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June 20, 2013
100 Wyngate Drive, Weirton, WV
304.723.7004
Role
War Continued from Page 9
Campbell’s son-in-law twice, having married Campbell’s daughter Lavinia in 1840 and later, after she died, to another daughter, Clarinda. Pendleton had assumed many of the president’s duties when Campbell, who was 29 years older than he and ill, was no longer able to perform them. He also had seen the college through difficult times during the Civil War. Prior to the war, many of the young men who attended Bethany were from the south. As they went to war, the college’s enrollment dropped from about 120 to 23 in the
war’s first year and rising gradually to about 100 near the war’s end, according to McAllister. In his book, “Bethany Years,” former Bethany College professor W.K. Woolery said revenue was so low that professors received half their pay and Pendleton waived his own salary for a time. Gary Kappel, a history professor at Bethany for 30 years, said, “By and large Bethany College was pro-Union.” But he noted the division the war brought to many families didn’t miss Bethany as Campbell’s
oldest son, Alexander Jr., who had married a woman from Mississippi, was a Confederate officer, while Campbell’s nephew, Archibald, used his position as editor of the Wheeling Daily Intelligencer to voice his proUnion sentiments. In addition to helping the college to weather difficult financial times, Pendleton played a key role in the development of Old Main, the college’s commencement hall, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Kappel said Pendleton had his home renovated to resemble Old
Main’s collegiate Gothic architecture. Upon Pendleton’s retirement in 1887, the house was purchased by the college and it has been home to many Bethany College presidents. Now known as Christman Manor at Pendleton Heights, it’s home to current Bethany College President Scott D. Miller. Pendleton continued to serve the college beyond his retirement, serving on the board of trustees until his death in 1899, when he was the last individual to have been part of the school from the beginning.
Continued from Page 26 New Cumberland, Moundsville, Parkersburg, and Finely, Ohio, according to newspaper accounts. His home in the 1200 block of Pleasant Avenue still stands and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Photos of Duval and his family and papers related to his military service are on display at the Brooke County Museum, on loan from Leonard. The museum also has one-half of Duval’s regimental flag on display as part of its permanent Civil War collection, said
Greathouse. It wasn’t uncommon during the era to tear the flags in pieces and distribute them as keepsakes, she added. The other half of the flag, and the sword Duval carried during the Civil War is in possession of one of his descendents living in New England. To see the Civil War exhibit and the Duval collection, visit the Brooke County Museum and Cultural Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays at 704 Charles St. Admission is free; donations are appreciated.
Conflicted Continued from Page 8 encounter would eventually bring him to Hancock County, where he would live out the rest of his days. “He saved Col. Richard Hooker Brown’s life,” Brenneman said. “That’s how they became friends.”
According to Brenneman, Wilson was young when he arrived in the area — probably in his late teens — but usually just focused on taking care of his farm. “Nobody in the community had a bad thing to say
about him,” Brenneman said, explaining Wilson was a full member of the Methodist-Protestant Church, attending Nessly Chapel. Brenneman also noted Wilson always sat in the
back pugh of the church, but it was by his own choice. Wilson died either Dec. 10 or Dec. 11, 1933 at his home. He was buried at Nessly Chapel Cemetery; the only black individual to be buried there at the time.
Brown, too, is buried at Nessly Chapel Cemetery. In his life after the war, Brown would serve as a county commissioner, one term as the county sheriff and spent several years on the local school board.
Guide Continued from Page 4 system in the new state, even serving for several years as a member of one of the school boards in Hancock County. During interviews with prospective teachers, Pomeroy was said to ask two questions: To spell the word “Abakadzra,” and to explain to his satisfaction which side was right in the Civil War. It has been said he was presented with the gold pen used to make
the final draft of the First Constitution of West Virginia in tribute to his personality and in honor of his profession. Pomeroy would return to Hancock County in 1886 where he was active in his ministry until his death, even preaching on the day he died, according to some accounts. Pomeroy died in 1906 and is buried in Flats Cemetery in New Manchester.