1. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Big CReek District; Yukon; taken on 22 Apr 1930; Page 60B;
Image 62 of 93; Family #48/51.
Listed as Hubert Hamilton; age 8; born in WV; in household of father Benjamin F. Hamilton.
2. 1940 Census, Buchanan Co, VA; hurricane; E.D. 14-8; taken on 30 May 1940; Page 262A; Image
49 of 82; Household #354.
Listed as Hobert Hamilton; age 20; born in WV; single; 6th grade education; lived in McDowell Co, WV
on 1 Apr 1935; coal miner; in household of father, Benjamin F. Hamilton.
3. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1946); Page 439; WV Archives Web Site.
Hobert R. Hamilton; age 25; born at Elbert, WV; single; living at Bartley, WV; married on 14 Oct 1946
at Gary, WV; Alma Sue Jenks; age 16; born at Big Four, WV; single; living at Gary, WV; with consent
of Jake Jenks, father of Alma Sue Jenks.
4. McDowell Co, WV; Death Certificate #13483; WV Archives Web Site.
Hobert Russell Hamilton; age 28 yrs, 3 mons, 9 days; born 19 May 1920 at Elbert, WV; married; huband
of Alma Sue Genks (sic, Jenks); age 28; miner; living at Capels, WV; son of Benjamin Franklin and Anna
(Raby) Hamilton; died 28 Aug 1948 at Capels, WV; due to gun shot wound to left side of head, suicide;
buried 2 Sep 1948 in Iaeger Memorial, Roderfield, WV; informant, B.F. Hamilton, Capels, WV
5. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV; submitted by
B. Walls; 21 Jul 2014.
Hobart R. Hamiltion; born 19 May 1920; died 28 Aug 1948; buried here; grave marker photo shown;
"WEST VIRGINIA PVT CO L, 133 INFANTRY WORLD WAR II".
6. "Welch Daily News"; Welch, WV; Vol XXV; No. 230; Monday Evening, 30 Aug 1948; Page one.
Headline "Man Wounds Three,Takes Own Life""Wife, Baby And Second Man Hit By Gun Pellets"
"Hobart R. Hamilton Then Turns Weapon On Himself, At Capels"
Intoxicated and angered by the seperation from his wife, a 26-year-old World War II veteran ended his own life with a
shotgun Saturday night, shortly after wounding his estranged wife, their one-year-old daughter and an innocent
bystander, Trooper A.C. Nestor, of the local state police detachment, reported today."The dead man was identified at a local mortuary as Hobart Russell Hamilton of Capels, who was wounded three
times serving with the United States army in five major battles."Those Wounded"
"The wounded were identified at local hospitala as Mrs. Alma Sue Hamilton, 19, who suffered a slight wound to the
left wrist, Baby Sharrett Toney Hamilton who was discharged after several pellets were removed from her back and
Paul Cox, of Elbert, who suffered wounds to the right forearm, chest and broken rib. Cox is at Grace hospital while
Mrs. Hamilton is a patient at Welch Emergency hospitalwhere the baby was also treated."Cox, the mother and baby were wounded by pellets which scattered from the single charge, Nestor said.
"The tradgey, the officer said, occurred between 11 and 11:15 at the home of Mrs. Hamilton's parents in upper
Shannon Branch, near Capels. Several members of the family were present in the living room, when Hamilton
strode into the house with the gun and walked into the kitchen where he fired at his wife, who had gone to the back
room to prepare some medicine for the baby who had not been feeling well, according to Nestor.
"Version of Tradgey""Nestor gave this version of events leading to the shooting:
Hamilton went to the home of his father early Saturday night and borrowed $50. He then called a Welch cab to come
to town. From here he went to Gary to the home of a brother, Carnell Hamilton, and there secured the shotgun."Armed with the weapon, he came out of the house and reentered the cab, instructing the driver to drive him to
Welch. The cab driver quoted him as saying that upon their arrival in town, Hamilton inisted that he be let out in
Welch. The driver told officers taht Hamilton was intocicated and that he (the driver) was afraid that Hamilton would
get into trouble. The trouble."Kicked Door Open"
"The Capels man then had the driver take him to the Jenks home at Upper Shannon Branch where Mrs. Hamilton
was ataying with her parents. Getting out of the cab, the man strode upon the fornt porch, kicked open the door and
went directly to the kitchen.
