U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hauger, Ezra Benton (1868-1940) --------------------------------------------------------------------- A History of Preston County West Virginia Biographical Department, Supplied by J. R. Cole Kingwood, W. Va., The Journal Publishing Company, 1914 by H. S. Whetsell Pages 736-737, EZRA BENTON HAUGER. The Hauger family are of German descent. From the time of William Hauger, who came to Preston County, from Somerset a little subsequent to 1832, and settled on the James Kelly farm a little north of Lexox, they have been known as thrifty farmers, and as a very honest and industrious class of people. Their connections are mainly in Portland. Francis Hauger, son of William, died about 1840. He was quite a business man not only in agricultural pursuits, but he was a blacksmith and wagon maker, besides owning and operating a grist mill on Muddy Creek, and was a Notary Public, for many years. He married Julia Cuppett, who lived to an advanced age, dying only a few years ago. He died at the early age of about fifty-two. Their children were John A., William, and Luther, all dead. The daughters were Lydia, Alice and Clara, all living. John A. Hauger was born September 11, 1844. He followed farming, and was a carpenter, also, by trade. In 1861, he enlisted in the 14th West Virginia Cavalry, and served with that regiment until the close of the war in 1865. After the war, he married Mrs. Abraham Smith, widow of Irving Smith. She is still living on the Hauger farm one mile west of Terra Alta, to which they moved in 1884. He died in 1904. Their children are Ezra Benton, born December 8, 1868; (2) Charles, born October 1, 1870, now conductor on the B. & O. Railroad. He lives at Cumberland, Md. (3) Victor E., born October 6, 1874. He lives ten miles west of Terra Alta, and is a farmer. (4) Floyd, born July 22, 1887, and Ward, born August 16, 1891, are at home. Ezra Benton Hauger, formerly a well known school teacher in Preston County, now a favorably known merchant of Terra Alta, and candidate for the office of County Assessor, was reared on the old Hauger homestead on Muddy Creek, spending his summer months working on the farm and going to the district school in the winter time. He prepared himself for teaching and followed that profession for ten years. Finally he came to Terra Alta and began the mercantile business. He entered into a partnership with William Bishop under the firm name of Hauger & Bishop, but after a year or so sold all interests in that concern. He bought the Albright homestead April 1, 1899, and moved to Cranesville on the farm where his wife was born and reared. Her name was Georgiana Albright. She was a daughter of Edmund and Nancy Jane Albright, both members of old Albright families. Their marriage took place on the 5th of July, 1896. Miss Albright was a pupil of Mr. Hanger, afterwards one of the successful teachers of Preston County herself, having obtained a good Normal training for her profession both in Oakland, Md., and in Florida, but she only taught three years before she was married. They are the parents of two children: Eva Gertrude, born February 22, 1901; and Fannie Beatrice, born June 4, 1903. After a stay of three years, the farm was rented and a return was made to Terra Alta, since which time a business in general merchandising has been somewhat extensively carried on. First was a clerkship for Henry Glover, whom Mr. Hanger succeeded as Postmaster of the city under the Roosevelt administration, and which office he held for six years in all. Then the store and property next door was purchased from the Terra Alta Candy Store Company, which he still owns and operates on a somewhat extensive basis. To this was added, at one time, the Terra Alta Bottling Company's business, but finding a profitable sale of that property he disposed of all interests in that concern in 1910, and now confines his attention solely to the Ice Cream trade, wholesale and retail, and to the store. Mrs. Hauger is an able assistant in the work. She is a thorough trained business woman, and helps with the management of the store. They are both educated people, gentle and kind in their manner, quiet and unassuming in their behavior, and so courteous to everybody, no one can help liking them. Their success in business, as owners of large landed estates and other interests, is largely due to the popularity of both Mr, and Mrs. Hauger. In church work, as well as in business, Mrs. Hauger has taken her place by her husband's side, ever willing to give her ability and strength for the benefit of others. Mr. Hauger has contributed his time and influence liberally in this direction. He was Superintendent of the Sabbath School for four years; was chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Church; and they are both active in every good cause. Mr. Hauger is also a member of the Odd Fellows' Lodge, is a Woodman, and a Knight of Pythias. --------------------------------------------------------------------- From Death Certificate, Preston County, WV #7226 FULL-NAME: Ezra B. Hauger BIRTH-PLACE: Lenox, Preston Co., W.Va. DEATH-DATE: May 6, 1940 at age 76y-4m-28d DEATH-PLACE: barn at home, Terra Alta, Preston County, WV USUAL-RESIDENCE: Adair Avenue, Terra Alta, WV MARITAL-STATUS: Married (Georgia Hauger) OCCUPATION: School Janitor, High School FATHER: John Hauger (born in Pa.) MOTHER: Savilla Smith (born in Pa.) CAUSE-OF-DEATH: Gunshot wound in abdomen, causing internal hemorrhage other conditions: Carcinoma of Stomach INFORMANT: Mrs. Glenn Miller (of Kingwood, W.Va.) BURIAL: Terra Alta Cemetery, Terra Alta, W.Va. --------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Preston County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/preston/bios.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------