West Virginia Statewide Files WV-Footsteps Mailing List WV-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest Volume 99 : Issue 1 Today's Topics: #1 Heirs at Law of Wm. McCOY, Dec'd [MJans99999@aol.com] #2 MISC: Wheeling, Mem [Valerie & Tommy Crook Subject: MISC: Wheeling, Members of Scottish Rite, 1955 The following is a list of gentlemen from a photograph: ************************************************************************** Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Wheeling, Orient of West Va. West Virginia Consistory No. 1 John W. Davis Class November 12, 1955 William M. Channell, President Guy Bailey, Vice President Dale A. Davis, Secretary and Treasurer John L. Seabright, Orator 1 Harold E. Tingler Weirton, W. Va. 2 Charles R. Smith Parkersburg, W. Va. 3 Harold H. Smurthwaite Weirton, W. Va. 4 Louis M. Greiner, Sr. Wheeling, W. Va. 5 Roy M. Cotts, Sr. Wheeling, W. Va. 6 William W. St. Clair Parkersburg, W. Va. 7 Cecil G. DeLong Parkersburg, W. Va. 8 Wilbur B. Harris Parkersburg, W. Va. 9 Randall Connolly Parkersburg, W. Va. 10 Harold Taylor Wheeling, W. Va. 11 Charles W. Creamer Wheeling, W. Va. 12 Edward W. Protzman Wheeling, W. Va. 13 Robert D. Farmer Wheeling, W. Va. 14 William A. Marshall Wheeling, W. Va. 15 John H. Lane Parkersburg, W. Va. 16 Carl Smith Sandyvllle, W. Va. 17 Paul E. Barcus New Martinsville, W. Va. 18 Herbert N. Barth New Martinsville, W. Va. 19 Alton A. Jolliffe New Martinsville, W. Va. 20 Clarence E. Bland New Martinsville, W. Va. 21 Charles L. Wood New Martinsville, W. Va. 22 Blair Plate, Jr. Parkersburg, W. Va. 23 Dr. Robert R. Maury Wheeling, W. Va. 24 Earl D. Rinehart Cairo, W. Va. 25 Dominick Securro Cairo, W. Va. 26 George J. Archibald Wheeling, W. Va. 27 Walter T. George Parkersburg, W. Va. 28 Thomas C. Committe Elm Grove, W. Va. 29 William H. Chancey Vienna, W. Va. 30 Homer McCoy Moundsville, W. Va. 31 John C. Village Weirton, W. Va. 32 Thomas J. Jones Weirton, W. Va. 33 Darold E. Cox Weirton, W. Va. 34 William B. Maxwell, Jr. Weirton, W. Va. 35 William M. Channell Vienna, W. Va. 36 Guy Bailey Weirton, W. Va. 37 Dale A. Davis Wheeling, W. Va. 38 John L. Seabright Wheeling, W. Va. 39 Emery H. McGinnis, Jr. Parkersburg, W. Va. 40 Leighton G. Cain Parkersburg, W. Va. 41 Benjamin J. Parker Parkersville, W. Va. 42 Richard M. Wilson Wheeling, W. Va. 43 Edwin D. Beihl Johnstown, Pa. 44 Jack H. Bartlett Parkersburg, W. Va. 45 Thomas Shriver Wellsburg, W. Va. 46 Dewey O. Olson Wellsburg, W. Va. 47 James C. Walton New Cumberland, W. Va. 48 Albert W. Sovil Parkersburg, W. Va. 49 Herman Sovil Parkersburg, W. Va. 50 Morris Chijner Weirton, W. Va. 51 Cecil C. Webb Weirton, W. Va. 52 Guy R. Allman Parkersburg, W. Va. 53 Harry W. Racy [?] Parkersburg, W. Va. 54 Gordon E. Golden Wheeling, W. Va. 55 Ernest R. Tappy Wheeling, W. Va. 56 Julius D. Eros Wheeling, W. Va. 57 Russell M. McCloy Wheeling, W. Va. 58 Eddie B. Adams Moundsville, W. Va. 59 Charles R. Swain New Cumberland, W. Va. 60 Merle H. Etheridge Wellsburg, W. Va. 61 Wayne E. Cunningham Parkersburg, W. Va. 62 Harold D. Talbert Wheeling, W. Va. ______________________________X-Message: #3 Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 01:38:05 EDT From: PTyler107@aol.com Subject: NEWSPAPER:excerpt,1917,W.Hamlin,Lincoln Co. The Lincoln Democrat, vol. 1, no. 6 Hamlin,W.Va. August 2,1917 Hamlin Locals J. E. Butcher of Bear Creek was a caller at the Democrat office Tuesday. West Hamlin,W.Va. The West Hamlin school opened Monday under the sufficient management of Principal Myrtle Lunsford and Mrs. Winfield Pearson as primary teacher. The enrollment is reported at 18 and 30 respectively. ______________________________X-Message: #4 Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 01:38:10 EDT From: PTyler107@aol.com Subject: NEWSPAPER:excerpt,1917,BearCreek,LincolnCo. The Lincoln Democrat, vol. 1 no. 25, Hamlin, W.Va., December 13,1917 Bear Creek Mrs. L. E. Midkiff raised the champion beet weighing five pounds. The attendance of the lower Bear Creek Sunday School should be better. Miss Edith Midkiff is suffering from a bealed head. Mrs. Emma Butcher returned to her school on Four Mile Sunday afternoon. Herbert Johnson has