West Virginia Statewide Files  WV-Footsteps Mailing List
WV-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest				Volume 99 : Issue 86

Today's Topics:
  #1 BIO: John Marshall ALDERSON, Green   [SSpradling@aol.com]
  #2 BIO: Bettie M. ALDERSON, Greenbrie   [SSpradling@aol.com]
  #3 BIO: Sampson I. ALDERSON, Greenbri   [SSpradling@aol.com]
  #4 BIO: Edwin Franklin HILL, Greenbri   [SSpradling@aol.com]
  #5 BIO: Joseph JARRETT, Greenbrier Co   [SSpradling@aol.com]
  #6 BIO: Tristram PATTON, Greenbrier C   [SSpradling@aol.com]
  #7 BIO: Miss Bertha Ann HUNDLEY, Gree   [SSpradling@aol.com]

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______________________________X-Message: #1
Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 08:40:44 EDT
From: SSpradling@aol.com
To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com
Message-ID: <0.89519c8d.2531e34c@aol.com>
Subject: BIO:  John Marshall ALDERSON,  Greenbrier County
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History of Greenbrier County
J. R. Cole
Lewisburg, WV 1917
p. 320-322

JOHN MARSHALL ALDERSON.

John Marshall Alderson, the subject of this sketch, was born at Palestine,
Greenbrier county, Virginia, on February 11, 1854, and his postoffice address
is at the same place, but now known as Alderson, Monroe county, West Virginia.
Mr. Alderson's childhood was robbed of many joys by being in the midst of the
horrors of the Civil war; also because of these conditions the usual
opportunities for education in youth were denied him.
His father met a tragic death in the year 1862, and because of that and the
war the family fortunes were devastated. So, instead of having idle, happy
play and some leisure for study, he began life's work at an early age. First,
he assumed duties on the farm. It was a routine work here, which continued
until he was nineteen years old. He then served as clerk in a country store
from Jan-uary to September of the year 1873, and handled his own earnings,
his wages being $8 per month and boarding.
Giving up this employment, he next worked at the railroad depot at Alderson,
studying telegraphy at the same time. When at the age of twenty, he obtained
the position of telegraph operator, and two years later was rewarded by
promotion to the joint offices of station agent and telegraph operator.
Not until 1884 did he make any change from these duties. Jn that year he
resigned from railway employment and established himself in the mercantile
business at Alderson. In this venture his success has merited a continuation
of the business until the present time. In addition to his original
establishment at Alderson, he has had branch stores located in various places.
Mr. Alderson's business abilities have been recognized and he has been drawn
into different positions of trust apart from his mercantile ones.
In the year i890, when the Bank of Alderson was organized, he was elected a
director, and in 1898, when that institution was changed into the First
National, he was elected vice president, while six years later he was made
president. This office he filled until another change was made in 1910 by
consolidating the First National Bank with the Greenbrier Valley Bank, when,
by mutual consent, he became vice president again, which position he still
holds.
In addition to these offices Mr. Alderson is a director in the New River
Grocery Company, a corporation of Hinton, West Virginia, and he is a
stockholder in several progressive coal cor-porations.
In politics Mr. Alderson is a decided Jeffersonian Democrat, and takes ~ctive
interest in public affairs. Apart from serving at various times on the town
council, he has not been a candidate for political offices. He was
postmaster, however, for many years while in the railroad service. He was
later appointed postmaster at Alderson, West Virginia, by President Grover
Cleveland during his second term, in October, 1893.
The Masonic lodge claims Mr. Alderson as a devoted and valued member. He has
held different offices, among them being Worshipful Master, Senior Warden and
Secretary, and is at the present time Treasurer. Following in the footsteps
of generations of his people, Mr. Alderson holds to the Baptist faith, and is
a member of the Greenbrier church. And as a dutiful son when a very young
man, while still near the ground on the rungs of his ladder, he built for his
mother a home, where she and her single daughters were enabled to live in
comfort until the mother's death in 1880.
On February i6, 1893, at Mount Sterling, Ohio, Mr. Alderson married Ida
Florence Hodges, who died October 28, 1912. Six children, two sons and four
daughters, were born to this union. One of the sons, James Powell, died in
the year 1909, at the age of six years. Of the remainder, Gladys, Cornelia,
Florence, John Marshall and Julia are at home.

