Pleasants County, West Virginia, Biography of Oliver Gorrell

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OLIVER GORRELL

Oliver Gorrell, ex-member of the legislature, is one of Pleasants 
County's most prominent and esteemed citizens.  He was born September 
25, 1839, in Tyler county, on the old Gorrell homestead farm, his 
parents being Elias and Berthiah Gorrell.  He was reared on the farm, 
was educated in the usual way and at the age of twenty-one years, 
began teaching the common schools.  He continued this work for two 
years and in 1864, was married to Mary A., daughter of B. S. and 
Eliza A. (Kyle) Morgan.  Mrs. Gorrell's grandfather, John G. Morgan, 
was a soldier in the war of 1812, through which he served, and 
afterward drew a pension, receiving some government land for his 
services.  He lived to the venerable age of ninety-one years and 
during his day was a leading politician.  Mrs. Gorrell's father, E. 
S. Morgan, followed in the footsteps of the last mentioned citizen, 
and took a great interest in politics, being a fearless advocate of 
democratic principles.  He served one term as sheriff of Tyler county 
and ranked well, both as a citizen and an official.  Mrs. Gorrell's 
grandfather, Kyle, was also a soldier in the war of 1812, and as a 
reward for his bravery displayed on different occasions, he was 
promoted from the ranks until he reached the position of colonel.  He 
served through the war with great credit to himself, and lived to an 
advanced and respected old age.  Our subject's marriage was 
productive of twelve children, of whom eleven are living, viz.:  
Clement L. V., Cordelia B., Estelle E., Gibson M., Emma J., Mattie 
M., Oliver, Nellie A., Roberta A., Ralph E. and Gretta I.  Mr. 
Gorrell and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
south, and at this writing he holds the position of class leader.  In 
1878, he was appointed to fill a vacancy caused by the failure of R. 
T. Parker, to qualify after being elected.  G. S. Hammett was first 
appointed and served the remainder of 1878-79.  In 1882, he was made 
the standard bearer of the democracy of Pleasants county, for 
representative, and was elected by a good majority.  He was re-
elected in 1886, and served two years more.  Mr. Gorrell is the owner 
of 1,000 acres of land, which he obtained in 1864, when there was no 
improvements on the same, but now has the bulk of it cleared and in a 
good state of cultivation.  Besides his farming business, he ran a 
large saw-mill about fourteen years.  It is but just to add that he 
is one of the most useful and popular citizens of his county.     

From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY,"  Vol. I; Brant & Fuller, 1891.


(Linda Cunningham Fluharty)