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William and George Keely Taken from History of Charleston and Kanawha County West Virginia and Representative Citizens, W.S. Laidley, Richmond Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1911. William and George Keely are among the well known and honored citizens of Kanawha county, both reside in Loudon district on their home farms opposite Charleston; both were born in Haverhill, Mass., - George in 1839 and William in 1842, and were sons of Rev. Josiah Keely, A.M. and Eliza (Bradley) Keeley.Rev. Josiah Keely was born in Northampton, England; landed in America in 1818 and located in Haverhill, Mass., where, later, he engaged in mercantile trade, and was one of the forty shoe manufacturers of the town in 1837. It was then the cutsom for the young man who put up his first business sign, to "wet his sign;" Keely, Chase & Co., were the first business firm in the town who did not "wet his sign." - being active in the temperance movement that had been started in the country. In 1840 Rev. Keely entered the ministry. In 1843 he settled in Wenham, Mass.; in 1852 he settled in Saco, Me, pastor of the Main Street Baptist church, and for a number of years was also supervisor of the public schools of the town and township; in 1863 he was appointed chaplain of the Thirteenth Maine Infantry, then doing duty in the Department of the Gulf, and he joined the regiment at New Orleans, saw active service during the whole Red River campaign, was commended by Major-General N.P. Banks for his care and devotion to the soldiers, was placed in charge of the Hospital Steamer "Natchez" with the sick and wounded for New Orleans, and shortly after, was stricken with malarial fever and died (June, 1864), aged 58 years. Mrs. Eliza (Bradley) Keely, his wife, was the daughter of Enoch and Abigail (Hildreth) Bradley. Enoch was a drum-major in the war of 1812, and after the war returned to his farm in Haverhill, Mass.; later, as nine children became of age, he built cottage homes for each on different sections of his large estate, - to provide against possible need. Enoch's wife was a near relative of the Hildreths who settled Marietta, Ohio; their descendants are among the most estimable of the present residents of Marietta. William Keely entered early in life upon duties of a public nature: at 16 years, was librarian at Saco Athenaeum (Public Library); at 17, teaching a rural schoo; at 17, was graduated from the Saco (Me.) High School, and entered Colby (Waterville) College. Later, the Civil War was claiming the young patriots of the Country, and he enlisted as a private in the 13th Maine Vol. Infantry, of which Gen. Neal Dow was the Colonel; and while in camp, at Augusta (Me.) was Adjutant's Clerk at Headquarters. His regiment was ordered to Ship Island, Miss., where he performed his share of guard duty and of loading and unloading, and coaling U.S. Transports, preparatory to the capture of New Orleans. This regiment was sent to cut off the retreat of the Confederates, and two companies were ordered to garrison Fort Macobm, La. Later, Mr. Keely is commissioned a Lieutenant, and Acting Post Quartermaster and Commissary of this fort. Later, civil government being restored in Louisiana, he and other officers are ordered to await assignment of duty in the regular army. Not desiring to enter the regulars, he resigned and was honorably discharged in October, 1864. Soon after arriving home he was appointed principal of the Peaks Island School, - a part of Portland, Me. Closing his school work, he accepted position as bookkeeper, and, later, as superintendent of the Cannelton (W.Va.) Branch of the Union Coal and Oil Co., of Maysville, Ky. This company mined cannel and bituminous coal, made oil from the cannel coal, shipped the crude oil in barrels and an oil boat to Maysville to be refined, and, also, shipped cannel coal to Cincinnati and New York for gas purposes. The pay rolls and expenses of the company were about $30,000 per month. When, in 1865, Mr. Keely was appointed postmaster at Cannelton, he and his two sureties had to go horseback fourteen miles on to Cabin Creek to the nearest magistrate, Matthew P. Wyatt, Esq., to qualify. Upon the discovery of Rock Oil, the cost of making oil from cannel coal became prohibitive; and, in 1868, Mr. Keely was instructed to close up the business of the Canneltown Branch. In 1869 he moved to Fayette County, on to the William Buster farm, where the town of Mount Carbon now is; later, he rents the Hogue farm below Charleston, and in the winter months we find him working fire and life insurance in Kanawha, Boone and Logan Counties, representing the Coldwell & Moore Agency. At the same time, he is looking about for some place on which to permanently locate. In the meanwhile, he is business manager of the Baptist Record at Charleston, and, later, is local edeitor of the Kanawha Daily, - the FIRST Daily paper printed in Charleston, and also reporting the proceedings of the Constitutional Convention of 1873; later, this Daily, with its good-will, was merged into the Daily Courier, of which Hon. H.S. Walker was proprietor. Mr. Keely now accepts a position as Secretary, Bookkeeper and General Manager of the Anchor Stove Works Co., of which Colonel T. B. Swan was the President - succeeding Secretary Randolph, of the firm of Boggs & Randolph. This stove company was composed of local capitalists, and made a brave fight to compete with the larger and stronger stove companies on the Ohio River, but having assumed the debts of a former company, it was "quit or lose more money." For a year or more Mr. Keely was accountant for Mr. Charles Ward and The Charleston Gas Co., of which Mr. Ward was the efficient superintendent, but stringency in money matters compelled curtailment in office force. From 1874 to 1876, business was very dull in Charleston, and, for the first time since coming to the Kanawha Valley, Mr. Keely retired for a livelihood to his mountain home on the wooded hills of the south side of the Kanawha River, - this site having been purchased in 1870. He supplemented his poultry and dairy operations by devoting his spare time to copying "Briefs." and by occasional bookkeeping. In August, 1870, through the kindness of friends, and unbeknown to Mr. Keely, he was recommended to Dr. J.P. Hale, President of the Snow Hill Salt Co., who was planning to start the old Snow Hill Salt Furnace, the largest in the Kanawha Valley; Dr. Hale wrote for an interview. Mr. Keely had never met Dr. Hale, but, following the first interview, he accepted the position of storekeeper, bookkeeper and general manager. He was able to handle the work in the store for a while with the young men who were assisting, but other duties demanded more of his time, and he secured the services of Mr. B.F. Mays of Charleston, who proved faithful and trustworthy in every respect. Mr. Keely made a thorough study of the process of salt making, and demonstrated that the business could be made a success. The furnaces were running every hour of the six week days and Sunday, and he ascertained, by experiments, that he could make as much Salt without running on Sunday, and so give the men who were "Kettle-tenders" a needed rest; and the furnace was running for three years on this plan; until 1882, when all the furnaces of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers were closed out and shut out by the cheaper grades of salt from Michigan and New York States, which monopolized the markets, - the Dickinson Furnace, only, running on the Kanawha, by holding the Kentucky trade over