Sandy Spradling
SSpradling@AOL.com
State Contact for WV GenExchange
http://www.genexchange.com/wv/index.cfm

______________________________X-Message: #2
Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 08:45:12 EDT
From: SSpradling@aol.com
To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com
Message-ID: <0.dab82c8e.2531e458@aol.com>
Subject: BIO:  Bettie M. ALDERSON,  Greenbrier County
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History of Greenbrier County
J. R. Cole
Lewisburg, WV 1917
p. 322-324

BETTIE M. ALDERSON.

The following sketch of Miss Bettie M. Alderson was taken from the columns of
the Alderson Advertiser. She died July 9, 1918: The writer says:

"A Good Woman Gone.

"The announcement on Tuesday morning of the death of Miss Bettie Marcus
Alderson came as a shock to the people of Alderson, w'here she was born and
among whom her life was spent. And the announcement of her death caused
unfeigned sorrow as well as surprise. She had not been in good health for the
past few months, but on Monday night was apparently as well as usual, and
when the other inmates of the household retired was working on an article for
a history of Greenbrier county which is being prepared by J. R. Cole. This
was about 10 o'clock and was the last time she was seen alive. She was found
lying lifeless on the floor of the dining room of her home about 6 o'clock
Tuesday morning. Dr. Argabrite, who was called, stated that death was due to
apoplexy and that Miss Alderson had been dead for about tw'0 hours. When
stricken down she was evidently on her way to her chamber to retire and never
regained consciousness.
"Miss Bettie was a daughter of John Marcus and Malinda Patton Alderson and
was born in Alderson in the house in which she died, "Western View," and
which for several generations extending as far back as a century has been the
home of her branch of the family. She was descended on her grandfather's side
from Rev. John Alderson, founder of Greenbrier Baptist church in 1781, and on
her grandmother's side from Thomas, son of Rev. John Alderson, Senior, on the
maternal side. She was descended from "Parson" John Craig, pioneer
Presbyterian preacher, of Augusta, and from Tristram Patton, a member of
Washington's bodyguard, who after the Revolutionary war became a large land
owner on Second creek, owning about 2,000 acres of land, three mills and many
slaves. He was noted for his broad intelligence and was the writer of many
legal documents.  By reason of her family connections, her long residence
here, her activity in church work and her work as a school teacher in
Alderson and in Greenbrier county for many years, she had won a large circle
of devoted friends and also a vast number of acquaintances. From the time in
early girlhood when she began her education she showed a remarkable thirst
for knowledge and an ambition to acquire informa-tion. History was the study
that most attracted her and she was thoroughly familiar with the works of the
best known ancient as well as modern writers. When at Marshall College she
took the Peabody medal for scholarship and a medal for mathematics.
"In her conversation Miss Bettie showed the effects of a deep and wide mental
culture. She also had the faculty of expressing her thoughts well on paper
and contributed many articles to the press on events of joyous or sorrowful
import in the Alderson family and in the families of friends.  These
articles, whether written in j6y or sorrow, showcd a calm and even mental
state that could neither be depressed by misfortune nor unduly elated by good
fortune. She was especially well informed on local history and reminiscences.
Amid all the cares of life she pursued the even tenor of her way, care free
as far as self was concerned and con-tributing to the pleasure and welfare of
others, the mark of a kind heart and generous nature.
"To Miss Alderson the world was beautiful and its shifts and changes
constantly brought forth new wonders thoughts to the mind. The book of nature
thus unfolded to her gaze taught her many things of the glory, wisdom and
goodness of the Divine Creator.
"Miss Bettie possessed a keen sense of humor and an original manner of
expression that added to the charm of her conversation. She was charitable
and to a remarkable degree understood the colored people, who in her death
have lost a true friend. Nor was she less helpful in extending aid to others
in trouble or need, grasping intuitively the best method of ministering to
their wants.
"Perhaps the secret of Miss Bettie's success in every-day affairs of life
that confronted her may be found in a contented mind that the passing years
were unable to warp or rob of its natural amiable qualities, but which always
maintained the cheerfulness and freshness of youth.
"She is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Norah Pack, who lived with her, and
Mrs. George Argabrite, of Lewisburg. She was a devoted member of the
Greenbrier Baptist church from childhood and was a generous contributor to
all its activities, being especially interested in its Mission Circle and
Ladies' Aid Society. She was a member of the Woman's Literary Club and was
historian of Alderson Chapter of the U. D. C. and held that office since the
organization of the chapter."

