History of Wheeling City and Ohio Co. WV - Biographries-5



JOHN GARDNER, a well-known citizen of West Liberty, Ohio county, West 
Virginia, successfully conducts the blacksmith shop established by his 
father at an early day. He was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 
July, 1839, and is a son of Samuel Gardner, Sr. 

Samuel Gardner, Sr., was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1815, 
and was a blacksmith by trade. He followed this occupation until his 
death, in July, 1892, at the age of seventy-seven years. He formed a 
marital union with Jane Noah, a daughter of Peter Noah, who was a pioneer 
of Pennsylvania, and died at a ripe old age, in 1849. The following 
children blessed this union: Rebecca, who married Edward Gardner; John; 
Melinda, wife of John Snyder, who lives at Allegheny City, Pennsylvania; 
Margaret, wife of Frank Adams, a blacksmith; Nancy, who married A. R. 
Caldwell, a successful farmer, residing near West Liberty; Martha, who is 
unmarried; Eliza, who married William Durbin, and died at the age of 
thirty-seven years; Peter N., a blacksmith, of Washington county, 
Pennsylvania; and Samuel, a civil engineer residing near Pittsburg. Samuel 
Gardner, Sr., formed a second union, wedding Margaret Seese, and they had 
five children, namely: Molly; Georgette; McClennan; William and Harry. 

John Gardner learned the trade of a blacksmith at an early day in the shop 
of his father, and at the age of nineteen years started out for himself, 
having removed to Brooke county, West Virginia. He remained there until 
after he attained his majority, and then followed his trade in Florence, 
Pennsylvania, and other small towns until 1862. He returned to his 
father's employ in Ohio county, West Virginia, and in August, 1862, took 
up arms in defense of his country. He enlisted in a company of cavalry, 
whose duty it became to keep down the Confederates throughout the state, 
during the following eighteen months. They were in the saddle most of the 
time during that period, hunting bushwhackers, and saw much hard fighting. 
In 1864 they were formed into a regiment commanded by Colonel Higgins, 
Lieutenant-Colonel Greenfield, Major Works, Major Trixwell, and Adjutant 
Schemburg, and were known as the 22nd Reg., Pa. Vol. Cav. They were in 
many battles, including Sucker Gap, Hernstown, Martinsburg, Moorefield, 
Bunkerfield, Martinsville and several others. With four brigades, his 
regiment fought in the battle of Winchester when General Sheridan made his 
famous ride of 20 miles, and turned the tide of defeat into victory. By 
request, the company was then sent back to their old stamping ground to 
keep down the Confederate bushwhackers, and the fighting continued until 
the close of the war. Upon receiving an honorable discharge, in 1865, Mr. 
Gardner returned home and worked at West Liberty with his father until the 
death of the latter, since which time he has conducted is father's shop at 
West Liberty in a highly successful manner. 

November 1, 1860, John Gardner was joined in matrimony with Keziah 
Cunningham, a daughter of John Cunningham, who was born in Washington 
county, Pennsylvania. Her father, John, was a plasterer by trade, and died 
at the age of seventy-six years. Her grandfather, William Cunningham, who 
was a wholesale dry goods merchant of Philadelphia, died at the age of 
eighty-one years. The latter married Jane Frazer, whose parents came from 
Inverness, Scotland. John Gardner and his wife are parents of the 
following children: John Frazer, born April 22, 1862, who graduated from 
the West Liberty State Normal School in 1878, and then engaged in teaching 
for a time, and when he died, at the age of thirty-two years, was a 
traveling salesman; Samuel S., born November 17, 1864, who learned the 
trade of a blacksmith, but is now on the Pittsburg Dispatch; Alberta, born 
August 3, 1866, who died June 16, 1868; and Ada L., born May 27, 1868, who 
graduated from the West Liberty State Normal School with the class of 
1885, has since been a successful teacher, and is now principal instructor 
in the schools of West Liberty; Mary Emma, born February 3, 1870, who 
graduated from the West Liberty State Normal School in 1889 and was a 
teacher until her death, May 7, 1893; Frances J., born January 14, 1875, 
who graduated from the West Liberty State Normal School in 1894, and was 
married, in 1898, to H. E. Dunlap, a patent attorney of Wheeling; Nellie, 
born December 15, 1879, who attends the West Liberty State Normal School; 
and Mabel, born December 25, 1881, who also attends the same school. Ada 
L. was appointed by the state as a member of the board to examine text 
books to be used in the schools. Mr. Gardner was ordained an elder of the 
Presbyterian church of West Liberty, May 5, 1901, and has been a member of 
this church since 1873. He is a Republican in politics, and has served as 
justice of the peace since 1889. He was school commissioner two terms, and 
was appointed by the state as a member of the executive board for the West 
Liberty State Normal School. Fraternally he is a member of the West 
Liberty Lodge No., 26, A.F. & A.M. 



RICHARD V. GREEN, manager of and stockholder in, the Cooperative Stove 
Company, of Wheeling, West Virginia, is one of the city's most 
substantial, enterprising, and public spirited citizens. He is a native of 
Pittsburg, and is a son of Richard and Bridget (Smith) Green, both of whom 
were natives of Ireland. 

Richard Green was a prosperous farmer and died in 1864, aged fifty-eight 
years. His wife died in 1869, aged sixty years. They had five children, 
namely: Mary, Helen, Jennie, Katherine, and Richard V. 

Richard V. Green first attended the district schools of Ohio county. He 
went to Wheeling in 1854, when but a child, with his parents. After 
finishing his studies in the district schools, he entered the old St. 
Vincent College, of Wheeling, after which he commenced working at his 
trade, that of a stove molder in Sweeney's foundry. He found employment in 
many different foundries in the city, but worked principally in Fisher's 
stove foundry. By his diligence he became an expert at his trade, and soon 
entered the Cooperative Stove Company, as a partner and as general 
manager. The company manufactures stoves that have become so popular that 
it has too many new orders, and cannot meet the demand. 

Mr. Green was joined in hymeneal bonds, in 1875, with Mary E. Foose, a 
native of Wheeling, who died at the age of thirty-two years. Two children 
blessed this union, Edna, deceased; and Elmer. The family are devout 
members of the Catholic church. 

In politics Mr. Green is a Democrat. Fraternally he is a member of the 
A.O.U.W. He has ever fulfilled the obligations of a dutiful citizen, and 
is held in high esteem by a large circle of acquaintances. 



GEORGE SCHRAMM, a manufacturer of harness and collars at No. 1043 Market 
street, Wheeling, West Virginia, whose portrait is herewith shown, carries 
on a most successful trade and has been in business for himself since 
1899. He was born in Germany, October 16, 1872, and is a son of William 
and Margaret Schramm. 

William Schramm was born in Germany in 1830, and was a carpenter by trade. 
In the latter part of his life he also engaged in the wholesale produce 
business. He died in 1886. His wife was born in 1829 in Germany, where she 
is still living with her daughter Maria. They had 12 children, of whom 
five are still living, namely: Charlotte, who is the wife of Henry Fischer 
and lives in Germany; Daniel, who also lives in Germany; Maria, who 
married Henry Schultheis and is now a widow; Andrew A., engaged in saloon 
business in Wheeling; and George, the subject of this biography. 

George Schramm's early life was spent in attending public school, and 
later the military school at Biebrich-on-the-Rhine. In 1893 he came to the 
United States, and proceeded to Wheeling, where he worked for his brother, 
Andrew A., in making harness. In May, 1898, he left Wheeling for St. 
Clairsville, Ohio, where he opened up a harness shop, but remained one 
year only, when he returned to Wheeling, bought out his brother's 
business, and has since continued in it. 

Mr. Schramm was united in marriage September 29, 1897, with Elizabeth 
Schafer, a daughter of John and Wilhelmina Schafer. She was born at 
Bridgeport, Ohio, August 9, 1877, and they have one child, John, who was 
born November 24, 1898. They are both devoted to St. John's German 
Independent Protestant church, of which they are members. Mr. Schramm also 
belongs to the German Beneficial Union and the Beethoven Singing Society, 
and is also a member of the executive committee of the state organization 
of the German Societies. In politics he interests himself in the welfare 
of the Republican party. In all his dealings Mr. Schramm has been honest, 
industrious, upright and temperate, and enjoys the esteem and respect that 
is justly his due. 



PROF. W. L. McCOWAN, a gentleman who has attained considerable prominence 
in educational work, is principal of the West Liberty State Normal School. 
He was born at Moss Run, Ohio, December 13, 1867, and is a son of Isaac 
and Mary R. (Dye) McCowan. 

The McCowan family was established in America by Thomas McCowan, a weaver, 
who came from Duncannon, County Tyrone, Ireland. He married Isabella 
Beatty, and they became the parents of three children, namely: Thomas, 
William, and Alexander. William McCowan was the great-grandfather of W. L, 
and by his first wife, Mary, had a son, Thomas. he formed a second union, 
December 1, 1814, wedding Hannah L. Viquers, by whom he had the following 
children: William L.; Elizabeth born October 16, 1816; James, born March 
16, 1818; Joseph, born June 22, 1822; Margaret, born August 9, 1824; and 
Nelson, born in March, 1827. William L., grandfather of W. L., was born 
October 19, 1818, and died in 1890. He married Cynthia Matthews, and they 
reared the following children: Isaac; Minerva; Nancy; Harriet; William; 
and Edward. Isaac McCowan, the oldest son, was born in 1847. In 1866 he 
married Mary R. Dye, a daughter of Ezekiel and Betsey Dye, and they became 
parents of five children, of whom W. L. is the eldest. 

Prof. W. L. McCowan attended the district schools of his native township 
up to the age of fifteen years, at which time he was sent to the noted 
grammar school conducted by the late J. D. Phillips, at Harmar, Ohio. 
After spending two yeas there, he attended Marietta Academy, where he 
prepared himself for college. He acquired a college education by attending 
the fall and spring terms, and teaching in the district schools during the 
winter. The late M. P. Wells, a trustee of Marietta College, and a wealthy 
merchant of the town, became interested in young McCowan sufficiently to 
give him a scholarship. Aided in this way, he was enabled to graduate from 
the above named college, in the philosophical course, in June, 1891. In 
September of the same year, he accepted the principalship of the 
Ravenswood public schools, and during his incumbency of that office raised 
the standard of the Ravenswood High School, until it graduates were 
admitted without examination to the freshman class of West Virginia 
University. He served in that capacity for ten years, and resigned in 
July, 1901, to become principal of the West Liberty State Normal School. 
He is a gentleman of recognized ability, and is maintaining the standard 
which has characterized the work in previous years in this institution. 

