From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY,"  Vol. I, pages 615-616.
Brant & Fuller, 1890.


JOSEPH G. GIST

Joseph C. Gist is an old resident of Buffalo township, Brooke county, 
W. Va.  He was born in the year 1820, March 12, near Wellsburg, W. 
Va., the son of Cornelius Howard and Clara (Reinicker) Gist.  The 
father and grandfather were both natives of Maryland, and the mother 
and her parents were Prussians by birth.  Joseph was the youngest of 
ten children, three of whom are still living.  Joseph attended the 
pioneer schools of that day, and afterward was a student in Allegheny 
college for three and a half years.  Having graduated with the degree 
of A. M., he read law for two years.  Abandoning his legal studies, 
Mr. Gist became a farmer, in which pursuit he has since been engaged.  
In 1861 he was elected to the senate of W. Va.  After serving in this 
capacity with much credit to himself and with benefit to his 
constituents for four years he was sent to the state legislature, 
being a candidate on the republican ticket.  August 22, 1849, he was 
united in marriage to Elizabeth Colver.  She was born in Greene 
county, Penn., near Jefferson, February 10, 1826, the daughter of 
Thomas and Rachel (Heaton) Colver.  Six children have come to bless 
this union.  Mr. and Mrs. Gist are communicants of the Methodist 
Episcopal church.  The farm operated by Joseph Gist is one of the 
finest in Brooke county, and is stocked with thorough-bred Merino 
sheep and finely bred Short-horn cattle.  He is an enterprising, 
progressive farmer, a fine specimen of American citizen and 
agriculturist. 


(Linda Fluharty)