William Clark McGrew (1842-1919)
William Clark McGrew
Eldest of the McGrew children, William led an exemplary life, patterned after the civic interests of his father and mother. He was educated by private tutors as well as instructors at the local Preston Academy; then, he joined his father at the McGrew Store, where William learned the mercantile trade. Also like his father, he learned his lessons well enough that, at age 20, he took over management of the Kingwood store and maintained ownership until 1874, when he acquired his late Uncle George Hagans' store in Morgantown. That began his long and distinguished career as businessman, banker, and political leader.
In the years that followed William's move to Morgantown, he was five times elected Mayor and, in that role, counted as one of his greatest accomplishments securing the Fairmont-Morgantown-Pittsburgh railway line. He also served as Director and Vice President of the Second National Bank of Morgantown and demonstrated some of the same entreprenurial talents as his father by founding the Morgantown Glass Company. Given his success in business, he was readily elected into State offices and had the distinction of being the only man of his generation to serve in both the West Virginia Senate (1879-1885) and the West Virginia House of Delegates (1906-1907). He was particularly noted for his parliamentary skill and amiable leadership.
William was also a husband and father. In 1863, he and Julia Willey, daughter of Waitman T. Willey, married. They lived in Kingwood until 1870 when they moved to Morgantown. Their first son Harry Willey McGrew was born in 1866. Two other children followed: James Heermans, born in 1873, and Julia, born in 1882. Sadly, in 1880, Willey died suddenly in the night. His mother was so distraught that, when William was scheduled to leave for the coming WV Legislative Session, he took her to his childhood home in Kingwood, where he knew that his loving parents, Persis and James, would care for her and patiently tend to her healing.
William died October 30, 1919, in his home in Morgantown. His passing was noted on the front page in the local newspaper, and he was remembered for his kind and gentlemanly demeanor. He is buried in the McGrew family plot in Oak Grove Cemetery in Morgantown.
In the years that followed William's move to Morgantown, he was five times elected Mayor and, in that role, counted as one of his greatest accomplishments securing the Fairmont-Morgantown-Pittsburgh railway line. He also served as Director and Vice President of the Second National Bank of Morgantown and demonstrated some of the same entreprenurial talents as his father by founding the Morgantown Glass Company. Given his success in business, he was readily elected into State offices and had the distinction of being the only man of his generation to serve in both the West Virginia Senate (1879-1885) and the West Virginia House of Delegates (1906-1907). He was particularly noted for his parliamentary skill and amiable leadership.
William was also a husband and father. In 1863, he and Julia Willey, daughter of Waitman T. Willey, married. They lived in Kingwood until 1870 when they moved to Morgantown. Their first son Harry Willey McGrew was born in 1866. Two other children followed: James Heermans, born in 1873, and Julia, born in 1882. Sadly, in 1880, Willey died suddenly in the night. His mother was so distraught that, when William was scheduled to leave for the coming WV Legislative Session, he took her to his childhood home in Kingwood, where he knew that his loving parents, Persis and James, would care for her and patiently tend to her healing.
William died October 30, 1919, in his home in Morgantown. His passing was noted on the front page in the local newspaper, and he was remembered for his kind and gentlemanly demeanor. He is buried in the McGrew family plot in Oak Grove Cemetery in Morgantown.