Pendleton County (W. Va.) meteorological record books

Access and use

Location of collection:
James Madison University
Second Floor Room 203, MSC 1704
Carrier Library
James Madison University
880 Madison Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tiffany Cole
Phone: (540) 568-3444
Phone: (540) 568-3612
Fax: (540) 568-3405
Restrictions:

Collection open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Pendleton County (W. Va.) Meteorological Record Books, 1916-1957, SC 0394, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Summary

Extent:
0.1 cubic feet 2 bound volumes
Creator:
Keister, Elmer Lawrence, 1883-1946, Keister, Martha, 1908-1990, and Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates
Abstract:
Two bound meteorological record books documenting weather in Pendleton County, West Virginia. The record books were kept primarily by Elmer L. Keister (1883-1946) of Brandywine.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Pendleton County (W. Va.) Meteorological Record Books, 1916-1957, SC 0394, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Background

Scope and content:

Two bound meteorological record books documenting weather in Pendleton County, West Virginia. The record books were kept primarily by Elmer L. Keister (1883-1946) of Brandywine.

The volumes are both official U.S. Department of Agriculture Weather Bureau Voluntary Observer's Meteorological Record books and were kept by Keister until his death in 1946. His daughter, Martha Keister, continued the second book, but only added narrative updates to the "Unusual Meteorological Phenomena" section. The record books include the latitude, longitude, and elevation for the Brandywine weather station.

The record books contain monthly charts to track daily maximum and minimum temperatures, daily precipitation, and climatological data including "miscellaneous phenomena" (auroras, frosts, thunderstorms, tornadoes, etc.). Ice harvests are noted in this section.

At the end of each record book is a section titled "Unusual Meteorological Phenomena" to document, according to the section's instructions, "periods of unusual heat, cold, protracted drought, excessive rains, floods, violent storms, etc., with dates of occurrence." In addition to weather events, this section was also used to document livestock and crop reports including fruit and cider, births, deaths, marriages, road work and public utilities improvements, and community and family news. Multiple entries mention renting out the Keister farm after the death of Elmer Keister.

Entries of interest are listed below:

Date Event
1918
Spanish influenza arrived about the same time [September 22] and by Dec. 31 had sent a good round number to reap their reward above.
1919
Brandywine was "hard hit" by the "flu" during the month of January, several deaths.
1921
Had lots of whooping cough in this section this year.
1923
A number of moonshine stills came into existence during the year. The star performer Jack Joyce was sent to the penitentiary at the July term of court for four years.
1927
The year 1927 was to be the year without a summer.
1930
The year 1930 was the worse drought since the year one. Total rainfall for the year was 15.95 inches.
1932
The Lindbergh boy was kidnapped & murdered.

Entries of interest are listed below:

Date Event
1937
West Penn built the power line, and the convicts arrived to hard surface Route 5.
1939
Prison labor finished the surface on Route 33 and moved away.
1944
John Puffenbarger's baby in the well turned out to be a rabbit after Franklin fire truck pumped the water out.
1946
October 19, 1946 - Death of Elmer Keister.
1947
Took Mama [Mary Hoover Keister] to Dr. in Harrisonburg on Jan. 2nd where she remained till Jan. 11th.
1948
Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company extend telephone service to the Brandywine area.
1949
In June we went through the most devastating flood that ever struck this section. Sugar Grove section was hardest hit in Pendleton. Thousands of dollars of damage. Most all crops were destroyed. Fences, [dam], and road way, wire bridge all washed away.
New Methodist Church at Deer Run officially opened on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24.
Farm Women's Club established the 'South Fork Community Dump.'
1954
Entered the year with much uncertainty. Mama still is no better. No farm help worth a cuss any more. I decided to sell the farm and sold it to Walter Simpson...Crowd was estimated at 1,000 people - probably the largest to ever attend a public sale in Pendleton County.
1957
Jury Service for women was first put into practice during Nov. term of Circuit Court when the Grand Jury made history for itself when it included the first woman to serve on a jury in Pendleton County. Mrs. Charles (Eunice) Matheny of Upper Tract was one of the 15 persons making up the jury.
Biographical / historical:

Elmer L. Keister (1883-1946) of Brandywine, West Virginia was a farmer by trade as well as a volunteer weather observer. He married Mary Armstrong Hoover (1883-1977) in 1907. Their daughter, Martha, was born in 1908.

Elmer Keister kept meticulous weather records for Pendleton County from at least 1916 until his death in 1946. Martha continued to add narrative weather observations until 1957.

Acquisition information:
Purchased September 7, 2024 from Jeffrey S. Evans Associates, Inc. Summer Americana auction.
Custodial history:

Per seller's description: "From a Shenandoah Valley private collection."

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard