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Tag Archives: lawyer

John B. Wilkinson of Logan, WV (1928)

05 Monday Dec 2022

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Logan, Wayne

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Alderson-Wilkinson Land Company, Appalachia, Ashburn, attorney, Big Huff Coal Company, California, Carroll County, Cincinnati, David Wilkinson, Ernest Eugene Wilkinson, First Baptist Church, genealogy, Guyan Coal Company, Guyan Valley Bank, Guyandotte Valley, history, Hollywood, John B. Wilkinson, John B. Wilkinson Jr., Knights Templar, lawyer, Logan, Logan County, Margaret Midyette, Mary Belle Straton, Mingo County, Mona Coal Company, Mona Russo, Mystic Shrine, prosecuting attorney, Robertson Consolidated Land Company, Robertson Grocery Company, San Diego, Seventh Judicial Circuit, Virginia, Wayne, West Virginia, West Virginia Biographical Association

From West Virginians, published by the West Virginia Biographical Association in 1928, comes this profile of Judge John B. Wilkinson of Logan, WV:

The Honorable John B. Wilkinson, who died August 12, 1919, at Logan, where he had long been a foremost citizen, held rank among the best known and most successful lawyers and jurists in West Virginia. In business likewise Judge Wilkinson enjoyed a distinguished success. One of the leaders in the early development of the coal industry in the Guyan Valley, his position at the time of his death was among the great figures in business and industry. He was treasurer of the Guyan Coal Company, the Mona Coal Company, the Robertson Consolidated Land Company and the Alderson-Wilkinson Land Company. He was president of the Big Huff Coal Company and a director of the Robertson Grocery Company. He was originally a director of the Guyan Valley Bank, but later disposed of his holdings in that institution. Throughout the state at large, however, his fame was earned chiefly by his work as a jurist. During twelve years on the bench of the Seventh Judicial Circuit, he was noted for his fairness, accuracy and knowledge of the law. The press of the whole state reported his passing at great length and with sincere regret that so valuable a personality had been lost to the community. Judge Wilkinson was born in Logan County, W.Va., February 13, 1860, the son of David Wilkinson, who had come from Carroll County, Va. He lived on a farm and attended school in that part of Logan County which afterward became Mingo County, coming to the then village of Logan Court House to attend a teachers’ institute and take an examination for a teacher’s certificate. He taught two or three local normal schools here and at Wayne. His legal career began in 1882, when he was admitted to the bar. He continued in the legal profession until his death in 1919. In 1884 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Logan County, which office he filled continuously till 1896. After an interval of four years he again assumed that office, in 1900, and served till January 1, 1905. Having been elected Judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit, he resigned as prosecutor and took his place on the circuit bench on the first of January, 1905, and remained as judge until failing health induced him to resign twelve years later. Several times Judge Wilkinson was urged to become his party’s candidate for Governor of the State, although he preferred not to accept that honor. In the summer of 1916 he was nominated for Judge of the Supreme Court of West Virginia. After leaving the office of circuit judge, the condition of his health inclined him to give up the practice of law and close his office, but many friends had learned to depend on him for legal counsel, and at their urging he continued in active practice until his death. Judge Wilkinson was married, September 21, 1882, to Mary Belle Straton of Logan, who survives him with their four children, John B., Jr., who resides at Ashburn, Va.; Ernest Eugene, of Cincinnati; Mrs. Mona Russo, of San Diego, Calif.; and Mrs. Margaret Midyette, of Hollywood, Calif. Judge Wilkinson was for a long time a member of the First Baptist Church of Logan, and a member of its board of deacons. He was a member of the Masonic Orders—the Knights Templar and the Mystic Shrine. Hundreds of people in West Virginia and neighboring states, although not personally acquainted with Judge Wilkinson, knew of his work as a jurist and his renown as a civic leader in general, so that at the time of his death, his passing elicited the sincere feeling that the state had lost one of its best and most constructive citizens.

Tom Dula: Zebulon Vance Home (2020)

26 Wednesday Feb 2020

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Civil War, Tom Dula

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Ann Melton, Appalachia, civil war, Confederate Army, history, Iredell County, lawyer, North Carolina, photos, Statesville, Thomas Dooley, Tom Dula, Wilkes County, Zebulon Vance

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Zebulon Vance (1830-1894), Confederate officer and wartime governor of North Carolina, briefly occupied this home in 1865. Federal troops arrested him here at the end of the Civil War.

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The Vance house is currently located at 501 W Sharpe Street in Statesville, NC. It does not stand in its original location.

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Gov. Vance was Tom Dula’s attorney between 1866-1868.

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Because Dula and Ann Melton did not believe they would receive a fair trial in Wilkes County, Vance had their trials relocated to Iredell County.

