WV-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest Volume 00 : Issue 44 Today's Topics: #1 BIO:Martin Luther Brown, Fairmont, [PTyler107@aol.com] #2 BIO:Walker J. Sanford, Lincoln Co. [PTyler107@aol.com] #3 BIO:James Ballard, Lincoln Co.,WV [PTyler107@aol.com] #4 BIO: Hon. Joseph W. Holt, Lincoln [PTyler107@aol.com] #5 BIO:Hon. John S. Wilkinson, Lincol [PTyler107@aol.com] #6 BIO:Elisha K. Hobbs,Stonewall Dist [PTyler107@aol.com] #7 BIO:Lorenzo Dow Hobbs, Stonewall D [PTyler107@aol.com] #8 BIO: Alderson Watts, Jr., Stonewal [PTyler107@aol.com] ______________________________X-Message: #1 Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 23:49:25 EST From: PTyler107@aol.com To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-ID: Subject: BIO:Martin Luther Brown, Fairmont, Marion Co.,WV Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc. Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 126 Martin Luther Brown, cashier of the Fairmont State Bank, one of the substantial financial institutions of the judicial center of Marion County, was born on a farm in Clinton District, Monongalia County, West Virginia, on the 20th of March, 1867, and is the eldest son of Jabez A. and Mary V. (Galliher) Brown. The father was born in Monongalia County in the year of 1844, and his entire active career was marked by close association with farm enterprise, his death having occurred in 1903. He was a son of Jabez Brown, Sr., who was born at Brown's Mills, Harrison County, West Virginia, in 1802, a son of Jabez, who was too young for service as a soldier in the War of the Revolution, but whose service patriotism was expressed in his service as a teamster with General Washington's army. After the close of the war Jabez Brown (I) came to what is now Harrison County, West Virginia, where he reclaimed a farm at the place now known as Brown's Mills. He was born in New Jersey, where representatives of the family, including, probably, his father, settled upon removal from Connecticut. The father of the subject of this sketch was a republican, and he and his wife were members of the Baptist Church. Mrs. Brown was born in Marion County, a daughter of William Galliher, whose wife was a member of the Miller family that became prominently identified with the pioneer history of this country. Martin L. Brown was reared on the old home farm that was the place of his birth, and his youthful educational advantages included those of the University of West Virginia. At the age of seventeen he became a successful teacher in the rural schools, and at the age of twenty-three years he was appointed county superintendent of schools for his native county, to fill out an unexpired term, in 1890. Thereafter he was regularly elected to this office for a term of two years. In Monongalia County he also served as deputy clerk of the Circuit Court for two years, and for several years he was chief clerk in the post office at Morgantown. He next held for three years the position of teller in the farmer's & Merchants bank at Morgantown, and later served as assistant cashier of the Citizen's National Bank of that city. In 1906 he organized the bank of Morgantown, and of the same he continued the cashier until January 1, 1911, when he resigned to accept the office of warden of the West Virginia Penitentiary. he held this position for four years, and for the ensuing three years was engaged in the insurance business at Morgantown, West Virginia. he had given eleven years of service as a member of the Morgantown Board of Education, of which he was secretary during this period. In 1917 Mr. Brown was elected cashier of the Fairmont State Bank, and he has since been numbered among the progressive business men and honored citizens of the county seat of Marion County, where also he is a director of the Fairmont Tool Company. He is treasurer of the local Red Cross, a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club, and is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and the Odd fellows. In political matters he has been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The first marriage of Mr. Brown was with Miss Sallie K. Duncan, who was born in Clinton District, Monongalia County, a daughter of Charles H. Duncan, and whose death occurred in 1899. She is survived by two children, Nellie G. and Ross D. For his second wife Mr. Brown wedded Miss Cora B. Duncan, daughter of Joseph R. Duncan, of Pittsburgh, and the child of this union is Joseph T. ______________________________X-Message: #2 Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 23:49:38 EST From: PTyler107@aol.com To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-ID: Subject: BIO:Walker J. Sanford, Lincoln Co.,WV Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Content-Language: en MIME-Version: 1.0 X-MIME-Autoconverted: from 8bit to quoted-printable by bl-14.rootsweb.com id UAA04308 West Virginia Heritage Encyclopedia, Supplement Vol. 7, Hardesty’s, Lincoln County, published by Jim Comstock, Richwood, WV 1974 Walker J. Sanford Among the early settlers in the Guyandotte Valley was Robert Sanford. For many years he resided in Orange County, Virginia, but in 1809 removed west and settled on Guyandotte River, near where Barboursville, the county seat of Cabell County, now stands. His son, Walker J., the subject of this sketch, was born