History of Wheeling City and Ohio Co. WV - Biographries-1



PERRY WHITHAM was born in Ohio county, January 8th, 1808, his father, 
Joseph Whitham, coming from the state of Maryland, in 1797, when he 
settled in Liberty district, Ohio county. He married Miss Dement, daughter 
of George Dement, who came to this country among the first settlers. 
Perry, like many other old settlers of that day, received but a limited 
education. When he grew up to manhood he started out for himself as a 
farmer, and has become one of the most prominent of his calling in 
Liberty - devoting his entire time to wool growing and grain raising. He 
is a member of the Presbyterian Church, at West Alexander, Pennsylvania, 
and a devoted Christian. He was a strong Union man during the late trouble 
between the North and South; in fact he was one of the old school 
Abolitionists, and seems proud of his past political record. 



H. BRUNHAUS. The appetising samples of culinary excellence served to the 
hundreds of patrons of the Caucasian Lunch Counter have gained for Mr. 
Brunhaus, the genial proprietor thereof, an enviable reputation among the 
lovers of good edibles in Wheeling. Many admirable general traits and 
accomplishments place this caterer to healthful and diversified tastes 
among the progressive and reliable factors in the growth and welfare of 
the city. 

A native of Westphalia, Germany, Mr. Brunhaus remained among the home 
surroundings until his fifteenth year, and his landing in New York, in 
1866, was in answer to a conviction that the new world contained greater 
and more promising opportunities. Upon journeying to St. Louis, Missouri, 
he was rewarded by various chances to promote his ambition, and for twelve 
years he found the Missouri city a profitable and pleasant home. For the 
following two years he traveled around in search of an even more desirable 
residence and found himself in Philadelphia the year before the great 
Centennial Exposition. With a keen year to business, he argued that there 
would come craving appetites with the enthusiastic sight seers, and that a 
little place of business along that line would not be amiss. His success 
was on a par with that of the average venturer at such times, who is prone 
to overestimate the receipts from a tourists when taken in connection with 
the inevitable competition in feeding them. With the turning out of the 
lights, the passing of the spectators and the downfall of the exhibits, 
the Quaker city was overcome with depression and in the sulks, and after 
making a critical survey of the situation Mr. Brunhaus betook himself to 
Pittsburg. For two years he filled the position of superintendent of the 
culinary department of the Monongahela House, and afterward served as 
steward of the McLure House in Wheeling, under the management of E. S. 
Norton, for ten months. For the following fifteen years he ran a lunch 
counter in the Second Ward Market House, and met with a gratifying degree 
of success. 

Having disposed of his interests in Wheeling, Mr. Brunhaus removed, in 
1896, to Washington, D.C., and conducted a lunch counter there for a 
couple of years. While in the capital he experience a somewhat troublesome 
time, owing to his stand in regard to the race question,--his argument 
being that colored people should have separate entertainment. Having won a 
suit involving this question, he pulled up stakes and come to Wheeling, 
where he established a lunch counter in a bowling alley on Market street. 
At the end of a year he changed his location to his present place on 
Eleventh street, and is now feeding more people than any other eating 
house in the city. To him is credited the invention of the Brunhaus coffee 
urn, the utility of which is tested by all patrons of the place, and they 
agree that no better cup of coffee could be found in the entire country, 
for the urn is so constructed as to insure a retention of the aroma. 

In March, 1878, Mr. Brunhaus married Louisa R. Beissel, a native of 
Pittsburg, and a daughter of Christ Beissel, who, with his wife, is long 
since deceased. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Brunhaus, 
namely: William H., who is connected with the mercantile agency of R. G. 
Dun & Company, at Wheeling; Walter, who is assisting his father in the 
restaurant business; Clara, who is also in business with her father; 
Ettie, who is attending the high school and will graduate in 1903; Henry; 
and Ulrich. Mrs. Brunhaus is a member of the German Methodist Episcopal 
church. Mr. Brunhaus is a Mason, and has taken the degrees pertaining to 
the Commandery and Shrine. He has experienced many ups and downs during 
his active career, but has gained the reward due to honesty of purpose and 
a determination to succeed. 



CHARLES E. CAMERON, a successful salesman at No. 1505 Chapline street, 
Wheeling, West Virginia, was born in Wheeling, December 5, 1873, and is a 
son of Charles and Mary (McClusky) Cameron, both of whom were natives of 
Wheeling. 

Charles Cameron was a glass-blower, followed that occupation most of his 
life, and was one of the organizers of Local Union No. 9. In religion he 
was a member of the Catholic church. He was united in marriage with Mary 
McClusky, of Wheeling, a daughter of James and Margaret (McCormack) 
McClusky, deceased, the former having died of cholera, in 1851, shortly 
after coming from Ireland. Charles Cameron and his wife were blessed with 
three children, namely: Charles E.; Catherine, a saleslady in John S. 
Naylor's store; and Lucy R., the wife of J. E. Truschel, a wholesale paper 
merchant of Wheeling. Mr. and Mrs. Truschel have one child, the joy and 
pride of their home, who was two years old on October 11, 1901. 

Charles E. Cameron, the subject of this sketch, was educated at first in 
the Wheeling cathedral schools and later at Rock Hill College, near 
Baltimore. After his school days were over he was employed as a clerk for 
George E. Stifel & Company, and has followed clerking ever since for that 
and other firms in Wheeling. At present he is employed by John S. Naylor & 
Company, where he has charge of the men's furnishing goods department, 
which does the largest business of the kind in the city and state. 

Mr. Cameron belongs to no sect or order, and takes very little interest in 
politics. He is one of the reliable, painstaking and rising young men of 
the city. He comes from one of the oldest families in Wheeling, and has 
the honor of being a first-class salesman. 



ASEL M. CREIGHTON, a well-known blacksmith of Triadelphia, West Virginia, 
was born in Marshall county, this state, in 1868, and is a son of John D. 
Creighton, and a grandson of John Creighton. 

John Creighton was a carpenter by trade, and lived to be over eighty years 
old; his ancestors for many generations were born in this country. John D. 
Creighton is still living, and is very successfully engaged in 
agricultural pursuits. 

Asel M. Creighton attended the public schools during his early life, and 
left his home at the age of seventeen years to work on a farm, which he 
did for one year. Then he went to Venice, Pennsylvania, where he learned 
the blacksmith trade, and worked at it for three years; he afterward 
started a shop of his own at Valley Grove. Continuing in the business one 
year, he then sold out and moved to Wheeling, West Virginia, and worked a 
year as a journeyman. About that time he was taken with the Western fever 
and accordingly he started west. He arrived at Benedict, Nebraska, and 
worked there for two years in a blacksmith shop. He finally returned to 
West Virginia, rented a farm and ran a blacksmith shop also. In 1899 he 
moved to Triadelphia, his present place of residence, and there built a 
shop and purchased the home in which he is now living. 

Asel M. Creighton was united in marriage with Leonia Porter, daughter of 
Samuel Porter, who is now seventy years old. This ceremony was performed 
in 1894, and their union has been blessed with three children,--Annie, 
born in 1895; Gertrude, born in 1899; and Pearl, who died at the age of 
three months. 

Fraternally, Mr. Creighton belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America,--
being a charter member of Elm Grove Lodge. In his religious views he is in 
accord with the M. E. church. Mr. Creighton is an honest, industrious man, 
and is highly esteemed by all who know him. 



HON. BLACKBURN BARRETT DOVENER, West Virginia's distinguished 
representative in Congress from the First Congressional District, whose 
portrait is herewith shown, was born April 20, 1842, at Hurricane Bridge, 
Teays Valley, in what was then part of Cabell county, Virginia, now Putnum 
county West Virginia. 

He is son of Dr. R. G. Dovener, a native of Cherry Valley, New York. The 
mother of the subject of this sketch was the daughter of Andrew Barrett, 
of Cabell county, Virginia. During the infancy of their son the parents 
moved to Elizabeth, Wirt county, and when he was twelve years of age they 
changed their residence to Parkersburg, and there the childhood of young 
Dovener was spent. He attended the district schools, and was a pupil for 
several terms in the well-known Parkersburg Academy, conducted by Prof. 
John C. Nash. His educational course was abruptly terminated by his 
enlistment in the volunteer service of the Civil War, in 1861, at the age 
of nineteen years. He raised a company known as Company A, of the 
fifteenth Virginia Regiment (afterward designated as the fifteenth 
Regiment, W.Va. Vol. Inf., on the admission of West Virginia as a state), 
but on account of his youth he declined leadership. He served as first 
lieutenant until after the battle of Cedar Creek, when he was promoted to 
be captain of the company. His services throughout the war were 
distinguished and valuable to the national cause and won him an enviable 
record. At the close of the war Captain Dovener moved to Wheeling, where 
he married Margaret Lynch, daughter of the late William Lynch, of this 
city. 

In 1867 he was appointed as chief clerk in the office of the secretary of 
State, after which he decided to pursue the profession of law. He was 
admitted to the bar in 1873, and began practice in Wheeling the same year. 
By patience, perseverance and industry he won for himself a position at 
the bar and in the courts of his native state and adjoining states an 
enviable and worthy distinction as an able and successful practitioner. As 
a counselor he is safe and wise, and ready in the comprehension of the 
salient features of a case. As an advocate he is earnest, making his cause 
his own. He is ready in debate and fluent in expression. As a man he is 
affable, courteous and polite. He was for a time the junior member of the 
law firm of Davenport & Dovener. Upon the death of the senior member, 
which occurred in 1880, he succeeded to the firm's practice, which under 
his auspices has been greatly increased until now his clientage is one of 
the largest and most lucrative in Wheeling. As a criminal lawyer he has 
had m8uch experience, and in this line of his profession has no peer. 

In politics Mr. Dovener is a Republican, a stalwart of the stalwarts. He 
has championed the principles of the party in all parts of the state, and 
no one has accomplished more for the success of the Republican cause than 
Mr. Dovener. He represented Ohio in the legislature in 1883, and in 1894 
he was elected to represent the First Congressional District of West 
Virginia in Congress, and is now serving his fourth term. As a member of 
the river and harbor c0mmitee he has made himself famous. No member of 
Congress from this state has accomplished so much for the improvement of 
our water courses as this brilliant and gifted man. In the Fifty-fourth 
and in the Fifty-fifth Congresses, unaided and alone, he secured 
appropriations of $7,000,000 for the permanent improvements of the rivers 
in which West Virginia is directly interested. Through his energy, 
influence and perseverance improvements on the Ohio river between 
Pittsburg and Marietta, which will cost the sum total of $10,200,00, have 
been entered upon by the general government to carry out that which was 
originated in the mind of Mr. Dovener, the improvement of our water 
courses, whereby navigation may be kept up all year round, and our 
commerce may be carried an distributed to the Southern markets, Whereby 
West Virginia will receive a lasting and permanent benefit. As Henry Clay 
achieved greatness and renown in building a national highway, so will the 
subject of this sketch, and his name will go down to posterity, honored 
and revered by grateful people. 



