Excerpts from The Charleston Daily Mail, Sunday, December 12, 1937
William Eston Randolph Byrne [better known as W. E. R. Byrne], 73, clerk of the state supreme court, who perhaps was the state's outstanding authority on land laws and a trial lawyer of wide repute, died of pneumonia Saturday afternoon at his home.
Rev. Ernest Thompson, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, will officiate at funeral services.
***
Always an active Democrat, Mr. Byrne during his long career had been prosecuting attorney at Braxton county, clerk of both houses of the state legislature, speaker of the house of delegates, a member of the state's workmen's compensation appeal board, and clerk of the supreme court. He was appointed to the latter office August 1, [1937] by Governor Holt, succeeding William B. Matthews. Governor Holt expressed officialdom's sorrow at the passing of the man who, to him was "Cousin Will."
The governor said: "The passing of W. E. R. Byrne removes from our associations one who has long been a leader in the public affairs of the state. As a distinguished lawyer, he dignified his chosen profession. In his public life his serice was unselfish. Courage never failed him in his advocacy of the right. Honor characterized his every activity. His will be a place difficult to fill in the life of the state and in the hearts of his many friends. His death brings to me a distinct personal loss. Since my earliest childhood, he has been 'Cousin Will' to me. In the more recent years of my public service, he has been a constant friend and a trusted advisor."
***
Mr. Byrne was born at Fort Defiance, Va., October 26, 1862, a son of Colonel Benjamin Wilson and Mary L. (Holt) Byrne. His father was in the confederate service in the Civil War and later (1873-1877) was state superintendent of schools. The elder Byrne was active in politics for several years and the family resided both at Charleston and Wheeling when the state capital was changed from one to the other city.
Mr. Byrne attended schools at Charleston and Wheeling until he was 16 years old, when he accepted a position as a member of an engineering corps and for five years was a civil engineer, studying law for ten months in the office of his uncle, Judge Homer A. Holt at Lewisburg and was admitted to the bar the same year. In 1885 he went to Sutton, Braxton County, and from 1893 to 1897 he served as prosecuting attorney. He served as clerk of the senate in 1893 and as clerk of the house during the session of 1899. In 1923, when a Democratic house was elected, he was chosen as speaker.
Mr. Byrne was active in the practice of law until his appointment as supreme court clerk. He maintained an office in connection with the firm of Mohler, Peters and Snyder, in the Security building.
Mr. Byrne [was] survived by his widow, the former Miss Amanda Austin, of Lewisburg, and five sons and daughters.
Three other children not linked to this memorial: Mrs. L. L. Sheets and Mrs. R. B. Mesmer; W. E. R. Byrne, Jr.
Mr. Byrne was also the author of Tale of the Elk.
William Eston Randolph Byrne [better known as W. E. R. Byrne], 73, clerk of the state supreme court, who perhaps was the state's outstanding authority on land laws and a trial lawyer of wide repute, died of pneumonia Saturday afternoon at his home.
Rev. Ernest Thompson, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, will officiate at funeral services.
***
Always an active Democrat, Mr. Byrne during his long career had been prosecuting attorney at Braxton county, clerk of both houses of the state legislature, speaker of the house of delegates, a member of the state's workmen's compensation appeal board, and clerk of the supreme court. He was appointed to the latter office August 1, [1937] by Governor Holt, succeeding William B. Matthews. Governor Holt expressed officialdom's sorrow at the passing of the man who, to him was "Cousin Will."
The governor said: "The passing of W. E. R. Byrne removes from our associations one who has long been a leader in the public affairs of the state. As a distinguished lawyer, he dignified his chosen profession. In his public life his serice was unselfish. Courage never failed him in his advocacy of the right. Honor characterized his every activity. His will be a place difficult to fill in the life of the state and in the hearts of his many friends. His death brings to me a distinct personal loss. Since my earliest childhood, he has been 'Cousin Will' to me. In the more recent years of my public service, he has been a constant friend and a trusted advisor."
***
Mr. Byrne was born at Fort Defiance, Va., October 26, 1862, a son of Colonel Benjamin Wilson and Mary L. (Holt) Byrne. His father was in the confederate service in the Civil War and later (1873-1877) was state superintendent of schools. The elder Byrne was active in politics for several years and the family resided both at Charleston and Wheeling when the state capital was changed from one to the other city.
Mr. Byrne attended schools at Charleston and Wheeling until he was 16 years old, when he accepted a position as a member of an engineering corps and for five years was a civil engineer, studying law for ten months in the office of his uncle, Judge Homer A. Holt at Lewisburg and was admitted to the bar the same year. In 1885 he went to Sutton, Braxton County, and from 1893 to 1897 he served as prosecuting attorney. He served as clerk of the senate in 1893 and as clerk of the house during the session of 1899. In 1923, when a Democratic house was elected, he was chosen as speaker.
Mr. Byrne was active in the practice of law until his appointment as supreme court clerk. He maintained an office in connection with the firm of Mohler, Peters and Snyder, in the Security building.
Mr. Byrne [was] survived by his widow, the former Miss Amanda Austin, of Lewisburg, and five sons and daughters.
Three other children not linked to this memorial: Mrs. L. L. Sheets and Mrs. R. B. Mesmer; W. E. R. Byrne, Jr.
Mr. Byrne was also the author of Tale of the Elk.
