WV-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest Volume 00 : Issue 201 Today's Topics: #1 BIO: WILLIAM EDWARD COOK, M. D., M [Valerie & Tommy Crook To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-Id: <4.3.1.0.20000801194904.00c44dd0@mail.earthlink.net> Subject: BIO: WILLIAM EDWARD COOK, M. D., McDowell Co. 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 II, pg. 529 McDowell WILLIAM EDWARD COOK, M. D. The Pageton community, one of industrial importance in McDowell County, is the stage of the able professional activities of Doctor Cook, who in addition to his general practice is physician and surgeon for the Page Coal Company and the Blackwolf Coal Company. The doctor was born at Sweetsprings, Monroe County, this state, February 20, 1871, and is a son of John Henry and Julia Ann (Baker) Cook. The father, now eighty-three years of age (1922), is a resident of Centennial, this state, but his wife, who was born in Monroe County, died in May, 1911, at the age of seventy-four years. Of the five children the subject of this sketch was the third in order of birth; Rev. John F. is pastor of the First Bap- tist Church at Welch, McDowell County; Walter J. is a prosperous farmer in Monroe County; Randolph G. has charge of a large estate at Middlebrook, Virginia; and Florence G. is the wife of Lee Walker, a grocery mer- chant of Greensboro, North Carolina. John Henry Cook, the father, was born in Prince Ed- ward County, Virginia, a representative of one of the old and influential families of that historic commonwealth. He acquired his early education under the direction of a private tutor at Salt Sulphur Springs. He was one of the gallant young men of Virginia who went forth in defense of the Confederacy in the Civil war, took part in the battle of Winchester and many other engagements, and he was held a prisoner of war at Fort Delaware dur- ing the latter part of the war. He gave twenty years of effective service as a school teacher, was long identified also with farm enterprise, served as a justice of the peace and was for four years county superintendent of public schools for Monroe County. He has been for many years a zealous member of the Baptist Church, as was also his wife, and he has never wavered in his allegiance to the democratic party. The schools of Monroe County afforded Doctor Cook his early education, and his father was one of his teachers. He himself eventually taught two terms of school, and in 1897 he entered the Medical College of Virginia in the City of Richmond. In this institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1901, and after thus gaining his degree of Doctor of Medicine he was in charge of mine practice at Algoma, MeDowell County, until 1918, in January of which year he entered the medical corps of the United States Army. He won promotion from the rank of first lieutenant to that of captain, was assigned to the aviation camp at Morrison, Virginia, in July, 1918, was transferred to Garden City, Long Island, and on the 8th of the following month he sailed for England, still attached to the medical branch of the aviation service. In Lincoln- shire, England, he was assigned to service in treating and otherwise caring for wounded soldiers sent there from the front. In December, 1918, Doctor Cook returned to the United States, and was assigned to service on the Demobilization Board at Garden City, Long Island, where he remained until September, 1919, when he received his honorable discharge, after faithful and efficient service in connection with the greatest war in the annals of history. Soon afterward he assumed charge of his present profes- sional service at Pageton, and he has secure vantage-place as one of the representative physicians and surgeons of McDowell County. He is a member of the American Medi- cal Association, the West Virginia State Medical Society and the McDowell County Medical Society. He is affiliated with the Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons in his home village of Pageton and with the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons at Northfork. He is a democrat and is a member of the Baptist Church, his wife being a communicant of the Catholic Church, in the faith of which she was reared. In 1906 Doctor Cook wedded Miss Maude Kingsbury, who was born at Lambsburg, Virginia, a daughter of M A Kingsbury. Mrs. Cook died in 1913, and the only child, William, died in early childhood. In 1917 was solemnized the marriage of Doctor Cook and Miss Rocine Heuscher, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of Swiss ancestry, and the three children of this union are Betty, Ruth and the son David Wherry. ______________________________ X-Message: #2 Date: Tue, 01 Aug 2000 19:53:18 -0400 From: Valerie & Tommy Crook To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-Id: <4.3.1.0.20000801195318.00c58aa0@mail.earthlink.net> Subject: BIO: ANDREW S. RUSSELL, Monroe Co. 