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Lewis County
Go back to Lewis County
1769
The first white people settled in present Lewis County Other events that happened on or around 1769 Matthew Arbuckle's first post was gentleman justice of Botetourt County Development of the land called Grand Ohio Company, Vandalia Company and Walpole Company organized John Beckley was sent to Virginia Colonists began returning to the Greenbrier Valley. Families descended the rivers and settled in the bottomlands of the Ohio Waves of pioneers began to sweep into the upper Ohio, Monongahela, Greenbrier and Kanawha valleys The first white settlers in Marshall County were John Wetzel and his family The Zane brothers were the first white men to settle in present Ohio County The Pringle brothers led a small group of settlers back to the Buckhannon Valley to begin a permanent settlement there. John Stuart was a surveyor in the expedition to establish a permanent settlement in Greenbrier Adam Stroud settled in present Webster County as the first white settler
Dec 18, 1816
Lewis County was created
1819
The Lewis County seat became Weston Other events that happened on or around 1819 Gov. Cabell bought 4,400 acres of land inCabell County Clarksburg chosen as site of first federal court west of Alleghenies Romney's Literary Society was founded President James Monroe appointed John George Jackson a federal judge The first steamboat tried to get up over Red House Shoals Western commerce was crushed by the Panic Henry Ruffner organized two Presbyterian congregations from which came Kanawha Salines in Malden and the Kanawha Church of Charleston Oil was produced by George Lemon in Wirt County Jonas Smith recorded the first plat of the town The Robert Thompson was the first steamboat to attempt to get to Charleston The Literary Society was founded Henry Ruffner began teaching ancient languages at Washington College (Washington and Lee University) Richard Henry Lee Washington died Thomas Beall died Weston became the permanent name of the town
1844
Weston's first church building was erected Other events that happened on or around 1844 Samuel Black was ordained a deacon Jacob Blair was admitted to the bar Wills De Hass acquired the Grave Creek tablet and skull when the Grave Creek Mound Museum closed The first courthouse of Ritchie County was built The Methodists split The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was created in present West Virginia Four dams were built upstream from Pittsburgh on the Monongahela The Spirit of Jeffersonnewspaper began in Charles Town Philippi was chartered. The city of Smithville was planned The first post office in Roane County was established in Walton John C. Calhoun visited the Salt Sulphur Springs Cedar Grove was built Pruntytown became the county seat of Taylor County Laura Jackson married Jonathon Arnold and settled in Beverly
1846
Weston's first newspaper began publishing Other events that happened on or around 1846 Ephraim G. Squier and Edwin H. Davis documented Salt Rock petroglyphs Heirs of Matthias Bruen of New York City inherited 200,000 acres of land The Point Pleasant lead plate left by Celeron was found by boy playing on riverbank Legislature allowed citizens to petition counties to establish free schools Joseph Diss Debar moved to Parkersburg Legislation authorized school commissioners to use local taxes to supplement state aid for the poor William Edwards traveled to the Amazon River Salt production in the Kanawha Valley peaked at 3,244,786 bushels Joseph Lightburn enlisted in the army as a private Alexander Martin served as principal of Kingwood Academy in Preston County Ephraim Squier and Edwin Davis conducted a survey of prehistoric mounds in the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys New Martinsville became the county seat of Wetzel County Jesse Reno graduated from West Point. The Christian Minstrel was published introducing a second system using seven shapes to teach singing Churches in Lewis, Upshur, Barbour, and Gilmer counties merged with those in Braxton County to form the Lewis or Buckhannon Circuit of the United Brethren The administration building at the School for Deaf and Blind was built
1852
Weston's first bank opened its doors Other events that happened on or around 1852 The congregation of the African Zion Baptist Church formally organized for the black community of Malden. Lemuel Chenoweth designed and built Philippi's covered bridge. Buckhannon was chartered Archibald Campbell graduated from Bethany College James Watson organized the Montana Mining Company Martin Delany published The Condition, Elevation, Emigration, And Destiny of the Colored People of the United States William Edwards opened his first coal mines on Paint Creek Thomas Moore Jackson was born Jacob Jackson was admitted to the bar Anna Maria Reeves married Granville E. Jarvis George Smith Patton graduated the Virginia Military Institute La Belle Ironworks was founded Robert E. Lee became superintendent of West Point Thomas Lake Harris and James L. Scott jointly led the Mountain Cove Spiritualist community The Wheeling Intelligencer was established The Ritchie Mines was discovered by Frederick Lemon Shinnston was chartered as a town by the General Assembly David Strother contributed 20 illustrations to John Pendleton Kennedy's Swallow Barn: A Sojourn in the Old Dominion George Summers was elected circuit judge of Kanawha County Grafton emerged as a city A major flood hit Virginius Island James O Watson joined with Francis H. Pierpont to open a mine in Fairmont Wheeling had a library The Wheeling Intelligencer began The Potomac River flooded The Shenandoah River flooded
1855
Weston's first school was built Other events that happened on or around 1855 Gordon Battelle was appointed as the presiding elder of Clarksburg District of the Methodist Episcopal Church Bethany College forced to dismiss several abolitionists after political discussions were banned Arthur Boreman was elected as a Whig to the General Assembly Archibald Campbell graduated from Hamilton College Law School in New York Craig-Patton House became property of Col. George Smith Patton Rector College in Western Virginia was destroyed by fire Rifled muskets were being built at the Harpers Ferry Armory Maurice Sullivan purchased land from John Gwinn on Irish Mountain Eight locks and dams were built on the Coal River William Rosecrans began working as superintendent of a cannel coal company in Kanawha County Samuel Tanner's log cabin was torn down in Spencer, Roane County Ralph Swinburn purchased land near Ruth Ammi B. Young designed the Wheeling Custom House.