Civil War in the Kanawha Valley: Ruffner Log Cabin and Craik-Patton House (2019)

29 Tuesday Oct 2019

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Civil War

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22nd Virginia Infantry, A.J. Lightburn, Appalachia, Battle of Charleston, Charleston, civil war, Confederate Army, Craik-Patton House, George S. Patton, history, James Craik, Kanawha Boulevard, Kanawha County, Kanawha Rifleman, Kanawha Valley, lawyer, Ruffner Log Cabin, Terry Lowry, The Battle of Charleston, Union Army, West Virginia

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Terry Lowry is THE authority on the Civil War in the Kanawha Valley. He began his tour at the Ruffner Log Cabin and the Craik-Patton House. 29 September 2019. Here is a link to his latest book, The Battle of Charleston (2016): https://wvcivilwar.com/now-available-the-battle-of-charleston/

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Ruffner Log Cabin. Constructed about 1800 at 1536 Kanawha Boulevard; discovered in 1969; reconstructed here in 1976. Union General Joseph A.J. Lightburn made his headquarters in the cabin during the Battle of Charleston (09.13.1862). 29 September 2019

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Craik-Patton House. Rev. James Craik constructed this home in downtown Charleston in 1834. George S. Patton, a lawyer and leader of the Kanawha Riflemen, later lived in the home. Patton led the 22nd Virginia Infantry before his mortal wounding in 1864. The house was moved to this location in 1973. 29 September 2019

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State v. Edgar Combs (1923): Statement of Thomas West, No. 11

29 Tuesday Jan 2019

Tags

Appalachia, Blair Mountain, Cabell County, coal, crime, deputy sheriff, Edgar Combs, H.W. Houston, history, Huntington, lawyer, Logan County, Mine Wars, Thomas West, United Mine Workers of America, West Virginia

document 11-1

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk | Filed under Battle of Blair Mountain, Coal, Huntington, Logan

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Civil War Hanging in Logan County, WV (1937)

28 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Civil War, Man

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Appalachia, civil war, constable, crime, Eli Gore, Emmett Scaggs, Frank McKesson, genealogy, George Scaggs, Henry S. Walker, history, justice of the peace, lawyer, Logan Banner, Logan County, Man, Raleigh County, Stollings, Taplin Hollow, Virginia, West Virginia

From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this bit of history about a Civil War hanging in present-day Logan County, West Virginia.

Civil War Hanging in Logan 1862 LB 06.01.1937 1.JPG

Squire Sentenced Man To Be Hanged In This County

Constable George Scaggs Carried Out Edict Of Justice Of Peace John Perry Near Taplin In Logan County’s Only Legal Hanging

Nothing but the gnarled weather beaten stump of an old locust tree remains today to mark the scene of Logan county’s only legal hanging.

The stump is standing just below the highway at the mouth of Taplin hollow and is the only landmark which calls to mind the hanging of Henry S. Walker, convicted of murder by Squire John Perry of Man in the spring of 1862 and hanged the same day by Constable George Scaggs, uncle of Emmett Scaggs, prominent lawyer, and brother-in-law of Eli Gore, old resident of Stollings.

A story is told that Henry Walker came down Taplin Hollow late one night in the closing months of the civil war on a “scouting” tour. He entered the home of Uncle Frank McKesson and for no apparent reason seized a double bitted axe and chopped to lifeless, bleeding masses the bodies of Uncle Frank and his wife and then fled to Raleigh county.

One week later Constable George Scaggs arrested the man in the county where he was hiding and brought him before Justice of the Peace John Perry.

Squire John Perry had a fine eye for justice and he was meting it out under the Virginia law which allowed a justice of the peace to pass the death sentence.

George Scaggs was delegated as executioner and Walker was put on a wagon and brought to Taplin down the river road to the spot where he committed the crime.

Old-timers say that a crowd of men, women and children laughing and passing jokes on the show they were to see followed the wagon to the scene of the proposed hanging and watched tensely as a rope was thrown over the limb of the locust tree and the noose was placed snuggly around the neck of the murderer.

He was placed on the flour barrel, a couple of feet of the slack in the rope was taken up and tied securely to the trunk of the tree, and George Scaggs, without any preliminaries, kicked the flour barrel from under the man.

The man fell to within six inches of the ground and the awed onlookers gasped as they heard an audible crack which told them the murderer’s neck had snapped. He hung quivering at the end of the rope several minutes before the peace officer cut him down and placed him in the wagon to be taken to Man for burial.

The same crowd followed the wagon back to Man, but it was a crowd of sober individuals who had seen a human life pass into oblivion. There was no joking and even the children talked in muted undertones.

