January 1959
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson Off To Florida; Retires After 19 Years With Widen YMCA
Herbert C. Johnson, general secretary of the Widen YMCA has resigned from that position which he has held for the past 19 years, and will retire from active YMCA work to make his home, together with Mrs. Johnson, in Orlando, Florida; where their two daughters, Mrs. Wm. G. Sapper and Mrs. C. R. Banta, both formerly of Charleston, now reside. The Johnsons left for their new home in Florida last week.
Mr. Johnson is former assistant secretary of the Charleston YMCA which he served for 11 years just prior to his call to the secretaryship at Widen. While there, he conducted a morning devotional broadcast over stations WOBU-WCHS for a period of five years. He is a veteran of 47 years in YMCA work, having entered the association in Ashtabula, Ohio in 1911 and has served YMCAs in Richmond, Virginia; Parkersburg, West Virginia; Salisbury, Maryland; Charleston and Widen, in boys’ work, physical education and executive capacities.
He is a member of Strange Creek Lodge No. 130 A. F. and A. M., a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason in the John Morris Consistory, Valley of Charleston and was invested with the rank and decoration of Knight Commander of the Court of Honor by the Supreme Council of 33rd degree Masons in Washington in 1949; a member of Tyrian Chapter 13 York Rite Masons; Kanawha Commandery No. 4 Knights Templar; Beni Kedem Shrine; White Shrine of Jerusalem No. 7 Charleston; and past patron of both Francis Chapter No. 114, Clay and Strange Creek Chapter No. 154. Order of the Eastern Star.
Mrs. Johnson (Wealthy F.) is a past president of the Charleston Missionary Federation, now known as the United Church Women, and is a past pres. of Capitol Dis. Women’s Clubs and Widen Women’s Club; past worthy matron, White Shrine of Jerusalem No. 7; and was the first state secretary of the Woman’s Society of Christian Service of the West Virginia Conference of the Methodist Church during the five years of unification of the three bodies of Methodism. Both Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of Asbury Methodist Church, Charleston from which local conference Mr. Johnson is licensed to preach by the West Virginia Conference. Mrs. Johnson is Past Matron of both Francis Chapter of Clay and Strange Creek Chapter. Order of the Eastern Star, the latter being organized by her and received its charter in 1955.
Other extra curricular activities of Mr. Johnson include being Clay County Chairman of the Red Cross for several years; a Red Cross fund raising committee during World War II is Clay County chairman of the volunteer Savings Bond Division of the U. S. Treasury department, a position which he has held since 1957 and for which he was honored by the privilege of presenting a replica of the famed Liberty Bell of former Governor Okey Patteson, in recognition of Clay County’s win over other counties in the 1953 national percentage of sales campaign.
The presentation was made before a special joint session of the West Virginia Legislature and guests, and the full-sized Liberty Bell awarded the state is now located at the North entrance to the State Capitol building.
For the past 12 years he has been Editor of the Elk River Coal and Lumber Company employees publication, Widen News, until his health recently forced by illness to relinquish that position Mr. Johnson also served four years as president of the Widen Rotary Club during World War II.
Jerle Hamrick, Fire Chief, Resigns Jan. 21
At a meeting of the board of directors of the Widen Volunteer Fire Department held January 21, 1959, Fire Chief Jerle Hamrick submitted his resignation. His resignation was accepted with regret by the committee. Robert C. Manning, Assistant Chief, was appointed Acting Chief, to become effective immediately. The executive committee is composed of the following members: H. L. Beattie; Commissioner, John L. Henley, E. R. Ketchka, R. M. Williams. Robert C. Manning, Jerle Hamrick. Jerle will remain an active member of the Fire Department.
Engagement Announced
Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Grogg of Morris, West Virginia, announce the engagement of their daughter, Millie to Gene Perkins, son of Mr. and Mrs. John S. Perkins of Summersville, West Virginia.
Miss Grogg is a graduate of Nicholas County High at Summersville and the Jefferson School of Commerce. Mr. Perkins is a graduate of Nicholas County High School and is attending Fairmont State College.
Wedding plans have not been completed.
Miss Grogg’s father is an employee of the Elk River Coal and Lumber Company at Widen, West Virginia and Mr. Perkins’ father is in the coal business in Summersville, West Virginia.
