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Tyler County West Virginia
Genealogy Project
Tyler County Biographies
Unless noted
otherwise these Bios are from Wes Cochran Hardesty's Biographical
Atlas of Tyler County, West Virginia - published 1872. - Tyler
County, WV
Contributed by Susie Koehrsen
If you have a Biography from a
different source please send them to
me for
inclusion.
B
NELSON H. BROWN
- was born in New York State, August 8, 1833, and
at the age of eleven years accompanied his parents, Lewis S. and
Roxy (Hill) Brown to Tyler County, then part of Virginia. May 2.
1861, he wedded a native of this county, Louisa J. Hissam, born
September 11, 1841. In the home their marriage established are four
children: Lizzie B., born April 3, 1862; Ida V., June 5, 1864;
Marion R., born August 3, 1867; Charley M., November 9, 1870. The
ancestors of Mr. Brown were of English birth. His great-grandfather
was a captain and lost at sea, his grandfather was a soldier in the
Revolutionary War, and his father one of America's defenders in the
1812 war. His father was born in New York, October 3, 1795, and died
in Tyler county, West Virginia, March 19, 1879. His mother, born
November 29, 1801, died February 20, 1875. Levi and Elizabeth
(Morgan) Hissam, the parents of Mrs. Brown, now live in Campbell
County, Kentucky. Her father was born April 30, 1816, and her
mother's birth was on the 13th of June 1820. Her grandfather, John
G. Morgan, was born in Monongalia County, Virginia, November 6,
1792, is still living and a most remarkable instance of longevity.
He has never been sick, and the only dose of medicine he ever took
was one administered to him against his will in the 1812 war. Jesse
Hissem, paternal grandfather of Mrs. Brown, was one of the pioneer
settlers in this county, coming with his family from Pennsylvania.
Nelson H. Brown has been living in the village of Shiloh since 1861.
He is a manufacturer of woolen goods, and has been connected with
the woolen factory here since it started. His address is Littles
Mills, Tyler county, West Virginia.
JAMES ANDREW
BURGBACHER, son of Nathan and Mary
Catherine (Cunningham) Burgbacher, was born in Woodsfield, Monroe
County, Ohio, December 17, 1852. He became a resident of Tyler
county in 1878, and his wedded life began in this county, Amanda
Jane Smith becoming his wife at Middlebourne, May 23, 1881. In the
home their marriage established there is one little daughter, Emma
Amelia, born March 27, 1881. Amanda J. Smith was born in
Middlebourne, March 15, 1859, and is the daughter of Israel and
Mary Ann (Ankrom) Smith, both born in Tyler county. Mr. Burgbacher
has three uncles, James, Thomas and Josephus Cunningham, who were
soldiers through the years of the civil war. James. A. Burgbacher is
prosperously established in business, conducting a merchant
tailoring establishment at Middlebourne, Tyler county, West
Virginia.
JAMES BURNS
James Burns is a native of Ireland, born in County Antrim, in
February 1804, a son of James and Sarah (Story) Burns, who passed
their lives in Ireland. He came to America in 1829, and in the same
summer helped to build the first railroad bridge in America. He
worked two years in Washington during President Jackson's
administration, helping to build the treasury and patent office
edifice, and after that helped to put down the flagging about the
White House. He often saw "Old Hickory" in those days. After this
work, he went to North Carolina, and helped to build the State house
there; the Chesapeake and Ohio canal, and on aquaducts at Brims
Furnace, the Cannacajig, etc. He helped to build the bridge at the
Relay House across the Patapsco, which has eight arches, and is the
largest stone work in America. He built railroad bridges through
Indiana, and superintended such work, at Flint Creek, Bartholomew
county. In Baltimore, Maryland, in 1831, Sarah Stevens became his
wife. Since they made their home in Tyler county, Mr. Burns has done
nearly all the mason work of the county, and has cleared his farm.
He has now quit any work but looking after his farm, and is resting
from the labors of a well-spent life. His grandfather was a
Scotchman, and an uncle to the poet, "Bobby Burns" James Burns
receives his mail at Middlebourne, Tyler county, West Virginia.