" Mrs Hamilton, holding her baby, was in the kitchen with a sister-in-law preparing some soda water for Sharrett
who had become ill. Cox who was visiting in the Jenks home, had gone into the kitchen for a drink of water.
"Cox, Nestor said, attempted to drag Mrs. Hamilton and the baby out through the screen door but was unsuccessful
because the door was locked. The sister-in-law, the officer said, had already gone back into the living room, and as
Cox saw Hamilton with the gun he attempted to the rescue, but Hamilton fired."Fired Into Wall"
"Turning back into the living room where several persons were sitting, Hamilton fired one shot into the wall and
one into the sofa before turning the weapon upon himself....""... Hamilton was born at Elbert in 1922, a son of Benjamin Franklin Hamilton and Anna Raby Hamilton. He
entered the service on October 24, 1941, and served two years and seven months in the European theatre. He held
the Purple Heart with thre Oak Leaf clusters and five battle stars. He was first wounded in Italy on Dec1mber 1,
1943 and was subsequently wounded on February 3, 1944 and on October 2, 1944.
"Hamilton received a medical disccharge on July 24, 1945. At the time of his death he was employed by New River
and Pocahontas Consolidated Coal company at Capels....".
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1946); Page 439; WV Archives Web Site.
Hobert R. Hamilton; age 25; born at Elbert, WV; single; living at Bartley, WV; married on 14 Oct 1946
at Gary, WV; Alma Sue Jenks; age 16; born at Big Four, WV; single; living at Gary, WV; with consent
of Jake Jenks, father of Alma Sue Jenks.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1952); Page 435; WV Archives Web Site.
Edgar Samuel Hamilton; age 28; born in Bland Co, VA; divorced; living at Filbert, WV; married on
24 Dec 1952 at Davy, WV; Gloria Jean Bowman; age 22; born at Superior, WV; single; living at Welch,
WV.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1952); Page 435; WV Archives Web Site.
Edgar Samuel Hamilton; age 28; born in Bland Co, VA; divorced; living at Filbert, WV; married on
24 Dec 1952 at Davy, WV; Gloria Jean Bowman; age 22; born at Superior, WV; single; living at Welch,
WV.
2. Social Security Death Index; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Gloria J. Hamilton; born 29 Jul 1930; died 1 Dec 2004; last residence, Baltimore, Baltimore Co, MD;
card issued in WV before 1951.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Death Certificate # '59 013625; WV Archives Web Site.
William Patrick Hamilton; born and died 25 Sep 1959 in Grace Hospital, Welch, WV; premature;
son of Edgar Samuel and Gloria Jean (Bowman) Hamilton; buried 26 Sep 1959 in Iaeger Memorial
Cemetery, Roderfield, WV
2. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV; submitted by
Kenneth Bowen; 15 Dec 2010.
William Patrick Hamilton; born 25 Sep 1959; died 25 Sep 1959; buried here; no grave marker photo shown.
1. Logan Co, WV; Marriage Registry; Vol #__(1926); Page 14; Line 34; WV Archives Web Site.
Wade H. Bowman; age 28; born in VA; single; miner; living at Superior, WV; son of Andrew and Clara
(Blevins) Bowman; married on 22 Jan 1926 at Dehue, WV; Clara Buchanan; age 22; born in VA;
single; living at Dehue, WV; daughter of Jim and Lovie Buchanan.
1. Logan Co, WV; Marriage Registry; Vol #__(1926); Page 14; Line 34; WV Archives Web Site.
Wade H. Bowman; age 28; born in VA; single; miner; living at Superior, WV; son of Andrew and Clara
(Blevins) Bowman; married on 22 Jan 1926 at Dehue, WV; Clara Buchanan; age 22; born in VA;
single; living at Dehue, WV; daughter of Jim and Lovie Buchanan.
