Our Founders
Chapman Lucus Borden, 1872 – 1947
Source: Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Chapman Lucus Borden was born on September 14,1872, in Montgomery County, Va., the son of J. H. Borden and Margaret Walters Borden, both of Montgomery County. He came to Bluefield In June of 1893 with the Norfolk and Western Railway company, connected with what was then the Bluefield Inn, which was owned by the railroad. He lived there at that time.
In August, 1903, Mr. Borden became associated with the William C. Atwater company, and was the southern division sales manager when he retired in October, 1939. His health was not good at that time.
Mr. Borden was also chairman of the board of the Citizens Coal and Supply Company, one of the city’s leading coal and building supply establishments. He was one of the founders of this business and in its early days was associated in it with his three brothers, Landon, F H, and W. H. Borden, all of whom died before 1947.
Active In the city's business life, Chapman Borden was a director of the Bluefield Hardware Company, The Flat Top National Bank and the National Electric Coil Company, and was a member of Christ Episcopal Church. In addition to being a charter member of the Bluefield Rotary Club Mr. Borden also was a charter member the Clover Club. He married Miss Belle Rigby on October 16, 1901 at Christiansburg, Va., and they made their home at 301 Oakhurst Avenue for many years.
C. L. Borden died April 13, 1947. His funeral was held at Christ Episcopal Church with burial in Woodlawn Cemetery. Presiding at his funeral was Dr. Jennings W. Hobson, Rector of Christ Episcopal, assisted by the Rev. Eugene May, Pastor of the First Christian church.
In addition to his wife, he was survived by his son, J. C. Borden, a grandson, J. C. Borden Jr., a granddaughter, Melinda Borden [now Mrs. Carl S. Thomas, Jr. and one sister, Mrs. Lelia Smith, of Christiansburg.
Active pallbearers were L. A. Hooper. J. A. Koon, Charles Lindsay. Henry Warden, Harry Payne, Guy Lawhead, Stanley Rogers, Dr. Alonzo McCue, Richard Borden and J. W. Overstreet. Honorary pallbearers were Ralph Hughes, Sam May. Lewis Tierney, Laurence Tierney, L. C. Fowlkes, W. W. Walker, Frank Zimmerman, John Bruce, Hugh Hancock, E. G. Otey, Charles L. Cruise. C. A. Lilley, Dr. Lyle Gage, Dr. R. O. Rogers. Dr. Wade St Clair, Dr. J. Francke Fox, Alex Mahood. Ben Draper, Dr. T. E Vass, Dr. J. W. Sheffield, R. W. Cullen, P. M. Shrewsbury, and Dr. J. E. Blaydes.