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History of Wetzel County, West Virginia
by John C. McEldowney, Jr., 1901

Pages 131-158
TOWNS OF WETZEL COUNTY

A HISTORY OF NEW MARTINSVILLE.

Edward Doolin, Its First Settler, Killed by the Indians on the
Present Site of the Town — Some Interesting Facts Not Generally Known
by the Present Generation.

About the year 1780, Edward Doolin patented and made entry upon 800
acres of Ohio river hill and bottom land, which included in its
boundaries the present site of the town of New Martinsville. The
piece of land was a little more than a mile square, and lay in the
angle formed by Fishing creek and the Ohio river. He cleared some
land and built a small cabin near where now stands the Witten
dwelling, selecting that spot on account of its nearness to a spring,
it being the source of little Doolin, which runs through town. He
farmed and improved on his land until 1784.

In September of that year a small band of Indians came down the river
from the village of Wheeling, where they had been driven off by
Colonel Zane, attacked his home unawares, and killed him. His wife
and one child escaped. She retained ownership of the property for a
time, selling it piece by piece.

The portion upon which the town is situated, was purchased by Presly
Martin, the man for whom New Martinsville was named. Mr. Martin came
here in 1811. He built a part of what is now the Point House, and
planted an orchard of five acres between Washington street and the
creek; a few trees are yet standing. Five years later he was followed
by Friend Cox, who took up a farm and erected a house below the
creek, opposite the Point House. This house has recently burned down.

From this time until 1838 the settlement grew slowly. On March 28th
of that year an act establishing the town of "Martinsville," in the
county of Tyler, was passed by the Assembly of Virginia, and in the
same act Henry McCabe, Samuel McEldowney, Lewis Williams, John
Buchanon and Benjamin F. Martin were appointed trustees to administer
the affairs of the town. The surveying and platting was done by Lewis
Williams and three others. It extended from one lot below Washington
street to North street, and from Union street to the river. The
streets included in these boundaries remain the same now as then,
except Water street. This street was located on the river bank and
was the widest and principal street in town, being 80 feet wide. It
is evident that it was the purpose of the founders of this town to
have a broad street on the river front, where they could have the
benefit of the cool breezes from the west, and an open view of the
river. I imagine that trees had been left along the bank for the
purpose of shade, and that the residents had placed benches under
there, where the gentry were accustomed to loaf and discuss the
issues of the day. I am informed that in 1842 there were twelve
houses in town.

An incident occurred in 1845 that must have aroused dreams of wealth.
A man presented himself to the community and remained awhile without
any apparent means of support. Having no occupation, he was arrested
under the vagrancy law, and to obtain his liberty was compelled to
state his business to the town officers. Thereupon he showed papers
from the French Government. By this it was ascertained that he was an
accredited agent of that government sent to this community to search
for $87,000.00 supposed to have been buried below the creek during
the French and Indian war. It is thought that he did not find the
money. Shortly after this, another incident occurred in the same
line. A Mr. Watkins of Monongalia county sold his farm there for
1,000 silver dollars, and came to this settlement; the silver, which
weighed over 60 pounds, was too heavy to carry about his person, so
he set aside $40.00 for his immediate use, and buried the remainder
at the foot of a paw paw bush, 60 steps from the river bank, midway
between the mouth of the creek and a point opposite Texas run; when
he returned for his money, it could not be found.

An act prescribing the mode of electing trustees of New
MarMartinsville in the county of Wetzel, and investing them with
certain corporate powers was passed March 13th, 1848, by the Assembly
of Virginia.

These trustees were elected annually by the people. They chose out of
their own number to preside at their meetings. The subordinate
officers were: Commissioner of Revenue, Sergeant or Town Collector
and Police.

At this time also, the town was extended to the creek, and the
McClure addition on High street taken in. The new part of the town
was surveyed and marked out by Thomas Tucker, who died several years
ago.

