Histories of 58 WV Communities - Chapter 21



Chapter 21  Upshur County
Frenchton - Indian Camp - Lorentz - Sago - Sand Run
Ten Mile - Teter


                      HISTORY OF FRENCHTON COMMUNITY
                         (Upshur County, W. Va.)
                      Prepared by Mrs. G. B. Wilson
                                  1925

Location
Frenchton is situated in the northern part of Banks District, Upshur 
County, West Virginia, in a beautiful little valley, surrounded by hills, 
with the head waters of French Greek flowing through it. 

Early History
The original name of this community was Beechtown, so named from a legend 
handed down to the first settlers, by those who had seen and frequently 
talked with the Indians, who, occasionally made invasions at an early 
date, into this part of Virginia, The tribes that traveled west to the 
Ohio River, and from the west to the eastern valleys, made this point one 
of their stopping places; arid in order to protect themselves more 
carefully, they built a number of Indian huts, out of poles and logs, on 
the old site of the Beechtown Church. These poles were beech, hence, the 
name Beechtovm. 

Pioneer Settlers
The first settler in this community was Valentine Powers who erected a 
cabin near the old post office site. Among the earlier settlers were the 
Damerens, the Clarks, the Stones, and this community has the honor of 
being the birth place of Sallie Ann Stone McQuain, the oldest living 
resident of Upshur County. She was born one hundred years ago in a cabin 
on the site of the Frenchton Hotel, She resides about three miles from 
here and last 

August rode on horse back to attend Banks District Sunday School 
Convention. The first permanent settlers were the Talbots, the Wilsons, 
the Bennetts, the Armstrongs, the Douglasses, and the Heafners - later the 
Rusmisells and Currys. In those early pioneer days the means of travel 
were confined to horse back or foot. Aunt Polly Curry came from Highland 
County, Virginia, to this community on horse back and carried her three 
children, two of whom she put in a bag, one in each end, and put the bag 
across the saddle. The third she carried in her arms. 

Most of the pioneer settlers came from Virginia, they were a thrifty 
industrious people some of the farms are still owned and cultivated by 
descendants of the original owners - viz the Adams P. Rusmisell farm now 
owned by John D. Rusmisell, the Samuel Talbot-farm owned and cultivated by 
his descendants. The Samuel Wilson farm by his descendants. 

What is known as the Jimmy Hull farm, now owned by Rev. L. E. Ressegger 
was at one time the home of wild animals, such as bear and deer. The Hulls 
were descendants of Daniel Boone and were a nature loving people, much 
given to hunting, and would get such animals as fancy directed and enclose 
them in pens, thus protecting them from hunters. We might almost, say, 
this community was the pioneer game preserve. 

More than seventy years ago a red, white, and blue coverlet was woven, by 
Sallie Ann Stone McQuain for Mrs. Foster Wilson. At one time during the 
war when marauders were raiding the country seeking what they might 
devour, this coverlet was hidden in a hollow log in Lewis County, for a 
short period of time, later it was taken to the home of Johnnie Douglass 
at Beechtown, now Frenchton, for safe keeping. One day an old lady, - Mrs. 
Smith by name was washing down at the spring under the hill, on hearing a 
noise she started for the house. As she came near the house she saw it was 
on fire and a band of marauders leaving, the flames were soon extinguished 
and to her surprise, upon investigating she found the coverlet had not 
been molested. Mrs. Wilson, donated the proceeds from the sale of this 
historical coverlet to the church. It was purchased by Mrs. Ora Douglass 
Curry, she being a descendant of John Douglass and the hiding place, the 
home of her childhood days. 

This community has the honor of having the first post office in Banks 
District and the first school house. Hyre D. Clark taught the first 
school. The first election was held in the school house. At this election 
a vote was taken for and against the formation of Upshur County, out of 
parts of Randolph, Lewis, and Barbour counties. 

Churches
The first religious society was organized more than one hundred years ago 
by a pioneer band of Christians. Later they built a church which was 
called the Beechtown Chapel, This was a crude log building not much better 
than the Indian huts. This was supplanted by a frame building called 
Wesley Chapel this served the people for more than sixty years, when a 
modern building was erected in the village, the name Wesley Chapel was 
still retained. 

Famous Sons and Daughters
From the descendants of the permanent pioneer settlers of this community 
viz.- The Armstrongs, the Bennetts, the Currys, the Douglasses, the 
Rusmisells, the Wilsons, and the Talbots, have gone out a number who have 
made good along the line of their chosen profession or business. From 
these families we have seven graduates from medical college, two from 
dental college, four graduate law- yers, seven from business college, 
forty school teachers, some of whom are college graduates, one railway 
mail clerk, one minister, and one member of the House of Delegates 1923-
24. This community was the early home of Robert A. Armstrong, head of the 
English Department in West Virginia University, and W. D. Talbot who died 
while serving his people as State Senator. 

Organizations
As to clubs, our first club was organized in 1913 and known as the Chas. 
B. Wilson potato and chicken club. The boys had for their project 
potatoes, and the girls had chickens, the day for the exhibit of their 
projects came, one girl had one lone chicken but she was game to the 
finish and was "Johnny on the spot" with her one chick. This, the first 
club exhibit, not only in the community, but the first in the County, was 
judged by Wm. H. Kendrick and H. B. Darnall, October 18, 1915. 

So we may boast of having the pioneer club later known as the Four-K club. 
From this club have gone out the following: An All Star, a Four-H Camp 
instructor, nine high school graduates, who are teachers, four teacher who 
are not graduates, two graduates from business college, and one trained 
nurse. One club member joined the navy, others are in various pursuits of 
life, and a few still remain in school. 

Our present club activities are as follows: A men's farm club, women's 
club, and a Four-H club. The women's club meets once a month and has a 
plan of work for the year including the study of the lessons put out by 
the Extension Division of West Virginia University. The members of the 
club patronize the Mountain State Home industries Shop, have sent money to 
the Near East Relief Work, paid quite a sum on the new church, and fifty 
dollars on the Upshur County cottage at Jackson's Mill. Some of the 
farmers belong to the Co-operative Poultry Association. Eggs are marketed 
once a week, graded, crated, and shipped from our station. A few farmers 
pool their wool and ship to the warehouse .at Clarksburg. Several first 
premiums on sheep have been won at the County Fair. Our Four-H club 
members have won several premiums, have been in stock judging contests at 
the county fairs, and. one of our boys was on the judging team that went 
to the International Livestock exposition at Chicago. Some of the club 
members have been charted and wear the Four-H pin. The Four-H club also 
paid fifty dollars on the Upshur County cottage at Jackson's Mill. 

More than twenty years ago the Coal and Coke Railroad was built through 
our community, putting us in touch with the outside world, 

Frenchton has at present, a population of 335 mostly rural minded. folk, 
who own small farms, or houses and lots in the village. Frenchton has 
three general stores, one feed store, one millinery store, one jewelry 
store, one garage, one confectionery, one depot, one post office, one 
hotel, one two-room school building, and two churches. This community has 
had three Country Life Conferences, been scored three times, and each time 
raised the score a few points. 




                          INDIAN CAMP COMMUNITY
                   Prepared by C. E. and B. F. Huffman 

Pre-historic Era of Indian Camp Community
The vicinity of Indian Camp is conceded by the best authorities to have 
been the camping place, and possibly the dwelling place, of the aboriginal 
people of America ages before the coming of the white man. This 
authorative concession is based on tangible evidences found, and to be 
seen, at the Camp Rock and in its immediate surroundings. 

Many implements used by the Indians such as spear-heads, hatchets, and 
other trinkets have been found at the Indian Camp Rock and in its 
vicinity. There is no doubt about the rock at Indian Camp having been used 
as a camping place by the Indians as the ashes from their camp fires were 
several feet deep under the rock when the white settlers first came to the 
community. The skull of some Indian, or of some unfortunate white man, was 
found among the ashes under the rock some years ago by excavators who came 
to the rock in search of Indian relics. 

How Indian Camp Received Its Name
Because of the evidences and traces of visits by the Indians to the rock 
seen by the first white settlers to come to the community, it was named 
Indian Camp Rock, and the community naturally was called Indian Camp. 

Early Settlements
Abraham Kline settled on what is now the Phillips farm in the years 
between 1840 and 1850. He built and lived in a log cabin near where the 
ball diamond of the Indian Camp Normal School was located. He sold to a 
man named Cutright. Cutright sold to the Howses, who in turn sold to the 
Phillip's, the present owners of the land. 

Samuel McCann, the father of Squire McCann and the grandfather of Rev. 
Samuel McCann, David, Henry, and William McCann, settled on the hill not 
far from the present lndian Camp U. B. Church and near where John Bonnett 
now lives, in the years between 1840 and 1850. 

Jason Loomis settled on the farm where Wash Cutright now lives sometime 
between the years 1840 and 1850. 

No one lived between Indian Camp and Sago previous to 1850 except Andrew 
Casto. He lived on the head waters of Saw Mill Run on what is now known as 
the Casto farm and owned by Mason Cutright at the present time. 

Kline, McCann, Loomis, and Casto were the only settlers on the Buckhannon 
River between Sago and Alton previous to the year 1850. 

In the fall of the year 1850, Joseph and Anthony Huffman came from 
Hampshire County to the Indian Camp Rock, and moved into a cabin which 
Anthony had built the previous summer, he having been to Indian Camp in 
May of the year 1850. They lived in this cabin which was located just 
across the public road in front of the Odd Fellows Hall until they built a 
house up the creek on the farm where Otha Boyles now lives and moved into 
it. It is still standing and is the oldest existing building in the 
community. Anthony afterward married Andrew Casto's daughter, Lucinda, 
bought land, moved down on lower Indian Camp, and settled on the farm now 
owned by B. F. and J. W. Huffman. 

In the fall of 1850, after the coming of the Huffman brothers, Henry Bean 
and. David Bosely came to Indian Camp. Bean settled on the head waters of 
Indian Camp above where W. P. Newcome now lives. He later built and moved 
down to where James Bean now lives, and finally to Bean's Mill where he 
erected the mill which is yet standing. Bosely settled where W. P. Newcome 
now lives. 

Joseph Bosely, Henry Bosely, Andrew Bean, and William Bean were the next 
settlers to cone to the community. They came in 1853. Joseph Bosely 
settled where William Phillips now lives. Henry Bosely moved into the 
Huffman cabin at the Indian Camp Rock until he built on his farm at the 
place where Melroy Tenney now lives. Andrew Bean moved into the property 
of David Bosely at the place where W. P. Newcome now lives. William Bean 
settled on the hill at the place where Silas Rowan now lives. 

Johnny Howes came to Indian Camp in the years between 1850 and 1860, 
bought of Cutright, and settled at the place where Abraham Kline had 
lived. 

Thomas Bond settled on what is known as the Gideon Hoover farm between 
1850 and 1860. He was the father of the late Thomas Bond, and the 
grandfather of John Ephriam, and Elijah Bond. 

Church History
The first preaching done in the Indian Camp community was done under the 
Indian Camp Rock by a United Brethren minister by the name of Benjamin 
Stickley, in the year 1854. Later a log church was built on the hill where 
the present church now stands. The log building has been replaced by a 
frame house which is yet standing. 

William Bucklew, a German Baptist Dunkard minister, was the first German 
Baptist minister to do ministerial work in the Indian Camp community. He 
converted eight persons in the August of 1865. In November of 1867, Elder 
S. A. Fike, William Bucklew, and Jacob Thomas held a week's meeting at the 
home of Henry Fultz at Waterloo which added some more converts. The church 
was organized by Elders Fike and Thomas in 1871. In the year 1872 the log 
church which now stands on the Indian Camp Rock was built. It was used for 
a number of years. In 1902 the class was moved to Bean's Mill, where a new 
church building was erected. 

The old log church at the Indian Camp Rock, the rock, and the surrounding 
land has been purchased and now belongs to an association of the U. B. 
Church. 

Previous to the erection of the church buildings, preaching appointments 
were arranged and preaching done at the homes over the community and under 
the Indian Camp Rock. 

School History
Schools were taught in the community before the coming of the public 
school system. They were known as subscription schools, the patrons 
personally paying the teachers for their teaching. One of the pupils who 
attended those schools says, "The length of the school term then was never 
over three months." 

The first school was taught in Johnny Howse's house by Joseph Bosely who 
was the first teacher to teach in the Indian Camp community. 

The second term of school was a summer term and was taught in a log 
building on Otha Boyles's farm by Elizabeth Bean. 

A school building was then erected. It was built of logs and stood on the 
exact location of the old log church that now stands on the Indian Camp 
Rock. It had a stone chimney as wood was the only material then used for 
heating purposes. The wood was cut and prepared by the boys who attended 
the school or by the patrons. One window gave light to the pupils. It was 
from five to seven feet long, and of 8 by 10 inch glass set in a hand-made 
frame, The seats were made of split logs, somewhat like the puncheons used 
for floors in the log cabin days, with pigs driven into auger holes for 
the legs. They were arranged before the chimney or fireplace so that they 
formed the three sides of a square. The writing desk was a slab split from 
a log, hewn smooth, and put up against the wall back of the seats on 
wooden pigs driven into auger holes in the wall so that the desk would 
slant slightly forward toward the writer. 

Some of the pupils had steel pens, but most of them used pens made of 
quills from the feathers of geese or turkeys. For ink, maple bark was 
boiled and copperas was mixed with it to give it color. 