F. H. FRAZIER is manager of the Wheeling Bakery, which was incorporated in 
February, 1898, and is now operated by the National Biscuit Company. The 
National Biscuit Company was formed by the consolidation of the New York 
Biscuit Company and the United States Baking Company, of which the 
Wheeling Bakery formed a part. 

The Wheeling Bakery Company was founded about 1881 as a retail store and 
wareroom, and was a branch of S. S. Marvin & Company, of Pittsburg, until 
1890, when it became a part of the United States Baking Company, no 
manufacturing having been done before that time. The first manager was C. 
H. Merkel, who was succeeded by Howard Brenneman in 1889, and the latter 
by Mr. Frazier in 1898. The old bakery plant was located at No. 1230 
Market street, where a retail store of the company is still conducted. In 
1892 the present building was erected at the corner of Twentieth and Main 
streets; it is a four-story brick structure, 80 by 80 feet, and has a one-
story addition, 45 by 80 feet. The first floor, devoted to manufacturing 
bread, is provided with six ovens of the most approved pattern, and has a 
daily capacity of 15,000 loaves. The bread and general shipping room is 
also on this floor. The second floor is used for storage, a supply of from 
1,000 to 2,000 barrels of flour being kept in stock at all times. The 
third floor is a wareroom for the storage of crackers, cakes, etc., in 
boxes, barrels and glass-front cans, about two car-loads of this product 
being handled daily. The pastry shop is also on the third floor, and the 
company has gained a high reputation for the excellence of this kind of 
goods. The basement is a general storage room for heavy goods, such as 
lard and molasses. About 70 men are employed; each of the three 
departments has its foreman, and there is a general superintendent over 
them. Three traveling representatives visit the trade in Eastern Ohio and 
a large part of West Virginia, as they do a large wholesale business in 
most of the important towns of the districts mentioned. An office force of 
six is employed, the office being in the northeast corner of the building. 
Eighteen wagons and 20 horses are required in the delivery, and a switch 
from the railroad is of easy access. Steam power, supplied by a 60-horse-
power engine, runs the electric light plant of the building, and gas is 
used for the ovens and boilers. Mr. Frazier has worked his way up from the 
bottom of this business, having first become identified with the company 
ten years ago in the capacity of sweeper and general helper. His valuable 
services to the company merited his rapid promotion. 

Mr. Frazier was born in 1873 and reared in Ohio. His father, mother and 
sister are now residents of Wheeling. He married Zou A. Hastings, and they 
have one child. They reside at No. 121 South Broadway street, on the 
Island, where Mr. Frazier erected a comfortable home in 1898. He is a 
Republican in politics, and is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. 
Frazier is a director in the Quarter Dollar Savings Bank and a member of 
several societies. 



JOHN S. GARVIN, deceased, was prominent as a tiller of the soil during his 
life, and owned a large farm in Ohio county. He was born April 2, 1824, at 
West Middletown, Pennsylvania, and is a son of David Garvin. He came to 
Ohio county at the early age of seven years, and was numbered among its 
residents all his life. 

In 1848, Mr. Garvin was united in marriage with Susan A. Little. She was 
born October 14, 1831, in Somerset county, New Jersey, and is a daughter 
of William and Delilah (Duff) Little. 

William Little was a son of Robert Little, a tailor by trade, who had the 
honor of making clothes for Gen. George Washington. William came to Ohio 
county when Mrs. Garvin was about 8 years old, and located five miles from 
her present farm, where he resided until his death, in 1883. He was 
favorably known throughout the county and everywhere was considered a 
reliable citizen. His marriage was contracted with Delilah Duff, a native 
of New Jersey, and they reared the following children: John; Isabella; 
Hannah M.; Susan A.; Robert; William; Samuel; David; Mary Catherine and 
Sarah Jane (twins); and Delilah. John was lost during the Mexican War; 
Isabella married George Marple; Hannah M. was united in marriage with 
Richard Criswell; Sarah Jane is now the widow of Alexander Smith, and 
Robert and Samuel are deceased. 

Mr. and Mrs. Garvin had 13 children, eight of whom are still living, 
namely: David, who is in Houston,Texas; John, of Charleston, West 
Virginia; Thomas M., prominent among the lawyers of Wheeling; Daniel M., a 
farmer of Marshall county, West Virginia; Ida, who married John A. Hooven, 
of Ford City, Pennsylvania; Elizabeth, who is a stenographer, of Duluth, 
Minnesota; Ella, the wife of M. E. Acker; and Charles, who is a United 
Presbyterian minister, and has a charge in Detroit, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. 
M. E. Acker have one child, Russell L., born June 29, 1898, and they 
reside with Mrs. Garvin on her farm of 100 acres, which Mr. Acker oversees 
for her. 

The subject of this sketch was an active Republican in politics, and his 
influence was always used for the benefit of his party. His death occurred 
in 1895, and he was mourned as only an energetic and public spirited 
citizen could be. His widow still survives and is active in the work of 
the United Presbyterian church, of which she is a member. 



GODFREY HADORN, the accommodating and genial proprietor of a fine hotel in 
Elm Grove, West Virginia, is well known throughout Ohio county and has 
spent many years in the hotel business. He is a native of Switzerland, and 
was born in 1870. He attended the Lutheran parochial schools of his native 
country, and was educated exclusively in them. 

Conceiving the idea that the new world would afford him better 
opportunities, he came hither in 1892, landed in New York, and journeyed 
directly to Wheeling, where he obtained employment in a hotel until August 
5, 1896. As he had saved the greater part of his wages, he was then able 
to enter into partnership with Louis Trosch under the firm name of Trosch 
& Hadorn, who became proprietors of the Framers Home, in Wheeling. In 1900 
he sold his interest in the business to his partner, and a short time 
afterward purchased the stock of G. F. Hartlieb at Elm Grove, and rented 
his hotel, where he is at present doing a very successful business. 

January 9, 1895, Mr. Hadorn was united in marriage with Annie Pluss, a 
daughter of Bernhart Pluss, a farmer by occupation, who lives in 
Switzerland. Two children were born to this union,--Freda, born January 
17, 1897; and Werner, born December 2, 1899. 

Mr. Hadorn has been a member of the Beethoven Singing Society, of 
Wheeling, for four years, and is also a member of the Swiss Beneficial 
Society and the German Benefit Union, also of Wheeling. He is a member of 
the German Evangelical Lutheran church. 



V. E. HEIMBERGER, an esteemed citizen of Triadelphia, Ohio county, West 
Virginia, has spent many years of his life in railroad service, and passed 
through many thrilling adventures while leading a varied and checkered 
career. Mr. Heimberger was born near Roney's Point, Ohio county, in 1852, 
and is a son of August and Catherine (Mingle) Heimberger, both natives of 
Germany, who came to this country in 1844. 

August Heimberger worked for a time on the railroad, and then went into a 
merchandise venture, buying from the people around Roney's Point such 
things as were for sale, and selling them in Wheeling. He continued in 
this business until 1869, and at that time rented the Stone Hotel at 
Roney's Point. He kept the hotel until his death in 1889,--twenty-one 
years,--after which his wife continued the business until 1892. She then 
sold her interest, purchased a home in Triadelphia, and moved thither with 
her family, which consisted of four boys and four girls. 

On July 10, 1898, the widowed mother died, and the home place is now 
occupied by her son, V. E., and his sister, Annie, who is still unmarried. 
The rest of the family are as follows: Harry, born October 28, 1856, who 
is a very prosperous farmer; Annie, born September 8, 1858; Louis, born 
November 23, 1860, who lives at Cleveland, Ohio, and is in the employ of a 
telegraph company; Carrie, born August 23, 1862, who died in June, 1890; 
Catherine, born September 15, 1863, she is the wife of L. W. Blayney, 
proprietor of a grocery store; William, born October 23, 1865, who lives 
in Detroit, Michigan, and is employed by the Western Union Telegraph 
Company; and Ida, born November 25, 1868, who married a farmer of Ohio 
country. All have married save the subject hereof, and Annie, who keeps 
house for him. 

Mr. Heimberger obtained his mental training in the public schools, and 
left his home at the early age of seventeen years, to work for the 
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company. He soon became a contractor on the Ohio 
county part of the road and remained in this line of business from 1872 
until 1874, when he caught the western fever, and went to Denver, 
Colorado. There he worked on a railroad for one year, after which he went 
to Soda Springs, Idaho, and worked on the construction of the new roads 
being built there at that time; he followed the road through Oregon to 
Portland. 

Mr. Heimberger then became foreman of the construction train for the 
Oregon & California Railroad Company, and retained that position for the 
next seven years. He also went through California to Mexico, and was 
engaged in constructing new roads throughout that country. After a time he 
returned to Portland and took a position with the Columbia Bridge Company, 
which built a toll bridge across the Willametter River. Mr. Heimberger was 
given control of this bridge, and held that position from 1888 to 1893, 
when he resigned and returned to Triadelphia, where he has since lived 
with his people. 

Mr. Heimberger has many incidents to relate which were connected with life 
in the West, and which were full of peril. Among them is his capture by 
the Indians, who were so opposed to the advancement of civilization they 
put on their war paint, scoured the country for miles around, and killed 
women and children. Just previous to our subject's capture, they had 
killed a settler, his wife and two children, and as Mr. Heimberger 
attempted to cross from one camp to another, the Indians come upon him and 
took him prisoner. For a long time they consulted among themselves whether 
to kill him then, or wait until night and burn him at the stake; at last 
they decided upon the latter course. All the afternoon they marched, and 
at evening encamped in a ravine around the top of a mountain,--there 
gathering wood and making preparations for the torture that was to follow. 
He had just given up all hope, when a party of soldiers came around the 
point, surprised the Indians and captured them; seven of their number were 
afterward hung for the deeds done that day. For many days Mr. Heimberger 
was weak from the strain put upon him at this time. 

Fraternally, Mr. Heimberger is a member of I.O.O.F., Lodge No. 8, of 
Oregon. His father was a Catholic, his mother and a brother were 
Lutherans, and the children attend whatever church they choose. 



W. N. INGERSOLL, the genial and popular agent for the United States 
Express Company, at No. 1218 Market street, Wheeling, West Virginia, was 
born in Lorian county, Ohio, March 9, 1840. He is the son of Charles and 
Lura (Lake) Ingersoll, and a grandson of William Ingersoll. 

William Ingersoll lived in the East; when he sold his farm and removed to 
Lorain county, Ohio, he bought 4,000 acres of land, which he at once began 
to improve. He was one of the pioneer settlers of Lorain county, and was 
well known in that vicinity. 