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. 620 Monroe ANDREW S. RUSSELL. The mercantile interests of Alder- son, one of the thriving communities of Monroe County, are well and worthily represented by Andrew S. Russell. Mr. Russell belongs to that class of men who have worked their own way to position without the aid of outside in- fluences, and, starting his career as a lad in a humble position in the mines, has become through hard work, in- telligently directed, the owner of a flourishing general merchandise store and a popular moving picture theatre. Mr. Russell was born at Bethel, Pennsylvania, February 5, 1873, and is a son of James Russell. His father, a native of Scotland, grew up in his native land, where he became a mine boss and was united in marriage with Jeannette Simpson. Following the close of the war between the states James Russell immigrated to the United States, with the expectation of establishing a home in this country if he found conditions suitable. After mining for a time in Pennsylvania he returned to Scotland and brought back with him his wife and two children, Elizabeth and John. From Pennsylvania the family moved to the present site of Hansford, Kanawha County, West Virginia, about 1878, Mr. Russell being there the pioneer in opening the coal mines, but after a short time moved to Ansted in Fayette County, also assisting to open the mines in that locality. Still later he went to Hawk's Nest, nearby, and there died in 1894, being survived by his widow, who passed away June 8, 1922. Mr. Russell was a man of medium stature, was cannily thrifty, after the Scotch fashion, and was universally ac- counted one of the beet mining men who ever came to West Virginia. He had worked in every department of the mining industry, and knew its workings from the inside to the very end of coal production. In his later years he gave up mining and followed mercantile pursuits at Hawk's Nest, and gained the reputation of being a capable and fair-dealing business man. He was a Protestant in religion and a republican in his political allegiance. At his death he left six sons and five daughters, and there were three other children who had died before his passing. Andrew S. Russell had only very limited educational ad- vantages in his youth, and when yet a boy became self- supporting by finding employment in the mines at Stone Cliff. For some four or five years he continued mining, but when his father died he succeeded the elder man in the management of the mercantile establishment at Hawk's Nest, where he carried on the business in a successful manner and made it a paying venture. He continued at that place for some twenty years, and then, in 1914, came to Alderson, where at first he embarked in the moving picture business He still conducts a family theatre, which enjoys an ex- cellent patronage and at which he presents a clean, moral and high-class entertainment. Later Mr. Russell engaged in merchandising, and this he has also continued to the present with a gratifying degree of success. His reputation is that ot a capable business man of good judgment and integrity and he is held in confidence by the people of his adopted community. In 1903, at Hawk's Nest, Mr. Russell was united in marriage with Miss Essie Grisinger, a daughter of J. C. Grisinger, one of the old mining men of West Virginia, and to this union there have been born five children: Glenna May, Drema Lile, Andrew, James (named after his paternal and maternal grandfathers) and Finley. In politics Mr. Russell is a republican, but he has not taken part in political matters nor sought public office. He takes an interest, however, in civic matters that affect the welfare of Alderson and its people, and always supports worthy enterprises and movements. ______________________________ X-Message: #3 Date: Tue, 01 Aug 2000 19:53:18 -0400 From: Valerie & Tommy Crook To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-Id: <4.3.1.0.20000801195318.00c5a7b0@mail.earthlink.net> Subject: BIO: GEORGE E. BARE, Monroe Co. 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. 620-621 Monroe GEORGE E. BARE. In the family of Bare the traditions of ability, honor and worth left by those who have gone beyond set a worthy precedent which the present generation, and that from which it sprang, have followed, to which they have added a life chapter that must prove an inspiration and a positive incentive to those destined to come after them. Among the worthy exponents of the family's in- tegrity and executive ability of the present generation is George E. Bare, former postmaster of Alderson and ex- sheriff of Monroe County, and a man universally esteemed and respected by his fellow-citizens. Among the early pioneers of Greenbrier County was Jacob Bare, who came from Augusta County, Virginia, about the year 1700, and after living for a time near Lewisburg moved to Monroe County. Not much is definitely known of this