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Reger, Albert G. (b. 1818)
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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

Data for the following sketch was discovered among the miscellaneous
manuscripts of the Rev. John W. Reger, D. D., and to his cherished
memory, it is affectionately dedicated.
                                  L. A. E. R. H., February 5, 1907.

Pages 547-548, MAJOR ALBERT G. REGER. 

The Plaindealer of November 30, 1893, contained the following sketch
of Major Albert G. Reger:

Major Albert G. Reger was born in Lewis County, now within the
bounds of Upshur County, W. Va., on the 25th day of December, 1818.

On the 20th day of November at his home in Philippi, after a long
illness, which gradually, but almost imperceptibly exhausted a
constitution of unusual vigor, death came to him so quietly that the
loved ones watching at his bedside thought that his final rest was
but a "breathing sleep." Without a struggle or a groan to indicate
that the great change was at hand, his "mortal had put on
immortality."

On the 13th day of October, 1844, there appears on the first order
book of the old Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery of
Barbour County the following order:

"A. G. Reger, gentleman, who has been duly licensed to practice law
in the courts of this Commonwealth, on his motion hath leave to
practice in this court; and thereupon the said A. G. Reger appeared
in court, and took the several oaths required by law."

For more than forty-nine years the name of Albert G. Reger has been
a household word in almost every family in this county. As a lawyer,
he was faithful, studious, diligent and untiring in his efforts to
advance, protect or defend the interests of his clients. With him,
no work was too laborious, no assiduity too intense, if required for
the protection of their lives, liberty or property. Careful in the
preparation and management of his causes; constant in his attention
to the smallest details of practice, he was rarely taken at a
disadvantage or thrown off his guard, and the professional adversary
who was so fortunate as to gain any legal advantage over him in the
management of a cause, had good reason to be proud of his victory.

As an advocate he was earnest, forceful, eloquent and effective; and
often, when his cause seemed hopeless he would at some unseen loop
hole escape the impending peril and wrest victory from defeat.

He was the Chesterfield of the Bar; polite and courteous to all, and
punctilious to a fault.

In politics, he was first, last and always a Virginian, loving his
native State with a devotion never surpassed by any of her
distinguished sons; ready to stake his life, liberty and property,
if need be, in defence of her "sacred honor."

Such a man could not be confined to the walks of private life. His
Democratic fellow citizens in 1852 and again in 1856, appreciating
his sterling qualities, nominated and elected him Senator for the
48th Senatorial district, then composed of the counties of Upshur,
Barbour, Lewis, Gilmer, Randolph and Tucker, which position he
filled with credit and ability for the period of eight years.

In the darkest hours of his country's peril his faith in the
ultimate triumph of Democratic principles never wavered for a
moment. When civil war with horrid front threatened destruction to
his native state, he stopped not to count the cost, nor to consider
on which standard victory might ultimately perch. He laid all he had
upon her altar and for weal or woe cast his fortunes with Virginia.
In May, 1861, he received a Major's commission in the Army of
Virginia, and spent four years of the civil war in her service, and
in the service of the Confederate States.

Returning to his home in April, 1865, as a paroled prisoner of war.
"without shame and without reproach," he resumed the practice of his
profession, in which he continued, until failing health compelled
him to cease from its labors.

As a private citizen he was kind, generous and obliging; his
hospitality was that of an "old Virginia gentleman," genial and
cordial to all who crossed his threshhold.

He intermarried with Miss Mary Seay, of the county of Fluvanna,
Virginia, on the 16th day of May, 1844, by whom he had six children.

Maj. Reger was the oldest member of the Philippi Bar, and a brother
beloved of the Order of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons who, with
Masonic honors laid his remains to rest in the narrow house prepared
for all the living, there to await the resurrection of the just.

"Requiescat in pace." 
Major A. G. Reger's children: 
Heningham R. Reger, married D. Gall. 
Dr. Alfred G. Reger, married Margaret E. Barnes. 
Shelton Reger, married Ella Bonn. 
John T. Reger, married Mary C. Curry. 
Mary Alberta Reger, married M. A. Pitts. 
Willie Reger, married C. L. Steel. 

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