U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: ------------------------------------------------------------------- Mearns, William (1841-1918) ------------------------------------------------------------------- The History of Upshur County West Virginia From its Earliest Exploration and Settlement to the Present Time by W. B. Cutright Buckhannon, W. Va., July 1, 1907 Pages 516-518 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF WILLIAM MEARNS. My grandfather, John Mearns came from Ireland in his boyhood days, and in manhood he located on Lost Creek, in Harrison County, W. Va., and lived there until his death, which occurred 1840. My father, Andrew Mearns, was born and raised there, during his life, except about four years, which he spent in the State of Illinois, where he lost his first wife and two children, after which he returned to his old home at Lost Creek, W. Va., in 1836, was married to his second wife, who was (Miss) Malinda Matheny. Her posterity were emigrants from Germany, she is still living and located at Lost Creek, Harrison County, W. Va. There was born to my father and mother eleven children. My father, Andrew Mearns, died in 1869. I was born in Barbour County, on the 2d day of May, 1841, and moved from there to Lost Creek in my infancy, and remained on the old original Mearns farm until the 14th day of October, 1863, at which date I was united to (Miss) Elizabeth J. Curry, in marriage; she was a daughter of John Curry, Sr., and Mary Curry, they resided on French Creek, Upshur County, W. Va. From my boyhood up until my marriage, I worked on the farm after which time I entered into stock trade generally, handling all kinds of stock and followed that business for the next twenty years of my life, during this time I was also engaged in the mercantile business, at Centerville, Upshur County, W. Va., and at Nicholas Court House, W. Va., I moved from Harrison County, to Upshur County in 1866, and resided on the original Curry farm about 10 years at which time I purchased the John Smith farm near Centerville and resided there about eight years, after which time I resided in the town of Centerville, until February, 1892, at which time I moved to the town of Buckhannon, W. Va., at which place I now reside. In the year of 1881, I was elected Justice of the Peace in Bank's District, Upshur County, W. Va., in the year 1885, I was re-elected and resumed the office until 1889, during the time of my holding the office as Justice of the Peace I was also a member of the County Court. In the year 1893, I received the appointment as Postmaster in the town of Buckhannon, Upshur County, by President Cleveland, under the recommendation of Hon. John D. Alderson, which was our Congressman at this time. This sets forth the fact that I have been a Democrat all my life and I still remain one. About the year 1882 I entered into the lumber business in Upshur County, I went to the State of Ohio and purchased a saw mill which was among the first operated in the County. This mill after being used for about five years, the boiler was blown up, killing Russ Hyre, who was firing the mill, also wounding Cyrus Brake, James Wilson, and Edwin Hyre. Since that time I have purchased and operated five different saw mills, during the time of my lumber business I operated in Webster and Nicholas County, about six years. I still remain in the lumber business. My family consists of nine children, viz: Calvin L., who was united in marriage to Celia E. Rice, September 23, 1891, Celia, his wife, departed this life 21st of November, 1896, there were two sons born to them: Venior, who departed this life in infancy; Voris S., who is 13 years old the 8th day of February. He was united in marriage to Ada E. Casto, August 25, 1898, to this union five children were born, four of which are now living, they reside in the town of Buckhannon, W. Va. John E., my second son was united in marriage to Belle Wilson, February 14, 1889, to this union was born one son who died in infancy. Viola E., my oldest daughter was united in marriage to Charles W. Geyer, December 29, 1887, to this union were born three daughters and one son, Grade, Minnie, Nella, and Wm. E. Viola departed this life November 7, 1902. Charles W. departed this Life July 28, 1905; Cora E., was united in marriage to Arthur G. Lorentz, December 31, 1891. Arthur G. Lorentz departed this life December 28, 1901. Minnie L., was united in marriage to Clyde C. Reger, September, 1898, they reside at Walkersville, Lewis County, W. Va. Wm. E. at home and engaged in the lumber business. Bertha M., at home, Mary M., died in infancy, Chesley G., at home. My father had one brother and two sisters, his brother, Hugh, spent the most of his life and raised a family in the State of Kentucky, and died in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio. His sister Rachel, married Elisha Hudkins, who was raised in Barbour County, after their marriage they moved to Hancock County, Ill., where they raised a family of eight children, at that point they both departed this life. His other sister married James Shields, of near Bridgeport, Harrison County, W. Va., they raised a family of two sons; they have both departed this life. My grandfather on my mother's side, the family consisted of five children, viz: Elizabeth, who was connected in marriage to Isaac Paugh, of Barbour County, where they lived and raised a family. Their daughter, Virginia, was married to George Rymer, who lived and died in the County, their family consisted of three children, viz: Chesley, Morgan and Sarah Malinda my mother and my father's families names were as follows: Hugh, William, Jane, John, Laura, Milton D., James A., Andrew, Mary E., Rachel, Thomas J., and one boy which died in infancy. The above shows that my relationship in my own name is very limited, and outside of my father's family. Laura, mother's sister, was united in marriage to Josiah Peck. To this union were born six sons and one daughter, two of the sons are doctors, two are lawyers, one is a carpenter, one is a preacher in the S. M. Church, the daughter is married and lives in the town of Philippi, W. Va., her mother is still living and resides with her daughter. My mother's brother, John Matheny, was united in marriage with _____, and they raised a family consisting of two boys and one girl, their father and mother have both departed this life. ------------------------------------------------------------------- From Death Certificate, Upshur County, WV #10844 FULL-NAME: William Mearns DEATH-DATE: April 16, 1918 (at 76 years of age) DEATH-PLACE: Buckhannon, Upshur County, WV MARITAL-STATUS: Widower CAUSE-OF-DEATH: Paralysis BURIAL: Buckhannon Register of Deaths, Upshur County, WV (Page 310) FULL-NAME: Mrs. Wm. Mearns AGE-AT-DEATH: 73y-2m-5d DEATH-DATE: December 19, 1913 MARITAL-STATUS: Married ------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Upshur County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/upshur/bios.html -------------------------------------------------------------------