Sandy Spradling
SSpradling@AOL.com
State Contact for WV GenExchange
http://www.genexchange.com/wv/index.cfm

______________________________X-Message: #3
Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 08:48:18 EDT
From: SSpradling@aol.com
To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com
Message-ID: <0.f36d380e.2531e512@aol.com>
Subject: BIO:  Sampson I. ALDERSON,  Greenbrier County
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History of Greenbrier County
J. R. Cole
Lewisburg, WV 1917
p. 324-325

SAMPSON I. ALDERSON.

Sampson I. Alderson died at Alderson on May 17, 1916, lacking three days of
being 75 years of age. He was born near Green Sulphur Springs, Greenbrier
county, May 20, 1841, and was married February i8, 1864, to Martha J.
Hedrick, at Asbury, this county, where he resided until a few years ago, when
he moved to Alderson. At the beginning of the Civil War he volunteered in the
Confederate service and served under Captain Buster the first year of the war
and was then given leave of absence on account of ill health.
Mr. Alderson was an active member of the Baptist church, and largely through
his aid and efforts the West Point church at Asbury was built. He enjoyed the
confidence and esteem of his neighbors and stood for upright, honest conduct.
For many years he taught school in this county when Col. Thomas H. Dennis was
county superintendent.
The wife of the deceased died seven years ago. Surviving are six children:
Misses Belle, Elsie and May Alderson, who reside at Alderson, and three sons,
G. S., who lives at Bellepoint; Ed M., who lives at Mansfield, Ohio, and C.
M. Alderson, of Charleston.


Sandy Spradling
SSpradling@AOL.com
State Contact for WV GenExchange
http://www.genexchange.com/wv/index.cfm

______________________________X-Message: #4
Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 08:51:59 EDT
From: SSpradling@aol.com
To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com
Message-ID: <0.40f0ca8f.2531e5ef@aol.com>
Subject: BIO:  Edwin Franklin HILL,  Greenbrier County
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History of Greenbrier County
J. R. Cole
Lewisburg, WV 1917
p. 325-327

EDWIN FRANKLIN HILL.

