Flemings of West Virginia Genealogy with Photos

The following is the genealogy of the Fleming family lines, especially of those inhabiting the Virginias, including all of the Marion county branches and those residing in and around the city of Fairmont, West Virginia:

(I) William Fleming, one of the four brothers who emigrated to this country from the North of Ireland, in 1741, was born in Scotland, January 5, 1717, died May 5, 1784. He married (first) Jean Frame, born July 26, 1726, died March, 1768; married (second) Ann Hudson. Children by first wife: Mary, born 1745, married Matthew Fleming; Andrew, born 1748, record unknown; Nathan, see forward; William, born 1755, died 1772, unmarried; Boaz, see forward; Beniah, born 1762, married Elizabeth Turner; Benoni, see forward. Children by second wife: Thomas, see forward.

(II) Nathan, third child of William and Jean (Frame) Fleming, was born February 23, 1750. He held a commission in the military service dated July 10, 1814. He married Lydia Russom. Children: Mary, married Alexander, son of Matthew Fleming; William, see forward; Elizabeth, married Henry Hayes; Rachel, married Joshua Hart;

Lydia, married Matthew, son of Matthew ; Nathan, married

Mary Wood; Leven, married Mary Willey; Thomas, married (first) Ann Martin, (second) Mary Lothan; Beniah, drowned at the age of twenty-two years, in 1813; Archibald, see forward.

(II) Boaz, fifth child of William and Jean (Frame) Fleming, was born January 3, 1758. He married (first) Elizabeth Hutchinson, (second) Eliza Laidley. Children: Clarissa, married James Hamilton; William, married (first) Elizabeth Hutchinson, (second) Sarah Miller; Mary, married Samuel, son of Andrew Fleming Sr.; Elizabeth, married Benjamin Bartlett; David, married Sarah Fox; Sarah, married Joseph, son of Nathan Fleming; Lemuel, married Hulda Tonkrey; Jean, married George Richardson; Joanna, married Nathan, son of Andrew Fleming Sr.; Margaret, married Andrew Cummins; Eliza Drexa, married George Hunsaker.

(II) Benoni, child of William and Jean (Frame) Fleming, was born February 17, 1768. He married Mary Stephenson. Children: Boaz, married Ann Wilcott; John S., see forward; Matthew, see forward; Fielding, married (first) Mary Hopkins, (second) Lizzie Lear; Alfred, see forward; Benjamin, see forward; Margaret, married Dr. James Davies; Rhoda, married John W. Kelley; Nancy, married Samuel Courtney; George; Edward; Stephenson; last three unmarried.

(II) Thomas, child of William and Ann (Hudson) Fleming, was born in 1777. He married Anna Wood. Children: Amanda, married Benjamin, son of Benoni Fleming; Malinda, married Frederick Ice; Marshall, married Catherine Ebert; John, married Angeline Sellers; Amelia, married Isaac, son of William Fleming.

(III) William (2), son of Nathan and Lydia (Russom) Fleming, was born April 24, 1775. He married Ann, daughter of Matthew Fleming. Children: Lydia, married Ferrell Dunn; Isaac, marriedAmelia Fleming; Amelia, married (first) G. W. Price, (second) W. B. Halbert; Joseph, married Nancy Bigler; Benjamin F., see forward; Mary Ann, married Albert Shore; Solomon S., see forward; Franklin J., see forward.

(lll) Thomas, son of Nathan and Lydia (Russom) Fleming, married (first) Ann Martin, (second) Mary Lothan. Children: John M., married Delilia Hammers; Elizabeth, married Octavius Haymond; Allison, see forward; Eliza, twin of Allison, married Matthew, son of Benoni Fleming; James; Stephen, married Mary Harold.

(lll) Archibald, son of Nathan and Lydia (Russom) Fleming, married Eliza Gamble. Children: Perry; Joseph; Maria, married Festus C. Pitzer; Harrison, see forward; Nathan.

(lll) John S., second child of Benoni and Mary (Stephenson) Fleming, married Ann, daughter of Alexander Fleming Sr. Children: Julius, deceased; James Riley, see forward; Benjamin D., see forward; Joseph M.; Edgar W., deceased, married Jeenie Meyers; Eunice, married James W. Boggess; Lexina, married John W. Everhart; Joseph Minor, see forward; Edgar W., married Mary Thomas. The father was a Presbyterian, first, and later a Methodist Episcopalian in church faith. Politically he was an old line Whig and stood high in his county for integrity.