in Orange County, on the 3d day of June, 1797; he still lives, now in his eighty-seventh year. At the age of twelve he accompanied his father to their new home in the Guyandotte country. He well remembers the formation of Cabell County and the attempt to hold the first court in 1810, at which time the people informed the judge who came to preside, that they did not care to be bothered with judgments, indictments, etc., and that he would do better to return east, where they had more need of law. When the war of 1812 broke out he was in his fifteenth year, and he remembers the names of many of those from Cabell County who enrolled their names and carried arms in defense of "free trade and sailor's rights." In 1817 Mr. Sanford was united in marriage with Sarah Brumfield. They reared a family of nine children, two girls and seven boys. Of the latter marine, the eldest, born in 1819, is a merchant at Hamlin, and although now in his sixty-third year, has never resided more than three miles from his present location. five of the sons are prominent ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Henry C. is the presiding elder of the Charleston district, Vanlinden resides four miles west of Charleston, and has been in the ministry more than twenty-five years; William D. has charge of the Elk River Valley; James L. was for several years in charge of Weston station, but some time since was transferred to an Ohio conference, and is now laboring in the northern part of that state; Robert lives at West Columbia, West Virginia, where he preaches occasionally, and George W. resides at New Haven, in the same State, prominently identified with the church and Sabbath schools of that town. The father, though having lived seventeen years beyond the scriptural allotment, still retains all his mental faculties, especially that of memory, which does not appear to be in the least impaired, and if one visits Hamlin and can induce "Grandpa Sanford" as he is familiarly called, to abandon his work and engage in conversation, he will learn much of the early history of Mud and Guyandotte valleys, from one who has long outlived his own generation. ______________________________X-Message: #3 Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 23:49:45 EST From: PTyler107@aol.com To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-ID: <7a.21226da.25eb5869@aol.com> Subject: BIO:James Ballard, Lincoln Co.,WV Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Content-Language: en MIME-Version: 1.0 X-MIME-Autoconverted: from 8bit to quoted-printable by bl-14.rootsweb.com id UAA04308 West Virginia Heritage Encyclopedia, Supplement Vol. 7, Hardesty’s, Lincoln County, published by Jim Comstock, Richwood, WV 1974 James Ballard, now a resident of Hamlin, was born in Orange County, Virginia, on the 14th day of October 1793, and is therefore ninety years of age. His father was Elijah Ballard, who was born in Orange County in the year of 1743, and, together with two of his brothers, served in the Revolutionary War, and was with generals Greene and gates in all the southern campaigns, participating in the battles of Kings Mountain, Cowpens, and Yorktown. At the latter place he saw General O'Hara present the sword of Cornwallis to Washington. Soon after the close of the war he married Mildred Dahoney, and in 1796, when his son James, the subject of this sketch, was three years of age, removed further west, and until 1810 resided in Monroe County. he was a millwright by occupation, and in his labors was greatly assisted by his son. In the above year another move was made, and this time a cabin was reared on the banks of the Cole River, three miles below where Boone Court House now stands. Here they were pioneer millers, and for years were the only ones who built mills in this section of the state. In the year 1811 they erected a horse mill for George Bentley. It was located in Teays Valley, near the present site of Scott Depot, in Putnam County. Four years later (1815) they built a tub-wheel mill at the upper falls of Cole River for Joseph Thomas, who was the first settler at that place. In 1819 contracted and built a tub-wheel mill at the lower falls of Cole for Philip R. Thompson and James Swindler, and the same year they repaired to Teays, and built a water mill for Joshua Morris. It stood on the creek, about one mile from the railroad crossing, north of Hurricane station. In 1817 James was united in marriage with Mary Wells, the daughter of one of the first pioneers of Lincoln County. She was gored to death by a vicious cow on the 23d day of June 1856. In April, 1858, Mr. Ballard was a second time married, this time to Mary Merrett, who is still living. With the exception of three years spent in Indiana, he has passed his entire life among the hills of West Virginia. He is a member of the first Methodist Church organized in the Mud River country, and is now a worthy and consistent member of that denomination. ______________________________X-Message: #4 Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 23:49:55 EST From: PTyler107@aol.com To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-ID: Subject: BIO: Hon. Joseph W. Holt, Lincoln Co.,WV Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Content-Language: en MIME-Version: 1.0 X-MIME-Autoconverted: from 8bit to quoted-printable by bl-14.rootsweb.com