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Harrison County

County Facts

Date of Formation: 1784
Named: For Benjamin Harrison, distinguished Virginian, who was the father of William Henry Harrison, 9th President, and the great-grandfather of Benjamin Harrison, 23rd President.
County Seat: Clarksburg

Sources

Books

Butcher, Bernard Lee. Genealogical and Personal History of the Upper Monongahela Valley, West Virginia. New York, Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1912.
975.45 B983.

Coffman, Bertha. History of Prospect Valley Community, Harrison County, West Virginia. Morgantown, West Virginia, Agricultural Extension Division, 1925. (On-line version)
Xwv 1. Agr 3. C54.

Comstock, Jim. Hardesty's Historical and Genealogical Encyclopedia. Richwood, West Virginia, 1973.
975.4003 H259 vol.6.

Cooper, Nettie Bartlett. History of Prospect Valley; Dedicated to the Memory of the Families of John and Phoebe (Conaway) Chalfant, Melville and Christena (Chalfant) Bartlett. n.p., 1940.
975.457 C777.

Curry, Willa. Reflections of Lost Creek, a Community Mirror, Lost Creek, West Virginia. n.p., 1937.
975.457 C976.

Davis, Dorothy. History of Harrison County, West Virginia. Clarksburg, West Virginia, American Association of University of Women, 1970.
975.457 D261.

Harmer, Harvey Walker. Covered Bridges of Harrison County, West Virginia. Charleston, West Virginia, Educational Foundation, @ 1956.
975.457 H287c.

___________________. Old Grist Mills of Harrison County. Charleston, West Virginia, Charleston Printing Company, 1940.
975.457 H287.

Harrison County Circuit Court Indictment Against Horace Greeley and New York Tribune, @ 1856.
Ms 80-224.

Harrison Bicentennial Commission. Harrison County, A Bicentennial Album. Clarksburg, West Virginia, Harrison Bicentennial Commission, 1985.
975.457 H318ha.

____________________________. Harrison County 76. Clarksburg, West Virginia, Clarksburg-Harrison County Bicentennial Commission, 1976.
975.457 H318.

Harrison County Historical Society. Harrison County Heritage, 1784-1995. [s.l.], Walsworth Publishing Company, 1995.
975.457 H318h.

Haymond, Henry. History of Harrison County, West Virginia. Morgantown, West Virginia, Acme Publishing Company, 1910.
975.457 H422.

History of Clarksburg and Harrison County From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time. n.p, nd.
975.457 H673

Schnautz, Cornella Maccia. Long Ago , Yesterday in Appalachia. Parsons, West Virginia, McClain Printing Company, 1988.
280.4078 S357.

Shinnston Historical Association. Recalling the Past, Looking to the Future: A History of Northern Harrison County. Shinnston, West Virginia, Shinnston Historical Association, 1982.
975.457 S556.

Thrash, Harriet. Good Hope Community. Morgantown, West Virginia, Agricultural Extension Division, 1925. (On-line version)
Xwv 1. Agr 3.

