USA > West Virginia > West Virginia and its people, Volume II > Part 33
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Mr. Thompson married Sallie Hitie, of San Francisco, California, daughter of Dr. George W. Huie, formerly of Kentucky and West Vir- ginia, who went to California in 1849, and has practiced medicine there
COM. Shampoo
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ever since; her mother was Sarah Elizabeth Thompson, daughter of Robert A. Thompson, an uncle of William R. Thompson. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have one child. Robert Cameron Thompson, born at Hunting- ton. July 25. 1900.
The family name of Vinson is familiar, not alone in Cabell
VINSON and Wayne counties, West Virginia, but in the "Old Do- minion," and in North Carolina, where, in this country, it most likely originated. Out of these two states came, at all events, the forerunners of the Vinsons of West Virginia, more particularly those of Taylor Vinson, leading lawyer and man of affairs, of Huntington, that state, a notable industrial center, situated at the mouth of the Kanawha river, near the northwestern state line. Mr. Taylor Vinson's lineage is emphatically southern.
(I) James Vinson, the first of the line here under consideration of whom there is information, was a Carolinian. He came from the old col- ony of North Carolina to Wayne county, Virginia, as a boy, and died there at a ripe old age in 1845. His vocation was farming. He married and among his children was Samuel S., of whom further.
(II) Captain Samuel S. Vinson, son of James Vinson, was born in Wayne county, West Virginia, in the family homestead, April 14, 1833. He was a farmer and lumberman, and followed these lines with ability and success. In the civil war crisis his sympathies were southern, and he exem- plified them very naturally by enlistment and service in arms on the Con- federate side as a captain of the Eighth Virginia Cavalry. In this service he was wounded, captured and taken to Frankfort, Kentucky, toward the close of the war, and confined two months in a Federal prison of the Blue Grass state. He was also in the battle of Winchester, which has passed in- to song and story through Buchanan Reid's verses, on "Sheridan's Ride," and in all the principal engagements in which his superior, General Jones, engaged. He was a cavalry captain in this service in the old Virginia Eighth. Captain Vinson married Mary Dameron, born in Wayne county, West Virginia, in 1835. She still survives, and lives at the advanced age of seventy-seven at the old homestead- of the family in Wayne. Chil- dren : Taylor, of whom further. Belle, now Mrs. James A. Hughes, of Huntington ; Mary, now Mrs. Donald Clark, who lives in Westmoreland ; Josie, married John P. Bromley, of Wayne county, and died in 1885 ; Boyd, died in 1909; Lindsay T., of whom further (probably not in order of birth).
Samuel Dameron, father of Mary (Dameron) Vinson, was born and raised in Wayne county, Virginia. He was the son of one of the first settlers in that county, Moses Dameron, first of his line in Virginia. The date of his arrival is uncertain, like many early events and records. Sam- uel Dameron was a farmer. He was born in 1812, and died at ninety- four, in 1906; he came of a hardy, long-lived race.
(III) Taylor, son of Captain Samuel S. Vinson, was born December 22, 1857, in Wayne county, West Virginia, on his father's farm, the old Vinson place or homestead. He attended the local school as a boy and was then sent to Bethany College, from which he graduated in 1878. From there he went to the Law School of the University of Virginia. and then to the Boston University Law School spending a year in study at each place. In the year 1886 he received his license to practice law in the supreme court of his home state. He located first in his profession at Ceredo, Wayne county, West Virginia, and remained there a year. Then he was drawn to Huntington by the superior opportunities there af- forded and established himself in that city in 1887. Huntington then had I5
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perhaps ten thousand people ; it has probably four times that number now. Mr. Vinson began the practice of law there. He has met with uncommon success, not alone in his profession, but in a business way as well. His offices are in the Vinson-Thompson building, one of the most modern structures of the city. It was built by him, with his partner, William R. Thompson, in 1909, and is one of the architectural ornaments of the place. Mr. Vinson is a stockholder and is active in the First National Bank of Huntington. He is a director and general counsel of the United States Coal & Oil Company, a director in the Kentland Coal & Coke Company, and attorney for the Ohio Valley Electric Railway Company, which runs the street car line of Huntington, and operates thirty-five miles of track between Huntington and Irontown. He has interested him- self also in town promotion. With W. J. Williamson he organized the town called after that gentleman, and with J. L. Caldwell the town of Central City. He is a Republican in politics, an Elk, and a member of the Christian church.