Source: Logan (WV) Banner, 01 June 1937.

P.H. Noyes v. Anderson Hatfield and John R. Browning (1891-1893)

17 Sunday Jun 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Guyandotte River, Hatfield-McCoy Feud

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Appalachia, Charles M. Turley, Charleston, Cincinnati, circuit clerk, deputy sheriff, Devil Anse Hatfield, Guyandotte, Guyandotte River, Hatfield-McCoy Feud, Henry W. Sentz, history, J.B. Buskirk, John R. Browning, Kanawha County, lawyer, Logan County, Logan Court House, M.B. Mullins, Marion Chafin, P.H. Noyes & Company, pushboats, sheriff, steamboats, traveling salesman, W.W. Adams, West Virginia

On October 27, 1891, P.H. Noyes and Company sued Anderson Hatfield and John R. Browning relating to an 1890 debt. The following depositions provide some details about the case:

NOTICE TO TAKE DEPOSITIONS.

To Anderson Hatfield Sr. and John R. Browning. You will take notice that on the 28th day of March 1892, between the hours of 8 o’clock A.M., and 6 o’clock P.M., at the Law office of Adams and Smith’s at the City of Charleston in Kanawha County, we will proceed to take the deposition of P.H. Noyes and others to be read as evidence in behalf of ourselves in a certain suit at Law pending in the Circuit Court of Logan County, West Virginia wherein you are defendant and we are plaintiffs and if from any cause the taking of the said deposition be not commenced on that day, or if commenced and not completed on that day, the taking of the same will be adjourned and continued from day to day or from time to time, at the same place, and between the same hours, until completed.

Respectfully, P.H. Noyes & Co., By Counsel

Executed the within notice on the within named John R. Browning and Anderson Hatfield Sr. on the 2nd day of March 1892 by giving to each of them a true office copy of the same.

J.B. Buskirk, Dept. for F.M. Chafin, S.L.C.

***

DEPOSITIONS of Witnesses, taken before the undersigned authority, in and for the County of Kanawha, in the State of West Virginia pursuant to the annexed notice, at the law office of Adams & Smith at the City of Charleston W.Va on the 28 day of March 1892 between the hours of 8 o’clock A.M., and 6 o’clock P.M., of that day, to be read in evidence on behalf of the plaintiff, in a certain suit pending in the Circuit Court of Logan County West Virginia, in which suit P.H. Noyes & Company are Plaintiff and Anderson Hatfield Sr. and John R. Browning are Defendants.

Present: W.W. Adams for Plaintiff and no appearance for Defendant.

Deposition 1: Henry W. Sentz

Q: State your name, age, residence and occupation.

A: My name is Henry W. Sentz. I am 25 years old. I reside in Charleston, W.Va. and am a traveling salesman.

Q: What connection if any have you with the plaintiffs P.H. Noyes & Co.?

A: I am employed by them as a traveling salesman.

Q: Do you know anything about the matter in controversy in this suit between plaintiffs and defendants?

A: I sold him the bill of goods and he paid me in cash the sum of $400 for the residue. He executed the note upon which this suit is based. Since that time he has paid $100 on this note.

Q: Did you ever have any conversation with the defendant Anderson Hatfield in regard to the claim for which this suit is brought? If so, when and where?

A: I am not positive as to the time, but we had conversations in regard to the claim on two or three different occasions before the institution of this suit. These conversations were had at Logan Court House.

Q: State what was said by you and by him in said conversations.

A: He spoke of the debt, and when the note became due he asked for more time on it. He said if we would give him a little more time he would pay it, and I agreed to it as far as I could and explained the matter to the house. This was before the note was sent to Mr. Turley for collection. At the expiration of the time Mr. Hatfield asked should be given him on the note, I had another conversation with him. He still wanted more time, stating that he had a land deal on foot with M.B. Mullins, and said he thought it would only be a short time until the note was paid.

Q: What if anything did he say in these conversations, about the acts on which this suit was afterwards brought?

A: He said the debt was just and he wanted to pay it.

Q: When did these conversations occur?

A: The first conversation occurred about the time the note was due. The note was for three months, I think. The second conversation occurred about two months after the first. Both of these conversations occurred before the note was placed with Turley for collection.

Q: Has the house ever given Hatfield any other credit than the $100 credit above mentioned on the note?

A: Yes. At the time the goods were sold I figured up the amount of the bill. He paid at that time $400 and then sent in the note in controversy for the residue before the goods were shipped. When the goods were shipped, it was found that the amount of the note and the $400 was in excess of the amount of the bill for the goods, and credit was given on the note for this excess.

Q: What if anything did said defendant say in said conversations with reference to the condition of the goods for which this note was given? I mean their condition when he received them?