C
REES COOPER
deceased - was born in Pittsburg,
Pennsylvania, and passed his life in the county and State of his
birth, following in manhood the trade of a shoemaker. He was a
Federal soldier during the war detween the States and was twice
married, and departed this life on the 19th of August 1864. His
first wife was Eliza Hollcroff, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. In Tyler
county, April 1, 1858, Rees Cooper united in marriage with Clarissa
Grimm and their children are four: William M., born January 20,
1859, lives in Tyler county; Barbara E., November 30, 1860, lives in
Indian territory; Jesse C., January 20, 1862, lives in Centreville
district; Rees, August 22, 1864, died in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
The mother of their children was born in Tyler county, December 18,
1840, and she died September 20, 1865. She was a daughter of Levi
and Barbara (Nicely) Grimm. Her parents were from Pennsylvania, and
her father died in Tyler county, where her mother continues to
reside. Jesse C. Cooper, for whom this sketch was compiled, is one
of the most successful teachers of Tyler county, and is one of its
rising young men. His post office address is Bearsville, Tyler
county, West Virginia.
DANIEL COX
PHOENIX LODGE NO. 75, A.F.& A.M. This
lodge was instituted February 7, 1878, with the following officers:
John Cherry, W.M.: Granville L. Lowther, S.W.; Eli W. Russell, J.W.;
Philo W. Stocking, treasurer; James L. Gillespie, secretary; Frank
E. McCoy, S.D.; John C. Morrison, J.D.; Daniel Cox, J.W.; Edward
Rome, treasurer; Jeremiah Murphy, secretary; William T. Taylor,
S.D.; Robert Henderson, J.D.; John R. Dunfee, Tyler. Membership: 20;
regular nights of meeting, the Tuesday evening on or proceeding the
full moon of each month.
E
BENJAMIN ENGLE
Benjamin Engle is a son of Christian and Amy (Hartley) Engle who
made their home in Tyler county in 1836. Their son, Benjamin, was
here born, June 22, 1848, and his life to the present time has been
spent in this county. He qualified himself for the profession of
law, and was admitted to practice at the bar of Tyler county, and in
addition to his practice as an attorney and counselor at law, he has
served as deputy clerk of the council court ever since he was old
enough to assume the work. His father has been clerk of the circuit
court since 1863, and is the present incumbent of the office. The
wife of Benjamin Engle is Nancy, daughter of Thomas and Caroline
(Hickman) Stealey, and she was born in this county, November
23,1852. Her parents were born in this county, and her father is
judge of the circuit court of Tyler, Wetzel, Doddridge and Ritchie
counties. He was elected in 1880 for a term of six years. The three
children of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Engle are: Paul, born May 8, 1874;
Thomas Stealey, January 2, 1876; Amy, February 27, 1878. Benjamin
Engle's post office address is Middlebourne, Tyler county, West
Virginia.
C. ENGLE
"C. Engle, the present efficient circuit clerk of Tyler county, is a
native of Green [sic] county, Penn., where he was born in 1817, his
parents being Ezra and Nancy (Black) Engle. The father was born in
Fredricktown [sic], Md., the son of Peter Engle, a native of Saxony,
who came to North America in 1749. He was a soldier in the
Revolutionary war, after which great event he settled temporarily at
Fredericktown, but soon afterward removed across the Cumberland
mountains.Subsequently he returned to Fredericktown, where he
remained about two years, and then removed to Greene county, Penn.,
which was the scene of his death. Our subject's father was raised in
Pennsylvania, and was drafted during the war of 1812, but being a
fine gunsmith was left at work in the shop, where he remained until
the close of the war. After the war he removed to Greensboro, where
he remained until 1838, when he removed to Middlebourne, W. Va. The
latter place was his home for several years, at the end of which
time he removed to the farm in Tyler county, where he remained until
death. The subject
of our sketch lived in Pennsylvania until he reached his majority.