Observe that the town was called "Martinsville in Tyler county." Now
it is called, "New Martinsville in Wetzel county," Wetzel having been
carved out of the North end of Tyler county in 1846.

The first County Court of Wetzel county was held April 6th, 1846. The
justices present were Sampson Thistle, Friend Cox. William Little and
Ebenezer Payne. Presley Martin was elected first Clerk, and James
Snodgrass first Prosecuting Attorney.

During the last decade, quite a number of well known names of the
past and present moved to the burg: Houblers, the Villers, the Biers,
the Wises, the Halls, Snodgrasses, the Pottses. the Livelys, the
Tuckers, the Coulters, the Moores, the Pitchers and the Vances.

As the town was increasing in size and business, some of the more
active spirits desired to make a better connection with the outside
world, and accordingly, on the 21st day of February, 1853, the
Mannington and New Martinsville railroad was incorporated. The
Directors were: Jas. G. West, Friend Cox, Presley Martin, Joseph C.
Moore, Robert Cox, Samuel McEldowney, George W. Bier, Joseph Vance,
Edmund Moore, David Cunningham, William P. Snodgrass, Elias
Blackshire and John Michael. If this railroad had been built, New
Martinsville would probably be now where Wheeling is, or at least
much better off than she is.

The brick church that stood on Main street was built by the
Methodists in 1854. About the same time an Episcopal church was built
near this. It was sold and used for a school under the name of the
New Martinsville Academy. When the Free School System was adopted by
the State the building was used for a public school. It was finally
sold to Standiford Bros., who have erected a three story building on
the old site.

The town was divided on the Civil War question, and during that time
many serious disturbances occurred and some of them were amusing.
There was one incident that caused consternation in the minds of
many. A United States flag was hung across Washington street for the
purpose of proving the loyalty of the citizens, by compelling them to
walk under it. One night was given to think over it, and all who
would refuse would do so at the peril of their lives. It was seen on
the morning of the fateful day, that the flag had disappeared, having
been stolen during the night. The person who took it has kept his
secret.

After the war, the town made very little progress until 1871.
February 13th of that year, the Charter was amended and reenacted by
the Legislature of West Virginia. From this time onward, the town
grew and improved more rapidly.

The Pittsburgh Stave Company came in 1873, and gave employment to 125
men.