A: He said nothing.

Q: When did he first claim that the goods were damaged for which the note was given?

A: I can’t give the exact time but it was after the two conversations above mentioned, and before I had put the note for collection in C.M. Turley’s hands, that the defendant stated to me that some of the flour had been damaged, but that he did not blame P.H. Noyes & Co. for it as the goods had been a long time in transit and he did not get them home as early as he had expected to. Part of the flour had lain at Logan Court House for some time, I think in J.B. Buskirk’s stable.

Q: By what route and conveyance were these goods carried in Logan Court House?

A: They were shipped from Charleston to Guyandotte by steamboat, and from there to Logan Court House by push-boat, which is about 80 miles up Guyandotte River. The flour was shipped from Cincinnati to Guyandotte.

Q: When did you first hear of any claim on the defendant’s part and that he was entitled to an offset because said goods were damaged?

A: It was after the institution of the suit I saw the offset filed with the papers.

Q: Has the defendant made any payments on said note except the one of which you have spoken?

A: None that I know of.

Deposition 2: M.B. Mullins

Q: State your name, residence and occupation.

A: My name is M.B. Mullins, Logan County, West Virginia, Real estate dealer.

Q: Did you ever have any conversation with the defendant Anderson Hatfield in regard to the claim of P.H. Noyes & Co. v. him which is in controversy in this suit?

A: Yes.

Q: When and where?

A: I think it has been some nine months ago at Logan C.H. We first had the conversation in Buskirk’s store and then in Turley’s office.

Q: What did he say about said debt in that conversation?

A: He and I were on a trade for some land. He said he owed this debt and asked me in connection with the trade to pay it. This I agreed to do provided he could make good title to his land.

Q: At that time, who held this note for collection?

A: C.M. Turley said he had the note for collection. He is an attorney at Logan Court House. And part of the above conversation with Mr. Hatfield was had in the presence of Mr. Turley.

Q: Do you remember anything else Mr. Hatfield said to you about this debt on that occasion?

A: He asked me to write P.H. Noyes & Co. and ask them to give him a little time on this debt until this trade went through and he would pay it, and not to sue him. I did this.

Q: How long ago do you say this conversation occurred?

A: Nine months or more and I think I wrote the letter before I left Turley’s office. The date of the letter will show the date of the conversation.

Q: Did C.M. Turley take part in said conversation between you and Hatfield?

A: Yes, sir. My recollection is that Mr. Turley said he would give us time and hold up on the suit until the title to the land for which we were dealing was examined. Turley also wanted me to write P.H. Noyes & Co. so that they would understand why he had not brought suit v. Hatfield.

Q: Did Mr. Hatfield say anything about the goods Noyes & Co. had sent him being damaged or having any offset against said claim?

A: He did not at that time and I don’t remember of his having ever told me so. My recollection of his language is that he said “it is a just debt and I want to pay it.”

***

Additional notations derived from the Logan County Circuit Clerk’s Office, Logan, WV:

Law Orders Book G, p. 277 (27 October 1891): initial entry

Law Orders Book H, p. 112-113 (24 November 1892): case continued

Law Orders Book H, p. 113 (25 November 1892): jury could not decide, jury discharged

Law Orders Book H, p. 254 (28 April 1893): no notation

Law Orders Book H, p. 254 (28 April 1893): plaintiff wins $321.95 with interest

NOTE: This case does not appear to have any connection to the Hatfield-McCoy Feud.

Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY (2018)

04 Sunday Mar 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in American Revolutionary War, Big Sandy Valley, Civil War, Huntington, Inez

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American Revolution, Appalachia, Ashland, author, banker, Battle of Blue Licks, Battle of Bryan Station, books, Brandon Kirk, Charleston, Chillicothe, Democratic National Convention, Flem Sampson, Florida, Floyd County, Henry L. Clay, history, Huntington, Inez, Inez Deposit Bank, James Ward, John P. Martin, Kentucky, lawyer, Lewis Dempsey, Martin County, Ohio, Old Sandy Valley Seminary, Outline of U.S. History, Paintsville, photos, Phyllis Kirk, Piqua, Pleasant, Rockcastle Creek, Saltwell Cemetery, State Textbook Commission, teacher, The Mountain Journal, The New Day, U.S. Congress, Virginia, Warfield, West Virginia, William B. Ward, William McCoy Sr., Williamson

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Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018.

IMG_5822 Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018. Photo by Mom.

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Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018. Photo by Mom.

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Lewis Dempsey Historical Marker, Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018.

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William McCoy Historical Marker, Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018.

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County Named (1870) Historical Marker, Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018.

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Dr. Henry L. Clay Historical Marker, Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018.

