The History of Taylor County Chapter 396: History of Taylor County, 1911

He was a grandson of George Hammond, a pioneer settler of Grafton, who had the distinction of forming one of the band of musicians that led the March to dedicate the United States National Cemetery over in West Grafton on that historic Sunday, June 14, 1868. Thomas Klein junior was attracted by a very sweet young lady, Miss Hettie Menear, of Wheeling, and the attraction being mutual, the couple were married and began life for themselves, which ended all too soon with the passing of the young husband, who left his widow and infant son to mourn his loss.

In July, 1911, the Grand Lodge of the Order of Elks held their annual convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey. William B. Cruise, passed exalted ruler of Grafton lodge, was the accredited representative of Grafton Lodge No. 308 to the convention, and he led a delegation composed of Senator B. F. Bailey, Charles Brinkman, James Bishop, T. W. Engle, Thomas Dunnington, Andrew Hart, A. E. N. Means, Simon Friedman, Dr. J. J. Kaufman, Dr. Charles. A. Sinsel with him to this famous playground of the world to be spectators at the deliberation of the national body. Grand Exalted Ruler Garry Hermann, of Cincinnati, head of the national order, welcomed the delegates and conducted the regular order of business. Many of those from Grafton had never visited this famous resort, and its many famous attractions were a revelation to them. To others who had made the pilgrimage many times in the past, and recalled the years of the 80s, when not a single building was erected at the land-site of the famous boardwalk from the inlet to Chelsea, and the main attraction was the famous Schauffler Hotel and its garden on Virginia avenue and saw the shapeless, wide skirt, blue flannel bathing suit worn by the ladies with its rows of white chine buttons and the skirt reaching to the angle give way to the reform revealing present day bathing suit, the erection of the magnificent hotels, theaters, beautiful homes, amusement and fishing piers. These changes naturally impressed the old timers. To the new visitors the city with its many attractions, was a scene of wonder, and its 10-mile-long bathing beach, teeming with people dressed in suits of every imaginable color was enchantment.

Word was received in Grafton of the passing of Nicholas Gilhousen at Coketon, Tucker County, July 13, 1911. He came to Grafton in the 60s and found employment in the cooper shop of his brother-in-law, Jacob Moritz, on East Main Street. He established his residence just below the Knottsville Pike on the bank of Three Fork Creek, and some years later erected a distillery to convert apples into apple brandy that was famous locally. He was a most dependable citizen and his sons and daughters were fine people. Two sons, who began their career as machinist in the old stone shops of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, later occupied high positions and master mechanic at various terminals of the Baltimore and Ohio and other railroads. Like many of the youth who began their careers in the old stone shops at Grafton and whose practical knowledge of machinery made their position secure and wanted when the systems of railroads they were associated with after graduation from the historic old Grafton shops. After the death of his wife and the marriage of his two daughters, Mr. Gilhousen took up his residence at Coketon with his daughter, Mrs. M. M. Utterback and in Tucker County passed away at the age of 86 years period. His remains were interred in the cemetery at Coketon. And one more of Grafton’s old pioneer citizens was removed from the scene of activity in which he figured for so long.