Biography of Otho Paul Argabrite, MD - Monroe Co. WV The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 621 OTHO PAUL ARGABRITE, M. D. A record of the pro- fessional career of Dr. Otho Paul Argabrite of Alderson shows that he has been an honor to his calling and a valuable addition to the ranks of those who take an interest in the affairs of their community with no ulterior motives. A man of broad learning, practical in his sug- gestions and energetic in carrying them out, he has naturally assumed a leading place among his associates. Since 1907 he has figured prominently in the medical profession of Monroe County, and has maintained throughout his entire career a high standard of ethics and honorable practice. Doctor Argabrite belongs to one of the old and honored families of Southeastern West Virginia, the early ancestor of which was Jacob Argabrite, who was born in 1760, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and removed from that community to Rockingham County, Virginia. In May, 1778, he volunteered for six months' service in the Virginia Militia under Captain Craven, and served at the forts in Tyggart's Valley. Later he reenlisted and served under General Mclntosh, and in the fall of 1780 again enlisted, for twelve months, in Captain Sullivan's Company, seeing service in the Carolinas and being in the battle of Cow- pens. Still later he rendered further patriotic service in a rifle company commanded by Captain Coker, and was present at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. After the winning of American independence he came to what is now Monroe County, West Virginia, and later moved to Green- brier County, where he passed the remainder of his life on Muddy Creek. Col. John Argabrite, a son of Jacob Argabrite, was born February 17, 1797, and died December 10, 1884. His wife was Mary, daughter of Jacob Hockman. Colonel Argabrite was a Union man during the Civil war, and was eligible to be a member of the Board of Supervisors from the Blue Sulphur District. He was a man of unusual ability and prominence, and served with credit in various official positions. His title of Colonel came from having served m the Virginia Militia. The children of Col. John and Mary (Hockman) Argabrite were as follows: Jacob H., born March 20, 1821, died November 30, 1899, unmarried, was in the Confederate Army during the war between the states and saw active service; Susan, born February 8, 1824, married James Johnson and died May 21, 1906; James H., born in 1836, died in 1838; Julia A. C., born August 31, 1838, married Joseph H. Bunger, and became the mother of five daughters; James Madison, of whom more later; Salome B., born January 23, 1842, married Harrison H. Gwinn; Fletcher D., born December 21, 1844, died April 23, 1862; Alice M., born March 2, 1847, married Andrew Jarrett, a grandson of James Jarrett, and died June 23, 1917; and Druilla, who died in infancy. James Madison Argabrite, a son of Colonel John and grandson of Jacob Argabrite, was born May 17, 1840, and in 1922 is still living on the farm on which he was born, hale and hearty, honored and respected, past eighty-two years of age. He attended Allegheny College, and February 1, 1864, became a member of Company K, Fourteenth Vir- ginia Cavalry, of the Confederate Army. On May 6 of the same year he was captured by the enemy at Meadow Bluff, Virginia, and for nine months was a prisoner at Camp Chase, this practically concluding his military career. On November 14, 1867, he married Annie C. Anderson, daughter of Alexander H. Anderson, and a member of one of the pioneer families of Greenbrier County. The chil- dren born to this union were as follows: Io, born October 5, 1869: John Alexander, born September 13, 1875, died February 12, 1902; Mary Catherine, born August 23, 1877; R. B., born June 17, 1881, died February 25, 1903; and Otho Paul. Otho Paul Argabrite was born May 13, 1884, and is directly descended from Jacob, the Revolutionary soldier, Col. John and James Madison Argabrite. He had his early training on the home farm, graduated from Alleghany Collegiate Institute, and this he supplemented by attend- ance at the academic department of the University of Vir- ginia. Having decided upon a career as a physician and surgeon, he then enrolled as a student in the medical de- partment of the University of Maryland, at Baltimore, from which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1907, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In August of the same year he located at Alderson, which has since been his home. Here he has built up one of the best practices enjoyed by any physician and surgeon in the state outside of the large cities. He holds to high ideals in his profession and is constantly seeking to broaden his knowledge that his labors may be more effective, and with discriminating intelligence selects the best methods for the treatment of individual cases, the soundness of his judg- ment being manifest in the excellent results which follow his labors. He belongs to the various organizations of his calling, and is a Methodist in religious faith and a democrat politically. While the greater part of his time is given to the duties of his profession, he occasionally finds leisure to indulge his favorite recreations of hunting and fishing. On October 15, 1907, Doctor Argabrite married Miss Mary Johnson Feamster, who died January 4, 1910, the mother of two daughters: Mary Catherine and Lula Vir- gina, the latter of whom died in infancy. The present wife of Doctor Argabrite was Miss Cella Motteshead, of Charleston, West Virginia, whom he married November 6, 1911. Submitted by Valerie 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. ****************************************************************