the Chesapeake & Ohio R.R.; and one or two furnaces on the Ohio having their own market. During his stay at Snow Hill, Mr. Keely was road commissioner, Sunday school superintendent and school trustee; he also opened a reading room for the men, which was well patronized and much appreciated; he had, also, Mrs. Keely as his valued assistant in keeping up the bookkeeping and office work. In 1882, Mr. Keely, having closed up the business of Snow Hill Salt Co., moved to his mountain home; and, again, accepted position with Mr. Charles Ward, whose business as inventor and manufacturer of the Ward Water-tube Marine Boiler, was becoming firmly established; and Mr. Keely, as accountant and later, as secretary of The Charles Ward Engineering Works has continued with this firm for a period of thirty years. During this time, he has, also, through the courtesy of this firm, been able to accept the position of president of the Board of Education of Loudon Magisterial District, for four years, and, later, for seven years, he has been the secretary of the same Corporation. He has been active in religious work since his conversion at fifteen years; was superintendent of the Union Sunday School when at Cannelton, and after taking his letter to the Charleston Baptist Church in 1870, he was clerk, and, later superintendent for ten years of the Sunday School of this church, also a Deacon the Church since 1876; also, clerk of the Kanawha Valley Baptist Association for thirty-two years, and West Virginia Transportation Leader for the Convetions of the International Baptist Young Peoples' Union of America since 1905. He is awake to all matters of public interest, especially of good schools, of good roads and of good farming. For a number of years he has been County Correspondent of and Reporter for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, under a commission from the secretary of agriculture. At all the general elections he is either a clerk or an election commissioner, and has been a notary public for twelve years. He is a Prohibitionist in principle and practice, and a Republican in politics, - an upright, active, useful and appreciated citizen. In 1865, he married Miss Lucy Stacy of Saco, Me., whose ancestry, as well as that of Mr. Keely, is traced back to the seventeenth century. Their six children, all now in active callings, are Elizabeth and Madeline, teachers in the City Schools; Josiah, for ten years principal of the State Preparatory Schools at Montgomery, now superintendent of the Ownings Mine of the Consolidated Coal Co., near Shinnston; John, a former bookbinder, now a settled pastor in Massachusetts; Urania and Abby, teacher and accountants. George Keely, when quite a youth, was sent for a prolonged visit to an uncle in Haverhill, who had a private school at his residence; and George combined farming with a course of study. Returning to Saco, he continued his school work, - his summer vacations being given to farming and harvesting for the parishiners of Rev. Keely; later, he was a student at Colby Institute (Waterville, Me.). He was graduated from the Saco High School and entered Colby (Waterville) College in 1859. During his high school study course he gave part time to medical study, while employed as apothecary clerk; he taught school the winter of 1859 at Charleston, Me., about 20 miles from Augusta, the capital of the State. The neighborhood was primitive, and the 26 scholars had 24 different kinds of readers, - requiring 24 recitations each day; his salary was meagre, and he "boarded round." Failing health in college compelled Mr. Keely to seek more active employment; and going to the Aroostook country in the Northern part of Maine, he engaged as clerk in a village store. Later, the Civil War being already in progress and many of his student friends having enlisted, he returned to Saco in the fall of 1861, and enlisted as private with his brother William in Co. K, 13th Maine Volunteer Infantry. In 1863, the hospital steward of the regiment was made a surgeon, and Mr. Keely was recommended for the position, and was hospital steward during the remainder of his term of service in the Red River campaign and after the regiment was transferred to the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. He was honorably discharged January 6, 1865, - having served more than his three years' term. Mr. Keely again took up his studies, - entering the New Hampton (Vt.) Theological Institute, and, later, completing at Hamilton Seminary; he preached during the time to the small adjacent village churches in New York State. Completing his studies he returned to the Aroostook country, and engaged in colporteur and pastoral work at Linneus, Linden and Smyrna, Me., and remained in the county preaching and farming until March, 1876. In 1868 he married Louisa J. Adams, an efficient and prominent school teacher and teacher of music in Aroostook County. Her sister, Miss Marada Adams of Portland, Me., has been principal for years of the Emerson Grammar Schools of that city, and is a woman of remarkable tact and ability as superintendent and instructor. The experience of Mr. Keely and wife among the people as they went from place to place revealed a primitive condition of things in some of the homes - both in want of culture and the proper conception of pastoral support; so that the pastor was often found without money or material to keep the wolf from the door in the long severe winters in the Aroostook. Wonderful dreams began to trouble the wife, and she had a vision of mysterious meaning, in which she saw the words of Scripture recorded in the Revelation, "Come out from among them, and be ye separate," - which decided their action in leaving the Baptist faith, and they sought for a new light. An uncle learning of their extreme financial straits and of their environments, and who had taken a deep interest in the two "boys" (George and William) since the death of the father in the army, proffered help; George also wrote his brother William about his decision religiously; later, the brother taking up the matter and the situation with the uncle, it was decided that Mr. Keely and his family should move to West Virginia. They arrived in March, 1876, remaining on the farm of his brother William during the management of the Snow Hill Salt Furnace, where he occupied his adjoining property of 34 acres, which had been purchased, - on which the family of eight living children have since resided. In their religious searching for new light they were led to choose the faith of the Society of Friends. The children were all matriculated at the Friend's School at Westtown, Pa., except Frank, deceased, who was graduated from Charleston High School, and was fitting himself for the forestry. George, the eldest, married, and is with a Leather Belt manufacturer at Wilmington, Del.; Louisa and Jennie are at home; Mary, married, and has a nice home at Patten, Me.; Faith, a teacher; Mercy and Truth are efficient graduate trained nurses; Thomas, married, and is a truck gardener; the wife and mother still teaches at home, and many of the neighbors' children and grandchildren are pleased to say that they went to school to "Aunt Louisa." As the years have gone by, either the father or mother have alternated in attending the Yearly Meeting of Friends at Philadelphia. The influence from this good family is widely felt and appreciated. |
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Walls Keeney & Family Submitted by J. Versiackas (WrldTrvlr2@classic.msn.com) on Sun Mar 15 16:22:58 1998 Moses Walls Keeney, born July 15, 1797 in Greenbrier Co., (W)V; died August 1, 1888/90 in Cabin Creek, Kanawha, WV. He was the son of Moses Keeney and Frances Harris. He married Mary D. or Pauline Huff Abt. 1825 in Greenbrier Co., (W)V. Mary D. or Pauline Huff, born 1803; died Aft. 1880 in Kanawha Co., WV. The children of Moses W. Keeney and Mary D. or Pauline Huff are: (1) William S. Keeney, born May 5, 1827 in Greenbrier Co., (W)V; died Bef. 1900 in Kanawha Co., WV. He married Mary Elizabeth Basham October 25, 1853. (2) John H. Keeney, born March 15, 1829 in Greenbrier Co., (W)V; died Bef. 1880. He married Hannah H. Jarrett. (3) Joseph R. Keeney, born 1832 in Eskdale, Kanawha, (W)V; died May 8, 1918. (4) Moses Walls Keeney, Jr., born 1835 in Eskdale, Kanawha, (W)V; died February 1, 1902. (5) Thomas C. Keeney, born September 17, 1837 in Cabin Creek, Kanawha, (W)V. He married Susan Ellen Creasey. (6) Washington Keeney, born 1838. (7) Harrison Keeney, born April 6, 1840 in Cabin Creek, Kanawha, (W)V. He married Jenetta Estep August 2, 1880 (8) Francis A. Keeney, born 1842 in Cabin Creek, Kanawha, (W)V. (9) Caroline V. Keeney, born 1845 in Cabin Creek, Kanawha, (W)V; died October 10, 1886 in Kanawha Co., WV. She married James Overton Batton May 24, 1867 in Kanawha Co., WV. |
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Kelley Submitted by K. Cornett (KayDeeCee@aol.com) on Mon Dec 21 19:53:45 1998 Aaron Kelley was born c1776 most likely in Greenbriar County, Virginia. His first residence in Kanawha County, Virginia was located on Kelly's Creek Road near Fort Morris. Aarons neighbors at this time were the Hudnalls and on June 1, 1802 he married Frances Hudnall, the daughter of Joseph Hudnall II and Mary Ann Taylor. Their children were: Sara born c1801, Mary born c1808, William born c1809, Jesse A. born c1810, and Frances born c1811. Shortly after the birth of the last baby Frances died and in 1812 he married Keziah Smith born c1779. Their children were: John born January 1813, Hyram born c1817 and Lucinda born c1824. Sometime between 1810-1820 Aaron made his permanent settlement on land he had acquired in 1799 in the Poca District, now also called Kelly's Creek Road. Aaron died in 1854 and is most likely resting high on the hill in the Goff/McClanahan Cemetery overlooking the land he once owned. It is thought that Aaron and his brother Moses are either grandsons or nephews of Walter Kelley, but this has never been proven. |
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Kennedy, 1856- Taken from History of Charleston and Kanawha County West Virginia and Representative Citizens, W.S. Laidley, Richmond Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1911. James Kennedy, mine foreman for Mine No. 101, of the Sunday Creek Mine Company, in Cabin Creek District, Kanawha County, W.Va., is a well known resident of this county, where he has lived for thirty-five years, and an experienced and reliable miner. He was born October 5, 1856, in Pendleton County, Ky, and is the son of James and Mary (McKenna) Kennedy.James Kennedy, the father, was born in Ireland where he learned the trade of brick and stone mason. He then came to America and located at Hamilton, O., where he married Mary McKenna, who was born at Pottsville, Pa., of Irish parentage. From Ohio Mr. Kennedy and his wife moved to Pendleton County, Ky., and there he bought a farm, but in 1861 on account of the war, he moved back to Ohio and engaged in mining near Pomeroy. He continued to live in Ohio until his sons brought him to Kanawha County, where he died in 1888, at the age of sixty-five years. His wife had died three years before. Eight children were born to them: Charles, John, James, Margaret, Stephen, William, Edmund and Mary, the last being the wife of C.P. McCafferty. During the labor troubles of 1876, the sons scattered, each seeking a home where prospects seemed more favorable, Charles going to the West and John and James coming to Kanawha County, W.Va., from which locality they subsequently sent for the family still remaining in Ohio. James Kennedy was thirteen years of age when he accompanied his father to the mines where he was set to work at tasks suitable to his age and inexperience, but he soon became a regular miner and worked as such until his marriage. About that time, in partnership with John Barrett, he opened a general store at Shrewsbury, in Kanawha County, and they operated it for seven years under the name of Kennedy & Barrett. After they closed the store Mr. Kennedy went back to mining and was for a time in the employ of J.D. Harris at Monarch and later at Shrewsbury, and was made mine foreman and served in that capacity for three years before coming to the Winifrede Mines, where he was foreman for one year, when he again came back to Shrewsbury and worked as a tracklayer for several years. On March 1, 1910, he took the responsible office he now so satisfactorily fills. On June 24, 1879, Mr. Kennedy was married to Miss Anna Rodgers, a daughter of John and Ann Rodgers, and eleven children have been born to them, namely: Thomas, who is a mine boss under his father's supervision; Mary, who is the wife of M.T. Long; Anna; Rose, who is the wife of T.J. Malone; and James, Lawrence, William, Margaret, Edward, Raymond and Helen. Mr. Kennedy and family are members of the Good Sheperd Roman Catholic Church. He is a Democrat in politics and at one time was his party's candidate for county commissioner. He belongs to the Ancient Order of Hibernians. |
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Frederick G. Klostermeyer Taken from History of Charleston and Kanawha County West Virginia and Representative Citizens, W.S. Laidley, Richmond Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1911. Frederick G. Klostermeyer, who is engaged in the drug business in Charleston, W.Va., where he is a representative citizen, was born May 28, 1875, at Marietta, O., and is a son of Henry J. and Anna (Fluscher) Klostermeyer.The parents of Mr. Klostermeyer were born and reared in Bremen, Germany, where they subsequently married. After the birth of two of their children, they decided to emigrate to America and in 1865 set out on a sailing vessel which subsequently landed them at Castle Garden, New York. Their objective point was Marietta, Ohio, and there Henry J. Klostermeyer followed his trade, that of carpenter, and also his profession as architect. There are yet many substantial and stately buildings standing at Marietta which are testimonials of his skill and ability. His death occurred in 1907 when he was eighty years of age. He cast his vote with the Democratic party. His widow died March 2, 1911, being in her seventy-seventh year, and had continued to make her home in Marietta. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was her husband. They had eight children, namely: Mary, who is the wife of Prof. George Lennon, a well known musician in Philadelphia, Boston, and London, England; Anne, who is the wife of A.E. Price, an attorney at law at Athens, Ohio; Louise, who is the wife of E.C. Hunsinger, who is in the wholesale cigar business at Chicago; Augusta, who is the wife of W.D. Bedillion, who is the manager of a glass plant at Marietta, Ohio; Henry D., who resides in Ohio, and married Isabella Sylvester; Frederick G., the direct subject of this sketch; Wilhelmina, who is the wife of Howard Paul Taylor, of Indianapolis, Ind.; and one son who was accidentally drowned in the Muskingum River. Frederick G. Klostermeyer was educated in the public schools of Washington County, Ohio, and when he had made his choice of profession, entered the Northern Ohio University at Ada, where he graduated in pharmacy in the class of 1895. In 1896 he came to Charleston and for four years served as a drug clerk and then purchased the interest of George Ort and has continued to conduct a first class drug store ever since, and enjoys the full confidence of the public in every way. On February 14, 1900, Mr. Klostermeyer was married to Miss Carrie L. Wooton, who was born in 1876, in Kentucky and educated in Hungtington, Cabell County, W.Va. They have one son, Howard R., who was born January 29, 1904. Mrs. Klostermeyer is a member of the First Presbyterian Church. In politics Mr. Klostermeyer is a Republican. He is a Mason of advanced standing, belonging to the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery at Charleston, and to Beni-Keedem Temple, Mystic Shrine. |