Henry Bosely, the third person to teach in the Indian Camp community, 
taught the first term of school in this newly erected school building. His 
successor was Chapman Cutright, followed by William Bean who taught two 
terms. 

Rebecca Huffman (Tenney) was the first teacher to teach who received her 
education at Indian Camp. Jamima Huffman (Boyles) was the second followed 
by Robert and George E. Bosely. 

The first public school taught at Indian Camp was taught by James Moore of 
Sago. It was taught in the public school building which stood on top of 
the hill west of William Phillips's known as the Indian Camp hill. The 
year 1867 is said to have been the year in which it was taught. Oscar 
Moore, brother of James, taught the public school at the Phillips school 
on upper Indian Camp the first term the same year. 

Under the directions of the U. B. Association in charge of the grounds and 
Camp Rock at Indian Camp, and by the aid of the people of the community 
and adjoining communities a building was erected in 1913 for the purpose 
of having a school of higher order than the public school, for church 
purposes, and other community activities. School was opened in this 
building in the spring of 1914 under the direction of Prof. J. H. Ashworth 
assisted by E. C. Brooks. A very successful school was conducted during 
the succeeding years until 1918 when war and adverse world conditions made 
it necessary to abandon the school, which, unfortunately, has not been re-
opened. A vast amount of good was accomplished, however, by the school 
while in session both for the community in which it was located and for 
other communities that sent students to it. 

Industrial History
The people of Indian Camp have been engaged in farming and lumbering 
principally until in very recent years. The farming has been of a 
diversified character and mainly to supply the needs of the farmer and his 
family. 

A grain mill has been in operation at Bean's Mill since the time when 
Henry Bean settled there. 

The first lumber cut on Indian Camp was sawed by hand with saws called 
whip-saws. This mode of manufacture was very tedious and laborious. Then 
came the steam sawmills, a number of which have been set up and operated 
on Indian Camp. 

At Imperial, a station on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, is a plant for 
the manufacture of glass sand. 

Three coal mines are within the limits of the community, 

A farm club, and a boys' and girls' Four-H club have been in our community 
helping and encouraging the farmers and their boys and girls for a number 
of years. A farm women's club has been recently organized. 

Three stores and one fraternal organization are within the community 
limits. The Odd Fellows have their hall near the Camp Rock. 

The spirit of industrial and educational development is growing rapidly 
among the people of the community. 

Biographical History
Jamima Boyles is the only person now living (1923) who came with the first 
settlers to come to Indian Camp. She was then only a small child and came 
with her father, Joseph Huffman. Her grandfather came with them and is 
buried in the Huffman cemetery. 

From the Indian Camp school the following persons have gone forth as 
teachers: Rebecca Huffman (Tenney), Jamima Huffman (Boyles), William 
Bosely, Robert Bosely, George E. Bosely, Anna Phillips (Snyder), C. E. 
Huffman, A. R. Huffman, A. W. Huffman, E. L. Huffman, B. A. Huffman, 
Anthony Linger, Myrtle Loudin (Cain), and J. L. Fultz. 

From the Upper Indian Camp school the following have gone forth as 
teachers: Samuel McCann, Mary McCann (Hoover), Pearl Thomas (Simons), 
Ressie Cutright (Huffman), Mae Phillips, Carmie Phillips (Hinkle), Henry 
Queen, Jacob Queen, Henry Powers, and Esther Cutright (Lamb). 

Five ministers who were reared and partly educated here have gone from the 
community. Samuel McCann, William McCann, Ertha Bean, and Hazel Fultz were 
German Baptist ministers. Floyd Fultz is a United Brethren minister. 

Samuel McCann was ordained as an elder of his denomination at Bridgewater 
College, in Virginia, in 1893. He spent a number of years in India as a 
missionary, came back to America, and taught in the College at Bridgewater 
for several years. He died in North Dakota and is buried at Bridgewater, 
Virginia. 

William McCann is a resident, and minister, of North Dakota. 

Ertha Bean resides near Bean's Mill, West Virginia, Hazel Fultz resided 
near Bean's Mill. She died in 1923, and is buried in the McCann cemetery. 

Floyd Fultz's residence is at Indian Camp, but he is now (1923) located at 
Mt. Lake Park, Maryland as the U. B. minister of that charge. 

Two doctors were reared in our community. They were Floyd Bean of Fort 
Pierce, Florida; and J. B. Simons of Buckhannon, West Virginia. 

One county officer, Ernest Phillips, was reared here, and spent his 
boyhood playing over and around the old Camp Rock. He was elected and 
served one term as county clerk of Upshur county; then was re-elected and 
succeeded himself to the same office for a second term which he is now 
serving. Four telegraph operators received their education here. They are 
Frank E. Phillips, Charles Thomas, French Thomas, and A. R. Huffman. 

Frank E. Phillips has filled some of the most responsible positions with 
the leading railroad and telegraph companies of the county with credit. 

A. P. Huffman is the agent and operator at Newlonton, West Virginia, for 
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company. 

One stenographer, Miss Lavida Bean, received her education at Upper Indian 
Camp School. Her home state is now Florida. Her place of employment was 
formerly Evanston, Illinois but at present her home is in Florida. 

Our community has furnished soldiers for every war in which our country 
has been engaged since our war with Mexico in the forties. They fought on 
several battle fields of our Civil War, fought the Spaniards in 1898, and 
helped to drive the Germans back in 1917. Over a dozen stars deck our 
service flag, but fortunately the stars are yet all of one color - our 
boys all came back. 




                       HISTORY OF LORENTZ COMMUNITY
                Written For Country Life Conference, 1923
                             By A. J. Marple

Lorentz, circa 1905 Early History
The settlement of this community dates back to the eighteenth century. It 
was originally a part of Harrison County, became a part of Lewis County in 
1816, and of Upshur County in 1851. 

The early pioneers were the Allmans, Castos, Regers, Westfalls, Lorentzes, 
Clarks, and others. They were maily of Dutch descent, and were an honest, 
sturdy, hardy, industrious, frugal people, and have transmitted these 
qualities to their descendants in a marked degree. 
 
On the twenty-fourth day of April, 1805, a patent was issued by Governor 
Page for 200 acres of land on a Land Office Warrant dated December 24, 
1783, to William Allman, the grandfather of George W. Allman, the late J. 
M. Allman and the late Nathan Allman. So we can take the date of 1783 as 
the time of William Allman's settling on the farm on which he and his son 
George and grandson Jacob M. lived and died, and on which Dane and Ada 
Allman and Mrs. J. M. Allman now live. William Allman came from the South 
Branch of the Potomac, and was of Dutch descent. His numerous descendants 
now live in this and other communities. 

The Regers were among the early settlers. About the year 1765 Jacob Reger 
came to America from Holland. In 1776 he made a location at what is now 
known as Volga in Barbour County. His wife was Barbara Crites and to them 
were born six sons and five daughters, and their descendants throughout 
this and adjoining counties are a legion. 

Anthony Reger, the oldest son of Jacob Reger, settled on the farm on which 
Mrs. Martin Reger and Blaine Zickefoose live. A Land Warrant for 243 acres 
of land dated January 15, 1802, and a patent for the same was issued by 
John Tyler, Governor of Virginia, on the first of August, 1809 to Anthony 
Reger and his sons, Henry and Saul, and daughter, Rachel. Afterward Henry 
became the owner and still later his son Martin, and at his death, his 
widow and daughter, Mrs. Lura Zickefoose, inherited this farm. 

John Reger, a brother of Anthony, married Elizabeth West. He was described 
as "standing 6 feet 2 inches in his sock feet, massive in person, huge 
body, a great head, stalwart arms, a big heart, brave, and of prodigious 
strength." Stories are told of the great physical feats he performed. He 
walked to Winchester and back so that "his little Bettie" might have a 
store gown in which to be married. Another brother was Justice of the 
Peace for 40 years. His sister Annie married Captain John Bozarth 
(commonly called Bozier), and his sister Mary married George Bozarth. John 
Bozarth, Sr., settled at Lorentz. His cabin was just across the railroad 
from the Allman house now occupied by E. O. Reeder. Here was the scene of 
the tragedy during the Indian foray in 1795. It was harvest time. John 
Bozarth, Sr., and his son George, were hauling wheat to the stable when 
they heard screams at the house. They ran toward the house, and George 
being the younger, although he weighed over 300 pounds, outran his father, 
and as he ran around a hog pen he came face to face with an Indian with a 
gun drawn ready to shoot. George fell to the ground just as the gun was 
fired, and the Indian, thinking that he had killed George, turned his 
attention to John, Sr., who ran down the bottom and jumped Finks Run. The 
Indian, in attempting to follow, fell in the run, gave a savage "Uh," 
threw his tomahawk at Bozarth and gave up the chase. George's wife, Mary 
(Reger), was washing clothes at the run and hearing the commotion and 
suspecting the cause, took to the woods and made her way safely to the 
fort, as did her husband, who promptly got up when the Indian chased his 
father. The Indians killed a crippled boy and three small children, and 
took Mrs. Bozarth and two boys prisoners, who were afterward released when 
a treaty of peace was made. One of the boys named Zed, was simple- minded, 
but was a strong, muscular boy. On arrival at the Indian village the 
Indians as usual required their prisoners to run the gauntlet to the House 
of Refuge. As Zed was a boy they had the Indian boys chase him, but Zed 
resented their beatings and turned and knocked down the first boy that 
struck him, greatly to the amusement of the Indians. 

At one time, Isaac Reger, the youngest brother of Anthony, came to visit 
his sister, Mary, who married George Bozarth. In the evening about milking 
time a boy was sent across the run into the woods on the hillside opposite 
the house to bring the cows. All at once they heard the boy scream. The 
two bear dogs at once ran for the boy. The men grabbed their guns and upon 
going to the boy, found that the dogs had treed a panther that had 
unexpectedly appeared on top of a fallen tree, threatening to jump on the 
boy. The panther was shot. So you see that the early settlers were 
endangered not only by wild men, but by wild beasts as well. During the 
same Indian raid, Nicholas Ours, Sr., (whose father, Sichman Ours, a 
Revolutionary soldier, settled here in 1794, who was the grandfather of 
the late H. F. Ours, ex-sheriff of Upshur County, lived on Bill's Run. He 
was a lad of 10 or 12 years and was out in the woods playing with two 
younger children. He saw an Indian lurking in the woods not far away. 
Without telling the children he quietly led them to the house in a way not 
to let the Indian know that he had seen him. His mother, with her children 
fled in safety to the fort. When Henry Reger's sister, Rachel, heard that 
the Indians were coming she was up in the loft of the house reached by a 
ladder from the outside. She did not take time to come down the ladder, 
but jumped to the ground and "Lit running" for the fort. The fort referred 
to was Bushes' Fort, near Buckhannon. it is little wonder that the people 
feared the Indians after the killing of Fink, Bush, and others near 
Buckhannon on previous raids. 

At the time of this Indian raid David Casto was a small boy living with 
his father, George Casto, in a house just below the road opposite where 
Mrs. J. M. Allman now lives. George Casto came from North Wales. David 
Casto was the father of George Casto, and the late Captain Casto, and the 
late Bivin Casto, and the grandfather of a host of Castos several of whom 
are merchants, including our merchants the Casto Brothers, 

William Clark, father of Jacob Clark, who was the father of Rev. Hyre D. 
Clark, M. T. Clark, Mrs. A. J. Berry, and Mrs. J. T. Berry, came here from 
Marietta, Ohio, and settled on Bill's Run, and died there about the year 
1842. His wife was a Westfall. Cornelius Westfall was the first settler on 
Saul's Run. He was the grandfather of George W. Allman and the late Jacob 
M. Allman. 

Abram Allman was the first settler on one branch of Bridge Run. He was the 
father of Isaac M. Allman and the late Nathan Allman and several other 
children. 

A man named Wilson settled where Armstead Queen later lived and died. 

Jacob Lorentz, for whom the village was named, was born in Lancaster, Pa., 
in 1776, and moved to Lorentz in the year 1800, and died 66 years later. 
In his time he was the financial king of all of what is now Upshur and 
Lewis Counties. He and his sons owned all the land along the pike from the 
J. M. Allman farm to a point beyond the village of Horner, in Lewis County 
a distance of seven or eight miles. He also owned a large boundary up 
Bridge Run, and over on Buckhannon Run. He owned the f irst store in the 
county and at first carried his goods on pack horses from Richmond and 
Baltimore. He lived in the first painted house in Lewis and Upshur 
Counties. His house that was torn down a few years ago (where E. O. Reeder 
lives) was the best house when it was built in the two counties. The 
mantels were a wonder of art, and some of them are still preserved in the 
new house. He was Commissioner of the Circuit Court, Justice of the Peace, 
Postmaster (the post office was established prior to the War of 1812), and 
the owner of a blacksmith shop, operated by John Hacker for whom Hacker's 
Creek was named. Jacob Lorentz was the father of several children (his 
wife being Rebecca Stalnaker), and his numerous descendants re- found 
throughout this and other counties. His grandson, Lafayette Lorentz, is 
the oldest of his descendants living in this community and lives on a fine 
farm originally owned by Jacob Lorentz. 

It might be of interest to state that Mrs. Hinzman, the wife of our 
present minister, is a direct descendant of the noted scout and Indian 
fighter, Jesse Hughes. The first church was built on the old church lot 
just west of Bridge Run, on the Pike, in the year 1857. Prior to that time 
religious services were held at private houses. Jacob Lorentz gave the 
church lot. This church was burned in 1881 and rebuilt on the same site in 
1884, and the present church was built on the new site in 191__?  

