Beckley Post-Herald from Beckley, West Virginia • Page 47

Joseph Harper Fayette Sheriff In 1848. Son Farmed 500 Acres, Owned Five Stores BECKLEY POST-HERALD CENTENNIAL EDITION. SATURDAY MORNING, AUGUST 26, 1950 Henry Harrison Harper, foun- der of the Harper family, and original owner of Harper, Ecclcs, and thf- coal lands now consolidated in the Harper Land Company was one of the most colorful personalities of his day. He was born Feb 1851 and died March 5, 1923. Physically, was a handsome man; six feet tall, hair, expressive dark eyes quick to twinkle with laughter, and a goatee which he wore till his death.

His ability as a public speaker was recognized in all circles: as a teacher and school trustee, in gatherings of the Northern Methodists, and in the Raleigh Courts where he -nsisted on ing as his own lawyer. Forces Of Life The three ruling forces of his life were: love of God, love of learning, and love of forces led him to constant and deep study of his three favorite books; The Bible, The West Virginia Code and Dr. Pierce's "Medical Discovery." His health habits were as up- to-date as a modern athlete's including a brisk early morning walk to the famous sulphur spring on Paint Creek, copious buttermilk drinking, and frequent turk- ish baihs which caused considerable excitement in the entire mills one at Paint Creek and one at Harper and also a Grist Mill where the natives could grind their corn. The Methodist Church at Harper was built by Henry Harper who personally maintained the church, supplying heat, lights and making Outstanding Lilly good on any deficits which occur- L. 1 I I I i i i 3 i i household as everyone was pres- rcd in OI dering Sunday School sed into action with buckets a i a or a i lhe minister steaming water.

Ho always arose sa i ary at 4:30 a.m., and walking through the long corridors of the old Harper home, he would tap insistently on each of his daughter's doors saying: "Good-morning, madam, I hope you have slept well." Then with everyone on foot he would proceed to take a short nap before Church Burned The church burned in 1924 as a result of sparks from a Virginian train, but the church lot remains the property of the Methodist Conference. The coming of the Virginian breakfast on the old leather sofa i Railway realized a dream in t-he dining room. His courtly manners, humorous stones and incorrigible methods of handling people combined to make him one of the most beloved, feared, and sought-after prophesied by Harper. In giving the rights-of-way, he demanded Harper (Mrs. Charles H.

Rogers), Made Harper (Mrs. T. K. Laing) and the late Flossie Harper (Mrs. Walter W.

Cooper). Harper Land T. J. Harper is now president of Harper Land Company which is owned by the H. H.

Harper heirs. H. H. Harper had 24 grandchildren. While some have discontinued their professions since marriage it interesting to note their eight teachers, two professional models, two engaged in mining, one a Colonel in the U.

S. Air Corps, one a Lieutenant-Colonel in the U. S. Army and five were sergeants in World War II. Henry Harrison's father was Joseph Harper, one of the first pioneers to penetrate this region.

He married Fannie Stover, daughter of Jacob Stover who was one of the earliest settlers in the eniire. county, having come to what rm ei general of West now Raleigh County before 1820 Joseph Harper was a prominent citizen in his day, serving as Sheriff of Fayette County from 1848 1850. He was the only citizen of a part of Fayette County that later became Raleigh County to hold the office. Jacob Harper, oldest chilld of Joseph Harper and Susan Harper, was born February 19, 1816. His grandfather, a i Harper, was one of the first settlers on Coal River.

He located at Workman's Creek 16 miles west of the Raleigh Court House. He came from New Vork to Clear Fork of Coal River. Jacob Harper married Elvira Snuffer, the youngest daughter of Among 4he most outstanding members of the Lilly family, u'hich numbers thousands, is General A. A. Lilly, of Charleston, Virginia, who is known throughout West Virginia and other stales where a Lilly resides as -'Cousin Abe" because of the part he SEVEN Nearly a century ago, there moved from Monroe County into Raleigh, Garner nitor of one of the clans.

