Notes for: George W. Twyford
"Mr. & Mrs. George W. Twyford had a country store at Hebron, W.Va. in 1883 -- where Maude, Stella and Truman were born.
In 1888 they moved to West Union and bought property from a Mr. Morrow. The property extended from Main Street to Court Street. Mr. Twyford operated the Twyford Department Store for about 40 years.
Harry, Mayme and Delphia were born in West Union.
Harry and Maude worked in the store. Maude did the buying for the Ready-to-Wear department -- going to Baltimore to the wholesale market -- then the market moved to New York.
In the Millinery Department, head trimmers came from Baltimore, North Carolina and Virginia, where local girls were apprentices. The hats were trimmed with beautiful flowers, feathers, and bows of ribbon. Ladies came from Clarksburg on the morning train to buy hats -- staying all day and going home on the afternoon train.
Before World War I, 1912-1915, suits sold for $100 and hats $25-$30.
Mr. Twyford helped to promote the town water system, paving of the streets, building the Methodist Episcopal Church. The family was very active in the church. Mr. Twyford was a Trustee, Supt. of Sunday School for 27 years, Pres. of Dodd. Co. Sunday School Assoc., mayor of West Union, and manager of one of the glass factories for a short time.
Mayme received her AB degree from W.Va. University and a MA degree from Columbia University. She taught school in Lubbock, Texas for 26 years."
SOURCE: "The History of Doddridge County, West Virginia," p. 267.
Local news item, "West Union Record," Thursday, August 19 1915, in its entirety:
"Work was started Monday morning on the grading for the side walk in front of G. W. Twyford property on Main street. This is quite a job, as there is a lot of earth which has to be moved."
Local news item, "Doddridge County Republican," Thursday, March 14 1918, in its entirety:
"Geo. W. Twyford spent a few days in town last week, and while here informed us that the Twyford Coal Co. is shipping black diamonds every day. From an authoritative source, we learn that the Twyford Company's mine is one of the best, if not the very best equipped little mines in that section of West Virginia."