Isaac Adkins Heirs Deed to Henry Adkins (1855)

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Appalachia, Charles Adkins, county clerk, Edmond Toney, Elizabeth Adkins, genealogy, Guyandotte River, Harts Creek, Henry Adkins, history, Isaac Adkins, Isaiah Adkins, Jane Toney, Lincoln County, Logan County, Lydia Eveline Mullins, Mary Jane Adkins, Parthena Adkins, Spencer A. Mullins, Virginia, W.I. Campbell, West Virginia, William Straton

Deed Book C, page 446, Logan County Clerk’s Office, Logan, WV. Isaac and Elizabeth (Adkins) Adkins are my great-great-great-great-grandparents. I descend through their son, Isaiah.

Deed Book C, page 446, Logan County Clerk’s Office, Logan, WV. This land is located in present-day Harts, Lincoln County, WV.

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Harrison Blair Was Early Sheriff in Logan County, WV (1937)

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American Revolution, Anderson Blair, Anderson Dempsey, Appalachia, Blair, Blair Mountain, Chlorina Blair, civil war, Democratic Party, Edward Baisden, Frances Baisden, genealogy, genelaogy, Harrison Blair, history, Jean Schmidt Baisden, Joe Blair, John Blair, John McCoy, Joseph Baisden, Joseph Blair, Laurel Fork, Logan County, Lucinda Osborne, Mahulda Blair, Marquis de Lafayette, Mary Chafin, Mingo County, Moses Parsley, Polly Baisden, Powells Valley, Republican Party, Rhoda Blair, sheriff, Solomon Baisden, Susan Bennett, Thomas Copley, West Virginia, Williamson

From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this bit of history about Harrison Blair, an early sheriff in Logan County, WV:

Harrison Blair Was First Democrat Sheriff In Logan

Son of Namesake Of Town Of Blair Served Shortly After Civil War; Democrats Held Office Continuously Until 1924

John Blair, namesake of the little mining town which nestles at the foot of Blair Mountain on the headwaters of Laurel Fork, was the father of Logan county’s first Democratic sheriff.

He was a native of Powells Valley in Virginia and first settled just above the present site of Williamson. He married Polly Baisden and later settled near his father-in-law, Jean Schmidt Baisden, at the Mouth of Laurel.

Blair died in 1860 after rearing a family of three sons and three daughters. His son, Harrison, was Logan county’s first Democratic sheriff after the Civil War.

Harrison was married twice. He first married a Miss Johnson and later a Miss Chafin. His brothers Anderson and Joe married McCoy sisters and made their home near their brother and father on Laurel Fork.

Jean Schmidt Baisden, father-in-law to John Blair, was one of the first settlers at the Mouth of Laurel. He came with Lafayette to America and served under him during the Revolution.

After the war he located at Richmond, Va., and then moved to Reeds Island, New York, where he married a Miss Burnham. At the beginning of the 19th century he moved to the mouth of Laurel and reared a family.

He had three sons and two daughters. His sons were Joseph, who married Lucinda Osborne; Solomon, who married Mary Chafin; and Edward, who married Susan Bennett.

His daughters were Polly, who married Harrison Blair; and Frances, who married Thomas Copley.

John Blair’s daughters were Mahulda, who married Anderson Dempsey; Chlorina, who married John McCoy; and Rhoda, who married Moses Parsley.

The Blairs and Baisdens are a well-known family on the Laurel Fork side of Blair Mountain, though few have crossed the divide and settled on the Guyan river watershed.

Early county history has it that the Blairs were active politically in the county following the Civil War, but no definite facts can be found of individuals holding any official position other than Harrison, who was the first of a long line of Democratic sheriffs, which ruled the county up until 1924, when the Republicans broke the power of Democrats and began their regime which ended in 1932.

Source: Logan (WV) Banner, 4 May 1937.

Guy M. Dingess Store in Logan, WV (1884)

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Appalachia, Bird Buskirk, Guy M. Dingess, Guyan Drug Store, history, J.V. Buskirk, John Lee Buskirk, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, merchant, Peter Dingess, photos, physician, West Virginia

Peter Dingess, who owned the original photo, allowed the Logan Banner to publish it in 1937. Peter, who appears in the photo, was two years old. Guy M. Dingess and wife are standing in the downstairs doorway. J.V. Buskirk is standing to the right in front of the window. John Lee Buskirk is sitting in the upstairs doorway, while Bird Buskirk (later a physician) is standing in the upstairs doorway. This store was located where Guyan Drug Store stood in 1937.

Big Creek News 01.27.1922

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Appalachia, barber, Big Creek, Big Creek Coal Company, Black Hawk Colliery Company, C&O Railroad, C.C. Spriegel, Cyrus Elkins, D P Crockett, genealogy, history, Huntington, J.W. Carver, jeweler, Kentucky, L.J. Manor, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, Millard Sanders, Peach Creek, Peter M. Toney, Pikeville, Standard V. Rousey, stenographer, W.F. Stone, W.H. McKinney, Washington D.C., West Virginia

An unknown correspondent from Big Creek in Logan County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on January 27, 1922:

JAN. 25–Millard Sanders has just completed a nice two story building and is going to open up a store in the store room building.

