From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY,"  Vol. I, page 680.
Brant & Fuller, 1890.


JOHN W. BURCHINAL

JOHN W. BURCHINAL, editor of the Moundsville HERALD, was born near 
New Geneva, Penn., October 16, 1861, the son of Thomas J. and Mary T. 
(Ramsey) Burchinal, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania.  The 
father, who was a carpenter, and subsequently a farmer and stock-
dealer, by occupation, died in November, 1887, aged sixty-seven 
years, and his wife died February 11, 1886. Of the seven children 
born to them four are now living.  The subject of this mention was 
reared on the farm, and began his education in the district school.  
Afterward he was a student at George's Creek academy and Monongahela 
college, and attended Duff's commercial college at Pittsburgh, where 
he was graduated in the spring of 1884.  He then purchased an 
interest in the Grafton SENTINEL, but sold that in the fall of 1885, 
removing then to Moundsville, in 1886, where he purchased the 
Moundsville HERALD.  In the ownership of this he subsequently became 
associated with A. R. Laing, under the firm style of Burchinal & 
Laing, and they now conduct this publication, which ranks among the 
influential organs and valuable newspaper properties of the region.  
The paper has been wonderfully improved and built up under the 
management of Burchinal & Laing.  The circulation has been almost 
doubled, and from a seven-column, patent outside, they have made it 
an eight-column, all home print.  The ancient primer type has been 
discarded for bright-faced brevier, and the old Washington hand press 
and man power for the latest improved cylinder press and steam power.  
New machinery and material have been added throughout until it ranks 
among the best furnished country offices in the state.       


(Linda Fluharty)