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James Ward Historical Marker, Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018.

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William B. Ward Historical Marker, Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018.

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U.S. Coast Guard Geodetic Survey Bench Mark, Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018.

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Old Jail, Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018.

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Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018.

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Martin County Courthouse in Inez, KY. 3 March 2018.

C.C. Chambers Advertisement (1916)

04 Sunday Feb 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Logan

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Appalachia, Buskirk Building, C.C. Chambers, genealogy, history, lawyer, Logan, Logan County, Logan Democrat, West Virginia

C.C. Chambers Ad LD 10.26.1916.JPG

Logan (WV) Democrat, 26 October 1916.

Republicans in Logan County, WV

03 Friday Nov 2017

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Chapmanville, Logan

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A.A. Lilly, A.D. Cook, A.J. Fowler, A.L. Sansom, Amherstdale, Appalachia, assessor, B.A. Browning, B.L. Holland, Bernadine B. Ridenour, board of education, Bruce White, C.V. White, Chapmanville, Charleston, Christian, circuit clerk, county clerk, county commissioner, Curry, Edward Cooper, Edward S. Doolittle, Evart Campbell, Fayette County, Ferrell-Cook Republican Club, G.R. Claypool, George Godby, H.C. Burgess, Henry D. Hatfield, Henry Godby Jr., history, House of Delegates, Hugh Ike Shott, Huntington, Huntington Advertiser, I.M. Conley, Ira P. Hager, J.C. Elkins, J.D. Copley, J.M. Mitchell Jr., J.W. Hinchman, James Jeffrey, John M. Perry, John Perry, justice of the peace, lawyer, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, Logan County Banner, Logan District, Lon Walls, Mike F. Matheny, Naaman Jackson, O.J. Deegan, Pat Riffe, prosecuting attorney, R.F. Mitchell, Republican Party, Richard Kirk, S.A. Ferrell, sheriff, T.C. Whited, Thomas B. Hensley, Thomas Wilson, Triadelphia District, Union Army, W.A. Brazie, W.C. Lawrence, W.P. Neekamp, Wayne County, West Virginia

From various regional newspapers come these stories about the Republican Party in Logan County, West Virginia:

***

Republicans of Logan

Endorses the Candidacy of Judge Doolittle for Supreme Judge

The Logan county republican convention was held last week. Instructions were given for Gaines for Congress, and the candidacy of Judge Doolittle, of this city was endorsed for Supreme court judge.

Source: Huntington (WV) Advertiser, 30 April 1900.

***

The Republican Ticket

The Republicans, at their convention on Saturday, nominated a full county ticket.

The nominee for House of Delegates, Pat Riffe, is a native of the county and an old Union soldier.

W.A. Brazie, the nominee for County Clerk, is a native of Fayette and came here about twelve years ago, and worked in this office about ten years. He is well known in the county, and is well fitted for the position for which he is named.

J.D. Copley, the nominee for Circuit Clerk, is a native of Wayne, …

Source: Logan County Banner (Logan, WV), 2 October 1902.

***

Logan Republican Municipal Ticket LD 03.30.1911 1.JPG

Logan (WV) Democrat, 30 March 1911.

***

Republican Convention in Logan LB 07.10.1914 1.JPG

Logan (WV) Banner, 10 July 1914.

Republican Convention in Logan LB 07.10.1914 2.JPG

Logan (WV) Banner, 10 July 1914.

***

Republican County Ticket.

Member of the Legislature–Naaman Jackson, of Logan.

County Clerk–John Perry, of Logan.

Circuit Clerk–J.M. Mitchell, Jr., of Curry.

County Superintendent of Schools–R.F. Mitchell, of Christian.

Member of the County Court–A.D. Cook, of Triadelphia District.

W.C. Lawrence, for the Committee on Nominations, reported the following selection for members of the County Central Committee of the Republican Committee of Logan County.

For Logan District, Bruce White, I.M. Conley, James Jeffrey, T.C. Whited and W.C. Lawrence.

For Triadelphia District, H.C. Burgess and Lon Walls.

For Chapmanville District, A.J. Fowler and T.B. Hensley.

Hon. O.J. Deegan was selected County Chairman and Hon. Ira P. Hager as County Secretary and Treasurer, both promising young attorneys of Logan.

Source: Logan (WV) Banner, 17 July 1914.

***

Primary Results LD 06.29.1916 3.JPG

Logan (WV) Democrat, 29 June 1916.

 

Republican Campaign Opening Ad LB 10.05.1926.JPG

Logan (WV) Banner, 5 October 1926.