1. 1950 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Bradshaw; taken 3 Apr 1950; Sheet Number 71; Dwelling #29.
Listed as James V. Bowman; age 24; born in WV; married; motorman in coal mine; head of
household.
2. "The Dickenson Star"; Norton, VA; 3 Mar 2006; Newspaper Obit.
"James Vernon Bowman, 81, of Big Stone Gap, passed away Tuesday (Feb. 28, 2006) at Mountain View Regional Medical Center in Norton."He was born in Welch, W. Va. and had lived in Big Stone Gap since the late 1960's. He worked as a Mine Foreman for the Island Creek Coal Company for over 14 years and retired from M.S.H.A. as a Federal Mine Inspector, with 24 years service, where he was instrumental in developing mining guidelines. He was a U. S. Marine Corp Veteran of World War II. He was a member of the Big Stone Gap Masonic Lodge #208. He was a member of the Big Stone Gap Church of God.
"He was preceded in death by his parents, Wade H. and Clara (Buchanan) Bowman; and a sister, Gloria Hamilton.
"Surviving are his loving wife of 59 years, Mae Hill Bowman; three sons, Larry Bowman of the home, James Daniel Bowman of Kingsport, Tenn. and Jerry Michael Bowman of Spartanburg, SC; two daughters, Janet Lynn Seals and husband, Mike, of Big Stone Gap and Gail Bowman of Wise; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; one sister, Betty Hagerman of Bristol; and one brother, Johnny Bowman of Edgewood, Md.
"Family will receive friends after 6 p.m. on Friday, March 3 at Holding Funeral Home in Big Stone Gap. A masonic service, conducted by the Big Stone Gap Masonic Lodge #208, will be at 7:45 p.m. Friday. Funeral services will follow at 8 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Bro. Donnie Pickett officiating. Military rites by the Norton V.F.W. Post #4301 will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday at Powell Valley Memorial Gardens...."
1. 1950 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Bradshaw; taken 3 Apr 1950; Sheet Number 71; Dwelling #29.
Listed as Mae Bowman; age 21; born in VA; married; in household of husband, James V. Bowman.
1. Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940: LDS Web Site.
Bige C. Hammonds; born in 1885 in Scott Co, VA; single; son of Marion and Louise; married on 13
May 1906 in Lee Co, VA; Retta Hopkins; born in 1887 in Lee Co, VA; single; daughter of Lee and
Eliza.
2. "The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1999"; 1999; Geneva Steel, Sandra Long,
and Tom Hatcher; "Curtis Hammonds"; Article; Page 194; submitted by Retta Sue Hammonds
Swaim, Rt 1, Box 2094, Berryville, VA 22611.
1. Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940: LDS Web Site.
Bige C. Hammonds; born in 1885 in Scott Co, VA; single; son of Marion and Louise; married on 13
May 1906 in Lee Co, VA; Retta Hopkins; born in 1887 in Lee Co, VA; single; daughter of Lee and
Eliza.
2. 1910 Census, Lee Co, VA; Rocky Station District; taken on 6 May 1910; Page 121B; Image 22 of 36;
Family #193/193..
Listed as Retta Hammon; age 22; born in VA; widow; 1 child, 1 living; in household of father, Lee R.
Hopkins.
3. 1920 Census, Wise Co, VA; Richmond District; Appalachia; taken on 31 Jan 1920; Page 281B;
Image 44 of 49; Family #411/421.
Listed as Ritter Hopkins; age 22 (sic 32); born in VA; single (sic, widow) in household of father,
Robert L. Hopkins.
4. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; taken on 16 Apr 1930; Page 263A; Image
45 of 51; Family #390/396.
Listed as Rettie McCoy; age 42; born in VA; married at 18; in household of 2nd husband, Joseph
C. McCoy.
5. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV; submitted by
B. Walls; 25 Jul 2014.
Rettie V. McCoy; born 8 Dec 1887; died 16 May 1954; buried here; headstone photo shown;
"ETERNAL PEACE".