Garner Callaway was born in In 1857; Progenitor Of Large Clan -a I ren is Harry Adam Stansbury, sec-! of the West Virginia Cham-i Fred and Virginia (Far- Farmer Mrs. Virginia Farmer had five 1810, the son of Joshua Callaway ber Com erce whose children children: Charlie, Anthony, i i Ct i who came to Raleigh County with him, and in 1810, married to E. Karnes. Harry Stansbury, Bunk and five others. The is Herbert Stansbury, Beck- Kelley, and Herman.

The last of Mrs. Jim Mankin's children was the late Nancy Eliz- ley attorney, whose children wcre'abeth Calfee, who had 12 children: Moved From Monroe About 1857, the Callaways mov- Talmadge, Ena Eliz- The third George W. abeth and Lionel Lbv'elL Next in line was Charles ed from near Peterstown in Mon- way children is Nettie, who was roe County to tract on the upper waters of Coal River, the M. bought at then-exorbitant played in bringing his i together annually. Cousin Abe was one of the organizers of the Lilly Reunion Association which spon- jsored a gathering of relatives and friends from far corners of the nation each year at Flat Top.

He had served as president of the Association since its beginning in 1929. Because of ill, health, Cousin Abe was unable to participate in the annual gathering this year and the reunion was called off. A. A. Lilly was born March 25, 1878, at Jumping Branch.

i price of 50 cents an acre. On this land they built a home! at the headwaters of Dingess! Creek. They were active in establishing the Baptist church at Marshes, now Glen Daniel. Joshua, Garner and many of their descendants are buried near the old church. The Callaways used a policy of kindness to protect their home during the Civil War and found that it shunted aside wrath.

During the period when soldiers and marauding civilian "bushwhackers" ranged over the county, seizing everything of value, a large troop came to burn their homestead. The marauders were so well fed and treated so kindly, however, that they refrained from destruc- Children Of Earner Callaway Home Burned Callaway, who had 12 children, included Eliza (Morris), (Robertson); Oak. Deck, They Stella George, Bob, (Shank), Rose Clarence, Elsie (Spangler), Ed, Prince and William. Mr. and Mrs.

Harvey (Doc) Callaway had four children, Nora, Grace, Roy and Claude. Robert Callaway also had four offspring, Maude (Hull), Winnie, Macy and Mackie. Tenth of the children was Josephine, married to W. (Cub) Hawley. Nine of her children are deceased; the tenth, turn tnree cmidren: Theima on), Pansy (Sampson) and Dale.

Louisa Callaway, 'also a 'daughter of Garner, became Mrs. Harve Cottle, and had two children, the late Jeff and Mrs. John Lemon. Susan Callaway-- Mrs. Mankin-- had seven children: Crockett, George, whose daughter is Mrs.

Harry Meade, Cal, Bob, Ida (Kirby), xvhose children are Oscar, Janet, and Lanesse, "Alice (Shumate), and Hettie (Trump), whose son is Sheldon. Finally, Mary E. Callaway, whose married name was Mrs. Addison. Hawley, had six children: William Putnam, Milton, Nancy," Annie (Combs), Austin and John.

Pictured here are four of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Garner ai. ouiujjiujj DicK.ji.ij. ouiij- i -i i iwui wi.

tuc iiuiuicii ui ivir. ana ivirs uarner mers County, a son of Robert G. bl J' fa i a a a ncer Raleigh ComUy residents. Mr. Callaway settled and i i i a i Dur "ecl, destiojmg the family Bion a nonr nion Breckinridge on what tin uishcd a Virginia Lilly.

After a dis- that a station should always be now the Richmond farm. He was kept open at Harper, and' that lil first teacher of the first publi: every passenger train that went through would have to stop. These men of his community. His advice demands culminated in a law sui was frequently sought on medical, legal, and business problems. 500-Acre Farm His farm of.

