Histories of 58 WV Communities - Chapter 23A



Chapter 23-A  Wood County
Leachtown - Lee Creek - Locust Valley - Mineral Wells


                      HISTORY OF LEACHTOWN, WEST VA.
                          by Fannie Roush Bibbee
                                  1928

The father of the man for whom Leachtown was named was Captain George 
Leach; he was born, reared, and married in Eastern Virginia. He came to 
Wood County, then a part of Harrison, in 1805, by way of Wheeling. His son 
Willis was then 15 years of age. Willis was in the War of 1812. On July 3, 
1814, he married Mary Barnett. Mary's parentage; a certain Count Peybolt 
and Countess of Prussia started for America with two children. The Count 
and Countess both died and were buried in the ocean. The Captain of the 
sailing vessel, on arriving at Baltimore, bound the boy to a General 
Barnett, a prominent planter in eastern Virginia. The General liked the 
boy so well that he adopted him as his own son and gave him his name, John 
Barnett. As the boy grew to manhood, he proved to be unusually worthy and 
industrious. In the year 1793 he had so won the confidence of his adopted 
father and the heart of the daughter, Mary, an only child, that they were 
married. In Mary's mother's veins flowed Indian blood as pure as that of 
the Princess Pocahontas. 

General Barnett's home and estate was near Manassas Gap, Virginia. He gave 
this loving couple his blessing, an excellent start in life, a group of 
negro servants, and power to purchase a tract of land in the enticeing 
West. Late in 1795 or 1796 they came with one small son to Wood County on 
the Little Kanawha River. Here he cleared 200 acres of land and in 
progress of time added more until he had an extensive farm. This was on 
the other side of the river five miles below here. This Captain Leach's 
farm was near the Barnetts and after Willis Leach and Mary Barnett were 
married, they came up to the dam and built a grist mill. Here they lived 
and prospered and the place was named Leachtown. 

After some years the mill was sold to a Mr. Weiser. Later some parts of it 
were taken away by high water. Willis Leach moved across the river from 
what is now Kanawha Station. He later went to Wellston, Ohio, where he 
died and is buried. After rearing a large family there resides here now 
one grand daughter, Nancy Buckner Hickman; one grandson, Captain Clayton 
Buckner; one niece, Mrs. Josephine Bibbee Bailes; three nephews; Paul H. 
Bibbee, William Mullens, and Mr. Frank Buckner. 

Among the families who have resided here for many years are the Gibbons'. 
In 1796 John Gibbons purchased a tract of land near the Buckhannon and 
Monongahela Rivers. He married Catherine Herbert in 1795. She was of 
German decent and came from Maryland. Their home and all household goods 
were destroyed by fire. So, coming west as far as Wheeling, they lived a 
short time, then in 1800 he came down the Ohio and up the Little Kanawha 
River and settled near the mouth of Stillwell Creek; several years 
afterward he moved higher up the Kanawha near Lee Creek. Here he tilled 
the soil, hunted and fished until 1807 when he died leaving a widow, with 
rare pioneer qualities, and seven small children. Left alone she struggled 
bravely to support her children. In 1809 she married Anthony Buckner. Soon 
after their marriage Mr. Buckner purchased a tract of land on the north 
side of Little Kanawha River, a mile or so from Leachtown. He built a new 
log house and began clearing the dense forest. This farm ever since has 
been known as the Buckner Estate or Cool Spring Villa. 

John Anthony Buckner was a widower and came from Hardy County and previous 
to that from Prince William County, Virginia. On July 6th, 1801 he was 
appointed to survey a road; in relation to which the order of record is 
"That a levy of four shillings and sixpense be laid on each tithable or 
one complete day's work. Later he was made overseer of the road. The 
records say they were well kept. In 1807 he was summoned as one of the 
twelve jurors from Wood County in the famous Burr-Blennerhassett Treason 
trial at Richmond, Virginia held before Chief Justice Marshall of the 
United States Court. Upon being asked in court as to any expression of 
guilt or innocence in the pending case, he promptly replied that "He had 
frequently declared the opinion that any man who did as it was said the 
prisoner had acted, should be hanged." He was further asked, "Did you not 
say that you would give five pounds for Colonel Burr's head?" Looking 
keenly at the prisoner he said, "Yes, and I'll do it yet." Of course, he 
was rejected from the panel of jurors. He was, also, one of the men chosen 
in 1814 to locate a site for the new Wood County Court house. He held many 
prominent offices at that time. He died in 1826. 

His wife, Grandma Buckner or Aunt Katy, as she was called by many, was a 
regular pioneer woman. One night as she was riding homeward through a deep 
woods she heard the cry of a panther. She knew its habits to watch upon a 
hillside, bluff, or high tree and when its prey came along, pounce upon 
it; however, having no other way to go she spurred her horse and pressed 
onward and heard its approach on a hillside ahead. Just as she came in 
view of the supposed place where she thought it would make its spring, she 
cast from her shoulders a red woolen wrap as a decoy, and caused her steed 
to dart forward which he willingly did, and left the panther gazing at the 
red wrap. She soon was out in the clearing. Another time, late one 
evening, a fierce, hungry eyed bear approached the cabin. Colonel Buckner 
was away from home and only Grandma and the small children were home. The 
family dog ran bruin up a tree standing a short distance from the house. 
Aunt Katy saw her opportunity, took down the rifle, aimed the gun with 
caution and brought the bear, with a roar and a thump, to the ground. From 
danger to joy, the family increased their larder and comforts. Like all 
Grandmas she always had a cookie, doughnut, or piece of homemade sugar to 
give her grandchildren or small children when they came to visit her. She 
died at the age of 93. There are many of this couple's descendants still 
living here. 

The Bibbee Family
John Bibbee Sr., came from Delaware County about 1780, and settled on a 
farm near Washington Bottom. In a few years he married Elizabeth Spaecht. 
In 1802 they came up the Little Kanawha River. He bought a farm on the 
river a half mile above where Leachtown now stands. To this union were 
born twelve children, three boys and nine girls. The three boys married 
and bought farms in this neighborhood and lived here all their lives. 
Three of the oldest girls married and settled across the river from here. 
The other six lived at the old homestead and wove blankets, coverlids, 
carpets, and kept cows and sheep on their fifty acres of land until they 
died of old age. They were members of Vaught Chapel. They are buried on 
the farm in the Bibbee graveyard, father, mother, and six single girls in 
a row. John, Jr. then bought the shares of the old homestead from the 
married brothers and sisters. He married Permelia Ann Barnett in 1850. He 
built a home near the old one. He and his wife resided there until their 
death. Their youngest son, Paul Henry, always lived with his mother. He 
married and they have three sons. This makes four generations that have 
lived on the farm in 128 years. 

The Hannamans
The records show where the Hannamans came to Wood County prior to 1800. In 
1799 Peter Hannaman was granted land, 640 acres, near the mouth of Hughes 
River. He married for his first wife a Miss Lee. To this union were born 
four children. The second son died at Athens, Ohio, while attending the 
University. The two younger died of fever and were buried in one grave. To 
this oldest son, John Sr, was given the home and 640 acres of land. He 
married Elizabeth daughter of John and Catherine Gibbons. He was born and 
died on the home farm. He filled numerous positions of trust and 
responsibility. He was Justice of the Peace for many years. His home and 
land fell to his son, Albert, Jr., who lived and farmed until a few years 
ago, when he and family moved to Akron, Ohio. He was an extensive cattle 
grower. Another son, John R., married a Miss Arnott, purchased the John 
Cornell farm and farmed it until his death. He had one son, Henry, who now 
lives at Kanawha Station where he is Postmaster. 

Peter Hannaman's second wife was Miss Sarah Robinson. By this marriage was 
born only one son. He was given a nice laying farm and good farm. The 
house which Mr. H. McDonald now owns was his home. The farm originally was 
much larger. There are no Hannamans nor their descendants living on these 
farms now. Only one grandson of John Sr., lives at Kanawha Station and is 
Postmaster at that place. 

Thompson Byrd
Mr. Byrd owned quite a large farm at the mouth of Walker's Creek. The 
widow of B. F. Byrd, one of his sons, still owns some of the farm and 
lives on it. One grandson lives near there, E. Byrd, who is a teacher in 
our district school. 

The Stagg Family
William Stagg, an early pioneer owned quite a large farm near Vaught 
Chapel. He was killed by the limb of a tree striking him. His farm was 
heired by his children. E. C. Stagg owned most of the farm. He was one of 
the men who helped build Vaught Chapel. His sons and daughters married and 
most of them and their families lived here until death. The younger heirs 
have all gone to live in cities. I think Mr. Walter Butcher is the only 
person living here now that is a descendant. They were all good singers 
and were leaders at the churches and were good citizens. 

A. R. Freed
A. R. Freed came here from Philadelphia 66 years ago to work at the 
carpenter trade. He married a Miss Prince and they reared seven children, 
all of whom lived here. He was an exceptionally fine workman; there were 
no better carpenters to be found that used hammer and saw. A number of the 
fine homes in Ritchie and Wood County were built by him. He had one 
grandson, Cecil, who graduated from Parkersburg High School in 1914. He 
chose medicine as his choice in life. After graduation from medical school 
he practiced in Wood County, later giving up his practice to go to Mayo 
College in Minnesota where he graduated with high honors. He is now head 
physician of the hospital at Reading, Pennsylvania. Three of A. R. Freed's 
sons still live here and three sons are prosperous business men in 
Parkersburg. 

Persons that have lived here in the last 75 years: 

Robert Prince married a Miss Stagg and raised a nice family of boys and 
one daughter. The children, now living, are merchants in Parkersburg. 

Jacob Cornell lived and owned some land here 75 or 80 years ago, the farm 
where Mr. R. T. Rinehart, now lives. He and his wife raised a nice family 
of children who married and settled mostly near here. Mr. Cornell has one 
descendant living here, S. L. Anderson, Sunday School Superintendent of 
Vaught Chapel. 

Hickmans came from Harrison County in 1868. Two of this family still live 
here, J. M. Hickman and Mrs. Emma Buckner. 

Educational Advantages at Leachtown
About 1820 to 1825 the settlers began building log meeting houses and 
school houses. I will speak of four or five which I have heard about. 
There was one built on the land now owned for nearly a century by the 
Steed family. It was about two miles across the river from here and lays 
in the right angle of the Little Kanawha River. This was called Cool 
Springs Meeting House, named from a fine spring of water near it. At this 
place in 1827 Richard Trimms taught school and for some years afterward. 
He was an expert at making quill pens for scholars, an art every teacher 
was required to know in early times. Many scholars attended from this side 
of the river and from a distance. Some would come horse back and ford the 
river at what is now called Big Riffle Landing at Mr. Hastings farm. It 
was the finest riffles along the river and one of the main fords in 
crossing the Little Kanawha River. There was another log school and 
meeting house called Mt. Zion across from Kanawha Station, a little ways 
back from the river. I heard an old lady say that she and her brother were 
going home from this school one evening and they heard a noise like this 
'chi-chi-chi, etc', the boy said 'Oh! It is wild hogs'; they both took to 
their heels and ran all the way home. On returning to school next morning 
they were told that the first steamboat had gone up the Little Kanawha 
River. I think it was in 1838. Some scholars attended school from here to 
Mt. Zion. 

At Leachtown we had a small log school house near where the present one 
now stands, only it was across the road. Mr. Thompson Byrd was the teacher 
for some time and also Miss Eliza Gibbons (daughter of the Grandmother 
Gibbons Buckner, spoken of before in this history) Mr. McGovy Lowther, and 
others were teachers about this time. 

Then in a few years a frame school house was built on the point of land 
that comes out to Staunton Pike, between Vaught Chapel and Kanawha Baptist 
Church. It was named Negro Run from a small stream of water that was close-
by. Negro Run Creek received it's name from the following incident: 

A family of colored people were traveling through this section many, many 
years ago when darkness overtook them. They camped for the night at this 
place. During the night the Stork brought a little colored baby. The 
stream was named Negro Run. 

The third building was a nice frame structure which stood there for many 
years, but was finally removed to Fairview, a beautiful site for a school 
house. It was moved when the district bought the four acres where our 
modern three room school now stands. One room in the basement is used as a 
community house, and furnished by the Leachtown Womans' Club. Mr. Sam 
White from Pennsylvania taught the first free school in 1865 and taught 
for several years. The scholars now living here who went to school to Mr. 
White are the following: 

Chesterfield Bibbee
Clayton Buckner
Nancy Buckner Hickman
William O. Mullen
Josephine Bibbee Bayless
Paul Henry Bibbee
Benjamine Franklin Buckner
Margaret Buckner

Vaught Chapel
Religious services were held in these school houses until 1869 when Vaught 
Chapel was built. The contractor was A. R. Freed, three of whose sons 
still live in the community and attend the church. Some of the old people 
who helped to make up its members were the Buckners, Bibbees, Evans, 
Staggs, Princes, Hannamans, Butchers, Tuckers, and Howards. 

The land on which the chapel stands as well as the cemetery lot was given 
by J. J. and E. D. Stagg. 

The church was named for one of the pioneer preachers, Stephen K. Vaught. 
Other pastors who have ministered at Vaught Chapel were the Revs., 
Carroll, Dountain, Shearer, McClung, Burns, Bush, Davis, Bowles, Smith, 
Stephens, Clark, Johnson, Williams, W. D. Burns, F. E. Lambert, S. H. 
Auvil, J. D. Conley, J. S. McClung, W. A. Hopson, H. C. Eisenman, L. C. 
Talbott, N. C. Cochran, and R. S. McClung, who is now finishing his third 
year. 

Rev. J. L. West of Stephenson M. E. Church of Parkersburg entered the 
ministry from Vaught Church. 

Some of the superintendents of the Sunday School have been J. J. Stagg, R. 
O. D. Prince, who served in that capacity for more than thirty-five years, 
F. E. Freed, J. P. Buckner, A. C. Enoch, and S. L. Anderson. The Sunday 
School has been successfully carried on since 1869, a record of which its 
present membership is justly proud. 

At Vaught Chapel, a homecoming was started many years ago and has become 
an annual affair which is looked forward to from year to year. More recent 
superintendents of Sunday School have been V. P. Freed, W. A. Butcher, J. 
C. Dean, present superintendent. 

Kanawha Baptist Church
This church was organized April 28th, 1868 with 15 charter members, 
namely; B. H. Byrd, Lavinia Byrd, James Nicholas, Susan Nichols, Delila 
Cornell, M. A. Armstrong, Permelia Bibbee, Margaret Buckner, A. V. Byrd, 
March Leach, J. C. Byrd, Agnes Lowe, Roda Mullen, Eliza Loving, Nancy 
Buckner. 

The church was organized in the Negro Run School House, the organization 
grew from a meeting held by Rev. W. P. Walker in the Negro Run School 
House that stood about 200 yards from the present church. 

