Doddridge County Turned
179 Years Old
Part 3
The past two articles on the 179th birthday of Doddridge County have covered the early history of our county in brief. Still, there are other interesting facts and intriguing stories that were not covered. For this reason, I have decided to do a third subject. I hope you’ll enjoy it.
First, let us agree that Doddridge County is made up of average American citizens. We are a very hard-working, churchgoing, family-oriented people. I take great pride in attesting to this fact when those who come to visit ask about us, as well as to those I meet when I travel both stateside and abroad comment about.
They without fail, say, “You are different than most Americans I have met.” I simply say, “Thanks. I’m from West Virginia. Enough said.”
Now for a little more information on our beautiful county… Doddridge County is considered a rural county with a population of only 8,576 in 2019 living within the landmass of 320 square miles that is Doddridge County. Did you know that Doddridge County had a population of 2,750 just five years after it was formed in 1845? By 1900, the population had grown to 13,689 in part due to the first energy boom. Then, by 1930 near the time of the Great Depression, the population had decreased by more than 2,000 people. The energy boom was waning and many of the county’s families found themselves in very difficult times financially. Some stayed and found work in other sectors of the workforce. Still, over 2,000 moved on. By 1950, the population had been reduced to 9,026, and in 1970 the county reached its smallest population of only 6,389. From the county’s height of population growth to its lowest, the population loss reached an exodus of 7,300 of our citizens. Many of those found work in nearby Pittsburgh Steel and Ohio’s manufacturing plants and many steel mills. Ohio cities like Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Massillon, and Youngstown were said to have acquired half its population from WV. Many tried to work there but longed for the hills of WV and soon returned. (Some loading their families up after a hard day’s work and in the dead of night because they couldn’t stay a moment longer). They accepted lower incomes for the peace and contentment only the West Virginia’s hills could bring them.
The average income for working men, who make up 51.61% of the population in Doddridge County today, is $53,275. However, if you are a woman, your income is a little less. This fact is somewhat misleading however because the number of people who are living below the poverty level in this county is still 2,457. Many still work for minimum wage and even less. The income increases that have come to the county are to a great extent due to the energy exploration going on in our county. It will not last forever, but for now, it has lifted many of our citizens out of poverty.
Those willing to work can find work. Overland truckers have been a rewarding way of life for many of our workers, however, it does take the father or in some cases, the mother out of the household for great lengths of time. The need for local truck drivers has been a welcome opportunity for families lucky enough to acquire that position. The farming and timer industry is still an important part of the workforce. There is so much more that could be covered here, but space does not allow.
Of those living in our county, 691 did not receive any high school education. The bright light in this darkness is the fact that nearly 3,000 of our citizens have gone to college. A graduate degree was achieved for 623 of them. Other degrees were achieved by another 2,300. These are not just numbers. They represent the wonderful achievements of Doddridge County’s people, especially our youth.
While West Virginia has always leaned toward the Democratic Party in the past, the past 20 years have seen a steady swing toward the Republican Party. Doddridge County, like Ritchie County, has historically been a solidly Republican County. The fact is that only two Democratic presidential candidates have won Doddridge County since West Virginia became a state (Samuel J. Tilden in 1876 and Lyndon Johnson in 1964).
Though the following does not pertain solely to Doddridge County, I feel it is important to share it with everyone.
Those who know me know that I have traveled to many parts of the world… including Canada, England, Hong Kong, Kuwait, the Philippines, United Arab Emirates, and other countries. It has been in those places that I received the most complimentary comments regarding the character of my upbringing. They tell me that I am different than most other Americans they have encountered. I always reply that I am an American, but I am also a West Virginian, and therein lies the difference.
Another example occurred while I was traveling in Quebec, Canada. A Frenchman in a restaurant in which I was dining approached me and asked, “You’re an American. Aren’t you?
I answered that I was and inquired how he knew that I was when I had not even spoken.
He politely said, “The way you carry yourself. Your arrogance in the way you look at people. You don’t have to speak for people to know that you’re an American.”
This was going to require more discussion than I wanted to give it, but I felt it was necessary to redeem our American image.
I looked at him and said with kindness, “What you have mistakenly taken for arrogance, is simply the confidence that was instilled in me from as far back as my memory will take me. My father taught me that there were no limits on my future except those that I impose upon myself. My mother taught me that I was as good as every other human being on this planet, but that, likewise, I was no better than any other person on the planet. My teachers taught me to study hard and demanded I respect my fellow students. They (especially my dearest 5th-grade teacher, Irene Shinn) taught me to pledge my allegiance to my country; to give thanks to my God. Lastly, my country, the United States of America taught me that though we are of so many different origins with a multitude of cultures, we are all one people in our equality, importance, and love of country.”
The young Frenchman looked gently at me and replied, “Thank you. I shall never look at another American in so general a manner again. Good day, Madam.” The conversation was over, and he returned to his table.
I shall end by saying that if you have ever traveled or plan to travel to other, less fortunate countries in the future, you, too, would take pride in the fact that you have been blessed to live in the greatest nation to have ever been created on the planet, but with that blessing comes a responsibility to do your part by being a responsible citizen, loyal steward, and an honorable member of our family…the American Family. God Bless the USA.
God Bless us, everyone.
Patricia Richards Harris, President
Doddridge County Historical Society