Person Page - 1

Father: Herbert Samuel Kuhn
Mother: Nellie Belle Church

Birth date: 16 July 1929
Birth place: Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia, Born at home.¹

He was commonly known by his middle name, Glenn, especially among family members. Although various records, including his birth and marriage records, spelled his middle name with one "n," he and family usually spelled it with two. I have noticed that the use of one "n" seemed to occur most frequently in his younger years. As far as I know, he used his first name with his employers and business contacts who knew him as Don. Writing about his employment history and his later years, it seems fitting to change from calling him Glenn to calling him Don, just as the name he used changed throughout the years.²

Glenn was almost 3 months old when the family moved to Fork Ridge on 02 October 1929, having bought a farm from Albert Wilson.³

Photograph of Glenn with his parents, Herbert and Nellie, and brothers, Phil and Dale. Date taken: March 1930. Location: Fork Ridge, Marshall County, West Virginia. Information on back of photo was handwritten by Nellie, describing the first spring on their new farm. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.

Photograph of Phil, Dale, Glenn and Nancy. Date taken: 1944. Location: unknown. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.⁴

Glenn married Alda Louise Harris, daughter of Charles McClure Harris and Dessie Charlotte "Dess" Aston, on 11 June 1948 at Bellton, Marshall County, West Virginia. They were married at the home of Rev. Ister West, the officiating minister.⁵ They had obtained a marriage license on 7 June 1948 in Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia, with consent given by Glenn's parents as he was only 18 years old. The authorization to marry was signed 08 June 1948 by J. Randall Crow, Clerk of the County Court.⁵

Photograph of Glenn with Louise Kuhn. Date taken: believed to be January 1952. Location: Brushy Ridge, Glen Easton, Marshall County, West Virginia. At the time, they were living in the upstairs of the home in which Louise had been raised. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.⁶

As of 1958, Glenn and Louise lived at Fork Ridge, Marshall County, West Virginia, (postal address was Rt. 1, Glen Easton). They had purchased a small piece of land from Glenn's parents where they built and moved into a cement block building. The building was designed to be a garage/workshop once it was no longer needed as a temporary house, but much to Louise's dismay the house didn't get built for another 12 or so years!²

Throughout the years, they purchased additional small parcels until the half acre with which they had begun grew to 13 acres.²

As of June 1961, Don was employed by the Indian Knob Mushroom Farm Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia.^7,8

Photograph of Don operating a forklift to move trays of mushrooms at the mushroom farm. Date taken: 1961. Location: Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.⁹

On 11 January 2009 at age 79, Don died at home (Aston Ridge, Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia), passing away in his sleep from a heart attack. His death was totally unexpected and was quite a shock to his family.²

A memorial service for Don was conducted on 15 January 2009 at Altmeyer Funeral Home, Lutes & Kirby-Vance Chapel, Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia.² Following a graveside service, he was interred on 15 January 2009 in the Fork Ridge Christian Church Cemetery, 8681 Fork Ridge Road, Glen Easton, Marshall County, West Virginia; his name appears on the gravestone as "Donald Glenn Kuhn." The inscription reads, "Married June 11, 1948."²

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Father: Charles McClure Harris
Mother: Dessie Charlotte "Dess" Aston

Birth date: 3 April 1925
Birth place: Marshall County, West Virginia.²

She was commonly known by her middle name, Louise, for most of her life. Growing up as her daughter, the only times I really remember seeing her first name used was for official documents and records. When she was older, a transition to use of her first name became common with medical staff - a natural change as her medical records included her full name.¹

She lived at R.D. 1, Glen Easton, Marshall County, West Virginia, with her parents, Charles and Dessie Harris, and her sister, Eva. The family farm was located on Brushy Ridge (off Fork Ridge.)³

She was only 7 years old when her father died on 15 June 1932.^4,3,5

Louise married Donald Glenn Kuhn, son of Herbert Samuel Kuhn and Nellie Belle Church, on 11 June 1948 at Bellton, Marshall County, West Virginia. They were married at the home of Rev. Ister West, the officiating minister.⁶ They had obtained a marriage license on 7 June 1948 in Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia, with consent given by Glenn's parents as he was only 18 years old. The authorization to marry was signed 08 June 1948 by J. Randall Crow, Clerk of the County Court.⁶

Photograph of Louise with Glenn Kuhn. Date taken: believed to be January 1952. Location: Brushy Ridge, Glen Easton, Marshall County, West Virginia. At the time, they were living in the upstairs of the home in which Louise had been raised. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.⁷

As of 1958, Louise and Glenn lived at Fork Ridge, Marshall County, West Virginia, (postal address was Rt. 1, Glen Easton). They had purchased a small piece of land from Glenn's parents where they built and moved into a cement block building. The building was designed to be a garage/workshop once it was no longer needed as a temporary house, but much to Louise's dismay the house didn't get built for another 12 or so years!¹

Throughout the years, they purchased additional small parcels until the half acre with which they had begun grew to 13 acres.¹ Don and Louise planted thousands of seedlings in former pasture fields and became Christmas tree farmers for several years. Louise was very talented at making Christmas wreaths and grave blankets from pine branches. After 13 or so years in the coal mine, Don decided to leave the mine, work above-ground and become his own employer. He and Louise opened Al-Don Service, Inc., a small engine repair shop that they ran in a two-story building they built behind their home. In addition to repairing small engines, they sold chain saws, string trimmers, lawn mowers, etc. and became distributors for Dixon ZTR mowers. Don was so proficient at running his zero-turn-radius mowers that he seemed to fly across the yard.

On 13 October 1999 Louise moved to Good Shepherd Nursing Home, 159 Edgington Lane, Wheeling, Ohio County, West Virginia. Moving her to the nursing home was one of the hardest decisions the family ever faced, even though they knew they could no longer provide the level of care she required. Mercifully, the family's fear that Louise might want to return home never materialized - Alzheimers disease had destroyed her memories to the point that she gave no indication that she even realized a change had been made.

For a few more years, she continued to recognize both daughters, but it was her husband whose presence could make her eyes light up even after she could no longer speak. A testament to the strength of their love, Glenn visited Louise every day, feeding her lunch and dinner, and sitting with her throughout the afternoons. As the disease progressed and she ate less and less, Glenn still visited every day, patiently coaxing her to eat.

