, Major and Colonel in the Virginia militia. His son, Truman, has his sword which he keeps, together with one which he himself captured in battle.
REV. JAMES BAXTER ELLIOTT, born at Meadowville, August 25, 1837, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Scranage) Elliott, was married October 30, 1871, to Anna Rebecca, third daughter of John G. and Catherine (Parsons) Johnson. Mrs. Johnson was a daughter of Captain Job Parsons of Tucker County. In 1882 Mrs. Elliott died, and six years later Mr. Elliott married Mrs. Myra Wilson, who was a daughter of Joseph Reed, of Marion County. Mr. Elliott's children were, Frank Marion, (deceased), Ottice, Charles Murrill, Marcine Johnson, John Samuel, Ann Rebecca, (deceased) Lena, Rayburn, Ethel and Reed. He is a member of the M. E. Church, South, a Democrat and a farmer, merchant and stockdealer, residing at Meadow- ville. He was educated at Alleghany College, Meadsville, Pennsylvania.
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He owns 450 acres in Glade District, 350 improved; 1300 in Tucker County, 300 improved; 115 in Randolph, 50 improved. He owns a valuable ledge of limestone on Laurel Hill, and extensive dsposits of iron ore. The cele- brated "cold spring" on the head of Johnson's Mill Run, belongs to him. He is an active member of his church and contributes to its support and has been a local preacher for several years. Since the dissolution of the firm of D. T. Elliott & Brothers, he has had control of the general mercantile business at Meadowville, known by the name of J. B. Elliott. The Elliotts were early settlers in Barbour County, and have always been men of char- acter, enterprise and ability.
LUTHER CREED ELLIOTT, born 1844, son of Samuel and Elizabeth Elliott, was married May 14, 1887, to Julia A., daughter of John and Josina (Coplin) Elliott. He is a member of the M. E. Church, South, in politics is a Democrat, belongs to the A. F. & A. M., is a farmer residing at Meadowville, and was educated at Alleghany College, Meadsville, Pennsylvania. He has been captain of militia; in 1873 he was appointed deputy sheriff under J. W. Talbott; in 1878 he was elected County Clerk, and was re-elected in 1884. When his term was out he moved to the old homestead at Meadowville and has since engaged in general farming and stockdealing. He owns 900 acres in Barbour, mostly improved; 2700 in Tucker County and 700 in Randolph. The land on which the old Henry Phillips fort stood belongs to him, and he also owns the Keller Hill. He is a very active member of his church, and is seldom absent from services.
TRUMAN THEODORE ELLIOTT, son of William and Rebecca (Parsons) Elliott, born 1844. His children were, Alice, Guy C., Emma, Minnie, Nettie, Carl, Stella, William, Mary P. and two who died in infancy. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, a Mason, a Democrat and a farmer, living at Belington, which town was laid out on his farm in 1886. In 1892 he was elected Sheriff. He was a cavalryman in the Confederate army.
GUY CLAYBORNE ELLIOTT, born 1870, son of Truman T. and Mary Columbia (Lynch) Elliott. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church and a Democrat. He was educated in the Belington public schools, Fairmont Normal School and Sadler, Bryant and Stratton's Business College, Baltimore. He was a deputy sheriff of Barbour under his father. He is a partner in the mercantile business at Meadowville, in the firm of Parsons & Elliott, Arthur Parsons being his partner. Mr. Elliott is general manager and has full charge, Mr. Parsons being on the road for Ruhl, Koblegard & Co., Clarksburg, West Virginia. Mr. Elliott is a member of the following secret orders: Bigelow Lodge, No. 52; A. F. and A. M., Philippi; Copestone Chapter, No. 12, and De Molay Commandry, No. 11, Grafton; Osiris Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., Wheeling, and of Belington Lodge, No. 104. K. of P. He is of Scotch and Irish descent.