1859
Construction of Weston Hospital began Other events that happened on or around 1859 The African Methodist Episcopal Church aided slaves in Western Virginia after John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry Gordon Battelle moved to a church in Wheeling Charles James Faulkner Sr. was appointed minister to France by President Buchanan Alexander Boteler was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Whig Boyds moved to 500 block of South Queen Street, Martinsburg Meshach Browning died First oil-producing well drilled in Pennsylvania Construction of stone-filled timber crib dams and timber-crib locks were completed on the Coal River Claude Crozet became principal of Richmond Academy Henry Koontz bought a 600-acre farm in Easton, near Morgantown Weston College was sold at public auction Granville Davisson Hall moved to Wheeling Morris Harvey began his service as Fayette County sheriff George Imboden married Mary Franes Tyree Martin Robison Delany and 34 others met with John Brown in Canada to develop a provisional constitution for the liberated slaves Mother Jones began teaching in a convent school in Michigan George Latham was admitted to the bar A library company in Wheeling was chartered by Virginia Linsly Institute built a new three-story building Martin Delany wrote Blake: or, The Huts of America Daniel Lucas was admitted to the practice of law Michael J. Owens was born The Weston & Gauley Bridge Turnpike was completed The Greenbrier Historical Society begun Frederick Lemon sold the Ritchie Mines Nathan Scott travelled to Leavenworth Kansas Traveller took top prizes in the Lewisburg fair Only 94 of 162 state chartered turnpike companies operated within West Virginia The U.S. Customs House was built A new U.S. Custom House was completed at Wheeling Waitman Willey was defeated as a candidate for lieutenant governor of Virginia The three-story front section of Henderson Hall was completed
1861
Federal troops seized the gold deposited by Virginia in a Weston bank for the construction of Weston Hospital Other events that happened on or around 1861 Stonewall Jackson withdrew from Harpers Ferry Union and Confederate troops began occupation of Bulltown Nathan Goff Jr. joined the Union service in the Civil War
1863
West Virginia state government resumed the project for Weston Hospital Other events that happened on or around 1863 The first West Virginia legislature proposed to educate "free colored children," the proposal was left unfunded. The decision to have Attorney General elected by popular vote was made B&O Railroad's management influenced people to support West Virginia statehood Union troops shelled the town of Beckley, killing a little girl Virginia's land and water boundaries given to West Virginia Civil War skirmish at Bulltown Historic Area River pirate John Lockwood arrest and tried for murder Rutherford B. Hayes and William McKinley were commissioned first lieutenants at Camp Piatt Melodrama East Lynne written West Virginia experimented with New England modified township system West Virginia constitution established public free school system William Edwards opened mines at Coalburg West Virginia's first election was conducted Stephen Elkins left the army Constitution stated that the "executive department shall consist of a governor, secretary of state, superintendent of free schools, auditor, treasurer and attorney general." Construction of Fort Boreman began Frederick County citizens voted not to become part of West Virginia John Hale organized the Bank of the West Harrison County was first in West Virginia in the production of beef cattle Devil Anse Hatfield deserted the regular Virginia infantry in the Civil War The state constitution stated that Delegates of the House of Delegates served one-year terms Chester Hubbard became a member of the first West Virginia senate John Jay Jackson Sr supported the move for the creation of a separate state but opposed the abolition of slavery Mudwall Jackson led troops against Union Gen. Thomas Harris The presence of the B&O influenced the decision to include Jefferson County in the new state The state constitution adopted Virginia common law and statutes as the law of West Virginia Daniel Lamb was a member of the first West Virginia legislature The Marshall College property was sold at public auction to Salina Hite Mason The Methodist Church claimed the largest number of congregation in West Virginia Reported 250 newspapers had been established Editors changed their mastheads to reflect the name of the new state Hiram Clay first settled in what is know Pineville. Samuel Price was elected lieutenant governor of Confederate Virginia. Beckley was bombarded by federal artillery. The first period of Republican dominance began Mrs. Henry Woods wrote East Lynne The first free school opened in Ripley Lewis Ruffner was appointed a major general of militia for West Virginia Nathan Scott enlisted in the Union army in Ohio The Supreme Court of Appeals sat at Wheeling with three justices Thurmond's Rangers became 44th Virginia Cavalry Battalion Campbell Tarr became West Virginia's first state treasurer The repayment to the state of Virginia was included in the West Virginia constitution Legislature gave official sanction to teachers organization All turnpikes in West Virginia were turned over to the counties through which they ran The name was changed to West Virginia Hospital for the Insane Kellian Whaley was reelected to Congress from West Virginia Confederate forces reoccupied Lewisburg Waitman Willey began serving as U.S. Senator from West Virginia Wirt County was divided into 7 districts Fort Boreman was constructed in Wood County
Dec 26, 1872
Weston's first public school building was erected Other events that happened on or around December 26, 1872 Legislature passed West Virginia's first general banking law The present building of Malden's African Zion Baptist Church began after contributions of land, money and materials by Gen. Lewis Ruffner West Virginia's new constitution continued the education of black children in segregation Blacks began forming groups in response to inequality. Commissioners in McDowell County ordered a new courthouse be constructed out of logs Joseph Beury and wife moved to New River Alexander Boteler ran unsuccessfully for Congress Brickyard Bend (New Cumberland) shipped 11 million bricks via Ohio River West Virginia's new constitution abandons the township system and reverts back to the Virginia county government system Democrats gained political supremacy after voting restrictions on former Confederates ceased Joseph Diss Debar supported the Liberal Republicans to come to terms with the ex-Confederates Anne Dudley toured New England with Harpers Ferry Singers to raise funds for Myrtle Hall New constitution expanded support of public education New constitution changed elections to two-year cycle Secretary of State was made an appointed office Provisions of the Flick Amendment was added to the state constitution John P. Hale purchased Fort Lee's original lot and blockhouse in Charleston Glenville State College began as branch of the State Normal School Noah Speer started the Hancock Works The second courthouse was completed in Glenville Vote by citizens brought the Grant County seat permanently to Petersburg John Hale built the Hale House hotel in Charleston Legislature faced the task of modifying laws to conform to the newly adopted constitution West Virginia Legislature grew to 89 persons The McDowell County seat was located at Peeryville (now English) The town of Milton was laid out The hamlet of Mud in Lincoln County, an unincorporated community, said to have been founded Construction began on more refineries in Parkersburg Normal schools were established in Glenville, Athens, and Shepherdstown Pence Springs was developed as a resort. In Charleston, the Presbyterian Church (Southern) and the Kanawha Presbyterian Church (Northern) split. Voters in Greenbrier Country elected Samuel Price as their representative to the West Virginia constitutional convention. Legislature designated Shepherd as one of the state's normal schools Robert Simmons was a delegate to the Republican national convention The cave at Sinks of Gandy was described by David Hunter Strother The Universalist Meeting House at Fork Ridge in Marshall County erected an additional larger building Charles Ward began operating his own pipe and fittings business The Western Maryland Railway extended to Hagerstown I.C. White earned an undergraduate degree at Agricultural College of West Virginia (WVU) Waitman Willey spoke eloquently for suffrage for African-Americans
1879
The B&O Railroad connected Weston to Clarksburg Other events that happened on or around 1879 Thomas Anshutz painted Farmer and His Son Harvesting Aaron and Samuel Bloch ran a small grocery and dry goods store in Wheeling and began producing chewing tobacco Anne Dudley moved to New York to marry Rev. L. E. Bates William Edwards published a three-volume work on butterflies, The Butterflies of North America A log Catholic Church was erected in Summers County Jacob Jackson was elected mayor of Parkersburg James Kay returned to Quinnimont to construct coke ovens at Hawks Nest Virgil Lewis was admitted to the bar William MacCorkle graduated from Washington and Lee University James Miller graduated from Concord Normal School (Concord University) William L. "Billy" Mitchell was born Seventh-Day Adventist teachings first appeared in West Virginia in pamphlets The U.S. Supreme court first used the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment in Strauder v. West Virginia West Virginia's first telephone line was strung in Wheeling William O. Trevey was born in Virginia Oscar Nelson was born A disastrous fire occurred in Volcano Booker T. Washington returned to Hampton Institute as a teacher
1880
The mental hospital at Weston was completed Other events that happened on or around 1880 Thomas Anshutz painted The Ironworkers' Noontime Main building of the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum at Weston was completed Thomas Anshutz painted Ironworkers' Noontime Raleigh County Index established by Edwin Prince Joseph Beury and brothers began to buy tracts of coal land Preston County Brookside Resort was built Jimmy D. Johnson established water-powered mill at Brush Creek Falls William Edwin Chilton passed the bar The International Sunday School Association was organized in West Virginia U.S Census published the first statistical compilation on West Virginia forests Two-thirds of West Virginia still covered by old forest Fairmont State had more students than any normal school Post No. 1 of Guard Army of the Republic was organized in Martinsburg Devil Anse Hatfield led the armed party rescuing Johnse Hatfield from the brothers of Rose Anna McCoy Hinton was incorporated Reported only 250 people lived in Hollidays Cove Jedediah Hotchkiss began publishing a monthly magazine, The Virginias: a Mining, Industrial and Scientific Journal Devoted to the Development of Virginia and West Virginia Census listed 8 Irish families totaling 43 persons occupying Irish Mountain Jews lived in most of the developed areas of the state George Latham was appointed as supervisor of the census for West Virginia's First District William Leigh began studying under Hugh Newell at Maryland Institute William MacCorkle was elected prosecuting attorney of Kanawha County Hu Maxwell graduated from Weston Academy John McGraw entered the practice of law Agnes Reeves Greer was born Orthodox Christians from Russia, Greece and Ottoman Empire began to settle in coalfields of West Virginia St. Mary Carpatho-Russian Orthodox church was founded in Bluefield There were 400 sawmills in West Virginia Nathan Scott was elected to the Wheeling City Council The Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Wheeling was erected by the Soldiers Aid Society West Virginia's first telephone exchange was placed in service in Wheeling The Funkhouser barn was built in Hardy County Charles Ward began working full time at his own business The National Guard was activated for service in areas of labor unrest, specifically to quell a strike of coal miners at Hawks Nest Construction began at a point on the B&O Railway Wheeling had 30,737 people Emanuel Wilson was elected speaker of the House of Delegates
1885
One of the state's earliest telephone systems was installed in Weston Other events that happened on or around 1885 Parents of Walter Aegerter, Gottfried and Marianna Dubach Aegerter, moved to Helvetia Sumner School in Parkersburg added high school courses to its curriculum for black students. Annie Bartlett married Leonidas Bartlett Belle Boyd married her third husband Nathaniel High Flat Top Coal Company established its headquarters in Bramwell The state song "The West Virginia Hills" written by Ellen Ruddell was put to music by Henry Everett Engle The Hale House burned down in Charleston The move of the capital to Charleston occurred Jacob Beeson Jackson left office as governor of West Virginia Frances Benjamin Johnston ended her studies in Paris at the Academie Julian John H. Lilly planted two or three oak trees that are still standing today John McGraw left as Taylor County prosecuting attorney The Berkeley Castle was built as a summer cottage The capital moved permanently back to Charleston aboard the Chesapeake and Belle Prince The former state capital was used for the Ohio County Courthouse Ohio Valley Trades and Labor Assembly moved its offices to Wheeling Christopher Payne established the West Virginia Enterprise. A new owner resumed mining at Ritchie Mines The Ruffner Hotel was built in Charleston The "West Virginia Mission" was organized under the Ohio conference Morris Shawkey entered business college I.C. White wrote an article in Science asserting his rediscovery of the anticlinal theory in the location of oil and gas Woodlawn was incorporated as a public cemetery
1890
Construction on municipal water and sewer systems began in Weston Other events that happened on or around 1890 George Atkinson wrote Prominent Men of West Virginia Harry Bandholtz graduated from West Point Electricity came to Martinsburg Many Bloch Brothers employees joined the Tobacco Workers Union Marshall University started botany classes Charles Frederik Millspaugh suggested need for an arboretum at WVU John J. Cornwell and brother William purchased the Hampshire Review Stephen Elkins built his home, Halliehurst, in Elkins Jack Glasscock won the National League batting title, hitting .336 William Glasscock became the clerk of the county circuit court Nathan Goff Jr. bought the Clarksburg Telegram The Lewisburg Academy changed its name to Greenbrier Military Academy Capt. Gordon C. Greene bought the steamboat H.K. Bedford John P. Hale helped and Virgil Lewis found the West Virginia Historical and Antiquarian Society The Herald began publication Thomas Lovett built the Hilltop House in Harpers Ferry Reported 236 native Hungarians in West Virginia Congress enacted the McKinley tariff to stimulate the domestic production of tin plate Jehovah Witnesses built the New Light church The original line of the Norfolk & Western from Kenova to Mingo County was completed Virgil Lewis began long career of historical writing The Lincoln County Feud ended during the winter The Hatfield and McCoy Feud ended Joseph Long and partner founded the Wheeling News The Middlesex Knitting Company was established in Martinsburg Federal building in the Richardsonian Romanesque architecture style was built in Martinsburg A Mennonite meetinghouse was built near Lost River Commercial mining in Mingo County began with arrival of the N&W A post office was established at Minnehaha Springs Fairmont Electric Light and Power began operating a plant on the Monongahela River A vast tank field was established in southeast Morgantown due to rapid expansion of oil and gas industry A coal mine opened at Beechwood along the B&O line Michael L. Benedum entered the industry as an employee of Standard Oil The N&W acquired the Scioto Valley Railway Herschel Ogden founded the Wheeling Daily News Herschel Ogden married Mary Frances Moorehouse Earl Oglebay, John D. Rockefeller and David Z Norton formed partnership, Oglebay Norton Co. Pardee & Curtin Lumber Company erected a band sawmill at Sutton. Parsons population was 84. Daniel Purinton left WVU to become president of Denison College. William Ritter began a logging operation in Mercer county The statue of Patrick Henry at Monongalia Courthouse was moved indoors The McKinley Tariff passed including duties on tin plate Howard Sutherland moved to Washington as an official in the Census Bureau Telephone switchboards were installed at Grafton Aretas B. Fleming became governor of West Virginia A springhouse was constructed at Webster Springs C. F. Millspaugh published Agricultural Experiment Station bulletins on West Virginia's Weeds Midway and Lazearville were annexed to Wellsburg Weston had electric lights The site of Williamson was still farmland There were 6,247 residents in Wyoming County
1895
Lewis County's first high school was established Other events that happened on or around 1895 The Bluefield DailyJournal closed Land purchased for $24,757 for Cabell County Courthouse Huntington established Chamber of Commerce Reuben Gold Thwaites edition of Chronicles of Border Warfare was published, which provides corrections to some errors of fact or interpretation Clay was incorporated $20,000 appropriated for new academic building at what is now known as Concord University John William Davis (originally from Clarksburg) graduated from law school at Washington and Lee Bethany Chapter of Delta Tau Delta ceased activity Distinct historic courthouse was built in Fayetteville Jack Glasscock returned to Wheeling to manage and play for Wheeling Base Ball Club Harrisville, the county seat of Ritchie County, was named in honor of Thomas Harris The Montgomery Preparatory School (West Virginia University Institute of Technology) was founded Joseph Long sold the Herald West Virginia passed a law preventing railroad from engaging in the business of buying and selling coal A formal community of Orthodox Christians was founded in Bluefield Michael Owens had perfected machinery for blowing tumblers, light bulbs and lamp chimneys Extensive timbering began along the Pocatalico River A timber company began extensive operations on the waters of Pocatalico which added to Poca's growth. Morris Shawkey came to West Virginia as professor of education at West Virginia Wesleyan College E. M. Statler left the McLure House for Buffalo, New York Ephraim Wells opened the Wells Hotel in Sistersville The Virginia was built in Cincinnati Ralph Weinberg was born in Baltimore The McDowell County courthouse at Welch was constructed Welch population was at 300 Agnes Westbrook Morrison was the first woman to graduate from College of Law at WVU Agnes Howard Hall, now on the Register of Historic Places, was built as a residence for women at West Virginia Wesleyan College Williamson became the county seat of Mingo County William Wilson became postmaster general under President Cleveland's cabinet Hurry-up Yost played tackle on the WVU football team A.S. Withers wrote an early report of Betty Zane's save of Fort Henry in Chronicles of Border Warfare
1900
Oil and natural gas in high quantities was found in Lewis County Other events that happened on or around 1900 West Virginia had 100,000 farms on 8.9 million acres Charles Ambler served as sheriff of Pleasants County for two years B&O added the Monongahela River Railroad (Fairmont to Clarksburg) There were 600 Baptist churches in West Virginia Raleigh County Republicans launched the Raleigh Herald Berkeley County population was 19,469 First women on the Bethany College board of trustees Jesse Bloch entered the family Bloch Brothers Tobacco Company Alonzo Brooks completed a business course at West Virginia Wesleyan College Capon Springs developer William H. Sale died Cass was founded by West Virginia Pulp & Paper Company West Virginia Pulp & Paper built paper mill at Covington, Virginia The Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) completed its Greenbrier Division into Pocahontas County to harvest red spruce on Cheat and Back Allegheny mountains Moses Donnally sold the Charleston Gazette Davis Child Shelter, an orphanage, was established in Charleston First sewer lines were installed in Clarksburg Coal production had doubled Little evidence of the Coal River locks and dams remained West Virginia chapter of the Colonial Dames of America was organized Only remnant populations of deer and turkey were noted West Virginia's median age was below national average at 20.3 Doddridge County population was 13,689 William Edwards wrote a book on the authorship of Shakespeare's plays