Hill Obits Qs

 

Pocahontas County, WV Obituaries Study Guide

Obituary Short Answer Quiz

Instructions: Please answer the following ten questions using complete sentences and drawing from the information provided in the obituaries.

1. What was Harper Barrett's profession?
2. Where was Clara (Mrs. R.W.) Brown living at the time of her death?
3. What organization was Ernest R. Fisher a member of for the majority of his life?
4. How many grandchildren did Merle K. Nottingham have?
5. List two organizations James R. Liggett was actively involved in.
6. What type of business did O.K. Robinson operate before entering the education field?
7. What was Luther D. Sharp’s first job?
8. Where was Delbert C. Phillips born?
9. How old was Ray J. Landis when he passed away?
10. What war did George Robert Gay serve in?

Obituary Short Answer Quiz: Answer Key

1. Harper Barrett worked as an electrician and was employed at Denmar State Hospital before his illness.
2. Clara Brown was living in Arbovale at the time of her death.
3. Ernest R. Fisher was a member of the United Methodist Church his entire life.
4. Merle K. Nottingham had seven grandchildren.
5. James R. Liggett was actively involved in the Masons and the Tygart Valley Shrine Club. (Many other correct answers are possible.)
6. O.K. Robinson operated a livery stable and real estate business before entering the education field.
7. Luther D. Sharp’s first job was driving cattle for his father.
8. Delbert C. Phillips was born in Bemis, WV.
9. Ray J. Landis was 78 years old when he passed away.
10. George Robert Gay served in World War II.

Obituary Essay Questions

Instructions: Please answer the following five essay questions using complete sentences and drawing from the information provided in the obituaries.

1. Using information from the obituaries, describe the religious landscape of Pocahontas County, WV. What denominations are represented? Which seem to be most prevalent? What can you infer about religious life in the county based on the information presented in the obituaries?
2. Many of the obituaries mention fraternal organizations, such as the Masons, in addition to civic groups and social clubs. What do these memberships tell us about the individuals involved? Choose three obituaries to focus on and compare and contrast the types of groups mentioned.
3. Analyze the obituaries of James W. Shreve and O.K. Robinson. What similarities and differences do you see in the way these two men, both professionals in their chosen fields, are memorialized? What conclusions can you draw from this comparison?
4. How does the information presented in the obituaries about women’s lives differ from the information presented about men’s lives? Choose three obituaries of women and three obituaries of men to use as examples in your response.
5. Many of the obituaries note military service. What major conflicts were residents of Pocahontas County, WV, involved in during the twentieth century? Does there seem to be a connection between military service and other details highlighted, such as religious affiliation, membership in fraternal organizations, or professional history?

Obituary Glossary of Key Terms

Arbovale Cemetery: A cemetery located in Arbovale, Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

Bemis, WV: A small unincorporated community located in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

Clover Lick, WV: A small unincorporated community located in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

Denmar State Hospital: A psychiatric hospital located in Hillsboro, Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

Dunmore, WV: A small unincorporated community located in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

Edray, WV: A small unincorporated community located in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

Elkins, WV: The county seat of Randolph County, West Virginia. Located about 30 miles north of Green Bank.

Fairmont, WV: The county seat of Marion County, West Virginia. Located about 90 miles northwest of Green Bank.

Frost, WV: A small unincorporated community located in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

Green Bank, WV: A small unincorporated community located in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

Hillsboro, WV: A small unincorporated community located in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

Huntersville, WV: A small unincorporated community located in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

International Shoe Company: A shoe manufacturing company. The Marlinton branch was likely part of the factory in Elkins.

Joppa, MD: A community located in Harford County, Maryland.

Kanawha Head: A community located in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

Kenova, WV: A city located in Wayne County, West Virginia, on the border with Ohio and Kentucky.

Keyser, WV: The county seat of Mineral County, West Virginia. Located about 135 miles northeast of Green Bank.

Lobelia, WV: A small unincorporated community located in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

Marlinton, WV: The county seat of Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

Mill Point, WV: A small unincorporated community located in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

Monterey, VA: The county seat of Highland County, Virginia, about 35 miles southeast of Green Bank.

Mountain Grove, WV: A small unincorporated community located in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

Mustoe, WV: A small unincorporated community located in Highland County, Virginia, about 40 miles southeast of Green Bank.

NARO: National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Green Bank, WV.

North Fork, WV: A small unincorporated community located in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

Oak Hill, WV: A small unincorporated community located in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

Oceana, WV: The county seat of Wyoming County, West Virginia. Located about 80 miles west of Green Bank.

Seebert, WV:** A small unincorporated community located in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

Slatyfork, WV: A small unincorporated community located in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

Stamping Creek: A tributary of the Greenbrier River that runs through Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

Stony Creek: Likely refers to Stony Creek, Virginia, in Giles County (about 175 miles south of Green Bank). There is also a Stony Creek, West Virginia in Clay County (about 70 miles northwest of Green Bank)

Summersville, WV: The county seat of Nicholas County, West Virginia. Located about 50 miles northwest of Green Bank.

Switchback, WV: A small unincorporated community located in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

Valley Head, WV: A small unincorporated community located in Randolph County, West Virginia, about 25 miles north of Green Bank.

Warwick, WV: A ghost town in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

Webster Springs, WV: A town located in Webster County, West Virginia, about 40 miles west of Green Bank.

West Augusta, WV: A small unincorporated community located in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

Wheeling, WV: The county seat of Ohio County, West Virginia. Located about 165 miles north of Green Bank