The staff at Good Shepherd all loved Louise, telling the family that she was one of the sweetest patients they had. She retained her sense of humor for a while, and the nurses and aides loved it when she would laugh with them and smile.¹

At age 79, Louise died from Alzheimer's disease on 9 March 2005 at Good Shepherd Nursing Home, 159 Edgington Lane, Wheeling, Ohio County, West Virginia. At the time of her death, Louise was surrounded by her immediate family: her husband and both daughters along with their families.¹

A memorial service for Louise was conducted on 12 March 2005 at Altmeyer Funeral Home, Lutes & Kirby-Vance Chapel, Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia.¹ Following a graveside service, she was interred on 12 March 2005 in the Fork Ridge Christian Church Cemetery, 8681 Fork Ridge Road, Glen Easton, Marshall County, West Virginia; her name appears on the gravestone as "Alda Louise Kuhn." The inscription reads, "Married June 11, 1948."¹

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Father: Adam E. Kuhn
Mother: Hattie May Clark

Birth date: 5 November 1898
Birth place: Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia.²

When his father died, Herbert was a young boy in school, only 13 years old. However, the family suddenly had no means of support so he became the man of the house and began working full time at Fostoria Glass in Moundsville, West Virginia.³ Of course this meant that he had to quit school, receiving only an 8th grade diploma.⁴

Photograph of Herbert with his mother and sisters. Date taken: unknown. Location: probably their home in Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.⁵

Photograph of Herbert, age 18. Date taken: 1916. Location: unknown. Click on camera to view full (or larger) image than the one shown here, then use your browser's back button to return to this page.⁶

Photograph of Herbert, age 18. Date taken: 1916. Location: Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.⁶

On 6 April 1917, the United States declared war on Germany and officially entered World War I. Every male living within the U.S. between the ages of 18 and 45 was required to register for the draft during one of three separate registration periods. The third registration was held on 12 September 1918 for men aged 18 to 21 and 31 to 45. At age 19, Herbert registered in Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia, and was described as follows: medium height, slender build, gray eyes, light hair, and with no defects.⁷ He was employed as a glassworker at Fostoria Glass Company Moundsville, West Virginia,⁸ and his mailing address was RFD #1, Moundsville.

Photograph of Herbert with Nellie Church. Date taken: probably 1920. Location: Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.⁹

As noted previously, Herbert had begun working at Fostoria Glass Company in Moundsville, West Virginia, around 1912 or 1913 when his father died. Glassworking was a skill that ran in the Kuhn family, as both his grandfather and father had worked at various glass houses. Herbert was still working at Fostoria at the time of the 1920 U.S. census.¹⁰

Herbert secretly married Nellie Church, daughter of Eli Church and Lenora Susan "Nora" Summers, on 19 February 1921 at Wellsburg, Brooke County, West Virginia.¹¹ As told by Nellie (Church) Kuhn:

Herbert and Nellie were living in Moundsville when their three sons were born. In 1929 they bought a farm on Fork Ridge from Albert Wilson, and the family moved on October 2nd to begin "life on the farm" about eight miles from town. Not as big a trek as the pioneers who rode wagon trains west, but a big change nevertheless!¹³

Herbert and Nellie's move to the farm was precipitated by the treatment they received from Herbert's mother. As noted previously, she tried to have their secret marriage annulled when she found out about it ... and apparently her attitude never changed. Herbert and Nellie finally moved to the country to get away. Interestingly, even though they had issues with Hattie, Nellie told her daughter that the rest of the Clark family had always treated them very well.¹⁴

Photograph of Herbert and Nellie with sons Phil, Dale and Glenn. Date taken: March 1930. Location: Fork Ridge, Marshall County, West Virginia. Information on back of photo was handwritten by Nellie, describing the first spring on their new farm. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.

Herbert may have quit working at Fostoria when the family moved to Fork Ridge based on the fact that he was described as a retail merchant in the milk industry per the 1930 federal census.¹⁵ However, by 2 December 1936, Herbert had returned to glasswork and and Nellie Kuhn were employed by Imperial Glass Company Bellaire, Belmont County, Ohio.¹ He was still working at Imperial Glass as of 01 April 1940 according to the federal census that year.¹⁶ While Herbert worked at Imperial Glass, he and Nellie ran a dairy, selling milk to Carnation in the beginning. Later they sold their milk to Allen Bonar, Nellie's brother-in-law, who ran a dairy that bottled and sold milk.¹⁷

The U.S. officially entered World War II on 8 December 1941 following an attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. All men ages 18 to 64 and not already in the military were required to register for the draft during one of six registration periods. At age 43, Herbert registered on 16 February 1942 at Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia, and was described as follows: white, 5' 10", 135 lbs., blue eyes, brown hair, dark complexion.¹⁸ At that time, he was still working as a glassmaker at Imperial Glass Company¹⁸ where he made a lot of refrigerator bottles fulfilling a standing order from the U.S. Navy during WWII.¹⁷

During peace time, Herbert made heavy ware (e.g. large bowls, big candleholders, etc.); it was hard work in tough working conditions. Eventually Herbert's doctor, Harold Ashworth, MD, informed him that if he did not leave Imperial Glass it was going to kill him. After putting glassworking behind him, Herbert got off all the medicine and was in good health for several years.¹⁷

Photograph of Herbert with Nellie Kuhn. Date taken: July 1947. Location: Fork Ridge, Marshall County, West Virginia. They are standing beside the milkhouse at their dairy farm; a corner of the barn can be seen in the background. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here. Herbert and Nellie were my grandparents, and I can remember their dairy operation, as well as the day the barn in this photo burned down. I'm guessing that the fire must have been in the early 60's.¹⁹

Herbert turned to carpentry; he worked with Bob Franklin for a couple years building houses before becoming a self-employed carpenter for many years. Moundsville Lumber Company kept him busy with jobs their customers wanted done.¹⁷ When Herbert worked on the construction of a house for his daughter, he built all the kitchen cabinets himself.²⁰ He also worked alongside his youngest son on much of the construction of Glenn's house. Both homes were built on land that was originally part of Herbert and Nellie's farm.¹⁹

At age 74, Herbert died from uremic poisoning on 10 December 1972 at Reynolds Memorial Hospital, Glen Dale, Marshall County, West Virginia.²¹

A memorial service for Herbert was conducted on 13 December 1972 at Lutes Funeral Home, Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia, with Rev. Willis Sliter officiating (minister at the Fork Ridge Christian Church).²¹ Following a graveside service, he was interred on 13 December 1972 in the Fork Ridge Christian Church Cemetery, 8681 Fork Ridge Road, Glen Easton, Marshall County, West Virginia; his name appears on the gravestone as "Herbert S. Kuhn." The inscription reads, "Father."^22,21

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Father: Eli Church
Mother: Lenora Susan "Nora" Summers

Birth date: 1 March 1902
Birth place: Sycamore, Calhoun County, West Virginia.¹

The official Register of Births recorded her middle name as Bell which is presumed to be an error. Nellie spelled it Belle on her application for a Social Security number.²

Around 1913, her parents moved their family from Roane County to Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia, where Nellie met and fell in love with a dapper young man named Herbert (more on that story below.)³

Photograph of Nellie with her parents and siblings. Date taken: 1913. Location: Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia. Parents Eli and Lenora are shown with their first eight children: Anise, Vella, Nellie, Ollie, Elizabeth, Vera, Orrel and Lela. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.⁴

Photograph of Nellie. Date taken: 1918. Location: unknown. Two different frames were used for the same shot taken of Nellie as a teenager. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.⁵