MP church at Lorentz 
The following ministers have gone from this community; Rev. Marcellus 
Mick, Rev. C. L. Queen, Rev. A. J. Allman, Rev. Virgil Allman, and we 
might almost claim Rev. H. D. Clark, whose father and grandfather lived on 
Bill's Run, but who was born and raised just over the hill on Spruce. 

It would be difficult to name all the school teachers that have come from 
this community: Thirty or more have taught school. Among the early 
teachers were Henry Reger, Philip Krise and Malissa Humphreys, afterwards 
the wife of John H. Hodges and the mother of the late Thomas E. Hodges. 
President of the West Virginia University. 

They were most excellent teachers and were thorough in their work, and 
their pupils were all well grounded in the essential branches of spelling, 
writing, reading, and arithmetic. Thoroughness was stressed in those days. 
A number of persons have graduated from College, Normal, and High schools. 

Quite a number of people have gone out from this community and made good 
in a business way. Thomas and Geo. C. Allman, the Crites boys, the Berry 
boys, and others could be named. 

The first roads were mere trails. The first wagon road disregarded grades, 
and ran below the pike just in front of the Present church. In 1824 the 
Virginia Legislature authorized the building of a state road and it ran 
just above the pike through A. J. Berry's lot and through the church lot, 
signs of which are yet visible. About the year 1843 or 1844 the present 
pike was built, known as the Staunton and Parkersburg turnpike, which is 
now being rebuilt and hard surfaced. Harrison H. Fury, the father of Mrs. 
G. W. Allman and Mrs. Scott Reger helped build this pike. The mattock, 
shovel, and sledge were the only equipment. A rod of road was laid out for 
each man to build. There was no loafing on the job. They did not work by 
the hour but by the day and wages were $10.00 per month. George Allman, 
Jacob Lorentz and Marshall Lorentz donated money to help build this pike. 

In the early days of this settlement live stock was driven on foot over 
the mountains and marketed in Richmond and Baltimore. At one time Jacob 
Lorentz took a drove of 937 hogs to Richmond. 

The abundant mast, such as chestnuts and acorns, made the raising of hogs 
profitable in those days. 

Lorentz can boast of having the first store, the first Post Office the 
first blacksmith shop, the first tannery, the first painted frame house, 
the first brick house, and the first road wagon in Upshur County. 

Present Activities
Lorentz community has not only had an interesting past but it has an 
interesting present and bids fair to have a bright future. Every effort is 
being made to make it the "community beautiful". There are no old 
"tumbledowns" in the community. The people work together and cooperate in 
community affairs, and a spirit of unity prevails. 

There were fifty-seven first premiums won at the county fair in 1922 by 
people of the community and in 1923 two $300 scholarships were won by Four-
H club members of the community. 

The Lorentz Sunbeam Four-H Club has a membership of seventeen. During the 
past year they held twelve regular meetings and six special meetings, and 
had twelve literary programs. The club gave $50.00 to help build the 
Upshur County cottage at the West Virginia Four-H Camp, and has won second 
premium on club exhibit at the county fair for the past two years. 
Individual members of the club won five first premiums, five second 
premiums, and two third premiums at the county fair. Three entries were 
made at the state fair and two first premiums were won. 

The community has the largest farmers' club in Upshur County with nearly 
every farmer and all the merchants as members. A meeting is held every 
month and special programs are arranged. A total of $627.00 was paid 
toward the county Four-H cottage at Jackson's Mill by the farmers', farm 
women's, and Four-H clubs. The community also put up more than one-third 
of the budget for the county Sunday School program. 

The farm women's club sent two delegates to Farmers' week at Morgantown, 
furnished paper and paint for one room at the parsonage, served a 
community dinner for the men who cleaned up the cemetery, and raised 
$207.00 of the amount given on the county Four-H cottage. A meeting is 
held each month and a report sent to each of the three county papers. The 
club has a flower fund which is set apart to purchase flowers for those 
who are ill and in case of funerals. The lessons put out by the Extension 
Division of the College of Agriculture on Foods, Clothing, Sewing, Insects 
and Pests, Home Grounds, and Government were studied. 

The Community provides for recreation in various ways. It has an organized 
Base Ball Club, and all players have uniforms. Fourteen games were played 
last season and only two were lost. Horse shoe pitching is a favorite 
sport among the farmers. A community hall provides for all indoor 
gatherings and many outside speakers and talent are brought in. Last year 
a special lecture course was arranged for, and the "Go-Getter" Four-H club 
of Buckhannon High School were brought in to present a play entitled 
"Kindling the Hearth Fires". 

The health of the community is well guarded. Of the seventy- three homes 
in the community all are screened but three, and all the stores are 
screened. All public buildings, such as community hall, church, and 
schools, are regularly cleaned and well ventilated. Nineteen homes have 
water in the house. There has not been a case of typhoid fever in the last 
six years. The schools served hot lunches. More than half the children 
have been vaccinated for small pox. 

The homes are well kept and many improvements have been made during the 
past year. Twenty-two houses have been repainted; four porches have been 
built; three houses plumbed for gas; water has been put in two houses and 
a bath installed in one of them; thirty- one floors were finished; fifty-
four rugs bought; three sets dining chairs, four dining tables, two 
buffets, one china closet, ten victrolas, thirteen rocking chairs, one 
book case, nine library and parlor sets, two library tables, three pianos, 
three davenports, three library lamps, four beds, three carpet sweepers, 
one sewing machine, four kitchen stoves, one refrigerator, two kitchen 
cabinets, two washing machines, and six porch swings are among the new 
equipment and furnishings added to the homes. The furniture in five homes 
was revarnished. Many other improvements were made around the homes 
including three garages, six hog houses, two sheep barns, one calf shed, 
twenty-five gates, nine lawns and six gardens fenced with wire, two lawns 
planned under supervision of the Landscape Gardener of the Extension 
Division, College of Agriculture, West Virginia University, and more than 
a thousand rods of wire fence were built. 

The schools have been improved by adding books to the libraries, oiling 
the floors, and serving hot lunches. One school had instruction in 
physical training. The teachers are of high quality, one having an A. B. 
degree, one a Standard formal certificate, and two have first grade 
certificates. 

The church has been repainted, and furniture revarnished, also new carpet 
has been purchased for the church. Plans are being worked out by the 
landscape gardener of the extension division for beautifying the church 
grounds. A tent was purchased for use in the cemetery. The Sunday School 
has an enrollment of eighty-four and has four organized and registered 
classes, also a teachers' training class. All special days such as 
Christmas, Easter, Children's Day, etc., are observed by holding 
appropriate exercises. 

The farmers are generally industrious and thrifty and have well equipped 
farms. Silos are common and there are a number of excellent barns. The 
farm machinery is generally well housed and taken care of. All farms 
produce butter, eggs, fruits, and vegetables needed for home consumption 
and many have some for market. Feeds, fertilizer, lime, seeds, etc., are 
purchased cooperatively through the farmers' club. Tile purchases amount 
to about a carload per month, aggregating several thousand dollars per 
year.  

The farmers have pooled their wool for two years and are grading up their 
flocks so as to make the production of wool a profitable enterprise. The 
community has four general stores and one hardware store, all of which 
handle goods at a fair profit and are well patronized by the public. The 
Casto Brothers run a delivery truck for the accommodation of their 
customers. 

The traveling facilities throughout the community are excellent. A hard 
surfaced road through the community is just being completed (1924) and all 
other roads are well graded and drained. There is excellent taxi service 
available. The average distance to the railroad station is less than one 
mile. 

The farms of the community are being improved each year by tile drainage, 
manure fertilizer, lime, and cover crops. Special attention is given to 
seed selection by many of the farmers. Spraying is practiced in the 
control of insects and diseases, and a number of farmers market apples, 
plums, berries, and other fruit. 

There are four dairy hards in the community with a total of about eighty-
five cows. Two of the herds are mostly purebred animals, Jerseys and 
Holsteins, respectively, and all use purebred sires. The two purebred 
herds are members of the Central West Virginia Cow Testing Association. 
Last year (1923) one of these herds made the highest herd average as well 
as the highest individual average for the production of butter fat of any 
herd in the association. The other herd made the highest individual 
production of milk and the second highest individual production of butter 
fat for any member of the association. Both herds were shown at the county 
fair and won most of the prizes in their respective classes, one herd 
winning the sweepstakes for the dairy breeds. 

Poultry raising is of considerable importance in the community. A number 
of flocks are purebred. Culling is generally practiced. Young chicks are 
generally hatched early, and all farmers feed milk, meat scraps, scratch 
feed, etc., to their poultry. 

Beef cattle are of prime importance in the livestock field. Purebred sires 
are used practically all together. Considerable attention is given to 
breeding, feeding, and management in this connection. 

Sufficient hogs are kept for local needs and some are produced for market. 
Nearly every farmer has a flock of sheep ranging from ten to forty head. 
Good rams are used. Most flocks are treated for internal parasites. 
Docking is generally practiced. Two farmers have excellent purebred flocks 
which are among the best to be found in the country. 

Generally the community is forward-looking and progressive. Community 
spirit is good and all the people work together to make the community 
better in every way. 




                       HISTORY OF THE SAGO COMMUNITY
                          Prepared By E. R. Grose
                                   1926
                             Published By The
                      Agricultural Extension Division
                            Morgantown, W. Va.

FOREWORD
In writing up the history of Sago the author had to depend largely on the 
notes of others. He endeavored to get data as accurate as possible; but, 
doubtless, there are some minor errors in the production. He is especially 
indebted to Rev. L. B. Moore, Judge O. L. Moore, and A. J. Marple for 
notes on the early period of Sago. 
--E. R. Grose

Sago has a very picturesque location. It is situated along the banks of a 
beautiful, clear, and swift running little river, called the Buckhannon, 
whose course is hemmed in by the hills on either side, and whose banks are 
lined, in many places, with the hemlock and the rhododendron, our state 
flower. In winter those plants often bend with masses of snow, and they, 
with the dashing waters and broken pieces of ice rushing against the 
rocks, which lift their heads above the waters, present a scene of beauty 
as fine as may be found anywhere. 

The county seat, called Buckhannon, is located six miles north on the same 
river. Now, a branch of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad runs southward, 
hugging closely the river bank; and also the Coal and Coke, now a part of 
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad System, crosses the river from the east to 
the west, running from Elkins to Charleston. These railroads are modern 
innovations. 

The Morgan Family
In 1801 the first permanent settlement was made near where the railroad 
bridge of the Coal and Coke crosses the river. The man who made this 
settlement was Zedekiah Morgan, who, with his wife and two grown daughters 
by a former wife (Ruth Dart) and a baby (Theadore) left his comfortable 
home at Newtown, Connecticut, and traveled by wagon and foot, through, 
what was then much of the way, a wilderness and settled here in an 
unbroken forest. No neighbors greeted these weary travelers on their 
arrival. The forest was, with the exception of Indian trails, pathless. 
The home must be carved out of the unbroken wilderness. To the east, some 
thirty miles, the comparatively old settlement of Tygart's Valley could be 
reached. Northward at Buckhannon and below a few scattered houses could be 
found. 

In a short time a home was established and land was cleared. Other 
settlers soon came, and more homes were started. 

Zedekiah Morgan was a thrifty man. In Connecticut he had been a dealer in 
lands; and, in his new home, he provided himself with a goodly scope of 
land and for his two sons, Joshua and Ezra, who, with their families, 
followed him two years later to Virginia. 

Ezra settled where Adrian is now situated. Some years later Elbridge G. 
Burr married his daughter, Emily; and, after the death of Ezra and his 
wife, the farm was known as the Burr farm. Another daughter, Eliza, 
married Benjamin Gould of Bull Run; and a third, Maria, married Jacob 
Hudkins of Barbour County. 

Joshua settled where Ashley Morgan now resides, who is his grandson. His 
children were Isaac, Chester, and Lydia. Isaac married Mandana Gould and 
made his home on the home farm. Chester married first a daughter of 
Ezekiel Townsend, then Nancy Talbott, and for his third wife, Delilah 
Boyles. Lydia married Major Thorp, who, with his family, later had much to 
do with the development of Sago. 

In a short time the two single daughters of Zedekiah Morgan were sought 
and won by young men from the Tygart's Valley settlement. One can imagine 
their coming for more than thirty miles through an unbroken wilderness for 
the purpose of courting. Ruth married George Weese, who lived below 
Beverly; Naomi married Adam Stonacre of near Beverly, and, after his 
death, she married John Brooks, a brother of Dr. Amos Brooks of French 
Creek. Their descendants are the Kettles, Weeses, Stonacres (Stonakers), 
Bakers, and a good many others of Randolph County. One of Naomi's 
grandsons, Mr. Eli Baker, married two sisters from Upshur County. They 
were daughters of William Sexton of Brushy Fork. After one was cut down by 
disease, in due time he married the sister. From this union came Judge 
Baker, of the U. S. Federal Court. Naomi, after her second marriage, 
removed to the West. 

The second set of children of Zedekiah Morgan by his second wife, Rebecca 
Watson, were Theadore, Watson, Alfred, and Fanny. 

Watson grew to manhood. He decided to attend school and went to Beverly 
for this purpose, where he contracted fever and died. 

Alfred was the first white child born at Sago, in the year of 1804. He 
remained on the old homestead all his life, dying during the Civil War. He 
was united in marriage with Martha Henderson in 1836, who outlived him 
many years. Mrs. G. W. Burner was their only child. Alfred and his wife 
were earnest Christians, and their example had much to do in making the 
community noted for its morality. They were constituent members of the 
Sago Baptist church, which was formed some time in the fifties. Mr. G. W. 
Burner who had married their only daughter bought the Bunten Mills and a 
farm one mile north of the Morgan farm. Mrs. G. W. Burner died in the fall 
of 1923. She was a lovable woman and was honored by all her neighbors and 
her large family of sons, daughters, and grandchildren. Her sons and 
daughters are noted for their useful lives in the community. 

Theadore married Lydia Rude in 1823 and settled on Slab Camp where he 
reared a large family. 

James Bunten
Fanny, the youngest of Zedekiah Morgan's children, married James Bunten, 
in 1827, who was from the town of Dunbarton, Merrimack County New 
Hampshire. Mr. Bunten came to Sago in 1825 or 26. He bought a farm north 
of the Morgan farm and built mills for sawing lumber and grinding grain. 
In connection with the gristmill he installed simple machinery for carding 
wool. As late as 1900 many of the older citizens still talked about their 
having gone to that mill with grain and wool. 

The children of James Bunten and Fanny Morgan Bunten were Sarah Ann, Elsey 
Rebecca, Watson M., Burnham A., Walter B. D., Harriet, and Sirene. 

The Moore Family 
Sarah Ann Bunten married George Collins Moore of Morgantown in 1844. They 
settled on the opposite side of the river from the Bunten farm. Here they 
reared a large family of much distinction. 

James Levin, the oldest child of this union, was born in 1845. When the 
need was great for soldiers to defend the Union, he volunteered in Company 
B of 10th West Virginia Volunteer Infantry and served till the close of 
the Civil War. Some time after the close of the war, he married Saida 
Cypert of Clarion County, Pennsylvania. In partnership with his Uncle 
Watson Bunten, he bought mill property at Crawford, Lewis County, where he 
reared a large family and made a comfortable living. In his old age he 
sold his property and went to Oregon and from there to California where he 
died. His children are Ivy V., Myrtle L., Lilly R., Ralph G., Ried L., 
Zamie F., and Daisy May, all of whom were living at the time of their 
father's death. 

The second son, Lorenzo Byron, was born in May 1847. He entered the Union 
army in 1862 and served three years and three months. He was severely 
wounded on the day that Richmond was evacuated. He came home on crutches 
in July 1865; attended school; worked as a carpenter; taught school; 
served as County Superintendent of Schools; studied at Brown University 
and in Crozer Theological Seminary; entered the Baptist ministry in 1872; 
served as pastor for twenty- seven years in West Virginia, Ohio Secretary 
for State Missions in West Virginia for six years, and Secretary for the 
West Virginia Baptist Education Society for nineteen years. He now lives 
in Parkersburg. In 1872 he married Almira A. Brooks, daughter of Dr. Amos 
Brooks of French Creek. She has shared with him for more than fifty years 
in the labors, sorrows, and vicissitudes of a busy life. Mrs. Moore died 
in the summer of 1924. Their children are George Amos, Laura Blanche, 
Oscar Frank, and Dora. Three others died during infancy. George Amos died 
in Minneapolis, Minn. when he was forty years old. He was a successful 
teacher. At his death a wife and two boys were left. Frank also lives in 
Minneapolis and has a wife and two sons, James and Robert. Laura is a 
teacher in the Parkersburg High School; and Dora is a librarian in the 
Ohio Wesleyan College at Deleware, Ohio. 

Oscar Leopold, the third son, was born in 1849. He entered the Union army 
in 1864 in Company M of 3rd West Virginia Cavalry, and took part in many 
battles in the Shenandoah Valley and at Richmond. After the war he studied 
and taught. In 1874 he went to Abilene, Kansas, where he studied law. He 
was elected as County Attorney in 1882; in 1895 he served as Regent of the 
State University; for twelve years he served as Judge of the 8th Judicial 
District of Kansas; and in 1911 he was appointed as Reporter of the 
supreme court of Kansas, a position which he has held for many years, with 
residence at Topeka. In l875 he married Miss Ida Wilson of Abilene, 
Kansas. 

Sarabel, a daughter, was born in 1854. She taught school. In 1878 she 
married Samuel Neely. To this union were born five. children, Frances, 
Addie, Fred, Clyde, and Demosthenes. The father was killed in a logging 
accident while the children were young; and the mother had to labor hard 
to rear her children. She faithfully and lovingly performed the hard task. 
She died at Buckhannon, at the age of 67 years. 

Ida May, another daughter, was born in 1857. She was a teacher and was 
Postmistress at Sago for several years. She resided at Sago, at her old 
home, taking care of her parents till l893 when she died of fever at the 
age of 36 years. 

The remaining children, Dora Ianthe, Burnham B., Clarence W., and Frances 
Jane, all died in October of 1865, of typhoid dysentery. 

Mr. Moore and Mrs. Moore lived to a ripe old age. Mr. Moore died in the 
fall of 1895, and Mrs. Moore, several years later. 

The Clark Brothers
Two brothers came to Sago and settled some time between 1820 and 1825. 
Their names were Cornelius and George Clark. They came from Connecticut. 
They and their families added much to the history of Sago. 

Cornelius Clark, on leaving his native state, first settled in Ohio, but 
later came to Sago and purchased land lying between the Zedekiah Morgan 
and the James Bunten farms. He was somewhat eccentric, but was an 
enterprising business man. He built a dam across the river and constructed 
a mill on each side of the river, one for grinding grain and manufacturing 
Castor and Linseed oils and other products, and the other for sawing 
lumber. The Castor oil was made from the Castor bean and was sold in the 
tablet form; and the linseed oil was made from flaxseed and used for 
common purposes. He also bored by the means of a wood drill a well 500 
feet deep for salt water and, for a time, made salt at Sago. He then 
opened a coal mine, so that he might obtain fuel for his furnace. People, 
for more than thirty miles, came on horseback to buy this salt. 

His wife, Abigail, was a very intelligent woman. Their children were 
Lyman, Cornelius, James, Martha, Mary, and Lusannah. Mary married Earl 
Young; Martha, Alonzo Young; and Cornelius, Lucinda Young. Cornelius died 
before he reached the meridian of life. Lyman was graduated at some 
college in the East. He became a Unitarian preacher and was deemed a 
pastor of distinction in the state of Massachusetts. Mr. Clark sold his 
farm to Mr. G. W. Burner soon after Mr. Burner's marriage and removed his 
family to Illinois. James and Lusannah settled and remained in Illinois. 

A grandson of Cornelius Clark, born in Upshur County, George Holly Young, 
was graduated from a college located at Springfield, Illinois, and became 
a professor in the same institution. He was an educator of some 
distinction. 

George Clark, brother of Cornelius, located on the west side of the bend 
of the river below the James Bunten farm. Afterwards he built a house on 
the hill above the Bunten Mills. He was an intelligent citizen. He cleared 
a large farm and worked very hard. He was a magistrate for several years 
and was called by the familiar name of Squire Clark. Reverend L. B. Moore 
went to school to him one cold winter. He taught in the old schoolhouse 
near the Clark Mills. 

George Clark's children were George Henry, Albert, Ambrose, Barnaby, Ellen 
E., and Adelaide. George H. and Ambrose (Bun) lived to a good old age. 
Ellen married John L. Smith of Buckhannon. Adelaide married for her first 
husband Alonzo Bunten, son of the late Harriet Bunten of French Creek. 
Albert went West ; and common report said that, while carrying the mail, 
he was killed by the Indians in Utah. 

For his first wife George Clark married in New England a Miss Barnaby, who 
was the mother of all his children. After her death he married Mary Ann 
Bunten, a niece of James Bunten, who had come from New Hampshire to visit 
her uncle; and, perhaps, she was the best informed lady in the community. 
As a teacher she was unexcelled. She taught before the Civil War, the old-
fashioned subscription schools. When the Free Schools were adopted she was 
one of the finest teachers in the state. 

The Carter Family
About 1840 Henry T. Carter settled at Sago, first on the farm of Alfred 
Morgan; and then he bought land a mile or two south and reared a large 
family. He had come from Albemarle County, Virginia and had married a Miss 
Emerson. He was one of the highly respected citizens of the community. He 
was industrious, and noted for his wonderful memory. For many years he was 
one of the deacons in the Sago Baptist church. His children were John, 
Mary, Henry, Thomas Addison, Mardonius, George, Page, Eliza, Lena, and 
Delia. 

Of Henry T. Carter's children John became the most famous. He was the most 
illustrious preacher that emigrated from Sago. Perhaps, there was no more 
eloquent preacher in the state. After preaching for a while among the 
surrounding Baptist churches, he began, near the close of the Civil War, 
his noted pastorate of the Parkersburg church, which lasted for twenty-
five years, and which resulted in the building up of one of the most 
influential churches in the state. He then became the pastor of the first 
Baptist church in Raleigh, North Carolina; and for seven years he was 
regarded as one of the strongest preachers of that state. From there he 
returned to West Virginia and preached for the Baptist churches at 
Elizabeth and Spencer. He had much to do with the organization of the 
General Association and served on its boards for many years, in 
denominational affairs his counsel was invaluable, and his influence was 
very great. 

The remaining children of Henry T. Carter, with the exception of Mardonius 
who died of scarlet fever when young, grew to maturity and became 
influential citizens. Henry E. was a Baptist minister but less renowned 
than his brother John. Mary married Herbert Phillips who later lost his 
life in the Civil War. Afterwards she married Rev. George E. Brown and 
lived many years in Buckhannon, but at Mr. Brown's death she went with her 
son Jerome to Parkersburg, where she died a few years ago. Addison, after 
being twice severely wounded In the Civil War, died some twenty years ago 
at Tallmansville, where he had a large farm and where he had reared a 
large family of much influence. Martha married William Moore of Holly 
Grove, and has also passed away. Page removed with his family to Oklahoma 
a good many years ago, where he died in the spring of 1924. Eliza, Lena, 
and Delia are still living (1923) and reside in Parkersburg. 

The Norvell Family
Another family which came at an early date was the Norvell family. The 
father's name was Seneca. He and his good wife were among the good, 
splendid citizens of the community. For years he was Postmaster. He was 
also clerk of the Sago Baptist church for years,- a position which his 
granddaughter Lina has filled these later years. 

Seneca Norvell's children were Abner, Susan, and Sophronia. Abner lived in 
Sago till he died in a ripe old age, and was a fine, honest, upright man. 
He married Ellen Bean, and his children are Edgar, Roena, Warren, Anna, 
Burnham, and Willis, who are well-known as fine citizens of the county. 

The Thorp Family
Another man who had much to do with the religious and moral standing of 
Sago was Major Thorp. He came from Connecticut at an early time and 
married Lydia Morgan, daughter of Joshua Morgan. They settled on what was 
called the French Creek road. He was also a deacon of the Sago Baptist 
church and superintendent of the Sunday school, always faithful to his 
duty. Two of his children died early in youth. Charles M. B., Belle, 
Martha, and Hattie grew to matured life and became useful members of 
society. Charles married Polina Grose and settled on a part of the home 
farm where he reared three children from this marriage. He died in the 
winter of 1924. Martha and Hattie are both living at this date (fall of 
1925). Martha married Dr. C. G. McKinley, and Hattie married Sherman 
Brady. 

The Abram Cutright Family
Situated on the hill just west of the Burner home was a farm owned by 
Abram Cutright. He built himself a house and married a Miss Wetherholtz. 
He was a large fleshy man; and he was industrious, and respected by all 
his neighbors. His children were Sally, Minerva, Calvin, and Granville. 
Sally was afflicted with epilepsy and died a tragic death at a spring on 
the hillside above the Burner home. She was found with her face in the 
water. Minerva married Asbury Cutright and was the mother of Doctor Dennis 
Cutright. Calvin married a daughter of Nathaniel Cutright. Granville 
married Miss Jane Beer, one among the good women of this earth; They 
reared four sons, whose names are Lyman, Ralph Greely, Frank, and Delos. 
Lyman was a lawyer by preparation, and was killed at the meridian of life 
by lightning on June 24, 1910. Ralph Greely is a successful physician at 
Rock Cave, West Virginia. Frank is professor of Botany and Zoology in the 
Concord State Normal College at Athens, West Virginia. Delos is an 
efficient clerk at Berlin, Maryland. 

The John Beer Family
Just a little while before the Civil War John Beer of Pennsylvania bought 
his family into the neighborhood of Sago. He first settled at the mouth of 
Truby's Run and operated a sawmill. Later he purchased the farm on the 
east side of the river from the Cornelius Clark farm. His children did not 
all come with him, but, after the Civil War, his son Solomon came with his 
family. Those who came with him were Reuben, Jane, George, John, Esther, 
and Mary. His wife was a splendid woman and anxiously trained her 
children. The family added much to the welfare of the community,- in 
school, in church, and in social life. Reuben served in Company E of the 
3rd West Virginia Infantry (afterwards the 6th Cavalry). He married Nancy 
Boggess and went to Pennsylvania to live, George served in the Union army 
and taught school for half a century in Upshur County. He is the father of 
Dr. O. B. Beer of Buckhannon, a well-known surgeon in West Virginia. Jane 
married Granville Cutright, and Mary has spent most of her life in the far 
West. 

Mr. John Beer was married twice. For his last wife he married Barbara 
Casto, and from this marriage there was reared a large family of boys and 
girls who have become useful citizens in the county. Barbara, his second 
wife, was known by all as Aunt Barbara. She was a very hard-working woman, 
noted for her quickness to anger, but was much honored for her willingness 
to help her neighbors in case of sickness. 