In 1891 the Wetzel County Fair Association was organized at that
place and leased the ground here in the town where the Fair was and
is now held. The next year Burlington sprang up, Eseec, John and
Thomas Burlingame being the settlers. Springertown started up five
years later. The school house was built in 1880. In 1882 a church
boom struck the town, and the M. E. church South, P. E., Baptist, and
Catholic churches were erected. The Ohio River Railroad was built in
1883. In 1884 a flood came and was very destructive. The Clark and
Martin's additions came later. The latest additions are Martin
Burlingame, Clark, Stender and McEldowney. A boom struck the town in
the last five years, on which the Short Line Railroad was built and
the contracts for the erection of a new Court House and the new M. E.
church let. The town has been booming for the past five years, and
since that time a great many business houses and manufactories and
fine residences have been built. The town has six churches, the two
M. E. churches, the Catholic, Christian, Presbyterian and Episcopal;
two school houses, one magnificent building which is being built by
Contractor Burhart, six ladies' and gents' furnishing goods and shoe
houses. They are Economy, Clarence Buhlingame, the Baltimore bargain
house, Duerr Bros., John F. Loehr and J. M. Bender, and one in
Brooklyn, The town has eight dry goods and notion stores, owned by
Josephus Clark, Welch and Koontz, Mont Francis, Williams and Ankrom,
N. Bandi, Levi Oblinger, Jacob Blair, Mont Burrows, Mr. Clark &
Oblinger also have a hardware department to their store. Mr. Friend
Wells and Bridgemen & Sons also have a hardware store. Seven
groceries, Neff Bros, the Up-to-Date grocery, Geo. Rankin, who also
keeps a full line of groceries and green goods. Mrs. Newton, who also
deals in ice cream. Gorbey Bros., who keep a full line of groceries.
Jacob Dennis, who also has a bakery, Mrs. G. Snodgrass and Smittle
and Dunn. Three tailor shops owned by Geo. Grail, Duerr Bros, and D.
C. Weatherhead. There are three drug stores, owned by R. T.
Richardson, Dr. P. F. Lowther and P. D. Leap; one laundry, owned by
R. Dayton; two bakeries, owned by Irven Ober and Jacob Dennis; three
millinery stores, owned by Mrs. S. M. Snodgrass, L. Pemberton, H.
Hathaway, and four barber shops owned by Jacob Koontz, M. L. Kendal,
Geo. Houdenshilt and Soland and Van Camp. Two jewelry stores, owned
by Duerr Bros, and C. M. Powers. One harness shop owned by Dave
Mangold; one tin shop owned by M. B. Potts and Mr. Owens; two plumber
shops owned by Dewey Potts and M. F. Powers; two flour mills owned by
Stender & Stamm, and John Nusum; four hotels, the Eakin, Brast, Elk
and Wells; three restaurants, owned by Thompson, Patsey Finerty and
Martin F. Williamson. The town is supplied with gas and water. Mack
Snodgrass tends to the pump station. Wm. Fitch is superintendent of
the gas office. There are two ice plants, one owned by the citizens
of the town and the other by Schmulbach Brewing Company, of Wheeling.
The glass house is another large concern, owned chiefly by the
citizens. The wholesale grocery is a large business house, situated
on Maple avenue. Robert Morris is manager. The town has two storage
houses, owned by the Reymann and Schmulbach Brewing Companies, of
Wheeling; two large livery barns, owned by A. C. Ruby and J. H.
Bowen; three blacksmith shops, owned by Frank McEldowney, Glen
Barrick and Geo. Harman. The town has six doctors, Drs. Schmied,
Boone, Browse, Downing, Lowther and Grim. Sixteen lawyers, J. W. and
L. V. Mclntire, Bruice, Wm. McG. and Charles Hall, P. D. and Thomas
Morris, S. B. McEldowney, Thos. H. Cornet, J. W. Newman, Mr. Morris,
W. T. Sidel, T. P. Jacobs, E. B. Snodgrass, E. L. Robinson. R. E. L.
Snodgrass, Thos. Mills, Bud Snodgrass and Frank Wells Clark. The
present officers of the town are: Mayor, G. C. Westerman; Recorder,
Jas. Bishop; Assessor, L. V. Mclntire; Tax Collector, A. B. Morrison;
Street Commissioner, vacant; Chief of Police, Ed. Luikhart. The
councilmen for the First, Second and Third wards are Irven Ober,
Jacob Koontz, A. C. Ruby, Wm. Culp, W. R. Rine and John Stender.
Among the prosperous farmers around the town are John Stender, John
C. McEldowney, Duerr Brothers, Owen and John Witten, Ben Bridgeman,
Josephus Clark, Evan Williams, John Cochran, Isaac Black, John
Stephens, Mr. Linager, Brown Brothers, Mr. Bowman, Samuel Martin,
Felix Abersold, Cris Anthony, Gaberial Leap and Geo. Walker.


MORGANTOWN OR PORTER FALLS.

It was settled in 1818 by Morgan Morgan, better known as Paddy Mod;
it was to distinguish him from his cousin by the same name who went
by the name of Spy Mod. The town is situated in Green district, ten
miles east of the county seat, on Big Fishing Creek, and the Short
Line Railroad. It has about fifty inhabitants. The places of business
in the town are: one store owned by Elsworth Sneider; one blacksmith
shop, owned by George Midcap; and one saw mill owned by Morgan Bros.,
sons of Elisha Morgan. Morgan Morgan is postmaster. Among the
prosperous farmers amound the town are Morgan Morgan, Mrs. Jerry
Long, Morgan Brothers, Lewis Kocher, Samuel Headlee, Z. Cochran,
Aaron Morgan, William and Leonard Morgan.


