USA > West Virginia > West Virginia and its people, Volume II > Part 62
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(VII) Henry (3), second child of Henry ( 2) and Azemia ( McLean) Shepherd, was born at New Orleans, Louisiana, January 27, 1867. He was educated in the Virginia Military Institute and in St. James College near Hagerstown, Maryland. Up to the time of his father's death, in 1891, he had charge of the latter's estates, "Wild Goose Farm" and "Shepherd Farm," two fine farms located near Shepherdstown. He married Minnie Rinehart, of Shepherdstown, in 1893, and they had one child. He died March 4, 1896, and lies at rest in the Shepherdstown cemetery beside his father.
(VII) William James, third son of Henry (2) and Azemia (Mc- Lean) Shepherd, was born September 29, 1869. He attended the Uni- versity of Virginia, from which he was graduated about 1893. After his father's death he took charge of the Shepherd estate and managed the same until it was entirely settled. He is now associated with his brother Augustus Montgomery in the ownership and operation of the "Shepherd Stock Farm." The brothers own such noted horses as "Queen Gothard," 2.1414 : "Nellie D," 2.181/4 ; "Jennie C," 2.231/2 ; "Royal Penn," 2.101/4; and "Director Joe," 2.091/2.
(VII) Augustus Montgomery, youngest son of Henry (2) and Azemia ( McLean) Shepherd, was born June 13. 1871. After complet- ing a course in St. James College he attended the University of Virginia, and after leaving the latter institution was for a time associated with his brother William James in the conduct of the "Shepherd Stock Farm." In 1889 he joined his older brother, Rezin Davis, on the stage and for seven years followed the vocation of an actor. In 1893, however, he re- turned to his old love, the farm, and he and his brother William James are now achieving unusual success as agriculturists and stock-raisers.
This is one of the very first settled families in Pocohontas
McNEEL county, and not many generations in America can possibly have preceded their settlement. The origin of the family Is evidently Scotch-Irish.
(I) John McNeel. the first member of this family about whom we have definite information, was born in Frederick county, Virginia, in 1745. died in 1825. Much of his early life was passed near Cumberland, Maryland. His coming into Pocahontas county was due to a sad acci- dent. In a pugilist encounter his antagonist was injured, as he supposed, fatally. To avoid arrest for murder he fled, following the Alleghenies ; thus, in 1765, he came into view of the Little Levels, Pocahontas county, and was pleased with the country, which is attractive both for romantic beauty and for fertility. Here he settled, and he seems to have been the first permanent settler. He lived at first almost wholly on venison and trout. One day he met two friends from his old neighborhood, and learned that the person with whom he had boxed was not even seriously
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hurt. The three then returned on a visit to the lower valley of Virginia, but soon came back to the Little Levels. While on this visit to the lower valley, Mr. McNeel married. On his return he cleared a few acres of land. The mental sufferings which he had undergone, his penitence, and his gratitude for the outcome seem to have made a deep religious impres- sion on him ; he built a church, and was the pioneer of Methodism in his new home. A few years after his final settlement at the Little Levels, the Dunmore war broke out. Mr. McNeel and his two friends went into camp at Lewisburg and joined the expedition to Point Pleasant. They served in a Frederick county company in the revolution. During his ab- sence at Point Pleasant a child was born and died. The mother prepared the body and buried it in what has since been known as the McNeel Graveyard on the summit of the high hill overlooking the home of the pioneer, John McNeel, whose body is also buried there and where all descendants of the McNeels are buried.
He married Martha Davis, who was born in Wales in 1742, died about 1830. She brought with her from Wales a Bible in Welsh. Chil- dren : Miriam, married John Jordan; Nancy, married Richard Hill; Martha, married Griffin Evans; Abram, married (first) - Lamb, (second ) Bridger, (third) Magdalen (Kelly) Haynes; Isaac, of whom further.
(II) Isaac, son of John and Martha (Davis) McNeel, married (first) Rachel Mckeever, (second) Ann, daughter of Jacob Seybert. Children, first-named eight by first, others by second wife: Paul, born in 1803; John, of whom further ; Richard; Isaac; Hannah, married Ben- jamin Wallace; Martha, married David McCue; Nancy, married Wil- liam C. Price ; Rachel, married Jacob Crouch ; Jacob ; Samuel Ellis ; Cath- arine, married Charles Wade; Elizabeth, married Jacob Sharp ; Miriam, married Joseph McClung; Magdalen, married Robert Williams.