By order of the church, John Hannaman, Sr., John Bibbee, E. D. Stagg, and 
B. F. Byrd were appointed as a committee to procure a lot on which to 
build. On August 8th, 1868 the committee reported that they had selected a 
lot on Jacob Cornell's place. The lot was secured and in 1870 the present 
church house was built. 

September 12, 1868 at a meeting the church elected by ballot five trustees 
namely, John Bibbee, John Hannaman, Jacob Cornell, Alfred Anderson, and B. 
F. Byrd. 

On October 7, 1871 the records show about 400 people assembled at the 
dedication. Sermon was preached by Rev. W. P. Walker and the test was 
Isaiah, second chapter, second and third verses. Seventy-five ($75.00) 
dollars was asked, to cancel the debt, which was raised. The following 
pastors have served the church, 18 in all: 

W. McGraw
G. A. Berdett
J. F. McCusick
S. L. Weeks
W. W. Jennings
J. W. Mitchell
H. V. Hendricks
Giles Evans
E. O. W. Thorn
Ernis Hall
Charles Moss
Frank Woofter
B. F. Byrd
M. F. Kiger
G. A. Powers
E. A. Merrill
0. F. Rebel
E. J. Roberts

The River
The Little Kanawha River has been a vital part of the early life of 
Leachtown community, serving as a means of passenger travel to and from 
Parkersburg and the return shipment of groceries, hardware, and other 
supplies from the city. Down its course have moved the natural resources 
from its headwaters, timber and crude oil along with agricultural products 
from the soil. Rafts of logs and cross ties many almost a mile in length, 
were familiar sights in the early days of the present century. In addition 
to moving with the current these were towed by small gasoline propelled 
boats. They would tie up to the shore above the dam and locks, break the 
raft into small sections called lockages, move thru one at a time and 
reassemble below the dam. Since there were five dams and locks in the 
course of the river, much labor was involved before the logs reached their 
destination, - the sawmills at Parkersburg. 

At the turn of the century, the locks and dams were in bad condition. 
Their control was taken over by the U. S. Government in 1905 and 1906 and 
made extensive repairs. The dam at Leachtown, No. 2, was raised 47 inches. 
The office and Locktenders home were built in 1911. 

The highest flood on record at Leachtown was March 28 and 29, 1913 when 
the river crested at 46.9 feet. Almost as high was the 44.4 foot crest on 
January 25, 1937. 

The exhaustion of natural resources and the coming of good roads and 
trucks mainly account for the rapid decline in river traffic over a 25 
year period, 1912-1937. Eleven boats traveled the river in 1912. The 
Louise made daily round trips between Parkersburg and Creston. She was 
steam propelled. Gasoline boats on the river were Harry F, Mollie, Edith 
H, Ellie, Return, Clarence, Paul's, Latonia, Ora V and Joe S. There were 
no boats running on the river in 1937. 

The following is a monthly comparison of lockages at Leachtown for the 
years 1912 and 1937. 

             1912                1937
Month Lockages* Passengers Lockages Passengers 
Jan.     66        200        2        None 
Feb.     50        275        0        None 
March   221        474        3        None 
April   615       1181        4        None 
May     377       1294       11        None 
June    139       1659       10        None 
July    166       1247       17        None 
Aug.    466       1667       35        None 
Sept.   255       1583       26        None 
Oct.    123       1118        4        None 
Nov.    129       1036        9        None 
Dec.     84       1119        1        None 
Totals 2691     12,853      122        None 

(Since 1937 the U. S. Government has abandoned the system of locks and 
dams, they have gone to ruin and the water has fallen to its natural level)

* A lockage might be a section of a raft of logs or cross ties, a steam or 
gasoline propelled boat, a small power pleasure boat or a row boat. 




                     HISTORY OF LEE CREEK COMMUNITY

In the year 1785 Joseph Wood of New Jersey became the agent and surveyor 
for the colonization and sale of a large tract of land near Bellville. He 
brought four Scotch families with him and they landed at what is now 
Bellville December 16, 1785. Others came later. They brought cattle and 
farming implements with them. Clearing was commenced immediately and from 
the timber a block-house 20 by 40 feet was erected, surrounded by a 
stockade ten feet high. The block-house was the usual type with loopholes 
from which to shoot intruding Indians. 

The first settlers who came with Mr. Wood came from Wyoming and Carlisle, 
Pennsylvania and from above Wheeling, West Virginia. The following are the 
names of the Scotch families that came with Mr. Wood and those that came 
the following spring. McDonal, Greathouse, Taylor, Jemerson, Andrew 
McCash, F. Andrews, and Thomas Gilruth. In 1787 they were joined by the 
following persons: Joel and Joseph Dewey, Stephen Sherrod, Malcolm Colman, 
Petre and Andres Anderson and their families. Decendants from some of 
these families still live in the southern part of this county and in 
Jackson County. 

Prior to the year 1785 a hunter and trapper named David Lee settled at the 
mouth of the creek now called Lee Creek. He was a native of Pennsylvania 
and resided in this vicinity a number of years. He married a sister of 
Peter Anderson. Many of his decendants are now residents of this county. 
In the spring of 1785 a company of hunters and trappers from Wheeling took 
possession of an Indian improvement of about twenty acres at the mouth of 
Lee Creek. This company consisted of Mr. Flinn and his family, Mr. 
Parchment and family, John McCessack and John Barnett. These people later 
moved down to Bellville, thus adding strength to the protection against 
the Indians. About the year 1796 or 1797 the settlement at Bellville 
received an important addition of immigrants from Connecticut. The leading 
man was George D. Avery. He was a professional surveyor and civil 
engineer. He was granted leave to construct a dam on Lee Creek near the 
falls and built a mill January 5, 1803. He laid out some of the streets of 
Parkersburg. Avery Street was named for him. The native Indians of this 
community belonged to the Shawnee Tribe, one of the most warlike tribes 
with which the white people came in contact. Before the coming of the 
white man the Indian built his wigwam along the streams and hunted and 
fished and went on the warpath against any foe of his own race or the 
early white settlers. In the fall of 1790 Jacob Parchment left the 
garrison at Bellville to hunt deer on the south fork of Lee Creek and was 
killed and scalped by the Indians. Late in the spring of 1792 Stephen 
Sherrod left the garrison at Bellville, and after feeding his hogs went 
into the woods to cut an ox-gad. He was surprised and captured by a party 
of ten Indians. His wife left the garrison a short tine after to milk the 
cow and was seized by two of the Indians who intended to make her a 
prisoner also. She resisted with so much force and screamed so loudly that 
they struck her senseless with a blow from the tomahawk, and were about to 
scalp her when a shot from the rifle of Peter Anderson wounded the Indian 
in the arm causing him to flee. Mrs. Sherrod was badly cut about the head. 
The nearest Doctor lived at Marietta and the only way to get him was to go 
in a canoe. This took forty hours. Mrs. Sherrod recovered from the wound 
and her husband escaped from his captors and returned home. After the 
danger from Indian attacks became less these people began to scatter and 
some settled on Lee Creek. Mr. Flinn and his two sons settled on the farm 
now owned by Mr. Will Sellers. The Andersons and the Willards settled 
farther up the creek. Philip Wigal came from Westmoreland County, 
Pennsylvania in 1799 and settled about five miles from Bellville. He later 
settled on the farm now owned by Mr. J. W. Huffman. Peter Dernberger, John 
Boso, and Jacob Kiems came about 1800. The descendants of some of these 
early settlers still live within our boundaries. 

Peter Anderson became the first Justice of the Peace May 4, 1801 and held 
the office until old age caused him to resign. Rev. Benjamin Mitchell 
succeeded him and filled the office until his death in 1834. 

Wood County was organized in 1798. The first homes were made of logs. 
Small trees were felled and the logs were cut the proper lengths. Houses 
were built of these. The cracks were filled with chinks and daubed with 
clay. Clapboards were laid for the roof and these were weighted with poles 
to keep them in place. The floors wore made of puncheons. The only windows 
were small holes covered with paper. These homes were really small 
factories were everything that they used were made. Wool and flax were 
made into cloth and blankets. Food was raised and stored for home use. 
Their lights were candles made of tallow. Those settlers turned the 
wilderness into fruitful fields. In these plain homes boys and girls grew 
to be strong and courageous. To succeed required caution, energy, 
presistence, courage and hope. Other settlers followed these. They came 
from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Ohio. Some of those who came 
about the turn of the nineteenth century were Bibbee, Fleak and Buckley. 
Mr. Fleak owned the first saw mill in this community and helped build the 
road along the south fork of Lee Creek. Charles Townsend his grandson, 
owns his old home farm. Mr. Buckley owned a large amount of land along Lee 
Creek and about Buckley Chapel Church, from which it received its name. 
Land was very cheap some selling for twenty-five cents an acre. One 
neighbor stated that his father bought forty acres for ten dollars, and 
another one hundred and twenty acres for fifty dollars. 

The first church of this community was near the site of this present one. 
Later a frame church was built where this one now stands. The present one 
was built in 1896. It has been repainted this summer. There are two other 
churches in the community. We have regular church services and two Sunday 
Schools that are well attended. 

The first schools were like the homes. They had a very small pane of glass 
for a window or a greased paper, the seats were made of split logs with 
pegs driven in them for legs. We now have four one-room school houses. Two 
of them are modern and well lighted and have been repainted this year, a 
new floor put in one and some new furniture in all of them. There are 
libraries in all the schools. Three of our teachers hold first grade 
certificates and the other is a high school graduate. 

Settlers still continue to come to Lee creek community from Ohio, 
Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. They cleared the land, built better 
homes, improved their stock and crops, churches, and schools. Candles gave 
place to oil lamps. These lamps have been improved and gasoline, 
acetylene, and electric lights are now found in the community. Household 
conveniences have been much improved and we now have cookstoves, washing 
machines, sewing machines, electric washers, separators, musical 
instruments, and many other conveniences. The farmer has riding plows, 
tractors, reapers, mowing machines, manure spreaders, power sprayers, hay 
balers, and automobiles. We have very pretty homes in Lee Creek Community 
and most of ths folks own their own homes. The farmers depend solely on 
agriculture for support, there being no coal, gas oil or other source of 
income. There about fifty homes in our community. Twenty-eight of them 
belong to the Wood County farm Bureau. There isn't a store in the 
community. Host of the trading is done at Bellville where there are 
several good stores and a railroad. Quite alot of produce is shipped to 
Pittsburgh on the Ohio River boats. General farming, dairying, poultry 
raising, and fruit growing are the most important industries. There are 
two miles of travel road in the community. 

We might mention here a few of the folks who have gone out from this 
community in other lines of work. Rev. J. R. Beckett was known and 
respected by everyone in this community. He was a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Conference of West Virginia. He was always interested in the 
welfare of his church and community. He died several years ago. Mr. Walter 
E. Cochran, who was a teacher for several years in our public schools, 
went to Mountain Village, Alaska to teach in the Government schools, where 
he did a splendid work. He died in Alaska after spending five years as a 
teacher there. Miss Maud Bonar was a graduate of the Presbyterian 
Hospital, Pennsylvania. She spent three years as a Reserve Nurse in the 
Army Nurse Corps with rank as Second Lieutenant. She was honorably 
discharged September 9, 1921 and died October 9, 1924. Some of the others 
who have held positions of trust were, W. T. Cochran who served two terms 
as County Superintendent of Schools and one term as Sheriff of Wood 
County. Lee Bonar is teaching in the Department of Plant Pathology of the 
University of California. Miss Mary Bonar is a missionary in French 
Equatorial, Africa. William Blevins is a minster in Illinois. Clyde Bonar 
is County Agent of Mineral County. Martha Bonar is Home Demonstration 
Agent in Upshur County. Those who remained at home cannot be overlooked, 
for today they, more than any others, are making Lee Creek Community what 
it is and what we hope it will become. When we get better roads, 
centralized schools, better churches, and more cooperation among the 
farmers it will be difficult to find a better community in which to live 
than Lee Creek. 




                    HISTORY OF LOCUST VALLEY COMMUNITY
                      (Wood County, West Virginia) 

About sixty-five farms are located within the boundaries of the Locust 
valley Community, which were determined at the Country life Conference 
held at the Pleasant View Church in the autumn of 1925 under the direction 
of M. M. Reger, Miss May E. Prichard, Mrs. Hazel D. Graham, Mrs. Lena 
Sams, and others. 

The community boundary as then determined may be defined as follows; 
beginning at the junction of the Rockport Pike and Sams's Creek road 
leading to Wadesville, and following this to the Belleville Hill road near 
Locust Valley schoolhouse, thence to the cross-roads near Mr. Wildman's, 
thence to Eli Store past the Frankhauser schoolhouse; about a half-mile 
from Eli Store on the Lubeck-Belleville pike, following the road leading 
up Woodyard past the G. C. Coull farm then to the Ball schoolhouse, from 
thence to the gravel road leading past Ingold Chapel Christian Church, the 
Pleasant View schoolhouse, the Pleasant View Baptist Church to the by-road 
beyond Peter Deem's farm leading over the hill past Winland's to the 
Rockport pike near Harry Butcher's, thence to the starting point at Sams's 
Creek road. 

One other schoolhouse, New Era, and the Pleasant HiII M.E. Church, not 
mentioned in defining the boundaries are located near the central part of 
this community. 

The following History was compiled and copied by Mrs. Lena Sams and Mrs. 
Estella Marshall, both born, raised, and now residing in this community. 
Folks submitting incidents and dates were: Mr. and Mrs. D. R. Sams, Mrs. 
Sarah Reeder, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Deem, Mr. William Winland, Mr. and Mrs. 
William Marshall, Mrs. Etta Coull, and Miss Helen Tallman. 

EARLY SETTLERS
About the year 1800, Johnathan Sams and his wife, who was formerly Miss 
Polly M. Potts, made their home near a little stream now known as Sams's 
Fork of the Big Tygart Creek. 

The same family were natives of Wales and first settled Butler County, 
Pennsylvania near Pittsburg, but bowing to Indian attacks, the two 
brothers, Johnathan and John, left that settlement and traveled down the 
Ohio River. In some way the brothers became separated and never heard of 
each other again, as long: as they lived, but in later years decendents of 
both families discovered that John had settled in Ohio and Johnathan in 
West Virginia. 

This community was still a portion of Old Virginny and was all in woods, 
with no roads but paths which were called bridle paths. The nearest 
neighbor lived at Wadesville, a distance of seven miles. This was probably 
the Mr. Wade from whom Wadesville took its name. Wild game, fish, and fowl 
were abundant. It is said that Mrs. Sams once killed a deer with an axe. 
She thought it meant to attack her small children but later decided it was 
after some pumpkins which had been left on a sled near the door. 

Mr. and Mrs. Sams were the parents of thirteen children including one set 
of twins, David and Daniel. As the older boys were married, they were 
given a portion of the home farm. Two of these farms are still in 
possession of the heirs, being owned by Mrs. George Brown, a great-
granddaughter, and by a grandson, Daniel Sams who was born on this same 
farm. Mr. Sams's father and mother , Daniel and Sally Sams, were married 
and settled on this farm in the Spring of l830. He is now 82 years of age 
and his wife is seventy-seven. She is a loyal member of the Locust Valley 
Farm Women's Club and has the distinction of being the only 
greatgrandmother in this organization. 