MINNIE.

Was settled in 1815 by Aaron Morgan, cousin of the noted Indian
scout, Levi Morgan, and brother of Paddy Mod, the first settler in
Porter's Falls. It is situated in Green district, six miles east of
New Martinsville, the county seat, on the short line railroad and Big
Fishing creek. The only place of business is a store owned by Reuben
Yoho, who is also postmaster. Among the prosperous farmers around the
postoffice are Ruben Yoho, Joe Wells, S. L. Morgan, Mrs. Aaron
Clepstein, Friend Wells, Richard Morgan, Jacob Shamp, John Shamp,
Walter and Fred Shamp.


MONEY POSTOFFICE.

Is a post office situated on a small run by the same name, which
enters into Big Fishing creek one mile west of Reader. It took its
name from Money Bates, who located the land near the stream at an
early date. Part of the survey is now owned by Ed. Winning, Charles
Kiger, Ruben Price, Fred Grocenbaucher, John King, Wm. May hall, Geo.
Brown, Isaac Smith, Albert Koch, Thomas McCalaster, John Stealey,
James Windland, Charles Hudson, Wm. Gadd, Rosella Fiece, Wilson
Furbee, Jason Furbee, John and James Furbee, Geo. Worth, J. L.
Higgins, Elisha Barker, Geo. Garrett, R. Wright, Wm. Workman, Isaac
Wright, John, David and Wm. Lancaster, N. Strait, Susan Blackbridge,
Dr. John Garrett, Jake Haught, Alex. Strait, Dr. Parks, Andrew
McHenry, Milton, Hiram and George Strait, James Kerby, Jackson
Strait, Jenkins Miller, William, Ulesses and Mack Miller.


LOT.

Is a town situated twenty-three miles east of the county seat. It has
a population of about 340, and is rapidly growing, having the
prospect of making one of the best towns along the Short Line
Railroad. It was settled in the year of 1805 by James Hays, who came
to that place and erected a cabin on the ground now owned by his
grandson, G. T. Anderson. Other early settlers around the town were
Jasper Wyatt, James Wiley, Alexander Lantz, H. King, Abraham Ice, and
Aiden Bales. The town is favored with one of the best hotels along
the Short Line Railroad between New Martinsville and Clarksburg. It
is owned by W. A. Dye. There is one restaurant, owned by Mr. West;
one drug store, owned by Dr's. McGriven and Clellan; three dry goods
and notions stores, owned by Smith & Pitcher; L. E. Lantz and Lee
Schrachfield; one confectionery store, owned by Mr. Harness; one
bakery owned by Wm. Laudenslyn; one meat market, H. Taylor,
proprietor; one blacksmith shop, owned by The. Y. Barrick; and one
planing mill, owned by Curby & Mansfield. It has one church and one
schoolhouse. Among the prosperous farmers around the town are Levi,
John, Amos and Polk Lowe, Sam. Lantz, Alex Bluty, J. M. Anderson,
Catherine Satterfield, Mary Cunningham, Thomas Gorby, J. E. Davis,
Milton Anderson, J. M. Loveall, John Wiley, A. Wyatt, H. H. King, J.
Markindle, Wm. Batson, Y. T. Frances, M. Wiley, Ed. Cain, Wm.
Henthorn, Ezra Hays, Geo. Hickmon, Geo. Wetzel, L. and D. Mclntire
Elizabeth Morgan, Lot King and William Watson.


KODOL.

Is a postoffice situated in Wetzel county, lately organized. It was
settled in the year 1854 by Silas J. Park, who came to that place and
erected a house near the present site of the town of Kodol. It has
three churches, Baptist, Methodist and Christian; and one school
house. The postoffice was not organized until October, 1900, by J. J.
Crawford, bondsman and postmaster, and Stephen Park and I. N.
Crawford. The town has two attorneys, F. Keller and E. Morris, and
two doctors, Lemley and Cox. It has one store. The prosperous farmers
around the town are Wm. Leaganden, I. C. Brookover, S. C. and S. W.
Park and I. N. Crawford.


