From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY,"  Vol. I, page 674.
Brant & Fuller, 1890.


BENJAMIN F. MEIGHEN

Benjamin F. Meighen, attorney at law, Moundsville, W.Va., was born 
near Jolleytown, a small village in Greene county, Penn., October 31, 
1847, and is the son of Thomas H. and Louisa (Morris) Meighen.  His 
father was among the early abolitionists, an earnest supporter of the 
Union and a devoted friend of education.  At the outbreak of the late 
war he enlisted as a private soldier in Company F, Seventh regiment, 
West Virginia volunteer infantry (the "bloody Seventh"), and served 
faithfully for nearly three years.  Since the war he has been engaged 
in farming, and as a citizen is held in high esteem by the many that 
have known him in all the years of his somewhat protracted life.  
Benjamin F. Meighen attended the country schools during the winters 
and worked on the farm in the summers until he was eighteen years 
old.  After a term at the South-western Normal college at New 
California Penn., he came to West Virginia with two lady relatives, 
Minerva and Sallie Roseberry, arriving October 17, 1866, and near 
Cameron, W.Va., taught school during the following winter.  He 
afterward taught at various places, alternating that with attending 
school during the summers. In the spring of 1868 he entered 
Waynesburgh college, Penn., where he attended during the summers 
(still teaching in winters) until he was graduated, September 3, 
1873, with the degree of B.S.  He then entered the law office of R. 
W. Downey at Waynesburgh, and on April 6, 1875, was admitted to the 
bar.  In the summer of 1874 he taught a normal school at New 
Freeport, Penn., having in attendance under him many teachers from 
West Virginia and Pennsylvania.  After his admission to the bar he 
went to Uniontown, W.Va., and taught a similar school.  At this 
school a number of the best educators of that section received 
instructions.  He located at Moundsville, October 1, 1875, and 
entered upon the practice of law, forming a partnership with Robert 
McConnell, which continued until January 1, 1885.  In 1884 he was 
elected prosecuting attorney for Marshall county, after one of the 
most vigorous campaigns ever known in the county, but one other 
candidate on his ticket who had opposition, being elected.  After 
holding the office four years he was re-elected by a majority 
increased from 407 to nearly 700, and for a term which will expire 
January 1, 1893.  January 3, 1882, Mr. Meighen was married to Lydia 
F., daughter of Dr. George C. and Agnes Gans, of Moundsville  Her 
father was a leading physician of Moundsville for many years, and was 
surgeon of the Tenth regiment, West Virginia volunteer infantry, 
during the war.  He died in the service.  Her elder sister Maria L. 
Gans, was postmistress at Moundsville eighteen years;  her brother, 
Samuel C., is agent of the Ohio river railroad at this place, and has 
been for years; another brother, Henry C., fought throughout the 
entire war in Company I, Third regiment, West Virginia volunteer 
infantry, afterward the Sixth regiment cavalry, and is now cashier of 
a bank at Owensboro, Ky.; a sister, Virginia D., is the wife of J. C. 
Wayman, of Chicago, and another sister, Mary E., is the wife of J. R. 
W. Morris, of South Dakota.
          

(Linda Fluharty)