Biography of Grover C. Worrell - Wyoming Co. WV The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume II, pg. 599 GROVER C. WORRELL. A leading member of the Wyom- ing County bar, who is also prominent in public and politi- cal affairs of his county and district, is Grover C. Worrell, of Mullens. His career has been one in which he has dem- onstrated high professional ethics and marked executive ability, thoroughly warranting the confidence reposed in him by the people of his community. Mr. Worrell was born at Hillsville, Carroll County, Vir- ginia, March 13, 1885, and is a son of Christopher C. and America V. (Watson) Worrell. The great-great-grand- father of Mr. Worrell went from Pennsylvania with two brothers during the Revolutionary war to North Carolina and was on the battlefield of Guilford Court House the day after the battle. Later the family moved to Virginia, where, in Carroll County, was born John Worrell, the grandfather of Grover C. Worrell. He was stationed at Fortress Monroe during the War of 1812, and the powder horn that he carried during that war is now one of the prized possessions of his grandson. Later he became one of the distinguished citizens of his community, and was accidentally killed by a horse during the latter part of the Civil war. A cousin of John Worrell introduced General Lafayette at Philadelphia on his second visit to the coun- try. John Worrell married Ollie Jones, a cousin of John Paul Jones. Christopher C. Worrell was born in 1835, in Carroll County, Virginia, and was reared on a plantation, adopt- ing agricultural pursuits for his life work when still a young man. When the war between the states came on he enlisted in the Confederate service, joining the Forty-fifth Regiment, Virginia Volunteer Infantry, under General Floyd, and saw much service in West Virginia. He rose to the rank of first lieutenant, and participated in the engagements of Carne- fax Ferry, Cotton Mountain, Fayetteville and Lewisburg, and was shot through the right hand at Cloyd's Farm. A stanch and unwavering democrat, he was chairman of the Carroll County Democratic Executive Committee for thirty- five years, and always led his party to victory, but never aspired to public office on his own account. Honorable in his methods and way of living, he had the esteem and re- spect of all, and when he died, May 28, 1920, his commu- nity lost one of its best and most public-spirited citizens. He was thrice married. One of his wives was a Miss Wood, to which union were born five children. After her death he married America V. Watson, who was born in Carroll County in 1852, and died in 1897, and they became the parents of five children. Of the two families seven were sons, two now being residents of Wyoming County: Edgar Watson, engaged in the practice of law at Pineville; and Grover C., of this review. A twin brother of Grover C. Worrell is a well-known physician of Mount Airy, North Carolina. Grover C. Worrell received his early education in the home schools and academy, and subsequently attended Washington and Lee University, after having taught in four rural school districts in Carroll County. In January, 1910, while still a student, he took the bar examination and was admitted to practice, and in June of the same year gradu- ated from Washington and Lee with his degree of Bachelor of Laws. On August 14, 1910, he went to Pineville and engaged in practice, and in February, 1912, came to Mul- lens and took the census of this community, at that time a hamlet of only 241 population. Later he wrote the pres- ent charter of Mullens. Mr. Worrell was appointed prose- cuting attorney to fill out the unexpired term of Judge Bailey when the latter was called to the Circuit bench, and made a very satisfying official from every standpoint. At present he is being mentioned very favorably as the nominee for Congress of the democratic party in his district. He has a large and lucrative law practice, and is acknowledged one of the most learned, thorough and able legists in Wyom- ing County, while his qualifications as to citizenship and personal probity are of the highest. Mr. Worrell is a stock- holder in the Bank of Mullens and a member of the Board of Directors and attorney for the First National Bank of Pineville. He is a Methodist in his religious faith, while Mrs. Worrell is a Baptist. Judge Worrell is now master of Mullens Lodge, A. F. and A. M.; a member of Prince- ton Chapter, R. A. M.; has attained the Scottish Rite de- gree at Huntington; is a Knight Templar at Wheeling, and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine at Charleston. He also holds membership in the Knights of Pythias and the Loyal Or- der of Moose, and is a past dictator of the latter. On September 3, 1913, Mr. Worrell married Ethellena Jennings, daughter of Charles L. Jennings, of Camp, Vir- ginia, and they have one son, John Carroll. Submitted by Valerie Crook **************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. ****************************************************************