USA > West Virginia > Upshur County > The history of Upshur county, West Virginia, from its earliest exploration and settlement to the present time > Part 63
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Such, in short, was the arduous life he lived when young, whereby was laid the habits and foundation upon which his later active private and professional life was built. He was always a close, hard student, a broad reader, and of inde- pendent mind. He was a strong opponent of the Ordinance of Secession, voting and working against it, but after the war was declared and innocent men who were suspected of being Southern sympathizers were sent from his county to Northern prisons upon frivulous charges, he, at the risk of his life, made several trips to Wheeling and Camp Chase and obtained the freedom of a number of his neigh- bors and friends, who through personal malice and spite had been sent to these prisons. For his work in this behalf both his life and liberty were threatened. But such threats never swerved him for a moment from his purpose and efforts to relieve his suffering friends and countrymen. On account of his work in this behalf and of his support of General McClellan for President, and of his having made speeches in behalf of McClellan, he was assaulted in the streets of Buck- hannon and the soldiers who were then quartered in the town, through the instigation of some private citizens, attempted to egg him. This so exasper- ated him, considering the fact that he had always been an open advocate of the Union, and had only done what he conceived to be his duty, that he subsequently armed himself and came back to Buckhannon with the confident expectation of being again assaulted and with the intention of his selling out his life as dearly as possible. Fortunately, however, no soldiers were in the town at that time. Sub- sequently a message was sent to him by the soldiers again quartered in the town
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that if he did not return to the town and submit to an egging they would go to his home; whereupon he issued a challenge to them to come, which was not accepted. The lives of many innocent men were saved by him through his efforts in their behalf.
Dr. McWhorter has written a number of sermons, lectures, speeches and poems which have never been delivered. He was a leader and helper of his people where he lived. His life was given to the public, and sixty years of arduous ser- vice has been devoted almost entirely by him to the welfare of his fellow-men. The following lines written by him in his eighty-fifth year, fairly disclosed the unselfish attitude he has always maintained toward others.
I. Where are you going, never mind, But treat your fellow mortals kind ; Discharge the duty that nearest lies, For that's the road to Paradise.
2. Let selfish greed and discord die, They mar your pathway to the sky; And let your life and service be, To lift man up and set him free.
3. Let others search for wealth and might, Be mine to treat my brethren right ; Are suffering mortals bowed with grief? Be mine to sooth and give relief.
CLOSE OF LIFE.
J. M. MCWHORTER.
With feeble steps life's labor done, I turn my face to the setting sun, Relying on my Heavenly guide, Fearless I launch on the rolling tide.
The stormy scenes of life are o'er, Faith anchors now on the shining shore. The paths of life beset with snares, With toil and pain bedewed with tears.
Are past and gone,and now I see, Thy gracious hand has guided me, Altho' I'd murmur and complain, The cross I bore has been my gain.
How often have I gone astray, Though taught to know the better way; The spirit voice would gently call "Come back to him who died for all."
I thank thee Father, God of Heaven, For light and truth so freely given.
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That sin and death shall be no more And all shall reach the heavenly shore.
And now dear Lord I come to thee ; In death thou wilt my anchor be,
And gently lead me o'er the wave, For thou alone hast power to save.
Farewell to earth with all its cares, Its joys, its sorrows and its tears, To all dear friends, who are left behind, Whose love and care has been so kind.
We soon shall meet on the shining shore, Where parting shall be known no more;
We then shall see that the toils of earth Where the fathers guide to the heavenly birth.
What joy to meet with parted friends, Reunion there will never end. Grieve not for me at the parting shore For I have only gone before.
NOTE-Written on 80th birthday, June 22, 1902, without glasses.
JUDGE J. C. MCWHORTER was born of Scotch-Irish stock on the 5th day of July, 1866, in Upshur County, and is the youngest son of Dr. J. M. McWhorter. His mother was the daughter of John W. Marple and died when the subject of this sketch was four years old. He is descended from Revolution- ary stock, his great grandfather, Henry McWhorter, the first McWhorter to settle West Virginia, having been a Revolutionary soldier, fighting under Washington at the White Plains and elsewhere. From this old pioneer all the McWhorters in West Virginia are directly descended, three of whom having been, or are, judges in West Virginia, namely: H. C. McWhorter, President of the Supreme Court of Appeals; Joseph M. McWhorter, twice Judge in the Greenbrier Circuit, and J. C. McWhorter, now Judge of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit of West Virginia.
