Marion County Remembers

Remembering SSGT Wilbur Stevens Hall (Rachel) May 16, 1924 - July 21, 1944 ---- SSGT Wilbur Stevens Hall  was born May 16, 1924 in Coxs Mill, WV (Gilmer County), the son of Sam and Freda (Langford). In 1930, Sam was working as an oiler at a gas station, while their family lived at Leading Creek in Gilmer County (1930 Census). Between 1930 and 1935, they moved to Grantsville, Calhoun County (1940 Census). In Grantsville, Sam worked as a station operator for Hope Gas (1940 Census). In 1942, Wilbur, known as "Wib" to his siblings, graduated from Calhoun County High School. He was the class valedictiorian, participated in 4H, student government, was the captain of the football team, and was even the two time mayor of Grantsville (Wilbur's nephew Jim Hendershot, Findagrave). After graduation, Wilbur studied welding in Arthurdale, WV, a school founded by Eleanor Roosevelt. After spending some time working at Ice's Grocery Store in Rachel, WV (Jim Hendershot), he found work ...

Remembering PFC Glen Hayward Cosner (Grant Town) October 22, 1922 - January 13, 1945 ---- Note: Some records show Glen's name as Glen, and others say Glenn. We're going to use Glen in this mini-biography as it is what is recorded on his birth record and on his gravestone. ---- PFC Glen Hayward Cosner (Service #35747205) was born in Philippi, West Virginia on October 22, 1922, the son of Leslie and Goldie (Marsh) Cosner. When Glen was born, his parents were living in Midland, West Virginia, and his father was working as an engineer (WV Birth Record). By 1930, the Cosner family had moved to Grant Town in Marion County, where Leslie worked at the coal mine as a foreman (1930 Census) and later a section boss (1940 Census). Glen graduated from Fairview High School in 1941, where he participated in Varsity Club, Pep Club, Glee Club, Baseball, and Basketball. His senior yearbook gave his nickname as "Caswell." Military Service: PFC Glen Cosner entered the draft on June 30, 1...

Remembering  PFC John Lee Ensminger (Watson) July 19, 1914 - December 3, 1944 ---- PFC John Lee Ensminger (Service #35375948) was born in Watson (Fairmont), West Virginia on July 19, 1914, the son of Fred and Jennie June (Hamilton) Ensminger. Fred was a coal miner (1920 Census) and track man at the coal mine (1930, 1940 Census), with their family living in what at the time was called the "Sandy Ridge" area of Watson. John followed in his father's footsteps, working at the Virginia & Pittsburgh Coal & Coke Company together in Kingmont (Draft card). On October 16, 1940, 26-year-old John registered for the draft. He was 5'11" and 160 lbs, with blue eyes. blonde hair, and light skin. Somewhere after the draft, and after the publication of the 1941 Fairmont City Directory, John married Dorothy Ellen Stealey. Military Service:  PFC John Lee Ensminger enlisted on April 7, 1942 at Fort Hayes. According to a December 29, 1944 article from the Fairmont Times, John ...

Remembering MTSGT Edward Payson McCray (Fairmont/Norwood) October 7, 1912 - September 16, 1944 ---- Master Technical Sergeant Edward Payson McCray was born in Fairmont, West Virginia on October 7, 1912, the son of Charles and Lulu (McGinnis). Charles was a mail carrier, and a farmer, in the Winfield District (Rt 3, 1910-1920 Census). Lulu filed for divorce in Michigan on July 28, 1926, after 31 years of marriage. It was finalized on January 13, 1927, and she married Charles Morley shortly thereafter. Edward lived with his mother and stepfather, also a farmer, in Benton, Ohio (1930 Census).  College, First Military Service, and Marriage: Edward graduated from East Fairmont High School in 1930, and attended Fairmont State College (now Fairmont State University) in 1931 and 1932.  Edward initially entered the service on December 2, 1933, beginning with an Aviation Maintenance Squadron in Quantico. On March 28, 1937, he married Margery Ethel Thompson (a doctor's assistant) in...

Remembering SGT Robert Wayman Simpson (Fairview/Daybrook) January 15, 1918 - June 28, 1944 ---- SGT Robert Wayman Simpson (Service # 35208334) was born January 15, 1918 in Daybrook, WV, the son of Edward and Bessie (Park) Simpson. Edward was a farmer in Daybrook (1920 - 1940 census). Unfortunately, Bessie died in 1929 at age 39 of pulmonary tuberculosis. Robert attended Daybrook High School for 3 years (consolidated into Clay-Battelle High School in 1939) Military Service: He entered the draft on October 16, 1940. At the time that he completed his draft card, he was 5'8" and 149.5 lbs, with hazel eyes and blonde hair. He gave his address and that of his father's as (R.F.D. 2) Fairview. Robert enlisted in the military on June 23, 1941 in Clarksburg, WV. The book Young American Patriots  shows that Robert was trained/stationed at Fort Still (Oklahoma) and Fort Thomas (Kentucky) before serving in the South West Pacific Theatre.  Battle of Lone Tree: In June of 1944, Rob...

Corporal Edward Lee Bane was born December 14, 1911 in Murraysville, Pennsylvania to Kelly Herman Bane and Jesse (Masters) Bane. Unfortunately, his mother died March 9, 1916 of pneumonia following several days of lagrippe and measles, leaving behind three children-- Fred (7), Edward (4), and Marguerite (2). By 1920, Edward (8) was living on Dunkard Mill Road just outside of Farmington, where his father was working as an engineer at the local gas plant. By then, Kelly had married Rose Bradley, with Edward's half-brother, Robert Harry Bane, soon to arrive.  Edward registered for the draft on October 16,1940. He listed himself as 5'8" and 160 pounds, with blue eyes, brown hair, and light brown skin. By then he had married Elizabeth Hoskinson and was living at 511 Rose Avenue in Fairmont, West Virginia. He was working at the Fairmont Supply Company on 10th Street. In 1941, Edward and Elizabeth were living at 411 1/2 Walnut Ave, and both were still working at the Fairmont Suppl...