Fairmont Times was first published by Gen. C. L. Smith and O. S. McKinney Thaddeus Fowler returned to West Virginia Garnet High School was founded with a class of 12 black students Howard Gore graduated from WVU with a degree in agriculture Harrison County held a population of 27,690 Nancy Hart and husband Joshua Douglas settled in Webster County Morris Harvey founded the Fayette National Bank William "Coin" Harvey moved to Arkansas to begin building a retreat and vacation resort The population of Helvetia reached 500 people The first time the word "hillbilly" was used in print, in a New York newspaper Reported 1,062 native Hungarians in West Virginia Water power began being used for the production of electricity in West Virginia, at Kanawha Falls Census reported 2,458 Indians living in West Virginia There were 18 farms of the settlers on the Irish Tract Jackson County's population rose to 19,000 Don Redman was born in Piedmont The Kanawha Falls were augmented by a low dam Cousin Abe Lilly received a law degree from the Southern Normal University, Tennessee Railroad replaces streams as the chief means of transporting logs to sawmills The Benwood Ironworks grew into a large steel mills James Miller ceased to be Summers County prosecuting attorney James Miller ran unsuccessfully for state auditor Steam and electric fans made larger mines possible The completion of the C&O Railway's Greenbrier Division to Marlinton put the Minnehaha Springs within reach of travelers Fairmont's first electric streetcar line built Morgantown population was at 1,895 The Morgantown Glass Works began production A developer began selling oceanfront lots for $25 in Myrtle Beach The anticlinal theory of oil and gas was applied along Sand Fork of the Little Kanawha The Toledo & Ohio Central gained control of the Kanawha & Michigan and the Kanawha & West Virginia Railroad The Pennsylvania Railroad began purchasing the N&W stock E.M. Carney purchased the Pence Springs property Kanawha County had the largest population with 54,696 residents. The largest city in the state was Wheeling with a population of 38,878. The Lilly family began ownership of the Ruffner Hotel St. Joseph's Hospital was founded by Patrick J. Donahue Samuel and Violet Bryant got their first jobs on showboats James H. Brown's obelisk was erected at Spring Hill Cemetery Interurban railway operations began in Huntington Tyler County's oil and gas boom peaked Wayne County population was at 23,619 Wings were added to Woodburn Hall at WVU Weston had municipal water plant, sanitary and storm sewer systems and brick paved streets West Virginia Pulp & Paper began constructing a sawmill in Cass A nursing school was founded at Wheeling Hospital The Collins Colliery company store burned Matthew Whittico moved to Keystone Buffalo, elk, gray wolf and passenger pigeon had all disappeared from West Virginia The second courthouse at Winfield was built Wirt County's population peaked at 10,284 Carter G. Woodson became principal of Douglass High School The first record of the ballad "The Wreck on the C&O" came out
1907
Coal mining began around Walkersville Other events that happened on or around 1907 Babcock Lumber & Boom Company bought Thompson Lumber Company Walter Barnes began teaching English at Greenville State Normal School (Greenville State College) Fairmont, Clarksburg, and Piedmont played baseball in the Class D Western Pennsylvania League The great Winding Gulf coalfield opened Elkins Coal & Coke Company put beehive coke ovens into full production Brinkley Bridge was built Harry F. Byrd established the Martinsburg Evening Journal McMillan Hospital created by Dr. William A. McMillan The Chilton family acquired an interest in the newspaper and changed the name to the Charleston Gazette The Chilton family acquired an interest in the newspaper and changed the name to the Charleston Gazette Greenbrier Railway Company purchased by C&O Oliver Chitwood became professor of history at WVU Empire Bank building was finished in Clarksburg Michael Benedum moved business headquarters and home to Pittsburgh Stuart shaft mine explosion killed 85 men Alston Dayton issued sweeping temporary injunction against the UMW in Hitchman Coal & Coke v. John Mitchell John Easton came to Williamstown Edgewood Country Club membership under Angus W. MacDonald constructed clubhouse and tennis courts State property levy was eliminated West Virginia lumber production peaked with 1.5 billion board feet sawed Stella Fuller returned to Huntington Howard Gore's father died and he took control of the farm Rimfire Hamrick was employed by the Webster Springs Hotel as guide and handyman City of Chester was incorporated A meeting of the West Virginia Fish and Game Protective Association occurred at Clarksburg John Nugent was appointed immigration commissioner Lily Jackson inherited the family estate after her father, John Jay Jr. died Fanny Johnson and husband, Vincent Costello moved to Wheeling UMWA President John Mitchell came to Charleston to launch a major union offensive Blanche Lazzell studied at the Art Students League in New York Mayor Scott Justice renamed the city of Logan Courthouse (formerly Aracoma) as Logan Ezra Cline was born Lawrence J. Corbly's title was changed from principal to president of Marshall College (now University) The old Tyler County High School building was built Three other mine disasters occurred including the Monongah Mine Disaster The first Corn Club in West Virginia was established in Monroe County Margaret Montague published The Sowing of Alderson Cree The B&O line extending to the Morgantown & Kingwood line was completed The Niagara Movement attempted to meet again at Storer College but officials wouldn't allow Pineville was renamed and incorporated, and became county seat of Wyoming County The William Ritter Lumber Company was indicted by a federal grand jury on charge of peonage Reported 6,159 schools in 396 districts in West Virginia The Lewisburg & Ronceverte brought rail service to Lewisburg The Banner Glass Company relocated from Indiana to South Charleston The Robey Theater opened in Spencer The original stone structure was replace by a viaduct Morris Harvey died There was an explosion at the Pleasant Valley Coal Company mine killing 12 men The Virginian Railway was established H. Rus Warne had two exhibits at the Jamestown Exposition in Norfolk, Virginia The Wheeling Custom House (West Virginia Independence Hall) ceased being a federal building. Black teachers formed a separate Northern Teachers' Association I. C. White advocated for legislation establishing the U.S. Bureau of Mines
1912
