WV-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest                           Volume 00 : Issue 202


Today's Topics:
  #1 BIO: THOMAS H. DENNIS, Monroe Co.    [Valerie & Tommy Crook <vfcrook@ear]
  #2 BIO: E. G. PIERSON, Clay Co. WV      [Valerie & Tommy Crook <vfcrook@ear]
  #3 BIO: WALTER M. FERGUSON , Mercer C   [Valerie & Tommy Crook <vfcrook@ear]
  #4 BIO: DANIEL D. RILEY, Clay Co. WV    [Valerie & Tommy Crook <vfcrook@ear]
  #5 BIO: REV. H. INGRAM COOK, Mercer C   [Valerie & Tommy Crook <vfcrook@ear]
  #6 BIO: HARRY D. KARNES Mercer Co.      [Valerie & Tommy Crook <vfcrook@ear]



______________________________X-Message: #1
Date: Tue, 01 Aug 2000 19:53:18 -0400
From: Valerie & Tommy Crook <vfcrook@earthlink.net>
To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com
Message-Id: <4.3.1.0.20000801195318.00c5da10@mail.earthlink.net>
Subject: BIO: THOMAS H. DENNIS, Monroe Co.
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed


The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc.,
Chicago and New York, Volume III,
pg. 622
Monroe


THOMAS H. DENNIS, for a half a century an active
member of the Greenbrier County bar and one of the Con-
federate veterans in the state, was born in Charlotte County,
Virginia, February 20, 1846, representing a family that has
been in Charlotte County for many generations. He is a
son of William H. and Ann (Morton) Dennis, and grand-
son of John and Margaret (Elliott) Dennis. Col. William
Dennis owned and operated a large plantation on the
Staanton River in Charlotte County, and lived in the same
neighborhood that had been the home of John Randolph
of Roanoke and Patrick Henry. He served many years in
the Virginia State Legislature and in the Senate, and at
one time was president of the Senate. Six of his sons took
up arms in behalf of the Confederate cause. One of them
was Robert F. Dennis, who for a long period of years
practiced law in Greenbrier and surrounding counties. He
located in Greenbrier County in 1848, and was one of the
leaders in the democratic party. He raised the first com-
pany of men from Greenbrier County for the Confederate
army, known as the Greenbrier Rifles, became its captain,
and later was captured and spent the last months of the
war as prisoner at Camp Chase. He served as prosecuting
attorney of Greenbrier, Pocahontas and Fayette counties,
for eight years was state senator, and was chairman of the
Judiciary Committee of the Senate. His name was fre-
quently mentioned in connection with nominations for gov-
ernor, Congress and the United States Senate.


Thomas H. Dennis spent his early life on the home
plantation in Charlotte County. In January, 1864, when he
was not quite eighteen years of age, he entered the Con-
federate Army, and saw service in several Virginia battles
before the close of the war. He was a member of the
Light Squadron of the Fourteenth Virginia Cavalry, Com-
pany B, made up mostly of Charlotte County men. Mr.
Dennis is now brigadier general of the First Brigade of
the United Confederate Veterans, West Virginia Division,
and for many years has been active in the organizations of
old soldiers.


After the war he graduated, in 1868, from Washington
College, now Washington and Lee University, graduated
from the law school in the University of Virginia in 1873,
and since then has had his home at Lewisburg, where for
many years he was associated with his brother Robert in
law practice. For thirty-five years he was editor of the
Greenbrier Independent, and made that paper a source of
power in the community, and his editorials were widely
copied.  In 1884 he was elected to the West Virginia
House of Delegates, and in 1885 was chosen speaker of the
House. He served again in the House in 1909, and in the
early years of his law practice he was for six years super-
intendent of schools of Greenbrier County.  He served
a term as mayor of Lewisburg some years ago, and in
January, 1922, was again honored for election to that
office. He is a director of the Bank of Lewisburg and is
a Presbyterian.


Colonel Dennis married, December 24, 1884, Miss Jennie
Johnston, daughter of Andrew H. Johnston, of Union,
Monroe County.


______________________________


X-Message: #2
Date: Tue, 01 Aug 2000 21:08:49 -0400
From: Valerie & Tommy Crook <vfcrook@earthlink.net>
To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com
Message-Id: <4.3.1.0.20000801210739.00c45290@mail.earthlink.net>
Subject: BIO: E. G. PIERSON, Clay Co. WV
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed


The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc.,
Chicago and New York, Volume III,
pg. 639-640
Clay


E. G. PIERSON is one of the leading members of the bar
of Clay County, where he is engaged in the practice of his
profession at Clay, the county seat, and aside from his pro-
fessional activities, which have included service in public
office, he has given effective service as a member of the
State Senate.


Mr. Pierson was born on a farm near Elkhurst, Clay
County, and is a son of William D. and Nancy (Hall) Pier-
son, the former of whom was born in Nicholas County and
the latter in Roane County, Virginia, now West Virginia,
both having been children at the time of the removal of
the respective families to Clay County.  The venerable
parents still reside in Clay County, they having there estab-
lished themselves shortly after their marriage, and both
being honored citizens who have contributed their part to
civic and industrial prosperity in Clay County. They are
zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and
in politics, with well fortified views, the father is a stal-
wart republican. Of their eight children all except one are
living at the time of this writing, in 1922: D. D. is a
prosperous farmer in Clay County; E. G., of this sketch, was
next in order of birth; Samantha J. is the wife of J. J.
Dangherty; Webster H. is associated with productive activi-
ties in the oil fields of the state; Alice B. is the wife of
P. S. Hart; Anna V. is the wife of John Grass; and Russell
remains in the parental home.


Mr. Pierson passed his childhood and earlier youth on the
home farm, and after profiting by the advantages of the
public schools he pursued higher studies in Marshall Col-
lege and in the West Virginia Wesleyan College. While
successfully engaged in teaching in the schools of his native
state he began the study of law, and in 1896 was admitted
to the bar and established himself in practice at Clay,
judicial center of his native county. In 1896 he was
elected representative of the Ninth District in the State
Senate, where he made an excellent record during his term
of four years. When war was declared against Spain he en-
listed as a private in Company H, Second West Virginia
U. S. Volunteer Infantry, in which he was promoted to
the rank of second lieutenant, the regiment having been held
in reserve and not having been called to the stage of active
conflict. After the close of the war Mr. Pierson engaged
in the practice of law at Fayetteville, Fayette County,
where he remained until 1910 and where he served out an
unexpired term on the bench of the Criminal Court of the
county, besides having been prosecuting attorney of the
county for one term. In 1910 he was appointed state pardon
attorney by Governor William E. Glasscock, was reappointed
by Governor Henry D. Hatfield, and held this position until
the election of Governor Jno. J. Cornwell in 1916. After
retiring from the office of pardon attorney he opened
a law office in the City of Charleston, and maintained the
same until he was elected prosecuting attorney of Clay
County in 1920. He is known as a versatile and resourceful
trial lawyer and well fortified counselor, and his practice
is of broad scope and representative order. He is a stal-
wart republican and is influential in the local councils and
campaign activities of his party.


Mr. Pierson was united in marriage to Miss Nannie P.
Johnson, who graduated from Baldwin University, at Berea,
Ohio, and who is supervisor of music and art in the Clay
County High School, she being an exceptionally talented
musician and being a valued factor in the cultural life
of her home community, as well as in its social affairs. Mr.
and Mrs. Pierson have two daughters: Margaret E. and
Dorothy A.


______________________________


X-Message: #3
Date: Tue, 01 Aug 2000 21:09:06 -0400
From: Valerie & Tommy Crook <vfcrook@earthlink.net>
To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com
Message-Id: <4.3.1.0.20000801210906.00c38100@mail.earthlink.net>
Subject: BIO: WALTER M. FERGUSON , Mercer Co.
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed


The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc.,
Chicago and New York, Volume II,
pg. 524-525
Mercer


WALTER M. FERGUSON started out in life with a strong
ambition to be a merchant, and merchandising has con-
stituted his active career so far. He is still a comparatively
young man, and is one of the highly respected business
men of Bluefield, owning a high class grocery establish-
ment at 406 Bland Street.


