History of Charleston and Kanawha County, West Virginia, and representative citizens

1911·72.6 MB·English

by  Laidley, W. S. (William Sydney), 1839-1917

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Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2012 with funding from
LYRASIS members and Sloan Foundation
http://www.archive.org/details/historyofcharlesOOIaid

HISTORY
OF
Charleston and Kanawha County
West
Virginia
AND
REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
BY
W. LAIDLEY
S.
Study History, for it is Philosophy Teaching by Example
Published by
RICHMOND-ARNOLD PUBLISHING CO.,
F.J.RICHMOND,Pbes. C.R.ARNOLD,Sec.and Treas.
CHICAGO, ILL.

PREFACE
The aim of the publishers of this volume and of the author of the history
has been to secure for the historical portion thereof full and accurate data re-
specting the history of the county from the time of its early settlement, and to
condense it into" a clear and interesting narrative. All topics and occurrences
have been included that were essential to this object.
The reviews of resolute and strenuous lives that make up the biographical
part of the volume are admirably calculated to foster local ties, to inculcate
patriotism, and to emphasize the rewards of industry dominated by intelligent
purpose. They constitute a most appropriate medium for perpetuating personal
annals, and will be of incalculable value to the descendants-of those commemo-
rated. These sketches are replete with stirring incidents and intense experiences
and are flavored with a strong human interest that will naturally prove to a
large portion of the readers of the book one of its most attractive features. In
the aggregate of personal memoirs thus collated will be found a vivid epitome
of the growth of Kanawha County, which will fitly supplement the historical state-
ment, for its development is identified with that of the men and women to
whom it is attributable. Sketches unrevised by subscribers are marked by a
small asterisk"(*) placed after the name of the subscriber.
The publishers have endeavored to avoid slighting any part of the work,
and to fittingly supplement the editor's labors by exercising care over the mi-
nutest details of publication, and to give to the volume the three-fold value of
a readable narrative, a useful work of reference and a tasteful ornament to the
We
library. believe the result has justified the care thus exercised.
Special prominence has been given to the portraits of many representative
citizens which appear throughout the volume, and we believe that they will
We
prove not its least interesting feature. have sought in this department to
illustrate the different spheres of industrial and professional achievement as con-
spicuously as possible.
To all those who have kindly interested themselves in the successful prep-
aration of this work, and who have voluntarily contributed most useful infor-
mation and data, or rendered other assistance, we hereby tender our grateful
acknowledgments.
The Publishers.
Chicago, III., November. 1911.
!
INTRODUCTORY
WHY?
Once upon a day not long since, a good the Aborigines of this country lef—t to us a
prohibition friend met with a jolly red-faced more readable account of themselves had left
neighbor, and he wanted to know of the jolly a record telling us from whence they came,
friend whether he ever took a drink of whis- why they —left and what they accomplished
key. The interrogated friend hesitated and while here, -what an amount of wild guessing
before replying wanted to know whether the they would have saved. Had the Indians
remark was to be taken as an inquiry or an spilled more ink and less blood, and had they
invitation. — utilized the said ink in informing us what
So as to the case at bar, we mean of course part they played in changing the character of
the judicial bar. The "Why" may be regarded the inhabitants, by a comparison between
as the inquiry of the reader, and it may also themselves and those that left when they came;
be taken as the invitation of the publisher. had they told us more of their own good
If anyone should ask in earnest, "Why a qualities, then would our historians have
history of Kanawha?" the reply should be, been more charitably disposed toward them;
"Because it was greatly needed." It has been there would have been less to guess about and
an age since one was written and people have our own guesses more favorable to them per-
grown to maturity since it was published; it haps.
is needed for the enlightenment of her inhabi- Even as to our worthy ancestors, we have
tants, and to set forth the accomplishment of to deplore the fact that they too were negli-
her people. gent in this respect. How we would have en-
The reader is interested in the information joyed having more information of them and
contained and we are interested in giving you of their trials and tribulations in the early
the information in such form that you will re- days of our country; what a high estimate of
joice in the opportunity to have it. their efforts we would have had
We have gathered facts from all sources; To relieve the people of the present gener-
we do not propose to republish the former his- ation of this charge of negligence; to tell the
tories, but we propose to draw on them for future generations of the people of today, and
information, as they did when they published. of the past, so that our future readers will rise
We
expect some future historian to do like- up and call you "blessed," has been our effort
wise with us when he wishes to make a good in this work.
work. The History and Biography of our We want the present young people and those
own county and people should be read next of the future to know who it was that made
after the Bible, and in fact, will make good Kanawha and Charleston, that they m—ay be
Sunday reading for ages to come. Kanawha encouraged to keep up the good work. Such
cannot have too many good histories. is the purpose of the Work we offer you.
Is it not a truthful proposition, thwi: had The Editor.