Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1909-08-21

in artinsburg--Joseph Fiscus
Passes Away-Was Prominent Cit
izen of Berkeley county-Funeral
Services Today.
From The World of Wednesday:
Mr.. George Darling Whitson, one OF
the leading architects and builders OF
this section of the state, expired at
11.15 O'Clock today at his residence,
210 East King street, Of heart disease
aged n years, 2 months and days.
Though not unexpected his death came
as a shock in this community where
he was so well and so favorably
known. His last illness dates from
July 6 last when he had an attack of
dropsy OF the heart. He was a great
sufferer the greater part Of the time
since then and was conscious to the
lash
Surviving are his widow and four
children: William b., of Cumberland,
Nd; George Lee, of Nashville, Tenn;
Miss Mary l.. and Benz, at home; al
so four grandchildren. He was
the last of a family OF nine children.
MIR. Whitson was born at Perryville,
Hartford county, Maryland, the son of
Burt Whitson When he was yet a
boy tine family moved to near Shep-
herdstown and in 1858 they removed
to Martinsburg where the deceased
since resided At the outbreak of the
y n1i in 70 n
ond Virginia infantry Of Stonewail
Jackson brigade and served through
ont the war. The company was re-
cruited here and the late J. @. A. Ma
deubousch was its first captain. He
was drummajor part of the time.
At the first battle of Manassas he
was slightly wounded. another mem
orable experience for him as sol.
der was his capture about the close
of the war and being sent to Point
Lookout, Va, where he was held as a
prisoner until June 1865 when he was
released and sent home.
AS an arehiteeit Mr.. Whitson will be
best remembered and as such his ca
reer was long and creditable. He de-
signed and superintendent the erection
of some OF the finest public and pri-
yate buildings in Martinshurg and sew
eral notable structures elsewhere. Be-
ing houseearpeater by trade and a
skilled workman his natural talent as
building designer early manifested
itself and to which profession he de-
voted his energies for many years OF
| his life, Among the many notable ex-
a-nples of his handicraft may be men
toned the Central Opera House, this
city; Academy of Music, HagerstoWn;
the Opera House in Frederick, the
pe6ules Trust building, the w. o.
Nycklas and ]. H. Hobbs building
blocks, together with several OF the
handsomest private residences in the
| CITY. In addition to this he designed
the spire of St Joseph's Catholic
church. superintendent the erection OF
the imposing post office and U. D.
| court house, the remodeling or the
Lutheran church, designed the second
ward school building, the st. Clair
Hotel (now Hotel Berkeley and many
other buildings here and in Berkeley
Springs and elsewhere.
Mr.. Wilson's last work was as SUI
perintendent of the remodeling OF the
Berkeley county court house, just com
pleted.
Mr.. Whitson served one term as
city councilman from the first WARD
| and filed the unexpired term OF Mayor
William Logan. He was a member Of
the Episcopal church and the Berkeley
Camp of Confederate Veterans. In
polotics he was a staunch democrat
/ and on his social side he was mos
genial and companionable gentleman
He was fond Of music and was one O.
the original members of the old City
Wand. He was, also amember Of the
old volunteer fire company and mill
tary company in existence here before
the ivil War
On September "a, 1857 Mr.. Whitsoi
married Miss Rebecca Hayden, OF thi
city, who survives him.
MIR. Joseph Fiseus.
From The World OF Wednesday
: Mr.. Joseph Fiscus, formerly pres
5 dent of the Berkeley County court an
S for many years one Of the most prom
= inent farmers in this county, died a
e his home near Tabler's Station at
o'clock Tuesday, following an Hines
of several months. Death was due t
l. the infirmities of his advanced ag
v Mr.. F1scus was in his eighty-first yea
S Mr.. Tiscus was a native of Pennsy
g vania and removed to this count
from Clearfeld in 1862. From tia
time until few months ago he wa
y actively engaged in agriculture pu
J. SUITS, and was a successful and wei
TODD farmer. He was elected on tn
republican tickeH to the County cour
o and served six years as president {
4ha+ bNdy LIa was q ctaunPh reDuhl