U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: ------------------------------------------------------------------- Reger, John W. (1815-1893) ------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 549-552, THE REV. JOHN W. REGER, D. D. February 5, 1815, there came to the home of John Reger and his good wife, Elizabeth West Reger, their first little grandson, with hair, "as dark as the raven's wing," and eyes like his mother's, "blue gray," steady and resolute. While still quite young he gave indications suggestive of the strong will, tireless energy, and perseverance which were the dominant characteristics of his entire life. "They called his name John, for the grandfather, and West for the grandmother. He was their petted darling, their pride and joy. The grandfather taught him the craft of the hunt and chase, and the mysteries of the forest; also to shoot and swim, and row his boat; meanwhile he filled the boy's plastic mind with traditions and legends calculated to inspire manhood to highest effort and enterprise. The lad's father lived only a very short distance from the grandfather, still little John, for reasons best known to himself preferred to spend most of his time under the hospitable roof, which had first sheltered him. His report was calculated to induce the belief that in culinary arts his grandmother greatly excelled all who succeeded her — especially in the cooking of bear, deer and possum meats; while her "corn hoe-cake" was beyond all compare. The "schoolmaster" made his home with the grandparents, and as soon as the little lad could cling to his shoulders, he was carried to and fro to the school, (a distance of nearly two miles) on the Master's back. Little John learned with amazing rapidity and was ever hungering for greater knowledge and ready to take advantage of any opportunity afforded him. All life for him seemed full of good cheer, hope and promise, till in the late hours of a dark and stormy night, he was awakened by his father's voice, bidding him, "ride with all haste to Clarksburg, 30 miles away, and bring a doctor for his mother," as he caught a hurried passing glimpse of the dear sufferer, her last words to him were, "John, ride fast." Alas, it was too late. Through all the years of his life he never referred to his mother but with deep feeling and great tenderness. On June 9, 1835, he was converted at a Methodist Campmeeting, held near the present site of Reger Church, in passing which he frequently referred with emotion to his conversion, often repeating his favorite hymn, "There is a spot to me more dear, Then native vale or mountain, etc." which only a few hours before his death, he requested might be sung at his funeral. Perhaps some might be interested to know that this historic church was built one mile south of Burnersville (now Volga) on land donated during 1810 by John Reger, Sen., and was the first church built above Morgantown, "On the waters of the Upper Monongahela." In size, the structure was about 30 by 40 feet, built of hewn logs, with benches made by splitting small trees in halves, with the flat side dressed smooth. This church was used as a place of worship for 30 years, when it was replaced by a larger edifice. Some of the men most distinguished in the early history of the M. E. Church, have preached on or near this spot, and hundreds of "souls in glory now" were here started on their Heavenward journey. After his mother's death, for a short time John W. Reger attended the Academy in Clarksburg. The following are his own words: "In 1836 I was licensed as an Exhorter by B. F. Sedgwick, P. E. July 17, 1837, at a quarterly meeting held on French Creek, I was licensed to preach, J. G. Sampson, P. E., and sent as junior preacher to Randolph circuit, which then extended from Mingo Flats on the head of the Tygart's Valley River to the green glades in Allegheny County, Maryland. Rich, Cheat and Allegheny mountains were within the circuit, lending variety to the surpassingly beautiful landscapes, which though grand and beautiful in summer, were intensely cold and bleak in winter." "This circuit was about three hundred miles in extent. Tygarts Valley River and Leading Creek had to be frequently crossed, which, especially during the winder season, was often attended with great difficulty and extremely hazardous." In those days "of the long, long ago," this circuit of vast distances, lofty mountains, rapid streams, and almost impassable snow drifts, usually bore the cognomen of "Brush College." Thither the elders were wont to send the young men of the Conference, "to try their mettle"; if for an entire year they performed all the duties here assigned them, they received the distinction of graduate of "Brush College," which was sportively borne by a number of the most distinguished members of the West Virginia Conference. In 1838 John W. Reger was admitted to the Pittsburg Conference and appointed to Middletown Circuit. 'In 1840, Shadrack Chaney, Sen., preacher, John W. Reger, Jr., preacher, were appointed to Kingwood Circuit, which at that time consisted of 10 appointments, requiring a journey of about 125 miles on each round. During this year there was a most gracious revival on this entire work, and hundreds were added to the church. The salaries were as follows: Jas. G. Sanson, P. E., $16.25; S. Chany, with a large family received $183.35; John W. Reger, $66.25. In 1841, J. W. Reger, was appointed preacher in charge on the Little Kanawha Circuit. Here he and his "new wife" were boarded and received during the year, $42.00 as quarterage. In this reference to finance no invidious comparison is intended, but merely referred to as a suggestive representation of that period. These were average circuits and average salaries, as is shown by statistics. Would that eloquence might be given the writer to portray as other lips (now, alas! silent), have done — the great-hearted, cordial, generous hospitality extended to the early "circuit riders" and their families. "The dwellers in cabins made them forget they were not in palaces." This circuit was formed in 1800, and is represented as an "immense territory" lying on the Little Kanawha River below Wheeling, which before 1842 had doubtless been subdivided. In 1842 he was sent to Waynesburg Circuit. Here his health failed, and he was temporarily located. In 1849, he was appointed to Monongalia Circuit, where there was a very great awakening, and about four hundred accessions to the Methodist Church, but alas! for the poor preacher when the year closed, his physicians, among whom was Dr. McLain, Sen., of Morgantown, gave no hope that even though his life should be spared, he could ever preach again, those were very dark and gloomy days, but in June, 1852, he considered himself sufficiently recovered to resume what he so sincerely deemed his life mission, and was," appointed to Pruntytown, 1854 made Presiding Elder of Guyandotte District, 1859, stationed in Grafton. 