J.C. McWhorter was reared on a farm in Upshur County, where he worked until he was twenty-four years old, when to prepare himself for the legal profes- sion, he became a student in the West Virginia University, graduating from that institution in the highest division of his class in 1894, having completed five years work in four years and winning several prizes in oratory and debate during his college career. He was the first student who, in his freshman year, was ever elected President of the Columbian Literary Society of the State University. He was immediately, after graduation, admitted to the bar, and located for the practice of his profession in Buckhannon, in his native county. He achieved success at the bar from the very start. In 1897 he formed a partnership with Senator U. G. Young, under the firm name of Young & McWhorter, and success of this firm was such that its practice soon extended into various parts of the State. In 1904 he was nominated on the Democratic ticket a candidate for Judge of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit of West Virginia, consisting of the Counties of Upshur, Webster, Braxton and Nicholas. Although the nominal majority
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against him was more than a thousand, he was elected by nearly a thousand majority, running ahead of his ticket in every county in the circuit, and carrying his own county of Upshur by over a hundred majority, although at the same time that county gave Theodore Roosevelt about 1,700 majority for President. This official position he still holds, his term of office to expire on the Ist day of Janu- ary, 1913. He is the first judge ever elected in this state from Upshur County. Having been a teetotaler all his life, he has been vigorous in his enforcement of the liquor laws of the state, and is persistent in his efforts to have all laws enforced.
In 1895 he married Elizabeth Alkire, only daughter of Washington and Samantha Post Alkire. She was born and reared on Hacker's Creek, in Lewis County, West Virginia, and educated in the Wesleyan College of West Virginia. To them have been born three children, Nellie, Donald W., and Pauline, all of whom are living, aged respectively, 10, 7, and 3 years.
Judge McWhorter is identified with a number of the business and financial enterprises of his county, being a stockholder of the Traders' National Bank of Buckhannon, of which he has also been a director for several years, and is also a stockholder of the Peoples' Bank of West Virginia, Citizens' Trust & Guaranty Company of West Virginia and the Citizens' National Bank of Redlands', California.
ANDREW MEARNS, born May 31, 1855, son of Andrew and Malinda (Martheny) Mearns and the grandson of John Mearns, who emigrated from Ire- land, settling in Harrison County, in an early day.
Andrew Mearns was first married to Susan Jane Dawson, February 15, 1876, she died August 10, 1877, their childs name was Laura May. His second wife's maiden name was Martha Rebecca McDowell, born June 27, 1865, whom he married October 15, 1885. And their children number twelve, with three sets of twins in succession. Their names are: Floyd A., Margaret M., dead; Orlo E., Mary Ellen ; Monter Ray; Thomas Cowell and Ruth Lankshire; Fay and Clay, both dead; Doyle and Irene, the latter dead; Ada Marie.
His first wife was the daughter of John Dawson and Elizabeth Gaston. His second wife was the daughter of J. A. McDowell and Margaret Donelly. The subject of this sketch is an undertaker and furniture dealer at Center- ville. Is a faithful member of the M. P. Church and so is his wife.
Mrs. Mearns has been an invalid for three years.
Mr. Mearns is a Prohibitionist in politics.
IRA H. MEARNS, born in Upshur County and married Retta A. Curry, the daughter of Lloyd J. Curry and Elizabeth McDowell, July 7, 1898. Mrs. Mearns was afflicted for many years, she bore her sufferings with christian fortitude until her death, May 30, 1906.
He is a member of the M. P. Church and Class Leader of the same at Rock Cave, is a Free Mason, a Junior and a Prohibitionist. He is now a merchant of Rock Cave. He is a son of Milton D. Mearns and N. Valine Curry. His parents were married August 27, 1871, and their children are: Alvin L., John A., Laura E., Wilbur Maud, Blanche. Pearl, Cecil, and the subject of this sketch.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF WILLIAM MEARNS. My grandfather, John Mearns came from Ireland in his boyhood days, and in manhood he located on Lost Creek, in Harrison County, W. Va., and lived there until his death, which occurred 1840. My father, Andrew Mearns, was born and raised there, during his life, except about four years, which he spent in the State of Illinois. where he lost his first wife and two children, after which he returned to his old home at Lost Creek, W. Va., in 1836, was married to his second wife, who was (Miss)
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Malinda Matheny. Her posterity were emigrants from Germany, she is still living and located at Lost Creek, Harrison County, W. Va. There was born to my father and mother eleven children. My father, Andrew Mearns, died in 1869. I was born in Barbour County, on the 2d day of May, 1841, and moved from there to Lost Creek in my infancy, and remained on the old original Mearns farm until the 14th day of October, 1863, at which date I was united to ( Miss) Elizabeth J. Curry, in marriage; she was a daughter of John Curry, Sr., and Mary Curry, they resided on French Creek, Upshur County, W. Va. From my boyhood up until my marriage, I worked on the farm after which time I entered into stock trade generally, handling all kinds of stock and followed that business for the next twenty years of my life, during this time I was also engaged in the mercan'ile business, at Centerville, Upshur County, W. Va., and at Nicholas Court House, W. Va., I moved from Harrison County, to Upshur County in 1866, and resided on the original Curry farm about 10 years at which time I purchased the John Smith farm near Centerville and resided there about eight years, after which time I resided in the town of Centerville, until February, 1892, at which time I moved to the town of Buckhannon, W. Va., at which place I now reside.
