Genealogical and Personal History of the Upper Monongahela Valley, West Virginia, Vol. 2

GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL HISTORY ofthe WEST VIRGINIA rfø Editorial Supervision of BERNARD L. BUTCHER Reprinted in Two Volumes VOLUME II Baltimore GENEALOGICAL PUBLISHING CO., INC. 1978 Originally published in three volumes: New York, 1912 Reprinted in two volumes, omitting the preliminary articles and all text illustrations, and with an abridged Introduction: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. Baltimore, 1978 Library of Congress Catalogue Card Number 78-60704 International Standard Book Number 0-8063-0822-2 Made in the United States of America UPPER MONONGAHELA VALLEY GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL UPPER MONONGAHELA VALLEY. Fred G. Fisher, son of Captain John (q. v.) and Doro- FISHER thy F. (Gould) Fisher, was born November 16, 1878. He attended the schools adjacent to his home, thus acquiring a practical education which qualified him for an active career. He is now employed as salesman for the Bell Telephone Company. He is a member of Methodist Protestant church, and a Republican in politics. He married, September 1, 1904, Lillian McDermott, born in Bradford, Pennsylvania, July 7, 1882, daughter of Thomas and Samantha (Johnson) McDermott. She attended Mt. De Chantal Academy at Wheeling, West Virginia. Children: Joseph W., born August 24, 1905, died December 31, 1907; Dorothy, born March 17, 1907; Thomas McDermott, May 2, 1908; Frances, March 14, 1910; Paul F., December 11, 1911. Thomas McDermott, father of Mrs. Fisher, was son of John Mc Dermott, who was born in Ireland, lived and died in Canada. Thomas McDermott was born in Canada, November 11, 1842, of Irish-Catholic parentage. He came to the United States at the age of sixteen and worked at a number of various things until the year 1871. He then followed the carpenter trade until the first oil excitement in Bradford, Pennsylvania. He started there as a rig-builder and later went to Washington, Pennsylvania, at the opening of that large oil field. He and his oldest son Joseph were among the first to open the Greene county, Pennsylvania, oil field. In 1895 they formed the McDermott 1 Company, with D. H. Courtney and Chauncey Huston as partners, and another company called the Baltelle Oil Company was started. Mr. tcDerrnott then moved his family south with him and settled in Fair mont West Virginia. He has at this writing retired from active busi ness but his son carries on the interests of his father. They now have valuable oil holdings in different states, but the largest are in West irginia. He married, at Riceville, Pennsylvania, October 26, 1871, öarnantha Johnson, born October 28, 1853. They had the following 'Wren: 1. Joseph H., married Louise McLane, and had Jane Mc- anTr "i í0Seph' 2- JoHn R-' married Daisy Pride and had RalPh T- one « 3' SamUel N-' married (first) Sarah O'Brien, and had e son, Robert; married (second) Anna Sayers, no children. 4 nomas deceased. 5. Mattie, deceased. 6. Lillian, married Fred G. risner> above mentioned. iii—7M Q08 UPPER MONONGAHELA VALLEY. This family has had a residence at one point or an- HEAVNER other in America since some years before the revolu tionary struggle for national independence. It is sometimes spelled "Havenor," but it is always the same original fam ily. From legal papers, such as wills, naturalization papers, now in possession of Major Jacob W. Heavner, it appears that the first to come from Germany to this country was Nicholas Havener, with whom this genealogical narrative will commence. (I) Nicholas Havener, with his wife, two sons, Jacob and Fred erick, and two daughters, Catreen and one whose name is not given, emigrated from Germany to America, sometime prior to May 20, 1755, which is the date on which he made his first purchase of land, two tracts, each containing three hundred acres, lying on the "Southern most Branch of South Branch of the Potomac river," for which he in hand paid one hundred and seven pounds and ten shillings. The naturalization papers of this Nicholas Havener are still firmly attached to the seal of "Our Soverign Lord, King George, the Third." The date of this instrument, May 18, 1761, bears also the signature of Fran Farqueir, "His Majesty's Lieutenant Governor and commander-in- chief of the Col. and Dominion of Virginia." It is somewhat difficult to determine the correct spelling of the name of this family, for even in the third generation the family seem to have written almost exclu sively in German; however, on the first indentures and naturalization papers we find it recorded "Havener." From the will of Nicholas, written in 1769, fourteen years after his arrival in America, a good estimate of his character may be had. He was a God-fearing man, also a man of much wealth, devoted to the welfare of his family, which is conspicuous