Other old settlers who still have relatives living in this community are 
Simon Reeder, Mr. Cook, John Guinn, James Leach, Frank Poling, Marshall, 
McDonald, Dye, Burgy, and Ephraim Doty Myers. 

An amusing incident is told of Mr. Myers, who heard of the need of a 
preacher who lived in that neighborhood, who had been very sick. One day 
he took a sack of flour and went to visit him. The preacher was overcome 
with gratitude and raised his eyes to heaven and said; "Oh Lord, I knew 
you would answer our prayer and send food if we only trusted thee. I thank 
thee Lord, Oh, I thank thee." 

To which Ephraim added; "Hold on Fink! The Lord gave me strength to work 
and raise the wheat which was ground into flour, but he didn't have 
anything to do the packin it over here. Ephraim did that : you had better 
thank Ephraim." 

Mrs. Mary McDonald, 87 years of age, was born and has always lived in this 
community. Her memory is remarkable for one of her age. She is a daughter 
of Mr. Leach who was postmaster at Fountain Springs for more than 17 
years. Her brother, William Leach, and wife lived in this community until 
the death of his wife, September 21, 1928. Mr. Leach now resides with his 
son and has reached the age of 84. Mr. and Mrs. William Marshall, aged 80 
and 72, and Mr. and Mrs. Dan Brown, are other oldest couples and Mr. 
Walter Wildman, Mr. Peyton Ruble and Mrs. Weaver are nearly 80 years of 
age. These people have all been thrifty farmers and still own their farms. 

The value of property in early times was very low, as money was not so 
plentiful. Simon Reeder bought a farm of 100 acres (now owned by Earl 
Shepard) for a few dollars, a sorrel horse, and a wagon. Fifty cents a day 
was considered good wages. So far as possible business transactions were 
carried on by trade. 

ODD NAMES
Among the popular geographic names applied to the parts of this community 
are: Dog Hollow—-so named because of the large number of fox abounds owned 
by Isaac Roberts, who lived there. Sheep Gap—-located on Gwynn's place 
near Wildman's place. Tight-squeeze—-narrow hollow located in old Seffin's 
farm, now owned by Luther Sams. Suck lick hill—-located on D. R. Sams's 
farm. So named on account of deer coming to salt lick. 

HOMES AND FURNITURE
The homes of these old settlers were made of round logs with open spaces 
between the logs filled with shale and mud was called "chink and daubed". 
There were usually but one or two rooms. Later hewed logs were used in 
building houses, and they were made with several rooms. One of these, a 
two story house belonging to the Coull heirs, is located in this community 
and is a work of real art in this handicraft. 

Cat and clay chimneys made of sticks and mud were used, as open fires were 
the only kind in use in those days. Cooking was done by the open fire 
place. Iron tea kettles and pots were hung on crane which hung over the 
blaze. Dutch ovens were used outside and were heated by live coals of the 
fire. When the baking was ready, the coals were raked out of the oven and 
the bread and pies set inside and baked till done. 

On account of houses being small, furniture was made to utilize as little 
space as possible, and was therefore built for service rather than style 
and show. Low beds called Trundle-beds, were made to push back under the 
high post beds which were the main pieces of furniture. These were minus 
springs but this deficiency was made up with luxurious feather beds, fine 
woolen blankets, coverlets, and lovely quilts made in the homes. 

TYPES OF LIGHTS USED
The first lighting system consisted of pine torches and saucers filled 
with grease with one end of a lighted wick placed in the grease. One proud 
old lady who added several bits of information to this history, told the 
writer that her husband, who was very much of a tease, always managed to 
invite a host of "quality folks" when he knew the oil supply was low and 
she would have to prepare grease lights, much to her embarassment. 

Candle and oil lights were the next step in better lights. The first of 
these were made by filling a tin box with crude oil and covering with a 
tight lid with a small hole punched through the middle of it, through 
which was placed and lighted. 

Such lights as those filled the rooms with smoke, so when the first lamps 
and refined oil or kerosene were introduced it was thought no better light 
could be invented. 

EARLY OCCUPATIONS
In the early days of the community almost everything the people used was 
homemade, so there was located in this territory coopers, cobblers, 
carpenters, blacksmiths, shoemakers, etc. A tan yard was located at 
Parkersburg and tan bark was furnished by the settlers and hauled on 
wagons, made of wood, even the wheels being sawed about four inches thick 
from large logs from gum trees because this timber is not apt to split. 
Oxen were used instead of horses on account of the scarcity of harness. 

PRODUCTS AID CANNING
Wheat, corn, potatoes, turnips, cane, beans, pumpkins, fruit, and flax 
were the principal products grown while the community was still young. 
Canning of fruits and vegetables was unknown as there was no glass jars, 
or "air tights" as they were first called. Fruits and vegetables were kept 
for winter by storing in the ground, pickling in salt brine, drying, and 
made into butters which were kept in wooden casks, which had tight fitting 
lids for covers. Molasses, maple, or sorghum syrup, and honey were used to 
sweeten fruit butter. 

CLOTHING AMD DYES
The women and the girls took the flax from the growing plant and made it 
into thread and linen cloth, from which bed ticks, sheets, pillow cases, 
table linen, clothing, and men's pants were made. The women were expert 
needle women, as there were no sewing machines. Many pieces of fine needle 
work are still in possession of residents of this community. 

Dyes were made of bark from different trees and the roots of madder, a 
garden plant, made a beautiful red dye, which never faded. Wood furnished 
yarn, twiII, jaynes, linsey, and flannel, from which socks, stockings, 
dresses, pants, blankets, and coverlets were made. Shoe sox were knit of 
yarn and worn over the shoes in real cold weather. Theese served a double 
purpose, keeping the feet warm and also kept one from slipping on icy 
grounds. 

EARLY STYLES
Styles for ladies date back to hoop skirts, basques, Garbaldi, Polynnaise 
shaker bonnets, platted sun bonnets, and shawls. Men wore stove pipe hats 
made of fur, also caps knit of yarn. 

LAUNDERING PRACTICES
Laundry work was done at the creek. Barrels sawn in halves were used for 
tubs. After the clothes had been in the tubs and washed, they were threw a 
process called "baffling", being laid over a log and beaten with wooden 
paddles. They were then rinsed and hung out to dry. 

Soap was also a homemade product made from grease with homemade lye. In 
making lye, a groove was made in a small log and two rows of clap-boards 
were set upright in this groove and slanted so they were about 21/2 feet 
apart at the top. Boards were then fitted in each end, making a tight 
hopper that would hold ashes. This was then filled with ashes from hickory 
or other green wood and then water poured on until the ashes were rather 
wet, after while the water which had turned into lye from passing threw 
the ashes, reached the bottom and ran through the groove into a vessel 
placed for that purpose. This was boiled with grease, tallow, or meat 
scraps to make both hard and soft soap. These hoppers were called "ash 
hoppers." 

LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT
Cattle, horses sheep, and hogs were raised. All stock ran wild and bells 
were used on horses as well as cattle and sheep to locate them. Each 
family had a mark to distinguish their hogs from others. These marks were 
made in the ears of the hogs. Some of the names of these marks were "over 
bit", under bit", "over and under slope" "swallow fork", "left crop", ect. 
Deer and wild turkeys were still found in this community as late as 1870. 

IMPLEMENTS WERE CRUDE
Wooden plows, mauls, and harrows, were used first. Some of the poorer 
farmers dragged a large brushy limb of a tree over the ground instead of a 
harrow. Hoes, mattocks, axes, and wedges made of iron followed. The first 
buggies were called "broches". 

SALT OBTAINED FROM WELLS
The first settlers had to go to Charleston to salt wells and make their 
salt and carry it home on horseback. They boiled the salt in large iron 
kettles. These salt wells were owned by William Graham. 

ROADS AND HOPES OF TRAVEL
One of the first roads of this community was the road leading over the 
hill past the Harry Butcher's and Windland's into Pettyville. Roads were 
built very indirectly on account of a lack of bridges, and the streams 
were forded. In some instances this caused a traveler to doubt the 
distance to be traveled. Walking and horseback riding were the main modes 
of travel. All horses were trained to carry double as men rode with their 
wives or sweethearts behind them. Rafts, flat boats, John-boats, and 
canoes were used by water route. 

POSTAL SERVICE
The first post office was located at Fountain Springs, letters had 
addresses written at the top of the page and then were folded with the 
address out and stamped with a seal made of black wax which was warmed and 
stuck on the letters. These seals cost three cents each. Envelopes were 
unknown. 

A COMBINATION MILL
The first mill was located near the Reeder Cemetary and was built by Frank 
Reeder. This was saw mill and grist mill combined and ground both wheat 
and corn. The stone dam washed out and was rebuilt of pine brush by 
McDonald. Part of this dam is still there. 

CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS
The first place of worship on Sams's fork was a long building situated on 
the farm now owned by Mrs. George Brown. Rev. Enoch Rector, founder of the 
Baptists churches in Wood County, was the first pastor and preached once a 
month. This building was also used for a school- house. Split poplar logs 
with pegs driven into the ends formed the seats. A large fireplace was 
built across one end of the room and the window was spaced where one log 
had been left out and was covered with greased paper. 

This was a select or subscription school and was held about three months 
out of the year. Subscription fees ranged from three to five dollars per 
term. The teacher boarded among the scholars free of charge. Some of the 
first teachers were Robert Quinn, Ralph Black, and Nancy Lockhard. Pens 
were made of goose quills. Some ink was made from the bark of maple trees, 
boiled down to the right consistency. The color of the ink was black. Blue 
ink was made from indigo. 

DOCTORS AMD MINISTERS
The first settlers had to go to Marietta for a doctor, as there was none 
located nearer. Dr. Moss and Dr. Bond were the first doctors in this 
community. Other preachers besides Rev. Rector were Johnathan Steele and 
Ozias Stephens. 

BURIAL CUSTOMS
It was customary for each family to have a family burying ground, usually 
located on its own farm. Several of these graveyards are scattered over 
the community. The first public cemetery was located at Pleasant Hill, 
opposite the church. This cemetery was fenced in 1927 and is kept in good 
condition by a fund raised by the Locusts Valley Farm Women's club. This 
club also solicited money and fenced the Sams' s graveyard in this 
community. 

Coffins were hand made of walnut wood. One old fellow called Zebe Weiss, 
had his coffin made, and then lay down in it and had the preacher to 
preach his funeral while he listened. Aunt Hannah Melrose also had her 
funeral preached before she died by the Rev. McGraw. 

SUPERSTITIONS AND GHOSTS
People were rather superstitious and many ghost tales have been handed 
down to the younger generations. The bravest of the young men would manage 
to have a few of the timid ones along, especially at a wake, and if they 
could find a loose board in the floor, or could loosen one, they would see 
that one end of the coffin rested over one end of it, they would sit at 
the other end of the board and move the board with their foot or chair, 
and cause the coffin to move. This, coupled with the telling of ghost 
stories, was a real hair-raising episode. The timid ones stayed and 
endured it because they were more afraid to leave and to go home alone. 

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND AMUSEMENTS
Among musical instruments were Jew's harps, banjos, dulcimers, and 
violins, some of which were made of gourds, Community spirit was more 
manifest in those days than now, as neighbors worked together and played 
together. Parties, called "frolics" such as flax pullings , wool pickings, 
apple peelings, bean stringings, husking bees, and quilting bees were some 
of the amusements. These were usually followed by an old fashioned dance. 

WAR INCIDENTS
This community played a part in the Civil and later wars, having given 
soldiers in each of them. General Morgan passed through here on his raid 
and took several horses from farmers. In some instances, other horses 
which were tired out from the long march, were left instead. One in 
particular, which was afterwards called "Old Morgan", proved to be a much 
better horse than the one taken in his place. A wounded soldier was left 
at the home of Aunt Sally Sams, a widow with a large family. He was in 
critical condition condition, and although he was a rebel he was kindly 
and faithly nursed back to health and sent back to his own company. Some 
of the soldiers from this community who served in the Spanish American War 
were; Bert Sams, Frank Huff, George Cooper, and Charles Pickens. 

WORLD WAR SOLDIERS
George Curtis Sams, Fred Sams, Phillip J. Sams (three brothers), James P. 
Epler, Earl Sams, Fred Myres, Herbert Daily, Scott Gilchrist, Charles Lee, 
and Carl Hall all served in active service overseas but two. George Curtis 
Sams died in camp from influenza. 

WOODYARD CREEK NEIGHBORHOOD
Woodyard creek section was first settled by Woodyards, Beckwiths, Munseys, 
and Henry and John Page, on Tygart toward Mineral Wells. Wigals and Lowers 
were some of the nearest neighbors. The Woodyards were Ehglish. The 
grandfather, Johnny, came from Virginia and settled in Pruntytown. His son 
Henly Woodyard, came to now what is Woodyard Creek and he is the father of 
the Woodyards here. He served in the war of 1812. Henly Woodyard went 
through Bellevelle with General Tyler and they camped there one night 
under a large sugar tree. 

Presley Woodyard, uncle of Henly Woodyard, settled on Sand Plains. He had 
a son named Jim who was sheriff of this county. Tracewells, a noted 
family, came out of Virginia, Tracewell was sheriff of the county at one 
time. Jake Woodyard was his father-in-law. Mrs. Francis Leach, mother of 
the present sheriff and deputy sheriff, was a member of the Locust Valley 
Farm Women's Club. Lem Muncey, son of Elijah Muncey, joined the Yankee 
army and was Corporal. 

Other old residents of this section were Mr. and Mrs. Chris Frankhauser, 
of German decent, who raised a family of ten children. Mr. and Mrs. 
Frankhauser lived to be near eighty and ninety years of age, respectively. 
Mrs. Frankhauser was disabled by paralysis but her influence left its mark 
by her patience and Christian spirit and her willingness to help others. 
Mr. and Mrs. Walter B. Wildman were parents of two daughters, one of whom, 
Sarah Camp, was a school teacher and taught several terms in this 
community. She now resides near Pleasant Hill. 

Mr. Mrs. John Watkins raised a family of six sons and one daughter, Clara 
Gangloff, who was also a schoolteacher. Mr. Watkins served in the Civil 
War and suffered the loss of an eye. 

Mr. and Mrs. Dan Gilchrist, of Irish descent, raised a family of twelve 
children who are all still living. Mr. Gilchrist has been dead several 
years. He was a soldier in the Civil War. Mrs. Gilchrist still owns a good 
farm and lives on it with her son. She is 76 years of age. 

Mr. and Mrs. John A. Sams also located in this section. Mr. Sams died at 
the age of sixty. His wife, Mrs. Alice Sams, was left a widow with seven 
children but took up nursing and kept them together and also cared for an 
old lady for five years, who lived to be almost 99 years of age, and who 
was left homeless by the death of her sister. She was one of the first 
schoolteachers of this section, Mrs. Sams being one of her pupils when she 
was a little girl. The Sams's farm is still in possession of the heirs, 
one of whom still resides in this community. 