6. "The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1999"; 1999; Geneva Steel, Sandra Long,
and Tom Hatcher; "Curtis Hammonds"; Article; Page 194; submitted by Retta Sue Hammonds
Swaim, Rt 1, Box 2094, Berryville, VA 22611.
1. 1910 Census, Lee Co, VA; Rocky Station District; taken on 6 May 1910; Page 121B; Image 22 of 36;
Family #193/193..
Listed as Lee R. Hopkins; age 44; born in WV; married once for 23 yrs; logger for sawmill; head of
household.
2. 1920 Census, Wise Co, VA; Richmond District; Appalachia; taken on 31 Jan 1920; Page 281B; Image
44 of 49; Family #411/421.
Listed as Robert L. Hopkins; age 56; born in VA; married; coal miner; head of household.
3. "The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1999"; 1999; Geneva Steel, Sandra Long,
and Tom Hatcher; "Curtis Hammonds"; Article; Page 194; submitted by Retta Sue Hammonds
Swaim, Rt 1, Box 2094, Berryville, VA 22611.
1. 1910 Census, Lee Co, VA; Rocky Station District; taken on 6 May 1910; Page 121B; Image 22 of 36;
Family #193/193.
Listed as Eliza Hopkins; age 38; born in VA; married once for 23 yrs; 10 children, 9 living; in
household of husband, Lee R. Hopkins.
2. 1920 Census, Wise Co, VA; Richmond District; Appalachia; taken on 31 Jan 1920; Page 281B; Image
44 of 49; Family #411/421.
Listed as Eliza Hopkins; age 43; born in VA; married; in household of husband, Robert L. Hopkins.
3. "The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1999"; 1999; Geneva Steel, Sandra Long,
and Tom Hatcher; "Curtis Hammonds"; Article; Page 194; submitted by Retta Sue Hammonds
Swaim, Rt 1, Box 2094, Berryville, VA 22611.
1. 1910 Census, Lee Co, VA; Rocky Station District; taken on 6 May 1910; Page 121B; Image 22 of 36;
Family #193/193.
Listed as William H. Hopkins; age 16; born in VA; in household of father, Lee R. Hopkins.
1. 1910 Census, Lee Co, VA; Rocky Station District; taken on 6 May 1910; Page 121B; Image 22 of 36;
Family #193/193.
Listed as Lucian Hopkins; age 14; born in VA; in household of father, Lee R. Hopkins.
1. 1910 Census, Lee Co, VA; Rocky Station District; taken on 6 May 1910; Page 121B; Image 22 of 36;
Family #193/193.
Listed as Hattie Hopkins; age 11; born in VA; in household of father, Lee R. Hopkins.
1. 1910 Census, Lee Co, VA; Rocky Station District; taken on 6 May 1910; Page 121B; Image 22 of 36;
Family #193/193.
Listed as Everett Hopkins; age 10; born in VA; in household of father, Lee R. Hopkins.
2. 1920 Census, Wise Co, VA; Richmond District; Appalachia; taken on 31 Jan 1920; Page 281B; Image
44 of 49; Family #411/421.
Listed as Everett Hopkins; age 20; born in VA; single; coal miner; in household of father, Lee R. Hopkins.
1. 1910 Census, Lee Co, VA; Rocky Station District; taken on 6 May 1910; Page 121B; Image 22 of 36;
Family #193/193.
Listed as Guy Hopkins; age 7; born in VA; in household of father, Lee R. Hopkins.
2. 1920 Census, Wise Co, VA; Richmond District; Appalachia; taken on 31 Jan 1920; Page 281B; Image
44 of 49; Family #411/421.
Listed as Guy Hopkins; age 17; born in VA; single; coal miner; in household of father, Lee R. Hopkins.
1. 1910 Census, Lee Co, VA; Rocky Station District; taken on 6 May 1910; Page 121B; Image 22 of 36;
Family #193/193.
Listed as Goldie Hopkins; age 4; born in VA; in household of father, Lee R. Hopkins.