Charles Ingersoll was one of six sons, who lived to a good old age. He was 
born in 1804 and dies in 1891. He was one of the pioneers of Lorain 
county, and knew much of the trails, hardships and deprivations of pioneer 
life in Ohio. He farmed until 1828, when he removed to the county seat 
Elyria, where he did teaming and hauled goods from Cleveland and Lorain. 
He married Lura Lake, who died in 1862, at the age of fifty-eight years. 
She was a woman of great piety and lovable character. Four children 
blessed this union, two of whom survive: W. N., the subject of this 
sketch; and Charles O., who formerly ran in the United States railway mail 
service, but recently became clerk in the office of the superintendent of 
that service. 

W. N. Ingersoll was schooled in Elyria, and on April 28, 1861, enlisted 
for three months service in the army on President Lincoln's call for 75,
000 men, and remained at Camp Denison until June 23d of that year. He then 
re-enlisted for three years in company H, 8th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. He was 
in the battles of Romney and Winchester, and joined the Army of the 
Potomac July 4, 1862. September 17th of that year he took part in the 
battle of Antietam, and later in the battles of Fredericksburg, Gettsburg 
and Chancellorsville. At the battle of Gettysburg 48 2/3 per cent. of the 
regiment were killed or wounded. Mr. Ingersoll was Mustered out at the 
expiration of his term, July 13, 1864. He was never wounded or taken 
prisoner while in service. Mr. Ingersoll was appointed one of a commission 
of six by the late President McKinley to go to the battle-ground of 
Antietam and locate the position held by our men in that sanguinary 
struggle. It was the first time since the battle took place that Mr. 
Ingersoll had visited the spot. 

After leaving the army Mr. Ingersoll began the express business, having 
located at Sandusky, Ohio. Later he went to Newark, Ohio, where he was 
route agent for eleven years, after which he located in Wheeling as agent. 
he has resided in Wheeling since 1892, and is well known and highly 
esteemed. Mr. Ingersoll is very popular among his acquaintances, and is 
greatly admired for his accommodating spirit and good business tact. 

Mr. Ingersoll was married, in Newark, in November, 1865, to Eloise 
Christian, who is a native of that city and a doughtier of T. J. 
Christian. Three children have blessed this union, namely: Warren C., who 
lives in Chicago; Harriet R., the wife of W. W. Maholm, of Newark; and 
Jennie M., the wife of Benjamin E. Hamilton, of Wheeling. Mr. Ingersoll 
has a host of warm friends in Wheeling, who are always interested in his 
success. 



WILLIAM A. ISETT, president of the Bank of the Ohio Valley and prominently 
identified with various other enterprises of Wheeling and vicinity, was 
born in Wheeling, December 17, 1838, and is a son of Dr. William A. Isett, 
for many years a physician and druggist of this city. 

Dr. William A. Isett, father of our subject, was born at Carlisle, 
Pennsylvania, in August, 1806, and came to Wheeling as a young man. He 
engaged in the practice of his profession and it was not long before the 
drug firm of Isett & Clemens was established. This firm continued for 
several years until terminated by the death of Dr. Clemems. Dr. Isett then 
disposed of the store, and was made assistant postmaster of Wheeling, an 
office he held until his death, July 11, 1848. In politics he was a 
Democrat. He married Susan White, a daughter of John White, who was a 
merchant during the early days of Wheeling and for a time identified in 
the fur business with Stephen Girard, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mrs. 
Isett was born at Lancaster, Fairfield county, Ohio, March 8, 1808, and 
died May 13, 1866. Four children were the result of this union; Virginia 
W., deceased; William A.; John W., deceased; and Sallie A., who married W. 
J. Sitler, of Robinson, Crawford county, Illinois, and has a son, William 
A., who is now studying law and is a young man of much promise. 

William A. Isett, the gentleman whose name heads these lines, was educated 
in the public schools of Wheeling. In 1859 he commenced his business 
career in the retail grocery business on Market street in center Wheeling, 
continuing for two years. He was then bookkeeper for Cushing & Company, 
paper manufacturers, until 1861, after which he served in like capacity 
for George K. Wheat. January 1, 1869, the firm of Wheat, Isett & Naylor 
was formed, and for ten years continued as wholesale notion dealers, their 
place of business being on Twelfth street near the present location of the 
Bank of Ohio Valley. In 1879 Mr. Isett sold his interest to John S. 
Naylor, and the business continued as Wheat & Naylor until succeeded by 
the firm of John S. Naylor & Company. Mr. Isett was one of the original 
incorporators of the Wheeling Pottery Company, associated with George K. 
Wheat, Charles W. Franzheim, William Kirback and others, and has been 
secretary since the organization of the company. He was president of the 
Ohio Valley Glass Company two years. This company wound up its business in 
the "seventies." The Riverside Pottery Company was organized in 1898 by C. 
W. Franzheim, J. A. Miller and William Isett. Mr. Isett is vice-president 
and treasurer of the company. In addition to his extensive pottery 
interests he has been largely identified with the steel and iron interests 
of this vicinity for some thirty years. He has been connected with the 
Wheeling Steel & Iron Company since 1892. For the past twenty-five years 
he has been president of the bank of Ohio Valley, succeeding in that 
office John K. Botsford, deceased. 

Mr. Isett married, May 20, 1879, at the residence of George K. Wheat, Anna 
V. Pearce, of Lancaster, Ohio. Her parents died when she was young; she 
was reared by relarives and in time located in Wheeling. Religiously, Mr. 
Isett was reared a Methodist. He erected a fine home in the first ward, on 
the property formerly owned by Thomas Sweeney, grandfather of Mayor 
Sweeney, where he now reides. 



AUGUST KEITZ, of Wheeling, West Virginia, deals extensively in the retail 
liquor business at his saloon at No. 1701 Woods street, and is well known 
as a prominent citizen. He was born near Fulda, Germany, April 26, 1861, 
and is a son of Wendel and Lioba (Weismiller) Keitz, who are still 
residing in their native country. 

Wendel Keitz is now sixty-five years old, and his wife has reached the 
advanced age of seventy years. They had 10 children, five only of whom are 
living, namely,--August, Constant, Joseph, Emma and Theresa. 

August Keitz immigrated to this country in September, 1881, and came 
directly on his arrival to Wheeling, West Virginia, where he was employed 
in the Belmont Plate and Nail Mills for three years. He worked at 
different occupations until 1891, when he went into business for himself, 
and has continued until the present time. In 1889, Mr. Keitz married Mary 
Klug, a daughter of Joseph Klug; she was born in 1859. Of this union four 
children have been born: Wendel, born in 1891; Emma, born in 1894; Angela, 
in 1896, and Louis A. born in 1900. The family attend the Catholic church. 

In politics, Mr. Keitz is a Democrat; in social circles he is member of 
the Knights of St. George. He is attentive to his business, thrifty, and 
well liked by his friends. 



GEORGE W. KELLY, M.D., who has been actively engaged in the practice of 
medicine in Wheeling for more than thirty years, is a prominent resident 
of the city and commands the confidence and respect of the citizens to a 
marked degree. He was born in Washington, Pennsylvania, January 15, 1827, 
and is a son of John Kelly. 

John Kelly was born in Washington, Pennsylvania, in 1784, and became a man 
of large property, living a life of retirement at the time of his death in 
1829. He married Nancy Crump, a daughter of Stephen Crump. She was born in 
Virginia in 1789, and died at Canton, Ohio, in 1866. They had six 
children: William, born in Washington, Pennsylvania, who was a capitalist 
and large sheep owner at the time of his death in 1899, aged eighty years; 
Nancy, born December 25, 1821, who married Jacob Kitzmiller, a retired 
merchant of Canton, Ohio; Dr. James, born in Washington, Pennsylvania, 
January 2, 1825, who lives at Steubenville, Ohio; George W., Jennie, born 
in Ohio county, West Virginia, in 1837, who is the widow of Judge Advocate 
General Swain, of the United States army; and Eliza, who died in 
childhood. 

George W. Kelly, subject of this sketch, attended the public schools at 
Washington, Pennsylvania, and in Ohio county, West Virginia, after which 
he took a course of study in college at Canton, Ohio. He attended lectures 
in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, at 
Philadelphia, and also read with his brothers. He first engaged in the 
practice of his profession at Moundsville, and in 1872 removed to 
Wheeling, where he has been a successful practitioner for more than thirty 
years. 

September 27, 1858, Dr. Kelly married Ellen Way, who was born 1837, and 
was a daughter of Abraham Way. They had three children: Frank B., born 
November 7, 1860, who was a druggist of Oil City, Pennsylvania; Edgar E., 
born November 13, 1863, who is a druggist living in West Virginia; and 
Laura F., born July 1, 1859, who died November 13, 1862. Dr. Kelly formed 
a second union, September 6, 1888, with May Beatty, who is a daughter of 
John and Sarah (Irwin) Beatty. Her father was born in Pennsylvania in 1821 
and died in 1893, his occupation being that of a farmer. Her mother was 
born in Pennsylvania in 1823 and died in April, 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Beatty 
had five children, as follows: Harry, who was born in 1846, lives in 
Hoboken, Pennsylvania; Minnie, born in 1849, married E. E. Graham and 
lives in Aspinwall, Pennsylvania: Ella, born in 1853, is the widow of 
Richard Thursby and lives in Aspinwall, Pennsylvania; Frank, born in 1859, 
died at the age of three years; and May, wife of our subject. 

Mr. Kelly is a member of the Second United Presbyterian church. 
Politically, he is a Democrat of the old school. 



JAMES H. LANCASTER, secretary of the Schmulbach Brewing Company, at Thirty-
third and Wetzel streets, Wheeling, West Virginia, is one of the prominent 
men of the city. He was born in Wheeling January 2, 1863, and is a son of 
James A. and Roxana M. (Hall) Lancaster, the former of whom was a native 
of Baltimore, Maryland, the latter of West Virginia. 

James A. Lancaster was a manufacturer of slack cooperage in Wheeling. He 
was born January 10, 1816, came to Wheeling in 1838, and here resided 
until November 30, 1884. Then he moved to a farm in Marshall county, where 
he died September 26, 1886. In the early "seventies" he was elected a 
member of the first branch of the city council by the Republican party, 
although living in a Democratic ward. He was very popular among his 
people, honest, upright and a good Christian man. In Religious convictions 
he and his wile were members of the Methodist Protestant church, their 
membership being held in the church at Mount Pleasant, Ohio. He was united 
in marriage with Roxana M. Hall, who died in February, 1870, aged thirty-
eight years. Two children were born to them, viz.: James H.; and Minnie 
B., the wife of H. C. Stewart, who lives at Pittsburg, and has one child, 
Ruth. 

