CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia contributed much to the development of the American nation. Sadly, that heritage has been neglected in current history books.

One major contribution that the Mountain State made was in establishment of the state of Ohio. I gleaned the following information from the "Journals and Letters of Francis Asbury."

Charles Town had a physician who was a devout minister. Dr. Edward Tiffin (1766-1829) settled in Charles Town in 1784. He accepted Christ under the ministry of Rev. Thomas Scott. He was a close friend of Bishop Francis Asbury. Asbury often stayed in Tiffin's home when traveling through western Virginia. Asbury ordained him on Nov. 19, 1792. In addition to his medical practice, Tiffin ministered to spiritual needs of his community.

With completion of the National Road through Wheeling, thousands of early pioneers loaded their belongings into wagon trains and headed into the new Ohio territory for settlement. In 1796, Dr. Tiffin moved to Chillicothe as an early settler and to practice medicine. In 1802, he was elected president of the Ohio Constitutional Convention. In 1803, he was elected the first governor of the new state of Ohio. In 1807, he was elected U.S. senator from Ohio. In 1813, President James Madison selected Tiffin to be the first commissioner of the General Land Office Bureau for the United States.

Thomas Scott, Tiffin's friend from Charles Town, followed him to Ohio in 1800. He became a lawyer. He associated with Tiffin in early Ohio politics and in the ministry. In 1810, Thomas Scott became chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court.

Bishop Asbury continued to stay with Tiffin when traveling on the circuit through the Ohio territory. Asbury praised antislavery provisions in the new Ohio Constitution. It was through the moral influence of Tiffin and Scott that Ohio took such a strong stand against slavery. Ohio became a mighty bastion for the early abolitionist movement, thanks to these men from West Virginia.

Moving with Tiffin from West Virginia to Ohio was his brother-in-law, Thomas Worthington, who became Ohio's governor from 1814 to 1818. He was a devout Christian also. Asbury often stayed in his home.

Tiffin, Scott and Worthington were used mightily by God, not only laying the governmental and political foundation of Ohio but in the establishment of a great Christian ministry there. Large camp meetings were held throughout Ohio by Methodists. In 1809, there were over 41 such gatherings. Thousands attended these powerful outdoor sessions. Great numbers were converted to Christ.

West Virginians were founders of Zanesville, Ohio. Ebenezer Zane, a friend of Francis Asbury and a devout Christian who lived in Wheeling, opened his home for the Methodist bishop to establish the first Methodist church in Wheeling. The U.S. government offered Zane land in Ohio if he would build a road from Wheeling to Kentucky. After completion of the road, his granted land became Zanesville.

West Virginians, often portrayed in mainstream media as ignorant and isolated, possess a proud heritage as instruments in the hands of God in the expansion of civilization, law and ethical government in early America. They laid the foundation of civilization in Ohio and other lands in the new Northwest Territories. West Virginians have a rich history for which they should be proud. That history needs to be taught to their young.

Edds is a former Charleston minister who was Kanawha County's housing director until the 1990s. Now he heads a religious school in Greenwood, S.C., and is pastor of a small church there.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia contributed much to the development of the American nation. Sadly, that heritage has been neglected in current history books.

One major contribution that the Mountain State made was in establishment of the state of Ohio. I gleaned the following information from the "Journals and Letters of Francis Asbury."

Charles Town had a physician who was a devout minister. Dr. Edward Tiffin (1766-1829) settled in Charles Town in 1784. He accepted Christ under the ministry of Rev. Thomas Scott. He was a close friend of Bishop Francis Asbury. Asbury often stayed in Tiffin's home when traveling through western Virginia. Asbury ordained him on Nov. 19, 1792. In addition to his medical practice, Tiffin ministered to spiritual needs of his community.

With completion of the National Road through Wheeling, thousands of early pioneers loaded their belongings into wagon trains and headed into the new Ohio territory for settlement. In 1796, Dr. Tiffin moved to Chillicothe as an early settler and to practice medicine. In 1802, he was elected president of the Ohio Constitutional Convention. In 1803, he was elected the first governor of the new state of Ohio. In 1807, he was elected U.S. senator from Ohio. In 1813, President James Madison selected Tiffin to be the first commissioner of the General Land Office Bureau for the United States.

Thomas Scott, Tiffin's friend from Charles Town, followed him to Ohio in 1800. He became a lawyer. He associated with Tiffin in early Ohio politics and in the ministry. In 1810, Thomas Scott became chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court.

Bishop Asbury continued to stay with Tiffin when traveling on the circuit through the Ohio territory. Asbury praised antislavery provisions in the new Ohio Constitution. It was through the moral influence of Tiffin and Scott that Ohio took such a strong stand against slavery. Ohio became a mighty bastion for the early abolitionist movement, thanks to these men from West Virginia.

Moving with Tiffin from West Virginia to Ohio was his brother-in-law, Thomas Worthington, who became Ohio's governor from 1814 to 1818. He was a devout Christian also. Asbury often stayed in his home.

Tiffin, Scott and Worthington were used mightily by God, not only laying the governmental and political foundation of Ohio but in the establishment of a great Christian ministry there. Large camp meetings were held throughout Ohio by Methodists. In 1809, there were over 41 such gatherings. Thousands attended these powerful outdoor sessions. Great numbers were converted to Christ.

West Virginians were founders of Zanesville, Ohio. Ebenezer Zane, a friend of Francis Asbury and a devout Christian who lived in Wheeling, opened his home for the Methodist bishop to establish the first Methodist church in Wheeling. The U.S. government offered Zane land in Ohio if he would build a road from Wheeling to Kentucky. After completion of the road, his granted land became Zanesville.

West Virginians, often portrayed in mainstream media as ignorant and isolated, possess a proud heritage as instruments in the hands of God in the expansion of civilization, law and ethical government in early America. They laid the foundation of civilization in Ohio and other lands in the new Northwest Territories. West Virginians have a rich history for which they should be proud. That history needs to be taught to their young.

Edds is a former Charleston minister who was Kanawha County's housing director until the 1990s. Now he heads a religious school in Greenwood, S.C., and is pastor of a small church there.