History of Ritchie County (WV) CHAPTER XIII - XV
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History of Ritchie County

The following is taken from the book "History of Ritchie County" written by 
Minnie Kendall Lowther, and published in 1910.

Chapter XIII
Husher's Run
Transcribed by Earl Cowan

This stream is a tributary of Bond's creek, and its name perpetuates the 
memory of its first settler, George Husher, who was, also, the first settler 
of Bond's creek.  And though it is but a small stream, it drains a fertile 
region, and not a few prominent pioneer names have an association with its 
history.

Elijah Cunningham, son of William, was one of the earliest setttlers after 
Jacob Husher.  He was a native of the "Old Dominion;" and his wife was Miss 
Sarah Wigner, sister of John Wigner, junior.  Here they both spent the 
greater part of their lives, and in the Ellenboro cemetery, they lie at 
rest.  He died during the autumn of 1868; and she, in 1882, at the age of 
ninety years.

Their eldest daughter, Elizabeth, married Wm. I. Pyles, and was the mother 
of W. H. Pyles, of Hebron; Sarah Ann was the late Mrs. William Wells--mother 
of George Wells, of Pennsboro; Barbara became Mrs. John A. Webb, and went to 
Kansas; Emeline is Mrs. McLean, of  Ohio; Cathrine was the late Mrs. Van 
Cundiff, of Danville, Illinois; Mary Jane, who is still single, resides at 
Belpre, Ohio; William, the only son  (married Margaret Curry), resides near 
Pennsboro.

John Wigner was the first settler at Ellenboro.  He was of German descent 
and of Pennsylvania birth; and he came to the Smithville vicinity, from the 
"City of Brotherly Love," with his parents, Mr. and mrs. John Wigner, 
senior.  He was first married to Miss Katherine Wetzel, a near relative of 
the distinguished Lewis Wetzel, who was, also, of German lineage; and with 
her took up his residence on the G. W. Lambet farm, near Ellenboro, about 
the year 1814.  His second wife was Miss Sarah Ann Larison.  He was a 
soldier of the war of 1812.  He sold his possessions here to Bazil 
Williamson, ane went to Harrison county, where he "heired his six feet of 
earth."

His children were two in number:  Jacob Wigner, junior, and Mrs. Mary 
(Andrew) Johnson.

George B. Johnson, and Mrs Mary Wigner, of Ellenboro: Mrs. Jabez Elliott, 
junior, of Calhoun county; and Jackson Johnson, of Indiana, are his 
grandchildren.

His two brothers, Jacob and Henry Wigner, also found homes in this part of 
the county near the same time.

Jacob Wigner, senior, was married to Miss Leah Cunningham, daughter of 
pioneer William, of Harrisville and Cornwallis, and settled on Stuart's run, 
on the farm that has since been known as the "Patrick Cochran homestead."  
Here his death occured in 1853, and at Riddel's chappel, beside his wife, he 
rests.  He was the builder of the first dwelling in the town of Ellenboro.

His children were: Mrs. Joseph Rush (the only surviving one). the late D. R. 
Wigner, of Pike; Elijah, William, James, Mrs. W. B. Carpenter, and Henry, 
who died in youth, all sleep in this county; and John S. Wigner, and Mrs. 
Susan Clarke, in Pleasants county.

Henry Wigner was married to Miss Elizabeth Lowther, daughter of Jesse 
Lowther, of Cornwallis, and settled on what is best known as "the Hithcock 
farm"--now the home of J. S. Pratt, near Ellenboro.  But he afterwards 
removed to the Cairo vicinity, where he passed from earth, at a ripe old 
age, and in the Egypt cemetery, with his companion, his ashes lie.

His children were:  William, of Ellenboro; Wesley, of Pennsboro; Mrs. Susan 
(John) Heaton, of Harrisville; and Phebe, who died in youth.

Michael Johnson was another early settler on Husher's run.  He was born and 
reared in "Old Erin;" and there he was married to Miss Hannah Hughes, a 
realtive of Jesse and Elias Hughes, and from there, they fled to America 
from religious persecution and settled in Virginia.They came to the 
Ellenboro vicinity, in 1827, where they remained until they passed to the 
"home over there."

Their family consisted of eight children; viz., George and Andrew, were both 
drowned while crossing the Ohio river in a skiff, in 1834; William went to 
Iowa; Mrs. Susan Gaston, Misses Dorcas and Rebecca Johnson were all of 
Harrison county; and Maria, the wife of Ezekiel Bee, was of Berea.

Andrew Johnson married Miss Mary Wigner, daughter of John Wigner, junior, 
and was the father of the venerable George B. Johnson, and Mrs. Mary Wigner, 
of Ellenboro.

Mr. Johnson is now seventy-six (1909) years of age, and lives in the same 
vicinity where he was born; he having never been beyond the limits of the 
state.  His memory carries him back to the days when the present site of 
Ellenboro was a sugar-camp, and the public highways were little more than 
bridle-paths.

He married Miss Elizabeth Parks, daughter of Nathaniel Parks, and early 
pioneer of this county, and is the father of one son, W. A. Johnson, of 
Pennsboro.

Nathaniel Parks was born in Harrison county, on June 11, 1803, and came to 
this county in his early manhood (near 1825), and married Miss Barbara 
Cunningham, daughter of Wiliam, of Cornwallis, and settled in the 
Harrisville vicinity.  He later removed to near Ellenboro, where his life 
came to a close in 1895.  His wife was born in 1803, and died in 1887.  Both 
sleep in the Ellenboro cemetery.  They were the parents of the following 
named children:  The late Wm. H., of Cairo; James M., of Ellenboro; John C., 
of Cornwallis; Mrs. Edith (Benjamin) Wricke, Pike; Susan first married 
Wilson A. Gribble, who lost his life in battle during the Civil War, and she 
then became Mrs. Robert Hancock, and went to Wisconsin, where she died; Mrs. 
George B. Johnson, of Ellenboro, already mentioned, is the other daughter; 
Martin died at Washington city during the Civil war; John and Wiliam were 
also soldiers of the Civil war.

John Rawson was another very early settler in the Ellenboro vicinity, on the 
farm that is now the home of John Fowler.  He married Miss Nancy Husher, 
daughter of George Husher, after whom the stream was named, and here spent 
the remnant of his days.  He was one of the earliest millers in this 
section.  He first owned a horse-mill, and later secured steam power and run 
a grist and saw-mill combined.  He died in July, 1861, and his wife, in 
August of the following year, and both rest on the old homestead.  He had no 
children, and he willed his property to two of his nephews.

William Carpenter, senior, was the first settler of the Yerkey homestead, on 
Husher's run. He was born in Steuben county, New York, in 1802, and there, 
in 1821, he was married to Miss Nancy T. Armstrong, who was born in the same 
county in 1805; and after a few years' residence in the "Empire state," they 
emigrated to Potter county, Pennsylvania, and from there, came to Husher's 
run in the spring of 1841.  He was one of the early ministers of the Baptist 
church in this part of the county, and his labors continued until a few 
years before his death, in 1880. Here he passed away, and within the bounds 
of this vicinity he found a resting place.  He was the father of six 
children:  Lovera, the eldest daughter, is Mrs. William Wigner, of Steuart's 
run; Lucretia is the widow of the late Justus Weekly, of Bond's creek; 
Nellie was the late wife of John G. Wigner; Nancy J., died in childhood; Wm. 
B., late of Washburn, is now of Tyler county; and J. W., who married Miss 
Rosalina Wilson, resides at Bellaire, Ohio.

