The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1915-09-09
The Stump Reunion

/
ions Of which We have any know
ledge.
Michael Stump, son of Colonel
Michael Stump of Revolutionary
lame. came to the valley of Steer
creek in the year 1864. and his
descendants, whose lumber are
legions, have almost exclusively
occupied the rich and fertile val
leys of Steer creek for over a
hundred years.
Michael Stump. the founder of
the family. was a soldier in the
Revolution. A few years ago the
Stump family erected a beautiful
monument to his memory and
that of his wife. The monument
Is or gray stone made in the
shape of large stump of a tree
with appropriate inscriptions. 1t
stands on a beautiful hill over
looking main Steer creek. near
his old residence, about two miles
aooVe Siumptown. The stone
was erected about three veors
ago and a memorial association
formed that perpetuates the or
ganlzatlon by appointing officers
annually. and by a resolution of
the society the annual MEETINGS
are held on the third THURSDAY of
August of each year.
Having been invited to deliver
the annual address, we proceed
co to StumptoWn on the day an
pointed, and found a large and Or
derly concourse of people assem-
b!ed. The Baptist church has a
large and commodiious building
there, but it was inadequate to
hold half the people assembled
Inc day was as delightful as the
ASSOCIATION of the splendid men
and women whom we met. Thew
came IN automobiles, carriages
wagons, on horseback and on
loot. The day was delightfully."-
spent IN short, interesting talks
by the members of the family
ASSOCIATION and music by Prof.
Llnger, and i splendid sermon
ry the Rev. Levi j. Huffman
who spent his youthful DAYS and
began his ministerial labors in
THIS locality fifty years ago. One
can but feebly realize the feel
lngs of the aged minister az he
stood before his old neighbors
and kindred. many of whom
were bowed down by the weight
OF years. his three brothers older
than himself being present. Rev.
Daniel Huffman being in his 93rd
year; Benjamin being in his 18th
year, and Absolom being in his
6oth year, and Levi being in his
rlth year; the aggregate wears
OF their lives being 1913, and the
average being "a 1-2 wear,
These aged men, all widowers
three of whom had married
daughters of Jacob Stump
assembled the evening befor.
the meeting and spent the
night together at the home Of
Rev. Daniel Huffman.
Jacob Stout. Melville and Bail
ey Stump are the only living
grand children of the old soldier
Michael Stump.
Another person present wa
should not omit to note was u
w. ChenoWeth. of Calhoun conn
". lie is the only living grand
son OF whom we have any know
ledge, of Capt. John Skidmore
VINO was wounded in the battle of
III. Pleasant. Perhaps there has
never been an assembly of neo.
die in Central West Virginia
worthy of greater note than the
notable gathering on this occa-
sion, and if the fertility of tine
SOL and the frugaity of the peo.
pie are evidenced by the abun-
dance of good things that were
brought in for the feast bv the
wagon loads, surely the Steer
Creek valley is a goodly land
I Or. Stump and his accomplish
ed wife, of Charleston. Mrs Fet-
ty, OF Steer Creek, and others
seem active in keeping an inter
est IN these noted annual reun-
ions OF great family.
After day that we shall a.
ways remember with the great
est pleasure, we retraced orr
step" with cordial invitation to
come again.
ipllng says that
a ffnp Z no ft,V,,,IA a