500 acres was under constant cultivation, employing some 25 work hands, three cooks, and teamsters who hauled goods from the Quinnimont station, then a three-to-four-day journey away. These goods were used in stocking the five stores which he owned: one at Harper which he and his oldest daughter Minnie (the late Mrs. Nick Keene) operated; one at Beckley managed by Frank Harper and Jim Calfee; one at Sand Lick managed by a Mr. Fleshman; and one at Clear Creek, run by his nephews, the late Waymond McGinnis and the late attorney, Jeff McGinnis. that reached the Supreme Court, but Harper 'emerged victorious.

When the trains first began going through, Harper felt it was his personal duty to meet and entertain with food and lodging every passenger who arrived. Henry Harper was married twice. At the age of 24, in 1877, he married Jane Kincaid of Deep Water, Fayette County. She lived only four years after their marriage. Two years later, 1881 he married Ella Davis of Mt.

Tabor. Minnie (the late Mrs. Nick Keene) was the only child of the first marriage while nine (two dead, Waymond and Pansy) were born of the second union: the late French A. Harper who ran the i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i I a -J The routine farm products in- store and post 'office at Harper tChnst1 fell wship. Many iripf? snmo anroc rvf iThniYiac i could be written to the school in Trap Hill District.

George Snuffer, the grandfather of Elvira Harper, came from Virginia about 1750. An owner of slaves, he settled in Trap Hill District 12 mills west of the Raleigh Court House. ty, he moved in Raleigh Counto Charleston in 1912 and has practiced law in the Capital City since his term as attorney general expired in 1917. He was a member of the House of Delegates from Raleigh County in 1901, served as prosecuting attorney of the county from 1905 to 1909, and was elected attorney general in 1912. Romance Bloomed Under Kind Care Of'Ma'Harper, Tower Of Strength Mary Ella Davis, daughter of Lucinda Williams and William Davis, married Henry Harrison Harper in 1881.

Affectionately known as "Aunt Ellie" or "Ma Harper," Mary Ella Harper created a home that was known throughout this section for its hospitality, welcoming smiles, eluded some 50 acres of tobacco! Thomas Jefferson Harper whoTn-1 tl Wrl en t0 annually. The old tobacco barn is stalled the first telephone and now converted into a home and owned by Henry Clyburn of Harper. In addition to his farming and electric light svstem in a i vone who (these were sold to the peake and Potomac Telephone Company and Appalachian Power mercantile interests, Henry Har-1 Company respectively), Enoch per owned and operated two Herbert Harper, Bertie and request, and in the presence of each other. And the said will is ordered, to be recorded. A true copy from the record.

TESTS: Jno. F. Davis, Clerk. Raleigh County Court, W. Va.

WEST VIRGINIA Beckley Penned His (Continued From Page 6) fred Beckley, the Last Will and Testament of Gen Alfred Beckley is ordered to be probated. It appearing to the Court that the paper purporting to be the Last Will and Testament was wholly written by the Testator and was witnessed by George W. Cook and Jno. L. Basham, as the Last Will and Testament of Gen.

Alfred Beckley. And it further appearing to the Court that George W. Cook, one of the witnesses aforesaid tc be genuine and that he was familiar with the handwriting of Gen. Alfred Beckley, and that the same was genuine. And he further stated upon oath that he saw Jno.

L. Basham sign his name, and that they signed as witnesses Given under my hand the Last Will and Testament of i day of March. or in need, but the one word synonymous with "Ma Harper" was unfaltering, shining faith that expressed itself in prayers so potent that people sought her from all parts of the state. Always a light sleeper, "Ma Harper" spent many of hours after midnight studying and reading her Bible. With her large baskets filled with luscious custards, yellow pound cake, fried chicken and fat potato salad balls, Ma Harper was Raleigh County Court always a popular guest at the office, March 5, 1902.

The foregoing Will the order of probate thereon, was this day presented in said office and admitted to record. Tests: Jno. F. Davis, Clerk. STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA County of Raleigh, to wit: -I Jno.