The West Liberty State Normal School had its origin in a school of 
academic degree, the West Liberty Academy,--which was established under 
the laws of Virginia in 183_, the building was destroyed by fire in 18__, 
thereby crippling the school in the very beginning. But its friends were 
undaunted, and continued the work in private dwellings until 1857, when 
the generous patrons of education built, by private subscription, the 
older part of the present structure. In the following years the school was 
carried on with varying degrees of success until 1870, when the 
legislature was persuaded to accept the property for a nominal sum, and 
established a branch of the Normal School in the historic old town of West 
Liberty. The school began its work under new management, May 2, 1870, with 
F. H. Crago as principal, and A. J. Way as assistant, the latter being 
succeeded the following year by G. M. Flemming. Under judicious management 
of these teachers enrollment increased to 110 students, with a graduating 
class of 20, in 1873. Prof. J. E. Morrow became principal in 1873, and was 
assisted by Angeline Harding, Tillie Dunlap and Charles Kyle, Sr. There 
was a falling off in numbers within this period largely to the failure of 
the legislature to the necessary appropriations. In the two years of this 
administration, the attendance fell to 43. In 1875, Prof. J. C. Gwynn took 
charge of the school, which at this time numbered only 13 students. The 
good people of the community had pledged themselves to pay Prof. Gwynn's 
salary, but the legislature came to the rescue with an appropriation. His 
assistants were Tillie Dunlap, Mrs. Naomi Everett, and D. T. Williams. As 
the legislature failed to make an appropriation in 1879, Professor Gwynn 
resigned. In that year Rev. Robert M. McPheeter became principal, and 
during his administration the preparatory classes were taught by the 
seniors. The attendance, which had reached 70 in the last year of the 
previous administration, now fell to 43. Prof. D. T. Williams became 
principal in 1881, and served three years, the highest enrollment reached 
being 54. He was assisted by Mrs. Amelia Wendt. Prof. J. A. Cox was 
elected principal in 1884, and Mrs. Wendt was retained as assistant, the 
attendance showing a slight increase during this administration. In 1886, 
Prof. Robert A. Armstrong became principal and served for seven years 
being assisted by Mrs. Wendt, Callie Curtis, Minnie Shields, and Mary 
Brown. During his administration the attendance more than doubled, 
reaching 138, and the legislature appropriated money for a new building. 
Prof. J. N. Deahl was chosen principal in 1893, and for five yeas the 
school prospered under his guidance. The new building was completed and 
occupied in January, 1895, but was destroyed by fire in February, 1896. 
The school work was continued under the most adverse circumstances until 
May, 1898. The present accommodations were provided by building the new 
part and remodeling the old. The attendance reached 185. The assistants at 
different periods of this administration were,--Mrs. Wendt, Callie Curtis, 
Verona Maple, Rebcca Wilson, T. G. Guinn, S. S. Jacob and J. C. Shaw. In 
1898 Professor Deahl resigned and was succeeded by Hon. W. B. Curtright, 
who served one year, and was assisted by Callie Curtis, Agnes L. Harvey 
and Messrs. Shaw and Jacob. Prof. J. M. Skinner was the next incumbent of 
the office of principal, and was assisted by the Misses Curtis and 
Jefferson, and Messrs. Shaw, Jacob, Bowers, Fortney and Smith. After a 
very successful administration, he was succeeded in 1901 by Prof. W. L. 
McCowan 

On October 22, 1891, Professor McCowan was married to Minnie Hart, a 
daughter of the late Dr. Seth Hart, of Harmar, Ohio. To them have been 
born two daughters and one son. On April 12, 1899, Corinne, the eldest 
daughter, died at the age of six years. Fraternally, Professor McCowan is 
past master of Ashton Lodge, No. 12, A.F. & A.M.; and past chancellor of 
Othello Lodge, No. 51, K. of P. In his educational work, Professor McCowan 
has manifested a kindly disposition, but has maintained firm discipline 
and pursued systematic methods. He enters upon his new duties, knowing the 
responsibility resting upon him, yet determined to succeed. 



JAMES V. BRADEN, a well-known resident of Wheeling, Ohio county, West 
Virginia, is freight agent to the P. C. C. & St. L. Railroad Company. He 
was born in Coles county, Illinois, October 17, 1853, and is a son of John 
Braden and grandson of James Braden, a native of Green county, 
Pennsylvania. 

John Braden was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and followed 
farming throughout his entire life, dying February 13, 1897. He married 
Matilda Hanna, who was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and was a 
descendant of a distinguished family of this county. The Hanna family is 
of Scotch origin, the name at one time being spelled Hannay, and was 
established in the United States in 1764, by the great-great-grandfather 
of Marcus A. Hanna, who is a member of the United States Senate from Ohio. 
A family reunion was held at the old Hanna farm in Morris township, 
Washington county, Pennsylvania, at which were present 80 member of the 
family, representing four generations, many of whom met for the first time 
in many years. An Association of the family was perfected with James V. 
Braden as president; Hugh A. Day, secretary; and Dr. Hugh Hanna, 
historian. The latter compiled a history of the family, which is complete 
from the thirteenth century down to 1896. 

John Braden and his wife, Matilda (Hanna) Braden, became the parents of 
the following children: James Vance, the subject of this biography; 
Charles Oscar; and Della May. The daughter, Della May, with one of her 
children, was killed by a railroad train on July 25, 1888. It was a sad 
catastrophe, and a great shock to the family and their many friends. 

James V. Braden was one year old when his parents moved from Illinois to 
Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he was reared. He attended the 
public schools in that county, and then entered Waynesburg College, which 
he attended until 1872. He then taught school for three years after which 
he engaged in the railroad business, in the "seventies." He first worked 
on the Illinois Midland Railroad, and then on the Indianapolis & St. Louis 
Railroad, now a part of the "Big Four" line. He had charge of the 
telegraph office at Brownsville, Pennsylvania tow years, until 1876, when 
he became assistant station agent and telegraph operator on the 
Pennsylvania Railroad, at Washington, Pennsylvania. In 1882 he was 
promoted to the agency at Wheeling Junction, a position he held until 
1887, when he was made freight agent at Coshocton, Ohio. In 1890 he was 
made local freight agent of the P. C. C. & St. L. Railroad Company, at 
Wheeling, and has since served in that capacity in a most efficient 
manner. 

In 1878 Mr. Braden was united in marriage with Kate Swearer, who was born 
in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and they have two children: Earl, who is 
a member of the class of 1903, of Washington and Jefferson College; and 
Ethel M. After two years in Washington Female Seminary, the latter 
completed an academic course at Shelbyville, Kentucky. Upon the 
organization of the Vance Memorial Presbyterian church in the suburb of 
Woodsdale in 1897 Mr. Braden was elected a ruling elder, in which capacity 
he continues to serve. Politically he is an independent Democrat, and 
fraternally, a member of Bates Lodge, No. 33, A.F. & A.M. 



ROBERT D. CLINE, chief of the fire department of Wheeling, Ohio county, 
West Virginia, whose portrait is herewith shown, was first appointed to 
the important position in 1899 by the mayor and city council. The 
department under him has been conducted so well that his yearly 
reappointment has followed as a matter of course, especially since his 
executive ability has been shown throughout the whole department. Mr. 
Cline was born June 8, 1856. He is a son of W. W. and Rebecca M. (Deggs) 
Cline. 

W. W. Cline was born in Wheeling, and during his life was an expert 
blacksmith. He died at the age of seventy-nine years. Rebecca M. (Deggs) 
Cline was born in 1826, and was the daughter of Robert T. and Rebecca 
(Evans) Deggs. Her father was a saddler by trade, and owned and conducted 
one of the finest saddlery shops in Wheeling. His death took place at St. 
Louis, Missouri, at the advanced age of eighty-five years. The maternal 
grandmother of Robert D. Cline attained the age of eighty-one years. 

Mr. Cline's parents were married in 1843, and had 24 children, all of whom 
are deceased except Robert D. and two sisters. One sister married and left 
home, but the remaining sister and Robert D. still reside at the home 
place, the solace and comfort of the aged mother, who has been a devout 
member of the M. E. church since her childhood. Some time after their 
marriage Mr. Cline's parents purchased a family Bible, in which they 
placed the records of their marriage and of the birth of their children, 
and which they keep to-day as a family relic. Mr. Cline's mother also has 
a little chair, given to her by her father sixty-five years ago, when she 
was a child, which she also keeps as a relic. 

Mr. Cline's early years were spent in obtaining mental instruction in the 
Wheeling public schools, and at the age of seventeen years he began work 
as a railroad contractor, and continued at this for several years. At the 
age of twenty-seven he entered the fire department of the city of 
Wheeling, and has been interested in this work ever since, with the 
exception of a short time spent in the hotel business. 

Mr. Cline is a Republican, and has taken an active part in politics for 
several years. Fraternally, he is a charter member of Wheeling Lodge, No. 
114, K. of P.; Reliance Lodge, No. 18, A.O.U.W., and Lodge No. 28, 
B.P.O.E. In religious views he favors the M. E. church. He resides at No. 
1516 Jacob street. Mr. Cline is a man of studious habits, and has improved 
himself much by traveling. Each year he takes a vacation, spending it at 
different points of interest, and through these means he has become an 
accomplished conversationalist. 



FRED G. HAYNES. To Mr. Haynes the care of the sick represents an exact 
science, to be mastered only after years of diligent application and 
practical experience. In his capacity as superintendent of the Wheeling 
Branch of the Battle Creek Sanitarium he is enable to demonstrate his 
theories, which in all ways reflect vast credit upon this ambitious 
offshoot of one of the greatest healing institutions in America. He was 
born near Oxford, Michigan, May 23, 1867, and is a son of James H. Haynes, 
a native of New York State. The father, who is deceased, was a farmer 
during the greater part of his life, and in his young manhood married 
Augusta Arnold, who bore him five children, namely: Levi; Mary; Helen; 
Eugene; and Fred G. 

Until he was twenty-two years of age, Fred G. Haynes lived on the home 
farm, and diligently performed his share of the many duties which fall to 
the lot of the enterprising agriculturist and stock-raiser. To his 
maturing mind the boundary lines of the farm became more and more 
circumscribed, and broader fields seemed to present themselves in outside 
avenues of work. He therefore applied himself to learning the trade of a 
carriage-maker, and was thus successfully employed for four years. A keen 
appreciation of the suffering in the world inspired him to devote the 
future to an alleviation of the physical woes of humanity, and in 
conformity with this decision he entered Battle Creek Sanitarium in 1898, 
and took a two years' course. So highly were his services valued that on 
January 1, 1901, he was appointed to the superintendency of the Wheeling 
Branch, and since coming here, his skill, good judgment, and desire to 
please have already made him an important factor in hospital circles. 

In 1889 Mr. Haynes married Frances G. Fielding, who was born in Cedar 
Rapids, Iowa, in 1869. Of this union there are two children,--Neva M. and 
Kenneth Grant. In national politics, Mr. Haynes is a Republican, although 
he entertains liberal views regarding office holding. He is a member of 
the Seventh-Day Advent church. 



WHEELER H. BACHMAN. Prominent among the younger generation of men who are 
promoting the mercantile solidity of Wheeling, is Wheeler H. Bachman, of 
the firm of Isenberg & Bachman. The descendant of forefathers who achieved 
success in the occupations to which nature and inclination called them, he 
was born in Wheeling March 22, 1870, and is a son of William P. Bachman, 
for many years identified with the business activity of this city. 