Photograph of Nellie with Herbert Kuhn. Date taken: probably 1920. Location: Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.⁶

Nellie secretly married Herbert Kuhn, son of Adam E. Kuhn and Hattie May Clark, on 19 February 1921 at Wellsburg, Brooke County, West Virginia.⁷ In 1922, Eli saw a newspaper advertisement to rent a 300 acre farm near Adena, Ohio, and prepared to move the family to "the Tweedy farm," an unforeseen event that meant the secret had to be revealed.³ As told by Nellie (Church) Kuhn:

Herbert and Nellie were living in Moundsville when their three sons were born. In 1929 they bought a farm on Fork Ridge from Albert Wilson, and the family moved on October 2nd to begin "life on the farm" about eight miles from town. Not as big a trek as the pioneers who rode wagon trains west, but a big change nevertheless!⁹

Herbert and Nellie's move to the farm was precipitated by the treatment they received from Herbert's mother. As noted previously, she tried to have their secret marriage annulled when she found out about it ... and apparently her attitude never changed. Herbert and Nellie finally moved to the country to get away. Interestingly, even though they had issues with Hattie, Nellie told her daughter that the rest of the Clark family had always treated them very well.¹⁰

Photograph of Herbert and Nellie with sons Phil, Dale and Glenn. Date taken: March 1930. Location: Fork Ridge, Marshall County, West Virginia. Information on back of photo was handwritten by Nellie, describing the first spring on their new farm. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.

Herbert may have quit working at Fostoria when the family moved to Fork Ridge based on the fact that he was described as a retail merchant in the milk industry per the 1930 federal census.¹¹ However, by 2 December 1936, Herbert had returned to glasswork and was employed by Imperial Glass Company Bellaire, Belmont County, Ohio.¹² While Herbert worked at Imperial Glass, he and Nellie ran a dairy, selling milk to Carnation in the beginning. Later they sold their milk to Allen Bonar, Nellie's brother-in-law, who ran a dairy that bottled and sold milk.¹³

Photograph of Nellie with her mother and siblings. Date taken: July 1944. Location: farm owned by Nellie and her husband, Herbert Kuhn, on Fork Ridge, Marshall County, West Virginia.Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.¹⁴

Photograph of Nellie with Herbert Kuhn. Date taken: July 1947. Location: Fork Ridge, Marshall County, West Virginia. They are standing beside the milkhouse at their dairy farm; a corner of the barn can be seen in the background. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here. Herbert and Nellie were my grandparents, and I can remember their dairy operation, as well as the day the barn in this photo burned down. I'm guessing that the fire must have been in the early 60's.¹⁵

Nellie became a widow at age 70 when Herbert died on 10 December 1972.¹⁶ She lived another 26+ years, passing away at age 96 on 6 February 1999 at Reynolds Memorial Hospital, Glen Dale, Marshall County, West Virginia.^17,18

An obituary was published on 7 February 1999 in the Sunday News-Register, Wheeling, Ohio County, West Virginia.¹⁹ The following is a transcription of that obituary:



A memorial service for Nellie was conducted on 9 February 1999 at Altmeyer Funeral Home, Lutes & Kirby-Vance Chapel, Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia, with Rev. Kenneth Ullom officiating.¹⁷ Following a graveside service by Rev. Kenneth Ullom, she was interred on 9 February 1999 in the Fork Ridge Christian Church Cemetery, 8681 Fork Ridge Road, Glen Easton, Marshall County, West Virginia; her name appears on the gravestone as "Nellie B. Kuhn." The inscription reads, "Mother."^20,17

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Father: Charles Oscar West
Mother: Mildred Susana Ryan

Birth date: 11 May 1919
Birth place: R.D. 1, Glen Easton, Marshall County, West Virginia.^1,2

In September 1932, Ada was baptized at the Salem Church of Christ, Bowman Ridge, Glen Easton, Marshall County, West Virginia.

Ada married Bill Howard, son of James Alexander Howard and Sarah May Collins, on 15 November 1949 at Glen Easton, Marshall County, West Virginia. J. R. Harris, a minister of the Church of Christ, certified that he united them in marriage.¹

At age 74, Ada died on 17 October 1993.² She was interred on 20 October 1993 in the Salem Church of Christ Cemetery, Bowman Ridge, Glen Easton, Marshall County, West Virginia.²

Father: James Alexander Howard
Mother: Sarah May Collins

Birth date: 9 June 1915
Birth place: Cameron, Marshall County, West Virginia.^1,2

Bill married Ada Virginia West, daughter of Charles Oscar West and Mildred Susana Ryan, on 15 November 1949 at Glen Easton, Marshall County, West Virginia. J. R. Harris, a minister of the Church of Christ, certified that he united them in marriage.¹

At age 94, Bill died on 26 December 2009 at Garvins Lane, Ohio County, West Virginia. Although his obituary and funeral card might lead you to think he died at home on the family farm near Cameron, his final residence and place of death was in a trailer bought for he and the granddaughter who lived with him. The old farmhouse had become too delapidated to stay in for another winter, and Bill's failing health made the move to Garvins Lane inevitable. The trailer was located next door to his daughter and son-in-law.^3,2

An obituary was published on 28 December 2009 The Intelligencer/Wheeling News Register.² The following is a transcription of that obituary:



Following a graveside service, his body was interred in the Salem Church of Christ Cemetery, Bowman Ridge, Glen Easton, Marshall County, West Virginia.²

Father: Nikolaus "Nik" Kuhn
Mother: Mary Schon

Birth date: reportedly 15 May 1874. The 1900 and 1910 U.S. Census records support this year of birth;^2,3 however, Adam's gravestone records his year of birth as 1875.⁴
Birth place: Wallerfangen, District of Saarlouis (Kreis Saarlouis), Diocese of Trier Germany.³

Adam was approximately three years old when his mother passed away in 1877. Mary's death left Nikolaus with three very young children to raise: Anna, Adam and Mathias.³ So it isn't surprising that he quickly married again that same year. When Nikolaus married Catharina Schumacher, she immediately became the stepmother of an infant and two young children.⁵

Per the 1900 Federal Census, Adam was reported as having immigrated in 1880; however, it is likely that the enumerator mistakenly wrote 1880 rather than 1886. This assumption is based on the facts that Adam's sister, Catharina, was born in Germany circa 1880 and was five years old per the passenger list; coupled with the fact that the Release Certificate for Nikolaus' entire family is dated in 1886, giving them a six-month window to leave Prussia.²

Adam emigrated from Antwerp, Belgium, in April 1886 with his family.⁶ The journey from Antwerp to New York took between a week and a fortnight.⁷ The steamship "Rhynland" was built for the Red Star Line by the Barrow Shipbuilding Company, Barrow-in-Furness, England, and launched on 10 March 1879. It could accommodate 150 first class passengers and another 1,000 in steerage.⁸

Along with his father and step-mother, Nicholas and Catharina, Adam appears on the passenger list for the S.S. Rhynland which arrived New York City, New York, in April 1886. Also listed are his sister, Anna; his brother, Mathias; and their half-sister, Catherine. All are identified as citizens of Germany, having begun their journey from Wallerfangen, Germany, with an intended destination of East Liverpool. The ship's manifest identifies them as passengers 145 through 150 out of a total of 347:
     Nic. Kuhn, age 37, male, a laborer
     Cathe. Kuhn, age 36, female
     Anna Kuhn, age 12, female
     Adam Kuhn, age 11, male
     Mathe. Kuhn, age 9, male
     Cathe. Kuhn, age 5, female.⁶

Adam arrived at Castle Garden, New York City, New York, on 10 April 1886, along with the rest of his family. Information per Ellis Island records found online:
Adam E. Kuhn was released from Prussian citizenship with Nikolaus "Nik" Kuhn and Catharina (Schumacher) Kuhn on 27 April 1886 for the purpose of emigration to the State of Ohio in North America. The release certificate was signed on 27 April 1886 by the Royal Prussian Government in Trier and stated that the certificate would "be ineffective if the released persons do not move their place of residence to outside Federal territory within six months from the day of issue of the Release Certificate, or acquire citizenship in another federal state.¹⁰"

On 18 January 1898 in Marshall County, West Virginia, Adam applied for a marriage license with Hattie May Clark, daughter of Samuel E. Clark and Margaret A. Shimp. Information for the license was given by her father, Samuel Clark. The authorization to marry was signed on the same date by E. M. Lewis, Clerk of the County Court.¹¹

Adam and Hattie were married on 18 January 1898 at Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia, Per family tradition, Adam's marriage to a Protestant woman resulted in his expulsion from the Roman Catholic Church.¹²

Based on the 1900 U.S. Census, Adam became a naturalized citizen of the United States sometime before 1 June 1900.²

Adam died at age 38 on 20 October 1912 at Limestone, Marshall County, West Virginia. The official cause of death was recorded as heart trouble.¹³ Per Nellie (Church) Kuhn, daughter-in-law of Adam, the family always said that he died from "painter's poison," i.e. exposure to lead from being a glassworker¹².

An obituary was published on 25 October 1912 the Moundsville Echo, Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia.¹⁴ The following is a transcription of that obituary:


It is unclear why Thomas Clark is identified as Adam's father-in-law, whose name was Samuel E. Clark. Perhaps Thomas was some other relative, or perhaps the relationship is correct but the name is not. A second obituary was published on 25 October 1912 the Moundsville Echo.¹⁵ The following is a transcription of that obituary:



A memorial service for Adam was conducted on 31 October 1912 at First Street, Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia.. The members of Mound City Lodge No. 13 I.O.O.F. were requested to meet at their hall at 1:00 pm to attend the funeral which started at 2:00 pm.¹⁴ He was interred on 31 October 1912 in the Mt. Rose Cemetery, Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia; his name appears on the gravestone as "Adam Kuhn."^14,16

Adam was a member of Mound City Lodge No. 13 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) Per the I.O.O.F. website, "In 17th century England, it was odd to find people organized for the purpose of giving aid to those in need and of pursuing projects for the benefit of all mankind. Those who belonged to such an organization were called 'Odd Fellows'. Odd Fellows are also known as 'The Three Link Fraternity' which stands for Friendship, Love and Truth."

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Father: Samuel E. Clark
Mother: Margaret A. Shimp

Birth date: 8 May 1879 This date is believed to be the correct one as it comes from her birth record.² Interestingly, there are multiple records that indicate Hattie was born in July, although the year varies. Per the 1880 U.S. Federal Census, she was born in July and was 10 months old as of 01 June 1880.³⁴ As a further complication, another source reported that Hattie was born in July 1878.⁵
Birth place: Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia.²

On 18 January 1898 in Marshall County, West Virginia, Hattie applied for a marriage license with Adam Kuhn, son of Nikolaus "Nik" Kuhn and Mary Schon. Information for the license was given by her father, Samuel Clark. The authorization to marry was signed on the same date by E. M. Lewis, Clerk of the County Court.¹

Hattie and Adam were married on 18 January 1898 at Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia, Per family tradition, Adam's marriage to a Protestant woman resulted in his expulsion from the Roman Catholic Church.⁶

Photograph of Hattie with her children. Date taken: unknown. Location: probably their home in Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.⁷

On 24 July 1958 at age 79, Hattie died at home (Highland Avenue, Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia). The cause of death shown on her death certificate was "carcinoma primary left lung."⁴ She was interred on 27 July 1958 in the Mt. Rose Cemetery, Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia; her name appears on the gravestone as "Hattie Kuhn."⁴

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Father: William S. "Bill" Church
Mother: Elizabeth Jane "Betsy" Roberts

Birth date: 8 July 1872
Birth place: Wetzel County, West Virginia.^3,4

In her booklet, Roberts Clan History, Carrie Roberts Richmond wrote the following in reference to the family of William and Elizabeth (Roberts) Church: "The Church family was born and raised in Wetzel County [West Virginia], moved to Calhoun County later. Most of them came back to Wetzel County."⁵ However, their son, Eli, was one of the children who did not move back to Wetzel County. As will be seen throughout this narrative, he lived in the West Virginia counties of Calhoun, Ritchie, Roane and Marshall, and even spent a few years near Adena, Ohio, but eventually settled in Marshall County, West Virginia, until his death.

Eli married Lenora Summers, daughter of Joseph Summers and Martha Ellen Matthew, on 20 November 1896 in Calhoun County, West Virginia. In the official marriage register, Lenora's first name was shortened to Nora, and her surname was misspelled - so she is recorded as Nora Sumers. Having seen the handwriting and knowing that Lenora Summers is recorded as Nora Sumers in the birth register, it is easy to understand how a surname of "Siemers" appears in some transcribed databases of Calhoun County marriages. The "u" could easily be misread as an "i" followed by an "e" followed by only one "m." So her correct surname of Summers was recorded as Sumers and transcribed as Siemers.¹

Following their marriage in Calhoun County, Eli and Lenora had three children born in that county spanning May 1897 through 01 March 1902: Anise, Vella and Nellie. Sometime after Nellie's birth they moved to Ritchie County where their fourth child, Ollie, was born 30 October 1903 in Pennsboro.⁶ The family lived in Roane County long enough for four more children to be born between May 1905 and January 1912, bringing the total to eight. Elizabeth, Vera and Orrel were born prior to the 1910 U.S. census; Lela wasn't born until January 1912.

