WV-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest Volume 00 : Issue 159 Today's Topics: #1 BIO: WILLIAM BURBRIDGE PAYNE, McDo [Valerie & Tommy Crook To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-Id: <4.3.1.0.20000709143725.00cc8250@mail.earthlink.net> Subject: BIO: WILLIAM BURBRIDGE PAYNE, McDowell Co. WV Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 471 WILLIAM BURBRIDGE PAYNE became in 1890 deputy clerk of the Circuit Court at Welch, McDowell County, and two years later, in 1892, he was elected clerk of this court, by a majority of 500 votes. He was later re-elected, by a majority of 1,500 votes, and each successive election gave him an Increased majority. His last election was in 1920, ,ind at his death early in 1922 he had almost five years to sprve. He was the dean of the Circuit Court clerks of West Virginia, and his long service offers the best testi- monial to his efficiency and his personal popularity. Mr. Payne was born in Crane Ridge, Sandy River District, McDowell County, August 28, 1866, son of John D. and Clara (Cornett) Payne, the former of whom was born in Big Creek District, McDowell County, in 1836, and the latter of whom was born in Johnson County, Tennessee, February 5, 1841. The father's death occurred December 7, 1898, and that of the mother on the llth of June, 1919. During the infancy of William Burbridge the family re- moved to Wyoming County, and while a resident of that county John D. Payne served as a member of the Lower House of the State Legislature, as representative of the district comprising Raleigh, Wyoming and McDowell counties. John D. Payne was a man of exceptional ability, and proved successful as a teacher, a merchant and a farmer, besides which he became a representative member of the bar of Wyoming County and in 1888 was elected prosecuting attorney of that county. He was a loyal soldier of the Union in the Civil war, in which he served four years and nineteen days and gained the rank of sergeant. He was in the command of Colonel Burbridge, in whose honor he named his son, and he took part in numerous engagements, including the battles of Lexington and Cyn- thiana, Kentucky, and Puncheon Creek. Prior to entering service he had been wounded, a bushwhacker lying in am- bush having shot him in the back. His father, Simeon Payne, was one of the early settlers of Monroe County. John D. Payne was one of the early settlers of Monroe County. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, while his wife was a member of the Bap- tist Church. His political allegiance was given to the republican party, and he was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Payne was interested in the devel- opment of coal lands in this section of the state and was a citizen of prominence and influence in his community. Mr. and Mrs. Payne became the parents of three sons, of whom William B. was the eldest. David is a prosperous merchant at Mile Branch, McDowell County, and has served as deputy sheriff of the county. Wilburn Grant, the youngest son, died at the age of twenty-three years. The "temple of learning" in which W. Burbridge Payne gained his initial education was a log structure of the pioneer type, and thereafter he continued his studies by attending the State Normal School at Athens. He taught two terms of school in McDowell County and then became a partner of his father in the conducting of a general store in the village of Bradshaw, this county, and this partnership continued for many years, the father having active charge of the store. Mr. Payne had made an excel- lent record as a substantial business man prior to being called into public office. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in his home city of Welch, of the Royal Arch Chap- ter at Northfork, of Ivanhoe Commandery of Knights Templars at Bramwell, and of Scottish Rite bodies and the Mystic Shrine in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was one of the organizers and stockholders of the McDowell National Bank at Welch, and was a director of the Welch Insurance Agency. He was a stalwart in the local camp of the republican party, and he attended and supported the Presbyterian Church, of which his wife is a member. May 20, 1896, recorded the marriage of Mr. Payne and Miss Jennie Beavers, who was born in South Dakota, a daughter of Alexander and Mary Ann (Wynn) Beavers. Mrs. Payne during her married life has in addition to rearing her family of children been a helpful factor in her husband's official work, and had the experience of a deputy in his office until his death, and on account of the qualifications of that experience she was appointed by Judge I. C. Herndon, the official successor of her husband, to fill out his unexpired term. Of the children the