High school at Jane Lew was constructed Other events that happened on or around 1912 J. A. Viquesney and H. M. Lockridge organized the Allegheny Sportsmen's Association Baldwin-Felts Agency attempted to end the Paint Creek-Cabin Creek strike Olgebay Hall, now Kirkpatrick Hall, added as a wing at Bethany College John Bishop published poem "To a Woodland Pool" in Harpers Weekly Alonzo Brooks received a B.A. in agriculture from WVU The Bull Moose Special armed train began operation Union Bank building finished in Clarksburg William Conley ran unsuccessfully for congressional 2nd district William Dawson embraced Theodore Roosevelt's Bull Moose presidential candidacy Diamond Shoe became the Diamond Shoe and Garment Co., later Diamond Department Store Samuel Dixon was purged from the New River Company by management from outside Clarence W. Alvord and Lee Bidgood concluded that the Batts and Fallam group only traveled to Peters Falls U.S. Supreme Court confirmed North Branch as Potomac main stream Fairmont State began adopting college curriculum The Golden Delicious Apple was discovered by Anderson Mullins in Clay County A Gasoline engine was placed in Howell's Gristmill Rimfire Hamrick was appointed Webster County game and fish warden Record floods hit Hardy County The state called troops to mining strikes Charles Hodel established himself in Beckley as editor and general manager of the Raleigh Register Holidays Cove incorporated Harold Houston returned to Charleston A large Celtic cross was erected in Coalburg by William S. Edwards to honor the Irish mine workers Thomas Moore Jackson died Hubert "Bumps" Myers was born in Clarksburg Regular services at Job's Temple were suspended Mother Jones returned to West Virginia to aid union miners on Paint Creek and Cabin Creek Dr. George A. MacQueen took over the lease and changed Barber Sanatorium to Barber Sanatorium and Hospital A new double-track tunnel at Kingwood Tunnel was opened Luna Park was built by J. B. Crowley in Charleston I. T. Mann was a candidate for the U.S. Senate The Apollo Theater was built in Martinsburg Harry F. Bryd sold the Martinsburg Journal to Max von Schlegell Louis Marx began working for Ferdinand Strauss John McGraw was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention John McGraw's Bank of Grafton failed Prohibitionist John McWhorter served as chairman of the West Virginia Ratification Federation John Raine became president of the Meadow River Lumber Company The Minnehaha Springs Improvement Company was formed The Minter Lumber Company was founded by William E. Minter The Monongahela Railroad was completed to Pittsburgh Margaret Montague published Linda Matthew M. Neely left the office of clerk of House of Delegates Reported 223 different newspapers were publishing in West Virginia Ohio Valley Trades and Labor Assembly supported Eugene V. Debs for president Ogden's company had acquired the Parkersburg Daily Sentinel Ida Reed published her autobiography My Life Story The Pallottine Missionary Sisters came to West Virginia William MacCorkle became active in the Salvation Army Edward Stifel built Edemar mansion The Charleston Interurban Railroad was built to St. Albans The Huntington tobacco warehouse opened T. C. Townsend was elected as Kanawha County's prosecuting attorney Pittsburgh's flood commission called for a dam on the Tygart Miners Hospital No. One changed its name to Welch Hospital No. One The College of Physicians and Surgeons became an independent program at WVU WVU had 46,500 books in the library Carter Woodson received a doctorate at Harvard Tibbs Run Reservoir began providing water to city of Morgantown
1913
Weston became the southern terminus of regional electric trolley car service Other events that happened on or around 1913 Commissioner assigned responsibility to regulate farm products The Allegheny Lodge was built Waitman Barbe wrote Great Poems Interpreted Walter Barnes wrote English in the Country School John Peale Bishop entered Princeton Charles F. Millspaugh wrote The Living Flora of West Virginia James Callahan wrote Semi-Centennial History of West Virginia Consolidated Manufactories pottery factory established by Merchants Association of Grafton John Harrington Cox collected his first folk song Henry Gassaway Davis was chairman of Semi-Centennial Commission Alston Dayton made the injunction from the Hitchman Coal & Coke v. John Mitchell case permanent Legislature passed act that provided for the employment of extension agents West Virginia appropriated fire protection funds The Glenville high school received its own building Nathan Goff served in the U.S. Senate The building of the central section of the Greenbrier Hotel and the Old White golf course were completed Legislature created the State Road Bureau Annual coal production exceeded 28 million tons Ritter Park in Huntington was fashioned from land originally intended for a city incinerator Louis Johnson was admitted to the bar in Clarksburg Harriet Jones helped to establish Hopemont Sanitarium Teepi Kendrick became the state agent in charge of the corn clubs for boys and canning clubs for girls Keyser was incorporated Supreme Court decisions on State ex rel. Nance v. Mays, Ex parte Jones, and Hatfield v. Graham were decided during the labor rebellion and accorded vast power to the executive branch to use martial law The second courthouse in Madison was torn down Redress was allowed under the original workers compensation statue Course work was added to Marshall University to include the equivalent of freshman and sophomore years of college Walter Martens began working as a draftsman in Danville The title was changed from Evening Journal to Martinsburg West Virginia Evening Journal Hu Maxwell co-authored West Virginia and Its People Bill McKell completed his own branch railroad to connect with the Virginian Railway at Pax John McWhorter left office as judge of West Virginia's 12th judicial circuit John McWhorter drafted the Yost Law, providing for enforcement of state prohibition The Mennonites building was moved to Roaring Creek The Minter Homes Corporation was established in Huntington A major refinery was built at St. Marys by Quaker State United States Senate looked into Paint Creek-Cabin Creek strike John Nugent was question by the U.S. Senate investigating committee for efforts to import strikebreakers to West Virginia John Nugent left West Virginia for Kentucky The Ohio Valley Trades and Labor Assembly fathered the state's first workers compensation bill The Ohio Valley Refining Company was established at St. Marys Livia Poffenbarger sold the State Gazette. Legislature passed the Yost law, under which prohibition was enforced, creating the Department of Prohibition The state's first tuberculosis sanitarium was founded at Hopemont in Preston County The Public Service Commission was created by the legislature Leonard Riggleman passed the uniform teachers exam The first high school opened in Ripley St. Francis Hospital was founded by Patrick J. Donahue The Sacred Heart Hospital opened The Salt Sulphur Springs resort was closed The Star House was acquired by W. B. and Ida Skaggs Flags were unofficially made for the semi-centennial celebration featured a new design Stony River Reservoir was completed by West Virginia Pulp & Paper Company P. D. Strausbaugh graduated from Wooster (Ohio) College P. D. Strausbaugh began teaching at Wooster (Ohio) College A streetcar line between Sistersville and Middlebourne was built Congress passed the 16th Amendment for a federal income tax on corporation The Indian Camp Normal School was established Clarence W. Watson finished his term in the U.S. Senate John S. Bonar graduated from West Liberty "The West Virginia Hills" was published in The West Virginia Singer Legislature changed the name to Weston State Hospital West Virginia House of Delegates passed a state women's suffrage amendment