SILVER HILL.

Is a village situated in Center district, It was settled in the year
of 1825, by James A. Wood. The town has two churches, Christian and
Methodist; one school house, two stores, owned by Eulong & Son, and
C. E. Yeater; one blacksmith shop, owned by Geho & Harlan; one hotel,
proprietor, W. J. Derrow. Among the prosperous farmers around the
town are Wm. Carney, Solomon Carney, C. L. Yoho and S. C. Lowe. L.
Yoho and S. C. Lowe.


HAZEL

Is a postoffice in Grant district, on Crow's run, twenty miles east
of the county seat, and five miles south of Reader. Charles Fluharty
is postmaster. The postoffice has one store and grist mill, both
owned by Aaron Bassett. Among the prosperous farmers around the
postoffice are Aaron Basset, James Martin, Lot Martin, Pleasance
Myres, William Wright, Abraham Hiley; Charles Hiley, Friend Tracey,
John Strait, Chas. Strait, E. M. Strait, Foster Higgins and Isaac
Pitman.


PINEY FORK.

Is neither a village nor a postoffice, but a stopping place for a
great many strangers. It is situated in Green district, on the Short
Line Railroad, and twelve miles east of the county seat. It has one
store and a hotel, both owned by Frank Stender.


MAUD.

Is a postoffice situated in Proctor district, ten miles from the
county seat. It was settled in the year of 1801 by Gabrriel Leap, who
came there and erected a cabin on the property now owned by Geo. W.
Cook. The postoffice has one school house, one church, United
Brethren, with W. W. Burgess as pastor; one lawyer, A. T. Morris. It
has two stores, owned by F. P. Cook, who is also postmaster, and F.
E. Suter. M. W. Burgess owns a sawmill. Joseph Burgess also owns a
store and a blacksmith shop, Alexander Dulaney owns a gunsmith. Among
the prosperous farmers around the postoffice are J. A. Kocher, A. T.
Morris, J. C. Briggs, M. J. and J. I. Cook, I. N. Smith, J. M. Daran,
L. Schrader, G. W. Brown and A. E. Koch.


CHILDS.

Is a postoffice situated in Green District, ten miles from the county
seat, and three miles from the Short Line Railroad. It has one school
house, and one M. E. church, the latter being situated on Laurel
Point near the postoffice.


COBURN.

Is a postofflice situated in Grant district. There is no town nor
village there more than a postoffice. U. B. Ice is postmaster.


DEAN.

Is a postoffice situated ton miles from the county seat in Green
district. It was settled in the year of 1831 by John Strasinder and
Thomas Bartlett, who came to that place and erected a cabin near the
present site of the John Clark property. The town has one Christian
church, one school house and one store. The store is owned by John
Cullinan. Patrick Clark is the postmaster. Among the prosperous
farmers around the town are J. J. Morris, T. P. Horner, Patrick
Clark, B. B. Postlethwait, J. A. Cumberledge, Wm. Sapp, Alex. Sapp,
Isaac Kirkpatrick, Morgan Wright and A. T. Cain.


HUNDRED.

Is a town situated on the B. and O. R. R. and Fish creek, and has a
population of 300. The first settlement was made by Old Hundred (see
Henry Church) who patented the land on and around the town in 1819.
The town has one church and one school house; four dry goods and
notion stores, owned by D. Franklin & Sons, who also have a millinery
department, Arnold & Allen, and A. D. Ayres, Martin Windle, Mrs. L.
D. Roberts and Mr. Wiley; one millinery store, owned by Mrs. A. E.
Lahew; two drug stores, owned by John McOomas and Dr. Kerns; one
barber shop, owned by W. W. Carpenter; one blacksmith shop, owned by
F. Shultz; and one hotel, Commercial house, W. H. Lee, proprietor.
The town is furnished with gas. F. B. Hamilton now owns a large
portion of the Church patent. The first store in Hundred was opened
by F. M. Kellar in 1886, and associated with him was W. E. Hamilton.
This store was located opposite the present postoffice, and is now
under the management of D. Franklin & Sons. In 1894 T. B. Hamilton
had a series of lot sales, in which a number were sold, and added a
great deal to the prosperity of the town.