(lll) Matthew, son of Benoni and Mary (Stephenson) Fleming, married Eliza, daughter of Thomas Fleming Jr. Children: Thomas A., married Clarissa Lott; Ann Elizabeth, married Dr. J. H. Brown- field; Benjamin Alvin, see forward; Henry Thornton, married Jennie Irwin; Mary E., married John B. Crane; George I., married Agnes Wells; Lydia Jane, married Sylvanus Watson.

(lll) Alfred, was a son of Benoni and Mary (Stephenson) Fleming, was born on the homestead, October 15, 1804. He was reared on the farm, and received the limited education of that day. He followed the occupation of farming, and the product of his labor was disposed of in the neighboring markets. He was an active factor in the development of the section wherein he resided, and was chosen to serve as a director of the First National Bank of Fairmont. He was a consistent member of the Methodist church, and his political affiliations was with the old line Whigs and later with the Republican party. He married Marjory Vandervort, born March 15, 1813, daughter of Paul Vandervort.Children: John Coleman, see forward; Fielding Marshall, who died while serving in the union army during the civil war; Mary Ellen, became the wife of George Mayers, a business man of Fairmont; Martin Luther, a prosperous farmer, residing near Fairmont; Martha A. The father of these children died September 29, 1883, and the mother August 29, 1887.

(III) Benjamin, son of Benoni and Mary (Stephenson) Fleming, was born in Middletown (now Fairmont), West Virginia, September 17, 1806. When fifteen years old he went to Zanesville, Ohio, to learn the hatter’s trade and completed it at Bowling Green, Kentucky. Changing his plans, somewhat, he took passage on a flatboat down to New Orleans and thence up the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, engaging in hunting and trapping with the famous scout, “Kit” Carson. He returned to Marion county, West Virginia, however, in 1828, and December 11 of that year married Amanda Fleming, born January 28, 1806, after which he settled down and erected the building on the corner of Main and Jefferson streets, where he engaged in the manufacture of hats, continuing the remainder of his days. He also engaged in store boats down the river Ohio to the ocean. During the construction of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad he supplied meats for the laborers, frequently killing six hundred hogs at one time. He was a member of the legislature of West Virginia, in 1867-68, and served as the first justice of the peace under the new state organization. He was president of the board of trustees in Fairmont, when known as Middletown. Politically he was first a Whig, then a Republican. He died February 12, 1891. His wife died December 12, 1900. Children: Mary Matilda, born February 14, 1833, died August 14, 1839; Frederick H., married Rachel Manear, was sergeant of Company A, Sixth West Virginia Volunteer Infantry in the union army, died April 27, 1882; Edward S., died December 3, 1873; Thurston Worth, see forward.

Benjamin Fleming

(IV) Benjamin F., son of William (2) and Ann (Fleming) Fleming, was born in 1810, died October 28, 1876. He was a prosperous farmer and a leading citizen of Marion county, West Virginia. He married Rhoda Brooks, of Puritan ancestry, daughter of Rev. Asa Brooks, a Presbyterian minister, who came to the old Redstone presbytery, including western Pennsylvania and northwestern Virginia as a missionary from the Society of Home Missions in Massachusetts about1818. He became a noted figure in the early religious history of the Monongahela Valley, and was an earnest and eloquent preacher, dying as its pastor about the time of the completion of the old Presbyterian church at Clarksburg, and is buried under its pulpit leaving a good name as the inheritance of his children and their descendants. Children of Benjamin and Rhoda (Brooks) Fleming: Aretas Brooks, whose sketch proceeds this article; Robert F., of Gilmer, judge of the Jackson circuit; George M., a prominent attorney of Buckhannon, West Virginia ; Lucy, who was a prominent teacher in the State Normal School at Fairmont, from 1873 to I882, married in the latter noted year Frank E. Stewart, and had one child, Nannie, who with her mother died in 1903, in Montana, where they resided.

(IV) Solomon S., son of William (2) and Ann (Fleming) Fleming, born October 19, 1812, near Fairmont, West Virginia. He spent his life mostly at Shinnston, where he located in 1840. Politically he was an old line Whig; belonged to the Presbyterian church. He was public-spirited and held many positions of responsibility and trust. He was a delegate to the convention at Clarksburg, April 22, 1861, and the Wheeling constitutional conventions in 1862 and 1863. He was a member of the state legislature and helped divide the old state in 1863 when the western portion became West Virginia. He served six years in the legislature, being the speaker in 1869. He was also mayor of Shinnston and conducted a general store there from 1841 to 1872. His store was robbed by rebel raiders under General Jones in 1863 in April, and again that year by other lawless characters. He married, July 2, 1835, Elizabeth, daughter of Henry and Amelia (Tice) Ebert. Children: Ann Rebecca, Isabel Sophia, Mary Ann, Louise Lowry, William Henry, see forward ; Florence A., John A., see forward; Robert Bruce. The father, Solomon Fleming, had been adjutant in the militia of Virginia, a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Regiment, and his father, William Fleming, was commissioned captain in the war of 1812, although the war ended before he got to the scene of action. The family have thus shown their patriotism in all the wars of the country, in the various generations. Solomon S. Fleming died March 2, 1901, and his wife December 6, 1899.