1914
The local Catholic population built a school in Weston Other events that happened on or around 1914 Akro Agate Company was relocated to Clarksburg Mary Atkeson taught English for a year at the University of Missouri Elkins and Wheeling claimed basketball supremacy Izetta Brown moved to West Virginia as bride to William Gay Brown Pearl Buck graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman's College Sunday edition was added to Clarksburg Telegram Golden Delicious apple was discovered on Mullens farm Antoine (Tony) and Julien Gaujot earned Congressional Medals of Honor during the Philippine Insurrection and America's invasion of Vera Cruz, Mexico. Phil Conley graduated from WVU Artemus Cox moved to Charleston Doddridge County's first roads were paved Extension home economics agents were placed in certain counties to further efforts Congress passed the Smith-Lever Act for federal funding to develop agricultural extension program State prohibition began The West Virginia Federation of Labor reported 152 local craft unions with 31,315 Ella Holroyd graduated with honors from the Cincinnati Conservatory The Homer Laughlin Company made semi-vitreous and white granite dinner, hotel and toilet wares Harley Kilgore earned his law degree from WVU Harley Kilgore taught school for a year State's economic focus had shifted to southern West Virginia The West Virginia Library Association was organized Duval High School was built in Griffithsville Akro Agate moved to Clarksburg The Marlinton Opera House was sold due to default on deeds of trust Frank McEnteer was appointed to superintend the building of the multi-span concrete arch bridge in Clarksburg Willow Glen, or McKinley's Palace, construction began The Yost Law became effective A hotel building on the hill above Minnehaha Springs was completed Dwight Morrow joined the banking firm J. P. Morgan and Company Leonard "Lynn" Davis was born James H. Boone installed light bulbs in Organ Cave Otter Creek Boom & Lumber Company ceased logging Otter Creak Charles Boldt started manufacturing glass in Huntington The legislature established a minimum age of 10 for incarceration at Pruntytown The Ohio Valley Refining Company began operating in St. Marys There were 40 local offices elected from the Socialist Party Weirton Steel employment was 5,348 A monument to the Confederacy was erected in Hinton The USS Huntington was on the West Coast The Vitrolite factory was fully completed A nursing school was established at what is now Welch Community Hospital The Jones brothers of Red Star Coal & Coke Company donated land to the Baptist State Convention Wheeling Hospital grew to 225 beds
1920
High school at Walkersville was constructed Other events that happened on or around 1920 Women received the right to vote State apple-packing plant in Inwood was established Walter Barnes wrote Types of Children's Literature 14 West Virginia cities and towns had professional baseball Braxton's population peaked at 23,973 Alonzo Brooks published West Virginia Trees Izetta Brown was first woman to second a presidential nominee, John W. Davis Chauncey H. Browning graduated from Logan High School City Hospital was moved to Camden mansion on Garfield Avenue in Parkersburg Don Chafin was reelected as sheriff Louis Watson Chappell received his M.A. from University of Virginia The Union Carbide Company bought small refinery near Clendenin Matthew Wesley Clair, Sr. was elected bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church Fayette County population jumped to 60,377 Caroline Gentry released The Key to Power, a movie The Glen Ferris Inn was sold to a subsidiary of Union Carbide Voters approved the Good Roads amendment Grafton reached its peak population of 8,517 H. B. Moore and his brothers purchased the school and reorganized it as the Greenbrier Military School Harrison County population rose to 74,783 Sid Hatfield assisted a United Mine Workers campaign to organize Tug Fork miners The Clarksburg factory of the Hazel Atlas Glass Company had 15 acres of floor space, employed 1,200 people and shipped all over the world Chemical firms in the Kanawha Valley began expanding rapidly Census reported 6,260 Hungarians in West Virginia Union organizing led to confrontations at Matewan and Blair Mountain La Belle Ironworks merged with Wheeling Iron and Steel and Whitaker-Glessner Company to form Wheeling Steel Corporation Ann Johnson Gates became the first woman member of the West Virginia legislature The legislator salary was set at $500 John L. Lewis became the president of the UMWA Big Bill Lias started a career in the illegal sale and distribution of liquor Minnie Lowther moved to Washington Jacob Marcus attained his rabbinical ordination William Marsh stopped serving as president of the M. Marsh and Son company Marshall became a four-year college The name was changed from Martinsburg West Virginia Evening Journal to Martinsburg Journal McDowell was the third most populous county in the state Willow Glen mansion, known in the Wheeling area as McKinley's Palace, was completed James Miller ran unsuccessfully for secretary of state James Miller left as judge Additional land for Monongahela National Forest was purchased The B&O leased the Morgantown & Kingwood The National Bank of Commerce moved to Charleston and was renamed the State Street Bank The Parkersburg Daily Sentinel ceased publication. Monongahela National Forest was created. Jennings Randolph graduated from Salem Academy. The buildings at Red Sulphur Springs were dismantled and the resort ceased operation. Red Ribble moved to Mount Hope The third courthouse at Ripley was built There were 398 sawmills operating in West Virginia The United Daughters of the Confederacy and Sons of Confederate Veterans decided to erect a memorial to Heyward Shepherd W. H. S White became president of Shepherd College Matthew Holt was the Socialist candidate for governor James Weldon Johnson was responsible for publishing Anne Spencer's " Before the Feast at Shushan" P. D. Strausbaugh received his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago Howard Sutherland made a bid for presidency of United States Union Carbide purchased a small refinery at Clendenin C. W. Ferguson III was born Webster County population was 11,000 Weirton population was at 8,000 Welch population was at 3,232 West Liberty's first dorms were built Riley Wilson ran unsuccessfully for Congress Carter G. Woodson left Howard University Carter G. Woodson began Dean of the West Virginia Collegiate Institution (now West Virginia State University)