William P. Bachman was born in Germany in 1838, and like many of the youth 
of the conservative provinces of the Fatherland came to an early 
realization of his surrounding limitations. Upon coming to America he 
located in Wheeling, and up to the time of his retirement from active 
life, in 1892, was engaged in the retail millinery business. He married 
Lucy Wheeler, who was born at Dudley, England, in 1846. Mrs. Bachman 
reared two children, Jessie M., who is the wife of George G. Ralston, of 
Martin's Ferry, Ohio; and Wheeler H. 

Wheeler H. Bachman attended the public schools of Wheeling, and received a 
business college course. His introduction to the world of business was as 
an employee of the dry goods house of Henry Jacobs & Company, with whom he 
remained for three years. Subsequently, he was for five years with the 
firm of Jacobs & Isenberg, as confidential bookkeeper; in 1895, he 
established the firm of Isenberg & Bachman, with the fortunes of which he 
has since been identified. The stock carried includes dry goods and 
specialties, and the trade is entirely wholesale. The upright business 
methods maintained by this firm give it a high standing in the community, 
and the members are representative os the most intelligent progress in the 
city. Mr. Bachman is a Republican, in national politics, but believes in 
voting for the best man, locally. He is identified with the Ancient Order 
of United Workmen, and is a member of the Bachelor's Club. In religious 
belief he is an Episcopalian. 



JAMES B. McKEE, an extensive jobber of domestic cigars, whose place of 
business is located at No. 1209 Market street, Wheeling, West Virginia, 
was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1863. He is a son of John McKee, 
who is engaged in the grocery business at No. 52 Eighteenth street. Our 
subject has a brother who is a bookkeeper at the Wheeling Pottery Company; 
another brother, who is secretary of the Y.M.C.A. of Richmond, Virginia; 
another brother, who is secretary of the Y.M.C.A. of Wilkesbarre, 
Pennsylvania; another brother, who is heavily interested in the coal 
business in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and another brother is with the 
Terminal Road at Wheeling; his sister, whose name is Mary, is living at 
home. 

James B. McKee, the subject of this sketch, began business for himself in 
1887. For eight years previous to that time he was a traveling 
representative for a wholesale grocery house in Wheeling. Mr. McKee is 
engaged in the wholesale cigar business, and his traveling representatives 
cover the state of West Virginia, most of Ohio and part of Pennsylvania. 
His business is a very successful one and Mr. McKee is the leading cigar 
jobber in the state. Mr. McKee married a daughter of George Paull, of the 
firm of Hubbard & Paull, wholesale grocers, who was for many years one of 
the most prominent business men in Wheeling. Mr. and Mrs. McKee have two 
children, Gertrude and Virginia. Mr. McKee is a Republican in politics and 
has never aspired to political perferment and has refused office several 
times. Fraternally he is a Mason,--a member of Bates Lodge, No. 33, A.F. & 
A.M.; Wheeling Union Chapter, No. 1, R.A.M.; past commander of Cyrene 
Commandery, No. 7, K. T.; past potentate of Osiris Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., 
of West Virginia; and a member of the Grand Commandery, Knight Templar, of 
the state of West Virginia. Mr. McKee is a trustee of the Second 
Presbyterian church of Wheeling and his home is on North Main street. 



HERMAN HESS, manager and one of the proprietors of the Hess, Lemmon & 
Company's wholesale and retail meat market, was born in Wheeling, April 
14, 1860, and is a son of Otto Hess, who was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, 
Germany, April 11, 1834. 

The elder Hess came to America with his parents when twelve years of age, 
and at landing at Baltimore proceeded at once to Wheeling, where, with his 
father Otto, he engaged in the meat business. At the death of Otto Hess 
his son, Otto, assumed charge of his business, and successfully conducted 
it until his retirement from active life. He is now a resident of Elm 
Grove. Twice married, his first wife was formerly Lizzie Weisgerber, who 
was born in Wheeling, and bore him four children. Herman is the only one 
living, of the offspring of the first marriage. By a later marriage, with 
Rachel Boger, there is also one child, Anna. 

In his younger days Herman Hess received an excellent educational 
training, and he has since added to his knowledge by constant reading and 
familiarizing himself with current events. He studied at the Fourth Ward 
public school and Frasher's Business College, and also at St. Vincent's 
College, from which he was graduated in 1880. Of an ambitious turn of 
mind, he thought to improve his prospect by journeying to Leadville, 
Colorado, when he was engaged in the meat business for eight years, and 
also took a hand at mining. Not fully realizing his expectations in the 
West he returned to Wheeling in 1892, and has since devoted himself 
exclusively to his present business. He is a Republican in politics, but 
has no aspirations for official recognition. In religion, he is connected 
with the German Lutheran church. Mr. Hess is highly esteemed in the 
business world of Wheeling, and is possessed of those solid and common-
sense traits which are bound to bring a fitting social and financial 
reward. 



RALPH WHITEHEAD, for the past ten years a fire insurance agent in 
Wheeling, West Virginia, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, is 
one of the essential men of his vicinity, and may be found at his office, 
room 8, in the Reilly Building. He is a son of Daniel and Anna (Wood) 
Whitehead, and was born at Staly Bridge, Cheshire, England, August 1, 
1851. 

Daniel Whitehead was born at Mount Pleasant, Lancashire, England, on 
January 6, 1828. He came to the United States and was known in Wheeling, 
where he settled, as a contractor of note and as a decorator on some of 
the most prominent buildings in the city. He died August 15, 1886. January 
6, 1850, he married Anna Wood, who was born in Yorkshire, England, July 9, 
1828, and died September 7, 1891. They had three children, one of whom 
died. The other two are Ralph, the subject of this sketch; and Mary H., 
who grew to maturity and married James W. Mc. Granahan, an extensive brick 
contractor and dealer. 

Ralph Whitehead came with his parents to the United States in March 1858, 
and located in Wheeling. He led quite and active business life as a 
contractor, and finally engaged in the fire insurance business ten years 
ago, which he continues to this day. He was married March 21, 1874, to 
Lavina Combs, a daughter of William and Chrissie Ann Combs; she was born 
October 9, 1856, and they have four children, namely: Mary Hannah; George 
C.; Edmond C.; and Estella. Mary Hannah is at home with her parents. 
George C. is a wholesale dealer in lumber at Wellsburg. Edmond C. works in 
his father's office. Estella was born in Wheeling, and will graduate from 
the high school with the class of 1902. The family favor St. Luke's 
Protestant Episcopal church. 

Mr. Whitehead is past master of Ohio Lodge, No. 1, A.F. & A.M. He is a 
member of the board of underwriters of Wheeling, West Virginia. 
Politically, he belongs to the Ohio county executive committee of the 
Republican party, of which he was chairman from 1884 to 1888. He was also 
honored as superintendent of letter carriers, to which position he was 
appointed in 1880, and which he held until 1883. He was afterward 
reappointed, in 1889, and served until 1891. 

Mr. Whitehead was struck in the eye, on January 16, 1891, by the spring 
from a letter box, from which he finally lost his sight. In all his 
dealings he is upright, and the many positions of importance which he has 
so satisfactorily filled in behalf of his city and county place him high 
among the accredited citizens of Wheeling. 



ADDISON ISRAEL, county assessor of the city district of Ohio county, West 
Virginia, has served in that capacity since 1896. Mr. Israel was born 
October 12, 1850, at Chester Hill, Morgan county, Ohio, of Quaker 
parentage. He is a son of David and Hannah (Kirby) Israel. 

David Israel's death occurred while serving in the army at the age of 
forty-two years. Mrs. Israel lived in Wheeling for five years, after which 
she went to Zanesville, Ohio, where she lived with a daughter until her 
death, in 1895, at the age of seventy-five years. Seven children were born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Israel, namely: Elwood, deceased, who was a cigarmaker; 
Addison; George, who is a coal miner at Zanesville, Ohio; Kirby, who is a 
cigarmaker at Washington Court House, Ohio; Elzy D., who is foreman at 
Pollack's cigar and stogie factory on Water street, Wheeling; Mrs. Abraham 
Harris, who died in 1892; and Mary (Dickerman), who lives at Zanesville, 
Ohio. 

Addison Israel lived in his native town of Chester Hill until he was 
twenty years old. He learned the trade of cigar making, and after locating 
in Wheeling in July, 1870, was employed by Mr. Pollack in his factory, 
making cigar and stogies. He then worked five or six years as a 
journeyman, after which he engaged in business for himself. For sixteen 
years he conducted business at the corner of Eoff and Sixteenth streets, 
and for two years was located on Main street. He employed two men, 
manufactured stogies, and did both a wholesale and retail business. Owing 
to his declining health, caused from close confinement, he closed out his 
business, and engage in politics. 

Mr. Israel was elected to the office of county assessor of the city 
district in 1896. He was re-elected in 1900. His territory includes 
Washington, Madison, Clay, Union, Centre and Webster districts. About six 
months of the year are required for actual assessing. It is the assessor's 
duty to attend to all state licenses on shows, brokers, billiard and 
bowling alleys, hotels and restaurants, as well as to liquor licenses. He 
looks after new dealers and makes out new licenses, giving an account of 
the same to the sheriff, and also reports to the state auditor, on January 
1 and July 1, every year. At the elections, Mr. Israel lists the voters in 
all the districts of the city. He keeps account of the dog taxes, also of 
the deaf, dumb and blind, records all births and deaths, and turns over a 
report of them to the county clerk. His book of records and accounts is 
sent to the state auditor. Mr. Israel has filled this position with much 
credit, and has worked faithfully and conscientiously. 

Mr. Israel was married at Wheeling to Sophia Knabe, a daughter of 
Frederick Knabe, who was a native of Germany, and came to this country 
when three years of age. Three children have blessed the union of Mr. and 
Mrs. Israel, namely: Louisa, who died in 1885; and Anna and Emma, who are 
at home. Mr. Israel is erecting a new home on York street, on the Island. 
In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of the A.O.U.W., and of 
Bates Lodge, No. 33, A.F. & A.M. He is a member of the English Evangelical 
Lutheran church, and represented the Pittsburg Lutheran Synod at Des 
Moines, Iowa, in June, 1901. He has been an elder and deacon in his church 
for several years, and is also one of the trustees. 



F. W. BAUMER COMPANY. A history of the successful career of the leading 
music house of the state. 

The foremost music house in this part of the Ohio Valley is that of the F. 
W. Baumer Company. It stands to-day as one of the most substantial and 
enterprising concerns in this country. Its history dates back to 1880, 
when it was first launched by J. B. Wilson and F. W. Baumer, under the 
firm name of Wilson & Baumer, and after three years, by dissolution of the 
partnership (J. B. Wilson retiring), it was then the name became F. W. 
Baumer. He continued to conduct the business until 1888, when the name of 
the company was again changed to F. W. Baumer & Company, by F. W. Baumer 
selling an interest in the business to J. W. Milligan, now of Bradford, 
Pennsylvania. This partnership existed for six years, ending in 1894 by J. 
W. Milligan retiring, and again leaving F. W. Baumer sole owner of the 
business, although he continued to conduct it under the name of F. W. 
Baumer & Company until 1897, when he organized a stock company and 
procured a charter under the name of the F. W. Baumer Company, which name 
and charter it still owns and under which it conducts business. 