(IV) Franklin J., son of William (2) and Ann (Fleming) Fleming, was born on Cheat river. He served an apprenticeship to the millwright’s trade, which he followed during his active years. It was he who built the mill on Decker’s Creek in Morgantown, known as Rodgers Mills; the old Palatine Mill (now in first ward, Fairmont) ; the Jackson Mills at Fairmont; the Jackson mill at Burton; another at Cameron, also at Wheeling. Later in life he engaged in the mercantile business, and in all his undertakings he succeeded remarkably well. He was first a Whig, later a Republican; he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married Loretta, daughter of Samuel Jackson. Children: Anna Bell, Henry, Isabell, Louisa, Oliver J., see forward; Roger, Charles F., Jennie, and one that died in infancy.

(IV) Allison, son of Thomas Fleming, was born on the west bank of Taggart’s Valley Run, three miles above the present city of Fairmont, West Virginia, July 25, 1814. He remained on the old home farm until ten years of age, then moved with the family to Middletown (now Fairmont) and learned the marble worker’s trade; early in life he conducted a large shop which supplied a large territory in West Virginia. He followed his father to Indiana, but after a year or so returned to Fairmont to resume the marble work business. He was county treasurer of Marion county in 1867-68. During the civil war he was a staunch supporter of the union cause. He was mayor of his town for a number of years, taking a deep interest in local politics. He was a leader in the Methodist Protestant church, trustee, class leader and superintendent of the Sunday school many years. He married (first), January 19, 1837, Mary Vandervort. Children: 1. Louisana, born May 19, 1838, died in infancy. 2. Celinda, born June 15, 1840, married E. R. Hall, October 27, 1859. 3. John E., born November 15, 1842; was a soldier in Company A, Sixth West Virginia Infantry, served three years, reenlisted in the Seventh Regiment of Virginia and took part in the great engagement before Richmond, when that city fell. By trade he was a marble cutter, and died several years since. Mrs. Fleming, the mother of the above family, died November 2, 1842. Allison Fleming married (second), April 11, 1844, Martha Louchery, born July 30, 1822, daughter of James and Margaret (Keefore) Louchery. Children: 4. Emily B., born January 25, 1845; married Nathaniel C. Cochran; died November 16, 1903. 5. Thomas Walter, see forward. 6. James L., born February 1, 1849, died in childhood. 7. Margaret Ann, born June 22, 1851; married Charles M. Shinn, cityeditor of the Washington (D. C.) Star. 8. Mary Martha, born February 17, 1854, died in infancy. 9. Curtis B., born November 17, 1857; married R. Belle Howell. 10. Allison Howard, born August 1, 1859; married Carrie E. Barnes, March 15, 1883. 11. Lawrence Sands, born June 17, 1862; married a Miss Hough. 12. Frederick Chisler, born April 5, 1865. Allison Fleming, father, died July 1, 1871, and his second wife April 17, 1911.

(IV) Harrison, son of Archibald and Eliza (Gamble) Fleming, was born on the old Fleming homestead, now within Marion county, West Virginia, in February, 1826, died December 29, 1891. He was reared on his father’s farm, attended the common schools of his time, and voted the Democratic ticket. He was a faithful member of the Presbyterian church. For many years he was president of the First National Bank of Fairmont. He married, October, 1871, Rehuma Criss, born February 21, 1843, died April 9, 1907, daughter of Lewis Criss. Children: Helen V., born August 5, 1872, wife of Dr. Albinas Poole, and they have one child, Helen Fleming, born July 11, 1901; Belle, born November 12, 1873, wife of H. C. Fetty; Arch, see forward; Lawrence, born December 2, 1876.