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Republicans Organize Club At Chapmanville

Republicans met at Chapmanville Friday night and organized a campaign club and named it the Ferrell-Cook Republican club. Praise was sounded for local and national Republican administrations for the tax reductions that have been made. The following officers were elected: S.A. Ferrell, chairman; Evart Campbell, secretary; A.L. Sansom, treasurer. Another meeting of the club was called for 7 o’clock tonight.

Source: Logan (WV) Banner, 19 October 1926.

Henry Clay Ragland Obituary (1911)

13 Tuesday Jun 2017

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Logan

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Appalachia, genealogy, Henry Clay Ragland, history, lawyer, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, Logan County Banner, Logan Democrat, West Virginia

Henry Clay Ragland Dead LD 05.04.1911.JPG

Logan (WV) Democrat, 4 May 1911.

William Straton Deposition (1890)

04 Sunday Jun 2017

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Civil War, Logan

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Tags

Appalachia, Aracoma, Ashland, civil war, clerk, George E. Bryan, history, Island Creek, Joseph A. Dempsey, Kentucky, lawyer, Logan, Logan County, Ralph Steel, Stuart Wood, Tazewell County, Virginia, West Virginia, William Straton

On October 7, 1890, William Straton, former clerk of Logan County, (West) Virginia, provided a deposition in a timber lawsuit. His deposition includes valuable recollections of his life during the Civil War and of the destruction of Logan County’s courthouse and records. So here it is:

Then came William Straton, another witness introduced by the plaintiff, being of lawful age and being by me first duly sworn deposes and says in answer to the following questions:

State your age, residence, and occupation?

I am 69 years old, and live at Logan Court House, W.Va., and am a lawyer.

State if you know who was clerk of the County Court of this County from 1861 to 1865?

I was the clerk during that time.

Did you have any deputy in said office during that time? If so, who?

I had a deputy, George E. Bryan. I might have some other deputy but if I did I have forgot all about it.

Which stayed in the office and attended to the business during that time, and especially in 1862, you or your said deputy George E. Bryan?

I was about the office myself very little during the year 1862, or any other time during the war. My deputy George E. Bryan stayed about here and about home more than I did, and during all of that time there was but little business done in the office anyway. It appears to me that it was in the winter 1862 and 1863 that they burned the Court House and clerk’s office.

What become of the records of marriages kept in said office in 1862?

There were some books such as deed books and order books carried to Ralph Steel’s on Island creek in the summer of 1861 and put there for safe keeping. But I don’t think the record of marriages was taken there but was left in the clerk’s office with most of the books and papers belonging to said office. I was not here at the time but the common understanding  afterwards was that all the books and papers were burned.

State if you know whether the said George E. Bryan is dead or living and if living where is he at this time?

The last I knew of him he was living at Ashland, Ky. I have never heard of his death.

Cross Examined.

Where did you live during the latter part of 1862 and the year 1863?

I lived at Logan Court House.

Where did your family live during that time?

Here.

When was it you speak of taking your family from here to Tazewell Co., Virginia?

I took my family, I think it was, in November 1862 as refugees to the County of Tazewell.

How long did your family remain there?

Until the fall of 1865.

And further this deponent saith not.

Source: Stuart Wood v. Joseph A. Dempsey (1889), Logan County Circuit Clerk’s Office, Logan, WV.

Joseph E. Chilton

11 Tuesday Apr 2017

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Hamlin, Lincoln County Feud

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Appalachia, Blood in West Virginia, Boone County, Charleston, Charleston Gazette, Coal River, genealogy, governor, Gretna, Hamlin, Henry H. Hardesty, history, Jacob B. Jackson, Joseph E. Chilton, Kanawha County, Kanawha Ring, Kuna and Walls, lawyer, Lincoln County, Louisiana, Mary Elizabeth Chilton, Pelican Publishing Company, politics, prosecuting attorney, teacher, West Virginia, West Virginia University, William Edwin Chilton

From “Hardesty’s History of Lincoln County, West Virginia,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for Joseph E. Chilton, who resided at Hamlin in Lincoln County, West Virginia:

Was born at the mouth of Coal river, Kanawha county, (now) West Virginia, December 6, 1855, and came to Lincoln county in 1878. He is a son of William Edwin and Mary Elizabeth (Wilson) Chilton. Joseph E. Chilton taught in the public schools of Kanawha county, West Virginia, five years, two years of which were spent in Charleston. He read law in the office of Kuna and Walls while teaching, and at the age of twenty-one was admitted to the bar. In 1880 he was elected prosecuting attorney of the counties of Lincoln and Boone, West Virginia, which office he still holds. Mr. Chilton is a regent of West Virginia University, having been appointed by Gov. Jackson in October, 1882.

Source: The West Virginia Encyclopedia, Vol. 7 (Richwood, WV: Jim Comstock, 1974), p. 109.

