Wood County, West Virginia - Biographies ********************************************************************** 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. ********************************************************************** GATES, Elijah One early resident of Wood County was Captain Elijah GATES. Elijah GATES was born 22 Jun 1744 in Preston, Fairfield County, CT, son of Zebediah and Mehitable (Downing) GATES. He married there in Nov of 1769 Eunice HATCH, daughter of John and Jerusha (Herrick) HATCH. He must have departed soon after his marriage, for their first child, Mary was born in Norwich, Windsor County, Vermont, in 1770. During the infamous boundary dispute between Vermont and New York, New York took a census in 1771 and Elijah Gates is already listed in Norwich. In addition to Mary, the following children were born in Norwich: Sabra b. 13 Apr 1774; Elias b. 6 Mar 1776; Eunice b. 20 May 1779; and Jasper/Jaspin b. 16 Jun 1782. (See VT VRs for Norwich). Elijah served on the first Council when Vermont was formed and also served on the war committee. Later, he was a member of the state legislature. (See the History of Norwich CT, p. 211 & 264, History of Windsor Co., VT p. 484, and Hemenway's Gazeteer.) Elijah Gates served in the Revolutionary War for Vermont, at the rank of Captain. See the State of Vermont Revolutionary War Rolls by Goodrich, p. 837. Elijah was an early figure in the history of Washington County Ohio, as well as Wood County. He was granted land from Putnam, Rufus & Co. v. 2, p. 324 in 1794 - 1796. His son Elias is mentioned in the same book and time frame on p. 322. In "The Life and Times of Ephraim Cutler" p. 450 mentions Captain Elias [sic] Gates as present at Stones Garrison in the winter of 1793-1794. (Since Elias never held the rank of Captain and later references in the same book say "Elijah" I believe "Elias" was an error here.) "Pioneers of Wood County," by John A. House, p. 84, mentions Capt. Elijah GATES, that he "bought land of Dr. Spencer before 1800." He was a resident of Newport, and operated a ferry between then Virginia and John Stone's farm in Ohio. House did not have the benefit of the above information, so little light was shed in his treatise on Elijah's origins and progeny. He did give a death date for Elijah of April 11th, 1802. According to House, Capt. Elijah Gates was buried at the Spencer Family burial ground, which may indicate a connection to the family. As far as I know it, here is the information on the next generation of the Gates Family, children of Elijah and Eunice (Hatch) Gates: 1) Mary, no further data. 2) Sabra b. 13 Apr 1774 Norwich, Windsor VT; m. 9 Apr 1795 in Belpre, Washington Co., OH, William SMITH (copy of original marriage record kept at Campus Martius Museum, Marietta), son of John and Sarah (Wardwell) Smith of Rhode Island. She d. 8 Apr 1831 in Warren Twp., Washington Co., OH (obit Marietta Friend). 3) Elias b. 6 Mar 1776 Norwich, Windsor, VT; m. Hannah _______ (Pioneers of Wood Co. p. 84); lived in Vienna on his father's land. Listed in the Wood County Census, through 1850, when he is residing with his daughter Mary (Gates) GROGAN. Died in 1854, buried Spencer Cemetery. 4) Eunice b. 20 May 1779 in Norwich, Windsor, VT; m. 16 May 1802 in Wood Co., WV (Early Marriages of Wood County, Cochran, p. 1), Philip COLE. In the History of Washington Co., OH p. 636 Belpre Twp., It mentioned that William SMITH (husband of Sabra Gates) "settled in Warren, on the bottom below Philip Cole's..." Thus, further information on Eunice (Gates) COLE might be found in Washington Co., OH. 5) Jasper/Jaspin b. 16 Jun 1782 in Norwich, VT; m. 15 Jun 1807 Hannah GELLISON in Marietta, Washington Co., OH (Washington Co. Marriages 1789 - 1840; p. 53). For more on Elijah's Gates's ancestry see Cutters Genealogies, Vol IV., starting at page 2681. Submitted by Gail S. Blankenau GUINN, Thomas Armenius - son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Lockridge) Guinn, was born in Augusta County, Virginia, settled in this county in 1846. He was united in marriage with Nancy, daughter of Andrew and Julia Guinn, July 5, 1844. She was born in Highland County, Pennsylivania, April 30, 1832, and is the mother of four children; Thomas A., born June 7, 1851; Elizabeth Ann, March 1, 1853, lives in Tygart District; Martha C., July 23, 1864, died Oct. 8, 1865; John William, June 18,1869, lives at home. Abstracts of Hardesty`s Vol 8 HENTHORN, Daniel - a farmer and resdent of Steele District, Wood County, West Virginia, was born in Monroe County, Ohio, Feb. 13, 1827, and settled in this county in 1851. His wife, Charity, daughter of John and Mary (Terry) Buskirk, was also born in Monroe County, Ohio, May 29, 1823. She was married to him in that county Feb. 21, 1851. They have one adopted daughter, Nancy Amos, born Feb. 12, 1870. Mr. Henthorn's father was in the war of 1812. Abstracts of Hardesty`s Vol 8 HILFINGER, Jacob - son of Mathias and Frederica Hilfinger, was born in Butler, Butler County, Pennsylvania, Oct. 5, 1838. he settled in this county May 10, 1869, and lives in Steele District. His parents died in Butler County, Pennsylvania. His wife, Nancy M. (McKune) Hilfinger, was born in Osceola, Polk County, Wisconsin, Aug. 22, 1858, and was married to him in Wood County, West Virginia, May 11, 1876, by Rev. C. Anderson, of the Methodist Protestant Church. Her parents, Daniel W. and Mary Ann McKune, live in Steele District. Jacob Hilfinger is father of two children: Mathias D.,born March 26, 1877; Jacob C., Nov. 7, 1879. Mr. Hilfinger was in the last war, and served in the 134th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. He enlisted Aug. 7, 1862 and was discharged May 26, 1863, the time of service having expired. He reenlisted Sept. 2, 1864, in B Company, 6th Regiment of Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, then operating at Fort Ethan Allen, Virginia. He was discharged at the same fort June 13, 1865. Mr. Hilfinger was in the battle of Chancellorsville under 'fighting Joe Hooker'. Mrs. Hilfinger has two brothers living in Pennsylvania, William W. McKune and Charley D. McKune, who were in the war, and belonged to the Pennsylvania service. Abstracts of Hardesty`s Vol 8 HOPKINS, Roscoe A. b. Nov. 26, 1907 at Slate Creek, Wirt county, WV; son of Thomas Alexander Hopkins b. May 2, 1862; son of Thomas Bartlett Hopkins b.ca 1830 son of John R and Edith Hopkins b. August 20, 1801 in Culpepper County, Va,; son of William Rodman b. July 10, 1779 in Maryland m. Nancy Anne (Oakley) Hopkins on September 22, 1800 in Shenandoah County, Va, Nancy was born ca. 1784, daughter of George and Susannah (Carney) Oakley. William was in the Revolutionary War and recieved a pension for this service. William and Nancy lived in Culpepper Cty. Va until 1814/1815,they moved to Monongalia county, Va. William worked as a blacksmith and farmer. He died August 8, 1871 in Grant Township, Monongalia County, VA (WV). Nancy died 1848, Monongalia county, Va (WV); son of William & Frances ____ (possibly Wilkinson or Rust) Hopkins. submitted by; Margaret Pauline (Hopkins) (Lynch) Grim HOUSER, John - was born in Frederick County, Virginia, and is the son of Frederick and Mary (Myers) Houser. His wife, daughter of Jacob and Jane (Nafkin) Sauntmire, was born in Frederick County, Virginia. They have eight children, namely: Frederick H., born Aug. 22, 1832, lives in Washington County, Ohio; Mary J., Sept. 8, 1834, resides in Lubeck District; Jacob, April 28, 1836, lives in Harris District; Isaac L., April 8, 1841, lives at home; Sarah E., May 7, 1844, resides in Switzerland County, Indiana; Nancy E., April 3, 1843, lives in Steele District. Mr. Houser's son George enlisted in the late war in the 14th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Abstracts of Hardesty`s Vol 8 KIMES, JOHN