eldest is Hobart Elkins, who is a graduate of the Ohio Military Institute at Cincinnati and who was ready for service in the World war, is an assistant in the Circuit Clerk's office; Meldrum Dean is at home; Miriam Joyce, the first daughter, died in child- hood; William Burbridge, Jr., is, in 1921-2, attending the Ohio Military Institute at Cincinnati; and Bernice, is the youngest member of the parental home circle. ______________________________ X-Message: #2 Date: Sun, 09 Jul 2000 14:45:45 -0400 From: Valerie & Tommy Crook To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-Id: <4.3.1.0.20000709131230.00cd1630@mail.earthlink.net> Subject: BIO: ROBERT LANDON PEMBERTON, Pleasants Co. WV Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 464 ROBERT LANDON PEMBERTON was born in Pennington, Lancashire, England, March 9, 1860, the son of Robert and Abigail B. (Landon) Pemberton. His grandfather was Joseph Pemberton and his great-grandfather, John Ball Pemberton. In the spring of 1863 Robert Pember- ton, at the age of fifty, came to America, locating near Philadelphia, and enlisted in Company I of the Pennsyl- vania Volunteers to repel the invasion of the state by the Confederates under Lee. In the fall of the same year he was joined by his wife and children-two daughters and the son, Robert. In 1865 the family removed to Alleghany; in 1870, to Wellsburg, West Virginia; and in 1873, to New Martins- ville, in the same state. In the last named town the boy, Robert L., began learning the trade of printer in the office of the Labor Vindicator, edited and published by Daniel Long. It was the first paper printed in Wetzel County. This was in the year 1875, and his connection with the paper afforded him opportunity to publish verses and other articles of his own composition. In 1877 the Labor Vindicator ceased, and in that fall he went to St. Marys as printer of The Watchword, the first paper published in Pleasants County, Rev. F. M. Yates being owner and editor. This paper suspending, he taught the country school at Mount Olive, below St. Marys, the following winter, having passed an examina- tion which entitled him to a first-class certificate. For several years after this he was employed in print- ing establishments at various places. On November 24, 1886, he married Margaret C., daughter of Robert Alex- ander and Annie Carroll Gallaher, and to them were born two children, Margaret and Robert, the latter dying in infancy. Mr. Pemberton taught one term as assistant principal of the New Martinsville High School and six years was prin- cipal of the St. Marys School. In 1890 he was employed by the Census Bureau in Washington and New York, re- signing in 1891, when he read law and was admitted to the bar. In 1894 he was elected superintendent of schools for Pleasants County, serving four years. In 1910 he was elected a member of the House of Delegates, in which he was appointed chairman of the committee on printing, of the committee of executive buildings, and was a mem- ber of several other committees. In 1902 he became part owner of the St. Marys Oracle, and in 1911 became sole owner, improving the plant by installing new presses and linotype machines. He has contributed short stories and occassionally verse to eastern newspapers and magazines. For several years he conducted a column of verse and prose under the head of "Random Remarks" in the Oracle, and has published two volumes of verse, one entitled "Random Rhymes" and the other "Songs in Merry Mood." In the last five years he has written several serial stories. During twenty- five years he has been trustee and senior warden of the Episcopal Church of St. Marys. He is a member of the West Virginia Press Association, and also a member of the American Press Humorists. ______________________________ X-Message: #3 Date: Sun, 09 Jul 2000 14:45:45 -0400 From: Valerie & Tommy Crook To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-Id: <4.3.1.0.20000709131226.00c33530@mail.earthlink.net> Subject: BIO: THE JEFFERSON GLASS COMPANY Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 464-465 Jefferson THE JEFFERSON GLASS COMPANY. Prominent among the thriving industries of Follansbee, one that has enjoyed a rapid and healthy growth is the Jefferson Glass Com- pany, now a leading factor in the industrial prestige of this part of the state. The Jefferson Glass Company had its origin at Steuben- ville, Ohio, where it was chartered in 1900, but in 1908 came to Follansbee because of the attraction offered by the possibility of gas facilities in the operation of the plant. When the buildings were first erected they cov- ered approximately two and one-half acres of ground, but since that time the size of the plant has been doubled, now occupying some five acres, while the working force of sixty-five men has increased proportionately, and the annual pay-roll now amounts to about $250,000. This concern's product consists principally of illuminating glassware and automobile specialties, lenses, flashlight lenses, etc. The product of this plant is to be found in 90 per cent of all automobiles now in operation. Dur- ing the World war the company made Government naval glass for the United States Navy, etc., and operated on about an 80 per cent war production basis. Dorman J. Sinclair, of Steubenville, was the former owner of the company, but sold out in May, 1910, and the Jefferson Glass Company is now an incorporation, with C. H. Blum- enauer, president and manager. Mr. Blumenauer devotes all his attention to this company, a large amount Of the success of which can be accredited to his ability and in- dustry. Recently gas has been sent out of the state in such great quantities that it was found in the winter months sufficient natural gas was not available, and in order to make up the deficit this company installed gas producing machines at a heavy expense, thus supplying the demand. This makes the company largely independent in the matter of operating power. In connection with the above company, but in a sep- arate building, is the Jefferson Company, manufacturers of high grade electric lights, table lamps, etc. It is an independent company, with J. E. Austin, a practical lamp man, as president, and there are fifty men on the pay- roll, which approximates $50,000 annually. Mr. Blum- enauer is treasurer of this concern and C. B. Roberts, man- ager, and the output, sold to jobbers and department stores, is used in every civilized country in the world. C. H. Blumenauer was born in Cumberland, Maryland, and in 1889 became a buyer for a Chicago jobbing house, remaining in that capacity until 1893. From then until 1910 he was identified with the Macbeth-Evans Glass Man- ufacturing Company, being in charge of their Chicago of- fice, which was the western department of that company, and then came to his present positions. He has been wholly devoted to glass manufacturing since 1910, and prior to that had experience along the same line, so that he is one of the best informed men in his field of activity in the state. Energetic and progressive, he has utilized his opportunities as they have appeared, and in so doing has risen to a place of recognized importance in the busi- ness world. Mr. Blumenauer is a Mason of high standing, belonging to all the Masonic bodies. His home is at Wheeling, where he holds membership in a number of leading clubs, and also belongs to several civic bodies. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States and the National Association of Manufac- turers. Mr. Blumenauer married Miss Larue E. Martin, of Iowa, and to this union there have been born three children: Bertha Mary, the wife of L. O. Griffith, secretary of the Jefferson Glass Company, and a resident of Steubenville, Ohio. He served as a lieutenant in the late war. Gertrude is the wife of Carl D. Roberts, director and manager of the Jefferson Company, and a resident of Steubenville. He held the rank of captain during the World war, and served in a replacement camp at the front in France. Edna is unmarried and resides with her parents. ______________________________ X-Message: #4 Date: Sun, 09 Jul 2000 14:45:45 -0400 From: Valerie & Tommy Crook To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-Id: <4.3.1.0.20000709131237.00cd5910@mail.earthlink.net> Subject: BIO: ELLIS L. SMITH, Lewis Co. WV Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 464 ELLIS L. SMITH. While he owns and lives on a good farm three miles east of Weston, Ellis L. Smith is most widely known over Lewis County for the good work he has done as a teacher and in school administration, a re- sponsibility he has carried the greater part of his active life. Mr. Smith was born on Stone Coal Creek in Lewis Coun- ty, December 6, 1876, son of Lee and Matilde (Hudson) Smith. His father was born in the same locality, Septem- ber 25, 1843. He had a private school education, and as a youth enlisted in the Union Army, performing the serv- ice of a brave and dutiful soldier. When the war was over he returned home, married, and then settled on the farm where he has lived ever since. He is a republican, and has been active in the Methodist Protestant Church. This old soldier and old time resident of Lewis County. had a family of eleven children: Clarence L.; Flavila F., wife of Bruce Shoulders; Margaret, widow of T. J. Bon- nell; Jacob M., a farmer in Lewis County; Roscoe C., a Lewis County farmer; Washington H., a member of the Weston police force; Ellis L.; Myrtle, wife of Wade Hard- man, of Weston; Hugh, who is a railroad man; Grace, wife