Nanny & others: I ordered film from LDS Library and received the following: "Computer Printout of First Presbyterian Church, Morristown, Morris, New Jersey (1743-1839)" List contents under children of John Mitchel/Mitchell: Benj. born 22 Nov 1758 Bapt/Chr 21 Jan 1759 Luce born 4 Sep 1762 Bapt/Chr 11 Oct 1761 Sarah born 4 Jan 1766 Bapt/Chr 6 Apr 1766 Solomon born 15 Apr 1768 Bapt/Chr 10 Jul 1768** My line** lived in Barbour Co. in 1850 Hezekiah born 14 Aug 1770 Bapt/Chr 14 Apr 1771 Joseph born 11 Jan 1774 Bapt/Chr 29 Apr 1774 John born 12 Oct 1763 Bapt/Chr 1 Jan 1763 Also listed with no father's name Hilah Mitchell born 3 Jul 1814 I also sent for another reel trying to determine where the computer print out information came from. I just received a reel of film that has a church bulletin from 1880's that the Pastor had gone through records of past Pastors listed the years they served and listed the names and dates baptisms, marriages and deaths they had officiated. Also in same church are many Johnson's and some Tichenor's I didn't have much time, so I didn't make copies, I did however pay renewals to keep it there. I'm off tomorrow, will check it out better to see if any of Johnson info connects to Randolph County Johnson Line. *Note to others on list that may connect, Solomon Mitchell married Elizabeth Thompson d/o William and Elizabeth Thompson. and Solomon's daughter Rebecca Mitchell marries Uriah Weaver* nanny wrote: > > Bridgett,i wrote & ask if you found out about the Thompson's from NJ. > I meant to say Mitchells. > Had both on my mind. > Emolene Weaver,Lynch

I have a strange question. I'd like to know if anyone listening went to any of the following schools circa 1920-1950: Boulder Upper Indian Fork Lower Indian Fork Volga Wood Campbell These are all schools where my grandfather, Leslie F. McGee, taught. I was trying to collect a more complete list, but I've been having some trouble putting it together. I am hopeful I might find a few who had him as a teacher and might have any memories of him. I know that the Upshur County Historical Society is doing a presentation on Upshur Schools this summer, and I wouldn't mind hearing any memories in general anyone has about one room schools in Barbour County. Thanks Lee F. McGee [email protected]

Having seen so many of the postings on this Web Site I thought I would give it a try. Does any one have information about parents or family of the following persons? Leonard Douglas Cross (aks. D or Dee) b. Belington WV. 1888 - 1890 d. 1933 Belington- Elkins, WV. area. Buried IOOF cemetery Belington WV. Mable Skidmore Cross (wife of Leonard) b.1891 d. 1982. Their Children were, Jaunita, Wynetta,Winafred, Maxine and I believe a son Jimmy. One Sister Nellie Jane (Cross) Armstrong b. Belington WV. b1888 -1890. I believe his wife Ethal and some of the Family may have lived in Md. after his death. Possibly the Baltimore area. Any help will be appreciated. Thank you. Avis RFaa19 @aol.com 6/19/2000