In the year of 1881, I was elected Justice of the Peace in Bank's District, Upshur County, W. Va., in the year 1885, I was re-elected and resumed the office until 1889, during the time of my holding the office as Justice of the Peace I was also a member of the County Court. In the year 1893, I received the appoint- ment as Postmaster in the town of Buckhannon, Upshur County, by President Cleveland, under the recommendation of Hon. John D. Alderson, which was our Congressman at this time .. This sets forth the fact that I have been a Democrat all my life and I still remain one. About the year 1882 I entered into the lumber business in Upshur County, I went to the State of Ohio and purchased a saw mill which was among the first operated in the County. This mill after being used for about five years, the boiler was blown up, killing Russ Hyre, who was firing the mill, also wounding Cyrus Brake, James Wilson, and Edwin Hyre. Since that time I have purchased and operated five different saw mills, during the time of my lumber business I operated in Webster and Nicholas County, about six years. I still remain in the lumber business.
My family consists of nine children, viz : Calvin L., who was united in mar- riage to Celia E. Rice, September 23, 1891, Celia, his wife, departed this life 2Ist of November, 1896, there were two sons born to them : Venior, who departed this life in infancy ; Voris S., who is 13 years old the 8th day of February. He was united in marriage to Ada E. Casto, August 25, 1898, to this union five child- ren were born, four of which are now living, they reside in the town of Buck- hannon, W. Va. John E., my second son was united in marriage to Belle Wilson, February 14, 1889, to this union was born one son who died in infancy. Viola E., my oldest daughter was united in marriage to Charles W. Geyer, December 29, 1887, to this union were born three daughters and one son, Gracie, Minnie, Nella, and Wm. E. Viola departed this life November 7, 1902. Charles W. departed this life July 28, 1905; Cora E., was united in marriage to Arthur G. Lorentz, December 31, 1891. Arthur G. Lorentz departed this life December 28, 1901. Minnie L., was united in marriage to Clyde C. Reger, September, 1898, they reside at Walkersville, Lewis County, W. Va. Wm. E. at home and engaged in the lumber business. Bertha M., at home, Mary M., died in infancy, Chesley G., at home.
My father had one brother and two sisters, his brother, Hugh, spent the. most of his life and raised a family in the State of Kentucky, and died in the city
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of Cincinnati, Ohio. His sister Rachel, married Elisha Hudkins, who was raised in Barbour County, after their marriage they moved to Hancock County, Ill., where they raised a family of eight children, at that point they both departed this life. His other sister married James Shields, of near Bridgeport. Harrison County, W. Va., they raised a family of two sons; they have both departed this life. My grandfather on my mother's side, the family consisted of five children, viz: Elizabeth, who was connected in marriage to Isaac Paugh, of Barbour County, where they lived and raised a family. Their daughter, Virginia, was married to George Rymer, who lived and died in the County, their family con- sisted of three children, viz: Chesley, Morgan and Sarah Malinda my mother and my father's families names were as follows: Hugh, William, Jane, John, Laura, Milton D., James A., Andrew, Mary E .. Rachel, Thomas J., and one boy which died in infancy.
The above shows that my relationship in my own name is very limited, and outside of my father's family.
Laura, mother's sister, was united in marriage to Josiah Peck. To this union were born six sons and one daughter, two of the sons are doctors, two are lawyers, one is a carpenter, one is a preacher in the S. M. Church, the daughter is mar- ried and lives in the town of Philippi, W. Va., her mother is still living and resides with her daughter.
My mother's brother, John Matheny ,was united in marriage with
-, and they raised a family consisting of two boys and one girl, their father and mother have both departed this life.