Newspaper Clippings

"50 Sweet Years for Family-Owned Pastry Operation," Weirton Daily Times, 12-24- 1997.
"A History of Good Hope," Clarksburg Exponent, 9-29-1926.
"A History of West Milford," Exponent-Telegram, 12-25-1927.
"A Church at Bridgeport Tried Witches," Post Herald, 7-14-1964.
"Anmoore Grows from Original Ann Moore's Run," Exponent, 4-13-1984.
"Anne Freeman, Once in Slavery, Recalls Harrowing Experiences," Exponent, 12-7- 1930.
"Atrocity on the West Fork," Clarksburg Exponent, 9-1-1940.
"Attorney Discusses Chemical Litigation, Grasselli Chemical Company," Exponent, 3- 11-1928.
"Author Seeks Data on Covered Bridges," Exponent, 1-6-1926.
"B. Of E. Members File 10 Charges Against J. Walter Duncan," Exponent, 10-11- 1928.
"Bennett Rider Early Cabinetmaker, Mechanic, Machinist...," Exponent-Telegram, 12-3- 1989.
"Bible & Geography Book Over 100 Years... Possession of Cecil Towles," Exponent, 1- 6-1929.
"Bicentennial Salute to Harrison County," WV Hillbilly, 7-3-1976.
"Bill Horner of Lost Creek....," Clarksburg-Exponent, 11-30-1930.
"Bits of History, Joseph Reed of Boothsville, WV," n.p. n.d.
"Bridgeport Expects Throng for Cemetery Rites Today," Clarksburg Exponent, 10-13- 1940.
"Cannon Used in Civil War Being Rebuilt," News-Register, 3-25-1990.
"Celebration Justice for 100-Year-Old County Courthouse," Wheeling Intelligencer, 8- 25-1995.
"County Fair Interesting Part of Harrison County's History," Exponent-Telegram, 7-29- 1928.
"County Union Veterans Assoc. Organized Here Over 27 Years Ago," Exponent, 4-19- 1931.
"Couple Restore Old House for Bed &Breakfast in Harrisville," Clarksburg Telegram, 3- 13-1994.
"Daughter of 1812 Veteran has Much Cherished Relics," Exponent, 10-30-1927.
"Dedication of Mounment at 100F Cemetery at Enterprise, 1933," Shinnston News, 8-8- 1974.
"Dolan Story Bring Record of Others Who Sought Oil in Day Long Past," Exponent, 5- 17-1929.
"Double Row Tracks Parkersburg/Grafton Projected 1/2 Century Ago," Exponent, 10- 28-1928.
"Downtown Lumberport Once Site of Boatyard, Lumber-Grist Mill," Exponent, 9-30- 1984.
"Duck Creek Church 100 Years Old," Exponent-Telegram, 8-16-1931.
"Early Days Are Recalled," Parkersburg News, 2-8-1942.
"Early Arithmetic Books...Early Harrison County Schools," Exponent, 11-13, 1927.
"Edna Law Reviews Part Harrison Co. Played During Revolutionary War," Exponent, 2- 19-1928.
"Eleven Buildings Used as Court House...," Clarksburg Exponent, 1-17-1932.
"Encore for Opera House," News-Register, 10-20-1991.
"First Roads in County Followed Indian Trails," Clarksburg Exponent, 5-5-1940.
"First Oil Well Drilled in Harrison During Year 1895," Clarksburg Exponent, 2-3- 1929.
"First Wagons Brought Here By Horseback," Exponent, 7-14-1940.
"Flood of 1888 Greatest Ever to Hit County," Exponent, 5-6-1928.
"Flying High, Benedum Airport," Charleston Gazette, 5-26-1996.
"From Fort Nutter: One Harrison Co. Thriving Progressive Communities," Exponent, 8- 19-1984.
"Genealogical History of County is Being Compiled," Exponent-Telegram, 9-23- 1928.
"Gigantic Task Facing Historian in Residence at Library, Jim Pool," Exponent, 2-5- 1984.
"Granville D. Hall's Book Recounts... Notorious Band Outlaws," Exponent-Telegram, 12-7-1989.
"Harper Obtains Old Discharge," Exponent-Telegram, 4-28-1957.
"Harrison One of the Oldest State Counties," Harrison County News, 6-2-1963.
"Harrison Split From Monongalia," Dominion Post, 4-21-1974.
"Harrison, Gilmer Pioneers Believed in Big Families," Clarksburg Exponent, 10-13- 1940.
"Harrison County Down the Ages," Exponent-Telegram, 7-1-1928.
"Harrison Co.Oldest Man Hundredth Year... Still Believes Santa Claus," Exponent, 12- 21-1924.
"Harrison County Down the Ages," Exponent, 7-1-1928.
"Harrison to Mark County Government Week," Exponent-Telegram, 4-1-1994.
"Harrison County Bicentennial for 1984 Birthday Celebration," Clarksburg Exponent, 7- 24-1983.
"Harrison County Genealogical Society Celebrating 2nd Anniversary," Exponent, 3-20- 1986.