(III) John (2), son of Isaac and Rachel ( Mckeever) McNeel, was born in Pocahontas county, Virginia, in 1807, on the farm now owned by Hon. M. J. McNeel. He married Harriet, daughter of Lanty Lock- ridge. Children : 1. Isaac, of whom further. 2. M. J., born in 1845 : mar- ried Margaret B. Christian, of Augusta county, Virginia; no children ; he is president of the Bank of Marlinton, having held this office since its organization in 1899; he has been for one term a member of the county court ; in 1890-91 he was sheriff : from 1897 to 1899 he was a member of the house of delegates to West Virginia. 3. Rachel A., married Dr. Mathew Wallace, of Mill Point, West Virginia ; children: C. M., Min- nie I., Anna McNeel, John Penick, deceased ; Frederick, deceased. 4.
Eveline, married Andrew Amiss : child, Effie, married Peter L. Cleek, of Pocahontas county. 5. Elizabeth, died March 13, 1912; married Abram Crouch, of Elkwater, West Virginia ; children : Ada, Lee, Lina, de- ceased : Bettie, May, Jackson, Grace.
(IV) Isaac (2), son of John (2) and Harriet (Lockridge ) McNeel, was born April 4, 1830. His active life was that of a farmer and mer- chant at Mill Point. When the present county court was constituted he was a magistrate. During the war he was sheriff of Pocahontas county and was thereby exempted from military service. He had been deputy sheriff. After the war he was a member of the county court. He mar- ried Miriam Nancy, daughter of Joseph Beard, who died April 23. 1912. Children: 1. Harvey Winters, twin of Thomas Summers, born Octo- ber 15. 1872; the brothers attended Washington and Lee University to- gether, and Harvey Winters graduated in medicine at the University of Virginia in 1807 ; he is now practicing at Academy, West Virginia : he is a Mason, a Shriner and an active Democrat. Dr. McNeel married Eliz- aheth A., daughter of Captain A. M. Edgar ; children: Isaac, Alfred,
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Dorothy, Harriet. 2. Thomas Summers, of whom further. 3. John Lanty, born February 14, 1878; he is a farmer and stockman, a Master Mason, a Democrat, and from 1908 to 1912 he served as deputy sheriff ; he married Nora, daughter of Osborne Wilson, of Highland county, Virginia ; children: John and Joseph. 4. Mary Gold, born July 24, 1880; married William A. Browning; she was educated at Lewisburg Female Seminary ; her husband is a farmer and stockman of Pocahontas county, a Master Mason, and a Democrat; children: Josephine, Lina Virginia, William McNeel.
(V) Thomas Summers, son of Isaac (2) and Miriam Nancy ( Beard) McNeel, was born October 15, 1872. He attended Washington and Lee University. In 1897 he was graduated in law from the University of Virginia, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Law. In the same year he was admitted to the bar. He is a member of the State Bar Association. He was from 1901 to 1905 prosecuting attorney for Pocahontas county. Active in politics as a Democrat he has been a member of the Democratic county executive committee for a number of years. He is a Mason, and has been through the chairs in the Blue Lodge; he is a member of the Chapter, of the Commandery, and of the Shrine at Charleston. In 1903 he married Mary Frances, daughter of Franklin and Frances ( Wilson) McNulty. Child: Margaret Nancy, born July 22, 1905.
GISH The proprietor of the largest undertaking establishment in Sistersville, Orland E. Gish, is a native of Seneca county, Ohio, where he was born at Garmon Corners, October I, 1875. He is the son of Jacob Gish, who was born in Pennsylvania and resides now in Ohio, and of Amanda C. (Payne) Gish, born in Ohio ; both of his parents are living. The father, Jacob Gish, was in the Union service during the civil war, acting as a blacksmith ; he joined the army in 1863, but was incapacitated by the kick of a mule and has never fully recovered from the injury, nor has his name as yet been placed on the pension list.
