Monongalia County, West Virginia Biography of Charles Hillegas CORE ************************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: Material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor. Submitted by Valerie Crook, , May 1999 ************************************************************************** The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 147-148 CHARLES HILLEGAS CORE is a factor in the continuation of farming, merchandising and other activities that have been carried on in the Clay District of Monongalia County at Core Post Office for a long perid of years. His birthplace was a farm a mile from his present home, where he was born March 14, 1875, son of Edgar Wilson and Landora Olive (Sturgeon) Core. Edgar W. Core was born in the same vicinity February 16, 1837, and died April 23, 1919, in his eighty-third year. His father, Michael Core, was also a native of Monongalia County, born near Cass- ville. The first generation of the family in this part of West Virginia was represented by Stoffle, another name for Christopher Core, who came from the Shenandoah Valley and located in a wilderness still infested by Indians. Stoffle Core lived here and died at good old age. Michael Core lived out his life in that vicinity, dying when past sev- enty, and his wife, Christinia Shriver, also died when old. They had six sons in all: Asa, who became a pioneer in Nebraska, where his descendants still live; Christopher, who died in middle life in Monongalia County; Isaac, who had operated a grist mill on Dunkard Creek and in old age moved to Tyler County, West Virginia; Abe, who lived most of his life in Tyler County, where he still has de- scendants; and Benjamin, who, like the other brothers, followed farming and lived at the old homestead at Core. There was also a daughter, Mrs. Wash Tennant, who died, leaving no children. Edgar Wilson Core grew up in the Clay District and mar- ried a neighbor girl, Landora Olive Sturgeon, daughter of William Sturgeon. She died in 1885, when about thirty- eight years of age. Edgar W. Core early in his married life established his home where his son Charles now lives, owning about three hundred acres and engaging in general farming. His farm was also developed for oil, and there are two small wells producing today and paying royalties. About twenty years ago the Pittsburg vein of coal under- neath the farm was sold, but has not yet been developed. Edgar W. Core never sought the honors of public life, was a republican, a member of the Home Guard during the war, and a working member of Dolls Run Christian Church. Core Station was named in his honor, and for thirty years previously a star route post office had also been designated Core. Edgar W. Core in early life was a cattle drover, assisting his father in taking many droves over the moun- tains to Philadelphia, and they were in that business until the building of railroads gave an improved means of trans- portation. The family of Edgar W. Core consisted of three sons and one daughter, and three reached mature years. Harry Michael was a farmer who died at the age of thirty- five, and by his marriage to Clara Lemley left two children, Earl and Carl. Plummer Core, a merchant at Core Station, married Elizabeth Lemley, and their two children are Phyl- lis and Leland. Charles H. Core is associated with his brother Plummer in business, but they have divided their responsibilities, Plummer having the management of the store while Charles looks after the farming operations. They have about four hundred acres, and cattle and sheep grazing has always been a feature of their business. For thirty years they have been breeders of high grade Shorthorn cattle, many of their animals having been exhibited with honors at local fairs. Mr. Charles Core built his substantial brick home in 1913. He was married at the age of twenty-four, he and his brother having taken sisters for brides. His wife was Ger- trude Lemley, daughter of Alexander and Lucy (Tucker) Lemley, both of whom died at the age of sixty-five. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Core have three children: Campbell Lem- ley, now associated with his father on the farm, was in vocational training service at the University during the war, and married Gillie Wright; Arthur Lynn, a freshman in the State University; and Doris, a high school girl. Mr. Core is a republican, and his church affiliation is with his father's old church, the Dolls Run Christian Church.