2. 1920 Census, Wise Co, VA; Richmond District; Appalachia; taken on 31 Jan 1920; Page 281B; Image
44 of 49; Family #411/421.
Listed as Golda Hopkins; age 14; born in VA; in household of father, Lee R. Hopkins.
1. 1910 Census, Lee Co, VA; Rocky Station District; taken on 6 May 1910; Page 121B; Image 22 of 36;
Family #193/193.
Listed as Roy Hopkins; age 2; born in VA; in household of father, Lee R. Hopkins.
2. 1920 Census, Wise Co, VA; Richmond District; Appalachia; taken on 31 Jan 1920; Page 281B; Image
44 of 49; Family #411/421.
Listed as Roy Hopkins; age 11; born in VA; in household of father, Lee R. Hopkins.
1. 1920 Census, Wise Co, VA; Richmond District; Appalachia; taken on 31 Jan 1920; Page 281B; Image
44 of 49; Family #411/421.
Listed as Ruby Hopkins; age 8; born in VA; in household of father, Lee R. Hopkins.
1. 1920 Census, Wise Co, VA; Richmond District; Appalachia; taken on 31 Jan 1920; Page 281B; Image
44 of 49; Family #411/421.
Listed as Vernon Hopkins; daughter; age 4; born in VA; in household of father, Lee R. Hopkins.
1. 1850 Census, Tazewell Co, VA; Western District; taken 23 Aug 1850; Page 268A; Family #730/730.
Listed as James J. Mitchem, age 10 months, born in VA, in household of father, Elijah D. Mitchem.
2. 1860 Census, McDowell Co, VA, Peeryville P.O., taken 9 Jul 1860, page #9, Family #51.
Listed as James Mitchem, age 12, born in VA, in household of father, Elijah Mitchem.
3. Mercer Co, WV; Marriage Registry; Vol #__(1880); Page 33; Line #11; WV Archives Web Site.
James Mitchem; age 23 (sic, 31); born in McDowell Co, WV; single; farmer; living in Mercer Co,
WV; son of Elijah and Matlida; married on 20 May 1880 in Mercer Co, WV; Harriett O. Russel; age
16; born and living in Mercer Co, WV; single; daughter of Benjamin O. and Jane.
4. 1900 Census, Mercer Co, WV; Beaver Pond District; taken on 16 Jun 1900; page 16A; Image 32
36; Family #272/273.
Listed as James J. Mitchem; age 48; born in WV in Sep 1851; married 21 yrs; farmer; head of
household.
5. 1910 Census, Mercer Co, WV; Beaver Pond District; taken on 22 Apr 1910; Page 5B; Image 10 of
33; Family #82/83.
Listed as James J. Mitchem; age 56; born in WV; married 29 yrs; farmer; head of household.
1. Mercer Co, WV; Marriage Registry; Vol #__(1880); Page 33; Line #11; WV Archives Web Site.
James Mitchem; age 23 (sic, 31); born in McDowell Co, WV; single; farmer; living in Mercer Co,
WV; son of Elijah and Matlida; married on 20 May 1880 in Mercer Co, WV; Harriett O. Russel; age
16; born and living in Mercer Co, WV; single; daughter of Benjamin O. and Jane.
2. 1900 Census, Mercer Co, WV; Beaver Pond District; taken on 16 Jun 1900; page 16A; Image 32
36; Family #272/273.
Listed as Harret O. Mitchem; age 37; born in WV in May 1863; married 21 yrs; 10 children, 7 living;
in household of husband, James J. Mitchem.
3. 1910 Census, Mercer Co, WV; Beaver Pond District; taken on 22 Apr 1910; Page 5B; Image 10 of
33; Family #82/83.
Listed as Harriett O. Mitchem; age 49; born in WV; married 29 yrs; 11 children, 8 living; in
household of husband, James J. Mitchem.
1. 1900 Census, Mercer Co, WV; Beaver Pond District; taken on 16 Jun 1900; page 16A; Image 32
36; Family #272/273.
