James A. Purdy Biography 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. 256-257 Hancock County JAMES A. PURDY. One of the most active and progressive men of Holliday's Cove, James A. Purdy, has contributed to the growth and development of his community a sound business ability, high principles of business practice and commendable ideals of the responsibilities of good citizen- ship. During his career he has risen from small beginnings to a leading place among the men who have achievements to their credit, and at this time is senior partner of the prosperous general merchandise firm of Purdy & Marsh. Mr. Purdy was born on a farm in the Holliday's Cove community, July 20, 1869, a son of James and Mary Jane (Knox) Purdy, the latter a native of the same community. James Purdy was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsyl- vania, and at the age of four years was brought to West Vir- ginia by his father, John Purdy, who was a cabinet-maker by trade, but who in 1824 purchased a farm on which he spent the remainder of his life in agricultural pursuits. James Purdy early took charge of the home farm in partner- ship with his brother, John Purdy, who later retired and went to Iowa, but James continued as a farmer, cattle grower and sheep breeder until his death at the age of ninety-one years. He was an active democrat in politics, was a great reader, and a man who was well and thoroughly posted on all worth-while subjects of the day. He kept open house, entertaining every traveler who visited the com- munity, and became widely known for his generous and kindly hospitality. His word was as good as his bond, and he was a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church at the Cove, of which his wife had become a charter member in her girlhood. She died at the age of fifty-two years, and was greatly mourned as a woman of many admirable characteristics and qualities of both mind and heart. James A. Purdy had to leave school as a lad in order to take charge of the home farm. His father had married very late in life, and as James was one of the younger children he was little more than a boy when he accepted the responsibilities of a man. With his younger sister, Saman- tha, as his housekeeper, he remained on the home farm until the death of his aged father, in the meantime having added the breeding of swine to the other activities of the farm and becoming widely known as a raiser of Berkshire hogs. Farming, however, he felt was not his forte, and when the elder man passed away and the estate was settled Mr. Purdy left the farm and became a clerk in a grocery store for one winter. Subsequently he spent a few months in North- western Idaho and then went on to the Pacific Coast, bnt in 1910 returned to Holliday's Cove, where he rented a store and installed a general stock of merchandise. His original stock was valued at $1,700, bnt during the first year he had sales of $25,000. At the present time he carries a stock of $15,000, and does an annual business approximating $160,000. He sells close and depends on the volume of business for his profits, and this necessitates the employ- ment of six assistants. In 1914 he built the present build- ing, which he has since sold, being now a renter. In 1920 Mr. Purdy admitted to partnership G. H. Marsh, and the business has since been conducted under the firm style of Purdy & Marsh. Mr. Purdy was one of the original directors of the Bank of Weirton, and still holds a place on the board. >From young manhood he has been interested and active in civic affairs. While still residing on the farm he served as a member of the School Board of Bertha District. After locating at Holliday's Cove he was elected mayor, but re- signed from that office to act as a member of the Draft Board during the war period, having been appointed to that position by Governor Cornwall. He has also served several times as a member of the City Council. Fraternally he affiliates with the Knights of Pythias, and as a means of recreation enjoys the sports of fishing and horseback riding. All in all, he is one of the most active and progres- sive men of the community comprising Holliday's Cove and Weirton. Mr. Purdy was united in marriage with Miss Lura Bux- ton, who was born in Brooke County, West Virginia, daugh- ter of J. H. Buxton, who is now deceased, and to this union there were born two sons: John, in the fourth gene- ration of the name; and James G., the third generation to bear the name.