Around 1913, Eli and Lenora moved their family from Roane County to Marshall County, settling in the town of Moundsville.⁷

Photograph of the family of Eli and Lenora Church. Date taken: 1913. Location: Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia. Parents Eli and Lenora are shown with their first eight children: Anise, Vella, Nellie, Ollie, Elizabeth, Vera, Orrel and Lela. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.⁸

During this time, the family moved frequently within the city of Moundsville. As of 03 May 1914, they lived at eastern Seventh Street.⁹ By 05 June 1918, the family was living at 1809 Center Street.¹⁰ Less than a year later, the family lived at Hancock Street. During this timespan, three more children were born: William, Lenna and Arles.¹¹

Photograph of Eli and Lenora Church with sons Ollie and Orrel. Date taken: 1920. Location: Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia. Eli and Lenora were reportedly practicing for a play. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.¹²

In 1922, Eli saw a newspaper advertisement to rent a 300 acre farm near Adena, Ohio, and prepared to move the family to "the Tweedy farm," an unforeseen event that meant the secret had to be revealed.⁷ A search for the surname Tweedy in Harrison County, Ohio, in the 1920 U. S. Census turned up one family headed by Charles C. Tweedy, age 52, a farmer, living on Main Street, Hopedale Village (i.e. Hopedale). The distance between Hopedale and Adena is less than eight miles, so it's possible that this is the family from whom Eli decided to rent - further research is needed.¹³ Nevertheless, the family did move to the Tweedy farm; and it is believed that they still lived there when the twelfth and last child, Eileen, was born to Eli and Lenora in January 1923. It's not clear exactly when they left Ohio, but by 1 April 1930 they had returned to Marshall County, West Virginia, where they were recorded in the 1930 U.S. census.¹⁴

Photograph of Eli with Lenora Church. Date taken: unknown. Location: unknown. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.¹⁵

Eli and Lenora were divorced according to some of their grandchildren. My attempt to obtain a copy of the divorce record at the Marshall County courthouse was unsuccessful, so I do not know exactly when it occurred. It's possible that Eli and Lenora were either separated or divorced by 27 April 1938 based on son Orrel's marriage license. For parents' names, he only listed "Mrs. Lenora Church" for himself, while listing "Mr. and Mrs. T. E. Henderson" for his fiancee.¹⁶

Photograph of Eli. Date taken: unknown. Location: unknown. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.¹⁷

On 10 March 1958 at age 85, Eli died at home (2401 Second Street, Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia) from coronary occlusion (probably a heart attack.)³

An obituary was published on 10 March 1958 the Moundsville Daily Echo, Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia.⁴ The following is a transcription of that obituary:


A second obituary was published on 11 March 1958 the Moundsville Daily Echo.¹⁸ The following is a transcription of that obituary:


He was interred on 12 March 1958 in the Fork Ridge Christian Church Cemetery, 8681 Fork Ridge Road, Glen Easton, Marshall County, West Virginia; his name appears on the gravestone as "Eli Church." The inscription reads, "Father."³

Click on camera icon(s) to view photo(s) of gravestone, then use your browser's back button to return here.¹⁹

Father: Joseph Summers
Mother: Martha Ellen Matthew

Birth date: 28 July 1878
Birth place: Taylor County, West Virginia.^1,2

Also known as Nora and Nory.¹

Photograph of Lenora. Date taken: unknown. Location: unknown. Click on camera to view full (or larger) image than the one shown here, then use your browser's back button to return to this page.³

Lenora married Eli Church, son of William S. "Bill" Church and Elizabeth Jane "Betsy" Roberts, on 20 November 1896 in Calhoun County, West Virginia. In the official marriage register, Lenora's first name was shortened to Nora, and her surname was misspelled - so she is recorded as Nora Sumers. Having seen the handwriting and knowing that Lenora Summers is recorded as Nora Sumers in the birth register, it is easy to understand how a surname of "Siemers" appears in some transcribed databases of Calhoun County marriages. The "u" could easily be misread as an "i" followed by an "e" followed by only one "m." So her correct surname of Summers was recorded as Sumers and transcribed as Siemers.⁴

Following their marriage in Calhoun County, Eli and Lenora had three children born in that county spanning May 1897 through 01 March 1902: Anise, Vella and Nellie. Sometime after Nellie's birth they moved to Ritchie County where their fourth child, Ollie, was born 30 October 1903 in Pennsboro.⁵ The family lived in Roane County long enough for four more children to be born between May 1905 and January 1912, bringing the total to eight. Elizabeth, Vera and Orrel were born prior to the 1910 U.S. census; Lela wasn't born until January 1912.

Around 1913, Eli and Lenora moved their family from Roane County to Marshall County, settling in the town of Moundsville.⁶

Photograph of the family of Eli and Lenora Church. Date taken: 1913. Location: Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia. Parents Eli and Lenora are shown with their first eight children: Anise, Vella, Nellie, Ollie, Elizabeth, Vera, Orrel and Lela. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.⁷

During this time, the family moved frequently within the city of Moundsville. As of 03 May 1914, they lived at eastern Seventh Street.⁸ By 05 June 1918, the family was living at 1809 Center Street.⁹ Less than a year later, the family lived at Hancock Street. During this timespan, three more children were born: William, Lenna and Arles. As of 1919 at the young age of 40, Lenora had given birth 11 times; sadly, sons William and Arles died as infants.¹⁰

Photograph of Lenora with her parents and several siblings. Date taken: August 1917. Location: unknown. Eight of their 14 children are in this photo. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.¹¹

Photograph of Lenora with Arles Lloyd Church. Date taken: 1919. Location: probably Moundsville, West Virginia. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.¹²

Photograph of Eli and Lenora Church with sons Ollie and Orrel. Date taken: 1920. Location: Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia. Eli and Lenora were reportedly practicing for a play. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.¹³

In 1922, Eli saw a newspaper advertisement to rent a 300 acre farm near Adena, Ohio, and prepared to move the family to "the Tweedy farm," an unforeseen event that meant the secret had to be revealed.⁶ A search for the surname Tweedy in Harrison County, Ohio, in the 1920 U. S. Census turned up one family headed by Charles C. Tweedy, age 52, a farmer, living on Main Street, Hopedale Village (i.e. Hopedale). The distance between Hopedale and Adena is less than eight miles, so it's possible that this is the family from whom Eli decided to rent - further research is needed.¹⁴ Nevertheless, the family did move to the Tweedy farm; and it is believed that they still lived there when the twelfth and last child, Eileen, was born to Eli and Lenora in January 1923. It's not clear exactly when they left Ohio, but by 1 April 1930 they had returned to Marshall County, West Virginia, where they were recorded in the 1930 U.S. census.¹⁵

Photograph of Lenora with Eli Church. Date taken: unknown. Location: unknown. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.¹⁶

Lenora and Eli were divorced according to some of their grandchildren. My attempt to obtain a copy of the divorce record at the Marshall County courthouse was unsuccessful, so I do not know exactly when it occurred. Lenora never married again. Sadly, even though she was very religious and read her Bible faithfully, she believed that she would never go to heaven because she was divorced. ¹⁷

