History of Wheeling City and Ohio Co. WV - Biographries-6



W. J. W. COWDEN, a prominent resident of Wheeling, West Virginia, has been 
continuously engaged in the practice of law in this city since 1872. He 
was born in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, May 1, 1846. 

Mr. Cowden was educated at Westminster College, from which institution he 
was graduated June 29, 1871. Prior to that time he had taught the classics 
and higher mathematics in several academies, and when a boy had decided 
upon entering the legal profession. September 7, 1871, he came to Wheeling 
from Western Pennsylvania, and at once took up the study of law in the 
office of W. P. Hubbard, Esq. He applied himself diligently to the work 
and was admitted to the bar on October 6, 1872. He first entered politics 
in 1876, when he was chosen secretary of the Republican state central and 
executive committees, and served in that capacity until 1884, when he was 
made chairman of both committees. He managed the campaigns of 1884 and 
18__, but always refused to run for office himself. He refused to accept 
the nomination for justice of the District Court for the First District of 
West Virginia when such nomination was equivalent to an election. In 1889, 
without knowledge or consent, Mr. Cowden was appointed postmaster of 
Wheeling. He resigned his chairmanships and served as postmaster until 
January 1, 1894, although he still kept in touch with his extensive law 
practice. Since that time he served on the state committee for the 
campaign of 1896, and during that of 19__ he was a member of the state 
committee having in charge the speakers' bureau. In march 1897, he was 
appointed paymaster general of the staff of Governor Atkinson with the 
rank of brigadier. His acceptance in May, 1898, of the office of paymaster 
in the volunteer service, with the rank of major, shortly after the 
outbreak of the Spanish-American War, was at the suggestion of Adjutant 
General Appleton. In this capacity he served until March 1899, in the 
Department of the Gulf, with headquarters at Atlanta, Georgia, but 
discharging the functions of his office in different camps in South 
Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee and Texas. He has had a 
large practice in law ever since opening an office in Wheeling, in 1872, 
and has always evinced a deep interest in educational matters. He has been 
a member of the board of directors of the Allegheny United Presbyterian 
Theological Seminary and president of the board of regents of West 
Virginia University. 

Mr. Cowden was united in marriage with [missing], a daughter of the late 
Rev. J. T. McClure D. D., who, from March 11, 1850, until his death on 
January 2, 1900, served as the beloved pastor of the First United 
Presbyterian church of Wheeling. This union resulted in the birth of one 
daughter, Helen McClure, who resides with her parents at No. 1129 Chapline 
street. Religiously, Mr. Cowden was reared a Calvinist, and is now a 
member of the First United Presbyterian church. He has been one of the 
most active of its members, is an elder, and served as superintendent of 
the Sunday school for many years. 



GEORGE A. LAUGHLIN, who is well known as a prominent business man of 
Wheeling, West Virginia, was born in this city September 28, 1862. In 1887 
he removed to Cleveland, Ohio, and from there to Richmond, Indiana, in 
1896. He returned to Wheeling in 1899, where he has since resided. 



JACOB W. GRUBB, a prominent jeweler and optician of Wheeling, West 
Virginia, has his place of business at No. 1306 Market street, and enjoys 
the patronage of the leading residents of the city and its vicinity. He 
was born at Bridgeport, Ohio, in August, 1850, and is a son of Capt. 
Andrew Grubb. 

Capt. Andrew Grubb was a native of Ohio and died in 1889. He was a soldier 
of the Mexican and Civil Wars and acquitted himself with great credit, 
serving as lieutenant in the former struggle and as captain in the latter. 
He was united in marriage at St. Clairsville with Miss Turk, who is living 
at the age of seventy years, having a home on the Island in Wheeling. Two 
children are now living, namely: Jacob W.; and Maggie, who is living with 
her mother. 

Jacob W. Grubb was reared in Bridgeport, Ohio, but began his business 
career in Wheeling as a clerk in the dry goods line in the store of George 
R. Taylor, where he remained four years. He then entered the employ of 
Hennegan, Bates & Company, watchmaker and jewelers, with whom he learned 
the trade. He later purchased the business, becoming proprietor in 1877. 
The business was started by J. T. Scott in 1840, on Main street, and then 
continued by Hennegan, Bates & Company until Mr. Grubb assumed control. He 
employs a large force of clerks, but gives personal attention to the 
fitting of glasses, being a skilled optician. In this specialty he has 
gained an extensive reputation throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania and West 
Virginia. He has fitted over 23,000 pairs of glasses and his work has met 
with general satisfaction. He carries a complete line of jewelry, watches 
and diamonds in his large store, and is inspector of watches on all the 
Baltimore & Ohio lines running into Wheeling. He is one of the leading 
business men of the city of Wheeling and has many stanch friends. 

Mr. Grubb was united in marriage with Lizzie Delaplain, a daughter of 
Louis S. Delaplain, who organized the dry goods company, of which Hullihen 
Quarrier is the present head. This is the oldest business house in its 
line in the country conducted under its original name. Mr. Grubb resides 
at Echo Point, where he has a beautiful home. He and his wife have four 
children: Mamie, wife of Frank Waterhouse; Louis D.; Jacob W., Jr.; and 
Elizabeth. In politics, he has always supported the Republican party, and 
was the first Republican mayor of Wheeling, being elected to that office 
in 1885. He is a member of the Masonic order, being a Knight Templar and 
Shriner. For years he has been trustee of the Benevolent and Protective 
Order of Elks. In religious attachments, he is a member of the Episcopal 
church. 



MILTON McCOLLOCH, who is a progressive farmer in Richland district, Ohio 
county, West Virginia, stands high in the esteem of his neighbors and 
friends. He is a son of Abram I. and Rebecca J. (North) McColloch, and was 
born June 19, 1874. Father and son are both natives of Richland district, 
Ohio county, and the former was born in 1851. He married Rebecca J. North, 
who was born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, in 1852, and they had two 
children, Milton, and Archie N., who was born November 12, 1876. Abram I. 
McColloch is a farmer by occupation, residing in Richland district. In 
politics, he is an unfaltering Republican, and has done much to assist his 
party in the county; he served as county commissioner two years. Milton 
McColloch's primary education was derived form the district schools, which 
was supplemented by a course at the West Liberty State Normal School, 
where he graduated with honors in 1893. He taught school for the following 
six years, and had much success, but finally went back to his father's 
farm, and has remained there ever since, engaged in farming. 

April 15, 1896, Mr. McColloch was united in marriage with Lillie Emsley, a 
daughter of Joseph and Wilhelmina (Springer) Emsley. She was born April 
14, 1875, and they have one child, Rebecca May, whose birth took place 
February 20, 1901. 

Fraternally, Mr. McColloch is a member of the Shield of Honor, Wheeling 
Lodge, No. 7. In political opinions, he is a Republican. He possesses the 
confidence and respect of his friends and acquaintances and is a leader 
among the representative men of his district. 



NATHANIEL C. HAMILTON, a well known resident of Wheeling, Ohio county, 
West Virginia, whose portrait is herewith shown, has served in the city 
council for many years, and has been enthusiastic in his support of all 
measures tending to the benefit of the city. He was born in Wellsburg, 
West Virginia, June 15, 1849, and is a son of Samuel C. A. Hamilton. 

Samuel C. A. Hamilton was born at Elizabeth, in what is now Allegheny 
county, Pennsylvania, in 1814, and removed to Virginia in 1837. He came to 
Wheeling in 1853, and with A. W. Campbell started the Wheeling 
Intelligencer. He was the pressman, and continued with that paper until 
1861, when he became pressman for Trowbridge & Downing, proprietors of the 
Wheeling Press. In 1862, he and Robert Silvey started the Wheeling 
Observer, the first penny paper in Wheeling, which had an existence of but 
six months. He then left Wheeling and became an oil-well contractor, at 
which occupation he continued until 1874. During the following ten years 
he engaged in cabinet and pattern making, and in 1884 moved to Windsor, 11 
miles north of Wheeling, where he lived a retired life until his death, 
which resulted in being run down by a train of cars, at Short Creek, in 
1897. He was then in the eighty-third year of his age. He was a member of 
the Christian church, having been immersed in baptism by Alexander 
Campbell, founder of the local church. He was a Democrat up to the Grant 
campaign, and from that time on identified himself with the Republican 
party. He was a Mason and an Odd Fellow. He served as justice of the peace 
two or three terms. In 1837 he married Narcissa Martin, who was born at 
Independence, Virginia, in 1819, and was a daughter of Joseph and Mildred 
Martin. Of the 12 children born to them, the following are now living: 
Virginia R., widow of Alexander Morrison, who lives on the Island, at 
Wheeling; Agnes Jane, widow of William H. Bassett, who lives with a son in 
the same locality; Cornelia R., who is unmarried, and lives in New York 
City; Leonora D., who married William Brown, of Detroit, Michigan, a 
member of the Perry Machine Company; Mildred M., who is a trained nurse in 
New York City, and a graduate of Bellevue Hospital; William J., who lives 
on the Island, in Wheeling; and Nathaniel C. and Charles P., twins. The 
latter is an architect, and lives on Sixteenth street, Wheeling. 

Nathaniel C. Hamilton has been prominent in the affairs of the city of 
Wheeling for many years, having first served a term in the second branch 
of the council, from the first ward, in 1878. He was elected the second 
time from the seventh ward and served two terms,--from 1892 until 1896. He 
was next elected, in 1899, to the first branch to fill a vacancy caused by 
the death of William McKelvey, and is now serving the term out. He was 
placed on the following committees: Finance, of which he is chariman; 
cemeteries; contracts; equalization and appeals; salaries; and wharves. He 
has been a most active member of the body, and has fathered numerous 
important measures for the improvement of the city, among them the new 
charter for Wheeling, in 1896, and the building law, for controlling 
buildings in the city. He was unsuccessful, however, in getting these 
bills passed, being defeated in the first branch. He is a member of the 
American Municipal League and represented the city at the National 
Convention of Municipal Leagues, at Cleveland, in 1897. 

Mr. Hamilton was united in marriage on June 21, 1876, with Mary V. 
Connelley who was born September 20, 1854, and is a daughter of William 
and Sarah (Holliday) Connelley. Her father was born in Maryland, in 1822, 
and died in 1875. Her mother was born in Freeport, Ohio, in 1823. Mr. and 
Mrs. Connelley had six other children, namely: Francis; Sarah; Delia; Ben 
W.; J. W.; and H. C. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton have one son, Benjamin E., who 
was born in Wheeling, June 27, 1878. They are members of the First 
Christian church. Fraternally, Mr. Hamilton is a Mason, Knight Templar and 
Odd Fellow. In politics he has always been a strong supporter of 
Republican principles. 



MAJ. THOMAS H. NORTON, one of the best known citizens of Wheeling, West 
Virginia, is a private banker, with office in Room 5, City Bank Building. 
He was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, April 29, 1840, and is a son of 
George W. and Rachel (Thomas) Norton. 