Mr. Vinson married, January 18, 1901. Mary, daughter of the late R. B. Chaffin, of Richmond, Virginia. Mrs. Vinson is a native of Rich- mond. Her father, who died in 1905, was in his time the leading real estate man of his city. Her mother, Sarah ( Harvie) Chaffin, is still a resident of Richmond. The Vinsons have two children: Taylor, born February 1, 1904. Blair, born July 3. 1907.
(III) Dr. Lindsay T. Vinson, son of Captain Samuel S. Vinson, was born on his father's farm in Lawrence county, Kentucky. August 28, 1874. The old homestead is still intact and in the Vinson family. When he was five years old he came with his parents to Wayne county, West Virginia, where he received the first of his education. He attended Marshall College, Huntington, West Virginia, and the University of West Virginia, at Morgantown, Monongalia county, taking the first course in medicine given by this institution. Then he studied in the med- ical department of the University of Cincinnati and the medical depart- ment of the Central University of Kentucky. In 1901 he graduated from the Hospital College of Medicine, after which he spent a year at Parkers- burg, Wood county, West Virginia, as an interne in St. Luke's Hospital. For three years he had charge, in the surgical department, of the Norfolk & Western railroad, (new line construction) for the section west of Williamson. One year was passed in Europe, at the University of Lon- don and other European schools. Since 1906 Dr. Vinson has practiced at Huntington, Cabell county, West Virginia. His office is in the Vinson- Thompson building, with Dr. Kessler, and he is connected with the Kessler Hospital. He is local surgeon of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. coroner of Cabell county, also inspector of schools for the board of edu- cation for the city of Huntington, West Virginia. Dr. Vinson is a mem- ber of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and a Mason. In politics he is a Democrat, in religion a Campbellite.
He married, at Huntington, October 23, 1901, Willie May, daughter of William P. and Hallie V. Holderby. Her paternal grandfather was the oldest pioneer of Huntington, and gave the grounds for Marshall Col- lege ; her father is deceased but his widow is living at Huntington, at the age of sixty. Child of Dr. and Mrs. Vinson, Lindsay, born August I. 1907.
This family is of German origin, Solomon Fischer having
FISCHER come from Germany to Bradford, Pennsylvania, in the year 1883, bringing with him a son, the rest of the fam- ily coming later. He engaged in the grocery business in Bradford and continued therein with success until two years prior to his death, which
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occurred in 1908: his widow is still living in the old home at Bradford, being now sixty-three years of age. Their ten children, seven boys and three girls, are also all living. Two of the sons, Edwin N. and Herbert, are mentioned below : one son is in Chicago; one son and daughter in New York City; one daughter in Cleveland, Ohio; and the remainder make their home in Bradford, Pennsylvania.
Edwin N. Fischer, son of Solomon Fischer, was born in Germany on September 11, 1867. The little education which he was enabled to ac- quire was obtained in Germany before the family removed to this coun- try, for at the age of thirteen years he began the work of making his own way in the world by entering a dry goods store in the old country. At the age of seventeen he accompanied his father to America and ob- tained employment in a dry goods store in Olean, New York. He con- tinued his clerkship in this establishment for a period of four years and then, at the age of twenty-one, started in business for himself at Johns- town, Pennsylvania. This was in August, 1889, after the great flood of that year. For two years and a half Mr. Fischer continued operations in Johnstown, after which he returned to Olean and again attempted to do a dry goods business in that city. He remained there for another two years and a half, after which he came to Sistersville and established him- self in a promising dry goods business in this place, locating in the Welles Block. This establishment has grown to be the largest store in the city, occupying three floors and conducting a larger trade in its spec- ial line than any dry goods concern between Parkersburg and Wheeling. The great success with which his labors have been rewarded is due to the integrity and fair-mindedness of Mr. Fischer's business methods. He has acquired a position of prominence in the community and has become the owner of a considerable amount of real estate in and around Sistersville. He is now one of the directors of the Tyler County Bank ; is interested in many manufacturing enterprises and in a number of oil companies. As a member of the Masonic fraternity, he is a thirty-second degree Mason. a Shriner, and also belongs to the order of Elks. Politi- cally he is a member of the Republican party. He is a man who has made no great noise or stir in the world, but has quietly pursued his own even, purposeful way, considering his success as a merchant all the nota- bility that he desires. On February 20, 1900, Mr. Fischer married Kate Josephs, born in Titusville. Pennsylvania, September 7. 1873: she is a daughter of A. Josephs, of Bradford, Pennsylvania, a retired dry goods merchant, and was educated in Bradford. Mr. and Mrs. Edwin N. Fischer have the following children: Leonore D., born in Sistersville, July 8, 1901 ; Virginia Joy, born August 20, 1902 : Jerome M., born Feb- ruary 16, 1904: and Gladys A., born December 3. 1909.