Edwin Franklin Hill, formerly president of the First National Bank of
Alderson, W. Va., and for many years a prominent busi-ness man in Greenbrier
and Monroe counties, was born in Monroe county, December 19, 1849, and died
at his home in Alderson on December 19, 1904. He was reared in his native
county and re-ceived his education at Roanoke College, Salem, Va., being a
member of the Phi Delta Theta Secret Fraternity.  After his school days were
over he became identified with the mercantile business, which he engaged in
until 1872, in which year, in association with his father-in-law, Joseph
Jarrett, he became interested in stock and cattle raising. In 1891he
organized one of the first financial institutions in Alderson, the Bank of
Alderson, which later became the First National Bank, of which he was cashier
and later president until his death.  Having constantly made a study of law
he was considered fine in the drafting of legal docu-ments and was the legal
adviser of many.
OrI October 4, 1871, in Greenbrier county, he was married to Mary Frances
Jarrett, who was born in said county and was edu-cated at Lewisburg College.
She was a daughter of Joseph Jarrett and Malinda (McClung) Jarrett.
Edwin Franklin Hill was the son of Spencer Rutherford Hill (1821-1889) and
Margaret (Patton) Hill (1821-1889).  His great great grandfather, on his
paternal side, sailed from England with eight brothers at the same time of
the sailing of the Wash-ingtons, settling in Northumberland county, Virginia.
 Six of these brothers were in the old Continental army, one the com-mander
of a Virginia regiment, was with Washington at Valley Forge and at the taking
of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown. Mary (Rutherford) Hill, material grandmother
of Edwin Franklin Hill, was a scion of Scotch lineage, a name eminent in
early and mod-ern Scotch history.  Both the Hills and Rutherfords, for long
lines of generations, were noted and prominent in English and Scotch history,
both as statesmen and warriors, and that proud distinction seems not to have
failed them in their American home. Generals A. P. Hill and D. H. Hill, of
Confederate fame, and Senator Ben H. Hill, of Georgia, third and fourth
cousins, re-spectively, of Spencer R. Hill.
Through his mother Mr. Hill was a direct descendant of Tristram Patton
(1758-1843), who was married to Jean Nelson (I786-I860) in the year i808.
Tristram Patton was a native of County Tyrone, Ulster Plantation, Ireland,
crossed the Atlantic in 1777, and is said to have served on Washington's
bodyguard in the Revolution. After the war he taught school in Philadelphia,
Pa., moving to Monroe county, West Virginia, in 1795.
William, eldest brother of Tristram, inherited the family estate in Ireland
according to the British rule of primogeniture, but in default of heirs of
his own the property would have gone to those of Tristram.  They took no
action in the matter and the estate reverted to the British Crown.  All of
the fourteen children of Tristram Patton attained their majority and twelve
passed the age of seventy.
Columbus M. Patton, the only survivor, bears the remarkable distinction of
being the son of a Revolutionary veteran. He was 90 years old, March 9, 1918.
Both the Hills and Pattons are Democrats in their political
sentiments and Mr. Hill's parents and their ancestors were Pres-byterians in
their religious belief.
Edwin Franklin Hill and Frances (Jarrett) Hill had six children, all living.
They are, sons: Joseph Spencer Hill, Frank Jarrett Hill and Roy Lee Hill;
daughters: Maude Hill Hodges, Blanche Hill Lobban and Mabel Hill.
Mr. Hill had two brothers, Rutherford Hunter Hill, who died in 1874, and
Robert Lee Hill; also three sisters, Virginia Frances (Mrs. J. Clark Gwinn),
Sidney Elizabeth (Mrs. John Riley Argabrite), and Zorah Custis (Mrs. George
E. Boone).

Sandy Spradling
SSpradling@AOL.com
State Contact for WV GenExchange
http://www.genexchange.com/wv/index.cfm

______________________________X-Message: #5
Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 08:56:41 EDT
From: SSpradling@aol.com
To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com
Message-ID: <0.7cb30b8f.2531e709@aol.com>
Subject: BIO:  Joseph JARRETT,  Greenbrier County
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History of Greenbrier County
J. R. Cole
Lewisburg, WV 1917
p. 327-328

JOSEPH JARRETT.

Joseph Jarrett (1811-1898) was a native of Greenbrier county, his ancestors
being among the pioneer settlers, his grand-parents having settled first on
Wolf creek, then Greenbrier county, prior to the Revolutionary war, where a
fort, used as a place of refuge from the Indians, was called Jarrett's Fort.
This fort was built in 1771-1772 and was in command of Daniel Boone during an
Indian raid in 1774.
The stone house, which was built soon after by the Jarretts on Muddy creek,
is still standing near Alderson.
The Jarretts have always been noted as people of perseverance, long life and
endurance, and Polly (Griffith) Jarrett, maternal grandmother of Joseph
Jarrett, is said to have frequently walked a distance of sixteen miles to
Lewisburg in order to hear a favorite minister preach. She died in 1802.
Joseph Jarrett was a son of James Jarrett and Ruth (Gwinn) J arrett.  For
many years he was an extensive stock and cattle raiser, the latter part of
this time being in partnership with his son-in-law, Edwin Franklin Hill. He
was a man of fine business qualities and managed his financial affairs with
wisdom and pru

