Biography of Richard S. Whitehead RICHARD S. WHITEHEAD is superintendent for the Poca- hontas Fuel Company in mining operations in McDowell County at Lick Branch station on the Norfolk & Western Railroad, the postoffice being Switchback. Mr. Whitehead was born in Nelson County, Virginia, April 29, 1877, and is a son of Kincaid and Frances Ann (Lovin) Whitehead, both likewise natives of Nelson County. Dr. Kinkaid Whitehead was little more than a boy when he entered the Confederate service in the Civil war, as a member of a Virginia regiment. He was wounded in the right arm, and as a result was captured and held a prisoner at Point Lookout until the close of the war, he having been eighteen years of age when he entered the army. After the war he studied dentistry, and he long held prestige and honor as one of the leading dentists in Nelson County, Virginia. Richard S. Whitehead attended the public schools of his native county until he was fourteen years old, when he be- gan work for himself, he having depended upon his own resources since that early age. He came to Switchback, West Virginia, and entered the service of the Pocahontas Fuel Company. He was door boy or trapper at the mine, was oiler, track man, driver, miner, mine foreman, and finally, by loyal and efficient service, won promotion to his present responsible position with this industrial corporation. After remaining five years in the employ of the Pocahontas Fuel Company Mr. Whitehead was for eight years in the employ of the Pulaski Iron Company. He then returned to Switchback and resumed his connection with the Pocahontas Fuel Company. He has worked his way from the bottom, has gained thorough knowledge of all details of coal mining and is an efficient and valued executive, besides having the confidence and good will of the employes working under his supervision. He is a democrat, and he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. At Graham, Virginia, in 1897, Mr. Whitehead wedded Miss Hattie Wimmer, who was born and reared in Tazewell County, that state, a daughter of Isaac and Martha Wim- mer. Mr. and Mrs. Whitehead have a fine family of eight children, namely: Raymond Clyde, Oliver Francis, Rosa C., Madeline, Jack, Ruth, Ethel and Thomas. Raymond, Oliver and Rosa are married, the home of Raymond being at Blue- field and his vocation being that of a miner. From The History of West Virginia, Old and New, page 63-64 Submitted by Valerie F. Crook **************************************************************** 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. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. ****************************************************************