He was educated in the pioneer school-houses, and in 1840 united his
fortunes for life to Miss Amy Hartley, daughter of Peter and Lydia
Hartley. Her father was also an early settler of Tyler county, and
was drafted as a soldier in 1812, but the war closed before he saw
any active service. The marriage of our subject proved a happy one,
and he became the father of the following children: Laura, Lydia,
Benjamin, Peter H. and Nancy. The mother of these children was born
in Greensboro, Penn., and was a woman of strong as well as amiable
traits of character. Mr. Engle and wife hold membership in the
Methodist Episcopal church. In 1848 he entered the clerk's office as
a deputy under David Hickman, in which position he served until
1863. At the date last mentioned, Mr.
Hickman's death occurred, and Mr. Engle was elected to succeed him
as clerk of the circuit court. He has been re-elected continuously
ever since. These facts of themselves would be sufficient of
themselves to indicate that Mr. Engle
enjoys the confidence of the substantial yeomanry of Tyler county,
and it gives us pleasure to add that, both as an official and a
citizen, he ranks among the best in all walks of life [G. L. Cranmer,
editor, History of the Upper Ohio
Valley (Madison, WI: Brant & Fuller, 1891), 44-45]."
Contributed by Brian
Core greenhouseguy @ juno.com Author: G. L. Cranmer
H
CHRISTOPHER
HAYS was born in Tyler county, August 31,
1845, and was married in this county February 15, 1866. On the last
named date, Rev. William James, of the United Brethren Church,
joined him in wedlock with Susan R. Cox, who was born in Monongalia
county, Virginia, May 10, 1842. They have had no children, but have
taken a little girl to raise , and given her their name. She was
born April 30, 1874 and named Mary C. Abraham and Lydia (Goodnight)
Hays were the parents of the subject of this sketch, and his wife
was a daughter of John and Susanna (Stoneking) Cox. Her mother died
in Pleasants county, West Virginia, and her father in Tyler county.
The father of Christopher Hays died in McElroy district, and his
mother is still living here. Oliver P., Abraham and Henry Hays,
brothers of Christopher, served in the Federal army, in the 1861
war. Abraham died in Cumberland City, Maryland, while in the
service, of brain fever, and the other two, returning home safely,
are living in West Virginia. Christopher Hays has a most interesting
war record, one of which he may well be proud, and which, in
consideration of his injuries, his country should reward with a
liberal pension. He enlisted in Company D, 2d West Virginia Cavalry,
October 14, 1861, and was mustered out July 3, 1865. He was in the
following engagements: Princeton, Fayetteville, Wythesville,
Lewisburg, Stauton, Buckhannon, Lynchburg, Winchester, Fishers Hill
and others. He had his ankle mashed in May, 1864, has lost the use
of one eye, and is badly crippled, On the raid from Wythesville he
became separated from the command, and with two men from the 34th
Ohio Mounted Infantry, lay 17 days and 18 nights in concealment. Two
noble girls named Alvira Odell and Rebecca Milan, brought them
buttermilk to drink and so saved their lives. May they have as happy
a life as they deserve. Farming is the occupation of Christopher
Hays, and his post office address is Ripley, Tyler county, West
Virginia.
John
Henderson is one of the substantial
residents of Tyler county, West Virginia, owning and cultivating a
farm of 200 acres in Ellsworth district. He was a son of William and
Lydia (Long) Henderson, and was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania,
March 7, 1834. His mother is now deceased and his father now living
in Wetzel county, where John Henderson made his home in 1867. August
8, 1857, in New Martinsville, Wetzel county,the words were spoken
linking in one the lives of John Henderson and Margaret J. Angus,
and their children are recorded: Richard, born January 22, 1859,
lives in Tyler county; Mary Jane, May 7, 1861, lives in this county;
Samuel S., May 6, 1863, died April 28, 1864; Martha Florence,
January 18, 1866; William Franklin, September 3, 1868; John W.,
March 16, 1871; George Washington, Febraury 1, 1874; Jessie E.
Belle, December 18, 1877; Ida Olivia, September 18, 1880; James
Fred, March 19, 1882 - the seven last named living at home. Richard
and Rebecca (Braden) Angus, both now deceased, were the parents of
Mrs. Henderson, and she was born in Monroe county, Ohio, August 27,
1841. In the war between the states, John Hendrson and one of his
brothers were volunteers in the 25th Ohio Infantry, in which John
Henderson enlisted March 22, 1863. At the battle of Honey Hill,
South Carolina, he lost his right arm, having participated with
fidelity in the engagements of his regiment to that date. His farm
is adapted to stock-raising, in which he is largely engaged, and he
may be addressed at Conaway, Tyler county, West Virginia.