The valley through which Woodyard creek makes its way contains several 
hundred acres of fertile soil, many of which are being improved by farmers 
now owning them. One of these farms formerly owned by Mr. William Winland, 
now in possession of Mr. and Mrs. G. C. Coull, his daughter, has been used 
to demonstrate the growth of alfalfa in this section. Mr. and Mrs. Winland 
were among the old settlers, having been born in Monroe County, Ohio, and 
were very industrious and interested in agriculture and took much pride in 
improving their property. They owned and operated one of the first grist 
mills and kept a grocery store. Mr. Winland was a carpenter by trade and 
built many houses and barns located between his home and Rockport. He died 
in the spring of 1929 at the age of 83 years. 

This farm is now called Fern Dale Dairy Farm. Mr. and Mrs. Coull are 
improving their land by rotation of crops, raising alfalfa and keeping 
cattle and other livestock. Mrs. Coull won the home beautification contest 
in 1923. 

The Woodyard farms, about five in number, were once among the best farms 
in this section, having large well built dwellings, barns, and other 
buildings. The oldest of these, owned by Henry Woodyard, was destroyed by 
fire about 1890 and never was rebuilt. Miss Hannah Parker Jackson, a 
sister-in-law of Ephraim Woodyard was two years older than Abraham 
Lincoln, having been born October 12, 1807. She was one of the first 
schoolteachers in this community. Her grandfather came over on the 
Mayflower. The Woodyard farms have been sold out of the family, one being 
by Mr. E. H. Carpenter and another by Mr. L. M. Foglesong. Both are well 
kept farms and are being improved inside the homes as well as the barns 
and the farm lands. 

MISSOURI CREEK NEIGHBORHOOD
Missouri Creek is supposed to have been named after a man who came from 
Missouri and bought a farm in this locality, then became dissatisfied with 
his purchase and soon left. Barker Cook, Stephen Lee, and Harman Ruble, 
were among the first settlers on this creek. Barker Cook's children were 
David, William Franklin, Joseph, Mary, Prudence, and Elizabeth. David 
settled on Woodyard Creek, Prudence on Badgeley Creek, Elizabeth and 
William on Missouri Creek, "Uncle Bill" (as he was called) was a cooper by 
trade. He owned several farms in this community, a few which are still 
owned by his descendants. He was deputy sheriff for twelve years. He died 
at the age of eighty-four. Thomas and Joe Cooper, brothers, were the older 
settlers of this place. Thomas, and his wife Hannah, who was an invalid 
for years, both lived to be more than 80 years of age. 

Joe Cooper married Anne Sams and raised a family of 11 children. He lost 
his arm in one of the first threshing machines seen in this community. 
Four of his daughters still own good farms and still live in this 
community. 

Uncle Bill Cook's daughter, Viola (wife of Peter Deem), was born on 
Missouri Creek and lived there until her death at the age of 71 years. She 
was always interested in church and community affairs and at the age of 68 
served one year as vice president of the Locust Valley Farm Women's Club, 
of which she was an active member. Mr. Deem is 76 years of age and lives 
with his son Ralph on the farm purchased from John Cooper, father of Tom 
and Joe Cooper. 

Ralph Deem is now 47 years of age and has taught school for 22 years, all 
being in Tygart District except two terms taught in Lubeck District. His 
daughter Ruth, at the age of eight years won the Judge Reese Blizzard 
prize, given for the highest average percent in grade school in the 
county. 

Fred B. Deem, another son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Deem, is a lawyer and is 
located in Clarksburg. He composed the words of "Hail West Virginia" one 
of the state songs. 

Uncle Wesley and Aunt Molly Sams settled in this section and raised a 
family of 5 children. Aunt Molly was one of the first school teachers in 
this county. Her son, Charles, was also a schoolteacher and for several 
years has served as a mail carrier. Aunt Polly died in 1928 at the age of 
82 years. Uncle Wesley makes his home with his son, Charles, at Pettyville 
and is now 85 years of age, 

Stephen and Polly Lee settled on Missouri Creek. Polly was blind but did 
her own house work, also plain sewing and knitting. Stephen was a farmer. 
They had one son Daniel, and three daughters, Salina Muncey, Betsey 
Jackson, and Rhoda Ball. Daniel lived on Missouri Creek and was a cooper 
by trade. He and Uncle Bill Cook coopered together and sold barrels to the 
late Charles Shattuck, once sheriff of Wood County. He died at an advanced 
age. 

Daniel Lee's daughter, Anna, was married to C.W. Myers. They made their 
home on this creek and raised seven children. She lived to be 65 years of 
age. Mr. Myers was prominent in public and community affairs, having 
served three years as county commissioner and ten years as a member of the 
Board of Education and was always one of the first to respond to any call 
in church or religious matters, having been a member of the Pleasant Hill 
Church for 57 years and a faithful worker to help build up the church. He 
served in most of the offices in church and Sunday school. Until the time 
of his death September 17, 1929, at the age of 75 years, he took active 
part in the social affairs of the community, singing being one of his 
greatest pleasures. He enjoyed the company of young folks and helped many 
a one to live better by his good advice, sympathy, and cheery smile. One 
daughter, Estella Marshall, settled on Sams Creek and maintains the Locust 
Valley Grocery, the only store located in this community. 

Stephen Lee's brother, David, was among the first school teachers in this 
community. He settled near Pleasant Hill. He enjoyed fox hunting, and an 
amusing incident is told of him and "Little Bill" Gwynn on one of their 
hunts. They always carried a horn with them to call their hounds off the 
chase when they got ready to go home. Once in company with several other 
boys, they had been out all night and had a feast around their campfire 
just before day break, then started home. It began to rain about the time 
they reached the old log church at Pleasant Hill so they climbed up into 
the garret until the rain was over to take a nap. There was to be 
preaching that night at the church. The boys slept so soundly that night 
came, the folks gathered into church and services began and they still 
slept. Finally the preacher began to preach louder and louder and told how 
Gabriel blew his trumpet just as the boys awoke. Dave said, hand me that 
horn and they will sure to think Gabriel is here and Bill had quite a time 
preventing Dave from blowing the horn and disturbing the meeting. 

David was one of the foremost men in this section. When the Civil War 
broke out he was captain of the militia and mustered all the men in the 
country. He mustered at Mineral Wells. They first mustered at Fountain 
Springs, but later moved to the old Mineral Wells. All young men over 18 
years of age had to muster or drill. D. R. Sams and Hiram Sams walked 9 
miles to Parkersburg to the General Muster, which was held twice a year, 
mustered all day long, and walked the distance back home in the evening. 
Only a drizzling rain kept them from lying down along the roadside and 
camping for the night. Young men over 18 was also compelled to work three 
days on the road, or more if necessary. They worked under a supervisor. 

David Lee died at the age of 81. He had three or four children who settled 
in this community, among them being two sons, Horasce and Otis. Both died 
at an advanced age. Descendants of these still live in this community. 
Reeder Lee Sams, a grandson of Horace is a student in Parkersburg High 
School. Other high school students from this community are Dorothy Cook, 
Forest and Irene Ward, Edward, Florence, Veva and Eugene Shepard, Clara 
Yoho, Eldron Coull, and Robert Ward. Fred Coull is a graduate of 
Parkersburg High School and is now enrolled in West Virginia University, 
Morgantown. Clara Ward Wise a Parkersburg High school graduate, attended 
Marshall College, and taught school in 1928. Leah E. Sams, a graduate of 
Parkersburg High School in 1928, is now teaching her second term of 
school. 

TRAGICAL ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS
Mrs. Adaline Ruble, wife of Peyton Ruble, and nephew Gordon Davis, were 
burned to death when their home was burned to the ground. This was located 
in the Pleasant Hill section. 

Mrs. Edie Caplinger, aged 80, and her niece, Linda Caplinger, a deaf mute, 
were both burned to death. They lived alone, it was supposed that the old 
Lady's clothing had caught from an open fire and that the niece had died 
in trying to save her aunt. 

Angeline Radcliffe was burned to death accidentally about two years after 
her mother, Jemina Radcliffe's death, which was caused by severe burns 
received while helping her husband burn brush. 

Aunt Jane Ruble, age 87, met death by falling into the cistern and 
drowning. 

Ben Hill fell off his wagon as he was returning home from Parkersburg and 
he was dead while found by a searching party after the horses had came 
home alone. 

Robert Graham was shot and killed by an Indian at Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

Among the greatest calamities in this community was the explosion of the 
boiler of a sawmill owned by George Shultz and Mr. Mahaley, while at work 
on a sawmill set located on the farm now owned by J. H. Marshall, near the 
Locust Valley Schoolhouse. The explosion occurred at noon hour and all the 
children were at the mill sitting on the logs. The boiler went over the 
heads of the children to a point about two hundred yards distance, 
striking a beech tree near the Belleville road. Fortunately none of the 
children were hurt, but the owners of the mill, Shultz and Mahaley were 
struck by the belt being killed instantly and Schultz died the evening of 
that day. D. R. Sams was severely scalded, besides bruises, S. A. Cook 
received a broken leg, and other bruises and burns. Henry Mayhew was also 
burned but not so severely. The mill set was finished by George Kaufman 
and was operated by him and his sons. 




                   A HISTORY OF MINERAL WELLS COMMUNITY
                        Wood County, West Virginia
      Compiled by a Committee of Interested Citizens of the Community
                                 1938 

MINERAL WELLS COMMUNITY HISTORY
Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION 
Origin of movement 
Miss Dorsey's Contributions 
Contribution of other workers 
The final compilation 

COMMUNITY SETTING 
Area embraced 
Settlements 
Estates 

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT 
Early families 
Community life 
Stories of Pioneer Life 
War Service of the Community 
Institutions 
Churches 
Schools 
Post Office 
Organizations 
Grange 
Farm Bureau 
4-H Club 
Farm Women's Club 
Country Life Conference 
P. T. A. 
Business and Industry 
Stores 
Mills 
Lumbering 
Railroad 

FEDERAL, STATE, AND COUNTY IMPROVEMENTS 
Roads 
Soil Erosion Project 

PROMINENT PERSONALITIES 


INTRODUCTION 
The practice of writing community histories has become quite popular 
during recent years. The State Department of Education, and our State 
University have given encouragement to this movement. Enterprising 
citizens interested in perpetuating local traditions have been inspired to 
hunting out old records and conferring with old settlers in their efforts 
to write histories of their particular areas. 

Whether or not she was actuated by the general movement or whether it was 
a personal inspiration, Miss Pearl Dorsey of Moundsville, a speaker at one 
of the early Country Life Conferences, started a movement among the 
residents of Mineral Wells Community to write a history of the locality. 
No better situation could have been found. The section is rich in 
tradition. Much of the early history of the entire section of the state 
began in this vicinity. 

Miss Dorsey attempted at first to gather material and write the history 
herself and did produce a very creditable lot of information, but finding 
the task too large for one who was a stranger she had a committee 
appointed by the Country Life Conference to carry on the work. The work of 
gathering materials and assembling materials was carried on intermittently 
by Mrs. J. H. Bargeloh, Mrs. O. W. Barnett, Mrs. E. F. Schneider, Mrs. 
Cecil Morrison, and Mrs. J. E. Roberts. Much credit goes to these 
conscientious workers for their efforts. Their service covered a period of 
six or seven years. 

A committee was finally appointed by the Country Life Conference to 
assemble all materials and produce a final work. This committee was 
composed of Mrs. Schneider, Mrs. Barnett, and Mrs. Bargeloh. At one of the 
conferences the work of compiling all collected data was turned over to 
Miss Laura Rector for the production of the present compilation. 

No claim is made that the work is complete and there may be some errors, 
but it represented a conscientious effort and it is hoped it will be 
received with the understanding that where errors or omissions exist, they 
can be included in later revisions. If any reader has any correction to 
make or any additional information to contribute toward a more perfect 
copy, he is urged to send the information to Mrs. Schneider, Mrs. Barnett, 
or Mrs. Bargeloh at once. 

COMMUNITY SETTING 
Minerals Community embraces an area formed from a part of Tygart and Slate 
Districts north and south from the Elizabeth Pike from Pettyville to the 
top of Butcher's Hill, a distance of approximately five miles. It embraces 
all the section from the Pike to the Little Kanawha River on the north 
from a point across from Nicollette to and including the A. D. Hopkin's 
Experiment Farm. On the south side of the Pike it includes an area 
encircled by the Pettyville Road past the Pete Deem's farm to the point 
where it joins the Tygart Road and extends south on that road to and 
including the J. D. Leach place; thence straight east across Route 21 to 
and including Chesterville and north again to the Elizabeth Pike. 

Included in this area are the settlements of Mineral Wells proper, 
Chesterville, and Butcher Hunt Club, and the former settlements: 
Scarecefat, Leafy Glenn, Mt/ Zion; the estates of many residents of long 
standing including those of Robert Page, Billy Deem, John Barnett, E. S. 
Butcher; and the following institutions and landmarks: A. D. Hopkin's 
farm; Fairview, Tygart, and Chesterville Schools; Butcher Hunt Club; Mt. 
Zion, Chesterville, and Mt. Pleasant Churches. 

This territory was once a part of a 28,000-acre survey that George 
Washington expected to get. His survey was to have extended from the mouth 
of the Little Kanawha River, up the bed of the river fourteen miles or 
beyond Butcher's Hill. Mr. C. R. Rector has in his possession a copy of 
the "large survey," which for some unknown reason George Washington never 
bought. 

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT 
Early Families: 

The earliest known families came into this vicinity during the year of 
1790. Settlers came from Virginia and settled on the Little Kanawha River 
at what was then called Claysville, now known as Davisville. At this early 
date they built five log cabins, one of which is yet standing on the South 
Side at Davisville and one on the right of the Creel farm. The latter is 
still in splendid condition. The antique doors are put together with 
forged nails made probably in a blacksmith shop. According to Mr. Creel's 
statement, the lumber was cut with a whip saw at that early date. The 
place is said to be older than Parkersburg. The ruins of the flour mill, 
the woolen mills, and the oil refinery (which is probably the oldest in 
the state) can yet be seen at this place. The Creel farm was a slave 
plantation during the days of slavery and many slaves are buried on the 
north side of the place, long forgotten and only occasionally mentioned. 

Mr. James Gillespie was one of the first settlers west of the Kanawha 
River. He lived in a log cabin about one-fourth of a miles south of the 
present Dr. A. D. Hopkin's home. One day Mr. Gillespie was hunting on the 
east side of the Kanawha River and was chased by the Indians. He escaped 
capture by hiding in the River under driftwood. When the Indians could not 
find him they went to his cabin where Mrs. Gillespie and the children were 
alone. She saw the Indians approaching and took the children out the back 
door and hid in a hollow sycamore tree along a little stream just below 
the house. After the Indians had left, she took the children, one of whom 
was too young to walk, and proceeded to Fort Neal for protection. 

