Fairmont High School - Maple Leaves Yearbook (Fairmont, WV)

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Mr. Sam R. Nuzum Mr. Sam R. Nuzum was born in a cottage near Fairmont, which «till stands ai what is now 322 Iiocust avenue, Fifth ward, Fairmont. Ilis father died when Mr. Nuzum was eleven years of age, and at sixteen years his educa- tion was cut short and he entered the coal mines to help support his widowed mother and fam- ily. A little later he left coal mining to learn tin trade of cabinet making with his uncle, the late Joseph Nuzum, who conducted a large furniture factory on the site of the present Grand Opera House. Being a musician of some note, at lit years of age, for three seasons he toured a large part of the I'nited States as musician in a circus band. He returned home to work at his trade of cabinet maker, and in June, 1887, he started in the furniture business at 111» Main street as “Sam R. Nuzum, the Furniture King.” Mr. Nuzum had the distinction of being the first man to succeed in any business in Fairmont west of Monroe street, and also the first man to make a success of the furniture business in Fairmont. In 18112 he became a director of the Fairmont Development Company, which developed what is now the Fourth ward of the City of Fairmont, and sold a great part of the real estate of th Development Company, and became “The” Real Estate Man of Fairmont. On account of great real estate interests he retired in 1900 from the furniture business, since which time he has devoted his entire time to the development of the town and his real estate interests. Although his school education was cut short at an early age, Mr. Nuzum by later study, travel and practical experience is a thoroughly well informed man and a great believer iu and supporter of the public schools, ilis influence aided in the location of the Fifth ward sehool. the present new High School and the Second ward school now being built. He has visited every State and Territory in tin United States, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, West Indies, Panama and other Central American countries. Mr. Nuzum has been an active member in several Fraternal Orders, being a Past Grand Master of the Ancient .Order I'nited Workmen of the I’nited States and Canada, and has been Supreme Representative at various meetings of tin Supreme l odge. from Montreal. Canada, to Portland, Ore. At present he is Grand Vice Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias of West Virginia. He has been closely allied with every civic movement for the betterment and develop- ment of Fairmont. He is president of the Home Savings Bank. Nuzum Realty Security Co . Marsh Coal Coke Co., and a director and actively interested in other large business interests in Fairmont and vicinity. He has been appealed to repeatedly to become identified with the governmental «Hairs of the eitv. but lias successfully resisted these appeals until this year, when his ward elected him to the City Council by an almost unanimous vote.