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JOSIAH HENRY EKIS, born 1845, son of Benjamin and Mary Ann (Hardin) Ekis, was married November 7, 1872. to Sarah Miller. Children, Rosa, born 1873; Hester Ann, 1875; Andrew B., 1878; Mary, 1880; Hattie, 1883. Mr. Ekis is a Republican and a farmer, living on Cove Run. He was a member of Haller's company of Home Guards (Federal) during the Civil War.
WILLIAM A. ELBON, born in Green County, 'Virginia, 1837, son of Harold P. Elbon, was married in 1857 to Mary Dolly, and in 1873 to Mrs. Eliza J. Auvil. Children, John H., Mary Ellen, French S., Lucy K., Laura Belle, and others that died in infancy. Mr. Elbon is a carpenter and mill- wright at Junior, is a Democrat and has held the positions of post master, and Mayor of Junior. He was in the Confederate service, worked in the Richmond arsenal and was superintendent of lead mines in Tennessee. Afterwards he saw active service in the field and as ranger among the mountains.
F
SAMUEL D. FELTON, born March 26, 1862, at the old Felton home- stead, son of Daniel and Lucinda (England) Felton, was married October 10, 1894, at Belington, to Emma Florence, daughter of Alpheus and Lucinda (Yock) Moore. Children, James Frederick and baby. He is an Odd Fel- low and a Republican. Mrs. Felton is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. He is a farmer and lumber dealer and lives near Alden. He was educated in the public schools of Barbour. His ancestors came from En- gland. The grandfather lived in Maryland and died in Preston County near Kingwood. Daniel Felton lived on the home place about fifty years. On the mother's side the ancestry was Irish. James England, the great- grandfather, and John England, the grandfather, lived near Belington.
CAPTAIN JOHN C. FELTON, born in Preston County, September 5, 1842, son of Henry and Catherine Felton, was married in Barbour County, July 1, 1869, to Susanna M., daughter of H. D. and Maggie Martin. Children, Henry W., born July 13, 1870, died April 14, 1891; George C., born 1882; Jacob F., born 1873; Maggie C., 1875; Edgar C., 1878; Harlin A., 1880; Elizabeth E., 1883; William U., 1888. Captain Felton is a member of the M. E. Church, of the G. A. R., is a Republican and a farmer, residing in Philippi District. He was raised near Rowlesburg and saw the first loco- motive cross Cheat River at that place. When the Civil War came on he joined the Union army and fought till the close of hostilities. He enlisted at Albrightsville, Preston County, July 4, 1861, to serve three years. On April 12, 1863, he was commissioned sergeant. When his three years were up he enlisted for three years more. In 1864, while fighting in front of Petersburg, he was promoted. Subsequently he became First Lieutenant of the 7th West Virginia Infantry, and within a few days was again pro-
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moted to be Captain in the 7th West Virginia Veterans, and held the place till discharged July 1, 1865. He took part in several of the hardest battles of the war, including Gettysburg. He was with Grant's army in the ad- vance against Richmond and in the siege of Petersburg. On one occasion he was under fire for thirty days and nights.
NAYLOR FOREMAN, born 1835 in Preston County, son of Alexander and Jemima (Graham) Foreman, was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Miller) Shroyer. Children, Jacob B., Clara Jane, John Alexander, Isaac. Miller, Joseph N., George R. He is a member of the M. E. Church, is a Republican and a farmer of Cove District. He has held the offices of township treasurer, member of the board of education, and others. Mr. Foreman is a leader in farm and stock improvements in his neighbor- hood. In 1870 he introduced the Southdown sheep; and at the same time he introduced the Chester hogs; in 1890 the Shropshire sheep; in 1880 the Marino sheep; and he has also introduced new varieties of wheat and corn. His wife died in 1868, and in 1869 he was married to Appalonia Miller. His great-grandfather, Robert Forman, was born in England July 17, 1754, and Mary Naylor, his wife, July 20, 1745. Joseph Foreman, son of Robert, and grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Pennsylvania, March 24, 1771, and married Miss Conner. Alexander Foreman, son of Joseph, was born April 9, 1802, and married Jemima Graham, March 26, 1828.
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