PADEN'S VALLEY.

Paden's Valley was settled in the year of 1790, by Obadiah Paden. He
was among the first settlers of the Ohio Valley. He patented about
two thousand acres of land, which at present bear his name. The
extension of the Valley out in the country is known as Paden's Fork.
The island in the Ohio river, lying in front of the Valley,
containing about one hundred acres of land, is known as Paden's
Island. He was of Dutch descent, and was originally from New York,
later settling on the Susquehanna river, and was driven from there to
the Valley. He erected a log house on a bank overlooking the
beautiful Ohio, and taking up his large tract of land, he went to
work with energy and determination, the chief characteristics of the
old Dutch settlers. He was the father of about twelve children, the
four sons chiefly inheriting the land of their father, and are known
as Jesse, James, Joseph, and Samuel, who remain, and one daughter
lies buried in the Paden cemetery. The remains of Obadiah Paden and
his. wife are both buried in the Paden cemetery and their grave is
marked by a rough sandstone, the inscription being almost erased by
time. There are two Indian mounds in the valley, one in the lower
part, on the old Richard Ankrom farm. Many relics have been taken
from these mounds. The town has one store, owned by Frank Boston.
Annie Stephens is postmistress. Among the prosperous farmers around
the town are Richard Ankrom, Mrs. Henry Ankrom, E. A. Pollack, James
Stephens, J. N. Van Camp, A. J. Van Camp, L. Cook, Geo. Kiefer, Mr.
Farmer, Geo. Smith and Uriah Kimble.


ARCHER'S FORK.

It was named from Archibald Woods, who patented a survey of land,
which consisted of 6,000 acres in the year of 1796. The first
permanent settler was William Ice, who took up about one hundred
acres of land and erected a long cabin on it in the year of 1815,
(the land is now owned by Emilia Shrew) and later his son, Abraham
Ice, took up a tract of land which consisted of one hundred and
twenty acres, where the present towns of Arches is now situated, and
the farm ii new owned by his grandson, J. H. Dawson. Near the town
the first oil well that was drilled in the county was located, being
the well known as the Robinson No. 2, and was drilled by David McCain
for the South Penn Oil Co., in 1893, and is still producing oil. The
largest well in the county is also situated there, known as the
Robinson No. 33. The town has two school houses, two churches
(Methodist and Christian), and one store owned by Carlin Brothers.
Among the prosperous farmers around the town are L. G. Robinson, J.
H. Dawson, Carlin Brothers, William Springer, Isaac Shreves, and J.
A. Edgel. The town is situated on the Short Line Railroad.

Note — The author is indebted to William Carlin for information
concerning the early settlement of Arches.


PINE GROVE.

Is a town situated on Big Fishing creek and the Short Line Railroad.
It has a population of about 500. The first settlement was made by
Morgan Morgan (Spy Mod), who came to that place about the year of
1804, and erected a cabin on the present site of the livery stable,
owned by Hennen. He also erected a grist mill near the saw and flour
mill of Joliffe Bros. Other early settlers about Pine Grove were
James Joliffe, Uriah Morgan and Mr. Wilson. The town took its name
from a beautiful grove that at one time stood near the town; it has
one school house, one church (Baptist), one clothing store, owned by
Gooldfoos Brothers, one dry goods store, owned by J. W. Brookfleld;
one meat market, owned by W. J. Wharton & Sons; one barber shop,
owned by Frank Myers; two blacksmith shops, owned by Cook Brothers,
and Halbert & Co.; one hardware store, owned by Thomas Bucher; one
general store, owned by William Long; one harness shop, owned by Dave
Renner; two bakerys, owned by J. G. Wallace and Meek Piazzro; three
grocery stores, owned by J. Brookfleld, McQuain and Stone Brothers;
three hotels, owned by Roome & Garvey, Mrs. Garvey and Mrs. Burley.
The place has three doctors, Dr.'s Stone, Depew and McCluskey.


