U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: --------------------------------------------------------------------- Monroe, Julius Kemble (1864-1942) --------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 600-604 The history of the Monroe family is distinctive. From the first nobleman of the Monroes, the record is replete with barons, and great generals, of both Irish, Scotch and English history. The first of whom mention has been made was Donald, son of Occaon Ro, a nobleman in the County of Derry, Ireland, who went to Scotland with his forces to the assistance of King Malcolm II. That was in a war waged against the Danes. In this contest Donald rendered great service to the Scottish King, for which lands east of Dingwall were given to him, called Ferrin-Donald — i. e. Donald's lands, and he was called Donald Bonro in respect of his father's residence on the waters of Ro, Ireland. Afterwards by the change of the letter "B" into "M", his descendants were called Monroe." They also got other lands in Scotland, which they called Fowlis, from a place in Ireland called Lock Fowl. From the above Donald, son of Occaon, were descended a long list of barons, of whom Sir George IX, baron, was slain at the battle of Bannockburn, in 1314; Robert the XVIII, Baron, fought for Mary Queen of Scots and died in 1588. Robert the XIX, was the first Protestant of his family, and was called the Black Baron, During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Monroes of Great Britain were firm defenders of the Protestant religion. Colonel William Monroe, of Lexington, speaking of the bravery of the Monroes in the Revolutionary War, said, "No wonder, they have Irish, Scotch and Yankee blood in them." Tradition has it that "Peggy" Long came from Scotland with a Presbyterian minister to Virginia in 17__. Soon after, or about that time, Monroe left Scotland, ostensibly for the purpose of marrying "Peggy" Long, as there appeared to be some legal barrier in Scotland. They were afterward married. This is supposed to be the origin of the Monroe family in America. The first authentic record is of George, John, James, Mollie, and Alexander; George lived in Eastern Virginia; John, a Baptist preacher and physician, lived on Big Capon, Virginia, and died there. Alexander went to Kentucky, probably Hamilton County, James settled near Slane's Cross Roads in Hampshire County, probably in 1780, and married Malinda Suttle. The following children were born: John, Alexander, William, Robert, and Elizabeth. James Monroe died about 1820. Robert, son of James and Malinda Suttle, born April 26, 1796; married Elizabeth Simpkins, daughter of Gossage and Eleanor Simpkins, March 20, 1817. The following children were born: Alexander, born December 29, 1817, Eleanor, August 25, 1819, Augustine, October 9, 1820, Malinda, August 5, 1823, James, May 25, 1825, John Walker, June 6, 1828, David Marion, April 7, 1830, Sarah Ann, June 12, 1832, Robert William, February 13, 1834. Robert William Monroe — youngest son of Robert and Elizabeth Simpkins Monroe — was born near "Slane's Cross Roads" in Hampshire County, Virginia, February 13, 1834; his mother died when he was about four years old; he came to Harrison County with his older brother about 1850. He taught school in Harrison County until about the age of twenty years, when he came to Independence, Preston County, — taught school and practised land surveying. He was married to Caroline Norissa Fortney, daughter of David and Angelina Fortney, April 23, 1860. Eight children were born of this union, four of whom are now living; viz: Mollie Shannon, wife of C. Jerome Menear; Julius Kemble; Isa Waters; and William Wright. While residing at Independence he studied law and was admitted to the Bar, March 3, 1873. He removed to Kingwood in June, 1876, and engaged in the practise of law in Preston and adjoining counties until his death, June 15, 1907. The West Virginia Argus when speaking of Colonel Monroe at the time of his death said: "Of Colonel Monroe it may be truthfully said that he was one of God's nobleman within the full meaning of that term or expression. He was equipped with a splendid mental capacity, and had a mind stored with an accumulation of all that belongs to the highest education in the profession he adopted as his life's work. He had a commanding presence; was a strong and forceful debater, always maintaining that courteous and gentle bearing which marks the true gentleman; and he won the hearts of all with whom he came in contact, both in business and on the social side of life. "He never allowed himself to be governed or swayed in the least degree by anything other than that which appealed to the highest and best conception of Justice and Equity. His integrity was unassailable. He was public spirited, and always active in the promotion of any and all enterprises and movements calculated to produce the greatest good to the community; and was always trusted as among the wisest and safest of counsellors in public affairs. A most generous and kindly spirit pervaded and was a part of every act of his life, both public and private. "It has been said that no man was ever successful without making more or less enemies in the struggle of life, but it is doubtful if any man, within the knowledge of those