C. - son of George Washington and Emily (Williamson) Kimes, was born in Jackson county, West Virginia, December 5, 1843. He was united in marriage with Mary Ann McKinley, in Jackson county, March 16, 1864. She was born in that county, July 18, 1845, and is a daughter of Sarah McKinley. Eight children are the result of this union; Fanny M., born December 11, 1864; Ella V., October 23, 1866; William W., March 28, 1869; Sarah V., March 23, 1871; Emily C., June 25, 1873; Charles D., September 1, 1875; Oria M., April 19, 1877, died November 10, 1881; Mary J., April 5, 1879; all live at home. Mr. Kimes participated in the late civil war conflict, enlisting August 15, 1862, in D Company, 13th West Virginia Volunteer Infantry, and receiving discharge at Wheeling, West Virginia, June 24, 1865. He was wounded at the battle of Kernstown in the right leg, for a which he receives a pension of $4 a month. He had three brothers in the war also. Two, Samuel and Winfield, were in the same company with him; the other, William, was in the 9th West Virginia Regiment. Mr. Kimes is working at two patents, and has produced a number of inventions. He and his wife have been members of the Methodist Protestant church for ten years. He is a resident of Steele district, a wagon-maker and blacksmith. his address is Tyner, Wood County, West Virginia. LEMON , MARTIN LUTHER - a farmer of Steele district, was born in Tygart district, Wood county, West Virginia, December 28, 1844. His parents are Orange and Margaret (Ryan) Lemon. He was united in marriage with E. A. Reeder, daughter of Alfred D. and Eleanor C. (Melrose) Reeder, in Tygart district, April 23, 1863. She was born in that district December 28, 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Lemon's six children, all of whom live at home, are; Mary E., born June 6, 1866; Sarah H. M., December 22, 1867; George W., June 27, 1872; Virginia A., July 24, 1875; Elizabeth H., September 28, 1877; Louis M., November 17, 1879. Mr. Lemon had one brother in the late war, in the 11th Virginia Volunteer Infantry. His wife's grandfather was in the war of 1812. He has a farm of 100 acres, and has 90 acres cleared. He and his wife are now members of the Christian Church, and fourteen years ago were Baptists. Mr. Lemon is an honest and industrious man, and his address is Rockport, Wood county, West Virginia. LUCKY, JESSE - son of Joseph and Tabitha (Phillips) Lucky, was born in Washington county, Ohio, April 8, 1810. His wife, Mary, is a daughter of Richard and Percillia (Davis) Conner, and was born in Harrison county, West Virginia, August 29, 1812. She was married to Mr. Lucky in Monroe county, Ohio, February 27, 1834. They have had twelve children, namely; William, Isaac, deceased, Richard, deceased, Serepta, Lucinda, Joseph, Cornelius, Lewis (residence Iowa), Mary, Jesse, deceased, John F., Albert W., deceased. The parents of both Mr. and Mrs. Lucky died in Monroe county, Ohio. Mr. Lucky took part in the late war, enlisting November 19, 1861, and receiving discharge January 21, 1863, at Columbus, Ohio. While in the war he received an accidental shot from a revolver, which caused him to lose his left eye, and has so injured his sight as to make it almost impossible for him to do anything. He gets the small pittance of $4 a month. The husband of his daughter Lucinda died in 1880. His daughter Serepta lost her husband in the war. Mr. Lucky and wife have been members of the Baptist Church for nearly forty years. He is building a grist mill on Jerry's Run, and expects to do a good business. He is very enterprising, and his occupation is farming. Postoffice address is Jerry's Run. Wood county, West Virginia. ------------------------------------------------------------------ This file was submitted for use in the WVGenWeb project. It may not be sold or used in a commercial project. -------------------------------------------------------------------