Along with Mr. Carpenter from Pennsylvania came Fredrick Tanner, Truman 
Stephens, and Daniel Vancourt.

Mr. Tanner was a mill-wright, and as he was a bachleor, he remained as a 
member of the Carpenter household until his death, in 1864, at the age of 
eighty-five years.

Truman Stephens was a native of Massachusetts; and his wife, Roena Kibbee, 
was born in New York; and for a short time after their marriage, they 
resided in the "Empire state," and from there, emigrtated to Potter county, 
Pennsylvania, and from thence to the Ellenboro vicinity--to the farm now 
owned by Benjamin McGinnis--in 1841.

Here their lives closed at the home of their daughter, Mrs. Vancourt, and in 
the Ellenboro cemetery they lie in their last sleep. They were the parents 
of four daughters; viz., Liza was the late Mrs. James McGee; Amanda Miranda 
was Mrs. Daniel Vancourt; Jane first married a man by the name of Calhoun, 
and after his death, she became Mrs. Weekly.  And Lucinda, the only survivor 
of the family, is Mrs. Martin Cochran, of Tollgate.

Mr. Stephens was a soldier of the war of 1812.

Daniel Vancourt and his wife, Mrs. Amanda Miranda Stephens Vancourt, settled 
on a farm adjoining the Carpenter homestead, and there remained until he was 
laid to rest on his own farm. They were the parents of the following named 
children:

Julia A., who became Mrs. Adam Raley, and went to Baltimore; Amanda M., 
married Wm. Moore, and lived on Stuart's run; Phebe L., became Mrs. William 
Parish, of Marietta, Ohio; Mary Cathrine is Mrs. Presley Rollins, of 
Husher's run; Margaret A., Mrs. James King, of Marietta; Truman D., Jane, 
and Mary Matilda have passed on; and David A. lives in Roane county.

Joseph Cochran was another early Pennsylvanian in the Ellenboro vicinity.  
His father, John Cochran, came from Ireland during the Revolutionary war, 
and once took up arms in behalf of the colonists, and served for three 
years.  At the close of this struggle, he married Miss Elizabeth Adams, of 
Greene county, Pennsylvania, and settled at Pittsburg.  There Joseph Cochran 
was born, and there he was married to Miss Sarah Gill, of Mercer county, 
Pennsylvania; and in 1844, they removed to this county.  Their children 
were, Johathan, Samuel, Martin, Kathrine J., Sarah, Nancy, and Elizabeth 
(who married Elijah Cunningham).  Martin Cochran married Miss Lucinda 
Stephens, and he is the only one of the family that lives in this county, 
his residence being at Tollgate.  The rest reside in the West. (?)


William Hitchcock was the pioneer of the Pratt farm, one mile east of 
Ellenboro, at the mouth of the small stream that bears his name--"Hitchcock 
run."

He married Miss Phebe McKinney and came here early in the century, and 
remained until he answered the final summons. Here he and his wife and 
nearly all of their descendants slumber.

His children were as follows:

Michael, William, Waldo, Nicholas, Mary, and Florence, all of whom have 
passed on.  Mary died in youth, Florence in early womanhood, and Michael, 
the only one of the household who married, left a family. But they, too, 
have nearly all passed on.

The Corbins have been prominent citizens of the county for sixty years, and 
in this chapter they claim a place.

English in origin, they came to America in Colonial times and settled in the 
"Old Dominion." George Corbin was married to Miss Sallie Jennings, of 
Virginia, who belonged to the same family as the distinguished William 
Jennings Bryan, and their son, John W. Corbin, was the head of the Ritchie 
county family.

John W. Corbin was born in Culpepper county, Virginia, on October 7, 1786, 
and served as a soldier in the war of 1812.  On January 14, 1819, he was 
married to Miss Rebecca Williams, daughter of James and Barsheba Williams, 
who was born in Monongalia county, on february 8, 1803; and from Booth 
creek, Taylor county, with their large family, they removed to Husher's run, 
in November, 1850.  There they passed away--he, on July 24, 1878, and she, 
on April 20, 1885, and both rest in the Ellenboro cemetery.

Their family consisted of thirteen children; viz., Sallie, Oliver Perry, 
Frances, Alexander M., George, Elizabeth, Ephatha, Ada, Joanna, Mariana, 
Pelina, Josephus, and Ocran Corbin, all of whom married and reared famiies, 
except Frances and Mariana, who died in childhood.

Sallie Corbin, the eldest, who was born on February 16, 1820, married Hiram 
Wilkinson, and after a long residence here, they removed to Salem, where she 
died in December, 1902.  Her family consisted of nine children:  Loman, of 
Indiana; Celia (Mrs. Fenton Elifritz), of Ohio; Mary (Mrs. A. J. Pritchard), 
of Parkersburg; Rachel (Mrs. Wm. Childers), of Salem; Frances (Mrs. Benjamin 
Crouser), Parkersburg; Benjamin, Daniel, Josephus, and Ocran Wilkinson.  The 
last two named died in childhood.

Oliver Perry Corbin was born on November 10, 1821, and on March 2, 1845, he 
was married to Miss Nancy Ann Taylor, who passed on near the year 1855, 
leaving six children; and in 1857, he was again married to miss Mary Linsey, 
and twelve children were the result of this union. After calling Ritchie 
county his home for a number of years, he removed to Jackson county, where 
his life came to a close.

The children of the first marriage were:  Gustavus Adolphus, Rebecca Ann 
(Mrs. Robert Jones), Joseph Taylor, Lorenzo Dow, Mary Virginia (Mrs. John 
Faber), and Martha Columbia ( wife of the Rev. W. H. Maddox).  The last two 
mentioned were twins.  All reared families of thieir own, except L. D. 
Corbin, who died in youth.

The Children of the second marriage: Arelions B., Alice J. (Mrs. A. T. 
Maddox), florence Belle (Mrs. J. H. G. Winter), Lizzie (Mrs. D. E. Kessel), 
John D., Julius C., Ella ((Mrs. E. D. Kessel), Chestinie M., Zorah (Mrs. C. 
R, Smith), and one who died in infancy.

Alexander McKra Corbin, born March 13, 1827, was married to Miss Margaret 
Williams, and finally, removed from this county to Parkersburg, where he 
spent his last hours.  His children were twelve in number: Festus, Belle 
(Mrs. Theodore Butcher), Miss Rebecca, Dean ( who died in youth), Susana 
(Mrs. John Hudkins), Luda (died in Youth), Eliza ( Mrs. Frank Riley), 
Elizabeth (Mrs. Maxwell), Abraham, Laura (Mrs. John Fredline), Arilda (Mrs. 
Edward Shautaley), and Rufus Corbin.

George W. Corbin, born June 27, 1829, married Miss Rhoda Weekly, daughter of 
John and Sarah Garrett Weekly, and lived and died in this county.  He was 
the father of the late Dr. M. L. Corbin, Arlington, Mrs. Bessie (J. F.) 
Lowther, and Wm. S. Corbin, all of this county; J. M., of Illinois; Mrs. 
Saccharissa (J. M.) Hughes, Parkersburg; Mrs. Jane Phillips, wife of the 
Rev. Mr. Phillips, of the Pittsburg M. P., conference; Rev. O. L. Corbin, of 
the Congregationalist chruch of California; and the late Rev. J. D.  Corbin, 
of the Pittsburg Methodist Protestant conference.  This family have also 
been prominently known in educational circles in this county.

