[Source: History of
West Virginia
; By Virgil Anson Lewis; publ.
1887; Pg. 685;
Transcribed and submitted by Andrea
Stawski Pack]
DODDRIDGE COUNTY.
Doddridge county was formed
by legislative enactment, February 4, 1845, from parts of Harrison,
Tyler, Ritchie and Lewis, and named in honor of the distinguished
Philip Doddridge.
Philip
Doddridge was a native of
Pennsylvania
, born in Bedford
county May 17, 1773. Facilities for acquiring an education were very
meager in the vicinity of his home. His father was his instructor,
until at the age of 17 he was placed under the care of a private
tutor at
Wellsburg ,
Virginia
, where he applied himself
to the study of Latin. This place, in 1796, became his permanent
home. Young Doddridge, curious to see the world, made an engagement
with the proprietor of a flat-boat engaged in transferring flour and
bacon to
New Orleans
. On his return he applied himself to
the study of law, with little assistance other than his own industry
and genius.
In 1797, at the first court
held in Brooke county, Philip Doddridge was permitted to practice
law in the courts of the county. Thus began his career as an
attorney. His growing reputation soon extended beyond the quiet
village of
Wellsburg
, until he was
acknowledged the first lawyer in that part of the State. Chief
Justice Marshall said of him in after years, "He is second to no one
at the bar of the
United States
;" and
Webster observing his portrait declared "He was the only man I ever
feared to meet in debate." He was a member of the House of Delegates
in 1815-16, and again in 1822-1823, and again in 1828-1829. He was a
member of the Convention for amending the State Constitution in
1829, and the same year was elected to Congress. He died at
Washington
, November 19, 1832, and
his remains were interred in the Congressional cemetery, where they
now rest.
West Union was
incorporated by act of Assembly, March 14, 1850. By the act creating
the county it was made the county seat, and the first court required
to be held at the house of Nathan Davis, at that place.
[Source: History of
West Virginia
; By Virgil
Anson Lewis; publ. 1887; Pg. 685; Transcribed and submitted by
Andrea Stawski Pack]
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