NOTE: Mr. Chilton briefly appears in my book, Blood in West Virginia: Brumfield v. McCoy. For more on the very important Chilton family, follow this link: https://www.wvencyclopedia.org/articles/1167

Major William Straton

04 Sunday Oct 2015

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Civil War, Logan

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34th Battalion Virginia Cavalry, Allen B. Straton, Battle of Beech Creek, circuit clerk, civil war, Confederate Army, county clerk, David Straton, genealogy, Guadalupe County, Henry H. Hardesty, history, House of Delegates, Ireland, Joseph Straton, lawyer, Logan County, Logan Court House, Mary A. Straton, Mary B. Straton, Minnie Straton, Polly Straton, R.A. Brock, Richmond, Sequin, Texas, U.S. South, Vicie Straton, Victoria Straton, Virginia, Virginia and Virginians, West Virginia, William Straton

From “Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for Major William Straton, who resided at Logan Court House in Logan County, West Virginia:

Was born in Logan county, W.Va., April 14, 1821. His wife, Mary A. Perry, was born in the same county June 1, 1831, and there they were united in marriage Sept. 13, 1849. Of the offspring of this marriage the following is the record: David, born Jan. 4, 1853, married, died May 15, 1890; Victoria, born Dec. 23, 1857, died April 23, 1858; Minnie, born June 12, 1859, married, died Sept. 17, 1886; Allen B., born June 7, 1855, married; Vicie, born Dec. 9, 1861, married; Mary B., born Mar. 20, 1864, married. The subject of this sketch was elected clerk of the county court in March, 1845, and was elected clerk of circuit court in Logan county in 1849, and served until 1852; was re-elected county and circuit clerk in 1852 and 1858, which office he retained until 1865. In the civil war he supported the Southern cause, in which he volunteered in 1861, and was commissioned major of the 34th Va. V.C.; In this regiment he served nobly until the close of the struggle. At the battle of Beech Creek, Logan county, W.Va., Aug. 7, 1862, he was severely wounded in the arm and breast; the last was almost a mortal wound, but recovering he again entered the Confederate army, and was one of its most gallant and efficient officers. When the war ended he came back to his family, and in his native county since has held many offices of trust and honor, esteemed and respected by all who have ever known him. His father, Joseph Straton, was born in Ireland March 4, 1794, emigrated to America in 1800, and died in Logan county, W.Va., Jan. 3, 1846; his wife, Polly Henderson, mother of Major William Straton, was born in Monroe county, Va., March 27, 1803, and died in Sequin, Guadalupe county, Texas, April 22, 1890. Major William Straton now practices law at Logan Court House, W.Va.; he was a member of the House of Delegates from 1871 to 1877.

Source: Dr. R.A. Brock, Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888 (Richmond, VA: H.H. Hardesty, Publisher, 1888), p. 842.

Henry Clay Ragland

04 Tuesday Aug 2015

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Civil War, Logan

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5th Virginia Cavalry, American Revolution, Appalachia, civil war, Confederate Army, Finch Ragland, genealogy, Henry Clay Ragland, Henry H. Hardesty, history, House of Delegates, John Ragland, Kentucky, Lawrence County, lawyer, Logan, Logan County, Logan County Banner, Louisa Ragland, Maryland, Point Lookout, R.A. Brock, Revolutionary War, Richmond, Thomas Eads, U.S. South, Virginia, Virginia and Virginians, Wales, War of 1812, West Virginia

From “Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for Henry Clay Ragland, who resided at Logan, West Virginia:

Is of a family that has long been one of the most influential in the State. The founder of the family in America, John Ragland, came to this country directly from Wales, and settled in Virginia about the year 1630; his great-grandson, Finch Ragland, grandfather of the subject of the sketch, was a patriot of 1776 and fought through the Revolutionary war; his descendants have all inherited the spirit of patriotism, and have ever been foremost in enhancing the interests and defending the rights of their country. Thomas Eads, maternal grandfather of H.C. Ragland, was a soldier in the war of 1812. When the war between the States broke out in 1861 Henry Clay Ragland was among the first to volunteer his services in the cause of the South; he was a member of the 5th Va. Cav., was twice wounded, and was a prisoner at Point Lookout from Sept., 1864, to March, 1865. Since 1874 he has resided in Logan county, W.Va., where he is now editor of the Logan county Banner, besides has an extensive law practice in Logan and adjoining counties, being regarded as one of the leading lights in the profession. From 1886 to 1888 he was a member of the West Virginia legislature, in which he served with honor and distinction. His address is Logan Court House, W.Va. Mr. H.C. Ragland was born in Goochland county, Va., on the 7th of May, 1844; his wife, nee Miss Louisa Goings, was born in Lawrence county, Ky.; they were married at Logan Court House, W.Va., June 9, 1877.