dence. He was a Methodist and his house was the home of min-isters of that
faith whenever they came to that section.
He had four brothers, Samuel, Andrew, James, and Ira, and seven sisters,
Betsy McClung, Deliah Warren, Ruth Leonard, Evelyn Conner, Rosanna Argabrite,
Margaret Clay and Sidney Cook, all of whom lived to a ripe old age.
Joseph Jarrett and his brother Samuel were taken prisoners to Camp Chase,
Ohio, in 1862, as Southern sympathizers and for rendering aid to the South.
Ben Morris, a relative of Kanawha county, sent them money with which to
procure food during their imprisonment.
Joseph Jarrett was married on August 20, 1834, to Malinda McClung, who was
born December 12, i808, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Hill,
December II, 1891, within one day of being 83 years of age. Mrs. Jarrett, who
belonged to one of Green-brier's oldest families, was a granddaughter of John
Viney, who settled here about '775, her grandmother being a Claypoole. The
land which belonged to these two familes was about 1,500 acres, and was
located between the waters of Muddy creek and Mill creek.  Many descendants
of this old pioneer, John Viney, are living in Greenbrier county, and some
live on part of the land which was secured by him from the Government, but
both the names of Viney and Claypoole are extinct.
Mrs. Jarrett was a daughter of Sallie (Viney) McClung and Ned McClung. By all
who knew her she was considered a woman of fine qualities and sterling
character. During the terrible epi-demic of camp fever among the Southern
soldiers, who were in camp near her farm, she prepared food for the sick, of
whom one hundred South Carolina and Georgia volunteers died and were buried
in a beautiful grove on the farm of Captain Buster, at Blue Sulphur Springs.


Sandy Spradling
SSpradling@AOL.com
State Contact for WV GenExchange
http://www.genexchange.com/wv/index.cfm

______________________________X-Message: #6
Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 09:02:40 EDT
From: SSpradling@aol.com
To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com
Message-ID: <0.54ef4f10.2531e870@aol.com>
Subject: BIO:  Tristram PATTON,  Greenbrier County
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History of Greenbrier County
J. R. Cole
Lewisburg, WV 1917
p. 328-334

TRISTRAM PATTON.

