COUNTS:

Silas B. Counts, the son of Isaac Counts and his wife who came from Russell County, Virginia, and settled in Jackson County near the head of Higly country sometime inn the "early forties," having married Lavina Hughes, daughter of Josiah Hughes, Sr., therefore a sister of John and Thomas Hughes, Sr., purchased from his father-in-law, Josiah, Sr., a large tract of land covering the head of Trace Fork, 1870, a year later he obtained a part of the "Slaughter land" on the head of Big Creek, later a small tract from A. J. Adams adjoining his other lands; within ten years he was spoken of as having on of the best farms of that part o Harper District; "a stock man and a money lender." "The Counts with the great beard." In later life he kept his beard clipped. Lavina having died, he married for a second wife Josie Ferrell, daughter of William Parrot Ferrell, Rev. John H. Smith, officiating clergyman, as shown by his certificate of record date 7th day of October, 1896. About _______ they sold all their holding here in Roane County and took up their residence in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Silas B. Counts had two brothers: Cain and Wade, who were frequently mentioned in business and gossip of this part of the county.

Source: History of Roane County, West Virginia, 1774-1927 William H. Bishop, Esq. p 488-489