A Gathering of Notable Figures in the Pocahontas Times (1891-1895)

 

A Gathering of Notable Figures in the Pocahontas Times (1891-1895)

The Pocahontas Times, like many local newspapers of its era, functioned as a community bulletin board, documenting the comings and goings of residents and visitors, along with major events. While not every name mentioned rises to the level of "notable," the newspaper offers a window into the lives of individuals who shaped the county during a period of transformation.

Here are some figures who appear repeatedly in the pages of the Times and may be considered notable within the context of the county's history:

Political Figures:

• A. N. Campbell: Serving as Judge of the Circuit Court, Campbell is listed in the Times' Official Directory of Pocahontas County in 1891 and subsequent years.
• L. M. McClintic: Holding the position of Prosecuting Attorney, McClintic is a recurring presence in the Times' coverage of legal proceedings and county affairs. The newspaper also mentions McClintic's travels for business and legal matters.
• J. C. Arbogast: The Sheriff of Pocahontas County, Arbogast is frequently mentioned in connection with his official duties, including tax sales, the transport of prisoners, and court proceedings.
• C. P. Moore: An attorney who represented those opposed to the county seat relocation, Moore is mentioned in the Times' coverage of the debate and public meetings leading up to the vote.
• S. B. Hannah: A resident of Clover Lick, Hannah wrote a letter to the editor of the Times advocating for the relocation of the county seat to Marlinton.
• Roger Q. Mills: The Democratic Congressman from Texas, Mills is quoted in the Times expressing confidence in his party's chances in the upcoming 1892 presidential election.

Businessmen and Developers:

• B. M. Yeager: A key player in the development of Marlinton, Yeager is mentioned as a landowner and the seller of lots in the burgeoning town. The Times notes that Yeager was involved in a tour of Pocahontas and Highland Counties with prominent capitalists, including U.S. Senator Stephen B. Elkins and Henry Gassaway Davis.
• James R. Apperson and Jannie H. Niles: Former owners of a hotel property in Marlinton, their names appear in the Times notice advertising the sale of land in the new county seat.
• John Cloonan, John Hamer, and the heirs of John J. Jones: These individuals, some deceased, are named as defendants in a legal case involving a 1,500-acre tract of land in Pocahontas County. The specific nature of their connection to the land and the outcome of the case are not fully detailed in the sources.

Other Notable Residents:

• Sampson Lockhart Mathews: The first county surveyor of Pocahontas County, Mathews is the subject of a historical sketch in the Times.
• Rev. John McElhenney, D.D.: The Times recommends a recently published book about McElhenney, a pioneer preacher whose work had a lasting impact on the region.
• John and James Bridger: Brothers who participated in the rescue of the Drennan family during an Indian attack, their story is recounted in the Times as an example of local history that should be preserved for future generations.
• Joshua Buckley: Identified as the pioneer settler of the Buckeye neighborhood, Buckley is mentioned in the Times in a historical sketch of the area.
• Robert Beale: An early settler on Elk, Beale is also the subject of a historical sketch in the Times.

Visitors to Pocahontas County:

• Stephen B. Elkins: A U.S. Senator and influential figure in West Virginia's economic development, Elkins is mentioned in the Times in connection with his donation of land and money to establish a Baptist seminary in the town of Elkins. He is also mentioned as a participant in a tour of Pocahontas and Highland counties, likely with an eye toward railroad expansion.
• Henry Gassaway Davis: A wealthy industrialist and politician, Davis is noted in the Times for his role in promoting railroad development in West Virginia. He also participated in the tour of Pocahontas and Highland Counties with Elkins.

Note: The sources often lack detailed biographical information about the individuals mentioned. Further research would be needed to fully understand their lives and contributions to Pocahontas County.