The Elbon Farm
The farm known as the Elbon farm was first settled by James Tenney, a 
soldier of the Revolutionary War. Later it was sold to a Mr. Boyles, who 
was the father of Dunk and Frank Boyles. About 1860 Mr. Granville Marple 
bought this farm and lived there for several years. Then he sold the farm 
and bought another on Grassy Run, which is now owned by Roy Carter. For 
years this farm was owned by Mr. John Elbon, a well known mechanic. After 
his death it is still owned by his family, and the report has it that his 
son Earl is now the possessor, having bought out the rights of the other 
heirs. On this farm is an old graveyard where many of the old pioneers of 
Sago and nearby communities are buried. 

The James Bryan Family
Another family which came to Sago before the Civil War was the James Bryan 
family. First they lived in the old Alfred Morgan house at the upper ford. 
Then Mr. Bryan bought land on the east side of the river south of the 
Elbon farm and built a home. One of his daughters married Nicholas Ours; 
another, Meerbach Ours. One married David Tenney, and the youngest, Dolly, 
married John Moss. The three boys, Henry, William, and Elmore, served in 
the Union army. 

Other Families in Sago Worthy of Mention
In the early days a family by the name of McCracken lived for a time where 
John F. Burner now has a fine home. 

A family named Childers also lived in the Sago community in the early 
period. 

Captain Ferrell, father of Mortiner, Robert, and Skidd Ferrell, lived in 
Sago for a while during its early period and had a blacksmith shop near 
the run just above the Burner home. 

After Cornelius Clark left the community there lived for a while in the 
vacant house David Bosley. He was the miller, the carder of wool, and the 
shoemaker. He was a jolly fellow, and his shop was a resort for many at 
night where he told some marvelous tales. 

The widow Casto lived on the road to Indian Camp and had a large family of 
children. There were three boys, Simon, Henry, and Elmore, and four girls. 
One daughter married George Hoover; another, a brother of Mr. Hoover; 
another, a Mr. Huffman of Indian Camp; and Barbara became the second wife 
of Mr. John Beer. Mrs. Casto was a tall and stately woman. She and her 
daughters were great workers. 

Northward joining the George Clark farm Mr. William Casto owned land. Mr. 
Casto, commonly known as Bill Casto, was a unique character. He had 
married a Miss Westfall, of a prominent family in the county. Mr. Casto 
was not a hard worker; he sought pleasure in the sports of his day. His 
children attended the Sago schools. He was the owner of several hound dogs 
and delighted to get a group of the boys of the neighborhood to go fox-
hunting with him. The baying of the dogs was sweet music to him. 

The Chipps family, the Clark Cutright family, the Samuel Bowyer family, 
and the Isaac Wamsley family lived a short time in Sago during the early 
period. Isaac Wamsley built a house near the mouth of Truby's Run, which 
was burned in later years. 

Dee Tenney lived a while in the John Beer house. A Rev. Mr. Betts resided 
for some time in the Bunten house; and a Rev. Mr. Sisk lived for a short 
time in the old Morgan house. Both ministers were pastors for the 
Methodist denominations near Sago. 

A family named Colyers lived on the Thorp farm for a short period of time, 
perhaps two or three years. One of the children was killed by the bite of 
a copperhead. 

Just after the close of the Civil War the Grose family came to live in the 
old Morgan house, but John A. soon bought land on the French Creek road 
from Benjamin Gould and built a home there. This family of four girls and 
two boys added much to the social welfare of the community. 

Another large family of young people lived at the close of the Civil War 
in the George Clark house. (The Clarks had gone to Buckhannon to live.) 
This was the Elbridge Burr family. The father was known as Little Elbridge 
to distinguish him from Elbridge G. Burr, who lived where Adrian is now 
situated. There were William and Benton who had reached home from the 
Union army, three younger boys and four girls. One of the daughters 
married Gabriel Bean of Indian Camp; another, Luke Bosley, also of Indian 
Camp. Joseph, the youngest son, spent most of his life in West Virginia. 
He traveled about a good deal from one county to another; he also lived 
for short periods of time in several states. He died in the winter of 1924 
at Buckhannon having reached a fairly ripe old age. 

The William Kiddy family came to Sago in 1866. Mr. Kiddy had, before this 
time, lived a while at Buckhannon and then for a short time on Grand Camp, 
on the farm how known as the Cal Brady farm. His wife was Hannah Krush. 
Their children were James, John, George, William, Joseph, Fannie, and 
Krissie. This family has been of great importance to the welfare of the 
Sago community. James and William made their homes in Sago. 

Another family that has added much to the betterment of Sago is the 
Nicholas Ours Family. Mr. Nicholas Ours came to Sago in 1837 and settled 
on the farm now owned by Lincoln Tenney. Mr. Ours was married twice. The 
children of his first marriage were Levi and Margaret and those by his 
last wife (Avis Tenney) were Nicholas; Meerbach, Hazzledon, and Julian. 

The James Tenney Family
Mr. James Tenney, the paternal ancestor of the large and numerous family 
of that name in Upshur County, was a native of Massachusetts. He had three 
brothers who emigrated to the different sections of New England. He came 
to Virginia about 1806 and finally located on what is now known as the 
Elbon farm about 1820. His wife was Thankful Shippy of Rhode Island. Their 
children were James, Samuel, Josiah, Peter, Elisha, John, Reuben, Clara, 
Avis, Mary, Thankful, and Philo. Mr. Tenney owned a large tract of land, 
perhaps more than a thousand acres, around and east of the Elbon Hill. 
From this large family of boys one can readily see why there are so many 
Tenneys in Upshur County. These descendents have contributed materially to 
the social, educational, and economic development of Upshur County. 

The Elbridge G. Burr Family
This family was so closely connected with Sago that it should be mentioned 
as a part of Sago. Mr. Burr owned in his day the whole section of what is 
now known as the town of Adrian. He was a very prosperous farmer. He and 
all his family were known as very industrious people. The daughters, 
Melvina, Ada, and Minnie and also a son, John Ezra, were members of the 
Sago Baptist church and regular attendants of the Sunday school. For a 
time the church was largely dependent on this family for its singing. The 
family was one of intelligence and education. 

John Ezra was the strongest light in this family. He entered the Union 
army and was severely wounded. He was discharged on account of his wound; 
and, as soon as he was able, he turned his attention towards getting an 
education. He prepared for college at Waterville, Maine; then he entered 
Brown University, Rhode Island, where he was graduated. He then went to 
Newton Baptist Theological Institute; and, after three years of study at 
this place, he was ordained to the Baptist ministry. He was pastor of a 
Baptist church at Fisherville, Maine, and then at West Medway, 
Massachusetts. After ten years of service he became a victim of 
tuberculosis. He had a desire to come to the old home in West Virginia to 
die; and, accompanied by his wife and sister, Melvina, became as far as 
the top of the Allegheny Mountains where he breathed his last in a 
railroad train. 

At Brown University he and Rev. L. B. Moore were roommates. The other 
children of this family also took kindly to education. Ada was a graduate 
of Young Ladies' Institute at Steubenville, Ohio. She taught school in 
Upshur County. Minnie finished a course of study at a school in 
Greenville, Ohio. Claude, a son, taught school and spent some time at West 
Virginia University in the preparation for civil engineering. Melvina did 
not attend school away from home. She may have attended the French Creek 
Academy and subscription schools near home. She was greatly handicapped by 
nearsightedness. At the present time (fall of 1925) all the members of 
this family are dead with the exception of Claude, who lives at 
Buckhannon. 

The Patrick Peebles Family
Tradition has it, that Patrick Peebles of Charlemont, Massachusetts, made 
in 1800 a temporary settlement in the vicinity of Sago. It states that he 
returned to Massachusetts the latter part of the same year. He gave a 
glowing account of the Virginia lands and induced as many of his neighbors 
as he could to come to them. So he and Zedekiah Morgan came to Sago in 
1801; and Mr. Morgan, as it has been stated, made a permanent settlement. 
It seems from tradition that Mr. Peebles was in and about the Sago 
settlement for eight or nine years. It is not known how many, if any, of 
his family came with him and Mr. Morgan. In 1810 he and Mr. Morgan built a 
sawmill on what is now known as the Sawmill Run near its mouth. It was a 
crude affair. A temporary gristmill was also built with it. Shortly after 
their completion these mills were destroyed by a flood. This disaster 
discouraged Mr. Peebles. So he went back to Massachusetts and remained 
till 1819, when he returned to this part of Virginia with his entire 
family and settled on the waters of French Creek, near the site of what is 
now known as the village of French Creek. 

Mr. Peebles had several children. James Peebles, his son, lived with the 
late Harrison Wingrove who had married his sister. This James Peebles was 
noted for the fact, that in 1849 he went to California in search of gold. 
The late Mrs. Jane Sexton was another daughter. She was the mother of Mrs. 
Ashley Gould, Mrs. Garland Ferrell, James, and Jane Sexton. 

Perhaps it is important to remember that Patrick Peebles and the Goulds 
all came from Charlemont, Massachusetts. 

The Truby's Run Section
The people of Truby's Run have always identified themselves with the 
people of Sago. They attend church and Sunday school at Sago, and have 
always claimed Sago as their Post Office. 

The Henry Wilfong family settled on the waters of Truby's Run before the 
Civil War. In this family were several children; namely, George, Samuel 
Henry, John, Daniel, Columbus, Bilda, Phillip, Abraham, Mary Elizabeth, 
Loise, Tilda, and Loretta. Four of the boys, George, Samuel Henry, John, 
and Daniel, served as soldiers in the Civil War on the Union side. Samuel 
Henry lost his life in the service of his country. The family is noted for 
its industry and has added largely to the development of the Truby's Run 
locality. 

The Nelson Jones family lived in the Truby's Run vicinity before the Civil 
War. Mrs. Jones was Martha Jane Hinkle. She is still living, being about 
96 years old (1925). Mr. Jones died shortly after the Civil War. Mrs. 
Jones was left with four small children. She was a heroine from the 
standpoint of work. She and her children cleared out from 75 to 100 acres 
of land. Her children are Sarah Ellen, Cora, Emma, and John. John lives on 
the old home place and is noted for his thrift and good citizenship. 

The James Black family is another prominent family of this section. Mr. 
Black settled here before the Civil War. His children were Alex, Lorenzo, 
Abraham, Olive, Bettie, Mary, Mart, and Sarah. Lorenzo and Mart were in 
the Union army. Mart was killed at Buckhannon. It is said that, after he 
had been laid out for dead, he rose and walked across the room. The 
descendents of this family are many; and a good many of them live in their 
paternal locality and are noted for hard work and thrift. 

Isaac Cutright was an early settler. He was the father of Thanner 
Cutright, of Alton. 

As it has been once stated Isaac Wamsley was an early settler. His sons 
were Noah B., Charles, Luther, and Albert. Noah B. was a fine penman. All 
the sons are now dead. 

During the Civil War Peter Tenney lived a mile and a half east of Sago. He 
had several children; namely, Peter J., Josiah, Jonathan, John C., Ezra, 
Rufus, William, Sandusky, Sarah C., Labana, and Mrs. G. N. Zickefoose. 

John L. Boggess married a Miss Boyles and lived on the road that leads to 
Mount Washington church. His children were Thomas Haymond, Celia (wife of 
Eliza Stansbury), Nancy (wife of Reuben Beer), and Mollie (wife of I. M. 
Bennett). Mr. Boggess came from Marion County. His father was Colonel 
Boggess, a man of distinguished note. 

Enoch Westfall, a son of George Westfall and a brother of Martin Westfall 
and a number of others, came to Truby's Run about 1880. He had two 
children, Preston and Lummie. His ancestors were among the earliest 
settlers in Upshur County. Preston married a sister of John Jones and 
lived for several years on Truby's Run; then he sold his farm and went to 
Ohio to live and there he has resided ever since. Lummie married John 
Jones and has always lived in the old home section. 

James Dean was an early settler on Truby's Run. His sons were Harrison, 
Clinton, Marion, and Granville. 

Christian Simons was also an early settler in this section. The writer is 
under the impression that James and Job Simons were his sons. 

The Quick Tragedy
Some time after the Civil War the Isaac Wamsley house burned at night. 
John Quick and his family lived there then. Mr. Quick was not at home that 
night. Mrs. Quick, her two children, and two children of a neighbor by the 
name of Kimbrew were burned to death. Their remains were found in the 
position of the beds; and the remains of all five were buried in one grave 
in the Elbon Cemetery. 

The Rebels made a small number of raids in the Truby's Run section and 
through the heart of Sago. They stole horses and foodstuffs, but perhaps 
their main object was to capture Union soldiers, strong Union 
sympathizers, and deserters. Lack of space forbids the telling of many of 
the various experiences that the citizens had with them. It is said that 
they were about to shoot Mr. Abner Norvell; but the writer does not recall 
on what provocation. Here is a very interesting incident. Two Rebel 
deserters came to the home of Granville Marple one evening when Mr. Marple 
was away from home. Mrs. Marple, her children, and a Miss Cutright 
(daughter of Isaac Cutright) were the only people at the Marple home. Mrs. 
Marple kept them over night. The next morning she sent them to one of her 
neighbors, Mr. James Black. A day or so later during a Rebel raid one of 
these deserters was in the house at Black's when some one chanced to look 
outdoors, and just at the yard fence was a squad of Rebel cavalrymen 
coming in. There was no time to leave the house. Mrs. Black, known as Aunt 
Sally, suggested that this deserter get in bed, which he did, and she put 
on the feather bed and made up the bed, covering him up head and heels. 
The Rebels came into the room but did not discover him. 