who knew Colonel Monroe, ever attained the prominence and was as widely known as he, who ever passed to the "great beyond" leaving as few who bore him ill-will as he did." Julius Kemble Monroe, subject of this sketch, son of Robert William and Caroline Norissa Monroe, was born near Evansville, in Preston County, West Virginia, August 11th, 1864. Removed to Independence, Preston County, in 1870 or 1871. Resided there until June, 1876, when he removed with family to Kingwood, where he has lived until the present time. Attended common schools until about sixteen years of age. Began study and practice of land surveying about this time. Studied telegraphy. Assisted in the organization of the Kingwood and Cranberry Telegraph and Telephone Company in the early 80's, which constructed and operated a telegraph line between Kingwood and Cranberry Summit (now Terra Alta). Was operator in conjunction with John M. Crane at the Kingwood office until about 1883, when he went to Oakland, Maryland, as private operator and clerk at the "Glades Hotel." In fall of 1884 was transferred to Altamont, Garrett County, Maryland, as Baltimore & Ohio Railroad operator; and later, upon completion of new B. & O. station at Oakland, was transferred to that place as operator and ticket agent. Resigned this position early in 1885 and returned to Kingwood and resumed practice of land surveying and engineering. In 1887 retraced and laid out center line of the Tunnelton, Kingwood & Fairchance Railway, the narrow gauge railroad then being constructed from Tunnelton to Kingwood (now West Virginia Northern Railroad); and later, upon its completion, was for a time agent and operator for this railroad at Kingwood. Was married to Jennie L., daughter of Daniel R. Jackson - September 15th, 1887, (Died 1892). Resumed practice of land surveying and engineering and later clerked in D. R. Jackson's general store until latter part of year 1888. Served as Deputy under Daniel R. Jackson, Sheriff, during his term 1889-1892. Was twice elected Grand Chief Templar of the State of West Virginia I. O. G. T. Engaged in general hardware business in Kingwood for several years, first with W. H. Murdock under firm name of W. H. Murdock & Company. Later with George A. Walls, under trade name of Monroe & Walls; and with D. R. Jackson, as Monroe & Jackson. Married Minnie Chaloner, daughter of John T. and Minerva Jane Neff, November 25th, 1893. Was appointed "Engineer on behalf of the State" in the famous boundary line dispute between Maryland and West Virginia. Made all the surveys and maps in connection with this controversy for the State of West Virginia, until the case was finally submitted to the Supreme Court of the United States. In 1910 the Court handed down its opinion in which it held that the "01d State" or "Deakins Line" as claimed by the State of West Virginia was the true boundary, and appointed Julius K. Monroe, (West Virginia) M. McCulloh Brown (Maryland) and Samuel S. Gannett of the United States Geological Survey, Commissioners to lay out upon the ground, and mark with suitable monuments, the "Old State" or "Deakins Line." This work was performed by the three Commissioners during the years 1910 and 1911, and later the Supreme Court entered a final decree establishing the line so laid out and marked as the "boundary between the States of Maryland and West Virginia forever" — thus settling a controversy which had existed for more than a century. Served several terms as Councilman and Mayor of the Town of Kingwood. Charter member of the Masonic and Knights of Pythias Lodges in Kingwood. Was appointed by Governor Albert B. White, Engineer in charge of the surveys of Marion, Monongalia, and Wetzel Counties to determine accurately their areas, with a view to creating a new County (Augusta) out of a portion of each. This work was only partially completed on account of failure to provide funds. In 1904, after making preliminary surveys and a report, was appointed Chief Engineer of the Morgantown & Kingwood Railroad, and made all the surveys and final location for extension of thirty miles from Bretz to Rowlesburg. Let contracts and was in charge of its construction until completed in 1907, at a cost of three quarters of a million dollars. Continued in active charge of engineering department of this railroad until 1911. In fall of 1912 accepted (present) position with American Water Works and Guarantee Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, later Hydro- Electric Company of West Virginia, as Resident Engineer in charge of "Big Sandy Development" in Preston County, West Virginia. --------------------------------------------------------------------- From Death Certificate, Greenbrier County, WV #12576 FULL-NAME: Julius Kemble Monroe BIRTH-DATE: August 11, 1864 BIRTH-PLACE: Fellowsville, Preston Co., W.Va.) DEATH-DATE: October 31, 1942 DEATH-PLACE: Lewisburg, Greenbrier County, WV MARITAL-STATUS: Widower (Minnie C. Neff) OCCUPATION: Civil Engineer FATHER: Robert W. Monroe (born in Romney, Hampshire Co.) MOTHER: Caroline N. Fortney (born in Independence, Preston Co., W.Va.) CAUSE-OF-DEATH: Diabetic Coma INFORMANT: Nellie M. Haris BURIAL: Kingwood, 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 ---------------------------------------------------------------------