F. DaVis, Clerk of the County Court of the said County church dinners of the old Mt. Tabor Church. It was she who prepared the wine and the bread each time the Sacrament was served in the Harper Methodist Church, and it was she who entertained the itinerant preachers, and their families. With all her towering physical and spiritual strength, Mary Harp- of Raleigh, do certify that was first and always a woman.

Robert, Mrs. Josephine Callaway Hawley, wife of W. Hawley, Mrs. Louisa Callaway Pottle, Mrs. Susan Callaway Mankin, wife of Simeon Mankin and Mrs.

Mary S. Callaway Hawley, whose husband was Addison Hawley. All of this generation is now dead, but scores of their descendants remain. The complete family tree of Garner Callaway follows: Family Tree Mrs. II.

H. Harper Her hands were exceptionally large, strong and gentle. In the sickroom, no touch was as soothing or successful in banishing pain. These things, she discounted, however, and a manicure remained one of her pet vanities. A believer in marriage, and a born "match-maker," Ma Harper was never too busy to entertain young lovers, and always manifested the greatest interest in pre- I I i.

for their entertainment and foregoing will is a true Copy she seldom gave a weddings the record in my said office. to herself, she liked pretty clothes She could smile and pray her Gen. Alfred Beckley, at his ins-' Clerk County Court i this i special occasions, and was a a through anv dark hour 'ways bitterly annoyed because her! She succumbed Decemh ble and many valuable records. The tract was later divided into many small farms and willed among the numerous descendants of the Callaway clan. Garner Callaway had 13 children, who also reared families.

Of the direct descendants of Garner Callaway, 156 are known. His children were on Dingess Branch, near Glen Daniel, in 1853. One of his sons, Thomas, was a Confederate soldier. His father, Joshua Callaway'. came with him to Dingess, and, while of a venerable age at the time, he remained active in county affairs for many years, dying in at the age of 97.

Garner was a large landowner in the countv children above are, left to right, J. M. Callaway, John Callaway, G. M. Callaway, and Mrs.

Eliza Callaway Willis. (Photo Courtesy George W. Willis) John George Mrs. Agnes 'married to Dr. George Daniel.

HeriCallaway, who had two children, Callawa Ma Callaway Mankin, Charles children include Dr. Ross P. Mrs. Eliza Callaway Willis, W. rir Thomas Jefferson, Harvev (Doc) of children are Joan and Doff Daniel, Dr.

and Mrs, Jarrell--she was Myrtle Callaway--and her children are Robert and Ruth Jarrell, and finally the last of George offspring was the late Arthur Callaway. The third of Garner Callaway's children was Agnes Callaway, to Jim Mankin. They had children, including: Dr. and Mrs. Charles Lacy Cal-iinda, Susan Frances (Jones), (past president of the West Virginia Dental Society, and the son of Mr.

and Mrs. John R. Callaway, (he died in 1936) had three children. They are Mrs. Hugh B.

Moore, of Marlinton, Dr. John Callaway, of Beckley and Charles! Lacy Callaway, Pasadena, Calif. Pearl Callaway, also a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John R.

Callaway, is Mrs. J. C. Codell, of Winchester, Ky. Her children are Mrs.

William Brooks, Mrs. Bev White, James Callaway and John Randolph Codell, and Josh Barnes (Alice ail of Winchester. The third child of Dr. j. R.

Cal- iaway is Ennis Ross Callaway, also Winchester. His children are John Buford, Winchester, Miss! Jcanette Callaway. Charleston and Ennis R. Callaway of California. Mr.

and Mrs. George W. Callaway, the second of Garner Callaway's 13 children, had five children, four of whom raised families. Dr. C.

P. Callaway, the first of the five children, had a son, Charles Callaway, newspaperman, and Sarah, Laura Jane (Mankin), the late Lewis Augustus, Garner, Arthur Thomas, Eugene, Dr. J. Ward, Ash, the late Frank, Kattie (Mc- of Huntington, and Ken Fifth of Garner's offspring was Eliza, who was married to W. P.