In 1899 the capital stock was increased to $70,000, "all paid in," and the 
stock of F. W. Baumer was purchased by the present stockholders, and at 
the same time they purchased the stock of Milligan, Wilkin & Company,--a 
competing firm in the music business,--and consolidated the two interests 
under one management. The company at this time (1899), at its 
reorganization, selected as its board of directors, which is also the 
present board, H. M. Russell, W. A. Milligan, Curtis P. Brown, Jere A. 
Miller, and Howard Hazlett; on organizing, the board of directors selected 
H. M. Russell as president, W. A. Milligan, vice-president and manager, 
and Curtis P. Brown, secretary and treasurer. 

The F. W. Baumer Company makes a specialty of fine high-grade pianos, and 
handle such instruments as the "Steinway," "Knabe," "Krakauer," "Stultz & 
Bauer," and others of national reputation as the best made. With such a 
list of pianos and with the exceptional high reputation of the firm for 
honest and fair dealing, acquired through these many years of 
straightforward business methods, it is slight wonder that the F. W. 
Baumer Co. transacts the immense business in West Virginia and 
neighborhood states that it does. What has been an important feature of 
the firm's success recently, has been the new method adopted of selling 
pianos on a strictly ONE PRICE SYSTEM,--a step that took courage to 
attempt, as it has heretofore been considered impracticable by music 
house, but it has been a tremendous success, as is proven by the immense 
business transacted by this method,--the sales being nearly doubled, 
showing conclusively the merit of the plan. 

As an instance of the progressiveness of the house, the firm some time ago 
had a piano built for it by a manufacturing firm after ideas of its own, 
and which the F. W. Baumer Co. has put on the market under the name of the 
"Conservatory." This piano is built with a fine interior and rivals the 
best pianos on the market in this respect, but was incased in a plain but 
artistic case, permitting it to be made at a much lower cost than the 
ordinary highclass instrument. Purchasers were thus enabled to secure a 
high-grade piano at a minimum cost. As an evidence of the popularity 
achieved by the "Conservatory," it can be truthfully stated that the sales 
have been away beyond expectations, in fact being so large at times that 
the makers were unable to supply them as fast as desired. 

The F. W. Baumer Co. has during its career since 1880 shown marked 
enterprise and has at all times kept pace with the times and now is one of 
the most substantial business houses in the state. From a small beginning 
with three or four employees, it started the new century with about 30 
employees, and a business that is a great source of profit to its 
stockholders. It is safe to say that the firm will enjoy a continuation of 
the success it so rightly deserves by reason of honest business methods 
and courteous treatment of all. 

This may seem to the readers as a peculiar biography, but we give it to 
illustrate the great advancement of this part of the beautiful Ohio 
Valley, for as this house has advanced, so have many others, in this our 
ever hustling and busy Wheeling. 



JOHN H. HALL was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1828. He came to 
Wheeling, Virginia (now West Virginia), in 1840; in 1844 he went with 
Knote & Sanger to learn the saddlery business, and in 1850 he commenced 
business for himself in the line of his trade and continued as a 
manufacturer and dealer until 1897, when he retired from business. During 
the war he had extensive government contracts for the supplying of saddles 
and harness. 

In 1852 he married Irene Howell. Six children were born, four of whom are 
still living. They are: Laura, wife of Maj. C. A. Williams, 17th U. S. 
Infantry, now stationed in the Philippines; Ida, wife of A. G. Braden, 
attorney-at-law, Washington, Pennsylvania; Robert Edgar Hall, attorney-at-
saw, Chicago; and Walter H. Hall, secretary of the board of education, 
Wheeling, West Virginia. 

In politics Mr. Hall has always been a Democrat, and although residing in 
the third ward, which has always been strongly Republican, he represented 
his ward in the first branch of the city council for twenty years. He 
served eighteen years as a member of the water board, and twelve years as 
a member of the city board of education, of which body he was president 
for six years. He was also a member of the board of county commissioners 
for several terms. 

In the matter of removing the city water works to a point above the city, 
Mr. Hall was a pioneer. In speaking on this subject, Mr. Hall said: "No 
public act of my life do I look upon with more pride and satisfaction than 
my persistent and successful effort to remove the water works above the 
city, as it was attended by the greatest good to the people. In its former 
position it was below many of the sewers of the city, including the sewer 
from the Wheeling Hospital, and the water at the intake was contaminated 
with the germs of disease and, as a consequences, typhoid fever and 
kindred diseases were very prevalent in the city. These diseases are 
comparatively rare at this time. 

"The water board was composed of Mortimer Pollock, Henry Jones and myself. 
The city having no money for the purpose, the water board made an 
arrangement with the Holly Pump Company to furnish a new plant and pumps, 
and receive their pay for the same out of the surplus revenues obtained 
from the water rents of the city." 



DR. E. L. ARMBRECHT, a prominent member of the medical profession, is one 
of the most progressive citizens of Wheeling, West Virginia, and actively 
supports such measures and enterprises as are calculated to benefit the 
city. He also takes a deep interest in educational matters, and at the 
present time is a member of the board of education. He has established a 
prestige as a physician by the success with which he has met, and enjoys 
to a remarkable degree the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens. 
He was born in Wheeling, or rather in Ritchie town, now a part of 
Wheeling, November 16, 1869, and is a son of Louis and Henrietta (Meyer) 
Armbrecht. His mother still resides at the old home-place, at 3835 Jacob 
street. 

Louis Armbrecht was born August 6, 1825, in Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, and 
came to America about 1850, having previously learned the trade of a 
blacksmith. Because of poor health he went to the country, and for some 
time farmed in the employ of the father of Dr. J. T. Carter, with whom he 
became very intimate, as our subject is with the Doctor, who is one of the 
county physicians located at Triadelphia. From 1860 to 1890, Louis 
Armbrecht followed the business of a huckster, grocer, and provision 
dealer, and did much driving in the country. He was well-known for miles 
around, and was always called "Mr. Louie," as many never heard his 
surname. In 1855 he was united in marriage with Mrs. Hayes, nee Meyer, who 
was born November 22, 1829, and came to this country about 1846. Here 
first husband, Ernest Hayes, was drowned in the flood of 1852, leaving two 
sons, namely: Charles J., of Ramsey county, North Dakota; and Louis, of 
Belmont county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Armbrecht were married in the house 
built by Mr. Hayes in 1851. In 1891 Mr. Armbrecht sold out his business 
and retired form active pursuits. He was always a stanch Republican in 
politics, and was a member of the German Evangelical Lutheran church. He 
helped to establish the St. Paul's church in Wheeling, of which church 
society he was president. He and his wife reared seven children, as 
follows: henry; Augusta; Louisa (Thomas); William C., a druggist at No. 
3841 Jacob street, Wheeling; John H. and George, who died before arriving 
at maturity; and E. L. 

Dr. E. L. Armbrecht was graduated from the Ritchie school, and with the 
intention of becoming a druggist worked in the drug store of S. L. Brice. 
He then determined to prepare for the medical profession, took a course of 
one year at Western-Reserve University, at Cleveland, and afterward a two-
years' course in the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, where he 
graduated in Apil, 1892. He then engaged in practice at Benwood, in the 
fall of 1892, being associated a short time with Dr. Haskins. In 1895 he 
returned to his home in Wheeling, and had his office at No. 3833 Jacob 
street until recently, when he moved into his new offices,--a fine suite 
of rooms in a new building. 

Dr. Armbrecht was united in marriage with Clara M. Mason, who was born and 
reared in Wheeling, and is a daughter of John Mason, a pioneer and former 
nailer of this city. She has three half-sisters, namely: Mrs. Charles 
Held, Mrs. Herman Snyder, and Mrs. George Helfer, and also one brother, 
Harry Mason. This union has been blessed with three sons, namely: Edward 
C. M.; Robert J.; and Karl W. Politically the Doctor is a Republican, and 
for the past six years has been one of the five county physicians. He was 
appointed to fill the unexpired term of Fred Schaub on the city board of 
education, and was elected a member i 1900, for a term of two years. He is 
a member of the American Medical Association; the Medical Society of West 
Virginia; and the County Medical Society. he is a member of the Knights of 
Pythias, and is examining physician for Welcome Lodge, No. 6, A.O.U.W. He 
was reared in the Lutheran faith, and is a devoted member of that church. 



W. L. GLESSNER, one of the foremost business men of Ohio county, West 
Virginia, is president of the Laughlin Nail Company, a Wheeling 
corporation, with office and plant at Martin's Ferry, Ohio. This is a very 
extensive plant and is the largest cut-nail manufactory in the world, 
having had a wonderful growth from its inception, in 1878. Mr. Glessner is 
a native of Ohio, and is a son of Jacob and Mary Laughlin Glessner. 

Jacob Glessner was born ninety-two years ago at Somerset, Pennsylvania, 
and is now a resident of Zanesville, Ohio. He spent the major portion of 
his active life as editor and publisher of a newspaper, and in his later 
years was a manufacturer of news-paper. He married Mary Laughlin, who was 
a daughter of John Laughlin, an old resident of Wheeling. She died at the 
age of eighty-three years, having had three sons and one daughter, as 
follows: John, vice-president of the Champion Mower & Reaper Works, of 
Springfield, Ohio, but a resident of Chicago; George, secretary of that 
concern; W. L., the subject of this biographical record; and Jessie A., 
the youngest child and only daughter, who married Mr. Chanaller, a 
prominent attorney-at-law of Zanesville, Ohio, who died August 8, 1901. 
She now resides in Zanesville. 

W. L. Glessner has made his home in Wheeling since 1872, and has always 
been a power in business circles. For six years he was identified with the 
Benwood Iron Works. In 1878 the Laughlin Nail Company was organized and 
incorporated as a joint stock company, and Mr. Glessner served as its 
secretary from 1878 until 1885. Alexander Laughlin was the first 
president, and after his death, in 1885, was succeeded by Mr. Glessner. 
The plant has always been located at Martin's Ferry, Ohio. The company 
originally employed 150 men, but now employs about 600 workmen in the cut-
nail department, when in full operation. The nail factory has a capacity 
of 12,000 kegs per week. In 1899 an extensive shovel plant was added, 
manufacturing large shovels, with a capacity of 300 dozen per day. The 
shovels are made from the raw material, and at the present time from 200 
to 225 men are employed in this department. The sheet mill, its product 
being intended for conrugating, galvanizing and metal ceiling work is 
being rapidly pushed to completion, which when completed, will give 
employment to about 700 men. The buildings, with a floor space of from 
three to four acres, are constructed of brick and iron, and are 
practically fireproof. The grounds of the plant cover about 22 acres and 
the company also owns 300 acres of mining land, and mines its own coal. 
The total for of men to be employed upon the completion of the plant,--all 
Union labor,--will number about 1,500. The present secretary is F. Dixon, 
who has served in that capacity one year. In 1885, the Laughlin Nail 
Company erected a Bessemer steel works, which they built, and which is now 
the property of the United States Steel Corporation. Mr. Glessner is a 
member of the board of trade of Wheeling, and has lived in the city for 
many years. He recently erected a magnificent home in beautiful Pleasant 
Valley, where he resides with his wife and daughter. 

