The regular meeting of the Roane County Historical Society, Inc. was held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 21, 2013 at the Roane County Library. President, Rick Greathouse, called the meeting to order. An opening prayer and pledge to the American flag were given.

The evening’s special program was presented by Mr. Doug Wood of Nitro, WV who portrayed the Cherokee leader, Ostenaco. Approximately 45 youth, adults & children attended and enjoyed the informative and entertaining presentation. He was well-informed, personable and portrayed the Native American warrior in authentic dress and native Cherokee speech. The program was a part of the History Alive! presentations made possible through the West Virginia Humanities Council.

Refreshments were served between the program and the business meeting. President Greathouse convened the business meeting. The minutes from the October meeting were read by Susan Tucker, Recording Secretary. Carol Board-Westfall presented the Treasurer’s report, giving the current balance as: $16,606.63
Carol also reported that she had reserved the Heritage Park Community Bldg. for our 20th Annual Genealogy Fair for Saturday, September 27, 2014.

Linda Liss, Membership Secretary, reported the current membership at 206. Ten persons have not paid annual dues and will be removed from roll. She also sent one sympathy card to the family of a former member who had died recently.

Announcement: The National Genealogical Society 2014 Family History Conference will be held at the Marriott Hotel in Richmond, VA on May 7-10, 2014. Registration forms and fees schedules are available through our society.

Old Business:
Rick Greathouse reported on his findings regarding a new computer for the Historical Society’s Library. Motion was made & properly seconded & carried unanimously for him to go ahead and order the Dell desktop computer system with Windows 7. [Approx. cost: $750.] He agreed to install and setup the system when it arrives. A monitor has been donated to the society for use with the new computer.

History Hero nomination: The R.C.H.S. wishes to nominate Mrs. Susan Wyatt Tucker for History Hero for 2014. She has served the Society conscientiously over the years as Recording Secretary and has headed up projects to record, preserve, and digitize county newspaper microfilms and printed birth records housed in the Society’s library. She has helped with setup of our annual genealogy fairs and has represented our society at other genealogy fairs. Application must be completed and delivered to the WV Culture & History Library in Charleston, WV by December 31, 2013. Winners will be announced and honored at a special ceremony during the WV Legislature in February 2014.

B & O Rr Building - City Museum:
The Executive Committee still needs to meet and make a recommendation about the museum.
Theresa Boggs Parker announced that she has met with the Mayor and City Council & brought them up-to-date on the possibility of the Society taking over management of the museum. She attended a recent Grant Writing Workshop in Calhoun County. She also attended a recent West Virginia Non-profit Association meeting. The Association seeks to strengthen nonprofit organizations like the R.C.H.S., Inc. in their respective communities and may be able to help establish a program planning framework for Grant writing in connection to raising funds to renovate the Museum. Susan Tucker agreed to look over the printed materials provided and make a recommendation to the Society with regard to joining the WV Non-profit Association. Annual membership is $90.

The next meeting of the R.C.H.S. is scheduled for Thursday, December 19, 2013 at 7 p.m. at the Roane County Library. THIS IS THE LAST MEETING FOR 2013 ! Members, please make every effort to attend; we have several items to finalize and your input is important. Due to uncertainty of winter weather we will not be meeting again until March 27, 2014.

Members attending the business meeting were: Theresa Parker, Melissa Swisher, Patty Wyatt, Reva Paxton, Susan Tucker, Rick Greathouse, Carol Board Westfall, Linda Liss, and guests, Opal Groves and Paul Greathouse.

The 20th Annual Genealogy Fair, is scheduled for Saturday, September 27, 2014, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, at the Heritage Park Community Building in Spencer.

The Roane County Historical Society met for their regular monthly meeting on Thursday, October 24, 2013 at the Roane County Library at 7 p.m. Rick Greathouse, President, called the meeting to order. Carol Board-Westfall opened the meeting with prayer and the pledge to the American flag was recited by all. Those present were: Rick Greathouse, Melissa Swisher, Carol Board-Westfall, Peggy L. Starcher, Reva Paxton, Bernard and Patty Wyatt, Linda Liss and guest, James Bennett.

In the absence of the Recording Secretary, the minutes of the September 26th meeting were read by Linda Liss. Minutes approved with one correction: September Treasurer’s report balance should have read, $16,700.51

Treasurer, Carol Board-Westfall made report showing a current balance as: $16,497.26 Copy filed for annual audit.