He was born on a farm near New Hope in Mercer County,
May 25, 1884, son of William Riley and Mary Jane (Carr)
Ferguson. His father was born in Franklin County and his
mother in Montgomery County, Virginia. William Riley
Ferguson was a child when his mother brought him to
Mercer County, and they located on the farm where Walter
Ferguson was born and where William Riley spent his active
career as a substantial farmer. He died in September, 1918,
at the age of seventy-three. He was a youthful Confederate
soldier and was on guard duty at Richmond at the close of
the war. He was affiliated with the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, having been about sixty years of age when he
joined this order, and on account of his popularity and his
influence, was accepted at that age. Mrs. Ferguson died
December 4, 1918, at the age of sixty-eight. Her family
consisted of three sons and three daughters, all living,
Walter being the fourth in age.


Walter Ferguson attended school at New Hope, and was
on the farm until he was twenty years of age. The first
accumulation of capital he was able to make came from
his work as a teamster. After getting about $100 he started
a little store on Peck Street in Bluefleld in 1905. He was
in business there about two years, and after that had charge
of the grocery department of H. A. Lilly & Company until
1915. In that year he again entered business for himself as
a grocery merchant, at Jones and Bland streets, buying his
store on credit from Mr. Lilly, the arrangement being that
he was to pay $50 a month on the stock and equipment. He
had a successful trade there, but sold out after five years,
and then for a few months conducted a business at Mulling.
In October, 1920, Mr. Ferguson resumed his business rela-
tions with Bluefleld and at his present location. Owing to
his many friends and wide acquaintance he was successful
with the business from the very beginning. He has always
insisted on a square deal, and his integrity as a merchant
has brought him an honored place both in business and in
civic circles.


In 1908 he married Miss Ocie Perdue, daughter of
J. O. Perdue, of Brush Fork. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson
have a son, Walter M., Jr., and their only daughter, Marie,
died at the age of five years. They are members of the
Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and Mr. Fergu-
son is on its board of stewards. He is affiliated with the
Improved Order of Red Men, Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, is a democrat and a member of the Chamber of
Commerce.


______________________________


X-Message: #4
Date: Tue, 01 Aug 2000 21:08:32 -0400
From: Valerie & Tommy Crook <vfcrook@earthlink.net>
To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com
Message-Id: <4.3.1.0.20000801210750.00c4c5e0@mail.earthlink.net>
Subject: BIO: DANIEL D. RILEY, Clay Co. WV
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed


The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc.,
Chicago and New York, Volume III,
pg. 640
Clay


DANIEL D. RILEY as superintendent is directing the educa-
tional program of St. Albans, where good schools and high-
minded educators have been the rule for more than half a
century. In a brief sketch it would not be possible to do
justice to the history of the schools and their teachers, but
some of them should be recalled.


Private schools have been maintained at St. Albans from
early in the last century. One of the best remembered was
that conducted by an Episcopal clergyman, whose academy
is still standing on an elevation overlooking the village. As
early as 1832 a school was conducted in what is now called
Fairview. C. V. Hansford was teaching there as early as
1868, and continued at his post until his death.


The first free school was opened in 1868, Arthur Fox
teaching that school. Another early teacher was Dr. George
P. Thompson, and still another was Mrs. M. M. Thompson,
who was killed in an elevator accident in the Capitol Build-
ing at Charleston. Doctor Thompson had taught fourteen
years, beginning in 1877. Miss Sallie Hansford was a
teacher in 1878, while former United States Senator W. E.
Chilton was principal. Mrs. S. L. Cato excelled as a, primary
teacher, and was with the school for thirty years. High
school work was begun under W. W. Trent as principal, he
being followed by L. A. Edwards and the latter by C. P.
Guice. Miss Bashaba White, principal of the Central graded
school has taught in the grades for ten years. Miss Laura
Wood began teaching in 1877, and after a service in the
Kanawha Valley of more than forty years is still active and
has been connected with the schools at St. Albans for a
quarter of a century. Her present pupils comprise sons
whose parents and grandparents received their early in-
structions from her.