(IV) James Riley, son of John S. and Ann (Fleming) Fleming, was born just above Fairmont, on the Monongahela river, in Marion county, West Virginia (then in Virginia), November 6, 1824, died April 1, 1912. He obtained his education at the typical old-time log school house, and in order to avail himself of even this limited educational privilege, he had to walk three miles morning and evening. Early in youth he left school to learn the trade of a hatter with his uncle, Benjamin Fleming, of Fairmont. After following this ten years he became a partner of his uncle. In 1850 he was married and engaged in general merchandising, in company with his brother-in-law, James S. Barnes. They also operated a grist mill and saw mill at that point, the mill having been erected by Thomas Barnes. In a few years they sold a half interest in the saw and grist mill to John S. Barnes and E. Hamilton, with whom they also formed a partnership to erect the Barnesville woolen mills which were operated many years by them. It was twice burned, but each time rebuilt, first in 1886 and last in 1892. In this factory were manufactured flannels, skirts and jeans. Mr. Fleming also engaged in general merchandising at Fairmont, continuing for eight years. When the above-named mills were first erected the county was new and the first post office was located at Barnesville. Politically Mr. Fleming is a supporter of the Republican party, and is a member of the Methodist Protestant church. He is a member of the Odd Fellows order and is the oldest member of the fraternity in the county. He married, March, 1850, Caroline M., daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Barnes. Children: James H., died aged nine years; Clara R., died aged five years; Margaret Virginia, married (first) George Watson, (second) Clarence L. Smith, whose children are: Earl H., Clarence Ed- mond, Elizabeth, deceased, Caroline, deceased.

James Riley Fleming

(IV) Benjamin D., son of John S. and Ann (Fleming) Fleming, was born two miles above Fairmont, West Virginia, on the old Benoni Fleming homestead, September 28, 1827. He was reared a farmer’s son and attended the schools common in that early day in West Virginia. In business life he first turned his attention to lumbering, continuing actively in that for thirty years. Leaving the river and forest life, he engaged in the fruit culture with farming. Later he became a scientific dairyman in Marion county, and in April, 1893, organized the Marion County Creamery Company. He was accounted an excellent business man and was made a director in the First National Bank of Fairmont, which position he held for thirty-six years. He has been first vice-president of the same banking house for many years. Served as school commissioner and road surveyor; president of the board of trustees in the Methodist Protestant church for twenty years, and is a member of Lodge No. 9, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Fairmont. He married, November 7, 1865, Jennie R., daughter of John Mayers. They have one son, Horace Glen, born October 5, 1866, a graduate of Michigan University; he married Hattie Trumble.

Benjamin D. Fleming

(IV) Joseph Minor, son of John S. and Ann (Fleming) Fleming, was born on the farm where he now resides, near the limits of Fairmont, Marion county, West Virginia, June 25, 1832. He attended the old log subscription school house, obtaining a practical education which thoroughly equipped him for the active pursuits of life. Possessing little inclination for the occupation of farming, he turned his attention to the details of a saw mill, and continued along that line until 1856, during which time he made a good living. Being of an adventurous turn of mind, he determined to join the large army who went to Cali-fornia in quest of fortune by means of seeking for gold, and choosing the Panama route, after twenty-six days of wearisome travel, he arrived in California, in which state he remained seven years, serving as a miner, during which time he witnessed the wonderful development of gold mining. In 1863, upon his return to his native county, he erected an extensive saw and planing mill at Fairmont, which was in successful operation for more than two decades. In the meantime he became identified with the Barnesville Manufacturing Company, a leading industry of that section, in which he is still serving as a member and director. He is the owner of a fine farm, a portion of which lies within the present limits of the city of Fairmont, and this is in a high state of cultivation, producing a large line of general produce. He is an active and consistent member of the Methodist church, contributing of his time and money towards the furtherance of its usefulness, and his political party choice is the Republican organization. He has never sought or held public office, with the exception of serving as member of the board of education of Fairmont. He has been an active factor in the development of the community, his personal exertions contributing towards its material and commercial prosperity and no man is more worthy of the respect of his fellowmen than Mr. Fleming.

Joseph Minor Fleming

Mr. Fleming married, January 18, 1866, Pleasant, daughter of Josephus Eakin. Children: 1. Lovie H., born March 28, 1869, died March, 1891; she was the wife of Frank Shore. 2. Harold S., born April 17, 1871; married, August 27, 1891, Annie Brown; children: Harold Edwin, died aged seven years; Douglas Riley, born December 27, 1894; Helen Loretta, born May 31, 1897; Lillian Martha, born May 11, 1900, died September 17, 1905; Paul Wade, born March 7, 1902; William Franklin, born December 17, 1906. 3. John W., see forward. 4. Forest H., born November 21, 1875; married Ora Fort- ney; child, Mary. 5. Achsah Maud, born April 26, 1877; married Archibald Fleming; one son, Joseph Archibald. 6. Chauncey Brooks, born February 17, 1880; a farmer; married lona Burton, 1901; children: Edwin Forest, born 1902; Madeline, 1904; Lillian Pleasant, 1911. 7. Eva L., born June 3, 1881; married Emery Jackson Snyder. 8. Joseph Coleman, born August 9, 1884.

