Pioneers
Compiled & Contributed by Joyce A. Sinnett.
Located in Central West Virginia, Calhoun County provided plenty of running water, abundant wildlife and rich farmland for those brave men and women who were first to settle here during the beginning of the nineteenth century. They faced primitive conditions, living in small cabins which they built themselves, depending upon their hunting, fishing and farming skills for their sustenance and relying upon God to keep them safe.
What were the main characteristics of this fledgling community. First, each individual worked to provide for themselves and their families. The importance of God in their lives is evidenced by the fact that the first community institutions established were the churches, meeting first in homes, later in their own buildings constructed by the members. That their Christianity was a living thing was also shown by neighbor helping neighbor. There are numerous stories of sharing goods and skills with others. How could the community have grown without such sharing? Next came the establishment of community schools within the first generation after settlement, years before any government was willing to provide such a service. Finally, these people and their offspring formed Calhoun County, from the men who physically built and maintained the roads by their property to the leaders who led in the formation and early government of the new county.
What is the legacy that these special people have left behind? The sense of Christian community is still evident today in most families descended from these pioneers. In nearly every family, you will find several ministers and even more of God's Saints who have passed on the children and grandchildren an example of the Christian Life. Education has always been valued by these families. As you read the genealogies of these families, you find a high percentage of people with college educations. If fact, many families have generations of educators. The sense of community responsibility has always been evident in Calhoun County's citizenry, with ample representation in all branches and all periods of military history since it's settlement. The families spawned by these pioneers are a hard working, resilient lot, who contribute to family, church and community.
I trace my own lineage back to some of these pioneers, and have found information on others in my research. I am proud of this heritage and offer this page in honor of all those who passed before, who have contributed to my own being in innumerable ways. I chose individuals who were listed in Hardesty's among the first settlers in Calhoun County and for whom I had data to contribute.
Due to health problems, I can no longer maintain and update this information. I do hope that the information found here will help you in your search.
Joyce A. Sinnett
