The below biography was extracted from Lest We Forget, a family history written in 1983 and 1984 by Lucille “Tippy” Rebecca Kyle Harr, and updated in 2010 by Debra Harr.

‘Vic’, as we called him married Bessie Carrol Harr on January 2, 1942, at Red House, Maryland. 

He was not an ambitious man, but was given little credit for what he did do.

He was 43 when he married his childhood sweetheart. The romance had cooled for some years but sparked again around 1940.

Vic was the son of Floyd Wolford and Ida Raines Wolford.

When the marriage took place and at the close of the 1942 school year, Bessie moved to Canaan and by mutual understanding, Bessie and Vic were to care for Ida Wolford and inherit the 83 acre farm. Floyd had been deceased since 1920 (he was born in 1866) and Ida only lived around a year after this arrangement, dying in 1943.

The homeplace was soon given a new face lift with running water, floor covering and electricity. A farm pond was stocked and livestock purchased.

Cauliflower was found to be a vegetable that grew well in Canaan. Vic was made President of the Canaan Valley Produce Association. The valley was known to grow the finest cauliflower.

Vic’s positions were carpenter, having worked for Winton at Blackwater Falls Lodge; a mechanic, worked for Bretherd Chevrolet; a bus driver, with a run from Petersburg to Cumberland and employed by Myers Bus Line; and always a farmer.

In 1960 he was diagnosed with lung cancer.

He was difficult to handle and he would not accept treatment for his lung cancer. Bessie soon faltered under the pressure. Vic was admitted to Grant Memorial Hospital and Bessie went to Short Gap with Hester, at Hester’s insistence. Debs and I visited Vic on a regular basis and after three weeks Vic passed away. Debs took care of funeral arrangements, and Bessie came for the funeral. She felt that in her depression she could not function, but she did well. I had a dinner the day of the funeral for 22.

Vic was not a member of a church and forbid a minister to talk to him. The preacher at the E.O.B. Church preached a sermon on just that. Frankly, I thought it in bad taste.

He had the following brothers and sisters: Sisters were Ada, Rose and Ruth; and his brothers were Amby, Frank, Buryell (Burley?) and Tom. Buryell moved to New Waterford, Washington. One day he disappeared. There has been much speculation as to his death. Some say ‘foul play’ as he helped game wardens apprehend illegal hunters, or he just got lost. He worked for the National Rubber Machinery Company. He was 50, and has not been found.

Tom committed suicide around 1979.

Vic was an average size man, 5’9”, weight around 160 pounds. He had a deep melodious voice, and a deep laugh. He was always the same—right or wrong. Professional men who came to his home to hunt or trap declared him the greatest.

Vic’s grandparents were John and Frances Wolford, who were married in 1862.

Vic was born March 14, 1899, and passed away November 4, 1960. The funeral service was at Schaeffer’s Funeral Home. Reverend Welton Thomas officiated. Interment was at Maple Hill Cemetery, Petersburg, West Virginia. He was 61.