James W. Finley Bio. Hancock County, WV ********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ********************************************************************* Submitted by: Valerie F. Crook The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 221 Hancock County JAMES W. FINLEY. One of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Hancock County, James W. Finley has long been practically in charge of all the con strnction work done by the big firm of Finley Brothers of Chester. He has been identified with this line of work for more than thirty years, and few men bear a better record in business matters or as to citizenship. Mr. Finley was born on the old Finley farm, one mile from Chester, Hancock County, February 1, 1863, and be- longs to an old and honored family, a complete record of which will be found in the sketch of Mr. Finley's brother, Joseph N. Finley, elsewhere in this work. He was reared on the home farm and secured a good educational training, and was variously employed until he reached the age of twenty-eight years, at which time he entered the trade. Inside of the same month he was given the responsible position of supervision of construction, a line in which he has continued to the present time, being generally the one in direct charge of all the construction work. The Pinley Brothers continued as a partnership until August, 1903, when the business was incorporated, with a capital of $10,000, the officers being Joseph N. Finley, president; Joseph McCoy, vice president; R. Frank Finley, treas- urer; and George A. Hasson, secretary. James W. Finley assumed the duties of superintendent of construction. R. F. Finley became vice president of the concern in 1916, at the time of the death of Joseph McCoy, a brother-in- law, whose widow is now a director in the concern. In 1921 the capital of the business was increased to $50,000. The work of this concern is not confined by any means to Hancock County, nor to the State of West Virginia, for the reputation of the enterprise for honest represen- tation, high grade of. workmanship and honorable fidelity to contracts has extended to distant points, and work has been done by Finley Brothers as far west as Moline, Illi- nois. Much of the success of the business must be ac- credited to James W. Finley, an expert in his line, a capable executive in the handling of labor and possessed of much energy and ideas of a modern character. He was for- mally a member of the Chester City Council, where he served on several important committees and worked faith- fully in behalf of the welfare of his community. While engaged in park work in Summit County, Ohio, Mr. Finley met Miss Ustha E. Boughton, who later became his bride. Mr. and Mrs. Finley have three sons: Richard Dale, Clyde Ember and Elvet Franklin, all attending school. At one time Mr. Finley belonged to thirteen fraternal organizations and passed through the chairs in most of these orders, of a number of which he was representa- tive to the state bodies. Of later years, however, he has not evidenced so much interest in fraternalism, and when his business duties allow of a vacation he either spends his time in his home or else takes a hunting trip in the mountains of his native state or goes to Michigan in search of deer and bear.