Elizabeth Corbin, born June 25, 1831, was married to George Cunningham, and 
removed to Tyler county, where death overtook her.  Her children:  Martin 
Van Buren Cunningham, Mary Jane (Mrs. Michael Adams), Andrew J., Pauline 
(Mrs. James Bell), Thomas B., John W., Joanna, who died in infancy, Oliver 
P., and Lettie, who is Mrs. Isaac Williams.

Ephatha Corbin, born January 16, 1833, was married to James Cunningham, and 
of this union ten children were born; viz., Jasper N. Cunningham, Permilia 
(Mrs. Mary Hammett), Sarah (Mrs. Edward Friends), John (died in youth), 
Rocellana (Mrs. Thomas Mahoney), Josephus (unmarried), Amber (Mrs. Henry 
Rexroad), Viola (widow of the late Dr. D. F. Ireland), the late Edmund D., 
and Emily, who is Mrs. Charles French.

Ada Corbin, born on July 23, 1836, is now Mrs. Richard Weekly, of Bond's 
creek.  And their children are:  Frances, who married Clarke Saterfield, C. 
C. Weekly, Harlan P., Mosella (Mrs. Dudley Smith), Theodosia (Mrs. F. 
Morgan), Albert, the late Emma, the late Draper, who died in youth, Samuel, 
Irena (Mrs. Earle Flesher), and Dollie (Mrs. Elmer Saterfield).

Joanna Corbin, born February 28, 1838, was married to Thomas Rawson, and 
removed from this county to Elizabeth, Wirt county, where she died. Her 
children:  Wm. J., Albert J., John W., Burleigh H., Charles E., Frank, 
Joseph C., Leslie B. Rawson, Mollie R. (Mrs. Samuel Morris), and Dollie B., 
who is Mrs Frank Wiseman.

Paula Corbin, born on July 27, 1841, was married to Alfred Fowler, of 
Ellenboro, and remained in this county until after the death of her husband, 
when she removed to Parkersburg, where she now resides with her son, 
Burleigh Folwer.  Her other children are:  Dexter, Thomas, Palmer, Lotta, 
who is Mrs. D. B. Patton, of Harrisville; and Hattie (Mrs. J. D. Hill), 
Williamstown.

Josephus Corbin, born on November 3, 1843, is still a resident of this 
county.  He was first married to Miss Juliana Hogue, of Bond's creek, and 
eight children were the result of this union; viz., Ollie (Mrs. William 
Boggess), Zannie ( Mrs. Okey Hill), Alonzo F. Corbin, Sallie (Mrs. M. O. 
Morgan), Lillie (Mrs. Samuel Campbell), Floyd, and Howard, who are at home, 
and one son who died in infancy.  His second wife was Miss Drusilla Petit.

Ocran Corbin was born on September 30, 1845, and died at his home in this 
county two or three years since.  His wife was Miss Rachel Taylor, daughter 
of James Taylor and granddaughter of Edmond Taylor, and their children were 
twelve in number; viz., Oliver P., John, James (who died in young manhood), 
Charles, Frank (a lawyer), Wade, and Grover, who both died in youth, Lester, 
Josephine (Mrs. Hubert Moss), Rosella and Kate, who are at home with their 
mother; and one daughter died in infancy.

Since finishing the above account, a bit of valuable information concerning 
the Corbin ancestry comes to us from Miss Christine Washington, of 
Charleston, West Virginia, which we here add:

Henry Corbin crossed to the Virginia colony near the year 1654, and settled 
in King and Queen county. He had three sons and five daughters:  Henry, 
Thomas, Garwin, Letitia, Alice, Winfred, Anne, and Frances.

Henry died young.  Thomas never married.  Garwin married several times.  
Letitia became the wife of Richard Lee, of Mt. Pleasant; Alice married 
Phillip Lightfoot; Winfred, Leroy Griffin; Anne, William Taylor; And Frances 
became the wife of Governor Edmund Jennings, of Rippon, Virginia. And 
doubtless from her Sallie Jennings Corbin, above mentioned, is descended.

Garwin Corbin, the one son of the family that left issue, married for his 
second wife Jane, daughter of John Lane, of York river, who was probably the 
mother of all his children, but Miss Bassett, daughter of Wm. Bassett, was 
another wife.  However, his daughter, Jennie Corbin, married Col. John 
Bushrod, and her daughter, Hannah, was the wife of John Augustine 
Washington, the brother of George Washington.

Perhaps the present generations may find this bit of information valuable in 
tracing their ancestry, as it came too late for farther investigation on our 
part.

The Fowlers.--Another family whose name has stood for good citizenship in 
this part of the county for sixty years is that of "Fowler."

Henry Fowler, son of Isasc and Mary Komer Fowler, was of German lineage and 
of Virginia birth. He first opened his eyes on earth on the Osage river, in 
1808; and in 1841, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Coffman, who was also a 
native of Virginia; and near the year 1850, they came to Husher's run, and 
settled on what is now designated as the "Barnes farm," and a little later, 
purchased the old Husher homestead, and here the remainder of their lives 
were spent. Mr. Fowler passed away in 1872; and his wife, who was born on 
August 15, 1819, survived until 1894.  Both lie at rest in the Husher's run 
burying-ground.

Their family consisted of the following named children, all of whom survive, 
except Albert, the eldest son, who died in this county several years ago:  
Thomas resides in Indiana; M. D., in Calhoun county; Mary is the wife if B. 
H. Wilson, and Nancy is Mrs. W. H. Moore, both of Goff's; J. N. resides near 
Harrisville; Martha is Mrs. William Rawson, of Maryland; And John H. Fowler, 
the youngest son, lives at the old home on Husher's run.

Hamilton.-- Almost sixty years have winged their noiseless flight since the 
late Caleb T. Hamilton joined the little colony on Husher's run; and his 
family have ever since been recognized among the good citizens of the 
county.

Mr Hamilton was born in Monongalia county, in 1829, and there his youthful 
days were spent. His mother was Miss Margaret Pratt, and his father lost his 
life in an accident on the first steamboat that ever ascended the 
Monongahela river, as far as Morgantown.

On October 28, 1852, he was married to Miss Mary J. Cole, of Marion county, 
and in April of the following year, they came to Husher's run; and after a 
brief residence here, removed to Bond's creek, where he died on August 3, 
1889, and where Mrs. Hamilton, though blind, still survives.

He was a lineal descendant of Alexander Hamilton. He was a soldier of the 
Union army, and his service was in Company F, Fourteenth West Virginia 
Regiment Volunteers.

Seven children made up the members of this family, two of whom died in 
infancy, and the rest are as follows:

W. H., and F. L. Hamilton, are of Highland; J.N., of Parkersburg; C. J., of 
Hebron; and S. H. Hamilton, of Elkins, all of whom have families of their 
own.


Chapter XIV
Goose Creek Settled
Transcribed by Janet Waite

The Deemses. - Adam Deem was the pioneer of Goose Creek. He was of English 
origin, but his ancestors migrated from England to Ireland, shortly after 
the conquest of this "isle" by William of Orange, and from there they came 
to New England near the year 1725.

But the first connected and authentic history of the family in the "New 
World" begins with Adam Deem, senior, who was born at Hagerstown, Maryland, 
in 1757, and served as a soldier of the Continental army during the American 
Revolution. This same Adam Deem removed from the place of his nativity to 
Pennsylvania in his early manhood, and finally in his old age, came to this 
county, where he spent his last hours, on what is known as the old "Deem 
homestead" just across the mouth of Goose Creek. Here he died, in 1861, at 
the great age of one hundred four years, and on this homestead, beside his 
wife, he lies at rest.

