From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY,"  Vol. I, page 723-724.
Brant & Fuller, 1890.


WILLIAM M. MEIGHEN

William M. Meighen, a prominent young attorney of Moundsville, was 
born April 23, 1860, the twelfth child of Thomas H. and Louisa 
(Morris) Meighen, then residents of Greene county, Penn. Mr. Meighen 
remained at home until fourteen years of age, when he started out for 
himself on a varied business and professional career.  From the 
outset he had his ambition fixed upon the profession of the law, but 
by force of circumstances was engaged temporarily in many other 
occupations.  Beginning the study early he was employed at the age of 
fourteen on a case before arbitrators.  His first employment, 
however, was as a clerk in his brother-in-law's store at Littleton, 
W.Va., and afterward he taught school several terms in Wetzel county, 
attending school himself at intervals as he earned the means, being 
entirely dependent on his own resources.  In Marshall county he has 
worked in clearing the forests, tilling the soil, constructing 
railroads, in iron mills, at teaching schol, besides his efforts in 
journalism and in law.  He came to Moundsville in 1885, and was soon 
afterward admitted to the bar, at which he has won a creditable 
position. He was also for two years the editor and proprietor of the 
"Moundsville Sun", a weekly democratic paper, the subscription list 
of which he more than doubled during his management.  In politics, 
Mr. Meighen is a democrat, and his powers as an enthusiastic and 
convincing orator were devoted to the interests of his party during 
the campaign of 1884, in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.  Mr. Meighen 
was married October 23, 1889, to Virginia, daughter of James and Mary 
(Caton) Laing, of Moundsville. 


(Linda Fluharty)