Mr. Gillespie returned to his home that evening and after viewing the 
scene decided the Indians had captured his family. He immediately set out 
for Fort Neal to try to get assistance. Mrs. Gillespie reported that she 
feared her husband had been killed by the Indians, but Mr. Gillespie 
reached the Fort and they were happily reunited. The logs of Gillespie's 
cabin have been utilized in the construction of three cabins, the last one 
of which is now standing within a few hundred yards of the original site 
and for several years was used for the annual 4-H camp of Wood County. 

Robert Page settled on Tygart, on a ridge of Harry McPeek's farm. 

Henry Cooper came from Virginia. 

Other old families are: 

Jacob Deems and Mr. Ruble lived about a mile apart. They worked together 
and shared each others' implements. They had but one gun and quite often 
the other man needed the gun but must go the miles distance for it. This 
happened one night to Mr. Ruble. When he was awakened out of a deep sleep 
by a noise in the hog lot he dressed hurriedly and discovered the roof had 
been torn from the big log pen. To lose a hog at that time meant quite a 
loss. A big black bear was dragging out the mother hog who had made a 
terrific fight to save her little ones. Mr. Ruble could only go for the 
partnership gun, which necessitated a mile journey through a dense wood 
and over the snow covered ground. He had no light save the flare of a pine 
torch. Mr. Deem returned with him and after tracking the bear some 
distance found him eating the hog. The bear was killed and the hide tanned 
and used for a trunk covering. 

Samuel Butcher located on the large tract of land in the bend of the 
Kanawha River. He built his first log cabin on the exact spot where Dr. A. 
D. Hopkins now has his office. Later he built a frame house which is said 
to be the first frame house in Wood County. This land has been owned by 
the Butcher family for more than a hundred years. 

Community Life:
One John Cooper owned the land now known as Mineral Wells. Red Selectman 
bought this farm about 1850 and dug a well, the water of which seemed to 
have a curable effect for dropsy and other troubles. One man who had not 
seen his feet for twelve or fifteen years, after drinking this water a few 
weeks, lost thirteen inches in waist measurement, and continued drinking 
the water until he became normal size. 

The news of this cure spread until Mineral Wells became a great summer 
resort by the early sixties. Many people came from Parkersburg and other 
places to stay all summer or just a day. Sweet corn was consumed at the 
rate of one ox wagon load a day. When the mineral water was low the 
proprietor, a good business man, hired water hauled from the creek and 
wells of the neighborhood and poured into his wells at night in order to 
keep up the supply. Old irons and salt were put in for the mineral 
effects. The business flourished for many years. A large hotel was built 
to accommodate the visitors. 

A large dining room containing ten twelve foot tables extended the length 
of the front of the building. A smaller dining room had four tables in it. 
An outside stairs led to the upstairs porch which extended the full length 
of the hotel. Rooms opened onto the porch. Dancing and bowling were main 
diversions and there were many grapevine swings in the grove to offer 
amusement. The building burned in 1900. The ruins of the foundation and 
the two wells are still to be located. 

The first election for Mineral Wells Community was held at the Edwin 
Butcher place at the foot of the Butcher Hill on May 3, 1863. 

Corn and wheat were ground by a water mill at Chestersville as early as 
1820 by a family, Jake Deems. Later this mill was operated by Henry Page. 
In the 1870's a steam mill was built a little farther down the creek. It 
was owned by John Badger and later by a family of Lesters, and then by 
George Rector. Mr. Rector put rolls in the mill and did extensive business 
for several years. Chestersville was quite a village about the year 1890. 
It had this flourishing mill, three stores, (one a company store) and the 
others owned by Mr. H. S. Dye and Joe Heatherly, and a blacksmith shop 
owned by John Smith, Dr. A. K. Rose practiced here. The flood of 1889 
destroyed some of the property and the business life of the community 
gradually declined. 

"Scarecefat" or Creel Station was a flourishing little settlement during 
the latter 1890's. There were a few homes and a store located there. An 
interesting story connected with the place is its getting the name of 
"Scarecefat." One story is told that a night prowler stole all the hogs 
from the residents. Someone later put a notice on one of the empty pig 
pens "Scarce of fat." It has been called that since then. 

The pioneer settlers were of necessity very industrious. They raised their 
own food and made their own clothing. The food was cooked in iron ovens 
among the coals of the big fire places which usually occupied one end of 
each cabin. The kettles and pots were hung from cranes over the fire. Some 
of the bread was baked on boards slanted before the fire. The fiber for 
clothing was raised and later manufactured at home. Many happy hours were 
spent in the picking, combing, and carding of wool and flax later used in 
weaving into material for all of the garments the family needed. 

Some of the women were excellent weavers and set a good example for the 
younger women. The hose for the entire family were knit from the wool that 
was raised, sheared, and carded at home. Often the socks men wore were in 
natural color of wool. 

The shoemaker made his rounds, staying in each home until the supply of 
boots and shoes was made for each member of the family. This often 
required quite a length of time. The boots and shoes were always made from 
home tanned leather. Two of the early shoemakers were Henry Bailey and 
Pete McCardle. They were good cobblers and always busy. 

The corn and wheat were ground on water mills; one at Chestersville, one 
at Davisville, and one on Big Tygart. The mill on Big Tygart was destroyed 
by the flood of 1884. 

After the crops were gathered, many times farmers having gathered what 
grain they could spare, staves which had been cut, and bark that they had 
gathered the previous season, would haul them to the Little Kanawha River 
near the Creel Farm. There they would load the products into barges and 
float down the Kanawha River to the Ohio River and on to some trading 
center. Several trips were made in this way to New Orleans. Enoch Rector, 
John Page, Tom Stephens, and John Barnett were among some of the first to 
make this trip. In exchange for their produce the farmers would bring back 
sugar and molasses, and sometimes other dainties for their families. 

The first transportation was carried on by ox-carts. Horses and wagons 
came later, and for those who could afford it, buggies became the general 
means of travel. ln.the early part of the present century came the 
marvelous Model 'T' Ford. 

The desires of these early people for social life is much the same as that 
of ours today; but instead of leaving their homes and journeying for many 
miles to find enjoyment, they visited with their neighbors and helped with 
the raising of a new house or new barn, husking corn, quilting, peeling 
apples, always spending the day at something useful. At evening time came 
play time--and what evenings they spent: These people worked and played 
together and their amusement was clean and satisfying. At corn-husking the 
finder of the red ear always felt it his privilege to kiss the fairest 
girl. They danced to violins at apple peelings and quiltings. At log 
rollings, five and six acres were rolled in a day. 

Stories of Pioneer Life:
On the A. D. Hopkins farm is a grave which is about one hundred eighteen 
years old. When Mr. Hopkins came into possession of the farm fifty-four 
years ago, he found a rose bush growing on the grave, and the bush has 
never failed to bloom each year. There is also on the farm two very old 
log cabins; one where Blennerhassett and his wife were entertained on 
their way from Virginia to his home on the Island; another in which can be 
seen the port holes that were used to shoot through by the settlers to 
defend themselves from the Indians. 

James Cooper saw a bear shot out of a tree where Oscar Barnet's house now 
stands. A darkie feeding the pigs saw the bear in the tree, returned to 
the house and reported his findings. Billy Poole went out and shot the 
bear. 

In 1798 the stock was penned at night to protect it from wolves, according 
to a record found by Mr. Charles Rector. Deer were also quite numerous in 
this locality. 

War Service of the Community:
At the time of the Civil War West Virginia was so near the division line 
that our community was pretty much divided. On the Confederate side we 
have William Bissitt and John Cooper; and on the Union side we have Elim 
Heatherly, Poake Tucker, Marion Page, James Graham, Michael and Washington 
Deem, Hannibal McClain, J. F. McKusick, and Jack Cale. A part of Morgan's 
Raid passed through this section, but the farmers drove their horses and 
other stock back into the hills to prevent their being stolen. A few 
detachments of soldiers passed through and sometimes asked the women to 
cook them a warm meal and they were usually accommodated. The Berry 
brothers, Madison and Sill, were killed in the Civil War and are buried in 
the cemetery on Slate. 

When the World War came the community gave her quota, some of whom never 
returned. Some of the first calls from Wood County were taken from this 
community. Fathers, mothers, sons and daughters who were left at home did 
their share of the work. Carl Neal gave his life in the war. His body was 
brought to Mt. Zion cemetery for interment. Others who served in the World 
War are: Delbert Hickman, deceased, George Jones, Harold Dye, Harry 
McPeek; Pearl, Walter, and Jesse Province; Carl Dawkins, Joe Morehead; Tom 
Dye; Presley Hill; and Harvey Dye. 

Institutions 
(a) Churches: 

When the settlers came they did not forget to bring their religion. The 
Mission Board of Virginia sent to them one John Drake, who came carrying 
his gun and his Bible. The services were conducted in the homes and much 
good was accomplished in this way. After John Drake came the Reverend 
James McAbbey who organized the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in the year 1815, 
at the home of Elizabeth Kittle. The first building was of logs and on the 
farm of A. J. Price, in 1819. This same farm is now owned by A. L. 
Dawkins. This building was erected in 1819 and heated by an old iron salt 
kettle which was brought from Charleston by Amos Barnett and is now in the 
possession of the D. A. R., as a valued relic. The church in 1833 was 
moved to a more commodious building on the farm of O. Hutchinson. Here it 
remained until 1855 when it was moved to the pike near Lockhart Run where 
the present building now stands. This building was erected in 1883. 

Some facts of interest to us are taken from the "First Hundred Years 
History of the Mt. Zion Church" by Rev. H. Cofer. In September 1817, 
eleven members, three of whom were colored, took their letters from the 
Mt. Zion Church and organized the First Baptist Church of Parkersburg. The 
church has been a member of the Parkersburg Association of Baptist 
churches since October 10, 1818, when that body was organized. Rev. Enoch 
Rector was pastor of the church for twenty-nine years, throughout the 
period of the "bloody sixties." The second longest pastorate was that of 
Rev. M. F. Kiger, who served for fifteen years. 

In 1895 the first B. Y. P. U., was organized in the church with G. D. 
Rector as president. The Women's Mission Circle was organized the same 
year. 

The Methodists, too, got an early start, for Stephens, a prominent 
historian, recrods the fact that in 1790 the Little Kanawha Circuit was 
formed with Jacob Lurtin as preacher. In 1806 Peter Cartwright was 
appointed to this position. He left a record of the extent of the circuit, 
but no names of the appointments. The Circuit extended one hundred and 
fifty miles up and down the Ohio River and up the Little Kanawha River to 
the mouth of the Hughes River. He has traveled more than 300 miles to 
reach all of the appointments. 

The first Methodist church we can find anything about, was located about 
one and a quarter miles west of Pettyville. The next was a log building on 
Little Tygart on the Page farm. When war was declared the church was 
divided. The members of the northern division built at Chesterville in 
1873 and named the church "Valley Chapel." Those of the south erected a 
building where Mt. Pleasant now stands. 

At one time every farm had its own burying lot, but now the principal ones 
are those located at each of the churches, Mt. Pleasant, Mt. Zion, and 
Chesterville, The Cooper and Barnett cemeteries are used sometimes. 

Mr. Cyrus Deem says that the first church was built in Chesterville in 
1825. Also he says that the churches divided in 1843. 

The Class Record books that Mr. Cyrus Deem had in his possession have a 
record of Class Meetings, as they were then called. We would refer to them 
as Church Meetings, now. According to the records, which are incomplete, 
we find the following pastors with these years of service: Francis 
Guthrie, 1848; Addison Achols, 1850; Foun M. Dudley, Circuit Preacher 
1851; Abjgal Wedg, Circuit Preacher, 1851; Cyrus Morey, 1852-54; C. 
Conner, 1855-56; S. E. Steel, 1859-61; Francis Guthrie, 1861-63; Daniel S. 
Benedum, 1864-65; Wm. D. Meriman, 1866; I. A. Williams, 1867-68; A. 
Malone, 1869-70; R. L. Woodyard, 1871-72; C. L. Nicholson, 1873-74; W. N. 
Shaw, 1875-76; J. F. Chenoweth, 1877; J. W. Lambert, 1882; J. F. 
Chenoweth, 1883-85; W. W. Kelley, 1886; S. J. Colton, 1889; U. Pribble, 
1892. 

No records can be located that would complete this list. Other pastors who 
have served the church that residents remember are: C. R. Shackleford, A. 
D. Garret, Rev. Bramlett, A. C. Riffle who served two years then after a 
few years returned for one additional year; Rev. McKain, J. S. Pullen, 
Theopalis McKoy, J. J. Kelly, I. N. Smith, Sidenstricker, Ball, Riddle, 
Anderson, Sperlock, and Bracken. 

In the Class Record books the secretary quite often made notations that 
are interesting to us. Just preceding the Fast Day this item is noted: 
"Remember your yearly quarterly fast day, the Friday preceding each 
quarterly meeting should be kept as a day of fasting and prayer for the 
peace and prosperity of Zion." 

A roll of the Class or Church membership was kept and a very rigid marking 
of attendance. The letter 'D' following a name meant the person was 
"Distant" or away that day. "S" meant sick; "H" meant hinderance; "P" for 
present, and "A" for wilful absence. After a person was wilfully absent 
for three times, it seems that a committee called upon him. The attendance 
was not marked during Protracted meetings and for Quarterly meetings. 
Following each recorded meeting the admonition "Love one another" was 
written. 

The first Sunday School was organized in 1840 by Thomas Dawkins under the 
auspices of the M. E. Church. 

Mt. Pleasant Church is not an old organization. When the Civil War was in 
progress the congregation at the Chesterville Methodist Church divided and 
those in sympathy with the southern cause organized their own place of 
worship and founded the present Mt. Pleasant Church. For a number of years 
the church was called "Turkeyfoot" because of the intersection of roads 
that resembled a turkey's foot. Some of the older residents still refer to 
it as the "Turkey Foot Church." The building now standing, built in 1901, 
was the second one erected at this location. A complete record of the 
pastors of the church is as follows: 

James H. Deem, 1882-84; C. N. Shearer, 1884-88; Davidson, 1888-89; H. M. 
Smith, 1889-91; D. L. Bush, 1891-95; M. V. Bowles, 1895-96; W. M. Tyree, 
1896-99; W. H. Surgeon, 1899-1901; R. H. Moss, 1901-04; Thomas Highland, 
1904-05; W. D. Burns, 1905-06; C. D. Johnson, 1907-; F. E. Lambert, 1907-
09; H. K. Clark, 1909-10; C. S. Coberly, 1910-12; B. F. King, 1912-14; L. 
C. Talbott, 1914-16; J. F. Atkinson, 1916-18; H. T. Watts, 1918-19; Harry 
Rush, 1919-20; J. P. Slaughter, 1920-22; L. S. Auvil, 1922 and 1/3 of 
1923; J. R. Withrow, « of 1923; L. E. Harrison, 1923-24; Rosseau McClung, 
1924-28; J. D. Franklin, 1928-33; H. A. Murrill, 1933-37. 

The church has a membership of one hundred thirty-five members. For a 
number of years the West Virginia Conference has recognized this church as 
one of the outstanding rural churches in the entire state because of the 
effective organization of the Sunday School and church departments and the 
efficient working of each department and its members. For several years a 
number of members have attended the training classes held for Sunday 
School and church workers of Parkersburg District. A silver loving cup 
offered by the Neal Jewelry Store was won for three successive years by 
the local church and became the permanent property of Mt. Pleasant. 

Two especially well-organized and for many years quite active classes are 
the Wesley Wade or adult group and the Wesley Banner Class of young 
people. For a number of years Mr. Burley Daugherty has given his time and 
efforts toward keeping the young people's class one of the most active 
assemblies where young people may develop socially, spiritually, and 
morally. 

(B) Schools: 

The first school of which we have any record was a select school taught by 
David Harris in 1815 and located in the bend of the Little Kanawha River. 
The building was a log cabin built in 1805. The desks were made by driving 
pegs in the wall and placing boards across them. The seats were split logs 
with pegs for legs. When pupils were writing, they were obliged to stand 
in order to reach their crude desks. Their pens were made of quills. The 
building had no floor, save the earth and was heated by a huge open fire 
place. 

Mr. Wolf taught writing and arithmetic by making letters and numbers on a 
wooden paddle with charcoal. He named the bend of the River "Hell's Bend" 
because the older boys teased and tormented him so much. 

Other early teachers during the 50's and later were: Mary Leary Sebastian 
Chevoront, Miss Wilcox, Mr. Starcher, Maria Hitchcock, Mr. McGee, Miss 
Lacy, Joe Buckner, Amanda and Andrew Price, and Texanna McKusick. These 
early teachers boarded from home to home. 

A school was later formed at Clay Lick. This building was only a log 
cabin, but was later moved into a frame building located on the Pike and 
called Cooper's School, later Society Hill. The free school system was 
started about 1860. Since then the school systems have grown gradually. As 
the community developed the need arose for more school buildings. They 
were placed at Chesterville, Fairview, Leafy Glen, and Shady Hill. 

With the adoption of the County Unit System in 1933 Leafy Glen and Society 
Hill, because the enrollments were so small, were transferred by bus to 
Shady Hill where a modern two-room structure had been built. At present an 
additional room is supplied by a portable building beside the regular one. 
Many community activities are held in the combined basement and auditorium 
of the Shady Hill building. 

The pupils of the community now, if they don't attend Fairview or 
Chesterville Schools, are transported by bus to Shady Hill for elementary 
work, to Washington Junior High, or to Central High School. The rural 
children are given practically the same opportunities as the city 
children. Books are furnished the schools by the Wood County Carnegie 
Library. Music, Art, Penmanship, and Physical Educational supervisors 
visit the schools regularly. 

(C) Post Office: 

To provide connection with the outside world an early post-office was 
located at Fountain Springs in Tygart District. This office was later 
moved to Leach's home. In 1860 Bill Fetzer, an old bachelor, was hired to 
tend the mail. He was followed first by William Taylor and later by John 
Leach. 

The first postoffice in Slate District was at Lockhart's Run and had as 
its postmaster Mr. E. S. Butcher. Mr. Henry Dye was afterwards postmaster 
at this place for almost forty years. Later the name Roosevelt was adopted 
for this post office. The post office was finally transferred to Mineral 
Wells where it is now. Some of the early postmasters of Mineral Wells 
were: William Taylor, John Leach, and Mr. Prickett. 

When the office was first established mail was delivered to the office 
once a week from the Parkersburg Office. Later a twice-a-week delivery was 
established and finally every day service was granted. Mr. Sutton and Mr. 
Nicely were two of the early carriers from Parkersburg to Elizabeth. There 
is now a free delivery to practically every door in the community. Three 
routes run out from the Mineral Wells office. Mr. W. L. Deem has served 
the greater part of the Community every since rural free delivery was 
established. 

The first post office was at Lockhart Run in the house that is at the 
present George Jones' home. The post office was named Roosevelt on 
November 1, 1905. Rural route was established November 1. H. E. Dye became 
too old to take care of the mail, so the office was moved to Mineral 
Wells. Mineral Wells was a centralization of Chesterville, Roosevelt, 
Lucky, Fountain Springs, Salisburg, and McKinley. 

Postmasters after the office was moved to Mineral Wells were A. T. 
Morrison, C. E. Ruble, who died in service, Bertha Ruble, his widow, who 
resigned. Tip Stephens, who was acting postmaster for about six months, 
and R. D. Lemon who holds the office at the present time. 

Three rural routes emanate from the Mineral Wells post office. Route 1 
extends to Pettyville, bears left and comes back into Big Tygart Road to 
Sams Creek and part of Pleasant Hill Ridge, bears left to Sycamore, comes 
to McDonald Ridge, and retraces to the post office. Route 2 goes up Big 
tygart, Buck Run, and part of Lee Creek, Stephens Fork, and retraces. 
Route 3 includes the Elizabeth Pike to Butcher Hill, the road through 
Chesterville, Sunnyside, and back to the Pike by Grassy; then down the 
pike to the road that passes E. F. Schneider's and goes on to the bend of 
the River and back to the post office by Leafy Glen and Mt. Pleasant 
Church. 

Mr. W. L. Deem had the honor of being the oldest carrier in service in 
Wood County in 1936. On November 1, of that year, he completed thirty-one 
years of service and retired from active service. 


Organizations:
(a) Grange: 

Mr. E. W. Sheets of Harrison organized the Grange here about 1912. The 
organization flourished for about eight years. It grew out of the 
suggestion from the Farmers' Institute. Prominent among the leaders were: 
Albert Deem, E. P. Dye, Grant Bair, E. F. Schneider, W. L. Deem, Oscar 
Barnett, Harry Hardman, Cyrus Deem, and J. F. Bargeloh. 

(B) Farm Bureau: 

The Wood County Farm Bureau, which was organized by the first County Agent 
in Wood County, West Virginia, Mr. H. S. Vandervort, had its purpose of 
cooperation as the first service to the farmers of the county. For several 
years the purpose of the organization has been to function as an 
educational institution for the rural folk. Through its offices any 
individual may learn more perfect and up-to-date farming, dairying, and 
poultry management methods. Farmers of the Mineral Wells Community aided 
very much in the early organization and the development of the educational 
function. 

At present the commercial set-up of the farmers is organized separately as 
an agent of the Farm Bureau. Through their own plan the farmers purchase 
cooperatively feed, fertilizer, and supplies, and at the same time find a 
market for milk, eggs, chickens, and grain. They manufacture their own 
Farm Bureau rations from home grains. 

County Agents who have served this community are Mr. H. S. Vandervort, Mr. 
R. L. Buchanon, who died in office, Mr. Clyde Smith, who finished Mr. 
Buchanon's term of office, Mr. Joe Boyd, and Mr. W. H. Sill, who has been 
with us for the past ten years. Each of these men has contributed a very 
valuable and appreciated service to the farm life of the community. 

Residents of the Community who have, or do belong to the Farm Bureau 
Organization are: H. F. Herdman, E. P. Dye, E. F. Schneid, O. W. Barnett, 
Tom Compton, F. C. Forshey, F. L. Lambert, J. W. Miller, Dan Graham, W. H. 
Smith, T. H. Huffman, W. H. Cooper, C. Grewell, Z. E. Thorn, H. H. 
Hendricks, Miss Allie Farrell, E. L. Melrose, A. L. Deem, J. F. Bargeloh, 
T. R. Dye, D. C. Grant, J. E. Leach, A. R. Province, W. L. Deem, John 
Deem, B. F. Barnett, J. S. Johnson, A. F. Johnson, C. M. Deem, Mason 
Bargeloh, Sereno Bros., H. T. Butcher, G. E. Rector, W. C. Cooper, James 
Matheny, Charles Taylor, and Frank Barnard. 

(C) 4-H Club: 

The 4-H Club for boys and girls between the ages of ten and twenty-one has 
been an active organization in this community since 1919 when the first 
club was organized by Miss May Babcock. Since that date 287 boys and girls 
of the community have participated in the club program and at least 
started projects. At present we are not able to determine just how many of 
this number actually completed the projects. Of course, a number dropped 
by the wayside, but the majority completed at least a year's work and a 
percentage remained in the work until the age limit was reached. About six 
years ago the club met the requirements for a Standard Club. The Slate or 
Mt. Zion Club met the requirements last year, 1936. A number of local boys 
and girls have at various times attended the State 4-H Camp at Jackson's 
Mill. 

One incentive to the members to do all work completely is the annual award 
of permitting all those who have finished their projects to attend the 
County 4-H Camp. A County 4-H Camp has been held each year for sixteen 
years and each year the camp organization has improved as it should 
because of previous experience. The first camp was held at the old 
Shattock Park Fair Grounds. Then for three years a better camp atmosphere 
was held on the Tallman farm at Washington Bottom. The next three years 
the assembly met at Mustapha Island, near New England. For nine years Dr. 
A. D. Hopkins generously granted the use of a section on his farm. 
Conditions were almost ideal there with the use of a cabin as a kitchen or 
mess house, a swimming pool, plenty of water, and a beautiful campfire 
setting. When Dr. Hopkins could no more permit the use of his farm, last 
year's camp met on Mr. Ott Province's place. The next step is to obtain a 
permanent camping spot and leaders are considering several proposition. 

A full-time 4-H Leader is at present employed in the county. Mr. Arnold 
Hutson, a graduate of West Virginia University, and one who is well 
trained and experienced in work with rural boys and girls, is helping to 
make the most efficient clubs we have ever had. Preceeding Mr. Hutson, 
Miss Adele Harpold assisted Miss May Prichard, Home Demonstration Agent, 
and Mr. Sill with the club work. Miss Harpold supervised the individual 
projects and conducted club meetings. Previous to the time of Miss 
Harpold's term of office the 4-H Club Work was handled by the Home 
Demonstration and County Agents and those volunteers who so cheerfully 
gave their time for the cause. Two young men who are remembered because of 
their efficiency are Mr. Sterling Evans and William Badger. 

Following is a list of 287 4-H members who have composed the complete 
membership since 1919 when the first club was organized. These persons 
completed their projects each year they belonged. They are: 

1919 Raleigh Deem, William Taylor, Ruie Hicks, Ray Dye, Orpha Hicks, 
Bessie Hicks, Conrad Province, Orville Hicks, Tom Forshey, Jesse Anderson, 
Oris Cooper, Walter and Kermit Deem, Willard Herdman, Beulah Coberly, 
Walter Taylor, Leroy Bargeloh, Teddy Ruble, Thomas Pepper, and Robert 
Greiner. 

1920 Tom Forshey, Raleigh, Walter, and Kermit Deem, Walter and Emily 
Taylor, Ruie and Orpha Hicks, Jesse Anderson, Leroy Bargeloh, Robert 
Greiner, Robert Morris, Arthur Morris, Louise, Susie, Clark, Page, and 
Edith Deem, Helen and Louise herdman, Orville Hicks, Alice Bargeloh, and 
Roland Deem. 

1924 Barnett, Lucy, and Frank Boso; Charles, Addison, and Alice Bargeloh; 
Naomi Cooper, Clarke Deem, Marie Hicks, Orpha Hicks, Marie, Clara, and 
Orma Hendricks, Kyle Kesling, Emma Lewis, Baber Morris, William Morris, 
Opal Province, Irene, Emily, and Grace Taylor. 

1925 Addison and Charles Bargeloh, Frank Boso, Marie and Oma Hendricks, 
Lula Mae Herdman, Mary and Orpha Hicks, Kyle Kesling, Baber E. and William 
Morris, Opal Province, Emily and Grace Taylor, Margaret and Ryda Graham, 
Clark Deem. 

1926 Marie Hendricks, Thelma Conley, Margaret and Ryda Graham, Lula Mae 
Herdman, Marie and Mary Hicks, Grace Taylor, Oma Hendricks, Orpha Hicks, 
Frank Boso, Addison and Charles Bargeloh, William Graham, Kyle Kesling, 
Baber Morris, Georgia Hendricks, and Katherine Deem. 

1927 Addison Bargeloh, Charles Bargeloh, Orpha Hicks, Marie Hendricks, 
Kyle Kesling, Mary Hicks, Ryda and Margaret Graham, Lula Mae Herdman, 
Grace Taylor, William Graham, Clara and Georgia Hendricks, Kathryn Deem, 
Thelma Conley, Ethel Webb, Harold Graham, Carl and Howard Graham, Clifford 
Kesling, John Franklin Butcher, Oval Richard, Oma Hendricks, and Frank 
Boso. 

1928 Charles Bargeloh, Kyle Kesling, Ryda and Margaret Graham, Marie and 
Georgina Hendricks, Lula Mae Herdman, Katherine Deem, Thelma Conley, Mary 
Hicks, William, harold, Carl, and Howard Graham, John Butcher, Grace 
Taylor, Clara Hendricks, Edith and Gladys Hooner, Helen Conley, Golda 
Green, Edith McPeek, Eva Brummage, Joanna Hoffman, Beulah Matheny, Selma 
Dye, Ethel Webb, Carl Stephens, Harry Matheny, Dorothy Cook, Lucy Barnett, 
Mary Lowther, Marjorie Taylor, Garnet Cooper, Eleanor Butcher, and George 
Taylor, 

1929 Marjorie and George Taylor, Karl Bargeloh, Joanna Hoffman, Eva 
Brummage, Beulah Matheny, Elenor Butcher, John Butcher, Harry Matheny, 
Garnet Cooper, Gail Stephens, Lucy Barnett, and Georgina Hendricks. 

1930 Harry and Robert Matheny, Eleanor and John Butcher, Norman and Harry 
Ruble, Garnet Cooper, Marjorie and George Taylor, Bertha Lemon, Ivy and 
Georgia Hendricks, Karl Bargeloh, Joanna Hoffman, Evelyn Brown, Clara 
Lemon, Richard Daugherty, Robert Cooper, and Rex Cooper. 

1931 Evelyn Brown, Clara and Bertha Lemon, Richard Daugherty, Harry Ruble, 
Marjorie and George Taylor, Robert, Rex and Garnett Cooper, Joanna 
Hoffman, Georgia and Ivy Hendricks, Lucy Barnett, Eva Brummage, Grace 
Taylor, John and Eleanor Butcher, and Karl Bargeloh. 

1932 Beulah, Harry, and Robert Matheny, Evelyn Brown, Georgia and Iva 
Hendricks, Nita and Karl Bargeloh, Seth Crider, Marjorie Taylor, John and 
Eleanor Butcher, Roger Coltrider, and Joanna Hoffman. 

1933 Nita Bargeloh, Eleanor Ruble, Edgar, Harry, and Hattie Newbanks, 
Francis Taylor, Daniel Robert Jones, John and Eleanor Butcher, Joanna 
Hoffman, Beulah Matheny, Ivy Hendricks, Harry Matheny, Grace Cooper, 
Evelyn Brown, Seth Crider. 