He was the father of seven sons and five daughters. The names of the 
daughters are wanting, but the sons were as follows: Adam, junior, Phillip, 
Jacob, John, James, David, and Isaac G. Deem. All of whom married and reared 
families.

Adam Deem, junior, married his cousin, Hannah Deem, and came here from the 
place of his nativity - Greene County, Pennsylvania, near the year 1810, and 
settled on the farm that is now owned by Mrs. M. J. Hall, near the mouth of 
Goose Creek. He was the first denizen of the wilderness here; was a soldier 
of the war of 1812, and was a typical pioneer hunter. He died in the 
"Buckeye State" near the year 1867, and there he rests. His wife also rests 
in Ohio, but not by his side.

He reared a large family, which were as follows: Abrham, John, Adam (III), 
Isaac, Philip, Jacob, margaret (Mrs. John Turvey), Charlotte (Mrs. M. 
Turvey), Melissa (Mrs. James H. Davidson), and Elizabeth (Mrs. Adam Ware).

Philip Deem (son of Adam, senior) was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, 
on January 10, 1785, and in 1809, he was married to Miss Rachel Kidwiler, 
who was born on April 1, 1790. In 1810, they came to this county and settled 
ten miles below Cairo, on the river - on the farm that is now owned by 
Cornelius Bradley, and Alexander Douglass. Here Mrs. Deem passed away, on 
August 5, 1856, and on January 4, 1865, her husband joined her on the other 
side. They both rest on the Dotson farm at Rusk.

Philip Deem was a soldier of the war of 1812, and was in the fierce 
engagement at Lundy's lane (on July 25, 1814). He was the father of a large 
family. His son, Perry, died in his early manhood; James married an Irish 
lady and settled at the old home, where he died in 1868; Adam, who was a 
minister of much ability, went to Indiana, where he fell asleep. The rest of 
his family were daughters; viz., Elizabeth, Rachel, Cathrine, Hannah, Roena, 
Mary, and Cinderilla.

Elizabeth married Peter Coyle and her only daughter is Mrs. John Booth, of 
Barbour county.

Hannah married James Marshall and lived in Wood county. Her children were 
Jacob, Frank and Alice Marshall.

Cathrine was the late Mrs. James Stuart, of Goose creek.

Roena was the late Mrs. Frederick Lemon, of Macfarlan, and Mary was the late 
Mrs. Benjamin Philips, of Rusk. (See Lemon and Philips histories.)

Rachel married Daniel Donley and died at her home on Elm run, in 1907. She 
was the last survivor of the family of Jacob Deem, and her children are - 
the late James, Donley, Philip, Thomas, Joseph, Rachel, Bridget, and the 
late Mary.

Cinderilla married John Bradley, and remained in this county, where she 
reared a large family; viz. Philip meat a tragic death at a picnic at the 
Ritchie Mines in 1882; John and Rachel died young; Cornelius lives near 
Rusk; Mary A. is Mrs. Meyers, of Cairo; Kathrine, Mrs. L.D. Cain; Ellen, 
Mrs. N. B. Delaney; and Hannah is Mrs. B.T. Jackson.

Jacob Deem (son of Adam, senior) married Miss Mary Lazier, of Pennsylvania, 
and came to this county not far from the year 1810, and established his home 
at the mouth of Bear run, below the Oxbow where he remained until death 
claimed him. He was one of the contractors of the Parkersburg and Saunton 
turn-pike, as early as 1838 or '9. He had five sons and four daughters; 
viz., James, who was the father of John Deem, of Smithville; Patrick, David, 
Jacob, and William; Elizabeth and Roue died unmarried; Susan is Mrs. B.B. 
Nutter, of Oxbow; and Louisiana, who was born in 1805, was the late Mrs. 
William Jenkins, who was laid in the Eddy graveyard in March, 1909.

It is claimed that Mrs. Jenkins was born in this county, and if this be 
true, the Deemses came here earlier than 1810. Mrs. Jenkins was married in 
1825, and her husband died in 1863. Mrs. Daniel Eddy, of Macfarlan, is one 
of her daughters.

James Deem (son of Adam, senior) was a famous storyteller and hunter, and 
the scene of his pioneer settlement was across the Wirt county line, near 
what is now Freeport. Here he lived and died, and in the Freeport cemetery 
he lies buried.

He married Miss Rachel Sargent, who, after his death, with part of her 
family, went West, where she is sleeping. Their family were as follows: 
Nepthalem, Jeremiah, Jefferson, James, Franklin, Lucetta (Mrs. H. D. 
Nutter), Cathrine (Mrs. B. Mountz), Sarah (Mrs. Jesse Lee, of this county), 
Angeline (Mrs. Edward Lazure), Nancy (Mrs. Isaac Thornton), Matilda (Mrs. 
Goodnow, of the West), Armanilla (Mrs. Charles Ingrahm), Sacarissa and 
Rebecca's married names are missing, as they went West, and there choose 
thier life companions. The families of these sons and daughters are 
scattered throughout Ritchie, Wood, Wirt, and some reside in the West.

Isaac G. Deem (son of Adam, senior) married Miss Nancy Enoch, and found a 
permanent home, and a final resting place on Goose creek. He was the father 
of ten sons and three daughters; Abraham, Calvin, Commodore, John M., 
Jeremiah, Matthew, Isaac, and tripletts that died in infancy, were the sons; 
and Margaret, who married Henry Lowther; Mary, wife of David Roberts; and 
Sarah Elizabeth, widow of the late Richard Dotson, and mother of Hon. C.D. 
Dotson, formerly of Elizabeth, but now of Parkersburg, are the daughters. 
They, with the two brothers, John M., and Calvin Deem, still survive.

John Deem (son of Adam, senior) lived and died at Freeport, in Wirt county. 
He was a soldier of the war of 1812, and, like the rest of the Deemses, came 
here very early in the century. He married twice, and had three sons at 
least, George, John, and Jehu Deem, and two daughters, Mrs. Rachel Black, 
and Mrs. Elizabeth Braden.

David Deem went West in his early manhood.

Other Settlers. -- William Douglass, whose history occupies a place in a 
former chapter, was the first to mark the forest in the Glendale vicinity.


Robert Armstrong settled at the foot of Goose creek hill, and Samuel 
Hamilton was another early pioneer; but we have been unable to learn 
anything definite concerning the history of either of these gentlemen.

A man by the name of Harris made the first improvement on Bear run, a small 
tributary of this stream. He came here from the "City of Brotherly love," 
and purchased a tract of four hundred acres of land for sheep raising 
purposes, but owing to his failing health, returned to his former home, 
after a brief stay here, and died in a short time. His daughter, Miss Rose 
Harris, is a teacher in the school for the Deaf and Blind, in Philadelphia.

The Harris estate was divided up and it is now owned by a number of 
progressive farmers, among whom are, John and Joseph Meshia, James Ross, 
William Sheets, B. Beall, S. S. Cowell, B. M. Cowell, and others.

Nathan and John Carter were other early settlers of Bear run, but this is 
all we know of their history.

A large tract of land (4000 acres) known as the "Harkness estate," which was 
long under litigation, but which is now owned by Brent Maxwell, also, lies 
on this stream.

Mrs. Cornelia Storer, a very wealthy lady of New York city, also owns 
several thousand acres on Goose creek, and the Burnhams and Dr. Boles are 
other "landed-lords," who own large possessions here.

