U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: --------------------------------------------------------------------- Paul Family --------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 624-629 Paul I: Nicholas Paul, the founder of this branch of the Paul family was a native of Germany and came to Pennsylvania in 1754 when 21 years of age. He served in the French and Indian and also in the Revolutionary war, serving in Captain George Nolf's company, second Battalion, Northampton County Militia, 1781. He was a resident of Northampton county for several years after the Revolutionary War. Paul II: Jacob Paul, son of Nicholas and Barbara Paul was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, April 18, 1776, according to his birth certificate, now in possession of his great-granddaughter, Mrs. C. H. Smoot (See Smoot Family). In the words of the certificate "he was born of Christian and honorable parents. His father was the Honorable Nicholas Paul and his mother Barbara, a born Saxon." That Jacob Paul had pious instruction was evidenced by the records of the Dryland Church wherein he is recorded as communing and being confirmed when he was sixteen years old, by Reverend Joshua Jeager. Jacob Paul was a soldier of the War of 1812, being First Lieutenant in Captain Leonard Cupp's (also known as Lieutenant Jacob Paul's) company, from Monongalia county, Second Regiment, Virginia Militia. His wife was Elizabeth, born August 31, 1784, daughter of Henry Miller and Anna Maria (Lemerton) Miller. Her birth certificate, in possession of Mrs. Margaret (Paul) Smith, a descendant, states that she was born at McAllister, in York county, Pennsylvania. The children of Jacob Paul and Elizabeth (Miller) Paul were Jacob, Joseph, Henry, John, George, Barbara and Washing- ton Miller. Descendants of these live in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Iowa, Oklahoma. Jacob Paul and his wife Elizabeth are buried in the Poulson graveyard at York's Run, Preston county. Washington Miller Paul, son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Miller) Paul, was born January 27, 1823 at Crab Orchard, Preston county. His parents had come from Pennsylvania about 1798, and settled there. Later they located near Evansville on the old Northwestern turnpike, and owned land there. Paul III: Washington Miller Paul, married November 5, 1840, Jane Snider, born August 9, 1815. Her parents were Henry Snider and Mary Ayers Hunt, his wife. The parents of Mary Ayers Hunt were James Hunt and his wife. Miss Jean Ayers, who married first an Anderson then a Hunt. The Hunt children being James, Thomas, Mary, Jane and Sarah. The children of Washington Miller Paul and his wife Jane (Snider) Paul, were Mary, who died in infancy, and John Emory (See Paul IV.). Washington Miller Paul was known as Captain Paul during and after the Civil War, as he was commissioned by Governor Pierpont as such. In times of peace Captain Paul followed his trade as millwright — he being an expert mechanic, built mills, bridges and fine residences. At one time he was in the lumber manufacturing business with James Reason Smoot, at Newburg. He was exact and accurate in his business methods, having inherited from his father Jacob Paul, that bookkeeping accompanies all good business, as is evidenced by the daily account books of Jacob Paul which are in the hands of his descendants. Captain Paul's home near the suburbs of Newburg was a model modern residence surrounded by garden, orchard and yard, and hospitality within — dispensed by his wife, Jane, who delighted not only in the neatness of her yard and garden with beautiful flowers, fruit and vegetables, but in skillfully preparing and serving the same. She was noted as a good cook and homekeeper, and was a diligent Bible reader, being of the old school Baptist in belief. Died April 2, 1888. Captain Paul quit his trade about 1880 and entered into merchandising in his store building built for this purpose on Market street in Newburg. About this time and for several years afterward he was justice of the peace. The last few years of his life were spent in retirement from business. He died February 27, 1899, having been but slightly indisposed the day before. He is buried in the Odd Fellows' cemetery at Newburg beside his wife whose burial there eleven years before was the first in that burying ground, though grave- stones there show earlier dates, through having been removed from other burial places. Paul IV: John Emory Paul, son of Washington Miller Paul and Jane (Snider) Paul was born August 21, 1846 at Evansville, Preston county. West Virginia. He received a good practical education in the schools of his neighborhood, and in preference to a continued course of study as offered him at the West Virginia University by his father, he married, May 15, 1866, Miss Bithiah McCool, daughter of Muir and Margaret McCool. John Emory Paul began his business career as apprentice to his father in the carpenter's trade, which he mastered and practiced skillfully, not only in his home territory, as he was called to build in other localities. In 1880 he joined his father in the merchandising firm of Paul and Company, on Market street in Newburg. During these years he was clerk of the town council of Newburg and was once Mayor of that town. His ability as an accountant engaged him as secretary to a coal company in Moundsville. West Virginia, in 1891, and since then he has continued as accountant and secretary in coal propositions — notably with the Department of Mines and Mining of the State of West Virginia, and as partner and secretary of different mining insurance companies. For several years Mr. and Mrs. Paul have lived in Charleston, where they are both members of the Kanawha Presbyterian Church. Mr. Paul is a Mason. The children of Mr. and Mrs. John Emory Paul are Alice L., wife of Charles Howard Smoot, James W. (See Paul V.), Margaret Jean married Dr. George Wetheral Smith of Wheeling, West Virginia — he being descended on maternal side from the historic Barton family of Maryland. Dr. Smith died in 1903, leaving his wife and one son, George Wetheral, Jr., who now in his fourteenth year is a Junior in the Fairmont high school. William Emory, the fourth and youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Paul, was born August 12, 1887. He attended the free schools in Newburg, his native town, also in Moundsville, Fairmont and Charleston, West Virginia. He attended the West Virginia University for three years, and then associated himself with his brother-in-law, Mr. Charles Howard Smoot, at Allingdale, Nicholas county, West Virginia, in the lumber and merchandising business. He belongs to the Masonic lodge. In 1910 he married Miss Esther McCue of Nicholas county. Mr. William E. Paul is a graduate of Baltimore College of Dental Surgery — the class of 1914. Paul V: James W. Paul, the second child of John Emory and Bithiah (McCool) Paul, attended the public school of Newburg, his native town and graduated with B. S. C. E. degree from the West Virginia University, showing his determination to secure an education by practicing civil engineering at intervals during his term of studies in order to be financially equipped. After graduation from West Virginia University he took special course in Columbia College, New York City, for two years. He then accepted position with the Monongah Coal Company, at Monongah, West Virginia, and later as chemist for the Davis Coal & Coke Company of Davis, West Virginia. Here he was when the mining laws of West Virginia required a chief mine inspector over the several district inspectors, and Governor Atkinson appointed James W. Paul in 1890, as chief to oversee the practice of the State mining laws as applied to this growing industry of the State. As Chief of the Department of Mines of West Virginia, Mr. Paul proved himself to be the right man in the right place — physically capable, well educated, energetic and ambitious for the welfare of the 125 thousand people of West Virginia then depending upon the coal industry for a livelihood, and zealous for the promotion of the development of mining in the State. Mr. Paul resided in Charleston during the twelve years that he remained Chief Mine Inspector for West Virginia, and during that time filled many posts of trust and honor, some of which were Vice- President of the West Virginia Society of Civil Engineers; a director of the West Virginia Historical and Antiquarian Society. He was elected secretary of the National Mining Institute of America, when it convened at Indianapolis, Indiana. During the Spanish-American War he offered his services, but when his application for appointment was presented with others for the Governor's signature the Governor said: "We can not spare this man, we need him in West Virginia." The "Annual Report on Coal Mines in West Virginia, U. S. A.," that Mr. Paul rendered each of the twelve years of his administration constituted a valuable contribution to the State's industrial history. He has occasionally contributed to the leading mining publications, notably "Mines and Minerals," and the "Engineering and Mining Journal." His scientific knowledge is in demand by engineering schools and schools of mines abroad in the land. He lectures at the leading schools of the United States — Harvard, Yale and Columbia. When that dreadful mine explosion occurred at Monongah in the Fairmont mining region, December 6, 1907, resulting in the loss of 361 lives and much valuable property, it was he, who through his official capacity conducted the examination of the exploded mine, for the cause of explosion, accompanied by other men of experience among whom were representatives of the Federal Government. When this investigation continued from day to day and Mr. Paul with untiring faithfulness conducted the work of rescue and investigation, these Government officials were profuse in their praise of his methods and knowledge, and told him that while West Virginia was fortunate in having his services, the Federal Government had a larger field waiting for the man who could attempt its requirements, and that in their judgment he could — that they wanted him to be the head of the new Federal mine-rescue work, which was about to be established with headquarters at Pittsburgh. This bureau was established in 1908. Mr. Paul resigned his post as Chief Mine Inspector of West Virginia, to become the Chief of Mine Rescue Work in the United States. He has at the instance of the Government traveled through all the states of the Union where mines are operated, exchanging ideas, giving and receiving, for the betterment of the conditions for the safe operation of mines, and how to best rescue those unfortunate's who happen to be in a mine at time of explosions. He has also traveled abroad to all mining sections of Europe to get practical and scientific knowledge to apply in American mines. To the casual observer, Newburg, the birthplace of James W. Paul, offered no encouragement to one who would anticipate a National career — but that environment counted this time, and plus the inherited determination to do best what lies nearest, fitted this man for the only position of its kind in America, it must be admitted. And since the citizens of any community are entitled to the credit for the civic influence which has contributed to the making of an honorable calling of a son of their native heath, Newburg is doubly fortunate as being the location of one of West Virginia's wealth producing mining plants, and the birthplace of a boy who though never a mine laborer, saw his life's work in the "Black Diamond" industry as a scientist. Mr. James W. Paul married in 1901, Miss Nell Wilson of Beaver, Pa. Their children are James, Jr., and Margaret, both now attending the graded schools of Pittsburgh, where Mr. and Mrs. James W. Paul reside. --------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 ---------------------------------------------------------------------