History of Parkersburg, (Wood County) West Virginia United States of America

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Biographies:

Peter G. Van winkle, senator, was born in New York city, Sept. 7, 1808. He was liberally educated; was admitted to the bar, and began practice in Parkersburg, Va., in 1835, abandoning his profession in 1852, to become treasurer of a railroad company. He was a member of the Virginia state constitutional convention, 1850; of the Wheeling reorganizing convention, 1861; a delegate to the convention which framed the constitution of West Virginia; a representative in the legislature of the latter state until June, 1863, and U.S. senator from West Virginia, serving, 1863-69, and chairman of the committee on pensions. He was a delegate to the Loyalists' convention at Philadelphia, Pa., 1866. He died at Parkersburg, W. Va., April 15, 1872.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

John Jay Jackson, jurist, was born in Parkersburg, Va., Aug. 4, 1824; son of Gen. John Jay and Emma G. (Beeson) Jackson; grandson of Judge John G. Jackson and of the Hon. Jacob Beeson, U.S. district attorney for western Virginia, 1819-23; great grandson of Col. George Jackson and great2 grandson of John Jackson, who came from Ireland to Calvert county, Md., about 1748, and removed to Virginia, about 1768. His father was graduated at the U.S. Military academy in 1818, was a member of the staff of Gen. Andrew Jackson and a member of the Virginia convention of 1861, when he opposed secession. John Jay Jackson, Jr., was prepared for college by the Rev. Festus Hanks, and was graduated at the College of New Jersey in 1845. He was admitted to the bar in 1846; was prosecuting attorney for the commonwealth in Wirt county, 1848, and in Wirt and Ritchie counties, 1849; a representative in the Virginia legislature 1851-57; and an elector on the Whig ticket, 1852, 1856 and 1860, casting his vote for Bell and Everett in 1860. He was appointed judge of the U.S. district court for the district of western Virginia by President Lincoln, Aug. 3, 1861. He was married, July 8, 1847, to Carrie C. Clime of Parkersburg, Va.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Harman Blennerhassett, adventurer, was born in Hampshire county, England, Oct. 8, 1764. He graduated at Trinity college in Dublin with honor, receiving the degrees of B.A. and L.L.B. in 1790. He inherited an ample fortune and travelled in France, where he was infected with Republican ideas. He married Adeline Agnew, daughter of the governor of the Isle of Man; disposed of his estates, bought a supply of philosophical apparatus, an extensive library, and in 1797 sailed for America. He visited different sections of the country, and in 1798 he bought Backus Island, in the Ohio river. A spacious house was built among the majestic forest trees, and fitted up with pictures, statues and costly furniture. Blennerhassett spent his time in study and scientific experiments. In 1805 Aaron Burr, disappointed in his political aspirations, and covered with odium on account of his duel with Alexander Hamilton, had resolved upon a bold scheme that included the conquest of Mexico, and perhaps the acquisition of part of the United States. In 1805 he visited the hospitable home on Backus Island, and succeeded in interesting his host in his ambitious project. The fortune the latter had brought from England was dwindling, he had a growing family to provide for, and here was an opportunity to gain power and wealth. He spent large sums provisioning boats, and purchasing arms, ammunition, and provision for the expedition. To quote Wirt, "His imagination was dazzled by visions of diadems and titles of nobility." He cast his lot with Burr without further objection and became his obedient tool. The people he had enlisted began to grumble, and President Jefferson, on receiving reliable information, issued a proclamation against the scheme. Blennerhassett became frightened, fled from his island home and joined Burr at the mouth of the Cumberland river. His home was destroyed by a party of men under Colonel Phelps. Burr and Blennerhassett were arrested, but were almost immediately discharged, and the latter started for home, but was again arrested at Lexington, Ky., and thrown into prison. Henry Clay defended him, but did not procure his discharge, and he was taken to Richmond to await trial for treason. Nothing being proved against Burr, his fellow conspirators were discharged. Blennerhassett settled in Natchez, and engaged in raising cotton, but this was a failure. In 1819 he moved to Montreal, hoping to receive an appointment as judge, which he did not get, then sailed for Ireland in order to recover his estates there, but without success; and, poor and disheartened, he retired to the island of Guernsey. His wife wrote "The Deserted Isle" and "The Widow of the Rock." After her husband's death she returned to the United States and petitioned Congress for a grant of money. The petition was presented by Henry Clay, but Mrs. Blennerhassett died before it was reported upon. Harman Blennerhassett died on the island of Guernsey, in 1831.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Lawrence Talbott Neal, representative, was born in Parkersburg, Va., Sept. 22, 1844; son of Lawrence Perry and Mary Hall (Talbott) Neal. His great grandfather, Captain Neal, built a blockhouse known as Neal's Station on the site of Parkersburg. Lawrence T. Neal attended the public schools and in 1862 obtained employment in a dry goods store. He studied law with Judge W. H. Stafford at Chillicothe, Ohio, 1863-66; was admitted to the bar in 1866, and entered into practice at Chillicothe in 1867. He was city solicitor, 1867-68; a Democratic representative in the state legislature, 1868-69, and prosecuting attorney for Ross county, 1869-72. He was a Democratic representative from the seventh district of Ohio in the 43d and 44th congresses, 1873-77, and was defeated in 1876 and 1878 for the 45th and 46th congresses. He was also defeated for state senator in 1887. He was a delegate from Ohio to the Democratic national convention of 1888, and one of the four delegates-at-large from that state to the Democratic national convention in 1892. He was the unsuccessful Democratic candidate for governor of Ohio in 1893, being defeated by William McKinley. He retired from active political life and continued the practice of law in Chillicothe.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor