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Look Back: Instrumental in starting school, ‘shaver’ earned high praise

Historical newspaper excerpts from the Wood County Historical Society

The “shaver,” who the editor of The Gazette seems to be plugging in this item, is Robert W. Simmons. Simmons came to Parkersburg in 1841, then 19 years of age, and began practice as a shaver [barber]. Raising a large family, Simmons became concerned about education for his and the other African-American children in Parkersburg. In 1862 he began a movement, eventually resulting in the creation of a private school in Parkersburg for the town’s African-American children; though the location would change, this was the beginning of Sumner School, so named for abolitionist and United States Senator Charles Sumner, of Massachusetts. The school first opened in a then-unused Civil War “hospital ward,” situated on the Jackson property near Seventh and Green streets [Parkersburg Daily Times, Feb. 12, 1866]. It is recorded that Simmons rode on horseback to Washington, D.C., and secured permission directly from President Lincoln to utilize the government-owned building for the education of black children. The historic highway marker on Avery Street near the post office, honors Robert W. Simmons, for whom the post office, Simmons Station, is named. Simmons died in 1892. (Photo Provided)

A shaver

A most unaccountable prejudice exists in the community against shavers (barbers), in general. One would suppose no class more liable to be made the sport of “fierce Democracy” than these necessary and innocent members of society. This, in our enlightened opinion, is directly the reverse of what it should be. Shavers ought to occupy the highest round in the ladder of public estimation, because they are the prime contributors to the happiness of men, and do more to enable them to present fair countenances to the world, and to the other sex, than any other set of humanity.

However, we may be wrong. Our general remark has been induced by the treatment we have experienced under the professional direction of a particular — and when we say, that particular is no other than the justly illustrious, far famed and world known, though strictly barberous, Prof. Simmons, wonder, that we regard Shavers in so favorable a light, will cease, and our estimate of their worth will meet the concurrences of all civilization. The Professor shaves neither too lightly or too deeply; but observes that “happy mean” so well calculated to satisfy the subject and to reflect honor upon the operator. In addition to his favorite and more legitimate mystery of shaving, he sometimes enacts the part of hair-dresser — a science in which he is, not only unexcelled, but without a rival. At great trouble and expense — the latter a matter of small moment to him — the Professor has just received, by Magnetic Telegraph, an invoice of the inimitable Cephatico lotion, direct from Pekin, a compound which, he assures us, will cause the hair “to bloom” — and in cases of unusual fertility of soil — “to blossom as the rose.”

Ho! then, all you who vainly attempt to imitate the visage of the Alpine sheep, and all ye whose pates offer, to the frosts of winter, no impediment — ho! to the Emporium, and be sure the dimes accompany you.

The Parkersburg Gazette

Feb. 11, 1847

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Bob Enoch is president of the Wood County Historical Society. Would you like to help preserve our past for future generations? The society offers informative monthly meetings and an interesting, 20-page quarterly newsletter. Dues are just $20/year. Send to: WCHPS, P.O. Box 565, Parkersburg, WV 26102.

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