It's possible that Eli and Lenora were either separated or divorced by 27 April 1938 based on son Orrel's marriage license. For parents' names, he only listed "Mrs. Lenora Church" for himself, while listing "Mr. and Mrs. T. E. Henderson" for his fiancee.¹⁸

As of 1 April 1940 (the official date of the 1940 U.S. census), Lenora was still living with daughters Elizabeth and Eileen at 206 Mulberry Avenue, Moundsville, West Virginia.¹⁹

Photograph of Lenora with one of her brothers. Date taken: 1944. Location: Fork Ridge, Marshall County, West Virginia. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.²⁰

Photograph of Lenora with her adult children: Nellie Kuhn, Vella C. Alley, Anise Church, Ollie Church, Elizabeth Church, Vera R. Blake, Orrel Church, Lela E. Leach, Lenna A. Bonar and Eileen M. Clayton. Date taken: July 1944. Location: farm owned by Nellie and her husband, Herbert Kuhn, on Fork Ridge, Marshall County, West Virginia.. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.²¹

Photograph of Lenora with her brother, Roscoe Summers, and his wife, Jessie. Date taken: 1949. Location: unknown. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.²²

At age 86, Lenora died on 7 July 1965 at Fork Ridge, Marshall County, West Virginia. In her later years, Lenora had stayed with various daughters; at the time of her death, she was living in the home of Lela.²³

An obituary was published on 7 July 1965 the Moundsville Daily Echo, Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia.²³ The following is a transcription of that obituary:



A second obituary was published on 8 July 1965 the Moundsville Daily Echo.²⁴ The following is a transcription of that obituary:


Interred in the Limestone Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Limestone, Marshall County, West Virginia, her name appears on the gravestone as "Lenora S. Church." An additional inscription reads, "Mother."²⁵

Father: Eli Church
Mother: Lenora Susan "Nora" Summers

Birth date: 17 November 1898
Birth place: Calhoun County, West Virginia.²

She was commonly known by her middle name, Vella; I was once told that she disliked her first name, Carrie, and never used it.¹

Around 1913, her parents moved their family from Roane County to Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia.³ Photograph of Vella with her parents and siblings. Date taken: 1913. Location: Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia. Parents Eli and Lenora are shown with their first eight children: Anise, Vella, Nellie, Ollie, Elizabeth, Vera, Orrel and Lela. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.⁴

Photograph of Vella. Date taken: about 1918. Location: unknown. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.⁵

Photograph of Vella with Forrest Alley. Date taken: 1918. Location: unknown. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.⁶

Photograph of Vella with Forrest Alley. Date taken: 1919. Location: unknown. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.⁶

Vella married Forrest Alley, son of Elias Sheridan Alley and Mary H. "Mollie" Young, on 28 June 1922 at Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia. Although the marriage license was issued and recorded in Brooke County, the actual marriage apparently took place in Marshall County. The preprinted location of Wellsburg is crossed out on the marriage record, and W. C. Harold certified that he united Forrest and Vella in marriage at Moundsville.⁷

Photograph of Vella with her mother and siblings. Date taken: July 1944. Location: farm owned by Nellie and her husband, Herbert Kuhn, on Fork Ridge, Marshall County, West Virginia.Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.⁸

Photograph of Church and Alley family members. Date taken: believed to be circa 1950. Location: Fork Ridge, Marshall County, West Virginia. Taken in front yard of Herbert and Nellie (Church) Kuhn. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.⁹

Vella C. Alley witnessed the death of Forrest on 5 June 1952 Veterans Hospital, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; from aspiration pneumonia due to glioma.¹⁰ 1952 must have been an extremely rough year for Vella as her husband and both of his parents died that year.

At age 90, Vella died on 24 June 1989 at Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia.^11,12

A memorial service for Vella was conducted on 28 June 1989 at Kirby-Vance Funeral Home, 118 Grant Avenue, Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia.¹¹ She was interred on 28 June 1989 in the Fairview Cemetery, Rt. 250, Fairview, Marshall County, West Virginia; her name appears on the gravestone as "Vella C. Alley."¹¹

Click on camera icon(s) to view photo(s) of gravestone, then use your browser's back button to return here.¹³

Father: Herbert Samuel Kuhn
Mother: Nellie Belle Church

Birth date: 12 November 1923
Birth place: Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia, Born at home.^1,2

Phil was almost 6 years old when the family moved to Fork Ridge on 02 October 1929, having bought a farm from Albert Wilson.²

Photograph of Phil with his parents, Herbert and Nellie, and brothers, Dale and Glenn. Date taken: March 1930. Location: Fork Ridge, Marshall County, West Virginia. Information on back of photo was handwritten by Nellie, describing the first spring on their new farm. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.

The U.S. officially entered World War II on 8 December 1941 following an attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. All men ages 18 to 64 and not already in the military were required to register for the draft during one of six registration periods. At age 18, Philip registered on 30 June 1942 at Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia, and was described as follows: white, height 5' 11", weight 146 lbs., brown eyes, brown hair, ruddy complexion.³ As of that date, he was living R.D. 2, at Glen Easton, West Virginia, and was employed by Fostoria Glass Company Moundsville, West Virginia.³

Photograph of Phil with Dorothy Moore. Date taken: 1949. Location: unknown. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.⁴

On 6 December 1949 in Marshall County, West Virginia, Philip applied for a marriage license with Dorothy Maxine Moore, daughter of Franklin Doyle Moore and Violet Genevieve Lemons. Consent for issuance of the license was given by "Father and Mother of Female" as Dorothy was only 19 years old. The authorization to marry was signed 12 December 1949 by J. Randall Crow, Clerk of the County Court.¹ Ister West, a minister of the Christian Church, certified that he united them in marriage on 16 December 1949 at Cameron.¹

For many years, Phil drove a school bus from his home on Tunnel Ridge to various schools in Moundsville. He was also employed by the Marshall County School District for more than 28 years as a truck driver and warehouse man, delivering textbooks, school materials, food, janitorial supplies and various types of equipment.^5,6

On 3 February 2005 at age 81, Philip died at home (Tunnel Ridge, Glen Easton, Marshall County, West Virginia.)^7,8

An obituary was published on 5 February 2005 The Intelligencer, Wheeling, Ohio County, West Virginia.⁹ The following is a transcription of that obituary:


A memorial service for Philip was conducted on 7 February 2005 at Altmeyer Funeral Home, Lutes & Kirby-Vance Chapel, Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia, with Rev. Kenneth Ullom officiating.⁸ Following a graveside service by Rev. Kenneth Ullom, he was interred on 7 February 2005 in the Fork Ridge Christian Church Cemetery, 8681 Fork Ridge Road, Glen Easton, Marshall County, West Virginia; his name appears on the gravestone as "Philip L. Kuhn."^7,8

Click on camera icon(s) to view photo(s) of gravestone, then use your browser's back button to return here.¹⁰

Father: Herbert Samuel Kuhn
Mother: Nellie Belle Church

Birth date: 27 December 1925
Birth place: Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia.^1,2

Dale was three years old when the family moved to Fork Ridge on 02 October 1929, having bought a farm from Albert Wilson.³

Photograph of Dale with his parents, Herbert and Nellie, and brothers, Phil and Glenn. Date taken: March 1930. Location: Fork Ridge, Marshall County, West Virginia. Information on back of photo was handwritten by Nellie, describing the first spring on their new farm. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.