List also has John Mitchell brother of Solomon --- However name is miss-spelled. John Michell born Oct 12, 1763 baptized Jan 1, 1764. This is a Baptism list from the First Presbyterian Church of Morristown, NJ. (after the record for Benjamin, Luce (Lucy), Sarah, and Solomon) Children born before May 3 1770 are entered into the record and noted that these children were baptized previously in New England. probably Conn or Mass. Bob Hershman ----- Original Message ----- From: Bridgette Osz <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, June 19, 2000 6:45 PM Subject: Mitchell, Tichenor, (Thompson & Weaver) > Nanny & others: > > I ordered film from LDS Library and received the following: > > "Computer Printout of First Presbyterian Church, Morristown, Morris, New > Jersey (1743-1839)" > > > List contents under children of John Mitchel/Mitchell: > > Benj. born 22 Nov 1758 Bapt/Chr 21 Jan 1759 > Luce born 4 Sep 1762 Bapt/Chr 11 Oct 1761 > Sarah born 4 Jan 1766 Bapt/Chr 6 Apr 1766 > Solomon born 15 Apr 1768 Bapt/Chr 10 Jul 1768** My line** lived in Barbour Co. > in 1850 > Hezekiah born 14 Aug 1770 Bapt/Chr 14 Apr 1771 > Joseph born 11 Jan 1774 Bapt/Chr 29 Apr 1774 > John born 12 Oct 1763 Bapt/Chr 1 Jan 1763 > > Also listed with no father's name Hilah Mitchell born 3 Jul 1814 > > I also sent for another reel trying to determine where the computer > print out information came from. I just received a reel of film that > has a church bulletin from 1880's that the Pastor had gone through > records of past Pastors listed the years they served and listed > the names and dates baptisms, marriages and deaths they had officiated. > > > Also in same church are many Johnson's and some Tichenor's > > > I didn't have much time, so I didn't make copies, I did however > pay renewals to keep it there. I'm off tomorrow, will check it out > better to see if any of Johnson info connects to Randolph County > Johnson Line. > > *Note to others on list that may connect, Solomon Mitchell married > Elizabeth Thompson d/o William and Elizabeth Thompson. and Solomon's > daughter Rebecca Mitchell marries Uriah Weaver* > > > nanny wrote: > > > > Bridgett,i wrote & ask if you found out about the Thompson's from NJ. > > I meant to say Mitchells. > > Had both on my mind. > > Emolene Weaver,Lynch >

Hello, I am new to the list. I am seeking information on Rev. Simeon Harris born 1762 and his son George Washington Harris born 1800 and his son William S. Harris born 1824. Any info would be appreciated!! Thank you!

The Mining Your History Foundation is sponsoring Happy Birthday West Virginia Genealogy Workshop on Tuesday, June 20 (state holiday - West Virginia Day), at the Cultural Center in Charleston. Cost is $25. Includes lunch of pizza, cookie and drink. Classes include: Beginning Genealogy presented by Joy Gilchrist-Stalnaker, Little Known Resources in th e WV Archives by Fred Armstrong and Pat Pleska, Using Family Treemaker by Nettie Gregory, WV Military Records of the 21st Century by Larry Legg, and Getting Your Genealogy Records organized for the 21st century by Sherri Pettit. Registration is $24. Lots of free parking (no walking miles to the parking deck this holiday) - Library will be open for workshop participants' use. Send registration to Mining Your HIstory Foundation, PO Box 6923, Charleston, WV 25362-0923. Joy Stalnaker P.S. Please pass this on to other lists and anywhere else that someone might be interested.

Thanks to all of you who replied to my question about the location of Hunter's Fork. Things seem to be falling into place a bit and I'm going to ask another question. From a prior visit, I know where Sugar Creek is located, in fact I've an ancestor buried in Sugar Creek Baptist Cemetery there. My earliest Armstrong ancestors are buried at the Stringtown Cemetery, as well as some Hill family members. The Armstrong family had land on Hunter's Fork. Is anyone familiar with the history of Stringtown? Jan, at the library in Belington, told me that the families buried in Stringtown mainly arrived together and lived in that area. She did not have that history though. We are headed to Philippi soon and I appreciate any answers or comments. You are all great to help out. Best Wishes, Jan