in his careful, specific and generous provisions for the com fort of his "Beloved wife," whom he appoints administratrix of his estate, in conjunction with his eldest son, Jacob. He had several chil dren, among whom was Jacob. (II) Jacob Havener, eldest child of Nicholas Havener, married Mary Mallow, and it is presumed she died soon after December 4, 1804, as that is the last date on which her name appears attached to a deed of gift of land made with her husband to their eldest son Nich olas, which was for one of the three hundred acre tracts purchased by UPPER MONONGAHELA VALLEY. his grandfather, in 1755. They had eight children: Nicholas, Adam, Henry Michael, Samuel Peter, Margaret, Mary, Jacob, John. (III) Nicholas (2) Havener, son of Jacob Havener, after the settlement of his father's estate in Pendleton county, Virginia, came to what is known now as Upshur county, West Virginia, in 1815, and purchased of George Jackson four hundred acres of land on Buck- hannon river, lying partly in Harrison and partly in Randolph coun ties, including the former site of "Bush Fort," near which the residence was erected. He married Mary Propps. They reared a large family of daughters and two sons, Elias and Jacob. The father died August 3, 1843; his wife died May 19, 1843. (IV) Elias Heavner, eldest son of Nicholas (2) Havener, was born April 9, 1805, died October 10, 1884. He was an unobstrusive, generous man, of great simplicity of spirit and Christian goodness. He married, October 4, 1829, Elizabeth Hyre, born February 14, 1809, died August 2, 1902. Early in life both he and his wife united with the Methodist Episcopal church, in which for many years he was a class leader and a trustee. They were both noted for their hospitality, and it was in their home the weary, way-worn itinerant ministers of the early days were always sure of finding a cordial welcome and a comfort able resting place. This truly worthy couple were blessed with one daughter, Catherine, who married Daniel J. Carper, and seven sons, five of whom died upon reaching manhood, and the other two were: Major Jacob W. and Clark W., of whom further. (V) Major Jacob W. Heavner, son of Elias and Elizabeth (Hyre) Heavner, was born January 27, 1841. Twenty years later—1861— came the bugle call "to arms" for the civil war, and this aroused his loyal sentiment. After he recovered from a long illness from typhoid fever, he offered his services to the government and was commissioned a second lieutenant. On the eve of his departure with his men for the front, General Jenkins, that omnipresent commander, who was always where he was least expected and least desired, came with his brave "Riders" sweeping down on the government stores in Buckhannon, West Virginia. Alas, for the lieutenant and his men, some were killed and some wounded, while the lieutenant and others were left on parole. Before an exchange could be effected, Heavner and his brother, Clark w., in passing along the highway were "Bushwhacked," and both very UPPER MONONGAHELA VALLEY. dangerously wounded, the latter so seriously as to prevent his further service in the army. The gallant lieutenant was more fortunate, for when partly recovered the exchange of prisoners came. Then he was again ready for service and was commissioned lieutenant in Company M, Third West Virginia Cavalry. May 23, 1865, he was promoted to captain in his company, and for special gallantry, breveted major. The Third Cavalry, as many recall, was with Hunter in the famous Lynchburg raid, and with Custer and Sheridan in the "Valley." In 1869 Judge Irving appointed Major Heavner sheriff of Upshur county to fill an unexpired term, occasioned by the death of Thaddeus S. Heavner. Twice afterwards he was elected sheriff of his county; in 1884 he was delegate to the National convention; in 1888 an alternate for the state-at-large to the National convention; again in 1892 on the electoral ticket; in 1900 an alternate for the third congressional district of West Virginia. In 1900 he was member-at-large and president of the board of equalization in the state of West Virginia; in 1904 led the electoral ticket in West Virginia; has served as vice-president of one and director of two banks in Buckhannon. He has also served as director in two railroad companies. For years he has been a successful real estate man and materially aided Buckhannon in all of her many enterprises in developing her resources and industries. He married Lee A. E., daughter of Rev. John W. Reger, D. D. They have one child: Reta B. B., married Frank P. Maxwell, and they have one child, Virginia Lee. (V) Clark W., son of Elias and Elizabeth (Hyre) Heavner, was born September 7, 1844. He is one of the leading men of Buck hannon; was one of the organizers and upbuilders of the People's Bank, of which he has been cashier ever since its organization.

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