Orland E. Gish received his early education in the common schools of Ohio, beginning at the age of twelve years to make his own way in the world. At this time his father hired him out on a farm, where for the first year his wages were three dollars a month. For the second year the amount was doubled and he received six dollars a month, and for the third year the wages were twelve dollars each month. By this time the lad was able to be of much use and had acquired sufficient experience to start in for himself. He was then fifteen years old, and began work on the section, doing nickle plating at Belleview, Ohio, at one dollar and eighty-five cents per day. He remained at this occupation for six months, when he engaged as a clerk in the grocery store of H. A. Schlicht, with whom he continued for a year. At the expiration of this time he re- moved to Milan, Ohio, and began learning the undertaking business in the employ of H. L. Wilson. In 1903 he came to Sistersville, West Vir- ginia, and entered into business for himself in this line, becoming very successful and now commanding the largest establishment of the kind in the city. He has made himself esteemed by reason of his competence in his profession and his fair dealing, and controls about three-quarters of this business in Sistersville and the surrounding country. Mr. Gish has become well known in political and fraternal circles hereabouts. He is a member of the Republican party, and of many fraternal organizations, among which are the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past grand noble : the Modern Woodmen of America : the Ancient Or-
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der of United Workmen ; the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, No. 333, at Sistersville.
On December II, 1907, Mr. Gish married Annetta B. (Gouscher) Martin, born April II, 1875, at Shenango, Pennsylvania. One child, Gladys Martin, now twelve years of age, who is attending the high school and is now in the seventh grade.
David Kennedy, the founder of the family in this coun- KENNEDY try, came from Dublin, Ireland, and settled in Virginia. His wife's name is not known, but among his children was Scott, referred to below.
(II) Scott, son of David and - (Scott) Kennedy, was born in Augusta county, Virginia, about 1789, died in 1873, aged eighty-four years. He was a farmer and the purchaser of what is known as the old Kennedy homestead which is still in the possession of his descendants. His wife's name is unknown, but among his children was Isaac, referred to below.
(III) Isaac, son of Scott Kennedy, was born about 1831 on his father's farm in Augusta county, Virginia. where he is now living. He is a farmer. He served in the Confederate army during the civil war, taking part in many battles. He married Virginia Anastasia, daughter of Oliver Bartley, born in Orange county, Virginia, about 1837. Children, all born in Augusta county ; Hersey Oliver, born 1853; James Walker, referred to below: John Davis, born 1857; Georgianna, born 1865, married Amos Lotts, of Augusta county ; Frank Boude, born 1867, now a lawyer in Staunton, Virginia.
(IV) James Walker, son of Isaac and Virginia Anastasia (Bartley) Kennedy, was born in Augusta county, Virginia, April 21, 1854. He received his early education in private schools and through tutors and later entered the Oak Forest Academy. He then took up the study of law and graduated from Washington and Lee University in 1880, and commenced the practice of his profession in Charleston, West Virginia, where he is now living. From 1881 to 1885 he was in partnership with General C. C. Watts. He is a Presbyterian in religion.
He married, August 10, 1882, Addie I., daughter of William F. and Eliza (Daggett) Goshorn. Children: Eliza Virginia, married Cohen Jones ; Walker McCorkle, Helen Daggett. Gertrude, Richard Graves, Margaret.
LESSELL John B. Lessell takes rank as one of the leading citizens of Paden City, setting an example of remarkable business acumen and progressiveness, and showing what can be accomplished by a steadfast adherence to purpose in one's chosen call- ing. Mr. Lessell promoted and built the plant of the Paden City Pottery Company, is one of the largest stockholders and is general manager of the plant. He is no new hand in the pottery business; it has been the avocation of his ancestors for generations, dating as far back as the year 1747, when the family first established itself in this line on the French- German border in Germany. There John B. Lessell was born September 30, 1867, and there he grew to manhood, acquiring his education in his na- tive land, and as soon as his studies were completed, he entered the busi- ness which he has followed ever since.
In the year 1886 he emigrated to America, and here he met his wife who was then a Miss Jennie Oustott, born in Pennsylvania in the year 1872 : they were married in 1900. It was not until a number of years after
John 9, Lessell
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this that Mr. Lessell removed to this portion of West Virginia, where, sometime during the course of 1910, he settled in Parkersburg, establish- ing a small pottery plant. In October of this year he came to Paden City, looking up the clay desposits. He discovered an abundance of a very fine quality and immediately took steps to organize a company to handle the product ; within four months the company was in full operation upon the site which he selected, and made their first shipment. In the short while which has intervened since then their progress has been phenomenal, and they are now making preparations for the construction of three more kilns. The products of the Paden City Pottery Company have been of such a grade as to win medals at the two great expositions, Jamestown, Virginia, and Portland, Oregon, and the name of Mr. Lessell, who con- tinues to be general manager of the present plant, has become one of the well known names in America.
