WV-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest Volume 00 : Issue 27 Today's Topics: #1 BIOS: GARDNER, Henry Scott, Martin [Vivian Brinker To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-Id: <000124133637.a561@RAVEN.CCC.CC.KS.US> Subject: BIOS: GARDNER, Henry Scott, Martinsburg MIME-Version: 1.0 The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume II. pg. 188 HENRY SCOTT GARDNER, D.D.S, has had a busy practice as a dental surgeon at Martinsburg at the same time that he has managed some of the extensive property interests long associated with the Gardner family in that city. The Gardners have lived in Berkeley County for a century or more, and have always been people of substantial character. The great-grandfather of Doctor Gardner was a native of Berlin, Germany, came to the United States when a young man and was a very early settler in the Martinsburg locality. He bought the land now occupied by the Gardner Building, and also where the Eagle Hotel is situated, on the east side of the 100 block on South Queen Street. He was a pioneer landlord of the city, maintaining a public house for a number of years. In 1833 he served as deputy sheriff and jailer. His son, the grandfather of Doctor Gardner, was Peter Gardner, who was born in Berkeley County, learned the trade of wagon maker, and established his shop and business in Berkeley County and continued active until his death. After he died his widow removed to Martinsburg and bought property at 210 East Burke Street, where she lived out her life. Her son Allen Gardner, who was born in Berkeley County in 1849, lived with his mother at Martinsburg, but after his marriage moved to his farm near Berkeley Station, and for several years gave all his time to agricultural affairs. He then returned to the East Burke Street home, and bought other city property, including the hotel building known as Eagle Hotel, which had formerly been owned by his grandfather. For a number of years these various property interests occupied his attention. He died at the age of seventy- two. Allen Gardner married Mary Elizabeth Couchman, a native of Berkeley County, who died at the age of sixty-three. She reared children named Mabel O., Mary Allen C., and Henry Scott. Mary Elizabeth Couchman was a sister of George William Couchman, who was a Confederate soldier and was killed at the second battle of Manassas. Henry Scott Gardner was born on a farm near Berkeley Station and was educated in the public schools and in Tinsleys Military Institute at Martinsburg. In 1906 he entered the dental department of the University of Maryland, where he graduated in July, 1909, and since that year has had a large practice at Martinsburg and has the office equipment and facilities for the best class of service. Doctor Gardner in 1917 erected the Gardner Building on the lot formerly owned by his great-grandfather. This is a handsome brick structure, three stories, the first floor occupied by stores and the second and third floors by apartments. In 1918 Doctor Garner married Nora Park Chapman, who was born at Darkesville, Berkeley County, daughter of Park and Jane Chapman. They have one daughter named Jane Elizabeth. Doctor Gardner is affiliated with Equality Lodge No. 44, A.F. and A.M., Lebanon Chapter No. 2, R.A.M., Palestine Commandery No. 2, Martinsburg Lodge of Perfection, Wheeling Consistory No. 1, thirty-second degree, and Osiris Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S. He is also a member of Washington Lodge No. 1, Knights of Pythias, and Azhar Temple, D.O.K.K. He and Mrs. Gardner are members of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and he is one of the board of stewards. ______________________________X-Message: #2 Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2000 14:23:36 -0600 From: Vivian Brinker To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-Id: <000124142336.a561@RAVEN.CCC.CC.KS.US> Subject: BIOS: FISHER, Harry M., Martinsburg MIME-Version: 1.0 The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume II. pg. 189 HARRY M. FISHER. Representing a family that has been associated with milling, mechanical trades and business in the Eastern Panhandle for several generations, Harry M. Fisher is a successful jeweler both by trade and business in the City of Martinsburg, his establishment on South Queen Street being a place where all the popular tastes and demands of the trade are amply provided for. Mr. Fisher is a native of Martinsburg. His grandfather, John Fisher, for a number of years conducted a flour mill known as Tabbs Mill on the Tuscarora Road, a mile west of Martinsburg. His last years he spent retired in Martinsburg. He married Sally Chamberlain, who was born in Middleway, Jefferson County, and she died at the age of seventy-four. Their son, Noble Tabb Fisher, was born at Tabbs Mill in 1858, and was educated in the public school in Martinsburg. As a youth he served an apprenticeship to learn the trade of plumber with the firm of Fisher and Fisher, and later he engaged in business as a house furnisher, and had reached a successful stage in his career when he was stricken by death at the early age of thirty. At the age of twenty-two he married Emma Rose Couchman, a native of Martinsburg, daughter of Henry M. Couchman, who was born near Flaggs