I have a copy of the U.S. 7.5 quadrangle sheet that shows a Hunter Fork branch to Sugar Creek, but if I understand the implications of the position of the names on the map, paralleling 92 is not quite accurate for either stream. The south most part of Sugar Creek where it seems to divide from Hunter Fork near Lambert's Chapel does parallel 92, in fact, it seems to run back and forth across 92 at several points and is little more than a few hundred feet away from 92 through out this stretch, after crossing 92 it is very close to it on the western side of 92 for much of the distance and the head of Sugar Creek is almost at Belington. Any one knowing the area: going north from Belington on 92 you pass the schools and upon topping the hill you are then in the watershed of Sugar Creek. Now, my problem with Hunter Fork paralleling 92: Part of it, perhaps much of it, does parallel 92 about a mile and a half eash of route 92, but the down-stream part of Hunter Fork seems to run almost due eastward from just south of the Lambert's Chapel to the point where it then turns and runs (upstream ward that is) in the course parallel to route 92. From a modern map, it appears that someone did not really have a very good view of the stream if the designation of Hunter Fork is accurate (and as I perceive the labels) because the course of the stream at the point where Sugar proper and Hunter Fork separate makes it appear that Sugar should have been considered as following the course of Hunter Fork and the branch labeled as Sugar Creek should be considered a branch rather than vice versa. (Poor view may be correct interpretation because that portion of the stream -- much of which is visible from route 92 is clothed in Rhodendron (which to the old fold was often called Laurel -- the reason, incidently that the portion of Sugar Creek north of Dantown is called Laurel Creek). Another interesting point. Many bench marks of the early topographic survey are found on the road that follows from Stringtown (at north end of Belington) over a ridge to Hunter Fork and then down (flow of water direction northward) to Lambert's chapel. This leads me to suspect the Hunter Fork road was the principle route northward at the time the surveys were being made. Could the old turnpike from Belington to ------ (to US route 50 in Preston and then to ? Morgantown) have followed a route through Stringtown and then down the stream labeled as Hunter Fork on the topo map? Anyone on here (preferably 120 years old :-) ) from the Belington area confirm the old route northward before 92 was cut through in the 1930s? There is remains of a road that went over the first ridge north of Belington still visible, but was that the turnpike? HELP! I was only about 6-8 years old when they cut the new route for 92 and we never drove from Belington to Nestorville. Only from Philippi via Sugar Creek road to Tacy occassionally, directly to Tacy through Dantown and from Tacy to Nestorville and thence to Danville (Kasson). The road from Nestorville directly down Teter's Creek and then up Raccoon Run/Creek to Danville was consider unpassable except to horse drawn carriages and horseback before 92 was built. To get to the John Nestor farm on Raccoon we have to go via Danville and walk back down the creek. (We lost a battery that split in two trying to drive up the muddy unfinished 92 from Danville to the Joh Nestor farm -- their horses pulled the car out of the mud and they loaded us a battery to get back to Philippi via Danville.) [Perhaps this is a clip you can add to the Barbour History.] ----- Original Message ----- From: CNL <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, June 09, 2000 4:01 PM Subject: Re: Locations > Jan, > > I have a WV Atlas & Gazetteer. According to it, Hunter Fork/Sugar Creek > is just northeast of Belington. The creek runs parallel to HWY 92, and > is near the Barbour/Randolph Co line. I know that's about as clear as > mud, but unfortunately there isn't anything nearby! > > I can scan this little section of the map and send it to you, if you'd > like. > > Cathy > > PS- We spoke a few weeks back about the Fryes. I tried to reply, > but your e-mail address kept bouncing! > > > Jan Waite wrote: > > > > Hello Everyone, > > > > Is anyone familiar enough with places in the county to tell me where > > Hunter's Fork was located? I've heard it mentioned in the same sentence > > with Sugar Creek, but most of my family left Barbour County 70 years ago. > > Thanks for any hints or ideas. > > > > Best Wishes, > > Jan >