The U.S. officially entered World War II on 8 December 1941 following an attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. All men ages 18 to 64 and not already in the military were required to register for the draft during one of six registration periods. At age 18, Dale registered on 27 December 1943 at Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia, and was described as follows: white, height 6' 1", weight 155 lbs., blue eyes, red hair, light complexion.⁴ As of that date, he was living at R.D. 2, Glen Easton, West Virginia, and was working for his father, Herbert Kuhn, on the family farm.⁴

Photograph of Phil, Dale, Glenn and Nancy. Date taken: 1944. Location: unknown. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.⁵

On 22 July 1946 in Marshall County, West Virginia, Dale applied for a marriage license with Mary Gladys "Peggy" Aston, daughter of Joseph M. "Joe" Aston and Mary Gertrude Ryan. Her name appears on the document as "Gladys Aston." Consent for issuance of the license was given by "Parents of Male and Parents of Female" as both applicants were only 20 years old. The authorization to marry was signed 26 July 1946 by J. Randall Crow, Clerk of the County Court.² The couple's marriage took place on 28 July 1946 at Bear Ridge (off Fork Ridge), Glen Easton, Marshall County, West Virginia. After Rev. A. J. McCloy officiated the wedding at the home of the bride's parents, the couple and their guests enjoyed cake and homemade ice cream for the reception.⁶

Dale and Peggy lived on a farm on Brushy Ridge, a short distance off Fork Ridge Road. After many years in an older house on the east side of Brushy Ridge, they built a new house on the west side of the road at a much higher elevation. The old house became the home of their oldest daughter, Connie, and her family.⁷

Photograph of Dale with Peggy Kuhn. Date taken: 1974. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.⁸

On 19 August 1990 at age 64, Dale died at home (Brushy Ridge, Glen Easton, Marshall County, West Virginia) from colon cancer.^9,7

A memorial service for Dale was conducted on 21 August 1990 at Lutes Funeral Home, Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia, with Rev. Kenneth Ullom officiating.⁹ Following a graveside service by Rev. Kenneth Ullom, he was interred on 21 August 1990 in the Fork Ridge Christian Church Cemetery, 8681 Fork Ridge Road, Glen Easton, Marshall County, West Virginia; his name appears on the gravestone as "Dale M. Kuhn." The inscription reads, "Married July 28, 1946."⁹

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Father: Samuel Harris
Mother: Mary Elizabeth Richmond

Birth date: 20 January 1884
Birth place: Fork Ridge, Glen Easton, Marshall County, West Virginia.^1,2

On 6 April 1917, the United States declared war on Germany and officially entered World War I. Every male living within the U.S. between the ages of 18 and 45 was required to register for the draft during one of three separate registration periods. The third registration was held on 12 September 1918 for men aged 18 to 21 and 31 to 45. At age 34, Charles registered in Marshall County, West Virginia, and was described as follows: medium height and build, brown eyes, brown hair.³

As of 1918 when he registered for the draft, Charles was a self-employed farmer and was living at RFD #2, Moundsville, West Virginia.³

Charles married Dessie Charlotte "Dess" Aston, daughter of Charles Gibson Aston and Cancedella "Della" McGary, on 29 September 1920 at Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia. James B. Smith certified that he united them in marriage.⁴

Charles was a streetcar driver as well as a farmer.⁵ The photograph of Charles that appears above is part of a 3-part image showing him in his streetcar uniforms. Date taken: unknown. Location: unknown. Click on camera to view full (or larger) image than the one shown here, then use your browser's back button to return to this page.⁶

The Wheeling Area Genealogical Society & Ohio County WVGenWeb website compiled by Linda Cunningham Fluharty includes a "Wheeling Area Virtual Trolley Museum" that contains several photographs taken by William J. B. Gwinn. When I originally viewed the virtual museum on the Marshall County WVGenWeb site before it was transferred to the Ohio County site, I found several photos with motormen wearing the same hat Charles has on in his primary photo; and one that shows them in the same white shirt and white tie combo that he is wearing. The following excerpt from the same site provides details about the company that Charles must have been employed by, although I don't know which name specifically applied to him as I don't know his years of employment. Note that the underlined portions are my edits to highlight the info that I believe would have been applicable to Charles.


07 March 1932 is recorded as the date of onset for a brain tumor that would ultimately be the cause of Charles' death. He was treated by Dr. J. E. Arnold from 15 March until his death 3 months later. An operation called a skull trepline [sic] was performed in June.⁸ Trepanation, also known as trephination or trephining, is a surgical procedure in which a circular piece of bone is removed from the skull by a special saw-like instrument called a trephine or trepan. (The English word "trepan" comes from the Greek word trypanon, which means "auger" or "drill.") This procedure is generally performed to relieve pressure on the brain caused by trauma, or to remove a blood clot from brain tissue.⁹

At the time of Charles' death, he and Dessie lived with their family at R.D. 1, Glen Easton, West Virginia. Their farm was on Brushy Ridge (off Fork Ridge) in Marshall County.⁸

At age 48, Charles died from a brain tumor on 15 June 1932 at Glen Dale Hospital (now Reynolds Memorial Hospital), Glen Dale, Marshall County, West Virginia. The death certificate specified cause of death as "glioma of the right frontal lobe of the brain."^10,8,1

An obituary was published per an unidentified news clipping.¹ The following is a transcription of that obituary:



A memorial service for Charles was conducted on 18 June 1932 at Fork Ridge Christian Church, 8681 Fork Ridge Road, Glen Easton, Marshall County, West Virginia.¹ He was interred on 18 June 1932 in the Fork Ridge Christian Church Cemetery, 8681 Fork Ridge Road, Glen Easton, Marshall County, West Virginia; his name appears on the gravestone as "Charles M. Harris."¹¹

Click on camera icon(s) to view photo(s) of gravestone, then use your browser's back button to return here.¹¹

Father: Charles Gibson Aston
Mother: Cancedella "Della" McGary

Birth date: 29 August 1899
Birth place: Fork Ridge, Marshall County, West Virginia.¹

Photograph of Dessie. Date taken: unknown. Location: unknown. Click on camera to view full (or larger) image than the one shown here, then use your browser's back button to return to this page.²

Dessie married Charles McClure Harris, son of Samuel Harris and Mary Elizabeth Richmond, on 29 September 1920 at Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia. James B. Smith certified that he united them in marriage.³