(IV) Benjamin Alvin, son of Matthew and Eliza (Fleming) Fleming, was born in Monongahela county, Virginia, now Marion county, West Virginia, June 20, 1836. He was reared in Farimont and educated in the common schools. In early life he engaged inthe mercantile business which he successfully followed for a period of fifty-six years, and being scrupulously honorable in all his dealings with mankind, he bore a reputation for public and private integrity second to no man in this section of the state. At the opening of the civil war, while riding through the country, he was shot by a sharpshooter, the ball passing through his hip into the saddle, and he was compelled to ride to Fairmont, a distance of nine miles, before he received medical assistance. This incapacitated him for further active service. Mr. Fleming attended the Presbyterian Church, cast his vote with the Republican party, and was a member of the National Union and Knights of Honor. He married, November 19, 1863, Mary Frances, born July 22, 1843, daughter of Francis C. and Bridget (Carney) Christie. One son by this union, William Moore, see forward. Mr. Fleming died June 10, 1903, and his wife died July 4, 1911.

(IV) John Coleman, son of Alfred and Marjory (Vandervort) Fleming, was born on the old homestead in Monongahela[Monongalia] county, Virginia, now marion county, West Virginia, the home of his grandfather, Benoni Fleming, September 23, 1832. He was reared on the old homestead, which is located in the center of the residential section of Fairmont, and he has in his possession at the present time (1911) six acres of the original tract. He attended the old subscription schools, and the knowledge thus obtained was increased considerably in later years by observation and reading.

John Coleman Fleming

Being inured to the labor of the farm, he turned his attention to that line of work upon arriving at a suitable age to engage upon an active career, and by perserverance and untiring activity became the owner of one hundred acres, which he cultivated to a high degree of perfection, and which he later disposed of, with the exception of the aforementioned six acres, to the Fairmont Development Company, and streets and dwellings, both for business and resodential purposes, soon replaced the fields and meadows. Mr. Fleming purchased another farm, located near Farmington, which he improved and cultivated, and which is now a fair source of income, being operated on business principles and along progressive lines. As a citizen he is universally esteemed, always sustaining the character of a true man, being generous in his feelings and conduct towards all. He holds membership in the Methodist church, to which he contributes of his time and money, and is a staunch adherent of the Republican party.

Mr. Fleming married, April 24, 1879, Fannie Conway, born May 8, 1859, daughter of George and Christina (Fortner) Conway, who resides near Fairmont. Children: Fred A.; Joseph M., deceased; Nellie, deceased, was the wife of Dr. Lee Boyer; William Coleman; Frank Odell.

(IV) Thurston Worth, son of Benjamin and Amanda Fleming, was born October 8, 1846, at Fairmont, now West Virginia, on the block where he still resides. He was educated at the old-fashioned subscription schools and finished at the Monongahela Academy, now the University of West Virginia; later attended select school in New York. He remained with his father one year after finishing his studies, then in 1868 went to California, by way of the Isthmus of Panama, sailing from New York City. He was twenty-seven days in reaching San Francisco. There he worked in a hat store and at various things for a short time, but soon found his way to a ranch. Later he went to mining, following this and other occupations until the fall of 1875, when he returned to the city of his nativity. He is vice-president of the Monta Rico Copper Company and of El Progreso Banana Company of Honduras. He is now engaged in looking after his real estate interests. He is a Presbyterian in religion and a Republican in politics. He married, November 4, 1875, Florence C., daughter of Melton and Cynthia (Long) Bliss. Melton Bliss was born in Salem, Massachusetts, son of Obediah Bliss. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Fleming: Florence Thurston and Laurie McDonald.