The name of the little stream of "Bear run" here had its origin in a fierce 
conflict which took place at Rock-ford, between "Injun Joe" Cunningham and a 
huge black bear, which resulted in defeat of bruin, who weighed six hundred 
pounds when dressed. (See Cunningham chapter.)

The Ross family, though not so early as the others mentioned, have been 
worthy citizens here for, perhaps, sixty years.

Robert Ross was born on Booth creek, in Harrison county, in 1810, and being 
left an orphan at the age of fourteen years, went to Tennessee to live with 
a married sister. At this age of the world, it was the custom for the 
farmers to "boat" thir products to New Orleans for market, and while here, 
he made several trips to the Crescent city on a flat boat. He served as a 
soldier in the Mexican war, having enlisted from Harrison county, and at the 
close of hostilities, again returned to his native county, where he was 
married to Miss Elizabeth Starks, and after spending the first few years of 
their married life there, they came to Goose creek, where they established a 
permanent home. Mr. Ross died in January 1880, and Mrs. Ross, in April 1886.

They were the parents of nine children; viz., Francis B. Ross, Jehu, James, 
Meshiac, Joseph (who lost his life in his burning dwelling early in the year 
1910), Mrs. Phoebe Rinehart, Mrs. Martha Webb, Mrs. Luna Williams, all of 
Goose creek; and Mrs. Sophia Smith, of Washburn.


CHAPTER XV
Middle Fork Settled
Transcribed by Earl Cowan.

Page 225

Middle Fork Settled

Thomas Ireland, son of Alexander, was the first pioneer to find a home on 
the Middle fork of  Hughes River.  In October, 1820 he was married to Miss 
Katherine Lowther, daughter of Robert, the eldest son of Col. William; and 
shortly after this event, took up his residence on this river, near its 
confluence with the South fork, on the farm that is now the property of his 
son, G. M. Ireland; and here the remainder of his life was spent.

As is well known, the forest at this time was full of wild animals of 
various species, and not long after his arrival here, he killed a large 
panther, which had come close to the house and

Page 226

raised a disturbance with the hogs.  At another time, he shot a young 
panther, and fearing an attack from the mother beast, lost no time until he 
has reached home in safety.  He also killed two huge bears at different 
times with his "trusty rifle."

He was a man of unalloyed integrity, and of strong religious convictions, 
and was one of the corner-stones of the White Oak Methodist Episcopal 
church, he and his wife being among the charter members.  And beneath the 
shadow of this church, side by side, they lie in their last sleep.

Their children were twelve in number: Robert, Alexander, John C., Albert, 
Mortimer, George M., Thomas W., J. Franklin, Elizabeth, Cathrine, Susan and 
Sarah.

Robert went to Kansas, where he died in 1870, and where his family still 
live.

Alexander resides in Ohio.  John C. passed away in Dodridge county.  Albert 
died in childhood (in 1849), and Elizabeth, at a ripe old age.

Mortimer is now a superannuated minister of the Methodist Protestant church, 
and his home is at Worthington, Marion county.

George M., the only one that remains here, has long been a prominent figure 
in Sunday school and Farmers' Institute circles, as well as in business 
affairs.  He served as a soldier of the Union in the Civil war and rose to 
the rank of Captain.

Thomas W., who was identified among the teachers of this county in former 
years and served one term as County Superintendant, is now a prominent 
minister of the Methodist Protestant church, and Morgantown is his home.

J. Farnklin went to Colorado many years ago, where he still lives.

Cathrine and Susan make their home with their brother, G. M., At Pullman; 
and Sarah is Mrs. Maulsby, of West Union.

This family, like many of the other pioneer families, has produced a host of 
prominent young people.  Among them are the Rev. A. L. Ireland, of the 
Methodist Episcopal church; A. D. Ireland, of Parkersburg; Miss Addie 
Ireland, teacher of art in the Fairmont schools; and many others that might 
be mentioned.

Page 227

Archibald Lowther was the second pioneer on the Middle fork of Hughes river. 
Harrison county was the place of this nativity, and near the little town of 
West Milford, on May 17, 1811, he first saw "the light of day."  On 
September 23, 1834, he was married to Miss Charlotte Willard, who was of 
German parentage in Green county, Pennsylvania, on January 29, 1813; and in 
1836, they came to Holbrook, and settled on the farm that is now owned by 
William Adams, and Mr. Townsend--the site of the original cabin being near 
the Townsend residence.  Here, for more than forty years, the family resided 
(until 1876, when they sold the farm to the late John Coburn); here, Mr. 
Lowther suddenly fell asleep, on October 29, 1874; and here, on the old 
homestead, surrounded by the silent dust of five generations of the family, 
beside his wife, he lies at rest.

When Mr. and Mrs. Lowther arrived, their nearest neighbors were at Oxford, 
and at the mouth of the river; and though they did not keep a house of 
public entertainment, their home was known far and wide for it's hospitality 
to strangers, and it was a general stopping place for travelers.

After the old homestead had passed into other hands, Mrs Lowther lived with 
her children, until her death, on April 6, 1895.  She was a woman of strong 
physique, and of no ordinary degree of intellect, and her whole life was 
characterized by kind and helpful deeds.

The children of this family were seven in number; vis., Elizabeth Jane, the 
first born, died at the age of seventeen years; Robert, the third son, in 
childhood; and Margaret C., who was the late Mrs. T. E. Nutter, of Holbrook, 
in 1905.

William George, the eldest son, resides at Fonsoville; Alexander S., at 
Peabody, Kansas; John Marshall, near Auburn; and Sarah Ann is Mrs. C. W, 
Leggett, of Pullman.

W. G. and Alexander were soldiers of the Union army during the late Civil 
war.

The next arrivals were Mr. Lowther's parents, William and Margaret Morrison 
Lowther,**

**(For history of William Lowther see first chapter)

and his widowed sister, Mrs. Sudna Willard, and her three daughters.  The 
elder

Page 228

Lowther and his wife remained as members of the household of their son until 
they passed from earth; and Mrs. Willard took up her residence on the 
Lowther homestead, where she reared her little family.

Mrs. Sudna Lowther Willard, was the only daughter of William and Margaret 
Morrison Lowther that married and reared a family.  She was born near West 
Milford, on April 10, 1792, and in her early womanhood, she was married to 
George Willard, brother of Mrs. Archibald Lowther; and, while on a visit 
with her brother, Alexander Lowther, at Oxford, a short time before the 
family removed to this county, Mr. Willard died, and was laid at rest on the 
Flannagan farm, above Berea.

She died full of years at the home of her daughter, Mrs. M. A. Neal, and at 
Pullman, she slumbers.

Her daughters were Margaret, Rebecca, and Charlotte Willard..

Margaret married Wilson Watson, of Otterslide, and was the mother of three 
children:  John, the only son, died in infancy; Sudna Jane was the first 
wife of the late A. M. Wade; and Charlotte is Mrs. Ai Kelley, of Otterslide.

Rebecca Willard married William R. Brown, and was the mother of William R. 
Brown, ex-Prosecuting Attorney of Doddridge county; and of Hon. T. A. Brown, 
of Parkersburg; and of the late Mrs. Ozenia Lipscomb, and the late Mrs. Mary 
Hodge.