READER.

Reader is a town situated fifteen miles east of the county seat. It
has a population of about one hundred. The first settlement was made
in the year of 1788, by James Troy, who erected a cabin on what is
now known as the negro quarters. He afterward sold his title to
Benjamin Reader tor a ten gallon copper kettle and a bay mare. The
title consisted of six hundred acres. He afterwards sold his title to
Morgan Morgan (Spy Mod) for a flint lock gun, and erected a cabin on
what is known as the negro quarters, which got its name from him. He
had negro slaves and had them stay on the place while he was living
at what is now Pine Grove. The cabin was erected in 1804 and stood
until 1806, when John Lantz, who owned the property, had it taken
down. Several other men came to that neighborhood; among them were
Jasper Strait, who moved in the same house with Morgan Morgan;
William Snodgrass, Benjamin Hays, Thomas Bowl and James Booth, and
Jacob Swisher. The pioneer school teacher of that neighborhood was
Caleb Headlee, who taught in a six by ten log house. Morgan Morgan
was lawed from the land by Jeremiah Williams, who was surveyor at the
time, who sold it to Alexander Lantz, who transferred the land to
John, the present owner. The land west of the negro quarters was
patented by Zachwell Cochran in 1702. It consisted of 500 acres of
the best farming land in the county and he lived upon this land until
1814, when he died, and the land became the property of his son,
James Cochran, who died in 1893. When the land became the property of
his heirs, who consisted of Jacob, A. S., Zachwell, Oliver, J. C, B.
F., and Irvin Cochran, Druzela Hart, Margaret Cook, Emiline Millburn
and Frances T. Long. John Millburn patented 200 acres south of the
Cochran patent, lying on the waters of Brush run, in 1800. The land
is now owned by W. M. Milburn and Martha Britton, who are living in
the cabin that he erected in 1800. Among the prosperous farmers
around Reader are Joseph Fair, George Sturge, Z. J. Morgan, John
Springer, Stephen Brown, Samuel Springer, Oliver Cochran, Wm.
Burgess, Rev. J. W. Gadd, W. A. Headlee, H. D. King, Benjamin Fox. J.
D. Wayne, Wm. Kennedy, Wm. Kirkman, Louis Connely, Solomon Workman,
Wm. and John Connely, C. Kidder, John McCalaster, N. Harris, Jame3
Harris, J. Springer, Chas. McCalaster, J. and R. Crosgry, Sam'l
Harrison, Sam Leap, Foster Clark, also hotel man and merchant, James
Cochran, Presley Q. Martin and Harvey King.


SMITHFIELD.