Tristram Patton, Senior, was the progenitor of one branch of the Monroe
family bearing that name. He was called senior because of there being another
of that name, his cousin, living in that district, who was known as Tristram
Patton, Jr. Both were known bv a nickname, Trussy Patton.
Tristram Patton was born on his father's estate, County Tyrone, Ulster
Plantation, Ireland, about the year 1758, and came to America about 1777 at
the age of 19.
It is said that this estate had come into the possession of the Pattons early
in the reign of James I, after the conspiracy of some of the landed
proprietors in Ulster to dethrone the king. One of them was Lord Tyrone, for
whom Tyrone county was named. The plot was discovered, the lords fled from
the country and their land, on~half million acres, was confiscated and taken
into posses-sion by the Crown. These lands were surveyed and alloted to new
proprietors, Scotch and English, who were favorites of the king, on account
of services already rendered or expected, among the latter being to hold the
natives in subjection and "to civilize them."
The Patton family is supposed to have come from Scotland. In a book on Scotch
Clans the name Patton is found in the Doug-las Clan, but it is not mentioned
in any other. Some authorities indicate that the name is English-Irish
instead of Scotch-Irish. From the same name is derived Paton, Peyton,
Peytonne, Patten, etc. The name is found in the Irish Period as Baron
Wilmarliegh, extincteth Ulster.  The name Patton is now extinct in Tyrone
County and probably in all of the Ulster Plantation.
Tristram Patton taught school several years in Philadelphia, and while living
there it is said he served in the Continentai army, and was, at one time, a
member of Washington's bodyguard. He came to Greenbrier county (now Monroe)
some years after the Revolutionary war. Hardesty's History says he was horn
in 1764, and came direct from Ireland to Greenbrier in 1780, which
information was incorrectly given.
Before coming to Greenbrier he persuaded his younger brother, Robert, to join
him, telling him he could never be success-ful in Ireland, while America was
rife with promise.  Their eldest brother, William Patton, had, of course,
inherited their father's estate.
In the Old Greenbrier county court records, June 26, 1798, Tristram and
Robert were granted leave to make an incursive survey of the lands wilereon
they lived. From this it is known that they had lived at least three years on
their lands on Second creek. There is also a record in the court house at
Lewisburg of Robert Patton s receiving a warrant from Governor Lee, in 1797,
for land on the Greenbrier rlver. April 21, 1797, is found the record of his
marriage to Eleanor Gray, Rev. John Alderson officiating.
Tristram and Robert owned a large tract of land on Second creek, whereon was
a powder mill. They divided their holdings, Tristram taking most of the land,
and Robert the reniainder and the mill. Patton's powder mill was below
Hamilton's mill (no longer in use) and on the site where Curry's mill (now
owned by J. M. Rodgers) was later erected-not near Nickell's mill, as has
been stated. It is said to have been built by Frederick Gromer.
About i800, Robert Patton and a negro man, one of their slaves, were in the
powder mill when an explosion occurred, which wrecked the mill and killed
both men.
Tristram Patton owned a large grist mill and a saw mill just above Hamilton's
mill, about a mile above the powder mill, and about a mile below the
macadamized road. He spent thousands of dollars building races and building
and rebuilding dams, be-cause of their being washed out by floods. He owned
about 2,000 acres of land on Second creek and near Mt. Pleasant church. While
he gave his attention to his mills and other matters, his farming was carried
on by his son and his slaves. "Old Shaderack." He also owned Meshack and
Abednigo known as the laziest negro for miles around, superintended the
farming in Mr. Patton's old age. He taught the boys how to work, while he lay
in the shade and slept. For some time Mr. Patton held the office of high
sheriff.
May 24, 1808, when he was about 50 years of age, he married Jane Nelson, who
was born April 15, 1786, Rev. William Adair, pastor of the old Lebanon
Seceder church, officiating.  The Pattons belonged to his church.
Tristram Patton, Senior, died July 7, 1843. Jane Nelson Patton died March 20,
1860, and they are buried near old Lebanon church. On his tombstone are a
number of passages of Scripture and this verse:

"Look, ye strangers, passing by;
As you are so once was I;
But as I am, so you must be;
Prepare for death and follow me."