1935 Archie and Lilly Cook, Eleanor and Ruby Ruble, Beatrice Houck, Wayne 
Dowler, Raymond L. Daugherty, Delbert Matheny, Mary and Clara Houck, Paul 
Hendricks, Raymond F. Grandon, Clude tucker, Nina Jackson, Dorothy Graham, 
Eleanor Sereno, Vera K. Grandon, Sara Lou Butcher, and Ruth Graham. 

1936 Annaline, Fay, and Charles Bracken, Sara Lou Butcher, Alice Cline, 
Benjamin, Lilly, Lilah, and Archie Cook, Dorothy and Mildred Graham, 
Geraldine Elizabeth Grimm, Delbert Matheny, Paul Hendricks, Eleanor Ruble, 
Eleanor Sereno, Octava Stephens, Garland, and Gay Toncray, Clyde Tucker, 
Lucille Winland, Charles, and Earl Dowler, Katheleen, and Pauline 
Campbell. 

(d) Farm Women's Club: 

The Mineral Wells organization of the Farm Women's Club was organized 
September 1, 1921, by Miss Della Thompson, Home Demonstration Agent of 
Wood County, at the home of Mrs. Rae Butcher who was made president. Mrs. 
Annie Forshey was vice-president; Miss Gladys Winland, treasurer, and Miss 
Ethel Lemon, secretary. Charter members included in addition to these 
officers: Mrs. B. H. Ott, Mrs. J. W. Miller, Mrs. W. S. Winland, Mrs. 
Grace Ruble; Mesdames, Blanch Schneider, Laura Farrier, W. L. Deem, H. H. 
Hendricks, J. E. Leach, R. K. Deem, M. A. Boso, A. Z. Boso, Hazel Graham, 
Zada Barnett, Cyrus Deem, Minnie Barnett, Nellie Province, Virginia Leach, 
Stella Black, and J. F. Bargeloh, Mrs. James Matheny, Misses Marjorie 
Deem, Minto Boso, and Lema Ruble. 

At the second meeting on September 28, Mrs. Fenton Gall of Berkeley County 
discussed the plan and purpose of the organization. A chicken supper was 
planned for the purpose of raising funds. At this affair held later, 
$42.53 was cleared. The club closed the year with thirty members, paying 
twenty-three membership dues to the Farm Bureau. Mrs. C. M. Deem was sent 
as a delegate to Farmers' Week which was held at Morgantown in 1922. She 
was accompanied by Mrs. Minnie Barnett. Projects of the year included 
cooperation with the school and Tuberculosis League, fall canning 
demonstration, pattern cutting, and quilting, dress forms, and poultry 
raising. 

During the years from 1922 to 1937 the Club grew in influence and 
membership. Many projects were undertaken and completed which were a great 
benefit to the members and of wide service to the community. Many 
prominent people served as officers, but lack of space prevents the naming 
of any except the president who are given here. 

1922-24, Mrs. Hazel Graham; 1925-26, Mrs. Blanche Schneider; 1927, Miss 
Margie Deem; 1928, Mrs. Hazel Graham; 1929-30, Mrs. Elizabeth Bargeloh; 
1931, Mrs. Elsie McAfee; 1933, Mrs. Minnie Barnett; 1936-37, Mrs. Susie 
Deem Huffman. 

A glance at the long list of projects undertaken and completed as shown in 
the following paragraphs indicates the valuable contribution this 
organization has made to the personal development of the members and the 
general improvement of the community. 

In 1922 there were thirty-eight members. A gift of thirty-six quarts of 
fruit was presented to Miss Thompson, the Home Demonstration Agent, who 
left the service in the county in September. Ten dollars for tuition was 
given to two girls studying at the University to become Home Demonstration 
Agents. 

The oldest member of the club, Mrs. Amanda Barnett, died in April, 1923, 
at the age of 91. 

Mrs. Schneider and Mrs. J. W. Miller were appointed to attend the Farmers' 
week. 

In 1923 four schools were furnished with kettles and oil stoves for hot 
lunches. A chicken supper netted $67.87. A contribution of $20 was made to 
the Farm Girls' Loan Fund. A donation was made from each club member for 
the support of the Wayside Farm. First subscription was made to the 
magazine "The Farmer's Wife." A county picnic was held at the City Park on 
July 19. A table of exhibits was displayed at the Annual 4-H Fair. Mrs. 
Frances Deem was sent as the first delegate to Jackson's Mill to attend 
the Farm Women's Camp. Mrs. Estella Black and Mrs. Zada Barnett were 
appointed delegates to Farmers' Week. A movement was put on for a County 
Health unit among the clubs of the county. 

In September 1924 a supper was held at the D. A. R. cabin, netting 
$114.25. The club worked hard this year for a Community Club House. A 
chicken supper held at Henry Hendricks in October brought $67. A Home 
Industry Shop was opened in November. Mrs. Blanch Winland was appointed 
delegate to the Farm Women's Camp. Each member of the club gave a hen as a 
contribution to the poultry plant of the Wayside Farm. Miss Mary Moreland 
came from the University giving poultry talks, lessons in glove making, 
and basket weaving. She also talked on Home Industries and how to raise 
money. The first Country Life Conference was held this year. 

In 1928 a kitchen improvement contest was conducted throughout the county. 
Many of the ladies added valuable improvements and labor-saving devices to 
their kitchens. Mrs. Laura Farrier, age 81, was a delegate to the Farm 
Women's Camp at Jackson's Mill. In March the rural clubs entertained the 
Home Department of Women's Club of Parkersburg. The local club assisted 
with the food. A stunt in the form of a Style Show was given at the County 
Picnic at the City Park. The club presented dresses of 1850, 1875, 1890, 
1910, and 1915. They received the highest award. 

In 1929 the members decided that since the building of a club house seemed 
impossible, it would be well to rent the room over the Mineral Wells Store 
for use as a regular meeting place. The room was leased for $100 per year 
until 1935. During this period of time the room was sub-let to the Grange 
and 4-H Club. It was during this year that a past president and very 
influential member of the club, Miss Margie Deem, died. Dishes and chairs 
were purchased for the club. Miss Peterson of the Red Cross instructed a 
class of ten in home nursing. 

In 1930 five dollars was given for a roof on the 4-H cabin. Other 
financial support was given the 4-H club. A poultry project was carried 
out. 

In 1931 the tenth anniversary was celebrated at the home of Mrs. Rae 
Butcher. Sewing was done for needy children. One hundred garments, much 
food, and medical aid was given to those who could be reached. Help was 
given, also, in children's clinics. 

This year we celebrated our tenth anniversary, having most of our charter 
members present; also, Mrs. Della Thompson Warman, who organized the club. 

Home Demonstration Agents who have served the Farm Women's club are: Miss 
Thelma Robins; Miss Mae Babock, who is now Mrs. Merrill of Parkersburg; 
Miss Della Thompson, Miss Mary McGuire; and Miss May Prichard who is now 
rendering an invaluable service to the community. 

As a project, inspired by Miss May Prichard, the women of the county have 
organized a Farm Women's Shop which is located on Seventh Street in 
Parkersburg and operated by Mrs. Virginia Cook Mitchell. This shop serves 
the rural folk by offering for sale any farm product that the ladies care 
to furnish. Ten percent of the sale price is retained for use in meeting 
the expenses of the shop. The city people are also served in that it 
offers to them fresh country produce at a reasonable price. 

A second active Women's Club which must be mentioned because many of its 
most active members live in the community is the Slate Club. At present 
Mrs. Mabel Jones is serving her second year's term as president and has 
been quite active in club affairs. Mrs. Glancy Morrison, Mrs. Jean Dye, 
and Mrs. Roxy Dye have taken an active part in the club for some time. 

(e)Country Life Conference: 

The first Country Life Conference was held in Mineral Wells Community in 
1924. The Agricultural Extension Service of West Virginia University 
sponsored this organization through the County Farm Bureau. The chief 
moving spirit of this organization was Dr. A. H. Rapking, Rural 
Organization Specialist for the Extension Service who has attended and 
directed the yearly meetings in the community. He has been a source of 
inspiration to the members of the organization. The conference is held in 
the Mineral Wells Community each year during the early part of November. 
The membership is composed of enterprising citizens of the community who 
wish to join. No fee is charged and one need only to indicate a 
willingness to co-operate in order to become a full fledged member. 

Members are usually those active in other organizations of the community, 
such as the Women's Club, Farm Bureau, Dairying Association, and the three 
churches. Officers are elected at the yearly conference and committee 
members named at that time. They arrange for the monthly meetings which 
are held at Mt. Pleasant Church, in response to a general announcement of 
the meeting. Committees are named to serve in connection with the history, 
citizenship, recreation, homes, schools, health, churches, programs, 
business and farms. A council composed of the officers and committee 
chairman is the executive body of the organization and meets at the call 
of the president. 

The chief purpose of the organization is the raising of standards of 
living throughout the rural community, setting as its goal the Model 
Community. This involves the standardizing of schools, improvements in the 
homes, raising health standards, adoption of modern farm methods and 
purchase of better implements, encouraging of religious and social 
activities, beautification of farm surroundings, improvement of 
transportation facilities, and the like. 

One of the features of the yearly conference is a progress report of the 
community toward excellence, made by the chairman of the Progress 
Committee. A record is made of the improvements and additions developed 
since the previous meeting. A typical progress report is given herewith to 
illustrate the rapid elevation of the standards in this section. 

"Progress Report for 1935 Mineral Wells Community" 

"The organization and scoring of the Mineral Wells Community was begun 
some eleven years ago. We may not have accomplished what we should or what 
we would have liked; nevertheless, we have made a start, and are still 
going ahead. 

"Early this year the "Community Council" made a list of the homes in the 
Mineral Wells Community. From this list a mailing list was made and given 
to our County Agent so each family would receive help from that office. 

"During the last year we have held nine Community Meetings, which we all 
enjoyed, especially the music and speakers. Besides these meetings there 
have been a number of others; such as, Community School Day, a two-day 
meeting of the "Baptist Churches" at Mt. Zion; and all-day meetings and 
sings at two of the churches. 

"The real work of the community has not been carried on as a whole but by 
the various religious, educational, and social groups within it. Our three 
churches with a membership of more than 225 have each conducted a Sunday 
school every Sunday of the year with an average attendance of 183. Each 
church had its regular preaching services. Each church has been or is now 
having its Young Peoples' meeting each week. Two of the Sunday Schools 
have organized classes and those in one church are very active, having 
regular monthly meetings at the various homes. These meetings have meant 
much to classes in both religious and social life. Each of the churches 
has held a special series of meetings as well as special programs. Finally 
we have proved our interest and sincerity in religious affairs by raising 
and using through and for the church $1,402.13. 

"This seems like a very good report for our community but let us not 
forget that there are so many in our community who should be sharing in 
the blessings and helping in the work of the churches. 

"We feel our schools have made satisfactory progress during this year. Our 
teachers, Messrs. Brown, Forshey, Miller, and Hendershot, each have Number 
One certificates. Miss Hicks had a Standard Normal; Mr. Brown completed 18 
hours of college work during the year; Mr. Forshey completed 6 hours of 
college work during the year; Mr. Miller dompleted 3 hours of college work 
during the year; and Miss Hicks completed 9 hours college work during the 
year. 

"A new well was completed at the Shady Hill School during the year. Much 
new equipment has been added, such as globes, dictionaries, bulletin 
boards, cement walk, a piano, a victrola, water tanks, new tables for the 
primary room, balls for games, and work material for primary work. Shady 
Hill scored as a Standard School. Attendance prevented it from being 
scored a Model. Our schools are all furnished library books from the Wood 
County Library. All our schools are visited by special supervisors, such 
as art, music, penmanship, and physical education. We feel our schools can 
be scored much higher this year. We have an active 4-H Club for boys and 
girls, with Miss Hicks as leader. The club sent several to the County 4-H 
Camp. 

"There are two Farm Women's Clubs in this community. These clubs are a 
source of profit and enjoyment to those who belong. Each of the clubs 
holds regular monthly meetings and together sent five members to Jackson's 
Mill to the Farm Women's Camp where all enjoyed the wonderful vacation. We 
feel that many more women should be enjoying the social life of these 
clubs. 

"It will be impossible the list all the home improvements that have been 
made during the year but enough can be given to show that we are doing 
something to better our homes and community: Ten new homes have been 
erected during the year. They are: Messrs. Price, Yoho, Deem, Dye, 
Province, Pfalzgraf, Vaught, Dye, Archer, and Streets. Three homes have 
been remodeled and painted. Twelve homes have been painted. Forty-five 
rooms have been papered and painted. Eight wells have been drilled; two 
water systems have been installed; fourteen sanitary toilets have been 
built during the year; many improvements have been made to farm buildings; 
such as chicken houses, barns and milk houses; several new washing 
machines, radios, and many pieces of furniture have been purchased, 
showing that our farmers are keeping up-to-date. 

"Quite a few of our home owners are taking advantage of the help offered 
by our County Agent and State Extension Service in landscape work. Several 
electric refrigerators and ice boxes have been purchased during the year. 

"Since this is the report of the progress of the community, we have tried 
to show some of the things we have done. We should use these as an 
incentive to push forward to find our mistakes and correct them. 

"In making this report we are very glad for the many things that have been 
done, but we are sorry that there are so many that do not enter our work 
in the community and enjoy the association of all. Let's all do our part."
Signed: Mrs. Bargeloh, Mrs. Heck, and Mrs. Barnett." 

The community is under a five-year contract with Mr. T. D. Gray of the 
State Extension Service of the University for a beautification program. 
Already a number of homes show a decided improvement in appearance, since 
so many are anxious to assist with the beautification project. 

(F)Parent-Teacher Association: 

We do not have detailed information concerning the organization of the 
Parent-Teacher Association in the community, but the assistance of the 
organization has been noted about the school buildings year after year. A 
report from Mr. O. M. Brown, one of the local teachers, gives us the 
following information concerning the organization during three years. 

In 1934-35 Mr. Burley Daugherty served as president: while Mrs. Marie Cook 
was vice- president; Miss Joanne Huffman, secretary; and Mrs. James 
Matheny, treasurer. 

Through 1935-36 and 1936-37 Mr. G. E. Brown was president; H. T. Butcher, 
vice-president; James Matheny, secretary; and A. R. Province, treasurer. 
The P. T. A. and Farm Women's Club made it possible for the school to 
purchase a piano, a hectograph, and other necessities, such as a step-
ladder, sprinkler, mop bucket, hammer, saw, nails, and lumber for tennis 
tables. One hundred books were added to the library, a concrete walk was 
built across the front yard, flowers and shade trees were set out, and 
thirty-six song books were purchased. 

P. T. A. membership embraces a group of citizens who are anxious to assist 
their school. 


Business and Industry 
There was in the year 1890 a blacksmith shop in operation by John Smith of 
Chestersville. During the early 60's there was a blacksmith shop at the 
intersection of the Chestersville Road with the Pike. This shop was in 
operation for many years, first by the Tuckers, and later by Lloyds. 