Mr. Cyrus Elkins, car repairer of the C. & O. at Big Creek, has been laid off from work for the past ten days or two weeks on the account of an abscess on his shoulder due to a bruise while repairing bad order cars, but will resume duty again next week.

Mr. P.M. Toney, of Big Creek, has been in Huntington for a few days attending to business matters and visiting his family.

Mrs. L.J. Manor, wife of the general manager of the Big Creek Coal Co. and Black Hawk Colliery co., gave a dance and farewell party last week in honor of Mr. and Mrs. C.C. Spriegel who left recently for Washington, D.C.

Mr. and Mrs. W.H. McKinney from Pikeville, Ky., are visiting friends and relatives in Big Creek.

Mr. W.F. Stone, who has been living in Big Creek and working at Peach Creek as train dispatcher, is moving to Huntington to accept another position with the C. & O. Railway Company.

Mr. S.V. Rousey, supervisor of the C. & O., has been in Big Creek several times in the last week or so on business for the company.

Mr. J.W. Carver, local barber and jeweler, of Big Creek has recently built a new barber shop and jewelry store.

Mr. D.P. Crockett, stenographer for England and Hager of Logan, was in Big Creek last Saturday.

Marshall College in Huntington, WV (c.1931)

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Appalachia, Cabell County, education, history, Huntington, Marshall College, Marshall University, West Virginia

New Gymnasium at Marshall College (University), c.1931. Photo credit unknown.

Science Hall at Marshall College (University), c.1931. Photo credit unknown.

Early Anglo Settlers of Logan, WV (1937)

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Appalachia, Aracoma, Bluestone Valley, Boling Baker, Deskins Addition, Guyandotte River, Hatfield Island, Henry Mitchell, history, Island Creek, John Breckinridge, John Dempsey, John Dingess, Joseph Workman, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, Montgomery County, Nancy McNeely, Native American History, Native Americans, Nimrod Workman, Peter Dingess, Shawnee, Tazewell County, Virginia, West Virginia, William Dingess, Wythe County

From an early edition of the Logan Banner comes this bit of history about Logan’s earliest Anglo settlers:

“First White Settler To Make His Home In Logan Lived on Hatfield Island”

The first white settler to make his home near Logan was James Workman who was with the force of men who struck the blow that broke the power of the Shawnee in the valley of the Guyandotte.

He was a member of the group of white settlers who pursued Boling Baker from a settlement in the Bluestone valley to the island that is now known as “Hatfield Island” and there burned an Indian village and mortally wounded Princess Aracoma. Boling Baker escaped.

After Workman had a glimpse of the beautiful lush valley of the Guyandotte, it took little persuasion by John Breckinridge, who had been granted much of the valley after the battle of the Islands to get Workman and his two brothers Joseph and Nimrod to make settlement there, Breckinridge was forced to settle the land by the law of 1792 in order to hold title to it.

Workman and his two brothers came to the island in 1794 and built a cabin and planted a few acres of corn. In 1795 and 1796 the brothers planted the same land and James, who was a man of family, brought his wife and children from their old home in Wythe (now Tazewell) county, Virginia, where they continued to live until about the year 1800 when they moved to a farm nearby which was later owned by Henry Mitchell.

The first recorded permanent settlement was made by William Dingess, son of Peter Dingess, a German. Dingess was the oldest in a family of eleven children.

He was born in Montgomery county in 1770 and married Nancy McNeely. He purchased a survey of 300 acres, which covers the present site of the courthouse and a portion of the land across the river which is now Deskins addition.

Dingess moved to his survey in 1799 and made his home. John Dempsey came with him and built a cabin on the island, but afterwards moved to Island Creek.

William Dingess was said to be almost a giant in strength, but so peaceable that no one could induce him to fight. He was a relentless Indian fighter in the Guyan Valley, however. A story is told that he was with a force of whites who pursued a band of Indian marauders as far as the falls of the Guyan where they killed several braves.

Dingess cut a portion of the skin from a forearm of one of the braves and tanned it using it for a razor strop until his death.

The first settler had no children by his first wife. In 1800, Peter Dingess and John Dingess joined him and built their homes in the fertile land on each side of the river near the islands. Other settlers followed in time and the little settlement grew to a thriving frontier town.

Source: Logan (WV) Banner, 1 April 1937.

Roma Spears Deed to Allen Estep (1909)

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Allen Estep, Appalachia, Big Ugly Creek, Ella Spears, G.W. Estep, genealogy, Guyandotte River, history, L.A. Ellis, Lincoln County, Logan County, notary public, Roma Spears, Trace Branch, Trace Fork, West Virginia

Deed Book 55, page 364, Lincoln County Clerk’s Office, Hamlin, WV.

Deed Book 55, page 364, Lincoln County Clerk’s Office, Hamlin, WV.