SYLVANUS HOOD
is a native of Ohio, born in Monroe county, a son
of William and Mary (Matthews) Hood, now residents in Marshall
county, West Virginia. In Cameron, Monroe county, Ohio, February
13, 1870, were spoken the words joining in one the lives of Sylvanus
Hood and Rachel Headley and the record of their children is: Edgar
E., born November 19, 1870; Forest R., August 3, 1872; died February
20, 1873; Lenora A., February 23, 1874; Dott, December 8, 1878.
The wife of Mr. Hood was born in Monroe county, Ohio, the date if
her birth November 9, 1850, and Elial and Rebecca (McCoy) Headley
her parents. Her father still resides in the county where she was
born, and her mother's death occurred there February 20, 1874. Mr.
Hood has been married twice, and his first wife, who was Elizabeth
Melllott, was the mother of three children; Martha, who is now
deceased; William I., born in February 1859, and Alice E., born May
5, 1862 - live with their father. April 4, 1882, Sylvanus Hood
took up his residence in Tyler county, settling at Sistersville,
where for about four months he kept a livery stable. He then began
keeping a hotel, in which he has been very successful, having a
large and increasing patronage. The accommodations are first-class,
and commerical travels will do well to give "The Western" their
patronage when in Sistersville.
M
Samuel
Mayfield, M.D. was born
February 24,1834, in Monongalia County, then part of Virginia. When
twenty-one years of age he became a resident of Tyler county, his
parents, James and Permella (Streight) Mayfield, coming here in the
same year, 1855. Both were Virginians by birth. June 21, 1855, in
Tyler county, Samuel Mayfield and Martha Knight were united in
marriage, and their children were recorded: Charles William, born
May 15, 1856; infant twins, deceased; Mary Ann, January 4, 1858,
died January 11, 1869; and six living at home, namely; Robert Meade,
February 17, 1864; John Wesley, January 25, 1866; Lloyd L.,
September 8, 1867; Ida Belle, July 23, 1872; Henry Grant, December
13, 1873; Ervin Welch, February 16, 1878; David Calvin, December 23,
1880, died November 22, 1882. Benjamin and Martha (Rhoades) Knight,
of Harrison county, were the parents of Martha, wife of Dr.
Mayfield, and she was born in that county, December 9, 1836. During
the Civil War Dr. Mayfield was captian of the Home Guards, which
were called out a number of times, and he held a commission to
recruit in other parts of the State, and did organize several
companies in other counties. He has been three times supervisor of
McElroy district; and in Ellsworth district three times road
surveyor, and two terms school commissioner. October 10, 1882, he
was elected to serve six years as county commissioner. He has a farm
on Falling Timber branch in Elk Fork creek, Ellsworth district, and
a wide professional practice in and about Conaway, Tyler county,
West Virginia, which is his post office address.
JEREMIAH MURPHY
- son of John and Mary E. (Klilstein) Murphy was
born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, September 20, 1848. When the
war was inaugurated between the two sections of the country, he had
two brothers who entered the Federal service, William S. and John.
The former served in the 1st and the latter in the 15th West
Virginia Infantry. John now lives in Wetzel county, this State, and
William S. died in that county, at New Martinsville. The parents of
Jeremiah Murphy now live in New Martinsville. There he was wedded,
January 15, 1877, when Catherine Cherry became his wife. They have
two sons and one daughter born: William, October 2, 1877; John C.,
February 5, 1880; Jeanette, May 27, 1882. John and Elizabeth H.
(Cox) Cherry were the parents of the wife of Mr. Murphy, and she was
born in Sistersville, Tyler county, September 16, 1858. Her father
died, October 30, 1880, and her mother lives in Tyler county.
Jeremiah Murphy has lived in Tyler county since May 1878, and is
engaged in the manufacture of wagons. He may be addressed at
Sistersville, Tyler county, West Virginia.
S
SAMUEL
MAYFIELD, M.D. was born February 24, 1834,
in Monongalia county, then part of Virginia. When twenty-one years
of age, he became a resident of Tyler county, his parents James and
Permelia (Streight) * Mayfield coming here in the same year, 1855.