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Charles E Krebs Taken from History of Charleston and Kanawha County West Virginia and Representative Citizens, W.S. Laidley, Richmond Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1911. Charles E. Krebs, of the well known firm of Clark & Krebs, civil and mining engineers, at Charleston, W.Va., was born May 19, 1870, in Wetzel County, W.Va., and is a son of John W. and Elizabeth (Hubacher) Krebs.John W. Krebs was born in Monroe County, O., in 1840, and died in Wetzel County, W.Va., in 1908. He was a farmer and also followed the carpenter's trade in Wetzel County, to which he came in 1869. In politics he was a Republican. He was a member of the Lutheran church. He was a son of Nicholas Krebs, who was born in Alsace Lorain, then in Frances, and served as a soldier under the great Napoleon, taking part in the battle of Waterloo. In 1816 Nicholas Krebs left France for America and after spending eight months on the journey, settled in Ohio, where he died in 1855, aged seventy years. His widow survived him many years, dying in Monroe County. They had eight daughters and one son and four of the daughters still survive. The son, John W. Krebs, married Elizabeth Hubacher, who still resides in Wetzel County, being now in her sixty-eighth year. The following children were born to them: Emma, who was born in August, 1868, is the wife of A.L. Sidell and they live in Wetzel County and have seven children; George R., who was born March 17, 1872, is a graduate of the West Virginia State University and is a member of the firm of Clark & Krebs, married Lettie Carr and they have five children; Mary Ella, who was born in 1874, died in April, 1894; Lenora B., who was born October 1, 1876, married G.H. Farmer of Wetzel County, and they have five children; Jesse D., who was born July 7, 1878, is assistant superintendent of a coal company in Raleigh County, married Elizabeth Smith and they have one son; John A., who was born in 1880, is a farmer in Wetzel County; Leslie W., who was born March 20, 1883, is a teacher in Wetzel County; and Charles E., who is the second in order of birth. Charles E Krebs taught school for three years after completing his High School course and in this way provided the capital necessary to carry him through his course in the West Virginia University, where he studied engineering and in 1894 he was graduated from the technical department with his degree of B.S.C.E. He went to work in the engineering department of what is now the Coal & Coke Railroad and after three years became associated with his present partners in business, locating as civil and mining engineers in the New River coal field, with headquarters at Kanawha Falls, in Kanawha County. The company spent some ten years in Fayette County, in 1908 coming to Charleston. In 1909 Mr. Krebs was appointed assistant to the West Virginia geologist, for the southern section and being a thoroughly competent man, may naturally look for further honors. The main business of the company is mining engineering and they are well known in this branch all through West Virginia, Virginia and Kentucky. Mr. Krebs was married first in 1898, in Clay County, W.Va., to Miss Dornie Carr, who died April, 1902, at Hot Springs, Ark., when aged twenty-six years. Mr. Krebs was married secondly in 1905, to Miss Josephine Stephens, of Wetzel County, and they have one son, Gregory C., who was born December 12, 1906. Mr. And Mrs. Krebs are members of the Presbyterian church. He is identified politically with the Republican party. His Masonic connections are with the higher brances of the fraternity and he is a member of Beni Kedem Temple, Mystic Shrine, at Charleston. |
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William Sydney Laidley Taken from Prominent Men of West Virginia, Geo. W Atkinson and Alvaro F Gibbens, W.L. Callin Publishing, Wheeling, WV, 1890. When the laws were in the process of adaptation to the revised Constitution of 1872, one of the faithful members of the Legislature from Kanawha county was Wm. Syndey Laidley. He was born June 27, 1839, in Cabell county, Virginia. His paternal ancestors, who originally spelled the name 'Laidlaw,' emigrated from Scotland to America in the year 1774, almost in the dawn of the Revolution. He was educated in Marshall College, at Huntington, and in September, 1863, moved to Charleston, Kanawha county, and read law with the very able George W. Summers, and at the death of his judicial instructor, in 1868, was his partner in legal practice. Then he formed a professional partnership with the late Col. Wm. H. Hogeman and continued the business relation until the latter's demise, in January, 1885. He was a valuable working member of the House of Delegates in 1872-3; has been for the past fifteen years connected with the municipal government of Charleston, as Councilman and City Solicitor, and has done much toward the prosperity and adornment of the Capital of the State. |
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Layne Taken from History of Charleston and Kanawha County West Virginia and Representative Citizens, W.S. Laidley, Richmond Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1911. R.T. Layne, one of the leading men of Union District, Kanawha County, W.Va., resides on his well cultivated farm of 110 acres which lies eleven miles north of Charleston. He was born on this farm, October 20, 1841, and is a son of Robert and Mary (Milam) Layne. Robert Layne was born in Botetourt County, Va., and was brought to Kanawha County by his parents and was early made fatherless by an accident. He remained on the home farm until he was twenty years of age and then settled on the farm which is owned by his son, R.T. Layne, and spent the remainder of his life here, dying at the age of eighty-two years. In politics he was a Democrat and for some years he served as school trustee in Union District. He married Mary Milam, of Bedford County, Va., who died at the age of eighty-three years. Both she and her husband were buried on their farm. They were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church south. Eight children were born to them, namely: Christopher C., Franklin W., Benjamin W., Timothy S and William F. Layne, all now deceased, the three survivors being Julia Ann, Robert T and Mary Elizabeth Layne. Julia Ann and Mary Elizabeth became the wifes respectively of James Thaxton and Martin Dooley. R.T. Layne obtained his education in the schools of Union District, which he attended with more or less regularity until he was twenty years of age. He then enlisted in the Union army, joining Co. A, 7th W.Va. Cav. which was organized at Charleston. He was with his regiment in all its marches and battles for three and one-half years, becoming corporal of his company. He