Biography of Buren Harrison Toler - Wyoming Co. WV The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 567 BUREN HARRISON TOLER. No calling brings into play a more diversified exhibition of capability than that of teach- ing. In order to rise to any degree of distinction in that profession it is necessary first to possess the natural inclination toward the work, without which it is almost impossible to render efficient service, and superimposed upon this must be an extensive training, coupled with varied and extensive experience. The life of a conscientious teacher is one of self abnegation and sacrifice that finds its chief reward in the realization that young minds are de- veloped properly and characters trained so that in the future, when the stress of life is brought to bear upon them, they are able to meet its demands. Wyoming County has produced some able educators, and prominent among them is Buren Harrison Toler, supervisor of schools of the Slab Fork District, who, while still a young man, has already made rapid strides in his calling. Mr. Toler was born at Clear Fork (formerly Sun Hill), Wyoming County, West Virginia, February 1, 1895, and is a son of Henry P. and Darthula (Brown) Toler. His grandparents were John and Polly Toler, of old pioneer stock, who came from Mingo County to the wide bottoms of Clear Fork of the Guyandotte in about 1857. Numerous anecdotes have come down regarding this rugged and stout-hearted couple. It is related of Polly Toler, who was related to the famous Hatfleld family of feudists, that on one occasion during young wifehood, when she was doing the family washing at the riverside, a deer, pursued by the hunting hounds, managed to find refuge in a narrow foothold on a ledge of rocks under an overhanging cliff on the opposite side of the river. It had been some time since the Toler family had enjoyed venison, and the intrepid Polly, leaping into the water, swam the stream, dragged the deer from the ledge into the water, where she held his head under until he was drowned, and then reswam the stream, towing with her the means of supplying the family larder with fresh meat. The next day she gave birth to a child. She lived to reach the remarkable age of 100 years, passing away in 1918, while her husband, who reached the age of ninety-five years, died in 1902. They were mem- bers of the Methodist Church. Of their large family of children three sons survive: Ellis, a resident of Mingo County, and W. S. and Peter, who live at Sun Hill. Henry P. Toler was born in 1856, at Sun Hill, Wyoming County, and passed his life in agricultural pursuits, in addi- tion to which he dealt in the timber cut from his land, which he contracted to deliver at the river bank. He was a leader in the Baptist Church, and, like the other Tolers, as well as the Browns, was a stanch republican in politics. He died November 30, 1915. At Oceana, West Virginia, Mr. Toler married Darthula Brown, who was born on Big Huff Creek, Wyoming County, a daughter of Jack Brown, and was the same age and weight as her husband at the time of their marriage. She survives him and lives at the old home on Clear Fork. Of their eleven children seven are still living. W. R., is justice of the peace at Mullens; Lilly died in 1915, as the wife of the late Buoy Goodman; J. Albert, formerly a member of the County Court, later prosecuting attorney, is now engaged in general practice at Mullens; Roxie is the wife of Floyd Graham, living on the old home place at Clear Fork; Cleveland, died as a boy; John H., who went to the Concord Normal School at Athens and the State University, is now principal of the Mullens High School; Eva is the wife of Alfred Moore, of Clear Fork; Buren Harrison; and Cora is the wife of B. Aliff, of Clear Fork. Buren Harrison Toler secured his early education in a one-room schoolhouse and when he was only thirteen years of age began teaching school at Mill Creek schoolhouse. He subsequently taught two other schools, and then went to Concord Normal School, where his brother John H. was working his way through school by operating the pumping system. Buren H. Toler secured the position of caring for the ladies' dormitory, and by doing this work paid his way through the course and was graduated in 1914. In 1914, 1915 and 1916 he was principal of the Pineville schools, and then entered the State University, but in 1917 resumed teaching at Pineville. In the fall of 1917 he thought that by going to Washington he could be assigned to duty in the aviation service of the United States army, but he was disappointed in this ambition. Accordingly, he volunteered for duty and was assigned to the bacteriological department in the Medical Corps, and after six weeks of training in the Army Medical School at Washington was sent to duty at Fort Leavenworth, where he remained three months. His overseas service began at this time, for he went from Hoboken to St. Nazaire, France, and was then sent to Tours as accountant in the chief surgeon's office. After his return from France he received his honorable discharge at Mitchell's Field, Long Island, May 13, 1919, and his first position after his discharge was as store manager in a road construction camp at Bud, Wyoming County. One month later he was made school supervisor of the Slab Fork school district, a position which he has since retained. He has had charge of the erection of seven schools in his district, including the district high schools at Mullens and Milam Fork, and in various ways has aided the cause of education in this locality, where he is held in high esteem as a progressive and constructive educator and as a citizen who is con- tributing to the advancement of his native locality. On June 30, 1919, Mr. Toler was united in marriage with Miss Hazel Dunn, daughter of W. W. Dunn, of Peterstown, West Virginia, and a graduate of Concord Normal School. Mrs. Toler is an active worker in the Methodist Church, while her husband is no less helpful in the Baptist Church. He is a member of Mullens Lodge, A. F. and A. M., and Princeton Chapter, R. A. M., and has served as commander of the local post of the American Legion. In politics he is a republican. Submitted by Valerie F. 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