James H. Lancaster received his mental training in the Wheeling public 
schools, after which he became manager with his father in the cooperating 
business. In September, 1882, he accepted the office of deputy surveyor of 
customers under Gen. A. H. Beach, afterward serving under A. C. Egerter. 
He held this office for the next five years, until his election as clerk 
of the board of public works of Wheeling. This last position he filled for 
two years, and then went to New Cumberland, West Virginia, where he was 
employed as bookkeeper for McMahan, Porter & Company, manufactures of 
sewer pipe and brick. On January 1, 1891, he returned to Wheeling, and was 
bookkeeper for the Schmulbach Brewing Company, until he was elected 
secretary March 14, 1893, which position he holds at present. He is also 
secretary of the Fairmont & Clarksburg Electric Railroad Company. 

Mr. Lancaster was united in marriage with Katherine E. Vogel, in 1887. 
Mrs. Lancaster is a native of Wheeling and a daughter of John M. and Anna 
(Koerner) Vogel, who still reside in Wheeling,--she is the oldest of three 
children now living, the others being; Minnie, wife of Charles E. Taylor, 
who is a farmer at Ridgeville, West Virginia; Emma, wife of I. N. Wykoff, 
a printer of Wheeling. Two brothers, George and Fred, are deceased. 

Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster have been blessed with two children, Walter L., who 
was born August 15, 1890, and died January 3, 1892; and Katherine E., who 
is now a pupil of the primary department in the Madison school. 

The subject of this sketch is a member and brigadier general of the 
Uniform Rank, Knights of the Pythias, commanding the West Virginia 
Brigade. he also belongs to the B.P.O.E. and the A.O.U.W. He is a 
Republican in politics, and takes much interest in the party campaignus. 
His wife is a member of the English Lutheran church. Mr. Lancaster is a 
first-class man, energetic, enterprising and one of the rising business 
men of the city. His long service is an evidence of duty well done, and of 
a just appreciation on the part of his employers of faithful endeavor. 



JOHN R. MENDEL, a progressive businessman of Wheeling, Ohio county, West 
Virginia, is the proprietor of the Pearl Steam Laundry and has a well-
established business. He was born in Wheeling, July 23, 1845, and is a son 
of George Mendel, who resided in this city most of his life. 

John R. Mendel was educated in the public schools of Wheeling and in the 
Linsly Institute of this city. In April, 1861, he enlisted in the 3rd 
Reg., W.Va. Vol. Cav., and served until the close of the war, in 1865, 
with great credit. He then spent three years in Montana Territory, after 
which he returned to Wheeling, where he has since resided, with the 
exception of five years spent in Pittsburg [sic], Pennsylvania, where he 
was engaged in the carpet business. The Pearl Steam Laundry was 
established in 1897, and he has since been its proprietor. He is a man of 
energy and enterprise, and through his progressive methods of carrying on 
his business has gained a liberal patronage. 

In 1872 Mr. Mendel was united in marriage with Emma Dunlevy, a daughter of 
Anthony and Elizabeth Dunlevy. Her father was a boat-builder of Wheeling. 
Mr. and Mrs. Mendel have two children,--George and Sarah. Politically, Mr. 
mendel is a firm supporter of Republican principles. Religiously, he is a 
member of the United Presbyterian Church. 



JAMES MARSHALL, who has been for many years a successful business man of 
Wheeling, West Virginia, his native city, is the proprietor of a fine 
paint shop at No. 183 Sixteenth street, and makes a specialty of sign 
painting, graining, etc., which he has followed since boyhood. He was born 
September 15, 1859, and is of Irish parentage, being a son of Andrew and 
Jane (McAdams) Marshall, the latter of whom is a native of Belfast, 
Ireland. Both parents came to this country in their youth. The father 
passed away at the age of sixty-one years, having been afflicted with 
rheumatism for some time prior to his decease. The rheumatism finally 
caused heart failure, which was the immediate cause of his death. The 
beloved mother is still living, being now sixty-eight years old. 

Mr. Marshall is one of nine children born to his parents: five of them are 
now living,--three sons, James, Andrew and William D., and two daughters, 
Mrs. Isabella Craft and Mrs. Janie Hetchel. All reside in Wheeling. 

Mr. Marshall attended public school until he was twelve years old, and 
afterward learned the trade of sign painting, for which he had natural 
ability. At the age of sixteen years he went into partnership with Henry 
Reis, the firm doing contract work in all branches. They employed quite a 
number of men and for sixteen years were very successful in their 
business. Mr. Marshall then purchased Mr. Reis' interest and built his 
present shop, supplying it with oils and paints for the business. He had 
previously worked for his uncle, James McAdams, eighteen years. 

Mr. Marshall is as yet unmarried and resides with his aged mother. He is a 
member of the Presbyterian church. He is known throughout his ward for his 
charity to the poor. Fraternally, he is a member of the I.O.O.F., of 
Wheeling, and also of the K. of P., Wheeling Lodge, No. 114. 

In politics Mr. Marshall is a Republican. He was elected a member of the 
second branch of the city council, and served on the following committees: 
Claims, real estate, scales, streets, alleys, and grades. 



ALEXANDER C. McCLOY, an employee of Dowler & Dowler, one of Wheeling's 
business firms, has served in his present position since 1901, and is 
trustworthy and competent in the discharge of his duties. He was born in 
Washington County, Pennsylvania, November 7, 1863, and is a son of Richard 
and Phoebe (May) McCloy, both natives of Pennsylvania. The father served 
three months on garrison duty in the Civil war, and was a merchant during 
the greater part of his life, but is now retired and living quietly on 
Bellaire, Ohio. He married Phoebe May, who died in 1891, at the age of 
fifty-one years. They had five children namely: Mary; John Johnson, 
deceased; Alexander C.; Jennie; and Blanche. Alexander C. and one sister 
are the only survivors of this family of children. Jennie married Isaac 
Grafton, but is now a widow, keeping house for her father at Bellaire, 
Ohio. Richard McCloy and his wife were both devoted members of the United 
Presbyterian church, and he is an elder in that church in Bellaire at the 
present time. He is now about sixty-five years of age; in politics he is a 
Democrat. 

Alexander C. McCloy received his early mental training in the country 
schools, after which he framed for himself for ten years, and then went to 
Wheeling, and drove a team for the Atlantic Tea Company for five years. In 
1898 he went into the livery business, associating himself with John 
Coffland, under the firm name of Coffland & McCloy, and continuing in the 
business until 1901, when the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. McCloy 
entered into his present employment with Dowler & Dowler. 

December 6, 1888, Mr. McCloy was united in marriage with Catherine Wise, a 
native of Ohio, and a daughter of John A. and Agnes Wise, respected 
residents of Belmont county, Ohio. Mr. Wise is a well-to-do farmer of 
that county and is prominent in his vicinity. He and his wife have four 
children: Mrs. McCloy, James, Edgar and Frank. James married Inez Barlow, 
is a partner in a box factor, and resides in Barnesville. Edgar, who is a 
farmer in Belmont county, married Nancy Giffin, and has two children, a 
son and daughter. Frank is still a boy and is engaged in farming. 

Mr. McCloy and his wife have three children, namely: Russell M., Homer A. 
and an infant as yet unnamed. The family are members of the Presbyterian 
church of Rock Hill, Ohio. Mr. McCloy is a member of no sect or order and 
takes very little interest in politics. He is a good and worthy citizen, 
and has been identified with the best interests of Wheeling since he 
became one of her citizens. He resides with his family in their 
comfortable home at No. 21 Virginia street. 



OSCAR P. McKEE, bookkeeper for the Warwick China Company at No. 115 South 
Front street, Wheeling, was born in Warrenton, Jefferson county, Ohio, 
October 7, 1866, and is a son of Joseph and Rachel C. (Sweasey) McKee. 

Joseph McKee was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, October 6, 1838, and at 
an early age began work for his father, who conducted a woolen factory on 
Short Creek. He continued until the outbreak of the Civil War, and in 1861 
enlisted in Company D, 126th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. which became a part of 
the Army of the Potomac. He saw much hard service, and in the Battle of 
the Wilderness was severely wounded in the knee, and taken captive. He was 
held a prisoner for three or four days, but made his escape with a 
comrade, James Dennis, the night previous to their intended removal to 
Andersonville Prison. They made crutches with a pen knife, both of them 
being injured, and on these walked a distance of 60 miles. They were 
obliged to cross streams, and the water washed sand into their wounds 
causing much pain. Joseph McKee was frequently obliged to stop and lie 
down for a time, but his will power was strong, and despite the almost 
intolerable pain continued his journey. He and his comrade immediately 
went to a hospital upon reaching the Union lines, and after recovery 
returned to their regiments and served until mustered out at the close of 
the war. Mr. McKee enlisted as a private, was promoted to be first 
lieutenant, and would have been elevated to the rank of captain had the 
war lasted a few days longer. He married Rachel C. Sweasey, who was born 
in 1836, and is now an honored resident of Portland, Jefferson county, 
Ohio, being about sixty-five years of age. She is a member of the local 
Methodist Episcopal church, of which her husband was recording steward. 
Mr. McKee died February 10, 1892. He and his wife had three children, of 
whom Oscar P. was the oldest. The others are,--Dr. W. B. McKee, a dentist 
of Wheeling; and John A., a telegrapher and clerk in the office of the 
Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling Railroad, in Wheeling. 

Oscar P. McKee attended the common schools of Warrentown, Ohio, and was 
graduated form the Wheeling Business College of the class of 1887. He 
served five years as cashier for George M. Snook & Company, Wheeling, and 
then, in April, 1893, his present position with the Warwick China Company. 
He has been a resident of Ohio and West Virginia all his life, and is 
known in parts of both of these states, character, he is one of the most 
straight-foreward and upright men, and merits the universal respect and 
esteem which are accompanied him. 

Mr. McKee was married, March 10, 18__, to Lillie Thompson, a native of 
Wheeling, only child and daughter of W. W. and S. E. Thompson. Her father 
was formerly the operator in one of the mills of Wheeling. Their beautiful 
home and home surroundings, indicate happiness, culture and refinement. 
McKee and his wife have one child, Ed Thompson. The parents are members of 
the Fourth Street M. E. church, of which the father is recording steward. 
He is a member of Reliance Lodge, A.O.U.W. Though ardent Republican, he 
takes little part in politics. 



G. EDWARD MENDEL, who is at the head of the large furniture establishment 
of G. Mendel & Company, has been identified with this company since 1865. 
This is the oldest furniture business in this city, and the present 
building at No. 1124 Main Street was erected in 1864 and consists of three 
floors. The firm also uses the two upper stories of the two adjoining 
buildings. A very extensive wholesale and retail business has been built 
up, and about 20 people are employed. The undertaking department is on the 
third floor, and was established by George Mendel and since maintained by 
our subject, who received a license from the state board of embalmers. G. 
Edward Mendel was one of the originators of the West Virginia Fair 
Association and assisted in its organization twenty-one years ago. He is a 
member of the board of trade, and also a director in the Fort Henry Club, 
of which he was one of the original members. Fraternally, he is a member 
of the Ancient Order Of United Workmen, and was formally connected with 
various other orders. 