early settler, but tradition says he was a worthy man, well calculated to withstand the rigors and hardships of the frontier. During his latter life he kept a toll-gate on the Kanawha Turnpike. He and his wife were the parents of John, Samuel, Jacob, Betsey and possibly others. John Bare married Nancy Smith, and of the thirteen children born to them but three, Samuel H., Benson M. and Wilson W., are now living, and these three have chil- dren and in some instances grandchildren. Samuel Bare mar- ried Polly Smith, a sister of his brother's wife, and their five children were Jacob, Isaac E., John H., Paulina and Virginia, and of these only John H. is now living. Jacob Bare, another son of the pioneer Jacob, never married, but passed his life as a bachelor in the vicinity of his birth- place. The Bare's are related by marriage to the Smith, Bal- lard, Lynch, Nichols and other families well known in southeastern West Virginia. As a rule they have been Methodists in religion and republicans in politics, but ex- ceptions are not unusual. During the war between the states they were sympathizers of the Southern cause, and a number of the name served gallantly under the flag of the Confederacy. Invariably they have been law-abiding and highly respected people. Isaac Erskine Bare, a son of Samuel and grandson of Jacob Bare, was born in 1831 and died January 30, 1912. He was twice married, first to Sarah F. Lynch, and after- ward to Margaret Surber. For a time he operated a flour mill, and then conducted a shoe repairing shop, while officiating as a magistrate. He was highly respected for his many estimable traits of character, his public-spirited support of enterprising and progressive movements and his loyalty of friendships. He was the father of five sons and one daughter (who died in infancy) by his first marriage: Henry C., George E., Eugene, Chase and Edward; and by his second marriage had a son, who also died in infancy. Henry C. Bare, the eldest of the children of Isaac E., was one of the finest characters who ever lived in this section. For years he was a merchant at Alderson and for a score or more of years was superintendent of the Methodist Sun- day School. His life was an inspiration, without blemish. George E. Bare, the second son of Isaac Erskine Bare, was born September 27, 1858, and received a common school education. As a youth he mastered the art of telegraphy, and for some ten years served as operator for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad and the Norfolk & Western Railroad, but in 1895 gave up this vocation for mercantile pursuits and from then until 1901 was employed as a clerk in the store of his brother, E. Chase, at Alderson. Upon President McKinley's second election to the presidency Mr. Bare was appointed postmaster of Alderson, but before the appointment could be confirmed the president was assassin- ated. However, Mr. Bare was appointed by President Roose- velt upon his succession to the presidential chair, and by President Taft when he was made chief executive. He acted as postmaster in all for a period of about twelve and one-half years, during which time he discharged his duties in an entirely capable manner and advanced the efficiency of the service. In 1916 he was elected sheriff of Monroe County, an office in which he also established a good record during his four-year term. Since leaving the latter position his life has been one of semi-retirement. He is a republican in politics and a Mason and Odd fellow fraternally, while his religions connection is with the Methodist Church. The first wife of Mr. Bare was Mrs. Betty Holmes, the daughter of James Howell, and the widow of John Holmes, by whom she had one daughter, Catherine, the wife of Frank Van Vranken, who resides in Los Angeles. Mr. Bare's second and present wife was formerly Mrs. Dora E. Wilson, the daughter of Allen Ellis and the widow of George Wilson, by whom she had one daughter, Myrtle, the wife of W. E. Altizer, of Huntington, West Virginia. ______________________________ X-Message: #4 Date: Tue, 01 Aug 2000 19:53:18 -0400 From: Valerie & Tommy Crook To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-Id: <4.3.1.0.20000801195318.00c5cdc0@mail.earthlink.net> Subject: BIO: OTHO PAUL ARGABRITE, M. D., Monroe Co. 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. 