was mustered out at Wheeling, having escaped all the dangers of the war, and returned to the home farm until his marriage in 1867. He bought and operated the first circular sawmill on the waters of Tupper's Creek, and also ran a grist and sawmill for a time in Jackson county. He then returned to the homestead and has remained here ever since. Mr. Layne is a Democrat and has frequently been elected to office by his party, having served two terms as justice of the peace in Union District, one term as constable, and one term as President of the Board of Education, and one term as a member of the County Board of Supervisors. He has also served several terms as district trustee.Mr. Layne was married October 22, 1867 to Miss Mary F Carney, who was born in Jackson County, W.Va., May 15, 1845, and died January 29, 1911. She was a noble Christian woman, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, south, and had a wide circle of attached friends. She was the beloved mother of the following children: Mahala Jane, who married B.F. Matthew, residing in Fayette County, they having six children - Minerva, Hazel, Pansy, Thomas, Roland and Mildred; J.E, who was born in Union District, married Melissa J Mairs, and has two children - Elsie, who is a bright school girl, and William, who died February 22, 1903, aged one year; Robert C., who lives in Poca District, married Elizabeth Derrick; John S., who married Getrude Jenkins, and lives in Charleston District, they having five children - Cecil, Masil, Russia, Olive and Thomas; Julia, who is the wife of Enoch Shamblin, of Fayette County, and has five children - Rome, Mary F., Lizzie, May and Bessie; Rhoda, who married Rawley Joseph, lives in Putnam County, and has two children - Ida and Roger E.; O.F., who married Cora Milam, lives at Charleston, and has three children - Robert, Carl and Arvil; and E.F., who lives on the home farm and married Clara Milam. Mr. Layne is a member of Lodge No. 147 Odd Fellows, at Sissonville. |
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Charles Bedford Lavender 1921-1995 Submitted by James R Lavender (JLavender@graphix.com) on Fri Oct 2 17:13:00 1998 CHARLES BEDFORD LAVENDER was born on October 15, 1921 as the 1st of 4 children of Charley Lavender and Alma Pearl Livesay. He grew up in Chesapeake WV and attended the Chesapeake Elementary School and Marmet Jr. High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Army (ser#35444927) in Huntington WV in September 1942 and was assigned to Fort Thomas Ky as Pvt and later assigned to the Signal Corp School at Camp Crowder Mo. (September 1942 - July 1943)and later assigned to Camp Dix New Jersey (July 1943 - August 1943). He departed from Staten Island NY in August 1943 for North Africa where he arrived in Oran North Africa in September 1943. He served in the North Africa (German & Italian) and Rome/Southern France (German). He returned to the United States aboard a Hospital Ship (USS Wisterin) from Naples Italy and arrived in Charleston SC Port. He was discharged from the U.S. Army with a honorable discharge on August 7, 1945. He married a Mildred Arlene Lawson (d/o Emory Lawson and Vesta Griffith) from Yawkey WV (Lincoln County) on January 20, 1949 in Cattlesburg KY. They had 4 children: James Robert Lavender (Sept 20, 1949), Patricia Ann Lavender (August 20, 1950), Rebecca Sue Lavender (April 27, 1953) and Jill Lynn Lavender (August 13, 1959). Charles was a member of the Chesapeake Lion's club, Charter member and former Fire Chief of the Chesapeake Volunteer Department, V.F.W. Post 8363 (Davey Lew Post), former assistant scout master and a life member of the Disabled American Veterans. Charles followed his family tradition of working for coal company in Winifrede, WV and later started to work in industries as a electrician (certified by the WV State Fire Marshall as a Master Electrician). He retired from the Charleston Ordinance Center in South Charleston, WV in 1989. He spent most of his retirement caring for his grandchildren and doing a lot of wood work as his past time. Charles died on October 13, 1995 at home in Chesapeake WV from a long illness. |
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Charles Bedford Lavender 1921-1995 Submitted by James R Lavender (JLavender@graphix.com) on Fri Oct 2 17:13:00 1998 CHARLES BEDFORD LAVENDER was born on October 15, 1921 as the 1st of 4 children of Charley Lavender and Alma Pearl Livesay. He grew up in Chesapeake WV and attended the Chesapeake Elementary School and Marmet Jr. High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Army (ser#35444927) in Huntington WV in September 1942 and was assigned to Fort Thomas Ky as Pvt and later assigned to the Signal Corp School at Camp Crowder Mo. (September 1942 - July 1943)and later assigned to Camp Dix New Jersey (July 1943 - August 1943). He departed from Staten Island NY in August 1943 for North Africa where he arrived in Oran North Africa in September 1943. He served in the North Africa (German & Italian) and Rome/Southern France (German). He returned to the United States aboard a Hospital Ship (USS Wisterin) from Naples Italy and arrived in Charleston SC Port. He was discharged from the U.S. Army with a honorable discharge on August 7, 1945. He married a Mildred Arlene Lawson (d/o Emory Lawson and Vesta Griffith) from Yawkey WV (Lincoln County) on January 20, 1949 in Cattlesburg KY. They had 4 children: James Robert Lavender (Sept 20, 1949), Patricia Ann Lavender (August 20, 1950), Rebecca Sue Lavender (April 27, 1953) and Jill Lynn Lavender (August 13, 1959). Charles was a member of the Chesapeake Lion's club, Charter member and former Fire Chief of the Chesapeake Volunteer Department, V.F.W. Post 8363 (Davey Lew Post), former assistant scout master and a life member of the Disabled American Veterans. Charles followed his family tradition of working for coal company in Winifrede, WV and later started to work in industries as a electrician (certified by the WV State Fire Marshall as a Master Electrician). He retired from the Charleston Ordinance Center in South Charleston, WV in 1989. He spent most of his retirement caring for his grandchildren and doing a lot of wood work as his past time. Charles died on October 13, 1995 at home in Chesapeake WV from a long illness. |
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Charley Lavender 1895-1973 Submitted by James R Lavender (JLavender@graphix.com) on Fri Oct 2 17:11:15 1998 CHARLEY LAVENDER was born to the parents of James Robert Lavender and Mary Francis Dew on April 28, 1895 as the 4th of 15th child at home at Winifrede WV. He was a WWI veteran with the U.S. Army Air Corp, enlisted on July 29, 1917 at Columbus barracks Ohio and serving also at Kelly Field, Texas (44th Aero Squadron), Patterson Field (Dayton Ohio, London Colony England, Camp Devins, Mass. (211th Aero Squadron) and discharged from the Army Air Corp at Camp A.A. Humphreys, Virginia 1918. July 1, 1916 he bought property from J.M. Britton and T.A. Britton & wife for $400.00. This property was sitting along the railroad tracks at 136th Street and Venable Ave until it was taken by the West Virginia Turnpike Commission to build a highway. February 12, 1919 he also bought property from Ira H. and Mable Motteshead for $10.00. This property sits across the railroad tracks at 135th Street and Venable Ave Chesapeake WV. He married Alma Pearl Livesay from Fayette County WV on December 3, 1920. They had 4 children (3 son's and 1 daughter). Margaret Francis Lavender (daughter) was playing on a vacant lot (135th Street and Venable Ave Chesapeake WV) which