By Eileen Long Goddard

My great-grandparents, Samuel Winesburg, 23, and Sarah Margaret Meisenhelder, 21, were married in Marshall County, West Virginia on July 20, 1875. Samuel was born in Ohio County and had been residing in Tyler County. Sarah Margaret was born in Marshall County and also resided there. Her parents were Christian Meisenhelder and Mary Ann Jones, who were married in Marshall County on April 19, 1841 [Marriage was probably in 1840 instead of 1841 because marriages were listed in order of time performed. The listing before and after is 1840. Census of 1840 shows this couple as a family.].

Samuel and Sarah Margaret "Maggie" Winesburg had the following children:

(1) Belle Lamar Winesburg, b Jan 16, 1876, Marshall County, W.Va.; d Apr 26 1949, Marshall County, W.Va.
(2) Ethel Winesburg, b May 1883, d Mar 16, 1885
(3) Ira Winesburg, b Mar 14, 1885, Ohio County, W.Va.; d unknown
(4) Earl Winesburg [PHOTO], b 1886; d Mar 27, 1913, Norfolk, Va.; buried Mt. Olivet, Marshall County
(5) Erick Winesburg, b Dec 16, 1889, Marshall County, W.Va.; d Jan 14, 1891, Marshall County, W.Va.
(6) Iola/Iona Winesburg, b Jan 4, 1892, Marshall County, W.Va.; d unknown

The murder of my great-grandfather, Samuel Winesburg, on July 24, 1892, is described in these articles: Murder 1 - Murder 2.

John Moylan was found guilty of the murder Samuel Winesburg. On Feb 27, 1893, the court sentenced him as follows: ...the said John Moylan to be imprisoned in the Public Jail and Penitentiary House of the state for the term of Ten years and that he be kept at hard labor....

Michael Moylan, father of John Moylan, received this sentence for his part in the crime: Michael Moylan is to be imprisioned in the jail of this county for the period of 30 days and pay a fine of twenty five dollars for said assault and battery and the costs of this cause by the state of W.Va.

My great-grandmother, Sarah Margaret "Maggie" (Meisenhelder) Winesburg, was shot at the same time as her husband. She was not expected to survive but she lived until 1925. "Moundsville Daily Echo," Friday, December 11, 1925: MRS. MAGGIE WINESBURG DIED HERE EARLY TODAY - Mrs. Maggie Winesburg died this morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Long on Arlington Avenue, after a long illness of paralysis. - Mrs. Winesburg was 69 years of age and is survived by her daughter Mrs. Long. Arrangements for the funeral are not complete but interment will be made at Mt. Olivet.

One of the family stories of interest about the shooting is that Maggie's daughter, my grandmother, Belle Lamar Winesburg, was at Mt. Olivet church for a meeting. My grandfather, James Francis Long, was also at the meeting. When the news of the shooting came to Belle, Grandad went with her, and while Grandma held the lantern for the doctor to perform the surgery on Sarah Margaret, Grandad held Grandma's hand. Soon after they started dating and got married in 1893.

Sarah Margaret was a published poet.

Inside the cover of one of her books - IMAGE 1
A picture of Sarah Margaret with poems - IMAGE 2
The contents listing other authors in the book and copy of her son, Earl Winesburg's obit. - IMAGE 3

Charles Meisenhelder, a brother of Sarah Margaret, served during the Civil War in Company "P" 6th West Virginia Infantry. At the age of 21, he mustered in 8 Aug 1862. Charles is buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Marshall County.

This is the early genealogy of our Meisenhelder family: Descendants of Philip Meisenhelder.

This is the early genealogy of our Winesburg family: Descendants of Jacob Winesburg.

If you want to contact Eileen, send an EMAIL.

Templates in Time