Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-09-10
The First West Va. Legislature,
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
Sketches Personal, Political and Bi
ographical.
Jos. u. meWHORTER, of Roane.

d" -
MIR. McWborter is a native of Lewis
county, where there is numerous family
of the same name. 35 years of age; Is u
good looking gentleman above the medium
height, with a round, fresh looking face,
dark hair, thinned on top of well deVel-
oped head, very fine black eyes and beau
tiful Jet black whiskers.
Mr.. Now. is of Scotch, Irish and Ger
man descent. When Eve years of age his
father removed to Delaware county, Ohio,
and resided there some eight years. Here
Joseph obtained the principal part of what
education he is possessed of, and the ad-
vantages of the free schools thus enjoyed
early Impressed him favorably with free
school system, which he has ever advocat-
, ed. His father removed from Ohio to Har-
rison county in this State, where he "6n-
ished" his education in a common country
school, such as have been maintained here
toiore in our State, chiefly for the purpose
of relieving parents from the care Of their
children aud to keep them out of mischief.
He had strong desire, after arriving at
his majority, to procure more thorough
education by individual efforts; but being
the eldest, and the rest of the children
daughters, and his father in Strengthened
circumstances, filial duty kept him at home
till his assistance was less needed. He
labored on the farm with his father till 20
years of age, teaching school after 2l dur
ing the winter. He then married and re-
moved to jackson, in what is now Roane,
upon the organization OF which county in
lSbg M WAC elected icI6fhS sei faa.sss.tS p
Gonrt 1T was decided that the formation
OF the county created o vacancy in the OF.
fice and that he could hold 1t but two years.
When the two years had expired he was q
candidate for reelection and had i've eonls
petitors, all especially pitted against him.
They branded him with being an "Aboli-
Zionist, I" because he was q member of the
N. E. Church, which those who have since
turned out rebels were trying to break
down, However, he beat all his competi-
tors. receiving nearly as many votes as all
of them together. After the expiration of
that term he was deputy clerk and super
intended the business Of the office, till the
breaking out OF the rebellion.
Mr.. McW. opposed the calling of the
| Richmond Convention, resisted the dogmas
of the secessionists, as dangerous to civil
| Liberty, and always contended that seces-
sion would prove fatal to the peculiar
institution" Had held y commission as
captain of militia two or three years, and
lioined home guard company as private,
not having been present at its organiza-
ton. He was its principal drill officer,
1 ana was IN all Gub uRulb az SHCuGCIl ShO
capital of Roane, between the home guards
and the guerrillas. The last of these lasted
seven days, and the home guards were out
numbered nearly four to one, but finally
succeeded in repulsing the guerrillas.
Mr.. Now. has been member of the NJ.
E, Church since he was 10 years of age
This being true, it is not strange that he
should be on principle an anti.sIavery man.
Though he regarded slavery as baneful to
society he was willing it should have, as a
necessary evil, whatever protection the
laws of the land gave it where it existed,
but was unwilling the evil should be ex-
tended. Is one OF those who has faith that
an All Wise Providence is over.r ruling all
things for good, and will in good time (nol
very distant) bring about the end of this
evil. Politically he was disciple of the
school OF Clay and Webster, bat opposed
to mingling Federal with State politics.
believing that in all choice of State officers
the best men should be chosen irrespective
of their national politics.
Mr.. McWhorter is a member of the Com
mittee on Private Interpretations and Joint
Stock Companies, and the Committee or
Forfeited aud Unapproprinted Lands
Makes no long speeches but has no diff.
Guilty 10 saying what he desires to. Is .
gentleman of most excellent social quail
Il ties, and decidedly man of promise,
.