George Mendel, deceased, father of our subject, was born in Wellsburg, 
Brooke county, West Virginia, in 1812, and came when a boy to Wheeling in 
poor circumstances. He learned the trade of cabinetmaker and in 1836 
opened an establishment of his own. He subsequently formed a partnership 
with Henry Harbour, under the firm name of Mendel & Harbour, and upon its 
dissolution his brother became a partner, the firm name was changed to J & 
G Mendel & Company, continuing as such until the death of John Mendel in 
1873. Curran Mendel then sold out his interest and G. Edward Mendel became 
a partner in the firm, which was then styled G. Mendel, Booth & Company. 
The company erected a large factor on Eoff street, the largest in the city 
at the time, and the business increased from year to year until at the 
time of the death of George Mendel, January 29, 1875, the annual amount 
transacted was $100,000. George Mendel was active in various other 
enterprises, being president of the Franklin Insurance Company, president 
of Wheeling Savings Bank, a director of the Exchange Bank of Wheeling, and 
a stockholder and director in several other enterprises in which his 
energy was felt. Mr. Mendel was united in marriage with Sarah Richardson, 
of Wheeling, and eight children, five sons, and three daughters blessed 
this union; Cecelia G., wife of Crawford Booth of Texas; John R. of 
Pittsburgh; Belle M., of Wheeling; G. Edward, of Wheeling; Mrs. John H. 
Myers, of Milwaukee; James V., of Wheeling; Charles L., of New York; and 
Harry J., of Wheeling, who resided in Texas eight years. George Mendel was 
an ardent Republican, although he took no official part in political 
affairs. He lived a life that was a notable illustration of the success 
that may be obtained by men of perseverance, industry and talent, without 
the aid of capital or influence. He also associated with Judge Crammer and 
others in caring for and beautifying Greenwood Cemetery. 



FRED C. MYERS, a well-known resident of Wheeling, Ohio county, West 
Virginia, is agent for the Caledonian Insurance Company of Scotland. He 
was born in Bodenfelde, Hanover, Germany, in 1829, and is a son of Charles 
F. Myers, who fought under Wellington in the famous battle of Waterloo. 

Charles F. Myers, with his wife and son and daughter, after a voyage of 
six weeks, landed at Baltimore, Maryland, September 20, 1834, and then 
came in a road wagon over the National Road to Wheeling. Arriving at 
McCortney's yards on Main street, between Thirteenth and Fourteenth 
streets, Mr. Myers secured a skiff, in which the family rode 20 miles down 
the river. They went to the town of Capitan, Ohio, where his uncle, Mr. 
Schukhart, resided, it being through the letters of the latter that he was 
induced to come to this country. Two years later, in 1836, the family 
returned to Wheeling, where Mr. Myers for many years worked as a carpenter 
in the ship yards, building cabins on steamboats. The latter years of his 
life were spent in retirement at the home of our subject, where he died 
March 28, 1873, at the age of seventy-eight years, having been born in 
1795. He married Dorothea Augustina Ference, who died January 15, 1866, at 
the age of sixty-weven years. Their elder daughter married Adam 
Weisgerber, whose sons are also residents of Wheeling, one of them, 
George, having been deputy sheriff for four years. Mr. Myers and his wife 
had four other children, after coming to America: One died in infancy at 
Capitan; Henry, who was born in Ohio and lives at Kiser, West Virginia; 
and William and Matilda, who were born and still reside in Wheeling. 

Fred C. Myers began to learn the trade of cabinetmaking in 1844, and 
served an apprenticeship of five years with the firm of Mendel and 
Harbour. After his marriage he engaged in the confectionary business on 
Eleventh (formerly Union) street until 1857, when he moved his business to 
No. 1046 Main street, where he remained until 1865. He then engaged in the 
millinery business, wholesale and retail, until 1876, the year in which 
one of his sons met his death in a steamer explosion at Pomeroy, Ohio. 
Mrs. Myers and nieces continued in the millinery business until the death 
of the former in 1891. Mr. Myers entered the insurance business as 
solicitor for the old Wheeling Fire and Marine Insurance Company, with 
which he was identoified until its absorption by the Caledonian Insurance 
Company in 1887. He is now agent for the latter company. 

The Wheeling Fire and Marine Insurance Company was organized in December, 
1831, with a capital of $100,000, John McClure being first president, and 
M. W. Chapline, at that time mayor of Wheeling, secretary. The company 
operated in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Kentucky, also on the Ohio 
and Mississippi rivers and tributaries. The directors elected January 2, 
1832, at Beymer's Hotel, were as follows: James H. Forsyth, Manus Wilson, 
M. W. Chapline, W. Lambdin, W. B. Tyson, John List, Thomas Hughes, George 
Dulty, B. Zane. January 3, 1832, James H. Forsyth was elected president 
and Morgan Nelson, agent and secretary. On February 18, 183_, the latter 
resigned and was succeeded by Daniel Lamb. The latter in turn was 
succeeded, September 20, 1844, by Mr. Harding, his resignation having been 
handed in September 13 of the previous year. The company was reorganized 
in 1875, A. Wilson becoming president and C. H. Collier, secretary. The 
latter died in 1881, and was succeeded by Burney S. McClure. C. J. Rolling 
next became president and Wylie Irwin, secretary. Theodore Roller became 
secretary in March, 1886, and in May, 1897, became manager of the Wheeling 
branch of the Caledonian Insurance Company of Scotland, founded in 1805, 
and to which the business of the Wheeling Fire and Marine Insurance 
Company was turned over in 1887. The Caledonian is one of the most 
successful insurance companies in the state. Its office is situated near 
the corner of Twelfth and Main streets. Mr. Myers had the old book of the 
company bound and presented it to the Caledonian Insurance Company, a gift 
which was very much appreciated. He has ever been faithful to the 
interests of his employers, is a man of recognized ability, and stands 
high in the esteem of all with whom he is brought in contact. 

In 1850, Mr. Myers married Bertha Fox at Stamm & Franzheim's restaurant. 
She died December 24, 1891, at the age of sixty-one years, and left one 
son, Henry, who resides in North Wheeling and is employed in the blast 
furnace at Martin's Ferry. Another son, George, was killed in a steamboat 
explosion when twenty-five years of age. Mr. Myers has been a Republican 
since 1860; he was overseer of the poor eighteen months during the Civil 
War. He attends the Lutheran church. 



JOHN PFARR, deceased, who was prominent in the business circles of 
Wheeling of an early day, was born in Germany and came to the United 
States when sixteen years of age, locating at Cincinnati, Ohio. He came to 
Wheeling about 1840, and began manufacturing carriages in his shop on 
Market street, between Ninth and Tenth streets. He continued this business 
until 1872, when he sold out to Hook & Schrader, who conducted the 
business until 1882. Mr. Pfarr then re-purchased the business with the 
intention of placing his son, W. H., in charge. It was conducted under the 
firm name of John Pfarr & company for one year, then sold to Elig & Lutz, 
and is now run under the name of the Charles J. Elig Carriage Company. 
John Pfarr owned the land on which the factory was located and the 
property running through the block to Main street, all of which is now 
residence property. The Pfarr family moved to Pleasant Valley in 1873, 
where they were pioneers, there being but four homes in the settlement at 
that time. 

John Pfarr died June 2, 1896, at the age of seventy-two years, and his 
widow is still living at the age of seventy-six years. They were the 
parents of the following offspring: Amelia, who died at the age of forty 
years; Henry, who died in infancy; John, who died in infancy; Helena, wife 
of F. C. H. Schwertfeger, of the firm of George E. Stifel & Company; Mary, 
wife of George Friedel; Catherine, widow of John F. Kent; Emma I., wife of 
W. H. Wirth, of Cincinnati, Ohio; Anna, who is at home; W. H. who is 
treasurer of the J. H. Locke Shoe Company; and Virginia, wife of George D. 
Maxwell, president of the Hicks and Hoge Dry Goods Company. 



FRED RENTSCHLER, a farmer of Triadelphia, West Virginia, has by careful 
industry and toil succeeded in developing a fine farm from a very modest 
beginning. As his name indicates, he is a German by birth. The first 
twenty years of his life was spent in his native country, Germany. 

He landed at New York May 18, 1866, and two days later arrived in 
Wheeling, and worked at anything he could do until 1888, saving his money. 
He then went to Triadelphia and purchased a part of the farm on which he 
now lives. In 1890 he purchased another small tract, and in 1892 bought 21 
acres more, adjoining his home farm. Seven years later he again purchased 
a lot of land, for which he paid $1,000. He has since bought one acre, and 
now owns 30½ acres. 

Mr. Rentschler was united in marriage, in 1871, with Annie O'Donnell, a 
daughter of Michael O'Donnell, a carpenter by trade who was born in 
Liverpool, England. In 1869 he came to this country and a year later Annie 
and her mother followed. Ten children blessed this marriage, namely: Mary, 
who was born December 30, 1873, married Charles Gehringer, and lives at 
Futon; William, who was born January 23, 1876, is a teamster, and also 
lives at Fulton; Annie, who was born July 24, 1878, married Fred Folmar, 
and resides in Elm Grove; Susan, born December 7, 1880; John, born August 
5, 1883; Lilly, born February 4, 1886; Georgie, born October 17, 1888; 
Fred, born February 3, 1892; and Margaret and Blanche, twins, born 
February 27, 1896. Mr. Rentschler is a member of the Lutheran church and 
his wife of the Catholic church. 



HON. NATHAN BAY SCOTT, who has long been prominent as a man of affairs, 
has held many offices of trust and discharged the duties connected 
therewith in a most creditable manner; at the present time he represents 
the state of West Virginia in the United States Senate. He is prominent in 
the councils of the Republican party, and has made a brilliant record in 
every phase of his public life. 

Mr. Scott was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, December 18, 1842, and at the 
age of eleven years began his business life as a clerk in a country store, 
meanwhile attending the public schools during the winter months. In 1862 
he enlisted for service in the Union army, and served until mustered out 
in 1865. He then returned to Wheeling, a city he has since called home. 
Since 1871 he has been engaged in the manufacture of glass and has been 
since 1883 at the head of the Central Glass Company, which under his 
vigorous management became one of the largest of its kind in the country. 
He organized the first savings bank in the state; he was elected its 
president, and is still at the head of the institution, which is one of 
the most successful in the state. He has been an extensive traveler at 
home and abroad, and is a keen observer and a broad-minded man. 