Linda Liss, Corresponding & Membership Secretary reported current membership at 207, an increase of four [4] since the last meeting. There are still eleven [11] members who have not paid their 2013-14 annual dues which were due July 1st. After discussion, motion was made by the Membership Secretary and duly seconded that those persons be removed from the roll if not paid by the time of the printing of the next Membership Directory in December 2013. Motion carried unanimously. All have been contacted two times.
Linda also reported that she sent a congratulatory letter to Mr. Denver R. Gandee for his being nominated and approved as a life-time honorary member of the RCHS.

Carol reported that she had rec’d in inquiry from a Mrs. Gladys Casto regarding the Jones Cemetery on Paxton Ridge. Carol also reported that she had researched and located the family property & the Jones Family Graveyard in response to a letter from a Mr. Tom Jones of FL. She has sent her findings to Mr. Jones.
Carol also made available a set of photos donated to the society by the Keith Wolfe family. The collection contained photos of the Keith family and the cemetery.

Book Purchases include: Spencer Newspaper Obits complied by David Boggs through 2013, the Ritchie Co. Map Book, and the new Jackson Co. WV Births/Deaths book. Also, a small book was donated to our library titled Early Marriages of Botetourt Co., VA.

Old Business:
The September 28th Annual Genealogy Fair sponsored by the RCHS was deemed a success. All went well and vendors, as well as those visiting the fair, seemed to have a good time. There were over 130 persons who registered. Motion was made by Linda and seconded that we again sponsor the fair on Saturday, September 27th, 2014 at the Heritage Park Community Building in Spencer. Motion carried unanimously.

Linda announced that it was again time to initiate the Annual “Scholarship Essay.” This will be the fourth year for the Essay Scholarship in association with Roane County High School. In order to perhaps increase interest, Linda made motion to increase the Annual Scholarship from $750 to $1,000. Motion carried unanimously. Linda will deliver the needed guidelines to the school’s guidance counselor on Fri., Oct. 25th.

Computer for RCHS Library. Still need estimates for a new desk top computer. Rick will check on this & get prices for a Dell system w/Windows 7 & report back at our Nov. meeting.

Spencer Railroad Museum Building:
The society’s Executive Committee still needs to meet to draw-up guidelines, expectations, hours, etc. and whether it is actually feasible that we take over management of the Museum. Tabled for future discussion.
Carol reported that, by way of Theresa Parker, that the Museum had over 700 visitors during this year’s Black Walnut Festival.

Rick read the press release for the upcoming program to be presented at our November 21st, 2013 meeting.
Ostenaco (ca.1703-1780), Cherokee warrior leader, aka “Mankiller” & “Judd’s Friend”, will be portrayed by Mr. Doug Wood of Nitro, WV, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 21, 2013 at the Roane County Library in Spencer before the regular meeting of the Roane County Historical Society, Inc. The presentation is part of the History Alive! program and is made possible by the West Virginia Humanities Council. As part of his portrayal, Mr. Wood will present findings on the Solomon & Jeremiah Carpenter Family who were captured by the Shawnees. The Carpenter Family played an important part in the settlement of central West Virginia. Presentation is free & open to the public. Motion was made by Linda and duly seconded that the society pick-up Mr. Wood’s travel expenses. Motion carried unanimously.

2014 History Hero nomination: Nominee’s name and all related paperwork must be completed & sent to the Division of Culture & History by December 31, 2013. Past recipients include: Jack Nida, Carol Board-Westfall, Carol Cronin and Linda Cottrell Liss. Do you have a nominee for this honor?

Meeting adjourned.

Birth: Dec. 14, 1929
Death: Mar. 1, 1934

Olive Opal Ogden, a beautiful child, so loved by her family. She passed on at the age of four from pneumonia.

She is descended from Robert F. Ogden & Mariah Deliah Smith Ogden (Great Grandparents); William Wesley & Margaret Chewning Ogden (Grandparents); Robert Kellis & Buena Wilson Ogden (Parents); Robert Bowman Ogden, Ruth Marie Ogden, & Virginia Hiet Ogden (Brother & Sisters).

Inscription:
Jesus said; "I am the resurrection and the Life."

"Look!, the tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.

Note: There is a headstone with her name next to her grandparents William Wesley & Margaret Chewning Ogden


Ogden Cemetery
Uler
Roane County
West Virginia, USA


Looking forward to the resurrection when we will all be together.
-Anonymous

The Roane County Historical Society's November meeting will feature Ostenaco (ca. 1703-1780), Cherokee leader, portrayed by Doug Wood of Nitro. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 21, 2013 at 7:00 PM at the Roane County Library in Spencer, West Virginia and is open to the public. This special presentation is possible through the History Alive! program of the West Virginia Humanities Council.