Brenda: I have a Julia Ann Boyles who married Sanford Haddix. I dont know ANYTHING about her family, but the names of ther children suggest a connection to the name Bell: Sanford Haddix, b. Aug 2, 1885(this must be an error in the birthday, I suspect it is 1858 maybe) Barbour Co. WV married Julia Ann Boyles, b. Feb 27, 1856. Their children are: Dwight L, b. 1880 Thomas C. b. 1883 Sarah Ann (my husband's grandmother) James William. b. 1887 Winnie Bell, b. 1889 John, b. 1890 Sanford died, and Julia remarried Joab Martin. Joab had a son, Marion Francis Martin, who married Sarah Ann (his step-sister). Do you have any other information on Herbert and Belle? If they appear in the 1920 census as over 60 years old, perhaps they are siblings to Sanford maybe???? Mary Murphy Brenda Ericsson wrote: > Hello, > I am looking for information about Herbert Boyles' parents and family. As listed on the 1920 census, Herbert age 22, farmer, own home, was the head of family. Living with him were his mother Belle age 56, dau Myrtle age 16, and son Murl age 16. Does anyone know Herbert's parents and the rest of the family? Thanks so much. > Brenda

Jan, I have a WV Atlas & Gazetteer. According to it, Hunter Fork/Sugar Creek is just northeast of Belington. The creek runs parallel to HWY 92, and is near the Barbour/Randolph Co line. I know that's about as clear as mud, but unfortunately there isn't anything nearby! I can scan this little section of the map and send it to you, if you'd like. Cathy PS- We spoke a few weeks back about the Fryes. I tried to reply, but your e-mail address kept bouncing! Jan Waite wrote: > > Hello Everyone, > > Is anyone familiar enough with places in the county to tell me where > Hunter's Fork was located? I've heard it mentioned in the same sentence > with Sugar Creek, but most of my family left Barbour County 70 years ago. > Thanks for any hints or ideas. > > Best Wishes, > Jan

There is an author working on a book on the Civil War in Barbour County. He is looking for any pictures, letters or other documentation for Barbour residents who served in the war. He hasn't yet told me it's okay to put his email address on here, so for now if any one would like to contact me, I'll pass your message along. Also, I would encourage anyone with an interest in Barbour County history to consider the history page that Margaret Lew is considering for the Genealogy page. Several of us have had difficulty contacting the Barbour County Historical Society, and Barbour has such a rich history which is interwoven with it's genealogy that we ought to try to help each other learn more. As evidenced by the responses on this list, there are some very knowledgable people out there when it comes to Barbour County. In fact, I'll bet collectively we know more than the Historical Society! Thanks everyone, Lee

Hello, I am looking for information about Herbert Boyles' parents and family. As listed on the 1920 census, Herbert age 22, farmer, own home, was the head of family. Living with him were his mother Belle age 56, dau Myrtle age 16, and son Murl age 16. Does anyone know Herbert's parents and the rest of the family? Thanks so much. Brenda

Hello Everyone, Is anyone familiar enough with places in the county to tell me where Hunter's Fork was located? I've heard it mentioned in the same sentence with Sugar Creek, but most of my family left Barbour County 70 years ago. Thanks for any hints or ideas. Best Wishes, Jan

Margaret: I think that would be a great idea. Some of my Ball ancestors came from that area, and I would enjoy reading stories about that and other areas of Barbour County. - Harry Margaret C. Lew writes: > Dear list members, > > My genealogy research is partly the study of my families in the > history of the county, state and country they lived in. I want to > know what their lives were like between those birth and death dates. > > I would like to add little more emphasis on local history on the > Barbour County Genealogy Web Page. We have a beginning in the pages > of the "Barbour Family Album". > > A new section will feature the cities, towns and settlements of > Barbour County from early to present day. If you have text, pictures, > etc. to share on a place in the County let me know. I will also be > interested in making links to other webpages with such information. > I'm putting together a bit from Hu Maxwell's History of Barbour > County but it is just a beginning. > > This essay on the town of Kasson formerly Danville was a good example > of what I would like to include on the web page -- and in this > discussion list. > > While I cannot copy this material to the web page without the > permission of the Barbour County Historical Society I would be > interested in new work -- using such essays as a reference -- or > items without copyright problems to put into a Local History > section. > > Please let me hear your suggestions and opinions. Judging from my > own family we West Virginians love a good story about the past and I > hope you agree. I also hope you can participate. > > Margaret Lew > [email protected] > > Barbour County Genealogy Page: http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvbarbou > Hardy County Genealogy Page: http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvhardy > Link to my web pages http://www.geocities.com/skiz_2000