id UAA04308 West Virginia Heritage Encyclopedia, Supplement Vol. 7, Hardesty’s, Lincoln County, published by Jim Comstock, Richwood, WV 1974 Hon. Joseph W. Holt. His grandfather was an Englishman, and came to Virginia in the early part of the eighteenth century. He had three sons, Joseph, John (the father of Hon. Joseph Holt, who was postmaster general and secretary of war during the administration of President Buchanan), and Samuel, the father of him whose name appears at the head of this article. Joseph W. Holt was born in Bedford County, Virginia, in the year of 1824, and at the age of three years was taken into the family of his grandfather, James Howard, where he continued to reside until his fifteenth year, when he was placed in the store of Edward Carter, in the town of New London, Campbell County, Virginia. In the employ of this gentleman he continued four years, and was then sent to the town of Danville, where he entered the academy, and remained a student one year, and was then placed in the private school of Rev. Samuel Anderson, D. D., pastor of the Presbyterian church at Danville. After completing his studies he repaired to Lynchburg and entered the extensive mercantile establishment of Nichols & Neal, as a salesman. here he remained some time, and after engaging in business awhile on his own account, closed business and went to New Castle, where he began the study of law. In 1850 he was admitted to the bar, and began the practice of his chosen profession in partnership with his preceptor. This relation existed until the latter was elected judge of the district. Six months after Mr. Holt was admitted to the bar he was elected prosecuting attorney of Craig County, and as such continued until the close of the late war; then removed to Kanawha County, West Virginia, where he engaged in teaching for a time, then a second time removed, and located in Hamlin, Lincoln County, where he resumed the practice of law. In 1880 he was chosen a member of the House of Delegates, and was reelected in 1882, thus serving in the regular sessions of 1881 and 1883, and in the special session of 1883. He has three sons, the oldest of whom, James W.,is a Presbyterian minister, now in charge of Gap Mills, Hillsdale, and Salem Church, in Monroe County, West Virginia; Samuel W. is a merchant in Randolph County, West Virginia; and Edward I., the youngest, is editor and proprietor of the Lincoln Clipper. ______________________________X-Message: #5 Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 23:50:03 EST From: PTyler107@aol.com To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-ID: <99.1c75da4.25eb587b@aol.com> Subject: BIO:Hon. John S. Wilkinson, Lincoln Co.,WV Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Content-Language: en MIME-Version: 1.0 X-MIME-Autoconverted: from 8bit to quoted-printable by bl-14.rootsweb.com id UAA04308 West Virginia Heritage Encyclopedia, Supplement Vol. 7, Hardesty’s, Lincoln County, published by Jim Comstock, Richwood, WV 1974 Hon. John S. Wilkinson, was born in Harrison County, (now) West Virginia, on the 7th day of June 1820. He was educated in the schools of that county, and at the age of eighteen learned the trade of cabinet maker, and on the 6th day of February 1844, was united in marriage with Mary, the daughter of George Kayser, Esq., of that county, soon after settled in Bridgeport, a short distance east of Clarksburg, where he remained until 1850, when he removed to Cabell (now Lincoln) County, and settled at the mouth of Big Buffalo Creek, on Mud River, and in connection with his uncle and brother, B. B. Wilkinson, began the manufacture of furniture. In 1852 he was elected a justice of peace, and served until 1856. In the latter year W. B. Moore was elected sheriff of the county and appointed Mr. Wilkinson deputy. Mr. Moore was reelected in 1858, and his former deputy was continued in office, and at the election in May 1860, was elected high sheriff of the county, receiving a majority of more than 300 votes. The civil war found him in office. He voted against the ordinance of secession and then retired to his quiet home where he remained with his family while the terrible storm scattered destruction far and wide. In the meantime his first wife had died, and in 1861 he was married a second time to Isabel M. Carroll, a daughter of Samuel Carroll and granddaughter of James T. Carroll, one of the first settlers of Cabell County. When Lincoln County was formed in 1867 it, with Cabell, constituted the eighth delegate district, and Mr. Wilkinson was elected the first representative, and took his seat in January 1870. During the session he frequently occupied the speaker's chair pro tem., and on all occasions presided with entire satisfaction to all concerned. When the commission was appointed to appraise the railroad property within the state, Mr. Wilkinson was chosen as the member from the third congressional district, and in 1882 was appointed by the auditor to reassess the real estate in the second district of Lincoln County. He has two sons and one daughter engaged in teaching in the public schools; one son, David E., a practicing attorney at Lincoln Court House, and another in the hardware business in Huntington. ______________________________X-Message: #6 Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 23:50:38 EST From: PTyler107@aol.com To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-ID: Subject: BIO:Elisha K. Hobbs,Stonewall Dist. Wayne Co.,WV Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Content-Language: en MIME-Version: 1.0 X-MIME-Autoconverted: from 8bit to quoted-printable by bl-14.rootsweb.com id UAA04308 West Virginia Heritage Encyclopedia, Supplement Vol. 7, Hardesty’s, Wayne County, published by Jim Comstock, Richwood, WV 1974 Elisha K. Hobbs-born in Wayne County, December 8,1856, and Nancy Ann Watts, born in this county, October 16, 1859, were in this county, on Brush Creek, united in marriage on the 30th day of August 1875. Their children were born: Arthur H., August 3, 1876; Vicy B., November 25, 1878; Maggie May, August 25,1880. The last named died September 28, 1881. Arthur and Mary A. (Fraley) Hobbs, were the parents of Elisha K., and his wife was a daughter of Russell and Vicy (Adkins) Watts. Arthur Hobbs was born in Russell County, Virginia, September 10, 1818, and was among the first to settle in what is now Stonewall District. He was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church (South), and took part in the organization of the first Sabbath school of the district. He was a man of talent , which he devoted to the cause of Christ, and he died in the triumphs of faith, November 29, 1878, mourned by the church and community. Two brothers of Elsiha K. were in the 16th Virginia Calvary, Confederate Army. Henry, a young man of twenty-three years, a devoted Christian, died in the hospital at Mobile, Alabama, while in the service. Elisha K. Hobbs is an energetic worker in the building up of the county in the way of railroads, free schools, and all advancements. He is a believer in prohibition and worked for that ticket in 1881. He is farming in Stonewall District, with post office address at Tooley, Wayne County, West Virginia. ______________________________X-Message: #7 Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 23:51:14 EST From: PTyler107@aol.com To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-ID: Subject: BIO:Lorenzo Dow Hobbs, Stonewall Dist. Wayne Co.,WV Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Content-Language: en MIME-Version: 1.0 X-MIME-Autoconverted: from 8bit to quoted-printable by bl-14.rootsweb.com id UAA04308 West Virginia Heritage Encyclopedia, Supplement Vol. 7, Hardesty’s, Wayne County, published by Jim Comstock, Richwood, WV 1974 Lorenzo Dow Hobbs-is a son of Arthur and Mary A. (Fraley) Hobbs, whose record is in the sketch preceding this one, as is his brother's war record. He was born in Wayne County, on Camp Creek of Twelve Pole, May 1, 1849, and was married at Beech Fork, Wayne County, (now) West Virginia, July 29, 1875. His wife was born on Guyandotte River, in Lincoln County, (now) West Virginia, Maria Ann, daughter of William Preble Blankinship and Mary Jane (Adkins) Blankinship. Her father was born in August 1828; her mother was born in that part of Cabell County now Lincoln, June 18, 1829, and they made their home in Wayne County on the 22nd. day of March 1861. Lorenzo D. Hobbs owns over 300 acres of good land beautifully situated on Beech Fork, at the mouth of Turkey Camp Branch. The land is very productive, so far as put in cultivation, and the uncleared land is finely timbered. There are some springs of superior quality on the land, and it is altogether one of the most pleasant homesteads of the many pleasant farms of the county. Tooley, Wayne County, West Virginia, is the post office address of Lorenzo D. Hobbs ______________________________X-Message: #8 Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 23:51:44 EST From: PTyler107@aol.com To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-ID: <1c.120ed5c.25eb58e0@aol.com> Subject: BIO: Alderson Watts, Jr., Stonewall Dist. Wayne Co., WV Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Content-Language: en MIME-Version: 1.0 X-MIME-Autoconverted: from 8bit to quoted-printable by bl-14.rootsweb.com id UAA04308 West Virginia Heritage Encyclopedia, Supplement Vol. 7, Hardesty’s, Wayne County, published by Jim Comstock, Richwood, WV 1974 Alderson Watts Jr., is a son of Harrison and Sarah (Maynard) Watts, who are honored residents of Stonewall District, and he was born in Wayne County, May 30, 1863. Ambrose Watts, who was one of the first and most enterprising of the settlers in what is now Stonewall District, was the great grandfather of Alderson, Jr. In Ironton, Lawrence County, Ohio, March 3, 1881, were recorded the marriage vows of Alderson Watts, Jr. and Virginia S. Ferguson. The bride was a daughter of Lewis S. and Margaret (Osburn) Ferguson, of Stonewall District, and was born in this county, September 11, 1863. Willard and Willburn, twin sons, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Watts, on the 8th of October 1881; Willburn died October 29th. following. Harrison Watts, father of Alderson, Jr., was a soldier of the Confederate Army during the civil war. Alderson Watts Jr., and his wife are in the membership of the Missionary Baptist Church in their district. He owns a comfortable residence and the lot on which it is situated at the mouth of White's Creek, and has been for some time filling the appointment of deputy sheriff and is still the incumbent. His post office address is Adkins Mills, Wayne County, West Virginia.