Deed Book 55, page 364, Lincoln County Clerk’s Office, Hamlin, WV.

Deed Book 55, page 365, Lincoln County Clerk’s Office, Hamlin, WV.

Queens Ridge News 12.26.1924

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Appalachia, Belle Adkins, Bill Brumfield, Bill Miller, Bill Thompson, Billie Brumfield, Billie Thompson, Bob Dingess, Bruce McCann, Cale Nelson, Cecil Mitchell, Charles Curry, Ed Brumfield, Emmet Dingess, Emsy Mitchell, Enoch Adkins, Enoch Curry, Fisher Thompson, genealogy, Georgia Curry, Harriet Curry, Harriet Lilly, Harts Creek, history, Hollena Ferguson, Jim Adkins, Lilly Curry, Lincoln County, Logan Banner, Lucian Kirk, Minerva Curry, Minerva Tomblin, Nessell Curry, Queens Ridge, Roxie Tomblin, Sook Adkins, Wesley Ferguson, West Virginia

An unknown correspondent from Queens Ridge in Lincoln County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on December 26, 1924:

Here we come to our dear Old Banner.

Miss Harriet Curry and Miss Rolie Tomblin were seen out horseback riding Sunday.

A baby boy was born to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Dingess Saturday night. The new arrival has been christened Emmet T. Dingess.

Bill Thompson and Nervie Tomblin were the guests of Chas. Curry Sunday.

Mr. Emsy Mitchell was visiting Mr. Thompson Sunday.

Mr. Bruce McCann was calling on Lilly Curry Sunday.

Enoch Curry and Cecil Mitchell were seen out riding Monday.

Nessell and Georgia Curry were the guests of Mrs. Enoch Adkins Tuesday.

Mr. Bill Miller and Jim Adkins were seen out car riding Sunday on Big Harts Creek.

Mr. Cale Nelson was calling on Miss Sook Adkins Sunday.

Mrs. Belle Adkins was the guest of Mrs. Wesley Ferguson last Saturday.

Wonder why Lucian Kirk looked so lonesome Sunday. Cheer up, Lucian.

Mr. Edward Brumfield was the guest of Mr. Bill Brumfield Saturday.

Harriet Lilly, Nervie Curry, Billy Brumfield, Fisher and Billie Thompson were seen out riding Saturday.

Miss Roxie Tomblin was the guest of Mr. Emsy Mitchell Sunday.

Watson Adkins, Jr. Residence in Harts, WV (1991)

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Appalachia, Billy Adkins, Harts, history, Lincoln County, photos, Watson Adkins Jr., West Virginia

Photo courtesy of Billy Adkins of Harts, WV. 1991.

Harts Creek News 12.12.1924

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Appalachia, Belle Adkins, Ben Adkins, Bob Brumfield, Charley Brumfield, Dixie Adkins, Enoch Adkins, Floyd Dingess, Fred Adkins, genealogy, George H. Adkins, George McComas, George Ward, Harriet Curry, Harts, Harts Creek, Hendricks Brumfield, Herb Adkins, Herbert Adkins, history, Hollena Ferguson, Homer Tomblin, Irv Tomblin, John Dalton, John Hite, Laura Adkins, Lilly Curry, Lincoln County, Lizzie Tomblin, Logan Banner, Minerva Brumfield, Minerva Tomblin, Sallie Adkins, teacher, Ward Brumfield, Wesley Ferguson, West Virginia

An unknown correspondent from Harts Creek in Lincoln County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on December 12, 1924:

Mrs. Hollena Ferguson has sold her sheep and is going to buy her a fine Buick car and she has employed Mr. Wesley Ferguson for her chauffeur.

Herbert Adkins has purchased his bride a fine car and bought her a fine automobile coat to go riding in.

Mrs. Nerve Brumfield was over at Harts shopping last week.

Mrs. John Hite is Hollena Ferguson’s milk maid at present.

Born, to Mr. and Mrs. Fred Adkins, two fine twin boys Monday, December 1st. The father is very proud of his boys.

Herbert Adkins has hired Robert Robinson to do his janitor service.

Charley Brumfield paid George H. Adkins a visit last week.

Misses Sallie and Dixie Adkins are the champion spellers of Harts Creek.

Ward Brumfield and John Hite paid Robert Brumfield a visit last Sunday.

Floyd Dingess and Homer Tomblin were visiting Lilly and Harriet Curry last week.

John Dalton and Miss Nervie Tomblin were out horseback riding last Sunday.

Mr. Irv Tomblin is entertaining G.W. Ward this week.

Mrs. Lizzie Tomblin has sold her geese to Benjamin Adkins and is going into the poultry business.

Enoch Adkins was seen in Harts Monday with his mule team.

Mrs. Belle Adkins has got in a fine lot of Christmas toys.

Mrs. Laura Adkins and her two daughters paid Mrs. Belle Adkins a visit last Sunday.

George McComas has employed Hendrix Brumfield to run his school.