Excerpts from The Charleston Daily Mail, Sunday, December 12, 1937
William Eston Randolph Byrne [better known as W. E. R. Byrne], 73, clerk of the state supreme court, who perhaps was the state's outstanding authority on land laws and a trial lawyer of wide repute, died of pneumonia Saturday afternoon at his home.
Rev. Ernest Thompson, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, will officiate at funeral services.
***
Always an active Democrat, Mr. Byrne during his long career had been prosecuting attorney at Braxton county, clerk of both houses of the state legislature, speaker of the house of delegates, a member of the state's workmen's compensation appeal board, and clerk of the supreme court. He was appointed to the latter office August 1, [1937] by Governor Holt, succeeding William B. Matthews. Governor Holt expressed officialdom's sorrow at the passing of the man who, to him was "Cousin Will."
The governor said: "The passing of W. E. R. Byrne removes from our associations one who has long been a leader in the public affairs of the state. As a distinguished lawyer, he dignified his chosen profession. In his public life his serice was unselfish. Courage never failed him in his advocacy of the right. Honor characterized his every activity. His will be a place difficult to fill in the life of the state and in the hearts of his many friends. His death brings to me a distinct personal loss. Since my earliest childhood, he has been 'Cousin Will' to me. In the more recent years of my public service, he has been a constant friend and a trusted advisor."
***
Mr. Byrne was born at Fort Defiance, Va., October 26, 1862, a son of Colonel Benjamin Wilson and Mary L. (Holt) Byrne. His father was in the confederate service in the Civil War and later (1873-1877) was state superintendent of schools. The elder Byrne was active in politics for several years and the family resided both at Charleston and Wheeling when the state capital was changed from one to the other city.
Mr. Byrne attended schools at Charleston and Wheeling until he was 16 years old, when he accepted a position as a member of an engineering corps and for five years was a civil engineer, studying law for ten months in the office of his uncle, Judge Homer A. Holt at Lewisburg and was admitted to the bar the same year. In 1885 he went to Sutton, Braxton County, and from 1893 to 1897 he served as prosecuting attorney. He served as clerk of the senate in 1893 and as clerk of the house during the session of 1899. In 1923, when a Democratic house was elected, he was chosen as speaker.
Mr. Byrne was active in the practice of law until his appointment as supreme court clerk. He maintained an office in connection with the firm of Mohler, Peters and Snyder, in the Security building.
Mr. Byrne [was] survived by his widow, the former Miss Amanda Austin, of Lewisburg, and five sons and daughters.
Three other children not linked to this memorial: Mrs. L. L. Sheets and Mrs. R. B. Mesmer; W. E. R. Byrne, Jr.
Mr. Byrne was also the author of Tale of the Elk.
William Eston Randolph Byrne [better known as W. E. R. Byrne], 73, clerk of the state supreme court, who perhaps was the state's outstanding authority on land laws and a trial lawyer of wide repute, died of pneumonia Saturday afternoon at his home.
Rev. Ernest Thompson, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, will officiate at funeral services.
***
Always an active Democrat, Mr. Byrne during his long career had been prosecuting attorney at Braxton county, clerk of both houses of the state legislature, speaker of the house of delegates, a member of the state's workmen's compensation appeal board, and clerk of the supreme court. He was appointed to the latter office August 1, [1937] by Governor Holt, succeeding William B. Matthews. Governor Holt expressed officialdom's sorrow at the passing of the man who, to him was "Cousin Will."
The governor said: "The passing of W. E. R. Byrne removes from our associations one who has long been a leader in the public affairs of the state. As a distinguished lawyer, he dignified his chosen profession. In his public life his serice was unselfish. Courage never failed him in his advocacy of the right. Honor characterized his every activity. His will be a place difficult to fill in the life of the state and in the hearts of his many friends. His death brings to me a distinct personal loss. Since my earliest childhood, he has been 'Cousin Will' to me. In the more recent years of my public service, he has been a constant friend and a trusted advisor."
***
Mr. Byrne was born at Fort Defiance, Va., October 26, 1862, a son of Colonel Benjamin Wilson and Mary L. (Holt) Byrne. His father was in the confederate service in the Civil War and later (1873-1877) was state superintendent of schools. The elder Byrne was active in politics for several years and the family resided both at Charleston and Wheeling when the state capital was changed from one to the other city.
Mr. Byrne attended schools at Charleston and Wheeling until he was 16 years old, when he accepted a position as a member of an engineering corps and for five years was a civil engineer, studying law for ten months in the office of his uncle, Judge Homer A. Holt at Lewisburg and was admitted to the bar the same year. In 1885 he went to Sutton, Braxton County, and from 1893 to 1897 he served as prosecuting attorney. He served as clerk of the senate in 1893 and as clerk of the house during the session of 1899. In 1923, when a Democratic house was elected, he was chosen as speaker.
Mr. Byrne was active in the practice of law until his appointment as supreme court clerk. He maintained an office in connection with the firm of Mohler, Peters and Snyder, in the Security building.
Mr. Byrne [was] survived by his widow, the former Miss Amanda Austin, of Lewisburg, and five sons and daughters.
Three other children not linked to this memorial: Mrs. L. L. Sheets and Mrs. R. B. Mesmer; W. E. R. Byrne, Jr.
Mr. Byrne was also the author of Tale of the Elk.