(V) William Henry, son of Solomon S. and Elizabeth (Ebert) Fleming, was born October 23, 1842, at Shinnston, West Virginia (then Virginia). He commenced merchandising when quite young, but after his marriage his health failed and he went to a farm a mile to the south of Shinnston, Marion county, and remained there until 1907 when he retired to the town of Shinnston, where he still resides. Politically Mr. Fleming is a Republican, and in church connection is of the Methodist Episcopal denomination, and is now trustee of this church at Shinnston.
During the civil war he was a member of the Third West Virginia Regimental Band, serving seven months. He married Mary Columbia, born February 9, 1851, in the Simpson Creek district, Harrison county, now West Virginia, daughter of Isaac and Margaret (Jarvis) Morris. Children: 1. Mabel, born September 19, 1870; married Claude S. Randall, a farmer; they have two children: George Fleming and Estelle. 2. Estelle, born July 25, 1872; married Lawrence E. Hawkins, cashier of the Farmers’ Bank of Shinnston; they have one child, Lawrence F., born February 19, 1909. 3. Donald H., see forward.

(V) John A., son of Solomon S. and Elizabeth (Ebert) Fleming, was born in Harrison county, Virginia, June 22, 1850, at the town of Shinnston, where he still resides. He obtained his education at the common schools of his native place and later attended the State Normal School at Fairmont, graduating with the class of 1873. He then engaged in farming and stock raising which he has since followed successfully. He was elected sheriff of his county in 1900, served four years with credit to himself and the citizens of Harrison county. Politically he is a staunch Republican. He is a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity at Shinnston. He was connected with the organizing of the First National Bank of Shinnston and was its first president. He is an excellent business man and has sustained well the high reputation of the Fleming families, of whom there are so many in this section of West Virginia. He married, June 21, 1877, in Harrison county, West Virginia, Sallie Gallahu, of the same county, born June 19, 1858, daughter of William H. Gallahu, a farmer, who died in 1888. His wife was Maria Righter, still living in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Children: Alice, born July 3, 1878; Frederick H., December 12, 1879; Henry L., February 7, 1882; Boyd S.., February 25, 1885.

(V) Oliver Jackson, son of Franklin J. and Loretta (Jackson) Fleming, was born near Morgantown, September 5, 1848. He was educated at the subscription schools taught by Mrs. Corina Shaw, Mary Jane Steel and Professor William R. White. Later he had the advantage of a course at the State Normal at Fairmont. After leaving school he worked in a sawmill for a time, then learned the trade of a millwright with his father, and followed that work a number of years, assisting in the building of about ten mills in Marion county, West Virginia. He then engaged in the lumber trade at Fairmont, establishing a planing mill, which he operated a number of years. In 1890 he established his present business on Jefferson street, where he handles all kinds of lumber, he being the oldest and most extensive dealer in the county. He has various other interests in connection with this. He is a member of the Odd Fellows’ Order, and also of the Knights of Pythias. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a steward. Politically Mr. Fleming is an avowed Prohibitionist. He married, in 1877, Alice Ingman, of Fairmont, daughter of William H. and Leticia (Gallaghue) Ingman. One child, Ethel, wife of Levi B. Harr, and they have one child, Harry Ingman Harr, born July 29, 1907.

(V) Thomas Walter, son of Allison and Martha (Louchery) Fleming, was born in Fairmont, now West Virginia, December 16, 1846. He was reared at Fairmont where he received a good education in select and private schools. Leaving the schoolroom he made a choice of business pursuits for life. He commenced as a clerk in a store, and after ten years’ experience at handling goods for others, he became a partner in February, 1871, in the mercantile firm of Ridgley & Fleming, which continued until 1876, when Mr. Ridgley retired, and the firm was changed to T. W. Fleming & Brothers, which was conducted until August, 1890. Mr. Fleming then sold out and retired from the business. But this was not to retire him from business circles, for he at once engaged in the real estate business, dealing in coal and oil lands on the large scale in Marion and adjoining counties in West Virginia. Opening up the Fairview oil fields placed him in the front rank of business men in his state. His long business training behind the counter had peculiarly fitted him for the successful transaction of large business propositions. He was the original organizer and secured the franchise for the first street car line in Fairmont, now the Fairmont & Clarksburg line of electric road, and was president of the same. He organized and constructed the Fairmont & Mannington Street Railway Company; has been connected with several banks; was one of the promoters of the People’s Bank at Fairmont; was president of the Farmers’ Bank and a director in the People’s Bank. He was one of the organizers of the Fairmont Ice Company, of which heis the vice-president; also vice-president of the West Chester Realty Company. In 1891 he assisted in organizing the Fairmont Development Company, of which he is a director. He was made a Mason in 1884, belongs to Lodge No. 9, at Fairmont, and is its past master; also belongs to the Chapter and Commandery; is past eminent commander. He was made an Odd Fellow in 1870 and is past grand master of the State of West Virginia, and also past grand representative of the Sovereign Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has many times represented his fraternities in the state grand lodges of both orders. Politically Mr. Fleming is a Republican, and has been chairman of the Republican committee for eighteen years. He was offered his choice of three ministerships abroad, including that of Venice, but on account of personal business interests declined. In 1891 he was elected mayor of Fairmont on the progressive independent ticket, and during his administration constructed roads, improved parks, built a $20,000 fresh water cistern; second year in office constructed the massive viaduct between wards three and four in the city and improved the streets and sidewalks, etc. He was influential in the slack-water navigation schemes on foot at that time. He served one term in the legislature (1904-5), serving on the railway committee, and by joint resolution of the two houses of the legislative body was appointed as inspector to examine the several state institutions.