Herbert Fischer, son of Solomon Fischer, and brother of Edwin N. Fischer, was born April 3. 1873. also in Germany. He was educated at the Bradford, Pennsylvania, common and high schools, having come to America with his mother at the age of twelve years, his father preceding them. The first work which he, performed was as a newsboy, and in such occupation he continued for three years, when he entered mercan- tile business in the employ of Mr. Galland, of Bradford, with whom he continued for seven years. With a strong desire then to enter the dry goods business, he engaged with Mr. S. Anerhaim, of Bradford, and re- mained in his employ for a period of eight years. After this he came to Sistersville and entered into business with his brother, Edwin N. Fischer, with whom he remained until 1909. In this year he started in business on his own account, opening a gentlemen's clothing and furnishing store in which he has become very successful, and in the brief time which has elapsed since he opened the store his trade has so grown that it is now
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the largest in this line in the city. He is a popular man among his custo- mers, with whom his relations are always pleasant, so that they have be- come, indeed, his best friends. His energy, ability and square dealing are unmistakably shown in the success which has attended his efforts. Like his brother he is a Republican in politics, and like him also, is strongly Interested in Masonic organizations. He is a member of the order of Elks; of the Scottish Rite, and the Shriners, being a thirty-second de- gree Mason. Mr. Herbert Fischer married on February 16, 1909, Fan- nie Wolinsky, who was born in Ohio on May 18, 1883 ; she is a daughter of Nathan Wolinsky, of Canton, Ohio, a jeweler by trade. Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Fischer have one child, Saulbert Marvin Fischer, born in Sistersville on December 27, 1911.
HOSKINSON The representative of this family in West Virginia, so well known for the energy and push which has brought him into the front ranks of the profession which he has chosen, is Dr. Jefferson C. Hoskinson, born in Monroe county, Ohio, on May 31, 1877. He is the son of Azariah Hoskinson, a farmer of that county, whose death occurred in the year 1895; and Han- nah ( Hissom) Hoskinson, who passed her entire life in Ohio and was a devout member of the Methodist church.
The young man passed his early years in the locality of his birth, re- ceiving an ordinary but thoroughly fundamental education in the com- mon schools of the county. He was gifted with unusual ambition, how- ever, and resolved that he would prepare himself for better things in life than his prospects then indicated, the first thing necessary to his ad- vancement being the acquisition of a more far-reaching education. In this he persisted with extraordinary application and effort, working in the oil fields the while as foreman of the Carter Oil Company. He con- tinued thus for about eight years and in 1906 was enabled to commence upon a professional education at the Ohio College of Dental Surgery, in Cincinnati, Ohio. After a three years' course in which his usual dili- gence and purposefulness brought the inevitable reward, he received on May 13, 1909, his certificate as Doctor of Dental Surgery. He began the practice of his profession in the same year, locating himself in Sep- tember at Sistersvillle, West Virginia. Here he exerted himself to the utmost and the proficiency and skill which he displayed soon resulted in a large practice which increases yearly, placing him well in the van of the profession hereabouts. He has made a most excellent impression upon the community, and numbers among his patrons the wealthiest and most influential of the citizens of Sistersville. His reputation as a clever and successful practitioner is well established in professional circles in this state and he is an important member of the West Virginia State Dental Society. In his political opinions Dr. Hoskinson is a member of the Independent party ; and is a thirty-second degree Mason and is also one of the Shriners. Dr. Hoskinson is unmarried.
William Harvey Cottle was born in Monroe county, West COTTLE Virginia, in 1826, and died at Beckley, Raleigh county, this state, November 12, 1901, aged seventy-five years. He was a shoemaker by occupation and worked at that trade during the en- tire period of his active career.