Daniel D. Riley has been in school work since early man-
hood. He was born in Jackson County, and several other
members of the family were teachers, including his mother.
His grandfather. Elder Robert Hughes, was at one time
county superintendent of schools, and was widely known as
a Methodist minister. P. M. Riley, father of D. D. Riley,
is now retired and has been a figure in public affairs, serving
as surveyor and justice of the peace. D. D. Riley began
teaching at the age of eighteen. In 1916 he took charge of
the grade work in the St. Albans school, and his connection
with the schools has been continuous except for nearly a
year while he was absent on military duty. In 1921 he be-
came superintendent of the St. Albans schools. The present
enrollment is 810, including forty in the colored school and
130 in high school. There are twenty-seven teachers, six of
them being high school instructors.  Athletics has been
much encouraged by Mr. Riley, and the St. Albans High
School foot ball team has won an enviable record, being de-
feated only once, during the season of 1921.


Mr. Riley is a lieutenant in Company B of the One Hun-
dred Fiftieth Infantry, National Guard. During the World
war he was in Coast Artillery and Ammunition Train. He is
affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and Junior Order
United American Mechanics and is a charter member of the
Rotary Club of St. Albans. Mr. Riley married Miss Essie
Hollandsworth, a former music teacher at St. Albans. Their
two children are D. D., Jr., and John Matson.


______________________________


X-Message: #5
Date: Tue, 01 Aug 2000 21:09:06 -0400
From: Valerie & Tommy Crook <vfcrook@earthlink.net>
To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com
Message-Id: <4.3.1.0.20000801210906.00c3a8b0@mail.earthlink.net>
Subject: BIO: REV. H. INGRAM COOK, Mercer Co.
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed


The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc.,
Chicago and New York, Volume II,
pg. 527
Mercer


REV. H. INGRAM COOK is not only a clergyman of the
Missionary Baptist Church but is also serving as justice
of the peace and as mayor of the thriving little City of
Matoaka, Mercer County. His high ideals are expressed
in his general social, official and religious relations, and
he commands high place in public estimation in his native
county.


Mr. Cook was born on a farm on Widemouth Creek,
Mercer County, February 10,  1875, and is a son of John
N. and Margaret (Stewart) Cook, both of whom were born
in Wyoming County, this state, in the year 1845. The
death of the father occurred January 8, 1898, and that of
the mother in 1911. The family home was established on
the Widemouth farm in Mercer County in the year 1874.
John N. Cook served as a Union soldier in the Civil war,
and hardships which he endured in this connection per-
manently impaired his health. He gave his active career
to farm enterprise, served as a member of the school board,
was influential in community affairs, and both he and his
wife were devout members of the Missionary Baptist
Church, in which he served twenty years as a deacon.
Of the nine children the subject of this sketch was the
fourth, and the following are living: R. Scott Cook is a
timber contractor at the Ennis coal mines; Rev. E. Hamil-
ton Cook is in the employ of the American Coal Company
at Widemouth and is a clergyman of the Missionary
Baptist Church; Rev. H. Ingram Cook, of this sketch, is
the next younger; Laura B. is the wife of R. W. Laxton,
of Widemouth; Ora Dell is the wife of Barnett Laxton,
of Matoaka; and Cozella is the wife of Riley Akers, of
Arista, Mercer County. Sherman, another of the sons,
was forty-two years old when he met his death in a coal
mine accident. Harrison, another son, likewise met a tragic
death, he having been assassinated while in performance
of his official duty as justice of the peace at Matoaka in
1918.


Rev. H. Ingram Cook received his early education in
the schools of Rock District, Mercer County, and at the
age of twenty years he became a teacher in the rural
schools, his service in this capacity continuing two years.
For eight years thereafter he was actively engaged in
farm enterprise, and for the ensuing seven years he was
called away from the farm by his zealous services as a
minister of the Missionary Baptist Church, he having joined
the church September 6, 1892, and having been ordained
a minister when he was twenty-one years of age. At
varying intervals he has had pastoral) charge of all
Missionary Baptist churches in a goodly part of Mercer
County, and he continues active in church work, especially
the Sunday School, he being at the time of this writing
the teacher of a class of young women in the Sunday
school at Giatto, Mercer County. After resuming his active
association with farm industry Mr. Cook continued his
residence on the farm until 1918, when he removed to
Matoaka, where in November of that year he was elected
justice of the peace, an office to which he was re-elected
in November, 1920. In 1921 he was elected mayor of.
Matoaka, and he is serving effectively in both of these
official positions. On the 5th of July, 1921, Mayor Cook
was attacked by a man whom he had fined in his capacity
of justice of the peace, the man having shot Mr. Cook
four times and another bullet having made a hole through
the latter's coat-a truly remarkable escape from death.