Mr. Scott is a Republican and has always been active in party affairs. In 
1880 he was elected a member of the city council of Wheeling, and was 
president of the second branch. In 1882 he was elected a member of the 
State Senate, and was re-elected in 1886, serving in that capacity for 
eight years. His opponent upon re-election was Hon. J. O. Pendleton, a 
very strong man who was afterward elected to Congress. While a member of 
the State Senate he served on various important committees, and helped to 
frame the Mutual Savings Bank law, which has since met with general 
approval. Since 1888 Mr. Scott has been the representative of West 
Virginia as a member of the Republican National Committee, during all of 
which time he has been a member of the executive committee. In the 
campaign of 1896 he was the choice of President McKinley to serve with 
Gen. Powell Clayton, Vice-President Hobart and J. H. Manley at 
headquarteres in New York City, and because of his friendly relations to 
organized labor had charge of the work pertaining to the labor 
organizations of the United States. In recognition of his faithful 
services President McKinley appointed him commissioner of internal 
revenue, an office he filled until his election to the United States 
Senate in 1899. As war commissioner he displayed in the administration of 
the business of the office executive ability of the highest order. With 
Mr. Bliss, ex-Secretary of the interior, and Mr. Manley, Mr. Scott was 
again, in 1900, in charge of speakers during the campaign. 

Mr. Scott is a director in numerous large business foundations in the city 
of Wheeling, and is extensively interested in tracts of coal and timber 
lands in Logan and Mingo counties. His earnings have ever been devoted to 
the extension of business enterprises and the employment of labor. His 
interests in the glass and steel industries of the state are very large, 
and it is safe to say that there are few manufacturing concerns of any 
magnitude in West Virginia which he has not promoted or in which he has 
not promoted or in which he does not hold and interest. Mr. Scott is a 
fine public servant of West Virginia, who is able to uphold the highest 
behests of the people in national council. 



EDWARD C. SEABRIGHT, an enterprising and progressive young business man of 
Wheeling, is sole proprietor of the merchant tailoring house established 
by his father, which does a larger business than any like establishment in 
the state of West Virginia. He was born in Wheeling, April 5, 1872, and is 
a son of Charles W. Seabright, who was one of Wheeling's most 
distinguished citizens at the time of his death. 

Charles W. Seabright was born in Burnswick, Germany, October 11, 1836. His 
father was a contractor in the German mail service, in which Charles was 
employed for four years previous to his emigration from his native 
country. He came to Wheeling in 1849, having landed in Baltimore on July 1 
of that year. A brother had located in this city a couple of months before 
his arrival and had engaged in the meat business, and Charles joined him, 
but did not find the work congenial, so on September 1, 1849, he entered 
the employ of Thomas Hughes, who then conducted a large merchant tailoring 
establishment on Water street, just north of Twelfth street, with the 
intention of learning the tailoring trade. After a few days' work on the 
bench the errand boy in the concern left and young Seabright was called 
down stairs to take his place. Mr. Seabright continued with the firm for 
twenty-one years and five months, and from his humble position rose to 
that of head clerk, in which capacity he was serving at the time he left 
this employ. February 1, 1871, he formed a partnership with Charles 
Pfaffenbach in the merchant tailoring business, and in less than a year 
the latter retired. Mr. Seabright then secured a partner in the person of 
C. A. Schmulbach, the firm name becoming Seabright & Company. He purchased 
his partner's interest the following year, and thenceforth conducted the 
business alone, although Frank Gruse was largely interested in it for a 
time. The business was very successful from the start, amounting to as 
much as $60,000 or $70,000 per annum, and 35 to 40 hands were employed at 
times. 

Charles W. Seabright was an uncompromising Democrat, and took a great 
interest in public affairs. In 1881 he was the Democratic candidate for 
mayor of Wheeling, and was elected, defeating Hon. B. B. Dovener by 96 
votes. Two years later he was again a candidate and his majority was 638. 
During that time, in pursuance of legislative enactment, the mayor was 
made judge of the police court, and Mayor Seabright was the first city 
executive to fill that responsible position and have a salary. 

Mr. Seabright was a member of Zion's Evangelical Lutheran church. He 
belonged to several secret organizations, among them Wheeling Lodge, No. 
28, B.P.O.E., and also was a member of the German Pioneer Society. He took 
an active interest in German-American affairs, and was a familiar and well-
known figure at all gatherings and outings where the German element 
predominated as well as in distinctively American assemblages. By virtue 
of his offices and standing in the community, he was often a conspicuous 
and prominent figure at public meetings of many sorts, and made numerous 
addresses on occasions of importance, both in Wheeling and elsewhere. On 
the occasion of the national reunion of volunteer firemen at San Francisco 
several years ago Mr. Seabright was a prominent figure, and his genial 
personality secured him much attention. In 1861 he was united in marriage 
with Isabella O'Callahan, of Sisterville, West Virginia. She died in 1877, 
leaving three children, of whom but one is now living, Edward C., the 
subject of this sketch. On February 13, 1896, Mr. Seabright was married to 
Mrs. Sarah McGough, of Baltimore, who is also deceased. The death of Mr. 
Seabright removed from the community probably the best known man in it, 
and he is mourned by many hundreds of people who were his personal 
friends. His portrait is shown on a preceding page in connection with this 
sketch. 

Edward C. Seabright attended the public schools of Wheeling, and at the 
age of eighteen years entered the merchant tailoring establishment 
conducted by his father. he learned the business with great thoroughness, 
and as sole proprietor since his father's decease, has maintained the 
success which the house has always enjoyed. It is located on the corner of 
Main and Twenty-second streets, and commands the most extensive trade in 
the state. Mr. Seabright is a man of high intelligence and recognized 
business ability. Fraternally, he is a member of Wheeling Lodge, No. 28, 
B.P.O.E., and belongs to the Arion Association and the Carroll Club. In 
Politics he is Democrat. 



W. F. SHAFFER, who is secretary of the Vance Shoe Company, of Wheeling, 
West Virginia, has been associated with that business for a number of 
years. This business was established in 1837 and was first conducted by C. 
D. Knox & Company, who were known as a shoe and leather firm. The firm 
next became known as Vance & Adams, and in 1870 as Vance & Hughes Company. 

The Vance Shoe Company was incorporated in 1885. Its first officers we J. 
N. Vance, president, John C. Riheldaffer, secretary, and treasurer; and 
three directors, including the officers and J. N. Vance. The firm has 
always been located on Main Street, and for the past four years business 
has been conducted at No. 1304 - 1306 Main Street. The building is five 
stories high, and has a frontage of 33 feet, with a depth of 105 feet. The 
building was erected by the present firm. The Vance Shoe Company carries 
the largest stock of its kind in West Virginia, and is probably the 
largest shoe concern between Baltimore and Chicago. In the past ten years 
the growth has been especially rapid. The firm has a factor at West 
Pullman, Illinois, for the manufacture of men's shoes. This business is 
known as the Phoenix Company, and was established in 1894. About 30 people 
are employed in the house at Wheeling, with 14 traveling representatives. 
The territory covered includes West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, and portions 
of Indiana, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. 



CHARLES SIMS TERRILL, a prominent farmer residing in Ohio county, West 
Virginia, was born in Licking county, Ohio, September 27, 1837, and 
received a limited common school education. He left home at a very early 
age and worked on the Hempfield Railroad, now the Baltimore & Ohio, at a 
salary of $4 per month, saving his wages for a couple of years. At the age 
of sixteen years he hired himself to a farmer for 10¢ a day, but was 
obliged to do a man's work. To slow the liberality of some of the farmers, 
one instance may be cited. He was hired at 10¢ per day, and put beside a 
man who received 50¢ per day for doing exactly the same work. At night the 
old farmer, in a mood of generosity, called him aside and informed him 
that he was to receive 12 1/2 cents for that day's labor, but cautioned 
him to say nothing to the others, for all of which Mr. Terrill thanked him 
Having saved enough money, he moved west to Illinois, in 1837, and went 
into the grocery business with an older man. Their business flourished 
until his partner had the misfortune to lose his wife, when he decided to 
sell out. As Mr. Terrill could not buy the outstanding interest, he had 
the choice of taking in a new partner or of joining his old partner in 
disposing of the whole business. Mr. Terrill choosing the latter course, 
as he did not like the appearance of the Irish friend who wished to become 
his partner, they sold the business outright to the Irishman, receiving a 
part of the consideration down, the remainer to be paid at a future date. 
They returned to Virginia, and when the payment became due they found the 
purchaser had crossed the plains with the stock and defrauded them, and 
thus ended the first business experience of Mr. Terrill. He was then 
employed in Frazier's mills for almost two years. Getting married about 
this time, he rented the farm of his wife's mother, on which he lived from 
1858 until 1881. In the meantime, he purchased a farm of 205 acres, which 
he owns at the present time. He purchased a farm of 26 acres, a half-mile 
from Triadelphia, on which he improved the home, making it a large, 10-
room house, in which he now lives. In 1896 the firm of Atkinson & Terrill 
was formed, and the Cruger flouring mill at Elm Grove was purchased, which 
mill was built in 1820, and has since been grinding flour for the 
neighborhood. The mill was placed in charge of Arthur M. Terrill, son of 
the subject hereof, who is doing merchant and exchange work, running the 
mill at almost its full capacity of 120 barrels per day, and making a 
blend of flour known as "A and T", straight and patent. 

Mr. Terrill was first married, November 2, 1858, to Eliza Marling, who 
lived but four months. On July 4, 1861, he was united in marriage with 
Cillann Marling, a daughter of Sam and Mary Marling, and they became the 
parents of four children, namely; Arthur M.; Charles S.; Mary B.; and John 
S. Arthur M., born April 27, 1862, is in the mill business as before 
mentioned. Charles S., born July 26, 1865, received a medical education 
and took a trip to Persia to complete it. After two years in Persia he 
returned and accepted a position as physician to a mission in China. He 
was there during the Boxer uprising, and was driven by them into Japan, 
thus escaping to this country. His health had given way, and he lived but 
a few days after returning home, his death occurring October 22, 1900. 
Mary B., the third child born to her parents, was graduated from the 
female college at Wheeling, and is now teaching in the Triadelphia 
schools. John S., the youngest child, died at the age of one year. Mrs. 
Terrill was an invalid for many years and finally succumbed to an attack 
of la grippe, January 16, 1901. She was beloved by all who knew her, but 
especially mourned by her husband and children, to whom she had been a 
faithful wife and loving mother. 

Charles S. Terrill is a son of Daniel Terrill, whose father was also named 
Daniel. Daniel, the father of Charles S., a successful merchant, was born 
in this country, and died in Cedar country, Iowa, in 1853. The grandfather 
came from New Jersey and bought a large tract of land in Ohio county, on 
which he lived until his death. Daniel Terrill, Jr. married Mary 
Vermillion, who was born in this country, and died in 1840. One of their 
sons, John, lost his life in the Union army, his health having given way 
from constant exposure; he is buried in Baltimore. Another son, William, 
was an engineer by trade,--he enlisted in the 39th Reg., Ill. Vol. Inf., 
was discharged for disability, and died at the home of his brother, 
Charles S., in 1864. The subject of this sketch has been a member of the 
Presbyterian church at Elm Grove for more than forty years. He is a 
Democrat in politics, and a member of the broad of education of his 
district. He was a justice of the peace for twelve years, and in 1891 was 
appointed by the state to revalue the real estate of Ohio county. He has 
been a member of the board of health for the past fifteen years, and was 
made a notary public by Governor Matthew thirty years ago. 