The Norton family attained prominence as the first to engage in the 
manufacture of iron in Wheeling. George W. Norton, father of Thomas H. 
Norton, Col. E. M. Norton, the first United States Marshal of West 
Virginia, appointed by President Lincoln, and F. D. Norton, began as 
nailers at Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, and were subsequently in the employ 
of the Shoenbergers, of Pittsburg, who were among the first to manufacture 
iron nails in the that city. These three Norton brothers moved to Wheeling 
in 1847, and in connection with E. W. Stephens, operated the Top Mill. 
Col. E. M. Norton and his associates left the Virginia Iron Works, which 
were constructed on the ground now occupied by the Baltimore and Ohio 
Railroad depot at the mouth of Wheeling Creek, about 1850. In 1852, the 
Belmont Iron Works were established and operated under the firm name of 
Norton, Bailey & Company. This firm was dissolved a few years later, and 
the retiring partners built the LaBelle Iron Works, under the firm name of 
Bailey, Woodward & Company. In 1862, the Norton brothers sold their 
interest in the Belmont Iron Works to Henry Moore and others, and moved to 
Ironton, Ohio, where they purchased, reconstructed and enlarged the 
Bellefonte Iron Works. George W. Norton served as president of this plant 
until his death, and was then succeeded by Col. E. M. Norton, who 
subsequently organized the Norton Iron Works at Ashland, Kentucky. All of 
these industrial establishments, excepting the Virginia Iron Works, are in 
active operation at the present time, either as independent companies, or 
component parts of the United States Steel Corporation. 

Maj. Thomas H. Norton was one of the seven sons, five of whom are still 
living. He attended Linsly Institute and was graduated therefrom in 1858. 
In 1859, he was a noncomissioned officer in a company of Virginia militia, 
which the governor of Virginia called out for duty at the execution of 
John Brown. Mr. Norton refused to obey and immediately severed his 
connection with the militia. At the beginning of the Civil War, he was 
serving as paymaster at the Belmont Iron Works, from among the employees 
of which he raised a company of soldiers, upon the first call of President 
Lincoln for volunteers. On May 11, 1861, he was elected 2nd lieutenant of 
this company, and was mustered into service by Maj. James Oakes. A few 
days later the company took the field, although but partially armed. While 
with the regiment, Lieutenant Norton took part in the engagement at 
Philippi, Virginia, June 3, 1861, in which Colonel Kelley, commanding the 
regiment, with the co-operation and support of a brigade of Ohio and 
Indiana troops, defeated and dispersed the Confederate forces under 
Colonel Porterfield. In recognition of his services, Lieutenant Norton was 
appointed captain in the 15th Reg., U.S. Infantry. He was at that time a 
little over twenty-one years of age, and probably was the youngest captain 
who ever served in the regular army. During the remainder of 1861 and a 
part of 1862, Captain Norton was on recruiting, mustering and disbursing 
service, at Columbus, Ohio, and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He mustered in 
many of the famous Pennsylvania regiments that afterward achieved 
distinction. He was relieved of this duty in November, 1862, joined his 
regiment at Memphis, Tennessee, and served in the department under command 
of General Grant. After the battle at Chickamauga, in September, 1863, his 
regiment was ordered to join its regular brigade, in the 2nd Division, 
14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, at Chattanooga. He remained on 
duty with his regiment until the close of the war in 1865. He participated 
in the engagement at Missionary Ridge, on November 25, 1863, and in all 
the battles of the Atlanta campaign, including Buzzard Roost, Resaca, New 
Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Neal Dow Station, Peach Tree Creek, 
Jonesboro and the seige of Atlanta. He was breveted major for gallant and 
meritorious services in the above actions, and at the end of the war was 
awarded a medal of honor by the legislature of West Virginia. During the 
Atlanta campaign, the company commanded by Captain Norton was reduced from 
its original complement of 100 men to 10 members, consisting of the 
captain, one corporal, and eight privates. From 1865 to 1870, Major Norton 
continued to serve in Alabama, Mississippi and Texas, performing duties 
imposed by the reconstruction laws of Congress, and in 1868 and 1869 he 
was military mayor of Jackson, Mississippi. He was retired from active 
service December 17, 1870, for disability incurred in the line of duty. 
Major Norton, besides being engaged as a private banker in Wheeling, is 
also interested in mines in Colorado, where he has stock in the Plomo 
Mining & Milling company, and other enterprises. He is a man of sterling 
character, and his dignified and courteous manner, as well as his kindness 
of heart, have endeared him to all who know him. 



THOMAS W. NESBITT, a member of the firm of Nesbitt & Brother, dealers in 
hardware at No. 1212 Market street, has been located in the city of 
Wheeling since 1850. He was born near Belfast, Ireland, and is a son of 
John and Catherine (Montgomery) Nesbitt. 

John Nesbitt died in Ireland, and his widow, in company with her children, 
set sail for America in 1850. She died at the beginning of the Civil War 
at the age of sixty-five years. The last piece of work to be made by her 
hands was a beautiful flag of the Stars and Stripes. John Nesbitt and his 
wife reared six sons and three daughters, namely: James; Samuel; William; 
Thomas W.; Robert; David; Mrs. M. J. Taylor, who lives in Wheeling; Ann, 
deceased; and Mrs. Edward Reed, who died in 1900. The youngest member of 
the family now living is past sixty years of age. 

Thomas W. Nesbitt, the subject of this sketch, was sixteen years old when 
he came to this country. His brothers, Samuel and James, located in 
Wheeling prior to his locating here and are still residents of this city. 
James Nesbitt is identified with the tube works, and Samuel is a retired 
blacksmith. Thomas W. Nesbitt and his brother Robert learned the trade of 
a tinner and the present firm of Nesbitt & Brother was established in 
1858, and has since continued. Their first business was a tinshop in 
Wheeling, which they conducted seven years, then moved to the present 
location of the Franklin Insurance company of Wheeling. The firm then 
removed to the place now occupied by Jones & Brother, subsequently 
locating on Main street. About twenty-three years ago they removed to 
their present place of business at No. 1212 Market street. They erected a 
fine double building, of which one-half is occupied by the F. W. Baumer 
Co., dealers in pianos. The firm of Nesbitt & Brother carries a complete 
line of hardware and employs six people in the retail department of their 
establishment. The promptness and dispatch with which they transact all 
business and their courteous treatment of their patrons have resulted in 
the establishment of an extensive trade. The store is one of the largest 
and best equipped in the city, and Mr. Nesbitt and his brother, and son 
Herbert W., who is now a member of the firm of Nesbitt & Brother, have 
just cause to be proud of the success they have achieved. 

Thomas W. Nesbitt was joined in marriage with Rebecca Watterson, a native 
of Wheeling, of Scoth-Irish decent. Three sons were born to them, namely: 
Herbert W., who married May Robinson, is in the business with his father; 
Frank W., who is prosecuting attorney of Ohio county, West Virginia; and 
Dr. Robert Henry, a graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of 
New York City. Dr. Nesbitt died October 10, 1901. 

Robert Nesbitt, brother of our subject was married October 6, 1898, to 
Mary McCrum and they reside at Leatherwood. Thomas W. Nesbitt is a 
Republican in politics. Religiously he is a member of he First United 
Presbyterian church. He has a very comfortable home at No. 114 Fourteenth 
street, Wheeling, where he is widely known. 



CHARLES HORSTMANN, a well known business man of Wheeling, whose portrait 
is herewith shown, is vice-president and manager of the Schmulbach Brewing 
Company. He was born in Germany, April 12, 1846. 

Mr. Horstmann came to the United States in 1871, and located in the eighth 
ward, Wheeling. He obtained employment in a glass manufacturing plant, and 
remained there a short time. After this he went back to Germany, remained 
in his native country three months, and then returned to Wheeling and 
turned his willing hands to a number of occupations. In 1874 he became a 
driver for the Nail City Brewery, now the Schmulbach Brewery, and 
continued thus until 1880. He then made another visit to Germany, and 
returned in four months. He spent four years in beer bottling for himself, 
after which he served as collector for the Schmulbach Brewing Company for 
seven years. At the expiration of that time he was made general manager of 
the large plant and still serves as such. In December, 1900, he was made 
vice-president of the company. The company is capitalized at $240,000, and 
has a capacity of 150,000 barrels of beer per year. It employs from 75 to 
100 men the year through. The officers of the company are: Henry 
Schmulbach, president; Charles Horstmann, vice-president; J. H. Lancaster, 
secretary; and Henry Schmulbach, treasurer. 

On January 26, 1873, Mr. Horstmann was united in marriage, in Germany, 
with Fredericka Niedermeyer, who was born in Germany, September 8, 1852. 
They have four children, namely: Fredericka, wife of William Floto, of 
Wheeling; and Louisa, Edward and Alma, who are at home. Mr. Horstmann has 
one brother living in Germany. The family are members of the German 
Protestant church. Fraternally, Mr. Horstmann is an Elk, Odd Fellow and 
Red Man. He also belongs to Einigkeits Lodge, No. 292, German Order of 
Harn Gari, German Benevolent Society, Krieger Verein, Mozart Singing 
Society, and the Rhinelander St. Paul Benevolent Society. Mr. Horstmann is 
a Democrat in politics and served four years in the first branch of the 
city council. 



JOHN BAIRD, who passed from this life on March 3, 1901, spent his entire 
life on a farm in Ohio county, West Virginia. The family has long been 
established in this country, his grandfather, John Baird, coming from 
County Tyrone, Ireland, to Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, about 1778. 
While there he took the oath of allegiance, as follows: 

"I do herby certify that John Baird of Cumberland, Hamilton Township, hath 
voluntarily taken and subscribed the Oath of Allegiance and Fidelity as 
directed by an Act of General Assembly of Pennsylvania, passed the 
thirteenth day of June, A. D. 1777. Witness my Hand and Seal, the 29th Day 
of May, A. D. 1778. 

"No. 114. (L. S.) Andrew Long." 

He moved to Virginia where he bought 400 acres of land in 1785. The deed 
was made out at Richmond, Virginia, and signed by Edmund Randolph, 
governor of the commonwealth of Virginia. He was married in 1790 to Jane 
Hosick. They had eight children, namely: John, Jane, George, Eleanor, 
Elizabeth, William, Josiah and Joseph. 

John Baird, son of John Baird, the first to come to this country, was born 
in 1792. He removed to Ohio in his twenty-second year, and there married. 
In 1840, he went to Des Moines, Iowa, where he remained until his removal, 
to Kirksville, Missouri. He died there in 1865, at the age of seventy-
three years. He was the father of 12 children, but only five survived him. 
The following is taken from his obituary: "In theology, as was his father, 
so was he, a Presbyterian of the John Knox school, sound and unyielding in 
the faith once delivered to the Saints. He was the only ruling elder of 
the Presbyterian church of this place, an office the duties of which he 
discharged with a deep sense of his unworthiness and inability, and which 
owing to his advanced age he wished to decline. He had repeatedly read the 
Bible through in his life time, and still delighted at life's close to 
lean upon it as a sure word of prophecy, and died as a summer cloud dieth. 
'Mark the perfect man and behold the upright, for the end of that man is 
peace.' 

Jane Baird was married to John Beall and settled in Belmont county, Ohio, 
where they reared a large family. She lived to be almost a century old. 
Eleanor Baird was born February 8, 1801, and married James Jamison, of 
Dallas, West Virginia. She died in 1863, leaving no children. Elizabeth 
Baird was born January 27, 1803, and married William Miller, of Ohio 
county; after his death, she removed to Licking county, Ohio; she had no 
children. 

William Baird was born March 5, 1806, and removed to Pataskala, Ohio, 
where he died in 1889, aged eighty-three years. He had two daughters, one 
of whom survived him. 

