Marshall S. Cornwell
Encyclopedia
Marshall S. Cornwell was an American
newspaper
publisher
, writer
, and poet
in the U.S. state
of West Virginia
.
, 12 miles (19.3 km) from Romney
, in Hampshire County
, West Virginia
on 18 October 1871. He was the third-eldest son and child of Jacob H. Cornwell and his wife Mary Eleanor Taylor. Cornwell's older brother, John Jacob Cornwell
, served as the 15th Governor of West Virginia (1917–1921).
Cornwell grew to adulthood on the farm and received his education at home and in rural schools. As an autodidact
in various subjects, he was well-read, exhibited an insatiable thirst for knowledge, and possessed a remarkable memory.
and publishing
the Gazette newspaper
in Petersburg
in Grant County
. The Gazette became a successful newspaper under Cornwell's leadership, and its success and his editorial
s received the attention of United States Senator Stephen Benton Elkins
. Elkins invited Cornwell to take charge of The Inter-Mountain
newspaper in Elkins
in Randolph County
. Cornwell accepted the position from Elkins and made a success of the paper just as he had done with the Gazette in Petersbug. During this time, Cornwell filled a position as an assistant clerk
during a session of the West Virginia Legislature
.
of 1896 in Florida
where he began studying the character of the country and people. It was during his convalescence
in Florida that Cornwell began writing poetry
.
Cornwell began a correspondence
with American writer and poet James Whitcomb Riley
. In a letter dated 12 March 1897 from Indianapolis
, Indiana
, Riley commended Cornwell on a collection of poems he had sent him, with special attention given to his poem "Success." Riley further wrote Cornwell regarding "Success," "...your gift seems genuine and far above that indicated in verse, meeting general approval."
Following Florida, Cornwell travelled to the Rio Grande
before returning home to West Virginia, where he died on 26 May 1898 at the age of 26. He was interred
in Indian Mound Cemetery
overlooking the South Branch Potomac River in Romney
.
and republished in The Railroad Trainman in 1906.
People of the United States
The people of the United States, also known as simply Americans or American people, are the inhabitants or citizens of the United States. The United States is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds...
newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
publisher
Publishing
Publishing is the process of production and dissemination of literature or information—the activity of making information available to the general public...
, writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
, and poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
.
Early life and education
Marshall S. Cornwell was born on his family's farm near SpringfieldSpringfield, West Virginia
Springfield is an unincorporated census-designated place in northwestern Hampshire County in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2010 census, Springfield had a population of 477. Springfield is located north of Romney along West Virginia Route 28 at its junction with Green Spring Road and...
, 12 miles (19.3 km) from Romney
Romney, West Virginia
Romney is a city in and the county seat of Hampshire County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 1,940 at the 2000 census, while the area covered by the city's ZIP code had a population of 5,873. It is a city with a very historic background dating back to the 18th century...
, in Hampshire County
Hampshire County, West Virginia
Hampshire County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of 2010, the population was 23,964. Its county seat is Romney, West Virginia's oldest town . Hampshire County was created by the Virginia General Assembly on December 13, 1753, from parts of Frederick and Augusta counties ...
, West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
on 18 October 1871. He was the third-eldest son and child of Jacob H. Cornwell and his wife Mary Eleanor Taylor. Cornwell's older brother, John Jacob Cornwell
John J. Cornwell
John Jacob Cornwell was a Democratic politician from Romney in Hampshire County, West Virginia. Cornwell served as the 15th Governor of the US state of West Virginia...
, served as the 15th Governor of West Virginia (1917–1921).
Cornwell grew to adulthood on the farm and received his education at home and in rural schools. As an autodidact
Autodidacticism
Autodidacticism is self-education or self-directed learning. In a sense, autodidacticism is "learning on your own" or "by yourself", and an autodidact is a person who teaches him or herself something. The term has its roots in the Ancient Greek words αὐτός and διδακτικός...
in various subjects, he was well-read, exhibited an insatiable thirst for knowledge, and possessed a remarkable memory.
Newspaper publisher
Upon leaving his family's farm, Cornwell began editingEditing
Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information through the processes of correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate, and complete...
and publishing
Publishing
Publishing is the process of production and dissemination of literature or information—the activity of making information available to the general public...
the Gazette newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
in Petersburg
Petersburg, West Virginia
Petersburg is a city in Grant County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 2,423 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Grant County.-History:...
in Grant County
Grant County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,299 people, 4,591 households, and 3,273 families residing in the county. The population density was 24 people per square mile . There were 6,105 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile...
