From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY,"  Vol. I, page 443-444.
Brant & Fuller, 1890.


RANDOLPH STALNAKER

Randolph Stalnaker, ex-secretary of state of West Virginia, now a 
prominent citizen of Wheeling, is a native of Green Brier, Va., born 
June 8, 1847, a son of Randolph Stalnaker, a native of Randolph 
county, Va.  The boyhood days of Mr. Stalnaker were passed at 
Lewisburgh, Va., where he began his education in Monroe county.  In 
1861, he left home to join the Confederate army, enlisting in the 
Greenbrier rifles, Company E, Twenty-seventh Virginia regiment, but 
his military service at that time was cut short by his colonel, who 
sent him home judging that his age was too tender for such duty.  
After remaining at home about a year, Gen. A. W. Reynolds appointed 
him an aid on the staff, and in that capacity he served until 1864, 
when he was made adjutant of Hounsell's cavalry, a position he held 
until the surrender.  After the close of the war he went into the oil 
regions of Wirt county, and became interested in the oil wells there, 
but subsequently returned to Lewisburgh, and embarked in the 
mercantile business.  While a resident of that place, he was in 1876 
appointed private secretary to Gov. Matthews, and at the close of 
that service, in 1880, he was appointed by Gov. Jackson, secretary of 
state, an office which he held for four years.  At the close of his 
official life at the capital, Mr. Stalnaker made his home permanently 
at Wheeling, and engaged in the manufacture of hardwood, etc., as a 
member of the firm of Hale & Stalnaker.  About a year later, the 
works at Wheeling were destroyed by fire, and the seat of the 
business was then removed to Wirt county, and a company was 
incorporated, of which Mr. Stalnaker is a stockholder, which is doing 
business under the style of the West Virginia Bung company.  This was 
recently consolidated with the Independent Bung company, of New York.  
Mr. Stalnaker is thoroughly devoted to the advancement of the 
manufacturing interests of Wheeling, and in August, 1887, he became 
one of the incorporators of the West Virginia China company, of 
which, in January, 1888, he was elected secretary, a position he 
holds at present.  Mr. Stalnaker is a member of the Masonic order, of 
Greenbrier lodge.    


(Linda Fluharty)