Josiah Baird, father of the subject of this sketch, was born March 8, 
1807. His whole life was spent on the home place. May 7, 1835, he married 
Rosannah Merchant. Her father, Reuben Merchant, who came to this country 
from Northfield, England, in 1788, married Polly Gaitor on August 18, 
1795, and they had two sons and six daughters. He was a cabinetmaker, and 
owned the Black Diamond coal mine near Wheeling Creek. Josiah Baird and 
his wife Rosannah had five children, as follows: John, whose name heads 
this sketch; Joseph, born October 22, 1838, and died September 26, 1848; 
Mary, born March 13 1841, married Dr. A. Allison and is now living near 
Martin's Ferry, Ohio, her husband having died in 1898; Jane, born October 
4, 1844, and now living on the home place; and James Hervey, born April 
22, 1847, and died March 26, 1850. The mother died September 14, 1848. 

Josiah Baird was married again in 1850 to Elizabeth Chambers, a daughter 
of Joseph Chambers, whose father, James Hamilton Chambers, came to this 
country from County Derry, Ireland, about 1790, settled in Lancaster 
county, Pennsylvania, and moved not long after to Pleasant Valley, five 
miles east of Wheeling. James Hamilton Chambers had three sons and two 
daughters, namely: James; John; Joseph; Isabella, who married Robert Hay 
and raised a family of nine or 10 children, living in or about Pittsburg; 
and Jane, who married a Mr. Patterson in Muskingum county, Ohio. Joseph 
Chambers married Rebecca Beall and had seven children, four sons and three 
daughters: James P., a farmer and stock raiser living near West Alexander, 
Pennsylvania; Joseph, living in West Alexander; Mary and John, deceased; 
Jane, living near Bethany, West Virginia; and William Beall, formerly a 
dentist of Newark, Ohio. Josiah and Elizabeth (Chambers) Baird had three 
children: William C., born March 9, 1852; Rebecca Ellen, born October 28, 
1853; and Josiah Wallace, a record of whose life appears elsewhere in this 
work. Mrs. Baird died September 23, 1859. William C. Baird is living on 
the home place. He was married in 1878 to Margaret E. McCulloch. They have 
seven children: Samuel McCulloch, Laura Elizabeth, Rebecca Wilson, Bertha 
Ellen, Josiah Beall, Katherine Lauk and Margaret Louise. 

John Baird, the oldest son of Josiah and Rosannah (Merchant) Baird, was 
born February 6, 1836, and spent his entire life, as did his father, on 
the farm where he was born. He was an enthusiastic farmer and aimed to be 
an intelligent one. He always took an active part in Farmers' Institutes. 
He was never a very strong man, but always a very busy one. He took great 
interest in growing fine wool, was the first to introduce the bronze 
turkey into this part of the country, and also among the first to 
introduce Italian bees. He took great pride in thoroughbred stock. In the 
latter part of his life he became much absorbed in fruit growing, and the 
fine fruit in great variety now grown on his farm goes to prove that he 
was a success. He was a member of the old Stone Presbyterian church, where 
his grandfather was one of the first elders. He was president of the board 
of trustees of that church for twenty years, and taught the Bible class in 
the Sabbath-school for twenty-six years. No little thing ever kept him 
from his place. If duty called, he was there. He was married in 1865 to 
Mary Louisa Nicoll, a daughter of William Ming Nicoll, of Wheeling, West 
Virginia, and one daughter was born but died in infancy. Mrs. Baird died 
November 26, 1876. 



ELZIE E. BOWMAN, who is one of the most progressive and successful young 
men in Liberty district, was born in Ohio county, West Virginia, June 9, 
1865. He is a son of Alfred Bowman, a native of Ohio, who was killed 
November 14, 1890, by an engine of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, 
when he was crossing the railroad track at Taylorstown, Pennsylvania. Our 
subject's mother, Mrs. Margaret J. (Parsons) Bowman, was born on a farm 
near Proctor, West Virginia, and was a daughter of the late Jehu and 
Catherine (Yoho) Parsons, Mr. Parsons being one of the most extensive land 
owners and stock raisers in that section of the country. Mr. and Mrs. 
Bowman became parents of the following children: Elzie E., the subject of 
this sketch; R. Hubbard, who conducts a general merchandise store at 
Valley Grove, Ohio county; Mollie, wife of Edward Springer, of Valley 
Grove, Ohio county; Jennie, wife of Harry Lash, of Hazelwood, 
Pennsylvania; Ella, wife of the late W. C. Alexander, of Pittsburg, 
Pennsylvania; Ada, of Hazelwood, Pennsylvania; and Rhea, deceased. 

Elzie E. Bowman received his education in the schools of his native 
county. Leaving the farm at twenty-two years of age, he entered the oil 
fields, where he was employed two years. He then returned to Valley Grove 
and engaged in farming, in which occupation he has continued. 

On March 24, 1891, the subject of this sketch married Maggie Seamon 
Ridgely, eldest daughter of Horace and Nancy (Smith) Ridgely, of West 
Liberty, Ohio county. Mrs. Nancy (Smith) Ridgely was a daughter of the 
late Fergus and Nancy (Purcell) Smith, the former an extensive land owner 
in Ohio and Brooke counties. Horace Ridgely was born in Ohio county and 
was a successful farmer up to the time of his death, which occurred at the 
age of sixty-six years, being caused by paralysis. He was a son of the 
late Richard Ridgely, who was a native of Maryland, was an extensive 
farmer and wool grower of Ohio county. Mrs. Bowman has four sisters, 
namely: Elizabeth, wife of Dr. F. H. Bassett, of Wheeling; Luella, wife of 
Dr. J. B. Jobes, of West Liberty; Clara, wife of Dr. W. M. Miller, of 
Wellsburg, Brooke county, West Virginia; and Bessie, of West Liberty. Our 
subject and his wife have one child, Beulah Regina. 

Mr. Bowman, who is a stanch Republican, on November 6, 1898, was elected a 
member of the county court of Ohio county for Liberty district. His record 
in that office was so satisfactory to his constituents that he was 
reelected for a second term in November, 1900 by the largest majority ever 
given in his ditrict. 



J. S. GIBBS, who is secretary of the Delaplain Dry Goods Company, has been 
a resident of Wheeling since 1867. He was born at Newark, Newcastle 
county, Delaware. In 1867 he located at Wheeling, Ohio county, West 
Virginia, and engaged with L. S. Delaplain & Son. In the interest of that 
house he traveled through Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio. He then 
entered the store, becoming manager of the notions, underwear, hosiery and 
fancy goods department, continuing at this until the death of L. S. 
Delaplain. Then the Delaplain Dry Goods Company was incorporated, since 
which time Mr. Gibbs has been secretary and manager of the company. Mr. 
Gibbs has a great deal of natural business ability, which he has fully 
developed. He is a man of energy, with a strong determination to succeed, 
and has met with success. 

Mr. Gibbs married Minnie S. Black, a daughter of Thomas G. Black, who was 
one of the old residents of Wheeling. Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs have two 
children, namely: Edith and J. Shewell. They live at Pleasant Valley. The 
family are members of the Protestant Episcopal church. Mr. Gibbs has a 
wide circle of friends in Wheeling and in the vicinity of that 
enterprising city. 



LOUIS G. STAIB, a stockholder in the South Side Bank of Wheeling and ex- 
member of the City Water Board, owns a large wagon and carriage factory in 
Wheeling, West Virginia, where he is known to be a worthy citizen and a 
kind neighbor and friend. 

Mr. Staib was born in Wheeling, December 29, 1851, and is a son of Conrad 
and Regina (Smith) Staib, both of whom were natives of Germany, and came 
to this country about 1847. Conrad Staib was a wagon-maker and pursued his 
business in Wheeling and other places. He married Regina Smith, and six 
children were born to this worthy couple, four of whom are deceased, the 
only survivors being Louis G., and his brother, Harmon, who resides in 
North Benwood. The first to die in this family were two daughters, who 
were buried for a time in the Hempfield Cemetery, but have since been 
removed to the family lot in Mount Wood Cemetery. Two brothers, Henry and 
William are also buried there. Henry was the victim of a sad accident- 
when but two years old, one day his clothing caught fire in some way, and 
he was burned to death. William was about the same age at the time of his 
demise. Mr. and Mrs. Staib were members of the Evangelical Lutheran 
church. Mr. Staib passed away in October, 1893, at the age of seventy 
years, and his wife followed him in December of the same year, aged 
seventy-three years. 

Louis G. Staib attended school during his early years at Moundsville, and 
later at Wheeling. Until he learned his trade, he worked at anything he 
could find to do in the way of employment. His father kept a shop, and 
there he partially learned the trade, later engaging with Adam Stoker, 
where he completed his preparation. In 1878 he started into business for 
himself in the shop which he still occupies. His concern is one of the 
oldest in the city; he makes wagons and buggies, does all kinds of 
repairing and employs on an average three men, although in summer he has 
work for more. He is still very attentive to the business. 

On September 7, 1877, he was united in marriage with Sophia Franks, who 
was born March 24, 1857. She is a native of Wheeling, and a daughter of 
Lewis Franks, who lost his life as a soldier in the Civil War. Mrs. 
Staib's mother is a resident of Wheeling, and has reached the age of sixty-
five years. Seven children have been born to Mr. Staib and his worthy 
wife, as follows: Maggie, who gives lessons on the piano and is still at 
home; Lida, also at home; Stella, who is a competent typewriter and 
stenographer in the city; Myrtle; Elsie; and Regina, who are attending 
school; and one who died in infancy. 

Mr. and Mrs. Staib are devoted members of the German Evangelical Lutheran 
church. Mr. Staib takes very little interest in politics. He and his 
family reside in their comfortable home at No. 3233 Chapline street. Mr. 
Staib is known as a good citizen; he knows hard work when he sees it, and 
is not afraid of it. 



CHARLES F. ZIMMER, proprietor of the Home Bakery, at No. 2348 Chapline 
street, whose portrait we present on the opposite page, was born in 
Wheeling, January 5, 1857, and is a son of Charles and Julia (Lang) 
Zimmer. 

Charles Zimmer was born in Bavaria, August 23, 1830. He had no relatives 
in this country, but nevertheless, in 1849, at the age of eighteen years, 
he resolved to try his fortune here. He came across the ocean on a sailing 
vessel and was forty days at sea, landing at last in New York. The next 
day after his arrival, he started for Wheeling. While in Germany he had 
learned the bakery business, and this became his occupation on reaching 
Wheeling. He always pursued a straightforward, honorable and honest 
course, and remained in the business until 1886, when he retired. He was 
united in marriage with Julia Anna Lang, who was born in Germany, January 
5, 1832. Eight children blessed this union, as follows: Matilda; Charles 
F.; Emma; Lizzie; Julia; Mollie M.; George W.; and Edward F. Matilda 
married Jacob Ritzer, and resides at Wheeling; they have no children. Emma 
is now Mrs. Henry Fillmer, a resident of Wheeling, and has five children, 
namely: Margaret; Etta; Clara; Caroline; and Howard. Lizzie is still in 
the home circle, and is well and favorably known for her many excellent, 
kind and sisterly offices. Julia married August H. Knoke, a mail carrier 
in South Wheeling, and has three children,--Hilda, Edna and Helen. Mollie 
M. is now the wife of Alfred F. Ulrich, and has two children,--Alfred F. 
and Carl Z. George W. married Laura Kronjaeger, and has one child, George 
W., Jr. Edward F. died January 23, 1887, at the early age of fifteen 
years. His death was most keenly felt, and marked the first break in a 
large and highly respected family. The parents of these children are 
members of the German Presbyterian church. Mr. Zimmer was a member of the 
I.O.O.F. for many years. He belongs to one of the good old pioneer 
families of Wheeling. 