Mr. Glessner's first wife was a daughter of George R. Taylor, and is 
deceased. He formed a second union, wedding a granddaughter of Mr. Taylor, 
and they have one daughter, Mary. Politically Mr. Glessner has always been 
a Republican, and is a strictly temperate man. He is a member and trustee 
of the First Presbyterian church of Wheeling. 



G. R. C. ALLEN is one of the most successful lawyers of Wheeling, West 
Virginia, and is a member of the well-known firm of White & Allen. He was 
born at Morgantown, Monongalia county, West Virginia, in 1854, and is a 
son of G. R. C. Allen, Sr. 

G. R. C. Allen, Sr., was born in Wood county, West Virginia, and was also 
a member of the legal profession. He removed to Morgantown, West Virginia, 
where he lived until his death in 1856, at the age of fifty-three years. 
He married Delia M. Lowry, who was born and reared at Morgantown and died 
in 1876, at the age of sixty-five years. Three daughters and one son born 
to them lived to reach maturity, namely: Mary M., wife of John Wagner, who 
is cashier of the National Bank of West Virginia at Wheeling; Mrs. William 
P. Willey, whose husband is a professor in the law department of the West 
Virginia University; Delia, wife of Thomas R. Evans, of Morgantown, West 
Virginia; and G. R. C. Allen, the subject of this biographical record. 

G. R. C. Allen was reared and primarily educated at Morgantown, and upon 
leaving school taught for one term. He then entered the law department of 
the University of Virginia, from which he was graduated in 1878. He was 
examined for admission to the bar by the circuit judge of Wheeling and the 
judges of the Supreme Court of West Virginia, and admitted in the fall of 
1878. He immediately thereafter began to practice and continued alone 
until 1888, when he formed a partnership with Colonel White, a very strong 
and prominent legal combination which has since continued. Mr. Allen 
possesses all the qualifications of a good lawyer, and his career has been 
one of unbroken success. He has never been a candidate for office or 
sought political honors. 

Mr. Allen was joined in marriage with Annie V. Glass, a daughter of Andrew 
Glass. She was reared in Wheeling, and her mother now resides with her and 
her husband. The family home is at No. 42 Fifteenth street. Mr. and Mrs. 
Allen are members of the Fourth Street Methodist Episcopal church. 



CHRISTIAN HOFMANN, for many years a prominent meat dealer of Wheeling, 
West Virginia, is a highly respected citizen of Fulton, a suburb of the 
city. He was born in Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, November 15, 1827, and is 
a son of Conrad and Christina (Dickel) Hoffmann. 

Conrad Hoffman was born in 1788, and became an inkeeper, in connection 
with which he conducted a grocery and meat market. He died in 1861. He and 
his wife, who died in 1866, were parents of six children, of whom 
Christian, his oldest sister and youngest brother are now living. 
Christian Hofmann and an uncle, Frederick Dickel, were the only members of 
the family to come to America. The latter came to this country in 1833 and 
remained until 1837, when he returned home. He was married in Germany and 
brought his wife to America, where he died in 1841. 

Christian Hofmann assisted his father in business, and thus learned the 
trade of a butcher. He attended school and remained at home until after 
his marriage, when he was induced to come to America with John Zoeckler. 
They located at Fulton, West Virginia, in September, 1853. He worked for 
John Zoeckler for a period of one and a half years, and then started in 
business for himself at the Second Ward Market House. He remained in the 
same stall there until 1892, employing a large force of men and doing a 
very successful business. He then retired from active business cares, 
having sold his business to the firm of Hess, Lemmon & Company. He is well 
known in Wheeling and its vicinity, and has many friends. In 1854, he, 
with many others, was afflicted with the dreaded disease, cholera, and 
well remembers the burning of tar to prevent the spread of the pestilence 
at Fulton. In 1858 he purchased his present home, which was built by Mr. 
Robinson. 

August 28, 1853, Mr. Hofmann was united in marriage with Caroline Schenk, 
who died in 1887, leaving two children,--Emma and Veronica. Emma married 
Louis Orth and has two children,--Caroline and Edward. Edward married Mary 
Zimmerman and resides in Wheeling, where he is engaged as shipping clerk 
with Exley, Watkins & Company. Caroline is the wife of John E. Hamm, a 
contractor and builder, and has a daughter, Esther. Veronica married E. G. 
Krauter and has two children, Caroline and Minnie. Politically, Mr. 
Hofmann has always been a Democrat, and has served as councilman and as 
member of the school board many years. Fraternally, he has been a member 
of William Tell Encampment, No. 7, I.O.O.F., of Wheeling, since 1858. He 
is a Lutheran in religious faith, and has helped in the erection of 
several churches at Wheeling, the last of which was St. John's Lutheran 
church. 



GEORGE HOOK, one of the best known business men of Wheeling, West 
Virginia, is president and business manager of the Germania Half Dollar 
Savings Bank, at No. 1501 Market street, and is also secretary of the West 
Virginia Exposition & State Fair Association. He was born in Prussia, in 
1841, and is a son of Henry Hook. 

Henry Hook was engaged in the shoe business, during his active life, and 
died about twenty years ago. His widow died in 1899 having given birth to 
seven children,--most of whom are residents of Wheeling. 

George Hook was seven years of age when he accompanied his parents to this 
country in 1848. As a boy he attended the German Lutheran and public 
schools. Later he attended a business college in Wheeling, and was 
graduated in 1874. His first active business was as a carriage trimmer 
with the firm of Pfarr & Kammer, and a short time afterward, in 1867 or 
1868, he formed a partnership with Charles Schrader, and bought out the 
old firm. They continued in the business about ten years under the firm 
name of Hook & Schrader. During the year 1865, Mr. Hook served in the 
sheriff's office under Thomas J. Campbell, and was then elected assessor 
of the city district, and served two years. He was elected clerk of the 
County Court of Ohio county and served three terms, or a period of 
eighteen years, his incumbency terminating in 1896. He is a member of the 
board of trade. In 1881, he became secretary and treasurer of the West 
Virginia Exposition and State Fair Association, and has acceptably filled 
that office since, its duties requiring much of his time throughout the 
year, particularly in the fall months. 

Mr. Hook was united in marriage with Sophia A. Lutz, a daughter of 
Sebastian Lutz, and they have a daughter, Clara. He is a Democrat in 
politics, and in religious attachments a member of the German Evangelical 
Lutheran church. He resides in the seventh ward on the Island. 



GEORGE M. SNOOK, who has been engaged in the dry goods business since he 
was fifteen years of age, is at the head of the firm of George M. Snook & 
Company, which conducts one of the most complete wholesale and retail dry 
goods houses in the state of West Virginia. The business was established 
in 1884 by George Rentsch, Albert Wilkie and George M. Snook, and has 
since been conducted under the firm name of George M. Snook & Company. The 
present place of business is at No. 1110 Main street, but a new building 
is being completed which will include Nos. 1110, 1112 and 1114 Main 
street. No. 1114 of the new building will extend through to Market street, 
265 feet, and Nos. 1110 and 1112 will be 132 feet deep. The building being 
erected will have five stories and a basement, and will be supplied with 
steam heat and elevator power, electric light and the pneumatic tube 
system of cash carrier service, the only one at the present time in the 
city of Wheeling. The front of the building is of white enamel brick, and 
the main part is of structural iron work, filled with brick, making it a 
very substantial building and one of the best in the state. There are 
double show windows on the first and second floors, and a vestibule 
continuing to the third floor. At the present time about 80 people are 
employed, but this number will be increased to 125 or 150 when the new 
building is occupied. The firm bears an excellent reputation for the 
character of the goods handled, and has always done an extensive business. 
The first floor is well stocked with general merchandise, notions and dry 
goods; the second floor, with ladies' ready made goods; the third, with 
carpets, curtains and draperies; and the fourth with fancy and holiday 
goods. The reserve and duplicate stock is carried on the fifth floor, and 
the china and house furnishing goods are in the basement. The present 
members of the firm are George M. Snook, George Rentsch, Albert L. Wilkie, 
Thomas Carnahan, Jr., Remick P. Truxell, Louis Rentsch and H. D. Hervey,--
an array of business talent that would succeed in any venture. 

Mr. Snook was born in Martinsburg, West Virginia, and came to Wheleing in 
1876, entering the employ of Charles Brues as clerk. In 1880, he began 
clerking for George E. Stifel & Company, and continued until 1884, when 
his present business was established. His life work has been devoted to 
the dry goods business, and his knowledge of it in all its details, 
combines with a superior natural ability, has been the secret of his 
phenomenal success. 



JAMES DALLAS EWING, deceased, was a representative of an old and prominent 
family and a distinguished member of this chosen profession,--that of the 
law. 

The Ewing family was established in this country by James Ewing, some time 
between 1795 and 1797. He was a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Glenn) Ewing, 
both natives of Ireland, the former of whom was born on Lord Abercon's 
estate, County Tyrone. James Ewing was born in Ireland in 1771, and on 
coming to America settled on the eastern shore of Maryland. He was a 
lieutenant and subsequently a captain in the War of 1812. He removed at an 
early day to Ohio county, Virginia (now Marshall county, West Virginia), 
where he settled on a farm which he called "Fairhill" and which he 
established as a family homestead. His parents came here afterwards and 
spent the remainder of their lives, their graves on the farm being marked 
with a time-worn headstone. He was married to Elizabeth Wilson in Maryland 
and brought her with him to Virginia. By this marriage he had four sons 
and three daughters: Henry, James, William, John, Maria, Jane and 
Elizabeth. 

William Ewing was born on the homestead in 1810, and there resided as the 
owner of the property, until his death in 1861. He was married to Martha 
Martin, and left 10 children: James Dallas; William Wilson, who succeeded 
to the proprietorship of "Fairhill;" John Alexander, a prominent attorney 
of Moundsville; George Martin; Isaac Newton; Samuel H.; Susan Ann; Robert 
A.; Elizabeth W., who married Daniel Hartley and Mary, who married Alfred 
McCuskey. 