Source: Dr. R.A. Brock, Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888 (Richmond, VA: H.H. Hardesty, Publisher, 1888), p. 836-837.

John B. Ellison

21 Sunday Jun 2015

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Logan

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Appalachia, Boone County, genealogy, Henry H. Hardesty, history, John B. Ellison, lawyer, Logan, Logan County, Monroe County, R.A. Brock, Raleigh County, Richmond, U.S. South, Virginia, Virginia and Virginians, West Virginia, Wyoming County

From “Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for John B. Ellison, who resided at Logan Court House, West Virginia:

Attorney and counselor at law, Logan Court House, West Va., is a native of Monroe county, Va., where he was born Jan. 15, 1853. He first began the practice of his profession in 1878, and has since practiced in Boone, Raleigh, Wyoming and Logan counties; is also notary public; the duties of this position are ably executed by him. He is a lawyer of superior ability and has won a distinguished position in his profession; being gifted with a brilliant intellect, he has by close study and extensive practice acquired a thorough knowledge of law that can compete with the oldest and most learned at the bar, but it is his indefatigable energy and zeal in the interest of his clients for which he is most conspicuous. He resides at Logan Court House, and practices in all the neighboring counties.

Source: Dr. R.A. Brock, Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888 (Richmond, VA: H.H. Hardesty, Publisher, 1888), p. 829.

Luther Lybrook Chambers

10 Sunday May 2015

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Wyoming County

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Brooke Chambers, Claude Chambers, Damaris Chambers, genealogy, Giles County, Henry H. Hardesty, history, Inez Chambers, James Chambers, lawyer, Lee Chambers, Leroy Chambers, Luther Chambers, Luther Lybrook Chambers, Margaret A. Chambers, Monroe County, Oceana, Pulaski County, R.A. Brock, Richmond, Tazewell County, Virginia, Virginia and Virginians, West Virginia, Wyoming County

From “Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for Luther Lybrook Chambers, who resided at Oceana, West Virginia:

Attorney at law, Oceana, Wyoming county, W.Va., was born in Monroe county, W.Va., April 22, 1856. His wife, Brooke Chambers, was born in Tazewell county, Va., Mar. 16, 1864. They were married in Wyoming county, W.Va., Nov. 6, 1881. Their home has been blessed with the following children: Lee, Inez, Claude and Luther. Mr. L.L. Chambers’ parents, James and Margaret A. (Lybrook) Chambers, were residents of Monroe county, W.Va., and the father continues to reside there; he was born in that county in 1825; his wife, the mother of the subject of this sketch, was born in Giles county, Va., in 1828, and died in Monroe county, W.Va., in 1882. Mrs. L.L. Chambers’ parents are residents of Wyoming county, W.Va. The father, Leroy Chambers, was born in Monroe county, W.Va., Sept. 15, 1821; his wife, Mrs. L.L. Chambers’ mother, was born in Pulaski county, Va., Jan. 1, 1834; her maiden name was Damaris Farmer. The Chambers family date their ancestry back many generations. The founders of the family in America came directly from England, and were among the old Virginia aristocrats in the colonial days. They have always been people of means and influence. The subject of this brief record has been a practicing lawyer in Wyoming and adjoining counties for several years, and has built up a large and extensive practice. He is a man of fine intellect and the best of business qualities; though yet a young man, he is among those who stand at the head of the profession in West Virginia, and is one of the leading men of his county.

Source: Dr. R.A. Brock, Virginia and Virginians, 1606-1888 (Richmond, VA: H.H. Hardesty, Publisher, 1888), p. 824.

Thomas Dunn English obituary (1902)

25 Thursday Dec 2014

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Logan

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Appalachia, Aracoma, author, Ben Bolt, Henry Clay Ragland, history, lawyer, Logan, Logan County, Logan County Banner, New Jersey, Newark, physician, poet, statesman, Thomas Dunn English, West Virginia, writer

Thomas Dunn English obit LCB 3.13.02

Thomas Dunn English obituary, Logan County (WV) Banner, 13 March 1902

Feud Poll 1

If you had lived in the Harts Creek community during the 1880s, to which faction of feudists might you have given your loyalty?

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Feud Poll 2

Do you think Milt Haley and Green McCoy committed the ambush on Al and Hollene Brumfield in 1889?

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Feud Poll 3

Who do you think organized the ambush of Al and Hollene Brumfield in 1889?

Recent Posts

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Ed Haley Poll 1

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Writings from my travels and experiences. High and fine literature is wine, and mine is only water; but everybody likes water. Mark Twain

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