1972
Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital was completed in Lewis County Other events that happened on or around 1972 Patrick Gainer retired as professor at WVU Glenville State College celebrated its centennial The Greenbrier Military Academy closed Perry Gresham wrote Campbell and the Colleges Deliverance was made into a movie, furthering hillbilly stereotypes William Hoffman wrote A Walk to the River S. L. Jones' work was discovered at Pipestem State Park by folk art collector Herbert Wade Hemphill Jr. Harold Harvey and others began work to promote a state Libertarian Party Reported 80% of states population had some sort of library service Frederic J. Glazer became executive secretary of the West Virginia Library Commission Little Beaver State Park was established The Louie Glass Company was sold by Margaret Wohinc Arden Cogar Sr. cut a 10x10 vertical white pine in 14.45 seconds Louise McNeill published her second collection of poems M. Blane Michael was appointed special U.S. assistant attorney, Northern District of West Virginia A $30 state clothing allowance reached about 44,000 welfare children Agnes Reeves Greer died The Coty American Fashion Critics' Award recognized Mountain Artisans as helping to spur the American crafts movement The Mountain Institute was founded as the Woodlands Institute O'Dell Hall was built at Beckley College (now Mountain State University) The Mountaineer mascot figure was first used in commerce Milan Puskar left Mylan Pharmaceuticals The Mystery Hole became a Fayette County roadside attraction John Norman went to the Texas Heart Institute Logging in Otter Creek ceased when an effort began to have the area designated a wilderness area A state highway marker was erected to commemorate the Pinch Reunion Aerial tramway began operation at Pipestem Resort State Park Former Attorney General C. Donald Robertson pleads guilty to charges involving kickbacks on federal housing assistance Pricketts Fort was listed on the National Register of Historic Places Announcer Jack Fleming first referred to the West Virginia University marching band as the "Pride of West Virginia" during the Peach Bowl broadcast Legislation authorized the state Department of Education to create Regional Education Service Agencies (RESAs) The Shenandoah Corporation bought the Charles Town Race Track Title 9 federal legislation mandated school and college athletic programs for girls and women Stonecoal Lake was built Mel Street recorded "Borrowed Angel" The Wells Hotel building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places Cecil Underwood was named president of Bethany College Grand Central Mall, West Virginia's first shopping mall, was built at Vienna Uncle Homer Walker was featured in the documentary film Morris Family Old-Time Music Festival Jerry West was named most valuable player in NBA all-star game Jerry West played in the NBA championship West Liberty lost its Wheeling and Weirton branch campuses The West Liberty branch campus in Wheeling became West Virginia Northern Community College Warren S. Lewis led the major updating of the old seminary grounds at Hilltop Baptist Center A new hospital opened in Weston Charles L. Currie S.J. became president of Wheeling College (now Wheeling University) Robert Kreis left Wheeling Symphony leading way to guest conductors Bob Wise became involved in community redevelopment from the Buffalo Creek disaster Bill Withers won a Grammy for "Ain't No Sunshine" Carol Miller graduated from Columbia College
1988
The Stonewall Jackson Dam was completed Other events that happened on or around 1988 South Charleston Stamping and Manufacturing Company took over the VW plant at Charleston Ordnance Center Stephen Coonts wrote Final Flight Ken Joseph of Ashland, Kentucky bought the Edwards Moonlight to renovate it as a restaurant Daniel Boyd released the movie Chillers A report stated that 78% of the state was forested Henry Louis Gates wrote The Signifying Monkey: A Theory of Afro-American Literary Criticism Mrs. Ailes retired as assistant editor of the Hampshire Review The first woman, Bessie Horn, was admitted to the He-Man Club The state's original interstate system was completed The state budget was $3.3 billion William Hoffman wrote By Land By Sea Kaiser Aluminum plant was sold to Ravenswood Aluminum Corporation Girls were again admitted to Linsly school Lee Maynard published the novel Crum Louise McNeill published The Milkweed Ladies Louise McNeill published TheMilkweed Ladies Richard Osborne was promoted to publisher of the Logan Banner West Virginia became a charter member of the multi-state "Lotto America" game Irene McKinney published a collection of poetry, Quick Fire and Slow Fire The section of the Midland Trail from White Sulphur Springs to Charleston was designated as West Virginia's first state scenic highway
1994
Weston State Hospital closed Other events that happened on or around 1994 Robert C. Byrd received a B.A. at Marshall University
1994
A new hospital for the mentally ill was opened in Lewis County Other events that happened on or around 1994 William Hoffman wrote Follow Me Home "Who'll Watch the Homeplace" named Song of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association The Libertarian Party regrouped under leadership of John K Brown Henry Louis Gates wrote Colored People Henry Louis Gates wrote Colored People Pinckney Benedict published The Dogs of God Pinckney Benedict published The Dogs of God Luxury skyboxes were added to Mountaineer Field The Racetrack Video Lottery Act passed John Nash was honored with the Nobel Prize in Economics for his dissertation Phyllis Reynolds Naylor was Awarded the West Virginia Children's Book Award for Shiloh
2002
Stonewall Jackson Lake State park opened Other events that happened on or around 2002 Glen Ferris ceased generating hydroelectric energy Few descendants of the original settlers lived on Irish mountain William W. Clem was reelected Jefferson County surveyor J. D. Waggoner became executive secretary of West Virginia Library Commission The Lilly Brothers and Don Stover were inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association's Hall of Honor Meredith Sue Willis published Oradell at Sea The West Virginia-Western Maryland Snod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America claimed 15,488 baptized members in 62 congregations Excel Homes built a factory at Ghent with plans to build more than 1,000 modular homes West Virginia legislature legalized the cultivation of hemp under tightly controlled circumstances A doctorate of psychology was added to Marshall University View Articles by Existing Key Dates or Specify Your Own Date Range |
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