HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 39

(By Delegates B. Ward, Reynolds, D. Kelly, L. Pack, Haynes, Barnhart and D. Jeffries)

[Introduced March 11, 2021; Referred
to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then Rules]

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 16-048/00-028.54 (EB-WB) (16A132, 16A133), locally known as Sauerkraut Run (EB-WB), carrying US 48 over Sauerkraut Run & CR 23/9 in Hardy County, the “U. S. Navy Seaman 2nd Class Wilbur ‘Webb’ Hahn and John W. Hahn Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, Wilbur ‘Webb’ Lee Hahn was born on January 4, 1925, in Dutch Hollow/Sauerkraut Hollow, Wardensville, WV, a son of the late Lorenza M. and Amanda Michael Hahn. He was a veteran in the United States Navy during World War II, serving as a Seaman Second Class. He worked as a sawyer and co-owner for Hahn & Hahn Timber Company in Wardensville, WV until he was 83 years old; and

Whereas, Wilbur never met a stranger. He could have a conversation with a fence post and walk away smiling. He enjoyed the simple things in life, including living off the land that he loved so much. He also enjoyed telling stories of times past; and

Whereas, Wilbur’s brother, John William Hahn, was born July 6, 1922, into the family of Lorenza and Amanda Michael Hahn, in Dutch Hollow, WV. His occupation of timberman and co-owner with Wilbur and son Mickey as sawmill operators provided him with a happy life. He cut timber until the age of 85. He loved his life, the outdoors, hunting and fishing; he spent his evenings in the garden, tending to his zinnias and sunflowers that would draw the attention of the tourist traveling through town; and

Whereas, The brothers were everything that defines “brotherly love”. They had their differences, their sibling rivalries and their share of mischief growing up in Dutch Hollow. They walked Sauerkraut Road five days a week to attend school in Wardensville in their early years. They enjoyed their long treks and talks so much that they continued the tradition every day throughout older years; and

Whereas, The Hahn brothers were hardworking men who worked tirelessly to provide for, not only their own family but for many others in need. Wilbur and wife, Marie “fostered” numerous children in their home, whose family did not have the means to care for them or had fallen on hard times. No one would ever leave their home without a full belly and some new tall tales from Webb; and

Whereas, John William Hahn departed this life on July 22, 2010. He was survived by his wife Elda Rinard Hahn, whom he married in 1945, who passed away in January 2016. He is survived by his three children; Karen Findley, Larry Hahn, Ivan Michael “Mickey” Hahn and three grandchildren: Sherri Heishman, Amanda Simmons, Kimberly Hahn and two great-grandchildren; and

Whereas, Wilbur “Webb” Lee Hahn passed away on July 5, 2016 at his home surrounded by family. His wife of 62 years, Marie Naomi Combs Hahn, passed away in 2017. Surviving are three sons: Fredrick Hahn, Dr. Jerry Hahn, Dr. John Hahn, and his daughter: Debra Miller, 33 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren; and

Whereas, As John and Wilbur were the last of their generation, they passed on their lands in Dutch Hollow to their descendants and their descendants’ descendants. The house that they were born and raised in, still stands a few miles back Sauerkraut Road. The home has been named the Hahn Homestead and is open yearly during the Hardy County Heritage Days, as well as the schoolhouse that they attended in grade school, Maple Grove School House and the Hahn & Hahn Timber Sawmill runs every year to give visitors the experience of hearing the old Buick engine roar to life and the sawdust begin to fly. The Hahn family worked together to restore the Maple Grove School House to its original glory and continue to invite visitors from far and wide to visit their “homeplace”; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate U.S. Navy SSC Wilbur “Webb” Lee Hahn and John William Hahn and their contributions to Dutch Hollow, their state and country; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 16-048/00-028.54 (EB-WB) (16A132, 16A133), locally known as Sauerkraut Run (EB-WB), carrying US 48 over Sauerkraut Run & CR 23/9 in Hardy County, the “U.S. Navy Seaman 2nd Class Wilbur ‘Webb’ Hahn and John W. Hahn Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the bridge as the “U.S. Navy Seaman 2nd Class Wilbur ‘Webb’ Hahn and John W. Hahn Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.