U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: --------------------------------------------------------------------- Fast, Richard E. (b. 1858) --------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: Prominent Men of West Virginia Published by W. L. Callin, Wheeling, W.Va. 1890 Author: George Wesley Atkinson LL.D., and Alvaro Franklin Gibbens, A.M. Pages 829-831 RICHARD E. FAST. The subject of this sketch has gained for himself distinction above the average for one of his years. Just past 30 years of age, he has been elected Mayor of Morgantown three times in succession; was chosen five years ago by the voters of his county to fill the office of Clerk of the Circuit Court; during the last campaign was a candidate for Elector on the Republican ticket; and since 1886 he has been a member of the Republican Congressional Committee for the Second District. He is an example of what thrift and energy make possible for those who are burdened with adversity, and whose early life gives no promise of more than ordinary things, except by self- exertion and ardent ambition. His early life found him without monetary aid to cultivate the strong mind that was his only inheritance, and when quite young he learned that intellectual culture is a safe stepping-stone to greater things. October 31, 1858, in Marion county, West Virginia, Richard E. Fast made his advent into this world. He is a son of Richard Fast and his second wife, Letha Jacobs. His father, for many years a Justice of the Peace, remained a firm friend of the Union at the breaking out of the Civil War, and with Hon. Fontain Smith as his colleague, represented Marion county in the Legislature under the restored government of Virginia. In the fall of 1864 the father removed with his family to one of his farms near Smith town, Monongalia county, where, in April, 1805, he died. The son, being of slight build and delicate constitution, was early put to school by his mother and given those advantages of education which her means would allow. He was a diligent student, and was in a few years master of the branches prescribed in the public schools, and became a teacher in the public schools at the age of 17. He taught for a few years, and with but two exceptions, received the highest grades of certificates on examinations. In 1880 he began a special course of study at the West Virginia University, preparatory to the study of the law. In 1886 he was graduated from the law department of this University, and received the degree of Bachelor of Laws. In a short time after graduation he was granted license to practice in the courts of West Virginia. In the active practice of his profession, however, he has never engaged, for the reason that at the time of securing his license, he held the position of Clerk of the Circuit Court, and has remained the incumbent of that office since. Most of this time he has been and still is a Commissioner in Chancery, where he has distinguished himself by the fairness, accuracy and systematic arrangement of his work. In the fall of 1882 he was made a Deputy in the County Clerk's office, and served in that capacity until January 1, 1885, when he qualified as Clerk of the Circuit Court, to which office he had been elected by several hundred majority at the election held in October preceding. In politics he has taken an active part, being an ardent and aggressive Republican, and has done effective work in several campaigns. As Mayor of Morgantown he lends his aid to the policy which makes the most improvement from a given income. He is a cautious but firm executive officer. His municipal administration has been the cause of much commendation. The town has improved; streets have been graded, sidewalks systematically put down, natural gas for fuel and lights introduced, the water works established. In December, 1883 he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of William N. Stewart. In January, 1889, his wife died, leaving one child, Richard Raymond, a little past three years old. He now lives in a neat residence on Willey street, in Morgantown, and is noted for his hospitality to his friends. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Additional Information: --------------------------------------------------------------------- Marriage Certificate, Monongalia County WV, Page 263 Richard E. Fast (age 25) and Lizzie A. Stewart (age 25) were married on December 26, 1883 at the residence of the bride's father. Birth Register, Monongalia County WV, page 57, line 58 Richard Raymond Fast, born September 23, 1885 Son of: R. E. and Lizzie A. Fast Death Certificate, Lewis County, WV #7455 Full-name: Richard R. Fast (son of Richard E. Fast) Age-at-death: 44 years Died: May 25, 1929 in Weston State Hospital, Weston WV Cause: Pulmonary Tuberculosis Place of Burial: Morgantown WV --------------------------------------------------------------------- 1900 Census, Monongalia County WV Morgantown town, ED:85, Sheet 10A Lines 43-47; Enum-Dwelling #151; Enum-Fam #161 FAST, Richard E. (head) born-Oct-1858, mar-6-yrs, WV-WV-WV, Lawyer ", Virginia M. (wife) born-Apr-1875, 2-children/2-living, WV-WV-WV ", Richard R. (son) born-Sep-1885, WV-WV-WV, at school ", Charles J. (son) born-May-1897, WV-WV-WV ", Frances J. (dau) born-Jan-1900, WV-WV-WV ---------------------------------------------------------------------