Notable Preston Countian
William M. O. Dawson
1853–1916
A Preston County newspaperman and political leader who became governor of West Virginia. Camp Dawson carries his name.
Preston County connection
Raised and educated in Cranberry (now Terra Alta); worked as a Preston County newspaper editor and served as mayor of Kingwood. Born in Maryland.
Also recorded as: William Mercer Owens Dawson
A life through the timeline
4 linked entries. Each entry retains its own research status.
May 21, 1853 · Verified to source
West Virginia Governor and Preston County newspaperman William Mercer Owens Dawson was born in Bloomington, MD
West Virginia Governor and Preston County newspaperman William Mercer Owens Dawson was born in Bloomington, MD.
Read event and sources →November 2, 1882 · Verified to source
Kingwood and Cranberry Telegraph Company incorporated
The Kingwood and Cranberry Telegraph Company was incorporated in West Virginia by the following: William G. Brown, Jr., Robert W. Monroe, Smith Crane, J. Ami Martin, William M. O. Dawson, John M. Crane, Neil J. Fortney of Kingwood, Preston County; S. Fuller Crane of Parkersburg; John P. Jones, S. Frank Riley, William H. Glover, Marshall W. Crane, Charles W. Jackson, John W. Hardesty, Ezra D. Benson, and A. Staley Shaw of Cranberry,
Read event and sources →March 9, 1889 · Verified to source
West Virginia and Pennsylvania Railway Company incorporated
The West Virginia and Pennsylvania Railway Company was incorporated in West Virginia by the following: George W. L. Marshall of Philadelphia; William M. O. Dawson, Niel J. Fortney, B. M. Squires, and P. J. Crogan, all of Preston County. The company's purpose was to construct a railroad from at or near Rowlesburg, along the east side of Cheat River by the mouth of Muddy Creek, to Bruce, Brandonville, and Clifton Mills, up Big Sandy Creek to the Pennsylvania state line at or near Jones Mausts, all in Preston County. The company's main office was at Kingwood, Preston County.
Read event and sources →May 1909 · Verified to source
Camp Dawson Established Near Kingwood
West Virginia acquired approximately 195 acres along the Cheat River in Portland District for use as a permanent military training ground. The installation was named Camp Dawson in honor of Preston County newspaperman and political leader William M. O. Dawson, who served as governor from 1905 to 1909. It became the West Virginia National Guard’s primary training site.
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