Charlotte, the youngest and only surviving daughter, is Mrs. M. A. Neal of 
Pullman.  Her children are, Homer and the late Clarke Neal, of Colorado; 
Mrs. Alice Hawkins Corbin, and the late Mrs. Louella Peirpoint, Mrs. Jane 
Musgrave, the late Olive Neal, and Miss Isa Neal, who holds a position as 
teacher in the fairmont schools.

The Willards are of German origin.  George Willard came from the Fatherland 
late in the eighteenth century, and settled in Greene county, Pennsylvania.  
He married Mrs. Elizabeth Hume Ghanz, the widow of a Frenchman, but a native 
of Germany, before leaving the land of his birth, and they were the parents 
of four sons and three daughters; viz.,

Page 229

Elias was the father of Porter E. Willard, of Cameron; Jacob settled in 
Kanawha county, but went from there to California during the gold 
excitement, and was never heard of again; Isaac rests at "Brown's mill," in 
Monongalia county; George, the progenitor of the Ritchie county family, in 
this county; Elizabeth became Mrs. Schenk and went to Illinois, where she 
spent her last hours, and where her descendants live; Dorothea was another 
daughter; Mrs. Hannah Ghantz Jenkins, of Illinois, was the half-sister; and 
Mrs. Charlotte Lowther was the youngest, and the only member of the family 
that was not taught to read and speak the German language.  When she was but 
a small child, her father removed to the Monongalia side--his farm  lying 
across the Virginia and Pennsylvania line.  Here Mrs. Lowther grew to 
womanhood; here she was married; and here her parents sleep.

Though the connection cannot be made clear owing to the burning of the 
Willard records in Colonial days in Massachusetts,  there is but little 
doubt that this family and that of the late Frances E. Willard are descended 
from the same race.  Her ancestors, who were of German lineage, came from 
England to the Massachusetts colony during the seventeenth century, and 
became prominently identified with colonial affairs.  (A letter dictated by 
her in person not long before her death is before us.)

The love that bound her (Miss Frances Willard) to the land that gave her 
fore-fathers birth, she so beautifully expressed in the following language, 
on one occasion, when the pride of nationality was being discussed:

"First, I am a Christian, then, I am a Saxon; then I am an American; and 
when I get home to Heaven, I expect to register from Evanston."

The Zinns.--After the Lowthers and the Willards came the Zinns.  This family 
trace their ancestry to the Fatherland.  George Zinn and his wife, Mary 
Saylor Zinn, with her brother, William Saylor, emigrtated from Germany to 
America in the year 1776.  It is not positively known where they first lived 
in Ohio, and the rest probably remained in this state.

John Zinn, the second son; whose history concerns us most, married Miss Ruth 
Gandy, and they, with their family, and their married son, J. W. Zinn, came 
from Preston county in the late thirties, and settled on the farm that is 
now the home of H. C. Zinn--the son of J. W. Zinn. Here the remainder of 
their lives were spent, and in the Baptist churchyard, at Oxford, they 
sleep.

The elder Zinn was a tanner by trade, and he opened the first tannery in 
this part of the country; and his son run a horse-mill for the convenience 
of the public.

John and Ruth Gandy Zinn were the parents of thirteen children, twelve of 
whom married and reared families of their own; and not a few of the 
substantial citizens of this, and sister counties, are descended from this 
worthy couple. Their children were as follows:

Samuel, George Q., Manley, J. W., Granville, Preston, Rachel, Narcissus, 
Fernandez, Amelia, Delila, Elizabeth, and Thomas, who died at the age of 
fourteen years.

J. Wesley Zinn, who, with his father, settled the H. C. Zinn farm, was born 
on Augusts 14, 1814, and died in 1852, and was laid in the Oxford 
churchyard.  He married Miss Eliza Hoskins, of Preston county, and they were 
the parents of -- W. B. Zinn, Mrs. Mary E. (Taylor) Cox, of Wirt county; 
Mrs. Sebra (Thomas) Law, Edward D., and C. N. Zinn, of the West; and H. C. 
Zinn, of Holbrook.

Q. Manley Zinn, some time after the arrival of the family, married Miss Lucy 
Ann Wilson, sister of Isaac Wilson, and settled at the mouth of Bear run, on 
the farm that is now the property of his son, M. B. Zinn.  Here he passed 
away in 1868, at the age of fifty-four years, and in the baptist churchyard

Page 231

at Oxford he sleeps by the side of his wife, who survived him by many years. 
(Manly and J. Wesley Zinn were twins.)

He was the father of C. L. Zinn, of Auburn, who is prominently known in 
Political circles, and who has twice represented his native county in the 
Legislature, at Charleston.  His other children are:  Newton Zinn, of 
Glenville; M. B., of Holbrook; Worthington, of Oxford; Noah, of Clarksburg;
 Grant, of Parkersburg; Victoria, wife of the late Granville Hall, Colorado; 
Mrs. Palestine Wilson, Toledo, Ohio; Mrs Alice Childers, and Mrs. Magdelena 
Nutter (mother of Attorney Bruce Nutter), both of Bucknhannon; and Martha, 
who died in the "beauty of her youth."

George Zinn and his wife, Mrs. Sarah Gray Zinn, came with the rest of the 
family, from Preston county, and settled just across the Doddridge county 
line; but, a little later, they removed to the Oxford vicinity to the farm 
that is now the home of their son, Granville Zinn.  Here their last hours 
were spent, and with the other pioneers of their name, they rest in the 
Baptist churchyard at Oxford.

Their children were the late James, of Oxford; John, of Lewis county; 
Thomas, of Harrisville; Granville, above mentioned; Milroy, and Q. M. Zinn, 
who resides with his sister, Mrs. E. A. Leggett, at Oxford; Mrs. Mary J. 
Marsh, Lewis county; Mrs. Elizabeth Douglass, of the West; Ruth, who first 
married Mr. Bumgarnt, is now Mrs. James Carter, of West Union; And Delia, 
who died in youth.

Samuel Zinn, the eldest son of John and Ruth Gandy Zinn, was first married 
to Miss Miranda Weaver, who died ere long, leaving five children; Viz.,  
Elizabeth, Columbus, Minerva, Rachel (who is now Mrs. E. M. Brown, of 
Auburn), and Worthington.  His second wife was Miss Ann Dawson, and the 
twelve children of this union, which are scattered in differrent parts of 
the West, were as follows:  Elizabeth, William, Elijah, Sarah, Preston, 
Eliza, Martha, David B., Mary, Laura, Jerusha, and Ella Zinn.  (Married 
names unknown to us.)

Rachel Zinn (daughter of John and Ruth Gandy Zinn) married Thomas Gray, and 
they settled just across the

Page 232

Dodridge county line, near one-half mile from the Oxford postoffice, on the 
farm that is still in the hands of their descendants--the children of their 
late son, Charter, being the heirs. Here they lived and died, and in the 
Baptist church cemetery at Oxford they lie at rest.

Their chldren were eleven in number; viz., Jane, the first born, married 
John Stinespring, and Mrs. J. E. Day, of Doddridge county, is her only 
child.  Thomas died in childhood; William, in young manhood; Amelia and 
Erminia, in early womanhood; James was a soldier of the Union Army, and not 
long after his return home (late in the '60s) he passed on; Elizabeth is 
Mrs. John M. Gribble, of West Union; Sarah was the late Mrs. F. A. Nutter, 
of Oxford; Narcissus is Mrs. Charles B. Cleavenger, of Oxford; Lucia, who 
first married the late Wislon B. Lowther, of Oxford, is now Mrs. L. C. 
Morris; and Charter, the only son that left a family, married Miss Hannah 
Bee.