(A) Stores: 

In the year 1890 there were three stores in Chestersville, one a Company 
Store, one owned by Mr. H. Dye, and another by Joe Heatherly. During the 
early 1860's there was a store on the Pike at the intersection of the 
Chestersville Road owned and operated by Sheldon Page. A little later 
there was a store located near the Mill on Big Tygart. It was owned by 
John Lynch. Later Dawkins moved the store to a building near Mt. Zion 
church, but operated only a few years. 

In 1876 another store owned near the present site of the Mineral Wells 
Postoffice. It was owned and operated by Dr. Sanford Prickett. After Dr. 
Prickett's death his brother, Isiah, took charge. From that time on there 
has been a store at this place. Some of the early operators were: Ed. 
Cheveront, Red Taylor, and Casy Ruble. E. P. Dye has operated a store 
opposite his residence for years. 

Edwin Butcher, a grandson of Samuel Butcher, built a store and hotel at 
the foot of what is known as Butcher Hill during the oil boom at Burning 
Springs in Wirt County. The traffic was heavy with the hauling from the 
fields and the supplies to the fields. The cattle dealers from Wirt, 
Calhoun, Roane, and Gilmer counties also made this a stopping place. The 
cattle and sheep were driven on foot to markets. Mr. Butcher would buy and 
sell anything from ginseng roots to a farm. At present there are two well-
equipped stores in the neighborhood, Mr. George Brown's and Mr. H. C. 
Brown's. These men are interested in furnishing household necessities to 
all residents in the community. 

(B)Mills: 

There were three water mills in early days, one at Chesterville, one at 
Davisville, and one on Big Tygart. The mill at Chesterville was begun 
about 1820 and kept in operation until 1924. 

(C) Lumbering: 

About 1850 people began the building of frame houses. Prior to this time 
homes were chiefly built from logs. Some of the early carpenters were 
William Fought, Henderson Demm, Joshua Butcher, and Charles and Perry 
Page. As early as 1844 one man, John Barnett, made bricks on his own farm 
and built a large brick residence. This was the only brick house in the 
community for a number of years. A cyclone passed through a part of the 
community in 1912 and blew the top from this house, but the building was 
repaired and is still standing and in good condition. 

One of the early money-making industries was that of marketing railroad 
ties. They were hauled mostly to the mouth of the Big Tygart Creek and 
there sold. They were shoved into the water, boomed together by chains, 
and floated down the river to markets. Levi Stephens was a prominent 
trader in these ties. Many of the ties for the Little Kanawha Railroad 
were supplied from this locality. The cutting and selling "pit" posts or 
mine props followed in turn. Much of the timber has been sold out of the 
community in this manner. 

(D) Railroad: 

An outlet to market was added in the early part of this century for the 
farmers of the community. About the year 1898 the Little Kanawha Railroad 
was built from Parkersburg to Palestine. It passed along the Little 
Kanawha River through the entire Mineral Wells Community. The railroad was 
very prosperous for fifteen or twenty years, but with the coming of 
improved roads and the more convenient transportation by truck its 
business began to dwindle. I ceased operation during 1935. Afterwards the 
tracks were removed. 

During the early days there were three engines: two for heavy freight, and 
one for passenger service. The passenger engine carried two coaches until 
bus transportation relieved it of its passenger business. In early days 
the passenger train made two trips a day; one in the morning, and one in 
the late afternoon. In later years the number of trips were gradually cut 
down until finally it was making only one trip each week. It operated for 
a period of about thirty-five years. 

During the period from 1900 to 1920 farmers took their produce to Creel 
Station from where it was taken by train to market. The passenger coaches 
were a haven for visiting with one's neighbors and the exchange of news 
with those whom one scarcely saw except on these visits to the market. The 
members of the train crew were friends to every passenger and, no doubt, 
received many gifts of butter, eggs, and other produce. 

FEDERAL, STATE, AND COUNTY IMPROVEMENTS 
The early roads were such as could be developed by the local residents, 
who built roads from their own farms to the main highway, Elizabeth Pike 
was opened as a thoroughfare about the year 1850. This pike was paved from 
Parkersburg to Mineral Wells in 1923. Later the pavement was extended on 
through the county and adjoining counties now known as State Route No. 14. 
Another form of transportation that served the residents of the community 
for a number of years was the use of boats and the Little Kanawha River. 
Before the development of highways and even before the introduction of the 
Little Kanawha Railroad, this was a much used form of travel from one 
place to another and about the only means of transporting heavy goods. 

The Agricultural Soils Association was organized in Mineral Wells 
community by about twenty- five members in July, 1937. A Board of 
Directors was elected and B. L. Daugherty was named secretary in charge of 
lime sales and deliveries from the Soils Conservation Service. About one- 
fourth of the farmers in the Mineral Wells community have become members 
of this association up to and including December, 1938. 

The work done has been in the nature of erosion control by diversion 
ditches and contour furrows for water control. Lime-requirement tests have 
been made on selected fields of members and lime furnished to cooperating 
farmers for demonstration fields of soil conserving crops. 

Pasture improvement has been carried out by recommended practices in which 
the use of lime and superphosphate was applied to sods in existing 
pastures having a sufficient coverage of grass to justify this practice. 
Complete farm plans have been worked out including forest improvement and 
maintenance practices for the woodlot. 

PROMINENT PERSONALITIES 
Dr. A. K. Ross was practicing medicine in Chesterville in 1890. 

Teachers who hold a Standard Normal Certificate are: Mary Hicks, Opal 
Province, Lulu Mae Herdman, Thomas Forshey, O. M. Brown, Carl Miller, and 
Gertrude Dye. 

Mr. W. L. Deem, who completed on November 1, 1936, thirty-one years of 
active service as a rural mail carrier, had at the time of his retirement 
the honor of being the oldest carrier in service in Wood County. Mr. Deem 
was born at Chesterville on the Billy A. Deem place. In return for his 
years of service Mr. Deem receives an annuity from the government. 

Abbie Deem who is living with her daughter in Lubeck is 84 years old. 

John Cooper is 88 years of age. He is Israel's father. 

Two ladies who lived to a ripe old age were: Mrs. Amanda Barnett, who was 
91 years old when she left us, and Mrs. Carolina Barnett who was 85. Mrs. 
Minnie Barnett was chairman of the Local Board of Shop Directors in 
connection with Women's Club work for five years. She has also served as 
vice-president and secretary of the Home Central Committee. 

Seven girls of the community prepared themselves for nursing; Nora Deem 
Robins was County Health nurse for four years, and Kathryn Lockhart for 
two years. Faye Bair Barnsley of Rockville, Md., Lena Melrose, Margaret 
Butcher Anderson, Nettie Dawkins Dye, of Akron, and Ethel Lemon-Fuch are 
all graduate nurses. 

Graduates of Mountain State Business College who are active in business 
are: Delmont Jeffers, Edwin Thorn, and Harold Thorn. 

Mr. T. J. Wigal, at present a teacher in the Parkersburg system, left this 
community and went into the teaching profession. 

Everett Deem, a merchant for a number of years, had a dry goods store on 
Third Street in Parkersburg. 

Members of the community having college degrees are: Mabel Dye-Jones and 
Arthur Dye, who attended West Virginia University; Harry Herdman, Jr., who 
studied Commerce and Business at Ohio University; and Laura Rector who 
holds an A. B. Degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College. 

High School graduates are: Marian, Edith, Elva, Kathryn, and Stewart Deem; 
Lule, May, Louise, and Harry Herdman; Gertrude, Dale, Charles, John, 
Mabel, Georgia, and Arthur Dye; Thelma and Helen Conley; Steela Jackson 
Bargeloh; Carl Bargeloh; Carl Stephens; John and Eleanor Butcher; Earl 
Carr; Mary Hicks; Beulah Matheny; Harry Matheny; Eva Brumage; Joanna 
Hoffman; Thomas, Louise, and Ruth Rector; Marjorie and Grace Taylor; Ivy 
and Orma Hendricks; Opal Province; two McDaniel boys; Lucille, Ruth, 
Gladys, and Ross Morrison. 

Dr. George Jeffers studied at Louisville, Kentucky. He practiced in Kansas 
for a time. For a number of years he has been practicing in Parkersburg. 

Dr. H. D. Price practiced in Jackson County, and was at the State Hospital 
at Spencer for two years. He has practiced in Parkersburg most of his 
lifetime. 

Ministers from the community are: Rev. George Dye; Rev. Frank Rector; and 
Rev. Enoch Rector. 

Thomas Rector is studying for the ministry at West Virginia Wesleyan 
College and will receive his degree in 1938. 

Miss Ivy Hendricks is a sophomore at the Fairmont State Teachers College. 

Ben Butcher of Parkersburg was born on the old Butcher homestead in 
Butcher's Bend. He is the son of Edwin S. and Mary J. (Wright) Butcher; 
grandson of Thomas Butcher and great grandson of Samuel Butcher II, a 
soldier of the Revolution. He received his formal education in the public 
schools and at Fairmont State Normal School, Marietta College, and 
Columbia University (now George Washington), Washington, D. C., from where 
he received the L.L.B. degree. He was elected as a Democrat from Wood 
County to the House of Delegates of the 14th Legislature which met in 
Wheeling, then the capitol of the state. Mr. Butcher was the youngest 
member of this session. 

Afterwards he moved to Colorado where he resided for eleven years, 
engaging in the practice of law and in silver mining. During his residence 
in Colorado, he was District Attorney of the 9th Judicial District, and 
served as a member of both the House and Senate of that State. In 1901 he 
returned to his native state and county. 

In 1912 during the Wilson campaign, he was presidential elector-at-large. 
He was an active member of the order of Elks. In 1930 he was elected to 
the House of Delegates and re-elected in 1932 and 1934. Mr. Butcher was 
active in the passage of the Tax Limitation Amendment and other important 
legislation. He sponsored two important amendments to the State 
Constitution which were adopted by the people in 1934. 

Mr. Butcher contracted pneumonia while he was serving in the 1937 session 
of Legislature and passed away within a few days after he became ill. His 
body was brought from Charleston to the Mt. Zion cemetery for interment in 
the family lot. 

Dr. Andrew Delmar Hopkins of Parkersburg, and owner of Kanawha Farms in 
the Mineral Wells Community was born on his grandfather Evans' farm at 
Evans, Jackson County, West Virginia, on August 20, 1857, became manager 
of the farm in 1874 and later inherited a 1/4 interest; in 1876 served on 
a commission to collect specimens of natural resources of his county for 
the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia, Pa., and in September attended 
the Exposition; in 1874-77 introduced the first pedigree cattle and sheep 
into the county; 1877 made prime move in the organization of County Fair 
Association of which he was the first secretary and served as director for 
seven years, and as president in 1881; in 1879 made the prime move in the 
organization at Parkersburg, of a State Wool Growers and Sheep Breeders 
Association and served as its first corresponding secretary and vice-
president; in 1880 married Adelia S. Butcher of Lockhart Run, Wood County; 
in 1884 exchanged his interest in the Evans farm for 137 acres of the 
present Kanawha Farms; in 1879 he was the prime mover in the organization 
at Parkersburg of a system of State and County Farmers Institute 
Societies, with a preliminary meeting at the residence of Omer Page in the 
Mineral Wells Community. 

Beginning in 1874 the manifested ideal and ambition of Dr. Hopkins has 
been the improvement of soil, livestock, and cultivated plants, a broad 
knowledge of natural history and scientific subjects, and to contribute a 
worth-while service to county, state, and national agriculture and to the 
advancement of science; in all of which he has been eminently successful. 

Scientific studies on the Jackson County and Wood County, farms led to an 
appointment in 1890 to the scientific staff of the West Virginia 
Agricultural Experiment Station; in September 1892 he was sent on a 
special mission to Germany, the success of which was rewarded in June, 
1893, by the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Philosophy; in 1896 appointed to 
additional duties as professor of entomology in the University, and in 
June, 1897, to vice-director, serving as director during the month of 
August of that year, and continued as vice-director to July 1902; in 1893 
became a member, and later a fellow of the American Association for the 
Advancement of Science; in 1896 served as chairman of the section of 
Entomology of the Association of Agricultural Colleges and Experiment 
Stations. 

While connected with the experiment station he was sent by the Federal 
United States Division of Entomology on three missions of Exploration, 
1899 to the northwest states, 1900 to the northeast states, and in 1901 to 
the Black Hills of South Dakota. In July, 1902, resigned from the 
experiment station to take charge of forest insect investigations, 
Division of Entomology, United States Department of Agriculture, 
Washington, D. C. In 1921 resigned as Forest Entomologist, but continued 
in the service of the Bureau of Entomology in special research in 
bioclimatics, with one assistant, has been conducted at Kanawha Farms as 
the intercontinental base station for this special work, with the result 
that a new science of bioclimatics has been developed and submitted for 
publication; this science dealing with basic laws, principles, systems, 
and methods with special reference to national and international research 
and practice in agriculture. 

Since 1890 the use of Kanawha Farms for scientific and economic 
investigations by the state and federal government has been entirely 
without financial or other compensation to the owner, and since retirement 
in 1931 has received no compensation for continued services as 
Collaborator in the United State Department of Agriculture. The farm has 
also been made available for free use by the 4-H Club of Wood County. 

During nearly a half century in the state and federal scientific service 
the success achieved by Dr. Hopkins in his scientific work has been 
recognized by election to the higher offices in Washington and national 
associations and societies, and as one of three in this country honorary 
member of the Society of Economic Biologists of London, England. He has 
also been recognized as the father of Forest Entomology in America, and as 
national and world authority on subjects in which he has specialized. 

Mineral Wells Community is proud of the honor Dr. Hopkins has earned for 
himself and appreciates the fact that he has made his home here even 
though his interests have been national and international. His home might 
well be called "The Park" for many come each year to view the beautiful 
flowers which adorn his garden and walks. 

The D. A. R. cabin in the City Park at Parkersburg that is now used as a 
museum was the property of Uncle Henry Cooper. It was located one mile 
east of Tygart Creek, one mile south of the Little Kanawha River on what 
is now known as the Fleet Barnett farm. The cabin was within sight of the 
Mt. Zion church. 

The regional cabin which was built in 1809 has a stone chimney while the 
present one is of brick. The D. A. R. removed the cabin to the Park about 
twenty years ago. 

Mr. Amos Tracewell has for a number of years cultivated one of the largest 
dahlia beds in this section. Sightseers have made many trips to his home 
near the Kanawha River to view the blossoms during the flowering season. 
Mr. Tracewell also has an apple orchard. 

Mr. Gant, Principal of the Pettyville School and for many years a resident 
of Parkersburg, made a real contribution to the scenery of the community 
when he built his beautiful brick home on the Mineral Wells hill. In a 
very short time Mr. And Mrs. Gant had grown a flower garden that appeared 
as if it had been there for years. Their home is an added spot of beauty 
in the community.

                         (c) WebRoots March 2002