History of Trouts Hill - Wayne Co. WV Source: West Virginia Heritage TROUTS HILL, THE COUNTY SEAT, Is situated on the west bank of Twelve Pole river, twenty miles from its junction with the Ohio. It is beautifully located on an eminence overlooking the little river, at an elevation of 150 feet above the stream, and 690 above tide water level. The land upon which the town stands formerly belonged to Abraham Trout, from whom the place derived its name. The town was located by the bill which provided for the formation of the county in 1842. Daniel Stephens, Samuel Wellman, William Ferguson, David Fry, Jesse Adkins, Benjamin Davis, Burwell Ferguson, Milton Ferguson and Jacob Adkins were the first settlers, nearly all coming in 1842. Hugh Bowen was the first merchant. He began business early in 1842, and late in the same year Milton Ferguson opened a stock of goods, and thus became the second merchant. William Ferguson erected the first hotel - it was in 1842. Calvin Cyhpers opened the first blacksmith shop in 1843, and a year later (1844) Benjamin Davis opened the first shoe shop. Dr. William Maupin was the first resident physician - he came in 1852. Henry Lloyd organized the first Sabbath school in 1845. The town was incorporated by an order of the circuit court, made June 21, 1882. At the same time Washington Adkins, Jefferson Ferguson, and G. F. Ratcliffe were appointed to superintend the election of the first officers, who were as follows: First mayor, Washington Adkins; recorder, Chapman Adkins; councilmen, Dr. G. R. Burgess, G. F. Ratcliffe, G. W. Sellards, W. S. Moore and Addison Adkins. The present officers are: Mayor, Washington Adkins; recorder, John S. Marcum; councilmen, G. R. Burgess, William Shannon, W. S. Moore, G. W. SeUards, and Addison Adkins; marshal, Hugh Bowen; street commissioner, Alderson Walker. There are at present four general mercantile establishments, three grocery stores, one harness shop, two blacksmith shops, one wagon shop, one livery stable, one printing office (Wayne County Advocate), one postoffice, two hotels, one church Episcopal, South, one public school building, one Masonic lodge, two resident physicians and seven resident attorneys. Submitted by Lorna Corns Workman **************************************************************** 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. ****************************************************************