Ohio County, West Virginia  Biography of Blackburn Barrett Dovenor.

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CONGRESSMAN B. B. DOVENOR

One of the best known men of West Virginia is Hon. Blackburn Barrett 
Dovenor, Congressman from the First Congressional District.  He has a 
particular interest in Sistersville and Tyler county and has aided in 
many ways to develop the wonderful resources of the state.  He is now 
serving his second term in the national legislature in the lower 
branch, and is a candidate for a third term.  He will undoubtedly  be 
elected, as he has the support of the Rebublican organizations 
throughout the district.  Mr. Dovenor is at present endeavoring to 
secure free mail delivery for Sistersville.

The subject of this sketch is noted for his industry, energy and 
push. No man in the writer's acquaintance has shown, under adverse 
surroundings, more endurance and pluck than Capt. B. B. Dovenor.  
With everything against him, he has won his way, and achieved 
success.  In his profession he stands well, and no one can say that 
anyone but himself is entitled to the credit for the victory he has 
won.  

Captain B. B. Dovenor was born in Cabell county, Virginia, April 20, 
1842. He attended the district schools, and spent several terms at 
the well-known Parkersburg Academy conducted by Professor John C. 
Nash. At the age of nineteen years he recruited a company of 
volunteers and enlisted as its captain in the Union army, serving 
three years.  Company A of the 15th West Virginia regiment, and its 
young and gallant captain participated in a number of hotly contested 
engagements, and won an enviable record in the field.

In 1867 Captain Dovenor located at WHEELING, and was chief clerk in 
the secretary of state's office, remaining in that position under two 
administrations.  During the year of 1871 he was chief clerk for 
General T. M. HARRIS, U. S. Pension agent at Wheeling.  He studied 
law, was admitted to the bar, and in 1873 became a partner of the 
late GEORGE O. DAVENPORT, a leading attorney of Wheeling, and from 
the first enjoyed a remunerative practice.  Having a taste for 
politics, he has taken an active part in all of the campaigns since 
1868.  He is an ardent Republican, and is an effective public 
speaker.  He was elected to the legislature of West Virginia in 1882, 
and was again a candidate for the same position in 1886, but was 
defeated along with the balance of his ticket.  He was the Republican 
candidate for mayor in 1887, but was defeated by a party vote.  He 
has been urged by a strong following as a candidate for congress, and 
other responsible positions.

In December, 1865, Captain Dovenor married MISS MARGARET LINCH, of 
WHEELING.  To them two sons were born, William N. and Robert.  The 
former is a partner of his father's in the practice of the law, and 
the latter, who had just reached his majority and possessed unusual 
promise, died of typhoid fever during the summer of 1890.

From "Tyler Gazette Industrial" -- Tyler County
Reprinted in the Wetzel County Genealogical Society Newsletter, 
Vol.19, No.2, page 9.   

Contributed by Linda Cunningham Fluharty.