WILLIAM TIERNAN. This gentleman is superintendent of the great tobacco 
concern of Bloch Brothers, which is well known all over the United States. 
Mr. Tiernan is a highly esteemed resident of Wheeling, where he was born 
May 17, 1857. He is son of Miles J. and Sophia (Bickle) Tiernan. 

Miles J. Teirnan, the father of our subject, was born and reared at 
Brownsville, Pennsylvania, and located in Wheeling in 1830. He was a 
contractor and builder by occupation, following this business for a number 
of years. Later in life he engaged in other occupations until his 
retirement in 1880. He died in 1885. He married Sophia Bickle, who removed 
from Reading, Pennsylvania, to Wheeling in 1845. She died in 1861. Her 
sister, Mrs. Mary Lukens, is well known in Wheeling. Her brother, Jacob 
Bickle, deceased, was also a well known resident of Wheeling; two of his 
sons live in Pittsburgh,--one is a cashier of the Bank of Pittsburg and 
the other is cashier of the Commercial National Bank. 

W. M. Tiernan was educated in the public schools of Wheeling, and at the 
age of sixteen years entered the employ of the S.S. Bloch & Company. He 
has worked in every department of this immense tobacco concern and has a 
thorough knowledge of the business. In 1887 he became superintendent of 
the company, and since that time has had charge of the manufacturing part 
of the business. 

Mr. Tiernan married a daughter of Dr. H. H. Harrison, of Cadiz, Ohio. 
Politically, our subject is a Republican. He is a member of Wheeling 
Commandery, Knights Templar. He attends Presbyterian church. Mr. Tiernan 
formally lived at Leatherwood, but his home is now Echo Point. 



THE WARWICK CHINA COMPANY, of which Thomas Carr is president and general 
manager, is an establishment well known in the United States, and 
manufactures Warwick chinaware. The business was established in 1887 by J. 
R. McCourtney, Orville C. Dewey, C. J. Rawling, Albert Stifel and A. J. 
Cecil. The first president was J. R. McCourtney and the original board of 
directors included Orville C. Dewey, A. J. Cecil, Henry Stamm and A. J. 
Clark. The present board of directors consists of A. J. Clark, Orville C. 
Dewey, William M. List, David Gutman and Thomas Carr. 

The plant is located between Twenty-first and Twenty-second streets on 
Water street. The buildings for this industry were commenced in September, 
1887, and were ready for occupancy in May, 1888. There are three large 
buildings, one being three stories high and 120 feet square; another, four 
stories high and 50 by 100 feet in dimensions; and the third, four stories 
high, with dimensions of 45 by 100 feet. There are also three smaller 
buildings,--the first of one story and 60 by 100 feet in dimensions, 
another of two stories and 50 by 7 feet in size, and a third of one story 
and measuring 40 by 60 feet. The plant is devoted to the manufacture of 
Warwick chinaware, and turns out beautiful and artistic work. Since Mr. 
Carr became president and general manager, in 1892, the output has 
increased probably 100 per cent, and the number of employees has grown 
from 120 to 260. Only a high grade of goods is manufactured, and two 
traveling representatives, visit the larger cities of the United States. 

Mr. Carr is a native of New York City, and has spent thirty-one years in 
the pottery business. His father, James Carr, was a pioneer in the pottery 
business, and conducted a plant in New York City from 1852 until 1889, 
since which time he has lived in retirement. Thomas Carr and his family 
reside in a comfortable home on Fourteenth street in Wheeling. 



WHITE & WHITE. This firm of brokers, with offices in the National Exchange 
Bank Building, constitutes one of the most enterprising and substantial 
financial concerns of Wheeling. 

Though a comparatively recent addition to the multitudinous interests here 
represented, having been established in October, 1898, by the junior 
member, W. R. White, under the caption of W. R. White & Company. On April 
2, 1900, A. L. White, formerly city engineer for a number of years, 
resigned his position with the city to become an active member of this 
firm, and at that time the firm name was changed to White & White. 

The firm is the pioneer in its line in the city to devote its facilities 
exclusively to the brokerage business on all its details. The appointments 
of the offices of White & White are most complete in every way, having a 
private wire system with prompt and direct connection with all stock 
exchanges of prominent cities and affording to patrons the same facilities 
for the transaction of a general bond and stock brokerage business as are 
obtained in any of the larger cities of the United States. 

There is also maintained a separate bond department, at present under the 
able management of Robert R. Marshall, who also gives special attention to 
all local securities. This department was established in April, 1901. 

The sterling business methods employed by White & White would seem to 
predict a continuation of their deserved and well-earned success, a 
consummation materially strengthened by the courtesy and consideration 
evinced for patrons and employees in every department of their activity. 



MRS. MARGARET A. (WHITNAH) VAN METER, a highly respected resident of West 
Liberty, Ohio County, West Virginia, was born near Martinsburg, West 
Virginia, and is a daughter of John G. Whitnah. The latter was born near 
Martinsburg in 1787, and became a soldier in the War of 1812, after which 
he engaged in farming until his death, in 1854, at the age of sixty-seven 
years. His father, Henry Whitnah, was a soldier of the Revolution and a 
pioneer of New Jersey. He also followed farming and lived to reach the 
advanced age of ninety-two years, a man who enjoyed the respect and 
highest esteem of every one with whom he was acquainted. 

Margaret A. Whitnah was joined in marriage in March, 1845, with Vincent H. 
Van Meter, who was born on the old Van Meter homestead in Ohio County, in 
1817. He was the son of Joseph and Margaret Van Meter, and grandson of 
Abraham and Elizabeth (Burns) Van Meter. Elizabeth Burns was born in 
Scotland, where she belonged to a prominent family of that name, and came 
to America at an early day. Abraham Van Meter was born in Virginia, and 
fought in the Revolutionary War. Joseph Van Meter was born in Berkeley 
County, Virginia, and moved to the farm now owned by our subject in 1809. 
Vincent H. Van Meter, who had two brothers, Joseph and Robert, always 
lived on the old farm and in the house built by his father. The house is 
located on a rise of ground and commands an excellent view of the 
surrounding country. He engaged in agricultural pursuits, and made a 
specialty of raising fine horses and sheep. He also bought and sold cattle 
extensively. He was a man of estimable character and commanded the respect 
and admiration of his fellow men. He died April 24, 1901. Mrs. Van Meter 
resides on the old farm and has many intimate friends in her section of 
the county, in which she has lived for so many years. A pleasing feature 
of this old estate is an excellent orchard, which was planted more than a 
century ago, and still bears abundantly, many of the trees being from 18 
inches to two feet in diameter. 

Jan Gysbesten Van Meter, who founded the Van Metre (or Van Meter) family 
in this country, emigrated to New York in 1663 from Bommel, a city of 
Holland. Governor Gooch of Virginia gave a grant of 40,000 acres of land 
to two of his descendants, Jan (or John) Van Metre and Abraham Van Metre. 
Their descendants settled in Ohio County, West Virginia, and in Kentucky 
and Ohio. Of those settling in Ohio County, Joseph Van Metre, a great-
uncle of Vincent H., built Fort Van Metre. John Van Metre, his brother, 
took up the land where West Liberty now stands, and left a man in charge 
by the name of Black, who built the place known as Black's Cabin. Abraham 
Van Metre afterward owned the land where West Liberty is, and sold two 
acres to Ohio County for $20. Joseph Van Metre, father of Vincent H., had 
five brothers: Abisha, Josiah, Asahel, Abraham and Isaac, and three 
sisters: Ruth, Naomi and Elizabeth. Joseph Van Metre was killed or drowned 
in the Ohio River, when on his way to the Ohio side of the river to hunt; 
his gun was found in the river forty years later. 



WIRT W. WOOD, president of the W. W. Wood Company, proprietors of a large 
planing mill, and also extensively engaged in contracting work, in 
Wheeling, West Virginia, has been a resident of Wheeling since 1882. Mr. 
Wood was born in 1859, in the town of West Union, West Virginia, and is a 
son of James A. and Margaret A. (Pritchard) Wood. 

James A. Wood was born in the vicinity of Charlestown, near the Shenandoah 
Valley, and came as a young man to Harrison County West Virginia, where he 
lived until 1884, removing at that time to Wheeling, where his sons had 
located. He is by trade a finishing carpenter. He is now sixty-seven years 
old, while his wife is aged sixty-five years. They live at No. 56 Indiana 
street in Wheeling. Their children are: Wirt W.; J. L., of the W. W. Wood 
Company; E. J., an architect of Clarksburg, West Virginia; William H.; H. 
Walter; Frank A.; Hettie B., the wife of William Rohrbough, who is cashier 
of the Bank of Glenville, in Gilmer county, West Virginia; Charles A., who 
is secretary and treasurer of the W. W. Wood Company; Irvin T., who is 
occupying a clerical position with the Wheeling Corrugating Company; Fred 
B., who is bookkeeper in the Traders National Bank of Clarksburg, West 
Virginia; and Philip R., who is a carpenter by trade and lives in 
Wheeling. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Wood are all married and the sons 
are men of progressive habits. 

Wirt W. Wood, whose name opens these lines, clerked in a store in Harrison 
county, West Virginia, for four years. He then taught school for some 
time, after which he engaged in his present line of business. He settled 
in Wheeling in 1882, and three years later, in partnership with his 
brother, engaged in contracting work, and continued at this until 1890. 
The firm name was then Wood Brothers. They purchased the Alhambra skating 
rink, which they provided with machinery and conducted as a planing mill 
until 1890. The firm name at that period was the Wood Brothers Planing 
Mill company. The present firm style is the W. W. Wood Company, and the 
three Wood brothers who came to Wheeling together are associated in 
business,--Wirt W., J. L. and E. J. This firm was incorporated in 1892,--
the organizers being Theodore Wagner, Alec Bebout and the three Wood 
brothers. Wirt W. Wood is president of the concern and Charles A. Wood is 
secretary and treasurer. 

In 1893 the present plant on the corner of Thirty-third and Chapline 
streets was built. The building is of brick and is 105 feet square and 
three stories high. There planing work of all kinds is done and house 
finishing goods of all descriptions and manufactured, such as mantels, bar 
and office fixtures, etc. These articles are made from all the native 
woods,--including white and yellow pine, oak, poplar, maple, cherry and 
walnut. About 35 skilled bench and machine men are employed in the 
factory, and a large force is employed outside, as a general contracting 
business is also carried on by this enterprising firm. A spacious office 
in the front of the building is divided into three departments. altogether 
from 60 to 75 men are employed. The entire plant is wonderfully conducted, 
and all the machinery is modern and up-to-date. 