"Harrison County Map Made in 1886 Show Many Landmarks...," Exponent, 5-19- 1929.
"Harrison County Courthouse Marks Anniversary," Weirton Daily Times, 11-1994.
"Harrison County History Tour," WV Hillbilly, 10-7-1972.
"Harrison County Bought Infirmary Farm 107 Years Ago, Price $2,650," Exponent, 4- 18-1965.
"Harrison County, WV Brief Economic Facts," Monongahela Power Company, 1989.
"Hickman Has Copy of '61 State Acts," Exponent-Telegram, 6-30-1929.
"Historic Benjamin Lowe House...," Clarksburg-Telegram, 3-8-1992.
"Historical Society Plans Shinn House Meeting," Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram, 6-17- 1990.
"Historical Story of Clarksburg-West Milford Schoolmates 70 Years Ago," Exponent, 4- 8-1926.
"History of Bands and Badmen of Harrison County," Exponent-Telegram, 8-9- 1931.
"History of Bridgeport Now Available...," Exponent-Telegram, 11-21-1976.
"How Free Enterprise Was Named & Saved," Charleston Gazette, n.d.
"Jake Flowers Recalls First Street Car Trip Made in 1902," Exponent, 7-28-1929.
"Jasper N. Wilkinson, 88 Played Role in Laying Foundations of Industry, Exponent, 2- 27-1929.
"Jealousy Built Harrison's Twin Houses of Maken," Charleston Gazette, 2-27-1995.
"John Mortimer Orr Recalls Days Game Abounded in Co.," Exponent-Telegram, 11-24- 1929.
"Killer Tornado Ravaged Area 50 Years Ago," Clarksburg Telegram, 6-23-1994.
"Land Patents Dated 1768 Among Personal Papers Bridgeport Spinster," Exponent, 1- 27-1929.
"Lindsay Blair, Oldest Man in Harrison County Father of 16 Children," Exponent, 5-11- 1930.
"Log Cabin 160 Years Old," Clarksburg Exponent, 7-24-1938.
"Logging Once Boom Industry Along West Fork," Exponent, 8-6-1939.
"Long Ago Corner," Bridgeport News, 6-17-1965.
"Lost Creek Charter is Missing," Exponent, 5-21-1978.
"Lost Creek Got Its Name From Early Hunting Party," Exponent-Telegram, 11-10- 1935.
"Loudin Reports to Court Value Photostat in Recording Legal Docs.," Exponent, 6-15- 1927.
"Lumberport History Books Are Available," Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram, 6-18- 1978.
"Lumberport Takes Steps to Improve Cemetery, in Project with Lions Club," n.p n.d.
"Lumberport 150th Anniversary Plans Given," Exponent-Telegram, 9-18-1988.
"Marshville Community's Autumn Fair Will Reflect its Early History," Salem Herald, 9- 13-1967.
"Massei Family Restaurant Legacy Draws to Close," Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram, 6- 25-1989.
"Methodism Followed Early Settlers Over Alleghenies," Sunday Telegram, 6-10- 1923.
"Miner Lost 43 Pounds in Pit," n.p. n.d.
"Miss Bassel Holds Unusual U.S. Job," n.p n.d.
"Monument Will Mark Spot Where 8 Were Massacred on Booth's Creek," Exponent, 11-1-1936.
"Mrs Mary Romine Ladwig is Lone Survivor Pioneers of West Milford," Exponent, 7- 14-1929.
"Mrs. Virginia Thompson Recalls Railroad Survey...," Exponent-Telegram, 12-30- 1928.
"Mrs. Ora Riley Finds Interesting Stories in Family Record Research," Exponent, 3-30- 1930.
"Mrs. Adelaide Swisher Lived Terms Served by 24 Presidents in U.S. A.," Exponent, 7- 28-1929.
"Napoleon Hill Makes Success a Profession," Grafton News, 2-18-1938.
"Northview Had Newspaper in 1912," Clarksburg Exponent, 6-12-1938.
Notes on the Twin Houses of Maken "Old Petitions for New Central State Counties Colorful Documents," Exponent, 11-17- 1940.
"Old Records Tell Story of Ohio River Boat Trip," Clarksburg Exponent, 6-2-n.y.
"Old West Milford Mill Had Vital Role in Area Growth," Exponent, 5-2-1968.
"Old Papers of Col. Lowther Highly Prized," Clarksburg Telegram, 5-25-1930.
"Old Maulsby Bridge Fades Into Memory," Exponent, 9-20-1936.
"Old Diary Tells of Trip to Local Region in 1801," Exponent, 11-17-1940.
"Old Day Books Record Sales of Merchandise Back in 48-49," Shinnston News, 3-15- 1923.
"Old Papers Show Taxes Not Burdensome in 1825...Acres 47 Cents," Exponent, 11-26- 1928.
"Over One Hundred Years Ago," Exponent, 1-15-1928.
"Pinnickinnick, Elk Creek Mentioned in Novel by Native Clarksburger," Exponent, 8- 20-1939.
