The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1920-12-09
Who's Who
In the Mountains
BY Prof. J. X. Robertson

as well as that Of many other places
In our own country the mountain
section Of the South contributed to
the final result in the Revolutionary
War, by which we won our independ-
ence from England and in the Civil
War which laid broader the basis Of
a democratic America.
The Pageant Of the Mountains"
connected with the Inauguration of
Berea's new President, revived in
vivid and attractive form a few Of
the notable and romantic incidents
which illustrate the rich resources to
be found in the past of our mountain
region. The more these resources
arc brought out and made familiar
the greater the spirit of pride and
loyalty to the mountains will become
II was a familiar phrase Of Berea's
former President that "the mountains
are a good place in which to be
born" A little piece Of investigation
in the classroom by a group Of stu
dents confirms that statement in an
interesting way.
"Who's Who in America" is a book
in which appear the names and BIZ
ographies of men and women who
have accomplished something that is
worth while along every line Of ac-
tivity in life.
In the investigation above referred
to the volume Of one year was gone
through to find how many Of the per-
sons included in the book were born
in the mountain region of the South.
The counties considered as sufficiently
rugged in whole or in part to be COM
prised in this area number 235 in the
states of Kentucky. Tennessee. North
Carolina, South Carolina Georgia,
Virginia, West Virginia and Ala
bama.
II was found, as result Of the
search, that there was list Of ap-
proximately 200 names, and this num-
Der would have been larger if the
volumes of previous and later years
had also been consulted.
This list of names shows achieve
ment in almost every line Of activ-
ity, and they are widely scattered
throughout the region. Though more
numerous in the counties adjoining
the thickly-settled sections Of the
States, they are. nevertheless. found |
in the most remote and isolated parts
of the mountain region.
In an article Of limited space il is
possible to mention, at random, only
few of the names on the list. by
way Of illustration. From Rock
bridge county, Virginia, came Will
liam A. McCorkle, of Scotch-Irish
stock. From one position he rose to
another until he became Governor Of
West Virginia in 1892. He is still
living and is active in all movements
hat affect the welfare of the State
He is a writer and speaker of origin
atty and force
In what is now Roam county. West
was born Cyrus Hall Nc
Cormick in 1909. Showing an invent
We turn of mind, he became father Of
our agricultural machinery. His
reaper and binder revolutionized
'arming, made possible the cultiva-
ion of the large areas Of the West
md determined the destiny Of our
ountry to the Pacific Ocean. He re-
eived for his inventions prizes and
medals from the American Institute.
he Worlds Fair in London. the
Paris Exposition and was made a
member of the Legion Of Honor in
france.
From Tazewell county, a highly
region. came DR.. S. B.
Johnson. Receiving his medical de-
see from the University Of Virginia
n 1876. he studied abroad, became
uTgeon Of note, was a fellow Of the
Surgical Society and
ontributed to many surgical jour
ais.
From Jackson county, Alabama,
anne j. II. Berry. Educated for the
lw, he became, in 1874, speaker Of
he House Of Representatives Of
arkansas, to which state he had re-
moved. He was later Governor Of
he state and finally selected as
jnited States Senator.
Alison Stockton, of Floyd county,
Georgia, was a man Of literary
istes. He became Professor of
nglish Literature in the University
Vermont and later at Princeton ,
ollege, New Jersey.
j. C. Pritchard, Of Washington :
Dunty, Tennessee, was admitted TO v
ne bar in 1887 and by gradual pro-
lotion became Judge Of the United l.
tates Circuit Court at Asheville, n
Iorth Carolina, in 1904. and is still II
irving unless he has died recently. G.
William f. Connely Of Johnson - !,