To Tristram and Jane Nelson Patton were born fourteen chil-dren, all of whom
lived to manhood and womanhood; all married and reared families except one.
List of children:
William Madison, born March 12, 1809; died January, 1878.
Mary Brown, born June 10, 1810.
James Nelson, born November 4, 1811.
Elizabeth Simpson, born January 24, 1813.
Robert Miller, horn July 17, 1814.
John J. Patton, born October 5, 1816.
Louisa Amelia, born July 19, 1818.
Nancy Nelson, born June 28, 1820.
Thomas Beirne, born December I, 1822.
Washington LaFayette, born May 7, 1824.
Edwin Franklin, born March 26, 1826.
Margaret Jane, horn March 9, 1828.
Columbus Marion, horn March 9, 1828.
Sidney Ewing, born September 25, 1830.
Not long before Tristram Patton's death he was notified to return to Ireland
and claim his estate, his elder brother, William, having died without
children. He was then too old to make the journey, and at his death the
estate descended to his eldest son, William M. Patton, who made no effort to
claim it. After fifty years the property reverted to the Crown.
After the death of Robert Patton, his widow, Eleanor Gray Patton, who was a
sister of John Gray, of near Pickaway, moved with her t~'o sons, William and
Robert, to Kentucky, where she married a man named Dyer. She had one son,
Albert Dyer, who died in early manhood. Her son, William, returned to Monroe
county, where he married and lived for many years  Her soi.,, Robert, married
in Kentucky and lived at Elkton, Todd county. He left some children, but the
family name has become extinct.
Edwin Franklin Patton married Rebecca M. Burdette in October, 1853.  She was
born March 24, 1839.  To this union was born Samuel Rutherford Patton, only
son, who was born July 3, 1854.
Mr. Patton was a progressive and successful business man, owning large tracts
of land on Second creek. In his later life he was overtaken by financial
reverses and then moved to Ron-ceverte. During the Civil war he was a member
of Company A, Twenty-second Virginia Cavalry, Confederate service.
Honor-able, upright and obliging at all times, there was no better citizen
than he.
Samuel Rutherford Patton when a lad attended the Second
Creek High School and finishing there he attended a boys' school at
Lewisburg; then he went to college one session, graduating from the Hampden
Sydney College in the regular course.  He next graduated in the law course
from the Washington and Lee University, taking his degree from that
institution in 1878.
After leaving college he established The Messenger, a weekly newspaper, which
he owned and published for years. About this time he was married to Miss
Nannie Warwick, and to this union were born three children, Edith, Edwin and
Ashton. the latter dying in infancy.
December 4, i88i, he was married to Miss Sophona Figgett, who, through the
vicissitudes of the succeeding years, has been a helpmate indeed-a woman of
great worth and strength of char-acter-she has helped him faithfully in the
discharge of life's duties.
Mr. Patton was a scholar. a man of poetic temperament, an interesting and
fluent writer. His knowledge of law, united to his great store of information
on all subjects of general interest, caused his fellow citizens of his town
to select him as a leader. In fact, he was offered every office of honor and
trust in the juris-diction of the town, and people sought his opinion and
advice on all kinds of questions. In dispensing justice, he leaned toward
mercy-"Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy."
His loyalty to his friends was conspicuous. He was especially kind to the
poor, and far beyond his means he ministered to their needs, and in a quiet,
unassuming way that attracted no notice from the public. He was mayor of this
town two terms, recorder two terms, justice of the peace two terms of four
years each, president of the board of education four terms. He was one of the
organizers of the Greenbyjer Valley Democrat and its editor for five years.
His facile pen rendered it a power in his town and community, though this
section of the State was already over-supplied with newspapers. A leader in
his party. his judgment was always sought in its deliberations.
Two years ago his health began to decline, and gradually from that time he
grew worse until nine weeks  ill    that he was from that time confined to
his room. His suffering was intense at times, but the end came peacefully,
and he fell asleep gently as a little child upon its mother's breast.
Though fitted by mental endowment and by education for public office, Mr.
Patton was a modest, unpretentious man who loved retirement; a man whose
heart was gentle and tender; he had respect for the feeling and Opinions of
others, and the mean-est and humblest he treated with as much respect and
courtesy as those of highest station.

Sandy Spradling
SSpradling@AOL.com
State Contact for WV GenExchange
http://www.genexchange.com/wv/index.cfm

______________________________X-Message: #7
Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 09:06:44 EDT
From: SSpradling@aol.com
To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com
Message-ID: <0.67fbfc91.2531e964@aol.com>
Subject: BIO:  Miss Bertha Ann HUNDLEY,  Greenbrier County
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History of Greenbrier County
J. R. Cole
Lewisburg, WV 1917
p. 334

MISS BERTHA ANN HUNDLEY.

The above engraving is a striking portrait of Miss Bertha Ann Hundley, author
of "Guilt and Retribution, or A Double Tragedy," an article which appeared in
the Greenbrier Independ ent, December 11, 1917.
Miss Hundley is by profession a school teacher. At the present time she is a
stenographer for the prosecuting attorney of Greenbrier county.
Miss Hundley is by nature a writer.  The following commendation from the
State superintendent, Morris P. Shawkey, of Charleston, speaks for itself:
"Your story is striking, and shows that you have a good mind for description
and action. I would advise you to practice story writing, as you have
developed strong talent for it."
The Hundleys belong to old Virginia stock.  Her grandfather was a soldier in
the Confederate service between the States. Her father, William L. Hundley,
came to West Virginia about twenty years ago and settled on a farm near
Clintonville.

Sandy Spradling
SSpradling@AOL.com
State Contact for WV GenExchange
http://www.genexchange.com/wv/index.cfm