some men were burning brushes. She happened to bend over to tie her shoes when her petticoat caught on fire and when she saw it she then panic and started to run. Someone had stopped her and put the fire out but she was burn badly over majority of her body. She was taken home where she died from complications from the burn on May 3, 1932. Charley retired from the Winifrede Collier Coal Co River Tipple - working at the power house in the 1950's. Alma died at Charleston Memorial Hospital Charleston WV from a blood clot which went to her heart after losing her leg. She was buried at Montgomery Memorial Park at London WV. On May 22, 1973 Charley died from a Heart Attack at Charleston General Hospital in Charleston WV. He was also buried at Montgomery Memorial Park London WV Children of Charley Lavender and Alma Livesay are: Charles Bedford5 Lavender, born October 15, 1921 in Chesapeake WV; died October 13, 1995 in Chesapeake WV. Margaret Francis Lavender, born March 03, 1924 in Winifrede WV; died May 03, 1932 in Winifrede WV. Howard David Lavender, born January 22, 1926 in Winifrede WV; died January 26, 1979 in Chesapeake WV. James Bruce Lavender, born June 21, 1928 in Chesapeake WV. |
| James
Robert Lavender 1865-1941 Submitted by James R Lavender (JLavender@graphix.com) on Fri Oct 2 17:08:15 1998 JAMES ROBERT LAVENDER was born to the parents of Henry Lavender and Anne Jackson in 1865 in Speedwell TWP Wythe County VA. He later settle in what is now known as Chesapeake WV at the Henson farm (located at 129th block of Venable Ave). He married a Mary Francis Dew (1874-1931) , daughter of James Dew and Lisey Hudnal from Hernshaw WV in a ceremony that was performed by Rev Jeremiah D Poe on February 17, 1889. They settle down on a hillside at the mouth of Winifrede WV where they had 15 children. Children of James Lavender and Mary Dew are: Maude Mae Lavender, born March 03, 1890 in Winifrede WV; died 1968. Octavia L Lavender, born August 01, 1892 in Winifrede WV; died August 17, 1983 in Charleston, WV. Henry William Lavender, born March 16, 1894 in Winifrede WV; died February 12, 1974 in Charleston WV. Charley Lavender, born April 28, 1895 in Winifrede WV; died May 22, 1973 in Charleston General Hospital Charleston WV. John W Lavender, born December 23, 1897 in Winifrede WV; died June 01, 1976 in Charleston WV. Frank Robert Lavender, born February 22, 1900 in Winifrede WV; died January 14, 1983 in Charleston WV. Arthur S Lavender, born December 11, 1900 in Winifrede WV; died October 25, 1994. Julia Lavender, born March 28, 1903 in Winifrede WV; died March 28, 1903 in Winifrede WV. Mary L Lavender, born February 12, 1904 in Winifrede WV; died November 1969 in Kanawha County WV. Brook Lavender, born August 1907 in Winifrede WV; died August 1907 in Winifrede WV. Ruby Lavender, born February 23, 1909 in Winifrede WV; died February 23, 1909 in Winifrede WV. James S Lavender, born March 17, 1912 in Winifrede WV; died March 17, 1912 in Winifrede WV. Lucy Lavender, born November 13, 1913 in Winifrede WV; died November 13, 1913 in Winifrede WV. Brittie Lavender, born August 01, 1915. Britton Lavender, born August 01, 1915 in Winifrede WV; died November 14, 1978 in Charleston WV. In 1908 James bought a parcel of land from M.P. Malcom and Ocie M Malcon for $100.00 in cash. This lot (280 X 210) was located near the mouth of Winifrede WV along the railroad tracks. Also in 1917 he bought another parcel of land for $1.00 and other valuable considerations from the Bruce D. Cassidy Estates (the Kanawha County registered show it as 1.2 acre lot at Ellerside), which also ran along the railroad tracks in Chesapeake WV (area between 136th and 138th Street). James Robert worked for Winifrede Collier Coal Company for some time and then the mines were shut down. He moved his family to Charleston WV to go to work at the Kelly Ax factory (located what is now known as Patrick Street) along with his 2 sons (Henry and Charley). He later moved back to Winifrede WV and went back to work for Winifrede Collier Coal Company as a Superintendent at the coal tipple until it was closed down in 1929 when the depression era started. During this time he kept his family going by farming along the hillside. On December 2, 1931 Mary Francis (also known to James as Mollie) died at home at 11:46 a.m. from cerebral hemorrhage. Her doctor was E.R. Hayes who had an office in the red brick building next to the old Brown's Theater at Cabin Creek Jct. She was buried at Slaughters Creek WV along beside of her 5 children who had died at birth. James live on the hillside continuing his farming until he was taken to Charleston General Hospital Charleston WV on September 11, 1941 and spent 7 days before he died at 4:25 p.m. on September 18, 1941. Cause of death was cancer to the gallbladder and liver. At the time of his death he was survived by 6 son's and 4 daughters. Funeral services were held on September 21, 1941 at the Chesapeake M.E. Church (now known as the Chesapeake United Methodist Church) and was officiated by Rev D.V. Shaffer and Rev C.B. Clendenin with burial in the Marmet Cemetery in Marmet WV. |
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Family Source: Taken from pages 101-102 Sissonville a Time To Remember Submitted by Linda Secco (lsecco@bignet.net) on Mon Mar 1 14:18:50 1999 First Legg to settle in Poca District on Legg Creek was Fortunatis "Natis" Legg before 1832. He came from Clay County, W.VA. He is the son of William Henry Legg and Susanna Vinson Legg from Greenbrier Co, W.Va. Fortunatis was two times married. First to Nelly Foster, second to Hannah Jane Smith. Natis was the oldest of William Henry's children, second child was Jesse Elizabeth (died at age four), next was Levi (who married Elizabeth Jarrett), next Nancy "Fanny" (married James A. Walker) the father of the Walkers in our neighborhood), next Elijah (married Ailsy), next Eli ( who married Jane), next James (who married Francis Simins) and John. Third Generation Achilles Anderson "Kellis" Legg was the first son of Fortunatis Legg and Nelly Foster ( he married Mary Arila Monday), next Calvery M. "Calvin" (who married Mary Johnson), next Louisa J. (who married Jesse Jordan), next Emeline (married Felix H. Walker), next Mary E. (married Henry P. Adkins). next William Henry married (Margaret Harper) and next Virginia Legg. Fourth Generation Frances Marion was the son of Archilles "Kellis" Legg and Mary Arila Monday(who married Margaret Jane Wilmuth Miller). Next child Analiza E.(married William G. Jordan), next John Calvin (married Sarah E. Meeks), next Reuben Canuel (married Lia F. Jordon), next William "Natis" (married Nancy J. Shamblin), next Kellis Greenberry (died at a young age), next Mary Jane (married James Monroe Thaxton), next Martha Eleanor Legg ( died at a young age), next Martha Malisa Legg (died at a young age), next Francis "Fannie" (married Charles W. Nutter). Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Generations to follow Pictures of Marion Legg and Greenberry Legg |