Is a town situated thirty-one miles east of New Martinsville. It has
a population of about 1,200. The first settlement was made by Aiden
Bales in the year of 1796. It has three hotels, Brown Front, J. A.
Davis, proprietor; the Shuman, M. D. Shuman, proprietor; and the
Wilson, D. W. Wilson, proprietor. It has four dry goods and notion
stores, owned by D. Carmichael, Howard and Calvert, L. G. Robinson,
and W. A. Smith; one confectionery and news stand owned by T. J.
Connely, and one barber shop, owned by Morris Sheon; the South Penn
Oil Company has an office here; one blacksmith shop, owned by Geo.
Beechman, and one meat market, owned by B. C. Buggles. Among the
prosperous farmers around the town are A. J. Slider, James Gump, F.
C. Hays, H. S. Hays, L. Johnson, Henry Johnson, O. B. Mclntire, C. A.
Headlee, William Barker, Sr., William Barker, Jr., Charles Gilbert,
J. J. Jackson, William Brewer, L. F. Cain, I. D. Morgan, Jas. A.
Edgel, C. W. Ezra, and Grant Edgel, E. E. Ice, T. V. Ice, Dave
Shuman, Henry and Levi Shuman, P. Minor, W. A. Wade, James A. Wade,
H. J. Miller, C. S. Lowe, J. W., J. T., and H. Headlee, Gus and
William Wyatt, Mrs. W. 1'. Morris, Louis and L. Morris, Morris L.
Wyatt, Richard, J. M., and Johnson Anderson, I. Ice, F. Price, Oliver
Bates, Curtis and Dawson Lemasters, L. G. Robinson, H. L. Smith, Geo.
Hannan, Marion Shrieves, John and J. L. Welch, Jasper, George and
Jackson Shrieves, David Ice, Albert, Sam and Dulin Edgel, L. E. and
S. R. Cain, William Taylor, James Lively, John Leach, John Francis,
John Showalter, William Carlin, Kelson Myres, John and Wash Carroll.


BURTON.

Burton is a town situated twenty-five miles east of New Martinsville,
the county seat; it is situated on Fish creek and the B. & O. R. R.
It has a population of about 250. It was settled by George Bartrug,
whose father came to what is now known as Cottontown in the year of
1810, and erected a cabin on the land now owned by his heirs, Geo.
Bartrug. After living with his parents for a short time, in 1812
erected a cabin on the site of the B. & O. R. R. The name of Burton
should have been Bartrug, and it is presumed that when the name of
what was then a landing place was given to the railroad company, that
they took the name to be Burton. Peter Bartrug's patent consisted of
250 acres, which took in both Burton and Cottontown. Other
settlements were made around Burton, of whom were Daniel Bartrug,
brother of George, Peter Colwell and John Soles. Thomas Dawson was
also a very early settler.

It has two dry goods and notion stores, of whom are Hennen & White,
W. W. Robinson and John A. Hoge; one millinery store, Mrs. Dr.
Lemley, proprietor; one blacksmith shop, W. S. Barrick, proprietor;
one barber shop, owned by John Mallery; one flour mill, owned by John
A. Hoge; one livery barn, owned by T. V. Ross; it has two hotels, the
Central, owned by T. V. Ross, the Commercial, owned by Mrs. A. Homer.
E. E. Cunningham is postmaster.


VINCEN.

Was settled in the year of 1865 by Levi Merrett, who is still living
on a part of the land where he made the settlement. The place has one
store, owned by Andrew Rice. Among the prosperous farmers around the
town are A. J. Rice, David Founds, Vincent, Amos and Levi Merett, J.
T. Blair, Thomas Burgess, Ned Carroll, Henry Egan, E. W. Lemasters,
J. S. Cross. I. J. Workman is the postmaster.


PROCTOR.

Is a town situated on the Ohio river and the Ohio River Railroad. It
was settled at an early date by Jacob Moore, a carpenter and cabinet
maker, who came to that place and erected a cabin near the present
site of the steamboat landing place. The town, like the district, was
named from a man by the name of Proctor, who was the first to own the
land where Proctor now stands. The town has two churches, Methodist
and Christian; one school house, three dry goods and notion stores,
owned by Todd & Whipkey, Monroe and Miller, and J. A. Dopier; one
hotel owned by Fleming Brothers; one barber shop, owned by John
Young; one blacksmith shop, owned by Charles Oblinger, who also owns
a hardware store; one harness shop, owned by K. Gates, two livery and
feed stables, owned by Jas. Fitzsimmons and A. C. Ruby; one machine
shop, owned by William Lee, and one flour mill, owned by Watson
Brothers. J. F. Watson is postmaster. The town has one doctor, Dr.
Haught. Among the prosperous farmers around the town are John Price,
W. F. Moore, John Newman, William Lowrey, A. H. Haught, Friend
Parsons, Israel Parsons, John Moore, Jacob Yoho, M. and A. J. Moore.

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