West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1905-03-30
COL. Alexander MONROE.
Death Of The Most Widely Known
Citizen Of the County and One
OF the Very Oldest.
From The Hampshire Review.

of Hampshire county and one of
the very oldest, passed from earth
on Tuesday night, last, March 10,
when Col. Alexander Monroe died.
Where was there a man, woman or
child, especially mau or woman
of the older generation, to whom
the face, name aud figure of Col.
Monroe were not familiar2
Born in 1917, he was, therefore,
81 years of age last December. Up
until two years of ago he was ex-
ceedingly active for a man of such
age and thought nothing of riding
from his home, at Barnes Mills, to
Romney, distance of nine miles.
Col. Monroe was, in many re.
spects a remarkable man. He was
the oldest of a large family of
children upon whose shoulders the
care of the entire family was thrown
before he was grown. He kept to-
gether the family and not only edu-
Gated himself under most straighten-
ed circumstances but cared for and
educated them. He began life
teaching school. Many are the
fathers and grandfathers still living
in this county, who went to school
to Col. Monroe when he was a mere
boy himself. He studied surveying,
became proficient and it is probably
uot an exaggeration to say that he,
at some time or other surveyed
majority Of the tracts Of land in this
county. He also studied law, was
admitted to the bar and for a num-
Der Of years practiced before the
Court of this county. He was, also
at one time, in the newspaper busi-
ness and owned and edited the
Virginia Argus, published here at
the outbreak of the war.
At the outbreak of the Civil War
deceased was Colonel Of the II4th
Virginia Militia, which was called
into service by the Governor of
Virginia. He commanded that
regiment until the spring Of 1862,
when, by an act of the Confederate
Congress the militia was disbanded.
He at once volunteered in the regu-
lar Confederate army and was elect
ed Major Of the 18th Virginia Cav
airy, belonging to what was known
as the North Western Brigade,
which was commanded by Gen.
John d. lmboden. He occupied
that position and served with that
regiment TO the end Of the war. He
was brave soldier, recognized as
such by his comrades and by the
enemy, and had many narrow es-
capes from death and capture. Col.
Monroe commanded the rear guard
of Gen. Lees army on its sullen re.
treat from Gettysburg. His duty
was TO protect the wagon train,
which was twenty seven miles long
and he did Il, discharging his diff. q.
cult duty assigned him successfully.
After the close Of war he again
settled down to civil life and for a
number Of years practiced law, as
stated above, finally retiring to the
country where he spent his remain
ing days upon his farm, on Little
Capon. He was a man Of imposing
presence, a good speaker when in
his vigorous manhood, a fascinating
story teller and was a man Of great
personal popularity. Prior to the
war he served several terms in the
Virginia Legislature, representing
this county in the lower house at
the same time that Judge Armstrong
served in the State Senate. After
the war he was elected and re.elect.
ed a number Of times to the Legis.
lature Of this State and was twice
chosen Speaker Of the Horse Of
Delegates.
Deceased was twice married, his
second wife, vino was Miss Margaret
T.. Pugh, survives, as does four
children. Robert =. Monroe, Mrs.
&. W. Haines, Mrs. w. J.. Tharp
and Miss Anna Monroe. He had
four brothers. Col. R. w. Monroe
Of Kingwooo3, James w. Monroe,
H. Walker Monroe and Marion
Monroe, all late Of Harrison county,
and two sisters, Mrs. Snapp Of this
county, and Mrs. Hugh Garrett oi
Harrison county. both Of whom
survive.
ne funeral services we're held al
the home Of the deceased, at
Barnes Min, on Saturday morning,
| last, the intcrment being ~ Indiar
| Mound Cemetery a large con
course Of neighb3rs and friends,
headed by few Of his old com
rades-in-arms, clad in their gray
uniforms, accompanied the remaini