Narcissus Zinn (daughter of John and Ruth Gandy Zinn) married Samuel Rogers, 
but she died early in life, and Mr. Rogers married again.  The family 
resided in the Oxford vicinity for a time in pioneer days, but returned to 
Preston county.  Two of her children were Thomas and Preston, but here our 
authentic information ends.

Delila Zinn (daughter of John and Ruth Gandy Zinn) married David Fortney, 
and remained in Preston county.  Her children's first names only are at 
hand:  Eugene, Fernandez, Lycurgus, Charlotte, Ashford, Caroline, Silas, And 
Orpha Fortney.  Mr. Fortney, of Leatherbarke, is descended from her.

Elizabeth Zinn (daughter of John and Ruth Gandy Zinn) married Thomas Brown, 
and remained in Preston county.  And her children were, Adaline, Buckner, 
William, Charles, Virgil and Cloa Brown.

Preston Zinn (son of John and Rugh Gandy Zinn) married Miss Nancy Rogers.  
(See Berea settlers.) And the family of Amelia Zinn, who first married 
Thomas E. Davis, senior, and later Eli Heaton, will be found in a subsequent 
chapter.

Page 233 BEAR RUN SETTLED.

Granville Zinn, the remaining son of John and Ruth Gandy Zinn, married Miss 
Rosetta Lowther, and settled on Bear run, on the farm that is now the home 
of Delaine Tharpe, in 1843.

This stream, which is a small tributary of the middle fork, took its name 
from a huge black bear that came to its death here at the hands of Mrs. 
Zinn's father and brother, Wm. B., and Wm. R. Lowther, and Wm. K. Lowther, 
while in this section on a hunting  expedition years before the date of this 
settlement.

Mr. Zinn lived and died where he settled, and some time, after he was laid 
in the Oxford Baptist churchyard, his widow and son, Samuel, removed to 
Harrisville, where they still reside. Mrs. Zinn celebrated her ninetieth 
birthday in February, 1910.

Besides the son mentioned, their children were as follows:  The late 
William, the Rev. Lemuel, and the late George, of Salem; Mrs. Margaret 
Harbert, Harrison county; Albert Zinn, Tollgate; and Ellen and Sophia, who 
died in childhood.

George Griffin was the second settler on Bear run.  He was born in Harrison 
county, on February 16, 1828; and on February 22, 1849, he was married to 
Miss Juan Fernandez Zinn (daughter of John and Ruth Gandy Zinn), who was 
born on November 30 1828; and in 1852, they settled on what is known as 
Roger's farm, on the Ritchie and Dodridge county line, and in 1873, they 
removed to Holbrook to the old homestead, where their remaining years were 
spent.  Here, in January, 1909, Death, for the first time invaded this 
family circle and claimed Mrs. Griffin, who was a noble type of womanhood.  
Mr. Griffin then went to the home of his son, Charles G. Griffin, in Ohio, 
and there, near two months later, Death overtook him.  His remains were 
brought back and laid in the South fork Baptist churchyard, by the side of 
the companion that had rraveled with him so far down the "declivity of 
time."

These pioneers were the parents of ten children, who are

Page 234

all living and who are all the heads of respected families; viz., A. 
Virginia is Mrs. James K. Wilson, of West Union; M. Caroline is Mrs. W. B. 
Hayden, of Centreville, Washington; J. Franklin, is of Wood county; Thomas 
J., of Holbrook; John Woofter, of California; Charles G., of Ohio; Mrs. 
Laura Crofton, of Idaho; Mrs Lucretta J. (S. L.) McClain, of West Union; 
Ella is Mrs. Gilbert Hayden, Of Auburn; and Homer Griffis is of Wirt county.

Several members of this family were at differrent times identified in the 
profession of teaching here and elsewhere.

The Griffins are of Welsh Descent.  John Griffin crossed from Wales some 
time during the latter part of the eighteenth century, and settled in 
Maryland.  His son, Samuel, married Miss Sarah Scarf, of Hartford county 
(Maryland), and settled in Talbott county; and from there, near the year 
1804, they migrated to Harrison county, (W.) Virginia, where they spent the 
remaining years of their lives.

They wre the parents of eleven children; viz., Nancy, John, Henry S., 
Susana, Edward, William S., Joshua H., James S., Benjamin S., George G., and 
Martha Griffin.  Several of these sons were soldiers of the war of 1812.

James S. Griffin, the progenitor of the Ritchie county family, married Miss 
Martha Halbert, and settled at Lumberport, in Harrison county.  He was one 
of the pioneer ministers of the Baptist church in what is now West Virginia, 
his field of labor being in Harrison, Ritchie and the adjoining counties, 
reaching as far as Kanawha county.  He was the first Moderator of the Mt. 
Pisgah Baptist church, in Gilmer county, being elected to this office at its 
organinzation, on October 27, 1854. He rests in Harrison county.

His children were--Joshua, John, Allison, Benjamin, Luther C., Charlotte 
(Mrs. Jeremiah Robey), Jane (Mrs. Christian Davis), Permilla (who married 
Anthony Wintermine, and went to Oregon), and George G. Griffin.  All the 
rest of the family remained in Harrison county except the last two 
mentioned.  Benjamin and Luther were soldiers of the Civil war.

H. B. Tharpe, shortly after his marriage to Miss Elizabeth Wass, sister of 
Harrison Wass, in 1847, made the first

Page 235

settlement on the old homestead, where he and his aged companion are quietly 
spending the eventide of their lives.  Perhaps, this remarkable instance can 
hardly be duplicated in the county.  One by one they have followed their 
five children to the grave, and only three of their grandchildren survive; 
viz., Mrs. Dora Pritchard Cox, who resides with them; Porter Tharpe, of 
Clarksburg; and Mrs. Ora Bush, of Troy--the latter being the children of the 
late Harrison Tharpe.

Their only daughter, Eliza Ellen, was the late Mrs. Andrew Pritchard.  John 
died in childhood, and Irvin and george Tharpe, in their young manhood.

The Nutters.--The year 1849 was marked by the coming of Christopher N. 
Nutter to the farm that is now the home of his son, C. W. Nutter; and two 
years later, his father, Thomas Nutter, made the first improvement, on the 
farm that was until recently the home of his grandson, T. E. Nutter--now 
owned by M. B. Zinn.

The elder Nutter (Thomas), who was a native of the Clarksburg vicinity, 
married Miss Lois Parks, and was the father of--W. H. H. Nutter, of Iowa; G. 
Hamilton, of Ohio; Daniel, of Barbour county; Mrs. Thomas Scoonover, of 
Randolph; Sarah, who became the wife of the Rev. Thomas Hatfield, of Ohio; 
Mrs. Mary (Wm.) Douglass, and Mrs. Belinda (Levi) Douglass, both of Barbour 
county; and Lois, who went to California, and there married.

Mrs. Nutter died and was laid to rest in Harrison county, before he came to 
Ritchie county.  Here on the Middle fork, he passed from earth, and in the 
Lowther cemetery, he sleeps.

Christopher N. Nutter marrried Miss Sarah Swisher, daughter of Isaac Swisher-
-a pioneer of Lost creek, Harrison county, and from the time of their 
arrival until they were laid in the Lowther cemetery (in 1883 and '94, 
respectively) they were among the substantial citizens of this community.