Dear list members, My genealogy research is partly the study of my families in the history of the county, state and country they lived in. I want to know what their lives were like between those birth and death dates. I would like to add little more emphasis on local history on the Barbour County Genealogy Web Page. We have a beginning in the pages of the "Barbour Family Album". A new section will feature the cities, towns and settlements of Barbour County from early to present day. If you have text, pictures, etc. to share on a place in the County let me know. I will also be interested in making links to other webpages with such information. I'm putting together a bit from Hu Maxwell's History of Barbour County but it is just a beginning. This essay on the town of Kasson formerly Danville was a good example of what I would like to include on the web page -- and in this discussion list. While I cannot copy this material to the web page without the permission of the Barbour County Historical Society I would be interested in new work -- using such essays as a reference -- or items without copyright problems to put into a Local History section. Please let me hear your suggestions and opinions. Judging from my own family we West Virginians love a good story about the past and I hope you agree. I also hope you can participate. Margaret Lew [email protected] Barbour County Genealogy Page: http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvbarbou Hardy County Genealogy Page: http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvhardy

Harry: On page 412 of "The History of Tucker County", by Hu Maxwell, 1884, gives the following info: "David Hovatter, son of Christopher Hovatter, was born in 1810; married Sarah A., daughter of Hesakiah Thompson; died 1881. Children: Hesakiah, Malinai J., Susan, Michael, Henry, David, John, Ingaby and Elizabeth." I hope this helps. Jim Hebb, Lordstown, Ohio

I am wondering if there is a woman who may be on the site -- a million in one shot -- that might have the last name Hovatter that was in the U.S.A.F. in 1954- . She was from WVA. A very nice girl. Or someone who might know of her and give her my email address. Sincerely Dee Randall Shenandoah Valley, VA

I am interested Joan "Noel E. Chenoweth" wrote: > DAM....... And I don't mean the Tygarts !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! > ROOTSWEB will not allow attachments or HTML. STONE AGE > !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! > Anyone that wants a lot of info on the dam and the Cities > buried and the Graveyards that were moved, please send me a > request. > I am sending a large amount of data regarding the Tygart > Dam > and backwaters. It will identify sunken cities and > identify > the cemeteries that were relocated. Because of its size, > I > will send it in manageable parts. All the data except the > attached picture came from the Taylor County Historical & > Genealogy Society. It was provided by Margaret Lew > IT IS VIRUS FREE COURTESY OF NORTON. > > Regards, > Noel E. Chenoweth, 73 De AL7FL > Certified Professional Curmudgeon > An Ethnic W.Va. Hillbilly--American > "THE Greenskeeper" > > MAIL ................... [email protected] > GENEALOGY MENU HTTP://AL7FL.ABTS.NET/

