Elijah Siers
| Mr. Elijah M. Siers was born in Monroe County,
Virginia, (now WV) a son of John and Rutha
Siers, on March 25, 1841. In 1847 the family
moved to Braxton County on the headwaters
of the Left Hand Ford of the West Fork, where Mr. Siers spent his boyhood and early young manhood. On November 2, 1862 he joined the Confederate army and under the leadership of Capt. Absalom Knotts, a powerful leader in that day and age, served with honor as corporal in Company E., 14th Virginia Calvary, of Gen. Albert Jenkins' Brigade. Mr. Siers was captured by the northern enemy, and sentenced to Camp Chase for thirteen months, being released at the close of the war. |
During the war, Siers saw action at Brandy Station, Droop Mountain and other important engagements, but added his comment: "I was lucky. And if I ever hit one of the enemy I never knew it," even on the occasion of having to drag his wounded friend, Thomas Butler, from the field of battle while bullets rained on every side. |
| It was while he was stationed at Droop Mountain
Virginia(WV) that he went home on leave and
his buddy asked him to stop by and check
on his wife while he was passing by,Elizah
did stop and let her know hat her husband
was ok,when he returned his buddy had been
killed.After the war Elizah reurned and married
the widow of his old buddy that had been
killed.Her name was Missouri Jarvis |
| After his release from Camp Chase, Mr. Siers
returned home on April 7, 1865. Shortly after he married Missouri Arnold, a daughter of one of the prominent pioneer families of Calhoun County. To this union were born nine children, seven of whom survive as follows: George P. Siers, Peter M. Siers, John A. Siers, ----------________, and Charley Siers, all of Washington district, Albert Siers of Wirt County; Mrs. Amy Radabough of Wirt County; and Mrs. Saphronia Bailey of Beech. |
| Elijah and Missouri Siers had been long term
residents of Minnora, WV, where they enjoyed gardening, keeping house, and community living for at least 60 years of their marriage. Both were well known for their hospitable home, and strong interest in community affairs. Both having lived for past the 85 year mark, have enjoyed raising a fine family, and have given the impression of having been contented and happy with the long life and memories of the many years past. |
| Elizah measured the snow one day and there
was 18 inches on the wagon bed.That
night
a log burned in two and fell out of
the fireplace
catching the curtains on fire.There
was 14
persins in he house and all got out
ok.Elizah
kept running around and counting to
be sure
they all were safe,they then went to
the
outbuildings and bundled up in feed
sacks
and rags and put everyone on the horses
to
go to the neighbors. Peter had the
only pair
of boots so he broke the ice in the
creek
so they could cross and thereby froze
his
feet.He was the only one hurt |
| We are delighted to have received this information on one of Absalom Knotts' company men during the Civil war, and the Siers family is as much a prominent family in the county as the Arnolds. Submitted by William D. Porter, |
| I want to give credit to Richard Blake for the picture and story,Please pay a visit to his site |
| Fleshman,Blake Familys |
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