History of Growth of the Telephone on E. S. of Virginia

The telephone, found on nearly every farm in Accomack and Northampton counties is one of the essentials in this modern age. There was a time just a few decades ago when telephone service was considered a luxury, but in this day of quick selling and keen competition people have been quick to recognize the value of the telephone as a quick means of person-to-person communication and of great value in every business activity. Nowhere is the telephone of greater value than on the farm.

Accomack and Northampton counties are now served by seven telephone central offices connected by a network of lines reaching every section. These central offices and the telephones connected include Belle Haven, 412; Cape Charles, 665; Chincoteague 123; Eastville, 205; Onancock, 551; Parksley, 209; and Temperanceville, 340.

The Peninsula Telephone Company, the first telephone system serving the Eastern Shore, was organized in 1894 by Raymond R. Hutchinson, John C. Taylor, Albro J. Morse, B. W. Mears and C. W. Marsh, farsighted business men who had soon recognized the value of this then new method of communication. The office of the Peninsula Company was located at Harborton. The first meeting of the incorporators resulted in the election of Raymond R. Hutchinson, President; George D. Winder, Vice President; John C. Taylor secretary; Albro J. Morse, treasurer; and Benjamin W. Mears, George B. Hoffman and Charles W. Marsh, together with the officers of the company, formed the board of directors.

This company was organized for the purpose of constructing, operating and maintaining a general telephone business in Accomack and Northampton counties. This business has since been taken over and is now a part of the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company of Virginia, one of the associated companies of the Bell System whose lines connect with more than 70,000 communities in the United States and with Great Britain and continental European countries.

The first telephone lines to be constructed on the Eastern Shore, according to the articles of incorporation of the Peninsula Company were from Harborton to Pungoteague, Keller, Wachapreague, Belle Haven and Exmore. Later lines were constructed from Keller to Mappsburg, Hawk's Nest, Quinby, Bobtown, Bogg's Wharf, Nandua, Reed's Wharf and other points.

Another system organized in Accomack County known as the Hall Telephone Company was authorized by the judge of the circuit court, December 10, 1897. The officers of this company were James A. Hall, president and treasurer, Marsh Market, Va.; and James W. Broughton, Hallwood, vice president. The directors in addition to the officers were W. W. Trader, Hallwood; Charles Clement and William A. Taylor, Marsh Market, Virginia.

The Hall Telephone Company was formed to carry on a general telephone business with lines extending from Marsh Market to Saxis Island, Hallwood, Mappsville, Nelsonia, Bloxom, Gordy and Figgs store, Byrd's store, Drummondtown, Parksley, Temperanceville, Oak Hall, New Church, Horntown, Greenbackville, Franklin City, Atlantic, Wishart's Point, Wallop's Island and Chincoteague Island.

Telephone service in Onancock was inaugurated by the Onancock Telephone Company which was incorporated February 17, 1898. The officers authorized by the General Assembly of Virginia included Spencer F. Rogers, John W. Rogers, Henry R. Boggs, John W. Kellam, Edward E. Miles, Julius J. Belote, Charles H. Rogers and John T. Finney. This company was organized to operate a line or lines of telephones with the necessary and convenient exchanges in Onancock and Accomack County.

Later the Hall and Onancock Companies were merged into the Accomack and Northampton Telephone Company which had been organized by Joshua T. Sharpley, J. Edwin Bevvans, Harvey T. Hancock, William H. Tull, Julius T. Hill, Bernard R. Powell and Willard M. Needles. This company was authorized to purchase, lease or construct, maintain and operate telephone lines in Accomack and Northampton.

As the telephone business grew it became apparent that better service could be furnished if the several companies were combined. Accordingly the Diamond State Telephone Company, a Delaware corporation, acquired the majority of the stock of the Peninsula Telephone Company, the Onancock Telephone Company and the Atlantic Telephone Company which had also been doing business in these two counties. At a meeting of the board of directors of the Peninsula Telephone Company held May 9, 1905 this conclusion was reached and a merger of these companies was brought about.

The telephone property in Accomack and Northampton counties was deeded and assigned to the Diamond State Telephone Company of Virginia, July 3, 1907.

The next step in clearing up the telephone situation in these counties was made October 17, 1912 when this company was merged with the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company of Virginia. Then on October 28th of that year a merger was made between the Accomack and Northampton Telephone Company and the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company of Virginia. Since that time all of the telephone property serving these two counties has been operated and maintained by this company which is one of the Bell System. By toll connections its lines reach to every section of the United States and to more distant countries.

The telephone system serving Accomack and Northampton Counties is operated and maintained by men and women who are a part of the community they serve. The business affairs of the company are supervised by V. E. Johnston, manager. He is assisted in the business office by Miss Mary H. Pruitt and Miss Ruth Parks. The operating forces at Onancock who are supervised by Miss Ethel V. Barnes, chief operator, are: Misses Addie M. Bundick, Etta E. Bundick, Mary K. Chandler, Elizabeth L. Drummond, Gladys Drummond, Marguerite East, Mildred S. Ewell, Sadye A. Gardner, Hilda A. Harrison, Edith M. Kellam, Henrietta Kilmon, Sadie L. Lewis, Susie V. Martin, Hazel S. Milligan, Elizabeth L. Milliner, Elizabeth A. Moore, Grace B. Rayfield, Virginia L. Ross, Mildred L. Taylor, Elizabeth J. Watson and Margaret S. Wright.

Telephones in Onancock and vicinity are installed and maintained under the supervision of Julius C. Smith, wire chief, assisted by C. W. Beasley, Frank E. Green, John R. Revelle and H. C. Hendrickson.

At Cape Charles, Paul A. Sturgis, Herbert Bland and C. W. Williams construct and maintain the telephone lines and equipment, while the operating forces in this office are supervised by Katherine E. Butler, chief operator. Other members of the operating force are: Misses Cynthia M. Andrews, Ruth M. Collive, Martha L. Doss, Albertrice Fulcher, Lucille E. Grey and Isadore Thorn.

The central office at Belle Haven is operated by Misses Missouri S. Bayly, chief operator; Maurice A. Mears, Helen M. Doremus, Mary E. George, Willye H. Humphrey and L. M. Nottingham.

At Chincoteague the central office is in charge of Mrs. Kate B. Parks; and Temperanceville, Mrs. Ruby Cutler, chief operator; and William Lee Byrd, repairman.