H. H. Hardesty's History of Wetzel County, West Virginia
Ira Gorby - Was born in Wetzel county, W.Va. on July 5, 1845 and was a son of William and Rebecca (Jackson) Gorby, deceased. He was married on Christmas day 1870 in Rushtown, Ohio to Rachel C. Allen, born in Jackson county, Ohio on 1 Apr 1847. She was a daughter of Samuel and Joyce (Harper) Allen, long ago deceased. Four children have blessed this marriage: Nancy C.; Viola F.; Rosa M.; and Lizzie A. He was previously married to Hannah Murphy, who is deceased. Comrade Gorby was engaged in farming when he enlisted during the first year of the war. He was enrolled June 6, 1861 from Wheeling, W.Va. as a private in Co. A, 1st West Virginia L. A., and in due time, was made duty Sergt. He was slightly wounded three times in action and in March 1864, entered hospital at Annapolis, Maryland, where he was treated four months with typhoid pneumonia. In September 1863 he was captured at Moorefield, Virginia, being held in Libby prison two weeks; Belle Isle six months; and Castle Thunder, two days. He was transferred July 2, 1862 at Arlington Heights, VA to Co. H, 1st West Virginia Vol. Inf. and in April following, was given a leave of absence of ten days. He was detailed several times as guard to wagon train and also participated in the battles of 2nd Bull Run, Manassas Junction, Greenland Gap, Moorefield, Browns- town, Winchester, Oppequan Creek, Kernstown, Luray, Rappahannock, Cedar Mt., Culpepper C. H., Berryville, Harpers Ferry, Strausburg and many skirmishes. Upon the close of the war he was honorably discharged July 22,1865 at Parkersburg, W.Va. His brother, Jesse, served in Co. I, 2nd West Virginia Vol. Inf.; his wife had three brothers in the Civil War, Martin was wounded at Champion Hill, William R. was killed in the battle of Champion Hill, and Richard a member of the 17th Ohio Vol. Inf.; her grandfather, Benj. Harper, served in the War of 1812. Our subject also had four uncles in the Federal army during the war of the Rebellion, Caleb, L.G., Jackson and Ganet---all surnamed Jackson. Comrade Gorby is a local minister of the M. E. denomination; has held the office of J.P. and is a member of the board of education. He is successfully engaged in farming and is postmaster at Childs, West Virginia.
