'Late 1940's flood picture taken from the porch of the Gorby home at 663 Maple Avenue, New Martinsville, W. Va. Maple Avenue is 6-8 feet beneath the boat. My sister Martha; Sam McColloch has the oars; and Aunt Mary Louise Gorby in the far end. The rowboat belonged to the Gorby Bros. store. It had many uses during the floods from delivering groceries, moving the store stock and furnishings, and taking us to the church to help move the church furniture. When the work was finished, there was time to row around town and explore where everything familiar was submerged. Then later, the cleanup would begin. It was a big adventure for the children but not for the adults.'
Flood Water on Maple Avenue, New Martinsville, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1930-1940
Description:
'One of the 1930-40's floods on Maple Avenue, New Martinsville, West Virginia. The Postlethwaite house and garage are in foreground, and 714 Maple Avenue is behind. The floodwaters are not on Postlethwaite pooch, but 714 porch and living area are covered. The McColloch family lived here at this time.'
John Gorby's Home at 714 Maple Avenue, New Martinsville, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1908
Description:
'Probably Irene Bucher Gorby on the porch. This home was sold to Wilbur Jacob McColloch and Mildred Gorby McColloch in 1929. The house to the left was owned by J. W. Postlethwaite. It was later raised by 8-10 feet to be out of floods which plagued New Martinsville in the early 20th Century. Flood waters never invaded the Poslethwaite living area, but reached to 8 feet in the living room of 714 Maple Ave., the window behind Mrs. Gorby. This photo is about 1908 when the Gorby's were married.'
Gorby Brothers Grocery Store, New Martinsville, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1900-1910
Description:
'Gorby Brothers Grocery Store, early 1900's. Located on the south side of North Street near Maple Avenue, New Martinsville, West Virginia. Left to right: unknown, Charles Thomas Gorby behind horse's collar, unknown (in back), Front: unknown, William Edward Mullett, unknown, Kersey Jesse Gorby, George Ira Gorby.'
'This photo is from the book 'Way's Packet Directory, 1848-1994' revised edition compiled by Frederick Way, Jr. and published by the Ohio University Press, Athens, Ohio - 1983. Joseph W. Rutter, Editor, wrote in the Foreward: 'The lifetime work of Frederick Way, Jr. is found in his Packet and Towboat Directories, indispensable resourses for those interested in the Steamboat Age on the Western Rivers'.'
'The Limestone German Band, Posing at the Old Wetzel County Court House before 1900. John Henry Gorby second from left with clarinet, Charles Thomas Gorby and George Ira Gorby with baritones in front of John Kaufman in light suit. Other identified persons: John Kaufman in light suit in back. Ed Frei seated right on ground. 'Limestone' is the ridge top at the head of Doolin Run about five miles east of New Martinsville. Schools and churches attended by Doolin residents were located on 'Limestone' or the adjacent American Ridge. Charles T. Gorby taught in the Limestone School. William Gorby, grandfather of the Gorby brothers, was among the original members of the Limestone Church. This Wetzel County Courthouse in this photograph faced south. The present one built in 1900 is located on the same lots, but faces east and is made of stone. Photo from the collection of Pearl Frei.'
Grocery Delivery During Flood, New Martinsville, W. Va.
Date:
1936
Description:
'Charles T. Gorby on porch above Gorby Brothers store fills a grocery order by lowering a bucket which has been added to the photograph. Jesse K. Gorby lived his last years in the apartment to the left of the upper porch; From a photograph in the Wetzel County Historical Museum.'
Pilot Melba Gorby Beard of New Martinsville, W. Va.
Date:
1935
Description:
'Melba Gorby Beard with her plane, and the coveted Amelia Earhart Trophy, won at the 1935 National Air Races, Cleveland, Ohio. She still flies (in 1979) a similar plane to antique airplance events.'
Gorby Brothers Grocery Parade Float, New Martinsville, W. Va.
Date:
1931
Description:
'Gorby Brothers Grocery parade float depicting delivery methods over the years. Shown are a wheelbarrow 1901-1903; horse and wagon 1903-1914; and truck 1914+. The float was built on the store truck.'
'This picture was taken in 1907 in the back of Samuel Mullett's barn. Jacob Hassig and Will Berger owned the thrashing machine. Many of these neighbors were relatives. Family and neighbors could always be relied on to help on Doolin. Row 1: Andy Goddard, Frank During, Ed Schupbach, Lewis Durig, John Kocher, Albert Durig, Harry Mullett, Samuel Mullett, and Adolph Durig. Row 2: Charles Goddard, Will Berger, Sam Kocher, Jacob Hassig, Charles Fisher, John Grossenbach, Wilbert Kocher, Jesse Mullett, Charles Durig.'
