Summers County
Summers County
Christopher H. Payne
Rev. C. H. Payne. D. D. Of The " Pioneer." Huntington, Va.
Christopher H. Payne was born near the Red Sulphur Springs, Monroe County, Virginia, since West Virginia, September 7, 1848.
His father was free born and mother was set free by her owner. The subject of this sketch wan their only child. He was left fatherless when about three years old. His mother, having received the rudiments of an English education from her master, became the anxious teacher of her little son. He learned rapidly and had read through the New Testament when he was but ten years old. While quite young, he married Miss Ann Hargo, a lady who has clung to him in adversity as well as honored him in prosperity. They have born to them two girls and four boys, all of whom they are striving to educate.
They own a comfortable home in Hinton, W. V.
Mr. Payne's first lessons in school were learned in a night school in Charleston, W. V. From this place, he returned to his home where he engaged in farming. He often plowed with his arithmetic between the plow handles and would commit a rule to memory while his horse, was resting. He would sometimes walk two or three miles at night, to get some one to solve a problem for him. In a short time; he began to teach in the public schools of Mercer, Monroe and Summers counties.
He became a Christian in 1875, was licensed to preach in 1876, and fully ordained to the gospel ministry in 1877. In September of the same year, he entered the Richmond Institute, now the Richmond Theological Seminary. Here by dilligent study and Christian deportment, he won the implicit confidence and universal respect of students and teachers. He graduated from this school in 1883. He belongs to the Baptist denomination and has, more than once, been appointed to address the national assemblies of white Baptists in their annual meetings. The church at Coal Valley of which he has been pastor six years is one of the most nourishing in the State of W. Va.
In 1885, he established the West Virginia Enterprise, at that time the only weekly Negro journal in the state. While editor of this paper, he did much toward creating a sentiment in favor of Negro equality before the law and in arousing in many an ambition to buy land, build homes and educate themselves. He had been correspondent to the Virginia Star, the Michmond Planet and to several other Negro as well as to white journals.
In 1884, he was alternate to the national republican convention that met at Chicago, and in 1888, he represented the Third Congressional District of West Va. in the convention that nominated Hon, Benjamin Harrison for President of the United States. He has been tendered the nomination for the state legislature and has been a member of the congressional committee for six years.
He exerted such an influence in the politics of W. Va. in 1888, that Gen. Goff and other leading men in the state, credit him largely with success of the republican party in that year. The Republican executive committee the entire state ticket and many other prominent men, in the state and out, endorsed him for minister to Liberia in 1889.
In 1890, the State University of Ky. conferred upon him the degree of D. D.
In the same year he was appointed deputy collector of internal revenue, with his office in the custom house, Charleston.
It was solely thought the efforts of Dr. Payne and Prof. Byrd Prillerman that, in 1891, the legislature of W. Va. established the Mechanical and Agricultural College in Kanawha County for the benefit of the Negro youth of the state. It was in this year that he became one of the proprietors of the Pioneer, a weekly journal printed in Huntington with Rev. I. V. Bryant editor in chief.
As a preacher and an orator he is dignified and eloquent. As a writer, he is polemic, his diction pure, and his style graceful. He is unquestionably, the most representative Negro in the state of W. Va., both in religion and politics.
[Source: "The Afro-American Press and its Editors", 1891, By Irvine Garland Penn - Transcribed by K.T.]
ANDREW J. SURBAUGH
Andrew J. Surbaugh is a native of Wayne county (Iowa), where he was born October 11, 1866, and during all his life has been connected with agricultural interests of his native section. In the November election of 1912 he was chosen to the important position of sheriff of Wayne county and on January 2, 1913, entered upon his new position, for which his many high qualities and his ability well fit him. He was born in Clay township, in which he spent most of his life in the country, but since January makes his home in Corydon. His father, John Surbaugh, was born at Green Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, and died in Clay township in 1877. The mother, Elizabeth (Guinn) Surbaugh, was a native of the same state and she and her husband came to Clay township, Wayne county, in the early days, being among the pioneers of this section. Both were well and prominently known during all their lives for their many high qualities of mind and character and Mr. Surbaugh became one of the substantial men of the locality. The mother passed away in Clay township, May 16, 1910, surviving her husband for about thirty-three years. In their family were twelve children, of whom seven are now living: Mrs. Nettie Caldwell, residing in Lewisburg, Iowa; Mrs. Alice Guinn, a resident of Bentonville, Iowa; Mrs. Mae Reck, born May 10, 1848, residing at Allerton, Iowa; Mrs. Lucy Caldwell, who lives at Lewisburg, Iowa; Mrs. Cynthia McGuire, residing in Humeston; Andrew J., of this review; and John, born February 3, 1872, of Clay township. Lee died in 1877, Mrs. Hattie Caldwell passed away in 1894. Rachel, lola and Grace died in infancy.
Andrew J. Surbaugh was reared under the parental roof and attended the schools in the neighborhood in the acquirement of his education. He early was trained to agricultural pursuits, remaining in this line of occupation continuously. He now owns a farm of one hundred and eighty acres and thereon he has a modern, well furnished home and all such improvements as are deemed essential in the cultivation of an up-to-date farming enterprise. His property is one of the most valuable in this section and bespeaks the energy, industry and progressiveness of its owner. On November 5, 1912, Mr. Surbaugh was elected to the office of sheriff of Wayne county on the democratic ticket, his victory being highly complimentary to him, as it was won in the face of a majority of four hundred which is generally given to the other side. It speaks well for his popularity and the confidence which is given him by the people. He assumed the duties of his office on January 2, 1913, assured of the good wishes of his many friends and acquaintances.
Andrew J. Surbaugh was united in marriage to Miss Elsie Olson on January 6, 1886. Mrs. Surbaugh is a native of Mercer county, Illinois, and grew to womanhood in that state. Her parents were Olof and Christina Olson, both of whom passed away in Illinois. In their family were five daughters: Mrs. Christina Morford, deceased; Mrs. Anna Williner, a resident of Galesburg, Illinois; Mrs. Bertie Loquist, deceased; Mrs. Surbaugh; and Mrs. Susie Grant, of Woodhull, Illinois. The parents were among the early settlers in Illinois, making their home near North Henderson, and there all their children were born and reared. Mr. and Mrs. Surbaugh are the parents of four children, who were born in Clay township with the exception of the second son: Bay, a barber of Humeston, Iowa; Earl, born in Mercer county. Illinois, who assists the father in the cultivation of the farm; Stella, residing with her parents; and Floyd, also at home. The family are devoted members of the Baptist church, in the work of which organization they take an active interest.
Mr. Surbaugh is a democrat in his political views and has always taken a keen interest in all matters of public importance. He always keeps well informed upon the issues at stake and his advice is often sought in local political circles. Public honors have come to him manifold and he has served as trustee of Clay township, as member of the school board, as assessor and as road supervisor, discharging his duties in connection with the various offices he has held with a fidelity and ability that have received high commendation from his constituents. He is successful in the truest sense of the word, a man unusually broad minded and intelligent, not only attaining individual success but being a helpful and cooperant factor in the general advancement as well.
[Source: "Past and present of Lucas and Wayne counties, Iowa...", Volume 2, By Theodore M. Stuart, 1913 - transcribed by K.T.]