James Dallas Ewing was born on the homestead December 19, 1832, and there 
remained, attending and teaching school, until he reached his majority, 
when he began the study of law in the office of Wylie H. Oldham, one of 
the foremost lawyers of his time, and in 1858 was duly licensed and 
admitted. Locating in New Martinsville, Wetzel county, he there remained 
about seven years. Compelled to abandon the practice of his profession 
during the period of the Civil War, he engaged in mercantile pursuits, 
afterward spending two years in Kentucky. Deciding to return to West 
Virginia and to the practice of law, he selected Moundsville, in Marshall 
county, as his residence, where he at once acquired a large and 
remunerative business. In 1878 he removed to Wheeling, appearing before 
the different courts there held as well as those before which he had 
appeared in former years. He practiced alone for a time, but his clientage 
increasing, he associated others with himself, and was the head of 
different firms - Ewing & Riley; Ewing, Melvin & Riley; and Ewing, Melvin 
& Ewing, in the order named. His life closed on September 1, 1898, at his 
home at Leatherwood, east of the city. While residing at New Martinsville, 
he married Emma Anderson, a daughter of William Anderson, at one time 
sheriff of his county and a prominent and reputable citizen. By this 
marriage there were 10 children, eight of whom are living: Effie Estella, 
wife of John H. Holt, of Huntington; Emma Irene; James William; Robert 
Benton, who holds a responsible position with the Wheeling Corrugating 
Company; Daisy, wife of H. C. McMillen, of Huntington; Fred Anderson, who 
is also with the Wheeling Corrugating Company; and Ethel and Genevieve, 
who with the other unmarried children reside with their mother at the 
Leatherwood home. 

In his career as a lawyer Mr. Ewing took and held high place. He cared but 
little for politic honors, yet more than once was he pressed into service 
as a candidate for office by the political party with which he affiliated 
and was unsuccessful only because his party was not in the ascendancy. In 
the court-room and in the office he was alike successful. In close 
attention to the concerns of those who sought his aid, in earnestness and 
ability in presenting questions to court or jury, in foresight and 
sagacity, whether in giving counsel or in managing a cause, he was not 
excelled by any of his able colleagues at the bar. Devoted to family, 
friends and clients, public spirited in all general matters of pith and 
moment, and just in everything engaging his attention, his life was a 
useful one,--a model in more respects than one. 

James William Ewing, the oldest son, was born at Moundsville, October 25, 
1869, and the family removing to Wheeling, in 1879, he there attended the 
public schools and was graduated from Linsly Institute in the class of 
1887. During the following two years he received a business training in 
different capacities, and in February, 1890, was appointed and acted as 
private secretary to Governor Fleming, residing at the state capital, 
Charleston. He read law while thus serving and in the summer of 1893 took 
the examination and was admitted to the practice. In the fall of the same 
year he entered the University of Virginia, and in the spring of 1894 
returned to Wheeling, taking the place of the retiring junior member of 
the firm of which his father was then the head. Upon the father's death 
the survivors continued in business until September, 1899, when Judge 
Melvin went upon the Circuit Court bench; and since then Mr. Ewing has 
practice alone at No. 1400 Chapline street. He is still unmarried. In 
politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. He is a member of the 
college fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta, and is a past master of Wheeling 
Lodge, No. 5, A.F. & A.M. He has a well-established practice and a host of 
friends in and out of the profession and in all portions of the state. 



F. C. H. SCHWERTFEGER. Among the prominent and influential men of 
Wheeling, West Virginia, is the gentleman whose name appears above. He is 
a member of the firm of George E. Stifel & Company, dealers in general dry 
goods, and has been a resident of Wheeling since 1846. He was born in 
Germany in 1843, and is a son of Charles and Dorothy (Greenawald) 
Schwertfeger. 

Charles Schwertfeger, the father of our subject, was employed in the 
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad offices when the first trains were run through 
Wheeling, just prior to Mr. Ford's taking charge. He was employed in 
general work for this railroad company until he retired from active 
business duties, a few years previous to his death, which occurred in 
1859, at the age of forty-six years. His widow departed this life November 
3, 1901, at the age of eighty-eight years. He married Dorothy Greenawald 
and several children resulted from this union. Mrs. Henry Sherman lives in 
Wheeling; Mrs. Frederick Schwartz is a resident of Keokuk, Iowa; Mrs. 
Henry Kraft lives in Wheeling; and three sons, Charles, Henry and August, 
are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Schwertfeger first resided on the 
corner of Seventy and Market streets, Wheeling, for a period of three 
years, then lived at Twenty-second and Main streets. 

F. C. H. Schwertfeger was reared and educated in Wheeling. His first work 
was with Mr. Franzell in the hardware business. At the age of fourteen 
years he engaged in the hat, cap and trunk business with August 
Schwertfeger, and for two years they conducted their business at No. 1148 
Main street. During the following two and a half years he was employed in 
the hat store of Harper & Brothers, and afterward with Jacob Sensenny 
until the latter's death. Later, in company with George E. Stifel, he 
clerked for Henry Brues, and for two years was in partnership with Mr. 
Friedel in the queensware business. In 1878 he sold out his interest in 
the establishment to Mr. Friedel, and engaged with Mr. Stifel in the dry 
goods business under the firm name of George E. Stifel & Company. Mr. 
Schwertfeger is interested in different banks, also glass, iron and 
pottery industries. He has been identified with many enterprises, and his 
business career has been highly successful, all credit being due to his 
own perseverance and determination to succeed in whatever he undertook. 

Mr. Schwertfeger married Helena Pfarr, a daughter of John Pfarr, who was 
an early and prominent manufacturer of Wheeling. Our subject and his wife 
have three daughters, namely: Amelia, wife of Jason Stamp, who has a 
bicycle and gymnasium supply store,--they have two children, Fred and 
Sarah Elizabeth; Mollie is the wife of Charles Aul, who conducts a dyeing 
establishment on Market street, and they have two children, Katherine and 
Helena; and Mrs. W. E. Weiss, whose husband is general manager of the 
Neuralgyline Company of Wheeling. Mr. Schwertfeger lives at No. 64 
Virginia street in a house which he erected thirty-five years ago, it 
being one of the first built in that section of the city. He is a director 
in a great many prominent institutions of this city, and organized a great 
many industries himself. Religiously, he is a member of Zion's Evangelical 
Lutheran church. 



CHRISTIAN VIEWEG, JR., city agent for the German Fire Insurance Company, 
of Wheeling, West Virginia, was born in this city on October 23, 1856. He 
is a son of Christian and Doretta (Shafer) Vieweg, the former of whom is 
still living and enjoying the seclusion of a retired life. 

Christian Vieweg, Sr., was a native of Germany and was born March 2, 1824, 
in Saxe-Weimar. At the youthful age of seventeen years he came to the 
United States, located first at McKeesport, Pennsylvania, and thence went 
to St. Louis, Missouri. He was a miner by occupation, and at last arrived 
at Wheeling in 1849, where he remained permanently. His work was of 
various kinds, but he finally opened the Farmers' Home, a tavern, which he 
conducted in what is now known as South Wheeling, but was then called La 
Grange. This business proved a great success, and he continued in it for 
the following twenty-five years, meanwhile accumulating a sufficiency to 
enable him to retire from business at the end of that time. His residence 
is at No. 4408 Jacob street, a comfortable home, where he is living in 
peace and happiness. 

His wife, Doretta Shafer, was born in Hanover, Germany, August 18, 1824. 
She was a daughter of Frederick Shafer, and crossed the ocean with him in 
1848, thenceforth making her home in the United States. She was a resident 
of Wheeling, and died in 1878. She and her husband had eight children, of 
whom four are now living, as follows: Christian, Jr.; Fred, who is a 
successful groceryman of Wheeling; and Dora and Amelia, who are still at 
home. 

Christian Vieweg, Jr., was married in 1884, choosing for his wife Emma 
Bowers, a daughter of George and Matilda C. Bowers; she was born in 1860, 
and they have one child, George Bowers, the pride and pet of his fond 
parents. 

Mr. Vieweg is a member of the A.O.U.W. and the Shield of Honor, and also 
belongs to the Arion Association. He is considered a reliable citizen os 
his community and is liberal and kind among his neighbors and friends. 



JOSEPH DUDLEY. This gentleman, whose portrait is presented on the opposite 
page, has been a resident of Wheeling and its vicinity for half a century, 
and has been identified with the Riverside Iron Works since 1863. He is a 
son of William and Sarah (Round) Dudley. William Dudley died in his native 
country, England, in his eighty-fourth year. 

Joseph Dudley was born in Staffordshire, England, April 7, 1827. He 
learned his trade, that of engineer, with his father, and at the age of 
twenty-two years came to America. He first visited St. Louis, Pittsburg 
and several smaller cities, before he located in Wheeling, in 1851. He 
engaged in work at the Weshington Mill, where he remained for over two 
years, after which time he went to Benwood. There he ran the engine, 
driving machinery which cut the first nails, and rolled the first plate, 
in this plant. Mr. Dudley, Mr. Culverson and J. N. Vance are the only ones 
now living who assisted in the management of that plant. Mr. Dudley worked 
at Benwood nine years, and in 1864 became assistant to Superintendent O. 
C. Dewey, but returned to his trade of engineering in fifteen months. 
After the factory was built he was placed in charge of the nail-plate 
department, and retained that position until 1884. He has a gold-headed 
cane which was at that time presented to him by the employes. Mr. Dudley 
was next assigned to the other works at Benwood to look after the 
machinery. Shortly after this his health failed, and he was obliged to 
spend some time in retirement. He now spends about seven or eight hours at 
the plant each day, and is deeply interested in the business as in former 
years. 

Mr. Dudley was married at Benwood, in 1854, to Mary Thomas, who was born 
in Pottsville, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. She died in March, 1894, 
aged sixty years. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dudley, namely: 
Edgar W., who died at Benwood, aged ten months; Samuel, who was drowned at 
the age of nine years and ten months; Maggie Virginia, who died at the age 
of twenty-two years; William R., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in 
this volume; Eliza and Sarah A., both of whom are at home; John J., who is 
in charge of the Steubenville office of the Riverside Iron Works; and 
Joseph Edward, who is a member of the Schreiber & Mabis Company. 

In politics Mr. Dudley is a republican. He has been a member of the Third 
Presbyterian church for forty-eight years, and has been an elder and a 
trustee of that church for almost thirty years. He is one of the best 
known men in Wheeling and is held in high esteem by all who know him. 



VICTOR SAUVAGEOT is a retired barber and hairdresser of Wheeling, where he 
has lived since 1838. He worked at his trade until 1871, and retired 
altogether from business in 1877. He is a native of Belfort, France, and 
was born in 1816. In 1836 he came to the United States, and was located 
for two years in New York, working at his trade. At the end of that time 
he came to Wheeling, and has remained here ever since. 

He was engaged in manufacturing human hair goods and also carrying on the 
barber trade until 1877. Previous to this he took charge of a notion 
store, which business he handled until 1877. He also engaged in the 
grocery business in connection with his shop, but did not continue in it 
long. 

August 10, 1840, our subject was united in marriage with Catherine Ritz, a 
daughter of Valentine Ritz. She died at the age of thirty-seven years, in 
1857. They had a number of children, three of whom are still living,--
Annie, Mary, and James. 

Some time after the death of his first wife, Mr. Sauvageot married again; 
this time he was united with Barbara Raas, a daughter of Martin Raas, and 
of their children seven are living, as follows: William; Theodore; K.; 
Ella; Joseph; Albert; and George. Some time ago Mr. Sauvageot took a trip 
to France and brought back with him his nephew, August Matthews, together 
with is his niece, who is a daughter of Marshall Valliant, and her cousin, 
Mary Matthews. 