Both were Virginias by birth. June 21, 1855, in Tyler county, Samuel
Mayfeild and Martha Knight were united in marriage, and their
children recorded: Charles William, born May 15, 1856; infant twins
- deceased; Mary Ann, January 4, 1858, died January 11, 1869; and
six living at home, namely: Robert Meade, February 17, 1864; John
Wesley, January 25, 1866; Lloyd L. September 8, 1867; Ida Belle,
July 23,1872; Henry Grant, December 23, 1873; Ervin Welch, February
16, 1878; David Calvin, December 23, 1880, died November 22, 1882.
Benjamin and Martha (Rhoades) Knight, of Harrison county, were the
parents of Martha, wife of Dr. Mayfield, and she was born in that
county, December 9, 1836. During the civil war, Dr. Mayfield was
captain of the Home Guards, which were called out a number of times,
and he held a commission to recruit in other parts of the State, and
did organize several companies in other counties. He has been three
terms supervisor of McElroy district; and in Ellsworth district
three terms road surveyor, and two terms school commissioner.
October 10, 1882, he was elected to serve six years as county
commissioner. He has a farm on Falling Timber branch in Elk Fork
creek, Ellsworth district, and a wide professional practice in and
about Conaway, Tyler county, West Virginia, which is his post office
address.
*Please note the difference in spelling. It is listed in the index
as Straight, but in the article itself as Streight.
O
OSBURN ALLEN is
the fortunate owner of 615 acres of valuable land in McElroy
district, Tyler county, West Virginia, on which land 200 acres are
under cultivation, and the remainder in good timber. He was born
March 21, 1826, in
what is now Harrison county, West Virginia, a son of Joshua and
Rebecca (Whiteman) Allen, both of whom died in Doddridge county
this State. In Doddridge county, December 20, 1849, Osburn Allen
and Jan Langfitt were united in
marriage, and their children's and grand-children's record is: Ten
children born: Valentine L., January 13, 1851; Stephen A and Mary
V., August 2, 1853; William P. and Silas B., February 28, 1856;
Joshua C., May 2, 1858; John L.
September 3, 1861; Robert E.L.,November 24, 1864; Orvil C. October
22, 1867; Osburn O., January 26, 1871. Silas B. and Osburn C, are
succesfully engaged in teaching. Valentine L. married Nancy
Copenhaver, and their children are: Arion
O., born January 24, 1879; Ethel J.,September 16, 1880. Stephen A.
maried Dorcus D. Stoneking, and their children are born: Cora L.,
July 19, 1876; Mary E. November 13, 1878; Laura B. November 11,
1880; James A., December 26, 1881;
Stella J., October 16, 1882. Mary Virginia Allen married James
Powell and their child is Harvey E., born March 18, 1881. The wife
of Osburn Allen was born in Brooke County, Virginia, September 14,
1827, and was a daughter of John
and Martha (Farquir) Langfitt. Her parents both died in Doddridge
County. Osburn Allen took up his residence in Tyler county March
27, 1862, and is engaged in the cultivation of his farm and in
stock-raising. His address is Bookers Mills, Tyler county, West
Virginia.
W
WILLIAM W.
WATERS was born in Tyler county, December
3, 1849, but has had a wide and varied experience in many States,
having served in the regular Army on the frontier for five years. He
enlisted May 15, 1871, in the 6th United States Cavalry, at
Cincinnati, Ohio, and was discharged at Camp Apache, Arizona
Territory, May 15, 1876. He was engaged in battle with the Indians
at Mulberry creek and McClellan creek, both fought in Texas in 1874,
and in the fight at Camp Apache, January 9, 1876. This battle was
the last in which Mr. Waters was engaged, as soon after, he lost his
right-hand thumb by accident, and received a discharge. Before
returning to West Virginia, he traveled through many of the western
states and territories, was once exposed to the dangers of a sand
storm on the desert, and at another time sailed 1,400 miles along
the Pacific coast. His father was John Waters, born in Virginia,
June 22, 1818, a son of William and Harriet Hatfield Waters. John
Waters, great-grandfather of Mr. Waters, was a drummer through the
entire war of 1776. John Waters married Elizabeth J. Cox, who was
born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, June 5, 1827, and they were the
parents of eight children, William W. being the third child and
oldest son. In Ritchie county, West Virginia, September 6, 1877,
William W. Waters wedded Sarah I. Garner, and they have one child,
Ethan Allen, born November 1, 1878. Sarah I. Garner was born
November 1, 1853, a daughter of I.C. and Rebecca Lewin Garner. Her
mother died November 17, 1866, and her father still lives in Ritchie
county. W.W. Waters is a farmer and practical engineer of
Centreville district, Tyler county, and should be addressed at
Central station, Dodridge county, West Virginia.