Mr. Wood married Lizzie Cost, of Clarksburg. She was born in Fauquier 
county, Virginia, not far distant from Washington, D.C., and was reared 
in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Wood, whose names are: Genevieve Claire; Henry Paull; and Howard. 
Politically, Mr. Wood is a Democrat. Fraternally, he is a member of the 
A.O.U.W. and the B.P.O.E. Religiously, he favors the Episcopal church, 
although his wife and other members of the family are Methodist. Mr. Wood 
has a very attractive home in Glendale, and numbers many warm fiends in 
Wheeling and its vicinity. His portrait is presented on a foregoing page. 



COL. ROBERT WHITE, one of the most brilliant lawyers ever produced by the 
state of West Virginia, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, was 
born at Romney, West Virginia, February 7, 1833, and comes of a 
distinguished line of ancestors. Colonel White is a lineal descendant of 
Robert White, a Scotch surgeon in the British navy, who married a daughter 
of John Hoge, near York, Pennsylvania. 

The Colonel's grandfather, also named Robert White, was a resident of 
Winchester, Virginia, and at the early age of seventeen years became an 
officer in the Colonial army during the American Revolution. He was 
seriously injured in the battle of Monmouth - a gunshot breaking one of 
his thigh bones. He also received a blow on the head from a musket in the 
hands of a Hessian soldier, the scar of which he carried through life. He 
was taken from the battlefield to his home at Winchester, where he was 
confined to his bed for two years, and during this time he took up the 
study of law. He was admitted to the bar and soon after was made judge of 
his district, and then judge of the General Court of Appeals of Virginia, 
a position he held until his death, at Winchester, in 1830. He married 
Arabella Baker, a daughter of John Baker, Sr., of Berkeley county, 
Virginia; her mother, Mrs. Judith (Wood) Baker, was a daughter of Peter 
and Susanna (Howard) Wood, and a granddaughter of Henry Howard, of Howard 
Hall, England, of the House of Norfolk. A brother of Robert White, 
Alexander White, was an eminent statesman of the Revolutionary period,--he 
was a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses at the same time with 
Patrick Henry, and tradition has it that the latter never cast a vote 
without first consulting Mr. White. He afterward served in the First and 
Second Congress of the United States, and was known as one of the most 
eloquent speakers of his day. 

John B. White, the father of the gentleman whose name heads these lines, 
was clerk of both the circuit and county courts of Hampshire county, then 
in Virginia (from which county Mineral county, West Virginia, was formed), 
from the time he reached his majority until his death at Richmond in 
October, 1862. He was a man of unimpeachable character, and of high 
standing in the section in which he lived. He married Frances A. Streit, a 
daughter of Christian Streit, a Lutheran minister and a friend and 
companion of General Muhlenberg of the Colonial army. Rev. Mr. Streit was 
pastor of a church in Winchester from the close of the Revolutionary War 
until 1830, in which year he died. Mrs. White died in 1867, having given 
birth to 12 children, among them Christian, who was a captain in the 
Confederate service, and since the war, clerk of the county court of 
Hampshire county, West Virginia; Alexander, who was a lieutenant in the 
Confederate army and died in 1884; and Henry, the youngest of the sons, 
who is living at Romney, West Virginia. 

Col. Robert White obtained his early education in the common schools of 
Virginia. He then served in the county clerk's office with his father 
about six years, after which he entered upon the study of law in the 
school conducted by Judge Brockenbrough, at Lexington, Virginia. He was 
admitted to the bar in 1854, and began practice at Romney. About one year 
before the beginning of the Civil War he became captain of a Virginia 
uniformed volunteer military company, and at the opening of that memorable 
conflict was ordered by the governor of Virginia to report to "Stonewall" 
Jackson at Harper's Ferry. He served with ability throughout the war, and 
was promoted to be major, then to the position of lieutenant-colonel, and 
finally to be colonel. He remained in the service until May 14, 1865, saw 
much hard service, and was in many of the most bloody combats that took 
place on Virginia soil. After the war he returned to Romney and owing to 
his father's death and the fact that he was the eldest of the family, 
virtually, became its head, and at once entered actively on the practice 
of his profession. He was associated in practice with John J. Jacob until 
the latter was elected governor. While residing at Romney, Colonel White 
commanded perhaps the largest practice ever had by any lawyer of that 
region of the state. He devoted his greatest efforts toward developing the 
beautiful South Branch Valley, which had been so desolated by the war. He 
prepared and secured the passage through the legislature of an act 
establishing the Institution for the Deaf, Dumb and Blind, of West 
Virginia, and through his earnest efforts this institution was located in 
his native town. He served as one of its directors for many years. He also 
projected the railroad connecting Romney with the Baltimore & Ohio 
Railroad, and was president of the local company for years. In 1876 
Colonel White was elected to the office of attorney general of West 
Virginia, and on April 1, 1877, removed to Wheeling, then the capital of 
the state. When the Colonel left his old home the respect and love of the 
Romney people for himself and family was made evident; people of all 
classes turned out with two brass bands to escort them to the suburbs of 
the town, where an address was delivered by one of the old citizens, and 
the family left their old home with the regrets of the people. Prior to 
the election of Colonel White to the office of attorney general, the 
railroads had never paid any taxes. He instituted proceedings to tax all 
the railroads in the state. The Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad Company 
obtained an injunction against the levying of the taxes and this led to a 
test case. Colonel White argued the case in the lower courts, and the 
Supreme Court of West Virginia sustained his views. The United States 
Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the Supreme Court of his state, and 
since that time the railroads have been compelled to pay thousands of 
dollars into the state treasury, thus greatly benefiting the people of the 
commonwealth and lessening their burdens. Another case during his 
incumbency of the office of attorney general serves to illustrate his 
utter fearlessness in the discharge of what he considered his duty. Elihu 
Gregg was convicted in the Circuit Court of Preston county of burning the 
court house and public records of the county, and also of burning the 
janitress, who was asleep in the building; Gregg was sentenced to death. 
After sentence he escaped to Greene county, Pennsylvania, where he was 
among his friends - his being a prominent family of that region. 
requisition was made by Governor Mathews, of West Virginia, and Colonel 
White, as attorney general, was requested to appear before Governor 
Hartranft, of Pennsylvania, and argue in favor of the extradition, He did 
so, with the result that Governor Hartranft issued an order to extradite. 
Gregg immediately obtained a writ of habeas corpus and was carried before 
the court of Greene county, presided over by Judge Wilson, then of Fayette 
county, Pennsylvania. Colonel White found an infuriated mob of Gregg's 
friends awaiting his appearance, and the air was full of threats of 
lynching for the attorney who dared to attempt the extradition of Gregg. 
The Colonel was informed of this by a friend, who advised him to leave 
town quietly at once. To this Colonel White replied he had a duty to 
perform, and would perform it if it were the will of a higher power, and 
if not he could but die in the attempt for right and justice. Accordingly 
he made his way to the court house and by a few well-chosen remarks 
secured the attention of the crowd. Then in his masterly way he depicted 
the awful crime of a miscreant, and, warming to his subject, was on his 
feet five hours and twenty minutes, the result being that the prisoner was 
extradited. Another case of particular importance was the test case of 
Kitzmiller vs. Williams, involving Confederate soldiers' belligerent 
rights, which, on the appeal from the Supreme Court of West Virginia, 
Colonel White argued before the United States Supreme Court and secured a 
favorable verdict. Hundreds of similar cases had been fought, but not 
until this time were the rights of Confederate soldiers recognized. 
Colonel White declined to accept a re-election as attorney general, but 
has since been twice elected to the state legislature, first in 1885 and 
again in 1891. He was an able, incorruptible and active legislator, and 
during both sessions was chairman of the finance committee and served on 
other important committees. The legislature of 1891 was one composed 
largely of members of the same political faith as Colonel White. These 
members signed and presented to the Colonel at the close of the session a 
testimonial such as perhaps no other official in public life ever received 
in this state, and one of which he may justly be proud. It is as follows: 

"Hon. Robert White. Sir:--Among the members of the Legislature of West 
Virginia there is a general desire to express to you in some formal way 
their appreciation of the great zeal, ability and untiring industry that 
have marked your course in the legislature this session. As chairman of 
the Finance Committee of the House, the duties incumbent upon you have 
been exceeding important and exacting, both in the committee room and on 
the floor of the House. In the performance of these duties you have been 
so zealous, industrious, painstaking and conservative as to attract the 
attention and win the respect and confidence of the entire legislature and 
to deserve the thanks and gratitude not only of your fellow members but of 
the people of the state at large. Permit us, therefore, to tender to you 
some expression of our appreciation of the benefit to the state derived 
from your earnest labors and to say that we all feel that you have fully 
deserved not only our commendation but a right to the gratitude and 
respect of your fellow citizens throughout the state of West Virginia." 

February 22, 1885, Colonel White was appointed by the governor of West 
Virginia to represent the state at the dedication of the Washington 
Monument at Washington, D.C., and on that day acted as one of the 
assistants to the grand marshal. He acted as grand marshal on the occasion 
of Admiral Dewey's visit to Wheeling, February 22, 1900, and was 
remembered by the Admiral, who subsequently sent the Colonel his picture 
with his compliments and signature at the top. He has filled the office of 
city solicitor two terms, and for many years was one of the counsel for 
the B & O Railroad Company. He has had charge of some of the most 
important cases that have ever come up for trial before the courts of the 
state. 

Colonel White was married in 1859 to Ellen E. Vass, a daughter of J. C. 
Vass, an official of the old Bank of Virginia, in Richmond. They had six 
children, only one of whom is living,--Catherine, wife of Chiles M. 
Ferrell, of Richmond. The others were: James C., who died in infancy; 
Robert, who died after the war; Marshall V., a business man of 
Philadelphia, who died in 1894, at the age of twenty-seven years; and 
Nellie, who died at the age of fourteen years. Colonel White and his wife 
reside at their comfortable home at No. 125 Fourteenth street. He has long 
been a ruling elder of the First Presbyterian church of Wheeling, and 
represented the presbytery at the centennial session of the general 
assembly at Philadelphia. From early manhood he has been a Mason, and has 
been grand master of West Virginia. On December 14, 1899, the one 
hundredth anniversary of the burial of George Washington, the Masonic 
fraternity of the world gathered at Mount Vernon, and the services held at 
Washington's death, one hundred years before, were as nearly as possible 
reproduced. Colonel White had command on that occasion and stood by the 
side of President McKinley during the latter's speech. Politically he has 
always been a Democrat. Of more recent years the Colonel has achieved note 
as a lecturer. One of his lectures, entitled "The Old Foundation Stands," 
was prepared and delivered in reply to the attack upon the Old Testament 
by Colonel Ingersoll in his lecture,--"The Foundation of Faith." Colonel 
White has a number of times and in different states delivered this lecture 
and has hundreds of testimonials from public men and the press. The summer 
of 1900 was spent by the Colonel in Europe. He visited the village of Ober-
Amergan and prepared an unsurpassed lecture on the "Passion Play of Ober-
Ammergau," which is well received wherever presented.