Station in Berkeley County, December 11, 1831, and granddaughter of Michael Couchman, also a native of Berkeley County, where his people were pioneers. Michael Couchman was a farmer and died at the early age of twenty-nine. His widow, whose maiden name was Mary Small, also a native of Berkeley County, survived him to the age of sixty-nine. Henry M. Couchman served an apprenticeship as a cabinet maker with William Wilen, but followed that occupation only a short time and then entered the service of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company as a carpenter. He became a foreman in the carpenter's shops and continued forty-four years, until he was retired by the company on a pension. He died at the age of seventy-four. His wife was Phoebe Helfestay, who was born near the present site of Tablers Station and died at the age of fifty-one. There were five Couchman children, named Mary Susan, Emma Rose, Nannie Florence, Della and Charles. Mrs. Emma Rose Fisher after the death of her first husband married James Barrick, of Martinsburg. She had two sons by her first marriage, Arthur C. and Harry M. Harry M. Fisher after finishing his education in the city schools in Martinsburg served an apprenticeship at the jeweler's trade with Frank Smurr, and later took a course in Philadelphia College of horology. He then started his independent career as a workman on the bench in his mother's store, repairing watches and jewelry. In 1912 he established a business of his own, and now carries an extensive stock of all commodities represented in a first class jewelry store. He married Miss Kate May League, who was born at Smithfield in Jefferson County, daughter of James J. League. They have one son, Noble James Fisher. Mr. Fisher is affiliated with Equality Lodge No. 44, F. and A.M., Lebanon Chapter, R.A.M., Palestine Commandery, K.T., and Tuscarora Tribe of the Improved Order of Red Men. ______________________________X-Message: #3 Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2000 15:20:19 -0600 From: Vivian Brinker To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-Id: <000124152019.a561@RAVEN.CCC.CC.KS.US> Subject: BIOS: MCSHERRY, James Whann, M.D. Martinsburg MIME-Version: 1.0 The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume II. pg. 189 JAMES WHANN MCSHERRY, M.D. The highest personal authority on the history of the Eastern Panhandle and its people has been for a number of years the venerable physician and banker of Martinsburg, Dr. J.W. McSherry. He is one of the oldest bank presidents and one of the oldest practicing physicians in the country. He graduated in medicine and began its practice some years before the outbreak of the war between the states, in which he served with the rank of captain. In the course of his extensive practice Doctor McSherry came to know nearly everyone, high or low, in this part of the Shenandoah Valley. A remarkable knowledge and memory of names and dates have enabled him to systematize this information. Now when in his office he ministers to the great-grandchildren of some of his first patients, he frequently tells them who their grand ancestors were. He is one of the rare survivals into this age of hustle and worry-a cultured gentleman of the old school. Doctor McSherry was born in Martinsburg, December 7, 1833, son of Dennis Lilly and Susan Hebb (Abell) McSherry and grandson of Richard and Anastatia (Lilly) McSherry. Anastatia Lilly was a daughter of Richard Lilly of Frederick, Maryland, and granddaughter of Samuel Lilly of Pennsylvania. Richard McSherry, grandfather of Doctor McSherry, was born at St. Johns Point in County Down, Ireland, in 1747. At the age of eighteen he and his twin brother, William C., went to Jamaica, and conducted a successful business on that island for a few years. They came to the United States shortly after the close of the Revolution. William settled in Baltimore, while Richard established his home in that part of old Berkeley County now Jefferson County. On a large tract of land he acquired near Leetown he built a fine residence and named the estate Retirement. It was the home of his later years. He reared nine children, one of them being Dennis Lilly McSherry, who was born at Retirement, March 26, 1794. He was educated in Georgetown College, served as an ensign in a Jefferson County company in a Virginia regiment during the War of 1812, studied law with Mr. Fitzhugh at Hagerstown, Maryland, and after being admitted to the bar practiced for a few years in Martinsburg. Later he taught school, served as a county clerk, was interested in farming and from 1833 for a few years was associated with his brother Richard in a drug business at Martinsburg. On December 19, 1820, he married Susan Hebb Abell, daughter of Capt. John and Sarah (Forrest) Abell, whose people were early settlers in Charles and St. Marys counties, Maryland. A sister of Doctor McSherry was a most distinguished woman, the late Martha Gertrude McSherry. The most magnificent tribute that explains her life work is a memorial tablet in the Kings Daughters Hospital, the inscription reading as follows: "In grateful memory of Martha Gertrude McSherry, 1829-1912, Foundress of this Institution. Faithful unto death." James Whann McSherry was educated in the Martinsburg Academy and at St. Mary