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Mayer Taken from History of Charleston and Kanawha County West Virginia and Representative Citizens, W.S. Laidley, Richmond Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1911. Frank Mayer, farmer in Elk District, Kanawha County, W.Va., was born in Beaver County, Pa., November 20, 1860, and is a son of Felix and Dorothy (Ryder) Mayer.Felix Mayer was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and came to the United States when a young man and found work at his trade, that of a painter, at Cincinnati, Ohio. From there he went to Economy, Pa., and there married Dorothy Ryder, who had also been born in Germany and had been brought to America by his parents when she was five years old. In 1871, Felix Mayer with his family moved to what is now called Mink Shoal, Elk District, and was one of the earliest settlers. The country at that time was wild and uncleared, but he possessed the industry, energy and thrift that enabled him to clear his land and develop it into one of the most productive farms of this section. He died May 30, 1892, at the age of sixty-four years. His widow survives and lives with her son Frank. Eleven children were born to Felix Mayer and wife and Frank is the eldest of the nine survivors, the others being: Minnie, wife of W. Broadhag, of Charleston; William, a farmer in Elk District; Anna and Clara, both at home; Ida, widow of J. Williams; and Lottie, wife of Edward Lory, of Charleston. After his school days were over, Frank Mayer assisted his father and soon became manager of the farm, and after the father's death he bought the interests of the other heirs and now owns the entire estate. He carries on general farming and stock raising and is one of the most prosperous agriculturists of this district. He is a charter member of the Lutheran church at Charleston. In politics he is a Democrat but has never been willing to accept office. |
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McCONIHAY, JOHN 1793-1880 Submitted by Marieda DERRICK Edens (MDEROOTS@aol.com) on Thu Dec 515:55:16 1996 Dr. John Morris McConihay, 1853- 1926 son of Ira Hurt McConihayJohn McConihay was born near Liberty, in Bedford Co.Va in 1793, the son of John and Jane DAVIS. He marriedMary Pell HURT 1/18/1821 in Bedford Co. who was bornAug. 11, 1805 Franklin Co. VA.In the spring of 1828 they came to Kanawha Co. andsettled thirteen miles from Charleston on the KanawhaRiver. Their home was at the mouth of Field's Ck,on the south side of the run. They owned a large bodyof land, valuable for it's coal and timber and for farmingpurposes. John had many slaves, and was a tobaccogrower, and was well known in both Kanawha and BedfordCounties. He was also a energetic business man, anda leading member of the Missionary Baptist Church.Mary was a woman of wonderful energy, and had thecare of a large home, and fifteen children, ofwhich twelve grew to maturity, and all but one had children. Children: Samuel born 1822 m-Malinda SHELTON, Ira Hurt born1824 m-Mary Sumerville MORRIS in Cabell Co., WilliamRay born 1826 m-Nancy J. WOODS, Mary Jane b-1827m-Dickenson Shrewsbury, James D. born 1829 m-Mary( ), (do not know where), Sarah Lewis "Sallie" born1830 m-David goshorn, John Hurt born 1833 married ArianaHEREFORD in Putnam Co. WV, Felix Grundy born 1836 m-Mary Ann SLAUGHTER, Daniel S. born 1839 m-Julia HURTMilton born 1841 d-1843, Anna E. born 1843 m-RobertCabell, Frances "Fannie" born 1846 m-Patrick B.Duffey and 2nd to Richard D. Dabney, and EllaCena born 1848 m-John Anderson. Mary died Feb. 22, 1863 and Joh died July 3, 1880in Kanawha Co., he was first buried at WinterfordJunction, then his body was moved to Marmet, whena road was being put through. There is a McConihay-Pryor Cemetery at East Bank that has some of hisdescendants from Samuel's family buried there |
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Clay McWhorter Taken from Prominent Men of West Virginia, Geo. W Atkinson and Alvaro F Gibbens, W.L. Callin Publishing, Wheeling, WV, 1890. Capt. H.C. McWhorter, the subject of this sketch and accompanying portrait, has been a resident of what is now West Virginia since 1841; has been, since 1865, and still is, an active, practicing lawyer in Charleston. In 1869-70 he was Prosecuting Attorney for Kanawha county; and in his profession has been successful and attained eminence. He was a member of the Legislature from Roane county in 1865, and from Kanawha in 1866-67-68, of which latter session he was Speaker, fulfilling its onerous and intricate duties in a parliamentary and highly satisfactory manner. Again, in 1885-87, he was a member of the House of Delegates from Kanawha county, elected on the Republican ticket. On the same ticket, in the fall of 1888, he was the candidate for Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia. He was the first President of the Board of Education in the Independent District of Charleston.Captain McWhorter is the son of Fields and Margaret M. (Kester) McWhorter, and was born February 20, 1836, in Ashley, Marion county, Ohio. He lived on the farm until he was eighteen years old; then was a clerk in a drug store, and afterwards Deputy Clerk in Roane county Courts until 1861. His father, brother and himself served in the Federal army - Henry C. in the Ninth West Virginia Infantry, first as private, then as Lieutenant, then Captain, then resigned in 1863 on account of severe wounds, but remained in the Provost Marshal's Department until the close of the war. Captain McWhorter is one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of West Virginia. |
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L Morris Taken from History of Charleston and Kanawha County West Virginia and Representative Citizens, W.S. Laidley, Richmond Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1911. Alfred L. Morris, M.D., a member of the Kanawha County Medical Society and a leading physician and surgeon at Clendenin, W.Va., was born March 30, 1869, at Blue Creek, Elk District, Kanawha County, and is a son of James H. and Mary C (Johnson) Morris.James H. Morris was born in Bedford County, Va., and died March, 1911, aged seventy-six years. He was nine years old when he accompanied his parents to Kanawha County, and later in life often told his children of the journey by wagon and of the primitive log cabin his father built which had, at first, no door, and of the danger to which they were subjected at night from the unwelcome visits from the forest wolves. He grew to manhood there and followed an agricultural life. He married Mary C. Johnson, who survives, a daughter of Hiram and Mary (Shelton) Johnson, natives of Virginia. Of their children, Dr. Morris is the second oldest, the others being: Virginia, who resides at No. 1519 Virginia Street, Charleston, is the widow of J.C. Rippetoe; a babe that died in infancy; Bettie, who is the wife of John Smith, residing in Fayette County; Effie, who is the wife of C.J. Pearson, of St. Albans; and James Elbert, who carries on the home farm. Stephen Morris, the grandfather, was a native of Bedford County, Va. He was a farmer and stock dealer and lived into old age, his death occurring in 1901, when he had reached his eighty-ninth year. Alfred L. Morris attended the local schools and for four years afterwards was associated with his brother-in-law in the lumber business and in the meantime prepared to enter the Kentucky School of Medicine, where he subsequently spent four years, graduating in 1902. He practiced medicine for nine years at Anstead, in Fayette County, W.Va., coming from there to Clendenin in 1910, where he is now in the enjoyment of a substantial practice and is one of the valued citizens of the village. Dr. Morris was married to Miss Rouena C. Koontz, who was born in 1872 and died in 1910, a daughter of John Koontz. She was a devoted member of the Episcopal church. Dr. Morris is a member of the Clendenin Lodge, No. 126, A.F. & A. M., and of Sewell Chapter at Sewell, W.Va., and belongs also to the Odd Fellows, at Anstead. |