Dessie and Charles lived with their family at R.D. 1, Glen Easton, Marshall County, West Virginia. Their farm was on Brushy Ridge (off Fork Ridge) in Marshall County.⁴

She became a widow at age 32 when Charles died from a brain tumor on 15 June 1932.^5,4,6 At some point, Dessie operated a telephone switchboard out of her kitchen. Her daughter, Louise, told the story that Dessie was using the switchboard during a storm when lightning struck it and knocked her to the floor. A newspaper photo was found that shows a couple from Beelers Station with the switchboard in the dining room of their home. This is probably very similar, if not identical, to the one that Dessie would have operated.⁷

At age 86, Dessie died on 1 May 1986 at Mound View Nursing Home (now the Mound View Health Care Center), Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia. Cause of death was listed as circulatory collapse.^8,9 She was interred in the Fork Ridge Christian Church Cemetery, 8681 Fork Ridge Road, Glen Easton, Marshall County, West Virginia; her name appears on the gravestone as "Dessie C. Harris."¹⁰

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Father: Uriah Harris
Mother: Mary Ann Lydick

Birth date: 18 February 1846
Birth place: (West) Virginia.¹

His name usually appears as Samuel Harris, but it has also been found with the initial "U" appearing both before and after Samuel. It's possible that the "U" could stand for Uriah, his father's name.²

Photograph of Samuel with Mary E. Harris Samuel and Mary. Date taken: unknown. Location: unknown. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.³

Photograph of Samuel and Mary E. Harris. Date taken: unknown. Location: unknown.. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.⁴

Photograph of Samuel. Date taken: unknown. Location: unknown. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.⁵

Samuel married Mary Elizabeth Richmond, daughter of Isaac Richmond and Sarah Elizabeth Irey, on 4 November 1869 in Meade Township, Marshall County, West Virginia. Mary Elizabeth Richmond was reportedly raised by Joseph Richmond, who gave his consent for her to marry Samuel Harris as she was only 20 years of age. David Anguish certified that he united them in marriage at the residence of Mr. Joseph Richmond. (Relationship between Joseph and Isaac, Mary's father, is unknown.)⁶

Click on camera icon(s) to view photo of military record: Civil War Pension Index Card. Use your browser's back button to return here.⁷

A newspaper article about Samuel and Mary's 50th wedding anniversary was published in an unidentified newspaper, possibly the Moundsville Echo.⁸ The following is a transcription of that news article:



A clipping from an unidentified newspaper is poignant in that it describes the last birthday Samuel celebrated.⁹ The following is a transcription of that story:



At age 89, Samuel died from lobar pneumonia on 2 January 1936 in Marshall County, West Virginia.^1,10 Based on his being the last surviving member of the 12th W. Va. Infantry, several obituary notices were published. One clipping from an unidentified newspaper could have been published on the 3rd, 4th, or 5th of January 1936.¹¹ The following is a transcription of that obituary:


He was interred on 6 January 1936 in the Fork Ridge Christian Church Cemetery, 8681 Fork Ridge Road, Glen Easton, Marshall County, West Virginia; his name appears on the gravestone as "Samuel Harris." The inscription reads, "Co. C 12.W.Va.."^1,12

Click on camera icon(s) to view photo(s) of gravestone, then use your browser's back button to return here.¹³

Photograph of Mary with Samuel Harris Samuel and Mary. Date taken: unknown. Location: unknown. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.²

Photograph of Mary and Samuel Harris. Date taken: unknown. Location: unknown.. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.³

Father: Isaac Richmond
Mother: Sarah Elizabeth Irey

Birth date: 9 November 1849
Birth place: Moundsville, Marshall County, Virginia.^1,4,5

Mary married Samuel Harris, son of Uriah Harris and Mary Ann Lydick, on 4 November 1869 in Meade Township, Marshall County, West Virginia. Mary Elizabeth Richmond was reportedly raised by Joseph Richmond, who gave his consent for her to marry Samuel Harris as she was only 20 years of age. David Anguish certified that he united them in marriage at the residence of Mr. Joseph Richmond. (Relationship between Joseph and Isaac, Mary's father, is unknown.)⁶

A newspaper article about Samuel and Mary's 50th wedding anniversary was published in an unidentified newspaper, possibly the Moundsville Echo.⁷ The following is a transcription of that story:



At age 76, Mary died on 11 June 1926 in Clay District, Marshall County, West Virginia. Cause of death was general debility with influenza as a contributing factor.^5,4

An obituary was published per an unidentified, undated newspaper clipping. It is interesting to note that the obituary appears with her maiden name rather than her married name.¹ The following is a transcription of that obituary:


She was interred on 13 June 1926 in the Fork Ridge Christian Church Cemetery, 8681 Fork Ridge Road, Glen Easton, Marshall County, West Virginia; her name appears on the gravestone as "Mary E. Harris." The inscription reads, "Samuel Harris and Mary E. his wife."^5,8

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Father: James Aston
Mother: Rachel Job Anderson

Birth date: 7 February 1863 Calculated from his reported age at death of 85 years 7 months 25 days.² The 1900 U.S. Federal Census reported that he was born a year later in February 1864, but I believe that date to be incorrect.³
Birth place: (West) Virginia.²

Charles was known by the nickname Colonel¹ and was also called Crane, presumably due to the fact that he was a big man and was very strong.⁴

Photograph of Charles. Date taken: unknown. Location: Plummer's, 1138 Main Street, Wheeling, Ohio County, West Virginia. Click on camera to view full (or larger) image than the one shown here, then use your browser's back button to return to this page.⁵

On 9 July 1890 in Marshall County, West Virginia, Charles applied for a marriage license with Della McGary, daughter of Arthur McGary and Louisa Perkins.⁶ S. L. Bristor certified that he united them in marriage on 25 December 1890 at Beeler's Station.⁶

When their son, Clarence, was born on 31 July 1897, Charles resided with his wife, Della, at Fork Ridge, Marshall County, West Virginia, along with their first two children, Ethel May Aston and Joseph M. "Joe" Aston.⁷ He was working as a carpenter at the time of Clarence's birth in 1897⁷ and was a sawyer two years later when Dessie was born on 29 August 1899.⁸

Photograph of Charles with Della Aston. Date taken: 25 December 1930. Location: Fork Ridge, Marshall County, West Virginia. Charles and Della are standing in front of their home on their 40th wedding anniversary. The man in the background, commonly known as Hoople, is a son of their daughter Ethel. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.⁹

Photograph of Charles with Della Aston. Date taken: unknown. Location: unknown. The couple in their older years. Click on camera to view image, then use your browser's back button to return here.¹⁰

At age 85, Charles died on 2 October 1948 in Marshall County, West Virginia.² He was interred on 5 October 1948 in the Oak Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery, Fork Ridge Road, Moundsville, Marshall County, West Virginia; his name appears on the gravestone as "Charles G. Aston."²

Click on camera icon(s) to view photo(s) of gravestone, then use your browser's back button to return here.¹¹