Thanks Karen. I saved your message to add to my Skidmore and Hovatter research. My Grandmother, Mary E. (Ball) Skidmore was a member of the Shiloh Church. Her Mother was Ingaba Hovatter, dau of David and Sarah A. Hovatter. I've never been able to determine the maiden name of Sarah and others seem to have the same problem. I have some of my Skidmore and Ball information posted on a web site. A link is below if anyone wishes to take a look. Thanks again.... Harry http://www.geocities.com/skiz_2000 Karen Coffman wrote: > I found in the book Barbour County West Virginia put out by the Barbour > County Historicl Society in l979 this account of Danville. > Kasson is in Cove District Barbour County. IT WAS FIRST NAMED DANVILLE after > the first settler Dan Highly who lived on the hill overlooking Kasson and si > still known as Highly Hill. he raised silkworms and grew mulberries to feed > them. The silk thread was put on spools and shipped to Baltimore. > Danville was given the name Kasson because of another Post Office Danville > W.V. The first letter was mailed to a man named Kasson. The first Post > Office was establised in 1862. Carr Bishop was the first postmaster. > Marion Newman, 1884; Lewis Coffman was postmaster in 1904; mail came from a > post office in Tucker Co. called Hovatter about 5 miles of Tucker and > Barbour line. George Coffman became postmaster in 1908 & served till lhis > death , 1930. Hattie Coffman, his wife and two sons, Hayse & George > Sherwood took it over until 1937 when Rachel Wilson Ball served till her > death. > The Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Rebekahs were organized and > maintained a lodge in Danville for many years. Woodman of the World also > had a lodge, both had lodge halls which are still standing, one is now a > dwelling, the other was a post office for many years. > Jack Bishop owned the first store in 1870; John and Ed Compton had store in > 1875. The third one was Marion Newman, 1880, Daniel J. Nester had the 4th > store in 1890 which became the Nestor and Shroyers was Mr. & Mrs. George > Nestor's during the nestor's time a store had burned & was rebuilt. Mr. > Lewis Coffman had a store about the Lodge building, which was destroyed by > the fire and was later rebuilt near the M.A. Coffman lot. > The first Blacksmith shop was owned by David Hovatter, 18l60 on the Dale > Skidmore lot; Ben Ekis owned a Blacksmith shop in 1864; Albert Loar had the > 3rd shop in 1891. Lewis Coffman owned the fourth shop, he learned his trade > from his luncles Mike and Lige Coffman who had shops in Valley Furnace, > Belington & Elkins. His first shop was near West Point (#7). > Grade school at the Crossroads below it was called the Coffman's shop. He > moved to Danville on the Hardin land now owned by Elmer Howdershilt in 1893. > His son Dlaget assisted him in later years. After his father quit > blacksmith work, he had shop on his lot about the Kasson Church. Lewis > Coffman moved to a housse still standing on the Shiloh road and had his shop > and store where the Bill Auvils daughter and her granddaughter now own.. > There was 2 shook shops where barrel staves were made. parkers had a woolen > mill. The first shoe manufacturing was established prior to the Civil War > by Henry Coffman > made shoes & boots & had a tannery. His son Tryo had shop later moved to > Baltimore & made artificial legs; cut a huge willow tree to make the legs > from near his home here because of the light weight for a leg. John W. > Nestor had a leg from his shop in the fifties. > The first school was close the Kasson U.M. Church; later built where Fred > Dumire now lives. The Cove District High School was opened in 1923; classes > 9, 10, 11 were held in lodge building for two years. > A.S. Hardin donated one acre or more land where the school now stands on Rt. > 92. The school was build mostly by free labor with Pat Ryan as boss. First > school was the year of 1925. 19l36 it became a senior high school and the > name was changed to Kasson High School. In 19158 was the last 4 years, then > became a grade school., Now lhas nearly 200 students. \The Kasson U. M. > Church was built in 1898 withj Daniel Nestor and Daniel Lohr as overseers. > David Hovatter who lived on the Dale Skidmore lot had the Commlunion & Love > Feast for the Church of the Brethren at his house, had to move everything > out to make room for the church services. This was the beginning of the > Shiloh Church of the Brethren which was organized in 1845 bout l 1/2 miles > from Kasson. > Submitted by The Coffmans > I don't know which branch of the Coffman family submitted this. My father > in law was Hayes son of Lewis Coffman. Most of the old people are gone. > We are having a Coffman reunion Sept. 3 & hopefully I can find out when the > name changed. > If you would like more information on the Coffman reunion please contact me > at [email protected] > Hope this is of some help.