(II) George Washington, son of William Harvey Cottle, was born in Monroe county, West Virginia, in 1852, and he is engaged in farming operations on an extensive estate in Raleigh county, this state. He mar-
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ried Pricie Massey, a daughter of Steele Massey, a farmer, who died in Raleigh county, in 1870. Mrs. Cottle was born in 1858 and is still living. Of the nine children born to the Cottles seven are living (1912), as fol- lows : William L., mentioned below : Nora Rosetta, is the wife of H. D. Rudolph, of Oswald, West Virginia; Lee Berta, lives at home in Mat- ville, this state; Effie May, is at home; Ada Belle, is a nurse in the Davis Memorial Hospital, at Elkins, West Virginia ; Lena Frances, is at home ; and Wavie Arizona, is a nurse at Davis Memorial Hospital.
(III) Dr. William Lacey Cottle, son of George Washington and Pricie (Massey) Cottle, was born in Raleigh county, West Virginia, June 12, 1877. When a mere child his parents removed to a farm near Matville, this state, and in the public schools of that place young William L. was educated. He worked on the home farm and in the saw mills con- ducted by his father until he had reached the age of twenty-two years. In 1903 he entered the Ohio College of Dental Surgery, affiliated with the University of Cincinnati, and three years later was graduated in that in- stitution with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. His first experi- ence in dental work was as assistant to Dr. S. S. Sutphin, of Beckley, West Virginia, in whose employ he was for one year, beginning Septem- ber I, 1902. His first independent work as a dentist was at Lawson, Raleigh county, this state, where he remained for one year. August 10, 1907, he came to Mount Hope and here he has met with unqualified suc- cess as a dentist, his offices being in the Garrett & McNabb Building. His political convictions coincide with the principles promulgated by the Re- publican party and in a fraternal way he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America.
On September 10, 1908, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Cottle to Miss Electa Shackleford, who was born in West Virginia and who is a daughter of Charles R. Shackleford, a Methodist Episcopal minister. Rev. Shackleford was born May 12, 1847, in Burton's, Tishimingo coun- ty, Mississippi, and is one of the oldest preachers of the gospel in the state. He is now pastor at Harrisville, Ritchie county, West Virginia. His wife. Martha ( Smith) Shackleford, was born January 24, 1847. at Kesler's Cross Roads, Nicholas county. West Virginia, and died when Mrs. Cottle was a girl of but twelve years. Dr. and Mrs. Cottle have one son, William Lacey, Jr., born September 7, 1909.
BRACKMAN
David Brackman is the first member of this family about whom we have definite information. Child, William W., of whom further.
(II) William W., son of David Brackman, made his home in Green- brier county, West Virginia. He was always a farmer. He married Mary C., daughter of Andrew and Frances (Coffman) Sydenstricker, who was born April 1, 1839, and died March 26, 1913. Her father was the son of David Sydenstricker and of the same family as Jolin M. Sydenstricker, who was a candidate for governor of West Virginia in 1892, and was afterward state commissioner of labor. Frances (Coff- man) Sydenstricker is the daughter of John Coffman, whose parents, Isaac and Esther Coffman, settled in Greenbrier county about 1765. Children of William W. and Mary C. (Sydenstricker ) Brackman : John A., graduate of Marshall College, now a railroad man, living at Alle- ghany, Virginia ; Mason Clark, of whom further.
(III) Mason Clark, son of William W. and Mary C. (Sydenstricker) Brackman, was born in Greenbrier county September 23, 1879. He at- tended the free schools and then entered the Concord State Normal School, at Athens, West Virginia, from which he graduated in 1896.
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After teaching for several years he entered the law department of the University of West Virginia, from which he graduated in 1902, and was admitted to the state bar the same year. He taught school then for one year more, in Greenbrier county, but, in 1903, he settled at Beckley, Raleigh county, West Virginia, for the practice of law. Here he has continued to reside and to practice. His reputation as a lawyer is very high, and he is counsel for the Winding Gulf Colliery Company and for other corporations. He is a member of the State Bar Association. He is a member of White Pine Lodge, No. 37, Knights of Pythias ; is a past master of Beckley Lodge, No. 95, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and is now serving his second term as its secretary. He was one of the organizers of Beckley Chapter, No. 38, Royal Arch Masons, and is its secretary. In politics, also, Mr. Brackman is active, being a Democratic leader and chairman of the Democratic executive committee ; this posi- tion he has now ( 1912) held for six years. He has served on the town council of Beckley and is now recorder of the town ; he is also commis- sioner of chancery, and is at this time the candidate of his party for the house of delegates in the state legislature. Mr. and Mrs. Brackman are communicants of the Protestant Episcopal church. He married, October 6, 1909, Nellie B., daughter of DeKalb and Jane Hughes, of Ben Lomond, West Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Brackman have no children.