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Family Taken from Prominent Men of West Virginia, Geo. W Atkinson and Alvaro F Gibbens, W.L. Callin Publishing, Wheeling, WV, 1890. Submitted by Beckie Rawdon (nodwar@worldnet.att.net) on Thu Apr 2 08:38:24 1998 The Morris family came to Kanawha in 1774, and are now found in every portion of the Valley. They have married and intermarried, until the original Morris blood runs in the veins of thousands of persons who reside in this portion of West Virginia. William Morris Sr.*, was the first permanent settler of the Kanawha Valley. Walter Kelly was the first to locate on the Kanawha river, but he was murdered by the Indians a few months after his arrival in the valley. Mr. Morris came here soon after Mr. Kelly's death, and purchased the Kelly's creek tract of land from the widow of Mr. Kelly. There were nine brothers of the original Morris family, viz: William, or "Billy" as he was always called, Henry, Joshua, Leonard, Levi, Edmund, John, Kellis, and Benjamin. There were but two sisters, viz: Betty and Franky. William, as stated, located at the mouth of Kelly's creek, where Mrs. R E Tompkins now resides. John settled on the Kanawha, opposite the mouth of Campbell's creek, five miles above Charleston. Edmund and Joshua secured beautiful homesteads in Teay's Valley, and the other brothers settled at different points along the Kanawha river. There were four "Billy Morrises," and in referring to them it was often difficult to distinguish them from each other. "Old Billy" had a son called "Major Billy." Carroll, a son of "Major Billy," had a son whom he called "Little Billy," who was a noted salt-well borer; and Edmund had a son who went by the name of "Falls Billy," because he resided at the Falls of Kanawha." "History of Kanawha county, West Virginia from its organization in 1789 until present time" by George W Atkinson-written in 1876. |
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A Morris Submitted by Beckie Rawdon (nodwar@worldnet.att.net) on Thu Apr 2 08:38:24 1998 Thomas A Morris, late a Bishop of the M.E. Church, was born at Brownstown, Kanawha county, Virginia, April 24, 1794. He was almost entirely a self-educated man; never attended school but a few months in his life; was licensed to preach in 1814; was admitted into the Ohio Conference, which at that time embraced the Great Kanawha valley, in 1816; was transferred to Kentucky Conference; elected a delegate to General Conference in 1824; returned to Ohio Conference and stationed in Cincinnati; served as presiding elder; was elected editor of The Western Christian Advocate in 1834, and made a Bishop in 1836. He was one of the very great men of Methodism in the United States. He died September 2, 1874, having served 37 years a Bishop in his church. A large number of his relatives now reside in the Kanawha valley. |
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G. Nicholson Taken from History of Charleston and Kanawha County West Virginia and Representative Citizens, W.S. Laidley, Richmond Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1911. Hugh G. Nicholson, M.D., proprietor and managing head of the Barber Sanitorium and Hospital at Charleston, W.Va., is a native of Warren county, N.C. He acquired a high school education there and subsequently took his M.D. degree from the University College of Medicine at Richmond, Va., graduating in the class of 1897. He afterwards took a post-graduate course at the New York Polyclinic and since then has been an annual visitor and attendant at Mayo's Clinic in Rochester, Minn. In 1898 he took the management of the Sheltering Arms Hospital at Hansford, this county, an institution established in 1886 and conducted by the Diocese of West Virginia, of the Episcopal church, and which is now one of the most complete hospitals in the state, comparing favorably with the best to be found in the country. He had much to do with establishing its enviable reputation, greatly promoting its efficiency, by improving its equipment and service, and increasing the number of patients three-fold. It is now in charge of Dr. J. Ross Hunter, a worthy successor of our subject.On leaving this institution in 1901, Dr. Nicholson engaged in medical practice in the city of Charleston and continued thus engaged for some eight years, building up a very successful practice. The Barber Sanitorium and Hospital, of which he became proprietor in December, 1909, was established in 1904 by Dr. T.L. Barber and conducted by him until his death in 1910. It is designed for the treatment of all kinds of drugless cases, including those requiring treatment by the various kinds of baths, electricity, Pasteur treatment and surgery. For these purposes it is admirably equipped with all necessary apparatus, in the management of which the Doctor and his assistants are thorough experts, possessing not merely the technical and manipulative skill, but that higher knowledge necessary to successfully direct it. Under Dr. Nicholson's management it is enhancing its reputation and increasing its sphere of usefulness to a large extent. Dr. Nicholson is a member of the county, state and national medical Associations. He is also a prominent Mason, belonging to all the various branches of that order up to and including Beni-Dedem Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs also to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Dr. Nicholson was married in Charleston to Miss Roberta Coleman, who was born in this city and acquired her education in Chicago, Ill. Her parents, Robert A. and Nancy (Venable Noyes) Coleman, were natives and lifelong residents of Kanawha county, Mr. Coleman being engaged in business in Charleston for many years. Both died here. Dr. Nicholson and his wife are members of the First Presbyterian church. They have two children, Hugh G. and Mildred. |
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S. Norton Taken from History of Charleston and Kanawha County West Virginia and Representative Citizens, W.S. Laidley, Richmond Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1911. Wilber S. Norton, who is representative of a family that settled at Malden, W.Va., before that town was laid out, has spent almost his entire life in Malden District and is well known as a business man and citizen. He was born at Malden, January 15, 1865, and is a son of Moses and Emily M (Reed) Norton and a grandson of Moses and Mary (Whitecotton) Norton.Grandfather Norton came to Mason county, Va., from Ohio, and from there came to Malden, Kanawha county, when his son Moses, was a child, the birth of the latter taking place January 25, 1816, in Mason county. He spent his life in Malden District and was interested in the coal and salt industries. He was married first in 1849, to Frances Putney, who died in 1862. They had three children; Mary Ellis, James Henry, and Mary Frances. He was married secondly on August 29, 1863, to Emily M. Reed, who died May 13, 1863, survived by their one child, Wilbur Springs Norton. Moses Norton survived his second wife for many years, his death occurring January 13, 1896. Wilbur S. Norton was educated in the public schools and a business college in Cincinnati. He has been identified with the Campbells Creek Coal Company since 1880, being employed first as a clerk in the company's store and later becoming bookkeeper, having charge of this part of the business since 1904. Mr. Norton casts his vote with the Democratic party, but takes no active interest in politics, being no seeker for office. He belongs to several fraternal organizations including the Knights of Pythias and the Red Men, both at Malden. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, in which he is a deacon. |