James McMullen Research Request
Subject: James McMullen, b. abt 1859
Background
– Madeline Virginia McMullen was born January 26, 1909, supposedly in WV or New
Castle, PA (mother’s hometown). No birth record for her found in WV at
www.wvhistory.org or Vital Statistics of PA.
– Bertha Hoover (listed as single) and daughter, Madeline, living in Cameron, Marshall
Co., WV in 1910 Census; source: www.ancestry.com: 1910 Census, Cameron,
Marshall, West Virginia, Roll T624_1688, Page 11A, Enumeration District 0078,
FHL microfilm 1375701
– Madeline claimed him as her father on her marriage record to Wilbert A. Hill; source:
www.wvculture.org, marriage of Wilbert A. Hill to Madeline V. McMullen, 1925
– James McMullen died February 27, 1912; source: death of James McMullen, 27 Feb
1912, Moundsville, WV
– Bertha Hoover married to John Chambers the next day; source: www.wvculture.org,
marriage of John W. Chambers to Bertha Hoover, 1912
Information already obtained on James McMullen:
Holding Inquest, Moundsville (WV) Daily Echo, February 27, 1912
Coroner Investigating Death of James McMullen. Funeral Wednesday.
Coroner McCombs, acting under advice of Prosecuting Attorney C.E. Carrigan, this
afternoon began an inquest into the death of James McMullen, who was killed by railroad
cars under the tip[p]le at the Panama mine Monday evening. The jury viewed the body at
Gillespie undertaking parlors this afternoon. A trip to the scene of the accident was also
taken. T[h]e inquest was then adjourned until nine o'clock Wednesday morning when the
examination of witnesses will be started. The coroner's jury is composed of J.M. Smith,
S.M. Cunningham, W.E. Conner, R.H. Conner, Charles Walton and Lords Dressell. It is
said that McMullen was standing under the tipple at the time of the accident. Some cars
were standing on the grade[,] they ran under the tipple[,] striking the standing cars and
killing McMullen. The object of the inquest is to fix blame, if there is any, for the
accident.
Funeral Wednesday
The funeral of the victim of the accident will be held from the home on Thirteenth street
at two o'clock Wednesday afternoon. Interment will be made at Mt. Rose cemetery.
Coroner's Inquest Jury Verdict, Moundsville (WV) Daily, February 28, 1912:
Verdict Returned On M'Mullen Death
Coroner McCombs' jury, after deliberating upon the testimony given in the investigation
of the death of James McMullen reported:
"We the jury find that James McMullen came to his death on the 26th of February by
being struck by a car of the B. & O. Railroad Co. at the Ben Franklin mine south of this
city while in the discharge of his duty."
The witnesses in the case were Mr. White, an employee at the mine; Timothey Waters,
who was hurt at the time McMullen was killed; George Lyon; Alex Lucas; C. C.
McCabe, foreman of the mine; brakeman Bomer and conductor Quinn of the yard crew.
Note: Coroner's Inquest lists death of James McMullen as February 26th [1912], but
official death record in Marshall County, WV ledgers as reported by Coroner lists his
death as February 27, 1912.
Grisell Funeral Home, Book 3, 1910-1915, Transcribed by Linda Fluharty
Records, 1891-1940, copied from LDS microfilm FHL #187168
Records used with permission or Mr. Sidney Grisell
Record #96
Remains of: McMullen, James
Ordered by: Not given
Age: 53
Cause of Death: Injury
Died: 26 Feb 1912
Buried: 28 Feb 1912
Research goal: Find more info on James McMullen in order to answer the question, who
WAS this guy?
Research Requested
1) Visit county courthouse to determine if there was any court case/proceeding
where James McMullen was legally identified as the father of Madeline Virginia
McMullen and if he paid child support to Bertha Hoover (Fornication and
Bastardy case?)
2) Determine how long James lived in the Moundsville area. (Check city
directories?) Funeral notice in newspaper listed his residence as Thirteenth Street
in Moundsville.
3) Answer questions, if possible: Where was he born? Who were his parents?
4) How do you propose to find more info on James?