The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1881-02-02
A Biographical Sketch Of West
YiFEinta'B Next u. y. Senator
The Life OF Hon. J. n. Camden
Reviewed.

The Life OF Hon. J. n. Camden
Reviewed.
johnson Newton Camden was born
March, 1923, in Lewis county, now
West Virginia. When he was about
II years Of age, his parents removed
with him 10 Sutton, the county,
seat Of Braxion county, where he re-
ceiyed the rudimenta ofan education.
He spent sometime at the North
western Academy, at Clarksbnrg, a
school then somewhat famous as a
preparatory academy. Afterwards
he was sent by his parents to Rector
College for short time, from which
he was transferred by appointment
to West Point, where he received the
thorough training and education for
which that school has q worldwide
reputation. Before his full course
was completed, however, he grew
tired Of military life, and not caring
to adopt the profession Of killing his
fellowmen for a livelihood, he left
that school 10 study law. Very
shortly after qualifying himself and
receiving his license, he was elected
Prosecuting Attorney Of Braxton and
Nicholas counties. He there pursu-
ed his profession with diligence and
success; but an opening offering, he
returned to Weston and accepted a
position in the Exchange Bank at
Weston, where he laid the foundation
for the successful business career
which has crowned his labors.
After firing of the monotony Of the
hum.drum life in country bank, he
resigned his place and returned to
the practice Of his favorite profession
that of the LAWN which he re.
manned actively engaged until the
oil excitement sprung up in 1880
Like many an other ardent nature
he caught the excitement, and at
once commenced, with all the won.
derful energy ofhis nature, to develop
that interest at Burning Springs, n
Writ bounty. In this venture he
proved great success, and the abili,
ty which he developed to manage
large enterprises attracted the alten.
ton of shrewd business men and
capitalists, and he soon naturally be,
came Unidentified with the principal
interests of the Parkersburg section
Of country. He opened up refneries
and stave factories, and other manu-.
featuring interests at Parkersburg
and other points, which gave employ.
ment to hundreds of workmen, and
distributed thousands of dollars
throughout the State. Inthe fnanci.
al depression when most every factory
was closed, throwing hundreds o.
laborers out Of employment, his fac
tories were kept running even at q
financial sacrifice to aid the laborers
By this astute business tact he was
enabled, when the oil production in
West Virginia faltered, to ship oil
in tank barges from the Pennsyl.
vania oil regions to Parkersburg and
then refine it, buy slaves and make
barrels and ship it to Baltimore and
compete with the Pennsylvania rail.
roads, thus giving employment tc
hundreds Of laborers and bringing
thrift and prosperity to his town and
State. He was instrumental in
opening up the Little Kanawha river
to commerce and travel, and the for.
ests of Writ, Gilmer and Braxton are
now being turned into money. His
public and generous spirit has placed
MIN at the front of every enterprise
in his adopted city, and to day Park
ersburg owes much 10 his euterpri9.
ing zeal.
Not only has Parkersburg felt his
indomitable energy, but the people
of Weston feel that they owe him q
debt of gratitude long to be rememb.
cred. To him they are indebted for
the narrow gauge railroad from
Clarksburg to Weston. When it was
tagging and was considered almost
hopelessly lost, he was appealed to
for aid. The appeal was not in vain
By his rare executive ability, to.
gether with a large investment in
money the road was pushed to com.
pletion, and Weston is twenty years
advanced by his aid. Lumber, pro.
duce and other trade finds now q
ready market and at good prices
His operations are not confined to
one portion of the State. But recent.
ly he has given new life to the White
Sulphur Springs, in Greenbrier coun.
ty, W. Va, New and better accom-,
modations have already been made
for visitors; contracts have recently
been consumated which will in.
crease the accommodations for guests
there from 1000 to 5000 persons; and
it is his pride to make that famous
resort the Saratoga of the South,
and thus thousands of dollars will be
invited from all sections to be spent
in West Virginia, aud will float and
ramlfy to every part of the State.
He is the ardent friend and worker
for every contemplated improvement
in the State. The Wheeling and
Parkersburg, the Parkersburr and