WV-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest Volume 99 : Issue 151 Today's Topics: #1 Bio: Russell Aubray Wilbourn of Mo ["Chris & Kerry" To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-ID: <017301bf455e$f0906320$51421104@ChrisKerry> Subject: Bio: Russell Aubray Wilbourn of Morgantown, Monongalia County West Virginia Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc. Chicago and New York, Volume II pg. 153 & 154 RUSSELL AUBRAY WILBOURN. What is probably the largest single plant and enterprise devoted to cold storage handling of produce and the manufacture of ice and ice cream in West Virginia, is owned by the R. A. Wilbourn Company, Incorporated, of Morgantown. The president and general manager of this corporation is Russell Aubray Wilbourn, a man of remarkable energy who has been stepping upward from the ranks since early boyhood and has exhibited a wonderful resourcefulness and initiative at every successive stage of his commercial career. Mr. Wilbourn was born on a farm in Nelson County, Virginia, March 29, 1881. His father, Robert Willis Wilbourn, was a native of the same county and spent his active years in commercial lines. Robert W. Wilbourn married Elizabeth Hill, a native of Nelson County. Her family was an old and wealthy one in Virginia, but its fortunes were wrecked by the Civil war. She died in 1905. Russell A. Wilbourn was the youngest child of his parents and lived on their farm until he was ten years of age. He acquired only such education as was afforded by the common schools. His commercial instinct was aroused at an early date, and at. the age of fourteen he and a brother were partners in a retail grocery business. Thus, though only a little past forty years of age, Mr. Wilbourn has spent fully a quarter of a century in active business life. He has been a resident of Morgantown since 1901. In the fall of that year he engaged in the retail grocery business and sold out his store in 1907. He then took up the wholesale produce business, starting on a modest scale and with only such capital as he could individually command. His experience and training enabled him rapidly to reach out for business and develop a growing concern, and in 1913 the R. A. Wilbourn Company was incorporated. At that time the plant was erected, probably the largest and best equipped produce and cold storage, ice and ice cream manufacturing plant in the state. The company buys by car-load lots and employs a number of traveling representatives, who cover the adjacent territory of Monongalia and Preston counties in West Virginia and Greene and Fayette counties in Pennsylvania. The business of this firm is essentially a monument to Mr. Wilbourn's business acumen and the remarkable concentration of his efforts over a period of years. He is one of Morgantown's popular citizens, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and of Morgantown Lodge No. 411, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Wilbourn married Bess Gregg. She was born in Morgantown, daughter of the late Thomas Gregg and sister of John M. Gregg, banker and county official. Mr. and Mrs. Wilbourn have three children: Robert Gregg, born in 1905, graduated from high school in 1921 and is now attending the University of West Virginia; Margaret, born in 1912; and Russell Aubray, Jr., born in 1918. ______________________________X-Message: #2 Date: Mon, 13 Dec 1999 06:43:24 -0500 From: "Chris & Kerry" To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-ID: <017c01bf455f$43e2a600$51421104@ChrisKerry> Subject: Bio: William Harvey Brand of Laurel Point, Grant District, Monongalia County West Virginia Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc. Chicago and New York, Volume II pg. 154 WILLIAM HARVEY BRAND, president of the County Farm Bureau of Monongalia County and a former sheriff, has been closely and influentially identified with the agricultural and public interests of this section of West Virginia for many years. He was born in the county, represents one of its old and honored families, and his activities and services have made him a conspicuous figure. His great-grandfather, John Brand, married Jane McCray, and of the eight children of their union one was James Brand, who was born October 5, 1788. He married Elizabeth Wade, and they became the parents of twelve children. Edmond Warren Brand, father of William H. Brand, was born at Laurel Point, Grant District, Monongalia County, January 20, 1838. His business was farming, but he also participated in local politics, was deputy sheriff, justice of the peace, and for two terms a member of the County Board. He was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was a devout Baptist. He died December 25, 1899, and his wife, on September 2, 1910. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Shafer, daughter of Jacob Shafer, of Monongalia County. Their four children were Frank, now deceased; Anna B., wife of S. D. Furman; Ella M., who was married to James W. Scott; and William Harvey. William Harvey Brand was born on his father's farm at Laurel Point in Grant District, October 23, 1867. His education was attained in the local schools and he had a good training in agricultural pursuits at home. In 1888, at the age of twenty-one, he became a salesman for farming implements, his territory being Monongalia County. In 1897 he was appointed deputy sheriff, filling that office one term. He was elected high sheriff in 1908, and spent one term in that office. Mr. Brand was also elected a member of the County Court for a term of six years, but after two years he resigned in order to give his full attention to his farming interests. A leader in agricultural matters, he was the general choice for the office of president when the County Farm Bureau was organized in 1916, and has since continued in this office for five years. He was for four years president of the School Board of Morgantown District. Mr. Brand in 1901 bought and moved to a farm in Union District, but he ! sold this property in 1911 and acquired his present fine farm in Morgantown District. He is a general farmer and livestock raiser, and thoroughly progressive in all his methods. He is also a director of the Farmers and Merchants Bank and the Bank of Morgantown. He and the family are members of the Baptist Church. June 14, 1893, Mr. Brand married Inez Lough, daughter of Ellery J. Lough. They are the parents of four children: Everett W., born December 19, 1894, married Clara Wilbour; Dessie, born April 1, 1898, is the wife of Carl Kinnan; Archie Camden, born September 16, 1902, married Bessie Matson; and Willis Delmont, born January 22, 1904, the youngest, is attending Fork Union Military School in Virginia. He is quite an athlete being a regular player on the football, basketball and baseball teams. ______________________________X-Message: #3 Date: Mon, 13 Dec 1999 06:45:04 -0500 From: "Chris & Kerry" To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-ID: <018501bf455f$7fd2e300$51421104@ChrisKerry> Subject: Bio: AUGUSTUS ALLEN HAMILTON, JR. of Keslers Cross Lanes in Nicholas County, West Virginia Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc. Chicago and New York, Volume II pg. 154 AUGUSTUS ALLEN HAMILTON, JR. While he carries about as heavy a burden of practical and technical responsibilities as any mining superintendent in Logan County, Mr. Hamilton is widely known over the southern district of the state for his effective leadership in civic and business lines. Mr. Hamilton is general superintendent of the Lyburn and Wilburn mines for the Richcreek Coal Company in Logan County. He came to the Logan coal fields from the New River fields on November 1, 1906, and his first active connection here was with the Yuma mines controlled by the Robertson Interests of Shamokin, Pennsylvania. Mr. Hamilton was born on his father's farm at Keslers Cross Lanes in Nicholas County, West Virginia, June 1, 1886, son of Augustus Allen and Ada Ann (Campbell) Hamilton. He was only an infant when his mother died. His father, now seventy-three and living at the old homestead, is a son of Col. David R. Hamilton, who was a Confederate veteran in the war between the states and a member of an old family of Rockbridge County, Virginia. A. A. Hamilton, Sr., has been a prosperous farmer, has a fine home, and is very much interested in the democratic politics of his section of the state. A. A. Hamilton, Jr. has a brother, John David, who remains at the old homestead. Mr. Hamilton acquired a good general education in the public schools and the normal at Summerville. His early ambition was to enter the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, and he prepared for the examination, but at that stage his father objected and in consequence he prepared for a business career by taking a comme! rcial course at Charleston in 1904. On leaving college he had a clerical position with the McKell Coal Company on Loup Creek and then in 1906 came to Logan County for the Yuma Coal and Coke Company as pay roll clerk. He also was bookkeeper and assistant superintendent, was promoted to superintendent, and in 1917 became general superintendent for the Lyburn and Wilburn mines. On August 14, 1910, Mr. Hamilton married Eunice Brooke McComas, daughter of Albert McComas, of Logan County. Their two children are Edith Ann and John Wallace. Mrs. Hamilton is a Methodist. He is a past master of Aracoma Lodge No. 99, A. F. and A.M., is a member of Logan Chapter No. 41, R. A. M., belongs to Kanawha Commandery, K. T., the West Virginia Consistory of Scottish Rite at Wheeling, and the Shrine at Charleston. He is associated with Frank Martin and Naaman Jackson as the other members of the building committee to erect Masonic Home in Logan. Mr. Hamilton had an active part in the recent troubles in this coal field due to the invasion of union miners from the North. He is a democrat in politics. As superintendent his relationship with his employes has always been cordial, and the men have the confidence and respect for him based upon the understanding that he recognizes their point of view. Mr. Hamilton is a director of the Bank of Logan. ______________________________X-Message: #4 Date: Mon, 13 Dec 1999 06:46:54 -0500 From: "Chris & Kerry" To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-ID: <018e01bf455f$c1882d00$51421104@ChrisKerry> Subject: bio: JOSEPH WALTER THORNBURY, M. D., of Glen Hays on Tug River in Wayne County, West Virginia Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc. Chicago and New York, Volume II pg. 154 & 155 JOSEPH WALTER THORNBURY, M. D., is a pioneer in the profession of medicine and surgery in