U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: --------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheets, Luther (1840-1915) --------------------------------------------------------------------- A History of Preston County West Virginia Biographical Department, Supplied by J. R. Cole Kingwood, W. Va., The Journal Publishing Company, 1914 by H. S. Whetsell Pages 765-766, LUTHER SHEETS. Among the 2,300 volunteers from Preston county who went to war with the South, the Sheets family deserve special notice. Probably no county in any other state gave up as many of her sons of the preservation of the Union, in proportion to her population, than Preston county did. No other family suffered much more by way of loss of limb and life, than did the Sheets family. No charge at least can be brought against them for not responding to the call of their country in time of danger. Jacob and Nancy Sheets lived in Monongalia county, and raised a family of sons and daughters before the Civil War commenced. He was born at Rock Forge, and died in 1866, about sixty years old. His wife died about 1867, fifty years of age. He was a stonecutter, and raised his family at the old Henry Clay Furnace, where the boys were engaged mostly in mining business. John was the oldest, and married twice. He is now dead. George married in Kentucky, and was killed on the railroad. Calvin lived at Morgantown. He was a member of the 1st W. Va. Cavalry and was killed in the war. He enlisted in 1861, and lost his life in 1862. Samuel enlisted in 1861. He was also in the 1st W. Va. Cavalry, and served three years. Both he and his wife are now dead. Jacob also enlisted in the same regiment and served three years in the war. Alfred was killed at Fairmont, when fifteen years of age. Ellen married Thomas Irving, and lives in Pennsylvania. Anna, a widow, lives in that state also. Elizabeth married James Gans, and resides in Marion county. Tilie is dead. She married a Mr. Thorne. Luther Sheets was born at the old Henry Clay Furnace on January 1, 1840. He was raised a farmer, and did mining until in 1859, when he went to Tunnelton, where he hauled tan-bark and shipped timber until the fight at McDowell, Virginia, stirred up his patriotism, and in June, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, 3rd Virginia Infantry. The regiment first went to Wheeling, then to Clarksburg, and from that point scattered along the B. & O. Railroad to guard bridges for three or four months. In 1863, when Jones made his raid through the state, the regiment was changed to the 6th Cavalry. In the fight at Rocky Gap, in Greenbrier county, an engagement that lasted a day and a night, Mr. Sheets was hit in the leg, just above the knee joint, by a ball from the enemy, which he carried sixteen years and two months before amputation of the limb was made. The same ball tore off the arm of his comrade standing by his side. His first discharge from the army was in 1863, and he enlisted again. This time, contrary to the oath of service, his regiment was held long after the war had closed. In opposition to the wishes of the soldiers, they were taken West for service on the plains; but when at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, the men demanded their pay, and a release from the army, it was granted. Upon returning home, Mr. Sheets came to Independence, where he followed mining and other pursuits, and where he still resides. His leg troubled him greatly, a running sore causing it to grow worse and worse until relief came from amputation. In the meantime, however, he worked steadily from the time he left the army until the loss of the limb necessitated retirement from all manual labor. On March 1, 1863, Mr. Sheets was married to Harriet Kelly, daughter of John Kelly, of Monongalia county. She died in 1898. From this union were born: Willie, a miner, and now the father of several children. He had the misfortune to break his leg while pursuing his avocation in the mines. The other children were: Marshall, Thomas, also mine workers; Ira, who was killed in a railroad accident; Albert and Charlie, who died in infancy; Ida, who married William Shaefer; Ethie, who married John Twiple, and lives in Fairmont; Alice, who married Harry Philip, and moved to Indiana. On October 29, 1898, Mr. Sheets was married to Laura, daughter of George and Drucilla (Boyd) Trowbridge. Her father was a farmer on Cheat River, but died twenty-three years ago. Children of this second marriage are: Hazel, born February 25, 1900; Guffie, April 9, 1902; Clyde, June 28, 1904; Hugh, June 16, 1912. The family worships in the Methodist Church. --------------------------------------------------------------------- There are tombstones in Union Cemetery, Independence, Preston Co., WV LUTHER SHEETS HARRIETT, Wife of LUTHER SHEETS 6 REGT born MAR. 6, 1842 W VA CAV died NOV 23, 1897 Jan 1, 1841 May 3, 1915 --------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Preston County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/preston/bios.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------