returned home from Huntington where he has been working for some time. Miss Gertrude Johnson gave a successful pie supper at her school Wednesday evening. B. L. Butcher made a flying trip to Huntington and returned Saturday. Pink Ears ______________________________X-Message: #5 Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 01:38:09 EDT From: PTyler107@aol.com Subject: NEWSPAPER:excerpt,1917,BearCreek,Lincoln Co. The Lincoln Democrat, vol. 1 no. 18, Hamlin, W. Va. October 25,1917 Bits from Bear Creek Hubert Johnson went to Huntington Tuesday where he has employment. B. L. Butcher had the misfortune of falling on a barbed wire fence, cutting his hand very badly. R. C. Butcher was in Huntington last week on business. The people in this section are busy making molasses here now. Miss Emma Johnson was the guest of Miss Maymie Johnson Sunday. The Upper Bear Creek School has started with Wilson Pullen as teacher. We wish him much success. Dwight McCoglin of Buffalo was on the creek Saturday night. Chas. Butcher went to Huntington on Sunday. Mrs. Brad Ray of Guyan is visiting her sister Mrs. P. G. Johnson. Merrick Johnson accompanied by Misses Sadie and Vida Morris and Virginia Henly motored from Huntington to B. Butchers on Sunday. ______________________________X-Message: #6 Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 01:38:07 EDT From: PTyler107@aol.com Subject: NEWSPAPER:excerpt,1917,BearCreek,Lincoln Co. The Lincoln Democrat, September 6,1917 Bear Creek B. L. Butcher went to Fall Creek on business Monday. The Board of Education met Tuesday and received the lower Bear Creek school house. It is an excellent building. Mrs. L. E. Midkiff attended the Baptist Association at Barboursville last week. Jonas Holderfield went to Huntington Friday. Miss Maymie Johnson was a caller at B. L. Butcher's Thursday. L. E. Midkiff was in Huntington last Friday on business. B. L. Butcher was in West Hamlin Wednesday. We had a little rain here this week. There was a pie supper at the new school house Saturday night, which was largely attended and was quite a success. M. F. Moore of Fall Creek was a visitor on the creek Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. John Hash and Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Hitchner from Tom's Creek were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. B. L. Butcher Sunday. ______________________________X-Message: #7 Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 01:38:06 EDT From: PTyler107@aol.com Subject: NEWSPAPER:excerpt,1917,BearCreek,Lincoln Co. The Lincoln Democrat, vol.1 no. 9 Hamlin, W.Va. August 23,1917 Bear Creek B.F. Morris of Huntington was a business visitor on the creek the first of the week. The work on the new school building on the lower end of the creek is progressing nicely. Mr.and Mrs. B. L. Butcher, Miss Edith Midkiff and James Holderfield were among those who attended the Sunday School at Nigger Hill Saturday. Chas. Beckett of Mud is visiting relatives on the creek. Mr. and Mrs. B. L. Butcher accompanied by Mrs. L. E. Midkiff and daughter Pansy visited their aunt on Mud Sunday. Smith, W.Va. Everett Blankenship of One Mile and Bertha Harvey were united in marriage last Thursday at the home of the bride. ______________________________X-Message: #8 Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 01:38:08 EDT From: PTyler107@aol.com Subject: NEWSPAPER:excerpt,1917,BearCreek,Lincoln Co. The Lincoln Democrat, vol. 1 no. 12, Hamlin, W. Va. September 13,1917 Bear Creek O.H. Midkiff was at Madison last week. We had a fine rain over here this week which will do much good. B. L. Butcher went to Huntington Friday. Sesco Johnson and wife of Huntington visited his parents Mr. and Mrs. D. G. Johnson last week. L. E. Midkiff was a business visitor in Huntington Friday. S. M. Johnson has his car at home again, and will again carry passengers, Mrs. E.G. Wilson was visiting Mrs. B. L. Butcher Friday. Misses Valerie McComas and Belvie Gill called on Miss Ismay Johnson Sunday morning. Mrs. B. L. Butcher was the guest of Mrs. L. E. Midkiff Sunday. Mrs. W.A. Morris of Milton is here visiting relatives. Miss Minnie Clay called on Miss Zola Johnson Sunday. Miss