He married, February 1, 1877, Annie E. Sweeney, of Wheeling. Children: Allison Sweeney, born January 28, 1878, unmarried; Jean Farran, born October 26, 1881, married, March 3, 1910, George M. Wilshire, one son, Thomas Fleming Wilshire, born October 3, 1911; Thomas W., who died aged ten months. The following relates to Mrs. Fleming: Her maternal grandfather, Lieutenant John McFar- ran, whose sword she treasures as a relic of great value, was one of the heroic defenders of Baltimore when that city was attacked by the British at Fort McHenry in 1814. Mrs. Fleming is the daughter of Colonel Thomas Sweeney, a prominent man in West Virginia; he was born at Armagh, Ireland, March 6, 1806, died March 9, 1890. He was the second lieutenant of the Pittsburg Blues that received General Lafayette in 1824, when he visited that city. He brought the firstcolony of glass blowers that ever came into West Virginia. He operated large iron works and had as many as one thousand men in his employ. He was mayor of Wheeling, served in the state senate and was widely known. He had to do in the senate with granting franchises for the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. He married (first), Ro- sanna Matthews, who died in 1844; (second), Jane McFarran; (third), Annie E. How, of St. George’s, Delaware.

(V) Arch, son of Harrison and Rehuma (Criss) Fleming, was born June 19, 1875, on the home farm. He was educated in the nearby country schools also the State Normal and high schools. When eighteen years of age he engaged in the profession of a telegraph operator for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, serving there four years, then for three years conducted a hotel at Fairmont. Following this for three years he farmed, but on June 1, 1909, he purchased an implement house, which he now conducts in connection with flour and feed with a large assortment of seeds. His place of business is the largest of its kind in Marion county. Mr. Fleming is a Democrat and a member of the Presbyterian church. He married, October 19, 1898, M. A., daughter of Joseph M. Fleming. One son by this marriage, Joseph Arch, born February 4, 1900.

(V) John W., son of Joseph Minor and Pleasant (Eakin) Fleming, was born in Flemingsburg, now known as Johnstown, a suburb of Fairmont, September 8, 1873. He was reared on a farm, educated in the schools of Fairmont, and at an early age began to earn his own livelihood, developing traits which go to the making of fine manhood. His first employment was in his father’s sawmill, where he learned thoroughly the details of that occupation. He then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and in connection with this followed road surveying in Marion county, from both of which he derived a lucrative living. In 1903 he was elected to fill the office of road surveyor of Marion county, a position for which he was well qualified and the duties of which he performed in a thorough and systematic manner, and he continued as such for a period of four years. At the expiration of this time, in 1907, he purchased the Fairmont Feed Mills, and since then has conducted an extensive trade in feed and flour, wholesale, which furnishes employment to a number of people. In connection with this he is actively engaged in the real estate business, his transactions being on an extensive scale, they being the means of materially increasing the population of that section of the county. He casts his vote for the candidates of the Republican party, the principles of which he believes to be for the best form of government. Mr. Fleming is a member of Eureka Lodge, No. 15, Knights of Pythias, of Watson; Marion Lodge, No. 11, Mountain City Encampment and the Daughters of Rebeckah, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in both of which orders he has passed through all the chairs, also the Modern Woodmen of America.

Mr. Fleming married, March 24, 1904, Emma Mclntire, born October 27, 1875, daughter of Joseph H. and Mary Bennett (Wallace) Mclntire, of Harrison. They were the parents of one child, who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Fleming are members of the Methodist church.

(V) William Moore, son of Benjamin Alvin and Mary Frances (Christie) Fleming, was born in Fairmont, Marion county, West Virginia, March 30, 1865. He attended the public school adjacent to his home, and later completed his studies at the State Normal School at Fairmont. While a student, during his leisure time, he served as clerk in his father’s store, thus becoming familiar with every detail of the work, and continued with his father after his education was completed, remaining with him until his death, a period of thirty-one years. He then engaged in the real estate business, being the owner of considerable valuable property, and this has proved both a pleasant and highly remunerative occupation. He is a Presbyterian in religion, a Republican in politics and holds membership in the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Fleming married, October 30, 1890, Julia Moore, born in Delaware county, Indiana, March 31, 1869, daughter of Jesse and Mary (Cochran) Moore. Children: Mary Christie, born July 30, 1891; Ruth Elizabeth, February 9, 1900; Martha Moore, February 18, 1902.