. The Gazette became a successful newspaper under Cornwell's leadership, and its success and his editorial
Editorial
An opinion piece is an article, published in a newspaper or magazine, that mainly reflects the author's opinion about the subject. Opinion pieces are featured in many periodicals.-Editorials:...
s received the attention of United States Senator Stephen Benton Elkins
Stephen Benton Elkins
Stephen Benton Elkins was an American industrialist and political figure. He served as the Secretary of War between 1891 and 1893...
. Elkins invited Cornwell to take charge of The Inter-Mountain
The Inter-Mountain
The Inter-Mountain is an afternoon daily newspaper serving Central West Virginia and is headquartered in Elkins. As of 2006, its circulation was quoted at 11,000....
newspaper in Elkins
Elkins, West Virginia
Elkins is a city in Randolph County, West Virginia, United States. The community was incorporated in 1890 and named in honor of Stephen Benton Elkins , a U.S. Senator from West Virginia. The population was 7,032 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Randolph County...
in Randolph County
Randolph County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 28,262 people, 11,072 households, and 7,661 families residing in the county. The population density was 27 people per square mile . There were 13,478 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile...
. Cornwell accepted the position from Elkins and made a success of the paper just as he had done with the Gazette in Petersbug. During this time, Cornwell filled a position as an assistant clerk
Clerk
Clerk, the vocational title, commonly refers to a white-collar worker who conducts general office or, in some instances, sales tasks. It is also occasionally used to refer to third-year medical students completing a medical clerkship. The responsibilities of clerical workers commonly include record...
during a session of the West Virginia Legislature
West Virginia Legislature
The West Virginia Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of West Virginia. A bicameral legislative body, the Legislature is split between the upper Senate and the lower House of Delegates. It was established under Article VI of the West Virginia Constitution following the state's...
.
Declining health and death
Cornwell's health began to fail and in 1896, he gave up his career as editor of The Inter-Mountain. He sought relief during the winterWinter
Winter is the coldest season of the year in temperate climates, between autumn and spring. At the winter solstice, the days are shortest and the nights are longest, with days lengthening as the season progresses after the solstice.-Meteorology:...
of 1896 in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
where he began studying the character of the country and people. It was during his convalescence
Convalescence
Convalescence is the gradual recovery and of health and strength after illness. It refers to the later stage of an infectious disease or illness when the patient recovers and returns to normal, but may continue to be a source of infection even if feeling better...
in Florida that Cornwell began writing poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
.
Cornwell began a correspondence
Communication
Communication is the activity of conveying meaningful information. Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender's intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast...
with American writer and poet James Whitcomb Riley
James Whitcomb Riley
James Whitcomb Riley was an American writer, poet, and best selling author. During his lifetime he was known as the Hoosier Poet and Children's Poet for his dialect works and his children's poetry respectively...
. In a letter dated 12 March 1897 from Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, Riley commended Cornwell on a collection of poems he had sent him, with special attention given to his poem "Success." Riley further wrote Cornwell regarding "Success," "...your gift seems genuine and far above that indicated in verse, meeting general approval."
Following Florida, Cornwell travelled to the Rio Grande
Rio Grande
The Rio Grande is a river that flows from southwestern Colorado in the United States to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way it forms part of the Mexico – United States border. Its length varies as its course changes...
before returning home to West Virginia, where he died on 26 May 1898 at the age of 26. He was interred
Burial
Burial is the act of placing a person or object into the ground. This is accomplished by excavating a pit or trench, placing an object in it, and covering it over.-History:...
in Indian Mound Cemetery
Indian Mound Cemetery
Indian Mound Cemetery is a cemetery located along the Northwestern Turnpike on a promontory of the "Yellow Banks" overlooking the South Branch Potomac River and Mill Creek Mountain in Romney, West Virginia, United States. The cemetery is centered around a Hopewellian mound, known as the Romney...
overlooking the South Branch Potomac River in Romney
Romney, West Virginia
Romney is a city in and the county seat of Hampshire County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 1,940 at the 2000 census, while the area covered by the city's ZIP code had a population of 5,873. It is a city with a very historic background dating back to the 18th century...
.
Literary works
Cornwell's volume of poems Wheat and Chaff were published posthumously in 1899. According to Virgil Anson Lewis in his History and government of West Virginia, Wheat and Chaff was Cornwell's "best and most enduring monument." Cornwell's poem "Success" was published in the St. Louis Globe-DemocratSt. Louis Globe-Democrat
The St. Louis Globe-Democrat was originally a daily print newspaper based in St. Louis, Missouri from 1852 until 1986...
and republished in The Railroad Trainman in 1906.