On the 6th of November, 1895, was solemnized the mar-
riage of Mr. Cook and Miss Amanda Meadows, who was
born in Wyoming County, this state, February 3, 1876, a
daughter of William T. Meadows. Of the four children of
Mr. and Mrs. Cook two are living: Roy L. is a student in
Staunton Military Academy, Staunton, Virginia; and
Neva is attending the public schools of Matoaka. Walter,
who was born September 6, 1896, died February 22, 1901,
and D. West Cook died in infancy.


______________________________


X-Message: #6
Date: Tue, 01 Aug 2000 21:25:31 -0400
From: Valerie & Tommy Crook <vfcrook@earthlink.net>
To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com
Message-Id: <4.3.1.0.20000801212531.00c456b0@mail.earthlink.net>
Subject: BIO: HARRY D. KARNES Mercer Co.
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed


The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc.,
Chicago and New York, Volume II,
pg. 523-524
Mercer


HARRY D. KARNES has served efficiently as Mercer County
clerk of the Circuit Court since 1914, he having been re-
elected to this office by a gratifying majority, in November,
1920. He was born near Spanishburg, this county, Febru-
ary 25, 1875, and is a son of Russell Floyd Karnes and
Sarah Elizabeth (Thompson) Karnes, the former of whom
was born in Summers County, this state, and the latter
in Tazewell County; Virginia. Russell P. Karnes was born
February 25, 1845, and his death occurred on the 6th of
July, 1921, his wife having passed away February 14, 1812,
at the age of sixty-two years. All of the married life of
the parents was passed on their homestead farm. on Blue-
stone River, Mercer County. Russell F. Karnes was one of
the first republicans in Mercer County, and though he had
no ambition for public office, he served one term as deputy
sheriff of the county. He was a member of the Baptist
Church and his wife held membership in the Methodist
.Episcopal Church, South. The Karnes family was early
settled at Salem, Virginia, whence the original representa-
tives in the present State of West Virginia came and settled
in Summers County, removal to Mercer County having been
made about the year 1845. Russell F. Karnes was a loyal
soldier of the Confederacy in the Civil war. He became
the father of three children, of whom the eldest, Opie O.,
is serving as justice of the peace at Princeton; Harry D.
of this sketch is the second of the number; and William
A. is a farmer near Spanishburg, this county.


After having attended Princeton Academy, in his present
home city Harry D. Karnes entered Emory & Henry College,
Virginia, in which he was graduated in 1900, with the degree
of Bachelor of Arts. He had taught two schools in Mercer
County to aid in defraying the expenses of his college
course, and between college semesters he likewise taught
school two terms. After his graduation he became in-
structor in mathematics and science at the Concord Normal
School, Athens, West Virginia, and among those who at-
tended his classes are many who are now prominent busi-
ness and professional men.


In 1904 Mr. Karnes established his residence at Prince-
ton, where he purchased an insurance agency and developed
a large business as a life, fire and accident underwriter.
This enterprise, conducted under the title of the People's
Insurance Agency, is now one of the foremost in the city.
Mr. Karnes in his early youth was determined to obtain
a liberal education, and he is equally insistent at the present
time in giving to his children the best possible educational
advantages. He and his wife are active members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and he is affiliated with
the Masonic fraternity, including the Commandery of
Knights Templars at Bramwell and the Temple of the
Mystic Shrine in the City of Charleston. He is a member
also of the Knights of Pythias and of the Mercer County
Country Club.


On the 18th of June, 1902, was solemnized the marriage
of Mr. Karnes and Miss Sallie E. Dangerfield, who was born
and reared in Mercer County, a daughter of R. C. Danger-
field. Mr. and Mrs. Karnes have five children: Elizabeth,
Virginia, Margaret, Richard and Francis.