College in Baltimore, and graduated from the medical department of the University of Maryland in 1855. For a brief time he practiced in Martinsburg, but in November, 1856, went to Peytona in Boone County, Virginia, and remained there in practice until the outbreak of the war. He was commissioned a surgeon in the Virginia State Troops by Governor Wise, and later, when the State Troops were organized for active service, he was elected Captain of Company B, of the Thirty-sixth Virginia Infantry. He commanded that company in many engagements in the early part of the war, and was finally captured and was taken to Malden, thence by way of Charleston to Wheeling, on to Camp Chase at Columbus, Ohio, and for a number of months was a prisoner in Fort Delaware, until the close of the war. After the war Doctor McSherry returned to Martinsburg, and immediately took up the burdens of a heavy practice in town and surrounding country. Doctor McSherry is one of those rare men who continued their work and activities beyond the age of four score. His heavy work in the profession was done long before the age of automobiles, telephones or modern highways. He still looks after a considerable office practice. He also has the management of some extensive real estate holdings in Martinsburg, is owner of about 500 acres of farm land and about 800 acres of mountain land. Along with his professional work he has taken a keen interest in public affairs, and at one time was mayor of Martinsburg. He is a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church. On January 3, 1876, Doctor McSherry married Virginia Faulkner, youngest daughter of Hon. Charles J. Faulkner, the distinguished West Virginian whose career is fully sketched on other pages. Mrs. McSherry went abroad to France when her father was appointed Minister to that country, and finished her education there. She was a fine singer and skilled pianist, and identified with all the organized movements for charity and culture in her home city. She was a member of the Wednesday Evening Music Club and the Travelers Club. She was president of the local organization of the Daughters of the Confederacy, later of the state organization, and still later of the national organization of that body. She had a wide acquaintance in the society all over the United States. She died February 25, 1916. ______________________________X-Message: #4 Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2000 16:03:27 -0600 From: "Gracie Stover" To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-ID: <000901bf66b6$d90c3480$0c05f7c6@ggracie> Subject: BIO:Robert Raymond McFall, Morgantown, WV Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" MIME-Version: 1.0 The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc. Chicago and New York, Volume II, pg 200 Robert Raymond McFall, general manager and treasurer of the Southern Fuel Company of Morgantown, has had an interesting diversity of experience in business and in educational circles, and since locating at Morgantown has found ample satisfaction not only for his business energies but for the desires for social and civic service. A native of Northern New York, he was born in the Village of Naumburg, Lewis Co, January 29, 1884, son of John and Lillian A (Eldred) McFall, the former a native of St Lawrence Co, and the latter of Jefferson Co, New York. His grandparents, William and Mary McFall, were born in Glasgow, Scotland, and were pioneers in St. Lawrence Co, New York. John McFall was a carriage maker by trade, an occupation and business he followed for many years at Naumburg, where he died in 1918, at the age of 64. His widow is now 62 yrs of age and lives at Castorland, New York. Robert R McFall was educated in the Lowville, New York Academy and completed his literary education in Adrian College of Michigan. His first regular business experience was as shipping clerk for the Beaver River Lumber Company at Castorland, New York in 1902. Following that he was paymaster for the Carthage Tissue Paper Mills at Carthage, New York. During his student career at Adrian, Michigan, he was secretary to the president of the college. On leaving college he spent one year at Valley City, North Dakota, as registrar of the State School of North Dakota. He then returned to Adrian, and for four years was registrar of Adrian College and secretary to the Board of Trustees. Mr McFall came to Morgantown in 1914. Here he built and managed the plant of the Barley Foods Company, conducting that business five years. Since 1919 he has been general manager and treasurer of the Southern Fuel Company. He is also secretary of the Morgantown Wholesale Coal Association and a director of the Union Bank and Trust Company. He is a member of the Alpha Tau Omega college fraternity, belongs to the First Presbyterian Church, and is affiliated with the Rotary, Masonic and Old Colony clubs, the Morgantown and Pittsburgh Chambers of Commerce. February 14, 1914, Mr McFall married Miss Lucile Groucher. She was born at Toronto, Jefferson Co, Ohio, daughter of Samuel Boone and Anna(McConnell) Goucher. Her father was descended from the Daniel Boone family. Mr and Mrs McFall have two children: Anna Gene, born August 8, 1915; and J. S. Robert, born November 5, 1916. ______________________________X-Message: #5 Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2000 16:05:04 -0600 From: "Gracie Stover" To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-ID: <001101bf66b7$128026e0$0c05f7c6@ggracie> Subject: BIO: Frank Kirby Bretz; Morgantown, WV Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" MIME-Version: 1.0 X-MIME-Autoconverted: from 8bit to quoted-printable by bl-14.rootsweb.com id DAA07479 The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc. Chicago and New York, Volume II, pg 200 Frank Kirby Bretz, vice president of the Morgantown and Kingwood Railroad Company, is a graduate civil engineer, but for over thirty years has been identified with the operating and executive side of railroading, and the greater part of that time his service has been given to railroads in West Virginia. Mr Bretz is a native of Pennsylvania, of a distinguished American family and one that has been represented in nearly all the important wars of the nation. He is a descendant of Ludwig Bretz, who with two brothers, Wendell and Henry, after a voyage from Germany landed at the port of Philadelphia, August 15, 1750. Ludwig bought a farm in Lancaster Co, but some years later sold that property and bought land five miles from Millersville in the Lykens Valley of Pennsylvania. That homestead was his residence the rest of his life. Soon after moving to this second farm the Revolutionary war came on, and he enlisted as a member of Capt. Albright Deiber’s ‘Company of Associates’ of the Fourth Battalion of Pennsylvania soldiers, commanded by Col James Burred. This company took part in the battles of Trenton and Princeton and also in the earlier battle of Long Island, where Ludwig Bretz was wounded. He returned to his home in January, 1777, but again entered the army as sergeant of Capt. Martin Weaver’s company, and later he fought against the Indians in the West Branch of the Susquehanna Valley. John Bretz, son of Ludwig, was born December 15, 1771, and died March 26, 1845. He married Catherine Fox, who was born December 21, 1773. Their son, Thomas Bretz, was born January 4, 1798, and died at Newport, Perry county, Pennsylvania, June 2, 1866. His wife was Nancy Huffnagle, who was born July 3, 1806 Mahlon T. Bretz, son of Thomas, was born on a farm near Newport in Perry County, Pennsylvania, July 14, 1843. His wife, Emma Kirby, was born at Williamstown, Gloucester County, New Jersey, October 30, 1850, daughter of John and Elizabeth(Carman) Kirby. Her great-grandfather was a soldier in the New Jersey line during the Revolution. Mahlon T. Bretz also contributed to the military annals of the family. August 13, 1862, he was mustered into Company I of the One Hundred and Thirty-third Pennsylvania Infantry. At the battle of Fredericksburg, December 11, 1862, he was wounded by a bullet in his chest and lay on the battlefield until after dark, when he made his way to the Field Hospital. He was discharged February 20, 1863, but in June of the same year re-enlisted, joining the Thirty-sixth Pennsylvania Infantry and later he enlisted in Company C of the One Hundred and Ninety-fifth Pennsylvania Infantry. After the war for many years he held the office of cashier for the Pennsylvania, Railroad at Kensington, Philadelphia. He was finally obliged to resign because of ill health due to the wound he had received at Fredericksburg. The bullet was never removed, and eventually it seemed to have changed its position, with the result that he was incapacitated for business. Since 1881 Mahlon Bretz has been retired from all active duties, but is still living at his home at Newport, Pennsylvania. Frank Kirby Bretz is a son of Mahlon T. and Emma (Kirby) Bretz. He was born at Newport, Pennsylvania, August 4, 1872. Energy and initiative seem to have been qualities of his original endowment. While a boy in the public schools he gave his spare time to master stenography and telegraphy. during 1888-89, he was being prepared for college at Cumberland, Maryland, under private tutors, and at the same time was employed as private secretary to his uncle, Carlton L. Bretz, of the WV Central and Pittsburgh Railway. Mr. Bretz was the first employee of that road whose duties included the operation of a typewriter. In September, 1889, he entered Lafayette College of Pennsylvania, where he graduated with the Civil Engineers degree in 1893. On leaving college Mr. Bretz became private secretary at Keyser, West Virginia, to C. Wood Dailey, general council of the WV Central and Pittsburgh Railway. In September, 1894, he was made general manager of what was then the Dry Fork Railroad, now the Central WV and Southern, at Hendricks, Tucker Co. This was his responsibility and post of duty until October 16, 1902, when he became general manager of the Morgantown and Kingwood Railroad, with headquarters at Morgantown. He has been a resident of Morgantown for twenty years, and is one of its best known citizens, always closely identified with matters of community progress. He has been vice president of the Morgantown and Kingwood Railroad since 1907. April 9, 1909, Mr Bretz married Dove Adams. She was born at St. George Tucker County, West Virginia, September 6, 1881, daughter of John J. and Angelica(Ewing) Adams. Her mother is now deceased. Mr and Mrs Bretz have one daughter, Mary, born January 21, 1920.