History of the American Negro: West Virginia Edition

Birton L. Zeiglar

286 history american negro of those in need as much as $2,000 a year. He is the founder and Grand Master of a fraternal order known as the Improved Benevolent Society of America which is making rapid progress. As would be expected, he is a Republican in politics. In his reading he naturally puts the Bible first; after that he has fondness for history and poetry. He contemplates making a trip to Africa in 1923. He believes the greatest single need of the race at this time is Christian education. Birton L. Zeiglar The number of North Carolina farm boys who have made their way into other States, and who have succeeded in business lines and in the professions would seem to indicate that the Old North State puts into a fellow pluck, patience, and perseverance. One of these North Carolinians who is doing splendid work in West Virginia is Rev. Birton Linward Zeiglar, D. D., the popular pastor of the Baptist Church at Tams and the Moderator of the Winding Gulf Baptist Association. Dr. Zeiglar was born at Sandy Ridge, Stokes County, N. C., on June 2, 1877. His father, Birton Zeiglar was a farmer and the boy worked on the farm till he was seventeen years of age. His mother, was before her marriage, Nora Martin, daughter of Baker and Lillian Martin. Dr. Zeiglar’s grandparents on his father’s side were Abraham and Nancy Zeiglar. Young Zeiglar growing up on the farm in North Carolina, went to the public schools. Years later he attended Bluefield Colored Institute two terms and pursued a correspondence course in theology from Barrett College which conferred on him the D. D. degree. He left North Carolina when about 17 and worked in the ore mines of Virginia for awhile, going from there to the coal fields of West Virginia. He was converted in 1900 and joined the First Baptist Church of Glen Jean, W. Va. Even before his conversion he had been west virginia edition 287 impressed by a feeling that he must some time preach the Gospel. Soon after coming into the church he in 1904 committed himself to the task and was licensed in 1908 and ordained to the full work of the ministry in 1911, and since that time has been one of the active men of his denomination in the Winding Gulf region. During his early ministry he sometimes served several churches simultaneously. He began with the church at Davy, which he served one year. He preached at Crystal seven years and finished the house of worship. He served Coaldale nearly five years, McComas a year and a half and East Gulf three years. He then gave half his time to the church at Tams and half time to Winding Gulf for 6 months. He has had a fruitful ministry and has been successful in his evangelistic work. He now gives full time to the church at Tams. His standing in the denomination may be judged from the fact that he is, as stated above, Moderator of the Winding Gulf Association which position he has held for five years. He is also Treasurer of the Second District Board of the Baptist State Convention, member of Promotion Board, member of Board of Trustees of the West Virginia Seminary and College, and a member of the Executive Board of the Ministers and Deacons Union. In February 1904, he married Miss Mary King, daughter of William and Mirandy King. He is a Mason and belongs to the St. Lukes and K. of P. & G. R. B. in D. Association. In politics he is a Republican. He believes that the progress of the race depends upon better leadership along all lines—education, business, politics, and religion. He has property in both West Virginia and North Carolina. It must be recalled that Dr. Zeigler’s father died before the boy was born and that his mother passed away when he was ten, thus making his struggle a hard one. He is a self-made man and need not be ashamed of the job. 288 history american negro Address Delivered by Dr. Zeiglar at Glen White,W.Va., June 21, 1922. Subject:—“Christian Service.” It is again the fifth time in the history of my life I attempt to deliver you my annual address. I am glad, and yet sorry. I am glad because God has so diligently led us with his kind...