NOAH SHERIDAN MESSMAN, born Dec. 5, 1866, son of John H. Mess- man and Margaret A. Jack. His father volunteered in the Union Army March 15, 1862, in the Ioth West Virginia Inf. under Captain Ewing and served until the war closed. He is the grandson of John Messman, emigrant direct from Germany. His mother was the daughter of Thomas Jack, who came to Upshur County from Pendleton County. He is a farmer and lumberman, but takes time from both these occupations to have a lively interest in local politics and on account of his knowledge and interest has been Constable of Union District for twelve years. He married Margaret E. George, daughter of William George and Malissa Yeager of Barbour County on December 25, 1890.
Children : Carrie Malissa and Columbus Howard.
WILLIE BURTON MICK was born June 29. 1869. Was married Feb- ruary 10, 1896. to Myrtle Lena Moore, who was born March. 1877, the daughter of James Moore of Crawford.
W. B. Mick is a son of William E. Mick, who is a son of Walter and Hannah (Bailey) Mick. Walter Mick was a son of Charles Mick. His mother was the daughter of John Pickens, who was a son of James Pickens, who came to this country at an early date and located near Duffy, known as the James Pickens' farm.
The subject of this sketch is the son of Wm. E. Mick, who has been in the lumber business for 29 years, also a farmer and cattle raiser. At the end of the war he was without anything in the way of worldly goods and commenced busi- ness by making rails and raising tobacco and thus paying for his land. Willie B. Mick went into business with his father at the age of 21 years. He is equipped with good machinery and personally looks after his business. As he ships the lumber he clears up the land, planting grass and grain. He also has an apple orchard of 600 trees and a peach orchard of 1,000 trees.
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The children of W'm. E. Mick are: Willie B., Lora Ella, Isea Florence, Laurie Edward.
Mr. Mick is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a Republican.
The Mick family was originally from Germany. Three brothers came to America. John. Charles and the other's name unknown. John went to Pennsyl- vania. Charles to Turkey Run. Upshur County, and the other to some part of the West. On the mother's side of the Mick family the Bailey's are descendants of Minter Bailey.
WORTH S. MICK, born April 11, 1876, son of Elias and Amanda Rexroad and the grandson of Charles C. Mick and Catherine Suder.
Charles C. Mick and brother. Matthias, emigrated from Pendleton County to this county many years ago, settling on the waters of Turkey Run, where their descendant now lives.
Charles C. Mick's children were: William, Walter, Obediah, Elizabeth, Susanna. Lucinda and Mathias. all dead, and Mary, John, Solomon, Marion, Clinton C., Hudson, Elias S.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools, the Burns- ville Academy, Glenville State Normal. Normal and Classical Academy and Wesleyan University. He taught seven years and was elected County Superin- tendent. His term expires July 1, 1907.
JOHN W. MILES. a farmer and coal dealer of Union District. Postoffice, Reger. W. Va., was born April 12. 1856, son of William Miles and Mary E. Pumphrey, the daughter of Lorenzo Dow Pumphrey and Annie Wilfong. the daughter of A. Wilfong. His father was a native of Wales and immigrated to America. first settling in Pennsylvania. and then moving to Barbour County and thence to Upshur. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm, and is a farmer, his wife was Cora Westfall. the daughter of Jasper N. Westfall and Jane Reese. Her father was the son of Watson, the son of George. the son of Zachariah. the son of Jacob. the son of James Westfall, who built Westfall's fort in 1774. in Randolph County. Mr. Miles owns thirty-seven acres of land, :wo miles east of Buckhannon, on the Beverly and Buckhannon Turn Pike; is a Prohibitionist in politics and a member of the Church of God in religion. He has been Justice of the Peace in Union District for six years. His children are: Bertha B., Leslie R., Edna. Paul. Grace and one infant dead.
LEWIS HARRISON MILLER, of Jackson County, now a student in the Wesleyan University of West Virginia. Was born November19, 1890. His parents were Leander Miller and Jessie (Bennett) Harrison. His mother being the daughter of William H. and Catherine ( Harris) Harrison, both natives of Mason County. His grandfather Harrison, claims to be a nephew of President Benjamin Harrison. His father has been a school teacher for thirty-three years, was educated at Athens University. He is now farming.
His brothers and sisters are. B. W .. Blanche, Edith, Katie, Luella, Pauline and John.
