Marion County Remembers

Remembering Major Howard Marshall Batson, Jr. (Mannington) April 13, 1910 - January 28, 1945 ---- "One on whom you could count—One who never turned back, but marched breast forward” - Reverend George McPherson Hunter, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Mannington ---- MAJ Howard Marshall Batson, Jr. was born April 13, 1910 in Vaughan, WV (Nicholas County), the son of Dr. Howard Marshall (often noted as H.M.) and Annie (Butler) Batson. H.M. was a doctor in Nicholas County (1910 Census). When Howard was young, his father served in World War I as a medical officer for the 29th Field Artillery, Fourth Division. He survived the war, and by 1920 their family was living in the Buffalo Creek area of Mannington, H.M.'s hometown. While living in Mannington, Howard graduated from Mannington High School. He then attended Fairmont State Normal School (1927 Mound Yearbook) and West Virginia University, from which he graduated in 1931 with a bachelor's degree. While at WVU, Howar...

Remembering 1LT Harry Blackstone Colborn (Fairmont) September 3rd, 1921 - February 5, 1945 ---- 1LT Harry Blackstone Colborn was born September 3rd, 1921 in Fairmont, West Virginia, to Andrew J. and Martha (Hutchinson) Colborn. During the 1930 census, the family was residing at 322 Locust Avenue, and Andrew is listed as a lawyer. Harry was the oldest of 4 living siblings, all born within an 8 year time period. The 1941 Fairmont city directory lists Andrew as living in the same Locust Avenue home but serving as the vice president of the Hutchinson Coal Company, a step up from the 1939 city directory that lists him as the lawyer for the Hutchinson Coal Company. In the same directories, Harry and his younger brother Melville are listed as students. While attending West Virginia University (WVU), Harry received a B.A. in Political Science (class of 1943) and was a member of the Sphinx men's honorary for seniors, Phi Kappa Psi, and President of the Interfraternity Council. Harry also se...