1860, Presiding Elder of Parkersburg District. Having the courage of his convictions, he enlisted as a private in the 7th West Virginia Volunteer Infantry, and on September 2, 1861, he was mustered into the service, some time after he was elected and commissioned Chaplain, serving as such until after the Battles of South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Gettysburg. Some time after the latter, from a severe sun stroke, he was incapacitated for duty and resigned as Chaplain. His conference, hoping for his recovery, appointed him Presiding Elder of Clarksburg District; also in conjunction with Dr. James Drummond, and The Rev. J. L. Clark, elected him as a Delegate to the General Conference, which met in Philadelphia in 1864. However, as soon as sufficiently recovered, he felt it his duty as a patriot, to again offer his services to the Government, and was appointed Chaplain of Grafton Hospital, where he remained until the war closed. Between himself and "the boys" of the gallant 7th West Virginia Volunteer Infantry, there always existed sentiments of warmest comradeship, his pride in their dauntless valor, and splendid achievements knew no bound, and the memory of their honored dead, who fell on so many battlefields was ever sacred to his heart. After the war closed he returned to his native county, and in 1866 was appointed to Buckhannon Station. During his two years pastorate here there was a very great revival, and many accessions to the church. After this he served two years on the Buckhannon Circuit and four years as Presiding Elder of Buckhannon District. Always a tireless worker, whom no discouragement could dismay, and no defeat could halt, he still continued to labor in all the adjacent appointments, as strength and opportunity afforded. For several years preceding his retirement from the active work, he, with quite a number of his brethren in the ministry, and also many influential laymen, had been very desirous for the establishment of a school of high grade, within the bounds of the West Virginia Conference. With the Rev. J. W. Reger this became an intense desire and it was said by many present at the Annual Conference which met in Grafton, March 11, 1877, that the best oratorical effort of his life was made on a resolution — "to locate and build a Conference Seminary," and so great was his solicitude as to its fate, that when the victory was won by an affirmative vote, he wept like a child. After this his interest seemed to center especially in the West Virginia Conference Seminary, during the construction of which he spent the greater part of his time on the ground. It was said by the workmen "that 'Uncle Johnnie' examined every brick, and every stone, used in the construction of the first edifice, and that nothing either great or small, connected with the building, escaped his scrutiny." However, he was always on the best of terms with those employed, and they were ever ready to make any changes which he suggested. In this interest he was greatly strengthened and constantly encouraged by his wife. Their mutual desire for its success and devotion to its welfare ended only with their lives. In its darkest and most discouraging days, Mrs. Reger's faith never faltered — her oft-repeated words were — "It is the Lord's work and must go on," to attain which they gave liberally of their time, strength, prayers and means. Only a few days before his death, The Rev. John W. Reger said to the writer, "The crowning act of my life I consider to have been the humble efforts which I made in connection with my fellow trustees in the location and building of the West Virginia Conference Seminary." On July 6, 1893, he passed away in great peace, even after speech had failed and sight grown dim, he waved his hand, indicative of Victory. Their children: Lee A. E., married Major Jacob Heavner, daughter; Reta B. Brown Heavner, married Frank P. Maxwell, daughter; Virginia Lee Maxwell. Mary C., married Col. John L. Hurst, daughter; Annie Lee Hawthorne, married William Pest, Sons: Isaac Hurst Post, John Hawthorne Post. Marion R. Hurst, married P. H. Koblegard, son, Hurst Hanson Koblegard. Dr. Robert A. Reger, married Margaret T. Janney; daughters, Mary Rebacca and Roberta Anna Reger. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Register of Deaths, Upshur County, WV (Pages 56-57) FULL-NAME: Jno. W. Reger AGE-AT-DEATH: 78y-5m-1d DEATH-DATE: July 6, 1893 DEATH-PLACE: Buckhannon MARITAL-STATUS: Widower CAUSE-OF-DEATH: Dis. of Liver (wife of John W. Reger) Register of Deaths, Upshur County, WV (Pages 54-55) FULL-NAME: Rebecca A. Reger BIRTH-PLACE: Preston Co. AGE-AT-DEATH: 72 years DEATH-DATE: January 28, 1893 DEATH-PLACE: Buckhannon MARITAL-STATUS: Married OCCUPATION: Housewife CAUSE-OF-DEATH: Apoplexy PHYSICIAN: R. A. Reger BURIAL: Heavner Cemetery ------------------------------------------------------------------- There's a double-tombstone in Heavner Cemetery, Buckhannon, WV John W. Reger, D. D. Rebecca A. Brown, his wife 1815-1893 1822-1893 ------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 -------------------------------------------------------------------