Charles F. Zimmer received his early mental training in the Wheeling 
public schools, and afterwards took a business course at the Wheeling 
Business College. After the close of his high school days, he worked at 
the bakery business and has continued in it for thirty-one years, having 
learned it while working in his father's bakery. The store was established 
as early as 1857, Charles F. Zimmer having had control since 1886. He has 
been doing a very good business during these years; he employs three hands 
and runs a store besides. From 1880 to 1886, he worked at his trade in 
Chicago, Illinois, for bakeries and restaurants. 

Mr. Zimmer was united in marriage with Carrie J. Klapproth, August 27, 
1896. She is a native of Wheeling, West Virginia, and a daughter of C. 
Frederick and Wilhelmina (Pfaffenbach) Klapproth, the latter of whom is 
still living at the age of sixty-four years. Mr. Klapproth died in July, 
1898, aged seventy-three years. Mrs. Zimmer attended the Wheeling schools, 
and was a graduate of the training school for nurses at Baltimore, 
Maryland. She served as nurse in that place for five years, and then came 
to Wheeling, where for a year she did private nursing for several of the 
doctors. Mr. Zimmer is a member of the A.O.U.W., and is past master of 
that fraternity. He takes very little interest in politics, but votes a 
Republican ticket. He is a good and well appreciated citizen, understands 
his business in all its divisions, and is a picture of robust health. 



JAMES DIXON, a farmer and stock breeder of Ohio county, West Virginia, 
whose reputation extends throughout the state, was born in 1835 on the 
farm settled by his grandfather, John Dixon, at the head of Dixon's Run, 
in Ohio county. He is a son of James Dixon, Sr., and grandson of John 
Dixon. 

John Dixon, who it is thought was of noble birth, for he always wore a wig 
and knockerbockers, immigrated to this country about the year 1770 from 
Ireland. He was a well educated man and possessed of considerable wealth 
for that period. He located 400 acres of land in Ohio county on the run 
which has since borne his name. He was a strict John Knox Presbyterian. It 
is claimed that he served in the Revolutionary War. 

James Dixon, Sr., father of our subject, was born on the farm in Ohio 
county in 1794, and died in 1849. He came into possession of the farm, and 
in addition to farming he engaged in stock buying with Richard Hardesty, 
who was owner at that time of what is known as the McColloch Ridge. The 
stock bought in the Ohio Valley they would drive across the Alleghany 
Mountains, to the only market there was at that time; as he continued in 
the stock business all his life he drove many thousand cattle over the 
mountains to the Eastern market. As a judge of the weight of stock, he was 
unexcelled. In 1811 he assisted in building the road form Vincennes, 
Indiana, up the Wabash River, when General William Henry Harrison went up 
the river and whipped Tecumsah's brother, the Prophet, at the memorable 
field of Tippecanoe. After this, Mr. Dixon was drafted into the army, and 
served in the War of 1812. He married Sarah Shaw, who lived to reach the 
ripe old age of ninety-two years. They had five sons: James, the subject 
of this sketch; John and William who died on the Illinois River; Wyley, 
who died in Ohio county, when in young manhood; and Jackson, who fought in 
the Civil War, becoming a member of the 47th Regiment, Ill. Inf., under 
Colonel Bryant, and serving until he became disabled by exposure and 
wound, when he returned to his home, and died near the Illinois River. He 
was considered one of the strongest men in the regiment. 

James Dixon, our subject, passed his early life on the farm, and received 
a fair education in the public schools. When a boy, he went west, where he 
remained eight years; for one year of this period, he was engaged on what 
was known as the "Underground Railroad," over which fleeing slaves from 
the South were shipped to safety in Canada. He visited all the states in 
the West, and went to Kansas Territory, when Kansas City was a village. 
When the slavery question brought the Northern and Southern sympathizers 
into conflict, the Yankee jayhawkers and the border ruffians made things 
very interesting for him, boy as he was. When a supposed thief or murderer 
was caught, he was hung with little ceremony to the limb of the first tree 
at hand, for they had no jails or other places of confinement for 
criminals. Many an interesting reminiscence of this stirring period does 
he tell, to the delight of his friends. 

Returning to Ohio county, Mr. Dixon settled among the hills on the farm, 
owned by William Cochran in the early days, who was killed by the Indians, 
and was buried just across the north line of the farm on the farm that is 
now owned by S. S. Jacob, Esq. 

In 1862, Mr. Dixon married Florence E. Martin, daughter of Richard Martin, 
whose father came to this country from Ireland. The following children 
were born to them: Lawrence R., a graduate of the West Liberty State 
Normal School in 1884, who taught school for a time, and now owns and 
operates a fruit farm; R. L., a farmer and stock raiser, who owns a farm 
near West Liberty; James who graduated from the West Liberty State Normal 
School in 1893, then attended the Eclectic Medical College, of Cincinnati, 
Ohio, after which he attended a veterinary college in Toronto, Canada, 
from which he graduated with high honors - he is now practicing at 
Greeley, Iowa; and William W., who is at home with his parents, and shows 
a decided genious for mechanical work. 

Mr. Dixon is independent in politics. For a number of years he was a 
commissioned officer in the Virginia militia, under Col. T. Y. Hervey. He 
takes a great interest in county and state fairs, farmers' institutes, and 
is a member of the Panhandle Farmers' Insurance Company, which has proved 
a great success. He is a lover of good stock, particularly horses, ans 
tries to raise the best he can, with the means at his command. 



W. G. RAINES, a progressive business man of Valley Grove, Ohio county, 
West Virginia, keeps a blacksmith shop and has a very prosperous business. 
He is a son of Robert Raines. 

Robert Raines was born in Scarborough, England, and at the age of eighteen 
years came to the United States. He was a tailor by trade, and was quite 
successful in life. He died at the age of fifty-five years, and lies 
buried at West Alexander. He was the father of eight children, as follows: 
Byron, who died at the age of four years; Alvia, who died when two years 
old; Anna, who died at the age of six years; two who died in infancy; 
Maggie, wife of James White, who is the operator of a sawmill; Bertha, who 
married J. Lehrman, a glass decorator, living in Wheeling; and W. G., the 
subject of this biography. 

W. G. Raines attended the common schools, and remained at home until he 
reached the age of twenty-one years. He served an apprenticeship of three 
years and two months to the trade of a blacksmith, at Steubenville, Ohio. 
Wishing to see and learn something of the great West, he then went to 
Kansas and worked as a journeyman one year; and thence to Colorado, where 
he remained but a short time. He moved to Texas and from there went to New 
Mexico, and then to the Indian Territory, after which he returned to 
Pennsylvania. He started a shop of his own at Potomac, West Virginia, 
which he conducted for a period of eighteen months, and then became a 
foreman in the Lidy shop at West Alexander, a position he held for three 
years. In 1895 he locted in Valley Grove and established a shop which he 
has since conducted in a most successful manner. He is a man of pleasing 
personality and stands high in the esteem of his fellow citizens. 

Mr. Raines was united in marriage, in 1893, with Abbie Hanna, a daughter 
of William Hanna, a farmer of Ohio county, who is living at the age of 
sixty-eight years. Her grandfather, John Hanna, was born in Ireland, and 
was a hatter by trade. One son has blessed this union, John Earl, who was 
born September 24, 1894. Mr. Raines is a Republican in politics. He is a 
member of the United Presbyterian church. He is a charter member of Lodge 
No. 48, Blacksmith's Association, of Wheeling. 



J. B. SOMMERVILLE, a prominent corporation attorney and general 
practitioner of law at Wheeling, was born June 5, 1852, near Wellsburg, 
Brooke county, Virginia (now West Virginia), and is a son of William M. 
and Margaret A. Sommerville. 

He received his early education in the common schools in his native 
county, and graduated from the West Liberty State Normal School in 1873. 
He attended Bethany College during the session of 1875-76, an institution 
noted because of its founder being also the founder of the religious body 
known as the Disciples. Mr. Sommerville taught school five years, during a 
part of which time he also pursued the study of law. He was elected a 
member of the House of Delegates for the session of 1877, serving on the 
committees on elections and priovileges, education and enrolled bills. He 
was the youngest member of that boday, but discharged his duties in a 
manner which was highly satisfactory to his friends, and denoted a 
thorough understanding of the requirements of his office. He was admitted 
to the bar in Brooke county in 1878, and established a large practice 
there, successfully handling many important and difficult cases. He has 
been located in Wheeling since 1887. April 4, 1881, Mr. Sommerville was 
appointed by Governor Jackson to the Board of regents of the State Normal 
Schools, and has always evinced a deep interest in educational matters. In 
May, 1885, he was appointed a regent of the Deaf, Dumb and Blind Institute 
at Romney, by Governor Wilson, which position he resigned in 1886. He was 
appointed by Governor Wilson as regent of the State University in 1886 and 
successively reappointed to that position by Governors Flemming and 
MacCorkle, and served in that capacity for six years. He was elected to 
the State Senate to represent Hancock, Brooke and ohio counties, serving 
during the session of 1885 he was a member of the committees on judiciary 
public buiildings, humande institutions, forfeited and unappropriated 
lands, public library and education. At the session of 1887 he was 
chairman of the committee on education, and a member of the committees on 
railroads, finance, claims and grievances, and judiciary. During the 
latter session he was the leader of the caucus Democrats, and on several 
occasions received a number of votes for Unites States Senator. He is 
solicitor for the "Pennsylvania Lines West of Pittsburg," and has charge 
of the legal business of the Pennsylvania system in West Virginia. 

Mr. Sommerville married Agnes G. Hosie, of Brooke county, May 13, 1879. He 
is a Democrat in politics, but refused to train with Mr. Bryan and the 
Populistic element of the party. He is one of the ablest lawyers in West 
Virginia, and is well known to the citizens of the state. 



JOSEPH HANDLAN. The family, whose reputation for substantial 
accomplishment is admirably sustained by the legal and general ability of 
Joseph Handlan, has for nearly a century been identified with the most 
ambitious growth of Wheeling. He was born in the city of his residence in 
1866, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Martin) Handlan. 