(VI) Dr. Donald H. Fleming, son of William Henry and Mary Columbia (Morris) Fleming, was born in Shinnston, Harrison county, West Virginia, December 22, 1881. He was educated at the public schools and at the University of West Virginia, after which courses heentered the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, graduating from that institution with the class of 1908, since which time he has followed his profession, first at Morgantown in 1908, and opened his present office at Shinnston in June, 1909. He has succeeded remarkably well in his dental practice and has already a large number of regular patrons on his list. He is skillful and painstaking, hence makes friends over a large section of country. He is a Republican, and takes an interest in the upbuilding of his town and county, doing his full share so far as his time will permit in aiding any worthy enterprise. He makes his home with his parents, who a few years since moved to Shinnston from the nearby farm where Dr. Fleming was reared.

(VI) Joseph Perry Fleming, whose line of descent from the early founders of the family was as follows: Francis Marion (V), William B. (IV), Alexander (III), Matthew (II), John (I), who came with his brother William (I) to this state at an early day. He was born in Fairmont, West Virginia, died in the city of his birth, November 18, 1911. The father, Francis Marion, was born in Fairmont, 1821; he learned the shoemaker’s trade with his father, and after he attained manhood he engaged in the retail shoe business and continued in it through his life. He married, in Cumberland, Maryland, Sarah A., daughter of Henry and Mary Pugh. Children: 1. Isabell, wife of E. M. Anderson; she died May 20, 1908; two children died in infancy, William and Emma. 2. Joseph P. 3. Margaret, wife of James G. Baker, who died June, 1908. 4. Nettie, wife of David Ridgley. 5. Lucy. 6. Mary. 7. Bessie, died April 23, 1905^ Francis M. Fleming was a member of the Methodist Protestant church; voted the Republican ticket, and during the civil war enlisted as a member of the Sixth West Virginia Regiment of Volunteers as a musician. He died October 28, 1892, and his wife passed away in the month of July, 1900.

Joseph Perry Fleming was educated in the public schools of Fairmont. He went into his father’s store for a time, after which he engaged in the same business for himself, continuing ten years. In 1898 he was elected city clerk of Fairmont and served his two year term acceptably and well. He then became associated with Charles E. Reed as state agent for J. M. Guffey, which he followed for nineyears, and in 1910 became secretary for the Monongahela Industrial Company, which position he held at the time of his death. Politically he was a Republican, and in church connection was of the Methodist Protestant denomination. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias and Ancient Order of United Workmen. He married, October 23, 1889, Cora D. Fisher, a native of Fairmont, West Virginia, daughter of Captain John Fisher. One child, Carter S., born April 1, 1891.

Colonel Rufus Edward Fleming was born August 14, 1840, on a farm near Fairmont, Virginia. At the breaking out of the civil war he was in Indiana, where he had gone to engage in business, but the news of the firing upon Ft. Sumter brought him back to Virginia, where he enlisted May 1, 1861, in Company G, Third Regiment Infantry Volunteers, United States service. He passed through the various promotions to the position of colonel in his regiment. He participated in many hard-fought battles and was twice wounded at the engagement at Bull Run, August 29, 1862. In May, 1865, he was sent to Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, with his regiment and had command of that post until ordered to the western plains to assist in subduing the savage Indian tribes. Several severe battles with the redskins were then added to his war record. Detachments of his regiment went to Colorado and Wyoming, and on May 26, 1866, it returned to Ft. Leaven- worth, where it was mustered out of service. Colonel Fleming was finally discharged at Wheeling, West Virginia, having been actively engaged in warfare for five years and a month. After the close of the war he resided on the old Fleming homestead, near Fairmont, Marion county, where he followed the peaceful calling of a farmer. Colonel Fleming was always a Republican, having cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. He married, February 28, 1883, Margaret L. Dickey, daughter of ex-Congressman Jesse C. Dickey, of Chester, Pennsylvania. One child, Katherine.
Genealogical and Personal History of the Upper Monongahela Valley West Virginia, Vol 2, ed. Bernard Butcher, Lewis Publ Co, 1912; pgs 409-426

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