621 Monroe OTHO PAUL ARGABRITE, M. D. A record of the pro- fessional career of Dr. Otho Paul Argabrite of Alderson shows that he has been an honor to his calling and a valuable addition to the ranks of those who take an interest in the affairs of their community with no ulterior motives. A man of broad learning, practical in his sug- gestions and energetic in carrying them out, he has naturally assumed a leading place among his associates. Since 1907 he has figured prominently in the medical profession of Monroe County, and has maintained throughout his entire career a high standard of ethics and honorable practice. Doctor Argabrite belongs to one of the old and honored families of Southeastern West Virginia, the early ancestor of which was Jacob Argabrite, who was born in 1760, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and removed from that community to Rockingham County, Virginia. In May, 1778, he volunteered for six months' service in the Virginia Militia under Captain Craven, and served at the forts in Tyggart's Valley. Later he reenlisted and served under General Mclntosh, and in the fall of 1780 again enlisted, for twelve months, in Captain Sullivan's Company, seeing service in the Carolinas and being in the battle of Cow- pens. Still later he rendered further patriotic service in a rifle company commanded by Captain Coker, and was present at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. After the winning of American independence he came to what is now Monroe County, West Virginia, and later moved to Green- brier County, where he passed the remainder of his life on Muddy Creek. Col. John Argabrite, a son of Jacob Argabrite, was born February 17, 1797, and died December 10, 1884. His wife was Mary, daughter of Jacob Hockman. Colonel Argabrite was a Union man during the Civil war, and was eligible to be a member of the Board of Supervisors from the Blue Sulphur District. He was a man of unusual ability and prominence, and served with credit in various official positions. His title of Colonel came from having served m the Virginia Militia. The children of Col. John and Mary (Hockman) Argabrite were as follows: Jacob H., born March 20, 1821, died November 30, 1899, unmarried, was in the Confederate Army during the war between the states and saw active service; Susan, born February 8, 1824, married James Johnson and died May 21, 1906; James H., born in 1836, died in 1838; Julia A. C., born August 31, 1838, married Joseph H. Bunger, and became the mother of five daughters; James Madison, of whom more later; Salome B., born January 23, 1842, married Harrison H. Gwinn; Fletcher D., born December 21, 1844, died April 23, 1862; Alice M., born March 2, 1847, married Andrew Jarrett, a grandson of James Jarrett, and died June 23, 1917; and Druilla, who died in infancy. James Madison Argabrite, a son of Colonel John and grandson of Jacob Argabrite, was born May 17, 1840, and in 1922 is still living on the farm on which he was born, hale and hearty, honored and respected, past eighty-two years of age. He attended Allegheny College, and February 1, 1864, became a member of Company K, Fourteenth Vir- ginia Cavalry, of the Confederate Army. On May 6 of the same year he was captured by the enemy at Meadow Bluff, Virginia, and for nine months was a prisoner at Camp Chase, this practically concluding his military career. On November 14, 1867, he married Annie C. Anderson, daughter of Alexander H. Anderson, and a member of one of the pioneer families of Greenbrier County. The chil- dren born to this union were as follows: Io, born October 5, 1869: John Alexander, born September 13, 1875, died February 12, 1902; Mary Catherine, born August 23, 1877; R. B., born June 17, 1881, died February 25, 1903; and Otho Paul. Otho Paul Argabrite was born May 13, 1884, and is directly descended from Jacob, the Revolutionary soldier, Col. John and James Madison Argabrite. He had his early training on the home farm, graduated from Alleghany Collegiate Institute, and this he supplemented by attend- ance at the academic department of the University of Vir- ginia. Having decided upon a career as a physician and surgeon, he then enrolled as a student in the medical de- partment of the University of Maryland, at Baltimore, from which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1907, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In August of the same year he located at Alderson, which has since been his home. Here he has built up one of the best practices enjoyed by any physician and surgeon in the state outside of the large cities. He holds to high ideals in his profession and is constantly seeking to broaden his knowledge that his labors may be more effective, and with discriminating intelligence selects the best methods for the treatment of individual cases, the soundness of his judg- ment being manifest in the excellent results which follow his labors. He belongs to the various organizations of his calling, and is a Methodist in religious faith and a democrat politically. While the greater part of his time is given to the duties of his profession, he occasionally finds leisure to indulge his favorite recreations of hunting and fishing. On October 15, 1907, Doctor Argabrite married Miss Mary Johnson Feamster, who died January 4, 1910, the mother of two daughters: Mary Catherine and Lula Vir- gina, the latter of whom died in infancy. The present wife of Doctor Argabrite was Miss Cella Motteshead, of Charleston, West Virginia, whom he married November 6, 1911.