Source: History of The Pan-Handle Submitted to the USGenWeb Project by: Janet Waite 1998 This file may be freely copied, but not copied for resale. (FAIRVIEW) POSTMASTERS Since the establishment of the Fairview post office, the village has had nine postmasters, as follows: The first postmaster was Larry Kenan, an Irishman. He received his appointment under President Monroe's administration. The office was in a log cabin that stood where Esquire Plattenburg's residence is located. He was then a man of about 60 years of age. He retained the office for several years, and was then followed by Bambrick. He was the father-in-law of Thomas Bambrick. The second postmaster was Thomas Bambrick, who received the appointment in 1823 or 1824, and held the office for a number of years. He kept the office in a small log house that stood where John Wilson's saddler shop now stands. He also dealt on a small scale, in connection with the post office, in the grocery business. The third postmaster was John C. McCown, who received his appointment under President Van Buren, in about 1836. He removed to the old McCown building, on Market street. He carried on the dry goods business. He was postmaster quite a number of years. The fourth postmaster was Absalom Owens, who received the appointment in 1854, and kept the office where Plattenburg lives. He had it only about a year, and was succeeded by Wilson. The fifth postmaster was John Wilson, who received the appointment under President Buchanan, and kept it in the building where he is now carrying on the harness business. William Shay, the sixth postmaster, was appointed in 1861, under President Lincoln, and held the office until 1866. He removed the office to the room now occupied by Samuel Moore's store. John Wilson received the appointment again, under Johnson, and it was removed to his shop, where it was retained until 1869. Miss Jennie Edie then received the appointment, under President Grant, and the office was removed to the private residence of Mrs. Elizabeth Edie and kept there until d1878. In 1878 W. C. Pomeroy was appointed postmaster, and the office then removed to his store building. Prior to the establishment of an office here the settlers were obliged to carry their letters to Charlestown, now Wellsburg, to mail them, where they also received mail, that being the nearest post office then in the county. This was twenty-two miles distant from Fairview. The inconvenience of the citizens here in receiving and sending mail can better be imagined than described.