Preston County, West Virginia Biography: David Henry LOAR ************************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: Material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor. Submitted by Linda Katalenich, , March 2000 ************************************************************************** The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc. Chicago and New York, Volume II, Pg. 406 DAVID HENRY LOAR, now located at Reedsville, relied upon the heavy and continuous program of a practical farmer to give him prosperity, and he has performed a useful part in his community and is known and admired for his effective citizenship. He was born near the Mount Vernon schoolhouse in Valley District of Preston County August 1, 1859. His father, Jonathan S. Loar, was born near Oakland, Garrett County, Maryland, in January, 1832, and was reared and educated there. When he was a boy the pioneer implements of cultivation and harvesting were still in use, including the old flail for threshing grain. He was one of a family of eighteen children, and on reaching his majority he left home to make his own way. Coming West, he established himself need Reedsville, where he married Susan Freeburn, daughter of Robert Freeburn. She was a native of Scotland and was a small girl when her parents came to America. Jonathan Loar and wife settled down as farmers, and lived near the village of Reedsville, where he died January 8, 1915, surviving his wife several years. He stood well as a citizen of the community and was a trustee of the district schools and constable of the district, and a life-long democrat. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His children were: William Robert, a photographer at Grafton; Jennie, widow of Frank Wolf, of Reedsville; Mollie, wife of S. D. Snider, of Masontown; David H. and Thomas E., twins; Belle, wife of O. W. Ringer, of Terra Alta; and Mattie, who died as the wife of Sanford L. Cobun, of Masontown. David H. Loar and his twin brother grew up on the farm, and while both attended the district schools it was the lot of David to keep close to the duties of the farm, and he exhibited a splendid loyalty to his parents, with whom he remained and for whom he cared until he was about thirty years of age. On leaving home he rented a farm near Reedsville, and a year later bought the place where he now lives. He and Mrs. Loar started with limited means, and out of their labors they paid for their farm and for the splendid improvements they have placed on it. Their income and prosperity have been chiefly derived from grain and stock. The main business of agriculture has been supplemented by other interests. Mr. Loar was a clerk for his brother-in-law, B. F. Wolf, in Reedsville, was at one time proprietor of the Reedsville Hotel, and for four years postmaster of the village under the administration of Grover Cleveland. On leaving the Post Office he turned it over to Mrs. Mason Watson. He cast his first presidential vote for General Hancock in 1880, and has always voted the democratic national ticket. He is a Baptist and Mrs. Loar, a Methodist. August 29, 1889, Mr. Loar married Alice Conley, daughter of Elias and Clarissa (Fortney) Conley. The Conley and Fortney families were established in Preston County in pioneer times. Elias Conley lived in the vicinity of Kingwood and Reedsville, was a splendid example of earnest citizenship, and besides owning and operating a farm he was a plasterer and brick maker. He died at the venerable age of ninety-four, and his widow died several years later. Their children were: Milton, a resident of Ohio; Letitia, deceased, who was the wife of Mesias Jennings; Jennie, who married Clark Powell and died at Morgantown in February, 1921, just a month before her sister Letitia died; Josephine, wife of Clark Hamilton, living near Independence in Preston County; Edith, who married Ward Wrightmeyer and died in Parsons, West Virginia; Mary, wife of David Stuchell, at Canes Creek; Mrs. Alice Loar; and Kate, Mrs. Guy Smith, of Cane Creek; and Bertie, Mrs. Mack Cale. Mrs. Loar was born May 11, 1864. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Loar is Frankie, now the wife of J. Sherman Cale, of Reedsville, and they have two children, Loar and David Lynn Cale. Thomas E. Loar, twin brother of David Loar, was for many years one of the useful educators of Preston County. He laid the foundation of his education in the common schools and taught his first school at the age of seventeen at Aurora, in the south part of the county. He taught in the winters and attended school himself for several years, took normal work, and had the instruction of one of the best educators in this locality, Professor M. O. Gorman. He also studied Latin and higher mathematics, but never realized his complete ideal for an education, since his time was required on the home farm. For thirteen years he was a teacher, and frequently did all the work which several teachers might properly have performed. His last teaching was done in the Reedsville school. Along with educational work he has been correspondent for local papers, and has the special gift of writing solicitously on memorial subjects. His memorial article on the life of the late Congressman Junior Brown has been especially commended. He has been a democrat since voting for General Hancock in 1880, and for the past twenty-five years has served on the board of election commissioners. Mr. and Mrs. Loar are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is one of the trustees of the church at Reedsville. In Monongalia County in 1900 he married Miss Nellie B. Holt, a native of that county and daughter of William B. and Martha (Hymen) Holt. Mrs. Loar possesses much artistic talent, which she has developed and has used effectively in producing landscapes, monogram drawings, and also mechanical drawing and drafting for architectural purposes. Her friends greatly prize some of her special productions, and her art is especially evident in her home. The Loar Library is filled with books, and both esteem the privileges of literature and all that makes life worth while. Mr. and Mrs. Loar have no children, but have a deep interest in child welfare and have contributed not a little to the educational ideals of their community.