Listed as Benjamin O. Mitchem; age 19; born in WV in Mar 1881; in household of father, James J.
Mitchem.
2. 1910 Census, Mercer Co, WV; Beaver Pond District; taken on 22 Apr 1910; Page 5B; Image 10 of
33; Family #82/83.
Listed as Benjamin Mitchem; age 27; born in WV; single; odd job laborer; in household of father,
James J. Mitchem.
3. Mercer Co, WV; WW I Draft Registration Card #1134; 12 Sep 1918; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Benjamin Oney Mitchem; age 28; born 11 Mar 1880; living at Ada, WV; farmer for C.W. Mills,
Princeton, WV; nearest relative, Harriett Mitchem, Ada, WV; 5'9" tall; slender build; blue eyes
and red cast hair.
4. Mercer Co, WV; WW II Draft Registration Card #U-987; 27 Apr 1942; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Ben Oney Mitchem; age 62; born 11 Mar 1881 in Mercer Co, WV; living at Ingelside Rd, Princeton,
WV; farmer for L.J. Beecher, Ingelside Rd, Princeton, WV; person who will always know address,
Mrs. Ira Reid, sister, Big Stoney Creek, Kimmelton, VA; 5'8" tall; 116 lbs; blue eyes; gray hair;
dark complexion.
5. FindAGrave.com Web Site; Reed Cemetery, Giles Co, VA; submitted by Judy Morgan, 10 May 2008.
Ben O. Mitchem; born 14 Mar 1880 (sic, 11 Mar 1881); died 19 Nov 1946 in Giles Co, VA; buried
here; headstone shown.
1. 1900 Census, Mercer Co, WV; Beaver Pond District; taken on 16 Jun 1900; page 16A; Image 32
36; Family #272/273.
Listed as Sarah J. Mitchem; age 15; born in WV in Jul 1884; in household of father, James J.
Mitchem.
1. 1900 Census, Mercer Co, WV; Beaver Pond District; taken on 16 Jun 1900; page 16A; Image 32
36; Family #272/273.
Listed as Pearl M. Mitchem; age 10; born in WV in Mar 1890; in household of father, James J.
Mitchem.
1. 1900 Census, Mercer Co, WV; Beaver Pond District; taken on 16 Jun 1900; page 16A; Image 32
36; Family #272/273.
Listed as Emma C. Mitchem; age 5; born in WV in Jun 1894; in household of father, James J.
Mitchem.
2. 1910 Census, Mercer Co, WV; Beaver Pond District; taken on 22 Apr 1910; Page 5B; Image 10 of
33; Family #82/83.
Listed as Emery C. Mitchem; age 15; born in WV; in household of father, James J. Mitchem.
1. 1900 Census, Mercer Co, WV; Beaver Pond District; taken on 16 Jun 1900; page 16A; Image 32
36; Family #272/273.
Listed as Luther H. Mitchem; age 2; born in WV in Feb 1898; in household of father, James J.
Mitchem.
1. 1910 Census, Mercer Co, WV; Beaver Pond District; taken on 22 Apr 1910; Page 5B; Image 10 of
33; Family #82/83.
Listed as Haden L. Mitchem; age 12; born in WV; in household of father, James J. Mitchem.
1. 1900 Census, Mercer Co, WV; Beaver Pond District; taken on 16 Jun 1900; page 16A; Image 32
36; Family #272/273.
Listed as W. McKinley Mitchem; age less than 1 mon; born in WV in May 1900; in household of
father, James J. Mitchem.
1. 1910 Census, Mercer Co, WV; Beaver Pond District; taken on 22 Apr 1910; Page 5B; Image 10 of
33; Family #82/83.
Listed as James E. Mitchem; age 9; born in WV; in household of father, James J. Mitchem.
1. 1910 Census, Mercer Co, WV; Beaver Pond District; taken on 22 Apr 1910; Page 5B; Image 10 of
33; Family #82/83.
Listed as Virgie L. Mitchem; age 6; born in WV; in household of father, James J. Mitchem.