"Pioneer Scouts Defended County in 1795," Exponent, 5-4-1941.
"Pioneer Harrison County Forts, Richard's, Arnold's, & Lowther's," Exponent, 3-27- 1938.
"Portrait Gallery of all County Clerks Being Collected Maurice L. Loudin," Exponent, 12-1-1929.
"Post Article Pictures Adm. Stump in World's Most Important Command," Telegram, 4- 30-1957.
"Presentation to Governor Rockefeller from B. Rector, Recalling the Past," Exponent, 6- 12-1983.
"Rare Records: Votes on Civil War Secession Ordinance 1861," Mountaineer Spirit, 11- 15-1985.
"Readers Wreck Press 1st Co. Newspaper Editor Support of South," Grafton News, 4-14- 1939.
"Recollections 50 Years Ago; Schools & Business Show Forward Strides," Exponent, 1- 5-1928.
"Reflecting Rich History," Wheeling News-Register, 7-7-1996.
'Rush for Gold in California Started by West Virginian," Huntington Advertiser, 7-14- 1929.
"Salem Bicentennial Town," Salem Herald, 7-29-1975.
"School Contract Almost Century Old Discovered," Exponent, 2-25-1931.
"Shinn Family of Harrison County," WV Hillbilly, n.d.
"Shinn Brothers Renowned for Early Harrison County Furniture," Exponent-Telegram, 1-7-1990.
"Shinnston Hasn't Forgotten Deadly Tornado 1944," Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram, 6- 19-1994.
"Shinnston at the Beginning of the Twentieth Century," Shinnston News, 1-24- 1974.
"Short Line Track Was Laid at Night in Sensitive Area," Exponent-Telegram, 10-7- 1984.
"Simpson Creek Baptist...1st Organized Congregation West Alleghenies," Exponent, 9- 15-1929.
"Slavery Part of County's History," Clarksburg News, 8-8-1957.
"Stagecoach Trip Required 9 hrs to Travel Clarksburg to Weston in '64," Exponent, 2- 10-1929.
"Stagecoach Trip Required 9 Hours Travel Clarksburg to Weston in 64," Exponent, 2- 10-1929.
"State Native to Sit at United Controls," Charleston Daily Mail, 3-26-1999.
"State to Erect New Historical Marker in Saltwell Community," Exponent, 5-25- 1980.
"Station Represents Sizable Industry for Shinnston Area," 11-30-1972.
"Stirring Times Here When Men Mobilized in 1862 Join Army of Lee," Exponent, 2-26- 1928.
"Strains From Drum & Fife Carry History With Them," Clarksburg Exponent, n.d.
"Succession of Noted Scholars in Presidency of University...," Exponent, 12-2- 1928.
"Surveyors' Instruments Exhibited Played Part in Early History of Co." Exponent, 2-24- 1927.
"Susan Dew Hoff," WV Hillbilly, 5-21-1983.
"Ten County Sites Chosen for Historical Markers," Clarksburg Exponent, 10-27- 1935.
"The Best of Life in the Slow Lane, Lost Creek," Charleston Gazette, 1-3-1993.
"The Bride Lies in Benedum Cemetery at Bridgeport, WV Hillbilly, 10-3-1964.
"The Coach House," Times West-Virginian, 3-16-1997.
"They're Proud of Their Progress in Bridgeport, n.p., n.d.
"Three Houses in Elk Built in 1790," n.p. n.d.
"Tornado's Deadly Lesson Isn't Forgotten," Charleston Gazette, 6-19-1994.
"Town of Enterprise," WV Hillbilly, 8-3-1974.
"Town of Enterprise, Four Parts," WV Hillbilly, 8-1974.
"Twin Sisters Celebrated 72nd Birthday Together," Exponent-Telegram, 6-14-1931.
"Two County Log Houses Still Standing After More Than 150 Years," Exponent, 8-20- 1939.
"Two Everson Sons Used Place Headquarters Band of Outlaws," Clarksburg Exponent, 2-2-1992.
"Two West Virginians Figure in Romance of Oil," Williamson Daily News, 6-2- 1937.
"Valiant Was the Word for County's First Sheriff," Clarksburg Exponent, 7-21- 1940.
"Veteran of Civil War Living at West Milford Bears 7 Wounds Scars," Exponent, 4-14- 1929.
"West Milford's Mayor Reveals Town's History," Clarksburg Telegram, 5-27-1983.
"WV Churches Strange Methods Settling Differences 75 Years Ago," Times Record, 7- 23-1922.
"Young Wood County Lad Oil Pioneer," Clarksburg Exponent, 3-3-1929.
"Young Lover Mentioned in Novel, Daughter of the Elm... Shinn's Run," Exponent, 5-4- 1930.
"Zinc Plant Powder Mill Important Roles in Early Growth Harrison Co.," Exponent, 11- 23-1989.

Harrison County Records on Microfilm

County History Resources

History Center

West Virginia Archives and History