Another interesting episode connected with the Rebel raiders is this. 
About the same time that Mrs. Black had her unique experience with the 
deserter, Mr. Elmore Cutright, father of Big Gran, came to Mr. Marple's 
home on his way to hide in the woods from them. He asked for a piece of 
bacon, which was gratefully given him. He had a pone of bread under his 
arm; and just as he started down the hill towards James Bryan's a rebel 
squad of cavalry came on the top ridge towards Black's, about one-fourth 
mile away. They saw him running and fired at him. Mr. Cutright ran with 
all his might and made tracks. They did not chase him far. Mr. A. G. 
Marple, who was a boy at that time, was an eye-witness of this event. 

The Sago Baptist Church 
This church was founded in 1856. Its founders were Lucy T. Henderson, 
Hester M. Summerville, Henry T. Carter, Martha Carter, Major Thorp, Lydia 
Thorp, and Roxana F. Burner. 

This church has wielded a large influence in the lives of the Sago people. 
It has never been large in numbers but has stood faithfully for the best 
things in life; and only eternity can tell the influence it has exerted. 

Among the noble men who were its pastors were Aaron Barnett, Reuben 
Kemper, Henry Langford, Mr. Fisher, George E. Brown, Lloyd Holden, J. A. 
J. Lightburn, and G. G. Laughlin. There were others of note, but lack of 
space forbids the mentioning of their names. 

Soon after its establishment a Sunday School was organized, to which the 
young as well as the old went. Not much was done for a time except to read 
the Scriptures and commit verses to memory. Some of the young people 
would, in competition, commit long passages of Scripture; for example, L. 
B. Moore and John Carter. On one occasion L. B. Moore had committed two 
chapters in Mathew, and it took him so long to recite them, that no one 
else had a chance, and consequently he was pronounced the winner. 

The church sent out as ministers, John W. Carter, L. B. Moore, and Henry 
E. Carter. John W. Carter was the first to go. It was a high honor for any 
church or community to send forth such a man. Later L. B. Moore and Henry 
E. Carter were ordained at the same time. The career of L. B. Moore and 
that of John W. Carter have been given. Unfortunately Henry E. Carter had 
received a poor education. He had not improved the time as his brother 
John had; and, coming into the ministry after he had married and had got 
quite a family of children, he could not devote the necessary time to 
study and preparation. He was in a sense eloquent; and many thought him to 
be a strong preacher. He remained for some five or six years in the 
community, preaching to the various Baptist churches near Sago. Later he 
went to North Carolina and then to Virginia. It was reported that he died 
at Lynchburg, Virginia. 

Another man who went out as a minister from the Sago church was Richard 
Wood. He was a member of the church at the close of the Civil War. He had 
a desire to preach, and he let it be know to some of the influential 
members, but, after a careful consideration, the church decided to 
postpone his ordination for some time, on account of his lack in 
qualifications. But, in the meantime, he was invited to come into the 
ministry of the United Brethren church, and the offer was accepted. He 
preached for many years for this denomination and made a very acceptable 
minister of the Gospel. 

It is worth noting that the Sago Baptists held services in the old log 
schoolhouse from 1856 to 1873. This building stood on the river bank just 
below W. W. Burner's present residence, at the chestnut tree. In 1873 the 
first framed churchhouse was built. This building is now used as a barn by 
W. W. Burner. The present church-building was erected in 1893. It is 
located at the foot of the hill on the road that leads to Gould. 

The Early Educational Status of Sago
Before the Civil War Mrs. George Clark (nee Ann Bunten) was by far the 
most noted and best teacher. She taught in the front room of the Clark 
house above the Bunten Mills. This school was in session for many winters. 
Each parent had to pay a fixed amount for each child who went to school. 
The New England people were used to having schools in old homes and were 
glad to pay, so that their children might be taught. Their example 
inspired the whole neighborhood, and the school was popular. Besides being 
a fine teacher, Mrs. Clark knew how to awaken a desire in her pupils for 
an education. Pupils came from the adjoining communities to her school. 
One of the features cultivated was an exhibition at the close of each 
term. A stage was built across the end of the little old Baptist church; 
and these exhibitions drew crowded houses. Among the young people who 
attended her school were John W. Carter, John Ezra and Ada Burr, Simon 
Strader and sisters, Nancy and Mary Boggess, Delilah Boyles, Granville 
Cutright, Harriet and Sirene Bunten, James, Lorenzo, and Oscar Moore, 
Jane, George, and Esther Beer, Ambrose, Lyman, James, and Lusannah Clark, 
Roxana Morgan, Seymour Simons, the Pringle boys, Crites, and Thrashers. 

Other schools were taught by different persons in the community before the 
days of the Free School System. Mrs. Sarah Ann Moore held summer schools 
at her old home. Roxana Morgan conducted school at the Morgan home. Martha 
Wiloby and Sirene Bunten taught terms at the little old church. At the 
latter place George Clark and Eli Westfall taught winter schools. One 
winter Isaac Wamsley taught at the mouth of Truby's Run at his home. 

Two diversions of the neighborhood were the spelling schools and debates. 
Spelling was cultivated in those days. John W. Carter was the champion 
speller. Often he would spell down long rows of contestants. Mrs. George 
Moore, her daughters, May and Belle, Lena, Delia, and Eliza Carter, and 
Hattie Bunten were also excellent spellers. The debates were, for a time, 
quite popular, and people came from the adjoining neighborhoods to hear 
and assist. In this way a number of the boys first learned to think on 
their feet and before people. 

The Sago Warriors
Sago is noted for two of its settlers being in the Revolutionary War, 
Zedekiah Morgan and James Tenney. Mr. Tenney is the James Tenney who first 
settled on what is now known as the Elbon farm. There is no available 
record of Mr. Tenney's experiences in this war. Mr. Morgan served as 
Master of Transportation, and there is in the Archives of Connecticut an 
account of his services. 

In the Mexican War of 1848-49 Mr. Seneca Norvell served as a soldier; and 
Mr. George Moore enlisted, but the war closed before he had the 
opportunity to see service. 

The community of Sago when the Civil War approached was found to be 
intensely loyal. All its families stood for the Union. George Clark for 
years was an ardent abolitionist and took the New York Tribune. He 
circulated it all over the neighborhood. The influence was great. John 
Carter read it and was all aflame for the freedom of the slaves. Mr. 
George Moore was a democrat, but voted for Stephen A. Douglass, and when 
the war came on followed his leader as a strong advocate of the Union. It 
has always been a matter of some surprise that the Carters, Norvells, 
Bryans, and George W. Burner stood so strongly for the Union. All had 
come, or their ancestors, from East Virginia; and most people who came 
from there were in sympathy with the South. It was a great blessing to 
Sago that there was a union of sentiment, as it kept down strife and 
discord. This condition of things prepared the way for the young men of 
the community to volunteer in the United States army when the call came. 

It is difficult to get a complete record of all the Sago boys who served 
in the Civil War. But the following lists include perhaps about all of 
them who lived within two miles of the Sago post office. 

The first company recruited in Upshur County for the Union army was 
Company E of the 3rd Virginia infantry. It was made up in l861. At that 
time there was no West Virginia. This company was afterwards mounted and 
called the Sixth West Virginia Cavalry. In it were Andrew and Henry Bryan, 
Simon and Elmore Casto, David and George Thrasher, Benjamin and Isaac 
Tenney, Reuben D. Beer, Granville Cutright, Samuel H. Wilfong, Henry C. 
Boggess, Andrew Black, Marshall Gould, J. E. Montgomery, and Walter and 
Burnham Bunten. 

The Upshur Battery was recruited in 1862. In this group of soldiers the 
following Sago boys were numbered; namely, George W. Burner, Duncan, 
Frank, and Michael Boyles, John Haney, Peter, Jonathan, and Josiah Tenney, 
Wm. F. Bryan, Wm. H. Bowyer, Nicholas and Meerbach Ours, Abraham Rollins, 
William Burr, Clayton Cutright, Aaron Strader, and Seymore Simons. 

In Company B of the 10th West Virginia Infantry, recruited in 1862, were 
Thomas A. and Henry E. Carter, James L. and Lorenzo B. Moore, Richard and 
Alexander Wood, and John A. Grose, who came to Sago to live at the end of 
the war. 

Company M of the Third West Virginia Cavalry was recruited in 1864. The 
Sago boys that enlisted in this company were John Ezra and Benton Burr, 
Charles Farrow, George Beer, Martin and Lorenzo D. Black, and Oscar L. 
Moore. 

George Wilfong was also a Union soldier and belonged to Company D and B of 
the 10th West Virginia Infantry. William W. Woods, who was reared in the 
home of G. W. Burner, enlisted in a Maryland regiment. John and Daniel 
Wilfong were also soldiers of the Union, but we failed to locate them in 
their respective companies, 

It is remarkable that only one Sago boy joined the Confederate army, and 
this was Isaac Thrasher. He was induced to go South while he was working 
in Barbour County; for there the sentiment for the South was rather 
strong. Without a doubt, had he remained at Sago he would have joined the 
Union army as his brothers did. Perhaps no other community can be found 
where sentiment was unanimous for the Union, and where so many young men 
joined the Union army. 

In the great World War several Sago boys were taken into service. The 
following list includes those that were taken to the training camps; 
namely, Mason Cutright, Frank Ours, Ralph Kiddy, Forest Beer, Dorphy 
Black, Clifton Alestock, and Lloyd Waugh. Mr. Waugh and Mr. Alestock were 
the only ones sent to France. Mr. Waugh was in the first line of battle 
for about seventy days, and took part in the great battles of Argonne 
Forest. Mr. Alestock was in the second line of battle one day and night 
(in the Argonne Forest). Mr. Cutright was not long in a training camp, but 
rendered service to his country by cutting timber in the far West. Mr Ours 
did special service at Washington, D. C. 

The Teachers of Sago
Sago is renowned for a large number of teachers; and most of them were 
born and reared in the community. Several taught the old-fashioned 
subscription schools. The following names include, perhaps, all her 
teachers; namely, Mrs. George Clark, Mrs. Sarah Ann Moore, Roxana Morgan, 
Martha Wiloby, Sirene and Hattie Bunten, George Clark, Eli Westfall, Isaac 
Wamsley, James, L. B., Oscar, Belle, and May Moore, Addie Neely, Jane, 
Solomon, Reuben, and George Beer, Claude and Ada Burr, John, Delia, Lena, 
and Eliza Carter, A. J. and Frank Marple, Lina, Anna, and Willis Norvell, 
Lyman, Ralph, Frank, Delos Hugh, and Golden Cutright, E.R. and S. C. 
Grose, Pleasant Bunner, Lura, Leda, and Ralph Kiddy, Andrew and Henry 
Ours, Nellie and Virginia Burner, Mrs. E. R. Grose, C. J. C. Bennett, and 
Lena Teets. 

Sago's Position in Higher Education
Sago has turned out several college graduates; namely, John Ezra Burr 
(Brown University), Lyman Clark (a college in New England), C. J. C. 
Bennett (Leland Stanford and Columbia), Frank Marple (Ohio Wesleyan), 
Frank Cutright (West Virginia University and Columbia), E.R. and S.C. 
Grose (West Virginia University). Others who attended college for some 
time but did not graduate are L. B. and Oscar Moore, John W. Carter, 
Claude, Ada, and Minnie Burr, Lura and Leda Kiddy, and Mrs. E. R. Grose. 
C. J. C. Bennett was the greatest scholar of the community; he had his 
doctorate degree from Columbia. Frank Cutright has his master's degree 
from Columbia; and E. R. Grose, his master's degree from West Virginia 
University. The other graduates have only their bachelor's degrees. 

The Sago people that have finished normal courses are E. R. and S. C. 
Grose, Frank Cutright, Lura and Leda Kiddy, and Mrs. E. R. Grose. 

Sago has furnished three teachers for the State Normal Schools; namely, C. 
J. C. Bennett, Frank Cutright, and E. R. Grose. Mr. Bennett was President 
of the Fairmont State Normal for several years. Two city superintendents 
came from Sago; and they are Frank Cutright and S. C. Grose. 

At present (fall of 1925) there must be about a dozen boys and girls of 
Sago, attending the high schools. Among them are Arah King, Charles 
Burner, Mary Ours, Carl Grose, Gladys Casto, and Bernice Tenney. 

Ministers of the Gospel
Sago has furnished the following preachers; namely, John Ezra Burr, John 
W. and Henry Carter, and L. B. Moore, all of the Baptist church, Lyman 
Clark of the Unitarian church, Frank Marple of the M. E. church, Dow Bryan 
of the M. P. church, and Richard Wood of the United Brethren church. The 
careers of these ministers except that of Dow Bryan have been mentioned. 
The Reverend Bryan has spent the greater portion of his ministry in 
Virginia. He is a strong preacher, regardless of the fact of his very poor 
opportunities for an education for the ministry. 

Medical Profession
Sago has really produced but one physician, and that is Ralph Cutright, 
who was for years located at Rock Cave but now at Tennerton. Dr. Burton at 
one time owned the farm, now known as the Elbon farm, but no one now 
remembers whether he lived there or not. Dr. Lincoln Ours and Dr. Bronson 
lived near Sago and rendered good service. 

