Collections : [West Virginia and Regional History Center]

Papers of George H. Breiding, 1917-2007, park naturalist for Oglebay Park in Wheeling and extension specialist for West Virginia University (1963-1978). Includes his writings from various publications and personal daily journals, ca. 1943-2007, with bird lists, the temperature, plants sighted, and more. The collection also includes various personal papers and records. Of particular note are his early journals pertaining to his time in the military, 1941-1943. Digital transcriptions of many materials can be found in the collection, as printed facsimiles of original materials, and as typed transcripts. In addition to his daily logs, other digital files include his birding lists from an African safari and a Florida trip; text of an article "Exploring How and Why Birds Sing;" and responses to emails from Michael Breiding asking for comments for his father's memorial service.

Original and published materials documenting education in Kanawha County, the West Virginia state judiciary, the West Virginia State Library, the 1964 Kanawha County election, and other topics. Includes photographs and programs of events at Kanawha County schools, correspondence regarding the West Virginia State Bar, and other material.

Contains the papers of George W. Hadley, who served in different Ohio units during the Civil War. His service included his time as a musician in the 55th Ohio Volunteer Infantry from October 1861-August 1862, voluntary member of the "Squirrel Hunters" militia that defended Cincinnati, Ohio, in September 1862, and service in the 11th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry from July 1863-August 12, 1863, upon his death by accidental drowning. According to the family, Hadley rolled off a raft into the Missouri River while he was sleeping during a troop transport and drowned. Papers include service records and correspondence to Hadley's family from the Ohio Adjutant General's Office, U.S. War Department, and U.S. House of Representatives; three letters between Hadley and his sister and mother; an 1863 circular announcement from Camp Cuyahoga, Cleveland, Ohio; and a copy of his military discharge certificate from the "Squirrel Hunters" unit. Also includes transcriptions of the three letters by Hadley to his family, a print copy of an image of Hadley, and additional information about Hadley and the "Squirrel Hunters."

Collection regarding Wadestown, West Virginia, including a large book of hand-written arithtmetic problems possibly owned by a "John Shriver" (1807; box 3), a book titled "Uncle John's Stories" (1863; box 1), seventeen score-books from the Wadestown Junior High School basketball team (1948-1965; boxes 1-2), correspondence and other material of the deGarmo family concerning cemetery lots, gas wells, taxes, and other subjects (1913-2005, undated; box 1), a notebook recording death dates of Wadestown residents (undated; box 1), and a notebook recording sales of lots in the Wadestown Cemetery (undated; box 1). Information from the compiler, Glen DeGarmo, regarding the history and provenance of this collection can be found in box 1, folder 1.