The exceeding versatility of John Handlan placed him among the foremost 
pioneers and most successful financiers of West Virginia, and his tireless 
exertions in many lines of activity evinced the faculty not only of 
grasping but of creating opportunities. He was born in Pennsylvania in 
1808, and came with his parents to Wheeling in 1811. His father, Joseph, 
from whom he inherited the gifts of concentration and common sense, also 
distributed his energies in various directions, and was successful as a 
steamboat man, in the sawmill business, and as a manufacturer of brick. 
John Handlan received his mental training in the public schools of 
Wheeling, and, profiting by his father's example, embarked at an early age 
in the business world. At the age of sixteen years he went to New Orleans 
and for a time was engaged on the river, from which humble beginning he 
branched out into more substantial enterprises. After his marriage, in 
Wheeling, he took his wife to New Orleans to share in his continually 
rising fortunes, and there, for twelve years, he served as surveyor of the 
port, under Governor Walker. For several years he was a member of the firm 
of Bozant & Company, pork inspectors, a connection from which he withdrew 
in 1850, upon his removal to Wheeling. At that time his adopted city 
needed men of uncommon adaptability, and of that vigor and strength which 
he infused into the busy marts of trade. When the discovery of coal in 
Pennsylvania opened up additional opportunities for the money-maker, he 
entered, with others, into the making of petroleum from coal, and he was 
the first to suggest the use of petroleum as a lubricant for railroad 
uses - the experiment on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad resulting in its 
permanent adoption for that purpose by the company. In practical 
demonstration of his theory that oil existed also in West Virginia, he 
discovered the first oil well in the state, in Kanawha county. Years 
before, while living in New Orleans, he had invested in West Virginia coal 
fields, with the intention of shipping coal down the river and this plan 
proved so feasible that, at one time, he controlled the river frontage 
from Caldwell's run to the south. He was the original owner of the Bogg's 
Run coal mine, still in operation, which was incorpated under the name of 
the Boggs Run Coal Mining Company. Yet another line of effort was in 
connection with the Central Glass Company, of which he was one of the 
originators. The first Wheeling street railway owed its existence 
principally to his correct estimate of the insufficiency of existing 
transportation facilities, and he was president of the company for twelve 
years. The firms of Handlan, Ratcliffe & Company, general merchandise 
dealers, and Pryor, Handlan & Company, wholesale grocers, owed their 
beginning and subsequent reliable standing to his business sagacity. He 
was also a stockholder in several banks. As a relaxation from business 
cares he found congenial occupation in the study of agriculture and 
horticulture, and in the latter sphere was considered the best authority 
on grape culture in the Ohio Valley. Politically a Democrat, he discharged 
whatever of political responsibility came his way in a creditable manner. 
Among other positions of trust, he was for twelve years president of the 
board of county supervisors. Fraternally he was affilitated with the 
independent Order of Odd Fellows. Until a short time before his death, in 
1880, at the age of seventy-two years, Mr. Handlan retained his interest 
in general affairs, and in the friends which his upright and enterprising 
life had bound to him unchangeably. Through his marriage, in Wheeling, 
with Miss Martin, he became allied with another family of the early 
pioneer settles. Hiram Martin, the father of Mrs. Handlan, was principally 
engaged in building and contracting, and in this connection built the old 
court house, and was one of the contractors for work on the National Road. 
In his earlier days Mr. Martin had followed river life, but eventually 
turned his attention to building many of the important structures of 
Wheeling. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Handlan followed the fortunes 
of George Washington during the Revolutionary War, and upon the historic 
battlefield of Brandywine he carried his musket for the last time; his 
father was the owner of the land upon which the battle was fought. Of the 
children born to Mr. and Mrs. John Handlan, William M. resides in 
Wheeling; Elizabeth (Mendel) is deceased; Mary Ella is a widow, and lives 
in London, England; Sallie H. (Surguy) lives in Columbus, Ohio; John R. 
lives on a farm near Elm Grove, in Ohio county; Carrie L. (McVeigh) is a 
resident of St. Paul, Minnesota; and Joseph. 

Primarily, Jospeh Handlan was instructed in the public schools of 
Wheeling, but owing to impaired health removed to Minnesota in 1889, where 
at the University of Minnesota he graduated in 1892, from the college and 
the law department. After being admitted to the bar, he practiced law in 
Minnesota for four years, and upon returning to Wheeling 1896, entered in 
to practice with August H. Wiedebusch. Mr. Handlan is unmarried, and lives 
with his brother, John R. Handlan, at the Handlan homestead, located at 
No. 3103 Chapline street. Fraternally Mr. Handlan is identified with the 
Knights Templar, Bates Lodge, No. 33, A.F. & A.M.; Wheeling Commandery, 
No. 1, K. T.; and Black Prince Lodge, No. 19, K. of P. He is a member of 
the Second Presbyterian church. 



DR. EUGENIUS AUGUSTUS HILDRETH, who has been a most prominent member of 
the medical profession of Wheeling since 1888, was born in this city July 
10, 1864, and is a son of Dr. E. A. Hildreth. 

His grandfather, Ezekiel Hildreth, was a teacher in the Lancasterian 
Academy at Wheeling, but retired some years previous to his death, which 
occurred in March, 1856. He was born at Sterling, Massachusetts, in 1784, 
and married Sally Zane, who was born at Wheeling in 1796, and was a 
daughter of Jonathan Zane, who was one of the defenders at the siege of 
Fort Henry. 

Dr. E. A. Hildreth was born Septembr 13, 1821, and completed a college 
education at Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio, in 1840. He then took up the 
study of medicine at the Ohio Medical College in Cincinnati, Ohio, from 
which institution he was graduated in 1844. In 1845 he opened an office at 
Wheeling and successfully practiced medicine until his death in 1895. He 
was prominent in his profession, and also found time to devote to other 
interests. He was a member of the board of education several terms, and 
was president of that body in 1879. He was a member of the board of 
commissioners of the penitentiary at Moundsville from 1868 to 1872. He 
served as a member of the board of examiners of surgeons for appointment 
to army service, and later was pension examiner. He was noted as a writer 
on atmospheric, meteoric and climatic phenomena, as well as on medical 
science. He was a member of the Ohio County Medical Society, the State 
Medical Society, the American Medical Association, and an honorary member 
of the California Medical Society and the Victoria Institute of Great 
Britain. In 1851 Dr. Hildreth married Susan McMechen, who was born in 1824 
and was a daughter of Benjamin McMechen. They reared the following 
children: Frank C., born in 1852, who was an attorney of Wheeling, and at 
the time of his death, in 1895, was serving as cashier of the Commercial 
Bank; Benjamin M., born in 1854, who spent his active life in the glass 
business and resides at Woodsdale; Sally Zane, wife of William S. Brady, 
who resides at Echo Point; Dorrie List, wife of F. G. Krammerer, of 
Chicago, who has two children, Eugenius Hildreth and Frances; and Eugenius 
A., the subject of this biography. Benjamin M. Hildreth married Kate 
Turner in 1874, and they have a son, Eugenius A., who is now a medical 
student of the University of Pennsylvania. 

Dr. Eugenius A. Hildren was primarily educated in Linsly Institute and 
then studied medicine in Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania, graduating in 1885, his residence during 1886-7 being the 
Brooklyn City Hospital. After taking a special course in New York City, he 
returned to Wheeling, where he has practiced since 1888. His office and 
residence are at No. 1207 Chapline street. He is a member of the Ohio 
County Medical Society, the State Medical Society and the American Medical 
Association. 

Dr. Hildreth was united in marriage, in 1892, with Jane Neave Brady, and 
they have five children: William; Richard; Eugenius A., Jr.; Hugh Brady; 
and Mary Caldwell. The Doctor is a Republican in politics, and a member of 
the board of education and the board of trade. Dr. and Mrs. Hildreth are 
members of St. Matthew's Protestant Episcopal church, of which his father 
was a vestryman. 



ANDREW THOMAS SWEENEY, present mayor of Wheeling, West Virginia, comes of 
a family which has been prominent in the affairs of Virginia and West 
Virginia for many generations. His grandfather, Hon. Thomas Sweeney, was a 
pioneer in the industrial development of the old state of Virginia, and 
rendered signal service as a legislator in the troublous times as well as 
in the rearing of the new state. Andrew J. Sweeney, father of the mayor, 
was himself mayor, was himself mayor of the city of Wheeling; he was 
elected to that office in 1855, and was re-elected in 1861, 1862, 1865, 
1866, 1867, 1875 and 1877. He held his office until 1881. He was a very 
prominent man of his time, and was chosen commissioner to the 
Philadelphia, Vienna and Paris expositions. The members of this family 
have been prominent as manufacturers, and have largely aided the industial 
growth of Wheeling. 

Andrew Thomas Sweeney was first elected mayor in January, 1899, and again 
in January, 1901. Against odds seemingly insurmountable, he each time 
received a handsome majority,--a fact indicating that the services of his 
grandfather and father to the state and city had not been forgotten. 



EDWARD HAMM, one of the foremost among the influential men of Wheeling, is 
a contractor by trade, and has also had an active career in politics. He 
is energetic and progressive, and always has plenty to do in behalf of the 
city in which he resides. He is a German by birth, and immigrating to the 
United States in 1869, at the early age of nineteen years, he came 
directly to Wheeling. 

Mr. Hamm was a carpenter by trade when he came to this country, and his 
first act was to begin work on the steeple of St. Matthew's Protestant 
Episcopal church in 1870. He followed the trade until his arrival at 
Fulton, seven years later, when he took contracts for building, and nearly 
one-half of the buildings in Fulton are the result of his work. Some of 
the buildings in which he was interested as sub-contractor are: The new 
Wheeling Daily News Building; the Children's Home, at Leatherwood, for 
which he had the whole contract; St. Michael's Catholic church, of 
Edgington, and a number of others. His office is on the National Road, 
Fulton. 

For many years Mr. Hamm was active in politics, as a member of the 
Democratic party. He belonged to the city council, and has been mayor of 
Fulton for seven terms, which shows his popularity, and the satisfaction 
he gave in discharging the duties of the office. He served for ten years 
as president of the board of commissioners of the fire department. 



GEORGE A. WELLS is a progressive and successful produce and commission 
merchant of Wheeling, West Virginia, and is descended from a most 
honorable and distinguished family. He was born in Wellsville, Ohio, April 
18, 1848, and is a son of George Wells and grandson of William Wells. 

William Wells was one of Ohio's very first settlers, and he laid out the 
town of Wellsville in that state. His son, George, father of our subject, 
was born in a block house in Washington county, Pennsylvania, reared at 
Wellsville, and became a wool buyer and a boatman; during his life he made 
21 trips down the river to New Orleans in the interests of his business. 
He married Susan Hamilton, a native of Louisville, Kentucky. They reared a 
large family of children, as follows: William P., an eminent physician of 
Wheeling; George A; Eliza, who married a Mr. Wells, of Wheeling; 
Josephine; Rachel; Charles M., of Wheeling; Lulu, who is deceased; and 
Harry C., engaged in the harness and grocery business in North Carolina. 
The father died in 1891, at the age of ninety-six years. 

George A. Wells attended the public schools at Wellsville, Ohio, and came 
to Wheeling in 1868. He worked in a wholesale house for Mike Reilly for a 
time, and acted as bookkeeper for A. C. Egerter & Company, of which firm 
he was a member. Some time later he went into business with Norton & 
Wells, in the wholesale grocery business but unfortunately lost all he had 
in the flood of 1884. He worked for Simon Baer as traveling salesman for a 
while, and subsequently entered business for himself, at Main and 
Twentieth streets, where he has continued profitably for eight years. He 
has been doing business on Main street for the last fifteen years. He has 
been a resident of Wheeling for many years, and has always been a ready 
assistant in all enterprises likely to promote her welfare. 



EBERHARD HOFREUTER, who is proprietor of a sample room on the corner of 
Thirty-fifth and Jacob streets, Wheeling, West Virginia, was born in 
Wutemberg, Germany, February 25, 1865, and is a son of Stephen Hofreuter. 

Stephen Hofreuter was born in Germany, and was a wagonwright by trade. He 
married Theresia vogel, and to them 11 children were born. Those living 
are as follows: Edward; Frank; Eberhard; Mary; and Kunigunde. 

Eberhard Hofreuter came to the United States in 1881. He had attended 
school in Germany until he was fourteen years old, and was employed in a 
large dry goods house. After landing in New York City he at once proceeded 
to Wheeling, where he has since lived. He was first employed as a 
collector for a German newspaper, after which he worked for G. A. Stocker, 
in his sample room at Thirty-fifth and Chapline streets. In 1887, Mr. 
Hofreuter bought out the interest of Mr. Stocker, and conducted business 
there until 1895, when he bought his present building at Thirty-fifth and 
Jacob streets. This building is of brick and is two stories high. Mr. 
Hofreuter has been very successful, and is well known in Wheeling. 

The subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Caroline Russell, 
who was born in Wheeling, in 1867, and is a daughter of Henry Russell, who 
was a miner by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Hofreuter have reared four 
children, namely: Erwin; Lorena; Henry; and Mary. Politically Mr. 
Hofreuter is a Republican. He is a member of the Shield of Honor; Knights 
of Pythias, and 12 other lodges. The Hofreuter family are strict 
Catholics. A portrait of Mr. Hofreuter accompanies this sketch. 



AUGUST YAHRLING, a gentleman well known in Wheeling, where he has always 
lived, is the proprietor of a fish, oyster and poultry market at No. 1004 
Market street. He was born in Wheeling December 27, 1852, and is a son of 
Fred and Caroline (Tice) Yahrling. 

Fred Yahrling was born in Munich, Germany, December 4, 1818, and died May 
9, 1892. He came to America in 1835, landing in Baltimore, and then came 
to Wheeling. He completed a course in Latin at the age of eleven years, 
and was a good scholar in German, French and Latin, and fairly good in 
English. He was sixteen years of age when he began clerking in 
Crumbacker's drug store and followed that line of business nearly all his 
life. He owned and conducted a drug store for more than fifty years, and 
then became identified with the revenue office at Wheeling. In September, 
1844, he was joined in marriage with Caroline Tice, a daughter of Waldheim 
and Catherine (Amos) Tice. She was one of three children, the others being 
Lizzie wife of George Eckhardt; and Valentine, who served four years in 
the army during the Civil War, and shortly after returning died from 
disease contracted in the service. Mrs. Yahrling was born in the Kingdom 
of Bavaria, and at the age of seventeen years came to America. In 1840, 
she and others were engaged in stringing buckeyes fir a period of six 
weeks, in preparation for the visit of Gen. W. H. Harrison, who, with 
thousands of others, took dinner on the hill east of the wire bridge. As a 
school girl, this is one of her proud recollections of the stirring 
campaign of the log cabin and hard cider. Mr. and Mrs. Yahrling became the 
parents of nine children, as follows: Fred, who enlisted in the army in 
1861, as hospital steward, and later served four years as inspector in the 
state of Virginia; August, the subject of this personal history; Robert 
and Elias, twins, who are employed in Pollack's cigar factory; Virginia, 
Louisa, George W., Caroline, deceased; and Gertie, who is the wife of Emil 
Haas, and resides at Bloomington, Illinois. 

August Yahrling obtained his mental instruction in the public schools of 
Wheeling, and after his school days was connected with a nail factory for 
more than twenty years. In 1890 he embarked in his present line, dealing 
in fish, oysters, and all kinds of poultry. He has a flourishing trade, 
and stands high among the business men of the city. 

Mr. Yahrling was joined in marriage, at the age of twenty-one years, with 
Mary Ann Staley, by whom he had four daughters, namely: Pearletta, wife of 
John Jennis, of Canal Dover, Ohio; Lucy May; Mamie; and Blanche. Mrs. 
Yahrling died in February, 1884, at the age of thirty years. Mr. Yahrling 
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he votes the 
Republican ticket, although not active in party affairs. 



R. S. WATERMAN, a successful and enterprising druggist of Wheeling, West 
Virginia, is located at Eleventh and Market streets, and enjoys a 
firstclass patronage. He was born in Athens county, Ohio, September 12, 
1850, and is a son of Charles W. Waterman. 

The father of the subject of this biography was also born in Athens 
county, Ohio, in 1820, and followed farming throughout life. He married 
Marion A. Stone, who was born in Ohio in 1826, and they reared two sons,--
R. S., and Frank E., who was cashier of the Woods County Bank a number of 
years and now resides in Parkersburg, West Virginia, where he is state 
agent for the New York Life Insurance Company. 

R. S. Waterman, after completing his schooling, entered the merchandise 
business at Athens, in 1867. In 1880, he located in Kansas City, where he 
was employed in the office of the Chicago & Alton Railway Company for six 
years. He then removed to Washington, D.C., where he was engaged in the 
drug business for a time. He was also employed in the office of George E. 
Lemon, pension attorney. He left Washington in 1892, and located in 
Weston, West Virginia, where he was engaged in the drug business. He came 
to Wheeling in 1899, and purchased the McLain drug store at the corner of 
Eleventh and Market streets, which he has since conducted. His store is an 
ideal one, complete in all its appointments, and well stocked with every 
thing customary in that line of business. 

Mr. Waterman was married on November 13, 1896, to Winnie Wright, a 
daughter of Capt. B. B. Wright, of Galesburg, Illinois, who was born in 
1875. They have one child, Charles Wright, who was born May 1, 1900. In 
politics, Mr. Waterman casts his ballot in support of the Republican 
party. 



GEORGE N. WELLS, wholesale and retail cigar and job merchant of Wheeling, 
West Virginia, is now carrying on business in partnership with Adrian L. 
Wingerter, and enjoys good patronage from his fellow citizens. He was born 
in Wheeling, October 14, 1874, and is a son of Robert R. and Sarah L. 
(Holmes) Wells, respected residents of this city. 

Robert R. Wells was born in Wheeling in 1844; he married Sarah L. Holmes, 
a native of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Dr. James Rush 
Holmes, of Pittsburg, prominent among physicians of that city. They reared 
five children, namely: J. Howard; George N.; Robert R., Jr.; Harry M.; and 
Eugene. J. Howard is foreman of the plant of the Natural Gas Company of 
West Virginia at Wheeling, where Robert and Harry are employed, and Eugene 
is engaged as a traveling salesman for his brother, George N. 

Mr. Wells attended the sixth ward schools in his youth, and subsequently 
became nail feeder in a nail factory. In 1890, he engaged in business with 
James B. McKee, as manager of that gentleman's retail job store,--working 
also as bookkeeper,--and stayed with him seven years, having full charge 
of the retail department for that time. In 1897, he entered into business 
for himself, associated with Mr. Campbell, under the firm name of Wells & 
Campbell, and dealt in stock such as he carries at the present time. In 
1901, Mr. Campbell sold his interest to Adrian L. Wingerter. The firm is 
very successful in its affairs, and its trade is rapidly increasing. 

Mr. Wells was united in the bonds of matrimony with Bessie L. Simms, who 
was born May 20, 1874, in Ohio. She and her husband are members of the M. 
E. church. Politically, Mr. Wells is a Republican of the truest type, and 
in fraternal connection belongs to the B.P.O.E., of which he is an 
esquire. He is a representative citizen of Ohio county, upright and 
industrious, and has the unlimited confidence of his neighbors and 
friends. 



GUS. FRANZHEIM, who owns a profitable saloon in Wheeling, West Virginia, 
is accounted one of the city's intelligent citizens, who is capable of 
lending a helping hand toward her welfare and prosperity. He is a son of 
Louis Franzheim, a German by birth, who came to the United States during 
his early manhood, and located in Wheeling, where, for a time, he followed 
the trade of a shoemaker. He was afterward engaged in the saloon business 
for a number of years. 

Gus. Franzheim was born in Wheeling, February 6, 1861. He has one brother, 
Louis, of New York, and one sister, Jennie, of Wheeling. During his 
boyhood days he attended the public schools of Wheeling, and obtained a 
fair education, after which he entered Frasher's Business College. Mr. 
Franzheim opened his career by going to Memphis, Tennessee, and there 
identified himself with Jones, Huhn & Company, printers. He remained in 
their employ for nine years, and later was three years with the Kansas 
City, Fort Scott & Memphis Railroad Company as yard clerk and foreman. He 
then went to St. Louis, where he followed the trade of a paper ruler, 
which he had learned in Wheeling, at the Intelligencer's office, and thus 
passed seven years. Subsequently he was engaged in the meat market and 
grocery business for a year, previous to embarking in the saloon business 
at No. 29 Tenth street, where he has been ever since. He is married and 
has one child, Porter; two are deceased,--Hazel Palmer, who died aged 
three years, and one who died at birth. 

In politics, Mr. Franzheim prefers the Democratic party. He is a devout 
member of the German Evangelical Lutheran church, is prominent in K. of P. 
circles, and also belongs to the Knights of Fidelity, of which he is a 
charter member. He is an intelligent and capable man, and attends closely 
to his business. 

Harry C. Franzheim, who is a member of the firm of G. Mendel & Company, 
dealers in furniture, at Wheeling, West Virginia, is a native of the city, 
and was born March 2, 1864. He was reared and educated in Wheeling, and at 
the age of sixteen began his very successful business career. He first 
became associated with the German Bank of Wheeling as bookkeeper, and next 
was employed by the Wheeling Iron & Nail Company at the Top Mill in a 
clerical capacity. He also held the position of paymaster until January, 
1891, when he became a partner in the firm of G. Mendel & Company. With 
this firm he has since remained and, while he has many other interests in 
Wheeling, devotes most of his time to this business. 

Mr. Franzheim is married and has three children. His home is on Front 
street on the Island. He is a Mason and member of Cyrene Commandery, 
Knights Templar. His family attend St. Matthew's Protestant Episcopal 
church. Mr. Franzheim is widely known in Wheeling, and is a progressive 
and public-spirited citizen. 



ALFRED F. ULRICH, associated in business with H. F. Behrens since 1883, is 
now manager of the H. F. Behrens Company, while Mr. Behrens is enjoying a 
sojourn in Europe. Mr. Ulrich is a son of Harry C. and Caroline (Earhardt) 
Ulrich, and was born November 26, 1868, in Wheeling. 

Harry C. Ulrich was a native of Germany, who came to the United States in 
1865, and located at Wheeling, West Virginia. His wife followed him in 
1866. She, also, was a native of Germany, and they were married in 1864. 
Mr. Ulrich is a bookkeeper, and has lived at Martin's Ferry, Ohio, for 
some time. They had 11 children, five of whom, besides Alfred F., are 
still living, as follows: Charles, Edward, Emma, Harry and Lena. Charles 
is a packer, residing in Cincinnatti, Ohio. Edward is a glass blower at 
Muncie, Indiana. Emma married Hans Olmitz, who is an expert machinist, 
living at Lorain, Ohio. Harry is identified with the H. F. Behrens Company 
in Wheeling. Lena is a school teacher, and is living with her parents. 

Alfred F. Ulrich was united in marriage with Mollie Zimmer in 1893. She is 
a daughter of Carl and Julia Zimmer, and was born in 1868 at Wheeling. 
They have two children,--Alfred F., who was born in 1894, and Carl, who 
was born in 1898. 

Mr. Ulrich is a member of the A.O.U.W. He is a Republican in his politics, 
and does his best to further the interests of his party. He is a man of 
great business ability and energy, and is ever ready to give his 
encouragement to any enterprise which is for the welfare of his native 
city. 



CARL HENRY ROBRECHT, one of the foremost citizens of Middle Creek, Ohio 
county, West Virginia, who fully knows the power and influence which the 
farming community has in the affairs of this country, and who has made it 
his life task to be an upright and a worthy citizen, was born in Prussia 
January 21, 1829. In 1854, he came to this country, landing at Baltimore, 
Maryland, and proceeded directly to Ohio county, West Virginia. He leased 
a farm and followed agricultural pursuits for several years; he also 
worked at this trade, that of a stonemason, which he had learned in the 
old country. 