Law Profession
Four of Sago's boys have become lawyers; namely, O. L. Moore, Will Carter, 
Lyman Cutright, and J. C. Carter. Of these O. L. Moore made a great 
record, which has already been mentioned. 

Office Holders
Sago has contributed three sheriffs, Granville Marple, A. J. Marple, and 
H. F. Ours; one judge, O. L. Moore, mentioned before; two deputy sheriffs, 
A. G. Ours and A. J. Marple; two members of state legislature, Senator 
Will Carter and Delegate H. F. Ours; one county superintendent of schools, 
L. B, Moore; and one clerk assessor, Frank Ours. 

Other Walks of Life
Some of the Sago people have done work along art; namely, Georgia and Nola 
Burner, May Moore, Minnie Burr, and Lena Carter. Two graduate nurses came 
from Sago, Elsey Marple and Frantie Hoover. 

Sago is noted for a long list of merchants; namely, W. W. Burner, and his 
brother and sister, John F. and Nola, B. W. Miller, and his brother, 
Arthur, Claude Kiddy, W. R. King, J. C. and Baker Carter, Ed. Neely, Bud 
Bean, F. M. Carter, Glenn Hamner, Lyman Cutright, Grace Gillispie, James 
Kiddy, P. S. Engle, Abel Strader, Mr. Hefner, Samuel Neely, Mr. 
Fitzgerald, and Annie Ours. 

The following persons have studied telegraphy: Harold Burner, Lowell 
Elbon, Ralph Kiddy, and Dode Casto. Sago has furnished two locomotive 
engineers, Tom Wilson and Earl Elbon. Will Ours is Sago's radio expert. 
Several millwrights were citizens of Sago; namely, John Elbon, Patrick 
Peebles, and Zedekiah Morgan. Mr. Obe Elbon, who died in early manhood, 
was a very promising mechanic. 

Sago has produced several carpenters; namely, Abner Norvell and sons, 
Edgar, Warren, and Burnham, John Elbon and son, Obe, Dave Reed, Lomon 
Casto, and William Crites. 

Sago community is noted for the following bookkeepers: Delos Cutright, H. 
F. and Parley Ours, J. C. Carter, and Willis Norvell. John Sharps is 
Sago's inventor. Some of the Sago girls taught music in private families, 
and the following may be listed: Claudia Burner, Martha Thorp, and two or 
three of the Carter girls. Mr. John A. Burner was a noted singing master. 
Major Thorp, his son Charles, his grandson Willis, and Benjamin Tenney are 
the stone masons of Sago. 

How Sago Was Named
No one seems to know definitely how Sago received its name. It is said 
that it was named in this way. Mr. Alfred Morgan was appointed postmaster 
of the settlement. He was puzzled over what to call the community. So the 
story goes that he asked a Mr. White, a cattle man, to suggest a name; and 
he introduced the name "Sago". No one now knows why he offered this name. 

Enterprises of Sago not Mentioned Before
The Tenney Mill was constructed in 1867 by John N. Tenney. In its day this 
mill was greatly patronized. It had different owners, one of whom was 
Calvin C. Gould, the author of a small book, "Who Were the Mound 
Builders?" 

The Ours gristmill was built by Nicholas Ours, Jr. in 1893. This is one of 
the finest mills in the county, and renders great service to many farmers. 

A Mr. Chipps built a gristmill on Truby's Run in the early period of Sago, 
but this mill was not long in operation, and consequently did not 
accomplish much. 

The Terrell oil well was drilled by the Terrell Brothers of Pennsylvania 
about 1863. No one now knows how deep the well was drilled. A complete 
test was not made, for the promoters ran short on funds. 

Waitman Linger built a handle factory about 1906 and operated it for five 
or six years. 

Sometime in the 80's Mr. Major Thorp began the manufacture of tobacco, 
with the assistance of a Mr. Messenger. However, this enterprise was short-
lived, and no gain was acquired. 

Mr. W. W. Burner operated a sawmill for five or six years in the 90's, 
near the present site of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad station and 
depot. 

The Buckhannon tramroad was built some time in the 80's, and was in 
operation for about ten years. It extended from Buckhannon up to Alton. 

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was constructed about 1890, and the Coal 
and Coke was built in 1903, 04, and 05. 

A stave mill was in operation for about three years on the Peter Engle 
farm some time in the 90's. It was owned by a Pennsylvania company. 

The Smoot and Berthy sawmill manufactured lots of fine lumber for five or 
six years, in the latter part of the 90's. It was located near the mouth 
of Sawmill Run, on the Engle farm,. 

Cal Fletcher operated a sawmill on the Thorp Run for two or three years in 
the later 80's, and sawed Major Thorp's timber. 

The Stockert Brothers had a sawmill on Sawmill Run, where Estridge 
Alestock's residence is now located, during the years between 1885 and 
1890, and sawed the fine poplar timber that stood on the large tract of 
land, owned by the Price Brothers of Pennsylvania. 

Other sawmills have operated for short periods of time in recent years; 
namely, those of Roy Phillips, Phillips Brothers, and John Elbon. 

The George Burner No. 1 (58) well was drilled by the Citizens Natural Gas 
Company, on the site where the Elbon residence is now located, some time 
about 1902 or 1903. It was abandoned as a dry hole, having made a show of 
gas in the Fourth Sand, at the depth of 2211 feet. 

During the last two years of the World War four coal mines were in 
operation, and gave employment to twenty men or more, at different times. 

Other Important Bits of History
The first jeweler in the county was Samuel Meerbach, who came to Sago 
vicinity, direct from London in the 20's, and lived as a hermit on the 
waters of French Creek, on the farm now known as the Jacob Lewis farm. 
There is some .tradition about Meerbach. One report says that he had a 
good deal of money and that he was murdered for it. But be it as it may, 
his death was always a mystery to his friends; and no one yet has found 
his treasure. Some still claim that there is a hidden fortune of gold and 
silver at the place where this man dwelt; and a few men have searched for 
it in vain. 

A rousing temperance society was organized at Sago while L. B. Moore was 
teaching there. It lived a good number of years, and was a prominent 
factor in the education of the community. It was brought about on account 
of some drunkenness from the use of hard cider. 

For years many of the older Sago people held in memory many pleasant 
events that had their setting in connection with the old log church, which 
was also the old log schoolhouse. The writer shall relate one of the 
school events. Rev. John Carter taught school there one winter. It was 
customary in those primitive days to demand a treat of some kind at 
Christmas from the teacher; and upon the refusal to treat, if the teacher 
were a man, he was taken to the river and given a good ducking, even 
though it were necessary to cut a hole in the ice. John refused to treat; 
and, on the day before Christmas, the bad boys indicated their purpose of 
taking him to the river. He immediately showed fight and soon got away 
from them; he jumped over the fence above the road and made for the top of 
the hill. The boys strung after him. He outdistanced them, and reached the 
woods and was soon out of sight. Becoming tired of chasing him, they came 
back down to the schoolhouse. >From the smiles of the girls they suspected 
that he had reached the schoolhouse before they had arrived. So they 
immediately began a thorough search; and the mill was one of the places 
hunted over by them. After a few minutes of search there they found him 
concealed in a sack of wool under the carding machines. He at once 
surrendered to them, and told them that he would bring a sack of apples 
next morning. This he did, and all were happy over this incident. 

This story is taken from the notes of O. L. Moore. Mr. Moore was a pupil 
at this time; but he was too young to take part in the chase. 

Superstition and belief in witchcraft existed to some extent in Sago 
during its early development; but most of the pioneers were pretty well 
educated for their day; and this explains why these two primitive 
drawbacks were of no consequence. A variant of the story of the headless 
horseman was known by some of the old settlers. Uncle Billy Casto used to 
tell that this headless character dwelt somewhere along the ridge that 
runs from the Granville Cutright farm to the Clint Jack farm. He claimed 
that he had seen this ghost more than once; and also he told that 
Granville Cutright saw this spook one time and that it threw its saddle at 
him and then ran away. 

Sago is noted for her men of wit. Mr. Abner Norvell and the Cutright 
brothers, Clayton, Leonard, and Judson, were well known in recent years as 
whetstones of wit. There were perhaps others before their day. All are 
dead now except Judson Cutright. Any place had its entertainment when one 
of those men was present. If they all had engaged in a wit contest, no one 
could easily have decided upon the victor. 

Mr. William Bean, a brother of Mrs. Abner Norvell, had charge for some 
time of the carding machines when they were in the Bunten Mills and after 
they were moved to the G. W. Burner Mill. Mr. Bean was skillful in carding 
wool; he was also noted for his brilliant mind. 

The Last Word
Sago has an excellent early history,- a heritage, of which the present 
generation should be proud, and for which it should be grateful. It is 
very incumbent on the boys and girls of the present generation to 
appreciate this heritage and to carry on the upbuilding of Sago in the 
same spirit and effective way as did their foreparents, so that the next 
generation will receive an inheritance greater than the one that they have 
received. 




                      HISTORY OF SAND RUN COMMUNITY
                             Written in 1924

Sand Run Community is located on the waters of Big Sand Run about five 
miles east of Buckhannon. It is naturally divided into four sections, Mt. 
Zion, United Brethren, Sand Run Baptist, and Nay Chapel, each section 
representing a church. It is composed of about sixty families. 

First Settlers
The fertile hillsides and excellent timber was an inducement for the first 
settlers to locate in this section. As they naturally looked for a place 
to raise corn the leading crop of the time; therefore they began to clear 
the land preparatory to their first crops. The timber was as good as any 
to be found within the state; therefore it was very natural for the first 
settlers to bring sawmills into this community. 

The first settlers came mostly from parts of West Virginia, Virginia, 
Ireland, and Pennsylvania. The first settler, who was probably Eli 
Simmons, was brought here about 1839, by Jacob Heavner to work on his farm 
and help erect an old up and down sawmill where the Staunton and 
Parksrsburg Pike crosses Big Sand Run. In 1847 Mr. Heavner moved on his 
farm and continued to live there for ten or eleven years. He returned tc 
Buckhannon just before the war. He is J. Lee Heavner's grandfather. Other 
settlers were Greenville Marshal, Linsey Mayo, Miletus Newcome who was the 
first school teacher, Isaac Martin, Samuel Hiner, Clark Cutright, John 
Paugh, and others. Each of the early pioneers did his part in clearing the 
community of its timber.

Industries
The first leading industry of this section besides farming was sawmilling. 
The first sawmill brought to this community was Jacob Heavner's sawmill. 
John Paugh had another up and down sawmill further up the creek. Several 
years after this Frank Hollen brought to this community the first steam 
sawmill and erected it on Joseph Hiner's farm. These and other sawmills 
made the virgin trees into lumber. Poplar was the leading timber for 
lumber at that time, and it grew very plentifully in this community. Some 
of the trees grew to be more than six feet in diameter. 

Before some of the logs could be hauled to the mill, they had to be split 
into quarters. Each quarter required from four to eight head of oxen to 
haul it. 

Hauling lumber to Clarksburg and Buckhannon on wagons was one of the ways 
in which many of the early settlers found profitable occupation. 

Roads 
The first road through this section was known in early history as the 
Bunton Mill road, but at present it is known as the ridge road. It also 
forms the boundary line for about 2 1/2 miles between Washington and Union 
Districts. The second road constructed through this community was the 
Staunton and Parkersburg Pike about 1847. 

Churches 
The people coming to this community did not forget to worship God for they 
held services in their homes at first. Later an old log church was built 
near where the United Brethren church now stands. Other churches that have 
been built in this community are as follows, the Mt. Zion, the Sand Run 
Baptist, the present United Brethren church, and the lay Chapel. 

Schools
Mr. Gideon Heavner says, the first school to be taught in this community 
was taught on the farm formerly known as the Hollen farm by Miletus 
Newcome. 

The second school was taught by Ruhame Hiner in an old log building on 
A.U. Car's farm. 

Events of Interest
Early in the nineteenth century Washington Ratcliff shot and wounded a 
large deer on the land now known as the Nay or Latham farm. After the deer 
was wounded it made for Mr. Ratcliff, before he could again load his gun 
the deer was upon him, and in the struggle that ensued Mr, Ratcliff was 
considerably hurt, which kept him from his work for nearly two years, but 
he came out victorious. 

About 1854 Samuel Shipman, who was in the habit of carrying a gun with him 
shot and killed a bear late one evening just above Daysville in the laurel 
thicket, while going home from Jacob Heavner's. This was considered a 
great feat for a boy only twelve years old. 

Mary Bligh, who was out hunting the cows, got lost on the farm now known 
as the Bligh farm and was found late that night by some of the neighbors 
who were hunting for her. This occured between 1855 and 1875. 

Persons who have made history here and elsewhere. C. E. Hiner the grandson 
of Sarnuel Hiner was Sheriff of Upshur County for four years. He is at 
present time one of the State Road Commissioners of West Virginia. His 
home is in Buckhannon. S. N. Cutright the son of Clark Cutright served 
Upshur County as assessor for one term and later he was chosen to 
represent Upshur County as one of the County Court Commissioners. 

