The late Rubert "Rube" Stump of Glenville, known for his custom-made porch swings constructed in a workshop on his family's Calhoun County farm, is the subject of an article in the summer issue of GOLDENSEAL magazine, now on sale. The article, titled "Rube Stump: Calhoun County's King of Swing," was written by Kim Johnson and was based on an interview she conducted with Stump shortly before his death on March 31.
Rube Stump made distinctive swings of his own design - with wood he timbered himself on his family's land - in his woodshop at Apple Farm in southeastern Calhoun County. He added innovations such as self-draining cup holders and magazine racks, and offered the swings in various sizes to accommodate different porches. At the time of his death, Rube had completed more than 150 swings in red oak, wild cherry, white ash and black walnut hardwoods. The swings sold from $245 to upwards of $600.
Before he began woodworking, Rube Stump had already held several careers, according to the article. Born in 1925, he grew up during the Great Depression and served as a Navy pilot in the Pacific during World War II. Rube operated a car dealership in Glenville for nearly two decades. In addition, he grew and sold Christmas trees for many years. About 30 years ago, Rube's brother Hughart took a table saw and joiner in trade for equipment and stored the tools at the family farm. After Hughart died in 1977, Rube tried out the tools and discovered a passion for woodworking that led to his porch swing business.
Also in this issue of GOLDENSEAL are articles about the Randolph County New Deal settlement communities known as the Tygart Valley Homestead; John and Wilbur Hahn, two octogenarian brothers who operate a small sawmill in Hardy County; 90-year-old Ivan Gorby and the weekly "Bowman Ridge Opry" in Marshall County; and the checkered history of McDowell County's infamous Jones Mansion.
GOLDENSEAL is West Virginia's magazine of traditional life and is published quarterly by the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History in Charleston. The magazine sells for $4.95 and is available at Foodland in Grantsville, and Towne Bookstore and Foodland in Glenville, or by calling (304)558-0220, ext. 153.
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Ginny Painter
Director of Public Information
West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History
The Cultural Center
1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East
Charleston, WV 25305-0300
Phone (304) 558-0220
Fax (304) 558-2779
[email protected]