Mr. Sauvageot is an honorable member of the Alsace-Lorraine Society and 
the family are devout Catholics and attend service at St. Joseph's 
Cathedral. In politics he is a Democrat of decided opinions. Mr. Sauvageot 
is highly respected as one of Wheeling's oldest citizens and the manner in 
which he has served his city speaks well for his reputation for energy and 
ability. 



MRS. REBECCA KRAUS. Among the many esteemed citizens which have lived 
commendable lives in or about Wheeling, West Virginia, the name of Mrs. 
Rebecca Kraus must not be overlooked. She was born September 1, 1845, and 
is the widow of the late Samuel Kraus, who died in 1894, aged sixty-three 
years. 

Samuel Kraus was for many years recognized as one of the leading business 
men of Wheeling, having located in this city immediately after the close 
of the Civil War. He was first associated with his brother, in the 
clothing business, under the firm name of Kraus Brothers. Later the same 
business was carried on for some time by Kraus Brothers & Baer. In after 
years it was discontinued entirely. A new firm, Kraus & Company, was then 
organized, and conducted a successful wholesale liquor business up to the 
death of Mr. Kraus. In politics he was an active Republican and ranked 
among the members of the Masonic, Odd Fellows and G.A.R. organizations. He 
was particularly prominent in the latter, having an untarnished war 
record. He enlisted in the Union army at Cameron, West Virginia, as 2d 
lieutenant of Company B, 7th Reg., W.Va. Vol. Inf., and served valiantly 
throughout the Civil War. He received an honorable discharge at its close, 
having been promoted for courageous service to be 1st lieutenant and later 
to be captain of his company. He took part in some of the most important 
and decisive battles of the war, such as Gettysburg, Antietam, etc. During 
the latter engagement he was severely wounded and was sent to the 
hospital; as soon as convalescent he rejoined his regiment, and his 
enthusiasm in the cause infused activity into others. At the downfall of 
Richmond he entered that city with his regiment, and brought home with him 
the flag staff, with a remnant of the regimental flag. This is to-day in 
possession of our subject and is highly prized. Mr. Kraus also saw active 
service during the Mexican War, when he was two years in the marine corps. 

Mrs. Rebecca Kraus is a native of New Philadelphia, Ohio, and is the 
youngest daughter of Charles and Mary Weinrich. Her father was a native of 
Germany and came to the United States when a young man. He located in New 
Philadelphia, Ohio, where his marriage took place, but his latter years 
were spent in Wheeling, where he was a prominent merchant. He died when 
Mrs. Kraus was but eight years old. 

Mrs. Kraus' mother was also a native of New Philadelphia, Ohio. She had 
two daughters: Rebecca; and Carrie, who is now the wife of Solomon Kraus, 
a merchant of Wheeling. These two sisters were early left orphans, as 
their mother died when the younger was a mere infant, and was followed to 
the grave in a few years by the father. 

Rebecca was joined in marriage with Samuel Kraus in 1864. She has five 
daughters, all grown to maturity. They are: Clara; Nettie; Rose; Estelle; 
and Blanche. Clara married Solomon I. Schwarz, a manufacturer, of 
Cleveland, Ohio. Estella married ED. S. Hirsch, a merchant of Wheeling. 
The remaining daughters are at home. The family worship at the Jewish 
Synagogue on Eoff street, and take an active part in church affairs. Mrs. 
Kraus is an affectionate mother and is devotedly attached to all of her 
children. She is amiable and pleasing in character, and it is gratifying 
to know that she has many friends who regard her as a kind-hearted 
neighbor. 



HARRY A. HENDERSON, M.D., a progressive and skillful physician of 
Wheeling, West Virginia, is an esteemed and popular citizen who is rising 
rapidly to the summit of his profession. He was born in Peoria county, 
Illinois, August 20, 1870, and is a son of Thomas R. and Martha J. 
(Rickey) Henderson, natives of Pennsylvania. 

Thomas R. Henderson was born in 1832, and when a boy went to the prairies 
of Illinois, and there engaged in agricultural pursuits. He returned after 
some years to Pennsylvania, where he is still living in Greene county. He 
married Martha J. Rickey, born October 8, 1845, who is also still living. 
They reared four children, as follows: Estella, still living with her 
parents; Harry A.; James L., also at home; and Bertha, who married H. L. 
Erving, a farmer of note, in Greene county, Pennsylvania. 

When quite young the subject hereof attended public school at Grayville, 
Illinois, after which he went east and attended Waynesburg College, at 
Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, where he graduated, in 1893, with the degree of 
B. A. His education did not end with this, however, as he entered the 
Western University of Pennsylvania, at Pittsburg, having decided to make 
medicine his special study. In 1895 he took the state examination in West 
Virginia, and the following year, upon graduating from the university, he 
took the state examination of Pennsylvania. Directly after this he took a 
post-graduate course at the New York Polytechnic School in New York City, 
and began the practice of his profession September 1, 1896. He is located 
at No. 157 National Road, Fulton, and is enjoying an active practice. 

Dr. Henderson was joined in marriage with Bertha Heim, August 8, 1900. She 
is a daughter of Lewis and Sarah (Rhoades) Heim, and was born in Fulton, 
West Virginia, August 17, 1871. In politics, the Doctor is an active 
Republican. He is well read and takes a worthy pride in striving to become 
a master of his profession. 



E. C. EWING, who until recently was president of the Wheeling Corrugating 
Company, comes of a well-known family of this state. He was born in 1853, 
at Wheeling, and is a son of James M. and Mary (Lukens) Ewing. 

The ancestry of the Ewing family may be traced back to Henry and Elizabeth 
(Glenn) Ewing, both natives of Ireland. The former was born on Lord 
Albercorn's estate in County Tyrone. 

John Ewing, who was born in the North of Ireland in 1782, came to this 
country with his father between 1795 and 1797, and twelve years was 
located in Maryland, where he worked at the trade of cooper and carried on 
farming. He came to Wheeling in November, 1808, and took out 
naturalization papers while Moses W. Chapline was clerk of the Circuit 
Court. In 1812 he joined the state militia and went to the Maumee River, 
under General Harrison. Later he received a commission ensign in the 4th 
Regiment, which he retained several years. His brother, Capt. James Ewing, 
distinguished himself in the service during the War of 1812, and died in 
1836. 

James M. Ewing, father of E. C., was born in Wheeling, December 30, 1814, 
and first worked at book binding and job printing under J. Fisher & Son. 
After twelve or thirteen years he engaged in the same business with his 
brother, William, and in 1863 established prosperous business of his own 
at No. [missing] Twelfth street. He retired some years before his death, 
which occurred in October, 1889, at the age of seventy-five years. He was 
united in marriage in May, 1842, with Mary Luken second daughter of 
Abraham Lukens, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who is descended from the 
illustrious Penn family. She was born at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and 
died August 19, 1901, at the family home, No. 120 Fifteenth street, 
Wheeling. This union was blessed by the birth of four sons and one 
daughter, as follows: John H., who resides at the home place; Lukens, who 
died in infancy; William L., who is manager of the St. Louis department of 
the Wheeling Corrugating Company and resides at St. Louis; E. C., the 
youngest son; and Annie, who is single and resides at No. 120 Fifteenth 
street, Wheeling. Mr. Ewing was a member of the city council, board of 
education, and held other offices. He was a democrat in politics. 

E. C. Ewing attended the public schools, and later Linsly Institute, and 
began his business career with the Whitaker Iron Company in 1870. In 1890 
the Wheeling Corrugating Company was organized by the men interested in 
the Whitaker Iron Company, and Mr. Ewing became the president of the new 
concern. He served in that capacity until April, 1901, when he retired 
from active business life for the time being. He has resided at his 
present home at Leatherwood for the past eight years. 

Mr. Ewing was united in marriage with Margaret W. Bell, a daughter of 
Joseph Bell, and a native of Wheeling. Mr. Bell is eighty-one years of 
age, and has been a prominent business man of the city. Three sons were 
born of this union, namely: Joseph, who died at the age of nine years; 
Nelson J., aged fourteen years; and Wylie B., aged eleven years. 
Politically, Mr. Ewing is a Republican, but has never accepted office. 
Religiously, he favors the Episcopal church, although reared a 
Presbyterian. 



CHARLES H. WATKINS, JR., of the firm of C. H. Watkins, Jr., & Co., of 
Wheeling, West Virginia, is prominent as one of the leading business men 
of that city. The firm of C. H. Watkins, Jr., & Company, succeeded White, 
Handley & Foster, who established the business in 1895, at Nos. 2245 and 
2247 Main street, as the successors of J. W. Blatchley. 

The present firm has handled the business since February, 1901. Associated 
with Mr. Watkins are J. Wilson White, David White, Harry A. Watkins, 
Walter G. Sadler and others. They handle exclusively retail furniture and 
carpets, draperies, chinaware, stoves, and a general line of house-
furnishing goods, besides having an undertaking department, which has been 
built up most rapidly since February, 1901. 

The building occupied for this business is large and commodious, and has 
electric lights and all other modern conveniences, especially in the line 
of furniture. The main room on the first floor, 187 feet deep, contains 
the office, heavy furniture, chinaware and pictures. Besides this there 
are three other floors; one floor is devoted to the carpets, rugs, 
draperies, blankets, comforters and bedding, besides bedsprings, kitchen 
utensils, safes, stoves, etc. On another floor are the fine pieces of 
parlor furniture, carpets, chairs, etc. In addition to this the city 
morgue is also located within the building. 

Mr. Watkins was born on the Island, in Wheeling. In January, 1896, he was 
one of the founders of the firm of Exley, Watkins & Company, and at this 
writing is still an officer and director of the company. He is a member of 
the board of trade and belongs to several social orders. 

Some members of the firm of C. H. Watkins, Jr., & Company have long been 
interested in the house furnishing business,--especially the White 
brothers,--who have been in the same line of trade in different capacities 
for more than seventeen years. Mr. Watkins does some business on the 
installment plan and has so far proved most successful in his business 
career. His portrait accompanies this sketch, appearing on a preceding 
page. 



JOHN C. McCURDY, who has been a life-long resident of Ohio county, West 
Virginia, has held many positions of public trust and at the present time 
is efficiently serving in the capacity of superintendent of the county 
home. He was born in Ohio county, May 10, 1848, and is a son of William 
and Mary (Munnell) McCurdy. 

William McCurdy was of Irish descent and was engaged in agricultural 
pursuits until his demise in 1876, at the age of sixty-five years. He was 
united in marriage with Mary Munnell, who was born in this country, of 
Scotch descent, and was nearly fifty years of age at the time of her 
death. 