In 1871 Mr. Robrecht purchased a farm, which continued to be his home for 
twenty-seven years - years spent in the improvement and cultivation of its 
broad acres. In 1899 he purchased the land along Middle Creek, where his 
present residence is located. Upon this land he proceeded to build a 
large, commodious two-story dwelling, 34 by 40 feet in dimensions, into 
which he moved March 6, 1900. In this home he is surrounded by many 
comforts, and is spending his declining years. 

Mr. Robrecht has two brothers, who also sought homes in America. One of 
these, John Robrecht, is a retired business man of Wheeling; the other, 
Frederic Robrecht, went west during the past few years; the brothers have 
lost trace of him. All were reared in the folds of the Catholic church, to 
which faith they still adhere. 

Louisa Rust, who was born in Germany, March 7, 1838, and is a daughter of 
Gustavus and Sophia (Teel) Rust, became the wife of Mr. Robrecht. Her 
parents never left the old country, which Mrs. Robrecht left when a young 
lady, coming direct to Wheeling, where her marriage took place. Mr. and 
Mrs. Robrecht have reared a family of eight children, whose births 
occurred as follows: Minnie, in 1859; Mary, in 1861; Annie, in 1863; 
Charles in 1868; John, in 1870; Frederic, in 1872; Louisa, in 1874; and 
Emma, in 1876. Minnie married John Freise, of Wheeling; Mary married John 
Elbert, a farmer of Middle Creek; Annie is the wife of Herman Weiss, of 
Triadelphia; Charles married Theresa Stenger and resides near Wheeling; 
John married Sidney Kerr, and is a physician of Philadelphia; and Louisa 
is the wife of William Stenger, a resides near Wheeling. 

In matter of political nature, Mr. Robrecht is a Democrat, and has proved 
himself a faithful servant of that party, having been school trustee for 
three terms. He has acquired an excellent reputation as an enterprising 
and successful farmer, and has profited by his large experience in life, 
not only to advance his own interests, but to contribute intelligently to 
the growth and prosperity of Ohio county. 



LOUIS SCHWALB, engaged in business in the city of Wheeling, Ohio county, 
West Virginia, was born in Budapest, Hungary, January 26, 1857, and is a 
son of Michael and Regina Schwalb, also natives of Hungary. 

Michael Schwalb and his worthy wife reared a family of eight children, all 
of whom are living and doing well in their native country, with the 
exception of Louis and his brother Jacob. Jacob came to the United States 
in 1891, and is now employed by the Reymann Brewing Company, for which he 
does good services. Michael Schwalb is still living, at the advanced age 
of eighty-one years, and is a well-to-do merchant in his native place. His 
wife died at the age of seventy-seven years, in 1896. 

Louis Schwalb came to the United States in 1873, and established his 
present business immediately after his arrival in Wheeling, in 1878. All 
the education he ever received was acquired by study in his birthplace. 

In 1880 Mr. Schwalb was united in marriage with Mary Blumenthal, who was 
born in Wheeling, Mary 16, 1860, and is a daughter of Meyer Blumenthal. 
They have three children, namely: Huldah, who was born December 24, 1886; 
Allen, who was born December 14, 1894; and Walter, whose birth occurred 
January 6, 1896. 

Mr. Schwalb belongs to the I.O.O.F. and the K. of P. He is a steady, 
persevering business man, and does much for the good of his adopted city. 



R. H. PARKER, who has been continuously since 1885 engaged in business in 
the city of Wheeling, conducts a French dry cleaning establishment at No. 
22 Eleventh street. He was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, in March, 
1850. 

Mr. Parker received his intellectual training in the public schools of his 
native city, and from the time he was eight years old assisted his father 
in business. At an early age he embarked in the fish and oyster business, 
but because of ill health decided to leave Springfield. He objective point 
was Florida, but he stopped at Vermilion, Ohio, to visit an uncle. He 
began newspaper work at Huron, Erie county, on the Huron Reporter, and 
later worked on a Sandusky paper. His health improving, he removed to 
Wheeling, West Virginia, in 1885, and took charge of a hat factory owned 
by L. S. Wilson, at No. 34 Sixteenth street. He continued there for eight 
months, and then embarked in business for himself. He leased the second 
floor of the building on Main street, occupied by W. P. Bachman as a 
millinery store, and began business in 1886, with four employees. His 
trade increased rapidly and that number grew to 25 people. Being obliged 
to give up his rooms there, he leased the second story of the building 
owned by Mr. Paxton at No. 1213 Main street, where he conducted his 
factory for six years. In recent years straw goods have been getting 
cheaper, as a result of the duty taken off, and as a result Mr. Parker 
dropped out of that line, and has engaged in French dry cleaning, making a 
specialty of laundrying lace curtains. He has made a success of this 
enterprise, and employs a number of assistants. 

In 1892 Mr. Parker was united in marriage with Angeline S. Hall, who was 
born in Jefferson county, Ohio, and whose home had been in Steubenville, 
the county seat thereof, until after her marriage. Her father was an old 
resident of Steubenville, but now makes his home in Wheeling,--he also has 
two other daughters residing at Wheeling. Mr. Parker was educated at 
Steubenville and for several years was a teacher in the public schools of 
that city. After her marriage she came to Wheeling with her husband, and 
her formed a partnership with Mary Ruchty in the millinery and notions 
business at No. 22 Eleventh street. Miss Ruchty had been forewoman for Mr. 
Parker for some years previous to his marriage. The three continued 
together in the hat business until April, 1899, when Mr. Parker engaged in 
French dry cleaning in the same building. Since that time Mrs. Parker and 
Miss Ruchty have continued in the millinery and notion business alone, 
employing three assistants and an errand boy. The business of the two 
firms occupies three floors and Mr. and Mrs. Parker reside above the 
store. They are members of the Fourth Street M. E. church, and Mr. Parker 
is a member of the choir. In politics, he is a Republican. His portrait is 
shown on a preceeding page in proximity to this. 



GEORGE S. KING. Fleischmann & Company, well-known purveyors to the people 
of Fleischmann's compressed yeast, could place their best interests in no 
more reliable hands than those of George S. King, the general agent for 
Wheeling and West Virginia. A native of Bordentown, Burlington county, New 
Jersey, he was born May 1, 1865, and is a son of Harry H. King, from whom 
he inherits business ability and sound integrity. 

Harry H. King was born in 1828, and devoted the greater part of his active 
life to contracting. In this capacity he was well known in Bordentown and 
Trenton, New Jersey, in which cities he contributed not a little to the 
general progress. His wife, formerly Phoebe Tindle, was born on a farm 
near Windsor, New Jersey, in 1832, and became the mother of the following 
children: Lydia; William; Maggie; George; and Olive, who is now the wife 
of D. Dyer, of Trenton, New Jersey. 

After his father's removal to Trenton, George S. King attended the public 
schools of that town, and spent the time until 1892 amid the home 
surroundings. His first efforts to make a livelihood was with the company 
which he now represents, his first charge being in Trenton, where he 
remained for three years. Since then he has been identified with the 
business life of Wheeling, and in his coming and going in the busy marts 
of trade has won the confidence and good-will of all who are fortunate 
enough to know him. 

In 1887 Mr. King was united in marriage with Emma L. Dickerson, who was 
born near Chester, Chester county, Pennsylvania, and of this union there 
are four children,--Pauline, Lillian M., Harold C. and Grace. Mr. King is 
a Republican in politics and a stanch upholder of the principles of his 
party. Fraternally, he is associated with the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen and the Royal Tribe of Joseph, Wheeling Lodge, No. 4. He is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church. 



W. L. SAYLOR, senior member of the firm of W. L. Saylor & Company, 
wholesalr produce merchants of Wheeling, West Virginia, which city has 
been his home for the past sixteen years, is well-known in mercantile 
circles as a substantial citizen, whose industry, strict integrity, 
pleasant manner and honorable character entitle him to a high place in the 
esteem of the community. 

The business now carried on by W. L. Saylor & Company, was established in 
1891, by Messrs. Dudley and Swift. The latter conducted it alone for about 
a year, and in 1894 sold out to Wincher, Saylor & Company. In 1895 Mr. 
Wincher retired, and W. L. Saylor, became associated with H. P. Maxwell 
and conducted a similiar business under the firm name of Saylor & Maxwell. 
The partnership then formed existed until January 16, 1901, with the 
addition, in 1896, of William Hubbard, who bought an interest, and is 
still a member of the firm. In 1901 Mr. Saylor purchased the interest of 
Mr. Maxwell and the firm became W. L. Saylor & Company. 

This company has the largest wholesale produce house in Wheeling, and 
controls the trade here that is exclusively in their line. They are not 
commission merchants but conduct a regular up-to-date jobbing house, and 
handle all lines of the best class of produce that can be obtained from 
all parts of the United States. They are sole agents for the famous Moxley 
butterine, and this department alone requires the undivided attention of 
an expert, who attends to nothing else. They also control the sale in that 
locality of a fine brand of buckwheat put out by Walters & Sons, of Butler 
county, Pennsylvania. 

This company has been doing business at No. 1308 Main street for the past 
four years, but the old stand was at No. 1220 Main street. The building 
now occupied has a frontage of 30 feet, and the storage rooms extend back 
about 130 feet to the alley. Four stories, including a fine cellar, are 
utilized in carrying on the business, which increases each season. In 
addition to the men employed in and about the store, three men travel in 
the interests of the company, covering a territory described by a radius 
of about 100 miles. On January 1, 1900, a branch house was established at 
Fairmont, West Virginia. It was incorporated as the Maxwell-Saylor 
Company, and still conducts a successful business in the same lines as the 
Wheeling house. These various interests of Mr. Saylor have not only earned 
him an enviable reputation as an upright and obliging merchant, but have 
yielded him a very comfortable income and placed him in the ranks of the 
representative men who give strength and stability to the community. 

W. L. Saylor was born in Belmont county, Ohio, and is descended from a 
line of sturdy, eastern Pennsylvanians; his parents are deceased. He has 
three brothers who are following the profession of electrical engineers. 
One of these, F. D. Saylor, is a resident of St. Louis, Missouri, and the 
others, C. C. Saylor and B. D. Saylor, reside in the city of Pittsburg. A 
sister, Maude Saylor, is an expert stenographer of the same city, and is 
connected with the Bindley Hardware Company, one of the largest concerns 
of that place. 

Mr. Saylor located in Wheeling in 1884, after following various pursuits. 
He traveled five years for a wholesale produce house, previous to 
purchasing an interest in that line of business himself, in 1894, and has 
since devoted his entire time towards making that venture a success. 

March 21, 1893, he was united in marriage with Miss Bier, a native of 
Wheeling, and a daughter of J. W. and Nancy Bier. Her father was a painter 
and contractor of Wheeling. Mr. and Mrs. Saylor have a handsome residence 
at No.1602 Eoff street, which is cheered by two bright and interesting 
daughters,--Hazel, aged seven years, and Virginia, aged four years. The 
family worship at the First English Evangelical Lutheran church, of which 
Mr. and Mrs. Saylor are members. Mr. Saylor fills the office of assistant 
superintendent of the Sunday shcool at the present time. In political 
views, he is an earnest Republican. Socially, he was formerly a member of 
the I.O.O.F. He is a man of broad information and well rounded character, 
and the respect in which he is held shows the influence which he 
personally wields. 



CHARLES OBERMANN, who was formerly engaged in the potter's trade in 
Wheeling, West Virginia, has been in the saloon business since 1892. He 
now has a place on Thirty-third and Jacob streets, and is very successful. 
He is a native of Germany, was born June 15, 1858, and is a son of Charles 
and Charlotte Obermann. 