Thanks Karen so much for the info!! I am also related to Coffman & Hovatter's so this is great! Thanks, Joan Karen Coffman wrote: > I found in the book Barbour County West Virginia put out by the Barbour > County Historicl Society in l979 this account of Danville. > Kasson is in Cove District Barbour County. IT WAS FIRST NAMED DANVILLE after > the first settler Dan Highly who lived on the hill overlooking Kasson and si > still known as Highly Hill. he raised silkworms and grew mulberries to feed > them. The silk thread was put on spools and shipped to Baltimore. > Danville was given the name Kasson because of another Post Office Danville > W.V. The first letter was mailed to a man named Kasson. The first Post > Office was establised in 1862. Carr Bishop was the first postmaster. > Marion Newman, 1884; Lewis Coffman was postmaster in 1904; mail came from a > post office in Tucker Co. called Hovatter about 5 miles of Tucker and > Barbour line. George Coffman became postmaster in 1908 & served till lhis > death , 1930. Hattie Coffman, his wife and two sons, Hayse & George > Sherwood took it over until 1937 when Rachel Wilson Ball served till her > death. > The Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Rebekahs were organized and > maintained a lodge in Danville for many years. Woodman of the World also > had a lodge, both had lodge halls which are still standing, one is now a > dwelling, the other was a post office for many years. > Jack Bishop owned the first store in 1870; John and Ed Compton had store in > 1875. The third one was Marion Newman, 1880, Daniel J. Nester had the 4th > store in 1890 which became the Nestor and Shroyers was Mr. & Mrs. George > Nestor's during the nestor's time a store had burned & was rebuilt. Mr. > Lewis Coffman had a store about the Lodge building, which was destroyed by > the fire and was later rebuilt near the M.A. Coffman lot. > The first Blacksmith shop was owned by David Hovatter, 18l60 on the Dale > Skidmore lot; Ben Ekis owned a Blacksmith shop in 1864; Albert Loar had the > 3rd shop in 1891. Lewis Coffman owned the fourth shop, he learned his trade > from his luncles Mike and Lige Coffman who had shops in Valley Furnace, > Belington & Elkins. His first shop was near West Point (#7). > Grade school at the Crossroads below it was called the Coffman's shop. He > moved to Danville on the Hardin land now owned by Elmer Howdershilt in 1893. > His son Dlaget assisted him in later years. After his father quit > blacksmith work, he had shop on his lot about the Kasson Church. Lewis > Coffman moved to a housse still standing on the Shiloh road and had his shop > and store where the Bill Auvils daughter and her granddaughter now own.. > There was 2 shook shops where barrel staves were made. parkers had a woolen > mill. The first shoe manufacturing was established prior to the Civil War > by Henry Coffman > made shoes & boots & had a tannery. His son Tryo had shop later moved to > Baltimore & made artificial legs; cut a huge willow tree to make the legs > from near his home here because of the light weight for a leg. John W. > Nestor had a leg from his shop in the fifties. > The first school was close the Kasson U.M. Church; later built where Fred > Dumire now lives. The Cove District High School was opened in 1923; classes > 9, 10, 11 were held in lodge building for two years. > A.S. Hardin donated one acre or more land where the school now stands on Rt. > 92. The school was build mostly by free labor with Pat Ryan as boss. First > school was the year of 1925. 19l36 it became a senior high school and the > name was changed to Kasson High School. In 19158 was the last 4 years, then > became a grade school., Now lhas nearly 200 students. \The Kasson U. M. > Church was built in 1898 withj Daniel Nestor and Daniel Lohr as overseers. > David Hovatter who lived on the Dale Skidmore lot had the Commlunion & Love > Feast for the Church of the Brethren at his house, had to move everything > out to make room for the church services. This was the beginning of the > Shiloh Church of the Brethren which was organized in 1845 bout l 1/2 miles > from Kasson. > Submitted by The Coffmans > I don't know which branch of the Coffman family submitted this. My father > in law was Hayes son of Lewis Coffman. Most of the old people are gone. > We are having a Coffman reunion Sept. 3 & hopefully I can find out when the > name changed. > If you would like more information on the Coffman reunion please contact me > at [email protected] > Hope this is of some help.