Willis. She had three children, George, Walter, whose offspring in turn included Weston B. and Mrs. Hazel Trosper, Bessie (Tucker) whose children were Irene, Willis, Chilton and Ann (Davenport). W.

G. Callaway, next of Garner's offspring, was next in line. He had nine children: Delia (Harrigan), Minnie (Mankin) and Carrie (Jesper), all of whom are deceased; Shirley, Richard, Sadie (Mullens), Henrietta (Payne) wife of the Huntington, Hila and Everette. 12 Children Seventh was Thomas Jefferson Williamson two daugh- was named hands were not delicately made. '1931.

ters, one of whom Madge. Stansbury i The second of the five was Ella Stansbury, mother of the late 5. Dr. Fred Stansbury, who in turn! was the father of Dr. Fred Stans-i 110-Year-Old Letter (Continued From Page 6) the tenders of conjugal felicity.

Enough of foolishness, but by the way not so foolish neither, as some things when we come to deliberate and must talk on. it seriously. Let me hear that you have chosen the good part and taken your stand on the side wisdom and prudence and to incite unto your future happiness would suggest that you must marry and bring your wife up and let us see what a choice you have made. Give my description and inquire among the girls what would be the chance for such a fellow. You must -write me a long letter on receiving this.

I remain your affectionate and well-wishing cousin, James Calfee REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR A girl's objection is not to spooning, but calling it that; A man can nearly always get home early if there's nothing else to do. The longer a woman can sit in a man's lap without being 'too heavy the surer it is that they aren't married yet. (From the Raleigh Register, March 5, 1908). Buy your real estate from a REALTOR IN RALEIGH AND FAYETTE COUNTIES, THEY ARE: J. Everett Shrewsbury Lilly Land Company Broker Beckley James Lilly Incorporated James Lilly, Beckley Don Partis, Beckley Lee Holliday (associate Beckley Albany IVIilam V.

T. Lilly, Bccklej Ada Mae Lilly, Beckley Grady Morgan, BeckJcy M. C. Hess Homeseckcrs Land BIdg-. Co.

Lacy Trump, Beckley R. C. Trump, Beckley O. F. Cook, Beckley Blackbum Patteson Realty Co.

Mt. Hope, W. Va. Broker Glen Daniel. Va.

Wm. C. Blakcly Broker Beckley Mt. Hope, W. Va.

J. A. Blackburn, Mt. Hope J. W.

Jones Hon Okcy Patteson, Charleston, W. Va. Oak Hill, W. Va. C.

Amick, A. V. Whitt, W. H. Cheek, Don Lively and R.

C. Simp- F. W. Dickinson kins, Mt. Hope Broker Oak Hill.

W. Va. Home Insurance Agency Hulett C. Smith, Becfcley BECKLEY BOARD OF REALTORS Celebrating Our 50th Year! featuring the finest in fashions TRENDS OF FASHION From stereoscope lo television! From horseless carriage to jet planes! What a magnificent half century of fact and fashion! Think back on regal, floor-sweeping dress elegance of the lOOO's the revolutionary flapper fasliion of the '20's the hroad- shouldcr look of vintage '30 the a i i look of the frightened Forties then, Hail to functional fashions that thrill with gentle frills and herald the smart attire for Fall, 1950! ECHOES OF YESTERYEAR! In the silhoutte of a Raleigh County woman of 18.10 is reflected the style note a characterizes Payne's today foremost in fashion for i years! ON MAIN BECKLEY, 1942 Three Generations Of Smart Men and Women Have Made This Their Fashion Store From Granny's fancy bustle li mother's flapper rustle, we've been happy to serve the discriminating women of this community with the ultimate in fashion! And from Grandpop to Grandson. Payne's have been headquarters for the well-dressed man for fifty years!.