Charles Obermann was a stonemason by trade, and he and his wife were both 
of German nativity. He died in 1868, at the age of fifty-two years, and 
Mrs. Obermann died in Wheeling in 1895, at the age of seventy-six years. 
They had nine children, four of whom are living at the present writing. 
The survivors are as follows: Charles; Henry and Hannah, who live in 
Germany, the latter of whom married William Becker; and Caroline, who is 
the wife of Harmon Sommerlade, of Washington county, Pennsylvania. 

Charles Obermann came to the United States in 1872, and arrived soon 
afterward in Wheeling, where he located in the eighth ward. In 1880 he was 
united in marriage with Caroline Colmar, a daughter of Louis and Caroline 
Colmar. She was born in Germany, August 20, 1859. They have eight children 
living, as follows: Caroline, who was united in marriage with Thomas 
Timothy and lives in Wheeling; Bertie, still at home; Ida; Edward; 
Charles; Annie; Georgia; and Henry. The family are members of St. Paul's 
German Independent Evangelical Protestant church. 

Mr. Obermann was collector for the Volksblatt and Staats-Zeitung for a 
number of years, and was afterward a puddler in different mills in the 
city. He then engaged in his present business, which has kept him busy 
since. His first work in this country was in a coal bank. 

He is a member of the Shield of Honor, Fort Henry Lodge, No. 2; and also 
affiliates with Concord Lodges, No. 19, I.O.O.F.; and Garfield Castle, No. 
3, Knights of the Golden Eagle. Mr. Obermann is a self-made man, highly 
respected for his good principles, and worthy of the good-will of his 
fellow citizens. 



HENRY W. SCHREBE, one of the leading grocers of Wheeling, West Virginia, 
whose portrait appears on the opposite page, is a director in the South 
Side Bank of Wheeling, and a member of the board of education. He was born 
in Wibbeke, near Gottingen, in Hanover, Germany, January 21, 1850, and is 
a son of Henry and Julia (Lindeman) Schrebe. His father was a weaver by 
trade. His brother, Charles, is deceased; and his sister, Louisa, wife if 
Henry Yeager, resides on Forty-sixth street in Wheeling. 

Henry W. Schrebe, the subject of this sketch, learned the trade of a 
turner in his native country. In the fall of 1869, in company with his 
uncle, Fred Lindeman, he located in Wheeling. Mr. Lindeman was a 
millwright by trade and died about 1890. Mr. Schrebe was nineteen years of 
age when he settled in Wheeling, and first worked in the old Washington 
Rolling Mill about three months, and when the mill stopped running was 
obliged to look for other employment. He then began the cigar making 
business and also joined the Wheeling Musik Band, known first as the Great 
Western and later as the Opera House or Kramer's Band, in which he played 
cornet for many years. After his marriage in 1875, Mr. Schrebe engaged in 
the grocery business in old Drover's Home in Marshall county, where he 
conducted a general store seven years, and while there was elected a 
member of the board of education from Union district, serving as such two 
years. In March, 1882, he removed to his present location, the building 
then being owned by C. T. Cowan. Mr. Schrebe bought this building at 
auction some time after moving into it and has enlarged and remodeled it 
generally. Its dimensions are 82 by 27 feet, and in the rear are flour and 
feed warehouses. It is one of the largest establishments of the kind in 
Wheeling, and six people are employed in the store. He lost heavily in the 
flood of 1884, most of his stock of $5,000 being entirely ruined. His 
methods of business are honest and fair, and customers always receive 
prompt and courteous attention. He is a man of more than ordinary business 
ability and has met with much success in all his undertakings. 

May 6, 1875, Mr. Schrebe was united in marriage with Caroline Meyer, who 
was born in Wheeling, a daughter of Henry and Louise Meyer. Her mother is 
living at the age of seventy-seven years; her father was a farmer and 
stock raiser. Mr. and Mrs. Schrebe have the following children: Eleanora, 
born April 5, 1876, is the wife of Charles F. Seidler, of Wheeling; Oscar, 
born February 8, 1878, assists his father in the store; Metha, born April 
22, 1880, died July 14, 1881; Henry, born April 15, 1882, is an 
electrician at the car barns; Edward C., born September 30, 1884, is in 
high school; Fred C., born March 9, 1887, died October 20, 1888; and Anna 
Augusta, born June 4, 1889, who is also in school. 

Mr. Schrebe is a Republican in politics, and was elected a member of the 
city council in 1885, serving two years in the second branch and four 
years in the first branch. In 1898 he was elected a member of the board of 
education for a term of six years. He has been president of the Mozart 
Singing Society for the past two years; is a member of the Benevolent and 
Protective Order of Elks; and Zion Benevolent Society. Religiously he is a 
member of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Benwood, West 
Virginia, and was one of the charter members in 1879. He has been 
president of the church organization for the past twelve years, and has 
also held the office of secretary of that body. He is one of the most 
public spirited men of Wheeling, and always gives his assistance when any 
public enterprise is undertaken. 



GEORGE S. OTTE, a highly respected citizen of Wheeling, and a well-known 
business man, is credit manager of the firm of House & Herrmann, and is 
secretary of the company. He was born at Wheeling, and is a son of Charles 
Otte. 

Charles Otte was born in Hanover, Germany, and when twenty-one years old 
came to America, and located in Wheeling in 1846. He followed the business 
of a contractor and builder for many years, having been similarly engaged 
in his native country. He erected many of the largest buildings of the 
city, among them Westwood's Hall, the Ritchie School, and hundreds of 
residences. He retired some years ago and now resides in Missouri. He was 
a pioneer in steamboat cabinet work, being employed by the firm of Hanes & 
Wilson. He was in Kansas City and other towns in Missouri during the 
prevalence of cholera near Independence, Missouri, buried the last victims 
of the disease in that vicinity, his partner being among the number. He 
was united in marriage with Hannah Elick, who was born in Woodstock, 
Virginia, and died in March, 1900, at the age of seventy-six years. She 
came to Wheeling when a young girl, her mother having died, and here she 
married Mr. Otte in 1850. They became parents of the following children: 
Sydney, wife of Frederick Seabright, of Bellaire, Ohio, a retired 
capitalist and a director in the National Steel Company; Charles, Jr., who 
owns 1,200 acres of land in Missouri, and has lead and zinc mining 
interests in Franklin county of that state; Henry C., who also lives in 
Missouri; Eliza C., who was single, and died in 1898; George S., the 
subject of this personal history; and Margaret, wife of Albert Walter, of 
St. Louis, Missouri. 

George S. Otte attended public school in Wheeling, and after his 
graduation therefrom in 1881, was a pupil in Frasher's Business College. 
He was then employed as collector on the Wheeling Register, and later on 
the Evening Journal, which has since been supplanted by the Evening News. 
In 1884, he went to Missouri, and spent seventeen months in the sawmill 
and mining business, associated with his father and brother. He returned 
to Wheeling and engaged in the brokerage business with James Hawley & 
Company. One year later he went into the sheriff's office as deputy to 
Sheriff William C. Handlan, and served out the term of three years. He was 
then elected secretary of the West Virginia Exposition & State Fair 
Association, and served as such three years. He resigned to become city 
solicitor for the Peabody Insurance Company, a position he relinquished 
because of his love for politics. He entered actively into the campaign in 
behalf of A.Franzheim for sheriff, and upon the latter's election served 
as chief deputy sheriff until the close of the term in August, 1897. In 
1896, he was nominated by the Democratic party for recorder of this 
county, but was defeated by Richard Robertson, the present recorder, 
although he polled a much larger vote than his party. Since that time he 
has been identified with the firm of House & Herrmann in the capacity of 
credit manager, having complete charge of the credit and collection 
department. In February, 1901, he was elected secretary of the company, 
and is now serving as such. 

Mr. Otte was united in marriage in 1889 with Mattie Warren, of St. Louis, 
Missouri, a descendant of an old Virginia family. They have two children: 
Warren, aged eleven years, and George S., Jr., aged six years. Fraternally 
Mr. Otte is a member of Ohio Valley Lodge, No. 31, K. of P.; and of the 
Woodmen of the World. Religiously, he is a Presbyterian. 



JOSEPH LOUIS HOLDERMANN, a prominent retired resident of Wheeling, West 
Virginia, was born in the city of Speyer, in Bavaria, Germany, June 27, 
1835, and is a son of Charles Holdermann. 

Charles Holdermann was a carpenter by trade, and always lived in Germany. 
He married Elizabeth Shueman, who was born in France, and they became the 
parents of seven children, namely: Charles, deceased; Joseph Louis; 
Elizabeth; Christian; William; Frederick; and one who died young. 

Joseph Louis Holdermann came to the United States in 1846, with his uncle, 
Fred Holdermann, landing at Baltimore, Maryland. They located in 
Philadelphia, where they lived together until the death of the uncle. 
Joseph Louis Holdermann is a tanner and Morocco dresser by trade, and 
followed it in Philadelphia until 1856, when he came to Wheeling, and 
entered the employ of Berger & Hoffmann. He later returned to Philadelphia 
and from there went to Cincinnati. There he was again located in Wheeling, 
where he has since resided. He worked for Horkheimer Brothers for a period 
of fifteen years, and the retired from active business, in 1897. 

In 1858 Mr. Holdermann married Catherine Bloomstein, who was born in 
Germany, January 8, 1846, and is a daughter of George Bloomstein. The 
latter was a grain merchant and married Lizzie Weis, by whom he had the 
following children: Dora; Nicholas, who served in a West Virginia regiment 
of artillery and died during the Civil War; Catherine; Eliza; Mary; and 
Margaret. Mr. and Mrs. Holdermann reared the following children: Charles; 
Louis; John; George; Lizzie; and Lucy, deceased; William; Mary; August; 
Oscar; Albert; Norman; and Edward. Politically Mr. Holdermann is a 
Republican. He has been a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen 
for many years. Religiously he and his family are members of the German 
Evangelical Lutheran church. 

William Holdermann, the seventh child of Joseph Louis and Catherine 
Holdermann, was born in Marshall county, West Virginia, in 1871, and 
received his mental instruction in Centre School, in Wheeling. He was 
employed in the Hoffmann tannery for a time, but by trade is an axle 
hammersman. Since 1900 he has been in the saloon business with his 
brother, August. In April, 1895, he was married to Susan Schad, a daughter 
of August Schad, a sketch and portrait of whom appear elsewhere in this 
volume. Mrs. Holdermann was born in Benwood in 1873, and they have a son, 
William. August Holdermann, the ninth child born to his parents, first saw 
the light of day in January, 1875, in Wheeling. He attended Centre school, 
in Wheeling, and then worked in the factory of Wheeling Hinge Company one 
year, in a grocery store three years, and in the Riverside Iron Works five 
years. On January 6, 1901, he was united in the bonds of matrimony with 
Odessa Bigelow. Both sons belong to the Shield of Honor and N. of R. A. 
Albert Holdermann was born in Wheeling, June 4, 1879, and Oscar, in 
October, 1877. There two brothers have met with much success as 
proprietors of a feed and grain business. Politically they are all 
Republicans. None of the sons mentioned indulges in tobacco or intoxicants 
in any form, and they are highly respected citizens. They are accomplished 
musicians, William playing a B-flat cornet, August and E-flat, Edward, a 
tenor horn, and Oscar, the piano.