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Fundraising Continues for Boreman Statue at West Virginia Independence Hall

As former West Virginia Gov. Arthur I. Boreman's 200th birthday comes today, nearly all of the money needed -- about $178,000 -- for a statue in downtown Wheeling in his honor has been collected.

Margaret Brennan, a local historian and a member of the Gov. Arthur Boreman Statue Fund Committee, said fundraising still is underway for the bronze statue. She said money also is needed for the statue's base, estimated at about $20,000, and preparation of the ground around it.

Donations are still being accepted via the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley, 1226 Chapline St., Wheeling, WV, 26003; put "The Gov. Boreman Statue Fund" in the memo line.

The future statue, which is being created by artist and sculptor Jamie Lester of Morgantown, will depict Boreman during his June 20, 1863, inauguration speech. It will stand at 8 feet tall, weigh about 2,000 pounds and be situated beside the West Virginia Independence Hall Museum.

Brennan noted Boreman's 200th birthday anniversary is on Monday. Boreman was the first governor of the new state of West Virginia.

"He was an underrated man. I think he did his best work here in Wheeling," Brennan said. "If it weren't for him and (Virginia Gov. Francis Pierpont), there wouldn't be a West Virginia."

Boreman took over as the new state's governor in 1863 just before the battle at Gettysburg and with the outcome of the Civil War unclear, she said.

The state had no money and other Union states were suspicious of the new West Virginia.

"Who would want such a job? Who could do such a job?" Brennan said. "Arthur Boreman could and did -- he held us together. We are here today because of this great forefather."

Brennan said Boreman was born July 24, 1823, in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. He was one of 10 children born to Sara and Kenner Boreman. In addition to Waynesburg, the family lived in Middlebourne and Moundsville.

His father was a merchant and Boreman learned the family business by working in their store, but he also spent time reading and studying as well. A separate room just for his studies was made at the Moundsville shop, Brennan said.

He eventually decided to become a lawyer, learning from his brother William. After being admitted to the bar, he and his brother-in-law opened a legal office in Parkersburg.

From 1855-1861, Boreman served in the Virginia Legislature. When he was 38 he was named president of the Second Wheeling Convention, which met at the now West Virginia Independence Hall Museum. He was 40 years old when he became governor of the new state of West Virginia, she said.

Brennan said some of the words used to describe Boreman during his time included "incorruptible, fair, energetic, scholarly, modest, direct and plain spoken, honest and with an indomitable will."

"We're looking forward to having it in place," Brennan said of the new statue.