The plant, which is equipped with the best known and most mod- ern machinery, employs about fifty operatives, all thoroughly experi- enced in the business, and it is anticipated that when the new enlarge- ments and additions to the plant now in progress have been completed there will be occupation for one hundred and fifty hands in all, and an increase of three-fifths in the capacity of the manufactury. The amount of business is steadily increasing, the amount of orders on hand being so heavy that it will not be possible to execute them for months ahead, and with all this there has been no diminution in the quality of the goods, which is of the finest. Mr. Lessell has come to be known as one of the most esteemed business men of this place, popular in both industrial and social circles. Intensely absorbed in the enterprise of which he has made so distinguished a success, he remains the affable and courteous gentle- man, responsive to all social calls and open-handed in all of his dealings. He is a prominent member of the Republican party, and is also a member of the fraternal organization of the Knights of Pythias.
LANGFITT Dr. Samuel Erb Langfitt, of Huntington, is the bearer of a name which for more than half a century has been well and favorably known in the states of Virginia and
West Virginia.
(I) Joseph Langfitt, grandfather of Dr. Samuel Erb Langfitt, was born in Pennsylvania, whence he removed to Doddridge county, Vir- gina, now West Virginia. He married Hannah Farquer, and it is a noteworthy fact that both he and his wife met violent deaths. the form- er by being thrown from his horse, and the latter by the rolling of a log which crushed her to death.
(II). Valentine, son of Joseph and Hannah (Farquer ) Langfitt, was born February 14. 1834. in Greene county, Pennsylvania. He was a boy when his parents came to Virginia, now West Virginia. Valentine Lang- fitt was a farmer in Doddridge county, and at one time was its repre- sentative in the state legislature. He married Caroline Louise Davis, born June 7, 1837, in Doddridge county, daughter of William Davis, a farmer of that county. Of the twelve children born to them, the follow- ing are living: Silas William, of West Union, West Virginia : Resin Belle, wife of M. A. Summers, of Nowada, Oklahoma: John H., of West Union : Samuel Erb, of whom further : Credo Worley, of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia ; Bruce Benton, of Jacksonsburg, West Virginia : Mona Gray, wife of Dr. C. L. Parks, of Middleburn, West Virginia ; and Frank Valentine. a physician of Salem, West Virginia. Those deceased are : Elizabeth Jane, wife of Louis Bond: Columbia Lee, wife of J. R. Jones : Ila Myrtle, wife of J. E. Trainor ; and Effie M. Valentine Lang-
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fitt died April 7. 1904, at Morgansville, Doddridge county ; his widow now resides at West Union, West Virginia.
(III) Dr. Samuel Erb Langfitt, son of Valentine and Caroline Louise (Davis) Langfitt, was born May 15, 1869, at Morgansville, Doddridge county. He received his preliminary education in the local schools, afterward matriculating at the University of Pennsylvania, whence he graduated in 1898 with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. He at once settled at West Union, West Virginia, the county seat of Dodd- ridge county, and there practised continuously until 1907, when he came to Huntington, where he has since remained, acquiring a large patron- age and enjoying a high reputation for skill. Dr. Langfitt's assured pro- fessional reputation and high standing as a citizen place him among the leading residents of Huntington. In the sphere of politics Dr. Langfitt is identified with the Democratic party, and he affiliates with the Masonic fraternity. He is a member of the Fifth Avenue Baptist Church.
Dr. Langfitt married, July 16, 1903, at Parkersburg, Clara Belle Mann, born September 8, 1879, at Syracuse, New York, daughter of John L. and Mary Elizabeth ( Babcock) Mann. Mr. Mann is a native of New York state, and now resides in Huntington, where he is engaged in business as a manufacturer. His wife, born at Stillwater, New York, died in 1906, at the age of forty-four years. Dr. and Mrs. Langfitt have three children : Dorothy Elizabeth, born July 28, 1905 : Kathleen Louise, August II, 1907 : and Samuel Erb, Jr., January 22, 191I.
MURRAY Scotland has contributed its fair quota to the citizenship of the United States, and the emigrant ancestor of the Murray family was born and reared in that country whence he came to America at an early date. He settled in Meigs county, Ohio, and was probably a farmer by occupation.
(II) Alex H. Murray was born in Meigs county, Ohio, died in 1876. He married a Miss Smith, whose ancestors were the first white settlers in Meigs county, Ohio, whither they removed from Marietta, Ohio, in 1796. Mr. and Mrs. Murray had a son, Alex H., mentioned below.