Other persons who have been successful are Albert Lowe who is a graduate 
veterinarian; Leslie Norvell, a merchant at White Sulphur; Ray Norvell, a 
street car conductor in Clarksburg; Miss Dove Norvell, stenographer for 
the West Virginia Coal Company; Miss Delphia Norvell, telephone operator 
at the Gore Hotel in Clarksburg; Frank Hiner, merchant at Mannington; 
William See holds a position in a rubber factory in Akron, Ohio; Troy See 
is connected with an automobile factory in Detroit; Hurshel Hibbs is in 
the pottery business in Mannington; Earnest Norvell is with the Clarksburg 
wholesale company; Vernon Cutright is a Minister; Straud Cutright is also 
a minister; Darius Cutright and Troy Cutright are working for the 
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company at Weston. 

County agent Earl Romine organized the first Farmers' Club in this 
community. It was again revived by our present county agent, H. G. Sturm. 

The first Four-H club was organized in 1922 with about thirty members. The 
first year of the club there were several prizes won at the Fair. 

The first Farm Women's Club was organized in 1922. They made considerable 
improvement on the Sand Baptist Church grounds. 

The community was scored in 1922 with a score of 685 1/2 points, and again 
1923 with a score of 702. 




                             A BRIEF HISTORY
                                   OF
                           TEN MILE COMMUNITY*
                     (Upshur County, West Virginia)
                               Prepared By
                            Artie J. Norvell
                                  and
                              Ruth Spiker
                                  1927 

                            Published By The
                     Agricultural Extension Division
                           Morgantown, W. Va. 

* This history was written in 1924, but not published until 1927.


Nestled among the hills in Upshur County along the Buckhannon River about 
twelve miles from Buckhannon is the little village of Ten Mile, the 
trading point for Ten Mile Community. The unobservant traveler passing 
through may see only the unsightly poles and lumber piles around the 
station, yet these are necessary for the lumber industry by which many 
people earn a living. Even these do not hide the beauty of the rippling 
streams coming down from the surrounding hills--streams fringed with over-
hanging pines and clumps of rhododendron; woodlands rich in spring with 
ferns, mountain laurel, and numerous wild flowers; and farther back the 
ferns on the ridges where one may view the surrounding country for many 
miles in every direction. 

This community geographically subdivides itself into four parts: Upper Ten 
Mile, Lower Ten Mile, Laurel Run, and Big Bend. Each part contains one 
school district. 

How The Community Was Named 
There seems to have been a double reason for the naming of the village. 
The old settlers thought that the little stream flowing into the river was 
ten miles long so they named it Big Ten Mile Creek and its main branch 
they called Little Ten Mile Creek. They estimated the distance from the 
mouth of the stream to Buckhannon at ten miles so they named the village 
Ten Mile. 

About the year 1888 a post office was established near the mouth of Big 
Ten Mile Creek and named Sellars in honor of Colonel Sellars from Ohio who 
was a pioneer in the lumber industry in the community and at that time was 
operating one of the first saw mills in that section. A few years later 
the people had the name of the post office changed to Ten Mile. 

First Settlers 
The first settler on Laurel Run was John White. He employed Ambrose 
Radenbacker who had emigrated from Germany to Virginia to manage his farm 
for him. Bringing some slaves and their families these settlers came over 
the mountains in a wagon from Winchester, Virginia, their faithful dog 
following all the way. This first wagon in the community for many years 
served a very useful purpose -- a means of taking the peoples products to 
the distant market of Clarksburg and bringing them salt and other 
necessities in return. Among the early settlers were John Spiker from 
Maryland, James Kelley, John Nick Tenney, Asbury Reeder, Lafayette Koon, 
and George Beer. 

In the fall of 1850 Robert C. Wingfield with his family came in a wagon 
from Nelson County, Virginia. He purchased a tract of about 500 acres of 
land on Upper Ten Mile. They found a family of Herndon's who had 
previously emigrated from Nelson County, Virginia, already living here. 
How long they had been here the writers of this history have not been able 
to ascertain but they had, at the time the Wingfield's came, a fair sized 
farm cleared and under cultivation. The Wingfield's spent their first 
winter in a cabin that had been deserted by an earlier settler. This cabin 
did not satisfy their desire for a better home, more in keeping with the 
one they had left behind; so the following spring they began the erection 
of the large log house which still stands on the farm owned by Robert 
Shaw. In order to make this cabin home as comfortable and attractive as 
possible they made lath by hand and hauled lime from Rich Mountain to make 
plaster. 

A little later John L. Tenney bringing his family in a wagon drawn by an 
ox team left New England in search of a new home. Upon arriving at Ten 
Mile, he decided to cast his lot here and he settled on the farm now owned 
by his grandson J. L. Tenney. 
(Note: This reference to John L. Tenney is incorrect. It should be James 
Tenney. See "History of Sago Community," the paragraph titled "The James 
Tenney Story.") 

About the year 1869 Clark Goodwin moved from another section of this state 
to Ten Mile. His cabin was the first house where the village now stands. 
For a few years he was alone but when the lumber industry began he was 
joined by several other settlers. 

Many indeed were the hardships endured by these old pioneers in their 
struggle to conquer the wilderness. The story is handed down to us of how 
the oldest settlers on Laurel Run would frighten the savage panther by 
throwing live coals at him as he waited in the darkness to pounce upon 
them while they were boiling sugar water late at night. 

Social Life 
In those old days people were very hospitable. When a stranger came into 
the community he received a warm welcome. For pastimes, there were husking 
bees and quiltings. The main attraction for old and young alike was the 
religious service held each Sunday. There was much visiting, especially 
among the women. 

Schools 
Seeing that the community could not grow and prosper if the younger 
generation grew up in ignorance these early settlers manifested a great 
interest in education. Soon after he built his house Robert C. Wingfield 
taught a subscription school of a few months each winter, his own and his 
neighbors children using an old cabin for a school house. When John L. 
Tenney came he, too, taught school. 

As other settlers came and the population grew large enough they 
established a school. About the year 1867 "Jimmy" Logan donated one acre 
of ground on which the Upper Ten Mile school, No. 5, in Washington 
district is located. This building stood for more than 56 years. In it the 
first school was taught by G. W. Beer a citizen of the community at that 
time who is still living and until 1921 was actively engaged in school 
work. From this old teacher's family has gone forth Dr. O. B. Beer of 
Buckhannon, Blanch Beer, a graduate of Wesleyan College and for the past 
28 years a teacher in the public schools in several towns of this state, 
Gipsy Beer, a graduate nurse of St. Joseph's Hospital, in Maryland, Mrs. 
Essie Smith, stenographer, and Mrs. Dorthy Greer, now a stenographer in 
Cleveland, Ohio. 

In 1923 the old Upper Ten Mile school building was torn down and replaced 
by a modern one in which the first school was taught by Artie J. Norvell 

In those days people came for many miles to attend school. From among the 
citizens of the community are many who have helped to fill the ranks of 
many professions outside their own community. Ten Mile may claim Dr. F. F. 
Farnsworth for many years a successful physician and later a member of the 
State Board of Health; Edna Howard, now Extension District Home 
Demonstration Agent at Beckley; Fred Hollen and Tom Wingfield, 
railroaders; Fred Grimm, dentist of Philippi; Glenn Norvell, railway mail 
clerk, Kanawha County; Maud Malony teacher, matron at Wesleyan College and 
graduate nurse; and Floy Debarr and Isabel Tenney, stenographers. 

Among those who have done work in Upshur County are C. S. Debarr and 
Forest Snyder, ministers; Wilson Grimm physician; and Creta Hollen, nurse. 

The teaching profession of Upshur County can claim from Ten Mile at the 
present time V. M. Snyder, Maud Maloney, Clara Debarr, Mellie Wingfield, 
Marley Tenney, Ted Tenney, Artie J. Norvell, Vada Tenney, Ada Norvell, and 
Hazel Daugherty. Others who have been enrolled in the teaching profession 
in the past are; A. W. Tenney, John V. Tenney, S. M. Tenney, Rae DeBarr- 
Scott, Isabel Tenney, Wilma Fletcher-Huffman, Stacie Snyder-Tenney, Laura 
Tenney-Neely, Jessie Spiker-Dilley, John Spiker, Shirley Hollen-Tenney, W. 
E. Ashburn, and Floy DeBarr. 

The people of Ten Mile seem to be trying to keep up the educational 
standards of the early settlers. Within the five years previous to 1924 
Ten Mile sent to Wesleyan College four students, one of them, Dennis 
Tenney, received his degree in 1924, to Buckhannon High School eight 
students, four of whom had graduated by 1924. 

Laurel Run school house was built in 1884 on land donated by Granville 
Marple. In 1924 the building was torn down and replaced by a modern one in 
which the first school was taught by Floy DeBarr. Some years later the 
Lower Ten Mile school was established. In 1924 the building was moved to a 
better location the work being donated by the people of the community. It 
was then remodeled and another room established. 

Another school is maintained in the community know as Big Bend school. 

Industries 
When the settlers first came to Ten Mile they cleared the land, using the 
timber they needed to make rails and piling the remaining logs in heaps 
and burning them in order to begin farming. Their clothing was all made by 
hand and from every cabin could be heard the merry hum of the spinning 
wheel and the pounding of the loom as the wives and daughters spun yarn 
and wove cloth. 

As settlements in the community grew saw mills began to move in and 
lumbering became an important industry. The first saw mill in the 
community was one at the mouth of Ten Mile creek owned by The Buckhannon 
Lumber Company. They constructed a boom across the river which caught the 
logs as they floated down, and built a tramroad from Ten Mile to 
Buckhannon over which they trucked their logs or lumber. Within a few 
years they sold their right of way to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad 
Company and about the year 1890 the whistle of the locomotive could be 
heard in the little village. 

About the beginning of the twentieth century the coal industry began to 
grow in this section of the state and although it has never been 
extensively developed in this immediate community sufficient coal has been 
sold to furnish material aid for many a farmer. 

Another industry is that just now in its infancy is the oil and gas. In 
1924 one test well had been drilled in the community and practically every 
farmer had leased his land and was receiving rent for it. 

Churches 
Even the life in the wilderness did not lessen the religious zeal of the 
early settlers. About the year 1857 Robert C. Wingfield; J. R. Wingfield; 
R. E. Wingfield and wife of Adile Baptist Church of Nelson County 
Virginia; George T. Herndon of Walnut Grove Baptist Church of Nelson 
County, Virginia; and H. H. Leigh organized the Ten Mile Baptist Church. 
Once each month Rev. George Brown of Buckhannon came and preached at 
either the home of the Wingfields or Herndons. He always found his 
faithful congregation waiting for him unless kept away by some good 
reason. Money being scarce, stores far away, and travel inconvenient the 
people paid the minister no salary but shared their food and clothing, 
many times they paid him with buckwheat flour, or home made sugar. One old 
settler says he distinctly remembers when a boy seeing his father give 
Rev. Brown a cake of homemade sugar moulded in a dishpan. As the needs of 
the community grew the need of a church building was seen. Records of the 
church show that in 1873 they began planning to build a place of worship. 
Many indeed were the sacrifices that had to be made to build it. In 1882 
it was begun and completed in a few years after a long, hard and patient 
struggle by the little band of workers. Their splendid cooperation might 
well be an example for any community today. 

When the church was finished it was far better than any home in the 
community, it was in fact the only frame building. It is still standing 
and used. Flavius Wingfield and A. W. Tenney were the carpenters. Flavius 
Wingfield furnished the timber and made the shingles by hand for the whole 
building. 

When several settlers had come to live near Mr. Goodwin at Ten Mile a Rev. 
Archer from Buckhannon came up and held a revival meeting in a school 
house. From this meeting grew the Ten Mile Methodist Episcopal Church. At 
that time Clarence Howard had a saw mill on Laurel Run. He gave the lumber 
which was hauled to Buckhannon, to a planing mill and then hauled back to 
Ten Mile. The church is still standing a memorial to the early settlers 
who did so much for it. 

Roads 
Ten Mile community cannot boast of her roads, partly due to the fact that 
many of them are improperly located having started from an old foot path 
or bridle path or perhaps even from an Indian trail. An Indian trail 
passed through near Laurel Run. Many Indian relics have been found along 
this trail. 

A great many of the citizens earn a living by farming and on the ridges, 
and in the valleys may be found some beautiful farms and homes. 

Part in Wars 
At the time our country was torn asunder by the Civil War several settlers 
were in the community. Small as it was, it was divided. Those who had 
emigrated from Virginia joined the Confederate army while those who had 
come from New England enlisted with the Union forces. Four young men 
answered the call to the *****. None of the four returned. Richard 
Wingfield was killed in the battle of Gettysburg. William Wingfield, John 
L. Tenney, and George Herndon died of disease while in the army. 

When the World War broke out in 1917 the boys answered the call 
cheerfully. Many of them saw service in the thickest of the fight. Those 
who remained at home toiled bravely in the fields giving of their means to 
the Red Cross and other organizations. Every one who had money enough 
purchased Liberty bonds and made every possible sacrifice for the sake of 
their country, for the sake of humanity and the boys "over there". When 
the ships returned it was found that not one of the stars on the service 
flag must be changed to gold. Those who saw service in France are Charles 
Tenney, Bernard Tenney, Wilbert Hollen, Fred Hollen, Don Smith, Dennis 
Tenney, Bert Tenney, Homer Reed, Oden Dilley, Albert Spiker, Marley 
Tenney, James Cunningham, and Gay Reeder. 

Ten Mile had had four sailors in the service of the United States, namely: 
"Bud" Tenney, Dick Hollen, and Floyd and Francis Zirkle. 

Recent Organizations 
Although the different branches of extension work were not organized in 
Ten Mile community very early the interest in the work is still growing. 
There is a Farmers' Club which was organized about 1920 by County Agent J. 
Earl Romine, a