of Scott Bulcher; and Esta, wife of Naaman Lawson. Ellis L. Smith was reared on his father's farm, and in addition to the public schools he attended a private normal and a state normal at Fairmont. Mr. Smith put in twenty-three years teaching in different schools of the county. For four years he was county superintendent of schools, and during that time did much to elevate and im- prove the standards of school work throughout the coun- ty. He is now serving his second year as principal of the Shady Brook School at Weston. Mr. Smith's farm comprises sixty-eight and one-half acres, and it furnishes him occupation for his vacation periods and also a delight- ful home for his family. On March 14, 1900, Mr. Smith married Maude Bush. They have one daughter, Irene, born May 19, 1906, now a sophomore in the Weston High School. The family are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. Mr. Smith is a past noble grand of Golden Lodge No. 139, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, he and his wife are members of the Rebekahs, and he is affiliated with Weston Lodge No. 43, Knights of Pythias. Politically he is a republican. ______________________________ X-Message: #5 Date: Sun, 09 Jul 2000 15:00:00 -0400 From: Valerie & Tommy Crook To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-Id: <4.3.1.0.20000709143831.00c51c80@mail.earthlink.net> Subject: BIO: DANIEL N. MOHLER, Kanawha Co. WV Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 471-472 DANIEL N. MOHLER. Member of a family long prom- inently identified with the lumber and financial affairs of West Virginia, Daniel N. Mohler chose the law as his vocation, and his early years of practice have earned him a fine reputation in the bar of Charleston. His father is William E. Mohler, a well known capitalist, banker and lumberman of St. Albans. William E. Mohler was born in Augusta County, Virginia, July 14, 1852, son of D. F. and Ellen E. (Silling) Mohler. D. F. Mohler was born in the same county about 1832, and spent the greater part of his life as a lumberman. At the begin- ning of the Civil war he secured a contract to construct wagons for the Confederate government, operating his fac- tory the first two years and during the remainder he manu- factured iron for the government. He owned the second sawmill in Augusta County. William E. Mohler was educated in Augusta and Rocking- ham counties, and was trained to the lumber business under his father. He started in that line for himself at Alder- son in Monroe County, West Virginia, and in 1882 moved to St. Albans, where he established a milling plant, drawing large quantities of raw material from Boone, Logan and other adjoining counties. In 1882 William E. Mohler with his father and brothers built the Mohler Lumber Company's mill at Lock Seven in Kanawha County. This is still the leading industry in that section of the county and the com- pany has main offices at Charleston, Mr. Mohler being president of the company. He still retains his residence at St. Albans, is vice president of the Bank of St. Albans, a director in the Kanawha National Bank of Charleston, and is a director in the Virginian Joint Stock Land Bank, the West Virginia Mortgage & Discount Company, the George Washington Life Insurance Company, and the Capital City Supply Company, of Charleston. He is also president of the St. Albans Building Company, and is an extensive real estate owner in and around St. Albans. Wil- liam E. Mohler has served as councilman of his home town, is a republican, and an elder in the Presbyterian Church. He married Jennie A. Reeves, of Augusta County, who died at St. Albans April 8, 1905. On May 14, 1908, he married Mary E. Alexander. Daniel N. Mohler, a son of William E. and Jennie A. (Reeves) Mohler, was born at St. Albans in 1892. He was thoroughly educated for a professional career. He attended the Fishburn Military Academy at Waynesboro, Pennsyl- vania, Washington and Lee University of Virginia, and took his law course in the University of West Virginia, from which he graduated LL. B. in 1915. In the same year he established his office at Charleston and is now a member of the law firm Morton & Mohler, one of the busiest firms in the capital city. The senior member is Mr. E. Kemp Morton. After America entered the war with Germany, Daniel N. Mohler enlisted as a private in the United States Marines. He was with that famous organization about a year and a half, most of the time at Paris Island, South Carolina, and from the ranks was promoted to second lieutenant. He is a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and is a Knight Templar Mason and Shriner. Daniel N. Mohler married Miss Barbara Byrne, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. R. Byrne, of Charleston.