'The name of Thomas Clark Atkeson is inseparable from West Virginia agriculture. He was born on the family farm near Buffalo, Putnam County. He received such schooling as was available during the unsettled war times and then enrolled in West Virginia University in 1871 with the intention of studying agriculture. He found that no such course was offered. He took the usual academic subjects for one year and then returned to work on the farm and to write for The West Virginia Agriculturist, a publication which he established. He sold the paper and went to Kentucky to attend Kentucky Agricultural and Mechanical College. After receiving a bachelor of laws degree, he briefly returned to journalism before establishing a law practice in Buffalo. From 1880 he took an active part in work of the grange and in 1891 wrote the law which created the West Virginia State Board of Agriculture. For the next fourteen years he served as President of the Board. One of his first tasks was to recommend to the University Board of Regents that agriculture be taught at the state university. This recommendation was accepted and Atkeson was appointed the first dean of the College of Agriculture when it was established in 1898. Dr. Atkeson’s work in agricultural education was so widely recognized that he was awarded four honorary degrees from other colleges. He was the author of numerous articles and bulletins. His books include Pioneering In Agriculture; Semi-centennial History of the Patrons of Husbandry, Bookkeeping for Farmers and A Catechism of Agriculture with D.W. Working as co-author. Return to Mary Atkeson, 3625 Sixteenth St. N.W. Washington, D.C. Copyright by Harris and Ewing - the above credit line must be printed underneath any reproduction of this photo as required by law. Photo for your use only. Not to be syndicated, rented, or loaned.'
Left to Right: Bernard Ashcraft, Harry G. Ashcraft, William H. Ashcraft, and Francis M. Ashcraft. Francis M. Ashcraft is the great-grandfather of Bernard, grandfather of Harry and the father of William.
Ashcraft Family Outside Home of William H. Ashcraft, Harrison County, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1909
Description:
Left to Right: John M. Ashcraft Sr., Unknown, Harry G. Ashcraft, son of William, Harry's wife, Nell A., William H. Ashcraft, Nancy Jane Ashcraft, wife of William, Baby Bernard, son of Nell and Harry.
Second Lieutenant John M. Ashcraft Jr. of West Virginia
Date:
ca.1942
Description:
John M. Ashcraft, born in Clarksburg, West Virginia, 1923, served as a bombardier during World War II (1942-1945) and is a West Virginia University graduate, 1947. Mr. Ashcraft is also the compiler of the Ashcraft Family Genealogy Collection
Mary Helen 'Bunny' Skaggs Ashcraft of Greenbrier County, W. Va.
Date:
1943
Description:
Bride of 2nd Lieutenant John M. Ashcraft, Mary Helen "Bunny" Skaggs Ashcraft, born in 1923, Richlands, Greenbrier County, West Virginia and attended Greenbrier College for Women and West Virginia University, ca. 1942.
Left to Right: Mildred Ashcraft, Francis Marion Ashcraft, Eleanor Ashcraft, Lucille Ashcraft, Nancy Jane Ashcraft, William H. Ashcraft, and Mike Ashcraft. The parents of the children are Henry and Nell Ashcraft.
Left to Right: Nancy Jane, William, Francis M., Germaine, and John Sr. Photograph taken at Francis M. Ashcraft's home. Note the electric street car in the background at the end of the Clarksburg to Reynoldsville run.
Left to Right: William Henry Ashcraft, Francis Marion Ashcraft (Private 31st Virginia Infantry CSA), Delbert (son of Francis), Ephraim (brother of Francis), Jeremiah (brother of Francis and Private in 19th Virginia Cavalry CSA), John M. Ashcraft Sr. (Francis' grandson and William's son), and unidentified friend of John M. Sr.
Laura Jackson Arnold of Beverly, Randolph County, W. Va.
Date:
ca.1865
Description:
Portrait of the sister of Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson. The siblings became estranged after the Civil War broke out. Laura's large sleeve dress and pulled back hair were the fashion during the war.
Stark Arnold was the son of Jonathan and Laura Arnold and the nephew of Lt. General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, CSA. The back of the photograph has a tax stamp. This tax, passed by the United States Congress, was implemented in 1864 to 1866 to help finance the war.