DANIEL WEEKLEY -
one of the substantial farming residents of Centerville district,
Tyler county, West Virginia, was born in this county, and has here
passed the years of his life, with the exception of the time given
to the
service of his country during the civil war. His birth was on May 7,
1826, and Jacob and Sarah (Williamson) Weekley were his parents.
They died in this district, and lie buried on the homestead farm. In
Tyler county, December 19, 1850,
the words were spoken, joining in one the lives of Daniel Weekley
and Elizabeth J. Pratt, and their ten children were born: William
Marion, September 18, 1851; Sarah E., August 3, 1853; Martha A.,
October 27, 1855; Mary E., January
1, 1857; Laura C., October 20, 1860; George M., December 26, 1862;
Martin L. March 11, 1866; Ida A., May 27, 1868; Milton L. October
27, 1870; Effie M., February 3, 1874. The oldest son, William M.,
was licensed to preach thirteen
years ago in the United Brethen Church, and is now the presiding
elder of the Parkersburg Station. Sarah E. lives in Gilmer county,
this State; Laura C. in a home of her own in Tyler county; and the
other children with their
parents. William S. and Martha (Underwood) Pratt were the parents
of Mr. Weekley's wife, and she was born in Tyler county, January 8,
1834. Her father died in this county, and her mother now makes her
home in Doddridge county. Her
father was a soldier of the 1812 war. Daniel Weekley, with his
half-brothers, Isaiah, Elisha and George W. Weekley, were soldiers
of the 1861 war, serving three years, except Elisha, who died at
West Union in the first year of the
war. Mrs. Weekley also had three brothers in that war, William W.,
John E., and Thomas J. Pratt. Mr. Weekley receives his mail at
Joseph's Mills, Tyler county, West Virginia.
JAMES WASHINGTON WILLIAMSON was born in Tyler county (now
West Virginia), November 30,1821, a son of Thomas and Frances
(Beatty) Williamson, who died in this county after spending here
long and useful lives. Thomas Williamson, grandfather of James W.
and John, brother of Thomas, were the first settlers on the Ohio
River, between Wheeling and Marietta. They owned the land near or on
which part of Wheeling now stands. They came from Ireland, and the
wife of Thomas Williamson was an English lady. Thomas Williamson
was a weaver by trade, and brought his loom to the new country. With
his wife he lived on Wheeling creek until the Indian troubles were
over, and helped to defend the fort at that place. About 1783 they
moved to this locality, where their days were ended. At Rison
Station, Greene county, Pennsylvania, September 27, 1847, James W.
Williamson married Mary Jane Massey, who was born August 7, 1833, in
Moscow, Clermont county, Ohio. Her parents were John C. and Martha
Massey, who were born in Tyler county, and now live here. Her
grandfather, settled here about 1810, coming from what is now Wetzel
county, West Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. James W. Williamson were the
parents of Charles Coleman, born June 27, 1850, who was drowned at
Matamoras, Ohio, June 9, 1860; Hannibal Washington, born December
24, 1852, married Marcella Flesher, who was born March 9, 1856, and
died February 11, 1876, he lives in Matamoras, Ohio; and seven other
children who live in Union district, namely; Martha Emeline, born
September 2, 1855; James Madison, November 30, 1858; Harrison
Jackson, August 7, 1861; Mary Belle, November 18, 1865; Rose Ella,
May 29, 1867; Amanda Jane, May 30, 1865; Willie Walker, July 24,
1873. James W. Williamson is the owner of a farm in Union
district, Tyler county, and in this county served as commissioner of
revenue in the years 1855-6. He has been a steamboat clerk a number
of years, and since 1859 has held position as steamboat captain and
pilot on the Ohio river. His post office address is New Matamoras,
Washington county, Ohio.
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