Notable Preston Countian
James Clark McGrew
1813–1910
A Brandonville-born merchant, banker, civic leader, Unionist delegate, West Virginia legislator, and U.S. representative whose public service connected Preston County to the creation of West Virginia.
Preston County connection
Born near Brandonville in Monongalia County, Virginia, in territory that became Preston County in 1818; built his business and public life in Kingwood and remained closely connected to Preston County throughout his career.
Also recorded as: James C. McGrew; James Clark M'Grew
A life through the timeline
7 linked entries. Each entry retains its own research status.
1856–1857 · Captured
Kingwood constructs a larger courthouse after a county-seat crisis
Morton describes a 1856 effort to move the county seat to Albright or Burchinal Town; James C. McGrew then organized construction of a new Kingwood courthouse, with building underway the following spring.
Read event and sources →1858 · Captured
James C. McGrew begins developing Tunnelton
Local community history says James C. McGrew acquired the land and established a store and large tannery in 1858, helping form the settlement known as Tunnelton. The community took its name from its location at the eastern end of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad's Kingwood Tunnel.
Read event and sources →April 20, 1861 · Verified to source
James C. McGrew joins an early discussion of western Virginia’s political future
Three days after voting against Virginia’s ordinance of secession, Preston County delegate James C. McGrew joined a small private meeting of western delegates in Richmond. The group discussed leaving the convention, returning to their constituents, and organizing opposition to secession. The effort formed part of the political movement that soon gathered at Wheeling and ultimately led to West Virginia statehood.
Read event and sources →November 14, 1865 · Captured
The Bank of Kingwood begins business
Morton calls the Bank of Kingwood Preston's pioneer bank and says it was organized in 1865 with $100,000 paid-up capital, William G. Brown as president, and James C. McGrew as cashier. Wiley gives the opening date as November 14, 1865.
Read event and sources →October 22, 1868 · Verified to source
Republican James C. McGrew of Preston County defeated Democrat William G. Brown by a margin of 9,147 to 6,517 in the Second District
Republican William E. Stevenson was elected governor, defeating Democratic-Conservative Johnson N. Camden by only 5,098 votes, despite the fact former Confederates were not allowed to vote. Camden carried the city of Parkersburg, the hometown of both candidates, by a wide margin. In Congressional elections on the same day, Republican J. H. Duval of Brooke County defeated Democrat H. S. Walker by a margin of 11,569 to 10,729 in the First District; Republican James C. McGrew of Preston County defeated Democrat William G. Brown by a margin of 9,147 to 6,517 in the Second District; and Republican John S. Witcher of Cabell County defeated Democrat Charles P. T. Moore by a margin of 6,215 to 4,806 in the Third District.
Read event and sources →March 4, 1869 · Verified
James C. McGrew begins representing West Virginia in Congress
James Clark McGrew of Kingwood began the first of two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. A merchant and banker who had opposed Virginia’s secession in 1861, McGrew represented West Virginia’s Second Congressional District until March 3, 1873.
Read event and sources →September 29, 1886 · Verified to source
Bank of Kingwood incorporated
The Bank of Kingwood was incorporated in West Virginia by the following: Smith Crane, John M. Crane, Frances Herrmans, Charles McBishop, William G. Brown, James H. Carroll, James W. Parks, Julia E. Byrne, M. Ella Morris, Marcellus H. Murdock, John s. Murdock, Samuel Snider, Louisa Stone, James C. McGrew of Kingwood, Preston County; James H. Manown of Weston, Lewis County; Martin L. Shaffer of Tunnelton, Preston County; and Samuel McGrew of Brandonville, Preston County.
Read event and sources →