Ismay Johnson was the pleasant guest of Mrs. O.H. Midkiff Sunday. ______________________________X-Message: #9 Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 10:48:35 EDT From: PTyler107@aol.com Subject: NEWSPAPER:excerpt,1918,BearCreek,LincolnCo. The Lincoln Democrat, vol.1 no. 28, Hamlin,W.Va., Janurary 3,1918 Bear Creek T. Holderby died at the home of E.G. Wilson last Friday. Mr. Holderby leaves a brother and sister to mourn his loss. The remains were laid to rest Sunday in the Enon Church cemetery. E.G. Wilson returned home Friday from Ohio where he has been visiting. Miss Gertrude Johnson was the guest of Mrs. L.S. Courts one night last week. Jessie Estep and sister Hazel returned from Logan Saturday where they have been visiting for some time. Jesse Butcher and Herbert Johnson attended the Xmas tree at Four Mile. Irwin Wilson returned from Ohio last week where he has been visiting relatives. Mrs. P. G. Johnson went to Huntington to see her son who was shot. Miss Vada Wilson returned from Huntington Saturday where she is working. Frank Summers and Cora Short were united in marriage Xmas eve. We wish then much joy. ______________________________X-Message: #10 Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 10:52:43 EDT From: PTyler107@aol.com Subject: NEWSPAPER:excerpt,1918,BearCreek,LincolnCo. Lincoln Democrat, vol.1 no. 32, Hamlin, W.Va. Janurary 31,1918 Bear Creek Miss Maymie Johnson went to Huntington last week to see her brother who was hurt some time ago. Mrs. L. E. Midkiff is recovering nicely from injuries received in falling. R. C. Butcher was at salt Rock recently. Mrs. B. L. Butcher is suffering from a severe cold. The Upper Bear Creek School has started again with Miss Kathleen Courts as teacher. Mrs. M.E. Estep was visiting her daughter, Mrs. Carrie Jeffrey on Merrits Creek last week. L. E. Midkiff has been visiting his little granddaughter Ora Moore on Cove Creek. B. L. Butcher was at West Hamlin on business Friday. Mack Johnson, Otho and Bulah Ray, and Jesse Butcher attended the spelling match at Balls Gap Friday night. Wm. Estep visited B. L. Butcher Sunday night. O.H. Midkiff and wife went to Huntington last week. Mrs. Susan Butcher is very ill. ______________________________X-Message: #11 Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 10:56:10 EDT From: PTyler107@aol.com Subject: NEWSPAPER:excerpt,1918,BearCreek,LincolnCo. Lincoln Democrat, vol. 1 no. 35, Hamlin, W.Va., Feburary 21,1918 Bear Creek Otho and Beulie Ray were visiting Jesse Butcher Friday. M. H. Butcher from Ohio is here visiting relatives. Mrs. Susan Butcher is still very ill. Otho and Beulie Ray, Mack Johnson, and Jesse Butcher were visiting at L. E. Midkiff's Saturday night. Lowell Johnson and wife of Madison were visiting here Sunday. Mrs. B. L. Butcher was visiting her niece Mrs. O.H. Midkiff Sunday. Miss Maymie Johnson was visiting Miss Ismay Johnson Sunday. We are having some fine weather now which is very much appreciated. Beulie Ray has gone to work on the Section, we hope he will like his job. ______________________________X-Message: #12 Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 11:00:01 EDT From: PTyler107@aol.com Subject: NEWSPAPER:excerpt,1918,BearCreek,LincolnCo. The Lincoln Democrat, vol. 1 no. 42, Hamlin, W.Va., April 11,1918 Bear Creek The farmers on Bear Creek are preparing for a crop of corn now. Mrs. Emma Butcher is suffering from an attack of pneumonia. Isaac McCleria of Huntington was visiting Mr. and Mrs. B. L. Butcher Saturday. M. H. Butcher of Ohio is here visiting his son R. C. Butcher. Mrs. Bettie McMellon is suffering from an attack of pneumonia but is greatly improved. The lower Bear Creek school closed Saturday with large attendance and basket dinner. A small Kaufman child dislocated her hip while playing at school Saturday. Charley Perry was attending to business matters Saturday. J.D. Lewis was seen on the creek last week. Mrs. B. L. Butcher was visiting Mrs. E.G. Wilson Sunday. Fred Johnson of Madison has been visiting his sister Mrs. O.H. Midkiff. Brownie ______________________________X-Message: #13 Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 11:03:39 EDT From: PTyler107@aol.com Subject: NEWSPAPER:excerpt,1918,BearCreek,LincolnCo. The Lincoln Democrat, vol.2 no. 3, Hamlin, W.Va. July 18,1918 Bear Creek We are having some fine weather here. Crops in this section are looking fine. M. H. Butcher from Ohio spent several days here last week visiting relatives. S. M. Johnson was in Huntington Saturday. Jesse Butcher attended the pie supper on Mud River at T.L. Brown's July 4th. and reported a nice time. Oat harvest is in now. Mrs. R. C. Butcher was in Hamlin Saturday consulting the dentist. Crosby and Sesco Johnson of Huntington have been visiting their parents, Mr. and Mrs. P. G. Johnson. Mrs. Edith Lockwood of Laurel has been visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Midkiff. ______________________________X-Message: #14 Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 12:37:44 -0400 From: Valerie & Tommy Crook Subject: BIO: Henry O. MILLER, Hancock County *************** The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 220-221 Hancock County HENRY O. MILLER. Perhaps no one man in the educa- tional life of the Ohio Valley of West Virginia has exerted an influence finer in quality and purpose than Henry O. Miller, superintendent of schools of Hancock County, for it is one proceeding from a character of quiet strength, sanity and disinterestedness. Mr. Miller not only is a good teacher, but a man of specialized training and comprehen- sive learning, as well as capable and progressive executive. The representative relation of the teacher to the pupil is a close and intimate one, and few leave the schoolroom without carrying with them the impress of the character of the one under whom they have studied, so that it is very important that the individual who trains the youthful mind during the formative period be one whose example is worthy of emulation, a position for which Mr. Miller's qualities and abilities equip him eminently. Mr. Miller is a native of the Gas Valley, having been born in Poe District, Hancock County, West Virginia, three miles east of Pughtown, October 20, 1876, a son of John P. and Margaret A. (Campbell) Miller, a grandson of Benjamin Miller, also born in Hancock County, and a great-grandson of David Miller. David Miller was born in County Tyrone. Ireland, and as a young man immigrated to America and settled first at Pittsburgh, where he spent a few years. Later, about 1780, he came to the Poe District, where he passed the rest of his life in agricultural pursuits, and his old farm is still in the family possession. He was one of the real pioneers of this locality and experienced the hard- ships of such a life, including the clearing up of a farm and warfare with the Indians, by whom he was forced to leave the community on one occasion and seek refuge in a more settled locality, but was also of the stuff of which the pioneers were made, and lived to the remarkable age of ninety-nine years. Benjamin Miller, the grandfather of Henry O. Miller was born in 1799 and spent his life on the same farm, dying in 1876. The family landed possessions were ex- tended under his management, and at the time of his death the property was passed on to his two sons, John P. and Martin Luther, who spent their lives on that property. A brother, Morgan H. Miller, still resides on an adjoining farm, at the age of eighty-one years. He is a veteran of the Civil war, having fought as a private in Company I, Ninety-second Regiment, West Virginia Volunteer Infan- try. Another brother, Joseph Harvey Miller, died young. A half-brother, Dr. L. M. Miller, who practiced at Toronto, Ohio, died at the age of thirty-three years, and a half-sister, Margaret, married Lawrence W. Glass and now resides at East Liverpool, Ohio. John P. Miller married Margaret A. Campbell, a daughter of Robert and Ellen (Young) Campbell, who were of the same vicinity. John P. Miller in addition to being a farmer, was quite a sheep breeder and grower. He and the other members of the family were democrats until the split between the states of the North and South, at which time they joined the ranks of the republican party. For many years the family has been identified with the Presbyterian Church. David Miller was an original member of "The Flats" Presbyterian Church, about four miles distant, and his son Benjamin was an elder therein, as was also the latter's son, Morgan H. That church was organized about 1800 and was the parent church of all the Presbyterian churches of the vicinity. Since 1891 it has been known as the Fairview Presbyterian Church, and is located about one and one-half miles from Pughtown, on the Flats. David and Benjamin Miller were buried at the site of this church, but John P. Miller, who died in 1907, at the age of seventy-five years, was laid to rest at the Mill Creek Hill Cemetery, as was his worthy wife, who passed away in 1903, at seventy years of age. They were the parents of the following children: Joseph Harvey, who died at the age of thirty-four years while an employe of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Pittsburgh; Elmer A. and B. S., partners on the old farm until it was sold, and now both residents of Pughtown; William M., who is engaged in the practice of medicine at Clinton, Pennsylvania; Robert Sherman, twin of Benjamin S., men- tioned before, who left West Virginia as a lad and is now a retired farmer of Summer, Nebraska; Margaret Ellen, who died at Chester at the age of forty-five years as the wife of Lawrence L. Stewart; Mary Jane, the wife of Frank F. Mayhew, living near Salem, Ohio; and Henry O. Henry O. Miller acquired his early education in the coun- try schools, following which he attended the Tri-State Normal School, then at Pughtown, of which the president was J. D. Hull. At the age of twenty years he began teaching, and spent the next eight years in Hancock County, during four years of which time he was principal of schools at Pughtown. In 1909 Mr. Miller was elected superin- tendent of schools of Hancock County, and consecutive re- electiona have brought him to his fourth term. In 1909, when he first assumed the duties of this office, there were fifty-eight schools and fifty-eight teachers, with two high schools at New Cumberland and one at Chester. There are now 125 schools, with four first-class high schools. The enrollment in 1909 was 1,000 pupils, whereas now there are 4,000 pupils, of whom about 300 are attending the high schools. Much hard work was necessary to interest the people in the advantages of high school training, but a splendid sentiment has arisen in this direction. About ninety-five per cent of the teachers have had normal school training. The Tri-State Normal School continued only until 1906, but many of the high school graduates attend normal schools elsewhere in West Virginia, as well as in Pennsyl- vania and Ohio, and at the present time preparations are being made for summer normal terms in Hancock County. Mr. Miller is devoted to his work and is an earnest striver after an elevation of standards. His labors have resulted in arousing public interest and in gaining him the co-opera- tion of teachers, parents and pupils. In 1911 Mr. Miller was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Wells, daughter of William H. Wells, of East Liver- pool, Ohio, and granddaughter of George Wells, whose old home stood on the present site of Newell. A blockhouse once stood on the old Wells farm and Indian relics picked up there are now in the possession of Mr. Miller. George Wells was an old steamboat owner and followed the river, and also followed farming until his farm was all sold to the townsite company. His son, William H., who was a carpenter by trade, died in 1920, age seventy-one years. Mrs. Miller, who was born at East Liverpool, Ohio, is active in the Ladies' Aid Society of the Presbyterian Church, of which she and her husband have long been members. He belongs to the Blue Lodge of Masonry at New Cumber- land and has attained to the Scottish Rite degree. Mr. Miller is well known as a public speaker in the line of educational work, and his services in this direction are frequently in demand. ************ *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by 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. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. ***********************************************************************