(III) Alex H. (2), son of Alex H. (I) and -- (Smith) Murray, was born and raised in Ohio, and for many years was a resident of Huntington, West Virginia. He was engaged in the manufacturing business but is now living in virtual retirement at Cloverport, Ken- tucky. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Fillmore Matthews, is a distant relative of former President Millard Fillmore; she is sixty- seven years of age and is in the enjoyment of splendid health. Among children born to Mr. and Mrs. Murray was Claud R., mentioned be- low.
(IV) Claud R., son of Alex H. (2) and Mary Fillmore ( Matthews) Murray, was born at Middleport, Meigs county. Ohio, September 16, 1871. After completing the curriculum of the graded and high schools of Middleport Mr. Murray was matriculated as a student in the Ohio State University, at Columbus, in which institution he was graduated as d member of the class of 1895. In 1896 he was graduated in the business department of Marshall College, at Huntington, West Virginia, and in 1897 initiated his independent career as a teacher. He continued his pedagogic work at different places until 1901 when he became principal of the Huntington high school, retaining that incumbency for two years. From 1903 to 1905 he was superintendent of schools at Piedmont. West Virginia, and from the latter year until the present time has been super- intendent of schools at Williamson, West Virginia. Professor Murray has gained much distinction as an educator in this section of West Vir-
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ginia and during his long connection with the schools of this state has succeeded in greatly raising the intellectual standard and promoting the efficiency of the system as a preparation for the responsible duties of life. Indeed, the constant aim and general character of Professor Murray's life work are summed up in the famous dictum of Sidney Smith, that : "The real object of education is to give children resources that will en- dure as long as life endures; habits that time will ameliorate, not de- stroy ; occupation that will render sickness tolerable, solitude pleasant, age venerable, life more dignified and useful, and death less terrible."
Mr. Murray has been a member of the state board of education for nine years, having held that position for a longer period than any other member. He is secretary of the State Education Association, and was president of the county board of review and equalization of taxes from 1909 to 1911. He is aligned as a stalwart supporter of the Progressive Republicans in his political convictions, and his religious faith is in har- mony with the teachings of the Congregational church, of which he has long been an active and zealous member. In Masonic circles he is a member of the Blue Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
October 5, 1905, Professor Murray married Maud H. Doolittle, born at Huntington, West Virginia, November 13, 1882, daughter of Judge E. S. Doolittle, of Huntington, who has presided over the circuit court of the thirteenth judicial district for the past sixteen years. Two chil- dren were born to Professor and Mrs. Murray, namely: Mary Alice, born December 25, 1906, died November 4, 1910; Edward Alexander, born July 4, 1908. The Murray family occupies a beautiful home in Wil- liamson and the same is the scene of great generosity and kindly wel- come.
George Francis Durham, cashier of the Tyler County
DURHAM Bank, and one of Sistersville's most highly respected citi- zens, is a descendant of New England ancestors, and has exhibited throughout his career the sturdy self-reliance and indomi- table perseverance of the stock from which he sprang.
(I) Allen Durham was born in Vermont, and as a young man re- moved to Chautauqua county, New York, where he purchased of the government a farm situated in what was then a wilderness. This was about a hundred years ago, his birth having occurred in 1787. He cleared and cultivated the land, making a home for himself and those who were to come after him, and by his own efforts achieved prosperity. He died in 1869, having entered his eighty-second year.
(II) Wilbur S., son of Allen Durham, was born July 7, 1829, in Chautauqua county, New York. He received his education at the May- ville (New York) Academy. His business was that of a carpenter, con- tractor and builder, and his home was on the old farm, where his entire life was passed. He married, in 1854. Sarah M., born January 7, 1835, in Steuben county, New York, daughter of Nehemiah and Harriet (Briggs) Hubbard, of Sherman, Chautauqua county. Mrs. Hubbard died in 1859, and her husband survived until 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Dur- ham were the parents of two sons: Edwin Allen, born June 3, 1862. in Chautauqua county, New York ; George Francis, mentioned below. Wil- bur S. Durham lived, like his father, to a good old age, passing away June 8, 1910.
(III) George Francis, son of Wilbur S. and Sarah M. (Hubbard) Durham, was born May 1, 1872, in Chautauqua county, New York. He obtained his education in the public schools of Jamestown, New York, and Bradford, Pennsylvania. At the age of nineteen he entered upon
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his business career as messenger in the Tyler County Bank. His integ- rity and ability met with deserved recognition, and he was steadily ad- vanced step by step to his present position of cashier. In addition to holding this office he is also a member of the board of directors of the bank as well as one of its stockholders. His political affiliations are with the Republicans and he is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church.
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