DAVIES Ebenezer Davies was born in South Wales in the year 1794. He was reared and educated in his native land and lived there until after his marriage. He immigrated to America in the ante-bellum days and settled in Lancashire county, Penn- sylvania, where he maintained the family home until after the close of the civil war. He then removed to Coal Creek, Tennessee, where he was engaged in farming operations until his death in 1869, at the age of seventy-five years. The maiden name of his wife was Ann Phillips ; she was likewise a native of South Wales and she bore her husband several children, among whom was Thomas Phillips, mentioned below.
(II) Thomas Phillips, son of Ebenezer and Ann ( Phillips) Davies, was born in South Wales, March 1, 1848. As a boy he attended the pub- lic schools of his native place and in 1864, at the age of sixteen years, he came to America to join his parents, who had come here several years earlier. He lived in the vicinity of Columbia, Lancashire county, Pennsylvania, for a time and there was employed in the rolling mills. In 1869 he came to West Virginia and located at Cannelton, in Kanawha county, where he was boss driver in the mines. In 1872 he opened up the first coal mine in Fayette county and operated the same for the en- suing fifteen years. In 1873 he organized a company of working men, known as the Coal Valley Coal Company. and of this concern he was president for the ensuing fifteen years, during the last three of which he was sole owner. At that period Montgomery was called "Coal Val- ley." Mr. Davies has witnessed this city grow from the time of its founding, when its present site was a mere corn patch. For many years past Mr. Davies has been deeply and sincerely interested in public af- fairs, giving freely of his aid and influence in support of all measures and enterprises projected for the good of the general welfare. He is a stalwart Republican in his political convictions and in 1882 was elected a representative in the West Virginia legislature and he served as assem- blyman again in 1884. In 1886 he was honored by his fellowmen with election to the state senate, holding record as the first Republican to en- ter the senate from this district. He introduced Bill No. 41, to establish a state hospital at the town of Alderson, but the bill did not pass; and
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another bill to establish a preparatory school for students who wished to enter the University of West Virginia; this latter bill passed and the school is now located at Montgomery. Mr. Davies served with the ut- most loyalty and efficiency as a member of the city council of Montgom- ery for six years and in 1896 was elected mayor of this city. He has been called the "Invincible Old War Horse of the Republican Party," because he has won all his fights for office in a normally Democratic dis- trict. As mayor of Montgomery he accomplished a great deal in the way of public improvements and his administration was characterized by honorable dealings and faithful service to the good of his constituents.
Mr. Davies has been a valued and appreciative member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows since 1869 and he is likewise affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Or- der of Owls and the time-honored Masonic fraternity. In religious mat- ters he is a zealous Baptist. He is a man of fine mentality and broad hu- man sympathy, always courteous, kindly and affable, and those who know him personally accord him the highest esteem. His life has been exemplary in all respects and he has ever supported those interests which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity, while his own splendid moral worth is deserving of the highest commendation. In Montgom- ery was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Davis to Ann Williams, who was born in South Wales and died October 25. 1900, aged fifty-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Davies never had any children of their own, but they reared four adopted children.
Jacob Hess, the first member of this family of whom we HESS have definite information, was a farmer in Hoffenheim, Ba- den, Germany. His wife's name is unknown. Children : Jacob. referred to below ; Rosa, married Carl Ludwig.
(II) Jacob (2), son of Jacob (I) Hess, was born in 1806. He was a wine manufacturer in Hoffenheim, Baden, Germany, growing his own grapes, and was a councilman for many years. He married, about 1832, Catharine, daughter of Jacob Schweitzer of Hoffenheim, born in 1801. Children : Elizabeth, married Jacob Peuffer, a brewer ; Susanna, married Ludwig Laubinger, a brewer ; Carl, married Lena Kope, of Hoffenheim ; Jacob; Mary, married Alfred Schick, a jeweler in Sinsheim: Charles Frederick, referred to below : Philip.
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