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First West Virginia Legislature

Biographical Sketches: Hugh Crothers


Wheeling Intelligencer
July 27, 1863

The First West Va. Legislature.

HOUSE OF DELEGATES.

Sketches Personal, Political and Biographical.

HUGH W. CROTHERS, of Brooke.

HUGH W. CROTHERS, the member from Brooke, was born in Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson county, Ohio, on the 18th day of December, 1820, and is therefore in his forty-third year. His father, Samuel Crothers, was one of the pioneer merchants of Eastern Ohio, and the subject of this sketch having received a business education, has spent the larger portion of his life in that vocation, and it may be aded [sic], quite successfully, too. He is of Irish descent on both sides of the house. His ancestors were all members of the Associate Reform Church, (commonly known as "Seceders") of which he is himself a supporter, but not a member. This denomination of christians employ nothing in their church worship but David's psalms, regarding them as the only ones in use as given by Inspiration, and until lately recognized it as a part of their religion that they should be sung one line at a time.

At the age of eighteen, Mr. Crothers went to Washington, Pa., where he remained until the Spring of '43, when he remov- [sic] to Wellsburg, Brooke county, where he at present resides.

He married in the summer of '47, and has two children, both daughters.

Mr. Crothers has always been a democrat and was a Douglas elector in the campaign of '60, was strongly opposed to the Breckenridge wing of the party, and to their principles ever since.

He was the active friend and supporter of Campbell Tarr, (our present State Treasurer,) in his canvass for the Richmond Convention,--who, it will be remembered, was another of the Western members, whom neither terror nor corruption could drive from his fidelity to the Union and the people who elected him. He was a member of the Convention which sat in this city during the months of June and August 1861, and of the House of Delegates of the restored government of the State. Was appointed by Governor Peirpoint his aid with the rank of Colonel, and held the position till the admission of West Virginia into the Union, when he was appointed aid to Governor Boreman, in which positions he has been very successful in procuring arms, equipments, clothing, &c., for the brave soldiers of West Virginia has given to the country, and has in this capacity done great and various service to the soldiers and their families. He is a man of very fine address, which he turns to good account in a business way. To his friends he is the best of friends, and no man will go further to oblige and serve them. In matters of business, however, true to his business education and instincts, he looks out for number one and rarely misses the main chance. Is a very sharp business man - sharp as tacks : and deserves for his energy and tact to be successful, as he is. Is a shrewd politician too, and when any wires are to be pulled, knows just as well as any one which wire to pull.

In person Col. Crothers is about five feet ten or eleven, and of good figure. Face pleasing and animated; eyes blue gray and bright with intelligence and mirth; hair has been very black, but now streaking with gray; eyebrows heavy, overhanging the eyes, and meeting across the nose, -- wears beard upon the chin only; nose one of those indefinite kind which it is impossible to describe - neither Roman Grecian, pug nor retrouss , but harmonizing very well with the general contour of feature, which is rather delicate than otherwise. - Manner cordial and engaging, makes friends at once and everywhere. Perhaps possesses a larger share of the suaviter in modo than any other member of the House. Is brisk and energetic in his walk and movements, and rapid in speech. Is chairman of the Committee on Elections and Priveleges [sic], and makes his speeches very short and pointed. Dresses neatly and well; is nearly always in his seat and always in a good humor.


Biographies of the First West Virginia Legislature

West Virginia Archives and History