CARRIE MONTGOMERY. the widow of Marcellus Montgomery. the one time popular assessor of the Second District of Upshur County, is the daughter of Simon J. and Margaret Hazelden ) Rohrbough. the granddaughter of Jacob Rohrbough and the great granddaughter of Anthony Rohrbough, who settled in the Buckhannon Valley during the time of the Indian wars.
The Rohrbough family is known throughout the County for the religious views and practices and none of them so well known in Church work as the father of the subject of this sketch.
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Children : Nola, Lelah, Charles J., Mamie, Clyde, Maud Annie and Carl.
She owns a hundred and ten acres of good land near Hinkleville and knows well how to farm it.
ISAAC A. MORGAN was born October 25, 1814, on French Creek, Va. His wife, Mandana Gould, was born March 12, 1820. They were married Octo- ber 30, 1838. To them were born, Harriet, Aladin, Louisa, Lydia E., Cecilia, Amy E., James B. Frantie, Ashley A., and Lucie. He was a farmer and a mem- ber of the French Creek Presbyterian Church.
ASHLEY A. MORGAN, a farmer, was born June 6, 1858. Educated in the common school and took up farming for his life's work. Married Rachel Landes, who was born January 27, 1863, August 16, 1882.
Children : Nellie J., born October 21, 1883; Louie E., born November 18, 1884; Merle M., born May 31, 1886; Julia E., born December II, 1887; Ona L., born September 2, 1889; Isaac S., born April 30, 1891 ; George B., born Febru- ary 17, 1893 ; Anna D., born February 16, 1895; Ray L., born May 22, 1900.
Mr. Morgan owns the old homestead and lives in a new house just con- structed on the site of his father's home.
BRYANT TOLIVER MOORE, is a farmer, 67, years old, living near Holly Grove, and just where he settled when he first set up for himself, the present house, a two-story frame building, standing on the site of the original one- roomed, log house.
At the age of 21, he was married to Sarah Frances Bartlett, who died in 1875, leaving a family of six children.
The husband devoted himself to the task of keeping his children together and rearing them withut a mother's care, and succeeded so well that all remained with him until they went out to establish homes of their own.
The youngest son, Edward Arnold, died at the age of 18 years. The other two sons, Floyd L., and James E., are married and live near Holly Grove The oldest daughter, Flora A., is at home with her father.
Mrs. Lizzie F. Carter, widow of the late Thomas A. Carter of Tallmansville, is a teacher in the Weston Schools. Mrs. Lucy H. Miles, whose home is at Weston, is the wife of William F. Miles, a B. & O. R. R. Conductor.
Mr. Moore was born in Farquier County, Va., but came with his parents, James Bryant and Elizabeth (Palmer) Moore to Harrison County, when but a child, and about the year 1856 they moved to the present site of the village of Holly Grove, then almost an unbroken forest. While a man of very limited education, Mr. Moore keeps pretty well posted on current events as he reads a great deal, and has always been interested in the cause of education. He was a member of the board of education of Banks District for twelve years and has been school trustee at different times, and has furnished two school teachers. His oldest daughter taught for 20 years, in the public schools of Upshur County and his second daughter, who is still teaching has taught longer.
Mr. Moore has been a life long Democrat and is a member of the Baptist Church.
During the Civil War, he was one of the Militia who were captured by Rebel Forces and taken to Richmond, where he spent several months in prison, later was in Baltimore Hospital and afterwards brought home on a bed, and it has been frequently said by those who saw him, "He was the poorest person I ever saw." He has been almost an invalid ever since.
OSCAR LEOPOLD MOORE, third son of George C. and Sarah A. Moore, born at Sago, six miles above Buckhannon on the Buckhannon River, November 10, 1849.
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Enlisted as a private soldier in Company M, Third West Virginia Cavalry, March 20, 1864. Was never at the dismounted camp, but served continuously with the mounted portion of his company. Was on the Lynchburg raid with Hunter ; served in the Shenandoah Valley with Sheridan in 1864; went with General Custer from Winchester to Appomattox in 1865.
Taught common schools at Indian Camp. Brushy Fork, Glady Fork, Center- ville, Oak Grove, Truby Run. Went to Dickinson County, Kansas in 1874, where he has since resided. Served one term as county attorney ; elected Judge of the Eighth Judicial District of Kansas, composed of Dickinson, Geary, Marion and Morris Counties, in November, 1895, and is now serving his third term as judge of said district.
Has filled numerous offices in the state encampment of the G. A. R., was Judge Advocate of the National G. A. R. in 1905.
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