Dr. R. M. McGuffin

Dr. Richard M. McGuffin
( 1847- 1910)

Dr. R. M. McGuffin ( Left ) and Thomas Cooper meeting @ Mill Creek mine near Coopers, WV in 1903. Tom was the son of Bramwell Pioneer Coal Baron John and wife Marie Cooper. Dr. McGuffin showed much interest in the coal operations and the N&W Railroad of the area.

In the 1880's John Cooper and his sons, Thomas and Edward, began coal mining operations in an area of Mercer County, WV that would be known as Coopers after it was developed. The Cooper's family mining operation was the Mill Creek Coal & Coke Company.

Dr. Richard M. McGuffin was born Sept. 24, 1847 in Ripley, Jackson County WV. He married Lucy A. Elliott of Kentucky and had one daughter. Dr. McGuffin brought his family to Bramwell in 1885. He became Town of Bramwell's first doctor and was a prominent physician throughout the southern West Virginia and Virginia coal fields. He also had interests in the coal mining operations in southern West Virginia.

Dr. McGuffin served as president of the Pike Collories Co. It was one of the largest operations on the N&W Railroad lines. When he resigned Dr. McGuffin was followed as president by his brother, Col. J.A. McGuffin. the During the late 1800s he was a surgeon for the N & W Railroad. Dr. McGuffin died Sept. 7, 1910 in Bramwell, WV.

A newspaper Article: April 17, 1908 - Dr. R.M. MCGUFFIN, a prominent physician of Bramwell, and the coal fields, was seriously injured last Sunday by Dudley WILLIAMS, at Glen Alum, in West Virginia. WILLIAMS struck Dr. McGUFFIN on the head with a pistol, inflicting a wound which was thought to be fatal. He is now in Welch hospital. The trouble is said to have occurred on account of a letter written to some young ladies of Mr. Williams household. Williams was fined and released by the magistrate

BRAMWELL'S OLDEST HOUSE: According to some local Bramwell sources the H.V. McNeer house may be the oldest home in Bramwell. Dr. McNeer bought it from the Bluestone Land Corp in 1889 for $1400.00, when lots were only selling for $300.00. The McGuffin home was not built in 1885 as previously reported. The center lot was not accuired until November 1887 for $300.00. It is doubtful that the home was completed until 1890. The written source is the Mercer County court records. Thus, these recently noted court records show that the Historic Dr. R. M. McGuffin House may have been incorrectly reported to be the oldest frame house in Bramwell. Some writings have reported it to be the oldest house on Bramwell's "Main Street". This house boasted the first indoor plumbing in town and had a free standing shower. It even had a windmill to help supply water, and there was a speaking tube from the front door to Dr. McNeer's bedroom.