the Triadelphia District of Logan County, though he still commands all the vigor of the years of comparative youth. His home is at Man, where he located in 1909. The dozen years since have sufficed to cover practically the entire period of development in this region. He was here before the Chesapeake & Ohio built its railroad line into this section and, naturally, the development of the coal deposits following the coming of the railroad. Doctor Thornbury was born at Glen Hays on Tug River in Wayne County, West Virginia, August 9, 1881, son of Dr. James Harvey and Nancy Isabel (York) Thornbury. Several of his family were physicians before he entered that profession. His mother is a sister of Dr. L. H. York, of Louisa, Kentucky. She died in 1895, and was a daughter of James D. York. Dr. James Harvey Thornbury was born on Marrowbone Creek in Pike County, Kentucky, and is now in active practice of his profession at Stowe, Logan County, West Virginia. As a young man he taught school, and in 1885 began attending medical lectures in the Cincinnati Eclectic College, and graduated there in 1889. In 1890 he located at Dunslow in Wayne County, and remained there twenty years in the performance of his professional duties, since which time he has looked after his mining practice at Stowe. He did much organization work for the republican party in Wayne County, and is a member of Vinson Lodge of Masons at Fort Gay. Of the fi! ve children born to his marriage four are living: Florence, wife of Dr. Everett Walker, of Wayne; Jane, wife of Dr. B. D. Garrett, of Kenova, Wayne County; Joseph Walter; and Sadie, wife of Samuel Peters, of Kenova. Joseph Walter Thornbury attended school at Dunslow and was also a student under Professor McClure at Wayne. He attended the State University in 1898, and for two years following was assistant postmaster of Dunslow, and for one year was at Yukon, Oklahoma. Then he spent another year in the postoffice at Dunslow, and also clerked in a store there. With this varied business training and experience he entered the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical College in 1903, and graduated in 1907. For one year after graduating he practiced at Kermit in Mingo County, and one year at Genoa in Wayne County. From there he came to Man and has had official relations as mine physician to the Man Mining Company, the Eagle Island Bengal Coal Company at Kesler and a large general practice besides. He was one of the organizers of the Merchants and Miners Bank at Man. Doctor Thornhury is a leader in his section in behalf of better educational facilities. He served six years on the Triadelphia School Board and a large number of the good modern schools of the district were built during his term, including the District High School at Man. On July 3, 1907, Doctor Thornbury married Bertha Hegner, daughter of Philip Hegner, of Wyoming, Ohio. The five children born to their marriage are James H., Jr., Frances Virginia, Lawrence, John and Nancy Isabel. Mrs. Thornhury is a member of the Baptist Church. Fraternally he is affiliated with Aracoma Lodge No. 99, F. and A. M., at Logan, Logan Chapter. R. A. M., Dunslow Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in politics he is a republican ______________________________X-Message: #5 Date: Mon, 13 Dec 1999 06:49:17 -0500 From: "Chris & Kerry" To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-ID: <019701bf4560$169e18e0$51421104@ChrisKerry> Subject: Bio: FRED V. COOPER of Bluefield, Mercer County West Virginia Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc. Chicago and New York, Volume II pg. 155 FRED V. COOPER has proved his business progressiveness and efficiency in his effective service as cashier of the Bank of Athens at Athens, Mercer County, and is one of the popular and representative young business men of his native County. He was born at Bluefield, Mercer County, on the 17th of July, 1895, and is a son of Elijah F. and Irene E. (Vermillion) Cooper, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of West Virginia. The father was long a successful Contractor and builder and is now a resident of Beckley, Raleigh County. The Vermillion family was founded in Virginia in the Colonial period of our national history and numerous representatives of the same have been successful physicians and surgeons. Mr. Cooper gained his early education in the public schools at Athens, where he thereafter continued his studies in the Concord State Normal School, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1915. He then entered the University of West Virginia, but after pursuing a course in electrical engineering for one year impaired health compelled him to leave the university. Upon recovering his physical health he became, in 1917, assistant cashier of the Bank of Athens, and in 1919 he was advanced to his present executive office, that of cashier of this substantial and well ordered institution. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, is a member of the Mercer County Country Club, through the medium of which he finds opportunity for indulgence in his favorite recreation, that of lawn tennis, and he and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. In 1917, at Athens, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Cooper and Miss Pearl Preston, whose father, S. V. Preston, is now a successful coal operator at Harland, Kentucky. The attractive home of Mr. and Mrs. Cooper is brightened by the presence of their two children, Irene E. and Harry Fred. ______________________________X-Message: #6 Date: Mon, 13 Dec 1999 15:22:18 -0600 From: Tina Hursh To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-Id: <1.5.4.32.19991213212218.007088fc@clubnet.isl.net> Subject: BIO: Fred William Bartlett - Marion county Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume II Pg. 70-71 Fred William Bartlett has been an oil operator thirty years, most of the time as an independent, and is one of the best known and most popular citizens of Marion county. His home during the greater part of his life has been at Mannington. Mr. Bartlett was born at New Martinsville, Wetzel County, West Virginia, July 29, 1867, son of Martin and Sarah Ann (Beatty) Bartlett, both now deceased. His father was born at Clarksburg, West Virginia, in 1842, and was a Confederate soldier during the last two years of the Civil war. The father's brother, Capt. Fred W. Bartlett, for whom Fred William Bartlett of this review was named, organized a company in Clarksburg for service in the Confederate Army, and served until the close of the war. Martin Bartlett was a blacksmith and a machinist, and was in that business at New Martinsville when he died in 1868. A short time before his death he had assisted in drilling the first oil well in the Mannington District. He was Scottish Rite Mason. After his death his widow returned to Martinsville, where she was born in 1846, daughter of Jeremiah Beatty, an early settler of Mannington. She died in 1916. Fred W. Bartlett grew up at Mannington, aquired a common school education, and as a youth became a bread winner for himself and his widowed mother. At the age of nine he was selling papers on the streets of Mannington, and has had some active connection with serious business ever since. He has dealt in real estate, has been an oil and gas operator, and also well known as a hotel proprieter. Mr. Bartlett has accumulated two fortunes, and still retains the second and larger. He began his career as an independent operator in oil in 1892. His work has been as an independent except for ten years, during which time he was president and sole owner of what was then known as the Home Gas Company, which supplied gas for manufacturing and domestic purposes at Mannington. He finally sold this company to the Standard Oil interest. Since then he has been extensively interested in the production of crude oil. In 1896 Mr. Bartlett bought what was then the Commercial Hotel of Mannington. He rebuilt and remodeled the property and renamed it the Hotel Bartlett. This is now one of the best hotels in the state, second in size only to the hotels of the larger cities, to which it yields nothing in its equipment and service. With fifty rooms, all with hot and cold running water, and many with private baths, with a fine dining room, and a spacious and beautifully decorated lobby, the Hotel Bartlett is both a surprise and delight to those making their first visit to Mannington. October 8, 1892, Mr. Bartlett married Miss Harriet Brownfield Walker, who was born in Fairmont, November 19, 1871, daughter of the late Kephart Delvarem and Josephine (Wiggenton) Walker, of Fairmont. The Walker family is of Scotch origin and has been in Pennsylvania for five and in West Virginia for two generations. The American ancestor was Donald Walker, who married a Lane. Their son, Peter Walker, was born in Washington County, Maryland. He became a wealthy farmer of Somerset County, Pennsylvania. His son, John P. Walker, removed from Pennsylvania to Loudoun County, Virginia, and later to Ohio County, West Virginia, and died in the City of Wheeling in 1852. He married Margaret Lane, and of their children Kephart D. Walker was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, February 14, 1838, and died at Fairmont in 1919. Kephart D. Walker entered the service of the Baltimore & Ohio Railway as construction camp clerk in 1853. During the next eighteen months he utilized his leisure opportunities to aquire some knowledge of telegraphy, was then assigned to the telegraph department of the Baltimore & Ohio, and subsequently became a brakeman and still later a conductor. During the Civil war for a time he was in the secret service, in the armies of Gen. Stonewall Jackson and Gen. John B. Walker, the latter being a relative. After the war he resumed railroad work fo the Baltimore & Ohio, and for ten years was station agent at Fairmont, was superintendent of the Fairmont division, and when the Fairmont, Morgantown & Pittsburgh line was undertaken he was assigned the task of securing the right of way between Fairmont and Morgantown. During the construction he was purchasing agent. He had charge of the first train run over this line into Pittsburgh. After this service he resumed his work as a passenger conductor until 1906, when he was retired on pension. Kephart D. Walker became a Mason in 1870, and in 1875 was chosen grand master of West Virginia Grand Lodge, and at the time of his death was a supreme honorary thirty-third degree Scottish Rite Mason. He married in 1859, Josephine Wiggington, daughter of Presley and Sarah Wiggenton, of Loudoun County, Virginia.