J. C. McCurdy was limited to a common school education, and as his father 
died when he was young, he was then obliged to look out for himself. 
However, he lived with his mother on the home farm until he was eighteen 
years of age, when he came to Wheeling and accepted a position with the 
Bodley wagon works. He was connected with this concern for seventeen 
years, and learned the trade in all its details. In 1884 he moved to Elm 
Grove, purchased the establishment founded by J. L. Kimmins, and 
successfully conducted the business for a period of thirteen years, when 
he resold to the former owner, Mr. Kimmins. He was elected county 
commissioner and served two terms in this office, covering 1895, 1896 and 
1899 and 1900. In April, 1901, he was elected county superintendent of the 
poor, an office capacity he has since maintained. The county home is 
located on a farm of _ acres near Elm Grove, the main building having been 
built in 1872, and the hospital other large building in 1882. The average 
attendance of poor is 75 in the summer and _ in the winter. He has so 
systematized the work that with three nurses in the hospital, matron, an 
engineer, a superintendent of poor farm and an extra man, he conducts the 
whole institution. He was elected the mayor of Elm Grove, served as such 
one term and after an interval of one term was re-elected. In 1897 he was 
elected councilman and was chairman of the committee on _ and alleys and a 
member of the ordinance committee. He has always been a strong supporter 
of the Republican party, and for _ years has been most active in party 
affairs. 

May 10, 1876, Mr. McCurdy was united in marriage with Anna George, whose 
father, James George, was a farmer and died early in life. Mrs. McCurdy's 
grandfather, Judge George, was a prominent man in Ohio, and served as 
judge of the Supreme Court of the state. Five children were born to bless 
the union. Those living are,--James Frank, who was born in 1879; and John 
C., born in 1888. Fraternally, Mr. McCurdy has been a member of Mystic 
Lodge, No. 24, K. of P. Elm Grove for six years. The family attends the 
Stone Presbyterian church. Mrs. McCurdy died January 7, 1894. 



F. F. FARIS, a prominent architect of Wheeling, West Virginia, who 
commands a large business, has been in the profession in Wheeling longer 
than any other architect at present in Wheeling, having associated himself 
with the well known architect, E. W. Wells, directly after leaving school. 
Most of the prominent buildings and residences in the city he has been 
personally interested in and designed. 

Mr. Faris is not only an artist in his work, but the construction and 
practical part is shown by some of the difficult work which he has 
constructed. Designing and constructing are Mr. Faris' strong points, and 
from the amount of business he commands shows that they are appreciated. 

He was born at St. Clairsville, Ohio, August 15, 1870, and is the son of 
J. A. Faris, the artist. Mr. Faris was united in marriage January 7, 1897, 
to Nellie Egerter, daughter of A. C. and Adelaide Egerter. 



FREDERICK SCHMEICHEL, of the firm of F. Schmeichel & Son, engaged in an 
extensive furniture and upholstering business in Wheeling, West Virginia, 
is a German by birth, as were also his father and mother, Michael and 
Amelia Schmeichel. In 1870 our subject immigrated to the United States, 
locating permanently in Wheeling. He was a stair-builder and carpenter by 
trade and pursued that occupation for three and a half years in this 
country. He then started into his present business, being associated with 
Mr. Behrens, under the firm name of Schmeichel & Behrens, which continued 
until the death of the latter in 1883, the firm having carried on a 
profitable business for ten years. Our subject then did without a partner 
for some time, continuing in his own name until his son, Fred C., grew old 
enough to become interested, when the firm became F. Schmeichel & Son, and 
has so continued. They are located at Nos. 2265-67 Market street. 

Michael Schmeichel was born in 1801, and was a farmer all his life, dying 
in 1895. His wife lived to be only forty-five years old, her death 
occurring in 1854. They had five children, of whom three died many years 
ago in Germany. Frederick, our subject, who was born in 1841; and Julius, 
who died in Germany in 1895, made up the remainder of the family. 

In 1873 Mr. Schmeichel was united in marriage with Louise Ulrich, who was 
born in 1851. They have seven children, as follows: Fred C., Ludo, Harry, 
Arthur, Maria, Edward and Oscar. Fred C. and Harry are in business with 
their father. The family are members of the St. John's German Independent 
Protestant church. Mr. Schmeichel is an ardent Republican, and affiliates 
with the Improved Order of Red Men and the Knights of Pythias. He has a 
thriving business, which bids fair to become larger as his sons grow 
older. He is a good manager and is held in high esteem by all the 
residents of Wheeling who know him. 



NOAH W. BECK. Reminiscent of the pioneer conditions of Wheeling during the 
foreparts of the last century are the undertakings of Noah W. Beck and the 
family from which he springs. The head of that solid enterprise known as 
Beck's Nail City Smelting Works has passed through many lines of activity 
and many avenues of usefulness on the way to his present success, and no 
citizen of Wheeling has more emphatically been the architect of his own 
fortunes. A native of Belmont county, Ohio, he was born January 22, 1835, 
a son of Frederick R. Beck, who was born at Fredericksburg, Maryland, 
February 12, 1809. 

The elder Beck was reared on a farm in Maryland, and when twenty years of 
age came to Wheeling, where he worked as a machinist and carpenter. Among 
the accomplishments credited to him in the early days was the sawing of 
the lumber for the old bridge between Bridgeport and Wheeling, erected in 
1832. For a few years he ventured into agricultural fields, and during 
that time lived with his family on the National Pike in an old log cabin. 
He could hardly have realized his expectations as a tiller of the soil, 
for in 1848 he again became a resident of Wheeling and remained here until 
his death, in 1886. In his younger days he married Susanah Stillwagon, who 
was born in Pennsylvaia in 1812, and while leading their industrious livs 
they reared six children: Mary; Noah W.; Elizabeth; Catherine; John N.; 
and Rebecca, who is deceased. 

During his youth Noah W. Beck attended school at Whiskey Run, a short 
distance from West Wheeling and, like all the boys of his neighborhood, 
was obliged to become financially independent at a comparatively early 
age. He was first employed by a glass cutting company at Cookstown, 
Pennsylvania, and later boated on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers for 
about five years. After abandoning the roving river life he went to work 
at the old cotton factory in Wheeling as a machinist in 1844, and at the 
expiration of this service learned the trade of wagon manufacturing, which 
he followed for seven years. A still later occupation was as foreman for 
Hobbs, Tayler & Company, who purchased the machine shops of Henry and John 
Hubbard, with whom he remained for eleven years. As long ago as 1877 Mr. 
Beck purchased the brass foundry to the management of which he has since 
devoted his most worthy efforts, and which has brought him prominence in 
the business world, as well as a goodly share of worldly possessions. 

Mrs. Noah W. Beck was formerly Sallie A. Diyen, who was born in England in 
1837, and whose marriage with Mr. Beck occurred in 1860. Of this union 
there have been born five children: William, who is a plumber in Wheeling; 
James L.; Harry; Sallie; and Noah W., Jr. Noah W. Beck, Jr., was a valiant 
soldier during the late Spanish-American War, and was a member of Battery 
H., Third Artillery, and served as a soldier in the army in the 
Philippines. Noah W. Beck is a Prohibitonist in political affiliations, 
and is fraternally associated with the Wheeling Lodge, No. 9, I.O.O.F., of 
which he has been a member since 1865. Himself and family are members of 
the Mehodist Episcopal church. Mr. Beck has faithfully served the best 
interests of Wheeling during the long residence here, and has generously 
promoted through his purse and counsel whatever of merit was instituted 
for the all-around well-being of the community. He is not only highly 
regarded by the business contingent of the town, but has hosts of friends 
who appreciate to the full his sterling and common-sense attributes. 



FREDERICK UNRUH, who is now retired, is prominent in the political affairs 
of Wheeling, and has held numerous offices of public trust. He was born in 
Monroe county, Ohio, in 1839, and is a son of Frank and Anna M. (Bott) 
Unruh. 

Frank Unruh was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1812, and came to the United 
States in 1833, locating in Pittsburg, where he worked at carriage 
smithing. In 1839 he went on a farm in Monroe county, Ohio, and remained 
there until 1845, when he returned to Pittsburg and again worked at his 
trade. He continued there until 1851, when he removed to Wheeling, where 
he opened a grocery on Main street, two doors below the intersection of 
Twelfth street, continuing there two years, removing to Nos. 1226-1228 
Water street, where he engaged in the grocery trade and became very 
prosperous. While residing on Main street he took a trip to California in 
a sailing vessel, going by way of the Isthmus of Panama. One hundred and 
ten days were consumed in the voyage, and many hardships and interesting 
experiences were encountered. He became interested in gold mining in 
California, but shortly returned to Wheeling. He retired from active 
business in 1894, and died January 3, 1901. he was united in marriage 
January 1, 1835, with Anna M. Bott, a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth Bott. 
She was born in 1811, and they became parents of the following children: 
Frederick, subject of this sketch; Caroline, who married Louis V. Blond 
and lives in Wheeling; and Elizabeth, who is the widow of Henry Stamm and 
is proprietor of the Stamm Hotel. Mrs. Unruh died in 1897, at the advanced 
age of eighty-six years. 

Frederick Unruh came to Wheeling in 1851 with his parents, and there 
followed the trade of a baker and confectioner. He has always taken a deep 
interest in politics, being affiliated with the Democratic party. He 
served as deputy sheriff under Thomas J. Campbell; was secretary of the 
water board one term; was deputy collector under J. M. Warden, George Q. 
Black, S. L. Brice, William Miles, William H. Shafer and James B. Taney, 
and for two years was city collector. The duties of his various 
responsible, official positions were discharged with thoroughness and 
dispatch and in a manner entirely satisfactory to all concerned. He is a 
man of recognized business ability, and stands high in the esteem of his 
fellow citizens. 



LOUIS OTTO, engaged in butchering at Triadelphia, West Virginia, is a man 
who thoroughly understands his business, and who has the trade of a great 
part of the town, which he handles with marked success. He is a native of 
Triadelphia, and was born June 19, 1856. He is a son of Henry Otto, who 
was also engaged in the butchering business, and was employed in the best 
establishment in Wheeling of its kind for many years. He was a native of 
Germany, came to the United States when about twenty-one years of age, and 
proceeded directly to Wheeling, where he engaged in the butcher's 
occupation, which he had formerly learned in Germany. He was first 
connected with John Ziegler, and staid with him until 1852, when he 
removed to Triadelphia bought a location built a shop and residence, and 
continued in business there until his death, in 1893. 

Mr. Otto's early education was limited to the Triadelphia schools, after 
which his father put him to learning the trade of a butcher in all its 
branches, and when he became of age he was thoroughly equipped to 
undertake business on his own account. He accepted positions as a first-
class butcher in Massachusetts and New York, the last of which he retained 
until his father's death in 1893. Then he returned to Triadelphia, took 
charge of the business, and has carried on a most active trade ever since. 

In 1889, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Uschman, a daughter of 
Emil and Amelia Uschman, natives of Germany, who came to the United States 
early in life, and are still living. Mr. Uschman is a cigarmaker by trade. 
Three children have blessed this union, namely: Lottie, born in February, 
1890; Hattie, born August 1, 1891; and Pearl, born October 14, 1899. The 
family are members of the Evangelical Lutheran church. 

In fraternal circles, Mr. Otto is a member of the Shield of Honor. He 
belongs to the Butcher's Protective Association of Wheeling. In politics, 
he is an independent Democrat. Such men as Mr. Otto are needed in the 
community; he is thrifty, well meaning and enterprising, and is highly 
respected by all his acquaintances.