Their children were John A. Nutter, who lost his life in the Confederate 
cause; the late Mrs. Frances (G. W.) Brown, who sleeps at Holbrook; Mrs. 
Mary A. (A. S.) Lowther, of Peabody, Kansas; The late T. E., of Parkersburg; 
and C. W., of Holbrook, who is now a member of the honorable County court.

Page 236

Mr. Bruce Nutter, who is a prominent attorney at Buckhannon, belongs to this 
family, he being the grandson of Hamilton, and the son of Thomas.

Andrew Nutter, an early pioneer of the Oxford vicinity, whose descendants in 
this county are not a few in number, also, belonged to this family, he being 
a first cousin of Thomas Nutter.

He was a native of Harrison county and a veteran of the war of 1812; he 
having enlisted at the age of seventeen years, and was in the engagement of 
Ft. Defiance on the Maumee river.  He married Miss Malinda Willis (sister of 
Robert Willis, of Oxford; of Mrs. Peter Pritchard, of White Oak; and of Mrs. 
William Elder), and they were the parents of Willis, John, Andrew, junior, 
and Mrs. Julia Warren, of Oxford; Mrs. Nancy Hart, Mrs. Malinda Hart. and 
Mrs. Elizabeth Hart, of Pleasants county; and Mrs. Sallie Watson, of Roane 
county; all of whom have passed on, except Mrs. Warren, who is now a 
nonegenarian, and possibly another one or two.

Willis Nutter married Miss Julia Richards, of Harrison county, and his son, 
Thomas, married Miss Sarah A. Allender, daughter of the late Jacob Allender, 
of Oxford, and they were the parents of ex-Sheriff Okey E. Nutter; of Emma, 
the wife of Lee Prunty, of Oxford; of Mrs Lola (Ben) Wilson, of Tollgate; 
Mrs. Bessie (Fred) Ross, of Pennsboro; and of Mrs. Eva Tharpe, of Oklahoma 
city.

W. M. Nutter, of Eva; M. B., of Oxford; and W. J., of Pennsboro, are the 
other descendants of Andrew, senior, they being the sons of Andrew (III), of 
Oxford.

John Nutter, brother of Andrew, senior, and his wife, Mrs. Emily Vincient 
Nutter, were early settlers just across the Doddridge county line; but they 
removed from there to Leatherbrake, in the early fifties, and there spent 
their last days; and on the old homestead, near Iris, they sleep.  They were 
the parents of Several children:  Jacob and Andrew, Mrs. Julia (Lewis) 
Rogers, Mrs. Mary (Henry) Smith, and Cassie, who married and lived in Ohio, 
have all passed on.  Nelson lives in California; Thomas, in Kansas; Mrs 
Ellen (Wm.)

Page 237

Connolly, in Virginia; and Dorinda, who never married, on Leatherbarke.

The Nutters are of Scotch-English descent.  Four brothers came from England 
and settled in Harrison county, where they figured quite prominently as 
pioneers and as Indian fighters; and from them the farfamed Indian fort took 
its name; and from them all the Nutters of this, and adjoining counties, are 
descended.  Thomas, one of these brothers, with a company of other men 
followed the savages from Harrison county, to what is now the vicinity of 
Washburn, where they overtook and killed one of the leaders of the band, who 
nanaged to crawl under a cliff of rocks, where his skeleton was found a 
number of years afterwards.  He (Thomas) was the progenitor of the Holbrook, 
Oxford, and Leatherbarke families, his son, Christopher, being the father of 
Thomas, of Holbrook; and his son, John, of Andrew, Senior, of Oxford, and of 
John of Leatherbarke.

The Watsons.--Other early settlers in this part were Otho, George, and John 
Watson--three brothers, from Barbour county, who all made their improvements 
on Brush run-- a small tributary of the Middle fork.

They were the sons of Jacob Watson, who removed from Marion to Barbour 
county near 1812.  He married a Miss Gandy--sister of Mrs. John Zinn, and 
one son, Otho, was born of this union.  After her death, he married Miss 
Sarah Pritchard, sister of Peter Pritchard, and they were the parents of--
George and John, and of Mrs. John (Mary) Jett (mother of Wm. Jett, of 
Otterslide); Mrs. Elizabeth Westfall, Mrs. Castor, Mrs. Nancy Divers, Mrs. 
Amanda Divers, all of Barbour county; Mrs. Jane Rowe, and the late William, 
Roane county; the late Mrs. Angeline (Lair) Simmons, of Auburn; and Emily, 
who died unmarried.

Otho Watson married Miss Louise Jett, and made the first settlement on Brush 
run, in 1845; from here he removed to Roane county, where his widow still 
survives (1908) at the age of more than one hundred years.  This pioneer and 
two of his sons, Jacob, of Roane county, and George, who died during the 
Civil war, served as Union soldiers; Irvin, Mrs. Elias (Amelia) Pritchard, 
and the late Mrs. Matilda Boise, of

Page 238

Roane county; and Mrs. Henry Collins are the other children.

George Watson married Miss Susan Divers, and remained here until death; and 
in the Auburn cemetery, beside his wife, he rests.

His children are--M. B., and Wilson, of Auburn; Andrew, of Salem; George, of 
Parkersburg; Mrs. Mary Bee, Of Berea; the late Mrs. Martha (J. B.) Gribble, 
of Auburn; Mrs. Jennie Summers, and Mrs. Alice Adams, Roane county; Mrs. 
Ellen Smith, Doddridge county; and Mrs. Adaline (Marshall) Hall, Colorado.

John Watson married Miss Kathrine Thrash, of Barbour county, and spent the 
remainder of his life on Brush run, where he settled; and in the Lowther 
burying-ground, beside his wife, he found a resting place.  His children 
are:  Nealy, and Jacob M., of Auburn; the late Thomas, and David, of 
Elizabeth; Scott, of Parkersburg; Grant, of Cincinnati; and John ("Jack"), 
of Fenwick.

After the death of his first wife, he was married to Miss Sarah Maxwell, 
daughter of Lamar Maxwell, of Doddridge county, and was the father of 
several more children:  Mrs. Charles Sinnett, of Auburn: of Dora, Sarah, 
Mary, joe, and Morgan, junior.

William Adams was another early settler on the waters of the Middle fork.  
Though his domain was just across what is now the Ritchie and Doddridge 
county line, his intrests were identical with those of the other pioneers of 
this vicinity.  He was a native of Harrison county--the son of Johathan 
Adams, a Revolutionary soldier, who fought under General Washington.  He 
married Miss Lucinda Wright, of Harrison county (who was a member of the 
Wright family, of Spruce creek), and in 1840, took up his residence in the 
forest where his son, William Adams, now lives.  Here he passed from sight 
in 1861; and in the Auburn cemetery, beside his wife, he sleeps.  After the 
death of the wife of his youth, he married Miss Louisa Summers, sister of 
Joseph and Elijah Summers; and they were the parents of five children:  
Elijah, and Alexanter Adams, Mrs. Susana Pierce, Mrs. Margaret Husk, and 
Mrs. Flora Edgell, of Doddridge county.

Page 239

The children of the first union were; viz.,

William, who lives at the old homestead; Joshua Adams, of Summers--the 
father of the well known lawyer, Homer Adams, of Harrisville; the late 
Jackson Adams, of Summers; Mrs. Mary (Thos. ) Hickman, of Grove; and the 
late Mrs. Harriet (Elias) Snodgrass, Ritchie county; the late Mrs. Ann 
Leeson, the late Mrs Elizabeth Lipscomb, and the late Mrs. Sarah Gray, who 
was the mother of the Gray Brothers, of Elizabeth, Wirt county.