Biography of Hezekiah Adkins - Wayne Co. WV The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923. The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York. Volume II Pg. 474-475 HEZEKIAH ADKINS. Wayne County affords a number of examples of self-reliant men, who entirely through their own exertions and ability have risen to positions of trust and responsibility in their community, and none is more worthy of mention than that afforded by the career of Hezekiah Adkins, county clerk of Wayne County and a man who during the many years he has been before the public has displayed a willingness to render the best service in his power, and to safeguard the interests of the taxpayers. Mr. Adkins comes of old Virginia stock, of Scotch and Irish descent, and was born in Cabell County, West Virginia, July 13, 1867, a son of Jesse and Elizabeth (Stanley) Adkins, both natives of West Virginia. Jesse Adkins was a farmer and blacksmith, and followed both occupations in Cabell and Wayne Counties. During the war between the two sections of the country he served in the Union army, under Colonel Mimmis, of Kentucky, and probably was in a Kentucky regiment. He followed his trade while in the service, and while under orders helping to move a push boat that was being repaired he was caught and his foot and the lower part of his leg were crushed, resulting in his being permanently crippled. Through some mistake he did not receive his discharge from the army until 1896, when he applied to Washington for a pension, at which time this oversight was discovered. When the matter was looked up he was given an honorable discharge. His death occurred in Wayne County in 1900. Hezekiah Adkins was reared in Cabell and Wayne counties, and attended their public schools, but not after he passed his eighteenth birthday, for he then began surveying with his uncle, Winchester Adkins, with whom he learned to be an expert, and for twenty-seven years followed a general surveying business, during this time serving as county surveyor for four years, 1896-1900, and for the entire period also conducting his farm in Wayne County. In 1900 he was appointed deputy sheriff, which office he held until 1904, when he was made county engineer. In 1911 Mr. Adkins was appointed assistant clerk of the Circuit Court, later was made assistant clerk of Wayne County, and in 1920 was elected county clerk of the county, and took office in January, 1921. During his long public service he has constantly proved his fidelity to high standards, and his service has been entirely satisfactory in every respect. On February 25, 1886, Mr. Adkins married Florida Adkins, a daughter of Jacob and Eliza Adkins, farming people. Mr. and Mrs. Adkins became the parents of the following children: Eliza, who married M. J. Mills, of Kenova, West Virginia, has the following children, Armilda, Florida, Wilson and Varney: Pleasant, who married Miss Frankie Bing, of Wayne, has three children, Bessie, Mertie and Jay; Jesse, who is deputy county clerk, married Miss Ruby Gose, of Wayne, and they have two children, Ruth and Howard; Strawther, who married Miss Blanch Tony has five children, Virginia, Hazel, Bernard, Beldon and Elouise; Cassie, who married Alden Tony, of Wayne, has five children, Clyde, A. G., Louise, Nann and Arma; Ceron, who is at school at Valparaiso, Indiana, enlisted for service during the late war from a school he was attending at Berea, Kentucky, but the armistice was signed before he was sent overseas; and Raleigh, Paris, Wiley, Ashbury, Mable and Hezekiah, who are at home; and one who is deceased. Mr. Adkins is not connection with any religious organization, but his wife is a member of the United Baptist Church, and Cassie, Paris and Ashbury belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Fraternally Mr. Adkins maintains membership with the Masons, in which order he has been advanced through the Chapter, and with the Knights of Pythias. It has been the rule of his life to do well whatever came to his hand, and this policy has resulted in his advancement and enrollment in the confidence of his fellow citizens. Submitted by Pat C. Johns **************************************************************** 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. ****************************************************************